Chapter Text
Despite Chuuya’s best efforts, he and Dazai had not remained a completely secular duo, cut off and above the rest of the Mafia. He didn’t regret meeting the Flags, and he was glad that Dazai had Sakunosuke and the Four-eyes for when Chuuya couldn’t be with him. Seethingly jealous, naturally, but glad.
It soothed the itch somewhat to know that while Dazai would hang out and drink at the bar with these.. buddies... he still came home to Chuuya. He let Chuuya wrap him up in blankets and hide him away from the world, however briefly. But it was enough for Chuuya. Totally enough. They still hadn’t ever had that talk, but that didn’t make Chuuya feel insecure in their relationship at all. Definitely not.
Anyway, Mori had called on him, so there was no real time to think about his doomed love life. Truly only he could be in an unrequited romance with someone who reciprocated his feelings. Idly tapping his foot, he wondered- not for the first time- if Mori could somehow control the speed of the elevator. He wouldn’t put it past the fucking freak to do something so inane to fuck with people’s heads. Even after all these years, there was no love lost between Chuuya and the Boss. Sure on the outside and in public, he was the perfect picture of obedience, but the two of them knew better.
Which is why the barely restrained grin on the bastard’s face is so off putting, making Chuuya hesitate in the doorway for the briefest moment. The lack of Dazai didn’t help matters one bit, and Chuuya had a bad feeling he knew exactly where this was going. It wouldn’t be the first time over the years he went on a solo mission, as he expected this was, but the reaction was new. Normally, when sending either of them away solo, Mori would get a look of defeated annoyance, knowing both parties would fight tooth and nail to not be separated for any considerable length of time. The attitude shift was almost enough for him to turn around and walk out, without either of them saying a word, but a mental Ane-san and Dazai berated him for even thinking about it.
“Hello Chuuya-kun, lovely for you to join me. And so quickly too,” that had to be dig about the elevator, he was positive “I have a job for you that is of the utmost importance and urgency. There is… unrest with an allied organization in France, and they’ve requested the help of an executive. Just one I’m afraid. And before you interrupt me, no it could not be Kouyou, her duties here would be harder to find temporary replacements for, and Dazai absolutely cannot go with you. I am expecting a situation to arise in the coming weeks that will require his full attention. There, now you may interject.”
“Did you say coming weeks? How long will I be gone, Mori?” At this, the grin twitching at the corner of the bastard’s mouth threatened to overtake his entire face.
“At least a month, very likely more.”
It took every ounce of good will in him, all the love he felt for Ane-san and Dazai combined, to keep from vaulting over the desk at him. He was the very picture of barely restrained rage, and he knew Mori could see that. It was a struggle to get the next words out.
“And when do I… leave?”
“The plane is already here, Chuuya-kun! I’ve arranged for a whole new wardrobe to meet you in Paris, as well as all of the amenities you could need. You’ll be leaving now.”
Deep breaths Chuuya, you can’t kill the boss, or at least you probably shouldn’t kill the boss.
“I’ll be out there in 45 minutes. I have to find someone to- take care of my cat.” This completely wiped the smile off Mori’s face, replacing it with pure confusion.
“Your… cat? You have a cat?”
“Yes.” No.
“I- well I guess that’s acceptable, but time is of the essence here, so try not to waste it.” He looked like he didn’t buy it for a moment, but that didn’t matter at all as long as it bought him some time. He didn’t know where Dazai was, and it would take too much time to track him down. But, looking at his watch, he knew exactly where Ane-san would be.
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He was absolutely convinced Mori could control the speed of the elevator.
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Flinging the door to Ane-san’s office open, he was relieved to see that she had no company, instead just working on a report. She sighed as he marched up to her desk, the door slamming behind him.
“Chuuya, lad, what have I said about kn-”
“Mori is sending me away for at least a month. He’s trying to get me to leave right now, so I told him I had a cat that needed to be looked after, and I had to make arrangements. Ane-san I don’t have a lot of time but I’m worried. He was smiling the whole time, I think he’s finally making a move and I’m so worried about Dazai. I know I can handle whoever he throws at me, but Dazai isn’t a fighter. Ane-san please don’t let anything happen to him.”
In a rare break of composure, her mouth hung open by the end of his tirade. He could see in her eyes what was surely reflected in his own, pure unease. Closing her mouth, she nodded slowly. She grabs a piece of paper from inside of a drawer, and hands it to him along with a pen.
“Write something for him, I know trying to find him right now is probably futile, but this way he can hear from you without it being over a text. It’ll likely be best to keep online communication to a minimum anyway, in case Mori has access.” This is why Chuuya had come to Ane-san, she always knew the best course of action. Finally smiling for the first time since he’d made his trek to Mori’s office, he sat down and began to write.
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Boarding the plane without Dazai felt wrong. It felt even worse that he was leaving without getting to say goodbye, without holding Dazai in his arms and pressing kisses to the scar on his wrist. It was a habit that had stuck from their younger years, and it brought the both of them a sense of calm, and rightness. What would Dazai think when he got back to Chuuya’s- to their apartment and Chuuya wasn’t there? Would he think he’d been abandoned? The next person he would go to would obviously be Ane-san, who would clear everything up, but the thought of Dazai feeling that way for even a second had distress rising in his chest.
With every kilometer the plane climbed, the itching in Chuuya’s ribs got worse, until it felt like a hole where his lungs should be. This would be the furthest apart they’d ever been, both in distance and in length. Anything could happen in a month. If Chuuya came back to his mackerel hurt, there would be absolute hell to pay, and this time no anti-ability room would contain him.
Dazai, you’d better be right where I left you when I come back.