Chapter Text
The harsh rays of the sun beamed through Kunikida’s closed blinds. inching him awake, blinding the restless man's eyes. he raised an arm to protect his face from the light, groaning as he began to wake up little by little. he was aching to stretch his back, but unable to, as he's been sleeping sitting on a propped-up pillow for about a week now, at least that's around how long it's been since he got out of surgery. because according to Yosano ``that's what he was meant to do". Kunikida wasn't too fond of the idea because of the sheer amount of back pain he has from working day and night hunched over his computer, but his co-workers wouldn't give him any other choice. he would usually put up a good fight to resist anything he didn't wanna do if it wasn't deemed 'necessary' in his eyes, if it interfered with his schedule, but especially if it was Dazai's idea, even if it was only slightly. but this time he was far too weak to resist so he just obliged.
He usually cared for his health, so this was definitely an odd sight for everyone around him, as he was fighting for colleagues to let him return to work as usual and continue all the heavy labour he'd left without finishing. It was devastating to his schedule and completely threw him off, not being able to do his morning routine nor go to work or go anywhere as he usually did for that matter sent him into a panic, believing that only horrible things awaited him if this continued. Most of his co-workers besides Yosano and Dazai didn't visit but instead checked up through calls and emails, assuring him that the agency was doing just fine without him and that he should stay resting in bed as per the plan. But knowing Kunikida, he didn't just take no for an answer. The man slowly climbed off of his bed, straining to bend his aching body in ways that it really shouldn't be bending in post-op.
Kunikida groaned in pain as he stood completely, rushing to find his dress shirt in his now messy closet, it was usually pristine, ordered by colour, and easy to find things in. But Dazai was adamant on helping Kunikida post-surgery and slept over for a couple of days until Kunikida insisted he leave, nervous to be seen in a state such as this. Dazai has completely trashed the place within his first hour there. of course.. scavenging for things Kunikida had asked him to bring over to him because he wasn't allowed, nor able to stand up. Kunikida sighed in defeat as he scanned his closet, eventually finding his black dressing shirt, and on the ground.. "just great..." Kunikida groaned, both from the pain of bending down and straining both his abdomen and chest to grab the shirt, also because of the annoyance Dazai had so carelessly caused by throwing all of Kunikida's possessions around like toys, Making it incredibly difficult to find anything around his house now. The blond quickly threw his dress shirt on, squirming in pain slightly as he threw it over his shoulders. then buttoning it up and continued the search for the rest of his work outfit and miscellaneous items alike.
After an agonizing hunt for both his pants, vest, and all of his needed items really.. he was ready to head out the door for his first day back to the agency after his top surgery! Kunikida rushed to his car, struggling to bend to get into the car, hissing in pain as he slammed the car door and he sat down. rummaging for his keys in his pocket to start the car. He quietly sighed as the car started up, the engine softly revving. it was oddly calming to the blond to be back on schedule. well, almost back on schedule at least.. he was already about 30 minutes behind his usual time for getting to work. The man gripped the steering wheel between his sweaty and shaky palms, exhaling briefly before pulling out of the little driveway he'd had and began his commute to work.
The drive was unexpectedly the usual 20-30 minutes, and the pure silence had helped to begin soothing his nerves, having to focus on driving certainly helped his mind from wandering to more.. unpleasant thoughts. Such as how all of his colleagues will react when he enters the door of the agency, and the sheer amount of workload he assumed he'd have when he returned to the agency. The blond's brows furrowed slightly at the thought of Dazai slacking off and leaving all the papers to pile up on Kunikida's desk. his stomach was already turning at the thought of the paperwork he'd need to catch up on "dear god.." he whispered, sighing reluctantly before turning onto the street the agency was on, driving into the parking lot, and stationing his car in the usual spot. Kunikida stopped the car and pulled his keys out of the ignition, wincing in pain as he opened the door to take his first steps out, in front of the agency for the first time in about a week. The cool breeze wafting in the air and playing with Kunikida's hair as he looked up to the fourth floor of the building, the anxiety he'd felt all day had begun to hit him all at once.
Kunikida held his breath as he took a large step forward toward the bricked building. shoving his feelings of uneasiness deep down and sauntered to the building's front door, clenching his jaw in fear as he whipped the door wide open. but, to his surprise.. no one was in the cafe on the base floor. no one but the employees of the cafe actually... Doppo's face contorted into a slight expression of amazement, "even Dazai? there's no way he's doing his goddamn work.." Doppo hissed to himself irritatedly, heading past the cafe staff without a single hello or even a look their way, hurriedly stepping into the elevator and past all the boxes scattered around the floor, this was probably Dazais doing showing by how recklessly everything was thrown around, Kunikida sighed pressing the agency's floors button and uneasily fidgeting with his hands as he waited for the elevator to ding indicating he was now on the fourth floor. he gazed up at the numbers slowly ticking away, his anxiety rising along with the floors. The blond man started to zone out as time slowly passed, until he heard the ding of the elevator, forcing Kunikida to step back into the realm of reality.
"Kunikida? What are you doing here? You should be resting at home. It's not safe for you to be traveling like this so early after your surgery!" a sudden worried voice sounded in his ears, Kunikida looked down hurriedly and flustered, noticing that it was Yosano, concern plastered against her face. Kunikida was slightly off-put by the sudden worried voice that spoke to him but remained composed, well for the most part. "no Yosano... it's fine don't worry, plus it's not good to stay off schedule for too long, it'll lead you astray and cause your schedule to go awol. and I don't want that." Kunikida spoke with a slightly harsh undertone in his voice, more towards himself for letting himself take so much time away from his responsibilities. "But.. Kunik-" the agency's doctor was cut off with an abrupt brush to the shoulder and a reassuring voice in her ear, Yosano whipped her head around, worry clouding her vision as she watched the man wobble painfully through the agency's door. giving her one last reassuring look before shutting the door behind him.
...
Kunikida entered the door hesitantly, trying to ignore all the worried eyes on him rushing over to his desk, sitting down, and opening up his laptop. trying his best to ignore the uneasy glances that wouldn't leave him, with a heavy breath in, he spoke, hesitantly but still.. "if you guys need to ask me something then ask, no need to be scared of not understanding work-related things.." his co-workers all have the same astonished looks, 'is he really trying to play it off? What an idiot!' They all shared in unison glances with each other and tried to speak to the man about how unsafe it is to be up and working so early after his top surgery, especially with the jobs he picks up day to day at the agency. But Kunikida just played it off as 'duty calls' and continued to type away on his laptop. It's not like he was worried about being away for too long because Fukuzawa had told him to take plenty of time off of work and take it easy even when he didn't show up to the agency. he was more so worried about Fukuzawa telling Kunikida off for showing up to work so recently after the surgery, after all, he couldn't disobey his fath- boss, so he would just have to pack it up and leave for the day, the thought of that made Kunikidas brows furrow, after all he needed to get back on schedule and leaving work early would not help his case so in his mind he must stay put until the work day is over.
As expected, there was still plenty of work to catch up on despite his co-worker's efforts to keep the paperwork and cases they took in general under control so Kunikida could keep it easy when he came back, but Dazai being Dazai of course, had to make it into more trouble than it's worth and throw off their work, their whole schedule even, stunting the agency from finishing the large amount of workload they stocked up, even if just a little. "god damn waste of bandages.." Kunikida thought to himself as he typed away at a report about a recent case the agency had taken on, something about an ability user stealing one thing or another.. government documents maybe? he wasn't sure but as long as it was work tied to the agency it seemed to concern him so he continued anyway. The time seemed not to pass as he looked up at the clock, only 30 minutes seemed to have passed by, maybe it was because of the sheer amount of pain pulsing from his abdomen and chest, but still. He was trying his best to focus on, and actually finish the reports at hand.
Doppo started to zone out as he mindlessly typed away, why he had to do this report when he wasn't there for the case was beyond him but he still did it anyway, because "duty is duty". until a sudden voice rang in his ears and made him jump from his seat, gripping his side in pain as he did. "ugh, what the hell Dazai you scared me!! Don't yell in my ear you scoundrel!!" his brows furrowed as he watched as the brunette's face contorted into a smug smile, "Kunikida why are you here!? I thought I told you to stay home and rest! we wouldn't want your beut-" a sudden hand covered Dazais mouth, it was Kunikida of course, his cheeks flushing a slight shade of red as Dazai made an even more amused face before he changed the subject. "anyway.." Osamu started, "maybe reports are too much for you to handle?" Kunikidas face contorted into one of anger as Dazai "hinted" he wasn't even capable of doing a single report. "you're not meant to be at work but I guess we can't help it.. how about focusing on something else?" Dazai suggested with an uncomfortably soft tone to his voice, especially considering it was Dazai we're talking about. He skipped over to Kunikda's Laptop, shut it, and turned to smile at the built man standing behind him.
Kunikida sighed defeatedly, nodding his head before pushing Dazai out of the way as best he could. "as much as I'd like to deny it... I suppose you're right, I'll go help lift those boxes that needed to be brought to the office because I'm guessing you didn't." The brunette's face contorted into an astonished and worried expression, "Wha-? Kunikida-Kun you can't just lift heavy things like that, you'll bleed!!" He rushed over to try and stop the man from leaving the office, but it was to no avail, Dazai was pushed away again and Kunikida rushed to help with the heavy load of boxes that needed to be tended to. rushing down the stairs as fast he could with his dressed chest of course. anxiety racing through him, a certain pang in his chest that he knew all too well began to surface and caused tears to well up in the man's eyes. "If I can't stick to my ideals and help my co-workers.. or people in need for that matter.. what use am I to the people around me?.." Kunikida hated how helpless he felt, he thought with top surgery would come a newfound happiness, which of course in that aspect yes. it made him happier than ever, the joy he felt when he looked at his now flat chest was immeasurable. but the fact it made him feel so hopeless not being able to do anything to help his dear co-workers hurt him far beyond anyone's comprehension.
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To Be Continued ;3