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A searing pain strikes Dazai's cheek. A small crack echoes from within his mouth, and the bitter taste of medicine coats his tongue. The antidote capsule in his teeth. It worked.
He knows who he'll see before he even opens his eyes— Dazai could recognize that punch anywhere. Chuuya. His gaze takes a moment to focus on the face in front of him. Blazing red marks bite at Chuuya's cheeks and forehead, winding up his arms and neck like some cruel serpent. His eyes are white, glazed over. But they still regard Dazai with some kind of recognition. And fury.
Chuuya strains, opens his mouth as if he's about to speak; but a cough rips from his throat instead, spilling blood. From the way the droplets suspend themselves in the air, Chuuya's ability must be the thing keeping Dazai from falling to his death. The weightlessness made him think for a moment that perhaps he'd died and woken up in purgatory. But Dazai knows where he's going when he dies. And it's not purgatory. A tender, amused smile tugs at his lips. He reaches out weakly until his fingertips meet Chuuya's face. The skin there is hot from exertion, much like an overheating computer, covered with a thin sheen of sweat. He cups Chuuya's cheek in his palm, gently running his thumb over the cursed marks before pulling him close. He presses his mouth to Chuuya's and kisses unresponsive lips. They're hot too. They burn him.
Chuuya's whole body tenses as Dazai activates his ability, gritting his teeth as the marks painfully recede. The rage dissipates, leaving only exhaustion. His eyes widen when he sees Dazai— feels those lips on his, the cold hand on his cheek— but he doesn't push him away. He couldn't fight it if he tried. If he wanted to. He instead reaches out to clutch at Dazai's jacket, clinging to it like a vice as he finally reacts, letting himself sink into the kiss. He hopes it gets his message across. Relief stabs at him more than anything, not that he was saved, but at who was able to save him. That he was able to save Dazai. That dipshit.
"You used corruption, believing I would save you?" Dazai's voice is hushed, weak, lingering near Chuuya's lips even once they've parted. That stupid, all-knowing grin is plastered on his face. "How beautiful."
"What I believed in," Chuuya almost whispers, his throat strained and hoarse, "was your horrible craftiness and stubborn refusal to die."
Dazai just laughs softly, his thumb stroking Chuuya's cheek again. Chuuya's whole body aches. Somehow, he and Dazai remain suspended, unaffected by gravity. Maybe his ability is still affecting them, like an aftershock. Chuuya doesn't know. His head is pounding so hard he can barely think.
"That was a rather violent way to wake your Snow White, don't you think?" Dazai teases. The side of his face where Chuuya clocked him looks sore and red, probably bruising. Chuuya lets out a disdainful chuckle.
"Snow White didn't have a poison antidote in her mouth. You knew I was gonna punch you."
"I can't deny that." Dazai just grins at him.
"Did you still need true love's kiss so badly?"
"Had to thank my prince somehow."
Chuuya gives him an exasperated look. They hit the ground unceremoniously, as if the force slowly lowering them suddenly disappeared. Even the short fall's impact is enough to rattle every sore bone in Chuuya's body. He's sure at least a few are broken from his rampage. Probably some internal bleeding. He finds himself sprawled with his face pressed to Dazai's waist. It's oddly comfortable.
"..Let me up, asshole." He grunts, feebly trying to push himself off the ground. Dazai's hand on the back of his head holds him firmly in place. Chuuya's cheeks flush in frustration.
"The fog hasn't cleared from this area. I'd rather not have to protect you from your own ability at the moment."
"It's still not over–?" Chuuya coughs, splattering his blood onto Dazai's white slacks.
"Afraid not." Dazai's voice sounds distant, barely audible over the ringing in Chuuya's ears. The world is already fading in the corners of his vision. "It's only the beginning."
"Damn it." Chuuya groans. "Either way… I'm definitely not going anywhere."
Any strength he has left is quickly depleted. Dazai's proximity is terribly comforting, and he's so exhausted— he can feel his own consciousness slipping through his fingers.
"I think I'm gonna pass.. out." The last of his energy goes into warning Dazai before he gives in. Chuuya goes limp, collapsing into the other man's lap with a heavy sigh. Somewhere in his fading awareness, he feels Dazai's nails affectionately stroke his hair. It eases him somewhat. And then everything goes black.