Archive of Our Own

Allow..?

I'm not seeking your permission...

You're an executive, and I'm the boss.

And in the mafia, my orders are absolute.

We have to respect that hierarchy,

...right..?

“You son of a bitch!”

This came loudly bellowed as the door to the Port Mafia boss' office was violently kicked open and slammed against the wall-ricocheting off and almost hitting him before he pushed it away to enter. The thing was probably busted now, and he'd have to dig into his own pockets to buy a new one. But, in this moment, he was just too angry to care. And the look he received from behind the desk came more amused than anything else, which only served to stoke his hate-fire.

“Well, good morning to you, too.” The man had the audacity to chortle with a little smile on his face.

He thought this was funny, and that open smile he flaunted was the final straw.

“Don't you 'good morning' me, ya jackass!” Chuuya snarled at the man sitting calmly at his desk before he held out the piece of paper he had tightly clutched in his fist. “You wanna explain to me just what in the hell you're thinking?!” He angrily demanded, before continuing. “Russia?!” Chuuya snarled in equal parts rage and disbelief as he gripped the paper. “You're sending me to Russia!?” He enunciated his dismay before snapping. “What type of bullshit is that, Dazai?!”

Ever since that night at the bar, when the boss had met with that man from the ADA, Chuuya had been expecting the sly bastard to pull something. But this? This was over-the-top, and extreme, even for him. And as his cerulean gaze drank in the look of utter nonchalance on the other man's face, Chuuya began to feel something even deeper, and more complex than mere anger. He felt hurt, and confused, because-deep down-he felt betrayed.

'...what are you thinking , Dazai..?!'

“I see you've received your new orders, then.” The man casually hummed. “That's good.” He commented, before lifting the cup of tea that had been placed on his desk to his lips.

“Why?” Chuuya ignored the man's words as his gaze burned with the multitude of feelings boiling inside of him. “Why Russia?” He demanded. “Why now?”

“You're asking a lot of questions today...” This came in light warning as the look on Dazai's face seemed less than amused now while the two held each other's gaze in a death-lock stare.

“Then just cut the crap, Dazai, and tell me!”

A put-upon sigh pushed through the man's nose as his fingers came steepled over his lips. He never looked away from Chuuya's face, that dark gaze intense and menacing in a look of disapproval, as his voice finally manifested from behind those long fingers in a lower, more serious tone.

“If you insist on having this type of conversation with me, dear-” He began in open chastisement towards Chuuya's lack of decorum in his presence. “then you should really close the door, don't you think..?” The man gave the slight, pointed raise of the brow to Chuuya before continuing. “It's not good for the children to see the two of us fighting like this-” He said before dramatically humming. “hm, Chuuya..?”

Chuuya's anger and posturing utterly deflated, then. He'd acted completely out of line-he knew that, now-and the boss had taken quite the humiliating approach in reminding him of that. Dazai was an asshole. But...he'd also been right in subtly rebuking Chuuya before things had gotten any further out of hand. Chuuya still felt angry. But he was also a reasonable man, and could accept the boss' reproach when his behavior was out of line.

With his chin tucked to his chest like a petulant child, Chuuya stalked back to the door-which had miraculously survived his bold entrance-to close it before turning back around to face the other man once more.

The two stared at each other in silence. Dazai took another slow sip of his tea. And Chuuya contemplated his next move. Though he'd been scolded for showing such a lack of respect, the boss' demand for him to close the door was also an invitation to continue this conversation.

Chuuya could continue to disagree with the man, but it would have to be on the boss' terms. And Chuuya was fine with that.

Walking over to the desk at a measured pace, Chuuya held his eyes on the man. When he came back to the desk, Chuuya removed his hat as a sign of disarmament and respect to the man before slowly sinking himself into the chair provided on the other side of the desk. The complete absence of sound followed, save for the ticking of the ornate clock that hung up on the wall as the two continued to regard each other in this silent standoff. This was a place the two of them had stood together before-on opposite sides, as always. And the only question in Chuuya's mind was which one of them would break first.

“Want some tea?” Dazai casually offered, and Chuuya gave himself over to a smug sense of triumph.

A sense of triumph that was short-lived and quickly replaced by irritation over the fact that the man was intentionally avoiding the key point of this conversation.

“I'm not going.” Chuuya said in a calm, even tone-despite his irritation-that was filled with confidence, and left little invitation for debate.

Simple.

Straight forward.

To the point.

Chuuya couldn't make his position on the matter any clearer.

“How about some coffee, then?” Dazai countered through an air of indifferent. “Black?” Which only made Chuuya feel more irritated with him.

“Didn't you hear me?” Chuuya finally snapped. “I said I'm not going.” Dazai gave a labored sigh through his nose before gingerly picking up the receiver from his office phone and delicately tapping in a short-digit number.

“Hello, Gin?” The man softly hummed into the phone with a reserved smile to shape the tone of his words. “Could you go and fetch me another tea?” He asked, before glancing up at Chuuya. “And while you're at it, please get a cup of black coffee for my associate as well.” He paused, then grinned at Chuuya. “Thank you!” The man trilled before hanging up the phone with the drop of his smile.

“I did hear you.” Dazai spoke in a lower, deeper voice without humor. “And yes. You are going.” He said, as if it was a complete impossibility that this could even be debated with him.

“You can't send me that far away from here.” that far away from you. “I won't allow it.”

Silence.

It was so palpable that it seemed to have become a very real, physical spectator to this single moment.

Then, as if in slow motion, the man eased himself up from his seat to incline himself closer to Chuuya's face. And his voice manifested in a dark, malevolent whisper of challenge.

“Allow..?”

Chuuya's full-bodied lips drew themselves into a taut, grim line as he held the man's almost threatening gaze.

“I'm not seeking your permission, Chuuya...” Dazai lowly murmured in rebuke as he stared Chuuya down from across his desk. “You're an executive,” He made a point of reminding Chuuya of this. “and I'm the boss.” This came as a cold, hard, indisputable truth. “And in the mafia, my orders are absolute.” And Dazai wielded this truth like a hammer, now, as he stared Chuuya down. “We have to respect that hierarchy,” These words were thrown in Chuuya's face, followed by the sweetest little smile. “...right..?” Dazai playfully drawled.

And before he even realized what was happening to him, Chuuya felt himself reduced to nothing when cold fingertips gently brushed themselves along his pale cheek. He was momentarily breathless, and felt as if a piece of himself had been almost savagely torn away from him.

...because, it had...

And he knew this feeling.

He knew it all too well, in fact.

Though it had been such a very long time, this was a feeling he'd never be able to forget. Not in a million years. And as he met that familiar gaze-watching the man watch him drown-Chuuya had no doubt of what Dazai was doing to him.

Dazai was nullifying his ability. Not to save him. Not to save everyone else from him. Not to bring an end to Arahabaki's lust for blood and destruction. No. Dazai was simply making a point, and doing this to him just because he could.

In this very moment-Chuuya hated him for this. And he swore that-in another life-he'd probably wind up killing the man, if he could.

Dazai was a cold, cruel man...

...and he was being cruel, now, by engaging in a power trip by forcibly smothering and subduing Chuuya's own ability-bringing him to his knees with a single, disarming touch...

It was such a sweet violation of his body. And it was also a form of forced submission, and Dazai was making damn sure that he knew that. Because no matter how strong Chuuya was-with or without his ability-Dazai would always be the one with all of the power. And-just to drive this point home-Chuuya felt the man's fingertips blaze a trail of cold fire along his skin as they drifted down from his cheek. Down. Brushing along the pulse-point of his neck as his lashes fluttered closed and he held his breath. Down, further still. Until they stopped and almost possessively lingered along the thick choker wrapped around his neck.

Chuuya audibly swallowed, but remained still under the man's touch as he heard Dazai give a faint chuckle.

“...remind me again...” He heard the man whisper as if he'd moved just a little closer to him. “Why exactly is it, anyway, that you wear this ugly thing..?” There was a pregnant pause as Chuuya kept his eyes almost squeezed shut before that voice manifested in a mockingly sweet, honeyed purr when he refused to answer. “...hm, Chuuya..?”

Chuuya still didn't answer.

Because Dazai knew damn well why he wore that collar.

...but if I win the bet..?

Then you're my dog

...for life...

'Damn, you, Dazai.'-Chuuya cursed in his mind before his eye finally flit back open to catch the man smiling at him, mere inches from his face, now.

“...beautiful...” Dazai whispered this to him with that same little smile-though Chuuya couldn't tell whether this remark had been made about the choker and what it represented, or the blush of humiliation he could feel beginning to burn along his cheekbones.

“What's beautiful?” This innocent question through an even more innocent-sounding, feminine voice, completely dispelled the tension of this moment as Chuuya quickly leaned back in his seat-immediately regaining control of his ability again with the drop of Dazai's hand-and watched as Dazai rose from his own with a more cordial smile.

“Why you are, my dear.” He said as he sidestepped his desk and walked past Chuuya who remained seated. “Lovely as ever, Gin.” Chuuya heard the man complement his secretary as the young woman let out a nervous little giggle towards this attention.

Chuuya discreetly inclined and turned his head to observe this interaction as a silent spectator as the boss sauntered his tall, languid figure towards the woman. And Chuuya had to fight an audible groan and roll of the eyes.

It had been nearly a month, now, and the poor woman was still completely oblivious to the fact that her brother was dead. And that it was her 'beloved' employer who had killed him. Not that Chuuya was going to say a damn thing about it...

...why would he..?

“Here-” Chuuya heard the man delicately hum in a genteel tone. “let me take those from you.” He watched as Dazai gingerly took the drinks he'd asked for from the woman's hands before sparing her figure a critical glance.

“Well, well. Is that a new outfit, Gin-chan?” Dazai asked, causing the young woman to blush as she looked away.

“...yes...” Gin mumbled self-consciously through a fleeting little smile. “You noticed..?” Chuuya heard Dazai chuckle goodnaturedly towards this.

“Of course I noticed.” He said through a cheerful smile to the young woman. “Because I notice absolutely everything about you, dear.” These words came filled with a benevolent warmth and kindness that Dazai rarely showed to anyone else in the organization.

And Chuuya found it absolutely sickening.

“Well, then.” Chuuya heard the man purr. “Turn around and let me have a better look at you.” Carefully grasping both cups in such a way that he freed one of his hands, Chuuya watched as Dazai took the young woman by the hand and slowly spun her in a small circle in order to gain a closer inspection of her appearance before he smiled approvingly and cheered. “Ah-” Dazai softly uttered this bit of praise. “perfection, as always.” Then he inclined himself to offer the young woman a chased kiss along the cheek before gently releasing her hand. “Now. Off you go, then.” He said, dismissing her as he watched her leave the room with the slight cant of his head and a little smile on his lips.

The door closed, and Chuuya turned his head back around before Dazai turned away from the door. Hearing the man's approaching steps, Chuuya gave the faint hang of his head and press of his lips.

“You're a real ass, you know that?” He quietly uttered this disparaging remark as the voice of his boss sounded from over his shoulder.

“Takes one to know one, am I right?” This came a pithy retort before a hand manifested from Chuuya's peripheral view with the offering of a cup. “Here-” He heard Dazai murmur to him as he took the cup of black coffee. “a foul drink to match your foul attitude.”

“...thanks...” Chuuya scoffed with the literal roll of his eyes as he watched the man reclaim his seat behind his desk.

“Now-” Dazai hummed, pausing to take a light sip of his fresh cup of tea before beginning again. “where were we? Oh, yeah-” A smirk began to blossom along his lips as Chuuya looked him in the eye. “we were just talking about your new orders, and how you're oh-so-excited about them, right?” He said a bit too gleefully.

Chuuya stifled a more unseemly comment lingering on the tip of his tongue by taking a drink of the stout beverage that had been offered to him as he held Dazai's amused expression. Even though the man was a complete bastard-Chuuya thought-at least Dazai had the decency to remember what he liked to drink.

“...is that what we were talking about..?” Chuuya slowly questioned in a quiet, contemplative voice as he gazed into his coffee cup.

Because-to him, at least-it'd felt more like an argument.

One that he was clearly losing.

And this fact made him feel so, so very defeated as he took another sobering drink from his own cup.

“Well, could you at least tell me what's in Russia that’s so damn important..?” He finally asked, though still avoided looking up from his cup when he heard his boss respond.

“Not what.” Dazai said with emphasis. “Who.” This drew Chuuya's attention and his gaze as their eyes met when Dazai uttered his next words through an ominous tone with an expression to match. “Fyodor.” He said this name in a hushed whisper. “Fyodor Dostoyevsky is in Russia-for now.” Dazai held Chuuya's gaze a moment before continuing with his thoughts. “And he's very important.” Chuuya's brows creased together as he regarded the seriousness of his boss' expression.

“Who exactly is this guy..?” He asked as he watched the man once again steeple his fingers along his lips.

“Trouble.” Dazai replied simply, and Chuuya lent himself over to a caustic snort through his nose.

“Yeah?” Chuuya questioned dubiously with the raise of a brow. “What kind of trouble?” And he watched as Dazai's gaze drifted down towards the surface of his desk.

“The worst kind.” This came a breathless, barely audible whisper from between long, slender fingers and a grim expression. “Believe me.” That dark gaze remained distant as he continued to speak, and take Chuuya into his confidence. “The kind of trouble we don't have any hope of stopping if he comes here.” Chuuya frowned at this.

“And?” He gave a pause and pointed look to his boss. “Is he?” He asked, before expounding on this question. “Coming here.” Dazai gave the infinitesimal bob of the head to this.

“Eventually.” He hummed. “Yes.” Dazai's gaze finally lifted from his desk as their eyes met. “There's something here that he wants-very much-and it's only a matter of time before he figures that out.”

“Okay-” Chuuya's words came slowed and almost concerned as he processed this information. “So, what's he coming here for..?” Dazai shook his head to this question, and refused to answer as he held Chuuya's stare.

'...right...'-Chuuya thought to himself as his own gaze narrowed on the man. This was clearly going to be one of the things the boss would be keeping to himself.

...great...

“If you're seriously sending me after him, what am I gonna be up against?” Chuuya asked as he swallowed the rest of his coffee and set the cup on the man's desk before Dazai slid a file towards him.

Taking the file, Chuuya slouched back in his seat and crossed his legs at the thigh before opening it up. And the first thing to greet him was a very long, long list of crimes. Chuuya couldn't help when another undignified snort pushed through his nose as he began to read some of them aloud.

“Assault and battery. Attempted genocide. Attempted assassination. Child endangerment.” He gave another scoff. “Mass murder?” Chuuya's eyes slowly drifted up from the file as he met Dazai's gaze while fighting against the smirk threatening to break out along his full lips. “This guy sounds like he's an even bigger pain in the ass than you are.”

“You've no idea.” Dazai humorlessly deadpanned, and Chuuya just gave the shake of his head as he continued to read this man's lengthy criminal history.

Conspiracy.

Coercion.

Terrorism.

Property destruction.

Kidnapping.

Impersonation.

Crimes against humanity.

Mass destruction.

Trespassing.

Burglary.

Brainwashing.

Hostage taking.

Resisting arrest.

Jailbreak.

Obstruction of justice.

Theft.

Illegal use of firearm.

Mutilation.

Aircraft hijacking.

Incrimination.

Embezzlement.

Flipping the page, Chuuya gave himself over to a faint sigh through his nose as he mulled over what he'd just read. The man was a violent radical who'd founded a terrorist cell going by the name 'The Rats in the House of the Dead'. And-knowing what he did so far, from what he'd read-this man seemed to be every bit the threat that Dazai was making him out to be.

“Hate to say it, Boss-” Chuuya began with another twitch of the head. “but it sounds like this guy'll give us a real run for our money.” His eyes lifted from the file once more, though his expression was a little more serious this time. “And I'm starting to see why he came up on your radar.”

“Mm-” Dazai hummed in agreement. “terrorists usually do.” He replied, and Chuuya nodded.

“So what exactly do you want me to do about him?” Chuuya asked as the two stared each other down, the file splayed along Chuuya’s lap, before Dazai eventually responded.

“Isn't it obvious to you by now..?” He slowly replied in consideration, looking away to take another drink of tea. “I want him eliminated.” He said, setting the cup down and looking Chuuya in the eye. “By any means necessary.” A little smile flickered along the corners of his lips. “Consider it...a preemptive strike.” Chuuya gave a firm nod to this.

“Understood.”

“And Chuuya.” Dazai continued. “Knowing him, it's quite possible he'll see this coming.”

“Do you know him..?” Chuuya slowly asked through a pointed look, yet Dazai didn't answer. “Boss..?” He prompted the man for a response, refusing to take the silence on this question as the man looked away from him, and down at his tea.

“In a way, yes.” Dazai finally relented. “I suppose you could say that.”

“And you know that he's gonna become a problem.” Chuuya stated.

“Eventually.” Dazai countered, causing Chuuya to frown in disapproval towards these cryptic replies.

“Yeah. Eventually.” Chuuya repeated Dazai's words as he stared the man down.

“What...” Dazai gave the cant of his head. “You don't believe me, Chuuya..?” He asked in a quiet voice, seeming more amused than offended. “Since when have any of my predictions ever been wrong..?”

Chuuya didn't even bother answering this question, because the answer was 'never'. Dazai Osamu was never wrong. Not about things like this. So Chuuya refrained from pandering to the man and merely folded his arms across his chest and stared his boss down.

“Hey.” He began with the faint shrug of his toned shoulders. “You say he's gonna be a problem, then he's gonna be a problem.” This came stated matter-of-factly before Chuuya continued with a little more force and boldness. “But do me a favor, will ya, and just stop pretending like there isn't a whole lot more you're not saying.” This show of audacity and forwardness earned him a smile.

“Of course, dear.” Dazai replied. “Anything for you.” Chuuya looked away and shook his head, still feeling so very unsatisfied.

“I still don't like it-” He mumbled almost to himself. “the idea of leaving-” He stopped himself mid-sentence, which didn't go unnoticed by his boss.

“Leaving in general..?” He heard Dazai softly ask. “Or leaving me?” Chuuya scowled at this, because he hated the way this man was able to so easily see through him. “Don't worry so much about it.” Dazai murmured in an almost comforting way. “Besides-” He continued. “It'll be good for the two of us to have some time apart from each other, don't you think..?” Pressing his lips together, Chuuya continued to look away as he shook his head, but didn't answer.

Because he didn't think it was good.

In fact, he knew that it wasn't.

Everything inside of him continued to scream that this was wrong.

All wrong.

“And what about the ADA?” Chuuya finally asked as he continued to stare at his lap in protest.

“What about them?” He heard Dazai asked through a slight air of smug condescension, and Chuuya scoffed.

Of course the man wasn't worried.

“Aren't they still trying to find whoever killed that kid?” Chuuya bitterly retorted, his tone just as patronizing before finally glancing up with a deepened scowl. “Don't you think you're spreading yourself too thin?”

“Please.” Dazai lightly scoffed towards Chuuya's concern. “The ADA's always looking into us, Chuuya.” He calmly replied. “You know that.” He said. “And it's never been a problem before. So I don't think it should be our main concern now.” The man stated matter-of-factly before glancing down and to the side of him with the lowering of his voice into a whisper. “Not when we have bigger issues.” Chuuya clenched his gloved fists and grit his teeth.

Because that was the whole point.

They had bigger issues.

Much bigger issues.

And they both knew it.

“I hate this.” He hissed, glaring at the man. “Of course, the reason you want me to leave is because of this guy.” He now gripped the file in his hand. “He's an obvious threat.” Chuuya couldn't even deny this fact-but there was something else as well. “But you're putting me in an impossible situation, here, where I can't say no. And I hate it.” He grit out through the tears of frustration that he could feel brimming along the corners of his eyes. “But hey, that's how this all works, right?” Chuuya felt the crack of his voice along these words in the slight raise of his tone. “You want me gone?” He abruptly stood from his seat, causing the man's eyes to follow him up. “Then I'm gone.” Taking the file and his orders-along with his hat as he placed it back on his head-Chuuya turned away from the man with the flare of his jacket that he wore across his shoulders like a cape.

Stalking towards the door of the office, Chuuya paused in his departure at the call of his name.

“Oh. And one more thing, Chuuya.” He heard the man's voice from behind him as he stared down that door and listened without saying a word. “Don't let Dostoyevsky touch you.” Chuuya glared at the door with the tuck of his chin.

“Why?” He snapped a bit caustically. “Feeling a bit possessive?” Dazai laughed at this.

“Not at all.” The man smoothly replied. “It's just-that's how he tends to kill people.”

“Great.” Chuuya scoffed. “Thanks for letting me know that before I go after him.” He said before faintly lowering his voice to a cheerless tone laced in bitterness. “Nice to know you care.”

“You're welcome.” Chuuya frowned when he heard this flippant response.

“Anything else, Boss?” He spat sarcastically.

“Not from you-” Dazai quipped. “thanks.” Reaching for the door-handle, Chuuya twisted the nob before stopping himself.

“Just-” for better or worse, you're the other half of me...so. “don't do anything stupid 'til I get back.”

“How can I?” He heard this featherlight, amused response from where Dazai sat at his desk, no doubt watching him. “You're taking all the stupid with you.”

“Yeah.” Chuuya muttered under his breath with the hang of his head before finally opening the door to show himself out. “Right.”

I'm the stupid one.

Got it.

“Send Atsushi in on your way out.” He heard this final order, raising his hand above his head in acknowledgment and farewell before closing the door behind him.

That was fine with him.

He'd been planning on looking for the tiger kid, anyway.

As Chuuya stalked down the hall-orders in hand-everyone steered clear and avoided him. He could sense their apprehension as he passed them by. It must've been the look on his face, he thought to himself. Good. It was best for everyone that they stayed away from him today.

And it didn't take long for him to find the person he was actually looking for.

“Hey!” Chuuya gruffly snapped when he saw Atsushi walking towards him. “Kid!” The young man took one look at him, paused, and immediately his expression fell and paled. “Boss wants to see you.” The young man acknowledged this with a nod before continuing to approach.

The two came together, and-just before they passed each other-Chuuya roughly grabbed the weretiger at the bicep to stop him. They stared off in opposite directions, not speaking for a moment. He could feel the tension building in the young man's arm, the longer this silence drew on, before he finally spoke in a hushed-rough-whispered hiss.

“Remember what we talked about, kid.” Chuuya's voice came as firm as his grip on Atsushi's arm before he turned his head to look at the young man standing next to him as their eyes met and violently collided in a moment of understanding. “You watch him.”

Atsushi silently nodded-just the once-before they parted ways, not speaking another word to each other.

The End