Work Text:
It had started to lightly rain. The raindrops hitting the ground at a steady pace calmed Dazai down. His curtains were closed, they had not been opened for days.
He was turning and turning in his bed. The fresh sheets smelled clean, if you know what I mean.
The softener he used, had a vanilla scent. It was one of the only reasons he had the strength to switch his sheets into new ones.
Dazai could not sleep. His feet ached and his head was throbbing. He shifted his position once again, now being in a fetus position.
He turned on his back and sighed aloud, letting his gaze drift to the white ceiling above him. What am I doing wrong?
His arms were beside him, hands clenched into fists. He closed his eyes and breathed in heavily, exhaling through his mouth.
He wasn’t a stranger to sleepless nights. It was more of a routine than an exception.
He usually went to bed around ten o’clock and got to sleep at 4am. So, that’s six whole hours turning in bed.
His mind was restless, thoughts going at a hundred kilometers per hour. More and more often, he noticed his thoughts going to him.
He started to think back at a certain moment.
*
Chuuya was sitting across from him, swaying restlessly back and forth on his seat.
He was fidgeting with his fingers, foot tapping against the floor. His nose scrunched up, and he rubbed on it, sniffing quietly.
Dazai was staring through the window placed on the right side of him. Birds were singing, leaves rustling in the strong wind, a few people passing by. It was spring, an unusually cold one at that.
Dazai hummed and turned to look at Chuuya.
He returned his gaze, raising an eyebrow as to ask: ‘What?’. He didn’t answer, just turned his eyes elsewhere. Chuuya huffed out in frustration, tired of waiting.
And finally, as if commanded, a female voice echoed through the space from the speakers: “Bus 283 is now arriving at the station.”
With that being said, both boys abruptly stood up and started to head towards it, Chuuya following in Dazai’s footsteps.
After stepping into the bus and paying, they picked seats at the back of the bus, on the right side.
Chuuya sat on the window side as Dazai had to sit on the corridor side, so that he’d always have the fastest way out of the bus if something happened.
It was something his anxiety told him to do, and he followed it blindly.
Chuuya stared out the window and got lost in his thoughts. Dazai let his hands rest on his lap and he opened his mouth. “You tired, Chibi?”
He looked at him and answered. “Hah? Of course, I am. We’ve been on this stupid fucking mission for three days now, only getting a few hours' sleep each night. Don’t deny you aren’t.”
He looked annoyed, eyebrows knitting together.
Dazai chuckled lightly. “Haha, yeah yeah, I won’t deny I’m not.”
Chuuya didn’t comment any further, but instead let his gaze wonder back to the window.
He scratched the back of his hand and let his fingers play with the black-colored ring he had on his middle finger.
Dazai couldn’t remember the last time he was so sleep-deprived.
He had been used to getting at least five hours a night, so two to three hours was exhausting him at this point.
They had been on a mission to observe an opposing organization that was forming out to be a threat to the Port Mafia.
Once Mori had called that they had enough information to shut them down, the boys had begun their journey back to the headcounters.
The night bus ride would be eight hours long, enough to get a good night’s sleep.
Dazai could see how Chuuya’s eyes had started to flop closed, though the boy tried to fight against it.
He suddenly winced and opened his eyes startled as he was brought back to the reality when the bus drive over a pit.
He growled irritated and tried to find a more comfortable position on the not-so-comfortable seats.
Dazai smirked entertained and Chuuya stared daggers at him. “Fuck you laughing at?” He spit out.
“Haaah, nothing, nothing... you can use my head as a rest in you want to.”
Chuuya seemed disgusted at the proposition but then pondered upon it.
Coming to the conclusion that it was probably the best option he had, he slowly let his head plop onto Dazai’s shoulder.
He closed his eyes and tried to chase sleep again. Soon, Dazai could feel as he relaxed, and he deduced that the boy had drifted off to sleep.
He gently petted his head and let his hand rest on it.
Looking out the window as the scenery changed.
Dusk had started to settle down, painting the sky with bright and beautiful colors.
Less than ten minutes later, he had fallen asleep himself, his hand on Chuuya’s thigh, as if he was holding onto him so that the other wouldn’t escape.
*
Dazai smiled at the mental picture. How calm and serene he had felt at that moment.
Being by Chuuya’s side, as he was meant to.
He turned to his side and finally, dropped asleep, a small smile on his face as he thought about Chuuya’s warm cheek on his shoulder and the weight his head brought with it.
How Chuuya’s hair tickled his own cheek, but he didn’t mind.
He didn’t mind, as long as it was him.