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The agency was once again celebrating the victory against the Hunting Dogs, all of its members in a hall they rented out having fun. Port Mafia members and Agency members mingled around the hall talking amongst themselves.
A couple of former guild members could be found talking to their acquaintances in the agency. Poe with Ranpo and Lucy with Atsushi and Kyouka. The former and current members of their respective organizations seemed to see each other as equals on this day.
However, a certain bandaged brunette was nowhere to be found celebrating this victory around his coworkers and former colleagues. Dazai wasn’t really a party going person, but today just wasn’t the day for him. Though he may have been a vital part of the victory, it surely didn’t feel like that to him. It was all just necessary in his mind, nothing to celebrate.
He was just tired.
After being in a prison for so long and simply relying on the agency to get through this crisis was draining on him. Being on foreign land for so long and finally coming back home to the city of Yokohama was something to be happy about, surely. But the brunette couldn’t help but want to go home.
A doctor could be seen taking drink after drink at the joint party, holding her alcohol quite well compared to other times. She couldn’t help but watch everyone back together again, it was just the sense of home that came back to her every time the agency was all together again.
Yosano was wearing a lavender floor length dress with a slit and gold embroidery almost all over it. Gold accessories to accompany her outfit. Her short hair was put into a half up half down hairstyle, only being pinned in the back with gold pins with small butterflies.
She looked and let out a little chuckle when she saw Atsushi looking around like a deer in headlights as he made his way over to her.
“Hey Yosano!” The younger one greeted, a simple smile on his lips, “Have you seen Dazai anywhere? I haven’t seen him all night, I just hope he hasn’t made his way to the river..or done anything mad.”
Yosano perked her head up, looking around for the tall brunette, but to no avail found nothing. Until, in the corner of her eye she caught sight of a suited man exiting to the balcony. A frown appeared on her mouth, but she couldn’t help it.
She shook her head, “Sorry Atsushi dear, I haven’t seen him either.”
“Oh!” Atsushi said, “Don’t worry about it Yosano! I can go look–”
Yosano interrupted him before he could finish his sentence, “I can go look for him.”
Atsushi made no refusal to the older woman in front of him, only nodding in response.
The doctor left her position near the food table, effectively going straight to the entrance she saw Dazai leave through only seconds before. She seemed to dodge every person who tried talking to her, swiftly making her way to the crowd. Then, she finally made it to her destination, the doors mirroring almost a window-like structure.
Yosano softly touched the handle, being sure to be quiet as to not disrupt Dazai’s solitude. A click and the glass door closed. Yosano made her way to the railing where the brunette had been standing.
“You seem to like escaping parties, Dazai.” Yosano said, drinking a glass of champagne.
“I suppose so.” Dazai commented.
They shared the silence, as the night sky took them in. Dazai had a cigarette in one hand and a matchbox in the other, Bar Lupin was all that read on the box. Yosano noticed that this wasn’t their normal upbeat Dazai, this was just him.
“I’m gonna assume you didn’t only come out here to talk, doctor.” Dazai said, putting the match box in his pocket.
“No, I didn’t.” Yosano sighed, parting her lips to say something, but held back. Putting the glass down on the thick railing.
“Atsushi was looking for me, huh.” His voice somber and his head low.
Yosano only looked at the taller man, her eyes widened, but quickly went back to normal with a smile on her lips. “Yeah, but I didn’t tell him you went out here. He’s worried about you, you know.”
“You’re worried too.”
“I am.”
“You don’t need to be.” Dazai said, as he smoked the cigarette.
“But I will be anyway, Dazai.”
The brunette looked at the woman with complete shock on his face. He never liked to admit to himself that people cared for him, he never thought he deserved that kind of treatment.
Yosano sighed once more and turned her body completely to face the man next to her, “Dazai.” She started, her eyes looking up into his auburn eyes, “Don’t be afraid to tell people you aren’t okay. I understand how you’re feeling, I’ve been there. Everyone has their struggles, their moments. I, for one, wanted to run away from all the happy things in my life because I thought that I didn't deserve it. I’ve learned to accept it, you should too. You really do deserve it, Dazai.”
“Yosano–“
“Let me finish,” Yosano interrupted, “You are loved at the agency, everyone cares for your well being. You may not think that, but coming from someone who had nothing and entered this agency with no idea of what a family could feel like. I can definitely say, the agency members are always gonna look out for their own. Atsushi quite literally is an example of this, he was looking for you the entire night. Worried that you had gone to indulge in your suicide fanatics.”
Dazai only looked like a lost cat while the older one gave him a monologue. He had never felt so hit in the face with realization, it was just an extreme amount of emotions running through him.
Yet, all he could muster up was, “I wasn’t gonna do anything, tonight.”
“Oh come on Dazai, you understand what I’m saying. Right?”
“Yeah, I do.” Dazai responded.
The night was calm, the air was still and the two agency members stayed on the balcony in silence with each other. They both leaned on the cold railing as they looked out.
Yosano looked at his dying cigarette, as the younger looked out into the night sky. “Dazai.”
The brunette only hummed in response to the woman.
“You can come to me anytime,” Yosano said softly, “To talk, I mean. I’m always here.”
“I know.”
“Good. You should know everyone is here, for you.” She smiles, turning her body around to face the glass window looking into the hall, “I see Chuuya is in there, go on in and have fun.”
“Like that slug is any fun,” Dazai rolls his eyes in recollection of the ginger with his tacky outfits.
Yosano only chuckles, “Oh don’t act as if you two aren’t an item. Everyone with eyes can see it, stupid. You two aren’t sneaky.”
“Yosano!” A blush creeping up his neck.
“What! I’m quite literally saying the obvious.”
“I bet Ranpo told you!” Dazai pouts looking at the laughing Yosano.
“I won’t tell! I’m not a snitch!” Yosano said in between laughs.
Dazai could only sulk, being treated like a younger brother of some sorts to the doctor. Her laughter felt so free, so genuine. So..happy.
As her laughter died down, she soon spoke up again, “Do you want to go back in?”
“I don’t know.” Dazai said with a slight smile, “I guess I do. Reassure my mentee that I’m not in a random river or on top of the agency’s building.”
“We have time, no need to rush.”
The brunette thought about it for a while, “Let’s go?” He said, throwing the cigarette down below after one last smoke, “I’ll be your escort, make sure no ugly man will come near our doctor.”
“I’m quite honored to be escorted by Osamu Dazai himself.” Yosano smiled, letting her arm hook into Dazai’s as he once again entered the party hall.
“You ready, Mr.Dazai.” Yosano jokes.
“Of course, Dr.Yosano.” Dazai smiles, “Who do you take me for?”
They both enter the filled hall, still as lovely as ever. In the crowds, they see Atsushi go from conversing with Lucy to a surprised face when he spots the older duo. Then they see the same boy running over to them.
“Dazai! You’re okay!” The boy exclaimed, body slamming himself into a hug with the taller.
The brunette chuckled at the sight. Atsushi looked just like when he found him near the river, a younger boy who had grown exponentially in the last couple of months.
“Careful now Atsushi,” Dazai patted the younger's head, “You look like you’re going to burst into tears.”
“How unbecoming of a man like you, Atsushi!” Yosano teases playfully, poking the boy's side.
Atsushi pouts, soon letting go of Dazai, straightening his posture and face, “Right!”
Yosano looked up at Dazai, her eyes saying hundreds of words in silence. Dazai merely nodded back.
“Sorry for worrying you Atsushi,” The taller solemnly said.
Atsushi perked up, and smiled, “It’s okay! I’m just glad you’re okay Dazai!” He said, “I’ll get out of your hair now then, have a good night!”
The boy then ran back to a group in the corner of the room, consisting of Lucy, Kyouka, and surprisingly Akutagawa. Dazai smiled at the sight, the boy had truly grown on him.
“You gonna talk to Mr.Ginger over there? He’s standing over there with a blondie,” Yosano asked Dazai, and as she looked at his eyes a grim expression appeared.
A waiter was going around with a tray of champagne, Dazai grabbed a glass and downed the entire thing in one gulp.
“I can’t be sober when I talk to that slug.” Dazai’s grim face became even more apparent after that drink. Then muttered something about the blonde being Chuuya’s sibling that Yosano couldn’t get the rest of.
“And why not? What’d you do, Dazai? Confess your love or something?” Yosano jokes offhandedly.
They suddenly make an abrupt stop in the middle of the hall, Yosano almost tripping over as she kept walking while Dazai stood still. The taller looking into the woman's eyes with a guilty glint. Realization scoured over Yosano's face.
“You did!” Yosano exclaimed, grabbing his shoulders, “You, Osamu Dazai? I can’t believe it!”
“Quiet down! It was just an act and–and I just started talking back at the prison. It’s not really my fault! It’s all that prison for making my brain all scrambled.” Dazai rambled on as Yosano held him still with his arms flying everywhere.
“Dazai, calm down!” Yosano reassured him, holding back a laugh. She had never seen this side of Dazai, flustered and rambling. It was quite the sight from the regular Dazai she was used to, which seemed like a common factor tonight.
Dazai just kept going, “Plus, it wasn’t really a confession, it was more of a–I don’t know anymore Yosano.” He said as he put his face in his hands.
“Dazai!” Yosano yelled, trying to get his hands out of his face, “I get it, you’re in love with him. Jeez, I didn’t know you were that enamored with the executive. I would’ve never made the assumption otherwise.”
“Yosano.” Dazai breath hitches, “The blonde is also his older brother.”
“I don’t get it, that shouldn’t be bad–”
“Oh it’s bad.”
“Yeah right, Dazai, I think you’re over exaggerating.”
“I’m really not,” Dazai grimices, “I need a stiff drink.”
Yosano was now following Dazai as he made his way to the bar in another corner of the venue, “Dazai!” She shouted at him.
“Yeah,” He weakly responded, “Whatever you have, thank you.” Dazai said to the bartender.
Yosano leaned on the table, “You can’t just run away and avoid Chuuya the entire night, at some point you’re gonna have to talk to him.”
“Yeah maybe if Paul would go away,”
“Who’s Paul?”
“The blondie, the brother who is oh so protective of that tiny slug. One of the 5 executives of the Port Mafia and possibly the scariest person I would ever want to interact with at this current moment after what I said to that stupid stupid slug. Paul fucking Verlaine.”
“Oh, well that's a better context.” Yosano said looking over to Paul talking to Chuuya. He looked elegant, regal. Something you don’t usually see in Japan, someone who was very intimidating. Paul was wearing a beige suit with a white collared shirt. The buttons almost all the way unbuttoned, his hair down with a mere braid on the side of his blonde hair. He really looked incredible.
Meanwhile Chuuya was wearing the usual choker, but what changed from his usual outfit was a corset and a deep maroon suit. It was eye-catching, and it looked expensive. His hair was tied up into a high ponytail, and he looked as if he had makeup on. No wonder Dazai would go a little insane, or maybe a lot insane over this man. He looked good.
“Just go talk to him.”
“Yeah, like that’s fucking easy.” Dazai responded, drinking whatever the bartender gave him. “I might as well end up dead or something in the presence of those two.”
“Over-exaggeration Dazai, you’ve known Chuuya long enough. You two know each other, in ways that are extraordinarily rare for regular people.”
“We aren’t regular people.” Dazai comments.
“You know what I mean, you two are the closest people I have ever seen close to soulmates. It’s incredible to see you two work together, no matter how much you two argue. I can see the stolen glances and the understanding behind them. I very much doubt that Chuuya will be one to judge because of your accidental confession.”
“Wasn’t a confession!” Dazai perked up.
“Doesn’t matter, stop being a coward and go talk to him.” Yosano pushes.
“Maybe..after just a couple more drinks.” Dazai said, grabbing another glass from the bartender, but Yosano quickly took it away from him.
“Dazai.”
“Yosano.”
“Go, or I will make your check ups more frequent.”
“That’s low.”
“Is it though?” Yosano smiles at him, drinking the last of what was in the glass.
“Fine.” Dazai finally gives in.
Yosano smirks, “Okay then!” She says fixing his suit and hair, “Go get him, you got this!” She pushed him in the direction of Chuuya and Paul, giving him a thumbs up when he tried looking back.
“What to do now.” Yosano says from the bar, watching the tall brunette travel towards the ginger. Still holding his stolen drink in hand.
As Dazai traveled through the crowds of people, giving small smiles acknowledging people on the way. His eyes were set on the ginger he used to call his partner. The last he’d seen of Chuuya was on the plane ride back from France, which was filled with dying adrenaline and tired partners. Then, he hadn’t seen him again until tonight, he didn’t even plan on what he was going to say to him when he saw him again. Should he just spill shit out? Or should he actually plan what to say?
The brunette started to slow down as he approached the sibling duo, words seemingly slipped from his brain. He, for one, was speechless. The Osamu Dazai, speechless. The ginger he called his partner was stunning.
Opting for a hatless outfit with his hair tied up and with a corset? Dazai might’ve just sunk into the floor if it weren’t for the intimidating brother right next to Chuuya.
Dazai successfully made it to where the two were. Both Chuuya and Paul fell silent as the brunette came near.
“Hello slug!” Dazai cheerfully said, putting on a front.
“Shitty Dazai.” Chuuya uttered.
“Hello to you as well Paul!”
Paul only nodded in acknowledgement. His gaze was piercing and incredibly scary. Dazai turned to Chuuya with his whole body.
“Chuuya, can we talk?”
“What of?” Was all the shorter could get out before Dazai interrupted.
“Just come,” Dazai pleaded, “Please?”
The ginger could hear the subtle plea in Dazai’s voice. Chuuya looked up to his brother, his eyes reading I’ll be fine, don’t worry about me.
“Okay.” Chuuya said back, looking into Dazai’s eyes with determination.
Paul watched the partners walk side by side through the crowds. The two really reminded him of another duo close to his heart, and he couldn’t help but smile in recollection.
As the ginger and the brunette walked together, the ginger spoke up, “So, where are we going?”
“Somewhere.”
“That’s not helpful, Dazai.” Chuuya frowned, but still followed the brunette anyway.
After a short walk across the hall, they ended up at the balcony Yosano found him at. It wasn’t the most perfect place but it was private. It was tucked away and muted the chatter and music that radiated from the venue.
Dazai opened and held the glass door, gesturing for the ginger to enter. Chuuya only gave him a skeptical look, yet still entered through the doors.
Chuuya walked all the way to the railing, admiring the view that held the night sky. Dazai followed suit, unsure of what to say.
“So, why did you bring me out here Dazai?” Chuuya asked, rummaging through his pockets for something.
Dazai’s head hung in silence as a response to that question. He didn’t know what to say at that moment, the words simply escaped him. So his eyes averted the ginger’s gaze, the gaze that shimmered the oceans blue.
Chuuya only sighed to this response, finally lighting the cigarette he found in his pocket. “If it’s about what you said back at meursault, I really don’t–.” Chuuya’s heart broke the tiniest bit when the words came out, but he was interrupted by Dazai’s voice.
“But what if I want you to care.” Dazai said, his eyes avoiding Chuuya’s at all costs.
The ginger looked at Dazai, his body was incredibly tense. Chuuya could just sense it, and he couldn’t help but question what he meant by that.
“Dazai, what do you mean by that?”
The brunette couldn’t help but want to run away, this was a bad idea, running around in his head. “Nothing, forget I ever–” Dazai said, turning to the door to leave, but inevitably stopped by a soft hand on his wrist.
“Don’t.” Chuuya started, “Don’t run away from this, you idiot.”
Dazai didn't dare turn back to look into his eyes, he couldn’t. Not this time.
“And what is ‘this’ exactly, Chuuya.”
“It’s whatever we make it.” Determination dripped from Chuuya’s voice.
“I don’t think that’s enough.” Dazai mumbled quietly, not expecting Chuuya to hear.
“Will anything be enough for you, Dazai? I’m not letting you leave this balcony until you answer.”
Will I be enough for you? I won’t let you leave me. The words translated to, underlying meanings behind the words Chuuya spoke.
Those same words came through to Dazai, as he had finally turned around to look at the small ginger in front of him.
“You’re enough, Chuuya.” Dazai hesitates for a mere moment, “I don’t think you deserve me.” His eyes averted Chuuya’s gaze once more.
“You stupid stupid fucking idiot.” Chuuya smiled, “You’re oblivious, aren’t you?”
Dazai, shocked as ever, asks, “What?”
“You think that’s enough to make me leave your bandaged ass?” The ginger chuckles slightly, “Cause you’re really stupid. For a genius like you, you really need to do better, Dazai.”
The brunette couldn’t even come up with an answer because in a second, their bodies crashed together. With the ginger pulling him down into a light kiss.
It wasn’t a long one, but it was sweet. It was a kiss Dazai had craved from Chuuya, but never dared to commit to it. Dazai couldn’t help but melt into Chuuya, holding his waist while the ginger’s soft hands were on his cheeks.
Dazai could only stay oblivious though their breaths almost touched each other's face., “Why’d you do that slug?”
As they held each other in their arms, Chuuya hit Dazai’s arm while saying, “Are you seriously this clueless? Really. After that speech in Meursault, who wouldn’t think you were in love with them? ‘Our story won’t end in–’”
Dazai quickly covered Chuuyas mouth, “Shut up!” A blush creeping up on the brunette's cheeks.
Chuuya laughs underneath his hand, Dazai smiling alongside him. The two held each other out on the balcony in each other's presence. Dazai didn’t feel as tired as he had at the start of the night. Tonight hadn’t been as bad as it started, Dazai would surely have to tell Yosano about this tomorrow. But for now, he’d stay with the small slug.
Back inside the venue stood Yosano and Ranpo. The latter holding a plate of cake with two forks.
“Want some, Akiko?” Ranpo asked, offering a fork.
“Sure,” Yosano said with a smile.
“If you’re waiting for Dazai, he isn’t coming back. Neither is Mr.Fancy hat.” Ranpo said, munching on some cake.
Yosano looked at Ranpo with a questioning look, “What do you mean?”
But Ranpo only gave her a knowing look, smirking in the process.
“Oh, I see.” Yosano smiled once more and continued to eat cake with Ranpo.
Tonight, might just be one to remember after all.