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Laughter filled the night sky. Two teenagers are resting on the grass, both bloodied and bruised, yet they seemed to pay no mind to their injuries.
“That’s not how it works, idiot!” The taller one laughed harder, nudging the other’s rib.
“It made sense to me back then!” The redhead argued. “You try to learn it all from zero!”
“Your head really is empty! Absolutely no logic!” The bandaged boy retorted.
This sight is only one of many, many situations between the pair.
~
“Stop being a child and pass me the stupid cheese! I’m being nice enough by making food for the both of us!” Dazai fumbled with the utensils in his hands, before putting them down and grabbing the box that the other handed him.
“Mhm, still feel like you’d poison my food.” Chuuya rolled his eyes, resting his elbows on the counter.
“If I’m poisoning a plate, it’s my own, you should know that by now, Chibikko.” The brunet gave the most straight-faced answer, sliding a plate slowly across the counter. “Now eat, you watched me make it so you better trust it’s safe!”
Chuuya hesitantly took it, poking at one of the pieces with his fork.
“Anyways, next time’s on you.” Dazai gave a smug grin, taking a bite of his own food. “And you do the dishes this time.”
“Fine.” The moment he glanced away, his fork was ripped away from his hand, and thrown into the sink. He quickly turned back to Dazai with a glare. “Oi! The fuck’s that about!”
“Nothing!” Dazai feigned innocence.
“Are you just trying to give me extra work to do!?”
~
It was late June, and the two had just gotten some well-deserved ice cream on their way back to base after kicking ass.
“-And she turned out to be part of that stupid gang.”
“Wow. You really are an idiot. You should probably get some trust issues, for your own sake.”
“You’re projecting, Chuuya.” He grinned. “I mean, it’s not like it took years for her to attempt on my life.”
“Cut it out. That’s not what this is about.” Chuuya turned his attention back to his popsicle, suddenly interested in it.
“Mhm.” The taller gave a sigh. “Bear with me when I say this - it’s time you get over it. If they would’ve gotten rid of you so easily, they weren’t worth it in the first place.”
“Shut up. You know nothing about The Sheep beside that! You saw nothing but their flaws! It is not your place to make a judgment!”
Dazai’s eyes flickered to his partner, before glancing away.
“I suppose it isn’t.”
~
The lights were blindingly bright. The sheets were made of some uncomfortable material.
The moment he sat up, he felt a hand hold onto his wrist.
“Chuuya. Calm down.” The brunet assured. “You’re fine. You’re recovering.”
“What…happened…?” Chuuya groaned, resting against the headboard.
“Corruption. You had to use corruption. It took far too long, so I brought you here to be checked up on.”
The shorter let out a sigh. “So? Can I just go home?”
“No, you should probably stay another day or two. Your heartbeat is a bit wonky.”
“Is it?” He frowned. “I don’t like this place.”
“I know you don’t. I’m here to make sure you don’t go wild.”
“...” Chuuya huffed.
“You are such a child after corruption.” Dazai pointed out, a grin tugging at his lips.
There was a bit of silence afterwards, before Chuuya began to grumble.
“Ohohoho delayed reaction much?” The brunet exploded into laughter.
~
It has been about two weeks since the sudden death of Mori Ougai. The successor ended up as Osamu Dazai.
Chuuya Nakahara was the first to learn of the truth of the incident.
“You didn’t actually kill him.” He pointed out as he stood beside the new boss. “No matter what they say, I doubt it..”
“Very smart.” Dazai answered sarcastically. “Anyone with two eyes could see that. The difference is that the others wouldn’t dare speak up.”
“So why would you spread those rumors yourself?”
“Oh, such concepts are too complicated for your simple little dog brain to understand!” He reached over to pat him on the head, gaining a smack to his hand.
“I am sick of this, Dazai. Stop calling me that. Stop.”
His hand dropped slightly, and his expression faltered just a bit.
“I am not some pet or a child, you hold onto jokes for too long.” Chuuya mumbled, turning away.
“Wow. Open communication. That’s a first.” Dazai blinked several times, turning back to his desk. “...I’ll tell ya, if it helps.”
Chuuya slowly glanced back at him.
“I mean, that old man can probably sense us fighting from miles away, he’d chew my ass out later for not actually treating you like a partner in crime.” The Boss continued in some kind of ramble.
“...You’re saying this because..???”
“Because I do care about my precious guard dog~”
“You just have to ruin the moment every time, huh!?”
“Noo! I’m kidding! Fine! I’ll try to play nice!”
~
The room felt almost empty. The vibe was off. It gave off an uneasy aura.
Here he sat. The title would’ve made him proud as a teenager - “Nakahara Chuuya - Port Mafia Boss!” - and yet he hated it now that it belonged to him.
The promotion to a certain position signifies loss - loss of whoever held onto it. Whoever it truly belonged to.
The words could barely slip off his tongue. He wasn’t fit to take over. He never would’ve said so. No one would’ve ever said so. It was long decided he would take the position if push came to shove. So why is he so against it now?
Chuuya wasn’t new to loss. He lost family, friends, and innocence. Every time, he re-built his life from zero. Yet it always broke again whenever he grew happy once again.
“...Why?” He sighed, plopping himself down onto the chair. “Why could I never hold on?”
Every single time. He was ripped away from his family. He was separated from The Sheep. The Flags were robbed of their lives because of him. And now…
He let out a dry chuckle. “I was meant to protect you, huh?”
He could almost hear Dazai’s response. “I was mostly the one protecting you, Chibikko.”
Chuuya leaned against the back of the chair.
“I guess you’re right.”