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Albatross originally hadn’t planned to eavesdrop on a conversation that his friends were secretly having without him.
Without him and Chuuya.
Oh, he’s growing curious; he’ll definitely have to gossip this with Chuuya over some alcohol later on.
With a wide grin, Albatross had gone on stealth mode as he listened to the conversation taking place in Piano Man’s office. The Port’s thin walls were horrible but useful at times like this. Walls too thin, Albatross’s lanky figure could probably even kick it down.
Albatross leaned his body closer to the wall and pressed his ear against it to listen properly. How he wished he had a cup right now, just like in the movies.
“Chuuya and Albatross’s been awfully close these days.” He heard in Lippmann’s voice, it’s as if it’s a worried and concerned tone. Albatross had wickedly grinned at that proudly.
He heard a faint hum, unsure who it was from until he heard Iceman speaking, “I see it’s harmless until you think of the possibility of Albatross being a role model to Chuuya as well.”
Disappointed sighs were heard as a response. What the fuck? Albatross pouted quietly. How rude.
“Fufufu~” Doc’s voice, Albatross’s chest clenched, “Foolish Iceman, could Chuuya ever see Albatross as a role model?”
They just kept going, weren’t they? If Albatross didn’t want to secretly listen to their conversation more, he would’ve burst through the doors right now and pulled his kukri out on them.
“Still though,” Piano Man’s voice this time, Albatross was so ready to jump if he was going to say something about him too, “They’ve been awfully alike recently, haven’t they?”
Pause.
Rewind.
Oh, Chuuya’s going to be so upset if Albatross tells him that Piano Man said that. His grin was back on his face once more.
“They have been, haven’t they?” Lippmann hums in agreement; she sounded rather fonder than earlier. “It’s sweet.”
Doc then let out a chuckle, “If I weren’t friends with those two, I would’ve thought they were siblings,” he finishes with a laugh.
“Their sunglasses almost make them too alike in appearance. I’m just glad Chuuya’s hair is tied differently,” Iceman mumbled out with a sigh.
Oh!
Oh…
Albatross just had a sinister and clever idea. He grinned and turned on his heels without listening to their conversation any longer. He just had to tell Chuuya of his plans and hope that his fellow strawberry blonde friend was on board.
—
“Little dude!” Albatross ran toward Chuuya as he spotted the other roaming around the halls of the Port Mafia’s headquarters. As he was about to tackle the younger person, he was immediately thrown across the room before he could even touch him. A painful yelp and hiss came out from Albatross’s mouth as he winced, “What the hell, kid?!” Chuuya then slowly walked towards him, “Woops,” he reached out his hand toward Albatross to help the other get up from the ground, “Didn’t know it was you, just sensed that someone was coming toward me.”
Albatross glared at Chuuya before he took the other’s hand, accepting his assistance. He crosses his arms, looking away from Chuuya, “I literally yelled out before I came close to you!” “Shut up. What do you want?” Chuuya asked with an eyeroll if Albatross could even see it.
The blonde had looked back at him and gave him a wicked grin, “I thought you’d never ask!” He took Chuuya’s hand and dragged him across the hallway somewhere, “Come on, I need to tell this to you in secret!”
—
Iceman had just returned from an assignment personally tasked to him by the Boss. He was quick and successful enough to get it done in no time. Nobody could stand a chance against him. Well, Paul Verlaine, but they survived through that.
He was just about to head home for the day when he spotted Chuuya by the elevator, waiting for it to arrive on the floor they were at. That’s strange, usually Chuuya should be at the jewellery store around this time.
No harm in wanting to check up on the little boy, Iceman had approached him. He places a hand on top of his head, patting him softly. A while ago, Chuuya had been permitted to hold him, even calming him down sometimes if needed. It touches Iceman’s heart how much trust Chuuya already has in him. Iceman doesn’t show it to others, but he has a soft spot for the boy.
“Hello Chuuya,” Iceman had ruffled the little boy’s head as he spoke, “How are yo—”
Before Iceman could even finish his sentence, Chuuya had flinched back and turned to him. He was wearing his shades over his eyes rather than having them on top of his head. Which isn’t usual, but Iceman doesn’t frequently see him wearing them indoors. He takes note of that in his head. Iceman was still a bit shocked that Chuuya had rejected his pat; perhaps the other is just out of it today. Though Iceman didn’t even fully register that Chuuya had hit him on the shoulder, as it wasn’t as strong as the others’ usual hits.
“Jesus Christ, man! Don’t touch me like that!” Chuuya yelled at him in frustration and pure shock upon the other’s physical touch.
Iceman furrowed his eyebrows. He understands if he didn’t want to be touched like that all of a sudden by him, but the reaction was so unlike the boy. It’s as if he never expected Iceman of all people to pat his head like that, even though Iceman had given him plenty of them in the past.
Iceman stayed silent about it, however, and nodded, “Apologies, Chuuya,” he calmly said, as he moved a bit to the side of the other person.
The two remained silent. Nothing unusual, it’s always quiet whenever he and Chuuya are around. Though the silence immediately broke when Chuuya spoke once more.
“Sooo, how’s the job?” Basic questions, something Chuuya would ask. Though the long speech of saying “so” threw him off. Iceman is growing suspicious.
Iceman ignores it for now and decides to answer Chuuya’s question with a hum, “It went fine.”
“Yeaah?” Chuuya turned to him with a grin, “Didn’t go all intense on them, did you, or were you nonchalant about it? Actually, you’re always nonchalant. Damn—” He then paused before clearing his throat, “Yeah, cool.”
Iceman just paused there, bewildered. What the? This certainly was not Chuuya.
The concerns and suspicions arose even as they entered the elevator. The way Chuuya had behaved inside of it whenever someone entered the space. He terrorised them one by one.
Definitely not Chuuya.
—
Lippmann happened to just drop by Chuuya’s apartment. She wanted to bring a few snacks and sweets to the youngest member of the group. Well, she had planned to give all of her friends some, but she wanted Chuuya to pick first.
Upon arriving at Chuuya’s front door, however, she had not expected Albatross to step out of the place. With wide eyes, Lippmann paused on her tracks. A bit worried Albatross was pulling a prank on Chuuya while the other wasn’t home, or perhaps they were previously hanging out? Only one way to find out.
“Albatross!” She calls out his name with surprise, “I didn’t think I’d see you here.” Albatross had his shades on top of his eyes as usual, though the hue of his hair was a bit darker. Something Lippmann noticed immediately.
She should observe the other further.
“Lippmann,” The other had a less energetic voice, though an obvious shock can be heard from his voice, “What are you doing here?”
Ah. She sees how it is. A small, fond smile graced her face.
“I was just here to drop snacks for Chuuya,” Lippmann explains, and shows the snacks that she was holding in her hands, “See?”
Albatross paused; he was then just looking at her. Lippmann assumed the other was blinking his eyes. Then she sees the over blush that creeps on a certain someone’s face, she knows when being complimented or treated nicely.
“Oh,” Albatross scoffs, “He- he’s not home right now.”
Lippmann lifted a brow. Committed, is he?
“I see,” Lippmann hums, before she tilted her head, “What are you doing here then, Albatross?”
Albatross pauses for another moment, as if he were thinking of his next words. Lippmann had to suppress her smile from growing wider to hide her suspicions.
“N- none of your business!” Albatross’s eyebrows furrowed before he turned on his heels and stormed off from the scene.
Lippmann could now smile wider upon the other’s disappearance.
Just what on earth are these two up to?
—
Piano Man had been in his office for a while now, throwing supernotes after supernotes. He just could not get them perfect, and that had frustrated him so much. He needed to get them right to deceive the next criminal group; the young bloods required to.
Or Piano Man was just a perfectionist. That one was rather obvious. Deadlines are delayed because of this habit of his. It’s truly annoying for him, at least.
Piano Man longly sighed and threw his head back against the back of his seat. Then there was a knock on the door, and soon enough, they immediately opened it without Piano Man even responding. Only one person in their group dares to do that. The leader then went back to sit straight and proper to face his friend, though the shock on his face when it was someone he didn’t expect.
“Chuuya?!” He called the other’s name out in surprise, before he just turned confused, “Do you need anything?” Piano Man blinked a bit. Completely oblivious to the fact that Chuuya was wearing his shades today.
Chuuya stared at him for a while before grinning at Piano Man, one that Piano Man had never seen before on the younger boy, “Just wanted to check up on ya, dad”
DAD?!
Piano Man was internally screaming. Hell, he always wanted Chuuya to call him that, he really did. He even wants to go so far as to adopt the boy, but this was out of nowhere! Is Chuuya pulling a prank on him?
Piano Man could cry, was this real or was he dreaming?
“Dad?” Piano Man tilted his head to the side, still rather shocked, it was obvious in his voice.
“Yes.”
“I-” Piano Man paused, before continuing, “I see. I’m just working on my supernotes.”
Chuuya bursts into laughter, “Delaying the deadlines again, aren’t you? Typical Piano Man!”
Okay, definitely not Chuuya.
Piano Man had furrowed his eyebrows at the other, before he opened his mouth to speak, “Shouldn’t you be with Dazai right now? I heard you two were assigned to a mission together.”
Chuuya stuck his tongue out from his mouth at the mention of Dazai’s name. He then mimics a gagging and throwing up expression, “Bleh! I don’t want to be paired up with that guy!”
Piano Man sighs at the child-like response, “A- Chuuya.”
Chuuya pouted and crossed his arms on top of his chest, “Fine!” he turned his body to the other direction and began walking away, waving his hand up to bid farewell. “Well, see you later, Piano. Good luck with your stupid notes.” That was all he said before exiting his room.
How foolish.
—
Doc was at his clinic, finishing up one of his patients, who was previously screaming his lungs out. He had now sent the said patient out of the infirmary and noticed a familiar figure walking on his premises.
Doc widens his eyes at the sudden intrusion; usually, the other would inform him before going to his clinic, it was their silent agreement that the other somehow always follows through.
“Charles?” Doc says the other’s name in confusion, and the other immediately froze in his tracks, “What are you doing here?”
Albatross stared at Doc. Well, Doc thinks he was staring at him before he answered back, “Charles?” he asked in confusion.
Doc looked at him before laughing softly, “Are you alright, Charles? Do you need a check-up or?”
Albatross then opened his mouth then immediately closed it, as if thinking about his next words. He then opened it once more, “No.” he shook his head and moved forward, “I just wanted to grab my- I mean, something Chuuya left here last time.”
“Chuuya?” Doc tilts his head to the side, confused.
Albatross nodded his head, “He told me he left something here and asked me to grab it for him.”
Doc was very confused. Why would Chuuya entrust Albatross to retrieve his belongings for him?
“...What did he leave behind?”
“A blue wristband… with a sheep logo… Have you seen it?” Albatross had a frown on his face, as if he was visibly upset that Chuuya lost the wristband.
Doc hums at Albatross before turning around in his seat, “You can check the lost and found over there,” he says and points over at the basket.
Albatross immediately dashed towards the basket and started digging through the items in it. Doc, curious why he was acting like this. Unlike him. Does he act this concerned over things Chuuya owned? “Aren’t you such a concerned big brother over Chuuya?” Doc tried to tease Albatross, and the other soon came to a halt in their search for the wristband.
Albatross slowly turned his head toward Doc’s direction, “Don’t-” the grimace on his face was big at that, “Do not call him my big brother.” If Albatross wasn’t wearing his shades, he would’ve thought the other just twitched an eye.
Wait. Him?
“Excuse me?” Doc furrowed his eyebrows and suspiciously stared at the other. “Chuu—”
Albatross took something from the basket and started pacing out of the room, “Found it! Goodbye!” the other yelled out and slammed the door on his way out.
Doc stared at the door in bewilderment, and then he chuckled. Those two.
—
Piano Man had called Iceman, Lippmann and Doc for a quick meeting in his office. Without the two. Iceman was the last one to enter, as he was asked to check the office outside in case someone was spying on them.
“All clear,” Iceman said as he walked towards the other three.
Piano Man nodded at him in acknowledgement, “Alright, I’m sure you’re aware why you’ve been called here.”
Lippmann, Iceman and Doc stared at each other before they looked back at Piano Man.
“Chuuya and Albatross,” Doc spoke up with a grin.
Piano Man nodded once more before he placed both his palms on top of his desk, “Alright-” he breathes in, “So they definitely swapped places right and I wasn’t going crazy?!”
“No doubt.” Iceman nodded once.
“Heh. They sure did.” Doc lets out a soft chuckle.
“Oh, absolutely.” Lippmann giggled, “It was adorable, though Chuuya’s acting could have worked better on his acting a little bit.”
“Albatross didn’t even try!” yelled Piano Man in frustration, “He-” he pauses and sighs, “Never mind that.”
Doc hums, “I’m surprised Albatross had convinced Chuuya to do that,” he tells the group.
Iceman follows with, “I am surprised as well. Perhaps, Albatross blackmailed Chuuya.”
“How cruel… Perhaps he just thought it was fun?” Lippmann smiled as she replied.
Piano Man frowns, “Either way, we’re going to confront them, especially Albatross. This was the worst prank he could ever pull on us.”
—
Chuuya was back to his usual look. Thank God. He can’t believe he listened to Albatross while doing that. He doesn’t think he even fooled anyone, didn’t even try to fool anyone. He hopes that Albatross at least pulled a prank on Dazai when he was him. It would’ve been funny to him.
Right now, Chuuya was heading towards the Old World, upon the group’s request. He went there a bit earlier than the agreed time. Though he probably regretted showing up earlier than Albatross this time, because when he stepped foot inside the building, he was jumped by all of his friends. Almost.
Chuuya was then flashbacked to when they threw his first anniversary, except that one was a fluke. This time, they looked like they were genuinely going to hit him with their weapons if he hadn’t used his ability on them.
“What the hell?!” Chuuya glared at the four adults. His eyebrows furrowed, and he started yelling at them even more, “Hell’s your guys’ issues?!”
Lippmann’s mouth formed the shape of an ‘o’ upon realisation, she looked at Piano Man, “They swapped back.”
Piano Man stared at Chuuya for a brief moment, “Oh. Oh. Woops!” Piano Man nervously smiled and placed a hand on top of Chuuya’s head, “Sorry, Chuuya.”
Chuuya grimaced at him but didn’t stop the other from touching and placing his hair like that, as he crossed his arms. “Whatever.”
“You two did swap places, didn’t you?” Iceman asked Chuuya.
Chuuya nodded.
“Why?” He continued.
“Albatross didn’t stop whining, and I wanted him to shut up.” Chuuya sighs as he answers the question.
“Of course, he did,” Doc laughed.
“Wooo, watcha all talking about?” came Albatross’ voice from behind as he walked towards the five.
All their heads turned toward Albatross’ direction, and they then took their weapons back in their palms as they came near Albatross’ figure. They were all pointing or aiming something at Albatross’s throat, forehead, back and chest. All but Chuuya.
“Holy shit! Looks like you guys aren’t happy to see me at all!” Albatross laughed out loud.
“Clearly not.” Chuuya smiles at him, as he moves his sunglasses that were covering his eyes and places them on top of his forehead.
—
Bonus !
Albatross had finished terrorising Dazai in Chuuya’s look. It was fun to do. That was his favourite part of being Chuuya, even if he didn’t want to be paired up with the other. He also avoided that work, told Dazai to do it alone. He couldn’t handle whatever task was assigned to Chuuya. He was a getaway driver, not some little ball of gravity fur.
He was humming happily as he walked through the hall and near the entrance of the basement when he spotted someone coming up from the stairs.
No. It couldn’t be.
Albatross’s eyes widen underneath the sunglasses as he notices the figure coming out of the basement. His jaw dropped, and he just stared at him with complete shock on his face.
“Oh, Chuuya.” Verlaine said, as he looked down at Albatross, “It’s been a while.”
Albatross was speechless for a while, FUCK. Verlaine shouldn’t even be out of the basement, right?! Something about a storm.
He couldn’t process anything right now. What the hell should he even do in this position? That was his attacker! Maybe he should kill him.
“Chuuya—?”
“Verlaine?” he heard someone near them say, and Albatross turned to look at himself. Thank God Chuuya’s here! “What are you doing outside the basement…?”
“Albatross.” Verlaine glared at him, “None of your business.”
The actual Chuuya just sighed and looked at Albatross. He could’ve sworn that the other glared at him.
Verlaine placed a hand on top of Albatross’s head, and he instantly froze on spot in shock. This was worse than being touched by Iceman like that.
Verlaine bid farewell to him, well, Chuuya, but Albatross didn’t really register that.
“He goes out just to go to the restrooms. Perhaps, the Boss should install one for him in the basement.” Chuuya spoke, but Albatross was still too shocked, “Tross…?”
Albatross is never pulling this ever again. This was the worst.