Archive of Our Own

Reincarnation was nothing more than an illusion created by yearning from those latching onto souls they couldn't reach, a dream craddling those afraid of the endless darkness of the abyss they call death. Whispers of hope to ease the pain of reality.

Chuuya never indulged in such fantasies, what good does it brings him to believe a fabrication made by those clinging to life like a madman? He knew better than to let himself fall for such deception.

After coming close to death's door for far too many times, Chuuya no longer held any fear for what awaits him, rather he chose to live in the moment until it ends. Waiting for his book of life to finally runs out of ink.

That is, until he experienced reincarnation with his own soul.

In his last breath Chuuya had smiled to the sky for he'd long accepted his fate. Afterall, everyone will meet death sooner or later, let alone someone working in the mafia where it accompanied you through the deepest pits of hell.

But when he closed his eyes, his heartbeat stopped for just a second before it beats louder than ever before, almost like a clock ready to strike 12 and rings as it reaches the sun's peak. It hammered violently against his chest til he was woken up with a loud gasp, allowing air to fill his lungs once more.

Where was he? What happened? Why was he still alive?

Questions filled his mind as though a wild storm flooding through his head, drowning any common sense while the weight of reality caught up to him. 

"Chuuya?" A voice that shouldn't be heard any longer brought him back to the present world, or rather a foreign one he is yet to explore.

Messy brown waves that embraced his facial features, soft lips with an uncharasteristic chubby cheeks and those painfully familiar deep brown eyes which never failed to look right through him.

There were so many things wrong about him, yet Chuuya could tell with a single glance this person before him was the same person he'd been chasing half of his life. The one who had filled his heart and broken it all over again. The person he despised most but could never let go, not even at the end of his life.

"Dazai..?"His voice was no more than a faint whisper, small hands reaching for his haunting face.

"Chuuya, are you okay? You're acting weird." He asked through squished cheeks, worry flickering through his big brown orbs. No hints for sarcasm nor mischieve laid beneath those eyes, only an emotion so implausible for him that Chuuya almost doubted it was truly him.

"Dazai, is that you?"Chuuya whispered, leaning even closer til their faces were merely inches apart.

"Yes?"The latter blinked in confusion, clearly not sure what to understand from his reaction. "Chuuya, you're starting to scare me."

His blatant truth caused Chuuya to jump in surprise, putting distance between them as he eyed him with suspicion. "You're... really Dazai?"

"Who else would I be?" The boy huffs and pushed his lips out in a small, stubborn pout. "If this is Chuuya's attempt on a prank, then he clearly fails. It's not funny at all!"

Relief washed over him, settling over his panic like a calm tide whilst his muscle relaxed all at once. The sensation engulfed him whole, legs buckling from losing its tension as his vision blurred into an incoherent mess. He fell forward with a slight thud, voices echoing around him before he fully lost conciousness.

Soon after Chuuya slowly regained his memories, both prior and succeeding his reincarnation. From his life on the street with the sheep, to the port mafia, his death and finally his rebirth.

It took him quite some time to adjust to his new life, especially for the fact that he was now a seven years old with no ability whatsoever. Even the annoying voice of Arahabaki had dissappeared---which he was honestly pleased about. That solved one of his long list of problems. Though there were much more to follow, Dazai for example sat at the top of that list.

"What? Chuuya can't have enough of my handsome face?"Dazai teased with a smug grin on his face.

If it weren't for the fact that his ex partner in crime had turned into a child alongside him, then Chuuya would have long punched his face. But he couldn't possibly do that to an innocent child. By innocent he meant that this Dazai did not have a single memory of their past life. Somehow Chuuya had been the unlucky one between them to regain those memories, thus proving his disbelief of reincarnation wrong.

"More like getting sick of it." Atleast Dazai acts the same as his adult self, or well past life self, would. Full of mischieve and annoying to the core.

"Ouch! You wound me, Chuuya!"Dazai wept dramatically, hands placed on his chest as though his words truly offended him. 

"Good." Chuuya watched as his shrunken partner gasped in complete shock before turning away with a huff.

"I'm never sharing my lunch with you again!"He declared with as much seriousnes a child could muster, although his childlike appearance only made him look harmless if not cute.

Chuuya internally cursed himself upon the thought, for even considering that Dazai could be anything other than a menace to society. Perhaps reincarnation had also turned his brain into that of a child, because he clearly wasn't thinking straight no more.

"Hey, you two!" Another child called enthusiastically while running in their direction. "Come play football with us!"

"Um," Chuuya glanced at Dazai who had moved closer to him, almost like he was trying to hide behind him. His earlier attidude vanishing into thin air. "Maybe an other time."

This was an other problem he encountered. Dazai, the youngest mafia executive who earned the tittle of demon prodigy for his violent and cunning nature, had somehow became a frail, shy little boy whose confident evaporated in the presence of other people.

'Hah! He's all bark and no bite.'

"Come on, it'd be fun!" The child insisted, reaching for their hands but was stopped before they could touch Dazai.

"Sorry, but we're not really in the mood to play right now." Chuuya positioned himself between them, catching the child's hand and gently pushing it away. "Thank you for the offer though."

In a different situation Chuuya would've laughed and teased Dazai for his shyness, never letting him live it down. Heck, he would even spread it to all mafia member just to bully him. Afterall, they both strive from making each other's life miserable.

However, Chuuya didn't have the heart to do that to this version of Dazai. One that still possessed his childlike innocence, free from the cruelty of this world and smiling like he never knew pain. 

Instead he found himself feeling protective over him, wanting to keep everything and everyone that could take the shine in his pure eyes away. It didn't help his defensive urge either when Dazai's small hand held onto his shirt, squishing it tight as if asking for help. Showing a vulnerable state that Chuuya had grown to dread for.

One sign of it and he'd burn the world to keep him safe. Despite his mind's protests, his body rushed for him before he could stop himself. Only allowing himself to breath after confirming his safety. 

He hates himself for it. Through all the pain Dazai had caused him, his heart wouldn't rest if something happened to him. But of course Chuuya would never admit that out loud, who knows what Dazai would make him do once he realizes the power he holds over him.

"Oh, okay then. Maybe next time!" The child waved and ran back to their friends, leaving the two boys alone under their favourite tree.

"Chuuya isn't going to play with them?" Dazai leaned forward to meet his eyes. His brown orbs shimmering with hope that his past life self never allowed himself to have.

At that, his chest tightened involuntarily for a split second before he quickly regained his composure. "Not in the mood."

"Hmm," Dazai squinted his eyes, then grinned as that mischievious spark lit up once more. "Hehe, if Chuuya feels embarrassed to play with a girl, then he should just say so~!"

"Hah?!" Chuuya exclaimed with an offended jump.

"Chuuya is a tsundere!"

"I'm not-!" He yelled and chased him. "Come back here you brat!"

The latter merely stuck out their tounge. "Come catch me if you can!"

Truly insufferable.

○○○

Being a child meant limitations and side effects such as sleepiness, lack of strength and random burst of emotions. Chuuya especially hated the vulnerability that comes with it. It's against everything that he is used to, that helped him survived the harsh condition of his miserable life. Despite being given a new chance at life, it didn't mean his habits nor instincts would dissappear. In fact, it stuck in his mind like a stubborn anchor of the past.

"Mm...they're late." Dazai yawned, eyes hazy as he stared at the streets. One hand holding onto his friend's sleeve whilst the other tried to wipe the sleepiness off his eyes.

"Something must have came up." Chuuya frowned when the boy leaned onto his shoulder, using him as a standing pillow. 

Dazai's hands slithered around his left arm, smudging his face against Chuuya's soft hoodie. A soft comfortable smile formed on his lips.

"Get off me."

His words, though harsh, held barely any bite in them, perhaps even hiding a rare gentleness beneath it. Eyes softening upon his ex partner's blatant display of defenselessness. At first it irked him, not knowing what to do with such an unfamiliar behaviour.

Of course it's not like he had never experienced such gestures, Chuuya had plenty of those with the sheep. Children with no one else but themselves to rely on naturally longed for a sense of security and affection, thus searching for it with one another. Shared meals, clotches, sleepover and cuddles that generally increased in cold weathers. He knew what affection looks like, just not from Dazai.

Dazai who insists on calling him his dog.

Dazai who insults him like it's his hobby.

Dazai who watches his misery with amusement. 

Dazai who manipulated him for his own gain.

Tension surged through his muscle at the memory as it took every self control in him not to push Dazai to the ground.

That bitterness of betrayal never truly left him, as soon as he saw something more than a monster in Dazai, that guy destroyed his hope with yet another cruel act. It was almost like Dazai wanted people to perceive him that way----which to be fair, was probably the truth.

Despite his carefully crafted mask, Chuuya was able to see just how much of a coward Dazai was. How he feared affection, because attachment was deemed a weakness in the port mafia. Or how he made everyone hate him, so he would never have to face their pitiful look when they realized that he in fact was just a child suffering. Begging and waiting for someone or something to save him, to give him a purpose in life without actually asking for help.

Afterall, even a genius couldn't be perfect all the time. There will be cracks showing and growing til it completely crumbled to dust. And Chuuya had been spending a long time with him to see the faintest of cracks, enough to be aware of Dazai's humanity. Perhaps if they had associated longer with each other, he would have seen the whole truth. Understand what caused that darkness surrounding his eyes. But of course, Dazai didn't let him.

"Guess my long awaited wish will come true, huh Chuuya?" Blood seeped through his clotches, forming a visible puddle underneath him.

"Don't speak idiot! You're losing more blood!" Chuuya hissed, hands pressed firmly on his partner's wound.

"I'm glad the poison got to me first, I don't feel any pain at all." A rare peaceful smile crept its way on his face, weak but genuine. "What a wonderful end."

And then, everything turned red.

Chuuya gritted his teeth and squished the boy's hands before he could stop himself. His chest felt too tight, breath too ragged. He wanted to punch something, anything to push that horrible lingering feelings away.

"Chuuya?" Dazai looked at him with the same worried gaze he had when Chuuya first regained conciousness. "You're hurting me.."

The latter visibly flinched, his bubble of memories popping upon realization. "Sorry-" He lets go of him and took a step back for a safe distance. "Didn't mean to.."He mumbled under his breath.

Familiar brown orbs watched him, blinking in a slow, calculating motion before grinning. "If Chuuya wanted to hold my hands you should just say so!" The boy grabbed his hands and gave it a subtle, almost reassuring squish. "No need to be all violent! I thought you were going to crush my delicate hands!" His voice was dramatic, teasing even. But something about his eyes told him an other story. 

'You have yet to learn how to mask your emotions properly, mini Dazai.'

A soft sigh escaped his lips as calm settled over him like a gentle wave. "Mhm." He didn't know what to say or do, always thrown under a bus whenever Dazai showed his rare kindness which had now somehow became part of his daily interaction.

Chuuya didn't miss the parallel between Dazai's cruelty and kindness. Both hid their feelings with a mask and mixed signals, but one did it to protect himself while the other did it for him. It made him wonder, would Dazai be this kind to him too if they had met under better circumstances? Maybe, or maybe not. There are things in this world that are better left unknown and this was one of them. Otherwise the hatred which stood as a barrier between grief and madness over his death would crumble insantly.

"Earth to Chuuyaaa!!"Dazai called and huffed. "You keep falling to daydreaming! Maybe you should get that checked."

Chuuya rolled his eyes, letting his hands linger for a second more before pulling away. "Nah, I'd rather daydream than have to deal with your rubbish."

At that, Dazai gasped dramatically as though he insulted his entire bloodline. "So cruel! And here I was, sarcrificing my grace by touching your filthy hands!"

"Hah? My hands aren't filthy!" Chuuya barked, irritation replaced any tenderness for him.

"Yes, they are! You dig around in sand like a nasty dog!"Dazai exclaimed and made a gagging sound to prove his point.

"That's only because you hid my hat in the damn sand! And stop comparing me to a dog damn it!!" In moments like this, Chuuya truly wished Dazai wasn't a child so he could punch his gut. But no, Chuuya wouldn't give him that satisfaction. He wouldn't stood so low like him----was what he thought as he prepared a fist for him.

However, their fight was stopped before it could get to the good part. Both of them were carried into the air and restrained by gentle hands. "Is he bothering you, Chuuya?" Verlaine, his maniac brother, asked.

Others called him weak and stupid for forgiving the assassin after everything he had done, but Chuuya didn't care. It was him who suffered under his actions, why should he care what opinion others may have for his decision to this matter? 

Although truthfully, it was hard to look past everything and build a relationship with him, but now it was different. This wasn't the same Verlaine who killed his friends, those he considered his family. This was a Verlaine who did nothing but love his little brother. His fuzzy memories of his early childhood in this world told him that much.

"Tch, it's nothing." Still, a small bud of fear his brother's protective instinct might cause another drastic decision stayed in his heart. 

Just to be sure, Chuuya told himself.

"Dazai." Oda's calm, yet strict voice made the little boy whine.

"But Odasaku, I didn't even do anything!" Dazai claimed loudly.

The latter merely raised an expectant eyebrow, waiting til Dazai finally caved. He turned to Chuuya's direction, lips pushed forward in a pout while looking away. "Sorry for calling you a dog even though it suits you, Chuuya."

"If you're going to fake an apology, atleast make it believable!!" Anger colored his face a shade of red as the culprit stuck his tounge at him.

Both adults sighed exhasperated, having seen this unfold a thousand times over. Truly, how could one not get tired of such banters?

"Please forgive his behaviour, sir Verlaine," Odasaku apologized in Dazai's stead.

"It's okay, Oda." Verlaine waved his hands, smiling tiredly. Neither of them blamed the other for what happens between the two children, it was no more than children's harmless banters. 

Chuuya squirmed in his hold, trying to reach Dazai with his little hands and give him a good hit on the head while the latter clung to his caretaker with a taunting expression. "Stupid mackerel!"

"Ugly slug!"

"Annoying fish!"

"Short stack!"

"Crab maniac!"

Before they could escalate further, their caretakers bid goodbye with a friendly bow and headed towards their respective vehicle. A silent understanding in their tired smile.

"Besides Dazai's antics, how was your day?" Verlaine sat in the backseat with Chuuya still in his arms, gesturing for Rimbaud who was sitting by the driver's seat to start moving.

"It was good, I guess." Chuuya let out a quiet grumble, the last few traces of irritation slowly faded into a warm, drowsy calm. His small frame curled up against him, head laid comfortably on his chest. Each heartbeat a gentle lullaby to his ears, guiding him into a peaceful rest.

This wasn't the place to sleep, no. If there is anything he had learned from the mafia, then it's that one should never let their guard down around potential enemies. Even alone one could not risk it, because who knows what dangers might be lurking in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to pounce on them. Chuuya learned to only rest once he found himself in the safety of his home.

Yet here he was, weak against his own sleepiness that this child's body seemed to have amplified and sleeping carelessly without a care in the world. Mori would've been dissappointed in him and Dazai, oh Dazai. That bastard would no doubt use this opportunity to play a prank on him, harmless if lucky, but since when was luck ever in his favor? He'd bet all of his money that his partner would simply dump him in enemy territory to fend for himself while he watched from afar with great delight. And of course Chuuya would have no one, but himself to blame.

'Suddenly I have the urge to kill that bastard.'

Soft humming replaced his thoughts of violence as sleep fully wrapped him around its fingers. A yawn escaped his lips and he held onto the soft fabric of his brother's shirt. Surpringly, Chuuya found himself feeling safe despite the alarms that rang in his ears.

He died once, dying again didn't seem all too bad to him. Atleast that's what he told himself to justify this careless behaviour of his.

"Must have been a long day for him," Rimbaud chuckled upon glancing at the rearview mirror.

"Mhm, I bet that brat Dazai drained his energy with his antics again." Verlaine, though displeased, had a soft expression on his face. Carefully running his fingers through Chuuya's fluffy red hair. "I really don't understand why Chu would want to be friends with him if he bothers him constantly."

"Friendship comes in all sorts of ways I suppose." Rimbaud's voice was tender, almost soothing. 

Verlaine sighed in defeat, knowing how much his little brother treasured his friend even when he insisted otherwise. "I just wish he'd stop referring to him as a dog. My little Chu is far more dignified than that."

○○○

Chuuya: 10 years old.

"Your taste in fashion is truly worsening over the years, Chuuya." Dazai made a disgusted expression to add bite to his words.

"No, it's not!" Of course Dazai just had to ruin his mood. That devil couldn't let him have a single peaceful day without destroying it.

"Oh yeah? Then tell me why you decided to add that ridiculous sheep bracelet to your outfit?"Dazai pointed at the white beaded bracelets on his right hand, a small sheep charm dangling from it.

"What? Can't a guy like sheeps?"Chuuya crossed his arms with a raised eyebrow.

"You can, but it doesn't suit your ugly punk style at all," He emphasized.

Chuuya could feel the anger rising in him, though he calmed himself down with a deep breath. "First off, my style isn't ugly. And second off, what I wear is none of your business."

Dazai frowned, pouting even. Eyeing his bracelets like an enemy threatening to steal his territory. It baffled Chuuya how one could be so bothered by another's outfit and belongings when it isn't inappropriate nor does it harms them in the slightest. But then again, it's Dazai. That guys has always been a little weirdo, which is already nicely put considering all the other options Chuuya could describe him with.

"Chuuya!" A familiar voice called and embraced him with a warm hug. 

His gaze softened as he returned the hug. "Hey Yuan."

After living in this world for three long years, Chuuya found himself cherishing his new reality. Sure, being a child again wasn't the best thing to happen to him, but at the same time it was a new chance at the childhood he missed. And to make it better, Chuuya had found people he held dear being happier than they ever was before.

Verlaine and Rimbaud.

Ane-san and her little Kyouka.

Akutagawa with the black lizard.

Dazai with his friend Odasaku.

And the sheep who he had recently encountered. One could imagine how grateful he was to be able to see them again. No threats, no mafia, no shame, just them together again. 

A flicker of hope lit in his heart that one day, maybe, just maybe, he would see the flags again. If the sheep and mafia were here, surely the flag would be here as well? 

"Don't forget to come next week!"Yuan happily reminded.

"Friday, was it?"Chuuya asked to be sure.

"Yup!"

"Great, I'll be there." He patted her head which earned him a bright smile from her. Despite being the same age, Chuuya considered her his little sister. Bubbly and bright, nothing like his tainted soul.

"Wonderful! I'm going to tell the others, see you tomorrow at school!" She waved excitedly, giggling on her way home.

A sense of nostalgia washed over him, filling his heart with a comforting, warm sensation. They may have fallen apart in the worse way possible, but nothing could tarnish their shared memory together. Call him a fool, but he'd never blame them for trying to protect themselves. In the end, they were only children afraid of being hurt. While it doesn't justify their actions, Chuuya could understand why they did it and forgave them wholeheartedly.

He turned, ready to head home with Dazai per usual, only to find the boy already a few feet away from him and leaving him behind.

"Oi-!" Chuuya ran after him, annoyance flashed across his face. "Wait for me, damn it!"

"Blehhh, Chuuya is being all lovey dovey with a girl it's nasty." Dazai made a gagging sound, putting on another classic, dramatic act again.

"I'm not!" He yelled embarrassed. God, what's wrong with this idiot today? He's been moody all day!

"Is something bothering you, Chuuya?" Kouyou asked gently upon noticing his frustration. She was tasked with Chuuya's wellbeing for the day since both Verlaine and Rimbaud were caught up with work.

They live not too far away from one another and the two families had always been close, so of course she didn't have any problem taking care of Chuuya. Especially when her little Kyouka also found comfort in him.

"Dazai's being a dick today!" Though his voice snapped with irritation, his hands continued its steady, careful pace as he brushed through Kyouka's long black strands. 

"Please mind your language near Kyouka dear." Kouyou reminded softly and took a sip of her tea.

"Sorry.."He mumbled, adding the finishing touches before handing the little girl a miror. "All done!"

Kyouka stared at her reflection. Red ribbons tied around two bundle of hair, falling gracefully to her shoulder. A small sakura flower pin clipped into her ponytail. "Pretty.."

Chuuya smiled with a hint of pride, setting the little girl atop a chair as though crowning a princess upon her throne, granting her access over the treasures laying neatly across her land that is the table. Her cheeks quickly rounded, stuffed with all sorts of pastries like a squirrel hoarding food for the cold. Blue eyes sparkling in delight, looking so adorable as if she wasn't committing a crime.

The older boy laughed at the sight. She was small and often silent, but sweets awakened something else entirely—swift and focused, like a sugar-hungry ninja.

"Don't eat too much sweets Kyouka, it's not good for your teeth." Kouyou sighed softly, disapproval written on her face, yet she couldn't bring herself to scold the girl further. One day she would really need to fix this habit of hers, but today wasn't that day.

Instead, Kouyou shifted her attention to the boy she considered her own nephew. "And Chuuya, are you planning to buy a gift for Dazai? It's his birthday soon, isn't it?"

"Of course, otherwise that brat won't stop complaining about it." Chuuya grimaced at his mental image of a loudly whining Dazai. He pitied those having to deal with him on a daily basis, including himself.

Kouyou smiled knowingly at him. She had intended only to remind him to keep peace between the two children, mindful of how tender one heart truly was. For all the sharp words Dazai hurled at him, he was still a child at his core—aching for the warmth of those he loved. What child wouldn’t cry, believing himself to be forgotten? But as she watched now, it became clear her concern had been for nothing at all.

"Do you want me to drive you to the city?" She offered.

Then his ever so confident stance wavered, posture shifting as uncertainty crept in. "Actually.." Chuuya hesitated which raised Koyo's suspicion.

She tilted her gaze, watching closely though without putting pressure on him, patiently waiting for the boy to find his words. It's not often Koyo gets to see the energetic Chuuya fall into such a hesitant state.

"I already picked a gift, but I'm not too sure whether he'd like it," Chuuya admitted after a moment of silence.

"I'm sure he will love it, afterall you gave it a lot of thought." It doesn't take a genius to see how much thought Chuuya must have put in choosing the said gift, considering how worried he is right now. And being someone who had watched him grow, Kouyou knows exactly how considerate and kind of a person Chuuya was despite his brute strength that surpassed his peers. A sheep in wolf clotching one could say.

Still, Kouyou ran a gentle hand through his red locks. Her gaze soft as she spoke. "Would you like me to see and judge it directly?"

Chuuya nodded with a quiet relief, happy to hear a second opinion to his gift. He couldn't trust Verlaine nor Rimbaud to give him a good advice. One hated the birthday child while the other couldn't bring it over his heart to tell him the truth should he deem the gift to be unsuitable. And quite frankly, he was too embarrassed to ask them as well.

Of course, now as a child, no one would bat an eye to his behaviour, but his adult mind with his past life's memories as a mafia executive wouldn't let him do it. Too proud to let the tiniest crumbs of pride he had left be shattered by admitting he cared. No, it was humiliating enough to be a child again. He didn't need to add more salt to the wound.

○○○

On the upcoming friday, Chuuya drove to the birthday party while clutching his nicely wrapped gift. Arriving right on time by the front door.

This was the first birthday party Dazai had invited him to in this life—not that he had celebrated any in their past life to begin with. He never really cared about attending a party, merely handing the boy small gifts as he would in the past. So pardon him for being a little nervous.

It didn't even take a second for the door to open directly after the bell sound echoed. A very happy and jumpy Dazai tackled him not even a second after opening the door. "Chuuya, you came!"

The brunet wrapped his arms tightly against him, giggling like the little kid that he is, face burried onto his chest as he squished the gift between them.

"Of course I came.." Chuuya mumbled, his face now flushed with embarrassment. Since when was Dazai this open with his emotions? Had he missed something? 

He turned to look at Oda who was smiling peacefully behind Dazai and a younger version of Dazai's coworker—Yosano was her name?—nodded along with Mori by her side, both looking as though Chuuya had somehow met their expectations which he was never aware of.

'Seriously, what did I miss? Why am I the only one surprised here?'

Even his brother with his fiance looked unbothered by the sight, already expecting such a reaction. Perhaps both sides had became friends without his knowledge and discussed it beforehand? But why would Dazai play along? To mess with him?

Dazai finally let go of him, his attempt of suppressing a smile failing almost instantly. It quivered with excitement, betraying his effort to play it cool and pretend as if he hadn't just jump at him like an affectionate kitten a second ago.

Semehow seeing Dazai fight it so stubbornly made his heart flutter, warmth spreading before he could stop it. Was his smile always this contagious? This bright? 

It should have felt wrong, foreign. Yet Chuuya only yearned to see more of that genuine smile on Dazai's face. To be the reason of that heartwarming smile.

"I already thought you'd forget about it," Dazai said—tried to say in a casual tone. His trembling lips gave him away instantly.

Chuuya rolled his eyes, smiling at his clumsy effort. "Of course not, how low do you think I am?"

And of course, Dazai couldn't let him have this nice moment either. "Very low. You barely reach my shoulder."

"Hah!?" Chuuya exclaimed, ready to throw his fists at him.

"Now, now, let's not fight on such a beautiful day." Mori stood between them before another one of their daily banter could start. "Why don't we head inside and play some games instead, hm?"

"Good idea! Chibi always loses against me!" Dazai grinned, sticking his tounge at him from behind Mori and ran once Chuuya began chasing him.

"You little- no, I don't!"

Mori sighed, his attempt going to waste just like that. "Atleast they're having fun."

Every adult, including the young Yosano, nodded in agreement as they entered the mansion.

"A black cat plush?" Dazai blinked, staring at his unexpected gift.

Chuuya looked away embarrassed. "Yeah, it reminded me of your annoying face so."

Dazai stared for a second longer, then smiled and hugged it tight. "It's cute like me, so I accept it!"

That comment made Chuuya laugh and forget his moment of fluster. "Yeah, as if."

"Chuuya is just jealous that I have such a cute face unlike his scary one!" Dazai shot back, sprinting away once again as he got chased. 

They ran around the livingroom like cat and mouse, throwing balloons at one another and using the adults as a shield.

"Elise, when you grow up don't be like your stubborn brother, okay?" Yosano whispered to the toddler on her lap, though her voice was filled with a tender affection.

"Okay!" She giggled, watching her older brother run all over the place.

Once again, Chuuya was grateful for his second chance at life. He hoped it'd be as joyful as this day forever.

extra:

Hangout?:

Dazai:"Didn't you have some plan today with those sheepy friends of yours?"

Chuuya:"Don't call them that! And yea, I did. Why?"

Dazai:"Just asking." *eyes him suspiciously*

Chuuya:*looks away*

Context: basically Chuuya insisted on pushing their hangout from afternoon to early morning, so he wouldn't miss Dazai's birthday while still be able to hang out with the sheep. He was prepared to cancel the hangout if the sheep hadn't agreed.

Choosing gift:

Chuuya, weeks before Dazai's birthday and even getting invited:"What should I gift him? That idiot already got everything." *spends an hour daily at the toystore*

*gets the actual invitation*

Chuuya:*starts panicking* "Shit- what's a proper birthday gift for a birthday party??"

Shirase:"You're stressing too much about it, you know that right? It's been a month already.."

Chuuya:*tells himself he doesn't care, but clearly does care and stresses about it*

Yuan:*whisper* "Should we help him or..?"

Shirase:"It's hopeless I fear."