Chapter Text
The last few days, or rather weeks have been an utter blur to Dazai Osamu. They’d defeated the demon Fyodor Dostoevsky with the combined forces of the Port Mafia and the Armed Detective Agency, not that Dazai was there to witness it.
Everything after escaping Meursault, a European prison for dangerous gifted, has felt like a hazy nightmare. The only thing he remembers is Chuuya. Chuuya who helped him escape, Chuuya who tended to Dazai’s wounds whilst they were still inside. And Chuuya who might have carried Dazai to the extraction point after he passed out when his pain tolerance had maxed out (which was high).
Those were the memories Dazai thought about whilst lying awake on his bed. Everyone around him felt relieved, slowly but surely returning to their normal routine. The ADA was operating in full force once again, dealing with gifted criminals and cases outside of the scope of regular police.
Dazai felt out of place in the cheery atmosphere. Even after his physical wounds had been treated by Yosano, he couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling. He felt nauseous with anxiety every time he recalled that day’s events. Most of all he felt lonely.
The Detective Agency was built on being a community for the outcasts who felt like they didn’t belong. Some place to do good. Even though Fukuzawa had accepted him with open arms and Dazai had started getting along with his colleagues, his feelings of not belonging have only increased by his colleagues comforting each other after defeating Dostoevsky.
They had hugged and even cried together. Dazai had retreated to his empty apartment the second Yosano had treated his wounds. Maybe he was purposely distancing himself, but in his current state he didn’t have the energy to try to be friendly.
Currently standing in the pouring rain, Dazai was shivering with his arms crossed for preserving warmth, not that it was helping much. He didn't mind it, the rain always helped him feel grounded.
He was observing Kenji and Tanizaki fight their enemies from afar. Being the strategist in the current mission he needn’t get his hands dirty. Dazai had devised a plan that took advantage of his coworkers abilities, without interference from himself. Nothing unusual, he could do that in his sleep. Right now though, it almost felt like he was doing it in his sleep.
Dazai’s strange fatigue hadn’t faded a couple weeks after the incident. He constantly felt a lump in his throat, having to really focus at times to stop himself from hyperventilating. Nothing he isn’t used to, of course. Panic attacks had been a common occurrence whilst working in the Port Mafia at fifteen. But Dazai had thought he had gotten over those since leaving the Mafia.
He kept all of this to himself. He was excellent at faking and putting on facades for his friends and enemies alike. This was no exception. This sinking feeling would soon pass, wouldn’t it?
Dazai was snapped out of his thoughts by the sound of a loud engine. He saw a bright red motorcycle speed past him and towards their current target. Dazai sighted, of course the Port Mafia had sent him of all people.
Their new alliance was more of a nuisance than a help at times. This was one of those times. Chuuya Nakahara, Dazai’s ex-partner and a current Port mafia executive was quite hotheaded (obnoxious, is how Dazai would describe him) and he tended to kill anyone and everyone standing in his way, a hindrance to Dazai’s carefully crafted schemes.
Though today Dazai found himself lacking any witty retorts towards his former partner. Along with his incoherent thoughts, his body felt sluggish and he was chilled to the bone. He must be hungover, though he hasn’t drunk much recently. Maybe it’s the sleep deprivation and nightmares he’s been having recently.
Either way, Dazai chose not to dwell on it. If he usually didn’t have much regard for his wellbeing, that had been ten times worse recently. It was odd, he didn’t anticipate being held in captivity with Fyodor would affect him much. It had been partially entertaining, however the russian did manage to get under his skin, not that he would show it. Dazai thought back to the day he broke out of the prison, with the help of Chuuya no less.
His initial reaction to seeing his ex-partner back in Meursault had been relief. Chuuya had always been a comforting presence, though Dazai would never admit that outloud, either. He decidedly never voiced his thoughts, but this especially was something he’d take to his grave. The whole day was a blur now, taking the poison, trying to drown his nemesis, oh and Fyodor. Almost dying himself.
The pain he felt that day was something he hadn’t experienced before, something he didn’t want to experience again. He’s certain without Chuuya he would’ve died in that prison, and that thought makes him feel extremely conflicted. He never wanted to be in anybody’s debt. But at the same time he’s eternally grateful for Chuuya.
Dazai watched his former partner make quick work of the enemy organisation’s lackeys. He doesn’t think he’ll ever get tired of watching Chuuya decimate their opponents with such skill and precision. It’s almost beautiful. Not Chuuya, he’s an ugly slug. But his power is to be admired in Dazai’s opinion.
“Dazai-san what should we do now?” Kenji shouts whilst running towards him.
Could people be less noisy sometimes? Dazai’s head is starting to ache.
“We continue as planned, I will communicate with the PM as needed.” though Dazai can’t think of anything he’d like less than to speak to Chuuya right now.
“Yes Dazai-san”.
Kenji and Tanizaki will have to enter one of the organisation’s hideouts to rescue a client now.
Dazai isn’t all that interested in going along, and he thinks he doesn’t have to. The warm office sounds good right now, maybe a cup of tea for his increasingly sore throat. Wait, when did that start? Dazai only noticed it now as the adrenaline had worn off.
He coughed and noted the uncomfortable sensation in his throat. That’s inconvenient but nothing to fret over.
“Oi Dazai” he recognised that voice, regretfully.
“Chuuya! What a wonderful surprise.” Dazai replied with his cheerful facade.
Pissing off Chuuya would make him want to leave Dazai alone. That was the optimal outcome. Prolonged exposure to his former partner brought uncomfortable feelings to the surface. A lot of them bittersweet, but after Meursault mostly painful.
“Cut the crap shitty Dazai. What are your people after with this case?”
His voice rang in Dazai’s ear like a familiar melody. It was calming in a strange way.
“Even though we’re not actively fighting you guys now doesn’t make you privy to the details of our cases. But if you really must know we’re merely here to rescue a client, not the sort of thing that would interest Mori” He replied with a smirk.
Chuuya huffed at him as a response, he knew Dazai was right about Mori not caring about a trivial kidnapping. And going in by himself to gather information seemed like a hassle. He wasn’t exactly ordered to come aid with this mission but he had his reasons.
Without warning Dazai snaps forward with a harsh sneeze, attempting to stifle it between two of his fingers. After looking dazed for a bit, he recovers by taking in an experimental sniffle. When he knows he’s not going to sneeze again he puts his hands down and attempts to act like nothing happened.
Chuuya’s not one to bless people when they sneeze but leaving that outburst unnoticed wasn’t an option in Chuuya’s mind,
“Are you getting sick?” It comes out more of an accusation than a question, but Chuuya has never been the subtle type.
“Aww are you worried chibi?” Dazai teased back, hoping Chuuya would drop the subject.
He prefers suffering in silence, unless he wants something. And currently he wants nothing to do with Chuuya.
Dazai knows his teasing is to cover up for him feeling uncomfortable or vulnerable. He imagines his former partner knows this too but that hasn’t stopped Chuuya before. This time though the redhead elects not to press the matter further, only raising a brow at Dazai.
Dazai can’t help but feel slightly..disappointed? He doesn’t want people to fuss over him, but Chuuya has always been…well Chuuya. The same Chuuya that always patched up Dazai after their missions together, who made sure Dazai slept at least a few hours. Made him food and practically shoved it down his throat when they were sixteen. Even let him stay over at his apartment when Dazai’s shipping container was freezing from the unusually harsh winters.
Suddenly it feels like the last of whatever warmth Dazai had been able to hold on, had been sucked out from around him. He stared at Chuuya for a moment. Something’s up with him. Chuuya was strangely calm for someone usually so snappy. He was the first to speak up, in a steady voice,
“Well my part of the mission is over. I’ll leave you to it.”
Before Dazai could hardly even think about what to reply, Chuuya had sped off on his motorcycle leaving his former partner slightly stunned from the adverse reaction.
Dazai’s head felt heavy. He was definitely getting sick. He hadn’t paid it much attention before his idiot of an ex-partner had pointed it out, but now it had hit him in full force.
He was unbearably cold and shivery whilst walking back to the Agency. His head hurt and his nose had started running after the first sneeze.
This day was going to be utterly miserable.
When Tanizaki and Kenji returned to the Agency they certainly had interesting information to share. Their client, who had been allegedly kidnapped, was a part of a different criminal organisation and had tried to gain an upper hand in a conflict using the Detective Agency.
Oh this would certainly interest Mori, Dazai thought to himself.
Kunikida rose from his chair.
“I think it’s time we do some investigation, Dazai”
“Oh come on Kunikida, there was a new method of suicide I wanted to try!” Dazai whined at his current partner.
Dazai knew how to press Kunikida’s buttons but it wasn’t nearly as fun as doing it to Chuuya. Kunikida could never replace his ex-partner. Dazai had known him and Chuuya genuinely cared for each other back in the day. In their own strange unspoken kind of way. The same couldn’t be said about him and Kunikida.
“Oh quit lazing around you waste of bandages. We have work to do.
Dazai doubts Kunikida would care, even if he said he wasn’t feeling well. Or worse he would care and Dazai would have to listen to another lecture about taking care of himself. Or maybe he’d think this was one of his antics again. None of the above were options Dazai hoped to pursue so he grabbed his coat and ventured out of the office.
Dazai wondered how long it would take for the information to reach the boss of the Port Mafia. Two hours? Maybe four? He knew the PM had people everywhere, having experienced it firsthand only a few years ago.
His question wasn’t left unanswered for long when he noted two black suvs tailing not far behind him and Kunikida.
What surprised him however was seeing Chuuya Nakahara emerging from one of the cars when they had reached their destination. Odd that Slug would leave behind his usual mode of transportation. Dazai wondered the reason for it but didn’t voice his concern outloud.
“You’ve got a cold” Chuuya states it like it’s the most obvious thing in the world
“It’s a very tolerable cold” Dazai smiles back, going for reassuring, but it doesn’t come across that way.
Chuuya just frowns in response, though he’s slightly surprised by the honest admission. Observing his former partner. He’s a bit paler than usual, and his nose has taken on a pinkish hue since Chuuya saw him this morning. He looks tired too, but Mackerel’s sleep schedule is appalling on the best of days.
Even though Mori’s taken a genuine interest in the conflict, honestly Chuuya’s motive for going out of his way to aid the Detective Agency in the seemingly simple case, had been to check on shitty Dazai.
Chuuya thinks back to the genuine fear he saw in Dazai’s eyes back in Meursault. He had been put through the ringer with almost drowning, getting his leg broken, as well as a gunshot wound to the shoulder.
But worst of all Dazai had been under an immense amount of stress. He’s the strategist, always in control. But in an unfamiliar environment with no allies and no communications, Dazai had had to rely on pure survival instincts (and Chuuya). He had genuinely feared for his life, something you don’t often see from the suicidal maniac.
Chuuya never wanted to see that expression on Dazai’s face ever again.
Now Chuuya’s only imagining the aftermath. Dazai tended to distance himself when he felt overwhelmed. Despite how he presents himself to his current colleagues; a lighthearted smile, flirty, but serious when it’s warranted - Chuuya knows that fragile child that’s inside of it all. Dazai’s physically and mentally stronger since he was fifteen.
Hell, he was hardly the same person anymore.
However Chuuya still had a nagging feeling in his chest. The same one he used to get when Dazai had been up to something, usually trying out another suicide method. But Chuuya could tell when it was more serious, when there was something seriously wrong with his partner, and this was the feeling he would get.
He used to take care of Dazai, under the guise of making sure his partner doesn’t die on him. Saying it was Mori’s orders and he had an obligation to keep Dazai alive whilst they were in the mafia.
Now it’s not his place to care for shitty Dazai. The bastard left and disappeared for four years, damn it. He clearly doesn’t care about Chuuya, so why would he return the favour and yet, Chuuya can’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for his former partner.
No one else knows the signs, no one else saw him in that prison almost meeting his end by Chuuya’s, and by extension Fyodor’s hand. The complete trust the stupid Mackerel had put in him to not shoot him dead had to account for something.
It frustrated Chuuya beyond belief he went through the trouble of saving that bastard, yet he had no regard for his own health. Maybe it was more worry than frustration, but the latter was preferable to Chuuya.
“Oi Four eyes, what’s the plan?”
“My name is Doppo Kunikida”
“Yeah yeah, you got a plan or not?” Chuuya was beginning to grow antsy. Not because of the mission, no that was a cake walk. More so because of his partner who was beginning to look more peaky by the minute.
Kunikida went over their plan in great detail, which Chuuya thought was pretentious and unnecessary. They just needed to shut down the production of some weapon. Chuuya would just blow everything up, easy as that.
Though the Agency’s goal was to prevent casualties at all cost, even if they were criminals. So Chuuya supposed he couldn’t just destroy everything and everyone in his path like he usually did.
Well, at least that’s what he had done whilst Dazai had been devising all plans for the formidable Double Black. Utilising what Chuuya was best at: destruction.
However, Chuuya had mellowed down with age. Or maybe it was because he couldn’t use Corruption after Dazai had left. Either way he tends to only kill people now when it’s necessary. He can hear Dazai’s voice in his head telling him he’s gone soft.
Though Dazai has changed too. Having to behave himself and abide by the Agency’s orders. Not much room to go on a murderous rampage now.
Soon they arrived at what looked to be an unassuming entrance to a cave. Though Four eyes assured him this was the way into the enemy organisation’s headquarters.
He then started a lecture about his ideals and agency protocol. Chuuya stifled a yawn.
“Remember Dazai, we are not to harm anybody here unless absolutely necessary. Our goal is to gather information”
“Hear that Chuuuya~ no killing anybody.” Dazai teased.
“He’s not my boss and neither are you, but my goal isn’t to commit mass murder unless absolutely necessary.” Chuuya rolled his eyes.
Mori was only after information as well but the mafia’s methods utilised violence when necessary. That was up to Chuuya to determine.
They ventured the cave further, having been separated from Kunikida at this point. He said it’s best to split up to cover a wider area of the network of tunnels in the cave.
Even though Chuuya had some respect for the detective agency. Mostly president Fukuzawa, since Mori held him in high regard. But Chuuya wasn’t fond of most of the agency members.
Mori had taken Dazai’s suicide attempts seriously every single time they happened. Chuuya (to his great dismay) had been put on suicide watch many times. Countless nights he slept on a chair next to Dazai’s bed, in Mori’s infirmary.
Occasionally he had held the sleeping boy’s hand, he’d never know.
But now Dazai’s suicide attempts felt like a running joke between the agency members. Yes, Dazai played them out that way, but none of them could see through his playful facade. Or maybe they did, but didn’t care enough to address it.
Chuuya knows his former partner isn’t helpless by any means. Of course not, he doesn’t need anyone’s help if he doesn't want it.
Chuuya still wonders if his former partner is truly content with the agency. (And sometimes, selfishly hopes Dazai would return to the Port Mafia).
They continued to walk deeper into the cave that certainly seemed inhabited. Their pace was steady, but apart from their footsteps it was eerily quiet, except for the occasional sniffle or throat clear from Dazai.
Eventually they reached a big metal door that was unmistakably the entrance to the organisation’s headquarters.
Dazai made quick work of the surprisingly simple and rusty lock that was the only thing preventing them from entering.
Strange, Chuuya thought. This seemed suspiciously easy. And by the look on his partner’s face, Dazai agreed with him.
Pushing past their suspicions, Chuuya opened the heavy door with gravity manipulation and they stepped foot into what seemed to be a deep silo.
Metal walkways made up layers of what looked to be a warehouse, spanning so far down you couldn’t see the bottom. Each layer had various doors and openings along the wall.
“What’s the plan, asshole?” Chuuya tried to whisper but Chibi couldn’t be quiet if his life depended on it. And trust me, his life has depended on it on many occasions.
Chuuya turned to look at Dazai, who had a hazy look on his face.
“Hey you with me?-“
Dazai snapped forward with a pair of harsh sneezes that echoed through the silo.
“Damn it Dazai!” Chuuya grabbed his arm and yanked him through the first unlocked door he got his hands on.
“Chibi’s so rough with me…” Dazai whined in a lowered voice while taking in his surroundings.
Luckily for them the room was empty. Unluckily however, they were now stuck in that room. Hearing a multitude of footsteps from outside the door, hurriedly pacing the metal walkways.
Chuuya could easily keep the door shut with his ability, however that meant they were now like rats trapped in a cage. The irony wasn’t lost on Chuuya.
“Great! What’s your next big idea, Shitty Dazai?”
Chuuya considered just killing them all but he didn’t fancy the repercussions a reckless decision like that would ensue.
“Patience Chuuuya, I can’t think with you growling at me”
“Hasn’t stopped you before”
With that retort, a brief silence fell over them as Dazai; even though his head felt like it was stuffed with cotton, and his sinuses were starting to hurt like hell - thought of a plan to get them out of their current predicament.
They heard banging from outside the door. Even though they knew no one could get through Chuuya’s ability by brute force (a non-gifted at least) it still meant they’d soon be discovered.
“Get The cager, now!”, someone shouted from outside the door.
Dazai, still keeping his cool, took a step back from the door.
“Now we’ll definitely have to kill them.” Chuuya stated matter-of-factly.
“Not so fast. Our objective was to gather intel on a new, fast growing organisation, we hardly know anything about. If we kill them this whole venture will have been in vain and they’ll go deeper into hiding.”
“We aren’t gathering any info if they capture or kill us!”
“Oh please, as if they’d be able to do either to us.” Dazai smirked at his ex-partner.
A warm feeling spread through Chuuya’s chest. Dazai had said “us” in a way that felt more meaningful than words could describe. They’d said plenty of things like that back in the days of prime Double Black. Cocky remarks about how they were undefeated in battle. It was nice to know their partnership hadn’t completely faded after everything that had happened.
Dazai had made a grave error in saying that though, when suddenly the floor disappeared from under them and they found themselves in a smaller room underneath the previous one. The floor hadn’t crumbled away or collapsed, it had vanished into thin air. Chuuya’s fast reflexes hadn’t been able to react in time for him to avoid being pulled down by the force. He had managed to gracefully recover without so much as brushing the floor, while Dazai laid on the ground like a sack of squashed potatoes.
Chuuya looked up at the ceiling that had previously been the floor they were standing on. While the gaping hole of the missing floor remained, the top was sealed off with a thin yellowish surface that swirled around like it was alive. An ability then, Chuuya concluded.
However he looked back down at his grumbling partner on the ground, who had managed to sit up right. The floor looked to be covered the same way as the ceiling. Dazai’s nullification ability hadn’t affected the barrier.
Chuuya’s first instinct was to punch the wall to attempt escape, but his gravity enhanced fist hadn’t so much as scratched the wall. His second instinct was to use his ability to manipulate the space outside the barrier, that attempt too, had been futile. His third instinct was to sit down on a wooden container and let Dazai use his big brain to figure this out.
“As you so kindly demonstrated Chuuya, your ability has no effect on the space we’re currently in. Alternate space wielding gifted certainly aren’t rare. Aaand my nullification doesn’t work if I’m not actually touching the person.”
Dazai sat up and observed the room.
As expected they were trapped in every direction but it seemed if they couldn’t get out, nothing could get in either. They would be safe for now. Oxygen seemed to pass through the barrier, so they wouldn’t suffocate either.
This reminded Dazai a lot of the bubble he and Fyodor were caged in Meursault. That thought made him feel ever so slightly claustrophobic.
“What’s the plan oh hot shot detective?” Chuuya muttered sarcastically.
“Kunikida’s out there, he’ll find us.” Dazai said with a shrug.
“Eh?! That’s your big plan? Four eyes will come and rescue us?!”
Dazai hummed in agreement, which turned into a sharp cough he muffled with his fist.
“I trust my colleagues to help me when I need it.”
Chuuya tsk’ed at the declaration. He wouldn’t trust the Agency members as far as he could throw them, but Dazai was right about one thing. Mori knew where Chuuya had gone, so if the need arose he’d authorise a full search and a military sized escort for Chuuya back to headquarters.
So as far they were both concerned they just needed to sit and wait patiently for cavalry to arrive.
The silence was deafening. Dazai had evidently opted out of bickering to pass the time. His voice had taken on a hoarse quality and he had to smother throat grating coughs into the crook of his arm more frequently.
Chuuya wasn’t a fan of the sound. The coughs sounded like they hurt and Dazai certainly wasn’t getting any better in the slightly damp room. Mackerel is stupid for working sick anyways. He’s lucky if he doesn’t catch pneumonia from being stuck down here.
Dazai broke the awkward silence by startling the shit out of Chuuya. He was bent at the waist as he attempted to stifle a pair of sneezes into his wrist. With the force of them he wasn’t very successful. They were starting to sound productive too, Chuuya noted as Dazai sniffed thickly afterwards.
“À tes souhaits, Dazai.” Chuuya blessed him in french. A habit he had picked up from working abroad. He blames Verlaine.
As per usual his worried tone quickly turned into anger.
“How can you be this reckless? Mere colds don’t get this bad this quickly! Or do you simply play fast and loose with your health so much your immune system has deleted itself?!”
He saw Dazai’s reaction to his loud outburst and quickly settled down. The other had slightly flinched as Chuuya raised his voice, must’ve hurt his head then. He’s used to Chuuya’s yelling. There was something in his eyes though, something other than the adverse reaction to pain.
Fear? Guilt?
It was truly an unfamiliar, and entirely unpleasant sight to Chuuya. He didn’t know what to make of it. So he sat down close to Dazai, but not too close to keep his personal space. After struggling to find the right words, Chuuya spoke up.
“How are you doing, really? After everything..”
Chuuya trails off, thoroughly unable to describe everything that has happened recently.
His partner turned to him with another unprecedented emotion swirling around in his deep amber eyes, he was caught off guard.
Caught off guard by Chuuya, of all people, asking him such a genuine question so earnestly. Though now that Dazai thinks back, maybe it coming from Chuuya is the least surprising thing in the world.
Dazai hesitates a moment longer before clearing his throat and answering, “Right now in this moment, I’m okay, Chuuya.”
Dazai continues before his ex-partner has a chance to interject, “I’m not going to pretend I’m fine, but I have been much worse off in the past.”
More lighthearted he added, “stop worrying your chibi little head off, your stupid hat will melt from the overuse of your brain!”
The memory Dazai’s voice echoed through Chuuya’s mind,
“Come on Chuuya, it’s time to wake up now. Our story is not going to come to an end today in this damn place. We are destined to-“
The gunshot rang in Chuuya’s ears. Dazai had sounded genuine, pleading to him not to take his life.
Was it all an act only to fool Fyodor? Dazai had known Chuuya wasn’t really a vampire, since he had helped him and Sigma escape from the flooded elevator.
Had the thought of Chuuya actually killing him crossed his mind at that moment?
Had he deep down hoped his partner would finally end his misery right then and there?
“I trusted you Chibi.” Dazai’s hoarse voice broke him out of his thoughts.
“I knew you’d save me. Because that’s what loyal dogs do for their masters” Chuuya can detect the genuineness Dazai attempts to hide behind teasing him.
It puts him at ease, knowing his partner felt a little less alone whilst going against Fyodor in that prison.
They were never going to be perfect, Chuuya knows this. And Dazai’s reassurance (if you can call it that) is enough to stop his thoughts from racing.
The pair of them didn’t have a habit of talking about feelings, but Chuuya had recently been making an effort to..work on his self-regulation.
Mori had said it’s vital for an executive to control his emotions yada yada. Which led to Chuuya going down a rabbit hole of healthy coping strategies and self-regulating techniques. All of which Chuuya deemed bullshit, but maybe some of it stuck.
The silence grew longer. Dazai wasn’t sure how long they had been down there by now. He was hyper aware of his damp clothes sticking to his skin. He was certain he was burning up based on his pulse which had been steadily climbing for the..however long they’d been here for. Dazai’s mind felt too fuzzy, messing with his usually sharp sense of time.
Dazai could control his heartbeat on command. Something he has heard Ango describe as a “neat party trick”, however due to his illness (that he was sure was just. a. cold.) that ability seemed to be impaired. What a pain.
He thought about what Chuuya had said. He was astonished by his ex-partner’s ability to see through his bullshit. That, Dazai supposed, had come from years of experience and a not-so-gentle push from Mori.
It was refreshing though. To not have to express how he felt (something he was terrible at), and to be able to trust someone so intimately with those feelings. The kind of feelings you want to bury deep within yourself, to never deal with them again.
But Chuuya somehow forced those feelings to see the light of day, while at the same time helping to deal with them. Dazai would never say it out loud but he didn’t hate having Chuuya by his side.
Suddenly Dazai let out three harsh sneezes.
“Oh right, you’ve got that cold.”
This time it didn’t come out of Chuuya’s mouth as an accusation, but as a statement with a hint of worry in his voice.
“Regrettably.” sniffed Dazai in return.
The constant sniffling was making his sinuses ache even further. He rubbed the sides of his nose in an attempt to alleviate the pressure with little luck. He was also wrecked with chills, each shiver more brutal than the last. His teeth would've chattered together if he wasn’t holding his mouth shut.
“Hey Mackerel.. do you want my coat?”
Dazai doesn’t reply, which Chuuya takes as a yes. He picks up his coat from his own shoulders and slides it down on his partner’s. He tended to run warm himself so he’d be fine. Dazai had always been the cold-blooded one.
Dazai looks…Chuuya’s not gonna think about how Dazai looks with his hair slightly disheveled, flushed cheeks and his pinkish nose, with Chuuya’s coat around his slightly shivering frame. It’s bordering on cute.
Chuuya has lost track of how long they’ve been sitting inside the ability created space. He’s listened to Dazai’s slightly stuffy breathing and more frequent sniffles for a while. Chuuya is decidedly not worried, because that wouldn’t help matters. But he’s not known for his patience.
Finally they both sit up as gunshots ring inside the silo. Chuuya gets up and shouts
“Get us out of here assholes!”
Like on command the ability bubble they were trapped in disappeared. This isn’t good, Dazai concluded.
Chuuya broke through the door with his gravity ability and on the main pathway had rows and rows of gunmen standing at the ready to fire on command.
Dazai was right behind Chuuya and took in their surroundings. Two prominent figures stood in front of Double Black. One stood taller than the other, he was wearing a sort of military uniform. Not japanese though.
The other man behind him was dressed much more casually. That’s the ability user that had us trapped, Dazai concluded whilst observing the man.
The taller man must be the boss of this organisation. Presumably a gifted as well if his strange looks were anything to go by.
No words were exchanged. The boss held up his hand then signalled the gunmen to start rapid firing.
Chuuya was quick to react, no regular bullets could hit him of course. He fired all of the bullets back with his gravity ability, managing to shoot the majority of the firing gunmen down.
However before he got to all of them, he was suddenly once again encased in the yellow cube of the man’s ability.
The firing continued and Dazai managed to dodge most of the bullets, whilst firing back with his own pistol. He was quite agile when needed. But his body felt sluggish in a way even the adrenaline couldn’t compensate for. His lungs hurt and a slight stagger in his step caused one of the bullets to hit him in the leg. He winced in pain whilst trying to come up with a plan to get them out of this.
Suddenly a flurry of gunshots rained from the higher floor entrance. But not towards Dazai. The bullets knocked out the rest of the gunmen.
Kunikida quickly fired his wiregun and landed next to Dazai. Together the pair of them took care of the rest of the gunmen, while the boss and the ability user that trapped Chuuya ran away into hiding.
Chuuya watched from his prison, unable to do anything whilst Dazai and Kunikida flawlessly took care of their enemies. Chuuya wasn’t jealous. Not at all.
Finally the ability user seemed to have run far enough for his skill to be out of range,and Chuuya gracefully landed himself next to the detectives.
“Well that’s that for information gathering. We will regroup at the agency and plan our next course of action.” Kunikida stated whilst writing something down in his notebook. Presumably for his future report.
“Yeah yeah, I don’t fancy being here for longer either.” replied Chuuya.
They started walking towards the door where they had come from.
After a while Chuuya realised Dazai was being awfully quiet.
His eyes looked hazy and unfocused, and he was slightly swaying on his feet.
“Oi Dazai you good?”
Chuuya was ready to catch him if his partner suddenly fainted. Wouldn’t be the first time.
“Quite.” He replied, voice hoarse and dry. Talking caused him to cough. He was sounding worse by the minute.
“We’ll have Yosano take a look at you once we’re back at the agency.” Kunikida said sternly. Dazai didn’t fight him. At least not verbally.
Chuuya disagreed with Kunikida’s plan but didn’t voice his concern. Dazai didn’t need a doctor, he needed rest. And he wasn’t getting that in the infirmary.
Many people think of Dazai as this unphased above all man, even back in the mafia, but Chuuya knew his tells. Dazai was quick to whine about mild pain, saying how much he hates it. The real reason to be concerned was when Dazai became eerily quiet. His walls went up even higher when he was hurting or feeling vulnerable.
He used to intimidate people so they’d keep their distance but now it seems Dazai has started to use humour to deflect attention from his colleagues. Not that any of his shenanigans and fuckery ever worked on Chuuya.
So now watching Mackerel walking beside him in pure silence raised some alarm bells in his mind.
Chuuya still had a habit of walking on Dazai’s right side. Even after the bastard had taken off his bandages, Chuuya knew he was half blind in the eye he had kept covered.
Chuuya had always had a protective nature. It started even before the Sheep. And maybe he had a soft spot for obnoxious suicidal 15-year-olds.
Chuuya had read somewhere that running a fever made you more sensitive to pain. He could only imagine how terrible Dazai felt walking alongside him.
He was still on his own two feet at least. Chuuya didn’t fancy the idea of carrying the bastard (again) to the meetup point.
He just wished Dazai would take care of himself once he got back to the agency with Kunikida. But Chuuya knew his aversion to doctors and medical care (He had never pushed the reason for it but imagines Mori has something to do with it). So he doubts Dazai would really seek the help of the agency’s physician.
Chuuya used to have a habit of forcing the Mackerel to recuperate in his apartment opposed to the shitty shipping container Dazai called his home. But he doesn’t think they have that kind of relationship anymore. Chuuya can’t use the excuse of keeping his partner alive for work’s sake.
Chuuya’s car ride home arrived not too far from where they’d exited. A distinct black mafia car. He didn’t have long to make up his mind and hearing his partner’s painful coughs sealed the deal.
“Come with me Dazai.”
It was a simple enough request. Kunikida looked baffled at the suggestion but Dazai simply nodded and got into the mafia car like it was second nature.
“Laters Four eyes!”
Chuuya shut the car door behind him and Kunikida watched as they drove off, mouth agape.