Chapter Text
Ugh, this stupid limp makes everything harder. Why did the boss have to send me out after a lesson? I couldn't even bandage myself properly. Oh well, the stupid agency won't notice, right? Not like they would care anyway. Chuuya thought to himself as he reached the door of the Ada building. He was already done and wanted to go home.
Limping his way up the stairs to the office that he has been sent to multiple times since the truce between the agency and the mafia, he hesitates before opening the door. They have a truce. Why does he hesitate every time? Probably because of that stupid mackerel. Whatever, let's get this over with.
The agency was as chaotic as ever, Kunikida and Atsushi being the only ones actually working at the moment, Kunikida's pile of papers growing continuously as Dazai snuck his papers over to his partner. Kenji was teaching Kyoka about one of his traditions on the farm, Yosano was sipping wine and gossiping with Rampo, who had a mountain of snacks in front of him. The siblings were being as weird as normal, and even Fukuzawa was out of his office, checking on his employees. (Take notes, Mori, this is what a good boss is!)
The chaos was interrupted by a knock on the door. It was softer than anyone in the agency would ever use, and they all racked their brains for who it was.
"Chibi! Have you come to grace your eyes with my beauty!?" Dazai yelled, immediately recognising his old partner as the ginger walked through the door. "Stupid Mackerel! As if your presence would ever grace anyone! I have files for yer boss!" The response from the mafioso made all the eyes in the office fly to their boss. Again!? Was all they good think. Chuuya has delivered files to them at least ten times in the past month. It's only the 19th. "Ah, Nakahara-san. Thank you, and please, come in. No need to stand by the door." Fukuzawa said in his gentle and warm tone. The same one that always made Chuuya halt a bit. Mori would never use that tone with him unless he wanted to see Chuuya on his knees beside the bed. However, seeing as how none of the agency reacted wrongly every time, he ignored it. It seemed, however, that he hesitated for too long this time, and everyone noticed. Not bothering to look at their confusion for longer, he made his way over to their boss, trying to hide his limp the best he could. He couldn't be weak. The doctor and Dazai caught his act, though. Their eyebrows creased as they shared a look with each other.
"Nakahara-san? Are you alright? It seems that you are injured." Yosano said, catching the interest of everyone, who then turned to the mafioso. "Hah!? 'm fine! Mission gone wrong. What's it to you?" He replied, seeming a bit too defensive for some of their likings. "Neh, Chibi! Who could have hurt your short-ass so bad that you walk with a limp? I'll have to thank them. Don't you think?" The bandaged brunette said in return. "As if, you bastard! I just made a mistake! Fuck off, you suicidal maniac!" Chuuya yelled back at him, to which Dazai's face darkened. He knows what happens to higher-ups when they make a mistake on a mission. He also knows that Mori must have gotten worse after he left, because Dazai was his favourite. So the usual beating must be worse. Though normally Chuuya is more Durable. What would make him limp like this? "Ara, Ara Chibbiko. Was the doctor not very nice in treatment? What medicine did he use?" He said, using their old code language, knowing that Chuuya wouldn't forge it. They made it when they were 15. They had many words, but this one was after they had both been punished by Mori one day. They wanted to help each other if they were beaten while separated. Doctor, meant Mori. Medicine, meant method or tool. Chuuya looked at him with Surprise for a moment before he responded, "None of your business, dumbass." That was odd. That means that it was a punishment Dazai didn't know. What punishment did Dazai Osamu not know? This must be one that Mori made after he left. Dazai was silent for a bit, and Chuuya took that moment to hand the files to the president and start for the door. In doing so, he was stopped by the president himself. "Nakahara-san? You are bleeding. Are you sure you're alright?" It was true. Chuuya had bled through his arm sleeve. "Ah... I'm alright, sir. I should be on my way now, though." He tried to keep going on his way, but was stopped by another voice. "You should get that checked out, Mr Fancy Hat!"
Huh? Even that stupid detective is saying shit. How bad do I fucking look? Chuuya thought, "Nah, there are doctors at the port mafia. I'm fine." He said out loud. "But, Chibi! Those doctors suck. Are you that brainless that you can't see that?" Chuuya didn't even respond to his teasing; he just turned away again. "Chuuya. Get it checked here." The voice Dazai used was too familiar. It was the one he used back in the mafia when dealing with enemies. Chuuya couldn't help but tense up when he heard it. It was just like Mor-No. This was Dazai—the stupid mackerel. "Mr Fancy-hat, we have papers we need you to look over regarding the truce. Perhaps you could do that and get yourself checked out at the same time? Or are you incapable of that?" The mocking tone that Rampo used got him to finally accept. Of course, he could do both at once!? What kind of shit is he talking about? They would probably just check over his leg and be done. RIght?