Work Text:
Yokohama never looked this pretty before.
The asphalt ground was echoing the klaxon of cars, preventing any background sound from being heard. But the view — casino lights flashing, red headlights honking and pedestrians walking by — was enough to be entertained. The Port Mafia rooftop was an infamous place and if one focused well enough, they could almost smell the blood stains on the bricks. Duels upon duels happened on the rooftop, but suicides weren't uncommon either. Port Mafia members who wished to leave would resort to saying their goodbyes on the very rooftop Dazai sat on.
His lanky legs dangled over the edge, an almost serene look on his face. Albeit only fifteen, he had the weight of the whole Port Mafia on his shoulders (basically), and it did give him an ego boost. But he also longed for moments of peace and quiet. Moments where he could soften his gaze. Moments where he could lower his guard. Moments where he didn't have to chirp away, pretending like an unstoppable force was feasting on his insides. Alas, what Port Mafia Executive could ever enjoy any peace and quiet?
"Oi," A familiar voice rang from behind. Chuuya Nakahara. Dazai heard his footsteps, of course. He also heard the rooftop door click open and shut, but payed no mind to it. The culprit behind it would ruin his peace and quiet soon anyway. "What the fuck are you doing here?"
"Did Chuuya miss me?" Dazai replied, no ulterior motive in his words for once. It lacked any malice this time either, and it didn't take Sherlock to figure that out. Dazai felt Chuuya's footsteps grow closer and within a few seconds, a scowling Chuuya sat beside him. He heard Chuuya mumble an insult, probably something along the lines of "you wish," but it went unheard.
Silence fell between the duo. Double Black, they were called. The strongest duo in the Port Mafia. Despite how strong they were together, they were still fifteen. Still impatient teenagers who made mistakes and insulted each other like their life depended on it. Still children who weren't supposed to understand adult life. A day with Double Black would not be normal if some form of banter wasn't at play. Whether it be Dazai making fun of Chuuya's height, or Chuuya calling Dazai one of many insults, it was never quiet. Yet, here they are.
Dazai took a deep breath, staring at the twilight sky above. It was a shame Yokohama was so heavily light polluted, Dazai swore he could see a faint star calling out his name.
"If you see a glimmering star, it's a loved one looking at you from afar," Dazai's mother, Mrs. Dazai, whispered. She ruffled his hair, and Dazai smiled warmly, a loud chuckle escaping his lips. A quiet night, and the stars were far more brighter than usual. He ignored his mother's words, only caring for her presence. The fact that she was alive was more than enough. "Remember to say hi to me, yeah?"
He scoffed at the sudden memory of his childhood. He didn't have the fondest childhood, definitely not one he'd look back on and reminisce. But his mother was an anchor in his life, and now the anchor was the flickering glow of a star million light yards away.
From his peripheral vision, he could feel Chuuya staring. Or at least, trying to be nonchalant about the fact that he was staring. Chuuya was wearing his usual attire, but his face was weary, and his hair was unkempt. Well, maybe that was how he preferred his hair to be kept. His face, however, did show signs of fatigue and insomnia, but Dazai left it be. Who was he to talk? The real question was, was he going to entertain Chuuya, or let the quiet moment last for even longer?
"If you have something to say, you can say it." Dazai chose the former. He didn't look at Chuuya, only focusing his gaze on the star in front of him. Chuuya clicked his teeth and crossed his arms. How he had energy to still be pissy, Dazai had no idea.
"You still haven't answered my question." Chuuya mumbled, his stupid scowl never leaving his face. He was facing the front as well, though his gaze was at the pedestrians walking by. He furrowed his eyebrows as he noticed a man lunge himself at another man, eyes bloodshot with fury. He sighed, ignoring the offensive slurs being thrown around below. He looked back up at the horizon, enjoying the cool breeze that washed over them. Being one of Japan's famous port cities, Yokohama's horizon was scattered with large cargo boats that Chuuya had the luxury of seeing everyday, so it wasn't all that interesting.
"I'm just saying hi to the stars." Dazai answered, a cheeky smile plastered on his lips. It wasn't fake, no, it was genuine; Toying with Chuuya was definitely one of his favourite hobbies.
Chuuya turned to face Dazai, eyes narrow and his scowl deepening even more. Dazai would be lying if he said he didn't look cute.
The thought of Chuuya being cute vanished the moment he punched Dazai's ribs. The punch did lack his regular spite, and Dazai's body felt numb towards any of Chuuya's punches, especially this lackluster punch of his. Chuuya turned back to face the horizon, his other hand massaging his fist.
"Stop playing with me, I'm not in the mood for that." His voice was curt, and Dazai could feel something was wrong.
"Did Mori mess with you?" Dazai questioned, finally averting his gaze from the faint star. Chuuya really did look beautiful in the moonlight. His freckles weren't visible, but the way his locks of hair fell over his neck and down to the shoulders was the highlight. Even despite the dark circles brewing under his eyes, his cerulean eyes could tell a million different stories. He also always had soft lips. Well, it looked like he had soft lips, Dazai wouldn't know for sure, obviously. He'd like to know, though.
"Nah. I couldn't sleep is all." Chuuya replied lethargically. His usual proud and loud posture crumbled, and his back was slouched. Dazai nodded and looked back at the star, at his anchor.
"Me neither." It was a genuine answer. He wasn't able to sleep, so he walked up to the rooftop for some peace.
"Oh, shut up. When do you ever sleep? You're fucking talking to the stars right now." Chuuya spat out, flailing his hands everywhere. Dazai chuckled, his eyes smiling along with his lips for once. This newfound silence was a little bit awkward, so he sighed in relief when Chuuya's regular banter came back.
"Talking to the stars is a wonderful way to spend the night, Chibi wouldn't understand." Dazai retorted back, his hand brushing Chuuya away.
Chuuya groaned in response and slid closer to Dazai, trying to look at the same star Dazai was looking at. Chuuya's side was almost touching Dazai's; it felt a bit weird, but nice.
"Okay. Where is this star? How can you even see stars in Yokohama?" Chuuya asked, pointing at random areas and squinting to try to capture a star twinkling. Dazai smiled and grabbed Chuuya's arm to point at the sparkling star. It wasn't exact, but enough. Dazai swore he saw Chuuya blushing. Cute. Chuuya quickly composed himself, though the attempt was futile, and squinted to try to see the star.
"My mother always told me that stars are loved ones looking after you from afar." Dazai sighed, a feeling of sorrow washing over his face. He couldn't keep the facade on for longer. Chuuya looked at Dazai, eyes thick with worry. At least, that's what it seemed like.
"Bullshit," Chuuya vacillated, probably trying to find a way to bring light to the conversation. "Your mom was probably trying to make you hopeful."
"She did a good job. I still say hi to her, y'know." Dazai disclosed, a sad smile on his face.
"That's supposed to be your mom?" Chuuya questioned, pointing towards the direction Dazai showed him.
"Chibi can be the next Sherlock, really." Dazai countered, voice laced with sarcasm.
"You can be the next sentimental asshole, man. Stars are just stars, nothing else." Chuuya lowered his arm down, and it landed on Dazai's thigh. His very sensitive, just-healed-from-an-injury thigh.
"Ah, Shakespeare too!" Dazai chirped, only to be met with a soft jab on the thigh. Dazai winced, quickly swatting Chuuya's hand away so he could hold his thigh. His reaction was definitely new to Chuuya, because the redhead looked repulsed. That jab shouldn't have done any damage to someone like Dazai.
"Oi, the fuck is happening?" Chuuya asked, a puzzled expression on his face.
"Just healed from an injury, you idiot." Dazai hissed. He took a deep breath and tried to ignore the feeling of the wound slowly reopening. Dazai grew numb to the feeling, so it didn't take him too long to go back to his usual self.
"You didn't even go on any missions recently?" Chuuya inquired. This guy was unfortunately smart when Dazai didn't need him to be smart.
"Maybe I did and didn't tell you." Dazai suggested, though Chuuya could clearly see right through him.
"Another bullshit lie," Chuuya continued. "If you did something to yourself, at least treat the wound properly, bastard."
"I have always treated my wounds properly, for Chibi's information. Your punch was just a bit strong." Dazai acknowledged, offering a sweet smile.
"My ass," Chuuya bickered, though his tone had another emotion mixed in with annoyance. Could it be worry? Probably not.
"Is it your mom's death anniversary or something?" Dazai froze, widened eyes peering at Chuuya. How Chuuya figured it out, Dazai had zero clue. All he knew was that, someone voicing out the fact that she died hurt much more than acknowledging it himself. As if it made her death a reality.
"Oh, shit. My bad. Probably shouldn't have brought it up." Chuuya apologised sheepishly, scratching the back of his neck.
"How'd you--" Dazai's words couldn't leave. Not because of sorrow, not necessarily. Just shock.
"Being all sentimental about stars isn't like you unless something's wrong," Chuuya shrugged. "And that injury is clearly recent. I can see the blood seeping out."
"Maybe you really are Sherlock. Actually, I'm Sherlock. Chuuya can be Watson!" Dazai jested, clapping his hands.
"Enough about Sherlock, for fucks sake. You should go clean that wound."
"Can Chuuya do it for me? I'm too tired." Dazai pleaded. It was half-jokingly, half-genuinely. He was really tired, but being with Chuuya made it easier. Chuuya groaned and got up, offering a hand for Dazai to get up. "You owe me."
"Of course, Dr. Watson!" Dazai chuckled as he took Chuuya's hand. The two of them walked together to the exit door, Dazai limping and Chuuya trying to steady him, all while shouting out random insults and verbal jabs at how he should take care of himself.
The night was always heavy. The dark blanket above him would envelope him in madness, no matter how much he tried to ignore it. But the night was feasible with Chuuya. With his current anchor. His mother would be proud.