Chapter Text
The battle against Fyodor finally concluded after what felt like an eternity, though in truth it had lasted only a few hours.
The immortal man was ultimately killed by the combined efforts of Shin Soukoku, the Agency, the Port Mafia, the Guild, the Hunting Dogs, and even the Special Division for Unusual Powers.
After the marksman's shot struck Fyodor, all hope seemed lost. Atsushi had almost given up, despite Akutagawa's attempts to reassure him.
Then, thanks to Ango, they managed to establish a connection with Dazai-still imprisoned-who instructed them in a last-minute plan, after his first attempt to kill Fyodor had failed.
Ango even managed to delay the police flooding into the area, so that everyone could rest a little after the tough battle.
Afterwards, the ADA and Port Mafia, along with Ango, retreated to the Port Mafia Headquarters - much to the ADA's dismay - but since the ADA was still officially marked as a terrorist organization (something Ango was already working on), this was the best place for them to wait for the situation to be resolved.
All members of both organizations were currently gathered in one of the PM meeting rooms, eating and drinking while they were on a video call with Chuuya and Dazai.
"Wait so where are you now?" Atsushi asked his mentor.
Dazai was sitting on a chair, no longer in his prison uniform, instead he had changed into black sweatpants and a white turtleneck, his injured leg now properly treated.
They were in a kitchen of a big apartment. In the background Chuuya was rummaging through cabinets in search for something to eat.
He had also changed his outfit: he was now wearing black slacks, burgundy shirt, his hat and a black tie. He still insisted on wearing a professional oriented outfit.
"We are in a safehouse apartment provided to us by Chuuya's strange robotic friend" answered Dazai.
"Oi Dazai, show some respect for Adam. He immediately offered to help us when I explained our situation, and he very kindly let us stay in here. And even brought us new clothes to wear."
"We've been lucky he was in France and not in England actually".
"Yeah yeah sorry Chibi" Dazai rolled his eyes at his partner.
Chuuya, too tired to even comment on the annoying nickname, just sighed.
Mori's voice cut in, smooth and curious. "I am still confused on why you didn't simply reach the nearest Port Mafia associated base."
Dazai's cheerful mask didn't slip, but his tone turned razor-sharp.
"Uhm, yeah. I really wouldn't know." Dazai scratched his chin in mock thoughtfulness.
"Perhaps because your delusional ass is still trying to lure me back into your organization, even after four years?"
"Yeah, fair enough, I guess." Mori conceded even though he was mentally crying.
Meanwhile Chuuya had put two instant ramens on the table, along with some water and wine to drink. He sat, grabbed his chopsticks and slid Dazai's portion in front of him.
"Thanks Chuuya, but I am not really hungry, I don't think I will eat-" As Yosano and Kunikida were ready to scold Dazai, Chuuya beat them to it.
"Shut up and fucking eat, you almost died multiple times today" snarled Chuuya with a death glare, pointing his chopsticks at Dazai like it was a dagger.
He knew about his partner's poor food habits.
Dazai, being a little shocked but not showing it, for once listened to Chuuya and didn't even try to complain, opening his ramen and eating peacefully.
Ranpo immediately whispered to an amused Yosano: "Damn he always makes dog jokes at Mr Fancy Hat, but he's really the one who walks him like a dog."
Not even she had ever managed to force-feed Dazai.
Dazai explained to his colleagues and ex colleagues what had happened in the prison: Fyodor's non-death, and sigma being supposedly in a coma after he touched Fyodor.
(He didn't mention the rather suspicious emotional speeches he made to Chuuya)
They had brought Sigma outside the prison thanks to Chuuya's ability and he was now resting in one of the apartment's room.
Chuuya was visibly exhausted, which did not pass unnoticed by Koyo and Verlaine.
After reassuring both of them that he was just tired, and no, it wasn't Dazai's fault (Verlaine's asking), he slumped back a little in his chair.
"Hey Mori you should give Chibi here at least 2 weeks of paid vacation, he's tired of being every agency's emergency contact." Dazai piped up.
"You do realize half of the times is you who I am saving, right?" Chuuya snorted.
"I mean yes, but it's your job to save me".
"As your partner?" Atsushi ventured.
"As my Prince Charming!" answered a content Dazai.
Everyone in the room exchanged confused glances.
They assumed it was a sort of inside joke, aside from Ranpo who knew Dazai sweater weathers' ass meant every single word.
Chuuya just stared at him in disbelief, while Dazai added: "Besides, I personally repay you by blessing your eyes with my beauty".
"I swear to fucking god they don't pay me enough for this shit, and I live in a fucking penthouse." groaned Chuuya downing half the bottle of wine in one go.
"Language, lad. There are naive children here." said Koyo pointing at Kenji and.. Atsushi.
Akutagawa barely contained his laugh.
"Uhm, ma'am I'm actually eightee-"
Chuuya sighed, exasperated "Yeah. Right. Sorry Ane-san".
Kunikida was pitying the redhead executive. He wrote a note about sending him gratitude gifts.
Ranpo cleared his throat. "Uhm, sorry, everyone? Are we all ignoring the fact that Dazai called Mr Fancy Hat his Prince charming?... Does anyone else see the implications of that?" he asked the room.
Everyone just shrugged seemingly not getting the point Ranpo was trying to make.
"Oh my god why is everyone so stupid" Ranpo lamented, throwing his hands up.
"Hey detective, what do you mean by implications?" Chuuya asked with a genuine confused tone.
"ANYWAY" Dazai interjected loudly steering the conversation away "Atsushi and Akutagawa, tell me all about that fight with the rat".
"Can't they do that later Dazai? I am exhausted."
"Aww is the slug past his bedtime?"
"Well YES." Chuuya snapped "it's 5AM in the godd- in the morning and I had to fight dozens of trained guards to save your ass, while you were casually slow dancing with Sigma."
"Always being suspiciously intimate with men, I see, Dazai." Ranpo commented with a smirk.
"As if you are one to talk Ranpo, with that man who worships the ground you walk on" Dazai shot back, annoyed.
"Oh right sorry, I forgot you are the one who does that in your relationship." Ranpo coughed "simp."
"Wait, do you have a girlfriend Dazai-san?" asked Atsushi.
Every other person was wondering the same thing as Atsushi, aside from Ango, Mori and Koyo, who knew the man too well to even consider that.
(Verlaine just didn't care. As long as it didn't involve his brother.)
Ranpo was absolutely laughing his ass off.
"I am surprised she didn't kill herself yet" said Chuuya who had finished his ramen and was now making some Chamomile.
"Oh. my. god. You are all so curious about my personal lifeee-." Dazai wailed, draping himself dramatically over the table. "No, I don't have a girlf-"
"Why were you dancing with the enemy while leaving all the work to Nakahara-san, Dazai?" Interrupted a clearly irritated Kunikida.
"Hey, he is not the enemy anymore, actually I want to- "
"Okay, enough with that." Chuuya barked. "Just let the weretiger tell his story so I can go to sleep".
"Nobody is stopping you from doing that Chibi, you know".
Chuuya's eyes twitched. "And letting you alone in a kitchen where you could burn the place down? Yeah, no thanks."
"Yeah, he's making a great point" Tanizaki chimed in. Everyone nodded in vigorous agreement, while Dazai huffed petulantly.
The next forty minutes blurred into a cacophony of overlapping voices — Atsushi and Akutagawa trading battle stories, Kenji enthusiastically describing his clash with Tecchou, every Agency and PM member adding their perspective whether asked or not. Dazai listened, nodded at appropriate intervals, and offered the occasional sardonic comment.
Chuuya being absolutely not happy about all of this, but not daring to interrupt the moment, one hand aggressively wrapped around his mug of chamomile like a lifeline.
Kunikida was mid-rant about the battle in Yokohama — "while we where fighting for our lives, Dazai was just letting someone else do most of the work instead, as usual" — when Chuuya noticed something strange.
A little slip on Dazai's mask, imperceptible to say the least, he was sure the others in Yokohama hadn't noticed.
A jaw clenched a fraction too tight. A flash of pure, raw irritation at Kunikida's words, behind his usual cheerful facade, gone as quickly as it appeared.
While Dazai made a flippant retort at Kunikida, Chuuya looked at him. Really looked at him.
To say that all his body signalled exhaustion was an understatement.
But Chuuya knew better than that, that it was more than just physical tiredness.
He was also emotionally drained -although he would never admit that.
His fight with Fyodor and the initial failure to kill him, Sigma's condition-it had all piled onto Dazai's shoulders.
"Hey, Glasses." Chuuya cut through Kunikida's lecture with a low, dangerous hiss.
"You might want to calm down a little here. You're being too harsh on him."
A genuine surprise in Dazai's eyes, as well pure shock in everyone else's.
"He may not have physically fought," Chuuya continued, his cold, hard stare never leaving Kunikida's face, "but he did his part just great. So stop your ranting and thank him for once."
"Chuuya.." whispered Dazai, looking at the man beside him.
Kunikida adjusted his glasses, a rare look of contrition on his face.
"Perhaps Nakahara-san is right. I am being too harsh on you. Thank you for doing your part, bandage-wasting machine."
"Thank you, Kunikida-kun!" Dazai chirped, the mask securely back in place.
Ranpo looked at the scene with amusement in his eyes.
"Although -" Mori's voice slithered into the conversation, a dangerous glint in his eyes.
"- it has to be said, you didn't manage to kill Dostoevskij in the prison, as you were supposed to".
If looks could kill, then Nakahara Chuuya would have just obliterated his boss.
"I was there too" Chuuya stated, his voice dangerously flat "we should both take accountability for that, boss."
"It is rather strange to see you being so protective of Dazai, Chuuya-kun. Why is that?" Mori mused, tilting his head dangerously.
The tension spiked.
"Ok let's just calm down here" Koyo interjected, her tone wary.
"Yeah" Ranpo backed her up "besides, I can see Mr Fancy Hat's eyebags from here, we should really let these two properly rest."
He was definitely gonna talk about this later with Dazai, but he didn't want things to escalate.
"Right" Chuuya said, taking the opportunity "so Adam previously explained that this call system is directly linked to him, and that he will immediately accept any call received. So in order to not bother him, please don't call anymore. We are gonna call back in a few hours."
"Rest well lads" said Koyo.
"Yeah, and make sure that this idiot actually takes a sleep" added Yosano indicating Dazai, who acted offended at her words.
"Bye bye Dazai-san and Mr Fancy Hat." Kenji waved cheerfully. Everyone greeted them, then Chuuya ended the call.
Chuuya stood up taking his way to the bathroom, when suddenly Dazai's voice stopped him.
"You really didn't need to do that Chuuya."
Chuuya turned around seeing him also standing up, some meters away from the table they were sitting before.
"Do what?"
"You know what."
"Mind elaborating that?"
"Come on Chibi you know what I am talking about."
He was grateful that Chuuya had stick up for him, but he didn't want things with Mori to complicate for him.
"I hate to say this, but Mori is right. I didn't even manage to kill Fyodor. I had a role and I didn't accomplish it. There was no need for you to protect me."
"Yes because that anemic rat was fucking immortal." Chuuya shot back, taking some step towards him. "Not even a genius like you or Ranpo could have predicted that shit."
"Yes but I should have" Dazai insisted, avoiding Chuuya's gaze.
"I should have considered that possibility too. I was the one responsible of taking down that monster. I had known him for years and calculated every single possibility, predicted every single scenario to take him down, and I still failed."
His voice dropped."Who knows what could have happened if they didn't manage to kill him in Yokohama." his composure wavered, revealing genuine emotions.
Chuuya sighed, closing the distance between him and Dazai. Now they were standing in front of each other.
"Look at me"
"No Chuuya I-"
"Look at me, Osamu."
Dazai finally looked at Chuuya: his eyes stinging, a sad, guilty look in his eyes.
Chuuya's eyes on the other side were blazing with unwavering conviction.
"That's true. You couldn't predict that, and the situation got even worse"
"See, so-" Dazai tried to state.
"But" Chuuya did not let him interrupt "it's not your fault and you are not the only one who should take accountability for that."
"That fucking monster, who nobody knew the ability of, was fucking immortal, and no one, not even Ranpo managed to predict that."
"You did everything that was in your power to kill him, also risking your life in doing that, getting hurt, and doing all that shit on the other side of the world, imprisoned and alone with nobody but me to help you."
"And you would have managed to kill him if it wasn't for his unknown ability."
"When you couldn't do that, someone else did that for you. Because even if you insist on doing everything by yourself, you are not alone. You have new colleagues who care for you, and respect you."
"Everything turned out well in the end so you should really stop blaming yourself and be happy in the outcome."
"..."
"Also I'd like to point out that you almost had him killed by yourself, while it took 4 different organizations in Yokohama to do that."
"Fucking Verlaine came out of his basement just for that, which says it all."
"Also nothing about that would have been possible if you didn't create Shin Soukoku."
"And you still came out with a last minute plan to kill him, so it's because of you that he was killed in the end. So please shut up and be proud of yourself for once or I swear I will break your other leg."
Chuuya ended, a strong fierce in his eyes.
"..."
Dazai startled, shocked.
In the seven years they had known each other, Chuuya had never praised him like that. He wasn't used to it.
He had to say something.
"Oh my, you are flattering me. Why are you so kind? Did you hit your head,doggie? Or did you finally learn how to treat your maste-
"Of fucking course you would insult me." Chuuya snorted, irritated.
"Chibi-chan, I am not insulting you, I'm just-"
"No, I can't do this, Dazai, not today. I should have known better than to say something nice to you."
"Sorry for defending you. It will never happen again." Chuuya turned his back to him, heading for the bathroom.
"Why am I always like this. He was trying to be nice for once." thought Dazai.
"Wait. I'm s-" Chuuya stopped in his tracks. Was that an attempted apology? He must have drunk too much wine.
"I- Thank you, Chuuya it means a lot to me". Dazai confessed.
Ok, that wasn't an apology, but it was still shocking to hear it from the mackerel.
Chuuya turned around to look at the man in front of him.
His expression had softened and he made a genuine, fond smile, one Chuuya hadn't seen in years. He walked over to him.
They looked at each other. Something had shifted in the air between them — something neither wanted to name.
Dazai stepped forward and rested his head on Chuuya's shoulder. Chuuya stiffened, surprised by the sudden touch.
"Maybe you are right." Dazai admitted "I am too hard on my self, everything turned out great in the end and nobody died."
"Not maybe, I am right"
Dazai scoffed at that, not seeming to have any intention of moving an inch from Chuuya's shoulder.
Chuuya sighed, he was surprised by Dazai's display of affection, but not really hating it.
"Well done, partner" he said, putting the emphasis on the last part, for the first time in four years, addressing Dazai as his partner.
Dazai visibly tensed at that, sliding his arms around Chuuya's back, effectively hugging him.
"Dazai..." Chuuya murmured, surprised.
"Just this time, let them do this.. as a reward for me saving the world.."
Chuuya sighed again, this time in resignation. "Just this time, because we saved the world."
Meanwhile at the Port Mafia's Headquarter, the room collectively exhaled as Chuuya ended the call, the tension from his clash with Mori lingering.
Fukuzawa broke the silence, his calm voice carrying a subtle edge as he eyed his former partner. "Weren't you too judgmental of Dazai, Ougai-dono? Everything turned out well in the end, We should celebrate our success, not dwell on blame."
Akutagawa cleared his throat, frowning. "Chuuya-san addressed it as well, which is.... unusual. He is usually the first to criticize Dazai-san."
"Yeah and don't they also hate each other?" asked Tanizaki, adding to Akutagawa's point.
"I wouldn't say they hate each other, but Chuuya is indeed always the first to call Dazai out. Seeing him take his side so vehemently was... quite intriguing." mused Koyo.
"Yeah I think we should all just be happy that this is all over, and not comment any further about the past" Ranpo declared, stuffing a candy in his mouth.
Kunikida adjusted his glasses with a sharp click. "I have the utmost respect for Nakahara-san for putting up with Dazai's antics for so long. If he also defended him on this matter, I see no reason to castigate him further."
"He also broke his leg." Kyouka added.
"I think we should really thank him properly for everything he's gone through when he gets back to Yokohama." Atsushi said firmly. His colleagues nodded in agreement.
There was a brief moment of silence.
Whatever" Mori finally said, waving a dismissive hand, though his smile didn't reach his eyes. "I think we should just call it a day, I will grant Chuuya-kun some days of vacation when he comes back."
"OH FUCK" exclaimed Ango suddenly. Everyone startling at the usually composed man's reaction.
Mori's eyebrows twitched in annoyance. "What is it Ango?"
"I completely forgot to tell Dazai-kun about his current situation!" Ango blurted, panic etching his features. "Given that his previous crimes were revealed because of the Book, he cannot return to Japan until it's resolved. But France is not safe long-term, even in a safehouse, so I need to talk to him."
"And you are only mentioning it now?" Ranpo drawled, unimpressed. "Besides, he is with Chuuya, he is the safest he could ever be. Not even the entire Interpol could defeat that tiny man, especially when he is protecting Dazai".
Ok, but I still need to talk to him the sooner I can". Ango insisted, voice strained.
Can we call them back?"
"Chuuya-san said not to call, I don't know if we should do that." Atsushi pointed out, worried.
Akutagawa shook his head and looked at his partner. "Yes, but this is a very important matter, Atsushi. I think we should call them."
Ranpo definitely didn't miss the casual name drop, but he didn't comment on that, rather exchanging a knowing look with Yosano.
"Ok, I am gonna call them." Said Ango now standing in front of the giant smart tv in the room, pressing the call button.
To say that they were shocked was an understatement.
In front of them unfolded a scene no one could ever think of ever witnessing in their life.
In front of their eyes there was Dazai, head resting on Chuuya's shoulder. They were about 5 meters away from the screen. They weren't fighting. They were peacefully talking, completely unaware of the reconnected call.
Just as Kenji was about to call them, Kyouka immediately covered his mouth. No one dared to even breathe, they were too scared that the two men would notice them.
"Not maybe. I am right" Chuuya's voice came through clearly. That was the first thing they heard about their conversation. They wondered what they had been talking about.
Dazai just scoffed at Chuuya's words.
"Well done, partner". Everyone heard the clear emphasis on the last part.
Dazai visibly tensed at Chuuya's words, subsequently sliding his arms around the other's back, embracing him. His hands were resting on Chuuya's lower back.
"Dazai..." Chuuya murmured, a hint of genuine surprise in his tone.
"Just this time, let them do this.. as a reward for me saving the world.."
Chuuya sighed "Just this time, because we saved the world."
Everyone's jaw in the Port Mafia' HQ was hanging open in bewilderment, threatening to fall.
Ranpo took out his phone and started recording.
Koyo was holding Verlaine back from assaulting the screen.
Chuuya finally hugged Dazai back, closing his eyes. His hands around his mid back.
"Thank you, Chuuya."
"For what?"
"For immediately suggesting on going to Adam's safehouse." Dazai let out a genuine laugh.
"You didn't consider for a single second going to the Mafia, I appreciate that."
Atsushi clutched his chest, he felt like he was witnessing a sacred moment.
Ranpo absolutely adoring every single second of this interaction, along with Yosano. Even though she now owed him 20 bucks.
Everyone being shocked about them not hating each other, and even more about Dazai's genuine display of affection.
Mori had an offended look, but also acting like Christmas came early as seeing his 7 year old OTP becoming canon.
Ango looked like a man who had just signed his own death warrant.
Meanwhile Chuuya had started stroking Dazai's hair.
"Of course I didn't." he muttered into Dazai's shirt. "I won't risk having you annoy the shit out of me every single day again. If I can prevent you coming back to the Mafia I'll absolutely do so.
"Chibi's meannnn."
Even tough they couldn't see Dazai's face, being hidden by Chuuya's head, they could just feel he was pouting.
After a brief moment of silence, Dazai's right hand came up with deliberate slowness, and he carefully removed Chuuya's hat.
His head still being anchored to the other's shoulder.
Every person in the room startled at the action. Everyone and their mum knew about Chuuya's love for his hat.
Dazai was playing with fire now.
Chuuya's eyes shot open, his hand stilling in Dazai's hair.
"Hey, my hat, bastard". Chuuya growled.
"I like Chuuya's hair." Dazai murmured, his left hand now carding through the flame-colored strands.
"They are strong, and vibrant, just like your personality that I hate so much. And I hate this stupid hat even more for covering your pretty face.
Chuuya visibly flushed at the admission and sighed.
"Okay. but only this time. And nobody has to know about this."
"Got it." Dazai agreed. His voice was uncharacteristically sweet, devoid of its usual playful taunt. He dropped the hat on the closest furniture and got back into hugging the ginger.
Disbelief radiated from the Yokohama crowd. No one could believe their eyes.
Seeing this soft side on Dazai and Chuuya was surreal: most of them didn't even think the brunette was capable of having so many positive emotions.
As for Chuuya: the detectives had only ever seen his dangerous PM executive facade, meanwhile the PM members saw him being calm and easy-going, yes, not soft and tender.
Also, did Dazai just called Chuuya pretty?
And he stole his hat?
AND he is still alive?
Atsushi was clutching on Akutagawa's coat, trying not to sob.
Verlaine was on the verge of committing mass murder.
Kunikida was about to pass out.
Kenji was beaming in awe. Kyouka next to him, was observing the scene.
Fukuzawa and Koyo were studying the interaction in front of them, like parents watching their kids falling in love.
Mori, Ranpo and Yosano.. were liking this way too much, for both similar and different reasons.
The two men spent about two minutes in silence, embracing, stroking each other's hair. Just enjoying each other's company.
Until Chuuya spoke again.
"Besides.."Chuuya started, his voice firm but quiet "would I deny it if ever questioned about it, but I think the light suits you better than the dark. I am happy seeing how you are now. Healthier, physically and mentally. Even softer....
....."So even if I would like it to being officially partners again.. no Dazai I don't want you to get back to the Port Mafia."
Everyone held their gasps at the shocking revelation.
Mori's eyes twitched. He will definitely have a talk about this with Chuuya later.
Koyo had mixed feelings about the situation.
Dazai didn't respond about Chuuya's admission. What the audience and Chuuya couldn't see, was the pure shock in his face.
He was on the verge of tears. His eyes started to well up, tears threatening to fall but he wasn't willing to let them.
"It took me some time to realize that, but I don't really hold a grudge against you for leaving." Admitted Chuuya, who was unaware of the effect his words were causing on the man in his arms.
"I thought you hated me." Dazai murmured, loosening his grip on Chuuya just a little.
Chuuya scoffed and let out a small laugh. "And you're supposed to be a genius."
Ranpo seconded that in his head, an amused smirk on his face.
"Anyway." started Chuuya, hesitating.
Dazai hummed hinting him to continue.
"I think... he would be proud of you, Dazai" Chuuya finished softly.
Ango had told him about Dazai's friend. He still didn't know the full story, but he knew he had left the Mafia after his friend died. He knows what it means to lose a friend.
Not hearing a response, Chuuya was starting to worry.
Maybe I overstepped.
"Hey Daz-"
Without warning, Dazai flinched.
Chuuya felt it — the way his partner's body went rigid, the way his breath hitched. Before Chuuya could react, Dazai was pulling away. Not gently. Not slowly. Like he'd been burned.
He stepped back from Chuuya’s hug. One step, two steps. Now he was standing right before him with his hands hanging at his sides.
His expression — when Chuuya could finally see it — was carefully, terrifyingly blank.
Chuuya's hands hovered in the air where Dazai had been. His eyes widened for a fraction of a second — confusion, hurt — and then his face darkened.
His jaw clenched. His nostrils flared. His hands curled into fists at his sides, knuckles white.
In Yokohama, the audience saw Dazai's back — rigid, distant. They saw Chuuya's face transform from softness to something thunderous. They exchanged confused glances.
What is happening?