Work Text:
The apartment was quiet when Lynn opened the door. Judging by the deafening silence, he could tell his older brother, Chuuya, wasn’t home at the moment. I wonder if he’s still at work, Lynn thought with a pout, having just returned from school.
He was wearing his usual summer middle school uniform, his shoulder-length, wavy black hair tied back in a loose ponytail, and sporting a subtle natural makeup look with noticeable blush.
Closing the door, Lynn took off his shoes and put them away neatly by the door before walking down the hall. All the lights had been turned off, with only the afternoon sun shining through the gaps between the curtains on the big open windows by the balcony. As Lynn turned the corner, he noticed that the kitchen light was on, a signal his older brother used if he left a note for him.
It usually meant Chuuya would be home late.
The kitchen had a modern style, just like the rest of the apartment, with white marble floors and countertops, paired with black cabinets and golden accents. Walking in, Lynn noticed a white gift bag on the island table, and next to it was a note card. He picked up the note, reading it silently.
Lynn,
Happy birthday lil bro! Congrats on turning 12! Here’s a gift since I won’t be home till late. I wish I could spend your birthday with you, but some stuff came up at work. But don’t worry cause tomorrow we can spend the whole day together! I should be back before midnight, but I still expect you to be in bed when I get home. I already made you your favorite dinner, it’s in the fridge, just reheat it—DON’T BURN DOWN THE APARTMENT.
Love you, be home soon,
Chuuya c:
A small smile crossed Lynn’s face as he read the note. He was grateful to his brother for always taking care of him; however, he sometimes wished Chuuya worried less about him and more about taking care of himself. I hope whatever he has to do isn’t too serious, Lynn hoped as he placed the note back down on the table.
Picking up the gift bag, he opened it, only to pull out Lana Del Ray concert tickets. Lynn’s eyes lit up as he let out an excited squeal; to say that he was obsessed with her music was an understatement. He listened to her music religiously; it was like therapy to him. Before, he always missed his chance, but this time he was determined to get her autograph.
Noticing the bag was still heavy, he reached inside again, this time pulling out two velvet boxes. One was a longer rectangular shape, and the other was a smaller square with rounded edges. Lynn could tell they were jewelry boxes, so he took them out carefully before opening them. The first box contained a beautiful, detailed silver necklace that would match almost any outfit. In the second box, there were six silver rings, each with different designs but still matching the aesthetic of the silver necklace.
“Beautiful,” Lynn said as his eyes roamed over the small details in the jewelry. His brother sure knew his way around the market. I guess it’s because he’d been in the business before.
Deciding to change, Lynn set the tickets back down on the counter, took the jewelry, and walked to his room. It was right beside Chuuya’s. The walls were painted a neutral color and decorated with fairy lights, posters of his favorite anime and bands, and photos of him with his friends and brother. Directly across from his door, his bed was neatly made with sunset-colored sheets. Beside his bed was his nightstand, and next to it was his white wooden desk that was in front of the window. On the left wall of his room, there was a white bookshelf filled with poetry, music CDs, anime figures, and other trinkets that he had collected over the years.
Putting his backpack and jewelry down by his desk, Lynn went to his closet to pick out some comfy clothes. He chose to put on a charcoal grey tank top, which he tucked into dark espresso cargo pants, and paired it with a light alabaster flannel with light taupe checkered lines. Although he wasn’t going out anywhere, he put on the jewelry Chuuya got him, and ended up liking the outfit too much just to take it off.
When he went back to the kitchen, he remembered Chuuya had said that he had left food for him in the fridge. Opening the fridge, he was delighted by the sight of his favorite dinner, pasta.
It wasn’t long before Lynn was eating his pasta while getting comfy on the couch with a blanket and turning on the TV to play the Legally Blonde Musical.
While Lynn was happily eating his dinner and watching the musical, his phone ‘dinged’ with a notification.
Texts between Lynn and Akutagawa
| Aku: I hope ur birthday is well brat
| Lynn: Thx, it is. I just wish Chuuya was here. Do u know how much longer he’ll be gone?
| Aku: He’s in a meeting rn. Idk when he’ll be out but it shouldn’t be much longer.
| Lynn: Meeting with who?? The executives? Is it serious??
| Aku: I’m not allowed to say…
| Lynn: Aku please! This is my brother, I need to know he’s okay!
| Aku: As an older brother myself, I can firmly say that it is our duty to take care of our younger siblings, not the other way around.
| Lynn: But-
| Aku: However, because I’m quite fond of the way u and Chuuya have always looked after each other, I’ll tell u… He’s in a meeting with the ADA.
| Lynn: Wait really?? Who else is in that meeting??
| Aku: From what I know, attendance from the PM includes: Mori, Kouyou, Chuuya, Hirotsu, Gin, Higuchi, Tachihara, and Kajii.
| Aku: As for the ADA, they had: Dazai, Fukuzawa, Kunikida, Ranpo, Yosano, Junichiro, and Kyouka.
| Lynn: Wait so why aren’t u in the meeting??
| Aku: … I got thrown out w/ Jinko for causing a disturbance
| Lynn: U know u can’t fight him every time u see him, rite? U’re gonna have to work ur feelings out toward him eventually.
| Aku: *cough* Idk what u’re talking abt, the only emotion I harbor for that weartiger is rage
| Lynn: 🙄 Sure buddy, gosh u’re so hopeless. GREAT now I have that song stuck in my head and I need to rewatch Hamilton again ;-;
| Aku: I have no idea what u’re talkin about, but I gtg, I’m getting called back to the meeting again.
| Lynn: Kk, try not to kill Atsushi plss!!
| Aku: No promises. Have a good b-day brat. ttyl 👋
| Lynn: Thank you, ttyl c:
Lynn put his phone down and continued to eat while he watched Legally Blonde. His taste buds were singing, Chuuya must have made this pasta from scratch, he thought as he took another mouthful.
The plate was soon empty, and Lynn paused the musical to rinse it off in the sink before putting it in the dishwasher. When he lay back down on the couch, he was surprised to see a message from someone he hadn’t heard from in years.
Texts between Lynn and Dazai
| Dazai: Ur brother’s being a big meanie 😭
| Dazai: Small**
| Lynn: U probably deserve it -_-
| Dazai: *Le gasp* 😯
| Dazai: I’m hurt ☹️
| Dazai: And here I was gonna wish u a happy birthday 😔
| Lynn: Politely shove it <3
| Dazai: 🥲
| Lynn: Aren’t u supposed to be in a meeting rn?
| Dazai: yee but I’m bored :p
| Dazai: How did yk about the meeting?
| Lynn: Aku told me
| Dazai: Figures =_=
| Lynn: Anyway, what’s the deal wth u and my brother? He hasn’t stopped complaining about u for days, it’s like u’re workin together again.
| Dazai: Bc we are! We are officially partners again!! :3
| Lynn: Does that mean u’ll be staying over again?
| Dazai: That depends on Chuuya c:
| Lynn: Great…🙄
| Dazai: Hey, I’m not that bad!
| Lynn: Don’t even get me started…
| Dazai: HEY—
Ignoring Dazai’s message, Lynn went back to watching the musical in peace. By now, he knew all the words to the songs, and the apartment became like his own theater as he passionately sang along.
It wasn’t long before Lynn had tired himself out. Despite wanting to stay awake to see his big brother when he came home, Lynn felt his eyelids begin to close as his head leaned back to rest against the couch cushion. By Act 2, Lynn was out like a light while the song “There! Right There!” was still playing. His breathing evened out, and he slept soundly with the TV still softly playing in the background.
A few hours went by, the musical had long since ended, and the TV had gone into gallery mode due to inactivity. The door to the apartment suddenly ‘clicked’ open, and in walked a heavy pair of boots along with the smell of leather and gunpowder.
When Lynn awoke, it was to the familiar feeling of gloved fingers caressing his hair. As he slowly opened his light brown eyes, he saw sky blue eyes staring back at him fondly. Lynn smiled up at his brother sleepily, “You’re home.”
Chuuya smiled back softly, “I’m home.”
After rubbing his eyes, Lynn looked back at Chuuya and realized that he was still in his work uniform. He must have just got home, Lynn thought.
“What time is it?” Lynn asks, holding back a yawn. He was still cocooned in a blanket on the couch. All the lights in the apartment were still off except for the kitchen light and the TV.
“Way past your bedtime,” Chuuya informed him, ruffling his hair.
Somehow, Lynn must have rolled over in his sleep because he was now facing away from the TV. Lynn lifted his head as he turned over, “I was sleeping, you woke me up…” he said with a pout.
“The couch is not a bed, Lynn. Plus, you were sleeping in your makeup, you’re gonna get the couch dirty, and that’s not healthy hygiene.” Chuuya chided with a roll of his eyes and a flick to Lynn’s forehead.
“Ow! I didn’t mean to fall asleep,” Lynn admitted as he rubbed his head, “I was waiting for you to get home.”
Chuuya’s eyes softened, and his lips curled into a gentle smile, the only kind he allowed his brother to see. He took a seat next to Lynn on the couch and pulled him into a tight hug. “I know, thank you for waiting,” Chuuya whispered, “Happy birthday, Lynn.”
A warm smile tugged at Lynn’s face as he hugged his brother back, “Thank you for everything.”
[END]