Archive of Our Own

In hindsight, Chuuya should’ve known something was wrong when he hadn’t heard from Dazai at all for the past few days. The shitty Mackerel never left him alone damnit! And then, just like that, all of a sudden, he was told that Dazai defected from the Port Mafia without as much a word to Chuuya. God. Chuuya hated his stupid boyfriend so much sometimes.

Dazai was so used to being alone in his life that even now, after their three-year partnership and almost as long relationship, he was still convinced he had to be able to do everything on his own somehow. But all Chuuya wanted at this moment was for the idiot to ask for his help, to tell him what's going on, so they could get through this together, as they always did.

The news about Dazai’s defection had reached him over Mori. Mori who looked close to actually interrogating Chuuya about his partner when he first entered the office. Of course, Chuuya couldn’t tell him anything and his boss had to let him go. And after that, he had hidden in one of the office bathrooms and nearly destroyed a sink with the sheer force of his grip. He had called Dazai on his phone multiple times, but no one was picking up which just added to Chuuya’s stress, considering his boyfriend’s self-destructive tendencies. And after another twenty minutes of hopeless messages and calls, Chuuya bolted out of the building, activating his ability to fly over Yokohama.

He had to find Dazai. Whatever it takes.

Thankfully Chuuya had developed a certain ability over the years. Like a sixth sense specialized on tracking down Dazai wherever he was. The ability proved to be extremely useful. Especially during missions and whenever the bandaged man went off to give into his suicidal tendencies. Therefore, it didn’t take Chuuya long to find out where his idiot was hiding.

“...You caused quite the ruckus at HQ y’know?” He asked, sliding in place next to his eerily silent partner who was sitting on a rock close to the water of the ocean, looking out at the waves. Dazai didn’t respond, pulling his coat tighter around his body. He looked small like this. Vulnerable. And so, so, empty. There was not a single spark of light in his eyes. Chuuya sighed and carefully reached an arm over his shoulder, and just like that, like a puppet with cut strings, Dazai slumped over to the side and curled under Chuuya’s arm. Chuuya smiled. Whatever happened, at least his partner was alive. And Chuuya wasn’t just gonna let him go and disappear.

“...Care to tell me what happened?” he asked after a while. His boyfriend pressed his face against his chest. “Odasaku died.” Dazai responded. Chuuya sucked in a sharp breath and hugged him more tightly. “...I’m so sorry.” He mumbled, pressing a kiss into brown hair. “Must’ve been hard on you. And I wasn’t even there with you.” Dazai quietly shook his head. “‘S not your fault Chibi. You were just carrying out a mission from the boss.” Chuuya gently carded his hand through the other’s hair. It felt as though Dazai hadn’t showered in days. Chuuya had to fix that.

“...And the defection?” He then asked. Dazai shrugged. “When he died, Odasaku told me to go live a life in the light. Somewhere far away from the Port Mafia. He wants me to become a good person, Chuu. But- I can’t do that. I mean I can but- I’ll never be good enough. But it was his final wish and…” Chuuya understood all-too-well.

Chuuya hadn’t really known Oda Sakunosuke, but Dazai had told him a lot. The one time Chuuya actually did meet him (Dazai’s drinking buddies insisted on him introducing his boyfriend to them after apparently hearing him rant about said boyfriend many times), he was pretty nice. Oda was important to Dazai. One of the most important people in his life, in fact. And now he was dead. Chuuya knew the feeling of the people closest to you dying far too well.

“…and you want to honor that final wish. I understand.” The redhead responded, drawing circles on the other’s back. Dazai’s breathing became shaky and he hugged his partner closer. Chuuya had a feeling he really needed that good cry. He didn’t mind the tears soaking into his shirt, nor the quiet sniffles that followed. Right now, he just wanted to be there for the idiot.

“…Geez, you gave me a heart attack y’know?” He whispered after a while. “Warn a guy before running off on your own. What were you thinking?” Dazai slowly looked up at him. “…I didn’t think Chuuya would go look for me.” He admitted quietly. Chuuya scoffed, offended. “Of course I’d go look for you! I’m not just letting you leave me!” 

Dazai tilted his head. “Chuuya, I’m a traitor now. Associating with me is gonna put you in a lot of danger. You shouldn’t even have come after me in the first place. The longer you stay with me, the worse it’ll be. Just- get yourself to safety. I don’t want to lose another person I care about so soon.” Chuuya sent him a mild glare. “And then what? You just disappear without another word?” Of course Dazai would do that. Because Dazai was an idiot and still hadn’t accepted that Chuuya cares about him.

“You’d be better off without me, Chibi. You deserve someone so much better than I will ever be. And I can’t put you in danger by staying with you despite defecting.” Really. So stupid. He desperately had too knock some sense into this guy. 

“…And who told you I wasn’t gonna defect with you, genius?” Chuuya asked. Dazai’s head snapped up at the words, staring at him in utter disbelief. “What now?” He asked. Chuuya grabbed his partner’s face between his hands. “I said,” He placed a kiss on the other’s lips. “That I’m defecting with you, jackass.”

Dazai scrambled to sit up immediately. “But- you can’t do that! The mafia is your home, you have friends there, you—”, “—will come with you, wherever you go, shitty bastard. We’re partners, aren’t we? We stick together.” Dazai’s eyes were wide. “…You’re saying…?” 

Chuuya sighed and squeezed his cheeks once. “So, where are we going, Mackerel?” He asked. A millisecond later, he was tackled in a tight hug by his dear boyfriend. “I love you so much Chuuya, you don’t even know.” A shaky voice whispered. Chuuya scoffed and patted his partner’s back softly. “Love you too, idiot.”

—

The safe house was dusty and barely used, considering they once bought it just in case they needed a safe escape. Not even the Port Mafia knew where it was. It was located outside of Yokohama, along the coastline, far from any towns or villages, with no one nearby who could pose a threat to them. Chuuya set down his bag, the one he brought to transport all of his clothes from their apartment to their new place. Dazai had a bag too, though he didn’t have as many pieces of clothing as Chuuya.

“I say we dust this off, alright? Come on shitty Dazai, we’ve got work to do if we wanna stay here for two years.” For once, Dazai followed him for the chores with no complaints whatsoever.

Two years, hm? Dazai said they’d have their records cleared before getting employed at a detective agency for ability users. Now they just had to wait it out. Chuuya didn’t even want to know what was happening in the Port Mafia at this moment. Losing two executives in such a short time, as well as those executives being the ones who kept about half of the Port Mafia business running all on their own, must’ve hit them pretty hard. Chuuya wouldn’t know. After all, both him and Dazai had cut all contact to any mafia members they ever had. And now they were on their own. The two of them, Soukoku, against the world.

“Chibi?” Dazai asked after a while, dropping down on the couch in the living room. Chuuya hummed as he dusted off the table. His partner opened his arms, a silent request. Chuuya rolled his eyes, then abandoned his work to walk over, sit on his lap, and allow him to hug him. “Something wrong?” He asked quietly. Dazai shook his head, face buried deeply within the other’s shoulder. “No, nothing. Just- You didn’t have to do this, Chibi. You didn’t have to come with me. But you did it anyway. I guess I still don’t understand why you’d uproot the whole life you painstakingly built over these past three years just to be with me.”

Chuuya rested his head atop his partner’s. “‘Cause I built that life around and with you, shitty Dazai. Without you, it would feel like something’s missing. And you can’t just get rid of me that easily. I don’t mind leaving the mafia, so long as you’re with me. Plus: You were the reason I joined in the first place, so it would only be fair if you’re the reason I left as well. Where you go, I go. That’s never even been a question.” 

Dazai huffed out a small chuckle. “Aw~ Chuuya just doesn’t wanna be separated from me~” And sure, usually, Chuuya would snap at his partner, call him an idiot, then deny such a ridiculous claim. But not today.

“That’s right, ‘Zai. I don’t want to be separated from you.”

Now that seemingly absolutely punched the air out of his boyfriend, cheeks reddening immediately as he stared at him, unblinking. Chuuya cackled at his priceless reaction. Dazai responded with a pout. “You can’t just say that stuff out of nowhere Chuu!” He whined loudly. Chuuya tilted his head and smirked. “But you were the one who asked me the question, right?” Dazai didn’t seem to know how to respond to that, merely calling Chuuya a meanie before returning to hiding. Chuuya had a certain feeling they wouldn’t get to do much more cleaning that day.

True to his prediction, Dazai wouldn’t allow him to get up until it was already too late to do much. And so the two ex-mafiosi found themselves sitting on a rock at around 1:30 AM, sides pressed together, feet dangling over the waves that were slowly crashing against the shore.

“...Do you think we made the right decision?” Dazai asked. Chuuya shrugged and reached his foot further down, until he was touching the cold water. “What even is right or wrong in our world? I think the only thing that matters right now, is that we’re following your friend’s dying wish, correct? We don’t have to worry about our decisions ‘cause we already made them. There’s no going back now, love. Our future is now entirely in our own hands. We gotta shape it as we want to. Not as a Port Mafia executive and his future boss, but as Chuuya and Osamu. Just us. No one else.”

Dazai went silent, probably contemplating Chuuya’s words. Then he looked at him softly. “You think we can make it? Just the two of us?” He asked quietly. Chuuya gently nudged his boyfriend’s side. “‘Course we will, shitty Mackerel. We’re partners after all. Paired up for the reason that we can do anything when together. Just ‘cause we left the Port Mafia, doesn’t mean that has to change. We’re still partners now. And we will still be partners in that new job of ours. It’s just the world around us that changes. And if that gets too much for ya, I’ll do my best to make things better.” He spoke softly, before pressing a warm, sweet kiss to Dazai’s lips. The brunette immediately returned the kiss, pulling him closer and closer, until there was no more space left between them. 

“Thanks Chibi~ For not leaving me, for coming with me.” Chuuya scoffed, amused and shook his head. “Don’t mention it. It still feels fucking weird to hear you thank me.” Dazai, for once, shut up and allowed the two of them to fall into a comfortable silence.

They were traversing uncharted territory, with this new life, considering both of them grew up in the darkness of the underworld. They were gonna be closer to the light. Part of it, even. But as much as it illuminated a path of hope for a better future, it was also scary and blinding and something neither of them could get used to overnight. 

And yet, throughout it all, they’d have each other to fall back on if the light was getting too much at any point, without having to fear judgment. For both of them had seen each other’s darkest parts and stuck around regardless.

“Besides…” Chuuya continued. “I wanted to leave with you. That was my decision. And even if I hadn’t left, I still would’ve kept you with me, would’ve hidden and sheltered you. Because you mean a lot to me, shitty Dazai. And I want to stay with you and protect you. Regardless of where we are or what we work as.” Dazai looked at him with wide eyes for a few moments, his brain visibly processing Chuuya’s words. Chuuya chuckled and pulled him into a proper hug. And Dazai immediately hugged back, clinging onto him.

They’d be fine.

“I love you.” Dazai said with a rare sense of determination in his voice. Chuuya looked at him amused. “You’ve been telling me that a lot lately, y’know?” He responded. Dazai looked up, resting his chin on Chuuya’s chest. “It’s ‘cause it’s the truth~ I love you.” He repeated. God. He was gonna be the end of Chuuya one day. “And again: I love you too.” He said warmly, with just as much conviction as his boyfriend.

There they sat. Two defected mafia executives, on a rock in the sea near their little beach house. The moon was bright that night. A gentle light. Chuuya liked to think it was there to ease them into their new roles and guide them on their way.

Two beings, neither entirely human, shrouded in darkness, taking their first steps on a new path, walking hand in hand.

—

“Chuu~yaaaa!” Dazai whined, dropping his head on his partner’s shoulder. “Can’t we go back home?” He asked. Chuuya scoffed and pulled his annoying octopus partner off of him. “Heck no! We’ve got work today. And I’m not gonna have my first impression be ‘The guy who’s late because he’s got a clingy ass boyfriend who holds him back’.”

Dazai crossed his arms and pouted, sticking his tongue out at Chuuya. “You’re so mean today, Slug! Where has all your love gone?!” The redhead rolled his eyes at the other’s overly dramatic behavior. “Still the same as always, love… But it’s not enough to convince me of fucking up our first day at this agency, sorry.” And of course this just had to end with Dazai sulking all the way to their new workplace: The Armed Detective Agency.

It had been two years since their defection and they managed to avoid the Port Mafia thus far. Now, at 20, they were finally really starting their new life as detectives. A second chance. And this time, they got to be the good guys.

“Do you still remember our cover story?” Chuuya inquired. Dazai looked almost offended at the insinuation that he might not remember what they had rehearsed a hundred times.

As far as they knew, the only agency member who was aware of their background and former workplace was the President, Yukichi Fukuzawa. To the rest of them, they were college classmates who pursued the same courses and decided to work together for the time being. A simple story, but believable enough and backed up with fabricated evidence. And now it was time to take up their new identities and pretend to be good people until they managed to actually become good people.

“Are you ready?” Chuuya asked his boyfriend, who seemed slightly fidgety and nervous. Chuuya snickered. Nervousness was something he rarely saw on the other man. After all, Dazai was a master at keeping his feelings and true thoughts hidden from the world. Though Chuuya had to admit that his partner had gotten better at showing emotions over these two years they spent hiding out.

Dazai sighed, calming himself down. Tried to, at least. Chuuya pulled him close by the hand, squeezing it softly. “Geez. You’ve been through so many life-or-death situations and this is what gets you nervous? Come on Mackerel!” Dazai looked away, avoiding direct eye contact. Chuuya found himself going soft at the display of insecurity. “Scared you won’t live up to the expectations?” He asked gently. Dazai gave him a small nod. Of course that was the reason. Chuuya knew that.

“We don’t have to be perfect y’know? We’re just starting our new work. No one expects us to be professionals at it yet. We can take it slow.” Dazai lifted his head to meet Chuuya’s eyes with his own. Dazai with two eyes was beautiful, Chuuya once again noted. Even though it had been two years since he lost the face bandages, It was still too damn easy to get lost in the gentle, dark color.

“What if we’re not good enough?” Dazai asked. Chuuya smiled at him and poked his forehead. “I wouldn’t worry about that too much. Neither of us are good people. But that’s why we’re here, remember? So we can learn how to become good people. We’ll be fine.” The brunette seemed happy enough with that and Chuuya was satisfied with managing to calm him down even just a little. 

“Let’s go in and cause some chaos then?” The redhead asked. Dazai squeezed his hands and pulled him along. “They won’t know what hit them!” And just like that, they were off. On their way into the building, up some stairs to the agency office.

—

Kunikida knew something was off the moment his day started. No, nothing was wrong with his schedule, of course not. It was just a foreboding feeling lingering in the air. One that followed him all the way to work and made him uneasy. Like something was gonna drastically change his life that day.

They were supposedly getting two new recruits. Two 20-year-olds with quite valuable qualifications. He merely hoped they’d be a good addition to the team. The Armed Detective Agency could use some more employees.

Now it was around ten AM, and the two men were supposed to be here any minute. Kunikida had been put in charge of the duo. Yosano was in the infirmary, the president in his office, and Ranpo on a case somewhere else, so it was really just the blond who could oversee them.

The foreboding feeling intensified when he heard two sets of feet walking up the stairs outside of the door. Kunikida did not have a good feeling about this. And then he heard it, a clear knock. He took a deep breath, mentally preparing himself for whoever may be outside, then he opened the door.

There, in front of him, stood two young men. One with brown hair, a trenchcoat, bandages all over his visible skin and an overly cheerful smile on his face, the other was much shorter, ginger hair, wearing a black jacket over a red shirt, as well as black jeans, boots, and a choker. Kunikida pushed his glasses up and nodded at them. “This is the Armed Detective Agency. Are you our newest members?” The smaller of the two spoke up. “Yup. I’m Chuuya Nakahara. And this idiot behind me is Osamu Dazai.” The brunette, Dazai, scoffed and pouted. “Hey! Chibi is being mean to me again!” Chuuya elbowed him in the side. “Who are you calling a Chibi you ass?!”

Kunikida finally recognized the foreboding feeling for what it was: A warning. A clear warning about these people. He just knew it.

“Well then, please come in. I’ll show you both around.” He said, holding onto the hope that this may not be too difficult. But when Dazai immediately started messing with the supplies on the next best desk, the blond felt as though his hopes and dreams would be crushed very soon.

—

Turns out Kunikida had severely underestimated the amount of chaos Dazai and Chuuya would bring into the agency. Because ever since the two joined them, there has barely been a single quiet minute where both of them were in the same room. They were good, don’t get him wrong, amazing even (They flew past the genuinely difficult entrance exam like it had been just another regular day for them), but they were also insane and insufferable at times. Especially when together.

Kunikida didn’t know what type of relationship these two had going on. But it was the weirdest thing in the world. They yelled at each other, insulted each other, messed with each other to no end (Well, that was mostly Dazai), you’d think they hated each other. But…

But then, there’d be moments where they just- quieted down, took a break. Moments where Kunikida found them napping on each other’s shoulders on the couch after an exhausting mission. Moments where either one of them would carry the other to safety after they got hurt. Even little moments, where Dazai seemed just a little more exhausted with existence than usual and Chuuya would know exactly what snacks or drinks to give him. Moments where Chuuya would clearly overwork himself and Dazai would easily pry him away from his work and make him rest. Like they knew exactly what the other needed in every situation.

Their fighting power, however, was on a whole different level. For as much as they goofed off during work hours at times, when they were really into it, they would not joke around. Kunikida had seen it more than once, when the agency was actively fighting enemies. There was a certain twinkle in Dazai’s and Chuuya’s eyes when they faced someone in battle. It was joy . Genuine joy at fighting together. No matter how difficult, somehow, these two found it fun.

Now, Kunikida may not have the full picture, but he wasn’t dumb. These two were most definitely not the college students they first introduced themselves as, unless their college specialized in fighting. Their movements were too fluent, too practiced, and too synchronized. 

When Dazai and Chuuya fought, they became one single individual, working together seamlessly, every move flowing perfectly like they’ve done it a million times, like their body and mind morphed into one. They didn’t have to talk strategies. They didn’t have to communicate at all, they merely jumped into action and it worked out somehow.

Kunikida knew that they weren’t college students. But they had been doing their job quite well so he never particularly asked about their past. Turns out, he wouldn’t have to. As, around two years after the two men first joined the Armed Detective Agency, he found out for himself.

“Wait a goddamn second? Why are you two the ones responsible for arranging a meeting with the Port Mafia?!” He yelled exasperated. They were in the middle of planning a temporary alliance with their greatest enemy organization to fight their new common enemy, The Guild. And Kunikida just found out that, for some reason, the agency’s most chaotic duo were the ones responsible for making the necessary arrangements to talk about said alliance instead of, well, the president, or literally anyone else!

“Obviously it’s because we’re the most competent members of this organization, Kunikida-kun!~” Dazai said in his typical cheery voice. He was currently busying himself with braiding Chuuya’s hair, much to the ginger’s dismay. Kunikida briefly wondered whether he should just pre-order new windows already, just in case Chuuya would throw Dazai through another one.

“Stop messing around, asshole.” Chuuya grumbled and turned to look at Kunikida. “Don’t fucking listen to this idiot. It’s obviously ‘cause we used to be with the Port Mafia before we came here.”

Kunikida was about to yell another retort when his brain suddenly stopped, getting stuck on what the smaller man just said. Hold up.

“. . .”

Both Dazai and Chuuya were watching him with bated breath. Kunikida opened his mouth to say something, but nothing came out, and so he closed it once more. Another minute of awkward silence went by before the blond found his voice again.

“WHAT?!”

Chuuya glared at Dazai. “Weren’t you supposed to tell this guy, shitty Mackerel?” He asked. Dazai seemed to overthink the situation for a moment before grinning. “Oops! Looks like I forgot telling you, my bad~”

Kunikida sensed his migraine coming before it even started. Because as insane as that sounded, it made sense. It made too damn much sense that these two were ex-mafiosi.

“Ku~ni~ki~da~?” Dazai asked. “Are you alive in there? Did you really not guess it at this point?!” It was too much. This was too much for Kunikida’s brain to take. Dazai and Chuuya, the Mafia, these two were gonna be the death of him one day. Literally. And so, as though to escape this situation, he promptly passed out.

—

“Congrats, shitty Dazai. You killed a man.” Chuuya deadpanned, staring at Kunikida’s unconscious person on the floor. Really, the poor guy desperately needed a vacation. Maybe Chuuya would put a good word in for him with the president. Everyone who had to deal with Dazai needed vacation at some point.

“It’s not my fault his body is so weak it can’t even take in a little bit of information!” Dazai whined, poking their colleague’s body with his foot. Chuuya rolled his eyes and sighed. Even now, four years after escaping the Port Mafia, his boyfriend was still a menace to everyone around him.

“A little bit of information? We literally told him we used to work with the organization considered the Armed Detective Agency’s worst enemy! You were supposed to break it to him gently!” Chuuya complained. Dazai pouted and crossed his arms. “I forgot alright!” The other merely sighed and got up, lifting Kunikida to carry him to the infirmary where Yosano was already waiting with a bed.

“Couldn’t take the news?” She asked, amused, once they safely placed the idealist on the bed. Dazai sighed, dramatically. “His poor old heart simply couldn’t take it…” He lamented. Yosano scoffed. “Both of you are older than he is. The heck do you mean?” Dazai merely shrugged. “Well, he is always so tense… The stress dramatically shortens his lifespan y’know?~” Both the doctor and Chuuya leveled him with an unimpressed glare, making him pout.

Chuuya sighed as he looked out of the window. Four years. They managed to hide for four years. And now they were about to reunite and interact with their past they were supposed to leave behind. He’d be lying if he said he wasn’t at least a little concerned. But it had been long enough. They’d be fine. It was just one meeting with Mori, after all.

“Are you two gonna be alright?” Yosano asked into the silence of the room. Both men looked at her, confused. “Alright about what?” Dazai asked. Yosano played around with the blade of one of her knives. “To see the greasy old fucker again, I mean. I can’t imagine he just allowed you two to walk out on him and the mafia. I don’t know the story, but whatever happened, it really couldn’t have been pretty.”

Chuuya exchanged glances with Dazai before they both scooted closer to each other, their hands holding onto one another behind their backs. “We’ve been hiding for long enough. I think it’s time to show them that we’re doing pretty fucking great where we’re at right now.” Chuuya said with conviction. A bandaged hand squeezed his own and he felt safe.

Yosano looked at them for a long moment, then smiled. “I’m glad you guys have each other. I’m also glad you’re here now. You’ve got all my support. After all, as Mori’s trauma children, we gotta stick together, right?” She smacked them both on the shoulder before going back to her knife. “We should go drinking sometime after this. Just the three of us. And then we rant about how much of a jerk that guy is. Sound good?”

Chuuya exchanged another look with Dazai, then they nodded. “Sure, we’re in.” The brunette answered. Yosano seemed quite content with that. “Good. Then get out there and tell the guy exactly where he can stick it.” She didn’t have to ask twice. The two ex-mafiosi already had a plan on how to go about the whole situation. They talked with Yosano some more, then returned to the dorms (They always stayed in Chuuya’s together. Dazai’s was basically deserted).

“Tomorrow.” Dazai spoke, sitting on a kitchen counter, swinging his legs while Chuuya was cooking them some dinner. The ginger turned to his boyfriend and smirked. “Tomorrow. I can’t wait to see his face when he sees us in person. His very own special weapon, in the hands of his supposed enemies… Sounds fun, doesn’t it? You think the alliance will work out?”

Dazai looked contemplative for a moment, then shrugged. “Who knows? Maybe it does, maybe it doesn’t. Would certainly make things easier if it does work out, but… Even if it doesn’t work out, or doesn’t work out as planned, we still got a plan B… Or should we call it plan C ? Ne, Chuuya~”

Chuuya jumped up onto the counter next to his boyfriend, leaning in his side as they watched their food cook. “If push comes to shove, we’re eliminating the threat Soukoku style. Think we still got it in us, partner ?” He asked, sending Dazai a challenging side-glance. Dazai pulled him in a side-hug, his tone of voice confident. “Sure we do, partner . Pretty sure it’s not something we’ll just forget. And as always, no matter what happens, I’ll be there to catch you and bring you back.”

Chuuya couldn’t help the warmth spreading through his body. He trusted Dazai, trusted him with his whole entire being. With him, Arahabaki wasn’t that terrifying. Quite the opposite, actually. As painful as it was, Chuuya couldn’t help the small spark of excitement at the potential of using his strongest weapon after it had been dormant for four years. He didn’t have to worry, because Dazai was right there with him.

“Ready for our official return to the world?” Chuuya asked.

“More than ready. Let’s show them what we can do.” Dazai responded.

Four years ago, Chuuya had followed Dazai towards the light. Because they were partners who’d stick together no matter what. 

Two years ago, they had officially started their journey through the light. Together. Because no matter what new challenges they’d be confronted with, they’d be fine, so long as they had each other.

And now, in the present, it was time to take what they had learned in the light, and confront the shadows of their past. Still together. Because they were Soukoku. Two halves of a whole. One soul in two bodies.

“Hey, shitty Dazai?”

“Hm, Chibi~”

“You’ll never stop calling me that stupid ass nickname, right?”

“Nah~ Never~ You’re stuck with it for life.”

Chuuya smiled at his partner.

“Wanna be stuck with me for life then as well? Officially?”

Dazai’s eyes widened, snapping over to look directly at Chuuya. “Wait- You don’t mean–” Chuuya interrupted him, easily completing the sentence in his head and giving a direct answer. “After this whole Guild bullshit is over, let’s get married.” He said. “I think seven years in this relationship have been enough for me to come to terms with the fact that I’m doomed to be at your side forever, you dumbass fish. So?”

A mere millisecond later, Chuuya felt Dazai’s familiar arms wrap around him in the tightest of hugs and easily returned the affectionate gesture. 

“Yes! A million times yes!” His boyfriend - fiancé - cheered, laughed, with genuine happiness. Something Chuuya would never take for granted. “Let’s kick some ass then. And afterwards, we’re buying rings. And then we’ll organize a wedding.” He spoke, running a hand through Dazai’s hair. Dazai nodded, face buried in Chuuya’s neck. “Now I’m even more motivated to get this conflict over as quickly as possible.” Chuuya scoffed, amused. “Good. Maybe this will finally get your ass to do some fucking work for once.” Dazai’s only response to that was an offended whine.

After some silence, Dazai raised his voice, a playful tone to it. “...Should we send Mori a non-invitation to our wedding that explicitly states that he’s not allowed anywhere near it out of spite?” Chuuya barked out a laugh at the suggestion. “You’re an insufferable brat, y’know, shitty Dazai?” Dazai hummed, sending warm vibrations across Chuuya’s skin. “An insufferable brat you wanna spend your life with.” He commented. Chuuya snorted and tugged on his lover’s hair, making him wince. “Yea. Guess you’re right about that.”

They’d always be together. No matter what. 

From the first moment they locked eyes, until their last breath and beyond. 

In the shadows, the light, and anywhere in between.