Chapter One

"Suicide freak."

"Hat rack."

"Tsk."

The oldest smiles, knowing he was reaching his goal of agitation.

"I'm not drunk enough to handle you, bastard."

"Awh, Chuuya. that hurt." Dazai feigned sadness and looked down at his feet.

"Go away shitty Dazai, bug your precious Odasaku." The shorter was not giving in. He knew the ways of the infamous Dazai Osamu. Unfortunately for the younger, Dazai knew the ways of Nakahara and knew what the light blush of anger on the little redhead meant.

Dazai merely smiles again. "He's not near as much fun to irritate than the person in front of me," he flicks the hat carelessly sitting a bit sideways on the younger.

Nakahara knocks his hand away and tsks. He turns his head quickly, but not fast enough to keep Dazai from noticing the blush intensifying. "W-whatever, dumbass," Chuuya shoots over his shoulder as he walks to his wine cabinet. As he glances about the collector's worthy stash of wine Chuuya drowns in, he tilts his head towards Dazai. "Do you want some?" Unbeknownst to the redhead, the tips of his ears also began tinging with a tint of pink.

Dazai shakes his head slowly. "You know I don't associate with wine. Weakling," Knowing the jab of possible weakness would tip Chuuya off, the older crosses his arms casually and waits.

He doesn't have to wait long. "There's nothing weak about wine bastard!" The youngest whips around with inhuman speed and lifts various objects with his gravity ability and shoots them at Dazai.

Dazai immediately jumps and kicks off the wall to land in front of him. He plasters a smug smile on, "Due to your lack in coordination, no more wine." He places a lock around the handles of the wine cabinet and tosses the key out of the now broken window Chuuya created during his tantrum.

Dazai turned around and a vicious satisfaction welled up inside him at the fury blatantly written across Chuuya's face. "The hell, Dazai?! You don't get to decide when I'm done drinking!" Chuuya released the anger when he noticed the savage glint in the other's eyes. Changing tactics, Chuuya asks, "Why are you here anyway?"

Plastering the most exaggerated sad face Chuuya had ever seen, Dazai answers, "I am heartbroken, Chuuya."

"Huh? Why?" He raises an eyebrow, completely caught off guard at the response. Chuuya almost didn't believe him.

Throwing on a cheeky smile, Dazai avoids the question, answering, "No reason."

Shaking his head, the redhead walks over to Dazai and leans his face towards the other's. He then raises a hand to Dazai's forehead. "You don't have a fever," concern laces his voice.

Dazai tilts head to the side and chuckles lightly look at little Chuuya all worried; he smiles and flicks the annoying hat again.

Chuuya tsks. "I should have known better than to worry about you." The annoyed grasps his hat and puts it back on his head correctly, he then leans down off his tip toes and settles firmly back on the ground. "But really Dazai, you never visit me unless you want something."

The questioned adopts an observing expression and comes to the decision. "I wanted to check on you. You've been distant lately," he leans forward and tilts head to look over Chuuya. With the mere few inches separating their faces, the contrast between the black hair and redhead is noticeable in the reflection of the window across the room.

Chuuya frowns and puts some space between himself and Dazai. "I-I've just been busy," he stammers. Looking to the right, he continues, "It's nothing of importance."

Dazai tilts his head curiously, nods to himself and takes a few steps closer to plop on the floor with legs crossed at the ankles continuing in a serious tone with a look of no judgment, "We are partners, Chuuya. How am I supposed to protect you if I don't know what is plaguing you?"

Biting his lip, the little redhead – now about three feet taller than Dazai - averts his eyes. "We're not partners anymore, you left the mafia for the agency. It's not something I can tell you anyway," He crossed his arms and shrank in on himself, putting up his barriers.

A flash of hurt crosses the face of the older, and he himself to feel it. "No one can ever leave their past. I know you as you know me. That doesn't leave either." He says as he glances at the floor then back to Chuuya with the slightest hint of dry humor.

Dazai didn't know what he was expecting, but he wasn't expecting the outburst from the firecracker. "Why now?" Chuuya asked with desperation leaking into his voice. "why are you acting like you care now? Four years Dazai! You left me with no contact for four years! The only reason you're here now is because we were forced to see each other," his voice cracked, and his eyes glossed over, "forced to work together! You wouldn't be here, you wouldn't have even spoke to me if you didn't have to…" He shook his head and bit his lip again, this time harder, drawing blood. "I-I just... I don't..." He sighed not finding the words and tired of trying to stammer over his thoughts.

The accused nods and stands up. "Why did you accept the case if you didn't want it, hat rack? Akutagawa could've taken it and would've if you hadn't snatched the file from his hands." He sighs heavily before deciding to continue. "It's not just the case that I'm here for. You should know me better than that, "sighing he gets up out of frustration and realization. He walks to stand in front of Chuuya and before Chuuya could do anything, Dazai pulls him into a hug. Whispers, "Chuuya."

Chuuya stiffens, suddenly aware of the closeness with Dazai he finds himself. His mind is rapidly going through millions of thoughts and none. His eyes widen, and he refuses to move his limbs, refuses to believe the hope that sparked in his chest. "Wh-what're you doing?!" He stammers out.

Letting his mind take back over, he punches Chuuya's chest as he darts a few steps back. "Guess who's going soft on their reflexes," He smiles and laughs lightly.

He takes immense pride at the red that is overtaking the little redhead's face and the surprise in his eyes. "What? You asshole! Come back here!" Chuuya darts for Dazai, but the older notices the alcohol settling into Chuuya's system, slowing him down a few notches. Dazai stands still until Chuuya is within an arm's length before he sidesteps to the right and darts across the room smiling viciously.

Chuuya stumbled a bit, more drunk than he anticipated, then falls forward, catching himself midway with his gravity. "Shitty bastard, I'm too drunk for this," He stood up slowly and walked to his couch. Once seated he looked to Dazai and his shitty smile. "Dumbass, just wait until I'm sober!"

"What difference would you be if you were sober?" The black hair moves as he shakes his head in disappointment.

"I'd kick your ass, obviously, I'm just a little off my game right now. Hey, Dazai," He looked into the elder's eyes unwaveringly, "I've really missed you."

Dazai smiles heartily, "Of course you did!" After a few moments, he wipes the smile off and replaces it with a genuine smile, one that showed it wasn't a one-way street.

Immediately, the redhead smiles genuinely at Dazai, full of teeth and laughed then looked at Dazai as though he was the most precious person in the world. "Thank you for coming back."

The addressed shrugs lightly. "You'll regret it," he casually puts his hands in his pockets. Pulling out a dagger wicked fast, he aims it at Chuuya's hat before releasing it.

Using his gravity to stop the dagger, he shows irritation. "Always ruining the moment, shitty Dazai."

With the tone of a mentor, Dazai scolds him. "Nakahara, if you could stop my dagger, why couldn't you have stopped the key from flying out the window?" Looking disappointed, Dazai continues, "Really hat rack, you have let yourself go."

Chuuya tsks and lets the comment slide. He leans up and balances one knee in the couch his arms on either side of the couch arm and tilted his head to the side, observing him. His shirt falling to the side, exposing more of his neck and collarbone. Dazai notices the flush on his face from the alcohol and barely controls his need to widen his eyes, but the catch in his breath was unstoppable. He was stunning. Dazai can't look away and allows his body to slide down the wall he was leaning against. When his butt reaches the floor, he's brought back to his senses. He immediately smiles and tilts his head to the side and laughs quietly.

Suddenly Chuuya's phone rang and Tachihara's name pops up. Chuuya grabbed his phone and answered it, there was some mumbling on both ends and then he hung up and smiled. "Sorry about that, Tachihara wants to get some drinks and dinner together tomorrow."

"Tachihara..." He sounds out each syllable slowly, the name sounding odd in his mouth. "He your new partner now?" Ice ran over Dazai's body. He didn't know why it upset him so to hear the others name come out of Chuuya's mouth. Dazai should've known better.

Looking up at Dazai he answers. "Strangely no, he's my subordinate, I haven't taken a new partner."

Hope flares, but Dazai Osamu doesn't let himself feel it. Instead he embraces the cold taking over his body as he puts a small smile on his face. "You shouldn't go four years without a partner. Its careless" Okay, okay, okay. No matter if Chuuya takes a new partner, he should have. My insecurities mean little in way of protection of Chuuya.

"I just don't work as well with anyone other than you," he states like it was an obvious fact. "Nor do I want to, you're the only one I trust completely," He smirks, "but I do wonder whether or not that was a smart choice considering the fact that you planted a bomb in my car."

Dazai smiles viciously. "I had to give a reason for you to hate me when I left," as he walks across the room towards the door, he mumbles low, "Anger makes it easier to move on." Turning back to Chuuya, he waved in goodbye with a smile plastered to his face then turned back around to open the door.

Nakahara frowned and stood up, jogging to Dazai as best he could, only slightly stumbling in a drunken haze. He reaches his hands up and grabs Dazai's jacket arm. "Wait, why are you leaving?" Desperation clear in his voice, no matter how hard he tried to disguise it.

Dazai smiles down at him and reaches over to fix the side of the shirt that began to fall. A few moments pass and Dazai continues to look down at his hand that refuses to move from the neck of Chuuya's shirt. "Why?" The word is out before Dazai can stop it. It's harder for him to breathe suddenly, and he tries to pull himself together. Giving up, he tightens the hold his hand has on his shirt and pulls Chuuya towards him for another hug and his other arm wraps around his back. Black hair buries itself in the crook of Chuuya's neck. In the next second, he releases him and reaches behind him for the door again with a small smile on his face and slightly softer eyes.

Chuuya blushed brightly and opened his arms, giving Dazai a hug. He smiled and nuzzled Dazai's check where his head met. "You're so weird lately, you've never hugged me before. Not that I mind," He pulls back and smiles cutely at Dazai. "Thanks for checking on me, but don't worry about it too much," His smile turns soft. "I'll handle it, I always do."

The black hair moves as he tilts his head slightly in a knowing manner. "Don't try to handle everything," whispering, he continues. "I should know it never works as planned." Dazai melts into the hug with a slight tremor in his hands but still as his fingers connect behind Chuuya's back. "If you decide you want to talk about it, you know where my room is."

"Well," Chuuya twirls a red curl nervously. "My problem, it has to do with you." Red creeps up from his neck to his face. "Umm, how I feel about you." He slaps his forehead; this embarrassment is not like Chuuya at all. "Fuck it," he reaches up and grabs the back of Dazai's neck.

Dazai knows what's coming, but he couldn't stop it. Couldn't? Wouldn't? He didn't know. Time slows as Chuuya's lips meet his softly. He can feel Chuuya's hands shaking at the base of his neck.

Dazai couldn't stop his eyes from widening, the stiffness that overtook him, the breath that was lodged in his throat, nor the warmth of Chuuya. He couldn't think. He couldn't move. He was frozen for what felt like millenniums but what was only a few milliseconds. His body wanted to react wildly, but his mind stopped any signals wanting to be sent out. As Chuuya pulled away, Dazai remembered Chuuya was drunk. Dazai lightly shook his head and took a half step back-his body couldn't handle a full step back. "Chuuya," his voice was quiet, but he heard the huskiness and he had to clear his throat. "How much wine have you had today?" his face was serious, he couldn't seem to turn this into a joke. He wouldn't let on just how much he hoped Chuuya hadn't drank much, that Chuuya was doing this out of his own freewill. This little redhead would be the one person Dazai would not use.

But his words had different plans. Chuuya's heart broke, face struck with pain as Dazai pulled away. Dazai broke at the amount of hurt in the eyes of the one person he trusted the most. It was almost like it would've been had he seen Chuuya's face after he left the mafia. It was too good to be true, Nakahara knew Dazai would never like him back. Red curls moved as he laughed brokenly. Putting on a mask, he tried to smile. "Too much wine it seems. You should go, I don't want to do anything stupid. Since I'm so drink and all." Pushing Dazai out the door, he slams the door, holding back tears.

His mind dwindled and all that was left were his emotions raging inside. He couldn't lose Chuuya and he knew this would put an almost irreversible dent in their friendship. He knew in that moment he loved Chuuya. He had known for a while and didn't want to admit it. This realization ended as soon as he heard the door slam behind him. He was not going to lose Chuuya. He heard sobs from behind the door and knew. Chuuya hadn't locked the door, so he grit his teeth and opened the door back up. Dazai didn't look at Chuuya's face, he could only see colors and blobs. Dazai half stumbled to Chuuya and wrapped his arms around him in another hug as his head buried itself as far into his neck as Dazai could go. Dazai could hear his mouth moving, but the voice couldn't have belonged to him. The voice that was half strangled and desperate, repeating his partners name like a lifeline.

Ignoring his name on Dazai's lips, Nakahara continuously pushed Dazai, pushed him with a fire he didn't think he would ever use on Dazai. "Let me go! Let go, go away!" He pinned his next question on Dazai with a push harder than the others. "Are you here to mock me?! Go away!"

Dazai refused to leave, knowing Chuuya's emotions well. Dazai covered Nakahara's left cheek for a few seconds then slid into Chuuya's hair. "On any other day I would be here to make fun of you. However," he picked his hat off his head and wrapped the arm around Chuuya's back so that the hat was pressed against Chuuya. Foreheads leaned together as black and red hair mingled and fingers rushed to rid the beautiful face of the tear streaks. "I am not mocking you right now." He allowed some of the fire to return to his eyes - fire only this little redhead brought out. "I simply don't know how real all of this is." His voice was achingly soft, he didn't think even Chuuya heard it.

The sobs stopped, but silent tears continued to cascade down his face. Should he dare to think Dazai actually felt something for him? "What are you doing, Dazai? All of this is real, I love you, I have for so long and even when you left I hoped and hoped you would come back for me. I love you so much Osamu." He raises his hands to cup Dazai's face and gave him an unsure smile. "H-how do you feel?"

Dazai was speechless. He couldn't think. But his mind was gone, after all. He picked his forehead up from Chuuya's and placed a soft kiss to his forehead. Tucking Chuuya's head under his chin, Dazai tried to get his breathing and racing emotions under control. "Chuuya," his voice was soft but strong, feeling more confident by the second. He wrapped both of this arms around Chuuya's neck, keeping him within the protection of his arms. His Chuuya. His.

"Yes, Dazai?" The tears had stopped, and he wrapped his arms around Dazai's neck pulling him close, feeling safe in his arms. He laid his head on Dazai's chest and responded again "Yes, Osamu?"

He reveled in the feeling of Chuuya's warmth. He inhaled as much of Chuuya as he could, as if he were aiming towards the highest of highs and Chuuya was the only one who could give him that high. "I refuse to lose you." His voice was sharper and lower than he had meant it, enough to frighten even himself. He half drags Chuuya to the couch where he sits down and looks up questioningly at Chuuya for permission.

Chuuya smiles at Dazai and wipes his face of the remaining tears. He knew he could never be scared of Osamu, no matter what he did. He loved this man more than anything and would do anything for him. He nodded at Dazai, giving him permission to do whatever he liked. He takes a seat on Dazai's lap.

Dazai wraps his arms around Chuuya's waist and rested his head on Chuuya's shoulder. He sighed heavily and lightly kissed his shoulder. Chuuya was his. He wasn't good with words, so actions were all he had when it came to what he really wanted. And he wanted Chuuya. He needed Chuuya. "Mine." Dazai wasn't aware he had said the word out loud until he heard Chuuya's sharp intake of breath before exhaling a quiet moan. Looking up at Chuuya, mahogany eyes met crystal and the unsaid was acknowledged. Chuuya knew Dazai's forte of emotions and lack of words, so this word had slipped through and the little redhead's eyes flashed. He knew Dazai well, so he understood that Osamu wasn't good with emotions, but him saying "mine" just proved to Chuuya how Dazai felt he ran his fingers through Dazai's ebony locks and licks his lips. Dazai's body responded to Chuuya naturally and without permission from his mind. His mouth moved over to the crook in his neck and began experimentally kissing.

Chuuya tilted his head to allow better access and the shiver that racked through his body almost sent Dazai over the edge. Feeling more confident, he stopped kissing his neck and murmured, "Mine," once more. Chuuya's hands tightened on his shoulders and another moan left his mouth. Chuuya's murmured, "Yours," had more effect on Dazai Osamu. Chuuya's eyes opened in shock at the amount of warmth that slithered into his voice with that single word.

Dazai's breathing hitched when he heard Chuuya and even his emotions were silent. Chuuya, Chuuya, Chuuya, Chuuya. The name repeated in his head and he couldn't move past it. Leaning back, he couldn't look at Chuuya. He had so many emotions battling for their spotlight he didn't know what to do. He finally had Chuuya. And Chuuya knew...

Chuuya looked at Dazai, wondering if he had messed up. Was it too much for Dazai? He pulled back his arms and stood from the couch, giving Dazai space to figure himself out, his emotions, his thoughts. He shrugged his coat off and hung it up, giving Dazai a chance to back out, to leave if that's what he desired, even though it hurt to think that way, but he never wanted to make Dazai uncomfortable. He stood by the couches opposite end and twiddled his fingers wondering if he should leave the room

Dazai couldn't understand how Chuuya could stand more than a step away from Dazai. He himself couldn't handle being that far away from Chuuya. Maybe Dazai was bordering on something unhealthy but he didn't care. Keeping his eyes locked on Chuuya, he got up from the couch and walked over to where he stood. Taking both of Chuuya's hands, Dazai pulled him forward and kissed him lightly on the mouth. Without waiting for permission, Dazai picks Chuuya up and kisses him lightly again. He walks them back down to the couch with an amount of surprise amounting to their first kiss and Chuuya responded to his kisses, once again. Sitting Chuuya on his lap again, he looked at his eyes. He knew this was what he needed. He tangled his fingers in Chuuya's curls and leaned his forehead against the redhead contentedly.

Chuuya smiled again and chuckled with delight, nothing could take his happiness away, not even Mori. He looked Dazai in the eyes and leaned in for another kiss, hoping for one that lasts longer than the last few.

After Chuuya initiates the kiss he had been wanting, Dazai pulls the younger closer and deepens the kiss as he gives a slight pull on Chuuya's hair. Chuuya moans and opens his mouth in delight for Dazai to deepen the kiss and swirls his tongue around Dazai's, wanting more. "Ah!" He exclaimed in delight. Dazai's body wants to do everything, but he has to restrain himself severely, resulting in tremors that rack his body. He tries to hide them, not liking the idea of not being in control of his emotions but unable to resist the craving for Chuuya.

He pulls back but latches onto Chuuya's neck, covering every surface in kisses and bites. After hearing one of Chuuya's moans, something within Dazai breaks and he heard a low growl escape as his hands moved to rest on Chuuya's hips. Dazai kisses his way back up to Chuuya's lips. Before connecting their lips again, Dazai finds his teeth grazing over them, then biting the bottom lip quickly and lightly pulling it before leaning back to look at Chuuya.

Chuuya's face is a beautiful shade of red, eyes half lidded as he looks at Dazai panting slightly. "Dazai,"

He closes his eyes at the sound of his name coming from Chuuya. "Yes," His voice was very soft, and he felt his hands grip Chuuya's hips tighter.

Chuuya leans forward and sets his forehead against the bandaged one. And closes his eyes as well, a smile on his face, a smile full of love and trust and shakes his head slightly. "Nothing, I just, I love you so much."

Dazai's eyes open at Chuuya's confession and he brings his hands up to frame his face and he throws himself into the kiss. He wraps one arm around Chuuya's back and slightly lifts him up before moving him under Dazai, red curls spanning the arm of the couch. He cups Chuuya's face and kisses him lightly before attacking his neck in kisses as his hands roam the body under him. Dazai moves his mouth to whisper into Chuuya's ear with more emotion than he ever thought he possessed. "I love you, Chuuya." His lips lightly tug on Chuuya's ear lobe.

Chuuya moans and tears up at Dazai's confession, he never thought Dazai would say it aloud. He reaches his hands up to touch Dazai, something he only ever dreamed of doing. He ran his fingers everywhere he could touch from his position, loving the feel of Dazai above him. "Too many layers, Dazai," he said breathlessly.

Dazai slips off his coat and drops it to the floor, too preoccupied to focus on anything more than Chuuya. "Don't think you're getting past my bandages," Dazai's veiled threat didn't sound like a threat and Dazai couldn't form the thoughts that now began to scream at him. His body began shaking at the feeling of Chuuya's hands roaming over his shirt. He could feel the fire that lighted the path of Chuuya's hands even through the bandages. In a split second, his mind regained its structure and he was aware of the red flags his mind was throwing at him.

After years of following his mind and logic, he handed his body back over to his mind. Almost immediately, he leaned back on his knees, easily wiping all emotion off his face as a phone began to ring. After two rings, Dazai realized it was his phone. In his coat. That somehow managed to get on the floor. Reaching down, he picked it up and the name on the screen almost made his mind shatter its hold on his body.

Chuuya sat up looking to Dazai and leaned back on his hands to support himself, "Dazai. Who is it? Are you okay?"

Dazai reined in his emotions and gave a cheery smile to Chuuya. Knowing Chuuya knew nothing of the nature of the call, he could only imagine how Chuuya would react when Dazai would leave. Answering the call, he walked outside of the room.

"Dazai." The voice was amused even through the phone. Regardless of the humor leaking through his voice, he could also feel the power that radiated off the phone line.

"Nice to hear from you again, Mori." Dazai easily slid into his empty humor with the man.

"Have you thought through my proposition?" Dazai could practically see his red eyes narrow as his smile broadened.

"I have," Dazai took a small inhale of breath and continued. "I accept."

"I am glad to hear it. I look forward to seeing you within the hour." The line ended and Dazai shoved the phone in the deepest part of his coat pocket.

After a few minutes, he walked back in. Smiling softly to Chuuya, he hid his emotions. The older walked over to the couch and wrapped Chuuya's face in his hands before he gave a soft kiss. He leaned their foreheads together. "I have to go, it was a call from one of my partners and they need me at the agency." After a few moments, he leans back and offers a cheeky smile. "I'll miss you hat rack."

"I'll miss you too, Dazai, but it's not like we won't see each other soon, right?" A little bit of worry slipped through his voice as he spoke. He gave an unsure smile, trying to look confident "Besides, you're leaving me sexually frustrated here, I expect compensation!" He winked.

Dazai smiles a vicious smile before reaching into his pocket nonchalantly before wrapping around a dagger and releasing it so that it dug itself into the couch a mere few centimeters away from Chuuya's face. Watch your back, Chuuya. at with that, he spun on his heel and walked out, locking the door as he moved his hand away-hopefully Chuuya hadn't seen. Dazai still wanted to protect Chuuya-from everything, including himself. Locking the door was one small, almost insignificant step of protection he could give to Chuuya. He knew a lock wouldn't stop himself from walking back in, but he allowed it to fool his mind for the time being.

Taking a breath, he headed out of the apartment under the cloak of shadows and hailed a cab. Handing the address to the driver, he settled back in his seat before he arrived at the building where his purpose began - a purpose he had been running from.

Chuuya's P.O.V.

Chuuya looked at the dagger confused, something must have upset Dazai and even worse, he bit his lip "Dazai, you didn't answer me about coming back." He picked the dagger out of the couch - the couch that costed him a pretty penny, maybe Kouyou can fix it. He stood up, feeling foolish and unsure. He put on his coat and hat and decided to go to his favorite bar and get some wine. He needed to destress and take his mind off this. Dazai will be back and we'll resolve this together, I just need to give him some time. As he walked out the door he ran into a strange man, confused he stopped. "Sir, are you lost?"