When Chuuya woke up, he almost expected to be lying on the cold ground at the bottom of the crater he created. He knew Dazai — he had known him since being a teenager, and there's really no telling when Dazai's playfulness (Or laziness for that matter) would get the better of him.

It certainly wasn't unheard of, Dazai leaving him to the elements after a tough mission involving Corruption. The Guild battle was one such case, and the Dragonhead conflict another...

Come to think of it, why did I decided to go out with that bastard in the first place?

In any case Chuuya was already filled with dread when his eyelids flutter open, fully anticipating an excruciating limp through the cold night air back to some kind of hotel.

Thus it came as a pleasant surprise to him when he woke up in an airport lounge, his wounds reasonably cleaned, with dinner and expensive wine and a very worried Dazai waiting for him just to wake up.

Damn him for doubting his partner— Dazai is dead serious about this.

"How are you feeling, Chibi?"

"Should I be suspicious about this? Are these poisoned or something?"

Dazai pouted, "Should I be hurt that those are your first words after rescuing me from a crashing plane and seeing my gifts of gratitude?"

"Right, the plane—

"And before you ask, Chuuya, there were... casualties— less than it could have been of course. We all do our best. Most commercial pilots aren't experts, and I don't know if we could even expect a safe landing from an expert when there's a hole in the plane itself."

Over the years as Port Mafia, Chuuya wasn't unaccustomed to killing. But there are two kinds of deaths that set his innards on fire— those of his colleagues and those of bystanders.

Those rats he used to kill, they knew what they were getting into, dipping into underground traffic hardly is an easy thing, and once you were there, it's a matter of fighting for the best lot in life.

But those people on the plane...

If he hadn't blew a hole into the plane— or even know some aerodynamics to better place that hole... less people might have been killed.

Fewer families might have to grieve for relatives who will never return from a holiday or a business trip.

"Let's toast, Chuuya." Dazai's voice yanked him out of the revelry. A glass of fine wine was placed in front of him, and on the opposite side Dazai raised his glass in invitation. Was his hair gelled back to one side?

Chuuya needed more time to pull his thoughts together... but just this once, maybe, maybe he could leave all the thinking to his partner, as he had once been able to, and just enjoy living a little longer... and a little wine.

He raised his glass to Dazai's

"To a mission accomplished." Said his partner, a tender a smile touching his lips. "Well done, partner. Very well done."

Why does that smile make Chuuya's heart beat faster?

"To a mission accomplished." The redhead repeated, before downing the wine in one draught. He had to cover his face— or at least provide himself with the explanation that the red in his cheeks are from the wine.

Is this a date? Chuuya wondered,It can't be, right?

"Do you like the food, chibi?"

"...It's great, I guess. The wine's amazing and all..."

An apology gift. That's it. He's finally apologizing for the years of terrorizing me and playing with my emotions with a nice solid dinner— that's all!

"You know, Chuuya... I really like how the light reflects in your eyes— it shimmers, like the ocean. If I were to drown... I would want to drown in them."

Oh gods.

Chuuya's mind short-circuited for half a second. His brain is overheating.

People don't say that for apology dinners, do they? So... this is a date, after all? In an airport? Now, after Corruption? After almost dying in a plane crash?

Then his mind seemed to catch up with him,

Wait, what am I even wearing!? My hair, the torn clothes, the blood! I can't go on a date like this! It's totally not how I'd imagined — not that he ever dreamed about a romantic date with Dazai of course— But I'd at least like some warning thank you very much!

"You can just ask, Chuu~ya." Dazai saud with his trademark all-knowing grin. "I'll answer anything you want to know. It's a special night, after all!" Dazai said cheerfully, giving him an innocent slit-eyed grin.

Chuuya simply gave up.

"Argh! Alright! I'll ask!"

"Well...Is this a...is...is this a..." The redhead trailed off, burying his red cheeks in his hands. The mackerel's going to tease him to no end about this.

"A date?" Dazai said instead, saving him the embarrassment, "Yes, it is. Or... I hope so?" He raised and eyebrow at Chuuya, and for the first time the small mafia noticed the same blush coloring his partner's face.

Chuuya looked at the food, then at Dazai, then himself, and the only reply his tied tongue was capable of making was "Uh...sure.."

In hindsight, he had to admit— it was such a beautiful night.

_

It seems like all I am capable of doing these days is writing fluff. Next time would involve some attempt at plotting I promise!

Thanks for reading and for all the nice reviews :)