Work Text
Chuuya’s eyes were heavy.
Yes this was a bad thing, given that his job was literally to be alert so he could note when people were in danger and keep them safe but it was fine. And anyway it had been a long shift and a lot had happened.
First one of the pumps in the pump room had broken and the water level in the pool dropped a foot and a half. Higuchi, Kouyou’s new trainee, had been frantically trying to get it to work again and it wasn’t until Kouyou came in for her shift. Higuchi had been damn near in tears as Kouyou calmly explained what the mistake was and how to fix it next time.
Then it was discovered that no one had done chores the past two days and their list had just been growing. And since Chuuya was on a shift with Kaji and Tachihara, who were allergic to doing any actual work, he had to do most of the chores. Around all that he hadn’t gotten a chance to eat anything and hadn’t drank much water either. Combine that with the fact that the HVAC system in the facility didn’t work, making the pool rooms stifling hot, Chuuya was feeling a little woozy.
But it would be fine. He didn’t have much longer of this up or his shift. He was going to be switched out soon. They were due for a rotation in 5 minutes. Chuuya sucked in a deep breath and shook out his limbs a bit.
The five minutes came and went. Then five more. And five more after that. If Chuuya had more energy he would have been annoyed.
When Tachihara finally came by he at least had the decency to look apologetic.
“Sorry. You know Kaji.”
“You’re fine man,” insisted Chuuya. “Thanks.”
Chuuya finally stumbled away, trying to walk in a straight line. The world was growing a little fuzzy at the edges. It got like that sometimes but Chuuya wasn’t sure if this was normal or worse. It was fine, he could see the guard office door now.
Chuuya pushed the door open and the world fell to black.
********
Kouyou sighed heavily and sat back down. She yanked her phone out of her pocket and started scrolling through the list of chores they had to do. She had just finished dragging Kaji out of one of the chemical barrels so he could actually work his shift. She hated working as a headguard for just this reason. Sure paperwork was tedious but at least it wasn’t having to keep Tachihara and Kaji under control.
Higuchi walked back into the office, dripping wet from lessons. She had spent most of the morning apologizing for not resetting the pumps properly and Kouyou kept waving her off. Higuchi grabbed her towel and wrapped it around herself before sitting in one of the plastic chairs.
Kouyou walked to the whiteboard and started crossing out chores. She had started assigning specific people to the chores. Once that was completed she left to go to 2 o’clock chems.
On her way to the pump room she saw Chuuya come down from stand and walk to the guard office. He seemed a little out of it, expression a little dazed. Kouyou didn’t comment on it, just let him go.
The pump room was reeked of chemicals, another reason she didn’t like being a headguard. Still, she started prepping the chem tests. It was too loud in here, she couldn’t hear when people entered. She also couldn’t hear when Higuchi let out a shout from the guard room.
It wasn’t until Kouyou was walking to the activity pool when she saw Chuuya, lying limp in the doorway.
Kouyou dropped what she was doing and ran over. Higuchi was already beside him, taking vitals.
“His heartbeat and breathing are fine,” she stammered out. “But he c-collapsed.”
“Help me move him into the guard room,” instructed Kouyou.
Together the pair were able to get him inside so Kouyou could take a closer look.
“He’s burning up,” she commented, feeling the heat radiating off his skin. “We need to cool him down.”
Higuchi found the remote for the small air conditioning unit in the guard room and cranked it up. Kouyou found Chuuya’s water bottle, all but untouched in his small locker, and brought it over.
“Should we call EMTs?” asked Higuchi.
“If he doesn’t wake up within the next few minutes, yes. At the very least I need to call his boyfriend.”
Kouyou clicked her phone open and handed it to Higuchi. She pressed a hand to Chuuya’s forehead before trying to rouse him.
“Call ‘Ma Reine’” she instructed.
Higuchi found the number and dialed it. After four rings the person picked up. Higuchi switched the phone to speaker and held it out so Kouyou could hear.
“Yosano here.”
“His boyfriend’s name is Yosano?” blurted Higuchi before she could think better of it. Thankfully, Kouyou didn’t seem to be annoyed, just worried about Chuuya.
“No. She is the only person I know who has his boyfriend’s number.”
“You don’t have his boyfriend’s number?” Higuchi knew that Kouyou and Chuuya were close outside of work. It wouldn’t be a stretch for her to have Chuuya’s boyfriend’s number.
Kouyou scoffed. “Of course I don’t. I don’t need that little freak to have my phone number.”
“Hello? Kouyou?” asked the voice on the phone.
“Yes Yosano,” said Kouyou. “Can you phone Dazai? Tell him there was an incident down at the center and I need him to get his boyfriend.”
“Chuuya? What happened?”
At that moment, Chuuya groaned and his eyes fluttered.
“I’m not sure yet. Just get him over here. It doesn’t look life threatening.”
“‘Kay got it. Bye.”
“Bye.”
They hung up and Kouyou poked her head above Chuuya’s.
“Hey Chuuya,” she said gently. “Can you see me?”
Chuuya blinked some more.
“Yeah… What happened? Where am I?” Chuuya’s voice was a little more slurred but other than that he looked okay.
“In the guard office dear. It looks like you passed out. Have you eaten or drank anything today?”
Chuuya guiltily shook his head. Kouyou huffed.
“Do you want to sit up?”
Chuuya nodded again. Both Kouyou and Higuchi tried to ease him up. They could only get him into a half seated position before his head started dropping. Kouyou picked up his water.
“Here, drink a little,” she insisted. Chuuya took the bottle and dutifully took a few sips. “You better get better. Your boyfriend is on his way.”
Chuuya’s eyes went as wide as saucers.
“What- I… Kou- What do you mean Dazai is coming?”
“Well you aren’t finishing your shift if you passed out on the job.” Chuuya looked like he wanted to argue but had more important things to care about.
“Do not tell Dazai about this Ane-san. Please? I’m going to tell him… Shit I don’t know I’m coming down with the flu, not that I passed out.”
“You want me to lie to your boyfriend?” she asked.
“Yes, about this yes.”
“Is this because you haven’t eaten or drank anything today?” she countered.
Chuuya’s uncomfortable silence said everything she needed to know. Her glare sharpened.
“He’s already on his way.”
********
Dazai had been flirting with the idea of going shopping when Yosano called him. He had been on edge from the first moment her name tracked across his screen. She didn’t usually call him, especially outside of the Agency. It was always just a text with an address, a time, and a question mark.
“Hello Yosano, we haven’t talked in forever.” It was a lie, they had seen each other that morning. “What can I do for you?”
“I just got off the phone with Kouyou. Something happened to Chuuya.”
Before Dazai would realize what was going on, he grabbed his keys off the counter and started his car.
“What do you mean?” he asked, fighting hard to keep his voice even.
“I’m not sure. Something happened to him at work.”
“Alright, thank you Yosano. You can tell her I’ll be there in five,” he said before hanging up. He started the car and drove down to the center as fast as possible. His apartment was technically ten minutes away but not when Chuuya was hurt.
His shoes bit into the pavement as he ran through the doors of the center. The machine beeped as Dazai scanned his pass(no he didn’t like swimming or working out but he came to see Chuuya enough at work that it was just better to get a membership).
Three turns and Dazai was in the main room for the pool and jogging over to the guard room. He practically smashed the door open.
“What happened?” asked Dazai, voice loud. “Is he okay?”
Higuchi and Kouyou looked up at him, Higuchi in the corner with her lesson sheet and Kouyou sitting against one wall. Chuuya was sitting on the floor near her, sipping from his water bottle. He looked up meekly at Dazai. Guilt was written in every angle of his face.
“Hey Dazai,” said Chuuya softly. Dazai noticed the paler than usual complexion and the bags under his eyes. That and the fact that the guard room was freezing.
“What happened?” asked Dazai, walking over to Chuuya. “Yosano said something happened to you, what is it?”
“It’s nothing really,” murmured Chuuya. “I just-”
“He forgot to eat or drink anything today and just kept running around and doing things. The heat and everything else got to him and he passed out.”
Chuuya stared, horrified at Kouyou. Kouyou didn’t even spare a glance at him.
“He’s already excused for the rest of the day.”
“Ane-san!”
“Clock out and go home, Chuuya. As your boss, I don’t need you passing out on me again, that’s not helpful for an employee. As a friend, go take care of yourself.” Chuuya opened his mouth to argue but Kouyou interrupted. “Go!”
Chuuya huffed and glanced up. Dazai stood over Chuuya, hands extended. Chuuya accepted the hand and let Dazai pull him to his feet.
“Dazai I–”
Chuuya’s voice fell away when Dazai scooped Chuuya into his arms. Chuuya’s arms latched around Dazai’s neck, momentum making his terrified he would go tumbling to the ground.
“Dazai!” yelped Chuuya.
Dazai pressed a kiss to Chuuya’s head and Chuuya realized he was now being carried bridal style by his boyfriend. It was almost cute if it wasn’t absolutely mortifying. Unfortunately, Chuuya was too terrified of Dazai dropping him and snapping his neck to fight him.Chuuya tightened his arms around Dazai’s neck.
“What do you think you’re doing?” he stammered.
“Taking chibi home. If you are going to faint like a princess, I’m going to carry you like one.” The words would have felt a lot harsher if they weren’t said in Dazai’s usual playful tone and followed by Dazai nuzzling his cheek.
Kouyou stood up and opened the door so Dazai could carry Chuuya out.
“You ass put me down!” he snapped. “I work here, what are you doing!”
After a moment, Chuuya fought less and less. Dazai noticed the slightly labored breathing and the unfocused eyes. Chuuya was still pretty out of it and dizzy.
“Next time Chuuya will take better care of himself,” Dazai hummed. “Then this won’t happen.”
Realizing he wasn’t getting anywhere, Chuuya sank into Dazai’s arms and tried to cover his face. Humiliation was still burning his cheeks, even if most of these people knew Dazai and his antics.
Dazai carried Chuuya outside and back to his small, beat up car, and dumped the red-head in the passenger seat.
“I can’t believe you too,” hissed Chuuya.
“Just don’t pass out again before we get home.”
The ride home took a little longer than the ride there because Dazai did not want to push his luck with being pulled over. Chuuya leaned on the window, still sipping his water. He was able to relax a little more when he realized Dazai wasn’t going to lecture him.
“Sorry for pulling you out of your day off,” murmured Chuuya. “I could have finished my shift.”
“It’s okay Chuuya,” said Dazai. “I was dying of loneliness and boredom without chibiiiii.”
“You’re so full of shit,” muttered Chuuya.
“I just wish it was under better circumstances.”
Chuuya winced. “Sorry. I should be setting a better example.” It wasn’t too long ago that Dazai would do the same thing, refusing to eat and passing out far too often. Chuuya had put in an enormous amount of effort to try to help Dazai build good habits. And here he was, a hypocrite.
“It’s okay Chuuya, it happens sometimes. I just want you to be okay.”
Chuuya tried to hide the blush that spread across his cheeks. It was quite annoying how Dazai could catch him off guard with just a few words.
They got up to their apartment fairly easily, Chuuya walking but still a little shaky. As soon as they got inside, Dazai shoved Chuuya toward their bedroom.
“Oi stop,” snapped Chuuya as he tumbled onto their bed. “I need to change first!”
Dazai went to his dresser and found a hoodie and a pair of pj shorts. He then sat down behind Chuuya and helped Chuuya pull the top of his lifeguard uniform off over his head, pressing kisses to the back of Chuuya’s neck. Then he helped Chuuya slip the hoodie on. Chuuya huffed at the ridiculousness of his boyfriend before slipping the shorts on too. Then he leaned back against Dazai who wrapped his arms around Chuuya.
“Sorry about today,” said Chuuya, again. “I just got distracted and forgot I swear.”
“I know. Just got a little worried, that's all.” Dazai perked up. “Plus now I get an excuse to pamper Chuuya.”
“And what? Set the kitchen on fire again?” Chuuya snorted. Dazai had the gall to try to look offended.
“That was one time and it wasn’t my fault!”
Chuuya continued to laugh until Dazai yanked him backward. They both rolled onto the bed laughing as they went.
Dazai curled himself around Chuuya, clutching tight.
“Eh Dazai, it’s the middle of the day! Why are we in bed?”
“Because chibi is tiredddddddd.”
“And you didn’t get to cuddle me enough this morning because I had work.” Dazai nodded against Chuuya’s back. “You damn menace. Come on, I’m hungry, let's find something to eat.”
Dazai whined and complained as Chuuya dragged himself up. They both walked to the kitchen, Dazai annoying him the entire time Chuuya tried to find something to eat. They were eventually able to settle down onto the couch to eat and watch some trashy movies, with endings that made Chuuya yell at the tv.
All in all, not such a bad end to the day.