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Dazai 7!
Shuuji stood there in silence with a blade in his hands. His pale hands wrapped around the weapon as he held an emotionless expression. With eyes as dull as the chard sulfur left behind in a fireplace, he glanced at the object which held a person's life on its reflective surface. With a single jab, he could slice through the hollow string that dictates a person's heartbeat.
The man behind him only smiled--friendly at first glance, but sinister once you get to know the man's true nature. A nature with which Shuuji was unfortunately familiar.
Mori placed his hands on the young boy's thin shoulders tenderly.
Perhaps, he said something. Perhaps, he did not. Either way, the brunette refused to listen.
Ignorance is bliss; they say.
Yet, the boy was not ignorant. After being stripped away of his childhood and youth, the boy could no longer wander around with naivety.
Without any reluctance, the boy raised the weapon. Skillfully; too much so for his age, he whisked it down only for it to meet a person's rib cage. Piercing through their chest easily and reaching their internal organs. Not long after the body dropped to the ground with a lamenting thud.
The brunette hardly glanced at the body before another man came to drag it away.
Searching for any remorse in the boy's eyes, Mori's face contorted into a smile after seeing the emptiness the boy contained.
"Smile, Dazai-kun."
When did he start calling him that?
Shuuji---Dazai stared back at the man. Mori brought his hands to the boy's shoulders then to his bandaged face. Bringing them to the corners of his mouth, he lifted his hand to make the boy forcefully smile.
Even if the boy was truly happy, his eyes would not show it; Afterall,
he's no longer human.
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15!
Calmly awakening, Dazai Osamu woke after another night of terror. Because of his recurring nightmares--night after night, he chooses to rarely sleep. Because of this, his body was pushed through tiresome conditions running on barely any energy.
The brunette lifted himself from his bed in the shipping container. Dragging his sluggish weight through the door had never been harder. Perhaps he'll drown himself on the way there.
"Dazai-kun."
The man addressed him casually as the brunette entered.
The doctor spun around in his chair to face the boy.
For the boss of such an important organization; the man was rather untidy.
Dazai coolly let his hands whisk up a bottle of medicine.
'Do not intake in large doses if not prescribed by a doctor.'
Yawning, the boy filled a glass with water before plopping the pills into the glass.
From the other side of the room, the doctor spoke up.
"I believe you are aware of the current situation we are in."
Stirring the concoction, the brunette yawned again---while shaking his head. The doctor sighed, reprimanding him for not reading the files last night. After a briefing of the situation with the Sheep, Dazai sighed, "Yes, yes. I'll be on my way shortly."
Bringing the drink up to his lips, the doctor sent a scalpel his way.
Barely missing his face, it collided with the glass, sending it flying across the floor.
Shards ricocheted across the floor before Dazai picked himself up to exit the room.
As if nothing happened, Mori happily smiled. "Hirotsu will be accompanying you."
Too exhausted to audibly respond, Dazai waved his hands to show that he understood.
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A sharp pain met his back and shot down his arm as he glanced up at the boy who had just attacked him.
He felt pressure being placed on his shoulder, soon realizing that he was cornered.
It was a boy with annoyingly bright ginger hair and blue eyes.
Squinting at the figure he noted how incredibly beautiful this boy was.
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16!
Infuriated, Chuuya Nakahara marched his way through the separating crowd of mafiosos. Forming a line, they cleared a path as the ginger passed. They might as well quiver in their boots as they await to see who it was that infuriated the new executive of the port mafia.
Chuuya Nakahara; at the age of 15 was a former leader of an organization rivaling the mafia. Now, 16 years old, he has officially climbed the ladder of hierarchy and become an executive of the port mafias. Currently, he is the youngest person to be made an executive in port mafia history.
The guards are aware that the ginger has a history of being lenient on his subordinates. But they are also aware that he was well known for his unrivaled combat abilities.
As he walked, they could see the fury bubbling beneath the surface. His eyes gleamed with anger as he stomped up to none other than the demon prodigy, Dazai Osamu.
They had been partners for less than a year and despite that, their teamwork was unmatched. Best known as "Double Black" a duo that had taken down an entire organization in a single night. Based on their reputation there was no doubt that they could slaughter everyone on the scene for mere entertainment.
In a swift motion, a weapon was unsheathed. The blade cut through the air as gracefully as a white rabbit leaping through the snow. But as deadly as the fox who stalks the same rabbit.
The blade, held parallel to his neck, pricked the brunette just beneath the throat.
Without any context, the ginger gut-punched the demo prodigy, successfully causing the man to double over. The shocked audience flinched as they pondered which side they should take. Would they be willing to offend the new executive for their boss? In the end, the mafiosos decided that it'd be in their favor to watch as of right now. Though admittedly, they never liked Dazai much.
The demon prodigy was cruel in all meanings of the word. It was known throughout the whole mafia. His underlings have always come back with broken bones and bruises whenever he was in a bad mood. However, this much was expected. After all, how well behaved can a child be after being raised by Mori, of all people?
Chuuya, now peering down on his partners wordlessly glowered down at the brunette; an unusual sight, for the ginger was a man of many words--loud ones. Not to mention, the ginger wasn't on the tall side, therefore could hardly peer down on anyone most of the time.
Shuffling to a kneeling position, the demon prodigy held a blank expression which then curls into a sly smile.
"Got anything to say for yourself, Osamu?"
"Sorry, sorry. The chibi must've suffered last night."
The brunette slipped his hand onto the one holding the knife, pressuring it to press deeper into his skin.
The ginger's gaze did not falter; eyes chilling the air with their icy gaze.
"My advice; sleep with your eyes open, bastard."
The ginger spits the words out with venom before yanking his hand from the demon prodigy's grasp. Yet again, the swift motion allowed the gleam of the murderous weapon to cut through the air.
With their hairs standing up upon what had just occurred, the audience straightened their backs as they parted to the side once again in fear of the ginger executive.
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19!
Dazai lay on a beaten-up couch. He was currently living with Taneda---staying low to clear his criminal records.
One thing he realized after a month of staying indoors was how boring it was. He mainly spends his time finding cool ways to commit suicide. And singing---he developed the hobby upon realizing his inborn vocal talent.
Unfortunately, he never got to go through with any of the suicide attempts ( visibly, as he was still alive) due to Taneda's supervision.
Considering that he was currently leeching off the other, he needed to stay on the man's good side.
Annoy the officer, and he'll earn himself a sentence of 300 years for his crimes. He shuddered at the thought.
Dazai could barely deal with 1 more year of solitary confinement.
Groaning as he sat up. Over the years, he didn't even have the luxury of going outside. Due to this, he had grown a lot less fit.
At least he was eating properly( due to Taneda's influence), currently, he was at a much healthier weight.
Back in the port mafia, he had lived in a trailer. The only person making sure he was eating properly was Oda--who always cooked extra in case Dazai wanted to stay over at his place.
Dazai pondered it for a bit. Chuuya also did something similar--without the heartwarming bit.
Once the ginger had found out the boy was living in a trailer without any heat installation--he dragged the boy to his apartment. At the time, it was only an apartment---not the million-dollar penthouse the chibi currently has. (Seriously, who needs that kind of view? Dazai was certain that the freckled-face bastard just wants to peer down at the world in his pish posh penthouse just because he can't afford a couple more inches. It also doesn't sit well with him that the chibi--who was a pain in the ankles was succeeding---despite being---a pain in the ankles---did he say that already?) (Deep breaths, Dazai. Deep breaths. Be the bigger person...
hah.)
Chuuya's take on Dazai's eating habits was, "Feed yourself, you dumb fuck."
Despite the harsh tone, Dazai secretly----very discreetly appreciated it.
Still laying down, the brunette scrolled through the channels they had available on the TV. Yawning he fished for the phone in his pocket.
Dazai was allowed to have his phone after proving that he was trustworthy to Taneda. This took six months.
Considering how hard it was to get a phone, Dazai had to abide by the rules---strange behavior coming from a former port mafia executive.
He perked up upon seeing a hidden file. It was labeled, "happy fucking birthday, mackerel."
Blinking, he knew exactly who this came from.
June 19
Clicking on the file, he was greeted by a dorky redhead. The very person he thought was the most beautiful creature he had ever laid eyes upon, four years ago. A lot of things have changed. Some didn't. Guess what did and what didn't.
The person gave a goofy grin as he balanced the camera on a table.
He remembered that he was on a mission while the other half of double black was taking a break at their hideout.
Dazai chuckled upon realizing that this is what Chuuya was doing while he could've been enjoying his break.
"Guess what, vagabond?"
The camera faced downwards at a well-decorated cake with the 18 candles on it.
"I was told it was your birthday. So happy birthday, fucker."
The camera returned to the ginger.
"You're finally 18 now too. How does it feel to be legally an adult? Even if you're mentally a 90-year-old?"
The ginger had this ridiculous hat on instead of his usual one. It was a cone-shaped happy birthday hat.
Dazai smiled at the sight.
"I'm here with a reminder that I'll get to drink alcohol earlier than you."
Compared to the other things they had done, it was stupefying how Chuuya thought drinking alcohol was a big deal.
The video continues playing.
Chuuya lit the candle before closing the light. "Alright, per tradition it's time to sing the song."
Dazai remembered Chuuya breaking down when Dazai sang the song to him on his birthday.
Apparently, he recognized the tune and melody from his time in the laboratory. He had said that one of his friends---part of project C.H.A.O.S had sung it to him.
"Happy birthday to you~"
Chuuya was never a great singer. But it was endearing how hard he was trying.
It was also unsurprising how it became the best thing the brunette has ever heard. He will continue replaying this in his earbuds for years to come.
"Happy birthday to you~"
"Happy birthday, dear Dazai~"
"Happy birthday to you."
Clapping his hand together at the candle's light flicker.
"Make a wish, mackerel."
Despite it not being his birthday anymore, the brunette made a wish. It felt too surreal. As if he was really sitting in front of Chuuya on his birthday.
The ginger had this naive and blissful smile on his face. "Done?"
Chuuya blew out the candle. "Alright. See you when you get back."
With that, the ginger got up from his seat. "Hurry up or I'll eat your cake."
The video ended.
Now, Dazai never got to go back and share the cake with Chuuya. Why? Because he had already left.
He had left the ginger at the hideout wondering when his partner would come back.
Yet again, Dazai was left pondering whether leaving the mafia was a mistake.
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Chuuya 20!
"Maybe it's time for you to get a new partner too."
Chuuya scoffed as he threw the paper in his hand aside.
"I'm not that fucking petty."
Tachihara frowned. "I'm not good at this emotional support stuff, but I'm pretty sure he's the one being petty."
Chuuya felt agitation creep its way through his skin. "Just drop it. Okay?"
He swiftly turned around to avoid facing the other redhead.
Tachihara stared at him with worry. Silence pierced through the air before the petit mafia heaved a sigh.
"I really need a drink."
Tachihara reached out his hand to say something before being cut off by the executive. "Alone."
Persistent, the black lizard member silently protested.
"Please."
Without any other words, the executive walked off leaving the other redhead alone in the alley.
Reaching down, he picked up the picture the ginger had dropped. Eyebrows furrowing at the two figures present. Former executive Dazai Osamu had his arm slung around a tall man with blonde hair and glasses.
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22!
"You know, Chuuya. My new partner is better than you by a mile."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Dazai felt his heart drop. How will the ginger react?
Surprisingly, there was no reaction. Silence chilled the air where they used to argue.
Differing from the usual fight they'd be having, the executive allowed the word to fall flat on his tongue.
Not having the heart to look at the ginger, Dazai lifted himself from the ground. For such a heart-wrenching moment, the night sky glitters beautifully like a flurry of jewels. The stars seem to romanticize the moment as both of them drift further and further away.
The word wasn't meant to hurt. Coming from anyone else's mouth they wouldn't have.
Chuuya told himself that he never cared about Dazai. After all, this was the man that he hated ever since they first met.
However, the brunette devalued his existence and the memories in which they shared. Even the not-so-intimate moments. Even at the moment in which they wanted nothing more than to strangle the other, Chuuya couldn't help but feel a choked tear rise from his throat. His eyes throbbed as they threatened to overflow with tears.
Staring at the shoulder of the man who caused this pain, Chuuya pushed down his emotions and bit back the tears.
It was no use showing weakness to him. The figure stood coldly in front of him, not sparing a glance back.
Chuuya cursed himself.
"Whatever."
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23!
They leaped from the building, sure that this was the end. They had left for the mission 30 minutes ago. Who would've thought they'd meet their demise so soon? After all, 30 minutes ago, they were bickering as they have done for 8 years, and now they were falling to their death as the world threatened to cut their hands apart using a strong gust of wind.
Pulling the other close, they burrowed in each other's dissipating warmth.
It was at this moment of death did they feel the closest.
They envisioned a beautiful sunset knowing that they will never get to see one again.
They thought of the beautiful glittering sky they would presumably fall into.
Before they fell, they looked at each other with sullen expressions.
"I guess this is it, huh?"
Chuuya scoffed---never taking his eyes off the bandaged brunette.
"I guess you're getting what you wanted."
Dazai grinned. "I never thought I'd be committing double suicide with the chibi."
The ginger felt tears well up in his eyes, and it wasn't because of the wind.
The brunette lends his hand out. "Don't you want to live?"
He asked this despite knowing the answer.
"Want me to be honest?"
The ginger took his hand. "Not without you."
Pulling each other closer, "Goodbye for now."
Nodding, the brunette whispered, gently tempting the other to the edge.
"Let's be together."
Maybe this was the only way to be with him, he thought. Dazai was always away. Always looking at a world only he could see. It's always as if he wasn't in the world of the living.
Never had he thought he'd succumb to gravity. That his life would be taken by the very thing he prided himself on being able to control.
Wrapped in the skin-cutting air, they ripped through the night like an arrow. Diving for the ground while melting into each other's embrace for dear life---ironic.
Chuuya had no words to describe the moment except for beautiful.
He supposed that's how
he
always wanted to go.
Quick yet beautiful.
Ecstatic for the end, we brace ourselves as we are soon to meet the ground.