Soukoku ~short story~ DazaixChuuya

Reunion

Sometime Later

Chuuya stands at the top of the stairs, staring down into the cold, cement basement of the Port Mafia's base. He can't see him yet, but he knows Dazai is chained up against the far wall. Mori had said they'd captured the mafia-member turned traitor, but Chuuya knows better, knows Dazai has likely let himself get caught. But why? A faint part of Chuuya's mind hopes that it is for him, but knows better than to let that thought fully form. It's not for me. Why then?  He could march down and demand an answer, but there is little chance Dazai is going to straight-up tell him.

He knows his former partner is now a member of the Armed Detective Agency, knows he has a new partner- a small white-haired boy Chuuya can't help but despise. Just thinking of the tall brunette fucking around, bickering with someone else, makes his insides boil. What am I going to say to him?.... Chuuya sighs, frustrated with himself. "What the hell am I so nervous about, I've known this dumb bastard forever," he grumbles to himself, mustering the courage to take the first step down the stairs.

But Chuuya knows why- so much time has passed and his heart still aches. All the time they'd spent apart has been a blur as he buried himself in mafia assignments and women. What will it be like to see him again? He's afraid of the renewed pain that is coming.

Tap, Tap. His dress shoes tap against the cement stairs as he descended. His stomach curls into itself, nerves making him feel nauseous. He holds his breath as he sees his former partner's shoes come into view, then his long legs, his coat tail, his bandaged torso, his doll-like face, his hands which are chained above his head.

"Chuuyaaa, long time no see buddy," Dazai smirks. Chuuya relaxes slightly, relieved that the other boy is sticking to their old routines.

"Hey asshole," the ginger retorts, making his way slowly across the cold room until he is standing only a foot away from Dazai.

Despite being chained up, Dazai looks as calm as ever- a playful light dancing in his eyes, his brown locks messily swooshed around his face- he hasn't changed at all.

"Being captured by my former employer. What a way to run into you again after all this time, don't you think?" Dazai smiles, flashing his white teeth at Chuuya, making his ginger-heart flip. He wants to throw himself into the tall man's body but holds back, unsure if by throwing himself he means with a punch or a hug.

"You can't fool me Dazai, you let yourself get caught. Though, I admit I haven't figured out why yet." Chuuya returns a smile, trying to hide his nerves. "Not that it really matters. I only came down here to beat the shit out of you- I've been waiting a long time for a chance like this," Chuuya purred.

It's the truth. The desire has been eating at him since he'd woken up alone in that motel. Dazai had put in the effort to clean him off and tuck him in but hadn't bothered to say goodbye. Chuuya both hated that and was thankful for it. I'd just have broken down and embarrassed myself if he'd said goodbye.

"Oh no, I'm sooo scared," Dazai teases, pretending an escape attempt, rattling the chains around his wrists noisily.

Chuuya smirks and sends his knife flying at the brunette, aiming it just so that it scratched his left cheekbone. "Don't tease me asshole, I've always been better than you in combat."

"Right you are, Chuuya. So if you absolutely must know, I let myself get captured so that I could find out more about Astushi's capture."

Chuuya scoffs in an attempt to hide the pain he feels entering his chest. His new partner? That's why he's here? "That's nice, but like I said, that's not why I came," Chuuya growled.

The ginger boy is hiding it well, but Dazai can tell he was off his game.

Still, Chuuya is as fast as ever, landing a punch in the brunette's stomach before he can even see it coming. Dazai coughs, hunching over as much as the chains allow, only to be kicked in the back of the head by the small foot of his ex-partner. Chuuya grabs Dazai's bandaged neck, pinning him back against the wall, their bodies nearly chest-to-chest.