Red; Blood and Love | Dazai X Reader

Closer

Dazai slowly lifted his body from the comfort of the bed. Grabbing his phone to silence the ringing. Seeing Kunikida pop up he almost declined to answer. Slowly, he groaned and answered the call. There was silence, most likely induced from the other end's shock when Dazai picked the phone up. "Good morning Kunikida-kun!" Dazai hummed trying to erase the sleep from his voice.

"Don't tell me... you just woke up! It's one in the afternoon Dazai!" Dazai glanced around at the clock blinking rapidly.

"Ah, my bad!" Dazai hummed before a grumble faded into his ears. Looking back, Dazai tilted his head, sighing. "Did I wake you?"

Y/n rubbed their eyes looking towards the brunette. "Nuh-uh, I've been awake for a bit... just sleepy." Dazai smiled lightly, nodding his head.

"Oi, Don't go dragging the kid into your bad habits, Dazai!" The brunette rolled his eyes. The kid probably didn't want to bother him later into the night, a bad dream maybe? Either way, they ended up seeking comfort, he'd have enjoyed it if they woke him up. He couldn't blame them for not trying to get his help though. Dazai slid from the room moving to the kitchen before his face went serious.

"They aged up again. I might not be in for a while, I'll see if I can get them to go, but I doubt it. They are from an abusive home, so I can only imagine meeting new people is a bit complicated for them at the moment." Dazai didn't bother letting Kunikida reply, hanging up as the kid came out of the room dressed in suitable daily clothes. Dazai put a welcoming smile over his lips as he walked to the kitchen pulling out the cereal. "I'm not the best cook, so I hope cereal is alright."

"It's fine." Dazai frowned with their small response as he sat down with bowls, milk, and cereal.

"How do you feel about going with me to work? All the people there are far better than I could ever be. There is a boy who's also been through some pain comparable to your own. He's a little older, but the two of you could be good friends." Dazai watched them with a close eye, when they didn't respond, he continued to wait for a while.

"Okay." Once more, Dazai found himself sighing. It hurt to see them like this, for reasons he couldn't explain. To imagine this had once been the person he knew was odd. He'd always known them as outgoing and kind, different from others.

"Alright, take your time eating." The child stared at their bowl, slowly making the move to eat. Dazai encouraged it with a smile and nod. They took a hesitant bite before scarfing it all down.

~

The trek to the agency wasn't as light-hearted as the past weeks had been. This version of Y/n was quiet, stuck to him like they had been glued to him. He led them to the agency doors and tried to see if they would do anything on their own, which they didn't. Staying still and looking for guidance. Dazai smiled, trying to keep the bitterness from the smile. He ushered them towards the work area where everybody sat writing things down. Dazai took a seat at his desk before glancing at Kunikida. He was the only one to truly worry about, simply because he raised his voice often. "Dazai... Who's everybody." Dazai was pleased to answer, relieved they had said something longer than two words.

Dazai went along, pointing to each member giving them their names. "And that's Atsushi, he's the one I said could sympathize with you. Do you want to talk to him?" Y/n nodded their head, walking over to the male with nervous steps.

Approaching the white-haired male, they avoided eye contact with a small smile. "H-hi..." Atushi looked up from his work with a smile.

"Hello!" Atsushi waved his hand slowly. The agency had already been informed by Kunikida about the growth. "What's your name?"

"I'm Y/n and I believe you're um Atsushi right?" Their eyes didn't rise to meet the boys, but Atushi understood it wasn't rudeness they showed.

"Yeah, that's me." It didn't help much that he was awkward when meeting new people. Easily flustered and on the shyer side with most people.

"Dazai-san told me you and I would get along so um nice to meet you." They glanced from the floor for a split second, their eyes glimmering with a slight hope at a friend.

"Ah yes! Uh, nice to meet you at Y/n-Chan!" Atsushi smiled, hoping to make the atmosphere more welcoming for the younger child. "D-do you have a favorite animal? Oh uh, you can pull a chair over to sit if you'd like!" Y/n cracked a small smile nodding as they dragged over a chair sitting down as they thought.

"I guess I really like any animal, as long as it isn't violent." Atsushi nodded, rummaging around his desk for a pencil.

"Ah well, I really like cats!" Y/n nodded watching his hands rummage around the papers scattered around the desk.

"Here," they grabbed a pencil, barely sticking out from a paper, handing it to him.

"Oh, thank you!" Atsushi smiled, taking it from them as he began to mark things on a sheet of paper.

They sat in silence for a bit before Atsushi picked the conversation up again. They continued like this for the rest of the day, standing around one another and chatting, slowly allowing the child to feel surrounded by safe security.

The lights of the day dimmed down, spreading blankets of warmth about the sky. They stood watching the colors, a small smile over their lips. Dazai stood behind them, keeping still as to not startle the child in front of him. Something about the atmosphere had been growing dimmer with the passing day. "Just a bit longer..." Dazai glanced from the sky to the child, tilting his head slightly.

"Longer till what?" Dazai moved closer to the child leaning against the wall, no longer viewing the sky.

"Dazai-san, I'm several years ahead of where I should be, aren't I?" Dazai's eyes flew wide, a skip in the beating of his heart.

"You've always been observant..."

"It's you that gave it away. You act too familiar with me, knowing exactly how far to stand back. My older self is close to you, right?" Dazai sighed, shaking his head, his eyes trailing to the floor.

"No, we were, but not anymore... I did something for you in the future. I hurt them when I promised I'd never do such a thing." Y/n's eyes peeled from the sky to look at Dazai, the shrunken posture and the distant look in the eyes pained their heart.

"Can we go home? I'm tired, Dazai." The brunette nodded his head, extending his hand out for the child who grasped it in their hand with a smile.