As the world caves in [soukoku]

Chapter 3

Tw: implied od skip from * to *

Days passed by quickly and soon merged into weeks. They had fell into a calm routine at this point. Whoever wakes up first cooks breakfast, they would predominantly eat in silence wherever they want, then get ready for work, go to work, come home then drink till they pass out. On repeat everyday of every week.
*
Eventually 3months had passed. That's when it started to change. The Ada were out Celebrating their successful mission but Dazai had passed. His lean bandaged body rested lonesome on the art museum bench. He lifted his exhausted arm up and traced his finger across his painting, it was published under a different name though, the name of the one who first introduced him to art - Takeichi. When he returned to the apartment Chuuya was still out. Dazai stared at the bottles of pills in his hand. That night he drowned his feelings in every substance in the apartment.

Chuuya stumbled through the door into the bedroom. His tired body flopped down and he rested his head onto the soft pillow beneath him. Silence. 'Strange' he thought. He shut his eyes in attempt to sleep but for some reason something felt off. He couldn't put his finger on it. He stood and inhaled a shaky breath as his legs trembled more and more with each step. The smell of sick and booze suffocated him. Upon reaching the living room, Chuuya froze. Empty bottles and cans of pills and alcohol coated the floor. At the centre of it, laying in a pool of his own sick, was Dazai. His hear palpitated. He couldn't breathe. He ran over to him trying to wake him up however it was no use. If there was one thing Chuuya didn't miss about Dazai, it was this. The redhead carried the taller man to bed and began to clean up. He set a glass of water and a snack for incase he wakes up then called Fukuzawa to inform him neither of them will be in.

3 days. He was out for 3 days. A groggy moan escaped his lips as darkness became blurred light as he opened his eyes. His body ached as Nausia kicked in. Chuuya spent most the time awake by his side however he was currently in a deep sleep. A shred of regret shot through Dazai at the sight of Chuuya. Once his focus returned he stood and made his way to the kitchen. Chuuya woke drenched in sweat. Relief settled into his body when he saw Dazai standing. "Here eat this you probably need it." Dazai spoke softly passing the plate towards him.
*
"Are we Jsut going to ignore what happened?"

"Ideally yes but I don't think you will let that happen so no but not till after you have eaten and showered." Chuuya Jsut rolled his eyes and began to eat.

An hour later they had both eaten and were clean. Dazai explained what had happened and Chuuya nodded in acknowledgment. The conversation was short. A single tear slipped down each of their faces but they remained silent - their fingers grazing against each other for 30 minutes as they sat there. Dazai broke the silence by suggesting lunch and a movie. Chuuya made the food as Dazai got out all the blankets and pillows and set up for the movie. After they ate they began to catch up.

Chuuya found himself at a loss of words over Dazai's confession.

"You did what!?" He yelled as he dropped the box of chocolate pocky on the floor. "Fuck." The redhead picked it up then joined his partner on the worn-out sofa. They were sat a few inches apart facing each other. Confusion and joy lit up in Chuuya's eyes. If what Dazai was saying was true, he was slightly proud of him.

"I did a university course in the two years before I joined the ada. I'm serious I have the certificate to prove I completed it." He opened the vent above the sofa and pulled out a large envelope before lightly smacking it on Chuuya's head and letting go. Chuuya opened it and shock struck through his body like lightning. He was serious.

"Art major?" He queried.

"Yeh." Dazai replied; a soft smile plastered on his face. He had taken interest in art at a young age but never perused it... He was fascinated by the beauty of expression. How it can convey emotions and feelings in ways in which words cannot. The hidden meanings behind the surface. The small details you wouldn't notice at first glance. How even something so ugly and dull can be made into something that evokes enough emotion to make people cry and laugh. He admired every part of it. When he was younger, he would draw and paint at every opportunity he could. When he was younger, his peers would make fun of him for it, it took a while but he's finally reached a stage where he was confident in his ability before doing a the course.

"Can I see some of your work?" Dazai's pupils widened and his hand trembled slightly; so slightly most wouldn't even notice or give him second glance. Weary seeping through his body yet he hid it well. Chuuya observed the discrete changes though. Until those years, no one had shown interest in his art.

"Maybe some day." Chuuya didn't push And simply let a gentle smile grow.

"I can't wait."

"ON ANOTHER NOTE YOU FORGOT THE REST OF THE FOOD DUMBASS!!" And jsut like that the smile was gone.

"IM SORRY I WAS DISTRACTED!."

"I'll go get it." He began to walk towards the doorway.

"Hey Dazai." Dazai paused, one hand on the door frame. He looked back towards him. "Please stop. Stop taking the pills, stop drinking heavily everyday, stop acting impulsively, stop destroying yourself. Please."

"Chuu-"

"Let's make it a game. A challenge. A competition. You like those right?"

"Yeh?"

"I won't do it either. And we'll be here for eachother, like a support system you know? We'll see who does better. I bet I'll win."

"Fine. Challenge accepted. But you won't win." He didn't really want to it but he felt as though he owed Chuuya. He owed him to at least try. The thought of making Oda proud crossed his mind.

"Nope" Chuuya through a mud-brown squared pillow at the slender brunette.

"Yep" Dazai bounced back into the room with the pillow, placing it besides his old rival and leant down to Chuuya. The warmth of his breath lingering in Chuuya's ear. He was serious again. "Thank you." He whispered; taking one hand into his own and using the other to move any fringe away from his forehead. He gently placed his chapped lips into a kiss against his forehead. "For eveything." Immediately he jumped up and ran to the kitchen for food leaving Chuuya stunned. A safe and hot feeling expanded through his body and his heart fluttered slightly. Memories unlocked of their port mafia days. He hoped this time it would have a better ending. Today Dazai had shown a side of him which others don't see. Chuuya appreciated that. The last few days was something neither of them could ever forget. It was the changing point once again of their dynamic and neither of them knew what would follow next.

A/n: I'm aware that being extremely codependents so reliant on another on staying sober is unhealthy but that's the point, it is not to be romanticised.