the other side of paradise | bsd x gn!reader

nineteen.

With Atsushi entering the timeline soon, you're more on edge than ever. So of course, Dazai disappearing in the middle of this very important case is nerve-wracking. If this happened in the past, you would be worrying nonstop, but this time it's different. Maybe it's time. Maybe at this very moment, Dazai Osamu is floating along the river, moments away from being saved by a starving orphan.

Kunikida Doppo is two missed calls away from a full-blown break-down, as the bandaged detective does not pick up his fifty-sixth call. Only by the sixty-ninth one does Dazai respond. He doesn't pick up, but instead sends a cryptic text message, which makes your theory feel even more real.

'The river looks rather refreshing today'

You drag the fuming detective to the riverside hoping to stumble upon Dazai and Atsushi as fast as possible. Just in case, you take a warm coat along.

By the time you find the eccentric detective, the sun is already taking its last breaths. The previously bright blue sky is now turning a fiery orange and a bloody red, foreshadowing this world's future. The moon slowly peeks out of its hiding place, ready to take its place in the sky.

"Is this where you've been, you stupid oaf?!" Kunikida spots Dazai first, not noticing the tattered young man next to him.

"Oh, (Y/n) and Kunikida! Thanks for coming!" Dazai exclaims, pretending not to notice the blond's twitching eyelid. You pretend not to hear him and let him deal with the furious Kunikida Doppo all on his own. It's his fault, after all.

Instead, you set your eyes on the awkward young man standing next to him. Taking a closer look at him, it hits you just how awful he must have had it up until now. Wearing nothing but ripped dirty rags, Nakajima Atsushi shivers so slightly every time the evening breeze blows by. Depending on the way the cloth moves, you can spot some painful-looking bruises and wounds on his body. Oh dear. You don't remember him being in such a bad shape. This absolutely cannot be happening. Not on your watch.

Without any time to waste, you practically launch yourself into Atsushi's direction. He flinches out of reflect but freezes in shock when you wrap him in that coat you conveniently brought along.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you," you say with an apologetic smile, "but what on Earth are you wearing?! You looked so cold; I couldn't help myself. Are you feeling any better?"

His pale face flushes because of your closeness and he manages to stutter out a few words. "O-oh, thank you for your kindness... (Y/n), was it?"

"Yes! That's my name," you trail off while taking a few steps back. "What's yours?"

"Nakajima Atsushi...." His introduction is interrupted by a loud rumble. The grey-haired young man averts his eyes in embarrassment. His stomach had to let everyone present know just how hungry he is.

A loud giggle erupts from your left and you turn your head to find Dazai, not hiding his amusement at all. "We were just talking about how hungry we were. Well, Atsushi, what sort of food do you crave?"

"Um... Well... Some chazuke would be nice."

A deathly silence.

"Hahaha! A child merely inches from death, seeking a bowl of chazuke? So be it! I'd pay for it myself, but oh, what a tragedy! I seem to have lost my wallet while taking in the beautiful view down from the bridge!" A teasing glint creeps into Dazai's dark eyes, one that you've grown so fond of. The detective pouts and puts his fingers together. "Oh Kunikida, won't you treat us to a meal? Won't you treat poor hungry orphaned Atsushi to 30 bowls of chazuke? Look at the two of us! If we don't get fed soon, we might fall over and die! Starvation is absolutely not the way I'd like to die, it's one of the worst suicide methods, according to my book!"