One True Pairing (Dazatsu/Dazushi)

Chapter 80 - Thank you

A/N: Thank you so much for reading this fun little book! As this is the end, please read the notes at the end of the chapter, too!

About this final chapter: This was initially inspired by that one Wan! episode where we all got depressed because of that fireworks scene. But worry not- this one-shot is quite fluffy and hopeful! This is also the longest chapter as this isn't a 'shorts' or an 'OTP imagine,' but an actual chapter.

Enjoy reading!

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"Please, even as a joke, don't.. don't say you're just suddenly going to disappear."

The brown-haired man's hands clenched inside his coat's pockets—he just had to see this precious boy cry in front of him again. And this time, because of him.

"Atsushi-kun." He called, his voice low and soft. Too soft. Would the silver-haired boy with heterochromatic eyes watering even hear him calling out to him?

"I don't want you to die!" He yelled and finally covered his face, lowering his head.

The other man leaned his entire back on the wall of the alley, his dark brown eyes briefly shifting to the side where he could see the towering building of the Port Mafia.

He blinked his gaze back to Atsushi.

"Atsushi-kun." This time, his voice was louder. But what came from Atsushi next got him squinting and biting the corner of his lips.

Nearly a whisper if not a mumble, Atsushi's voice tried to come out of his system, only to fail him and crack at the first syllable.

"Please.."

The brown-eyed man looked down at his shoes and sighed silently before standing straight in front of the boy's hanging head held by his hands. He could clearly see how the boy was struggling to push his palms to his face, to his eyes, as if it'd get all the tears back inside his eyes. They won't—especially not when they've started drilling down from between Atsushi's fingers.

"I don't want Dazai-san to die." Again with the soft whisper followed by a heavy breath.

Dazai pouted slightly and tilted his head, "We're all going to die someday, you know."

"I know. But that's not what I meant!"

Ah, it's moments like these that really tug on Dazai. The two of them just fit perfectly like a pair of custom-made gloves, or two puzzle pieces only meant to stick to each other. Their wavelengths are in flawless sync. He could add joking around the serious times in an attempt to lighten up the mood, and Atsushi would either slap his shoulder, scold him and try to make a point while he gazed at Dazai fondly with a slight tug on his lips, or he would yell at Dazai, get mad or get flustered, and try to evade while secretly wanting to just squish his face.

"Then what is?" Dazai continued to poke around.

"You know what I mean!" Okay, so as he read the situation, it's pretty severe and fatal to Atsushi. "Don't joke your way around!"

And of course, he got yelled and scolded at.

"Ehh.." Was all the sound Dazai could muster as he refrained from adding another lighthearted remark.

Atsushi sobbed, and Dazai swore he might just rip the bottom of his pockets by how tight he stuck his nails deep inside at the sight he didn't want to see.

"It hurts, you know."

I know. Dazai wanted to say, but did he truly know? Did he know how much he meant to Atsushi? Rather, did Atsushi know? How much Dazai is hurting from the scars of his past, and now, hurting and even started fearing death just because of this boy right here?