Little Doll (Mafia!Dazai x reader)

(C. 9) The Offer

A/n: Okay y'all, I have this whole story mapped out now which is exciting. It's probably going to end up being about 31 chapters and then I'm considering doing a sequel for when they're grown folk (this story will end around the time they're eighteen). Also: TW!!!! lots of discussion about weight and malnutrition in this chapter!!! it is loosely inspired by the book Gather the Daughters in which one of the characters starves herself to stop from growing up/hitting puberty which feels like something Mori would do to someone (why I included it). I do not want anyone to read this and have food/body issues so there will be a summary at the end for those who do not wish to read the descriptions (and markers as to where they stop and end).

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START

They had carried on like that until around midnight when Y/n had finally succumbed to sleep. Dazai followed his orders. Staying awake the whole night, he guarded his charge. Of course, he'd brought a book but one can only read for so long when under the grips of exhaustion and by four in the morning, Dazai found himself quite distracted.

His book sat abandoned on his lap, open to the page he had been reading last. His gaze was fixed on Y/n. She shifted in bed, rolling off her back and onto her side. In sleep, he could tell how truly malnourished she was. Her arms were like twigs and above the neckline of her hospital gown, he could see the top of her ribcage. Her collar bones jutted out like knives. Moving a lot in her sleep, Dazai assumed her bony nature made staying in any one position for an extended period of time uncomfortable.

When she was done up in petticoats and high collars, her skeletal nature was much less visible. It simply made her look young. Even when Dazai had seen her in pajamas before, the loose fit of her nightdress had hidden the true nature of her being. She hurt to look at, laying thin on the bed. If he had imagined death personified, it would have looked like Y/n did now.

Her cheeks were warm however, and that made him somewhat happy. It was strange for Dazai to comprehend, let alone admit, but there was something very satisfying at knowing Y/n's stomach was full for once and that it was his fault. That his own actions had given her at least a day or two where she didn't have to face what was probably a constant hunger.

END
(summary: dazai is watching her sleep and noticing that she is in worse condition than he thought and finds himself confused at his slight joy in having forced mori into feeding her)

By the time Mori came to relieve Dazai of his duty, the sun was up. His boss looked as tired as Dazai felt, dark circles lining his lower eyelids.

"Was she well behaved?" Mori asked as he reached Dazai's side. His voice was low and quiet, careful not to wake the still sleeping girl.

Dazai stood from his chair.

"Of course." he shrugged, "Why would you even need to ask? You know she never says a word."

Mori nodded in approval before turning his head to look at the sleeping girl. His gaze softened as it fell on her and he let out a long sigh, running a hand through his hair.

"You should really start feeding her more if you want her to keep training like this." Dazai noted, breaking the silence that had fallen between them.

Mori looked over at him, eyes tracking every aspect of his features. The way his gaze felt against Dazai's skin reminded him somewhat of Y/n in that moment. It was clear she had learned a lot from the man standing before him, just the same way Dazai had. Whether either of them wanted to or not.

Letting out another sigh, Mori looked back over at Y/n's sleeping form.

"A deals a deal." he hummed softly, "She holds up her end, I hold up mine."

"What deal do you two have?"

Mori cut him off with a sharp glare. Dazai knew he had overstepped what was permissible.

"Sorry," he said with a slight bow of his head, "it's not my business."

"Curiosity killed the cat, Dazai." Mori mused, his gaze calculating and cold, "You would do well to remember that."

"Yes boss."

"You may go. Get some rest, you look awful."

"Yes boss, I will."

Without another word, Dazai turned on his heel and walked out of the infirmary. Mori stayed standing, watching him until the door was long since shut behind his back. After a few minutes, he shook his head softly and returned his gaze to Y/n, taking up residence in the chair Dazai had previously occupied. She stirred in her sleep, a deep frown creasing her face. Mori leaned over as she settled again, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

Leaning back in his chair, Mori's eyes fell on the several empty plates and bowls on the table next to her bed. He scoffed, shaking his head.

"What am I going to do with you?" he said aloud to the quiet morning light, "If you don't hold up your end, I won't hold up mine. You went through so much trouble, so much effort, to get me to agree to this. Are you giving up now?"

Y/n stirred again, this time seeming to wake as she did so. With a groan, she stretched out her arms as she sat up, rubbing her eyes. Her mouth opened as if about to speak, she turned to the chair. A look of surprise that did not escape Mori's notice flashed across her face as she saw him seated beside her rather than Dazai. Her mouth closed.

"Becoming rather close with him, are you?" Mori asked, his voice low and dangerous.

"Only because he's the only person my own age I've gotten to interact with in years." she responded, her voice soft but her tone a tad incredulous.

"I thought I told you to be careful around him, not to talk to him."

"Yeah but you assigned him to look after me while I had to stay in the infirmary. Besides, I know he brought me here. It seemed safe."

"All true, pet. All true." Mori hummed, leaning comfortably back in his chair as he examined Y/n on the bed. Her hair was a wild mess, the hospital gown hung loosely from her shoulders. There was a slight flush to her cheeks from a full stomach and the warmth of the morning sun through the window.

"You know, my dear," Mori began, "we could stop all this foolishness."

Y/n looked up at him, eyes wide. She contemplated his expression for a moment before shaking her head.

"Even if we did, you still wanted me to train."

"Yes, but if you gave up your end, if you let me win, you'd be able to stop. I wouldn't make you anymore."

Y/n pulled her arms around her knees, dragging them into her chest. She rested her chin on top of her knees, refusing to meet Mori's gaze. He could see the way she moved was changing from the training. Where before she had been skin a bones, a wiry muscle was beginning to form.

"You know I won't agree." she said at last, her voice soft and tired, "You know I won't agree to give up, not on this."

"Well, my offer will stand." Mori shrugged, "When you are ready to give up, when this whole silly thing comes to an end, I will be right here."

"I know you will." Y/n softly replied, her head sinking further into her knees, "I know."