Bungo Stray Dogs Oneshots

Distance (Chuuya x Dazai)

Ship: Chuuya x Dazai

Genre: Light Angst to Fluff

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The rain fell steadily on the dimly lit streets of Yokohama, casting a gloomy pall over the city. Dazai Osamu, now a former Port Mafia member, walked through the slick, empty alleys with a determined stride. His long sand-coloured trench coat fluttered behind him, and the bandages wrapped around his body almost like a second skin. His narrow dark eyes scanned the surroundings with a mix of resolve and apprehension.

After four years of silence, Dazai had tracked down his old friend and partner, Chuuya Nakahara. He hadn't anticipated the difficulty of finding him nor even thought about looking for the hat rack, but tonight was different, he had this disturbing temptation to see him again after so long, that he located the bar that Chuuya frequently visited, Bar Lupin. Dazai wondered if Chuuya came to this bar in his own time when he was still in the Port Mafia, but after Oda's passing, he rarely came to Bar Lupin even after joining The Detective Agency. The bar's sign, half-lit and flickering, marked the end of his search. He took a deep breath and pushed open the door.

Inside, the bar was dimly lit, its only illumination coming from the old-fashioned lamps on the walls and the occasional flash of neon from the street. Chuuya was sitting at the bar, his back straight, his fiery ginger hair reflecting a flicker of light. The moment Dazai entered, Chuuya stiffened. His bright blue irises, cold and distant, betrayed no emotion as he took in the sight of the man who had been absent from his for so long.

Dazai approached cautiously his voice low but steady. "Chuuya."

Chuuya didn't turn around. Instead, he swirled the wine in his glass, the wine spinning in the glass creating small ripples while keeping his sight looking forward and staring at nothing. "What do you want, Dazai?"

"I came to talk. It's been a while since we had our battle in the Mafia's cell room, but I wouldn't call that a proper reunion of Double Black. I thought we could have a chat or two to make up for lost time." Dazai's tone was gentle but carried an underlying urgency.

Chuuya's shoulders tensed as he turned his head to look at Dazai. "I'm not interested in having a conversation you, Mackerel. I've moved on."

Dazai's heart sank at the coldness in Chuuya's voice. He took a seat next to Chuuya, his eyes searching the other man's face for any sign of emotion that could explain how Chuuya was feeling. "You and I both know that you don't really mean that. I know it at least shocked you after I left the Port Mafia, you're little facade in talking of celebration with me leaving sounded so fake."

Chuuya looked away from Dazai, his blue eyes burning with restrained emotion. "You don't get it. I pushed you away for a reason. The last time we were close, it almost destroyed me when you were in the Port Mafia every time we went on a mission together."

Dazai's expression softened with concern. "What do you mean?"

"It's not just about us and you leaving, I get why you would want to escape from that place and live up to Odasaku's words to save people instead. But it's also about the constant danger we were and still are in. We're living on the edge of a knife, and every day could have been our last. I got tired of the constant fear of losing you, of having to face the possibility that you might not come back one day." Chuuya's voice cracked, and he looked back at Dazai. "After you left the Mafia, it was painful, I admit, but I saw it as the opportunity to let you go."

Dazai's heart ached at Chuuya's words. He reached out and gently placed a hand on Chuuya's shoulder, offering a comforting touch. "I understand. I should have known how you felt. I was wrapped up in my struggles that I didn't see how much I was hurting you."

Chuuya's eyes scanned Dazai's expression, searching for sincerity. "So, what are you saying now?"

Dazai's gaze was steady, filled with compassion. "I'm saying that I'm sorry for everything. But I also want you to know that you don't have to be afraid anymore. I've changed, and I'm not the same person I was back then. We can still be close together if you want. But I promise, I won't put you through that pain again. We're Double Black, remember? What's Double Black if we're not together?"

Chuuya's eyes softened, the anger and hurt slowly giving way to a flicker of hope. "You really mean that?"

"Yes," Dazai replied firmly. "We can take things slow. Just be honest with me, and we'll get through it together."

For a moment, the tension between them eased. Chuuya took a deep breath and nodded, the conflict in his eyes melting into a cautious but hopeful acceptance. "Alright. But don't think this means everything's forgiven just yet, shitty Dazai."

Dazai smiled faintly, a mixture of relief and gratitude in his eyes. "I wouldn't expect it to be. But I'm willing to do whatever it takes."

Dazai gazed at Chuuya who was now just staring at his wine seeming to be lost in though. Dazai always realised how beautiful Chuuya was, but he didn't know what to think or feel about it, but now after seeing a little more brightness in the world, he could truly see Chuuya more vividly which led to Dazai admiring Chuuya. Dazai smirked and spoke in his teasing voice. "So, if we're Double Black, we should commit a double suicide together Chu-"

Dazai was cut off with a sigh from Chuuya. "Don't you even start you suicidal maniac. You're lucky I haven't brought up about you exploding my car."

They both chuckle from the lighthearted jokes as they continue talking with one another, the rain outside continues to fall, but within the warm confines of the bar, a fragile reconciliation begins to take shape. It was the beginning of a new chapter, one built on understanding and trust, as the past gradually made way for a hopeful future for the two old partners.

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THE END