Bound by Obsession

Part 8

As Chuuya stood between Dazai and Nikolai, the tension in the air thickened, and Chuuya's gravitational power buzzed around him, making the walls creak under the pressure. He clenched his fists, his voice low and dangerous.

"Get out of the way, Nikolai. I'm not here to play games."

Nikolai's grin never faltered as he leaned casually against the doorframe. "Games? But isn't this whole thing a game, Chuuya? A little contest to see who gets Dazai in the end?" His eyes glinted with mischief as he let the words hang in the air, deliberately pushing Chuuya's buttons.

Dazai chuckled softly from behind Chuuya, his eyes half-lidded as if bored with the conversation, though the faintest flicker of something darker lingered in his gaze. "Kolya, you really know how to ruin a moment, don't you?"

Chuuya snapped his head toward Dazai, anger and confusion swirling in his eyes. "Dazai, stop messing around! We need to get out of here. Now."

Dazai raised his hands in mock surrender, his smile small but present. "I'm not the one keeping us here, partner." His gaze flicked back to Nikolai, who was still blocking their path. "Though, Kolya might have other ideas."

Before Chuuya could react, the walls around them began to twist and warp, Nikolai's power flaring up as the environment morphed into an absurd, twisted version of the hallway. Doors shifted, corridors looped, and suddenly, they were trapped in what seemed like a funhouse of Nikolai's design.

Nikolai twirled in place, his laughter echoing through the distorted space. "Now, now, Chuuya, don't be so serious! Let's see if you can make it out with your precious Dazai before time runs out."

Chuuya's eyes blazed with fury. His gravitational power erupted, shattering parts of the floor beneath him. "I don't have time for your tricks!"

But Dazai's hand on his shoulder stopped him from charging forward. "Chuuya, calm down. This is Nikolai we're talking about. If you rush in, you'll just be playing right into his hands."

Chuuya growled in frustration, but Dazai's calm voice kept him grounded. "Then what do you suggest, Dazai? We're trapped in this lunatic's playground."

Dazai's eyes glinted with something unreadable. "Just follow my lead."

With a flicker of his usual teasing grin, Dazai stepped forward, ignoring the shifting walls and Nikolai's chaotic laughter. He walked as if he knew exactly where he was going, his steps deliberate, his posture relaxed. Chuuya followed reluctantly, his eyes never leaving Dazai, unsure of what his partner had planned.

Nikolai's laughter faded as they continued forward, Dazai navigating through the chaos with unsettling ease. Finally, they reached the end of the corridor, where a familiar figure stood waiting—Fyodor, his serene smile greeting them.

"Ah, Osamu," Fyodor said softly, his voice a velvety whisper that sent shivers down Chuuya's spine. "You've made it. I knew you would."

Chuuya tensed beside Dazai, his fists clenching as Fyodor approached. "Stay back," he snarled, his body ready to attack at any moment.

But Dazai stood perfectly still, his gaze locked with Fyodor's. "Fedya," Dazai said, his voice carrying an unsettling calm. "You've really gone all out this time."

Fyodor's smile widened, his dark eyes never leaving Dazai. "All for you, Osamu. You've always been worth the effort."

Chuuya's anger spiked at Fyodor's words, his jealousy and frustration boiling over. "What the hell are you talking about, Fyodor? Dazai doesn't belong to you!"

Fyodor's gaze flicked to Chuuya, his smile never wavering. "Oh, Chuuya. You don't understand, do you? Osamu and I... we've always been connected. Far deeper than you realize."

Dazai's expression remained unreadable, his usual mask of indifference firmly in place. But Chuuya couldn't shake the sinking feeling in his chest, the creeping doubt that maybe, just maybe, there was something between Dazai and Fyodor that he couldn't reach.

And that thought terrified him.