Bound by Obsession

Part 30

A week had passed since Dazai's return to the ADA, but the shadows of his time with Fyodor lingered in the air, thick and palpable. The atmosphere within the agency was tense, with the absence of Dazai's usual playful demeanor weighing heavily on his colleagues.

Dazai had been quiet, often lost in thought. He spent most of his time with Yosano, who was doing her best to support him, but she could tell something deeper was troubling him. Chuuya, on the other hand, was more openly frustrated, pacing around the headquarters and glancing at Dazai with worry and anger.

"Dazai," Chuuya said one afternoon, unable to keep his feelings bottled up any longer. "What did Fyodor really do to you? You're not acting like yourself."

Dazai looked up, meeting Chuuya's gaze but remaining silent, his eyes betraying a whirlpool of thoughts and emotions.

"Are you saying you want to go back to him? After everything?" Chuuya pressed, frustration creeping into his voice.

Dazai shifted his gaze away, looking out the window, lost in the distant memories of his time with Fyodor. Chuuya's heart sank at Dazai's silence, feeling a surge of jealousy and concern.

"I don't want you to get hurt," Chuuya said, his voice softer now. "You're my partner, and I—"

Before he could finish, Ranpo entered the room, sensing the tension. "What's going on? You both look like you're about to blow up."

"Just a misunderstanding," Dazai replied quietly, still avoiding eye contact, not wanting to burden anyone with the complexity of his emotions.

Ranpo, however, wasn't easily fooled. "You're hiding something, Dazai. We're all worried about you. It's okay to talk about it."

Dazai remained silent, his mind racing back to his moments with Fyodor—how the man had made him feel seen and understood. But then he remembered the way Chuuya had fought for him, the way he cared.

"I don't know what I want right now," he finally admitted with a sigh, his voice barely above a whisper, but he still didn't elaborate further.

The room fell silent as his words hung in the air, and Chuuya felt a mix of relief and frustration.

Meanwhile, in the Shadows

In a luxurious mansion far from the ADA headquarters, Fyodor paced restlessly. His thoughts were consumed by Dazai and the nagging frustration that came from knowing he had let him slip away again.

"They've taken him back, but not for long," he muttered to himself, his mind working furiously. "I won't let them keep him. He belongs with me."

Nikolai watched from the sidelines, a sly grin spreading across his face. "So what's the plan, Fyodor? Are we going to charm him back with your usual tactics?"

"Charm won't work this time," Fyodor replied, his voice cold. "I need to show him that he's meant to be with me, that he doesn't belong in that agency with all their pretenses."

"What about the ADA?" Nikolai asked, raising an eyebrow. "They'll come after you if they find out what you're planning."

"Let them try," Fyodor smirked, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "I'll make sure Dazai understands the truth of who he is and where he truly belongs."

A Meeting of Minds

Back at the ADA, a meeting was called to discuss Dazai's situation. Mori joined the group via video call, his usual calm demeanor slightly strained. "We need to address the issue of Dazai's connection to Fyodor and the DoA. We can't ignore the potential threat."

Chuuya leaned forward, his fists clenched. "He was with Fyodor for too long. We can't let him go back, no matter what."

"Dazai needs to make his own choices," Ranpo interjected. "We can't force him to stay. We need to understand what he truly wants."

Yosano nodded, agreeing with Ranpo. "He's been through a lot. If we pressure him too much, it could push him away."

Mori sighed, rubbing his temples. "We need a plan to keep an eye on Dazai and make sure he's safe. I'll have some of our best agents watch over him discreetly."

Dazai's Inner Conflict

Later that day, Dazai sat alone on the balcony of his room, gazing at the city skyline. He felt lost in the sea of his own thoughts, the weight of his feelings for both Chuuya and Fyodor pressing heavily on him.

As he reflected, he couldn't help but think of the connection he had with Fyodor. It felt like a thread pulling him back, whispering promises of understanding and companionship. But then there was Chuuya, the one who had always fought for him, who cared for him in ways he couldn't deny.

A soft knock on his door pulled him from his thoughts. It was Chuuya, his expression serious but also worried. "Hey. Can we talk?"

Dazai nodded, motioning for him to come in. "What's on your mind?"

"I just want you to know that I'm here for you," Chuuya said, his voice steady. "No matter what happens, you're not alone in this."

Dazai felt a warmth spread through him, but he also felt the tug of Fyodor's influence, making the situation all the more complicated. He remained silent, simply nodding in response.

A Plan Unfolds

Meanwhile, Fyodor was plotting his next move, determined to pull Dazai back into his world. He knew that time was against him, and he needed to act fast before Dazai could solidify his ties with the ADA.

"Let's see how far I can go before they come after me," Fyodor whispered, a dangerous smile creeping onto his face. "Dazai will realize where he truly belongs... with me."