you can take my Soul, but never my Heart (omegaverse)

Chapter 28: new beginnings

Dazai never really liked to make plans, to set goals, to look at the future and acknowledge that it was there, let alone imagine what it would look like. But as he places the juice bottle of flowers on the table and washes his hands with Koko before Chuuya serves them dinner as if it's the most natural, simple thing, he finds himself settling into the unfamiliar arms of comfort and peace.

He can see a future here.

***

"So androids can legally drive in France?"

Adam smiles as they walk through the parking lot for the detective's car, one suitcase in each hand and two backpacks on. Chuuya insisted he couldn't carry everything by himself, so Koko's bag is still on her and Chuuya has the duffle bag. "Androids do not have the same rights as humans, yet, so technically speaking, I am not allowed to drive."

Chuuya squints at him. "Wait, you're doing something illegal? I didn't think your programming allowed that."

"It is a gray area, and so allowed by my programming. Fully automated self-driving vehicles are legalized in several countries, including France. There is not much of a distinction in what defines such a thing."

Dazai hums. "Good to know."

Koko leans up, tugging at the front of Dazai's shirt. "Whassa gray area?"

"Remember what I said exceptions are?"

"Uh-huh!"

"Like that."

"Ooh... Whassa android?"

"I am an android," Adam answers gently, because apparently even androids are not immune to Koko's charm. He's known her for all of fifteen minutes and whatever wires replace his heart have been wrapped around her little finger.

"Oh," she whispers, though she looks no less confused.

Adam's car is a large SUV with plenty of room for them and their bags, and there's even a car seat in place already for Koko. Dazai gets her situated while Adam packs their bags and Chuuya gets into the passenger seat to start plugging the address into the in-car GPS to bring up directions. It's a decent half hour trip, and as Koko stifles a yawn, Dazai can't wait to set up their nest and get some sleep.

He sits next to Koko, buckling up and holding her backpack on his lap. Yosano said to wait until they got to the house, but he's so curious...

It's light, though the zipper is straining with the effort of holding everything inside. It doesn't make any noise when he shakes it, and he's reaching for the zipper to open it when Koko screams, startling everyone in the car.

"What is it, Miss Koko?"

"You can't open it!" she wails, grabbing for the backpack and snatching it when Dazai holds it out for her. "Auntie 'sano said it's a surprise!"

He laughs softly, folding his hands to assure her that he's not going to reach for it again. "Alright, alright. I won't open it."

She pouts at him, clinging it to her chest as Adam starts the car and pulls out of the lot.

The radio is playing some kind of talk program in French that Dazai honestly doesn't understand a word of, but Chuuya passively listens as he leans against the window. Koko makes a face when she realizes she can't understand, leaning over to whisper to Dazai after a few minutes.

"Mama, why are they talking funny?"

"They're speaking French."

"Oh... Can you understand it?"

"No, but we will someday. We both have to learn it. Chuuya will teach us."

Chuuya glances at him in the rearview mirror, making a face. "I'll teach Koko. I'm not gonna teach you."