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

Chapter 30: EPILOGUE

-one year later-

The Paris International Airport is almost completely empty at ten o'clock at night on a Friday.

There aren't any arrivals save for the plane that just landed, but they still must be in the process of disembarking and retrieving their luggage, because the only other people in the receiving area of the international arrivals are a few people lingering by the doors, checking their phones and watches every few moments. A few taxi drivers linger amid them, waiting to pick up their charges.

Dazai and Chuuya stand near the gate, the former gently rocking on his swollen feet as the latter keeps fussing.

"Just sit the fuck down."

"No, Chibi. I don't want to miss them."

"There isn't anyone to get in your way; you can still see them if you sit down."

"Mm, but if I sit down, then I have to get back up."

"Hah?"

"It won't be for much longer, anyway."

Chuuya huffs, their hands still together between them, squeezing Dazai's fingers in a scolding that makes the metal of his slim silver ring dig into Dazai's skin. They have matching ones, of course, but Dazai's fingers have been swelling too much to comfortably wear it; his is on a chain around his unbandaged, marked throat, resting over his chest against his dark sweater.

"Stubborn ass."

"You're the one that wouldn't let me come alone."

"Like hell I would let you come here in the dark, alone, when you're about to fucking-"

"Oh, there they are!"

Chuuya makes a sound of disgruntled grumbling under his breath as Dazai tugs them closer to the gate, raising his free arm to wave to the small group they're here to welcome, even if he doesn't really have to, because it's not like they're hard to miss in the near-empty gate.

Only for Dazai to awkwardly lower his hand as Chuuya goes stiff, feeling a complicated sort of discomfort through their bond.

Yosano reaches them first, ignoring the tense form of the alpha completely as she lets go of her rolling suitcase when she gets close enough to grab Dazai in a hug around his shoulders, squeezing him close and patting his back before she straightens her grip, holding him at an arm's length before he can even have the time to hug her back. She raises a brow, glancing briefly to Chuuya, who isn't paying her any attention, lips curling into a smirk.

"You're sure it's just one?"

He groans, lowering a hand to rest under the swell of his stomach, lifting it slightly to try to give himself some relief. "Are you calling me fat, Yosano?"

She snorts, placing a careful hand against the top of his stomach, smirk turning into something softer and more fond. "Yes, but that's a good thing. You look healthy. "

"Chibi's sinister plan is to fatten me up."

"He's doing a good job at it. I'm glad."

"Dazai!"

He huffs, and the smile comes easy as Atsushi reaches them, his eyes going a bit wide when he sees the size of Dazai's stomach. Something he's only seen briefly in pictures or video calls.

"Atsushi thinks I'm fat too!" he wails.

Atsushi stammers, shaking his head. "N-no, I just, I wasn't expecting- I'm sorry! It's good to see you! Really!"

Chuuya's hand slips out of his, his scent turning a bit sharper. Defensive. The emotion Dazai feels through the bond is still so muddled and confused, but there's one thing he recognizes, and it's the desire to protect. He moves to stand in front of their small group, hands curling into fists, jaw set-