Memories of The Past

Retrace: Unconditionally

824, 880 people died that day but history won't remember a single one, and neither will he.

The man sobbed as he sat on the ground. Why him? All he ever wanted was to be loved and cared for. He had so much to give, so much love, and gentleness, but he was alone in this world. He came into the world alone, and he's going to die alone. He knew this much. He knew all he would ever be is the monster people named him as. He had Dazai, but at time he didn't even know if Dazai cared. No one actually took the time to get to know the real Nakahara Chuuya. Except one man who wasn't afraid.

Oda kneeled down and he put a hand on Chuuya's shoulder. Chuuya jumped and leaned away.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to frighten you."

Chuuya wiped his eyes as he looked away. "...It's fine."

Oda looked at the young man who looked away. He was hiding from the world and Oda knew it. He heard all the horrible things people called the younger eighteen-year-old in the Port Mafia. Monster, beast, inhuman. He was sure he felt lonely. No one should ever have to feel so alone or unloved Oda thought.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Chuuya shook his head. "No... it doesn't matter."

"Hey." Oda said. "Look at me."

Chuuya turned his head, and he locked eyes for the first time with Oda. "It does matter... you matter. It matters to me."

Chuuya looked down as tears started to slip from his eyes. "Aren't you afraid of me...?"

"No." Oda said smiling.

"Everyone else is... they say horrible things... I'm starting to think they're right..." Chuuya said as a sob ripped from his throat. Oda sat next to Chuuya and he pulled him into his chest. In the mafia they didn't get to cry, to show weakness, they were taught to conceal every emotion even when it hurts. So, Oda sat there and he held Chuuya close, he muffled his sobs as he let it out. Because he knew how bad it hurt.

*

Chuuya and Oda had been seeing each other for months. Oda had because a really close friend of Chuuya's, and the ginger was finally happy to have someone he could depend on. Chuuya and Oda were walking out of the movie theatre together, and Chuuya smiled as he looked up at Oda. "Thank you... really. For being so kind..."

Oda smiled back at Chuuya. "You don't have to thank me for that. Remember what I told you. I'm always here for you Chuuya."

"I know." Chuuya smiled. Chuuya suddenly felt soda thrown on him, and a cup was tossed by his feet. Subordinates in the Port Mafia laughed as they looked at the mess they caused.

"You should just kill yourself, you beast."

Chuuya stood their silent, but Oda couldn't let it slide. Oda punched the man across the face landing him flat on his ass. Chuuya gasped in shock and his eyes widened. Oda repeatedly punched the man, and the man coughed up blood as Oda did.

"Oda stop!" Chuuya yelled trying to pull him off. "Stop!" Chuuya said pulling him up.

Oda stood up angrily. "Don't you ever talk to him that way again! If I so much as catch you around him I'll put a bullet through you!"

The man laid there on the ground coughing up blood and holding his stomach as Oda pulled Chuuya away with him.

*

Chuuya and Oda were now sitting on the couch in Oda's apartment. Chuuya was wrapping his bruised and bloody knuckles gently.

"...Why did you do that?" Chuuya asked.