Chuuya was really bad when it came to meeting new people. He was snappy, and hotheaded, and never thought of appropriate ways to break the ice. He couldn't read social cues or body language well unless it was in terms of a fight. His annoying excuse of a boyfriend would always criticize him for it, which would result in Chuuya punching Dazai in the chest, or arm, or occasionally the nose. If it was up to him, he wouldn't even go out today; it was going to be difficult and emotionally exhausting to socialize outside his comfort zone. However, it was for Dazai. Today he'd be meeting Dazai's friends for the first time since they got together six years ago. Curse the bastard for never introducing them sooner.
Chuuya stared in the mirror once over at his outfit. A simple, black button up dress shirt with matching black slacks, his favorite black hat, choker, and a rose gold necklace Dazai had given him for a birthday present two years ago. Chuuya twisted the small camilla on the necklace between his bare fingers, the metal cold between his fingertips. It's been months since he's worn the necklace in public. Dazai had always said it complimented his red cheeks.
With a final look over his outfit in his body mirror, he grabbed one of Dazai's coats from their hat rack and headed outside of their shared apartment. For the first time, Dazai wouldn't be accompanying Chuuya, rather than letting him go to the destination on his own. What an asshole. Well, at least Chuuya wouldn't need to deal with Dazai's insufferable complaining about there being too many dogs about. What kind of monster disliked dogs?
The sun's rays danced across Chuuya's pale skin, warming him up in contrast to the freezing apartment he had been shut in for the last couple of days. The smell of Earth and dirt filled up his nose. It felt nice; being able to get a breath of fresh, crisp air and compose himself for the very much dreaded day ahead.
The city moved about; cars stuck and honking in traffic, dogs barking, music blasting at an unholy volume from cars that didn't know how to keep their fucking window closed. The usual in Sacramento.
Chuuya turned his head to the side, eyeing the local park across from his and Dazai's shared apartment. There he saw a little girl, no older than five, swinging high with a blonde woman behind and pushing her with a grin across her face. Despite all the noise around Chuuya, he could make out a faint "Higher Mom!" from the child, her legs kicking up in the air. It was an obvious attempt to swing higher.
The lady, assumably the child's mother, shook her head with an empathetic smile. "What would Mama think of that? You're just trying to get Mom in trouble." Then, and only then, did Chuuya notice another woman, this time with long, black hair sitting on the next swing. She looked beautifully at peace: a book in her hand and rocking back and forth slightly on her toes.
The little girl pouted, throwing her head backwards to stare at the blonde woman behind her. "But Mom!" She whined. Just when the blonde woman looked like she was going to cave in and push harder, the lady sitting a swing away gave a side glance and a quick, "Listen to your Mom."
The child grumbled, mumbling, "Okay Mama."
The short exchange brought the brightest smile he'd smiled in days upon Chuuya's lips. Despite popular belief, Chuuya really wanted to raise kids. Wanted to raise them with a beloved partner, see his kids and future husband be complete dorks and wanted to make dinner for his own tiny family one day. More importantly, he wanted to raise a child with Dazai. He wanted to see Dazai and their child be complete dorks. He wanted to make dinner for Dazai and their child every night. Wanted to read bedtime stories and check for monsters under the bed and go to the park with his kid as long as it was also Dazai by his side. They would name their kid Shūji if they adopted a boy, Ressha if they adopted a girl.
One day they'll have it. One day they'll have a family to call their own. Dazai promised him that over a cup of tea, sealing the promise with a kiss to the inside of Chuuya's palm. Despite how fucking manipulative and secretive Dazai could be at times, he never broke a promise.
