ANGEL'S ASHES, bungou stray dogs [on hold]

xvi. you were the first

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𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐋'𝐒 𝐀𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐒

𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘪𝘹𝘵𝘦𝘦𝘯: 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵

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     TIGHTENING HER HOLD ON his red hair with one hand, Angel uses her other to find the pressure point on Chūya's neck and hit it just right, knocking him out cold. It makes her wince, seeing the painful betrayal in his blue eyes just before they flutter closed, breathing evening. Sighing, she stares down at his peaceful expression and shakes her head, wondering just why she got herself into this predicament in the first place. Picking him up, Angel carries him over to one of the park benches lining the walkway and reclines him on it, resting his hat on his head, and barely reacting when someone walks up behind her.

     "I didn't think you'd do it," Dazai admits, sounding somewhat surprised as he stops beside Chūya and Angel. "I didn't think you'd do such a thing to your beloved Chūya after everything you've been through."

     "You didn't give me much of a choice," Angel spits, glaring into the dark eyes that make her skin crawl and her stomach flip in excitement. Sighing, she rubs her eyes and stands up, pocketing her gloves and straightening her clothes. "But neither did he in the end. Chūya never would have agreed to any of this, Dazai, and we both know that better than most after the years we spent fighting side-by-side."

     "You still hate that I left the Port Mafia, don't you?"

     "No, I wouldn't say that. You found somewhere you could be at peace, and I can't condemn you for that no matter how much I want to."

     Dazai hums. "Let me rephrase: you hate that I left you behind."

     Grunting, Angel walks past her former mentor, slamming her shoulder into his as she makes her way back over to the barrier, hardly surprised when he leans against it, facing where Chūya is out cold. "How could I not harbour any hate for that? It was four years of hell, Dazai, but I suppose something good did come of you leaving. Well, maybe two things." At his curious gaze, Angel smiles slyly. "I got Chūya, and I became an Executive. So yeah, two things."

     "How wonderful! My little Angel's become an Executive!"

     "Ugh, die."

     Dazai snickers at Angel's reaction and slings his arm around her shoulder, dragging the shorter girl with him as he walks away, leaving Chūya behind. "You've spent too much time around that slug. Come on, time for some real fun, Angel."