Bound By Shadows And Light ( Soukoku )

Distancing or Closing

Chuuya awoke with a slight headache but dismissed it, unaware of the events from the previous night. He focused instead on the training plan he'd arranged for Atsushi, hoping to get his mind back into a familiar routine. Meanwhile, Dazai watched him from a distance, noting with some amusement—and mild irritation—that Chuuya seemed to have forgotten their late-night conversation and the kiss entirely.

As Chuuya and Atsushi began their training, Dazai approached, his usual grin in place. "Good morning, Chuuya," he said, his tone almost playful, watching for any flicker of recognition.

Chuuya gave him a sharp look. "Morning. You look... unusually cheerful today. What's the occasion?"

Dazai smirked, "Oh, nothing too important. Just thought you might have something on your mind."

Chuuya raised an eyebrow, but his confusion only deepened. "Not really, unless you're implying something."

"Guess not," Dazai replied with a shrug, though inwardly he felt a pang of frustration. He watched as Chuuya dove back into training with Atsushi, giving the young recruit his full attention. Chuuya was so focused that he barely spared Dazai a second glance, which only served to irk Dazai even more.

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Throughout the day, Dazai became increasingly distant, adopting a colder, more authoritative tone whenever he had to address Chuuya. The shift was subtle but noticeable, and as the hours passed, Chuuya found himself feeling oddly unsettled by it. He kept catching Dazai's gaze on him, only to be met with a calculating, impassive stare that reminded him all too well of the Port Mafia's brutal leader.

"Mackerel! Where is akutagawa?"

"Before I tell you that, I shall remind you Mr. Nakahara," Dazai responded in  cold voice which chuuya had disliked throughout the time they have been together.  "that you are standing in front of the Port Mafia leader which means i am at a higher position, so better pay respect. Plus," He then turned his back to the ginger, "I am not your friend, go do your work by yourself."

This treatment left Chuuya in complete shock.

That evening, Dazai barely looked at him as they passed in the hall. For some reason, the indifferent treatment stung. It felt strangely out of place, almost as if Dazai was punishing him for something.

Unable to shake the feeling, Chuuya found himself wandering the familiar halls of the Mafia headquarters, heading toward a secluded area Dazai used to visit late at night. He told himself it was just a casual walk, but the moment he turned a corner and saw Dazai leaning against the railing, his usual smirk in place, he knew he'd come there with more than a simple walk in mind.

Dazai turned to him, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "Oh, Chuuya," he drawled, sounding far too pleased with himself. "Fancy seeing you here. Out for a midnight stroll?"

Chuuya's mouth opened, but he hesitated, suddenly feeling exposed. "Yeah, just needed some air," he muttered, scratching the back of his head.

"Oh?" Dazai took a step forward, his smirk growing. "Then why does it seem like you're here for something more?" He leaned in close, his gaze sharp and focused.

Chuuya scowled, trying to brush off his growing nervousness. "Don't flatter yourself, Dazai. I just... happened to come this way."

Dazai chuckled, finding Chuuya's attempt at nonchalance endearing. "You're so cute when you're in denial, Chuuya," he whispered, taking a step closer, effectively pinning Chuuya against the railing.

"W-What do you think you're doing?" Chuuya stammered, feeling his heart race as Dazai leaned in closer, their faces mere inches apart.

Dazai tilted his head, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "You really don't remember, do you?"

Chuuya blinked, the memory from the previous night resurfacing like a jolt. The kiss, the confession, the brief, intense moment between them—all of it flooded back to him, leaving him momentarily speechless.

Dazai's smirk softened as he saw the recognition dawn in Chuuya's eyes. "There you go. I was wondering how long it would take."

Chuuya opened his mouth to respond, but his words faltered. He was still trying to process what this meant, how he felt about it, and how he'd let himself forget something so... intense.

"So, now that you remember," Dazai murmured, his voice dropping to a hushed tone, "may I?"

Before Chuuya could reply, Dazai leaned in, capturing his lips in a slow, lingering kiss. This time, it was deeper, filled with an unspoken longing that neither of them could deny. Chuuya's initial surprise melted away as he leaned into the kiss, his heart pounding in his chest as he felt Dazai's hands settle on his waist, pulling him closer. He bit his lower lip for entrance which chuuya unknowingly allowed. His hand rested on his shoulders, gripping them tightly as dazai's tongue explored his mouth.  

The kiss lingered, each second feeling like an eternity until Dazai finally pulled back, his eyes dancing with satisfaction as he looked at Chuuya's dazed expression.

"Well, goodnight, Chuuya," Dazai said, his voice a soft murmur before he turned and began to walk away, leaving Chuuya speechless and flustered.

As he watched Dazai's figure disappear down the corridor, Chuuya stood there, his fingers grazing his lips, still feeling the warmth of the kiss. When he finally made his way back to his room, his mind was spinning, and he found it impossible to sleep, Dazai's words and touch lingering with him far into the night.

BONUS

As Dazai strolled down the dimly lit hallways, a pleased, almost dreamy look softened his usual smirk. He replayed the moment with Chuuya in his mind—the kiss, the way Chuuya had finally relaxed into it, if only for a second. For once, he let himself savor the feeling, almost forgetting the coldness he had adopted as a leader.

But as he rounded the corner, he nearly walked straight into a familiar figure standing with arms crossed, her gaze sharp and unforgiving.

Kouyou.

"Oh, Dazai-kun," she said in a voice dripping with a calmness that was both motherly and lethal, "what has you in such a good mood this late at night?"

Dazai straightened, instantly alert but feigning nonchalance. "Ah, Kouyou-san! You know, it's a beautiful night for reflection." He gave her a quick, easygoing grin, hoping to sidestep her question.

Kouyou's expression didn't change. "Reflection, hm?" She narrowed her eyes, taking in the slight disarray of his shirt collar and the faintest hint of flushed cheeks. "I was under the impression you've been reflecting on something... or someone."

Dazai chuckled, trying to appear as though he hadn't just been caught. "Oh, Kouyou-san, you're seeing things. I was just appreciating my good fortune of having such dedicated colleagues."

Her eyes flashed as she took a step closer, her voice dangerously low. "Dazai, you may be clever, but I know you're hiding something. I've noticed the way you've been around Chuuya." She leaned in, her words sharp. "If you're toying with him, you'll answer to me."

Dazai held up his hands in mock surrender, his smirk widening. "Why, Kouyou, I would never. I respect Chuuya as both a former partner and a friend."

"Friend," Kouyou echoed, her tone laced with disbelief. She raised an eyebrow, assessing him with a fierce protectiveness reserved only for those closest to her. "If you have any intention of leading him astray, I'll see to it you regret it, Dazai. He may have left the Mafia, but he's still one of us."

"Of course," he replied smoothly, the weight of her words unmistakable. "I'm well aware, and I'd never dream of hurting him."

Kouyou studied him for a moment longer, her gaze piercing as if she could read every thought in his mind. Then, with a final, hard look, she stepped back. "Good. Just remember—Chuuya may be stronger than he looks, but he's not invulnerable. And if you forget that, Dazai... well, you'll answer to me."

As Kouyou disappeared into the shadows, Dazai let out a quiet breath. Her warning hung heavily in the air, a reminder that he'd have to tread carefully. But even as he considered her words, his mind drifted back to Chuuya, and a smile tugged at his lips once more.

One of my favourite chapters ~OvO~