Do not wake me again

Dazai watches carefully but quietly as Chuuya hands over the coin and leaves his fate in the hands of luck. Already the brunet is thinking of ways he might accept the job even if the odds aren’t in Chuuya’s favour but fortunately for him, he lucks out this time.

With only a brief glance towards Fukuzawa, Dazai doesn’t even have to feign indifference as he watches Chuuya’s reaction – mostly because the redhead is so engrossed in the coin the entire time that he wouldn’t notice anything going on around him anyway.

It amuses Dazai just how expressive Chuuya is and how desperate he seems to be for the coin to play out in his favour. Unless you know how to cheat the system – and Dazai highly doubts Chuuya is clever enough to use a weighted coin – then it seems rather foolish to leave something so important to you down to fate. Why didn’t he try to bargain with Dazai more?

Truth be told though, it’s the rash impulsiveness that draws Dazai in. The fact that Chuuya is willing to take a risk and back down if it doesn’t play out the way he wants is far more interesting to the brunet than having someone try to persuade him. Persuasion is, after all, a tactic which rarely works well on Dazai.

It’s the dumbfounded disbelieve that’s perhaps the most amusing thing though. The way that Chuuya rejoices his victorious flip of the coin and turns ready to rub it into Dazai’s face even though Dazai could still turn around and refuse the job. Something about the way that Chuuya’s eyes light up makes it impossible for him to decline.

“Life of luxury you say?” Dazai parrots, lifting a hand to his chin as if he’s contemplating something, “Speaking of which, I kind of fancy fresh crab tonight.”

It’s indirect, but it’s all but a promise from Dazai. The paperwork can wait for Kunikida to get around to it.

The motion of Dazai leaning in further, coupled with a suggestive comment which plays up the idea that Dazai likes the height difference, helps to quell Chuuya’s budding frustration. While it frustrates him when people mock him for his height or treat him like he’s inferior, truth be told he too is quite fond of a bit of a height difference. There’s something about the way that a taller man can engulf him that is frankly comforting.

Chuuya is by no means weak though, so he doesn’t need anyone to protect him or make him feel safe, but on the rare occasion when he does meet a man who doesn’t treat him like a fragile child and recognises his strength and value, then it’s a dynamic that Chuuya very much enjoys. That’s why he finds himself getting a little excited as Dazai encroaches on his space.

Chuuya, however, is still sober enough to realise that this is not the time or place for Dazai to have his hands all over him. Not only are they in public, but Dazai’s co-workers are literally surrounding them and Chuuya doesn’t want their first impression of him to be that he’s a whore.

His reaction is a little delayed – partly because he doesn’t actually want to move – but eventually he shakes his head to make Dazai lift his chin and turns more in his chair to face Dazai whilst leaning back on the bar to put a little more space in between them.

“We’re in public,” Chuuya reminds him quietly before his voice transitions to a grumble, “besides, it’s not perfume. I’m not a girl.” The decision to wear the cologne most definitely was a conscious one though and Chuuya is glad that it caught Dazai’s attention. He’s the one he intended to be smelling it, after all.

Despite his warning about PDA, it’s clear that Chuuya isn’t against getting up close and personal with Dazai - the problem is simply that they’re in public and Dazai brought Chuuya over here to introduce him to his friends, not brazenly flirt in front of an audience. Chuuya already laments the loss of the previous position but it simply isn’t appropriate to let Dazai think that he’s okay with excessive PDA with a man he barely knows. If the brunet wants to take things further they’re going to have to find a more private place to go.

The response Chuuya comes out with this time is more fiery than his previous attempt to stay calm and civil. Really, Dazai should expect nothing less given the way that he all but called the case a waste of time, but there’s something about the way that Chuuya bites back that Dazai likes. The fact that Chuuya really doesn’t want his company to know is what catches Dazai’s attention the most though. Is it because he’s hiding something from the company that would tarnish his image?

There’s a chance that it’s just something silly and superficial – as is the world of celebrities in Dazai’s opinion – but the modus operandi of the break-ins has his interest too. It doesn’t match what he knows of fan-girls or thieves. A stalker or someone trying to intimidate the rockstar is much more likely. Given the level of Chuuya’s fame though, it’s quite interesting to think about who would be either dumb or skilled enough to go after this kind of celebrity.

It’s safe to say that Dazai is interested enough to at least consider the case – even if he’s likely to drop it after a few days if it does turn out to be some petty prank or low-level criminal who’s hardly dangerous. The only hurdle left, is to find a way to accept the case without making it seem like he’s done a sudden 180 on it. Fortunately for him, Chuuya offers the perfect opportunity. Dazai can’t help but laugh at the redhead’s suggestion. It’s rash, silly and leaves everything down to luck but it’s just risky enough that Dazai appreciates it.

“Deal. Shacho, would you care to flip a coin for us?”

There’s no reason for Chuuya to protest the weight of Dazai’s hand on his shoulders as he guides him to his seat. If anything, Chuuya enjoys it, because the pressure is light and yet at the same time it’s something that the barista has subconsciously been craving all evening. Things are a little different when Dazai leans down onto him though, but that’s mostly because of the mocking statement which accompanies the sudden weight which settles over him.

“I’m not short you lanky bastard,” Chuuya retorts whilst whipping his head back to try and look at Dazai even as the taller man leans into his space. It might be a nice, intimate gesture if not for the fact that Dazai simply will not stop making digs at Chuuya’s height. Quite frankly, he’s getting sick of it and the alcohol in his system isn’t helping to keep him cool an rational at the millionth dig at his height that night.

The only thing that makes him simmer down a little bit is the fact that Dazai’s face is so close to him when he attempts to turn around but he’s still cautious of whatever might slip out of the brunet’s lips next.

Beside them, Ango isn’t the only one to sigh. He brings up a good point and the fact that Dazai has taken a newfound interest in the newest barista means that he’s much more likely to go getting himself in trouble at the café now.

“It might be a good idea to look for a backup place – Albatross is already wary of him after he tried to trick the barista into setting up a tab,” Odasaku fills Ango in, trying to keep his voice low just so that Dazai will keep his attention on Chuuya.

Dazai, for one, is glad to learn that his client has enough bite in him to snap back in the way that he does rather than buckling under Dazai’s judgement. Though there’s a hint of frustration in the redhead’s voice, he does a good job of keeping himself civil even if Dazai had been a little bit rude to him. As is to be expected of someone who lives their life in the public eye, he supposed.

Without even realising it, Chuuya offers more information as to the pattern of the suspected break ins but the fact that nothing is missing and Chuuya hasn’t run into anyone is a good sign that the unlocking of the doors is more likely to be either a prank or an intimidation tactic. Why someone would want to do either of those to a celebrity like Chuuya, however, is a whole other question but it’s one that catches Dazai’s attention. He gets the feeling that the musician isn’t telling the whole story.

“My time is too valuable for meaningless cases,” Dazai answers his question, though he hasn’t actually declined the offer yet – something which Fukuzawa has noticed too. Rather than the next words out of Dazai’s mouth being a refusal and his own dismissal from the room, he instead decides to ask, “why haven’t you gone to the police? They’re more than capable of dealing with this kind of thing and with assigning a body guard that you don’t have to pay for.”

Dazai doesn’t move his hand away when Chuuya turns in his chair to face him. Oddly enough, the gentle connection of Chuuya’s fingers is comforting, as if it’s a physical reminder that it’s okay for them to talk about something other than intimacy. They are technically friends with benefits, after all, even if they mostly exercise the latter.

Even when Chuuya clarifies, Dazai still isn’t really sure how to answer. He dresses well, but that doesn’t mean he cares all that much about fashion. He just wears what looks good but he’s very rarely given thought to what his distastes actually are. Usually, he just knows that he doesn’t like something by looking at it.

“I don’t like hats,” he ends up saying dryly, mostly because it’s the first thing that comes to mind. He also doesn’t like fashion that’s out there but he supposes that for this kind of project he’s going to have to step out of his comfort zone and trust that Chuuya wont make him look like a ridiculous clash of colours and fabrics.

Silence stretches out after that, but it’s clear that Chuuya is lost in his thoughts rather than annoyed at Dazai. The brunet can’t for the life of him, work out what he’s thinking about though or why he seems a little flustered when he finally does speak.  It could have something to do with the suggestion he makes but Dazai isn’t entirely convinced. The suggestion does give them something else to focus on, but this time it’s Dazai’s turn to fall silent.

Chuuya wants to incorporate Dazai’s bandages into the design? Even with the way that the redhead dances around them as a fashion statement, Dazai knows that Chuuya is considering the implication of them and the fact that Dazai might be sensitive about them. It’s both true and not true.

Dazai isn’t shy about his bandages but he also never talks about them or gives any hints as to what they really cover. He’s quick to joke about them and can pass them off just as easily when girls ask about them but deep down they – or rather what they hide - are a sensitive issue. Letting Chuuya incorporate them into the design really is no different than Dazai wearing short sleeved tops in the summer – at least that’s what he tries to tell himself. Besides, if they design is built around them then they’re much more likely to look like a fashion choice rather than the shield that they really are. Perhaps it’s a good idea to let Chuuya work with them after all.

“I’m not opposed to it,” he answers after some contemplation, “since you asked, I’m guessing you have something in mind already?”

The click of Dazai’s tongue is enough to tell Chuuya that the brunet knows they’re both playing this game now and that his friends are siding with the barista. Chuuya can’t help but smile a little wider given that he’s always been a little more honest with his expressions after some alcohol but fortunately for him, the attention is briefly drawn away from him towards the sneaky trick Dazai apparently just pulled on his co-worker.

It quickly becomes apparent that Chuuya isn’t the only one Dazai likes to harass and while sober Chuuya would be relieved to learn that Dazai is actually just an asshole and it has nothing to do with Chuuya, tipsy Chuuya finds himself just a little bit disappointed at the realisation that he probably isn’t all that special to Dazai. The thought is illogical because they barely even know each other so of course Chuuya can’t expect to be anything special but the pang of jealousy which hits him when Dazai puts his hand on Ango is uncomfortable. Chuuya puts it down to the alcohol and the fact that he’s been alone for so long but he’s quickly left feeling foolish when Dazai turns to him. All of that was an act for Chuuya’s sake?

Chuuya’s first instinct is to protest that they didn’t come over here to steal Ango’s seat but it seems like this sort of thing is a regular occurrence because Ango gives up without much of a fight despite the disgruntled look on his face. Chuuya feels bad for him even if he manages to put some distance between himself and the brunet by standing at the bar.

“And where are you going to sit?” Chuuya asks, suddenly wary of taking the seat incase this is some kind of trap but also a little uncomfortable with the idea of taking someone else’s seat and leaving Dazai standing. Beside them both, Ango and Oda speak in hushed voices, Oda turning towards Ango with a sly smile.

“I don’t know about well acquainted. He can’t even get the boy to tell him his name.”

Before taking his seat, Dazai has a moment to take in the rushed actions of the client removing all his accessories. It quickly becomes apparent why he has to go to such lengths to hide himself. Aside from the fact that he’s quite famous in Japan, there’s also the fact that his features make him stand out a lot more than your usual Japanese celebrity. Chuuya’s hair is such a vivid orange that Dazai almost doubts whether it’s real but it’s his eyes which stand out to Dazai the most. He doesn’t get long to look at them properly given how brief their introduction is, but they’re such a striking blue that even such a short flash of them is enough to leave an image in Dazai’s mind.

Ever the pro at controlling his expression, Dazai doesn’t let the fact that Chuuya’s appearance has surprised him cross his face. Instead, he takes a seat, leaning into the backrest as he waits for an explanation as to why he’s been called here.

“Fangirls?” Dazai parrots when Chuuya finishes speaking, giving little away about how he feels about the case. A second later though, it becomes apparent in the way he drawls out the word, “boooring.” Something has caught his attention though, enough for him to try and find out more rather than just flat out refusing and leaving the office.

“Are you sure you’re just not forgetting to lock your door?”

Fukuzawa doesn’t immediately respond to Chuuya’s words. While Dazai may look kind and harmless, the president is well aware of Dazai’s true nature. What’s scarier than Dazai’s ties to the past is probably how well he’s able to act like he is and always had been the model citizen. He is the definition of deceit, though it’s only natural that potential clients and even clients working with Dazai would only be aware of his fake persona.

The silence seems to unsettle Chuuya enough to strengthen his monetary offer which prompts Fukuzawa to speak up before the client gets the idea that they’re turning him down. Fukuzawa is happy to take the case, even if it seems relatively mundane because the agency is fairly quiet right now and they have no reason not to. It’s only the particulars of his request which are an issue.

“It isn’t an issue of money. I can refer cases to my detectives but they have the final say over whether they accept them.” Fukuzawa neglects to mention that as their boss, he can override them, but it’s so incredibly rare for a client to be so insistent on a particular detective that the president usually just assigns tasks to whoever is available and willing to take them. The detectives at his office may have specialities but they’re all more than capable of dealing with the majority of the cases which come through the agency so it’s usually not worth pushing for a specific detective to take a case. Especially when said detective is Dazai Osamu.

“We can call him in and see what he has to say, but I must warn you, he is unlikely to take cases which don’t interest him.” Whilst the majority of the detectives are happy to take on almost any client, the agency’s top two detectives are much more fickle. The first – Edogawa Ranpo – simply will not take cases he’s not interested in, no matter how much his skills are needed. The second – Dazai Osamu – is slightly more inclined to take cases that appear boring at first. Usually when he does, it turns out to be a case which goes much deeper than the original request. When he is made to take mundane cases, he drags his feet and complains every step of the way so the agency quickly learned that it’s much less of a headache just to give those cases to someone else.

The quickest way to settle this and get Chuuya to settle on a different detective is to simply call Dazai in, have him turn Chuuya down and then try to negotiate the details with another, more willing detective. That being said, Fukuzawa calls Dazai into the office, gesturing towards Chuuya when the brunet enters and quickly introducing the pair. He doesn’t mention anything about the case though and it’s only when he’s seated behind his desk again – with Dazai taking up one of the chairs next to Chuuya - that he explains.

“Dazai, your services have been requested. Nakahara-san, if you’d like to give him the details.”

Chuuya’s still seated by the time Fukuzawa returns. Twirling his thumbs and making a conscious effort to stop his leg tapping. Being a top popstar, it had been a while since Chuuya had been told to wait and get another opinion rather than the manager falling over to impress him. While he’s glad for a little normalcy, it doesn’t stop the pit in his stomach if Dazai were to refuse. He didn’t want to explicitly tell the full story and details just incase he was dragging someone else down with him. Dazai had all the credentials that Chuuya wanted and he was going to find a way to convince the detective to join him.

The first thing that the popstar notices is the view of beigey coloured sand. Chuuya’s eyes travelling all the way up to meet the ravens gaze. Embarrassingly so, Chuuya had to lean back against the rest of the chair to even get a glimpse of his face. The first thing Chuuya notices is that he’s tall. It would be slightly intimidating to the redhead had he not become fixated on the way Dazai’s hair flicked out like chocolate swirls, decorating the sharp jaw with a softness that Chuuya liked. It leaves him silent before he pulls himself together. He’s engaged and he shouldn’t be checking someone out. Especially not someone he was going to be inviting in to his home. Though Chuuya bargains with himself internally, that having someone pleasing to the eye would make this ordeal a little more bearable. 

@dazaixsoukoku

It was just a typical evening for the redhead. Blurs of colours, flashes of lights and V.I.P treatments at the most sought out clubs. The only difference this time would be that the rockstar needed to leave earlier than his friends had planned. He had an important rehersal and he couldn’t risk fucking it up for a small fix or alcohol. It wasn’t that Chuuya did drugs often, maybe once or twice. Other times he’d slinked his way out of it or just pretended. 

It wasn’t until he staggered out the bar and down the short cut of an alley where he witnessed two figures stood over a guy passed out on the floor. Even if it was a usual occurrence for this kind of area, Chuuya’s instincts told him right away to get the fuck out of there. He could feel every hair on his arm stand up when his gaze passed over the guy laid on the floor. His subconscious thankfully picking up on the fact that the man was too still even for someone falling on hard times. Chuuya himself, isn’t even sure how he managed to get away when he met eyes with one of the standing males. He didn’t even give himself a chance to stop or even exchange a moment longer. How he made it home or how he even made it in to a taxi before that, he’ll never know. His minds a whirl of confusion. Luckily for Chuuya his apartment is empty again and his fiancé isn’t there to question him about why he’s borderline a panic attack.

The following days are normal, Chuuya convincing himself that it was a figure of his imagination, inspired by the sweet devil of alcohol. There was no news about a mysterious body or killing, there was no story about anyone going missing that Chuuya had seen. He knows, he’d obsessively started searching on his breaks. It’s only after a week or so that Chuuya starts to think he’s paranoid. There’s small items of his missing or things he’s misplacing, his apartment door is unlocked multiple times. He could have sworn that he’s seeing a shadow in the corner of his eyes around the streets as well.

It’s only when, one day he’s walking home towards his apartment complex that he sees the flutter of a black coat strikingly similar to his memory of that night. It’s not the male he saw, just a girl in her best heels walking past with a friend. Chuuya decides to reach out to an agency he found out about while scrolling, he’s had enough of being paranoid.  - “That’s why Fukuzawa-san I’d like to request the help of your subordinates. I don’t want the extra publicity of involving the police. Not over a small matter of fangirls stalking me. But I am interested in employing someone to be a full time- live in body guard for a couple of weeks at least.”

Chuuya only makes a few aborted attempts to get the hat off Dazai because once it becomes clear that the brunet is purposefully leading him in only to snatch it away at the last minute, Chuuya decides that he isn’t going to keep falling for it and risk stumbling and falling onto his face.

Fortunately for him, Ango takes pity on him which is probably a good thing for Dazai too because Chuuya is quickly getting frustrated with the sudden change in Dazai’s behaviour. If he’d known that getting introduced to Dazai’s co-workers was just an excuse for the brunet to be an ass to him he probably would have just gone home. Okay, maybe he’s overreacting, but it’s more than a little frustrating that the Dazai from a few minutes ago seems to have vanished. The brunet might be having the time of his life – judging by the gleeful expression on his face – but Chuuya’s just feeling tricked and stupid.

It doesn’t get much better when – despite his good intentions – Ango turns to Chuuya after scolding Dazai, only to open his mouth and switch languages. It’s not the first time someone has looked at Chuuya and assumed he speaks English. He knows he looks more foreign than Japanese but usually the people who try to speak English to him are old people who just want to practice their English or young people trying to impress their friends. It’s also usually really simple English that Chuuya can easily respond to – not like the fluent apology which flows from Ango’s lips.

The problem is that Chuuya doesn’t really speak English. Sure he knows some of the basics, but he was raised in France at an age where grasping French was hard enough, let alone English on the side. To say he spent 8 years in Europe, his English ability really is just limited to a few useful words and phrases so when faced with someone who is clearly fluent, he’s no match at all.

He’s so caught off guard by the fluency of Ango’s words and confusion over the fact that he didn’t use Japanese despite literally just hearing Chuuya curse at Dazai in it, that it takes him a good few seconds to register that his hat is being held out to him.

He takes it back with a quickly muttered , ”Uh…. Thank you,” before pressing on in his best, broken English, “sorry… I don’t speak English good.” Sure he might have understood the first half of what Ango said – though he was too caught off guard to realise that Ango used Dazai’s given name – but the latter half of his words was a little too complex for Chuuya’s liking. It’s embarrassing to admit though, especially with Dazai standing right there. It feels like Chuuya is just handing over ammunition to bully him with.

Thankfully, Oda steps in to save him from the awkward encounter by introducing Chuuya. He doesn’t understand at first why Oda wants to give him a nickname though. Is it just some weird custom for people who work at their agency? It’s only when Oda shifts his gaze suspiciously towards Dazai that Chuuya belatedly realises that Dazai still doesn’t know his name.

Comprehension spreads across Chuuya’s face as he places his hat back on his head and gives Oda a nod. Before he responds he chances a glance at Dazai, unable to resist a small smile when he sees the pout plastered across his face. “Red is fine.”

Chuuya isn’t unaware of the gazes pointed their way as they move further into the bar together but thanks to the fact that he’s already had one glass of wine, he doesn’t care nearly as much about them as he would do if he was completely sober. Right now, he’s too caught up in Dazai and the way that he has to lean down if he wants to whisper to Chuuya. Coupled with the way that Dazai’s hand dances along his back, it’s enough to make Chuuya’s heart skip a beat.

He doesn’t really care about introductions to a man who hardly looks happy to be here in the first place and he certainly doesn’t want to talk about work right now, but it’s probably a good thing that Dazai introduces Ango because, although Chuuya has seen him in the coffee shop, it’s always been Odasaku who placed the order so he’s let to learn Ango’s name. He makes a conscious effort to remember it.

The small smile Dazai shoots his way is the last bit of kindness Chuuya receives before Dazai moves away. It’s almost like a switch, the way he goes from lavishing Chuuya in seductive attention to reverting to the childish, irritating brat he’d been at the coffee shop. Chuuya instantly laments the loss of the former, quickly wishing he’d turned down Dazai’s offer to leave their little corner when he feels his hat lifted from his head, only to be followed by a sing-song voice.

“Oi!” Chuuya exclaims, instinctively shooting his hands up to smooth down the hair that’s displaced when Dazai removes the hat. Truthfully, he wants to get the hat back but he’s not drunk enough yet to put on a childish display and chase after it in a bar small enough to draw everyone’s attention if he raises his voice. He has their attention without doing anything at all, so he’s not going to give them more reasons to stare.

He’s sure he’s already turned a little red though and his expression probably gives away much more than his sober one when he fixes Dazai with a scowl before following after him to try and get his hat back.

“Little ghost my ass. Give me back my hat,” he demands, reaching out for Dazai’s arm to try and halt him.

Dazai’s eyes glint with life and amusement, dancing his noodle arms away from Chuuya. Circling the smaller redhead and slipping just out of grasp in the next second. “I’ve angered the spirits now~~” Dazai holds the hat up even higher, blocking out all the looks now focusing on him. He could swear that he saw Atsushi stand up in the corner of his vision, only to be slowly pushed back down by Ranpo. At least he had one person on his side for the chaos. After all how else could Dazai express that he had a crush on a mysterious barista that he knew absolutely nothing about. He was vain, but not to the point of admitting that he wanted the redhead just for his subtle personality but mostly his good looks.

Chuuya isn’t sure who Dazai refers to when he mentions the ‘earache’ but from what he’s been able to judge of Dazai’s character so far, he’s sure that said earache has quite a few reasons to be the way he is if he has to work with Dazai on a daily basis. Chuuya might be getting along with him right now, but he’s not sure he could hack working with him – not if he’s as annoying at work as he was in the coffee shop.

“More annoying than you? Is that even possible?” Chuuya teases, taking the hand offered to him to disguise the fact that he can step down from the bar stool a lot more gracefully with help than he would be able to do on his own.

It’s only when he’s faced with the rest of the small bar – something which Dazai’s tall frame had shielded him from this entire time, making it appear almost as if they were alone in their secluded corner – that he feels the nerves hit him. He’s simultaneously grateful that he hasn’t had so much to drink that he’ll embarrass himself but also wishing that he’d drank more so that he had a bit more confidence.

It’s clear right away that Dazai knows a lot of the people in this bar and it’s a reminder that he’s in the brunet’s territory right now. Not only that, but it reminds him of exactly what he and Dazai are doing right now which is…. Well he’s not entirely certain, but he didn’t really expect to be introduced to Dazai’s friends and colleagues before the pair of them even figured out what they’re doing. It’s a bit weird to introduce a one-night stand to your co-workers, right? So does that mean Dazai is looking at Chuuya as a dating prospect instead? Chuuya would be lying if he said that fleeting thought didn’t make him feel warm inside. Maybe that’s just the alcohol though.

He’s brought back down to earth by Dazai’s voice beside him and the presence of an arm behind him, close enough that he knows it’s there, but far enough that he can’t actually feel it’s touch. Part of him wishes Dazai would close the last few inches between them and rest his hand on Chuuya’s back but he supposes it’s too soon for that.

“I’ve already met Odasaku,” Chuuya points out, not needing to elaborate that he hasn’t met the man seated beside him. It probably is for the best that they start there though. Not to mention that Odasaku really is pleasant and Chuuya feels a little more comfortable at the prospect of talking to someone he already kind of knows.

The way that Dazai spins the story has him sounding just as bad as Chuuya in his former days, with the difference that Dazai actually seems to enjoy breaking the law, whereas Chuuya had mostly just done it for survival. It’s certainly not the backstory he expects to hear from a lead detective, and that’s precisely what has him a little sceptical of Dazai’s story.

If it is the truth, he doesn’t know how to feel about that either. Part of him is hopeful that if Dazai’s story really is true, then that means he’s not the model citizen that his job title would suggest. It also shows that he has a past that is really no different than Chuuya’s and honestly, if that were the case, then Chuuya thinks he could relax a lot more around Dazai. It would be so nice to be around someone he doesn’t have to hide everything from. Sure he has some of the flags for that, but what he really wants is friends and maybe something more – people who he can truly be himself around who will love and accept him no matter what his past looks like.

Then again, there’s always the chance that Dazai is leading him on with a false story to get more information out of Chuuya. It wouldn’t be the first time people have tried that with Chuuya but he’s usually pretty good at picking up on it. Besides, there’s no reason why Dazai would need to do such a thing unless he already has suspicions and Chuuya is certain he hasn’t done anything so far to hint that Dazai has any reason to look into his past.

“Are you sure you’re not just spinning a tale to find out how gullible I am?” Chuuya decides to ask, wary of outright trusting such an outrageous story. It’s not that he doubts Dazai has the capability to hack into a system like that but at 15? And to then land a job out of it all? It seems pretty farfetched but Chuuya has seen some wild things during his time on the streets so he knows better than to pass off everything that seems implausible. There’s usually at least some truth hidden in stories like this.

There’s one more problem that Chuuya has with the story too.

“Why would you tell me? You don’t know if you can trust me not to rat you out.”

Dazai cracks a small smile as he peeks back at Chuuya, amused by the conclusion he came to. Normally people would be viewing Dazai’s past as a red flag and ending the date short. Not that he has told this to any of the other people that he’s messed around with.  “Feel free to rat me out chibi, they’ve seen and heard worse.” passing it off with a wave of his hand. “You confessed a crime to a man of the law, I believe it’s just a fair exchange.”  Trust was such a fickle word to the brunet. He had no interest in the meaning of it. To Dazai, trust meant blindly giving yourself to someone on the promise that they wouldn’t hurt or take advantage of that. There was no meaning to an oath. It was just something humans had created to keep peace, yet it could be broken just as easily. Luckily for him, the raven was a good judge of people. Rather than believe in trust, he’d like to analyse others every moves and personal data and use that against them if the situation called for it.   Oda however, was his only exception to every rule. Dazai could count on him for anything. After all, Oda had been the one to save him on that reckless day, sparing him from a life behind bars.  The barista however, Dazai didn’t know what to call the feeling. It wasn’t quite trust. Maybe he would label it as a mutual understanding instead. Chuuya seemed reliable and honest. His expression, posture and choice of words perfectly portrayed it as an empty threat. He may not know his name yet, but Dazai did know that the other couldn’t hide any feelings from his expressions.

Suddenly Dazai’s face lights up. Like a raven swooping down to find it’s treasure, Dazai looks fixated on this new idea. Expression changing to a look of mischief. Suggesting that he was no longer up to any good. “I can personally introduce you to them~ I’m sure they’d love to finally solve that case.”