The first time Dazai took off his bandages, he felt as if he should ask first.

He and Chuuya are sitting together in silence, until Dazai breaks the silence by saying softly, "Hey, Chuuya? Do you mind if I take my bandages off?"

Chuuya is stunned. Stunned that Dazai felt the need to ask. Stunned that Dazai wanted to take off his bandages. Stunned that Dazai felt comfortable enough around Chuuya to even take them off.

Chuuya of course says it's fine, to which Dazai gives them a light tug and they come off (after years of having them and tying them he's learned tricks to getting them off quickly and tying them in ways where a specific spot being pulled on will make the bandages come off).

Chuuya watches in awe as the bandages fly off and onto the floor, like birds flocking.

He had not seen Dazai's scars like this before.

He grabs Dazai's arm and gently traces the scars with his finger as he leans against him.

"Thank you for being alright with this," Dazai says.

"Thank you for trusting me enough and feeling comfortable enough to do this," Chuuya replies.

The rest of the afternoon they stay sitting there, together, mumbling an "I love you" here and there, simply enjoying the peace and intimacy of the moment.

Dazai never realized how much he really trusted Chuuya until he found himself willing to take his bandages off in front of him.

Willing to expose a part of him nobody else has ever seen.

That's why he loves him.