Dazai slumps over on the couch, staring down at his feet, eyes half-lidded, mouth unstuck from the smile he always wears. His body is fairly still as he allows his trenchcoat to slip from his shoulders.

"Dazai-san."

Two familiar voices blend together upon calling out to the brunette. He slowly lifts his head and meets the eyes of Atsushi and Akutagawa.

The younger boy blinks twice, nervously fiddling with his fingers. "A-are you alright, Dazai-san?"

Dazai smiles as best as he can in this moment (which isn't very convincing at all). "Ah, yes, I'm doing just fine. Thank you for asking."

Akutagawa looks him in the eye. "Your face has an abnormal expression. Your shoulders are slumped. You are slouching. You're exhibiting behavior of someone who is, in fact, not just fine. What is the matter, Dazai-san?"

Dazai chuckles a little bit. "Nothing's wrong, you two. I'm just tired."

"Just tired, huh?"

Dazai lifts his head slightly higher at the sound of a third voice and his eyes meet the piercing azure eyes that belong to Chuuya. His arms are crossed, and he looks at the brunette, his face looking half disapproving, half amused. He's wearing the apron Dazai had gifted him.

"If you're really just tired, I suppose you don't want me to make you some comfort crab, then."

Dazai perks up. "Actually, that would be great, thank you."

Chuuya tosses his shoulders up and laughs as he enters the kitchen.

"Do you need anything else, Dazai-san? I-I could get you a glass of water."

Akutagawa cuts Atsushi off. "I could get you some water with lemon in it."

"I could do that, too."

"I'll get you a blanket."

"I'll get you a pillow."

Dazai chuckles to himself as the two continue to argue over him.

He certainly raised them well.

~

"Dazai."

Chuuya runs his fingers through his lover's hair.

"Just tell me what's wrong."

The two had retired to their bedroom for the night. Atsushi and Akutagawa had tired themselves out after dinner (Chuuya, of course made crab, which Dazai thought was some of the best he had in a long time), which in turn tired out the predecessors.

Dazai closes his eyes and twines his fingers with Chuuya's, feeling like he could just fall asleep.

"Really, Chuuya. Nothing's wrong. I'm just tired, is all."

"I know you, Osamu. I know when something's wrong."

The redhead clenches the other's hand tighter.

"If you don't want to tell me what's wrong, fine. But know that you can't lie to me. I know there's more to it than you just being tired."

Dazai sighs, long and heavy.

Sometimes, their bond was a curse.

"Fine. I...I had a rough day at work."

Chuuya tilts his head to the side. "But, you work with Atsushi. Surely, he would have noticed?"

"I left Atsushi-kun out of it. I had to deal with some...old business that had been haunting me for awhile."

Dazai trembles a little, rolling around, trying to get comfortable in Chuuya's lap.

Chuuya runs his fingers through Dazai's hair once more. "Old business?"

"A close companion of someone I killed back in the mafia came to the Agency today. Had to talk to some of us, and...recognized me. I'd be surprised, considering it's been half a decade, but it's not like you'd forget the face of someone you watched murder a loved one in cold blood, yeah?"

Dazai shudders more.

"Just...gave me flashbacks. Reminded me how I'll never truly shed this layer of mafia black off of me."

Chuuya freezes a moment, then sighs again.

"Shit, Dazai...I had no idea. I'm sorry."

He smiles.

"But, you know what? You've changed. You being so bothered by that means you've grown since your mafia days. You're better now. You're becoming a good man. I'm proud of you."

He toys with chocolate-brown tendrils.

"I love you for a reason. I love that you've grown so much. I love that you love me back in a healthy way unlike how you did in your early mafia days. You're growing, Osamu. Today shows that. Being so bothered by that occurrence? That shows you've changed. Please...relax. You're wonderful."

Dazai's lip quivers, but a smile forms upon them.

"You have to say that, you're sweet on me."

Chuuya chuckles and gives Dazai a chaste peck on the lips, then nuzzling his nose.

"I love you, Chuuya."

Chuuya embraces the taller man.

"Love you, too, Dazai. Now, let's go to sleep."

"Gladly. I can't wait to see you in dreamland~"

Chuuya rolls his eyes. "Damn it, you're such a fucking sap."

Dazai laughs.

"There's the beautiful Osamu that I know and love!"

Chuuya pokes the tip of Dazai's nose, causing Dazai to laugh a little more.

"You're so silly and cute, Chuuya~"

Chuuya pushes Dazai down onto the bed, laying next to him, stroking his hair until his eyes close.

"I love you..."

Chuuya smiles again and pulls the taller man against him.

"I love you too, Dazai."