Chapter Text
"Osamu, are you sure this is a good idea? I know we both have to go back to work today, but we've got the money to pay for a very last minute sitter," Chuuya calls through the shower curtain as the two of them got ready for the day at seven in the morning, Dazai currently combing his hair at the vanity while his partner washed up.
"Relax, chibi, the kids will be just fine spending the day with their old man. They say people lose hair when they're stressed, but I think your body must be taking it from your HGH levels instead, because damn you are as worked up all the time as you are short."
He can hear his lover sigh drearily over the spray of tap water, and seeing as he doesn't have it in him to come back with a yell or a lame insult, it only further proved how much distress he is in.
"Is anyone just fine spending the day with you, though? Because when I'm on my way home from work if it isn't a night shift, I pass Kunikida on his travels and every single day he's got something you-related to start shouting his ass off about! It was funny at first, and while I do sympathize with him more than anybody when it comes to our Dazai tolerance levels, he's a bit... loud."
"And you're not?!" Dazai exclaims in genuine disbelief toward such obliviousness even for his little hatrack, turning his head as if to face Chuuya despite the older being hidden behind a sheet. "Honey, you have zero right to complain about anyone being loud when you hold the crown yourself. Of course, that would also apply to calling anyone short, because you earn first prize for that title too~!"
A glowing bottle of shampoo begins to slowly rise in the air and hover above the shower, glowing an iconic crimson red. Dazai has to duck for cover just before it shoots across the room to strike him in the head, and it was frighteningly close to smashing their bathroom mirror to smithereens. On the floor with his hands holding the top of his hair like a helmet, Osamu laughs, increasingly so when he hears a irritated grunt muffled by the running shower head.
To get back to the subject at hand, Dazai stands back up, hesitantly so in case another bottle tries to knock him out, before he explains, "Look, unless something drastic comes up, I'll only be sitting around procrastinating paperwork the entire day anyway. Trust me, it's not half as dangerous as the mafia."
"Well, no shit, it isn't. If you're just going to be sitting on your ass all day, won't they grow bored and needy with nothing to do? Fuck, even I would get bored if I had to do what you people do for a living!"
His voice is aggressive, and while stressed out is the undertone, for someone who knows Chuuya as well as Dazai does, it comes clearly as the dominant emotion. Nakahara is often snappy for one reason or another, but Osamu truly gets it in this instant, for he too would be worried about leaving his kids alone all day while preoccupied somewhere else.
"Baby, listen to me," he says calmly, halting that statement there for a moment as Chuuya steps out of the shower and onto the mat, naked and soaking wet until Dazai hands him over the towel patiently waiting on the counter. While his eyes do graze over the more tempting parts of Nakahara's body for a split second, he's seen the man before him naked too many times for the sight to run him over like a bus, even if he is more sexually attracted to him than ever. They've simply become too domesticated for hunger to send them into overdrive in such simple circumstances, such as getting dressed in this case and others.
While he watches his husband through the corner of the mirror as he dries his hair with a second towel after having wrapped the one he passed around his waist, Dazai finally continues when Chuuya appears less occupied. "I don't want you wearing yourself out all day long with worry, especially if it can lead you to getting distracted on a dangerous mission. It wouldn't bother me so much if I were still there by your side, even if typical me would have a complaint or two to express on the matter, but I'm not, and that scares the hell out of me. Mori is a selfish bastard, and while intentions are clear that I would never force you to quit the mafia, it doesn't mean I entrust your life to his hands..."
"Osamu..." Chuuya begins, and he ends up cutting his own self off with a heavy exhale through his nose, wrapping his arms around his husband from behind as he pokes his head out to look at the man's expression in the reflection. Dazai leans back into the touch, but the frown on his face and the irritation in his eyes doesn't reduce in the slightest. In taking note of this, the former only hugs him closer, murmuring, "Until Arahabaki swallows me whole, you know I have no intentions of going anywhere. Well, to France or Italy maybe, but not anywhere I can't take you with me."
"Who says I won't follow you into death as well? You do know you're the only reason I've stayed alive for this long, right?"
As much as Dazai did and still sometimes do wishes to leave this twisted world behind, he can't bear to see it go if it includes leaving Chuuya to burden the god residing inside himself alone. Protecting the love of his life means more to him than liberation from his sins and trauma, the unforgotten memories that still plague him night after night, which Nakahara knows all too well about. After all, it's because of the pain that keeps Dazai up at night that Chuuya is even still alive right now, which accompanies a story from just two days ago.
The night before their scheduled meeting with Mori the following afternoon, Chuuya had allowed himself the exasperated sigh that fell from his lips while fumbling through his pockets for the keys to his apartment, recognizing the shape of it well enough by now that he doesn't have to study the other five or six attached to the ring. Typically, he would be using his electronic lock and code to get inside, but just a few days prior, someone had fried the system so they could break in at an ungodly hour of the night and settle a score they had to pick with him, which was nothing new considering what he does for a living.
It had been the first time someone had taken the liberty of tracking down his apartment's location and what time he would be home while being brave enough to sneak in while Chuuya was sleeping so they could kill him where he was his most vulnerable. He knew his life was always at risk of being endangered given how many people's lives he's ruined by command, but his home was the one place he truly thought he could let his guard down in, even if it isn't surrounded by guards and barb wire to keep the trespassers out. Maybe it's because it later became his and Dazai's safe haven where they could strip their thick skin and reveal themselves bare, in both the physical and emotional way that would one day kill Chuuya.
There's no way Mori isn't already made aware of their relationship, even if they had never formerly told him of their marriage; nothing can ever be kept secret when you're a pawn on his chess board, and to escape from under his thumb is no easy feat unless you are a shifty motherfucker like Dazai. Nothing that man does is without an ulterior motive, and Chuuya knows damn well he holds the knowledge of their love as a trump card in his deck of power plays, hiding it in his drawer for the day where it'll most suit him.
Perhaps that's what had him so on edge about that suspicious meeting, on top of Tuesday's scare where another man had boldly stepped into his bedroom and pointed the mouth of a gun to his chest, an angry grin on his lips until Dazai's outmatched his own as he appeared behind him. It isn't unusual for the former mafioso to be awake at the wee hours of morning after having not slept due to racing thoughts and anxieties that come together to bring him inescapable insomnia, and oftentimes when he becomes so overwhelmed that shut-eye is helpless, he will remove his arms that would have been holding Chuuya from behind and sneak out of their apartment to get some fresh air and a quiet walk through the city of his comfort, never having to worry about waking his lover when he slept so solid that not even an earthquake could wake him, especially post-corruption or on nights when he's on the wine.
He didn't like leaving Chuuya alone and vulnerable like that everyday even if the disease of his mind doesn't take a night off, which is for reasons just as that where someone carefully planned and executed this stunt to make sure the moment couldn't possibly go wrong. They would have had to of made sure Chuuya was home and asleep, solid enough that their entry wouldn't wake the slumbering god. And if they are well informed enough, they would have also known to wait for an opportunity where Dazai wouldn't be around, because the tamer of that destruction can sense danger coming from a mile away, so without a doubt would hear somebody playing with the door or footsteps creeping in no matter the circumstances. You learn to sleep with one eye open when you're in the mafia, and it's a habit Osamu never could break.
Dazai had been out for another one of his walks that night, but returned home only to find the keypad steaming and unworking. A familiar panic had begun to thrum in his chest when he wiggled the knob helplessly and, with brute strength, slammed his shoulder against the unmoving door that had been locked as it would be automatically, which wouldn't have been a problem if he had actually taken his key with him. He's grateful his mind hadn't been too cloudy in the heat of the moment, for he had managed to pick the lock even with shaky hands, but as Osamu worked, the man could very well note the thumping he felt in his ears and the quick, shallow breaths that blew out of his mouth. Of all ways to lose Chuuya, something so simple and easy could never be acceptable.
The moment that front door gave in, Dazai was like a bat out of hell as he ventured through his own home, still being cautious and stealthy so as not to trigger a panicked response out of his soon to be victim. They have guns taped under just about every furniture piece in their houses for incidents like these, and so it was easy reflex when he slipped his hand underneath their living room chest and prepped the pistol for fire, making a smooth and clean shot to the back of the bastard's head when he turned himself into the doorframe without a beat of hesitation. Chuuya had shot up in bed as fast as that criminal's body struck the floor, choking on a gasp for air as he stared wide-eyed at his lover. How careless he had been, especially for someone that's supposed to be a high-ranking executive, and his mind has been diseased with those kinds of deprecating thoughts ever since.
Nakahara can see that image in his mind when he flutters his eyes shut, still hugging him close. He hadn't had a panic attack as bad as that one for a very long time, dating as far back as around the early stages of Dazai first leaving Port Mafia and falling off the grid. Osamu had held on to him so tight, that trembling, desperate plea of an affection that reflected many Corruption-related memories formed over a lifetime's worth of memories, and that action alone was assurance enough that Dazai would destroy anything that tried to steal his gift of life away, brutally so.
To be granted a human life to begin with, or at least one that mimicked it closely, Chuuya is terrified of it slipping away too soon, especially without a warning bell. He's so strong, especially on days where he is cocky and confident, but on the inside, he's always felt so small, as miniature as the tiny cube that once defined his very existance; as miniscule as Osamu pretends he is, tiny and only viewable under a microscope.
Losing Dazai, losing the kids, losing himself... those fears are a constant anxiety, and yet when someone even as mere as a stranger is in danger or he's fighting for a passionate cause, it's as if they vanish like magic, having never existed in the first place until a full-blown return.
"I trust you, Osamu," Chuuya whispers almost under his breath, the grip he had around his torso becoming even more constricting as his arms start to tremble. "Protect them for me."
A smile blossoms on Dazai's lips, and all he does is simply nod his head in silence, caressing the skin of his soulmate's arm in soothing strokes.
"All right, children, Dad is leaving for work now," Chuuya calls out for the little girls colorlessly, clearly in no excitement to leave as feet abuse the floorboards in a sprint to say their goodbyes.
"I love you, Dad!" Akane giggles when she runs with her arms extended to be lifted into a hug, seeming to love being held or carried around. "Say hi to Elise for me!"
"And I do you, my love. I will most certainly pass on the message," Chuuya grins as he holds his little clone in his arms, pecking her on the cheek before she cuddles into him for a hug he wholeheartedly returns.
And on the not-so-soft side of things, there was his other daughter's parting words.
"Don't let that asshole Mori give you too hard of a time either," Akira scoffs, arms folded over her chest as she bites down on her lip, seeming to disguise her urge to cry right now by masking it behind sass. "Anyone that hurts my father answers to me, I don't care if they're twice my size!"
"Well, ladies and gentlemen, we've found our next heir to the Mafia throne, because she's sure as hell not afraid to slit his throat and take position," Dazai laughs, and despite the wide smile on Chuuya's lips, the latter does playfully smack Dazai upside the head for bringing such a dangerous idea up to her.
Putting Akane back down on two feet, Nakahara crouches down and takes Akira into his arms next, who trembled in the embrace and clutched the material of his jacket between her nails like it was her lifeline. Osamu's eyes sparkled with sympathy when Akira eventually started to cry after Chuuya whispered something in her ear as she begged for him not to go, which killed the parent even more when they had to kiss their daughter on the forehead and force themselves to pull away, especially when giving into the demand was so much easier.
"You both have a wonderful day, okay?" the mafioso begs more than asks, releasing a breath he had been holding until trying to brighten the mood a bit before his departure. "And while traditionally I should be warning you both not to go causing your Daddy trouble while I'm gone, I feel like asking you girls to make sure he's the one that's staying on his best behavior at work."
The girls agree with that statement to the fullest, and as he had hoped, it did evoke some laughs and following comments between the twins as Chuuya takes a step toward Dazai, the latter taking the hint as his arms sling around the shorter's waist while arms reach up to encircle his neck.
"I don't know how long I'll be, but I'm suspecting it'll be rather late considering I only worked a quarter of my shift yesterday," Nakahara whispers against his lips after having kissed once, making sure to talk quietly enough so that neither of their children could hear, Akira especially. "Mori wasn't intending to have me back until another few days at least, but apparently something has come up that I need to take care of, urgent I'm supposing."
Dazai nods his head, understanding from personal experience how quick and unexpected these kinds of crisis come up in the Port Mafia.
"No worries, babe, if you're not home by six, I'll just order in for the three of us. I will be sure to put some away for you anyway."
"Thank you, Dazai Osamu, you're a lifesaver!" Chuuya preaches in a joking, dramatic manner, giggling before he pecks his husband one last time on the lips and forces himself to leave until he ends up lingering here all day.
With Nakahara now on his way to work, expected to arrive about twenty minutes early, Dazai now has fifteen left to get ready before he'll show up to the ADA a half an hour late.
When Osamu and his girls finally leave the apartment until they would return home in the evening, he receives a text from Chuuya already demanding he not go anywhere near his car while their daughters are around, which would make that fifteen minute drive longer if they're to go by foot.
Not that Dazai cared, it would mean nothing to him if he didn't show up at all, but spending time in the ADA's company does grant him some extent of entertainment, and managed to fill a void he had for so long seemingly well. The least he could do was put some effort in, even if it is the bare minimum. Actually, having the excuse to walk grants Akane and Akira the opportunity to sightsee around Yokohama some more, seeing as he would have to take a different route to get to the office than their shopping trip. Maybe this and some fresh air would be good for them after all, so long as he doesn't provide them a suicide story with particular landmarks they would cross on their way.
Akane was up on his shoulders, brown eyes sparkling in amazement of how beautiful the city is, especially when Dazai pointed up at the tallest skyscraper and told her that there is where her father works. The five year old had gasped and had to crane her neck back just to try and look up at the top, saying how one of these days she was going to fly to the very roof. Osamu laughed and simply indulged in her child-like fantasy, saying that if she dreamed it hard enough, the wish would come true.
Akira had walked alongside her father the entire time, holding his (gloved) hand and walking unnecessarily close to him whenever they passed anyone that looked suspicious. You are bound to find a lot of people like that around, but so long as Dazai was by her side, she knew there was nothing to be afraid of. At least she got to pet some dogs they crossed paths with, which didn't fail to lift her spirits every time.
Osamu spotted Akutagawa on the opposite side of the street to them on their trek, but made sure to pick up the pace before the twins could notice. After all, he was beating someone half to death in an alleyway, Rashomon splitting their flesh, and that's not really a pleasant position for the girls to see their uncle in.
A quarter after nine, Dazai finally strolls into work, everyone having already arrived before 8:30am as to be expected of them. Akira was getting a little shy at all of the people, death-gripping Dazai's hand as she stood a little behind him, and so was Akane until she saw a raccoon sprawled out across somebody's desk, belly up as it rolled around on the papers.
Akane squealed before either of them could make their presence known and started making a beeline towards the creature at full speed, everyone taken by surprise at the sudden and unexpected presence of a child of all things. Poe screamed and hid under the table, but everyone else's gazes immediately relocated to the doorway where Osamu finally entered, Akira now hiding behind him entirely at all the eyes on them.
"Dazai! What is the meaning of this?!" Kunikida yells at the top of his lungs before greetings could be made, Dazai smiling at the typical behavior before he felt something pulling on his leg, casually looking behind him to see Akira had wrapped her arms around his limb with her face buried in the material of his beige pants.
She's shaking like a leaf, and immediately the man's expression changes to that of concern, Akira sniffling and whimpering into the leg she hugged like a tree trunk, "I want Dad."
Sighing, Osamu detaches his daughter and picks her up so he's holding the little girl, the room startled at such a soft and anti-Dazai action except for Atsushi who simply watched on with a knowing smile, Kazue on his lap while he occupied himself with a coloring book Haruno had. It's full of cats pictures, so the toddler was very happy.
"Now, Kunikida, just look what you did," Dazai pouts to add to the tease laced in his voice, pointing to Akira whose face was currently buried in his shoulder, arms hugged around his neck in a choking manner to which he had no complaint for. The man in mention was suddenly very aware of the situation, jaw dropping and heart flooding with guilt at making the girl so terrified of him. "This is your karma for yelling at poor little old me before I could even step foot into the door! You really are horrible with kids~!"
An awkward silence fell amongst the space, Atsushi sadly averting his gaze to Kazue so he was looking at anything else but the depressing sight before him. Tanizaki and Naomi easily read the room as well, the boy biting the tip of his pen all the while his sister glared daggers at Dazai. They thought if anyone knew better than to prod on such a sensitive wound, it would be the man who understood it best.
A sympathetic smile on his lips, Osamu takes a few steps forward so he was standing directly in front of Kunikida, feeling a tad guilty at the sullen look he managed to put on his face this early in the morning. He must admit that perhaps he did go a bit too far with what was meant to be a meaningless joke, but his friend should of known better than to take it so seriously. Dazai understands the touchy subject area better than anyone the very same way Kunikida should understand not to take everything he says so literally, given how many pages of his notebook he's ruined by now with fake facts.
"Akira," the father beams, Doppo silently looking up from where his gaze was glued to the floor to watch the pair before him, Dazai's stare roaming back and forth between them both. "Bring your head up now, precious, there's someone who would like to apologize for scaring you."
His colleague's eyes widen, pushing his glasses up the bridge of the nose and clearing his throat before he's paralyzed by the teary eyes that now looked through his very soul, the fanatic's spine turning straight as a whip before he's struggling to compose himself despite the nervousness that still shook him.
"I-I'm sorry for frightening you, little one. I did not mean to yell," Kunikida apologizes with the utmost genuineness, certainly not prepared for when Dazai smirks and transfers her into his own arms, smug as hell. Akira doesn't put up any fight, simply wears a straight face that's intimidating enough to kill, and when she isn't giving any indication of replying, he feels obligated to say more. "I, um... It's just automatic behavior when it comes to your father, because he often misbehaves and tries to purposely get under my skin. A terrible role model, that man is, but be proud of him anyway, because Dazai will always pull through for us in the end."
Osamu is more than flabbergasted at such unexpected praise from the last person he would ever dream of, eyes wide in surprise at the fond smile on Kunikida's lips while he spoke. It seems the idealist had managed to win over his daughter in the end, for the warmth returns to her eyes and expression as she whispers, "I think the same."
"Daddy! Daddy! Come look!" Akane's cheerful boasts is what prys Dazai away from the surprisingly soft interaction he just had with his good friend and child, hands buried in the pockets of his trench coat as he saunters his way over to where the little one gave Karl belly rubs, all pure and lighthearted before the raccoon decides he's had enough and bites the tip of her pinky, making her immediately pull away with a screech.
It hadn't been anything too serious; a nip like that didn't even draw blood or leave a cut. It was more of a warning to pull away than an intent to harm, but it was the scare that had the little girl so upset, which was why Dazai's glare at Ranpo was murderous when the detective bursts out laughing in his seat, leaned back with his feet propped up on the very desk Akane had been petting the animal on. Karl, after standing back up properly with a groan and a stretch, casually makes his way over to his owner's boyfriend and curls up on his lap much like an ordinary house cat would, eyes peacefully falling to a close despite not receiving any attention.
Poe crawls out from under the desk where he had been hiding, a whimpering noise escaping his mouth when he hits his head on the way up. The urge to cry was tempting, not only because his pet had made someone else do so, but as well as the expression on Dazai's face that better suited a murderer than a preacher of good deed.
However, most of all, it was the way Kazue giggled and pointed at him from across the room, laughing to kill himself as he cries, "Funny vampire!" that had Edgar sulking, feeling Kyouka's hand patting him on the back consolingly.
"Daddy, did I hurt his feelings?" Akane sniffles, referring to Karl as she watches Dazai get down on his knees before her, taking the little girl's hand into his own while he waited on Atsushi who walked over to his desk to retrieve a roll of bandages he keeps tucked away in one of the drawers. He had little Kazue down on the floor to walk around some more, his expression immediately brightening when Kyouka beams and extends her arms in a hug, which has the child moving as fast as he can to get to her.
After having wrapped her nail in white tape despite it being unnecessary, he squeezes his daughter's still trembling hand reassuringly before kissing the tip of her pinky that had been hurt, an acceptable action for the bandages prevented it from being skin to skin contact. Not being able to kiss them or touch them with his bare hands kills him more and more each day, but at the risk of having them disappear by No Longer Human's effect, it simply wasn't worth those precious moments.
"Look," he says with a smile, lifting his sleeve to reveal the matching strips travelling up his arm. "We match now."
Akane gasps, in her glee at the thought of the two of them dressing alike. One last tear slips down her cheek, but it's the final as she calls out to Akira who was currently with Kunikida on the other side of the room, receiving a tour of the office with actual interest. Once the little girl races off to join them, Osamu turns around with a threatening smile on his lips, tone unnerving as he asks, "Just what is it you find so funny this time, hmm?" seeing as Ranpo fell into yet another fit of laughter.
"Look at you being all soft and considerate, who wouldn't find it hilarious!" he wheezes, and while that much wouldn't bother Dazai, it still irks him how his daughter's tears had been comical to him. "You having kids is a fever dream all on it's own, but kids with Chuuya? Now that takes the cake!"
"Ranpo, dear, you don't have to be so hard on him," Poe timidly speaks up, currently sat alongside Kyouka as Kazue plays with the buttons on his coat, erupting into a scream when the child crawls into his lap and gets comfortable there. It wasn't a foreign feeling, seeing as Karl curls up on his thighs all the time, but it still made him panic, especially since this was the child of a Port Mafia commander and a man that turns into a tiger.
"Take it easy, hun, I'm only having a bit of fun. Dazai is the last person to get defensive over a joke, isn't that right?"
"Of course," Dazai agrees through gritted teeth, voice pleasant but his expression saying otherwise. He let's it go this time albeit reluctantly, but the man doesn't plan on taking any more bullshit if it involves his daughters, no matter who it is. It's pathetic, really, getting worked up over behavior he would very well mimick himself, but he just can't help it. He's never been protective of anything other than Chuuya, not even his own life that he's carelessly tried to throw away more times than he can count, but now two more names have been added to already such a short list. "All is perfectly well."
Just about everyone Poe doesn't know particularly well scares him to death, but there's always been something about Dazai personally that's unnerved him. It's not even anything to do with him being formerly part of the mafia, but a demeanour that's absolutely terrifying. He almost reminds him of the villian of a horror movie, one such film where the cast is being terrorized by somebody that's perfectly alive but deeply disturbed. Edgar has never told that to anyone before, but that doesn't make it any less real or prominent. The author simply tries to keep his distance and avoid contact if at all possible, even if he does drop by almost every day.
Nothing really eventful happens from then on, seeing as now would be the time everyone keeps themselves busy until break after getting settled in. Atsushi was at his desk doing paperwork, being the obedient little worker he is, whereas most everyone else was taking it easy for the most part, although not nearly as much as Dazai who wasn't even lifting a finger.
In Poe's arms, Kazue remained content, Kyouka having given him her flip phone so he could play with the bunny keychain dangling from it. There really wasn't much to amuse a child his age, but the brand new environment probably played a part in keeping his attention steady, especially when it is full with all kinds of new people. Edgar even let him smooth down Karl after warning his pet not to bite anymore, but what really did the trick in amusing him was when Haruno and Naomi took the little one to their own office so he could watch cat videos on one of their monitors, which instantly had the boy's mood skyrocketing as all cat-related things do. He's a tad obsessed, but such happiness towards something so simple is beautiful.
Akira was still chasing Kunikida at his heels like a puppy, even when he sat down at his computer to get cracking at all the work he has to get done. However, the man still pulls up a chair beside him so his new niece could sit alongside him, pulling a sheet of printer paper out of a package before plucking a pencil from the cup at his desk, letting her pass some time drawing.
Akane had walked over to the corner of the room where Tanizaki and Kenji were situated seeing as she hadn't greeted them yet, the gentlemen not expecting to be the ones keeping her occupied for most of the day. Kenji, to no surprise, is actually really good at telling entertaining stories, and not just personal experiences. You give him a topic or a statement to build a foundation on, and he'll carry it off to extraordinary heights, especially if it's a good scary story for around the campfire. Last summer, the ADA all went out on a camping trip together where they set up tents in the woods to get away from the commotion of the city for a while, and the farmer's horror tales terrified even Kunikida. He kept it lighthearted and fun for Akane, though, and overhearing her laughter and enthusiasm melted Dazai's heart into a puddle.
Kenji was summoned by Fukuzawa in the middle of story three for a case, which actually disappointed him a lot because he was having a lot of fun spending time with Akane. The pair shared a hug before he left, promising that he would tell her the ending when they're together again, and that was when the boss saw the two children for the first time, wishing to have a closer look.
"Hmmmm..." he hums to himself, Akane and Akira shifting uncomfortably as the man basically studied them after being called over to stand before him. "Isn't this something else."
He already met Kazue just a few moments ago when he spotted him in the other room with the women, but the toddler was too preoccupied watching kittens roll around on a floor than the strange old man staring him down. However, it was almost as difficult to even look at Atsushi's son when there were cats being shown on screen, seeing as he's just as much a fanatic for the animal as the child. Fukuzawa was distracted for a good ten minutes but eventually had to pull himself away before he would wind up sitting there on YouTube all day, which is when he walked in to summon Kenji.
The man honestly wasn't trying to scare the girls, he was just mesmerized by how surreal this magic trick was, despite having already been aware of what Mori had planned from the very beginning (especially the tidbit of information that he, in fact, didn't keep the spell consensual as agreed upon). Fukuzawa had only seen Chuuya a handful of times when he happened to stop by on occasion either to deliver a message for Mori in person or to pick Dazai up for lunch, and despite being enemies at some point or another, the executive was always very courteous and reserved in his presence. He had to say that the resemblance of both Nakahara and Dazai in those girls was amazing, and that's coming from somebody that doesn't see them both consistently.
"My name is Fukuzawa Yukichi, director of the Armed Detective Agency. It is a pleasure to have you visit us, Akane and Akira," the man introduces himself, tone professional and flat that is to only be expected of their leader.
Dazai couldn't help but snicker when his two little ones literally bow like he is some sort of king standing before them, but also found it adorable. Fukuzawa couldn't contain the smile that broke out on his lips, he too reclining his body forward. The man waves them both off before taking his leave once again, Akira and Akane waving him off with more enthusiasm now that they know he isn't a threat.
A knock now sounds at the open door of the Agency before heads turn to see Yosano standing there, having earned everyone's attention already from previously watching the samurai standing there.
"Hey," Yosano strolls in casually, stopping dead in her tracks when spotting the two little girls standing before her. "I was coming to see if Dazai dropped in so I could ask about his daughters, but I didn't expect him to bring them to work. So this is the real deal?"
"Real deal," Dazai sighs contentedly from where he stretched out on his back atop of the office's leather sofa, hands behind his head as he took it easy. "Akira, Akane, go say hi to the doc."
"Doctor?!" Akane grins, clearly amazed as she and Akira officially approached the young woman that had entered the room. "Woah! That's so cool!"
"So do you, like, cut people up and stuff? You must get a kick out of doing it to people you don't like," Akira snorts, clearly trying to act cool in front of someone she thought was way out of her league.
"Well, I personally get a kick out of it either way. You know, the human body is more interesting than you think. All the things it has to do in order for it to function the way it does is probably one of the most fascinating things in the world," Yosano beams, crouched down so they were in equal height to make her seem less intimidating. "I'll gladly show you around my clinic if you'd like."
Akane is immediately on board with that, and given her twin sister's excitement, Akira decides that she too would like to go. They both turn around to look at their dad expectantly, as if to ask permission to go, and Dazai simply waves his hand, shooing them off as he closes his eyes for a nap. Whatever keeps them busy.
Checking the time on his phone, Atsushi sees that it's now twenty to twelve already, putting the device down screen first as he prepares to get up and check on his baby.
Kazue had waddled on in just as Nakajima had rose to go retrieve him, Haruno having walked the boy out before shyly waving and returning to her own office. His son seemed so content and blissful, acting as if he owned the place as he made his way over to Ranpo who was relaxing at his own desk, chatting with Tanizaki who was situated nearby.
Atsushi simply lets him be, but still kept a third eye glued to the little one.
Akutagawa knew his exact destination when he finished up his assignment and took his lunch break. The ADA happened to be close by to the location of his assignment (assignment as in 'shutting someone up' that likes to talk too much apparently, but not a bloody slaughter because of a certain someone), so it was only a short walk from point A to point B.
He enters through the downstairs café where he immediately cringes at seeing Lucy behind the counter, already prepared to be verbally bashed by a woman who might be a little too passionate when it comes to Atsushi. She's lashed out at him more times than he can count over little jabs he used to make toward Nakajima in the past, and it's clear that their personalities clash way too much for them to ever get along.
Ryuunosuke simply doesn't have the patience to deal with her, but seeing as Atsushi cares about the girl dearly, it's in his best interest not to make an enemy out of her any more than they already are.
"Good afternoon, welcome to-! Oh, it's you."
Having heard the bell chime to signal a 'customer' had entered the little coffee shop, her pleasant service tone had swept her ordinary tone away, gathering a menu in her hands before turning toward the front entrance. The bright, bubbly personality her expression put on immediately twists in disgust at the sight of the man, slamming the list of potential orders on the counter as arms fold over her chest.
"I do not wish to engage in quarrel with you yet again. I have important matters to attend to," Ryuunosuke speaks with a sour sense of etiquette, Lucy rolling her eyes while the former coughs into his hand.
"And as in 'important matters' you mean pestering Atsushi again, am I right?" she slyers, Akutagawa's gaze further narrowing before hacking into his hand once more.
"Listen, bratty girl, Nakajima is in charge of his own life, therefore it is his own decision as to whoever he wishes to spend his time with. I assume you heard about the baby?" he replies with much less civility than before, his patience wore thin already.
"Yeah, Atsushi is taking care of an orphan for the time being. He has a kind heart, not that someone like yourself would understand."
"As someone who was formerly part of the Guild, I don't think it's very appropriate of you to bash me when your behavior is clearly considered hypocritical. But that is besides the point, because quite frankly, I truly do not care for your opinion about me, nor does any concern me these days except for Atsushi and my son's."
"Your... son's?"
"Oh, might I correct myself. That would be our son; mine and Atsushi's three year old, comprising of one hundred percent DNA belonging to the two of us."
Akutagawa probably shouldn't have taken so much pride in saying those words, nor should he of felt such satisfaction at the way her judgemental expression immediately sunk.
A lot has changed about Ryuunosuke since Atsushi came into his life, because since the very beginning, his view of many things began to shift when exposed to a new light Dazai had been shielding him from all this time in order to be 'mafia fit'. The man no longer kills people, even if he'll still bring people to the brink of it to appease Mori, and he's learned to live for himself and not the satisfaction of somebody else due to a nagging belief it was to be owed in gratitude.
However, Akutagawa's personality is simply who he is, and whether he's considered 'good' or 'evil', his rude mannerism and prickliness probably won't ever change, even if it can be toned down. If someone ever tries to step on his toes and spit in his face, just as Lucy did to him unprovoked, it isn't in his nature to take a step back and let it go, but to shove them off and shower the individual in arrogance and cruelty.
They had bad blood coursing between them for quite some time leading up to now anyway, and while Ryuunosuke is well aware Atsushi is going to be seething if word of their exchange comes back to him, it's something Akutagawa will just have to endure. After all, he didn't just rub salt in her wounds, but poured the whole damn shaker inside and made sure he didn't miss a single grain.
Akutagawa genuinely isn't bothered in the slightest over Lucy's love for Atsushi, the very same way Atsushi is unphased by Higuchi's love for him.
By what he's witnessed over the years of working closely alongside Dazai, his mentor has always been the jealous type if he thinks somebody else has romantic intentions toward Chuuya, even before they developed something beyond their partnership. Not in a sense where he wanted his partner leashed because he thought they were going to be disloyal, but was weary that the outsider would try to pull something disgusting, even if all they had was a harmless, little crush.
I guess you could say Akutagawa also feels that way if it's simply a pervert that is pushy in seeking something sexual, but when it's someone that genuinely loves Atsushi, that's a different story altogether. With how deprived of care and affection Nakajima has been since birth, Ryuu believes he deserves all the love in the world, even if it can sometimes clash with his own feelings towards him when somebody else wants to hold that special place in his heart.
Honestly, he can't blame Lucy for falling for Atsushi the very same way he doesn't blame her for how she's been treating him. After all, they say the ones you get along with least are the ones who are most like yourself, and in this case it would be more than true. If Akutagawa felt like someone was interfering in his quest to earn Nakajima's romantic love, the man would no doubt behave the very same way she is, perhaps more viciously, actually.
If they can ever get apast the landmine that must first be crossed when entering a new relationship, maybe the two of them will become friends someday, or at least tolerate the other's existance.
That was where their exchange ended, for the mafioso had made his way to the staircase leading up to the Agency before the killer silence could end and result in a harsher argument. He can't help but sigh drearily as he reaches the top, the door to the ADA wide open as their chatter audibly carries itself out of the room tand reaches Akutagawa's hearing range. No one had really noticed his presence right away, which is sadly more normal than he would like to admit, and while his initial action was to simply enter the room quietly before shyly approaching Atsushi, his feet wind up glued to the doorway, distracted by the sight of his son who was waddling over to Ranpo's desk much like a penguin.
He smiles, but finds the pleasant expression deteriorating by the second the longer he witnessed the exchange.
"What do you want?" Ranpo asks in a rather rude tone when the child simply stands there and stares up at him like a painting on a museum wall, not saying anything as he studies the detective who was eating a lollipop while doing a task for Fukuzawa on his laptop.
The man pulls his body away with a disgusted expression on his face when Kazue raises his arms and starts making grabby hands at him, Edogawa murmuring, "Shoo, shoo," with the wave of his hand as if this were a pesky fly and not a child, the two of equivalent annoyance in his opinion. People tend to be irritating as is, unless your name is Poe, Fukuzawa, or Yosano in his books, but kids are on their own level with how extreme it is. Ranpo has zero tolerance for youngsters, and Atsushi's son would be no exception.
"Candy, candy!" Kazue smiles, smiles as if expecting Ranpo to just hand him over his precious rations. "Candy for Kazue, candy for Kazue! Please, Mister Candy Man, Kazue wants some candy too!"
Atsushi, who stopped mid-sentence of the line he was typing to observe the sight before him, is grinning like mad at how precious his child was being, unlike Ranpo who was ready to kick the midget into space. Akutagawa was also melting into a puddle on the floor, but immediately refreezes at the sudden turn of events.
"Ew, go away, you little gremlin! Kazue receives no candy until he gets a stable job and income and can pay for his own damn sweets!"
All the clicking of the keyboards immediately halt, all eyes on Ranpo now as a harsh, tense silence passes along the room now. Ranpo feigns innocence, squeaking out an uncomfortable, "W-What?" when the stares turn into glares, not having Poe here to defend him for the man had went home about ten minutes ago. Although given how much time Edgar and Kazue had spent together today, perhaps he would take the poor child's side over his own.
Atsushi is off his chair at lightning speed when Kazue bites his lip and begins to sob, tears streaming from his eyes that he tried to wipe away in his sleeve with shame. When Nakajima storms over, he kicks Ranpo's chair over so he fell on the floor, the threatening expression on his face louder than anything he could of yelled at him before he's on his hands and knees, prying his son's little hands away from his face before holding him close.
Ranpo thought the shitshow was over just as Dazai wakes up from his nap with a yawn and a stretch, sitting up on the couch he died on before slipping the headphones off his head. Immediately, his attention is averted to the commotion he failed to hear over his music, eyes widening in surprise to see Akutagawa picking Ranpo up off the ground by Rashomon's grip around his throat, knowing that probably now would be a good enough time to intervene.
"My child is no gremlin, you greedy motherfucker! Are you so selfish that it kills you to offer a single sucker to a begging three year old that even had the decency to say please?!"
"Oops, I wasn't informed you were raising a privileged child that's expected to be handed anything it asks for. My bad," Ranpo shrugs, unbothered by the fact he was making his current predicament that much worse as Akutagawa growls and throws him at the wall, his body's contact with the hard surface leaving a dent.
Atsushi is holding Akutagawa back now before the man could storm over as he tried and do any worse damage, arms hugging him from behind as he snaps, "Ryuu, that's enough!" which so happened to be the perfect opportunity for Dazai to place his hand on Ryuunosuke's shoulder as he did, deactivating his ability.
"Now, now, settle down, children. Just move on and let Ranpo be himself, there's no harm done."
Biting his tongue, Akutagawa shrugs Dazai's hand off his shoulder stiffly, crouching down next to his crying son who hadn't even realized his father had arrived. Kazue's eyes widen in surprise when the little one realizes he's being lifted, a small smile gracing his lips as he snuggles into him. Kunikida's jaw is dropped, in shock over everything that had just happened on top of such a soft display by a murderer that once did great damage to their agency, and while he knows he should be yelling right now, the man honestly didn't know where he should even begin.
"I, um..." Kunikida scratches the back of his head, trying to get a grip on his words. "I apologize on Ranpo's behalf for upsetting your son, Akutagawa. Of course, the same courtesy is extended to you too, Atsushi, although you're much more familiar with Ranpo's... antics than your partner would be. I do, however, must warn you that if you should ever barge in here and be so violent over such a trivial manner again, I can and will have you leave the Agency without permission to ever return, even if I should have to use force."
The atmosphere was still as intense as ever, Tanizaki's expression appearing as if he were about to throw up while he wordlessly observed from his corner of the room, wishing his sister were here right now to shoulder the awkwardness with him. Kyouka was leaning against the wall beside Ranpo's corpse, looking serious as she watches the detective peel himself off the floor with folded arms, her displeasure for the man's childish behavior made very clear through the glare she extended. After all, the young girl is very protective over Nakajima, and that would now include his son.
Yosano would ordinarily barge in here if she heard all this commotion going on, especially if the sounds indicate a brewing fight the woman could get in on. But the crowd can assume her staying away is intentional, seeing as Dazai's twin girls are in her care at the moment. They would no doubt follow the doctor if she were to leave and come in here, and right now this isn't the most pleasant situation for them to be present for. With Fukuzawa also out, thankfully they can handle this situation amongst themselves without the involvement of the director.
Atsushi's stare is pleading when he locks eyes with Akutagawa momentarily, praying he wouldn't start yet another scene over Kunikida's undertone of a threat. Normally, it would be expected for Ryuu's pride to be too strong for him to admit he was wrong and surrender, but there appeared to be no bite in retaliation even if such a statement could be provocative.
Rashomon is already tidying the chair and desk away that got knocked over during the commotion as he says, "That would only be appropriate. You have my apologies, sir," with all the respect and genuinity in the world, enough to not only surprise Atsushi but Dazai as well.
Nakajima couldn't fight the smile that stretches on his lips out of sheer joy and proudness, glad that Ryuunosuke is not only putting in a good effort to maintain a healthy relationship with the people Atsushi calls his family, but setting an example for Kazue that you apologize for your wrong-doings and make it up to them. As his two pupils now fix the situation, Ryuunosuke tidying up while Atsushi makes up with Ranpo, Osamu can't help the warmth that blossoms in his chest knowing that he played a part in making this happen. No wonder Oda loved saving the orphans so much, because the reward of seeing them make something beautiful for themselves is stronger than any drug or substance.
"Oh, Dazai?" Akutagawa suddenly pipes up as they remain the only two left standing in the middle of the room not preoccupied. With the hum that Osamu follows with to make him aware that he was listening, the mafioso continues, "Chuuya won't be by to visit like he had hoped. He's working through his break because of a mission Mori sent him off to take care of, and wanted me to let you know that it could get really dangerous. His warning to pass along is not to let Akane or Akira spot him if you happen to pass by each other somewhere throughout the day, because it could make things really messy."
Osamu hadn't expected Chuuya's errands of the day to be so serious, but then again, this was just about their everyday life during their time together at the mafia. Still, it didn't make him any less uneasy, but obviously the man would do as his partner requests no matter what.
He nods in understanding and assures Akutagawa that he will abide by those wishes, and while this is nothing out of the ordinary for someone of Chuuya's status, something still felt off. Maybe it's just the heart talking...