Chapter Text
On a spring day, light streamed through the sheer curtains of a quiet bedroom, casting golden patterns on the wooden floor. The air smelled of fresh grass and distant rain, carried in through the open window. Birds chirped somewhere beyond the trees, their songs blending with the soft rustling of leaves. Chuuya sat cross-legged on his bed. Today was his birthday. Seventeen. It should have felt different—exciting, maybe—but instead, it was just another morning. The apartment was still, the usual quiet settling over him like a familiar weight. He glanced at the phone on his nightstand. No new messages. No missed calls. Why would there be? He's alone. With a sigh, he leaned back against the pillows, staring at the ceiling. Outside, the world was waking up, full of life and movement. But inside, it was just him—another year older, and yet, somehow, everything felt exactly the same. Still alone, last year was a mess. He lost his friends— fuck, family. the closest to family he's ever gotten and they're dead. Everything feels exactly the same other than being more filled with guilt. He still had one person— Dazai. That bastard always got on his nerves, but even so Chuuya somewhat enjoyed the rivalry, the two made competition out of any and everything. Right now though, Chuuya is all alone.
“You're alone on your birthday again” a voice in his head says. Fuck, that thing is here? Chuuya tries to annoy the voice.
“You're pathetic." The voice echos.
“Your friends are dead because of you” the voice reminds him, like it's his fault, like he is the problem. The words echo in Chuuya's head and he nuzzles into the pillow as his eyes get teary.
‘Maybe I am pathetic’
‘Maybe it is my fault’ His thoughts wander and he can't move. He's stuck in bed as tears fall from his eyes.
**
Hours later Chuuya finds himself out of his apartment. A stroll couldn't do him harm, could it? As he walked by the park he saw kids playing, some running off with their families to go home. It is evening after all, about dinner time. He can't help but feel slightly jealous that those kids have a family. Getting back to his apartment his door is unlocked. Now that was odd, he locked it. Stepping inside of the apartment the lights are off and everything seems to be the same. Till he walks into his bedroom and sees a brunette sprawled out on his bed like he owned the damn place.
“Chuuya's finally home” The boy says with a slight grin, which is an odd sight to see on him.
“Oh, fuck off Dazai” Chuuya rolls his eyes annoyed at the idiot whos in his bed.
“Happy birthday” Dazai speaks softer than usual while holding out a small box.
‘A gift?’ Chuuya is surprised to see the boy have a box in his hand. He takes the box and opens it. Inside are little keychains— a fish and a shrimp.
“Can you guess who is who?" Dazai's voice cuts in with a playful edge, a grin plastered on his face.
“I fucking hate you” Chuuya mutters, but secretly deep down, way deep down a part of him enjoys this gift.
“There's wine in the kitchen. If you want to try” Dazai says as he gets up from the bed and grabs Chuuya’s arm, pulling him into the kitchen— they spend the rest of the night together.