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Despite what everyone said about Dazai and Chuuya - self-proclaimed eternal rivals - the two teens, surprisingly, got along. Sure they both have their duties, according to their role in the organization, but they would always find each other along the way.

Sometimes in the hall, others when Mori gave them a common mission or through texting and phone calls. The last ones were rare, because Dazai found it funny seeing his phone ringing with the name "Slug" on the screen. He found it even more amusing when Chuuya ended up

*would end up meeting him, mainly to complain about Dazai's imbecility. Something that Dazai was used to hear from Chuuya. However, due to some increasingly dark jobs, Dazai barely had seen Chuuya. One could say that he... missed him. Or at least that was what Oda had told

him during one night. The man had sighed as he lifted the glass up to his lips. "I would say you are missing him" "Ehhh?" Dazai didn't miss Chuuya. He had been doing well alone with the missions Mori gave him. He was an executive and Mori had trusted Dazai the destiny and

the future of the organization. When Dazai became an executive he teased Chuuya so much about it. It was something funny, actually, considering that Dazai never cared about being an executive and Chuuya was the one who wanted that place.

Dazai had an idea of why.... but that was none of his business, plus he had been quite busy lately - he had no time for those. However, and just like Oda had said, Dazai started to notice that everyone knew and saw Chuuya, everyone but himself.

That had caused him a slight ache on his chest - and he ignored it. He wasn't avoiding Chuuya, he just realized that their paths, at some point, would have to diverge. But like everything related to Chuuya, that was also something Dazai couldn't be sure of.

But of one thing he was sure of, he indeed missed Chuuya. What made him realize that was another conversation with Oda - whom Dazai had told his feelings towards the boy. But it was quickly forgotten as he stepped in, to train Akutawaga. The darkness' veil took control of

his person and he was no longer Dazai Osamu but the "youngest executive" who caused terror everywhere. So, Chuuya was someone Dazai didn't think about frequently. His mind was black and it only had place for the Mafia's ideals. The only consolation he had was the warmth of

the bar and whisky he usually drank. Chuuya fell into oblivion - it was something necessary and not willingly. But, eventually, their paths crossed again. Their first meeting in months was when they got called to a mission. And if Dazai said that he hadn't felt something

blossom inside his chest when he looked at Chuuya, he would be lying. How quickly they found their right and old rhythm would never cease to both surprise and fascinate Dazai. Suddenly he was reminded of how much he missed his partner and his friend. The bickering was normal

as breathing and he was forced to admit that he had missed Chuuya. The mission was nothing special, with Chuuya's ability they quickly completed it. Afterwards Dazai had asked Chuuya out for a drink, with the excuse of "catching up". "Sure. Why not?" And that's how they had

ended up, next to each other, drinking a cold drink - this time Dazai didn't do anything to annoy Chuuya. "We used to come here remember?" it was what Dazai first said as Chuuya accepted with a nod, the glass of wine. It would always amaze Dazai the way Chuuya would manage

to annoy him - especially when Dazai was just trying to catch up with a friend. The other simply sipped his drink, closing his eyes, only the bar's music filled the air. A smile appeared on Dazai's lips. "How have you been?" he asked, resting his cheek on his palm "It has been

a long time" Chuuya put the glass down with an elegant move and then, sighed. After some time he said "I have been busy" Dazai tilted his head curiously, leaning closer to him. "Everyone has been busy Chuuya. But how have you been?" Starting a complete and normal

conversation with Nakahara Chuuya, to Dazai at least, had always been something extremely difficult. Dazai noticed that Chuuya was not in a bad mood or sad, so he deduced it was probably due to his exhaustion. It was no secret that Mori had been testing Chuuya for a while.

And even if Dazai intended to help him, he didn't want to involve Chuuya in his complicated business. Plus, he knew Chuuya was someone extremely capable and talented. Had Dazai had people like Chuuya and his mission would be much easier. He sighed as he came closer to Chuuya

, making the other lean back a bit disgusted and confused. Dazai simply smiled as he was used to the display of emotions. His hand rested on Chuuya's shoulder. "Any news?" he smiled a bit more gently and that seemed to catch Chuuya's attention as he looked towards Dazai.

"Didn't you lose the king of jewels' title" Dazai retracted his arm as Chuuya's eyes followed his hand. He looked at Dazai for a while before, finally, answering him. "Boss gave me an office and currently I am helping And-san with documents" he explained as he took a sip of his

wine. Dazai pressed his lips together, seeming to think about his answer. "Been there once. It sucked" he commented as he sipped his whisky - it wasn't as good as Lupin's one but it was alcohol. Chuuya didn't say anything and just stared at the half-empty glass. He looked lost

lost in thoughts. Thoughts that not even Dazai could understand. The music filled the air as Chuuya stayed still and Dazai looked at him, from the corner of his eye. He didn't know what to say. Chuuya finished his drink and he slowly put his hand in his pocket.

Dazai leaned closely with curious eyes. The eyes of a fascinated creature. The sound of a stone hitting the wooden counter, like someone handing over a drink bill abruptly, echoed. Chuuya covered it with his hand and after some moments, he shoved it towards Dazai.

The object slid across the surface with a smooth sound. As Dazai looked down, he found a stone. A blue stone. His eye hovered over the oval stone for some seconds, then he lifted his head - slowly.

Now, a normal person would thank for the gift but Dazai only said, in a disgusted tone "This has a defect" That didn't seem to impress Chuuya as he rested his cheek on his palm and his elbow on the counter. He narrowed his eyes unimpressed. "Is that so? Uh. My bad.

I hadn't noticed it" his eyes tone was monotone and dripped of sarcasm. Dazai glanced at Chuuya with a bored expression. Chuuya smiled seeming to be satisfied. He gestured towards the stone with a smile. "You do know there is a place for those defects, don't you?" Dazai asked

towards an amused Chuuya. "I do." he said as he sighed "But this was blue" Dazai frowned. "I don't get it. Elaborate please." Chuuya had a gift to make Dazai mad over the stupidest things - he could start to feel the annoyance growing. "I thought you were supposed to be a

genius" Chuuya stared at him and then he looked towards the jewel "Blue mackerel" Dazai's eye widened up with visible surprise. But then he remembered the name Chuuya had given him on his contacts' list. Blue mackerel. Right. He looked at Chuuya who smiled almost innocently.

Dazai felt he was dealing with a child. He sighed as he closed his eye. "That doesn't suit me." he paused and after some time added "At all" Chuuya laughed a bit. "I'll have to disagree with that. Blue mackerel suits you perfectly" he nodded towards the stone and Dazai looked

down "So take it." Silence. None of them spoke. Unknown words ghosted the environment between them. Despite the permanent talking and some laughs behind them, time seemed to have stopped. Then, Chuuya broke the ice, opening his lips. "Or don't, I don't care" he shrugged

and Dazai discreetly glanced at him; after some seconds, Chuuya stood up as the chair was, consequently, dragged across the floor making a troubling sound. Dazai didn't move a muscle as the other gave the money to the barman and then looked at him one last time.

Once more time stopped and Chuuya's stormy eyes hovered over Dazai, almost seeming to see through the veil that covered him. His heart skipped a beat, like it happened everytime Chuuya looked at him with that determinated look. The personification of humanity. He lost the

ability to speak as in his vision, there was only Nakahara Chuuya and no one else. Life burned Dazai's nerves as Chuuya started to lean in, curving slightly his body and pressing his index finger against the stone with some agility. Dazai could only watch him existing.

Then, unexpectedly, Chuuya gripped the stone and shoved it against Dazai's chest making the latter hold his partner's gloved finger. It was warm and soft unlike his personality. Chuuya's posture seemed to break a little, his lips pressed against each other, eyes softening a bit

None of them dared to blink as Chuuya slowly retracted his hand from Dazai's one, in an unaware caressing. None of them smiled. Finally, Chuuya stood up as he recuperated his typical posture and Dazai's hand was still holding the jewel. "I don't care about what you are going

to do with it, Dazai." he said with his typical tone and then offered a quick and sarcastic smile "Just don't give me this back, okay?" Not sure of what to answer and after a while, Dazai opened his mouth as he stared at Chuuya. "I'll throw it in the trash" he said seriously.

But Chuuya didn't seem to mind as he turned on his heels, gesturing his hand above his head as a way of saying a disdainful "goodbye" "Be my guest bastard." he said as he walked towards the exit and Dazai - who had spined his chair towards his direction - simply watched him

disappear from the bar. After that he put the stone on the counter, with a silent promise of getting rid of such offense - then he paid the whisky and left. The next day, when he saw Chuuya and the boy asked him if he had kept the stone, Dazai said

"It's on the place it belongs, the trash" Chuuya's eyebrows jumped in surprise but then he shrugged it off - like he always did when he was a bit annoyed. "Whatever the stone is yours" he put his hands on his pockets unbothered " you can do whatever you want"

Dazai pressed his lips together in a thin and bored line. Part of him was disappointed by Chuuya's reaction, but he had predicted this possible outcome. Chuuya stared at him for a moment. "It's your choice" he shrugged and proceeded to walk away, passing by Dazai and

- purposefully bumping his shoulder against Dazai's who simply didn't offer any satisfying reaction. As Chuuya finally crossed the corner, Dazai noticed that he had shown signs of annoyance. The thought made him smile. It was pleasently satisfying knowing that he still