Chapter Text
The idea of properly raising a kid was never something Dazai entertained. He’d seen how nasty and horrible kids can be, how much trouble they were actually worth. How Odasaku managed to take care of six brats was beyond him. Not that he would ever call them that to the man’s face. He knew the other wouldn’t like it if he called his kids brats. Ugh, his kids.
Moving on, he also knew that Ango wasn’t a big fan of kids either. He’d seen it in the man’s eyes the moment some random kid had pelted him with his disgusting snot, and the way his body had lurched backwards, biting back scathing words in Dazai’s presence. It probably had something to do with the way Odasaku had shot both of them a look, and Dazai still had no idea why. It wasn’t like he was the one who was one moment from pelting the little gremlin with tomatoes from a nearby grocery stand. Though why Ango had been cowed from swearing in front of him and the kid when he was older than Odasaku was still a mystery.
However, it's because of Ango’s obvious dislike for kids that Dazai had been surprised when he heard that Ango had taken a liking to some new recruit and had proceeded to baby him. And when Dazai had interrogated him in his little office with Odasaku right behind him, his heart dropped as the rumors were proven to be true.
Ango had looked surprised at first, before panic settled in, and he looked away, denying it vehemently. “Why would you even ask that?” Ango questioned loudly, packing his things away in that stupid briefcase of his. Dazai glanced back at Odasaku, ready to tease Ango, only to stop cold.
Odasaku was looking straight at Ango, the look of surprise on his face switching to something… fond and all Dazai felt in that moment was something burning in his chest. “Congratulations,” he had said and Ango’s movements paused, as he and Dazai both gazed at Odasaku. “Raising a kid isn’t easy.”
Ango automatically began to protest. “I’m not raising him! All I did was give him some advice, that’s all! Besides, I doubt they’d let me interact with him much since he’s undergoing the Black Lizard’s training.”
Dazai zoomed in on that piece of trivia, letting out a loud shout as he hit a fist with his palm. “Michizō Tachihara! So that’s who you’ve taken under your wing. Hm, I’m intrigued by what kind of person he would be if he caught Ango's attention.”
Ango choked as he glared at him. “I didn’t take him under my wing! And just what are you implying?”
“Oh nothing,” Dazai waved around as he twirled around. “Let’s go before it gets too late.”
He heard Odasaku sigh behind him and before he was out the door, Ango spoke behind him. “Honestly Dazai, it’s not like the rumors make it out to be.” Dazai took a peek behind him, watching Ango and Odasaku gaze at each other with furrowed looks.
“Are you guys coming?” Dazai suddenly gasped. “Don't tell me you guys plan to hang out here? Oh no, Ango’s behavior has been tainting Odasaku!”
“We’re coming,” Odasaku smiled, Ango shouting behind him as he turned off the lights. Dazai exited the door, his smile turning into a frown.
Unfortunately, that wouldn’t be the last conversation they would have about Ango’s new kid (or lack of, as Ango kept arguing about). Much to Dazai’s growing irritation, their conversations at Bar Lupin had slowly started to center around kids in general.
“So how’s Tachihara-san doing these days?” Oda asked as he and Ango walked in, Dazai already sitting at his regular spot, an ugly scowl threatening to replace his nonchalant smile. Him again? What was so special about Tachihara-san that they had to keep talking about him?
Ango only sighed, tired of explaining their supposed nonexistent relationship. “He’s settling in well. More than I thought he would. I suppose he’s just very passionate about his goals.” Dazai rested his chin on his palm, tilting his head sideways. How exciting. Truly makes him stand out from the others. Certainly better than the Akutagawa siblings. He definitely has more motivation than a pair of orphan siblings who fought to survive in this pathetic world.
The thought of his subordinate soured his mood even further. Who knew he would end up thinking about the brat, much less defend him in his head? He gulped down the rest of his drink, ignoring Odasaku and Ango next to him. He eyed the bartender, signaling for another drink.
For the next few hours, he just listened to Odasaku and Ango talk about kids, then to the orphans the man with a bleeding heart had taken in. Just…why?
What was so great about taking care of some child? They were nothing but insufferable, loud and annoying, clingy, tried to act tough but proved to be all bark and no bite. They had no sense of reliability, needed someone to care for them, protect them. How could all of that be worth taking care of one?
Eventually, Dazai picked up a lull in the conversation and pulled himself out of his thoughts, a sense of boredom lurking underneath his mask. He hummed, bringing attention towards him.
“What’s up?” Odasaku questioned, tilting his body towards him. Dazai hid a look of surprise as once again, he was met with those eyes and glanced away, focusing on his drink.
“Is raising a kid really all that great?” He asked, his fingers playing around the rim of the cup. “It seems like a lot of work to me.”
He heard Ango scoff, who responded with “For once, I agree. I don’t know how you do it, Odasaku.”
Odasaku let out a small laugh. “I don’t know how I do it either. I just try my best to give them a life they deserve.” Dazai looked at him out of the corner of his eye, ignoring an ache in his chest. “To be honest, Dazai, you’re right. It is hard at times. But seeing their smiles, it makes it all worth it.”
“Hmph, if only the kid could act more like yours,” Ango muttered, reaching for his glass.
“Eh, is Tachihara-kun giving you trouble, Ango?” He teased, grinning as Ango froze and shot him a glare. He let out a laugh as he took his silence as agreement. “What can I say Ango, you just don’t have Odasaku’s magic touch.”
“Magic touch?” Odasaku said, confused.
“Of course, Odasaku’s just good with kids. Why, it wouldn’t surprise me if Ango’s kid likes you better than him on the first meeting.”
“He’s not my kid!” Frustration leaked into Ango’s tone. Odasaku patted him on the back pityingly.
“Denial is the first stage,” he said seriously and Dazai watched as Ango began to argue once again about Tachihara being “his” kid.
So, a brat’s smile makes it all worth it, huh?”
“Again,” Dazai snapped, stepping off of Akutagawa. “We’re not leaving until you finally get it right.” The boy panted, scrambling back on his legs. Disgust filled Dazai, the image reminding him too much of a dog.
Dazai whipped a leg out and once again, Akutagawa landed on his back, a loud gasp echoing the training room. He sighed in frustration, rubbing his forehead. They’ve been going over this for an hour and the stupid kid had yet to learn how to defend against a stupid kick.
He marched forth, grabbing him by his hair and tugging him back to his feet. “Just how much longer are we going to have to go over this?” He hissed, tightening his grip as Akutagawa let out a yell. “You’ve been relying on your ability a lot more these days. This should’ve been a basic defense tactic for the average person and yet you can’t even accomplish that much.”
“I’ll do better,” Akutagawa gritted out and all Dazai could do was let out a dark laugh. He raised his other hand and slapped him across the face.
“I didn’t say you could speak.” Dazai loosened his grip, observing the way the boy trembled on his feet, hands turned into fists. He clicked his tongue, quickly becoming bored of their exchange. “Leave my sight.”
Black eyes widened in shock as they gazed at him, a protest at the tip of their tongue. Dazai’s glare intensified, finally silencing the mutt. Akutagawa finally left, knowing better than to have Dazai repeat himself. He gripped his wrist, the memory of Dazai breaking it the first time as a warning resurfacing.
Dazai was left alone as Akutagawa vanished through the door, silence embracing him with welcoming arms.
As Dazai strolled past the alleyways (after losing Chuuya, oh well), his last conversation with Odasaku and Ango echoed in his mind. He hummed in thought, trying to understand their reasoning.
How was someone’s smile worth all the trouble and grief they caused? He couldn’t even stand looking at Akutagawa for more than five seconds without wanting to punch his pathetic face. Thinking back on it, would Akutagawa be his “kid”? He stopped walking and let out a full body shudder. Perish that thought. He was only his subordinate.
Still, since Akutagawa was only his subordinate, that meant he lacked having a kid. So in reality, he still couldn’t relate to Odasaku’s and Ango’s problems, much less understand how they were a blessing.
Should he try taking in a kid like Odasaku? Where would he even find a kid, he wondered. It’s not like he can just take some random kid off the street like he did Akutagawa and his sister. Maybe a stray?
He was pulled out of his thoughts as he heard a certain chibi’s annoyingly loud voice behind him. Dazai turned around just in time to see a street sign heading his way and jumped to his right.
“Stop right there, you fucking brat!” Chuuya screamed and Dazai “ah”ed in understanding. He narrowed in on a white-haired, scrawny boy, possibly ten years old, who was running his way with visible fear plastered on his eyes. Huh, that was convenient.
As he observed him, he noticed something interesting: the boy had heterochromia eyes. That settles it, he thought with a pleased grin. He grabbed the boy by his arm as he ran past him and flipped him on his back. Any passerbys in the area immediately evacuated and eventually it was just him, Chuuya, and the little thief.
“Caught you,” Dazai grinned mischievously, liking the way the boy attempted to escape, even trying to head-bump him. What a feisty little guy.
“There you are,” Chuuya zeroed in on him and snatched his wallet back, the object having landed a few inches away after the boy had been slammed to the ground. “What are you planning on doing with him?”
“There, there,” Dazai patted his head reassuringly, approving of the way the boy had ceased his struggling and was now watching them both with wary eyes. Tears pooled in his eyes, and wow, they were really pretty. He trailed a finger across an eye, taking in the colors.
“Hey, quit ignoring me,” he heard the redhead shout and he batted away his incoming hand, finding his presence an annoyance. Oh well, he’ll just ignore him as thanks for leading his kid towards him.
“Hey kid, what’s your name?” He peered down, attempting to look as non-threatening as possible. Which admittedly is hard when dressed in dark clothes and wrapped in bandages. With a feisty redhead fuming next to him boring holes at the kid. Dazai poked his forehead, annoyance beginning to settle in as the boy kept quiet. “Hey, answer me. What’s your name?”
The boy winced and licking his lips, finally answered. “Atsushi Nakajima.”
“Atsushi Nakajima,” he repeated. He finally gave Atsushi space, helping him back to his feet and wrapping an arm around his shoulder, much to Chuuya’s and Atsushi’s shock.
“Congratulations, Atsushi-kun,” the boy’s eyes shook at the sudden familiarity, “I’m adopting you.”
“ Huh ?”
“ Hah ?”