Work Text:
Chuuya had always been the type to push himself to the limit—never letting anyone see the cracks in his perfect façade, the weight he carried, or how he secretly crumbled under it all. Especially not Dazai. But this time, things had gone too far.
It was supposed to be a simple mission. A little reconnaissance, in and out, nothing too strenuous. But Dazai, sharp as always, had noticed something was off with Chuuya for the past few days. His partner had seemed more irritable than usual, his usual energy simmering just under the surface. But Chuuya, being Chuuya, brushed off any attempts at concern.
Dazai watched as Chuuya moved ahead of him, his usually graceful steps faltering. "Oi, Chuuya, you look terrible. You sure you’re not dying today?" he teased with his usual smirk, hoping to provoke some kind of response.
Chuuya didn’t answer, didn’t even turn to look at him. Dazai frowned. That wasn’t like him.
“Hey,” Dazai tried again, a little more serious this time. “Chuuya?”
Before Dazai could reach out, Chuuya stumbled, his body giving out as his vision blurred. He collapsed onto the ground, unconscious.
For a moment, Dazai stood there in stunned silence, his heart clenching in a way it hadn’t for a long time. This wasn’t supposed to happen. Chuuya was supposed to be invincible, the one thing that could stand up to him. And now he was crumpled on the ground, fragile and human in a way that Dazai had never seen.
Snapping out of his daze, Dazai rushed to Chuuya’s side, kneeling beside him and carefully lifting his partner into his arms. "Tch, stupid Chibi," he muttered under his breath, concern lacing his voice. "You really don’t know how to take care of yourself, do you?"
Dazai wasn’t sure how long it had been since Chuuya last slept, let alone eaten. The stubborn idiot had probably been running on fumes for days, hiding his exhaustion behind that stubborn scowl.
Without another word, Dazai hoisted Chuuya onto his back, his movements gentle as if Chuuya were something breakable. “Don’t worry, Chuuya, I’ve got you,” he whispered, his usual teasing tone gone.
---
Back at Dazai’s apartment, Chuuya lay on the couch, still unconscious. Dazai sat beside him, watching the slow rise and fall of his chest, relief settling over him like a heavy blanket. The initial panic had passed, but the worry still lingered.
“Honestly, Chuuya,” Dazai sighed, running a hand through his messy hair. “You’re going to give me more gray hairs at this rate.”
He fetched a wet cloth and placed it gently on Chuuya’s forehead, trying not to think too much about the unfamiliar feeling of taking care of someone—of *caring* about someone. The silence in the apartment was thick, only broken by the occasional rustle of Chuuya stirring.
Eventually, Chuuya’s eyes fluttered open, groggy and disoriented. He groaned, trying to sit up but immediately feeling his head spin. “What the hell…” he mumbled, his voice hoarse.
“Welcome back to the land of the living,” Dazai said, his voice softer than usual. He leaned over the arm of the couch, peering at Chuuya with an unreadable expression. “You really overdid it this time.”
Chuuya blinked, trying to make sense of what was happening. “Dazai?” His brows furrowed. “Why the hell am I…?”
“You fainted, idiot,” Dazai interrupted, his tone exasperated but still laced with concern. “Probably because you think you’re too tough to take a break every now and then.”
Chuuya scowled, trying to push himself up again, but Dazai’s hand gently pressed him back down. “You need to rest, Chuuya. Don’t be stupid about this.”
Chuuya blinked at him, surprised by the tenderness in Dazai’s touch. He wasn’t used to seeing this side of his partner—the side that wasn’t wrapped up in sarcastic remarks or teasing insults. It was unsettling.
“I don’t need your help,” Chuuya muttered, trying to sound tough, but the exhaustion in his voice betrayed him.
“Clearly, you do,” Dazai shot back, though his tone wasn’t mocking this time. “You’re stuck with me until you’re better, whether you like it or not.”
Chuuya let out a frustrated sigh, but he didn’t argue. His body was too tired to fight back. “Fine,” he muttered, turning his head away. “But don’t get used to this.”
Dazai chuckled softly, leaning back in his chair. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
For the rest of the night, Dazai stayed by Chuuya’s side, quietly watching over him as he slept. And for once, the silence between them wasn’t filled with tension or competition—it was almost peaceful.