Dazai held the phone to his ear, the soft ringing filled his head. All he wanted at this moment was for the phone to be answered. He loosened his grip on the phone having given up hope. He hovered his finger over the bright red hang up button. He pressed it having admitted defeat. The phone slid out his hand hitting against the cold pavement he was sitting on. He let out a shaking breath. A singular tear fell from his eye, it left a wet streak from where it had ran down. Dazai bit his lip and squeezed his eyes shut attempting to distract himself from the growing pain in his lower abdomen. He tried focusing on his breathing but, the loud ring from his phone stopped him. He stretched his arm out searching the ground for his ringing phone. His hand met it, he grabbed it pulling it up. He quickly glided his finger across the screen answering the call. He brought it to his ear like before. A calm but energetic voice rang out from the phone calming all of Dazai's nerves.

"Hey Dazai! You rang?"

Dazai smiled as the thought of Atsushi's face on the other side filled his head. He was probably wearing the biggest smile, Dazai felt terrible that he had to ruin that. The smile fell from his face as another rush of pain hit him.

"Yeah I did, I just wanted to see how things were going."

Dazai nearly chocked on his works but, suppressed it the best he could. Atsushi spoke, once again bringing a smile to Dazai's face.

"Oh well everything's fine here! How about with you, is your mission over?"

Dazai brought his free hand to his lower body where his wound was located. He pressed, putting pressure to help slow the bleeding he winced at the pain but, still finding strength to reply to Atsushi.

"Yeah, it's over... listen Atsushi..."

Dazai started his sentence but, paused knowing Atsushi would be broken after what he was about to tell him.

"Dazai?"

Atsushi's voice was full of confusion and concern. He didn't reply.

"Is everything ok?"

Dazai swallowed hard. Could he really do this.

"Listen, I don't have much time right now but, please know that I'm proud of you ok."

Atsushi stayed quiet, something was wrong. Dazai wouldn't just say this out of the blue.

"A-And I hope you keep trying your best."

"What going on Dazai? Something's wrong, what happened?"

Dazai stayed quiet thinking of how to put his words so they would hurts Atsushi the least. Who was he kidding there was no way this wouldn't break him into a million pieces. He took another shaky breath.

"Can you promise me that Atsushi?"

"I mean yes but, what's going on?"

Dazai smiled to himself.

"That's all I needed to hear. Thank you Atsushi"

He felt pain course through his body once again, he bit his lip trying to stop himself from crying out in pain. Atsushi felt an uneasy feeling settle around him. His instincts kicked in.

"Dazai? Do you need help?"

Dazai smiled softly to himself, Atsushi could here the slight chuckle.

"I'm good Atsushi, thank you"

Dazai winced at the pain that shot through him. He attempted to muffle himself but failed at doing so, letting out a quiet whine.  He could hear the shaky breathes from Atsushi.

"Dazai just tell me what's going on I'll come help"

Dazai could tell Atsushi was trying to calm himself. Dazai spoke again, this time his voice broke from all the pain.

"I'm fine Atsushi"

He could hear the panic in Atsushi's breathing as he assumed he had caught on.

"Hold on Dazai where are you!"

He heard shuffling and the sound of Atsushi moving around from the phone.

"Fukuzawa should know, but please... don't go with them."

Atsushi's heart dropped as the heard those words. He rushed towards the president's office.

"You'll be fine Dazai, just stop talking and save your energy"

Dazai stayed silent only letting out soft whimpers, he listened to Atsushi as be talked, no more like shouted for Fukuzawa to help. He could hear more moving and what sounded like people rushing around.

"Hey Atsushi..."

Atsushi broke out of his trance as Dazai's broken voice rang out.

"Dazai save your energy, Kunikida and Yosano are on their way."

Dazai chuckled at Atsushi's stubbornness.

"Atsushi I want you to have the match box in my top desk drawer"

Atsushi tightened his grip on the phone. He turned towards Dazai's desk making his way forward. He pulled the top drawer open spotting the red, white and black match box. He hesitated before grabbing it letting it rest in the palm of his hand.

"Dazai... please don't go"

Dazai bit his lip trying not to cry.

"I'm sorry Atsushi"

He knew that wasn't what he should have said but, it was the only thing he could think of. Atsushi squeezed the box of matches tightly in his hand. He let his emotions front, tears started down his cheeks falling onto the scattered papers on Dazai's unorganized desk. Dazai let his own emotions out letting tears roll down his face. He let out a shaky breath before speaking once more.

"I'll always be here Atsushi"

With those words out his mouth he gently pressed his finger to his phone hitting the bright red button. The line went silent.

 _______________________________________

Atsushi sat on his bed, his face hadn't dried from all the tears he had cried. He laid back letting his head hit his pillow. He turned to his side and reached out, pulling the beige trench coat to his chest. He shook from the absence of the taller male. He opened his eyes, a small smile started forming. He tightened his grip on the coat holding it closer to his chest, he closed his eyes once more letting memories flood his head. Atsushi soon fell asleep to sweet memories of the once lively Dazai. Not knowing he'd be doing this for quite some time. When Atsushi arrived at the Agency a few days later, he broke down right after entering. 

Dazai's desk was still full of papers. No one cleaned it. And it wouldn't be cleaned for a while.