January, 2nd

-

Since winning the bet... Dazai has fully been avoiding Chuuya.

Look, it's not his fault they had gotten into an argument and then Chuuya had to force this stupid fucking awaking or whatever.

And really, he lucked out by solving it so close to the winter break, but now that it was over he faced a predicament. Going back.

Being around Chuuya was dangerous, all his life Dazai has been in complete control of his emotions- well, lack of them. Before Chuuya, most emotions he has suffered from were distant, he was never fully present. But being around Chuuya, it was brought forth fully. Emotions that were rather uncharted for Dazai, so him lashing out by being around him is a well founded threat. He doesn't even know why it kicks up around Chuuya.

"Dazai." Oda speaks up. The two of them stood on Platform 9 ¾, waiting for the train to arrive. It should be here any second. "You remember what to do, right?"

To which Dazai nods, yes- go in, sit alone and brood. That's how it will end up going anyway.

"Good," Oda stands back up straight after just having been crouched in front of him. "I'll be off, try not to be too antisocial. Ask to join someone in their cart or something." Dazai nodding in acknowledgment, knowing damn well that's exactly what he won't be doing.

With the train pulling up, Oda waves him a goodbye before disappearing into the crowd. It makes Dazai sigh. Even now he didn't get why Oda couldn't come with him.

Shuffling a little, he grabs his bag as the train comes to a stop. It was pretty heavy, but not enough stuff to warrant a suitcase.

The doors open and he is one of the first to go in, making his way to the furthest cart before sitting by himself. Shutting the door with a quiet sigh. All this was just so- annoying almost.

Hearing a knock on his door he looks over, annoyed as it slides open. The little girl who had once wore a smile quickly became fretful as she closes it right back up.

Sighing, leans to rest on the wall before they start to move.

Because before the break, rumours didn't go around that he saved the students. Of course not, why would they ever acknowledge maybe he isn't some evil being that eats babies or something. They managed to twist it into him assaulting a teacher- because of course they did. No idea how the fuck they manged to leave out the fact that teacher was the cause of four kids ended up beddridden. But they were special little assholes for that. Always a knack for spinning the blame on the one who just looked the worst.

Kunikida ended up getting most of the praise from the staff, no one wanted to admit they were wrong to accuse both Dazai and Chuuya so they just ignored that they were the reason it was even solved and Kunikida wasn't dead.

Who cares though, 'new year, new me' right? He was not looking forward to overhearing all the little chatter of students about their new year's revolutions that will inevitably end up failing. Well, at least Dazai prays they do because fuck the student body.

Everything that happened was still present in his mind, he hoped the tinge of embarrassment over his last interaction with Chuuya would simmer but it hasn't. If anything, it's gotten worse. Even thinking back to what happened made his stomach sink and face scrunch up.

He can't believe- that it even happened at all. How humiliating. It just had to be Chuuya of all people.

This time when the door slid open, he had ignored it. Assuming it to be another brat who would scurry upon realising it was him sitting there.

It was a strange sense of Deja vu actually, but not really.

A random boy he didn't recognize, seemingly a year older than him sits right across from him. Staring at him- wait, no. Not starring, the boy's eyes were closed? "Dazai Osamu, correct~?" He speaks up, making Dazai raise an eyebrow in interest.

"And you are?"

The boy leans forward, "Ranpo, Ranpo Edogawa. You were the one who solved the case for Nobuko, weren't you?"

Hm. Rumours don't say he had anything to do with it- not even the Nobuko, just that he assaulted and nearly killed a teacher. "What makes you think that?"

Ranpo's grin increases tenfold, "well you see, I am actually the words greatest detective. The case you had been working on, I already solved it the moment the victim had turned up."

...Not the modest type it seems.

"Thats nice, tell me. Why are you here?"

"I was curious. For all the rumours meant to spread fear, you really aren't that scary." A remark that makes Dazai laugh, based on Ranpo's expression however, he could hear how empty it sounded.

"Were you expecting me to jump and say boo~?" Ranpo didn't laugh, Dazai could feel his eyes staring holes into him even if they were closed. "Yikes, tough crowd~" Leaning back in his seat.

However, Dazai keeps his eyes on Ranpo. It almost felt like he was being closely inspected. So Dazia does it back.

They sit in silence for a long moment before Dazai clears his throat, "you best be back to your boyfriend, I bet he is getting worried."

Ranpo stops for a moment before grinning, "What gave me away?"

"The sweater you are wearing is far too oversized to be yours. Not just a preference though, the rest of the clothes you are wearing are nice fitting. It's clearly for someone tall, if I didn't know better, I would say its been tailored."

"Boyfriend though?"

"That was just an assumption on my part-"

That manages to get a laugh from Ranpo as he stands. "Though, you are probably right, I best be off." Standing back up, "I hope we will cross paths again, Dazai." Moving to leave.

"Oh, I feel as though we will."

And the door slides closed, leaving him alone once more.

Time skips are awkward, Dazai sits alone in the large great hall. Anyone who had once been near him made sure there was plenty of room in between them both. The speech or whatever was given, something Dazai ignored in turn to fiddle around with his utensils, everyone else at the table digging into the feast that could almost make Dazai gag- there was just so much food- everywhere. The smell- ugh, it was disgusting.

He was just waiting to be dismissed.

Ticking away the time.

Tick, tick, tick.. tick... tick.

Well, he can start to understand why Kunikida would get so irritated at him for staring. His head snapping up to look at Chuuya- who has been staring intently at him since he sat down. Shooting him his best bone chilling glare, one that doesn't even make Chuuya flinch. Nope. He just continues to stare at him.

Honestly, Dazai couldnt place why Chuuya was staring at him like how he was. Intently but it didn't seem aggressive. It was extremely uncomfortable.

The second everyone was dismissed, Chuuya stood up and made a high-tail straight at him- it actually startled him a little how intense he was.

Not willing to be met with whatever the hell Chuuya was planning, he scrambles up and tries to blend into the crowd.

Yeah... that didn't work-

Glancing behind, Chuuya was still zeroed in on him and now was speeding up. So Dazai did the most logical thing he could- he started to run. Shoving past kids who shot him with annoyed looks. Ones he ignored.

He didn't need to turn around to know Chuuya was definitely giving chase. Adrenaline rushing through his veins, he wasn't an idiot. He knew Chuuya was bound to be faster than him, meaning he had to rush and get somewhere Chuuya couldn't fast.

"Don't run in the halls!" Some teacher tries to scold- Dazai stopping in order to grab that same teacher and shove them into Chuuya. God- he had been too close for comfort.

But with his distraction with the staff, Dazai scrambles to start running again.

Where the hell could he even go- OH-! The common rooms, taking a sharp turn he changes his path towards the common room. Hearing Chuuya nearly crash into the wall behind him because of the turn.

There! The stairs to the common room! Thank god-

Eh.. that- is the floor.

Chuuya... tackled him.

Dazai laid sprawled on the ground, Chuuya on top of him. Up until Chuuya sits up quickly, flipping Dazai over so he straddles him. Looking down at him with annoyance (?) "look, you ass." Keeping him on the ground with a hand on his shoulder. "You can't keep running away from me."

Dazai looks up at him, a grin coming to his expression. "Oh? Does Chuuya really want to be my dog thay badly?" Tilting his head as he plays up an innocent look.

An accusation that makes Chuuya flush as he presses down on his shoulder till a pinge of pain comes from it.

Dazai keeps his innocent expression though, "if that's really true, fine. As you're master, I order you to get off me!" He remarks dramatically.

Chuuya sputtering, "dont fucking call yourself that, freak!"

Again, Dazai tilts his head. "Why not? And explain to me why not in extreme detail-"

Chuuya punches his chest, not hard enough to wind him but enough to feel it. "God- you are so fucking gross."

"Coming from the one straddling me outside the Slytherin's common room. What would people think if they walked by?" He teases.

Though, both of them freeze up at the sound of someone clearing their throat. Both of their heads snapping to look where it came from. Oda stood against a wall, staring at them with an unreadable expression. "It is a little late for that."

There was a long silence before Dazai abruptly shoved him off in time for Chuuya to start scrambling away. Both of them blushing at the compromising position they were caught it. "OdaSaku- I swear it's not what it looks like!"

It would have been funny if anyone other than Oda had walked in on them.

Oda hums quietly, Dazai had no idea if he believed him but probably not. "If you two are going to.. Talk-" Dazai cringes. "It's best you don't do it laying down in the middle of the hallway."

Both of them nod, scrabbling to stand up. Chuuya elbowing him in the side even though he was the one to cause this all, Dazai turning to shoot him a glare.

"Understood." Chuuya agrees, grabbing Dazai's wrist and dragging him off. Dazai of course puts up a fit, but Chuuya doesn't back down. Dragging him into an empty classroom as students would pass by.

"You're avoiding me."

"You're not important enough for me to ignore you."

"You've said that to be before."

"Then how come you haven't acknowledged it yet?"

Chuuya scoffs, kicking a desk. "You're such an asshole. You won the bet, why aren't you shoving it in my face like you said you would, huh?"

Dazai rolls his eyes, leaning against the closest wall. "I lost interest. You no longer mean anything to me, why would I bother ordering you around if I don't care?" Staring at him with uninterested eyes.

There was a split moment where they just stare at one another, "you're lying to me." Chuuya speaks, a quiet and surprisingly calm voice.

It took Dazai off guard, making his eyes narrow. "I'm not."

"No. I can tell you are." Taking a step back towards him, Dazai pressing himself further against the wall away from him. "So why are you avoiding me?"

Chuuya walked right up to him, it almost felt like he was towering over him despite being shorter. It was clear Dazai had lost control of the situation for the time being, which wasn't good. Losing control is never good.

Sighing dramatically, he grabs his chest. "Alright, alright- you caught me! I'm bitter you slapped me like the brute you are!"

"Are you fuckin kidding me!?" He accuses, taking a step away.

"No! I expect an apology, Chibi. I am still very hurt- I can feel phantom pains." He remarks, dead serious tone.

Chuuya groans in annoyance, "you're such a little bitch. And if anything, you're the one who owes me an apology for all the shit you spouted at me! Oh- and don't get me started on the fact you almost killed a woman!"

"She had it coming!"

" Dazai!"

"I'm not wrong !"

Chuuya sighs loudly in annoyance, rubbing his eyes to ease the headache that was bound to follow by being around Dazai. "Look. I'm serious, some of the things you said to me was like- really fuckin dickish."

"Chuuya has such a dirty mouth."

"Oh my god, just shut up for like- five seconds you emotionally distant, ass." For once Dazai does as he is asked. "Now. Don't get this fucking twisted- I'm not your dog or anything like that."

Dazai leans forward, as if urging him to continue. "But..?"

"No that's all, I'm not your dog and you're a bitch."

"Chuuya~!" He whines loudly.

"And stop avoiding me, ok?" This time moving over to the door, "See you?"

Dazai stares at him for a moment before nodding, "see you."

January, 5th

-

"Skip with me."

"No."

"You can't tell me that! You're my dog, remember?"

"HAH?? I already told you stop calling me your damn dog!"

The two of them currently sat in the library's restricted area, early in the morning. They met together around five. Chuuya yelled at him because there was a test at the end of the week for potions and he had no idea what he was doing. "We can't keep missing class like this, jackass!"

Ever since they spoke on the second, Dazai has been demanding all his attention- that in turn led to a lot of classes being skipped. "Chuuya~" He whines, slouching back.

"No! You literally did this exact play last time. I can't keep giving you all my attention like this, Tachihara and the Sheep are-"

Dazai cuts him off, "Boring. They are boring and I am better than them."

"God, if I knew you were so much of a leech I wouldn't have bet against you." Glaring at him even though Dazai only flashed him a wide smile.

"You brought this against yourself!"

Chuuya ended up going to class even if Dazai was draped over him in attempts to stop him.

Many people stared when Chuuya had turned around and punched him in the jaw outside his class.

April, 11th

-

Oda motioned him towards an office, Dazai looking at him blankly. "Don't you want to meet him?"

Dazai continues to stare, "not really?"

His confession makes Oda sigh, "I know what people say about Ango and how he isnt really... liked. But I promise he isn't- that bad." His hesitance is the furthest thing from convincing.

Even still, Dazai takes a deep breath before nodding, "ok- it cant be that bad."

That seemed to at least brighten Oda's confidence as he finally knocks on the office door.

On the other side there was a bit of shuffling and.. Crashing- Before the door is thrown open. The two of them being met with a rather... disgruntled man. At the sight Dazai casually turns right around and moves to walk away. Something that is cut short by Oda grabbing the back of his cloak and keeping him there.

"Ango, this Dazai. Dazai, this is Ango." Oda introduces them both for one another, moving Dazai to go back to facing Ango. "You haven't been sleeping?"

Ango, looking between the two sighs. "It's been a busy week, Nice to meet you, Dazai." Offering a polite nod, one that Dazai returns.

"Well.. It was nice to meet you. Odasaku, I should be off." Dazai bows slightly, Oda letting him go with a sigh as he in turn walks off immediately.

A little worried, Ango looks at him. Something that makes Oda shake his head. "He is just a little weary to new people."

May, 21st

-

Dazai found himself randomly wandering the halls as dinner commenced, looking around at the empty halls. Afterall, almost no one skipped dinner and if they were, they probably went to camp in the common room or washroom.

Yet Dazai just roamed the halls he long past memorised.

*

He really shouldn't be missing food like this, afterall, the only real nutrition he gets is when Oda makes him eat and that isn't nearly enough.

Food has always been a.. Difficult thing for Dazai. Hunger wasn't something he experienced. When he was younger, he had been starved multiple times almost to the brink of death. So by now the hunger pains have subsided enough that he isn't really able to acknowledge it.

Four days by now, he hasn't eaten anything other than small things he stole form Kunikida or Chuuya. Vaguely he recognized he should be hungry but it didn't really click to have a physical reaction to it. If anything, the idea of eating right not sounded disgusting.

He knew this was trained into him. If there was anything more disgusting than food, is the reason he hates it.

*

Snapping out of his thoughts, he is met with Chuuya a few feet away calling his name. "Oi, Dazai!" Jogging up the rest of the way towards him.

"Chuuya?" Tilting his head, confused as to why he was here in the halls rather than eating with his friends. After all, breakfast, lunch, and dinner are the only real times he gets a break from Dazai.

He didn't get time to question it, Chuuya grabbed his wrist and started to tug him towards the great hall. It was a little startling but Dazai didn't let it show, letting Chuuya drag him while watching him in vague interest.

It ended up with Dazai sitting down at Gryfindors table, Most other around him shuffling away of course. "Why did you bring me here?"

Chuuya, who was eating glances over. "There is this spell Kouyou wants me to practice-" Pausing in order to chew. "I wanted to make sure I didn't lose track of you because I know you know the spell."

Dazai quirks an eyebrow at that, "You want my help?" Holding a teasing tone as he leans forward a litte.

To which Chuuya shoves his face back with his hand. "Take this as your apology for being a total asshole and less of me asking for help." Making Dazai pout slightly.

"So mean." He huffs; the pout act he has found annoys Chuuya the most. So he uses it often along with whining.

Chuuya just rolls his eyes, glancing at Dazai's empty plate before stabbing some of the food on his own plate and in turn putting it on Dazai's..

Hm.

There it was. That swell of emotions in his chest that made his lungs want to collapse.

Being around Chuuya like this- it was actually a little nice.

"Do we have to be here?"

"We will be able to practise in the forest. You are a 'have to do it, to learn' kind of person, aren't you?"

"I don't like that you figured that out."

After dinner, the both of them slipped outside (with a little help from Yosano) and into the forbidden forest. Dazai just liked it better and honestly, he hadn't gotten the chance to come out here in a little while.

Leaning back against the nearest tree, Dazai looks him over. "Well. What is the spell?"

Suddenly avoiding his eyes, Chuuya looks away. "Bombarda." He mumbles.

"You don't know how to cast Bombarda?" He openingly mocked, making Chuuya's head snap back real quick in order to glare at him.

"Oi! We aren't even meant to learn that until like- fifth year! It's not my fault you apparently know every damn spell in the world, asshole!"

To which Dazai shook his head, "do you not remember back when we defeated Noboku? I don't know the death curse. What happened to having an amazing memory?"

That earned a rock being chucked at his head.

Dazai merely holds his hands up in defence after dodging the attack, "do you want to learn how to cast it or not?" Tone falling into something more monotone if not annoyed.

Chuuya looks back at him for a silent moment, before huffing. "Just teach me."

Taking that as a win, Dazai flashes him a wide smile. "Perfect~!" Before bringing out his wand. "Bombarda isn't a hard spell to get down once you get the pronunciation right. Watch-" He grabs a rock from off the ground before tossing it forward. Moving his wrist in a circular motion before flicking it forward. "Bombarda." He mumbles under his breath. WIth that, the pebble that was thrown explodes with a flash, bits of it flying away.

Chuuya watched, a little impressed. Before Dazai turns to face him, tucking his wand into his waistband before moving to him. "Try and say it."

"Bombarda." He attempts.

Dazai shook his head, "you're overpronouncing the 'bomb' and missing the 'r' sound. Bom-bra-da." He sounds it out.

"Bomm-ber..da?" He tries again, a little less confident.

It makes Dazai chuckle quietly, "Bom-bra-da." He repeats, a little more drawn out this time.

"Bom..bre..da?"

This time Dazai nods, "close, you have to say the 'a' as the actual letter. Bom-bra-da."

"Bom..br-a..da."

"There! Now say it fast."

"Bombrada-" He says, a little surprised. "Bombrada!"

Again, Dazai snickers quietly. "Congrats, you know how to say a simple word." Something that abruptly cuts off Chuuya's excited look as he shoots him a glare. Dazai holds his hands up in defence, "c'mon, now. I'm just joking! Get your wand."

Despite his glare not fading, Chuuya does grab his wand. Dazai grabs his wrist to move his hand but Chuuya flinches away- his palm is unnaturally hot. At the realisation, he moves to grab Dazai's wrist instead and inspects it. All well Dazai is clearly surprised, trying to get his hand away.

His hand looked red- burned? Chuuya looks up to meet his eye, the eye that was wide in slight surprise. "What happened?" He asks.

Dazai's expression suddenly goes cold as he finally breaks out of his grasp and holds his hand to his chest. "Mind your damn business. I am teaching you how to cast bombrada. Now give me your hand, I'll show you how to move your wrist."

Chuuya was a bit surprised at the chill in his tone, looking at him as if he was nothing but an inconvenience. Like a switch went off- he looked to be having an ok time before Chuuya noticed his hand.

Feeling a little guilty (Chuuya thinks he felt guilty, he didn't really know what he was feeling though if he was being completely honest) He nods and offers his hand back.

The silence that overtook them was awkward- Dazai moved more tensely without saying anything. Guiding his wrist on how to do it. Chuuya mirrored how he was shown and Dazai corrected him once or twice.

Dazai tossed up a rock and Chuuya casted the spell perfectly.

The day Dazai noted he was a remarkably fast learner.

The 'lesson' had ended with that, they both had walked back in silence and the very next day Dazai had acted like nothing happened. Chuuya had no choice but to go along with his playful personality once more.

June, 19th

-

Sitting alone in Oda's office he curled up slightly. It was stupid, he shouldn't be bitter. It was just a stupid birthday.

He tried dropping hints to Chuuya and Kunikida all day, less of Kunikida because the man avidly avoids him. Little remarks like 'one year closer to death', that stupid, overused saying. It would only get a scoff and roll of Chuuya's eyes.

Frankly, he didn't even like his birthday. It brought up bad memories.

But maybe a part of him wished he could get a 'happy birthday, idiot' from Chuuya. Something small, something that would just brighten his mood a little so he could tease Chuuya over him 'caring'.

The door creaked open, but Dazai paid it no mind. Listening as Oda walked over, crouching next to him. "You ok?"

"No one care." He mumbled right after Oda asked, "no one even noticed." Oda sighs quietly beside him, moving to pat his back. "I tried to give them hints. They ignored me."

"It's ok, kid. Happy birthday."

Dazai slowly looked up to him, a small frown on his face. Met with Oda's sympathetic gaze. His uncovered eye slowly trailing down to see what Oda was holding. A small box..? Looking back up to Oda, he couldn't help but be a bit confused. "For me?" He asks, Oda nodding and offering the box to him.

Hesitantly, he takes the box and opens it. In it was a bolo tie. A jewel in the middle, seemingly opal then tiny pearls surrounding the larger one. "It's my birth stone surrounded by yours." Oda explains.

Realising he was right, Dazai's eyes widen a little. "Oh.. Thank you, Odasaku." Looking up to him with a small smile. "I.. like it."

Oda nods, Dazai admitting he likes something that was definitely a win in his books, "good."

June, 28th

-

It was strictly a coincidence, Dazai just happened to stumble across a corner where Chuuya happened to be in an argument with the sheep. Coincidences happen like this all the time.

"You're just too damn strong! If you keep hanging out around people like Dazai... Who- who knows what could happen to us if you decided to turn against us!" It sounded like Shirase.

Glancing over the corner, he is met with quite the sight. Shirase a step away from Chuuya, Chuuya who slumped against the wall, stabbed. Now that was quite the interesting twist Dazai must say.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Chuuya spits, eyes wide and filled with betrayal. The sight makes Dazai smile slightly.

"I won't let you screw us over, that's what!"

So you stab him? Dazai must say- that seems like overkill.

"I would never betray you guys!" Chuuya shouts, though cuts himself short with a hiss of pain, flinching.

Shirase takes a step further back, "never talk to us again." almost like a look of fear in his eyes as he quickly turns and half runs away.

Leaving Chuuya to slide down the wall, ripping the knife from his stomach and throwing it away from him. Letting a choked out groan of pain, grabbing the wound with a wince. Dazai could hear his heaves of breaths even from down the hall. Though, guess that must be his cue. Stepping out from behind the corner he clears his throat. Something that makes Chuuya's head snap back to look towards him. "Oh no~" He draws out his fake sympathy, slowly walking over.

The way Chuuya's face contorts into surprise then disgust was rather entertaining, "what the hell are you doing here."

Crouching down a few feet in front of him, Dazai tilts his head. "What's that? I just happened to be passing by on such an interesting turn of events. Not only did he ditch you, he just had to rub salt in the wound- literally- by stabbing you. Poor thing." He mocks, something that makes Chuuya snarl slightly. "Though I can't just have someone going around and hurting my dog. Would you like me to kill him for you?"

His question was posed so innocently, Chuuya almost missed the darker meaning to it. The smile on his face, for once it actually made chills run down his back. "You're fucked in the head-" He stuggles, pushing up against the wall.

Dazai just laughs, leaning forward. "That wasn't a no~?"

Chuuya's eyes narrow into a glare, "leave them the hell alone."

His grin increases, "that means you're all mine, huh~ my own personal dog, how perfect."

"Catch me dead before I ever let you own me." He spits right back.

"Oh, I can definitely have that arranged." Standing back up, looking down at him as a shadow casts over his face, but that smile was still so visual. "You best have Yosano fix you up. I would hate for you to die by someone else's hands."

Chuuya sucks in a sharp breath threw his teeth. "You want to threaten me? I'll kill you!"

"Don't go making promises you can't keep, I'll get my hopes up for nothing~!" His voice- his tone was so.. Disgusting.

He really was a fucking freak-

"Till we speak again next year~"

And just like Dazai said, Chuuya hadn't seen him once for the rest of the third year. No one did, people suspected he actually left for summer break early. But it just left a bad taste in Chuuya's mouth.