There were very few things that left Dazai stumped or confused, he liked to think that the day he found something he couldn't figure out he would literally curl up and just... die.

Yet here he was.

" Oooo -" The crowd winces at the sight of a kid plummeting down to the ground, crashing with a tumble. Yet before any of the overwatchers could step in, the kid quickly stood and got back onto his broom to go back into the game.

Quidditch, he believed it was called. This was the first match since the tryouts. Though he only heard about the game in passing till this point. Sports as a whole honestly just wasn't his thing, he didn't find it interesting and he was the very opposite of athletic.

So why the hell would he, the demon prodigy, natural genius- be sitting in the front seat of stands for such an outrageous game he doesn't understand?

With a harsh breeze of wind whooshing past him, Dazai nearly stumbles back from his place by the edge. Chuuya holds this ball-like thing under his arm as he flies right past him in order to dodge a Hufflepuff competitor. His tinted red hair pushed under a helmet, a little bit of that same hair poking out of the back. His body was enveloped in a long coat of red that caught with the wind. God only knew how high up he was yet he moved with such confidence, each move brash yet so thought through in every sense of the word. Each sharp turn to avoid another player, every dip or pass. Once he got close enough to the ring like goal he whistled the ball right at it with a slight curve. The ball goes straight into the ring while hitting the side, the goalie attempting to stop it yet not even he could get to it in time.

Dazai could only stare as the faint sound of cheers echoed along with the loud thump of his heartbeat in his ears, stare at the way Chuuya threw his arm up, punching the air with a wide and triumphant grin. His teammates flew up to congratulate him. Yet Dazai was lost in his smile.

He didn't get it.

Dazai didn't understand why people liked such a game, it seemed so stupid to him. He didn't understand how anyone could ever be that happy over a stupid few points. He didn't get why people wanted to play, what did they get out of it? A pretty medal cup if they happened to get the most points at the end of the year? They didn't get anything out of it individually, and the cup meant nothing.

Chuuya seems ecstatic to be up there too, playing.

It puzzled Dazai. Everything about it threw him for a loop. Especially the tight wind up in his own chest just from watching. He wanted to see Chuuya score that. The unknown feeling of genuine pride seeing him get it swell.

All of it was a mystery to him. Hell, he hardly even knew how the game itself worked.

Sighing, Dazai slumped back down in his seat. Watching as the next round starts up with the throw of the ball, other teammates take the lead as things go back and forth. Dazai had zero interest in anyone but Chuuya up there, since the only reason he was even here was because of that prick who dragged him out and was wasting his free time!

Chuuya claimed it was to make up for all the times that Dazai stopped him from going to class. But Dazai had a feeling the boy just wanted to show off... Sadly it was totally working because Dazai was impressed. Watching him pass the ball and score.

Seeing Chuuya dodge one of the Hufflepuff kids who tried to tackle him since he had the ball with such style- it almost made it look easy.

However, the game didn't last much longer since then. No one has won yet, the game was bound to continue at some point this week. By the time it ends the players sink back down to the ground, the stands emptying out. Dazai followed to leave as well.

Making his way back to the school itself away from the half stadium, only to be stopped short at something grabbing his wrist and tugging him back. Not like he wasn't expecting such a thing, glancing back at Chuuya who was breathing heavily; still dressed up in his Quidditch outfit. "So, what did you think?" Grinning slightly, a lot more self-confident than normal for him.

Dazai stares at him for a little while, "that it was a waste of my time." Mirroring his grin.

Chuuya's expression quickly fell into an annoyed snarl, "fuck off. I saw you gapping on the stand." He snarks, punching his shoulder.

Well, almost punching his shoulder. Dazai side steps out of the way, still grinning of course. "Eh, I don't really get the sport but you do whatever."

At the confession, Chuuya seems to ease up a bit. "Of course you don't, just look at you. I think you would curl up and die at the mere sight of a soccer ball." He scoffs, rolling his eyes as he starts to continue Dazai's walk back to the school building.

"And you look like you would die at the sight of the top shelf, thank god you'll always be safe."

"Why you-" His hands just shook as tight fists in his pockets to stop himself from punching him. Dazai has noticed that about Chuuya, how he always somehow manages to have his hands in his pockets, if he didn't have pockets he would tuck them into his shirt or cloak. It was weird but Dazai never asked about it.

Dazai just snickers quietly, "You're going back to the common rooms to change, right?" He clarifies, Chuuya just nodding. "Well, I'll meet you in the library, then? Don't keep me waiting." Chuuya just scoffs as the two go their separate ways for a moment.

It has been almost a month since the fixing of their once falling out, November now. Since then everything has been going rather well surprisingly.

The thing that both boys don't seem to acknowledge is the word of mouth surrounding them. Rumours were always something that followed Dazai like a twisted shadow, over years he has learned to become desensitised to it. Yet he has never ignored them like how he does with the ones surrounding their relationship with one another. Realistically it started back when they were forced into a partnership to prove their innocence to teachers back in year three. Since then the word has only gotten worse. They were definitely a subject of confusion, it was hard to put them in a box. People wanted to label them as friends, after all they were around each other constantly. It was more rare to see Chuuya alone than with Dazai right by his side, annoying him.

But the thing was, 'friends' as a label never seemed to fit for the two. There has been more than once where Chuuya has definitely started a fist fight with Dazai over his bullshit moves. Not even mentioning the near verbal abuse Dazai dishes to Chuuya over the simplest of things just to get a rise out of him. Dazai almost seemed to make it his life goal to make Chuuya's life as difficult as possible.

So then for a while the idea of rivals was presented, everyone coming to a mutual agreement about that. After all, the two still seemed relatively fine with one another, they still hung out constantly even if they seemed to hate each other. Though, at that time the two had their falling out.

At the sight of their falling out, students labelled them as enemies. There was no longer the idea of banter, it just seemed like hatred.

And yet again, once the students seemed to settle with that, the two did a full one eighty. They not only made up but became so much closer. After the alleged incident giving their name as Soukoku, it was near impossible to see them alone other than in classes. But not even! Dazai has snuck into so many classes of Chuuya's just to be near him the teachers have become desensitised to it. Not even the common rooms were safe from those two's insistence to be around one another. The slytherin's common room has more or less become the slytherin's common room + Chuuya.

The weirdest part being that they still seemed to despise each other, Dazai annoyed the living shit out of Chuuya and Chuuya did everything he could to damage Dazai physically. It was baffling.

It was around the start of November there was a certain word that seemed to linger like fog around the students. A word that once it was said, it was impossible to think of their relationship as anything but...

Lovers.

At the time the idea caught like wildfire, said between mutters and whispers. More people stared at the two these days than ever before; attempting to catch any ounce of proof it may be true.

Their partnership was scandalous enough, but the idea they were together was near frazzling.

But there was one thing worse than all of that. The two of them? Were utterly oblivious.

Not ignoring them, oblivious to them.

Dazai as stated was used to being a circle of rumours, yet he almost always knew everything people had to say about him. But not this time. As for Chuuya it would almost be assumed that one of his many friends would let anything about it slip. Yet nothing. So the both of them couldn't even shut down the idea because they had no idea it was an idea in the first place.

And well, the rumours could only boil until it eventually bubbled over one day. The students just hoped it wasn't a day in the near future.

By now, getting to the library, Dazai's eyes met an all too familiar face who was sitting at a table reading. Skipping over with a grin, he rests his arms on the top of Kunikida's head looking over his shoulder to see what he was even reading. Yet he never really got a look before he was swatted off with a heavy glare on Kunikida's part.

Unlike Chuuya and Dazai's relationship. Kunikida and Dazai's... thing going on was pretty easy to put a label on. It was almost like coworkers. They hung out a lot, sure. But it almost seemed like there was a block of something between them, never allowing a certain point of vulnerability.

Yet they seemed similar in a sense. If Dazai wasn't with Chuuya, he was probably with Kunikida, annoying him in any means possible to him. Then Kunkikida tried his best to just tolerate it.

That's not to say they didn't seem close, they definitely were just in a different way. Since the Azure king drama, the two talked quite a bit. Yet it only seemed to be during classes they shared, or those rare moments when they crossed paths in the library like this. 'Kunikida had his own friend group most people would excuse'. A friend group that Dazai definitely did not fit into according to the public eye.

Kunikida in a way had been seen to have a slight soft spot for Dazai in a way he would for a social outcast, which Dazai very much was. That or a stray kitten, which to be fair. He wasn't but he acted like sometimes.

When it came to them, a lot of people were more surprised that Kunikida accepted Dazai at all. They inherently seemed like people who were bound to clash. They did clash, but not in the way students seemed to expect because they made it work. Kunikida wasn't exactly aggressive but he sure as hell wasn't pliant. He was the middle ground, easy to irritate but far more professional and mature then expected for an average 15 year old.

Then on the other side was well.. Dazai. Who almost seemed self explanatory. He was annoying and problematic in the way he enjoys causing problems. He strikes fear into almost anyone he gives side eyes to and the definition of a bad rep.

But even still. The two seem to have their own special bond in a way, just it was more overshadowed due to Chuuya and Dazai's overwhelming- whatever the fuck they were doing.

"How have you been? 'Whatcha doing?" Dazai decides to ask, grin never faltering as she takes a step back only to sit beside him. Kunikida scoffing quietly under his breath as he closes the book he was just reading.

Another reason they clash so much? Because Dazai just adores messing up Kunikida's schedule.

Speaking of- "Good. I am waiting for Atsushi to tutor but he seems to be running late." Checking his watch as he says so, "he better be on the brink or death or I'll ring his neck."

Dazai hummed, propping his head up with his hand with the help of the table in front of them, never looking away from him. "Did you know that ringing someone's neck can actually be suuuper good for them?"

Kunikida's eyes widening in shock, "Wait- seriously?"

"Yes! Here you should be writing this down-" Kunikida scrambling to get his notebook from his cloak and starting to scribble it down. "Yeah, yeah. If done properly it can actually help a lot with tension!"

" When... done correctly..... Ringing of the neck can realise.... Muscle tensi-"

Spinning in his chain, Dazai cuts him off. "I'm messing with you." His words are drawn out and mocking. The reaction from Kunikida was almost immediate as he threw his notebook to the table, lunging at Dazai and knocking them both over to start strangling him.

It was an ongoing joke Dazai liked to pull on him ever since he found out how truly gullible the boy was. He seemed to believe anything he said so long as he sounded serious enough. Which usually he did, leading to this-

"Uhh- Kunikida?" Someone stutters from above the two.

Kunikida, having been straddling Dazai in order to strangle him calmly as ever (as if a flip switched almost) glances back to the person who spoke, Dazai also looking up. There stood Atsushi, looking almost shocked at the scene.

Remaining calm, Kunikida stands back up, making sure to step on Dazai's stomach as he does so. Though it doesn't do much since he is up soon enough too. "Ah, Atsushi." Kunikida greats, looking at his watch. "You're two minutes and fifty-five seconds late." Glancing up with just his eyes. "Explain."

Dazai watches as a shiver runs up the boy's spine, snickering to himself.

Atsushi.

See Atsushi's and Dazai's relationship was also strange but not in the same sense as the previous two. Dazai was always mildly weary over him and by the looks of it, Atsushi mirrored his mentality.

For the entirety of third year, Dazai hadn't seen Atsushi once, almost like the boy was avidly avoiding him. Which was probably the case. Even after they had talked that day in the library, it almost felt like there was a barrier of fear between them. A rock that stopped them from going any further. Getting any closer.

Well at least, that had been before the fight with Akutgawa. At the time, Dazai found it extremely amusing. It really did remind him so much of back when Chuuya and him first met, the fight that ended in the very uncomfortable doctor's visit. A visit Dazai is still thankful to this day Oda was there for. Because he feared without him, Yosano would have been far more brash like she really is.

But besides that memory, after the fighting incident Atsushi and Dazai began speaking more. Even if only due to the fact the both shared a dislike for Akutgawa. It started with that, but after a short amount of time, it faded from that into an almost mentor-like relationship between the two. Though it was still tense, it almost seemed to lack the guard Dazai held so dear.

"Well- uh.. My sister and I were watching the Quidditch match and got a bit side tracked. I'm really sorry." Atsushi excuses with a timid tone.

Kunikida looks him over suspiciously, as if trying to figure out whether what he was saying is the truth. Seemingly deciding he was, he motions for Atsushi to si as he does himself.

Dazai is more thinking how odd it is that he has yet to meet this sister. Not that it was ever something he really had any interest in, he just found it strange.

Just as he was also about to sit down, he found himself ducking in order to avoid a book flying at his head. A move he expected yet didn't at the same time. Sighing deeply as he glances over to a few feet away where Chuuya stood, glaring at the three. Kunikida shocked that Chuuya threw a book in the first place and yet before he could comment on it, Chuuya cut him short. "Oi. You, asshole. Let's go." Motioning for him to follow as Dazai is quick to stand right back up straight from his previous crouch to sit. Not like he would ever admit it aloud, but he was always willing to go where Chuuya led him.

Walking up to him, Dazai attempted to trip him up even if he knew he would probably fail, which he did as Chuuya knew his moves rather well. Just as Dazai knew his.

"The book was unnecessary as always." Walking side by side as the two make their way out into the mostly sparse wide hallways. Chuuya just attempted to punch his shoulder.

That's what most of their interactions were, one of them attempting to mess with the other and failing due to the other predicting it, it was their normal. Comfortable almost.

As they walked they bickered back and forth, all before they walked by an office. Oda's office.

Dazai lied when he gave out the idea his biggest problem was a stupid game of Quidditch and not understanding it. At the moment- the past few days specifically Oda had been acting odd. Not badly, just different in a way Dazai form once couldn't quite place.

His gaze on the closed door didn't linger though, instead looking back to Chuuya as he rambled on about something that had happened to him in class, Dazai just smiling slightly to himself as Chuuya used his hands heavily to articulate each word he said. It was always a bit endearing to watch him talk, not that Dazai found Chuuya endearing. God no, just the way he spoke... maybe.

He is just digging himself a deeper hole for himself.

Though, it didn't take him that long before they ended up outside, the ground covered in dusted snow. Not that heavy thankfully. Their original plan had been just to sit outside enjoying the cold, however, something caught his eye. Snapping to look over his visible eye widens a bit. "Where is the thing?" He asks, cutting off one of Chuuya's long going rants.

Chuuya looked over confused, "what did you say?"

Dazai pointing to the forest's edge. "The thing that used to be there, it's.. Gone- I just hadn't expected that."

"Wow, something catching you off guard?" sounding surprised himself.

Dazai shaking his head, "no it just seems- random almost." Not looking back to Chuuya as he starts walking towards the forest instead. It's been almost half a year by now, a very small part almost found himself missing the area. Not enough in the way he formed an attachment or anything, more that it was a very convenient place for him.

"What- what are you doing?" Dazai found himself ignoring Chuuya's questions though, continuing to walk as he stayed hyper aware of his surroundings. Almost as if what he was expecting was for the creature to appear out of seemingly nowhere. Yet, with each step closer it seemed less and less likely it was just hiding within the forest.

Did it just leave? Had he been right to just.. Ignore it for once?

Within seconds the two stood at the first's edge, Dazai glancing around as if searching for it, waiting to see if it would really show, just to make absolutely sure. Yet as he waited, each moment that passed.. Nothing happened, it was silent.

Dazai slowly looked back at a very confused Chuuya, grinning widely. All before ducking back into the trees quickly as if he was attempting to lose Chuuya, the look on Dazai's face as he did so enough to sper Chuuya forward as he quickly chased after him.

Manoeuvring through trees, sliding under branches, avoiding large rocks. Dazai made his way deeper and deeper before ducking behind a rather large bush, his breath heavy and hard to control due to the fact he really was rather out of shape. Though he attempted to keep it under control he made sure he was out of sight. Listening as footsteps soon ran right past making him let out a sigh in relief.

Chuuya wasn't smart enough to-

"Dazai. Get out of the bush."

He only sighs loudly in disappointment, slouching over slightly. "I could have sworn you were too stupid to think that far ahead." Grabbing Chuuya outstretched hand as he drags himself up out of the bush with a stretch. Chuuya rolled his eyes instead of responding. "Well, you found me. C'mon let's go sit by a tree or something." Making his way over to one of the larger size trees as Chuuya trails along behind him. All before he sits down, motioning for Chuuya to do the same. Which unsurprisingly he does.

Within a few moments, the silence that once surrounded them was broken as Dazai remarks something under his breath. Chuuya immediately starts up another argument that Dazai indulges in for his amusement.

Though, it is surprising that Dazai hadn't noticed the area, seeing as though he had definitely been her previously. As a few moments letter, mid argument: "You're just tying-!..." As Chuuya trails off something else is clearly gaining his attention from behind Dazai.

A bit confused as to what distracted him, Dazai glances behind himself. Only to pause.

Millimetres away from his face was another face. Not a face of a human's though, instead one of a white horse. Making him recoil away from it, startled. The horse doing the same- no. Not a horse. A unicorn.

Within seconds the pieces fall into place, his eyes widening.

Was it the one from third year? When he first showed up in the forest?

To test his theory, he held out his hand towards it, to gauge its reaction. The unicorn slowly leaned forward to inspect it with a couple of sniffs, seemingly glancing over to his face before pushing its face against his outstretched hand. Taking a few steps forward before sitting right in front of him. Dazai sighs to himself, seemingly getting enough proof for himself that it was the previous he already met as he gently brushes his hand over its snout.

"What...?" Dazai remembering that behind him, Chuuya sits looking almost shell shocked at the sight. Seeing him like that, Dazai laughs mockingly.

"Jealous?" The creature makes its way to lay down, resting its head on Dazai's leg as Chuuya's eyes widen further.

Shaking his head, Chuuya sputters slightly. "You?? Good with animals ?!"

Dazai would almost be offended at his guttural shock. "Clearly much better than you." He continues to mock, a wide grin on his face.

Chuuya staring down at the unicorn before reaching forward and placing a hand on its head. "What did you do to it? Mind control it or something?" He asks, as if that was an actual threat or something he could do.

Dazai just rolled his eyes, "frankly. I just think it lacks basic instincts." Shrugging as he leans back against the rough bark of the tree behind. "But I don't mind that much, I met it before back when I first came here." He explains.

Without responding, Chuuya starts to pet the unicorn overtop of Dazai's hand. Making them brush constantly. Not that Dazai was acknowledging it or anything. Looking down at the unicorn who seemed to be very happy getting pet.

A silence enveloping them as they paid more attention to the animal rather than each other for once. Watching as the unicorn seems to slowly close its eyes in order to sleep. Dazai humming quietly, "You seem to like them." He points out.

"So do you, letting it rest on you and all." Chuuya remarks back.

Dazai rolls his eyes. "I'm not evil, you know. Human just like you." His eyes glancing over to catch his reaction at his words. His reaction being him tensing up, snapping to look over at him. Dazai smiling a bit, "Humanity, why is it that you lack it exactly?"

Chuuya tensing up, "I'm not having this conversation right now."

"Why not? You never seem to want to have this conversation." Each word almost held a darker tone as he spoke, something that Chuuya always hated as he would do it from time to time.

Chuuya's eyes narrowing, "You have a fucking unicorn on your lap. You. The demon prodigy. Just shut up and let us have a single moment of peace."

And for once, that seemed to snap Dazai out of his little moment, looking down to the creature. "..yeah. I guess you're right."

Again, silence fell over them. Yet this time, it was almost peaceful.

Silence of the two just allowing one another to just sort of.. Live. Silence, the very comfortable kind that let Dazai finally relax. Dropping his guard for once in his life as his expression fell into something neutral rather than his seemingly constant small false smile, one he trained into himself.

"God- they are awful at this."

This was the fourth of six matches he has been forced to attend because of Chuuya wanting him to see the whole season and whatever. Still, Dazai didn't get or frankly- care about the whole Quidditch thing. But Chuuya would just pester and pester and pester him. So eventually he just gave in and went along with it. It didn't matter that much anyway, the matches were only an hour or something. Besides Dazai could read-

..Or he would be reading if Chuuya wasn't loudly chatting away beside him as loud as possible in order to try and annoy him, Dazai just knew he was.

"Dazai did you just see that? Put the book down, you should be watching this very interesting match." It was always hard for Chuuya to get under Dazai's skin, after all, Dazai was pretty level headed. He prides himself on his composure. But Chuuya seemed to have caught onto Dazai's dislike of sitting through these matches and was definitely using it to his advantage.

Rolling his eyes, Dazai leans back. "I don't have to be here, need to remind you?" Shooting him a glare as Chuuya shrugs.

"Yet here you are."

Dazai's fingers twitching around his hold on the book, irritation buzzing faintly in the back of his head. "Yet here I am." He mumbles through gritted teeth. Ignoring Chuuya's grin to save his sanity.

The match they watched was a Ravenclaw and Slytherin match, so nothing that important. Unless Ravenclaw wins, since that team is quickly threatening to overtake Gryffindor. Not that Dazai paid attention to the score, but he knew the basics.

But overall? The match itself went by quickly enough due to his disinterest. Not like its all that surprising.

After, the two did their normal schedule. Their 'normal' being annoying the shit out of one another, never leaving one another's side. Eating dinner in the empty halls and just living their life.

Dazai truly did loathe Quidditch.

"GET HIM!" A loud shout, almost enough to make Dazai's ears ring. Though it was enough to make his eye twitch in annoyance. He just snaps to look at the random Slytherin they sat nearby, but left an empty seat between him and themselves. At his harsh glare their mouth snaps shut.

He was on edge. Though he didn't know why. But watching this Quidditch match Dazai could feel his nerves buzzing in a way he couldn't quite place. He found himself staring forward and watching as Chuuya flew around the field just like before.

It was a feeling, (an actual.. feeling? ) one he couldn't place and almost made him want to be sick. Watching each move, each sharp turn and swerve Chuuya made.

It was almost worrying, reminding him disgustingly of the moment he had when Chuuya stopped him from shooting Nobuko. It made his throat want to close and face heat up. It couldn't help but puzzle that he could ever feel these things, even if the emotions were faint, blanketed by a never ending numbness. It was still there . This almost- sick admiration.

He despised the feeling.

Dazai would only watch the game in silence, eyes trailing only Chuuya as he flew around, ignoring his own team that was facing him. Not that Dazai cared but for the game itself.

Though, don't misunderstand. Dazai didn't care about Chuuya, definitely not. He despised the boy, frankly hoping with every sharp turn he runs into a podum or something. Dazai couldn't care about him, he doesn't care about anything. Dazai knew better, it's not like he can feel such strong emotion like care either.

The teams moved to go back to the middle as Slythrin managed to get a goal. As soon as everyone is gathered up, the ref flies over before throwing the ball back up as the next round starts. Two opposing students flying up as Griffndor manages to knock the ball back, a teammate catching it at the game starts right back up in a flash.

Dazai's eyes following as Chuuya instead of going after the ball, body checks one of the more aggressive Slytherin teammates. After all, the boy was going after the seeker by the looks of it, a seeker who seemed to be pretty scrawny. Making Dazai consider if Chuuya only body checks him to protect the seeker.

Doesn't matter.

The kid spinning a bit on his broom as a few 'ooo's ring out at the sight. Chuuya just flying back over to attempt to help out with getting a goal, defending his teammate that did help the ball and making sure the player could get a shot, which they tried but the goalie blocked. Allowing a Slytherin to get the ball and quickly makes their way to the other side of the field.

Dazai didn't understand why the idea of Slytherin getting another point put him further on edge. Yet it did. Honestly, Dazai didn't even know the score. He knew this was the second half of the game as it started yesterday getting picked up again today. For once since this whole thing started he just couldn't look away from what played out in front of him, hands buzzing as he wished he could just look back down to the book he held.

One of Chuuya's teammates managed to get the ball back, tossing it over to Chuuya who caught it with ease. The rest of the Slytherin team seemingly zeroing in on him, one in particular is one that Dazai noticed. They seemed tall but slender, agile in a way the rest of the team wasn't and going straight for Chuuya.

Chuuya kept closer to the podiums as he flew, the student coming right over as they ended up bumping into one another. Shoulder to shoulder they shoved at each other to form a fight in the sky. A fight Chuuya (due to his shorter frame) was getting over powered in. The two fought for dominance, a show that made everyone stare at. The taller one swung in an attempt to grab the ball as he pushed Chuuya further and further into the podiums . To the point his shoulder seemingly brushes past the wood of one, gaining a few gasps.

Yet in a sudden and a bit unexpected moment. Chuuya ducks aggressively down, yanking himself out from the wedge between the boy and the wall. Stumbling out and under as he struggles slightly to regain his balance as the force works against him. On the other hand, the boy he left behind crashed hard into one of the podiums, causing many to gasp. Since the two were pushing so much into one another, the boy just hadn't been given the chance to stop in time.

Despite the clearly injured kid, the game continued on. Chuuya quickly passes the ball back over to one of the more known kids to have better aim. Since technically, Chuuya's real job was to defend his teammates through any force necessary.

Dazai didn't really understand why everyone was so surprised around him by the move. It was so obvious that was what Chuuya was bound to do. With the way he had been twisting his wrist, constantly looking down instead of to the podium beside him. Pushing against the boy, not hard enough to overpower (since Chuuya definitely could have if he wished, why didn't anyone know that?) but also aggressive enough that the boy would match his power if not go harder. It was the most logical course of action, full of risks? Of course. But Chuuya never cared about risks like that. If anything that tended to encourage him so much more. Why was Dazai the only one that could see this, looking around the crowd of expressions that gritted harshly on Dazai's nerves.

He hated this stupid game.

Chuuya's team ended up getting the final score to tie off the final game of the season. Quidditch is officially over for the year and Dazai could not be more thankful. Reminiscent to the first match Dazai attended, he walked away from the field back to the school. Only to be stopped by Chuuya just like before.

Though it was an interruption he predicted, making him stop before Chuuya had the chance to shout at him too. Turning to face him as the boy ran up still decked out in his uniform. "Hey, asshole." There was a certain undertone in his voice as he spoke. One Dazai recognized relatively quickly making the remarks die on his tongue when he opened his mouth.

He saw the look in his eyes, they way they almost seemed duller than when he was out there playing. He noticed the slump in his shoulders as if he had the weight of the world on them. He heard the breathlessness in his voice as he spoke, the pure unbridled stress and anxiety.

Dazai knew why. Chuuya was terrified that he and his team lost this year. What would happen is the points of each game would be tallied and the winner would be declared at the feast tonight. But until the feast? The players had to wait with baited breath.

For once in their relationship, Dazai found himself hesitant to tease Chuuya at the moment. He didn't want to make him feel worse when he normally would have jumped on an opportunity such as this. But at the moment, the idea of mocking and assuring the lost felt sour on his tongue.

"Hey, Slug." He greets back, turning back around as they started to walk side by side. An unspoken agreement Dazai would follow Chuuya all the way back to the Gryffindor common room with him in order for Chuuya to change. Understanding without words Chuuya didn't want to part ways like they normally would have done. "You did well out there." Dazai says with full confidence, absolutely unwilling to look over and face the guaranteed look of shock on Chuuya's face. He refused to also act shy over the comment, to be embarrassed because that would only dig himself into a further hole.

Like Dazai predicted, Chuuya didn't say a thing to the surprise complement. He didn't dare break that rare moment of just.. Peace.

Though something Dazai didn't get to see because he refused to look was the very small smile that fell on Chuuya's lip in appreciation. Though something says it's best he didn't.

The rest of the walk to the common room was one of comfortable silence, as always most in the hallways were quick to get out of the two's way where they walked even without the bickering.

Getting to the common room, like always no one really commented on Dazai walking in right alongside him. Not even the teacher who had been in the room at the time. After all, it was their thing. The last time a teacher tried to force Dazai out they got a glare that could have aged them at least ten years from both boys, one laced in such threat that they didn't bother ever again.

It was definitely breaking all kinds of rules but that didn't seem to phase the two.

Dazai quickly skipped over and jumped onto the bed Chuuya learned to call his own. None of his roommates were in the dorm at the time, thankfully. Chuuya walked over and immediately started to strip out of his uniform, stretching his sore and slightly battered body. "Oi, dumbass. Instead of staring pass me my shirt."

Snapping out of it, Dazai snapped to look back up to Chuuya's face as the boy threw his outfit next to him. "But Chuuya, how can I not stare when you are so provocatively giving me a strip te-"

"Finish that sentence and you'll wish you were never born with vocal cords."

Dazai just chuckled, looking around the bed to find his school uniform neatly folded by the side. Reaching over and grabbing it before handing it over, Chuuya snatched the shirt and slipped it on over his head. Ruffling up his hair because of it as he slips on the cloak and not bothering to do it up. "Why don't you wear anything but the uniform?" Dazai decides to ask, watching as Chuuya stands next to him to fold what he just took off.

"You don't wear anything else either." Chuuya scoffs, not spearing him a glance.

Even if Chuuya didn't look at him, Dazai wore an innocent expression. "I don't own anything else?"

A comment that actually managed to make Chuuya almost snap his neck to look over at him. "You're kidding." Dazai tilting his head and keeping that false innocence. Chuuya's eyes widening, "You're not kidding.. Oh hell no. There is no way in hell! You own no clothes?! What the hell are you talking about?" Standing up straight, baffled. "How is that even possible?"

Dazai shrugs, "Just don't." It's clear he was trying to rile Chuuya up, yet it lacked its normal venom like there normally is when he tried. Almost working to try and give Chuuya something else to focus on.

"That's ridiculous!" He sputters, "God. You are so fucking weird." Rolling his eyes as he motions to the hairbrush. Dazai understands easily as he turns and grabs the brush, handing it over. Chuuya brushes through his messy hair. "Fuckin- whatever. I am not dealing with your shit." Throwing the brush back at him, Dazai easily moved out of the way, the brush falling on the bed. After he missed, Chuuya pushed Dazai over in order to sit next to him.

"Let's do our homework while we wait." Chuuya suggests, leaning over the side of his bed to his side table and grabbing a few of his notebooks. Because when he says that, he really means 'do my homework with me'. Because normally Dazai's was always finished or he never had it with him.

Dazai nods silently in agreement, shuffling closer till their shoulders touched in order to see the papers better as small banter started up once more.

"No, stupid hat for brains. Why do you always get the clockwise stir wrong?" Dazai remarks, Chuuya shouting something and slapping him upside the head.

Though, a silence fell over them after. A tense silence as they stare at one another. Dazai could see the defeat again in his body language. The stress surrounding him so abruptly, so out of nowhere. But Dazai knew why, the dinner was only half an hour away after all.

Staring at that expression, Dazai decides he doesn't like it.

"Hey," leaning forward slightly and flicking Chuuya's forehead, making him flinch back as his face scrunches up. But before Chuuya could shout, Dazai spoke before. "You did good, ok? So who cares if you don't officially win? You don't need a stupid metal or whatever they give you. I know for a fact since you made me watch every single match you did best out of all of the players..." Noticing he sounded far too sincere and the look of utter shock on Chuuya's face... Damage control. "Since you are such a short little slow slug, it's very impressive! Though it's too bad you really don't look the part."

Dazai praying to whatever will listen that Chuuya takes the bait.

And for once in his unlucky life, he thinks that he banked on Chuuya's anger issues. As his confusion is immediately replaced by a look of utter annoyance, Chuuya leaning forward as punching his shoulder. "Fuck you! I'm still growing!"

He just laughs, "Sure sure! Whatever you want to think!"

Even still, it looks like Dazai's little monologue was enough for Chuuya to relax though. After a bit of back and forth, the two return to the homework.

Though it doesn't last very long, glancing up to the clock, Dazai sighs. "Well. We best be off, right?" Chuuya tensed up at the comment, halfway through writing a paragraph. Slowly looking up at him with the expression Dazai despises. "No more putting it off, c'mon." Dragging himself off the bed as he knows Chuuya will follow. Which of course he does.

Tension settles between them as Dazai motions over, Chuuya slightly dragging his feet as they walk to the great hall. Other students making their way there as well.

Once they get there Chuuya moves to sit down with the other Gryffindors, yet before he could, Dazai grabs his wrist. Changing directions as he drags him over to Ravenclaws table. (Even though most kids are encouraged greatly to sit at their table, almost no one really did.) Because at the Ravenclaw table there sat most of their 'friends' of sorts.

Ranpo and his two friends, Kunikida, Atusushi and Akutagawa with their siblings, Tahcihara who was speaking with Akutagawa and a blonde girl. Next to Atsushi and his sister was the one red head who had been the first victim of the food fight back then.

Dazai smiling over to Chuuya who looked over them all before seemingly relaxing. Moving to sit next to Tachihara, Dazai sits beside Chuuya while also being beside Kunikida. The room was cluttered with kids and chatter. The chatter that the two start to participate in soon after.

Talking that didn't last too long though as everyone was interrupted by the sound of the president standing from his seat.

The president was a sight, white hair that was slightly grown out. His clothes were far more formal, as his hands were hidden within the sleeves. He looked wise but not necessarily old.

Fukuzawa, who couldn't look up to such a put together headmaster?

Clearing his throat, any remaining conversations died as everyone turned their attention to him.

"Welcome everyone. Before the feast starts I am sure you all are wanting to know before you are let off for Christmas break." Ah yes, Christmas break which was now a mere day away. "The Quidditch matches played really were impressive, you all played very well and understand that even if you don't win this gauntlet, you all did exceptionally. You should be proud of yourself." Motioning for Hirotsu who stands and walks over to the large award, the student's glancing over to it. All while Dazai can't take his eyes off the way Chuuya chewed nervously on his bottom lip. "However, there has to be a winner within this." Fukuzawa continued. "Appreciation to Ango who helped count the points to come to this."

Anticipation filled the room as they stared, Fukuzawa grabbing a paper to look down at. "I feel no need to really drag this out for you all." He admits, "in third place, Slytherin."

Sounds of immediately disappointed from the house, deep sighs and grumbles of hurt. People moving to comfort friends and reassure the team mates who had to deal with the disappointment. A certain level of bitterness in the air once it was said.

Yet, the tension raised further. "Second place, Ravenclaw."

That reaction seemed a bit more positive, afterall, second place is the middle ground. It was safe and still impressive. Mumbles of approval and bits of slight disappointment.

Dazai stared at Chuuya though, he watched the fear and stress on his face. Afterall, it was either first or last then. Dazai knew the boy would be crushed if he got last place. He watched Chuuya's face, eased but in a way that was fake. Like he was trying to show face, show confidence and strength. He put on the mask that tried to make others think he was fine, he would be fine even if he didn't win.

Though Dazai knew better. Dazai could see through that and he could see the weakness. The desperation to win, the craving for it.

"And first place goes to-"

He could see the way Chuuya squeezed his eyes shut as everyone but Dazai stared at Fukuzawa instead.

"Gryffindor."

...

And the hall fell silent for a short second as everyone processed. All before the hall erupted into cheers from the house. Other than the cries and moans of disappointment from Hufflepuff.

Dazai didn't care, he was too enamoured at the pure and unbridled joy that washed over Chuuya's face. The cheer he let out, the way he practically tackled Tachihara in a side hug with the widest smile Dazai has ever seen in his life. His eyes shut and crinkled, his mouth wide and upward. It almost looked like someone hooked fishing lines and yanked the corner of his mouth up. Yet, it was so painfully genuine Dazai couldn't help but smile softly. He could hear the celebration around him from friends yet he couldn't take his eyes away from the sight.

Chuuya getting his hair ruffled by the people he kind of knew around as a congratulation. His smile that Dazai didn't know could grow anymore doing just that.

After all, Dazai has only ever really seen the negative emotions Chuuya held. Annoyance, rage, fear, anguish. Sure, Dazai loved seeing those. But this was different. This made.. Him happy. Though it was vague and faint, it was still there.

This fondness that overtook him to replace the numb he always felt.

Of course the celebration didn't last forever, soon enough the high of finding out rode out as the cheers faded into happy conversations. Chuuya is still smiling but not as big, a more content and fulfilled smile.

With a few last words, Fukuzawa started the feast as it appeared as it always did. Everyone is quick to dig right in. Yet Dazai instead moved to annoy Kunikida beside him, deciding not to ruin Chuuya's mood and stick with the safer option. Though Kunikida was completely ignoring him, instead paying attention to Ranpo.

A bit dejected, Dazai sighs and looks down to his empty plate. Is this what a sugar high feels like? Hitting the peek and then free falling right back down. The numb incasinging him right back so quickly it felt suffocating, strangling like a scarf pulled just a bit too tight.

Because for a win, this sucked.

Dazai hated this game.

Yet, he was snapped from his thoughts and staring at an empty plate. Only to find the plate wasn't empty. Pretty suddenly, a cup of noodles, half empty, was placed in front of him. It didn't startle him, Dazai just slowly looked over to Chuuya confused. "Don't ruin the mood, you social misfit." Bumping shoulders, that goddamn smile still there.

It was enough to make him smile again, less genuine than the one before but it wasn't awful. "And eat some more, skin and bones." Making Dazai look back down to the noodles.

...hm. Maybe the game wasn't actually that bad.

Christmas break was never that special, nothing ever really happened during it. At least nothing that important. Though as the days went by, Dazai noticed it more and more.

Oda was acting very strange. Strange in a way that it was hard to place and put in a category. He wasn't avoiding Dazai, but he also seemed more busy, a lot more often. It was hard to catch him outside of class, of course Dazai managed well but it wasn't easy. Which was... nerve wracking in a way he couldn't quite express.

Not like he ever mentioned it, he continued to pretend it wasn't even happening actually.

After all, It was probably nothing...

Right?

It wasn't something he wanted to think about, the idea alone nearly setting his emotions on fire in a way he wasn't used to. That anxiety that Dazai just didn't know how to deal with. He hated it, he hated a lot of things.

Ever since the Gryffindor win Chuuya has been shoving it in his face as annoying as it was, Dazai couldn't help but be a bit.. proud honestly. because he had won, Chuuya managed to win something in a way that Dazai knew he did. From what Dazai had watched, Chuuya seemed like he genuinely carried his teammates a lot.

...Maybe Dazai was just biassed.

At the moment Dazai sat in the library, in the forbidden area, ironically Chuuya sat right there next to him. They both read in silence, they didn't need to say anything. Honestly, it was also for the best they didn't since they were in the forbidden area, getting caught wasn't exactly a priority for the two. Though he also didn't worry that much about it since it was one in the morning.

Look. It's not like there was much else to do anyway! Or thats what he would excuse. Not like either of them had the best sleep schedule. Every once and a while Chuuya would pull seemingly random all nighters, when Dazai couldn't sleep even if he tried.

Chuuya sat right up against him, his head slightly leaning against his shoulder. Normally, Dazai would bully him relentlessly for the almost domestic action but for once he couldn't find the energy to.

He was finding more and more he didn't have the energy for teasing as of lately.

More than anything. All that mattered was that the air around them was comfortable, sometimes there was the off chance Dazai would make a remark over something he read in the book he picked up, sometimes Chuuya would scoff over something on his own. Which would make Dazai ask why he was scoffing and a whispered conversation would follow.

It was becoming normal almost for the two. Normally only when they were alone like these moments. They would just have.. This. A time without teasing, a time to recharge and just relax in one another's presence.

They both needed it, so they both refused to acknowledge it after it happened. Because if they acknowledge it, they have to think about why it happened. When the switch happened that made one another comfortable to be around. They would have to face the idea that they might feel things other than just hate each other.

Neither of them wanted to think about that though, neither of them wanted to even consider the idea that they could care . Even though it's clear. Even if they refused to think of anything. There was a sense of care. A sense of trust even formed between the two as each day passed.

It was hard to think of care. It was hard to lean into vulnerability. The two could never face their vulnerabilities, that. That would cause them to crumble.