Together
The dark bar revealed the one and only man in black. The man who Blaise had been searching for over ten years. His best friend.
“Osamu…?”
The man smiled. It was just like old times. One eye sill covered by bandages. Still all meagre as ever.
His eyes now had a childlike glow.
“Blaise. Long time no see.”
Blaise was frozen to the floor. He didn’t know how to react. At first, he wanted to hug him to death and never let go. But he realised that bastard had just left him alone all those years ago. So, on the other hand he wanted to smack him.
But he did neither.
He just stared and gawked.
Dazai his smile faded a bit. “Are you not happy to see me?”
“You left me.”
“I did.” Dazai simply stated. As if it was not the source of Blaise’s yearslong anguish. As if he didn’t lie awake every night. Thinking about him.
Always afraid that when he opened his eyes in the morning someone important to him would have left. Luckily that last four years he had his trusty partner Kunikida. Who without fail would scream at him every day. He knew that that man wouldn’t leave.
But would Dazai leave him like all those years ago.
He maybe had a bit of anger in him seeing that face.
That smile.
Like nothing was wrong. Like he hadn’t just got up and left.
“Why?”
Dazai his smile almost faded completely. “Come sit with me. It’s a long story.”
Blaise did and sat on the stool next to him.
Dazai called out to the man behind the bar. “One for him too!”
Blaise glanced at the glass of alcohol.
“No. I don’t drink.”
There was an awkward silence between them.
“So why did you leave? Not even a note.”
Dazai scratched his head.
“Well, I had to. I didn’t want anything bad to happen to you. And I definitely didn’t want you here in Yokohama.”
“I promised you I would always help you. Together, remember?”
“I remember.”
…
“I wanted to kill Mori. That slimy man. So, when I left that night. I went back to Yokohama. I slit Mori’s throat, stole his cash and left again.”
Blaise only silently listened. He knew when to keep shut.
“I travelled the world a bit for a few years. But there is always this emptiness.”
Dazai turned back to Blaise.
“Did you know I joined the port mafia to find a reason to live?”
“I didn’t.”
“Well now you know.”
“And even when traveling the world, I craved for a reason for my existence. So, I went back to Yokohama. But this city was in chaos when I arrived. Of course, I killed Mori and left the port without a leader. So, I became the new boss and returned this city to its former glory.”
Dazai sighed.
“This. My position as boss is my reason. Mori always told me. ‘The leader of an organisation is it pinnacle as well as its slave.’”
“You are not a slave.” Blaise said.
Dazai only huffed and downed the rest of his drink.
“Why is Draco here too?” Blaise whispered to him.
“I’m trying to help him. But it’s not working. Ever since Pansy died, he has been a wreck. Who would have ever thought he was so lovesick?”
Blaise remembered.
During their last year in Hogwarts the death eaters attacked. Many students died. Pany had died too. Ever since then Draco has been a walking corpse. The guilt eating him alive. Nothing could help him.
Dazai cleared his throat. “So, I manipulated Lucius to send him here, as a ‘spy’ for the death eaters. But Draco is no danger to anyone.”
“You know he has been a really good subordinate. I got to give him that.”
Blaise nodded.
Dazai looked at him. “I know that there is no pleasing you. You would have always been looking for me.”
“Wait. Is that guilt...?” Blaise his smiled quirked up.
“What, no. Absolutely not.”
Blaise only chuckled.
“You haven’t changed Osamu.”
“But you have.”
“You still aren’t eating enough, Osamu.”
Dazai turned childlike again. “Blaise always so worried. I guarantee everything is perfectly fine.”
“We can still be together. I have missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too.”
“I can be your second in command like old times.”
Dazai only nodded.
“That would be nice.”
***
The next day Blaise entered the ADA and resigned. Everyone was shocked.
Kunikida spoke to him. “Is it because of the dead kid? I tell you we can get over it, together.”
Blaise smiled and patted his partner’s shoulder.
“For the past ten years I’ve been looking for my best friend who ran away. I’ve finally found him. Thank you.”
“A friend? Still, you don’t have to quit, why don’t you ask your friend to work here too? He must be an admirable man if you have been looking for him all these years.”
Blaise grinned. “I don’t think you would want him here. His name is Dazai Osamu.”
“The port mafia boss?!! What the hell are you thinking?!”
“Its alright Kunikida. I’ve known him since we were eleven. I will be going now. If you need me. I work now at the port mafia.”
“The port mafia?! Have you gone mad?!”
Blaise smiled and waved.
“I have not.”
And then left. Never to be seen again.
***
Now his days were spend at Dazai’s side. His loyal second in command. Still every now and then he would gently nudge some food Dazai’s way.
They shared the same bed. Dazai said it was because of his high-ranking position many tried to assassinate him. So, he needed protection close to him. But Blaise knew it was just another excuse to cuddle and sleep in the same bed. Blaise never spoke up about it.
And days when Dazai his bandages got dirty he even let Blaise wrap him in new ones. Being vulnerable wasn’t easy for Dazai. With all the care in the world Blaise would gently wrap his scarred arms in new ones. All those lines each had their story. But it was not up to him to ask.
Any night Dazai would get nightmares Blaise was always there to shush him. Cooing him and pulling him closer. He didn’t know what all these nightmares were about. Dazai never told him. Maybe one day he would open up some more.
Only now Blaise knew again what it was like to sleep peacefully. He knew that every time he opened his eyes Dazai would still be there. And every time he was right.
Forever together.