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Chuuya was making his way back to his office, lost in his thoughts when he bumped into someone. The impact wasn’t hard but the other person stumbled back. Chuuya quickly steadied him. “Sorry.” It was another kid, maybe two years younger than him.
“Whatever.” The guy turned his head, sniffling. He was wearing a coat too big for him and beat to hell.
“Heading to the infirmary?” Chuuya still held onto the arm of the other guy. He raised an eyebrow.
“None of your business.” The kid tried to jerk his arm out of Chuuya’s grip but Chuuya’s fingers were wrapped around him.
Chuuya sighed. “Just come to my office, alright?” He started walking. “I was headed there anyway.”
They went to Chuuya’s office in silence. “Take off your coat,” Chuuya said once they were inside. The guy sat on the couch while Chuuya opened the blinds and got out his first aid kit. He sat down next to the other boy and took off his leather gloves. “Got a name?”
“Of course I do.” The boy glared at him. “Akutagawa Ryuunosuke.”
Chuuya’s hands stilled. “Shit. Like Dazai’s new subordinate?”
Akutagawa flinched. “I should just go.”
“Hold on.” Chuuya grabbed his arm and forced him back down. “So all this is from his training?” Akutagawa’s expression remained neutral. “You don’t have to say anything.” Chuuya sighed. “That asshole.” He went back to the first aid kit and started taking out what he’d need. He was steaming, already deciding what to say to that shitbag the next time he saw him.
“And what’s your name?” Akutagawa asked, drawing him from his thoughts again.
“Nakahara Chuuya. I’m Dazai’s partner,” he said bitterly. He looked up. Akutagawa looked awful. Skin pale over his prominent cheekbones. He had bags under his eyes and cuts and bruises all over. “You hurt anywhere else, or just your face?”
Akutagawa appeared to be sizing Chuuya up. “My ribs hurt but aren’t broken. I used my arm to block a lot so it hurts most.”
Chuuya nodded and scooted closer. He brushed some of Akutagawa’s hair aside, feeling him tense under the touch. He tore open an alcohol pad. “I just wanna help, okay?” Akutagawa flinched at the cool burn of the pad on one of his cuts. “It’s crazy seeing people so young in this job. But I’m guessin’ you’re like me. No choice.”
Akutagawa laughed bitterly. “I get three meals a day, and my sister and I have a roof over our heads.”
“I guess that’s all you can ask for.” Chuuya continued in silence. He focused on an area on Akutagawa’s cheek where there was a large purple bruise with an inch long cut in the center. He was as gentle as possible but there were a lot of cuts. A small pile of bloodied cotton slowly grew in his trashcan. He applied a butterfly bandage to a cut on his temple, smoothing it down over the skin.
As Chuuya sat back, Akutagawa spoke. “Thank you. You were… Just, thank you.”
Chuuya put a hand on Akutagawa’s shoulder before he could stand. “Don’t think I forgot about your arm.” Akutagawa stayed seated, pushing up the sleeve of his white shirt. His hand gripped the fabric of his pants as Chuuya probed the area. “You’re welcome, by the way,” Chuuya said. He carefully moved Akutagawa’s wrist, testing the range. “I’m gonna get someone to bring a few ice packs from the infirmary and you can sleep on my couch for as long as you need.”
Akutagawa blushed and Chuuya tried hard not to laugh. He was clearly embarrassed but knew better than to argue. “I appreciate it.”
Chuuya swiped his knees of imaginary dirt and stood. “Your arm should be fine,” he said. He began cleaning the area and headed to his phone to call a subordinate to get the ice packs. After the call, he headed back to the couch. He got out a pillow and laid it against the arm. Akutagawa leaned back hesitantly. Chuuya began untying Akutgawa’s shoes. “You shouldn’t be leaning down to untie them with your ribs like that,” he explained. Once they were off, he picked up the blanket and shook it off, laying it down over the younger. He smiled. “I’ve taken my share of naps on this couch, so don’t worry about anything.”
Akutagawa looked away, turning on his side and closing his eyes. Not very good with emotions then. A knock at the door drew Chuuya away. He came back with ice packs. Akutagawa laid on his back, letting Chuuya rest the packs where they needed to go. He tensed when the cold came into contact with his ribs. Hesitantly, Chuuya reached out and squeezed Akutagawa’s uninjured arm. “Everyone hurts at some point, Akutagawa. It doesn’t make you weak.” Akutagawa’s pale gray eyes bore into Chuuya’s. Chuuya saw the pain in them, masked by anger and bitterness. Chuuya slide his hand down to Akutagawa’s wrist and guided his hand to Chuuya’s arm. Akutagawa gripped Chuuya’s sleeve and closed his eyes as the next ice pack was laid over his arm. Chuuya watched as Akutagawa’s lip quivered. He carefully laid a hand on his cheek. Akutagawa squeezed his eyes shut, tears wetting his eyelashes. Chuuya pressed the last ice pack over the bruise on his cheek. Chuuya brushed his hair away from his face, away from the cuts and bruises and the tears slowly sliding down.
Akutagawa cried silently. And Chuuya looked after him, carefully brushing the tears away and combing his hair. Eventually, the tears and his breathing slowed and he fell asleep. Chuuya smiled down at him and took one last look before he returned to his desk and started working.
It was a few hours before Akutagawa woke up. He sat up and stretched, truly looking much better. He stood up after a minute, staring at Chuuya. Chuuya stood up as well, crossing the room to meet him. “I hope I see you soon.” Chuuya held out a hand.
Akutagawa took it, bony hand in his firm grip. “Thank you again.”
They broke the handshake. “It’s no problem. Come to me anytime you’ve got a problem.” He stared Akutagawa down. “I mean it.”
Akutagawa’s lip quirked. “I will.” Akutagawa left, closing the door behind him.
Chuuya didn’t see him again for a few months. By then, Dazai’s hooks were in too deep. Chuuya felt like he had failed another friend.