Chapter Text
Dazai's gift.
“This is for me?” syrup brown eyes widened as they locked onto the bouquet of blush camellias sitting before him, expertly wrapped beside a glistening bottle of whisky in gold foil. Nestled within the bouquet was a small, homemade plush crab clutching a pink heart, its cuteness radiating from every stitch.
“Yeah.” Running his hand through his ivory hair, a soft smile on his lips while his eyes dart to the floor bashfully, squinting softly. “ Just a small gift.”
Dazai blinked a few times before shrinking back a bit, shoulders raised and body just a little tense from the surprise. Atsushi wasn't one who spent a lot of money, he didn't have much money to spend anyway. Randomly buying expensive presents for his coworkers was abnormal behaviour, and from what Dazai could tell, he didn't do anything to prompt a gift from his protégé.
“This.. isn't small. I.. I really appreciate this Atsushi, thank you.. but why'd you get me this? You gonna ask me for something later?” a small giggle escaped Atsushi's lips, eyes shutting and he tilted back before smiling a wide toothy grin.
“Well, no!” His hand was warm and calloused but so small in the brunettes, sleeves folded upwards, wrist covered by bandages that Dazai doesn't remember being there before. his twin coloured eyes shimmering in the Yokohama evening sun. that smile plastered on his face that struck a cord of unease in his mentor. “I just want to repay you, to see you happy!”
“Oh.. Why thank you, Atsushi.”
Atsushi turned to face the sky, sun lowering and leaving the moon to part the clouds and darken the blue sky to an inky black. Blue, red colours kissed the sky, a vivid masterpiece of natural art blessing his vision. Dazai eyed the younger, a sinking feeling in his chest he reluctantly dismissed because the moment was too captivating to ignore.
Atsushi's smile faded. “The sunset is beautiful, isn't it?” Dazai hummed in agreement, it was like the sky split into two; resting as a soft lilac with sharp yellow cut through it like lines of lightning. An evenly distributed half and half, just like his little weretigers eyes. a perfect harmony of contrasting shades.
unfortunate that these sunsets don't last long.
-
The evening soon came, and warm heat enveloped his soft pale skin, heating it to a blush pink. blood stained the soapy water, water stinging against his cuts in retaliation and soaking his soft white hair in an attempt to stain it a light pink. Bandages bloodied in the bin, eyes wet with newborn tears. it didn't work again. He even reached bone this time, for sure it was a sign. how petty of an ability.
though he felt okay, there were only eight more gifts to give. After that, he's finally free to leave.