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shinkirou_hanaFandom: Bungou Stray Dogs
Pairing: Gen Dazai & Chuuya for now, but will be Dazai/Chuuya later.
Words: 3,305 this chapter, 6,301 total so far
Chapter: 2/?
Rating: M for now, will go up later
Warning(s): FIFTEEN novel spoilers (like to the point where this won't make sense if you haven't read the translated summary), mentions of child abuse, graphic (canon-typical) violence, Dazai's suicidal tendencies (no graphic attempts on-screen, though), and Mori's general existence. More will be added as I go, too, so please keep an eye on them.
Summary: Joining a local gang of orphaned children at the age of thirteen hadn't exactly been Dazai's plan in life, but realistically speaking, it isn't like he has anything better to do, so... Why not?
(There are, of course, many reasons to not do that, but, well. Dazai's boredom is a powerful thing.)
[AKA the completely self-indulgent "Dazai joins the Sheep" au that nobody asked for.]
Read it on ao3, or...
Being with this gang is... Well, it’s better than his previous boredom, but Dazai learns too little too late that this gang - which is apparently just called “Sheep” because that’s what other gangs started calling them and it stuck, as they didn’t have a name of their own - doesn’t really... Do much.
That is, they defend themselves when necessary, but it seems like they’ve gotten stronger recently, and now have a reputation. It’s enough to keep most smaller gangs from trying anything, but rather than try to capture those smaller gangs or anything, the Sheep just… Don’t. They don’t expand their territory, or even try, really. The most they’ll do sometimes is add more numbers, and do the odd job here or there to earn some cash. Those are at least a little interesting, but Dazai’s not allowed to know too much about them. Instead it becomes a bit of a game for him, trying to figure out how much he can piece together based on what scraps of information he overhears. Sometimes the younger members will tell him little bits and pieces, but even they are impressively tight-lipped, considering some of them look like they can’t be older than six or seven.
He supposes life on the streets instills a healthy level of distrust in even the youngest of children.
There is one person that catches his interest, though; bright orange hair and blue eyes that definitely make him stand out even with silver-haired Shirase and several blonde children running around. He seems to be the one that Shirase was talking about, because any time Dazai hears anything about a fight, that guy leaves for a while. He never seems injured, either, when he comes back, which means either his ability is incredibly strong or he’s just an insanely good fighter… Or both.
He seems popular, too, which makes him a bit more difficult to observe, Shirase often having an arm slung around his shoulders, or the younger children hanging onto him as he grins and tells them wild stories that Dazai occasionally listens to. Rather, he dismisses them as wild at first, but eventually realizes that no, the guy is probably speaking at least half from experience, if not entirely. He seems generous and friendly, always making sure the younger kids are looking after before himself, always the one called on when one of the kids is crying over something or another, always the first one out and the last one back. He has a bit of a temper at times, but seems to calm down quickly, too, able to assess situations and come up with generally decent plans as needed. Overall, he’s clearly important.
He’s either a very good leader, or he’s being used.
Dazai recalls how confident Shirase was just a few days ago, when he offered Dazai to join them and then belatedly said he didn’t really have the authority. Back then, he’d said “others”, though, which made it sound like he’d had to confer with more than one person, on top of saying he himself was “close enough to being leader”, and that they “keep things diplomatic”.
Long story short, the orange-haired guy is being used.
Which isn’t Dazai’s problem, and he has no intention of interfering in that or anything. If the guy’s not smart enough to see it on his own, it’ll probably come out explosively sooner or later. He’s the main fighter, he’s the one protecting the group and sacrificing himself, and he does it willingly… Why? He could surely leave and go off on his own, since he’s already the one doing all the work around here, earning all the money and doing all the dirty work. He doesn’t need any of the others to survive, clearly.
So what keeps him here?
Curious about it, Dazai decides to approach him one day. The Sheep’s main base is a decently-sized, formerly-abandoned house near the docks; it’s falling apart in some areas, there’s a hole in part of the roof that’s been haphazardly boarded over, and some of the stairs aren’t in great shape, but nobody complains about it, even though it’s rather cramped. Most of the time everyone tends to hang out on the main floor, in the living and dining rooms, but there’s a bedroom down there and three on the top floor. Back when it was built, it was probably quite expensive for the size and the proximity to the water, but it’s been in such disrepair for so long and this area of town is now known for being prone to gang fights that apparently the government hasn’t decided to bother reclaiming it. Or maybe they’ve been bribed, who knows. Dazai doesn’t, and he doesn’t particularly care, either.
It takes a few days before Shirase finally leaves without the orange-haired boy in tow. Everyone seems to have more or less gotten used to Dazai’s presence even if they’re still mindful of what they say around him, so most of them only give him cursory glances when he slips up the stairs after the orange-haired kid, knocking on the door that Dazai’s learned leads to the room the guy shares with Shirase.
“Hm?” Comes from the other side of the door, and it opens shortly as the guy keeps talking, “Did you… Oh, it’s you. Dazai, right?”
Dazai nods, putting on his best smile, but that only makes the guy give him an unimpressed look. Ah, Shirase must have told him about how their initial meeting went, then. “Mhm, that’s me~! I haven’t had the chance to talk with you yet~”
“Yeah, because I was warned you’re an odd one and will probably try to betray us, so Shirase advised me to stay clear of you as much as possible.”
“Rude,” Dazai says, though he can’t really deny it, in the long run. He certainly won’t promise he isn’t going to, at the very least. “Won’t you at least tell me your name?”
“… Nakahara Chuuya,” the guy - Chuuya - says, giving Dazai a wary look, though he still doesn’t seem actively hostile. He steps aside, then, and Dazai takes the offer, ducking into the room as Chuuya shuts the door behind him. “What’s your damage?”
Dazai huffs. “Chuuya really is the rudest! I just want to die, is that so strange?”
“It is,” Chuuya says, though he also shrugs, “but I meant why you’re hanging around here. I get that you’re bored or whatever, but slumming it with a bunch of kids you don’t know probably isn’t exactly thrilling either. Were you expecting more action?”
“Yes,” Dazai says, not bothering to deny that question, watching as Chuuya turns his back without care, attention diverted by something on the desk against the wall, “but you seem interesting, so I wanted to get to know you a little better~”
That makes Chuuya glare warningly at him; Dazai can’t help but feel there’s something deeper lurking there, that Chuuya specifically doesn’t like his phrasing. Chuuya doesn’t give anything away, though, just raises a brow after a moment and asks, “What makes me seem interesting?”
“How stupidly self-sacrificing you are,” Dazai answers, blunt, though still minding himself enough not to just ask outright what the hell is keeping Chuuya here. Instead, he asks, “Why bother?”
He’s surprised by just how quickly he’s slammed into the wall, and how tight Chuuya’s grip is, though it half-answers Dazai’s earlier question: Chuuya’s ability certainly isn’t the only part of him that’s strong.
“Just because someone like you is too fucking stupid to understand how people survive doesn’t mean I am. What are you really doing here? I’ve noticed you staring at me for days. I can kick your ass easily, even without my ability, so it’s not like I’m worried, but I suggest you answer me regardless. Maybe I’ll even give you the death you crave so much.”
Dazai only gets more intrigued, even as his shirt collar is twisted threateningly. “Ah… You don’t need to be so paranoid, Chuuya! I really am just bored, you know. You can even observe me for yourself; I’ll sneak you into my house, even, if you want to keep a closer eye on me~”
Chuuya makes an annoyed noise, but his grip lessens just slightly, even though he clearly doesn’t trust Dazai at all. “Like hell. I’d rather you just stay the hell away from me.”
“Ehh~ So unfriendly~” Chuuya definitely seems like he’ll be the most interesting person here to play with. “Then I guess I’ll just join as a full-time member? Ne, Chuuya, take care of me~”
“Wh– no! I’m not gonna take care of you, don’t join! Just go home to your family you moron!”
Dazai pouts, “That’s really no way to treat your newest member… Or are you saying you don’t have the authority to accept my acceptance of Shirase’s offer?”
“I’d have to talk with the others, too, but that’s not the point! Don’t come here and join just because you’re bored! You’re just a drain on our resources and despite all your talk of being a genius you haven’t done shit to help us yet, so why the hell would we let you join for real?!”
“Well, it’s hard to help plan when nobody will tell me anything,” Dazai points out, bland, because seriously, had any of them thought that through at all? “I know you’re all suspicious of me, and that’s reasonable, but it isn’t like I can prove myself, either, with all of you being so hush-hush.”
Chuuya sighs at that, finally letting go of Dazai’s shirt completely, stepping away from him. “I get that. But we’ve gotten by just fine so far; don’t see why Shirase even decided to offer you a trial run. Probably figured you’d get bored and leave after a day or two.”
Chuuya doesn’t know why? That’s interesting. If they’d conferred, shouldn’t Chuuya know exactly Shirase’s reasoning? There should have been a discussion, should there not? Otherwise what was the point in Shirase even saying he’d need to discuss it with the others, if he was just going to tell them what he’d done and pressure them into accepting without giving his reasoning? Shirase really does think of himself as the leader, then.
Again, not that Dazai cares, but… It does feel almost like there’s a slight tug of himself towards Chuuya, for some reason. He still has no intention of interfering or anything, though, so he won’t comment on their dynamic. Instead, Dazai merely hums, “Maybe he thought you could all be doing better than just barely scraping by? I’m sure you guys are on decent enough terms with the local businesses, since you don’t start fights, only pay back anyone who attacks you, and that’s where all of you are at least getting some of your work, right?”
Chuuya seems to be weighing whether or not it’s worth it - or smart - to tell Dazai anything, but eventually rolls his eyes. “Yeah, it is. What about it?”
“It may be a decent source of income, and possibly food, but wouldn’t it be better if you could get more?”
“Obviously. But we’re limited in what we can do; you said it yourself, we don’t start fights, just finish ‘em. Jobs like taking out smaller gangs or whatever, we won’t take.”
“Naturally. But what if I could get you better jobs that don’t require anything like that? All I need is more information on the underground and I’m sure I can sniff them out.” Or rather, he wants to investigate that so-called doctor of his. Yes, he may genuinely be a medical practitioner, but there’s no way that’s all he is... Dazai just needs more information to get started on that line of investigation, is all. The Sheep may not be that well-connected, but surely they know at least enough to keep themselves out of trouble around here, which probably involves details about larger groups nearby. “Wouldn’t it be useful to have a proper informant in your ranks? Come on, Chuuya, just answer a few of my questions, I’ll do the rest myself~”
Chuuya glowers at him again, but Dazai’s already getting used to that particular expression being aimed at him. “Why are you acting so chummy, huh?! Stop calling my name so casually!”
“But Chuuyaaaaa, Shirase offered to let me join on a trial basis, so shouldn’t you at least be making the best of me while I’m here~? Ah, or maybe he hoped I’d just bring more money each time? What a swindler, uwaah~ My parents would notice if I took too much, you know~?”
“What the hell are you blabbering about now, huh? Yeesh, I came up here to shower, not to be interrogated!”
“Then, shall I wash Chuuya’s hair~?”
As expected, that earns a sharp “No!” which makes Dazai snicker. Chuuya really is fun to harass. "God, just... Shut up and let me shower, I’ll deal with you later!”
“Then, I’ll just rest in Chuuya’s bed until he’s done~”
“You’re such a fucking–” Chuuya cuts himself off with a frustrated noise, looking like he’s considering strangling Dazai again, but stopping himself. Dazai isn’t sure why. He clearly doesn’t have Chuuya’s respect in any way, let alone his loyalty, so even though he’s kind of not really a member of the Sheep, surely Chuuya has no reason to leave him alive if Dazai keeps pissing him off. Maybe that’ll be what Dazai pushes for: get Chuuya mad enough to kill him. That might be fun.
Chuuya disappears into the bathroom - Dazai hearing the distinct click of the lock and snickering to himself - and Dazai helps himself to Chuuya’s bed. It’s easy enough to figure out which one it is because there’s several long orange hairs embedded in the fabric of the pillowcase. Flopping into it, Dazai stares at the ceiling and thinks about what he’s learned so far.
Fact the first: he’s quite certain that there’s more to Mori than meets the eye, but whether he’ll end up being useful or antagonistic is yet to be seen. Dazai’s caught certain... Shifts in his attitude, when Dazai has said something particularly clever, so it seems like Mori probably wants to try to use Dazai for his own purposes if he can manage it.
Second: Chuuya is clearly the strongest one here, but he’s also being quite blatantly used - the sheep to be sacrificed on the alter, if one were to think morbidly, poetic - and yet he seems fine with it. Either that or he hasn’t realized it yet, himself, but he doesn’t seem that stupid, so that’s probably not the case. So, what’s making him loyal? Shirase may say it’s a diplomatic sort of gang, but clearly Shirase’s word is worth more than Chuuya’s, even if nobody would say that outright. Also, Shirase probably did hope that Dazai would just get bored and leave, since they aren’t making any attempt to use him at all. He hasn’t even been asked to help cook or mind the younger children, which makes sense if they don’t trust him, since he could potentially poison them or hurt the young ones.
So, they’re probably just hoping he loses interest and goes away peacefully without ratting them out.
Which means Chuuya almost certainly won’t answer his questions, and will just keep deflecting.
Third: Dazai has no particular interest in going home. That’s less of a thing that he’s learned than a thing he’s confirmed, but the thing is that he’s not particularly enjoying himself with the Sheep, either. Most of that is probably because they aren’t letting him do anything, though. He could always deflect to some other group, or take some drastic action…
Actually.
That isn’t a bad idea; in fact, perhaps he’ll see what sort of thing Mori wants from him, get the answers of what Mori’s up to on the sides without the Sheep’s help. He could just outright betray them, but for some reason the idea of working with Mori in particular makes him feel strangely nauseous. Sure, he doesn’t like the guy, but that doesn’t matter, and although he has some… Suspicions about Mori’s preferences, he’s not worried about that, either. He isn’t sure why he has this gut reaction to stay away from Mori… Which brings him to his fourth point.
He feels oddly inclined to stay near Chuuya.
That doesn’t mean it’s a positive thing at all - in fact, harassing him has been the highlight of Dazai’s week, even counting when he’d terrorized one of his minders at home just for amusement - but it is that same sort of gut feeling as the one telling him to stay away from Mori.
So, a plan of action, then: find out what Mori wants, probably help him with it just for the chance to learn more, then get the hell out of whatever situation comes up so that he doesn’t get dragged further in Mori’s direction specifically. Join the Sheep officially, he supposes, if he can prove himself useful enough to sway Chuuya and Shirase and possibly whoever else has a say in the matter, and if Dazai hasn’t gotten bored of them, himself, by then, which is a very real threat.
He kind of wants to make Chuuya his dog, though. There’s something satisfying about getting under Chuuya’s skin in particular, and if he’s already content to be knowingly used, why not make it for Dazai’s sake alone? Oh, he’s sure Chuuya would hate the very implication, would smash him through a wall for even suggesting it, but that’s what makes it fun, right? Shirase’s easy to read, just wants to keep doing as little as he can comfortably get away with and skirt on through, pushing all the responsibilities onto Chuuya, which makes sense but is boring. Shirase’s not interesting, although Dazai does kind of wonder what his history with Chuuya is. Maybe someday he’ll ask.
But that’s not for today. For today, he feels like harassing Chuuya a little more before he has to go back home. Coincidentally, he has an appointment with Mori tomorrow, so it’ll be good timing in terms of executing his newly-made plans. Convenient.
When Chuuya gets out of the shower, Dazai is still in his bed, which he can tell annoys the other without even looking, having closed his uncovered eye just to act like he’d fallen asleep.
Chuuya either doesn’t buy it or doesn’t care, though, because Dazai finds himself being hauled up without preamble, thrown like a sack of potatoes over Chuuya’s shoulder. He can’t quite help his startled squeak, which makes Chuuya scoff, but he only sets Dazai down in the hallway just outside the bedroom, crossing his arms over his chest in a way that’s probably meant to be authoritative - and would probably look that way to most people - but Dazai just thinks he’s scrawny even after the display of strength and ignores it. “Listen. Shirase will give you something to do sooner or later, and if you don’t fuck it up, then it’ll lead to more. For now just go home and leave me alone.”
“Eh, chibi’s so mean~” Hopping back lightly as Chuuya’s hand curls into a fist, Dazai smiles cheerfully. “Well, okay~ Ah, I can’t come by tomorrow, by the way, I have a doctor’s appointment. I’ll be back the day after to make sure Chuuya hasn’t gotten lonely–”
“Who the hell would miss you?!”
“– without me, though~” Dazai finishes, ignoring the interruption, wiggling his fingers with a cheerful smile designed specifically to creep Chuuya out. It seems to do the trick, judging by the disgusted look he shoots Dazai, just before slamming the bedroom door in his face.
Turning to leave, Dazai's expression slips back to completely neutral, dropping his cheerful mask as he leaves to return home.
Right, then. Time to get started.