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Au where college student Chuuya gets a job at a local ramen shop, which is also a front for the Mafia. He doesn’t realize that the cute bastard always in the shop annoying him is also the Mafia Boss, most dangerous man in the city. :)
The first time they meet, Dazai has Chuuya remake his ramen 3 different times. The last time Chuuya slams the bowl down like “here you go, picky bastard.” Every other worker in the shop reaches for their gun, and only stops when Dazai holds up a hand and smiles.
“Now, Chuuya,” thé bastard purrs, “is that any way to treat a paying customer?”
Chuuya pauses. This is only his second day, he hasn’t had his nametag made yet— so how does he know his name?
Maybe he heard one of the ramen chefs say it..
“No, that’s how I treat /you/.”
Chuuya pauses. This is only his second day, he hasn’t had his nametag made yet— so how does he know his name?
Maybe he heard one of the ramen chefs say it..
“No, that’s how I treat /you/.”
“Besides, you still haven’t paid.”
The bastard has the /nerve/ to chuckle at him. “Right, right,” he muses, pulling out an absurdly thick wallet and making a show of rifling through a number of bills to select the correct one.
Is that supposed to /impress/ Chuuya?+
The bastard has the /nerve/ to chuckle at him. “Right, right,” he muses, pulling out an absurdly thick wallet and making a show of rifling through a number of bills to select the correct one.
Is that supposed to /impress/ Chuuya?+
Admittedly, it does a /little/, because Chuuya counts enough to pay his monthly tuition fee three times over—
But it just goes to show that you can’t buy good taste, because the rich bastard is buying cheap ramen.
Chuuya slaps his change down and turns up his nose at him.+
But it just goes to show that you can’t buy good taste, because the rich bastard is buying cheap ramen.
Chuuya slaps his change down and turns up his nose at him.+
Their second meeting is a few weeks later, and Chuuya is....being harassed by a customer, for lack of a better word.
The man hasn’t dont anything physical —yet—, but he forces Chuuya into long conversations with him, grabbing his arm or brushing his fingers over his hip to +
The man hasn’t dont anything physical —yet—, but he forces Chuuya into long conversations with him, grabbing his arm or brushing his fingers over his hip to +
get his attention. He offers to buy Chuuya a bowl of ramen, or offers to take him somewhere on his lunch break. Chuuya declines with a tight, polite smile.
Then the man offers his phone number, then offers to eat dinner with Chuuya, then offers to walk him home..
It’s all very+
Then the man offers his phone number, then offers to eat dinner with Chuuya, then offers to walk him home..
It’s all very+
/annoying/. Chuuya is sure he can handle the guy, if he gets too touchy, but there’s something inherently violating about coming in for his shift and knowing he’ll have to deal with a man who can’t understand the word /no/.
His coworkers would do something to intervene, but +
His coworkers would do something to intervene, but +
the idea of telling them, when the man has done nothing but offer excessive, slimy compliments, makes Chuuya feel weak and over reactive.
Turns out, he doesn’t have to tell anyone.
It’s a rainy night— something the man has used as an excuse to stay for /hours/— and Chuuya+
Turns out, he doesn’t have to tell anyone.
It’s a rainy night— something the man has used as an excuse to stay for /hours/— and Chuuya+
is stuck in another conversation with the man. There’s no other customers, and it’s been slow all day, so Chuuya doesn’t have an excuse to leave the conversation politely.
“Come on, sweetheart. The forecast didn’t call for rain today, so I bet you didn’t bring an umbrella, did+
“Come on, sweetheart. The forecast didn’t call for rain today, so I bet you didn’t bring an umbrella, did+
you? Don’t worry, I brought mine. I can walk you home,keep you safe and dry. I know you get off work soon—I’ll just wait right here for you, okay?”
Chuuya wants to scream. The fact that the man has been watching him long enough to memorize his work schedule makes him feel sick.+
Chuuya wants to scream. The fact that the man has been watching him long enough to memorize his work schedule makes him feel sick.+
Before Chuuya can come up with a polite response, a gloved hand comes to rest on the mans shoulder.
“Is this man bothering you, Chuuya?”
Chuuya looks up. Behind him stands that rich bastard from before.
He’s wearing all black today, from head to toe. Something about that+
“Is this man bothering you, Chuuya?”
Chuuya looks up. Behind him stands that rich bastard from before.
He’s wearing all black today, from head to toe. Something about that+
and the dark look in his eyes, makes it seem like all the light in the room gets sucked into his orbit and swallowed up.
The dark, rainy night seems suddenly bright in comparison.
“Hey—“ the creepy man grunts, beginning to stand up from his seat—+
The dark, rainy night seems suddenly bright in comparison.
“Hey—“ the creepy man grunts, beginning to stand up from his seat—+
With a /visible/ flex of his forearm, the rich bastard shoves him back down and forcibly keeps him seated with a harsh grip on his shoulder.
Brown eyes are still locked on Chuuya, waiting for his answer.
He licks his lips nervously. Suddenly, he feels that his answer is +
Brown eyes are still locked on Chuuya, waiting for his answer.
He licks his lips nervously. Suddenly, he feels that his answer is +
/very/ important. “Not anymore,” he hedges.
A slow smile grows on his saviors face. “Yes, I suppose you’re right. Do me a favor, will you? Tell the chef Shuuji is here, and I’d like my usual.”
Chuuya hesitates a bit. He doesn’t want to leave them alone together, but he also+
A slow smile grows on his saviors face. “Yes, I suppose you’re right. Do me a favor, will you? Tell the chef Shuuji is here, and I’d like my usual.”
Chuuya hesitates a bit. He doesn’t want to leave them alone together, but he also+
doesn’t want to be a part of this conversation anymore.
Shuuji gives him a reassuring smile, and a small wave with his free hand.
Chuuya takes the hint and goes.
And if he hears a low, “Let me teach you the consequences of staying past your welcome,” just before he+
Shuuji gives him a reassuring smile, and a small wave with his free hand.
Chuuya takes the hint and goes.
And if he hears a low, “Let me teach you the consequences of staying past your welcome,” just before he+
turns the corner, well—
That’s none of his business.
He never sees that man again, and suddenly, all of his coworkers are /very/ interested in Chuuya’s interactions with customers, and are quick to step in whenever he seems uncomfortable. +
That’s none of his business.
He never sees that man again, and suddenly, all of his coworkers are /very/ interested in Chuuya’s interactions with customers, and are quick to step in whenever he seems uncomfortable. +
The third time they meet, Chuuya is studying. He’s on his lunch break, with a half-eaten bento beside him. It’s also quickly coming up on exams week, and he’s trying to cram as much information as possible.
A warm bowl of ramen is placed by his elbow. He looks up. +
A warm bowl of ramen is placed by his elbow. He looks up. +
The rich bastard—Shuuji— is sliding into the opposite seat with his own bowl.
Chuuya stares at him. Looks at the bowl next to him. Looks back at Shuuji.
The bastard winks at him. “Your favorite, I’m told. You looked like you needed some motivation.”+
Chuuya stares at him. Looks at the bowl next to him. Looks back at Shuuji.
The bastard winks at him. “Your favorite, I’m told. You looked like you needed some motivation.”+
Chuuya frowns at the bowl, but it /is/ his favorite, with savory slices of pork and fresh spring oninon.
He takes it with a begrudging “thank you,” and starts eating. It’s much better than his cheap bento.
Shuuji waves off his thanks. “What are you studying?” he asks instead.+
He takes it with a begrudging “thank you,” and starts eating. It’s much better than his cheap bento.
Shuuji waves off his thanks. “What are you studying?” he asks instead.+
Chuuya frowns. It’s a bit invasive, but he supposes he can play nice, since he did buy him ramen. “Literature. I’m writing my final essay on death motifs in Edo-period Japanese literature.”
Shuuji hums. He seems distantly impressed. “You have your books with you?”+
Shuuji hums. He seems distantly impressed. “You have your books with you?”+
Chuuya blinks. He’s halfway through taking notes on one of the books for his essay. The book is opened just on his right, easily visible. “Yes?”
“Read me something, will you?”
It’s an unnerving request. Not because Chuuya is /shy/, it’s just— +
“Read me something, will you?”
It’s an unnerving request. Not because Chuuya is /shy/, it’s just— +
Writing and literature have always seemed very /personal/ to him. It’s a publication of inner thoughts, and something about that makes it seem sacred to speak aloud.
Shuuji eats another bite, seemingly unconcerned with his answer.
And that’s what makes Chuuya crack, dragging+
Shuuji eats another bite, seemingly unconcerned with his answer.
And that’s what makes Chuuya crack, dragging+
his book over and starting where he had left off with his notes.
The next few minutes are filled with the sound of Chuuya reading, and Shuuji’s occasional bites of food.
Chuuya trails off when he reaches an interesting passage, and makes a note to come back to that for his+
The next few minutes are filled with the sound of Chuuya reading, and Shuuji’s occasional bites of food.
Chuuya trails off when he reaches an interesting passage, and makes a note to come back to that for his+
essay.
Shuuji pushes his bowl away, his attention focusing entirely on Chuuya for the first time this meeting. “You have a beautiful voice.”
Chuuya, damn himself, actually /blushes/. He can feel Shuuji’s smirk growing as he watches red bloom over his freckled cheeks, and that+
Shuuji pushes his bowl away, his attention focusing entirely on Chuuya for the first time this meeting. “You have a beautiful voice.”
Chuuya, damn himself, actually /blushes/. He can feel Shuuji’s smirk growing as he watches red bloom over his freckled cheeks, and that+
just makes it /worse./
“Thanks,” he mutters, trying to keep the embarrassment out of his voice. He shifts uncomfortably.
Perhaps sensing his embarrassment, Shuuji changes the subject. “Do you usually spend your breaks studying?”
Chuuya shrugs. “Most of the time.+
“Thanks,” he mutters, trying to keep the embarrassment out of his voice. He shifts uncomfortably.
Perhaps sensing his embarrassment, Shuuji changes the subject. “Do you usually spend your breaks studying?”
Chuuya shrugs. “Most of the time.+
Exam season is coming up, and I try to work as much as possible. I have to study where I can.”
Shuuji tilts his head, resting his chin on his hands. He’s wearing gloves again, black and sleek. “That seems unsustainable.”
Chuuya shrugs again, unwilling to voice how much he+
Shuuji tilts his head, resting his chin on his hands. He’s wearing gloves again, black and sleek. “That seems unsustainable.”
Chuuya shrugs again, unwilling to voice how much he+
/needs/ this job, needs every yen his paycheck brings him and then some. Would he like to be able to take a few days off so he can properly study without losing sleep? Yes.
Can he afford to? No.
Will the rich bastard understand that? Probably not.
He’s saved from coming up+
Can he afford to? No.
Will the rich bastard understand that? Probably not.
He’s saved from coming up+
with a suitable response when a phone rings nearby.
Shuuji sighs and extracts his cell from his pocket. He scowls at the screen, and seems to be seconds away from sending it to voicemail—
Then his eyes flicker up, looking behind Chuuya and focusing on something there.
When+
Shuuji sighs and extracts his cell from his pocket. He scowls at the screen, and seems to be seconds away from sending it to voicemail—
Then his eyes flicker up, looking behind Chuuya and focusing on something there.
When+
Chuuya twists around to look, it’s only Hirotsu, turning to return to his usual place in the kitchen.
Shuuji clears his throat, getting Chuuya’s attention again. He turns back.
Shuuji offers him a smile. “As much as I’d love to continue this conversation, work calls.+
Shuuji clears his throat, getting Chuuya’s attention again. He turns back.
Shuuji offers him a smile. “As much as I’d love to continue this conversation, work calls.+
Don’t work too hard.”
Chuuya smiles back, small. “Sure. See ya.”
He doesn’t realize that he’s assuming Shuuji /will/ be back— but Shuuji makes a pleased mental note of that assumption as he sweeps out of the shop to do damage control. +
Chuuya smiles back, small. “Sure. See ya.”
He doesn’t realize that he’s assuming Shuuji /will/ be back— but Shuuji makes a pleased mental note of that assumption as he sweeps out of the shop to do damage control. +
The next day, hours before Chuuya’s shift, he gets a phone call from his manager.
“We are very pleased with your work ethic and how well you fit into the team. To show our appreciation, we’ll be giving you the next 5 days off with paid vacation time, as well as a bonus on your+
“We are very pleased with your work ethic and how well you fit into the team. To show our appreciation, we’ll be giving you the next 5 days off with paid vacation time, as well as a bonus on your+
next check. Please enjoy yourself, Chuuya-kun. You’ve earned it.”
/Holy shit./ With this, Chuuya can actually afford to study and prepare for tests, /and/ save a little money.
He’s starting to think that rich bastard Shuuji is a good luck charm or something! +
/Holy shit./ With this, Chuuya can actually afford to study and prepare for tests, /and/ save a little money.
He’s starting to think that rich bastard Shuuji is a good luck charm or something! +
The fourth time they meet, Chuuya is having a bad day. Like, a /really/ bad day.
First off, when he turned one of his essay drafts in, his professor informed him that he misread one of the prompts. So now Chuuya has to redo half of his assignment.
Second, he forgot his +
First off, when he turned one of his essay drafts in, his professor informed him that he misread one of the prompts. So now Chuuya has to redo half of his assignment.
Second, he forgot his +
breakfast /and/ lunch at home, and didn’t have money to buy food. So he’s been hungry and furious with it, /all day/.
Third, he was late for his usual train and had to take the next one. He had to /sprint/ to work just to make it on time.
Fourth, and probably the /worst/ part+
Third, he was late for his usual train and had to take the next one. He had to /sprint/ to work just to make it on time.
Fourth, and probably the /worst/ part+
is that, halfway through his shift, a black-outfitted teenager swept into the shop, shouted something that sounded like “fuck the port mafia!” and then /pulled a fucking gun on him./
Chuuya has been to a /lot/ of therapy for his anger issues, and overall, he’d like to think+
Chuuya has been to a /lot/ of therapy for his anger issues, and overall, he’d like to think+
that he’s got his anger under control and he’s usually a thoughtful, reasonable person.
But today has been /super/ shitty, his patience is used up and the stupid kid came into a /ramen shop/ to make his gang-politics statement really just sends Chuuya over the edge. +
But today has been /super/ shitty, his patience is used up and the stupid kid came into a /ramen shop/ to make his gang-politics statement really just sends Chuuya over the edge. +
Before the kid can so much as put his finger on the trigger, Chuuya disarms him and smacks him over the head with the butt of his weapon.
Then he grabs him by the shirt and punches him in the face. Then punches him again, which is overkill because the first punch+
Then he grabs him by the shirt and punches him in the face. Then punches him again, which is overkill because the first punch+
knocked him out, but it’s goddamn satisfying.
Hirotsu comes barreling out of the kitchen, with his stained apron and /another gun in his hands./
Chuuya drops the kid. He hits the floor with a sickening thud, limp and unconscious.
“Why the FUCK do you have a gun??” +
Hirotsu comes barreling out of the kitchen, with his stained apron and /another gun in his hands./
Chuuya drops the kid. He hits the floor with a sickening thud, limp and unconscious.
“Why the FUCK do you have a gun??” +
Chuuya shouts.
Tachihara, a server, comes running out from the supply closet. He’s also got a gun.
“Do you all have guns? Is this part of the goddamn work uniform policy? Close-toed shoes, apron and a /fucking gun/? Isn’t that /illegal/? What the hell is going on?”+
Tachihara, a server, comes running out from the supply closet. He’s also got a gun.
“Do you all have guns? Is this part of the goddamn work uniform policy? Close-toed shoes, apron and a /fucking gun/? Isn’t that /illegal/? What the hell is going on?”+
Hirotsu stops, and motions for Tachihara to stop as well. “Chuuya, please put the gun down.”
Chuuya looks at his hand. He’s still holding the confiscated firearm, and he’s been waving it around as he was yelling. “No! You have guns! Who knows how many pistols you’re hiding+
Chuuya looks at his hand. He’s still holding the confiscated firearm, and he’s been waving it around as he was yelling. “No! You have guns! Who knows how many pistols you’re hiding+
underneath that apron! I can’t trust any of you! You could’ve /shot me/!”
Okay so, /maybe/ Chuuya is being a bit hysterical, but holy /shit/, why didn’t anyone warn him that part of the work policy was to have a fucking /glock/ shoved under your apron. +
Okay so, /maybe/ Chuuya is being a bit hysterical, but holy /shit/, why didn’t anyone warn him that part of the work policy was to have a fucking /glock/ shoved under your apron. +
“Why do you have guns anyway??? Do we offer a bullet ramen soup? Want some gunpowder with your noodles?? What the /hell/?”
Hirotsu, sending that Chuuya really has gone off the rails, slowly puts his weapon down on the counter and raises his hands to hover by his head. +
Hirotsu, sending that Chuuya really has gone off the rails, slowly puts his weapon down on the counter and raises his hands to hover by his head. +
“That’s something the boss will have to explain to you.”
And this is when Chuuya /really/ loses his mind because—
“ARENT YOU THE FUCKING OWNER OF THIS CURSED RAMEN SHOP???”
+
And this is when Chuuya /really/ loses his mind because—
“ARENT YOU THE FUCKING OWNER OF THIS CURSED RAMEN SHOP???”
+
That’s how Dazai— pseudonym Shuuji— finds his subdorniates stationed at a local, unassuming ramen shop.
That is, frozen with their hands up and unarmed, watching silently as Chuuya paces back and forth, muttering about work policies and unauthorized guns, holding a gun. +
That is, frozen with their hands up and unarmed, watching silently as Chuuya paces back and forth, muttering about work policies and unauthorized guns, holding a gun. +
Dazai has to fight the urge to laugh. “Are you taking my ramen shops hostage now, chibi? Decided to quit school in favor of asserting your dominance over poor ramen employees?”
Chuuya, suprised, whirls around. Taking advantage of his movement, Dazai quickly disarms him in a +
Chuuya, suprised, whirls around. Taking advantage of his movement, Dazai quickly disarms him in a +
series of moves too quick to dodge.
“There we go,” Dazai murmurs, “now we can talk like reasonable adults.”
Chuuya looks at him. Looks at the twice-stolen gun in Dazai’s hand. Looks at Hirotsu. Looks back at Dazai.
The rage on his face appears only a split-second before +
“There we go,” Dazai murmurs, “now we can talk like reasonable adults.”
Chuuya looks at him. Looks at the twice-stolen gun in Dazai’s hand. Looks at Hirotsu. Looks back at Dazai.
The rage on his face appears only a split-second before +
Chuuya launches himself at Dazai with a piercing scream.
Dazai staggers back under the attack, holding the gun high to keep it out of the little hellions reach. He’s not able to dodge the fist that crashes into his cheek, but he /can/ evade the knee to his groin. +
Dazai staggers back under the attack, holding the gun high to keep it out of the little hellions reach. He’s not able to dodge the fist that crashes into his cheek, but he /can/ evade the knee to his groin. +
“Ow! Stop hitting me!” Dazai groans, putting a hand on Chuuya’s forehead to push him out of arms reach.
Chuuya is so enraged that he blindly struggles to reach him before he remembers he can break the hold Dazai has on his head.
“You tricked me!”+
Chuuya is so enraged that he blindly struggles to reach him before he remembers he can break the hold Dazai has on his head.
“You tricked me!”+
Dazai changes tactics. This time, when Chuuya launches himself at him, he hugs him close to his chest, lifting him off the ground to take away his leverage.
Chuuya kicks and struggles mid-air.
“Relax, Chuuya. If you just /calm down/, I’ll explain everything.”+
Chuuya kicks and struggles mid-air.
“Relax, Chuuya. If you just /calm down/, I’ll explain everything.”+
Chuuya bites his shoulder in defiance. The material tastes expensive. He bites down harder, until Shuuji is flinching.
Then he spits it out. “Fine. Put me down. Then explain.”
Shuuji hesitates for a moment, like he’s deciding whether to let him go or not. +
Then he spits it out. “Fine. Put me down. Then explain.”
Shuuji hesitates for a moment, like he’s deciding whether to let him go or not. +
Eventually, he does.
Chuuya puts a few feet between them and smooths down his hair. It’s gotten all tangled and messy in the fight. Shuuji watches with a bemused smile.
“This might be shocking to you— but this isn’t a normal ramen shop. Behind the normal day-to-day restaurant+
Chuuya puts a few feet between them and smooths down his hair. It’s gotten all tangled and messy in the fight. Shuuji watches with a bemused smile.
“This might be shocking to you— but this isn’t a normal ramen shop. Behind the normal day-to-day restaurant+
it’s a front for the Port Mafia. Everyone that works here, besides you, is a part of the Mafia. We’ve been careful to keep you out of things, but we didn’t expect a daytime attack.”
Chuuya stares. What the fuck?
“And my name isn’t Shuuji, by the way. It’s Dazai. Dazai Osamu.”+
Chuuya stares. What the fuck?
“And my name isn’t Shuuji, by the way. It’s Dazai. Dazai Osamu.”+
Chuuya’s breath catches, because /everyone/ knows that name. The most fearsome, powerful man in the city, boss of the Port Mafia and labeled a “demon prodigy”.
And Chuuya read /poetry/ to him. Literally /just/ bit him like a rabid animal.
How is he still alive?+
And Chuuya read /poetry/ to him. Literally /just/ bit him like a rabid animal.
How is he still alive?+
And more importantly—
“You make /billions/ of yen a year and you PAY ME SLAVE WAGES??? THATS SO FUCKED UP, WHAT THE FUCK?”
Shuuji—no, Dazai— blinks at him. He’s wearing all black again, but in a more casual style, like he was out enjoying his day before coming here. +
“You make /billions/ of yen a year and you PAY ME SLAVE WAGES??? THATS SO FUCKED UP, WHAT THE FUCK?”
Shuuji—no, Dazai— blinks at him. He’s wearing all black again, but in a more casual style, like he was out enjoying his day before coming here. +
He looks good, for a multi-international criminal. Chuuya tries to tell himself that’s not part of the appeal.
“/That’s/ what you’re worried about?” He asks incredulously.
Chuuya crosses his arms. “That’s what I’m worried about /right now/. Give me five minutes, I’ll be pissed+
“/That’s/ what you’re worried about?” He asks incredulously.
Chuuya crosses his arms. “That’s what I’m worried about /right now/. Give me five minutes, I’ll be pissed+
about something else.”
Dazai can’t help himself. He laughs. Laughs so hard and for so long that he can see the mulish set of Chuuya’s jaw start to degrade into anger, and the way his fists clench.
“No, no, don’t get mad. You’re just /cute/, you know?”
Chuuya scowls. +
Dazai can’t help himself. He laughs. Laughs so hard and for so long that he can see the mulish set of Chuuya’s jaw start to degrade into anger, and the way his fists clench.
“No, no, don’t get mad. You’re just /cute/, you know?”
Chuuya scowls. +
“Let me make it up to you,” Dazai offers, “over dinner. We can discuss your....continued employment, as well as any hazard pay and raises.”
“We don’t have to go to dinner for that,” Chuuya points out.
Dazai beams at him, and /fuck/, he’s handsome. He shoves his hands in his +
“We don’t have to go to dinner for that,” Chuuya points out.
Dazai beams at him, and /fuck/, he’s handsome. He shoves his hands in his +
pockets and rocks back on his heels. “No, of course not. But I’d be a fool if I didn’t take this advantage to take you on a date. I’ve been wanting to ask for weeks.”
Weeks? Chuuya’s only known Dazai for about two months—so he’s been wanting to ask him out for most of the time?+
Weeks? Chuuya’s only known Dazai for about two months—so he’s been wanting to ask him out for most of the time?+
Chuuya has lots of reasons to say no. Very few reasons to say yes.
But— how many people can say /they/ have power over the Port Mafia Boss?
It’s intoxicating, to think that one of the most powerful men in the world wants /him/— and wants him to want him /back/. +
But— how many people can say /they/ have power over the Port Mafia Boss?
It’s intoxicating, to think that one of the most powerful men in the world wants /him/— and wants him to want him /back/. +
Chuuya remembers the creepy guy, and how insistent he was.
Dazai, despite being fully capable of /forcing/ Chuuya in every way imaginable, has done nothing but make him feel safe and listened to.
He lifts his chin. “Fine. But you better impress me.”+
Dazai, despite being fully capable of /forcing/ Chuuya in every way imaginable, has done nothing but make him feel safe and listened to.
He lifts his chin. “Fine. But you better impress me.”+
The grin on Dazai’s face is like slow-moving mollasses, sweet and tempting. “You have my word, darling. I’ll show you the best night of your life.”
/e and then they kiss and live happily ever after
thanks for enjoying this impromptu idea! I had fun 
see ya 
/e and then they kiss and live happily ever after
thanks for enjoying this impromptu idea! I had fun see ya
