AU where Dazai develops the deepest crush from afar on a redheaded street performer who always plays his guitar on the same corner every Tuesday.

He sings the most powerful and soulful songs that resonate to the bone.

One day, Dazai finally convinces himself he’s going to go

up to him, so he goes and buys an impressive bouquet of roses, camellias, yellow lilies and birds of paradise. He figured it was perfect because it matches the different shades in the singer’s hair.

But by the time he’s gathered the courage to finally make an appearance,

there’s another man helping the redhead pack up his things.

Dazai halts in his tracks. He’s never seen him before.

They’re both laughing at something and it looks easy and familiar. The singer’s face is different when he smiles, it loses the sharpness and replaces it with

deep laugh lines around his eyes and mouth.

Dazai swallows around the hard lump that’s formed in his throat. Of course this happens. Of course the redhead already has someone and *of course* Dazai only finds out about it the day he finally gathers the courage to say something.

He’s about to turn on his heel and leave, when the redhead glances over. Their eyes meet, his grin slips.

Dazai isn’t often embarrassed, he’s usually pretty shameless, but he feels the blood rush starting to creep in along his hair line and up his cheeks.

He doesn’t know what

to do. So he turns around and hopes it didn’t really happen. He starts to walk away, but he only makes it a step before he hears, “Oi! Wait!”

He can’t help it. His body lurches to a stop at the command. He kind of wants to wince because he knows it’s out of hope,and the redhead

may not have been talking to him —

He feels a gentle tap on his shoulder.

Dazai glances over and finds the redhead looking up at him.
He’s actually shorter up close than Dazai thought and he just barely goes up to Dazai’s chin.

He motions to the flowers. “Are those for me?”

He’s got a different kind of voice when he talks too. When he sings it’s more of a low croon with a hint of something raspy, but when he talks its rougher and even more expressive.

“Oh,” Dazai looks at the flowers. “Yeah,” he holds them out, “here.”

When the redhead takes the

the bouquet he grins. It’s not a full smile like when he was with the other guy, but it’s still enough to soften his features and light up his eyes.

“They’re pretty,” he says, holding them up and smelling them.

It’s cute because the bouquet seems to dwarf him even further.

“Yeah...” Dazai rubs the back of his neck. He’s really not sure what he’s supposed to say at this point. “I thought they were nice,” he mutters awkwardly.

*Like your music* he wants to add but that part of the compliment fades.

“They are. I’m Nakahara Chuuya by the way.”

The redhead — Chuuya — holds out his hand.

Taking his hand, Dazai can’t help but wonder if Chuuya is playing some sort of game? Did he get flowers often as a performer or was he just oblivious?

“Dazai. Osamu Dazai.” He says more out of politeness. He still can’t help but

glance over Chuuya’s shoulder as he shakes his hand. He’s really not in the mood to deal with jealous boyfriends.

Except, he can’t help but note that the other guy appears to be busing himself by looking anywhere but at them.

“Oh,” Chuuya says following Dazai’s gaze. “That’s

my friend, Akutagawa. If he’s around he helps pack up.”

Dazai blinks. “Your friend?” he parrots.

“Yeah.” Chuuya nods. “My friend.”

“Oh.” Is the first thing Dazai thinks to say in the moment. The second is ‘ohmygoddoesthatmeanIcanaskyouout’ but that sounds pretty desperate,

and he luckily manages to catch himself before it gushes out of him.

“Mhm,” Chuuya replies. “Anyways,” he holds up his flowers. “You usually come watch me right?”

“Ehhh..” Dazai awkwardly clears his throat. He didn’t want to sound like some stalker either. “I live around

here,” he motions vaguely to the area.

“Oh. Cool. Well... this is the first time someone has brought me flowers, you know.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.” He eyes Dazai as if silently trying to communicate with him.

Dazai is a bit too busy trying to wrap his head around

the fact this is actually happening, to be able to catch it.

“Um...” Chuuya looks down at his feet. “Look I’m not sure if you’re available or whatever, but ... maybe... we could...” he swallows and licks his lips.

It makes Dazai want to lick those lips — he blinks against the

idea and with it comes clarity.

“Doyouwanttogoonadate,” he rushes out. “With me,” he finishes.

At first he’s not even sure Chuuya understands him, but then when he smiles it’s bright — Dazai is sure it’s even brighter than when he laughed with Akutagawa.

“Yeah,” Chuuya says

“Yeah, I think that’d be pretty cool.”

“Okay,” Dazai says, and though he bites his lip he can’t help but softly laugh. “Okay.”

——
AN:

Chuuya usually performs in different areas around the city... except for Tuesday’s.

He may have had his eye on a certain brunette

//e