015

[Timeskip: Two Years Later]

The Port Mafia bled quietly.

It was not the blood that screamed as it hit the floor, nor the gunfire echoing down shadowed alleys, nor the lives extinguished in the dark.

It was subtle, a pulse beneath the city’s skin.

One that throbbed in code and silence. And you were part of that heartbeat. 

Three years had passed since your body collapsed in a pool of your own blood, surrounded by corpses and shattered blades.

The wound had scarred, though you no longer remembered the pain. Or perhaps you had forgotten how to feel pain at all.

You existed still. That was enough.

“L/N-kun,” Mori’s voice called to you from the sterile brightness of his office, filtered through the sweet laughter of Elise, who sat on the armrest of his chair, brushing the doll hair of another toy.

“Are you feeling well today?”

“Yes,” you replied, eyes vacant, posture perfect.

Mori’s smile stretched thin across his face. It was the kind of smile that hid scalpels beneath teeth.

“Good. Your presence calms things around here. Less trouble happens if you know what I mean.” 

You said nothing. That was your job — to be the quiet, ever-listening blade.

Mori may have thought having your affection would be endearing but didn’t need it. He needed control over you.

Down below, the underground moved like a coiled serpent.

Executives danced in the palm of his hand, and you among them — most obedient of all. You didn’t seek purpose. You simply were, because Mori said so.

Outside his door, Chuuya waited for you. Dressed sharp as ever, with ginger hair pulled back and boots polished to a shine, he looked impatient.

“About damn time,” he muttered as you stepped out.

“Boss keeps you on a short leash, huh?”

You didn’t respond, only began walking. Chuuya sighed and matched your pace.

Despite everything, he had warmed to you.

Perhaps it was the silence you brought, or the fact that both of you loves dogs.

Maybe it was that you listened without judgement when he ranted about Dazai. Or maybe it was simply that you're just...you.

You passed a corridor stained with old blood. Dazai’s room lay just beyond it.

He didn’t come out anymore unless summoned.

Ever since Q’s last “accident,” Mori had locked the child up again.

Q didn’t scream. Not this time. But you remembered their eyes — wide, red-rimmed, glinting with something akin to despair and fascination as you turned away from them.

Not because you hated them. But because it was the strategic thing to do.

“Hey,” Chuuya said suddenly, cutting through the silence. “You ever think of getting out of this?”

You turned to him. “Out?”

“Yeah. Leaving. Starting something new.”

He then turned his gaze away after seeing your blank look. “Guess not. You don’t even know how to want something, do you?”

You kept quiet.

Q’s cell was silent that day. But you knew they were awake.

You could feel the thrum of their presence like static in your bones — sharp, electric, familiar.

They hadn’t spoken since Mori locked them up again. But the guards whispered of humming.

Humming songs that had no name. Songs that sounded like mourning.

You paused at the reinforced door. Didn’t open it.

“Do you hate me now?” you murmured, voice barely audible. “You should.”

From inside, only silence.

The next day, the cell was empty.

“Q escaped,” Mori said with an eerie calm, fingers steepled beneath his chin.

Elise sat quietly today, playing with a ribbon in her lap. “We believe they may be headed to the warehouse district. They took... some things. One of them being your old coat.”

Your brows furrowed faintly.

“They’ll come back,” Mori added, watching you. “They always do. But for now, find them. Bring them home. No damage. I don’t want to scold them too harshly.”

You nodded.

“And take Dazai with you.”

This made you pause.

Mori smiled again, sensing your hesitation. “You’re still his ex-mentor. Perhaps it will help... restore the bond.”

You didn’t argue.

"I'll make sure to...inform him." You closed your eyes.

"Good."

Dazai didn’t speak for the first hour of the mission.

He had been less clingy around you for the last two years. It was rather refreshing...until he does something in exchanged for that clinginess.

He trailed beside you, hands in his pockets, coat fluttering.

The sky above the shipping district was dull with clouds, the wind thick with industrial rot.

“You’re quieter than usual, L/N-san,” he finally said, half laughing.

You turned your head slightly. “You’re the one not speaking.”

“Because I’m observing.” He looked at you with eyes darker than night.

You didn't ask him what he meant by that.

Then, suddenly, you felt something warm touch the back of your neck.

A chill went down your spine as Dazai ran his finger down on your skin.

"Dazai," you called his name out coldly. A warning.

He raised his hands up in defeat. "Sorry, sorry~" he, in fact, did not look sorry in the least.

You ignored how insincere he was being and walked away.

Meanwhile, with a dark glint in his eyes, Dazai pressed his lips against his finger. The one that touched your neck.

As he shove his hand back to his pocket, an amused smile formed on his face.

Searching around, you then found Q under the bones of a rusted crane, humming with their arms wrapped around the coat they stole.

Their eyes lit up at the sight of you, and for a moment they smiled.

Then they saw Dazai.

And they stopped smiling.

“I knew you’d come, L/N-san!” Q said, standing slowly. “Did you miss me?”

You stared.

Dazai stepped in front of you, hand slipping into his coat. “Come back quietly.”

Q tilted their head. “Or what?”

“Or I’ll make you.”

It almost sounded like a threat. Or maybe it is.

You stepped forward. Q’s expression softened instantly.

“You won’t hurt me,” they said, stepping toward you. “You’re not like him. You care.”

You did not deny it.

"......" Dazai's eyes narrowed ever so slightly while Q brightened up.

You didn't deny it.

Not because it was true, but because it worked.

“I’ll come back,” Q said, brushing their fingers along your sleeve. “Only if you stay.”

Dazai’s eyes turned cold. An unreadable look on his face.

You nodded once.