Hello!

Firstly thank you to Evarinya1991 on AO3 for the suggestion of writing a prequel - I've really enjoyed working on this, especially as I hadn't thought of exploring this time frame of their relationship - Hope you enjoy this as much as the other fics :)

This fic is not as light and fluffy as the main series, it went a lot darker than I intended...

For ease - their meeting/start to the relationship follows the anime (Fifteen the book isn't in English yet) they're still going on missions etc but I'm focusing more on interactions between the two of them

They had just finished a mission, leaving the clean up crew to take care of the mess they had made. Mori had a night of meetings, so once they had given him a short report over the phone, they were free to do whatever they wanted for the rest of the night.

They decided to go down to the harbour, the part that was in Port Mafia territory so no-one would bother the two nearly 16 years slinking about in the darkness. Away from all the lights where they could almost make out the stars, they settled in their usual spot, legs dangling over the harbour, an old jetty nearby. Dazai flinched as he sat down, cradling his arm.

"Let me see," Chuuya requested, holding out his hand

"I'm fine, Chibi needs to stop worrying so much,"

"You left the hospital this morning, after trying to kill yourself yesterday the doctor was very adamant you needed to take it easy for a few days. Now, show me."

Dazai held out his arm, he hated being weak in front of Chuuya, but a part of him liked being fussed over by the other boy.

"You're bleeding again, I thought the cut had healed?" Chuuya knew there was no point asking Dazai if he could rebandage the area, unless it got really bad.

Dazai's reply was muttered to quiet for Chuuya to hear,

"Dazai, I'm only trying to help, can you say that again?"

"I may have cut a bit deep and need stitches this time," he couldn't look Chuuya in the eye, "I know I promised to find other ways of dealing with it but I just couldn't, I'm so sorry Chuuya,"

"There's no need to apologise Dazai, you've done really well the last few months, I mean you've only been in the hospital once a month rather than three times a month." Chuuya tried to sound upbeat.

Dazai stayed quiet, hoping Chuuya would drop the subject if he ignored him,

"Why didn't you tell Mori you couldn't do the mission?"

"Ha! Surely, you've been in the Mafia long enough to know what a stupid idea that is? You can't show Mori a weakness," a pause, "he see's my suicidal tendencies as a nuisance, that's why nobody comes to the hospital anymore, I can't blame them. Mori's been putting up with it since I was fourteen and now he's the Boss he's too busy to baby a teenager who puts themselves in the hospital with frightening regularity."

"But there's a therapist for the Mafia, why don't you go and talk to them? They've helped me after we unleashed corruption,"

"That requires effort Chibi," he paused, "it's nice to know my loyal dog cares enough to see if his master wakes up though," he grinned, breaking the strange mood that had settled over them. It was the closest to a thank you Chuuya was ever going to get.

They talked for a while about non-sensical things, Chuuya could almost believe they were normal high schoolers sneaking out to spend the night together. Which brought him back to the reason he'd suggested this place, rather than his apartment or Dazai's rooms at headquarters.

The moon was full in the sky now, glowing brightly, Dazai was perfectly silhouetted against it, and Chuuya couldn't deny – the other boy looked beautiful (even with the ridiculous eye bandage and sullen expression)

Chuuya took a deep breath and moved closer to Dazai,

"Chuuya?" he asked, confused.

Chuuya answered by placing a light kiss on Dazai's lips.

"Gah!" Dazai practically screamed, scrabbling back from Chuuya, forgetting they had sat on the edge of a harbour wall.

Pla-dunk

Dazai resurfaced, spluttering and started swimming towards the jetty, Chuuya floating down to greet him.

"What the hell was that Chuuya?"

"You looked cute, can't you blame me?"

"…Cute?"

"Yeah," Chuuya blushed, "do you want a hand?"

"Please, this coat is heavy,"

Chuuya helped Dazai out of the water, he was starting to shiver

"Shall we go back to my place? It's closer," Chuuya asked

"Fine," Dazai coughed, trying to dislodge the water he felt was stuck in his throat. They got back up onto the main harbour, just as Dazai's legs collapsed under him. Chuuya managed to grab him and slow his decent.

"Dazai? Stay with me,"

"I'm so cold Chibi, and everything aches."

"You're going to be fine, I'm gonna pick you up, okay?"

Dazai nodded, too cold to object. Chuuya was grateful he practised in the gym without the use of his ability, it made picking up the sodden Dazai easy. Dazai nuzzled into Chuuya,

"I'm sorry Chuuya"

"What for?" Chuuya was eager to keep Dazai awake and talking

"I'm not ready, I don't know if I ever will be."

"For what? Throwing yourself in the Yokohama harbour? I'm pretty sure I've seen you do it at least three times before tonight" he laughed.

"I meant the kissing," Dazai grumbled in response.

"Everyone wants that sort of thing at a different time though"

"What if I don't?"

"Then that's fine too," a pause, "I'm sorry I kissed you without asking, you tease me so much I thought you were on the same page as me."

"Well I am exceptionally handsome, who can blame Chibi."

Chuuya relaxed, Dazai was obviously not fine, but as he was making such outrageous statements, he was getting there. They finally got to Chuuya's apartment, with Dazai still in his arms, he paused to turn the central heating system as high as it could go, grateful he had left it on low, so the apartment wasn't too cold. Dazai had clung so close to him, he was starting to feel the same chill.

Chuuya went to the bathroom, placing Dazai on the floor as he turned the shower on. He started pulling layers off Dazai, plonking the sodden clothes in a pile. Dazai remained silent until Chuuya had stripped him to his boxers and bandages. Chuuya fiddled with the bandages on the edge of Dazai's wrist, trying to find the start.

"No!" Dazai snapped, grabbing Chuuya's wrist to stop him, fear in the one unbandaged eye.

"Dazai, they are soaked through, with who knows what germs from the harbour. They have to come off."

"But…"

Chuuya suddenly realised the problem was him, not taking them off.

"Tell you what, go and sit on the floor of the shower, the door is solid – I can only see a silhouette. Take them off in there, whilst I find a towel, some clothes and other bits for you. I promise I'll be done before you're out of the shower, okay?"

"Okay," Dazai slowly got up and made his way to the shower, once he was in, Chuuya placed a bin by the side for the bandages and left the bathroom. He made quick work of stripping his own clothes and putting them, along with Dazai's in the washing machine on a quick wash, grateful that Dazai was too lazy to go to a dry cleaner and had found machine washable suits. Chuuya filled the kettle and set it to boil, hoping the hot water bottles were in the airing cupboard, he had been confused when Ane-san had gifted them when he moved in, but nothing beat coming home from a long night to a warmed bed. He quickly found a pair of pyjama's and a pair for Dazai (as Chuuya was the only one who'd visit him in hospital he'd quickly gotten a small supply of Dazai's clothes, as he had gotten fed up of asking Mori for the spare key to Dazai's rooms) He grabbed a towel, a pile of blankets and the hot water bottles from the airing cupboard, before doubling back to his room for three rolls of bandages.

He took the pyjama's and bandages into the bathroom, he could see Dazai was showering, he was glad, he didn't have the energy to stop Dazai from just sitting under the water moping.

"Chuuya?" Dazai called out

"I've just put some clothes and bandages out for you, there's a hairdryer in my bedroom, if you need anything, I'm only down the hall okay?"

"Thank you,"

Whilst Dazai finished showering, Chuuya filled the hot water bottles placing one on the settee as he made a makeshift bed for Dazai, and one in his own room. He thought about making some hot drinks, but he didn't think either of them would stay awake long enough. He was just putting the washing into the tumble dryer as Dazai made his way into the kitchen, cheeks rosy from the hairdryers, he had a blanket from the settee wrapped around him. He hadn't bothered to re-wrap his eye.

"Do I have to sleep on the settee?" he asked, voice quiet.

"I thought you would be more comfortable,"

"I don't want to be alone tonight."

"C'mon you can sleep in my bed, no hogging the covers though." Chuuya left the kitchen with Dazai trailing after him. Chuuya grabbed the blankets and hot water bottle from the settee, turned off the lights and led Dazai to his bedroom.

"Pick a side"

"Do I have to let go of my blanket?"

"For a second?" Chuuya replied as he stripped the duvet off his bed. He took the blanket off Dazai, laying it over his bed,

"Get in the middle"

Dazai followed the order, and Chuuya wrapped him up like a burrito, make sure his toes were tucked in, but it was loose enough for him to get out if he got too warm. He placed one bottle under Dazai's feet, and one further up the bed where his own feet would hit. He fluffed a blanket over Dazai, followed by the duvet, and slipped under next to him.

"Can you touch me? Like a cwtch, I still feel too cold." Dazai requested,

"Sure," Chuuya shifted them both, so they could be close but comfortable.

"Goodnight Chibi,"

"Night Dazai"

The next morning Chuuya woke to Dazai sprawled over him. Chuuya was surprised to see Dazai so peaceful, it was the only time he had even seen Dazai look the fifteen-almost sixteen he was.

"Stop staring Chibi." Dazai grumbled

"and Good Morning to you, Dazai"

Dazai yawned, but didn't move from his spot

"Could we do this again?"

"Huh?"

"Cwtching, sleeping together, not in a romantic way though."

"I guess we could? How often you thinking? What if I start dating someone?"

"Oh, we should leave it then, forget I ask," Dazai sounded dejected.

"No, no it's okay, I just wanted to cover all my options, it's not like I fancy anyone at the moment, but we're teenagers who knows what's going to happen next."

"Of course we know – we're going to present, you probably as an omega, me as a dashing alpha and then poof! Whatever bond we have as partners will change as we explore whatever our instincts tell us…" Dazai trailed off

"Well until that happens, my bed is open for non-romantic cwtches, unless you ask otherwise," Chuuya smiled, resisting the urge to place a kiss on Dazai's forehead. It was weird feeling such tenderness and protection towards Dazai, but he'd seen his vulnerable side that no one else did so it was only expected.

"Thanks Chuuya." Dazai smiled, ignoring the voice that told him how content and safe he felt wrapped up in Chuuya's embrace.