A ringing woke up Dazai. It was greatly annoying, and painful. He could hear Chuuya yelling and shaking him. It wasn’t exactly being woken up inside his shipping container. It was more like being forced awake. The ringing was painfully loud. He hated it. Why would it be bright if he’s inside his shipping container? It would be dark normally. Did somebody destroy his ceiling? That wasn’t logical. Because then wouldn’t his ceilings be falling? And why would Chuuya be inside of his shipping container? Chuuya didn’t care about him. Dazai’s hands automatically went up to his head, holding it tightly as the ringing got louder. “Mackerel! Mackerel, are you okay? Wake up,” He heard Chuuya’s voice call. His voice wasn’t exactly concerned, but it wasn’t happy with him. Chuuya was angry at him. That never felt good. He always felt so, so bad if Chuuya was angry at him. Dazai squinted his eyes and could make out Chuuya’s orange hair and his figure. Dazai blinked his eyes open, looking at Chuuya carefully. Chuuya let out a sigh. He was probably so mad at Dazai and he would tell Mori and he would get in trouble- “Mackerel, are you okay? Dazai, look at me,” Chuuya instructed. Dazai did what he was told, but Chuuya kept being hazy, and then not hazy. Chuuya noticed Dazai’s eyes unfocusing, which concerned him. “You hit your head pretty hard. Dazai, do you remember what we were doing here? And what mission we’re on,” Chuuya asked, putting his arm around the younger’s back, helping him shift into a sitting position. Dazai furrowed his eyebrows. He should know what mission they were on. It was his job. But he couldn’t remember. It was like it was a haze, and it made him feel icky. “We were, uhm… We were here. At trees,” Dazai admitted nervously. Chuuya sighed and held his forehead. Dazai was making Chuuya mad. He shrunk away from Chuuya, afraid that he would tell Mori anytime soon. “Trees are not a place Dazai. Say the days of the week, starting today backward.” Dazai couldn’t remember what day it was. He felt like it started with a ‘T’. So it either had to be Thursday or Tuesday. “Uhm, Thursday,” Dazai paused, biting his lip. “Friday,” He continued as Chuuya furrowed his eyebrows. Uh oh. Now he looked extra mad. Chuuya let out a sigh as he pulled Dazai closer. “Dazai, can you say 528 backward?” Chuuya asked, running his fingers gently through his hair. Dazai furrowed his eyebrows once again. “Uh, 2,” He couldn’t remember if it started with an 8 or a 5. “5, 8?” Dazai asked, looking up hopefully at Chuuya. Chuuya’s eyes were glaring at him. It made Dazai feel so small. He just wanted to go home and be away from the loud noises and the ringing. And now Chuuya was mad at him. He felt so bad. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” Dazai repeated, squeezing his eyes shut as he held his head. Chuuya must’ve hated him now. “Hey, hey, baby it’s okay,” Chuuya said, his voice worried and comforting as he brought Dazai closer. He placed Dazai’s head on his chest as he planted a kiss on his unruly hair. “It’s okay sweetheart, I’m not mad. I promise,” He mumbled into his hair. Chuuya could tell Dazai was dropping rapidly. Dazai was dropping into a little space, but he refused to admit it. “Baby, how about we go home? Okay? No medicine,” Chuuya promised, lifting him onto his hip. Dazai’s eyes widened as he was lifted and buried his face into Chuuya’s shoulder. “Yeah, good baby, the apartment isn’t far, okay? Can you hold onto me please baby?” He asked, bouncing him slightly on his hip. Dazai obliged and held onto Chuuya, clinging like if he didn’t, Chuuya would disappear. He felt his eyes unfocusing, and Chuuya was quite cozy. And the next time he paid attention, he was already home. Dazai’s head still hurt. And his fingers had found their way into his mouth, and he sucked on them, getting a disapproving look from Chuuya. He walked over and tugged his fingers out of his mouth. “That’s not good for you baby, that’s nasty, here,” Chuuya said, sticking his tongue out as he quickly put in a pacifier that was adorned with blue. Dazai’s eyes widened as the soother was put in his mouth. It bobbed up and down, signifying he was sucking on it. Chuuya smiled and planted another kiss on top of his head. Chuuya smiled at seeing him accepting the fact that he was dropping. “That’s it, baby,” He mumbled, rocking Dazai back and forth in his arms. “There we go, it’s okay,” Chuuya said, continuing to rock the younger. Dazai’s eyes were fluttering shut, and he bobbed his head up as he kept trying to stay awake. “Shh, no, it’s okay. Go to sleep, I’ll be right here, I promise,” Chuuya whispered, his voice lowering as if it were a lullaby. He was satisfied at seeing the little fall asleep and accepting it. He knew that he would have to take him to the hospital, but tomorrow would have to do. Dazai needs his sleep.
