Chapter Text
She can't keep them all safe
They will die and be afraid
Mother, tell me so I say (mother, tell me so I say)
“Get back here you brat!”
Atsushi swiftly turned to his left, The men were right on his tail. He couldn’t afford to get caught.
How did he even get here? The last thing he remembered was the Orphanage headmaster kicking him out.
”Nobody wants to be around a good-for-nothing like you.” He said to Atsushi, who was only seven years old, and of course very distraught.
Living on the streets wasn’t easy for him, he missed his bed, he missed the little amounts of food he’d received if he’d been a good boy. He missed the headmaster.
But now, he’s had to resort to sleeping in cardboard boxes and stealing money from unwilling passersby’s.
He felt bad about it, sure. But, he had to do what he could to survive.
Unfortunately for him, his luck has just about run out. He had just gotten caught stealing from the wrong people. Who don’t exactly seem to care much about beating up little kids.
So now, here he was, running for his life over 1,538 yen. Just great.
Atsushi looked back, they were gaining on him.
This was bad, like really bad. Were they going to kill him?
He doesn’t want to die.
Oh god. Is it one of the thugs?
Atsushi fearfully looks up, he freezes.
That’s…odd.
It was a man, he looked to be around in his early 20’s, And he didn’t really look all that bad? So he must not be with that group.
The man looked down at Atsushi, smiling.“Are you alright?” He asks, holding a hand out for him.
Atsushi hesitated, the man looked wealthy. He had a suit and tie on, like the men who would inspect the orphanage sometimes, and he was covered in bandages. Which was pretty weird. But, Atsushi wasn’t one to talk.
“There he is!” Atsushi jumped, They found him.
The bandaged man’s smile sharpened, he looked up at the group of thugs.
”I’m sorry, do I know you?” He asks politely.
The thugs share a glance, one of them pull out a pocket knife. “Listen, kid. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll leave us alone with the brat.” He says.
Atsushi stiffens, he does not want to be left alone with these guys.
He looks back up at the Bandaged man, who tilts his head. “Now why would I do that? If you ask me it looks like you’re about to hurt this boy.” He smiles eerily.
”This ain’t your business.” They circle around the two, surrounding them.
The man stands in front of Atsushi protectively. “It is now.”
Atsushi notices the man reaching the inside of his coat pocket. What’s he reaching for?
The men scoff, “Suit yourself.” They lunge at him.
Atsushi closed his eyes, he couldn’t watch!
-Bang!-
-Bang!-
-Bang!-
…
”Hey kid, you can open your eyes now.”
Atsushi reluctantly opened his eyes, he looked around. All three of the thugs were on the ground, bleeding out. What happened to them?
He heard the man sigh, “Jeez, what a nuisance..” He pulled out a phone, dialing a number.
“Hey, I need you to come clean up a mess.” He says, eyes flickering down at Atsushi. “Go to XXX st. you’ll find it.”
He hangs up, gaze never leaving the younger. Atsushi shifts uncomfortably, should he say thank you? Or does he just go?
”Hey, you.” The man speaks.
Atsushi doesn’t respond, but he does look up at the man. He feels a sweat drop down his brow, he hadn’t realized how unsettling the man looked until now.
He crouches down, “Are you hungry?” He asks.
Huh?
Thats weird, no one’s ever asked him that before. He doesn’t know how to respond, especially not under the watchful gaze of such a scary man.
Alas, his stomach answers from him, growling loudly, which causes them both to freeze.
Atsushi quickly covers his stomach, blushing in embarrassment. Why must his stomach betray him like this?
The man chuckles, ruffling Atsushi’s hair. “Come on, let’s go.” He pulls Atsushi up.
Atsushi tilts his head, he lets out a noise of confusion, wondering where the man was taking him.
The man snorts, “We’re going to get something to eat.” He says.
Huh.
“So kid, what’s your name?” The man asks, resting his head on his hands as he watched Atsushi scarf down a bowl of Chazuke.
Atsushi put the bowl down, looking up at the man cautiously. The orphanage director always told him to never give his name to strangers, and this man was technically a stranger.
The man tilted his head, smirking. “How about this, I’ll tell you my name first then you’ll tell me yours.” He says.
That doesn’t seem like a bad idea..
Atsushi nods, it’d be good to know his name anyway, so he can stop referring to him as ‘The Man.’
The man’s smile grew wider, “Perfect, my name’s Dazai Osamu. Pleasure to meet you...” He trails off, clearly wanting Atsushi to finish the sentence.
”..Atsushi.” He whispers.
”Atsushi! Nice to meet you, Atsushi.” Dazai winks.
Atsushi nods again, not wanting to be rude.
…
”Say, Atsushi.” Dazai drawls, “You’re homeless right?” He says abruptly.
Atsushi paused, It felt weird hearing somebody call him homeless, though that is what he is.
Homeless.
Without a home.
Without anybody at his aid. Even if they were mean to him sometimes.
Atsushi’s eyes watered. He’s homeless.
Tears trickle down his face, he’ll never see the orphanage headmaster again. It made him sad.
He whimpered, covering his face with his hands as he sobbed loudly.
Dazai’s eyes widened, he shifts uncomfortably. “Uh, don’t cry..?” He didn’t mean to make Atsushi cry. He was just asking him a simple question, and now everyone in the restaurant was looking at him all weird.
Atsushi sobbed harder, great.
He needed this kid to stop crying. So, he said the first thing that came to mind.
“How about this? Why don’t you come and stay with me?”
What.
Atsushi sniffled, he looked up at Dazai with big teary eyes and nods.
Dazai, you fucking idiot.
What the hell have you gotten yourself into?