Exchange (Soukoku & Shin Soukoku)

Epilogue

Akutagawa looked at the photo he had found on his superior's desk, sitting on the bed in the room they had been assigned. The lips of Chuuya and Dazai were so close they almost touched, both wearing a complicit smile. And, of course, the rings they both wore, Chuuya's gold and Dazai's silver.

When he first saw the photo, he had many questions. Why would the redhead, who boasted about hating Osamu so much, allow such a compromising photo to be taken?

Why did Dazai write «so you remember that night» on the photo?

Now he knew the answers. That night was the night they got married, shortly after the brunette had deserted. That's why they were so close, about to kiss to seal their union. That's why they wore rings, why Chuuya allowed the photo to be taken, and why Dazai signed it. He didn't want to forget when he married the man he loved.

«Would Atsushi want us to get married too?» he wondered.

It wouldn't be a bad idea. But maybe he was rushing things. They had only been together for a couple of months. And although he became more convinced every day of how much he loved Atsushi, he didn't feel ready for such a big responsibility.

As if his thoughts had summoned him, Atsushi entered the hotel room.

"Hello," he greeted. "Do you mind?"

"Not at all," the raven-haired boy denied. "Is something wrong?"

"Kunikida-san is getting very anxious. The wedding is in a few hours, and he doesn't want anyone to be late."

"I couldn't be late, it's too important for Chuuya-san and Dazai-san."

Atsushi smiled and sat down beside him.

"Are you looking at the photo again?"

"Yes, I find it very lovely. Do you think they'll try to recreate it?"

"Maybe. But for that, they first need to go to the wedding and get married..."

Akutagawa frowned and looked at him in confusion.

"What are you implying with that?"

Atsushi smiled mischievously.

"Oh, shit, those idiots..."

•[ ♡ ]•

It was already wedding time, and neither Dazai nor Chuuya were anywhere to be found.

They searched for them throughout the hotel and the wedding hall. They even sent Black Lizard to look for them all over damn Paris. They simply didn't show up.

They searched for them at the Louvre Museum, the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame Cathedral, and even the Eiffel Tower.

It never occurred to anyone that a gravity manipulator could quickly get away without anyone noticing.

Meanwhile, Dazai and Chuuya were in Roque-Gageac, having a romantic date before getting married again. They needed to clarify a couple of matters before the wedding.

"Isn't it a wonderful evening?" Dazai questioned.

"It is. It calms my nerves a bit," confessed the red-haired man.

"Nerves? It's not like we're getting married for the first time. What's different now?"

"Maybe it seems like nothing, but I'm excited about the fact that it's going to be real," Chuuya responded.

Osamu shifted uncomfortably.

"Chuuya, I really apologize about the ring..."

"What? Oh, shit, no, I wasn't referring to that," Chuuya hurried to clarify. "I wasn't talking about the ring. I just meant that I find it lovely that you sought to marry us legally. It's a nice gesture on your part," he smiled. "Of course, the ring detail also makes it very special."