The moment you stepped through the door, you didn’t even bother to take off your shoes or drop your bag. The sight of him sitting on the floor with Akane and Chiyo was enough to shatter the thin wall you’d built around yourself all the way home.

“Dazai…” Your voice cracked, barely more than a whisper.

He turned instantly, eyes widening when he saw your trembling shoulders and swollen eyes. Before he could even say a word, you stumbled toward him and collapsed into his arms.

The babies’ laughter quieted as you buried your face into his chest, clutching his shirt with desperate hands. The sobs tore out of you, raw and heavy, and he wrapped his arms around you without hesitation, one hand steady on your back, the other pressing protectively against your head.

“Hey, hey…” His voice was low, steady, almost like he was afraid to let you go. “I’ve got you.”

You couldn’t even get the words out—your throat burned too much, your tears soaking into him. All you could do was cling tighter as he held you like the world outside didn’t exist.

Akane babbled softly, crawling toward you, while Chiyo let out a small whine, almost sensing your sadness. Dazai’s hand stroked your hair gently as he glanced toward them, then back down at you.

“It’s okay,” he murmured into your hair. “Cry as much as you need to. You’re home now.”

And for a long moment, the only sound in the room was your sobbing, muffled against the one place you knew you were safe.