The mere idea of being in this building disgusted Chuuya, but he froze when his eyes landed on you. You reminded him too much of himself—caged, stripped of freedom, treated like something less than human. Dazai noticed too, his usual smirk fading into something sharper, colder. He didn’t even need to say anything; they both knew they couldn’t leave you there.

It cost them a fortune to convince the scientists to let you go, but they didn’t care. You were free now. Though the word “free” felt bitter, because the truth was cruel—they had taken everything from you, even your ability. What was once a part of you had been cut away, leaving you hollow, trembling, unsure of who you even were anymore.

Chuuya and Dazai took you to a store that same day. Rows of clothes, toys, even food surrounded you, overwhelming in their brightness. You hovered at the entrance, frozen, as if the moment you touched anything alarms would ring and punishment would follow.

“Go on,” Dazai said lightly, crouching a little to meet your eyes. His smile was soft, not mocking for once. “You can buy anything you want. Really, anything. Don’t hold back.”

You blinked at him, heart hammering. Anything you want. The words sounded dangerous. The scientists had punished you for asking, for wanting, for needing. So you stood there, hands clenched, confusion and fear twisting in your chest. What if you picked something too expensive? What if they got angry? What if this was a trick?

Chuuya sighed, noticing your hesitation. He shoved his hands in his pockets, glancing away like he wasn’t trying so hard to be patient. “Oi… kid. He’s not lying. Nobody’s gonna get mad at you. Not now. You’re safe.” His voice was rough, but it carried a weight that settled against your shaking shoulders.

Still, your steps were small, cautious. You looked at the shelves like they might bite you back. And even as you reached for the tiniest thing—something you thought they might not notice—you kept sneaking glances at them, waiting for anger that never came.

And behind you, Dazai and Chuuya watched quietly. Married, mismatched, but united in this: whoever you were before, whatever they took from you, you were theirs now. And they’d make sure you never had to be afraid again.