#Verse 01 - Bell Ringer - Main Verse - BSD

[diverse-hearts-a]

Plotted Starter ~ @shrimps-variety-garden and @somegremlin

He was never one to stick to the rules for that long but that didn’t stop him from worrying as he approached the tower. To be honest, he hadn’t really expected for them to be outside as long as they had but it had been so much fun that he’d lost track of time. Yumeno didn’t deserve to have to be locked up all the time. Was there really something so wrong about taking them outside? He was an adult. He could look after them just as well as Chuuya or some random goon that his father trusted to follow after them. Who would enjoy that type of life though? How long would they have to be shadowed for? His father didn’t even really care about him as a person - same for Yumeno actually. Mori looked at them as nothing more than the abilities they had to offer to Port Mafia. 

“Just let me take the blame for this, alright?”, he smiled down at Yumeno as they made their way towards the apartment, Garth carrying what they’d bought while outside, sipping on a shake that was almost done. He was aware that he’d get in trouble and he could already feel the butterflies that grew whenever he was inside this tower. It’d be okay. He was worrying over nothing, right? He glanced at Yumeno and decided that anything would be worth the smiles that he’d been witnessing for the day - but that thought somewhat faded as he walked inside and came face to face with his father, ruby eyes widening as he took a step to the side almost on auto pilot, trying to protect his child from harm.  “D-dad...erm...”, three was no way to talk himself out of this one. He quickly felt as though he was about to bring back up the food they’d enjoyed earlier as he carefully placed the bags down to one side, still doing his best to shield Yumeno. Shit. How had he messed up this badly so soon? Quickly, it flashed through his mind just what the threat had been for them if they broke the rules. Back to the cells? No... no this was all his fault. Yumeno shouldn’t -  “It’s nice to see you’ve both arrived home now. Shall we?”, he sighed, glancing at Chuuya in expectation, “Rules were put in place for a reason and those rules were agreed on. Let’s not - “  “Just leave Yumeno out of this”, Garth suddenly snapped, biting hard on his lip as he stared between his father and husband, “Please...Yumeno did nothing wrong. They just came out because I said so...this is all my fault...so...so please don’t touch them...” 

[diverse-hearts-a]

@shrimps-variety-garden Plotted Starter (Garth)

Everything ached - ached in a way that he had never felt before. He’d curled up in his bed, unable to move, not wanting to move, just wanting to block out the world around him. He could hear the other as he walked off into the bathroom to shower, seeming to have no care at all about what had just happened. He just wanted him gone. He just wanted him to leave and yet it felt as though everything was being prolonged on purpose.

His matress was covered in blood, from out wounds to have opened in the intial struggle, from the knives to have uselessly been used as a last mean of defence, only to be turned on him instead, a tool to help aid in the removal of clothing and bandages - the other’s laugh seeming to echo around inside his skull as he’d taken in the extent of the scars and various wounds to dot his skin, as he was held down so easily, as his struggles lead only to more pain and his begging went unheard, as hot breath was felt near his ear, as teeth marked his skin and he fought back the urge to throw up. Just go. Just leave.

Those where the words to circle his mind as he curled up in pain, violently sobbing as his body shook in the aftershocks of everything to have happened. His words wouldn’t leave his mind. He never thought in a million years that he’d ever do this to him. He hated him. He wanted him destroyed - he might have finally succeded in that front. He froze as footsteps where heard, as a hand was placed on his shoulder and a bitter laugh was heard from somewhere above. Everything was a blurry mess - his glasses had went flying across the room long ago -  All he could do was lay there and wait to be left alone, trying but failing, not to flinch as fingers were run across his shaking form. It felt like an eternity before he felt able to breath again, an eternity before he heard the door finally close, head raising enough to glance towards the door behind tucking back under his blankets once again. He needed to move but he didn’t want to. He didn’t care enough. Even as he heard his phone go off, even as the room grew darker and colder, he just curled up tighter, breaking into heavy sobbing from time to time.

[diverse-hearts-a]

shrimps-variety-garden

said:                                                                

☹ Well that hurt~Kuni/Garth

Well That Hurt

28. Broken Ankle

Blood covered one side of his face from the fall that he’d taken earlier, though he didn’t have the time to stop and try to take care of the injuries that currently marked his body. Bare feet splashed hard against the puddles to litter the ground, the full moon being his only source of light, that and the faint outline of Aura’s in the distance, one of which he was aiming for at the moment.

With a strangled scream, he felt himself hit the ground pretty hard as his foot slipped on the wet ground, and he soon found himself tumbling down the second staircase of that night, a short gasp of pain being all he could let out as he came to a stop, his entire body now aching - but it was only when he tried to stand was he suddenly made well aware of just how severe the fall had actually been, eyes widening slightly at the pool of blood to soak the bottom of the soft pants he currently wore.

Shit! Quickly glancing around, he dragged himself over to a nearby secluded area, hiding the best he could behind some large rose bushes, the thorns of the flowers being at the bottom of his list of concerns at the moment. He wanted to scream but didn’t quite have that luxury. All he could do was press himself against the wall, crouched as much as his aching body would allow, hand wrapped around his bell, ready to use if needed, all but holding his breath as three men walked slowly by his hiding spot. They must have seen his fall - they must have known that this was were he’d fallen too. And it was with that thought that he became aware of the trail of blood that lead directly to where he was, a sickly feeling building inside at both the realisation he’d be found and the odd angle that his ankle was currently bent. Ankles shouldn’t be turned like his was. The adrenaline of this chase was helping to ease the pain ever so slightly but that wouldn’t last forever. Please just walk on by. Please just don’t notice the blood.

With everything else to have happened tonight he was quite aware of how stupidly lucky he’d have to be for that wish to be granted. His lungs burnt, both from running and the effort of holding his breath for as long as he had. How stupid he’d been to think his father as boss was a nightmare. Of course, whoever cut him down would turn their blade on his son next, no matter if they knew he didn’t want anything to do with this stupid power struggle.

His hand was shaking as the bush before him shook by the hand of someone approaching, his heart thudding against his chest as he gripped onto his bell tightly. This really was a shitty way to die though. If he’d grabbed his phone, he’d at least been able to send a goodbye to Kunikida. That’s who he wished to see the most right now. As grief, pain and fear all built up inside, and he honestly felt as though he’d black out at any moment, crimson eyes widened in surprise at who it was to stand before him, a weak laugh parting his lips as his legs have out and he fell to the ground for the third time that night, laughing weakly against the dirt.

“...heeh...even if you are an illusion...least this way...I can say...good...bye”. He knew. This wasn’t enough to kill him. That these men could easily take him away now but he had no strength left to fight. The world was turning to black and he found himself giving in to escape the pain. “I love you, Kuni...I’m sorry...”

@shrimps-variety-garden​

[diverse-hearts-a]

@shrimps-variety-garden continued from [X]

Everything was just too much. His entire body ached as the wind blew against his face, ruby eyes gazing down at the ground that was so far below, his mind trying not to think too much about just how resillent to death his body was. Falling from this height had to kill him, it just had to. His healing wasn’t that much improved and if he did survive then maybe he’d bleed out quick enough not to suffer too long. His hands were shaking as he read over the message from Chuuya, tears running down pale cheeks that were already marked with blood, fingers trembling as he tried to think on what to write back. He was sorry for leaving him, sorry that even though Chuuya had done everything he could to make his life better, things had still come to this. Hopefully, one day, he’d be able to forgive him - but he wanted out. He was so tired, so sore. If it wasn’t Dazai it was someone else. Kyran, his father... always someone digging something into his skin, kicking him around or screaming at him for some mistake he made...it was tiring. Everything about being alive was so painful. Apart from him. Apart from Chuuya. Maybe he could break Yumeno out and run off some place with him, and they could just live happily. Chuuya was strong, he could protect him much better than Garth ever had. All he’d ever been able to do was to take half of the pain, to share the pain, to bring his little brother back from death to repeat the same cycle of torment that he’d been trapped in since he was born and took the life of his mother. The door opening behind him caused him to jump, the phone flying out from his hands, ruby eyes watching as the small device shattered on the ground so far below. That was a long fall. Maybe it was tall enough after all. Maybe he’d be able to escape from all this pain. Blood dripped from the edges of his fingertips, from off his jawline and down his back, large gashes cut into his flesh, test out some type of new weapon Kyran was developing - he stopped paying attention at some point. He was pretty sure he’d passed out, able to make a run for it when the blondes attention was elsewhere. “Garth - you won’t survive such a fall. We’ve tested your endurance and - “ “That’s the whole point!”, he yelled back at Kyran, taking a few steps closer to the edge, heart racing quicker as he felt fear try to take a grip on him, try to prevent him from doing what needed to be done. Chuuya did his best, he really did...but maybe Kouyou had always been right. To get a taste for the light when wrapped up in so much darkness - it really did make everything sting just that little more than normal.

[diverse-hearts-a]

@shrimps-variety-garden​ continued from [X]

It wasn’t as though it’d be the first Christmas in which he felt as horrid as he currently was but with everything to have been happening in the last few months, this was hitting a little harder than he was perhaps letting on. He pinged at the rubber band around his wrist as he paced around the apartment. Everything was just piling ontop of everything else and he could really just do with a hug about now. He glanced at his phone as Hansuke messaged him. He was doing a good job at helping to keep him distracted from the negativity that had simply been swelling now and then since the incident that had cost him his eye for his troubles. He sighed a little, placing the phone to one side, glancing over at the door as he heard the knock. What should he do? Should he just be honest? Admit how close he was to snapping? But he didn’t want for Chuuya to blame himself if he were to find out about a relapse but - just how longer was he going to hold it together like this? Maybe if he called Chuuya.... No - this wasn’t really something that could be discussed over a phone call. With one last snap against his wrist, he pulled down the sleeves of his hoodie, well Chuuya’s, and walked to the door, taking a deep breath to steel his nerves before he reached up to unlock the door.

“Han - I”. He blinked, words dying as he stared at Chuuya, as though trying to make out if he was hallucinating or not before he squeaked and threw his arms around him, hugging into him tightly as though afraid that he was about to vanish at any given moment, “Oh my God! Your...your here...your actually...” He soon broke out into tears, pressing against the side of his neck as he attempted to calm himself back down. “S-sorry...I...sorry...”

[diverse-hearts-a]

@shrimps-variety-garden​ continued from [X]

The wind felt almost welcoming, the cold breeze touching the side of his face, making the cut on his cheek sting a little, a bitter reminder that he was still alive. All it would take was a small step and he’d be able to end it all. That cold, dark world would only have to be faced for a short time. After that darkness there had to something that was better than this. This endless cycle of sleep, abuse, some kind words then more abuse. The attempts to reach the bitter perfection his father demanded, only to be punished with the tiny mistakes to be made. He wanted to be stronger, he really did...but he couldn’t. He couldn’t do this anymore. What was the point? This wasn’t living. This was just surviving. There was nothing about this that was living.

His eyes slowly opened as he heard Kunikida’s voice, his heart squeezing ever so slightly as he tried to fight against the urge that pushed for him to take the hand that was being offered, his gaze hardening though as he spotted Dazai behind him. A soft bitter laugh escaped from his throat as he turned slowly to face them both. “Isn’t this what you always wished to see?”, he laughed bitterly, a small step take backwards, his heart racing faster, making a sickly feeling grow inside his chest, “You always get what you want in the end...”. It was harder to look at Kunikida though so his gaze stayed on Dazai, tears streaming down his cheeks as he wobbled on his shaking legs.

[diverse-hearts-a]

@shrimps-variety-garden​ continued from [X]

This wasn’t happening. Why couldn’t today of all days just go nicely without having to deal with the panic that was now gripping around his heart so tightly. It’d taken almost all his energy just to snap at him to get out. He didn’t have the time to be playing whatever game he was after and he wanted to avoid getting hurt if possible too. He had already spent forever getting his hair to cover up the small line of stiches to the side of one of his eyebrows.

He swallowed hard, placing his hands inside his jacket pocket to try and hide just how badly he was starting to shake. He shouldn’t be in here! This should be the one place were he was safe from this crap! Another deep breath was taken as he glanced over towards where he stood, biting at his lower lip a little. Should he just leave? Could he just get out of there before Dazai even noticed? He could deal with whatever mess Dazai decided to leave the place in whenever he got back. He didn’t want to be late. Not tonight. He glanced towards where his phone laid, turning to walk over to grab it.

[diverse-hearts-a]

@frozcnhearts​ continued from [X]

Maybe this had been a mistake? Considering the manner in which they’d first met, he wouldn’t be too surprised if he was turned down. He’d just found himself wanting to reach out to him, wanting to get to know and maybe become friends with and doing that only through phone calls and messages seemed not to go all that far. He wasn’t even sure why he was here. The words just fell from his lips and then he stood there almost as though in shock at what had just happened. W-wait. He hadn’t said no? Ruby gaze lifted to meet golden, Garth tilting his head slightly to one side. “I-Is that a yes? I just...I thought it might be nice...to m-maybe do something together...”.. Alright this was a lot more panic inducing that he had given it credit for. Used to torture but not asking other people out...what a weird life he had.

[diverse-hearts-a]

@shrimps-variety-garden Plotted Starter ~~ 

As bad ideas went, this was pretty bad. With the think layer of blankets and some sweatpants being all that he had to protect himself from the cold night air, there was a slight growing worry that he might end up freezing to death at this rate. It would be a somewhat ironic way to go. Survive the hours of isolation, locked up in a dark room, screaming and begging to be released, only to end up being pulled out from the darkness and into the middle of a new nightmare. The bandages were marked with blood, most looking pretty fresh, the wound to his back being the worse, stinging in the cold air as he continued to walk through the back streets of the city.

There was a hidden path nearby that he thought he’d be able to hide at for the night but his bare feet had found something sharp to stand on, a hiss of pain escaping through chattering teeth as he tried to make out what was on the ground before him, another hiss breaking free as his other foot found the glass too - making him eventually try and back away, only to trip over something and end up having to catch himself with his hands before his hit the ground - of course, the glass cutting into the soft skin of his palms. He just sat there. In utter disbelief at everything to have just happened, eyes widening as a few drops of rain landed on his head, a small warning before the heavens opened up and soaked the young man, Garth dragging himself over to a nearby doorway, leaning against the side of the door as he silently just allowed for himself to breakdown for what felt like the millionth time that day. It was exhausting. Why was he even trying anymore? Why did he struggle to keep on surviving when no matter what he did...nothing would ever change?

Maybe it would be best if he just froze to death. Death was so icy cold, what would the difference be? He closed his eyes, arms wrapping around his thin frame in a feeble attempt of both some form of comfort and a source of warmth. Why was it that he automatically wanted to struggle on? To keep on pushing to live even when life was as hellish as it was? Maybe it was his mother. Maybe she was the only reason he wished to survive. So that she hadn’t died for no reason. And all that thought did was make him break into heavier sobs, pulling his knees up under his chin as he curled up into a small ball in the darkness of the night.

[diverse-hearts-a]

@somegremlin​ continued from [X]

You know when someone had such a bad idea that it may actually work? That was the only reason as to why he hadn’t laughed too hard when Chuuya had explained this entire plan to him, ruby gaze having been staring at Hansuke as though waiting for him to have the punchline to the joke. Yumeno was back in the cells but they could work on getting him out, right? “...you want to sneak us out inside a giant bear that will be noticed from miles away?”, he was just making sure that he had heard him right and that his latest ‘training session’ hadn’t injured his hearing along with everything else. With a small sigh, he walked off to collect his pouch, glancing at Chuuya as he climbed inside, “...you’re lucky I love you...”

And that was the reason as to why he was now stepping out from a giant teddy bear, hair and glasses askew as he took a deep breath. Even the prisons smelled better than inside that thing - and this was from a person who could smell the death that hung in the air. Okay - maybe it was actually worse...he was just so glad to be out!

“Your dad’s insane”, he sighed lightly, arms wrapped gently around Yumeno’s shoulders as he glared towards the teddy. He was going to both loath and love that thing if this actually worked. Ah well. Here goes nothing. He gave Chuuya a quick kiss before taking Yumeno’s hand to lead him inside their teddy shaped prison...

[diverse-hearts-a]

@shrimps-variety-garden​ continued from [X]

Wait. Wait...what!? Garth couldn’t help the look of confusion to take over as he listened to what Kunikida was saying. Did he really think his father wasn’t going to see straight through such a sudden statement? As though to prove a point, Mori and Elise both broke on into laughter and Garth hissed slightly as he felt a slight burn on the side of his neck, ruby gazing up as Daichi silently. He suppose he had taken a slight step forward earlier but it was hard to keep watching this. Everyone he loved and cared for, as little as those numbers may be, why must they all have to hurt and suffer just for being close to him? Okay maybe Chuuya could escape from such a fate but Yumeno? Yosano? Shiro? Kunikida? He can’t do this. He can’t seriously be thinking on joining Port Mafia! That had to go against every ideal that he had!

Mori was smiling as he walked over to stand before Kunikida, scalpel flicking between two fingers as he examined the man before him. “I see - you’re willing to throw all that you know simply away? Just for the sake of being allowed to stay with my son? Hmm, - but the type of job you speak of requires a degree of trust that we have yet to establish”, he tapped his fingers against his chin in thought as Elise walked over and pulled out each dagger from Kunikida.

“I suppose we could perhaps give you some....t rival jobs for now. Still, I do not trust you and I see this as a simple means of attempting to avoid me from killing you - Garth shh”, he glared towards his son who quickly closed his mouth again, Mori leaning down close to Kunikida, hands pressing down hard on each wound the daggers had created, “Do you honestly believe you’d survive even a day working under me? Can you read about such things as human trafficking or drug deals without feeling sick to your stomach? Are you really wishing to throw away all your morals and ideas over someone so useless?”

[diverse-hearts-a]

@shrimps-variety-garden continued from [X]

“I punished him. Is this something we no longer perform on our subordinates? I do wish that someone had informed me of this change”, he gave a small shrug as he returned to the paperwork that laid on his desk, Elise humming a soft tune as she returned to drawing the picture she’d been working on. Garth spat out some of the blood to have gathered in his mouth, glaring towards his father but otherwise remaining silent for now, just leaning into Chuuya’s touch a little despite the way his entire body was aching at the moment. He didn’t want his husband to get into trouble because of him though, slowly pulling himself up to his feet.

“Let’s just go Chuuya...”

[diverse-hearts-a]

@shrimps-variety-garden continued from [X]

How long had this been going on for? How long had he been forced to just hang there and watch? To listen to the screams that echoed against the damp walls of the cell they were trapped inside? His own screams contained no physical pain, only the pain of the guilt that now threatened to eat his heart whole, the tears that fell against his cheeks as he cried out again and again for his father to stop this! Why would he do this? Why hurt someone who was so loyal? So hard working? Who’d done nothing to deserve any of the pain that he was currently forced to feel. His only mistake was loving him. That was the only reason he was in that position and the knowledge made him feel rather sick.

“J-just stop”, even his begging has gotten weaker, caught between a sob that caused his entire body to shiver. How did he fix this? How did he make this right? How did he get him to stop when his screams were only falling on deaf ears? Like hell would his father ever listen to a wish that he had. But what else was the alternative? Mori must have known what he’d do. He knew him rather well, even if that was something that he didn’t like to admit. Begging had broken down into soft apologies, his gaze falling towards the floor, only to lift as he heard the iron finally being tossed to the ground. He tensed, half expecting for his father to pick up another weapon, to begin with something else. His shoulders and wrists ached with the effort he’d placed into trying to break free from the shackles that held him to the wall. His father had known he’d try to get in the way of all this, had made sure that he couldn’t break free, had made sure that he had no choice but to watch - the burning sessions only lasting longer whenever he’d closed his eyes for too long.

“You caused this Garth”, he didn’t need for those words to be uttered. He knew this was his fault, knew that all he’d ever did was cause more and more issues for the other, knew that he was too weak to fight against the life that fate had given to him and yet he tried to anyways. He struggled, as helpless as he was. And because of that the person to have helped him was now hurting so badly. But he knew - he knew that even if he had known this to be the punishment, he wouldn’t have changed his decision and that was what ate at him the most. The knowledge that this may happen again. The knowledge he’d be willing to risk this happening again. He was silent as his father approached, not wishing to make the situation worse, remaining silent as the terms for his release were given, butterflies flaring as he was warned against taking any of the wounds. His father really did know him too well ~ As soon as he was let lose and the path was clear, he darted over to where Chuuya was, staring with wide eyes as he examined the wounds, the aura around him still vibrant but god he must be in so much pain. He crouched down and carefully undone the bindings that held him, soft apologies being the other sound able to break free from dry lips, Garth not even daring to look the other in the eyes, his entire body shaking as he worked on freeing his boyfriend, heart hammering hard against his chest, the same thought running over and over again inside his mind. “You caused this. He’s hurting because of you - and this isn’t the first time, is it? He was hit by that car because of you, only targeted because of you, only punished now because of what you did - your too weak to protect anyone! All your doing with these connections is adding more victims... was your mother’s death not enough? Do you need to add more to that list?”.

It was like a blurred recording of his own voice mixed in places with Dazai’s, playing over and over, blocking out any type of comfort that Chuuya may have been attempting to give, his eyes glazed over, his mind a thousand miles away. He needed to take him home. Needed to treat his wounds. Needed to make sure there was never an excuse for his father to do this again. His own aches meant nothing. The blood to coat his wrists from trying to break free - it was nothing. All his focus was on Chuuya but at the same time it was pretty obvious his mind was trapped elsewhere - it was almost robotic the manner in which he was moving, the apologies to be heard now and then, even as he finally freed the smaller male and lifted him up into his arms carefully, making sure not to place any pressure on the burn marks, mind racing to think on how to lessen the scars that some of these injuries were likely to cause. He remained silent as he walked on past his father, his body shaking still but he knew he had enough strength to at least make it home. He had to. He had to remain steady enough to get Chuuya back some place safe and clean.

“Wouldn’t that be a million miles away from you?”

[diverse-hearts-a]

@nycttophilic​ asked for a Xmas Starter

“Hey”, He gave a small smile as he ran over to Lia, leaning in to give her a quick kiss as a way of a greeting, “Are you free tonight? I’d like to give you something...it can wait though if you have other plans or have to be somewhere or anything like that...”. He quickly added the last few words, picking at the end of his sleeve nervously, wondering if perhaps this wasn’t such a good idea after all.

[diverse-hearts-a]

@shrimps-variety-garden - Plotted Starter ( aka - let’s start this with a fight)

He’d been moping around for a few days now and what irritated him the most was that he knew the reasoning as to why he was like this. The same reason everyone was on edge. The same reason why his father was in a worse mood than ever, why he was needing to deal more and more with Elise just showing up out the blue. Hehe. Maybe there was a worry there that he’d be next to go? Like he’d be so darn lucky. Dazai got to walk out those doors alive but if he tried that, he’d be dead in a matter of moments.

“Just how long is this going to last?”, he glanced across his room towards where he’d left his boyfriend to wallow in the rotten mood he was in, having suddenly decided now was the best time to rearrange his entire room - mostly to avoid himself from losing his temper fully on the redhead. They may have only been dating for a short time but that didn’t mean that he hadn’t noticed the change - knowing that he was the one behind it, “...Chuuya what’s wrong with you?” - he knew but he needed to hear it - “You know I’m here. I’ll listen to whatever’s on your mind...so what’s going on?”

[diverse-hearts-a]

@suicidefrantic​ continued from [X]

He honestly wished he was strong enough to at least strike the other hard enough to leave a mark. As it was, all he could do was hold his arm close to his chest as he glared at Dazai, taking deep breaths to try to not make himself even more of a sitting target by having a panic or asthma attack. He honestly would never understand the issues that Dazai had with him - not that it mattered any more. There was nothing between them but burning hate - only one was a lot stronger and quicker than the other.

“Oh? And then who would you play with?”, he snapped back, spitting blood out from his mouth as he leaned back against the wall for support, blood dripping from his fingertips, from the arm that stung with pain but that change of tone in the others voice was enough to make his blood run cold, ruby eyes drifting back towards the elder male. Hadn’t he done enough damage already?