A/N: Just to get this out of the way, the only ship that is happening here is Kuniko(OC)x Chuuya. The first part might be a bit OOC since I tried to write it from Chuuya's POV somewhat. The first part is the events that take place in the nightmare and is meant to symbolize how traumatic it is for Chuuya to use corruption as well as his interpretation of Dazai. I just don't want people to take this out of context and turn it into something it's not.

***

Suffocating is the only word to describe this moment. In order to protect everything he loved and cherished, Chuuya was once again assigned to work with a devil. No, the man in question was the devil himself.

It was another instance where Chuuya had to use corruption. He was always caught between a rock and a hard place when he was given the choice. He didn't have a choice in the first place, only the illusion of one. The only thing present now was the feeling of his body flinging itself around like a toy.

Contrary to popular belief, Chuuya was somewhat conscious when using corruption. Maybe a better way to put it was, whenever Arahabaki was in control. While the monster took the front seat, it could do whatever it wanted. It would fully override any ounce of control Chuuya could muster. Now Chuuya couldn't do anything to stop it, but he could see, hear, and feel everything that happened to his body. He felt his muscles ache and his skin rupture. His bones cracked under the pressure, almost to the point of breaking. If Arahabaki was a child, Chuuya's body was its plaything.

The battle raged onward. Chuuya watched paralyzed as he saw his hands and feet pummel the enemy closer and closer to its demise. Moments after, the battle was won, but Arahabaki continued to destroy everything in its path in a blind rage. It will be over soon, right? As much as he hated it, he had to trust Dazai to stop him. Chuuya only put himself in this situation because of Mori's orders. All of Chuuya's trust was based on the fact that Chuuya valued his own life, unlike the suicidal maniac.

At this point, Chuuya was becoming tired. His body couldn't hold on any longer. Every time Arahabaki moved his body, he felt his organs and muscles twist and squeeze in ways they were never meant to. He could taste blood as he coughed a red substance into the ground. Why hadn't Dazai stopped him yet? If something didn't happen soon he was going to die.

"My my, this is quite entertaining if I do say so myself." An unfriendly, but all too familiar voice was taunting him from behind. Arahabaki caught wind of where the voice had come from. It made Chuuya make a sharp turn to face the voice. The entity had forgotten the limitations of its vessel, as the swift movement caused his leg to fracture.

The jolt of pain pierced through Chuuya's body, causing both of them to cry in pain. Arahabaki adjusted quickly to the broken limb, but Chuuya was still focusing on the pain.

Shit. I won't be able to take much more of this.

"Hey there Arahabaki. It's been a while. I'm Osamu Dazai encase you forgot."

Arahabaki generated a small black hole and flung it toward Dazai. As soon as it made contact with him the orb disintegrated in a flurry of white light.

"Yeah, sorry, but that won't work on me," Dazai shrugged and continued. "Look, I was supposed to stop you and all, but I don't think you'd like that."

For whatever reason Arahabaki stopped its tantrum and listened to Dazai. There's no way he was suggesting that right?

"It must be such a pain to live inside that slug. To be fair I'm not a big fan of him either," Dazai grinned at Chuuya's breaking body. "Honestly, if it were up to me, I'd just kill him. I don't see there being any point in him sticking around. In fact, I'm surprised Mori hasn't gone and done him in yet. But I made a promise not to kill anyone as that my late friend's dying wish." He rubbed his opal pendant between his thumb and index finger.

There's no way he's trying to convince my ability to turn against me. That's impossible!

"So, I have a proposal!," Dazai said a little too enthusiastically. "If you keep your little tantrum away from the public, I'll leave you alone and I won't interfere."

Yeah, right like that's gonna work. You can't negotiate with a 'god'.

But to Chuuya's amazement, Arahabaki turned around, directing its rampage elsewhere. No, no this isn't happening. He can't go on like this forever! He's gonna die!

The last words Chuuya remembered hearing came from the bandaged bastard's mouth. "Good night Chuuya. See you in hell.~"

Chuuya had to get out of this. More bones began to break, more blood poured out of his mouth and nose. His tears had been dyed red. He had so much that he couldn't leave behind. His subordinates, that kid, Kouyou, and-

***

"KUNIKO!" Chuuya shouted her name as he jolted upright. His heart was pounding in his chest, he was drenched in a cold sweat, and everything around him felt surreal.

Kuniko had jumped as well. It wasn't long before her heart rate matched Chuuya's. "Geeze! Babe if you need something you don't need to-" She cut herself off when she saw how scared he looked.

Chuuya appeared to be frozen in time. He looked akin to a statue, save for his heavy breathing. His eyes were held wide open with fear. Tears pooled at his eyelids and slid down his cheeks without a sound. He looked distressed.

Slowly, Kuniko reached out her hand, "Spitfire?"

"Dammit," Chuuya hid his face from his girlfriend. He didn't want her to see him like this. He gripped the sheets as he turned away from her. He wasn't a kid, he shouldn't be crying over a stupid nightmare.

He closed his eyes, trying to stop any more tears from falling. That's when he felt the mattress move as someone crawled closer to him. Kuniko wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in his hair.  She sat in front of him, pulling him closer.

Slowly, Chuuya lifted his arms and embraced Kuniko. He fell into her arms, squeezing her tight as if she was going to float away the moment he let go. Kuniko took this moment to run her fingers through her boyfriend's hair. She whispered, "Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere."

Those words, paired with her voice, caused him to break. He couldn't hold himself back anymore. Chuuya found himself clinging to Kuniko's nightgown, its fabric in his fists. His shoulders began to shake vigorously as sobs left his mouth. He was trying his best not to. He couldn't be seen like this. Yet Chuuya was crying into her shoulder, completely broken and vulnerable. His sounds of sorrow were muffled by the fabric of her clothing. Kuniko cradled Chuuya in her arms, finding herself crying as well.

"You want to talk about it?" Kuniko asked through her own waterworks.

Chuuya shook his head against her body. Kuniko responded by kissing his head and rubbing his back. She had no idea what else she could do for him. All she wanted was to make sure he was okay.

"Niki...," Chuuya's voice was raspy, he sounded exhausted.

Kuniko hummed in response.

"Can we...," He gulped. "Can we stay like this a little longer?"

Kuniko nodded. "We can do whatever you need."