Continuation for bandagedheart.

[thesettingsun]

[Very few people get this dressed up for a bar crawl. It looks like it'd be hell to wash, and the only reason you'd wear it out to the bar is an obsession with fashion.

So that's one clue about who this patron sitting at a table is, since he forgot to tell other-Dazai how to identify himself. As for him, when he sees Dazai come in with bandages visible on his arms, he makes an (incorrect) assumption that this is the injury that caused that text and thus this is Dazai.

Well, he's half right, at least.]

Dazai!

Comments

[bandagedheart]

Good! Then I’ll be right back!

[Dazai disappears upstairs for a moment before reappearing with the collar in hand, and he snaps it around Shuji’s neck with a grin.]

Beautiful!

[Dazai seems rather pleased as he leads Shuji out to his personal car, and like a perfect gentleman he opens the door for him and everything, as if he’s not being a complete jackass otherwise.

The restaurant they arrive at is rather ritzy, but not so much that suits are expected, and the bar is quite large and impressive, so of course that’s where Dazai heads first, Shuji in tow. The bartender seems to recognize Dazai, though Shuji gets an odd look before she takes their order.]

Whiskey for me~ What’ll you have, Shuji-kun?

[thesettingsun]

[The bar is really nice. Dazai is being good to him, and it's almost enough to calm Shuji down.]

I'll have a whiskey as well.

[Now that he's less nervous about immediately being called out on being a perv in public, he takes a better look around - and freezes, too terrified even to scream.

Further down the bar is a tiny blond who doesn't look like he's even old enough to be here. He hasn't glanced their way yet, but the moment he does, Shuji knows Chuuya will immediately notice him and oh no oh no oh no...

He can't even explain to Dazai why he's radiating so much pure terror right now just because of the midget he's staring at.]

[bandagedheart]

[It’s a good thing most collars can pass as fashion accessories these days...the “Kitten” tag is a bit obvious, but not many people stop and stare long enough to read it, so Shuji is in luck.

The bartender brings their drinks, and Dazai is about to make a private toast to their relationship when he notices Shuji go white as a sheet.]

Is something wrong, Kitten?

[He follows Shuji’s line of sight to a tiny blond a few seats down, and immediately he puts two and two together. This is obviously someone Shuji knows, because he looks absolutely mortified about potentially being caught wearing a collar.

But Dazai is good at playing dumb.]

Oh? Did someone catch your eye? Blondes do have more fun, they say~

[goatsongs]

[The mention of blondes is what gets Chuuya to glance over, just in case he's the one being talked about.

Seeing Shuji in a collar is what gets Chuuya to get off his stool and approach them, wearing a smirk that can't be anything but a sign of impending bullying.]

Fancy seeing you here, peach blossom bastard~

[Shuji gulps.] H...hey, Chuuya...

You should introduce me to your friend here.

[No. He can't. Shuji will die.]

[bandagedheart]

Well hello there~

[Dazai is over being surprised at the coincidences with names, but he can’t help but be amused at how this Chuuya is also incredibly tiny.]

The name is Dazai Osamu. Yes, yes, the very same as Shuji-kun!

[He chuckles, and though he should probably politely ask Chuuya to leave to spare poor Shuji any more embarrassment, he’s far too intrigued to leave it alone now.]

You two know each other?

[goatsongs]

Not as well as you apparently know him. We met a couple times when we were alive.

[...Because of course, if Shuji is letting this guy put a collar on him in public, he must have told him about the dead author thing by now, right?

Shuji is too busy shrinking back in fear to remember that's a thing he was trying not to let Dazai know about.]

[bandagedheart]

Oh?

[He may be a genius, but even Dazai is confused about the “when we were alive” part. That’s going to be a long, drawn out discussion once they get back to Dazai’s apartment, for sure. But for now he plays along.]

Shuji-kun! Why are you so afraid? Chuuya-san seems charming!

[Now he’s really being a jackass.]

[thesettingsun]

Am I still being punished...?

[WHY IS DAZAI HURTING HIM LIKE THIS.

Chuuya wrinkles his nose.] That's between you and him, "Kitten".

[bandagedheart]

[Dazai sighs before downing the rest of his whiskey.]

I think I should probably take this poor Kitten home before he passes out!

[They can get food elsewhere. Something tells him that Shuji isn’t hungry anymore anyway.]

[goatsongs]

[Shuji has lost his entire appetite, forever.

Chuuya laughs and shakes his head.] I'll see you later.

B-bye...

[Chuuya throws some money on the bar and heads out, back to the library to tell basically everyone else Shuji knows about this nonsense.

In the meantime, Shuji just plasters himself to Dazai's side. Chuuya not being in the room calms him down a little, but that was still terrifying.]

[bandagedheart]

What was that about?

[He means Shuji cowering in the face of the tiniest adult Dazai has ever seen.]

Do you want to talk at home, hmm?

[thesettingsun]

Let's go home. ...It's kind of a long story.

[Can he at least not announce that he's a dead guy in a public restaurant.]

[bandagedheart]

Hmm...alright.

[It’s a good thing that Dazai didn’t get the chance to drink very much; he’s sober enough to drive them back to his apartment, but the trip there is none too pleasant. Dazai’s cheeriness has flown right out the window, and once they get inside he sits on the couch and beckons Shuji over.]

Come here, Kitten.

[He points to the spot next to his feet.]

Sit.

[thesettingsun]

[The trip is uncomfortable, and Shuji spends the ride fidgeting and staring at his hands rather than dare to look at Dazai's expression.

He sits at Dazai's feet when ordered, head bowed in contrition.

He Fucked Up.]

[bandagedheart]

[Dazai isn’t terribly cruel, and he rewards Shuji with a pat to the head before tilting his chin up so that he can gaze into those pretty golden eyes.]

Tell me everything you’ve been keeping a secret from me, Kitten.

[thesettingsun]

[Dazai is merciful after all...

Everything spills out in a rush. Every word of it is the truth, and Dazai knows how bad a liar Shuji is.]

I'm the spirit of a dead author who was summoned to fight monsters inside of books, 'Dazai Osamu' died in 1948, Odasaku and Chuuya and the others are also the spirits of dead authors, and I'm sorry, I didn't think you'd believe me, I won't hide anything from you anymore, master.

[bandagedheart]

[Dazai is silent for a moment as he lets all of that sink in. Being a master of bullshit himself, he can almost always tell when someone is lying, and considering how shitty of a liar Shuji is in the first place, Dazai is inclined to believe him.

He’s more upset with himself for not figuring it out sooner, even if Shuji gave him no reason to suspect he was inhuman.]

I see.

[He supposes it’s irrelevant in the grand scheme of things; Shuji looks and feels human, after all, so this shouldn’t interfere with their relationship.]

You can fight, then? [A hum.] I’m a bit surprised, considering how terrified you were of your Chuuya.

[thesettingsun]

He's an angry drunk. And when we went drinking together - when we were alive - I couldn't fight. I only learned that after being summoned after my death.

[...though, really, you don't need to know how to swing a scythe to win in a bar fight against Chuuya.]

[bandagedheart]

[Dazai chuckles. He can only imagine the destruction such a tiny person could cause.]

Tiny but fierce. The Chuuya I know is exactly the same.

[Dazai hooks two fingers beneath Shuji’s collar and tugs, urging him to get up on the couch and straddle his lap.]

Are you afraid of me as well, Kitten?

[thesettingsun]

[Shuji willingly goes along when Dazai pulls, sitting on Dazai's laps with his legs on either side of him. His fingers twitch with the urge to touch, but he has to hold back until he's given permission.

Afraid of Dazai... isn't that the reason he chose this arrangement, being afraid of what Dazai could do to his loved ones? But that hasn't been at the forefront of his mind lately. He only rarely remembers it.

So, the real answer...]

I'm only afraid of displeasing you, master.

[bandagedheart]

[Dazai can hardly express how pleased he is with Shuji’s words.]

You’ve become such a good, obedient pet.

[Dazai’s voice lowers to a purr as he kisses Shuji’s neck.]

You did all this to save someone else, but now you’re truly mine, aren’t you?

[Dazai has to admit, he feels oddly protective of his Kitten lately. Possessive is to be expected, but learning that Shuji is actually capable of fighting brings up several issues that he hadn’t considered before...]

You said you’re no longer alive. What happens when you’re dealt a fatal blow?

[thesettingsun]

[Dazai's words make Shuji shiver, more even than the kiss to his skin.

It's true that his original motivations haven't been on his thoughts recently. So... Dazai must be right. He's given himself over to Dazai completely.]

I'll dissolve into ink. Another 'Dazai' might get summoned to replace me, but he wouldn't remember you, because he wouldn't be me.

[So, of course that means he can't get killed and replaced by someone who doesn't know his master. ...That's what he'd like to say, but things happen and he can't guarantee his own survival. So, instead...]

Please let me please you while I'm still here, Dazai-sama.

[bandagedheart]

[Shuji can die then, in a manner of speaking. It’s a sobering thought, one that Dazai hadn’t even considered before, and would like to not dwell on for too long. He’s dealt with loss very poorly in the past, and he’d rather not repeat those days if he can help it. For now he’ll just have to appreciate having Shuji here by his side, and he pulls back from kissing Shuji’s neck to look him in the eye.]

Then I want you to do whatever it is you want to with me tonight, Kitten. Let me see you act without instruction.

[thesettingsun]

[Acting without instruction... is kind of terrifying. He's been on edge about possibly upsetting Dazai all day, and what he wants more than anything else is for Dazai to fuck him senseless and tell him how good he's being.

But commands are commands, and he's going to have to impress Dazai with how well he follows commands.]

Yes, Master.

[The very first thing he does: lean in for a deep kiss. One of the things he's missed from Dazai is just how good he is with his mouth, the way a kiss can make him feel like he's being eaten alive.]

[bandagedheart]

[As long as Shuji agrees to be his pet Dazai will continue to test him, to push him to his limits, to encourage him to take risks and reap the rewards. This is simply one of those tests, and he can’t say he’s disappointed with Shuji’s decision to go in for a kiss.

Dazai purrs against Shuji’s mouth before reaching up to cup the back of his head and hold him still as he pushes his tongue past those lips. The taste of whiskey lingers on Dazai’s tongue as he slides it against Shuji’s, his fingers tangling in that pretty red hair in the heat of the moment.]