crowspace | Continuation for bandagedheart.

Of course!

[Dazai's eyes finally meet Shuji's for the first time since he'd entered the room, and there's a look of what is this about on his face that will probably leave his pet worried for a while.]

Right this way!

[Dazai leads his guest to a small, private conference room before shutting the door behind them. He gestures to a table in the middle of the room with chairs surrounding it.]

Please, have a seat.

[Because Dazai does, sitting in the fancy office chair at the head of the table.]

What did you want to discuss?

[Shuji's going to spend the entire time he's sitting in the detective's office inwardly panicking/possibly outwardly panicking.

Ibuse takes a seat. He's not here to threaten or to cast suspicion, just...]

My name is Ibuse Masuji. I understand you're involved with my student, Tsushima?

['Involved' is a reasonable word.]

You're his teacher? Goodness! And here I was thinking you might be his older brother!

[That's Dazai for you.

He leans back in the chair and interlaces his fingers in his lap.]

I'm his boyfriend, yes.

[More like Master, but he'll just keep that to himself.]

Spirits like us are summoned in strange ways. There's a few who are ninety years old and look younger than I do.

[Mushanokouji Saneatsu looks very, very good for his age.]

I just wanted to meet Tsushima's boyfriend and get to know him a little. Nothing more than that.

[He looks very good for his age, indeed.]

Then you're a dead author as well? There's so many of you!

[Dazai doesn't sense any true threat from this man, and even if he were here to chew Dazai out, he's heard and been through much worse.]

Certainly! What is it that you want to know?

[Ibuse nods at that - that's him.]

To start with, how long have you two been dating?

[...as if dating was an accurate description of their relationship.]

About two months.

[Maybe? Probably? Dazai really hasn't been counting.]

Did you teach him how to write? His works are lovely~

He's incredibly skilled as a writer.

[Ibuse's smile speaks of a teacher's pride in his student, or a father looking upon the accomplishments of his son.]

When he came to me seeking advice - demanded that I meet with him or he'd kill himself, actually - he had only published a few works in student publications. I was his mentor for... eighteen years?

[Until the day of his death.]

Saying that I taught him to write gives me too much credit for his own talent. But we were close.

[It’s a nice smile, and despite Dazai being an awful, terrible person, he’s happy to hear that Shuji had someone like Ibuse to support him in his career. Dazai himself has never had a father figure outside of Mori Ougai, and that, needless to say, was not the best relationship.]

Well then, I can see why you’d be concerned about a scoundrel such as myself whisking him away!

[Dazai’s smile is deceptively warm and sweet, and to anyone who doesn’t truly know him, he appears to be the perfect boyfriend.]

I promise to take good care of dear Shuji-kun!

[A perfect gentleman and a worthy boyfriend, giving no reason to disapprove of their relationship.]

Good. He's very earnest with his affection, so at the very least I want the person who's dating him to treasure him.

[He is a treasure, even when he's difficult.]

I don't want to scare you off. Just consider this old man as your boyfriend's family. It's better if we know each other and get along.

Of course!

[Dazai is the prince of schmooze, after all, and he'll make sure to keep up the nice guy act whenever Ibuse is around.]

Would you like some coffee? Tea? You're welcome to stay until closing!

[The ADA never really closes, but Dazai isn't about to play host all day long.]

Thank you, but I wouldn't want to get in the way of your work. I can give you my number if you need me.

[If you're seeking advice on How To Deal With Shuji Tsushima, he's one of the best people to ask.]

I appreciate you taking the time to talk to me like this.

That would be perfect!

[Dazai exchanges numbers with Ibuse before standing up from his chair and making his way to the door.]

It was a pleasure chatting with you!

[He opens the door and escorts Ibuse back down the hallway and into the main office, bidding him farewell, and that’s when a very exhausted but accomplished looking Atsushi races up to him, very important looking papers in hand.]

Dazai-san...I finished that report like you asked...

[Atsushi hands over the papers, and Dazai takes them with a warm grin before affectionately ruffling Atsushi’s oddly cut hair.]

Thank you, Atsushi-kun! I knew could rely on you!

Edited 2018-01-08 04:06 (UTC)

[Shuji had been considering whether to follow after Ibuse, who'd politely said farewell and made his exit, when Atsushi came up. And of course Dazai has coworkers, Shuji knows that, but that smile... that hair ruffle...

Shuji doesn't realize he's staring at Atsushi until a few seconds later, when he snaps his attention back to Dazai.]

...Do you have anything in mind after work?

[Work, where Atsushi will be with him the entire day. Maybe Dazai will ruffle his hair again.]

[Atsushi is still a bit miffed that he’d been stuck doing Dazai’s paperwork for him again, but he can’t stay mad when Dazai ruffles his hair like that, and he ends up grinning despite himself.

He’d been so caught up in his work that he hadn’t even noticed the redhead waiting around, and from the way he speaks to Dazai, Atsushi can only assume that they know each other. Of course, being the polite sweetheart that he is, Atsushi wants to introduce himself as well, and he turns to the stranger and bows in greeting before giving him his warmest smile.]

Oh! Hello, I’m Atsushi Nakajima. I don’t think we’ve met before! Do you know Dazai-san?

Shuji Tsushima.

[Don't immediately show hostility, Shuji. At least try to be polite.]

He's my... we're involved.

[He can't just come out and say that Dazai's his master in polite company.]

[Atsushi blinks a few times, looking a bit confused, but then realization dawns on him and he blushes like mad.]

O-oh...I see...um. It’s nice to meet you!

[Dazai had been watching their little exchange with amusement right up until Shuji mentioned the two of them being involved, and once Atsushi excuses himself to go find out why Kunikida is glaring daggers at him from the doorway Dazai crosses his arms and looks at Shuji with a hint of disapproval in his eyes.]

Shuji-kun...I hadn’t planned on telling anyone at the ADA about our involvement.

[Disapproval. The absolute worst thing. Shuji shrinks backwards, right into the wall.]

Chuuya had told everyone at the library by the time I got back, and Sensei wanted to meet you. And - and I didn't know what else I could say that wouldn't disrespect you...

[He couldn't say he didn't know Dazai, and 'friends' would imply they were equals...]

I'm sorry.

[Is that pity Dazai feels? Or maybe a hint of guilt for upsetting his otherwise loyal pet this way...

Whatever the case, he reaches out and ruffles Shuji’s hair much like he had Atsushi’s as a sign of his forgiveness.]

It’s alright, Kitten. [He slips Shuji a spare key out of his pocket.] Go and wait for me at my apartment.

[All the nervous tension drains out of Shuji when Dazai ruffles his hair. He smiles brightly, relieved.]

Thank you, Dazai-sama. I'll see you later.

[And he leaves.

Whenever Dazai arrives at his apartment, however many hours later, he'll find Shuji in his bed, already wearing his collar.]

[It’s around three hours later when Dazai finally gets home, and after slipping off his shoes and hanging up his coat he proceeds to make himself some nice, hot coffee in his bountifully stocked kitchen. Yes, he’s well aware that Shuji is waiting for him upstairs, but Dazai is an asshole, and he’s going to take his sweet time getting up there.

If Shuji is truly missing him so badly, his best bet is to greet him downstairs.]

[He can hear Dazai come in, and he can also tell exactly how long it's taking him to come upstairs. If Shuji were a more patient person, or anything other than a bundle of nervous energy right now, maybe he could stay in Dazai's bed until he made his way upstairs.

But he's not, so after a couple of minutes, he comes downstairs.]

Welcome home, master.

[There he is; Dazai’s loyal pet, coming to greet his master after a long day at work. Dazai turns to face him and leans back against the counter as he takes a sip of his coffee.]

Thank you, Kitten. [He grins when he sees Shuji already wearing the collar.]

Did you miss me?

[He beckons Shuji over with a single curl of his finger.]

I missed you the whole time.

[ Shuji approaches when he’s beckoned, stopping just in front of Dazai with his head bowed in respect.]

I missed you too, Kitten.

[But Dazai isn’t quite so forgiving as he seems.]

Were you jealous of me praising Atsushi-kun?

Continuation for bandagedheart.

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