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

[thesettingsun]

[He's not instigating if Chuuya's the one trying to piss him off first.]

You're right. Aren't you lucky they let you in?

[thetaintedsorrow]

Turning my joke back on me. Original.

[Chuuya huffs, downing the rest of his whiskey in one go.]

You have your nose so far up Dazai’s ass that I’m surprised you can exist on your own.

[thesettingsun]

That's because I can't.

[It's the return of that slightly unhinged smile.]

He's my everything. My master, my god... Of course I can't exist without him when he's my entire world.

You should quit embarrassing yourself now.

[thetaintedsorrow]

Good fucking god, are you serious right now??

[Chuuya isn’t quite yelling, but his voice is loud enough that he attracts some attention from a few nearby patrons of the bar.]

You’ve lost your fucking mind, haven’t you?

[Chuuya knows damn well he shouldn’t do this, but...]

Do you even know who he really is? I grew up with the bastard. You have no idea What He’s capable of.

[thesettingsun]

[As opposed to Chuuya losing his cool and raising his voice, Shuji is still outwardly calm.]

Well, he used to be in the mafia, so I imagine murder and torture are on the list, and probably ruining people's lives more creatively than most people could come up with.

[If Shuji sounds like he doesn't care at all, it's because he doesn't. He'd forgive anything from Dazai.]

Do you have a point you're getting at?

[thetaintedsorrow]

You’re a lost cause.

[Chuuya says it bitterly, and he’s even more irritated that Shuji seems to be keeping his calm while Chuuya is growing more and more irritated by the second.

And people are staring now. Shit. Chuuya slams his glass down, nearly shattering it in the process before tossing some money on the counter as well.]

You know what? Let’s take this outside.

[thesettingsun]

[Don't instigate a fight, Dazai said. But Shuji's not the one instigating.

Shuji puts down enough money to cover his and Dazai's drinks and meals.]

Alright. After you.

[If Dazai's near enough to see them come out, he might have an opinion. And if not... Shuji does have his book with him, available at a moment's notice.]

[thetaintedsorrow]

[Unfortunately Dazai isn’t close enough to see them exit the building, and Shuji will be met with a very angry little man whirling around on him the second they’re outside and ducked into a nearby alley.]

Whatever ability you have, use it, or you’re gonna get your ass kicked.

[Chuuya glows red then, a fierce look in his eyes. He fights fair most of the time, so he’ll let Shuji have a moment to prepare before striking him.]

[thesettingsun]

[Shuji doesn't hesitate to grab his book out of his satchel and turn it into his giant scythe. The change is blink-and-you'll-miss-it quick, and doesn't quite seem like a standard ability.]

Ready.

[thetaintedsorrow]

[Oh? That’s an interesting ability if he’s ever seen one. If it even is an ability...

But that hardly matters. It’s time to get this show on the road.

Chuuya is lightning fast, and he lunges at Shuji with every intent to kick him in the gut. He needs to block or dodge, or he’ll be in for a world of hurt.]

[thesettingsun]

[If being summoned as a book spirit didn't give Shuji a boost to speed and strength beyond most normal humans, he'd be fucked. Luckily for him, his reason for being summoned was to fight.

He's quick enough to block Chuuya's kick - with the sharp edge of his scythe. If Chuuya can't redirect at the last second, he's going to send his foot right into that blade.]

[thetaintedsorrow]

[Chuuya luckily has the advantage of having gravity on his side, and he manages to slow his momentum enough to avoid impaling himself on that scythe.
He redirects and lands sideways on a nearby wall, his weight cracking the bricks beneath when he lands.]

So you’re not helpless. Color me surprised.

[Chuuya kicks off the wall and goes for a flying leap, but instead of hitting his intended target he collides with a very irritated looking Dazai, knocking him to the ground and landing on top of him. Of course his ability is immediately deactivated, much to his chagrin.]

Huh??? What the fuck??? Where did you come from??

It doesn’t matter. I don’t much appreciate you starting a fight with my date, Chuuya.

Fuck you, that’s not your date, you twisted bastard, that’s your pet.

[Chuuya is a snarling bundle of anger now, and he pushes himself up on his feet before aiming a kick right to Dazai’s side. His previously injured side. He had to take his anger out on something. He then whirls around to face Shuji, his eyes filled with rage.]

And you, if I see you again you’re fucking dead, got it??

[He then takes his leave, leaving Dazai in the dirt where he belongs.]

[thesettingsun]

[Who actually gives a fuck about Chuuya right now? Shuji doesn't even look at him when he talks. He's hardly gone when Shuji hurries to Dazai's side, concern plain in his expression and his voice.]

Dazai-sama, are you alright?

[bandagedheart]

[Honestly? No, he isn’t alright, not in the slightest. Chuuya is the top martial artist in the Port Mafia for a reason, and a point blank kick from his old partner in such a weak spot hurts like fucking hell. Every breath sends searing pain through his chest, but he forces a smile nonetheless.]

I’ll be alright.

[He sits up, clutching his side as he struggles to catch his breath.]

I’m sorry, Kitten. I wanted you to enjoy the night.

[thesettingsun]

[No, Dazai's not okay. It's obvious he's in agonizing pain.]

It's not your fault. I'm just happy you took me out at all.

[They couldn't have known Chuuya would be there.]

Let's go home.

[bandagedheart]

I’ll make it up to you.

[Dazai takes a moment to gather himself before finally getting to his feet, using Shuji’s shoulder for support. He dusts off his suit, and eventually he’ll be recovered enough to drive them home.

It’s clear that he’s still upset by the time they make it home and head up to the bedroom, and he sheds his jacket before laying back on the bed.]

Come here, Kitten.

[thesettingsun]

[Shuji grabs a bottle of painkillers on the way up. He sets it on their bedstand - Dazai doesn't have to use it, but it's there and he may well want to make use of a few pills.

When Dazai calls him, Shuji sits on the bed at Dazai's side.]

Yes, master?

[bandagedheart]

I just wanted you close.

[Dazai looks oddly vulnerable right now, and Shuji’s presence is the only thing that seems to take the edge off this immense pain he’s in.]

Closer.

[thesettingsun]

[Ah. Shuji lays down next to Dazai instead, with his face an inch from Dazai's. He doesn't dare touch him and potentially jostle him and cause more pain.

It makes him happy that Dazai wants him close, but he can't properly appreciate it when Dazai's in so much pain because of him.]

I'm here.

[bandagedheart]

You’re not hurt at all, are you, Kitten?

[Dazai reaches out to stroke Shuji’s cheek affectionately, but there’s something dark in his expression.]

Shuji-kun...would you kill for me if I asked you to?

[thesettingsun]

He didn't hurt me. You interrupted him before he could.

[Shuji leans into Dazai's hand, closing his eyes. There's no doubt or hesitation when he answers Dazai's other question.]

I would, master. If you asked me to.

[He knows he should have to hesitate longer on that. But he doesn't.]

[bandagedheart]

Good.

[Whether he means that about Shuji being fine or agreeing to kill someone, only he knows.]

You and I can never be happy if Chuuya keeps interfering.

[He gently strokes Shuji’s hair.]

You understand, don’t you?

[thesettingsun]

I know.

[Chuuya doesn't seem likely to just leave them be. He thinks there's something wrong with them. With both of them.

If it were just that, Shuji would let him continue to seethe on his own. But he's hurt Dazai, and he would've gladly hurt Shuji.]

You told me before not to kill him and not to pick a fight with him. Are you changing those orders?

[bandagedheart]

Yes. I want you to kill Chuuya Nakahara. How you do so is up to you.

[Dazai’s voice is cold as ice as he issues that order. Chuuya has been a part of his life for so long, even after he’d defected from the Mafia, that Dazai had grown used to his presence, and he truly does care for him on some level, but this cannot continue.

If it’s between the past and the future, Dazai knows exactly which one he’d pick.]

But not tonight.

[He pulls Shuji close before kissing him deeply.]

Tonight I want you to stay by my side. You aren’t to leave except to eat or other necessities.

[thesettingsun]

[Shuji returns the kiss as deeply as he always does, as if it hadn't directly followed an order to commit murder. No matter what, he loves Dazai, and he's always happy being by his side.]

Of course, master. I'm not going anywhere tonight.

[And tomorrow he'll kill Nakahara Chuuya. It's as simple as that, because-]

I love you.