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]

[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.