[Before Dazai could bite into the fruit-filled croissant he picked out, Chuuya mentioned the deal.
The deal was an ever convenient excuse. At the moment, it was an inconvenient device that allowed Chuuya a chance to pull out more answers.
Dazai supposed he might as well put off polishing the pastry. Chuuya talking about feeling that image put him off his appetite, though he wouldn't admit that.
No way to avoid explaining this, was there, when telepathy was going to be a major means of communication.]
That's right. However, it doesn't cover imagined scenarios. [Dazai hid his lips behind the croissant.] Not that it happens often, nor is it something to be concerned with.
[Chuuya looks at him, and understanding feels a lot like his earlier panic. It's not like it matters to him anymore if Dazai decides to go jump off a bridge. They're not partners anymore, he doesn't care what happens to Dazai. They're enemies. There's the deal, but--
Yeah, exactly. There's still the deal.]
It does include saving you from your own idiocy. [Technically, no, it doesn't.] Even if I have to drag you back over a railing by your hair.
[He thumps his head back against the cupboards, closing his eyes. His coffee has gone sudden cold, and he's shivering hard.]
Quite a jump, from slipping on ice to falling off somewhere. [His smile was mirthless as he slipped off his coat and threw it at Chuuya's face.] Not the way you planned on getting rid of me, is it.
How miserable you look. Regretting the deal already?
[Normally Chuuya's reflexes would have him catch that coat easily. But right now he's too distracted, not to mention his eyes were closed. He takes it straight in the face, and immediately turns his face towards Dazai again so he can glare at him. He reaches up to make sure his hair is okay.
But then he pulls it over himself a little gratefully.]
Yet you insisted. [Dazai's tone was mocking.] I wonder why.
[He knew the exact reason why Chuuya pushed through with the deal, just as he already anticipated this minor detour wouldn't be enough to distract that incoming line of questions.
The hatrack wasn't that incompetent, sinking his teeth and digging his heels on the ground as he did for matters he decided needed urgent attention.]
And you agreed, when you're the one who made me an enemy before.
[Yeah, he's not answering that rhetorical question, he's turning it right around on Dazai instead. Out of the two of them, Chuuya is the one who depends on having teammates.
[This trail of thought was more familiar to Chuuya. Another grapple to maintain normalcy.
Convenient that Dazai had long settled for the fact that Chuuya would never know the full details behind his departure.
He made a vague hand gesture.] Our respective affiliations are meaningless here. Neither will it matter whenever we return to Yokohama should you forget your time in this place.
[That makes Chuuya bristle, visible. He shoves Dazai’s coat off himself again.]
Loyalties are not something you throw aside when it’s convenient. It doesn’t matter where I am, Dazai. Though I know it’s a meaningless concept for you.
[He’s at least pretty successfully distracted for now?? He lifts his coffee to take a sip, to warm himself - then makes a face when he realizes it’s nearly frozen.]
[An askew interpretation of his words, but not unexpected.
Dazai huffed and took a large bite from his pastry. Would've tasted better if he had an appetite, and now all he could think about was its texture.]
I see your Ability's corroded your brain. [No, he hadn't swallowed before that first line. Now he did.] No wonder Ranpo was able to goad you in that kind of emergency, even though you had such responsibility riding on your shoulders.
[That's it. With a smooth movement Chuuya tosses his coffee cup up and behind him, where it lands with a surprisingly loud clang in the sink. Completely frozen by now.
Chuuya doesn't care. He has already spun around on the floor, hand closing around Dazai's throat and shoving him back against the cupboards. His fingers are also ice cold, stiff. He ignores it. His violent shivering won't take away from the fact that he's had enough.]
Tell me, how is it that your toy agency is even willing to put up with you.
[He tightens his grip, fingers close to Dazai's pulse point.]
[This was going to be a repeat issue, and Chuuya tended to return to circle around sore points and ignored his blind spots. If they were stuck together for the foreseeable future, might as well get it over with and rip out the tape in one go.
(Would this even solve anything in the end, when all was said and done and memories crumbled to dust that could not cross the fabric between worlds?)
And so, having already predicted he'd be attacked, Dazai let him, his body relaxed with only a loose grip on the other's wrist.
Chuuya always did like going for the throat when it came to him, a painless gesture threatening silence and asphyxiation that also served to keep them at eye level. The cold was a new sensation though, seeping the warmth away from his neck.]
Is calling me a coward your response to everything?
[His fingers are starting to hurt, they're so cold. The air around them is chilling, too, and at this point, Chuuya's lips are turning blue at the edges. He doesn't know how to stop this, or control it, so he only hopes it hurts Dazai as well.
He presses forward, using his weight instead to put more strength into his grip.]
Yeah. It's always the same problem with you. Even after four years.
[Speaking of eye-level, he's leaning pretty close as well.]
Dazai's eyes narrowed, and he traced the line of Chuuya's wrist with his thumb.]
It's warranted right now with how you're mishearing things. [His tone was cool and distant.] Do go on, and I might have to break out later with a makeshift ice pick.
[If Chuuya wasn't already so cold, that touch would make him shiver. He looks down at Dazai's hand holding his wrist, and lets out a breath. Fine. He'll play along.]
So be clearer.
[He's not always in the mood to waste energy analyzing Dazai's words.]
Dazai's grip on Chuuya's wrist loosened, and he let his hand fall on his lap.]
Not as much as before. [The tips of his fingers itched.] What happened earlier... [His gaze fell to the zipper of Chuuya's hoodie, close to his throat. ] It's like remembering. That's all there is.
[A weak finish. Hollowness. Not as self-assured as he usually was.
He's not at all used to seeing Dazai like that. He feels bad for asking, for pushing, when it's such an uncomfortable topic. But if Dazai's still thinking about it, he wants to be prepared so he can stop him, that's all.
Since Dazai isn't holding his wrist anymore, he rubs at the back of his neck instead.]
Yeah, you've changed. I'd say it's for the better, but you're still a traitor.
[That's... Sort of a compliment? Sort of an apology. A sort of gratitude.]
[The easiest Dazai could effect was a quiet stillness. He kept his head level, his expression reflecting a tranquility that he only possessed on the surface.
How rare, for Chuuya to admit at all he thought Dazai's changed.
With a shrug, Dazai reached up to the countertop above his head, inching his hand slowly on the surface. He'd find the second cup of coffee shortly.]
[Chuuya watched Dazai's movement for only a second before reaching up himself, grabbing the coffee for him. If only so that Dazai wouldn't accidentally overturn it and spill all over them both.
He hands it over.]
Didn't think you were capable of change at all. But I guess a lot can happen in four years.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
no subject
The deal was an ever convenient excuse. At the moment, it was an inconvenient device that allowed Chuuya a chance to pull out more answers.
Dazai supposed he might as well put off polishing the pastry. Chuuya talking about feeling that image put him off his appetite, though he wouldn't admit that.
No way to avoid explaining this, was there, when telepathy was going to be a major means of communication.]
That's right. However, it doesn't cover imagined scenarios. [Dazai hid his lips behind the croissant.] Not that it happens often, nor is it something to be concerned with.
no subject
Yeah, exactly. There's still the deal.]
It does include saving you from your own idiocy. [Technically, no, it doesn't.] Even if I have to drag you back over a railing by your hair.
[He thumps his head back against the cupboards, closing his eyes. His coffee has gone sudden cold, and he's shivering hard.]
no subject
Quite a jump, from slipping on ice to falling off somewhere. [His smile was mirthless as he slipped off his coat and threw it at Chuuya's face.] Not the way you planned on getting rid of me, is it.
How miserable you look. Regretting the deal already?
no subject
But then he pulls it over himself a little gratefully.]
I regretted the deal before I even made it.
no subject
[He knew the exact reason why Chuuya pushed through with the deal, just as he already anticipated this minor detour wouldn't be enough to distract that incoming line of questions.
The hatrack wasn't that incompetent, sinking his teeth and digging his heels on the ground as he did for matters he decided needed urgent attention.]
no subject
[Yeah, he's not answering that rhetorical question, he's turning it right around on Dazai instead. Out of the two of them, Chuuya is the one who depends on having teammates.
Dazai just abandons his.]
no subject
Convenient that Dazai had long settled for the fact that Chuuya would never know the full details behind his departure.
He made a vague hand gesture.] Our respective affiliations are meaningless here. Neither will it matter whenever we return to Yokohama should you forget your time in this place.
Rather advantageous for you, no?
no subject
Loyalties are not something you throw aside when it’s convenient. It doesn’t matter where I am, Dazai. Though I know it’s a meaningless concept for you.
[He’s at least pretty successfully distracted for now?? He lifts his coffee to take a sip, to warm himself - then makes a face when he realizes it’s nearly frozen.]
[1/2]
Dazai huffed and took a large bite from his pastry. Would've tasted better if he had an appetite, and now all he could think about was its texture.]
I see your Ability's corroded your brain. [No, he hadn't swallowed before that first line. Now he did.] No wonder Ranpo was able to goad you in that kind of emergency, even though you had such responsibility riding on your shoulders.
[2/2]
no subject
Chuuya doesn't care. He has already spun around on the floor, hand closing around Dazai's throat and shoving him back against the cupboards. His fingers are also ice cold, stiff. He ignores it. His violent shivering won't take away from the fact that he's had enough.]
Tell me, how is it that your toy agency is even willing to put up with you.
[He tightens his grip, fingers close to Dazai's pulse point.]
You're a damn coward.
no subject
(Would this even solve anything in the end, when all was said and done and memories crumbled to dust that could not cross the fabric between worlds?)
And so, having already predicted he'd be attacked, Dazai let him, his body relaxed with only a loose grip on the other's wrist.
Chuuya always did like going for the throat when it came to him, a painless gesture threatening silence and asphyxiation that also served to keep them at eye level. The cold was a new sensation though, seeping the warmth away from his neck.]
Is calling me a coward your response to everything?
no subject
He presses forward, using his weight instead to put more strength into his grip.]
Yeah. It's always the same problem with you. Even after four years.
[Speaking of eye-level, he's leaning pretty close as well.]
Is insulting me your solution to every problem?
no subject
Hypothermia?
Dazai's eyes narrowed, and he traced the line of Chuuya's wrist with his thumb.]
It's warranted right now with how you're mishearing things. [His tone was cool and distant.] Do go on, and I might have to break out later with a makeshift ice pick.
no subject
So be clearer.
[He's not always in the mood to waste energy analyzing Dazai's words.]
no subject
You aren't obliged to report what you don't remember. Neither is there proof that any of our actions affect what's going on in Yokohama.
Your loyalty is not in question, Chuuya.
no subject
Yeah. Our deal is just sensible.
[Still, though.]
no subject
Practical. [He cocked his head, observing the color of Chuuya's lips and face.] Nothing to freeze over about.
no subject
Yeah, sure. Assuming you don't break our deal and kill yourself.
no subject
A deal's a deal.
[For all his laziness in other things, Dazai rarely initiated breaking an agreement.]
no subject
[He knows Dazai means it. He knows Dazai doesn't like to break deals. Aside from that time he abandoned his post and disappeared for four years.
There's a moment of hesitation, because he's not sure he should bring it up.]
You're still thinking about that?
no subject
Dazai's grip on Chuuya's wrist loosened, and he let his hand fall on his lap.]
Not as much as before. [The tips of his fingers itched.] What happened earlier... [His gaze fell to the zipper of Chuuya's hoodie, close to his throat. ] It's like remembering. That's all there is.
[A weak finish. Hollowness. Not as self-assured as he usually was.
This sucked.]
no subject
He's not at all used to seeing Dazai like that. He feels bad for asking, for pushing, when it's such an uncomfortable topic. But if Dazai's still thinking about it, he wants to be prepared so he can stop him, that's all.
Since Dazai isn't holding his wrist anymore, he rubs at the back of his neck instead.]
Yeah, you've changed. I'd say it's for the better, but you're still a traitor.
[That's... Sort of a compliment? Sort of an apology. A sort of gratitude.]
no subject
How rare, for Chuuya to admit at all he thought Dazai's changed.
With a shrug, Dazai reached up to the countertop above his head, inching his hand slowly on the surface. He'd find the second cup of coffee shortly.]
Imagining I'd do worse?
no subject
He hands it over.]
Didn't think you were capable of change at all. But I guess a lot can happen in four years.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)