when you're helpless, waiting to collide

[indensity]

[Chuuya has lost all track of time while he's been there. The drugs they've injected him with has him slipping in and out of consciousness, and it's making it difficult to think, made worse by the fact that every inch of his body seems to hurt. He only vaguely remembers the fight. He's pretty sure his coffee had been drugged when he bought it, that or his croissant, and then when he'd felt so dizzy only his ability could keep him standing, he'd been attacked out of nowhere by two ability users. One of them had some sort of lightning based ability, he's not sure about the other.

He's pretty sure he has a concussion.

He's been trying to gauge his injuries, figure out if he'll be able to move, trying to figure out a way to break himself free. He's chained up, but he should be able to break those if the drugs wear off. The door to this room looks solid, but he can break it. If not for the drugs.

At some point, someone comes into the room and injects him with another dose, and he loses all consciousness again. When he wakes up, he starts the thought process over. Where is he, can he fight, how will he get out. He's not the type to ever just wait to be rescued.]

Comments

[diesuki]

[It's not like Dazai keeps tabs on Chuuya, most of the time. They may have the occasional not!date for fucking, and Dazai likes to steal or ruin Chuuya's things just because he can, but on the (w)hole, Dazai still despises Chuuya more than life itself. The less he sees or even hears of him, the better!

But something is wrong. When his sources start whispering about a mafia executive being kidnapped, Dazai just laughs (not in their faces, of course); when details about which exec it is follow, the idea only becomes more absurd. But, shockingly, a quick investigation suggests a core of truth at the very least, and when he calls Chuuya's cell phone only to go ignored, all doubt soon vanishes, and Dazai immediately gets to solving the issue.

He also cuts out the sources in question because they're clearly bought by Mori, instructed to leak information to get Dazai to do his dirty work, but that is a matter of course. Dazai is starting to regret not staying in the mafia simply to murder Mori, just a bit.

Dazai appreciates that Chuuya is drugged, really: maybe he won't remember much of what ends up happening. If he doesn't remember Dazai's involvement at all, so much the better! The rescue, when it finally happens, is fast enough. Silenced shots, few and far between, aimed well; volleys of loud gun fire immediately after, an escalating cacophony that ends in sudden silence. Then, Dazai's hooded figure carrying Chuuya out through hallways painted with blood and bodies. If Chuuya manages to make a fuss in spite of everything, Dazai is not above drugging Chuuya with the handy dandy drugs on site, either. He's already putting in all this effort! He doesn't want to be kicked to death for his trouble.

Chuuya's apartment may not seem the most logical choice, but it's familiar, and very safe, and Dazai won't have to endure any bitching about how things are not up to Chuuya's standards. Also: he can drink Chuuya's booze. Disappearing into the night after dropping Chuuya off is, sadly, not an option, due to Chuuya's injuries. Dazai is just going to deal with the worst of those - as far as he can see - and dump Chuuya into his own bed, sitting beside it with booze and a probably-terrible book Chuuya had lying around, while he waits for Chuuya to wake up.]

[indensity]

[Chuuya briefly returns back to consciousness at the sounds of gunfire. It's a sound he's trained to respond to after years in the mafia, in the Sheep, and the part of his brain that's able to think coherent thoughts is immediately yelling at him to get ready to fight. But he can't fight. He can't move. He tries, and gets as far as to lift his head before a pain of wave and nausea forces him to close his eyes instead.

The next time he opens his eyes, it's to find that Dazai is carrying him. There's the overwhelming smell of blood and gunfire, but his ex-partner is the one person he's ever learned to really rely on - Dazai always has his back when it matters - which means he can safely let himself pass back out.

He doesn't wake up again until after they're back in his apartment. He stirs more slowly this time, body shifting under the blankets before he rolls onto his side, ending up with his face pressed into Dazai's thigh. He stays there for a few minutes. Even through his closed eyelids the light is painful, like a hangover after a long day of drinking on no food. He moves his arm up just to shield himself from it, turns his face more downards, so when he finally speaks it's incredibly muffled.]

What --

[What happened? He's struggling to remember. But speaking is definitely making the nausea hit him hard, so he gives up after just that one word.]

[diesuki]

[Ah, there we go, Dazai thinks as Chuuya starts to stir. The investigation, the rescue; those were all fine, accomplished with little enough effort. If he's gotten injured during it all, it's not especially serious, and no one will ever know for the bandages covering him as a habit.

This is the part he's not looking forward to: the aftermath, where people may want to talk about things. Happenings; feelings. Why can't things simply be over when they're over? But humans aren't very good at letting go, and Chuuya is the worst at it of all of them.]

That's my line.

[Dazai's voice doesn't lose its borderline playful undertone, refusing to allow any seriousness in, but serious he is, admonishing. It's really dumb of Chuuya to let himself be kidnapped that way, not to mention rude to make Dazai fix it. (Not that Chuuya forced Dazai, technically - however, he might as well have, since he didn't rescue himself! Clearly it counts.)

But the less said about that, the better, so:] What is this trash that you're reading?

[Something pretentious and French, matching Chuuya's taste in wine but not his literally-anything-else.

That's definitely a better thing to focus on than anything more serious.]

[indensity]

[He winces as Dazai speaks. He's too loud. Chuuya regrets asking his question, or waking up, because silence and unconsciousness was much better. But as usual when Dazai asks a serious question (he doesn't sound serious, but he is, Chuuya can always tell), Chuuya takes a moment to consider it, to give a serious answer. Or he would, if his mind could focus. What did happen?

Was he drugged or attacked?]

Bought a coffee.

[That's what he remembers. He's pretty sure that coffee was drugged, but that's too many words for him right now. If Dazai wants more details than that, he'll have to wait until his head doesn't feel like it's trying to explode. Dazai might have been serious, but he didn't sound urgent, so he'll move on to the next question.

He peeks out. Squints with one eye at the book. And then immediately buries himself back down against Dazai's thigh to hide from the evil bedside lamp.]

's good book.

[He hasn't actually had the time to read it yet. But if Dazai calls it trash, he'll call it good, on principle.]

When did you learn French?

[indensity]

[It's difficult to investigate another gang when he can't rely on mafia resources, not to mention has to keep it a secret from his boss. And he hates keeping it secet from his boss. It feels like a betrayal, and there's no way he'd do it if he didn't owe it to Dazai, if there wasn't clearly something important Dazai wants him to know. So he recruits Akutagawa, who he knows will keep his secret - especially after he invokes his obsession with his former mentor - and, other than that, works on his own. It's frustratingly slow. Thankfully, Chuuya knows Yokohama's underworld well.

It's two days before he texts Dazai that he's ready to talk. He's already replenished his whiskey since Dazai stole most of it last time, so he orders some food, and then paces his apartment until Dazai shows up.]

You wanted to see what I'd find?

[He won't be surprised if Dazai already has this same information, but on the other hand, maybe he decided to leave it to Chuuya this time. He seemed to have a point to make, and the least Chuuya can do is listen.]

[diesuki]

[Life goes on, the way it tends to, but Dazai's particularly shitty mood takes a long time to fade. He may not have Chuuya's convictions of loyalty, but that only makes him hate Mori more, not less, due to all of this. Mori will find something awkward and gross in his bed, before Dazai allows himself to be used as cheap (free!) labor again.

That Mori may have had his reasons really doesn't matter. That they may even have been good reasons matters even less. Dazai is buttmad.

But he's simmered down somewhat by now, and of course he's in control of himself regardless, showing up at Chuuya's apartment not too long after the message, even though he left it read rather than replying.]

I'm pretty sure it was you who wanted me to know what you'd find, Chuuya.

[That may or may not be true, but regardless: Dazai does indeed have a pretty good idea of some aspects of Chuuya's kidnapping and the underlying reasons for it. He didn't, to be fair, investigate it all that much more, once Chuuya was rescued, and life carried on. But he doesn't think he has to, either.

In part, that is a sign of respect. In part, it's actually arrogance - a total contradiction.]

[indensity]

[Chuuya leads the way over to his dining table. The takeout boxes are already there, as well with a bottle of whiskey, because even if Dazai never replied to his text Chuuya knew he'd come. He'd already agreed last time they spoke, after all.]

Whatever.

[He doesn't feel like arguing over who wanted what from who. What he does feel like doing is pour them both something to drink. He's tired.]

I'll fill you in while I eat.

[He says I as though there's not clearly enough food for both of them. As if he didn't specifically get something he knew Dazai likes. Out of habit, he's compiled what he's found into a folder, which he'll be delivering to Mori at some point, but for now he passes it to Dazai. He doubts Dazai will read it when he can question Chuuya instead.]

You wanted me to figure out why the boss didn't save me himself, right?

[diesuki]

[Something about Chuuya offering Dazai a drink is proof that this evening will be terrible in some way or other - but then, Dazai had known that from the start. He grabs his favorite from among the ordered dishes and prepares to start eating. If Chuuya is happy to pretend the food wasn't for Dazai, then Dazai is certainly happy to do the same. The less said about it, the better, really.

But Dazai has barely even started when Chuuya produces that folder, and Dazai just looks at it. Oh, hell no, he is not reading that. He'd be mocking Chuuya for compiling it in the first place, except that there is only one possible reason why Chuuya would have done that, and Dazai hates it.

Not that he even cares about Mori's motivation in all this. The fact that Chuuya is still so damn loyal to the man is just sickening. Dazai loses his appetite immediately.]

No, you wanted that. I couldn't care less.

[Mostly true. But not entirely true.]

[indensity]

[The thing is, he's not sure he wants to talk to Dazai. He's been thinking about him, which is annoying enough, unable to stop thinking about him really, all because of that damn idiot Hunting Dog. And it's not like he's planning to tell Dazai about it, but there are a few other things that might be worth bringing up. A few things that have been gnawing at him for a lot longer than this, that he's struggling to see the point in keeping to himself anymore. But that means... having to face Dazai. That means, unfortunately, having to get him to agree to talk to Chuuya.

Finding him is easy enough. There are a few bars he usually checks when he's looking for Dazai, and he finds him at the third one, recognizing his silhouette immediately as he steps through the door. He pauses, braces himself... And then walks up to sit on the stool next to him.

He orders himself a shot of something strong, which he downs immediately, and a glass of red wine for something to hold in his hand.]

Before you say anything: Shut up.

[A good start. Actually, he's changed his mind, he doesn't want to do this at all.]

[diesuki]

[Dazai is, indeed, just relaxing in a bar alone for whatever reason, focusing on drinking rather than anything else, for once. Maybe he's still annoyed about the stunt Mori pulled. Maybe he's still frustrated with Chuuya's willing ignorance. Maybe Dazai just hates life. Maybe it's all of the above! These things just never go away!! A little booze every once in a while won't change that, but it certainly doesn't make things any worse, either.

Possibly dark reasons for drinking aside, Dazai is pretty comfortable after a few whiskies, and it's not like he's thinking about nothing but those annoying things the whole time. In fact, he thinks he can forget about them completely for a short while, after another drink or two! Except that that is when the door of the bar opens, and, even without looking behind him to confirm that it is who he thinks it is, Dazai sighs.

Does he know what this is about? No, actually; for once, he doesn't have any idea. But, more to the point: he doesn't want to know. The one thing he can be sure about, here, is that he won't like what Chuuya has to say, and that is enough to put him in A Mood.

But he remains where he is, sitting at the bar, though he knocks back his drink just in case his mood changes and he wants to leave.]

That's a bold thing to say after coming here to seek me out, Chuuya.

[Was your goal just to ruin Dazai's night of drinking? :( It was, wasn't it? :((( (Dazai, not everybody is like you.)]

[indensity]

[Dazai doesn't immediately order another drink, and that's a bad sign. That means he's ready to leave. Chuuya rubs at the back of his neck, wondering if he should just get this over with.]

Yeah, well, I didn't want to.

[That's sort of a lie. He came here for himself. He signals the bartender, orders another glass of whiskey for Dazai, because it just feels wrong if he's not drinking. And maybe to make sure he doesn't run.

And then he's going to get this over with, because he's not a coward.]

You know what I'm sick of? [He's looking at his wine glass, swirling it around a little before taking a sip.] Not getting to decide who I consider an enemy.

[diesuki]

[... Well, that is not good... If Chuuya is willingly buying Dazai a drink, it can only spell disaster. What has Dazai missed? Has the mafia just assassinated someone in the ADA because of reasons, maybe? Or worse?! Either way, this is bound to be terrible. Dazai doesn't leave just yet, but neither does he touch his fresh drink. He'd rather know what he's being bribed for, first.]

Now you're sick of that?

[Hasn't it always been that way for Chuuya? People in his group are "good"; people outside of it are "bad". As if life is ever that simple.]

movie night!!!

[indensity]

[Chuuya has picked up probably too much food on his konbini run. He hadn't really known what he wanted, just that he wanted snacks for the movie, so he grabbed a bit of everything, and then a bit more of the ones he really wanted. He's picked up a bit of actual food, too, just in case they get hungry, and a few drinks... Leaving him in charge of shopping is predictably like this: He spends too much, and then gets a bit embarrassed about it on his way back, because now it seems like he's putting in a bit too much effort.

But he bought it for himself, clearly, and if Dazai benefits, that's just incidental. Even if he did make sure to get Dazai's favorites.]

Did you pick a movie?

[Leaving Dazai alone in his apartment is always risky. Letting Dazai be in charge of the entertainment can be risky, too, but Chuuya gave up on dragging the bastard with him after about three seconds of arguing. He takes off his hat, kicks off his shoes, and then steps inside, glancing around to see if there's any chaos, before walking over to hand the bags over for Dazai to dig through.]

\o/

[diesuki]

[Dazai, meanwhile, has been rolling around on Chuuya's couch, content in the knowledge that Chuuya is doing all of the work, here. He got a head start on drinking, too - just a small one, but it's yet more points scored in the name of being rude once again. In his defense(-ish), he did also grab a glass for Chuuya. That said, he's not letting Chuuya drink yet, if he can help it. They'll never finish a movie, otherwise! (... and, in this case, Dazai suspects that Chuuya would just fall asleep, and Dazai is not in the mood for that.)

Apart from a bottle and two glasses, there's really no chaos worth mentioning. Dazai can behave sometimes! If he wants!!]

Mhm!

[Of course he's picked a movie! Admire his massive intellect and impeccable taste as he grabs the remote and reveals -...

... Well...

He does have a more serious suggestion ready, but he wants to see Chuuya's reaction, first.]

[indensity]

[Chuuya really shouldn't have bought any of Dazai's favorites. He really is taking advantage of getting to be lazy, though at least it doesn't look like he's decided to destroy Chuuya's apartment while he was out, assuming he didn't leave any pranks around to be found later.

Chuuya drops down next to him on the couch, leaving a few inches of space between them that they both know will disappear soon enough.]

You better not have picked anything boring.

[Well.

Well, it's not boring. Chuuya stares at the screen for a few seconds.]

Or that! You better not have picked that!

[What even is that? Who would want to see that? His expression is definitely horrified as he tries to snatch the remote away from Dazai again.]

[diesuki]

You of all people should know that you can't judge a book by its cover, Chuuya.

[Being that you're a tiny, and all. While Dazai exudes laziness with small traces of definitely-not-genuine offendedness, his mind and movements are still sharp enough to keep the remote out of Chuuya's reach for at least a little while. He's not going to bother keeping at that game, though, so if Chuuya insists, he can have it.]

You're the one who wanted me to a pick a movie. You really don't get to complain about whatever I choose.

[That said, he never expected Chuuya to agree to watching that particular movie. It was just too funny a title not to suggest it, especially with Chuuya being so, well, into sex. How could Dazai not try to actively ruin the mood for such things?

He does have some more serious suggestions too, though.]

dazai the snitch

[indensity]

[Chuuya doesn't often show up at Dazai's apartment. He knows Dazai prefers his privacy, and besides, Chuuya's apartment is the better choice if they're going to fuck anyway. It's bigger, it's cleaner, there's an actual bed (if they feel like using it), and it doesn't have that smell of canned crab. There's no reason for him to be there, unless it's to annoy his ex-partner.

And right now he really wants to annoy his asshole of an ex-partner. He's pissed off. No, he's confused, and tired after having spent an hour reassuring Kouyou, listening to her reminding him of his responsibilities, the risks, the fact that he's definitely going to get himself hurt or worse. As if Chuuya doesn't already know that. As if he didn't already decide it was worth it. But she wasn't supposed to know. It's been months without her finding out.

He doesn't bother with the door. If he knocks there, Dazai will know it's him, and there's always a chance he'll escape through the back. So Chuuya heads around the building instead, jumps up to a window, and peers inside, spotting that bandaged bastard and confirming he's home. He taps on the glass to get his attention.]

Let me in, bastard. Or I'll let myself in.

[He doesn't really want to crash through the wall, but threats of violence are usually pretty effective, in his experience.]

u mean dazzy the snazzy

[diesuki]

[Imagine just chilling at home, comfortably doing nothing of any importance except rating Kunikida's texts of ever-increasing desperation on creativity - they only go downhill as time passes, to be honest - when there's a knock at the window, and you know exactly what time it is.

Ah. Well, then...

With a visible sigh throughout his entire body, Dazai gets up and makes his way to the window - slowly. He may not be able to ignore Chuuya without serious consequences to his apartment, but that doesn't mean he'll let himself be rushed. Opening the window, he forces entertainment into his voice, but doesn't bother with it anywhere else.]

Sorry, I already subscribe to your rival~!

[Since Chuuya is clearly a newspaper salesman, and all.]

i do mean that ur right

[indensity]

[Chuuya is definitely annoyed by Dazai's slow pace. As if his mood wasn't already bad because of everything, now he's almost visibly twitching, wanting to just smash the glass impatiently. But he'll resist. For now. And he doesn't trust Dazai not to touch him just to make him fall, so once that window is open he's immediately grabbing onto that windowsill, pulling himself through.]

I'll just buy up your rival, too.

[Wait, whose rival is it now? It doesn't matter. Chuuya will push Dazai out of the way if he doesn't move, and then land lightly on the floor inside.]

This place smells worse than I remembered.

[diesuki]

[Dazai will pretend to have no intention of moving, but move along with Chuuya's push to such a degree that it almost counts as dodging. Yup... his day sure is going downhill.]

Then you could have stayed away? [Not a question, but practically stated as one - whereas his next sentence is the opposite.] What are you here for.

[He can guess, of course. But that doesn't mean he will.]

[indensity]

[dazai will get the text sometime mid-morning, no context given. but then, he shouldn't need it.]

keep an eye on him

[diesuki]

[... Well, that is not good.]

What did you do?

[Because if it wasn't something sorta-kinda-maybe caused by Chuuya, Chuuya would have probably led with an explanation of sorts.

So, really, this is double trouble.]

1/2

[indensity]

[Yeah, he really doesn't want to actually explain here, but --]

i said too much. but he should have already figured that out

2/2

[indensity]

he's angry at you

[diesuki]

[Sometimes Dazai almost thinks he can tolerate Chuuya. And then stuff like this happens.]

That is going to be trouble.

If he shoots me again, I expect you to shoot yourself in reparation.

[Does he have time for jokes like this? Probably not, but chasing after Fyodor in a hurry isn't going to make anything better either.]