[Dazai bows, and Chuuya does a perfect curtsy in response, because they're both dramatic people who like to put on a show. Though clearly he's Prince Charming, and Dazai is the princess, as established the many times he's saved Dazai's ass. The princess doesn't have to be the one in the dress.]
Of course.
[And then he takes Dazai's hand, and allows him to lead him into the dance. The basic steps are simple enough, just starts with the opposite foot, and the first few movements don't really make things more complicated. It's all about stepping away, turning, allowing Dazai to pull him back in, never fully breaking apart, and he's not going to comment on how that almost perfectly describes their dynamic anyway. It's easy enough to predict what Dazai wants him to do, and Chuuya has dexterity and balance on his side.
(He remembers, from years ago, the dance teacher saying that the woman should never try to predict what the man will guide her to do next, because she'll inevitably get it wrong, and the dance will go more smoothly if she simply allows herself to be led. But that clearly doesn't apply to him.)]
[It's true, Dazai is objectively the Disney princess of the two of them. He's still waiting for a proper sleep before being woken by a kiss, though. (Or perhaps he should become a mermaid next time..? Nah, nevermind - he likes the sound of his own voice.)
Chuuya is following along nicely enough, even if he's not always technically following, and soon enough Dazai ups his game a little. Rather than making a simple turn at a corner of the dance floor, he steps in close, his body practically up against Chuuya, so they can speed up their steps to twice the speed from before, accomplishing a quick and dramatic turn around their axis before continuing at the regular pace.]
[It really is a good thing he was forced to take those lessons in the past, even if he never enjoyed it much back then. But why would he enjoy dancing with random women, considering who he is, and what he likes, and considering that Dazai was always going to make it a lot more fun. He's smiling as Dazai steps in to dance closer.
And Dazai is definitely trying to challenge him with these steps. He did keep his promise of letting Chuuya get used to it, but it's barely been a couple of minutes, and one song change. And his next prediction for where Dazai will lead turns out wrong. He stumbles as he falls out of step, just barely, a split second before his dexterity saves him, not something anyone but the two of them would notice, but then Dazai is the only person in this room whose attention actually matters.]
So you knew.
[That he's predicting instead of following. He leans in closer to Dazai's ear to say it, so he can hear it over the music. Okay, he's a little embarrassed by his own fumble, he'll have to do better.]
[Chuuya may or may not hear it, but he'll certainly feel it. Of course Dazai knew. He doesn't normally object to that habit of Chuuya's to predict Dazai's actions, either; after all, it's worked out well enough for them in the past. Not now, it seems... Still, Dazai's goal was never to make Chuuya stumble, or to embarrass him in any way. All Dazai wanted was to force Chuuya to rely on him a little more, to prove (in slightly newer ways than the usual) that Chuuya can trust Dazai. It's like a trust fall - just with more music, and less actual falling!
... Dazai could have made Chuuya fall. But where's the fun in that? Especially now. Even if Dazai likes embarrassing Chuuya from time to time, it's been literal ages since Dazai's cared about having an audience for it. Their world has always been a lot smaller than that. Cozy, even!
He'll keep going like this for a while, his movements unpredictable but always perfectly in time with the music - and always with him close and steady enough to make sure that Chuuya doesn't fall.]
[This is definitely new. New and familiar, all at once. He's not surprised that Dazai doesn't want to humiliate him in front of everyone here. It would change the entire mood of the evening, of their "vacation," and while sometimes it's easier to fall back on those habits and patterns, the whole point is that they don't have to. They already called each other out on that, and if Dazai slipped up now, he'd lose the right to call out Chuuya in the future.
Besides, it really is nice. Fun, really. And it's only for the two of them. It's difficult to get out of his head enough to follow, but Chuuya does his best, paying attention to the signals Dazai is giving him instead, the way he's confidently guiding him towards the next move.
And when he manages to let go, it becomes obvious why you're supposed to trust your dance partner. Dazai is steady, clear in his direction, guiding him into a twirl - and that allows Chuuya to focus on giving it that little extra flare. He gets to show off because Dazai is showing him off, extending his leg at the end of a turn, drawing attention, but his own attention entirely on Dazai.]
[It's rather nice, showing Chuuya off. Even at the worst of times, Dazai would have a hard time denying that Chuuya looks good, and Chuuya looks especially good now. If Dazai has extra reasons to feel pleased about showing Chuuya off, like how Chuuya is, more than before, his to show off now... well, that's something he'll think about later, maybe.
Really, don't things only get worse, the more you analyze them? It's much easier to enjoy yourself when you're not overthinking, too.
Dazai continues showing off Chuuya, mostly by giving Chuuya plenty of chances to show off himself, until the music eventually hits a break, and Dazai decides it's time to maybe hit up the bar. But not until he finishes with an extra dose of dramatic flair, letting Chuuya bend over backwards so far that his hair almost touches the ground.]
[Chuuya is definitely flexible enough. And he looks thrilled with the final move, too, never one to turn down a chance to impress, especially when Dazai seems so pleased with him. This is Dazai's way of being possessive (one of the ways he has of being possessive), and Chuuya loves it. He could have kept dancing for a lot longer.
But a break is nice, too. He takes Dazai's arm again, staying close, a clear signal that he's not interested in dancing with anyone else, if they were considering asking.]
I'm starting to think you were given more dance lessons than me.
[Even if anyone had come over to ask Chuuya for a dance, Dazai would have brushed them off, so clearly it's fine. (Well, maybe the world can do without Dazai being provoked for this one day. It's been so nice and peaceful, after all.)]
Is it so hard to believe that I have a natural talent for these things~?
[... Better not answer that, really. Or do, but Dazai isn't all that serious to start with.
He'll start walking Chuuya to the bar. Talented or not, Dazai can use a little break, even if Chuuya doesn't need one!]
You dance pretty well yourself, once you start listening to instructions for a change. You should consider doing that in other fields as well!
[The compliments are just flying around today, clearly.]
[Chuuya prefers it this way, too. Maybe it would be fun, seeing Dazai get possessive if someone came over, but then Dazai's attention would be on them, not him. And no matter how much he loves that possessive side, he's not willing to share, either.]
Maybe I'll consider doing it when we fuck.
[He leans in close to say that, too, not to avoid being overheard, but just because. His lips almost brush against Dazai's ear before he pulls back again.]
If you buy me a drink.
[There was no way for him to bring a wallet with this dress.]
[No, he doesn't think that Chuuya will ever listen to him properly - or, if he would, Dazai could enjoy it for a while, but Chuuya might not. Then again, it might make for an interesting change of pace for the both of them! For some reason, it feels like they have a lot more options now than they did just a few days ago, and while that probably makes no logical sense... it's not a bad feeling.
Dazai is, for all intents and purposes, not nearly as wealthy as Chuuya (if you ignore all the secret bank accounts he no doubt has, anyway!), but he has made sure to bring some cash. And also Chuuya's credit card, because it seems like a shame not to turn that into a running gag at this point.]
[He definitely won't always listen outside of fucking, or situations like this... And even then, it's far from given. But on the other hand, maybe being a little obedient isn't the worst thing, if it means Dazai will give him attention like this. True, if he always made it easy, then Dazai wouldn't get the chance to win, and few things seem to turn him on as much, but isn't Dazai winning this way, too? They both are.
Chuuya definitely feels like he is.]
You can decide.
[Normally that's a risky move with Dazai, but tonight it's about proving that Chuuya trusts him. And Dazai does know his tastes pretty well.]
[He'll get them seated at the bar, making sure to pull back Chuuya's stool for him and generally being a perfect gentleman, before ordering. He gets a whiskey for himself - a bit boring, but he can let loose with Chuuya's order, so that's fine.
For Chuuya, he orders a cocktail, since the sugar should help the alcohol go down a bit more smoothly, and higher alcohol content isn't really advisable, probably. Better to be able to have a few drinks if they feel like it, than just one and needing to run out because Chuuya is getting rebellious!
Dazai also makes sure to order a cocktail that is pretty, and matches Chuuya's dress. Because why not.]
[It's definitely not what Chuuya would have ordered for himself. But it's also something he knows he'll like, and he appreciates Dazai's eye for the aesthetic of it all. It's kind of funny, really, knowing how much that side of Dazai would surprise most people, since it's not one that comes out too often. Chuuya accepts the drink with a smile, taking a small sip.]
Not bad. Thank you.
[Thanking Dazai is always weird, but it's what he should be doing if he's being treated by a gentleman, isn't it?]
So you're not trying to get me drunk so you can get me in bed?
[Dazai isn't used to being thanked, either (wonder why that is?!), but somehow it feels natural enough that he only smiles in return before briefly turning his attention to the ice in his whiskey. Something about the sight of it has always been both beautiful and a little sad, somehow.
He's just going to chalk that up on his failed attempts, many years ago, to choke himself by swallowing the oversized ice.]
Do I need to get you drunk for that?
[Shhh, it's a rhetorical question. Not that Dazai is ruling out either or both of them getting drunk eventually, really, but it's not his end goal or anything.]
Sometimes less is more. If nothing else, you can enjoy yourself longer that way.
[If he's not just talking about the alcohol but also about at least three other things simultaneously, well... he's still mostly talking about the alcohol.]
[Dazai never did, and he especially doesn't now. Chuuya is looking forward to it. This could almost count as a new form of foreplay for them.
Which means that even Dazai's whiskey shouldn't be stealing his attention away. Chuuya reaches for the glass, but only so he can slide it an inch over, where the light from the bar will reflect off it just right. He pushes on the ice with the tip of a finger, making it spin, before pulling his hand back to lick that finger clean.]
[For a split second as Chuuya takes his glass, Dazai worries that Chuuya will knock it back in order to make some kind of imaginary point. He still doesn't try to stop Chuuya - if nothing else, he knows that that will never work! - but there's the briefest moment of a looooong mental sigh at the idea that he may end up chibi-sitting for the evening. It's fine, really. If that's what Chuuya needs for his little vacation/escape, then Dazai will do it. But it doesn't mean he has to like it!!
Fortunately, however, it seems things won't come to that. Dazai feels kind of silly about the whole thing - but that seems to be his default state, ever since Chuuya "kidnapped" him. Somehow, it's not that bad.]
So full of ill-deserved confidence! [He laughs lightly, genuinely... but he's still going to take his glass back on the sly. Mostly because he simply wants his drink, though.] Let's save the contests for another day?
[No thieving this time. He really doesn't want to get drunk, because he wants to be able to enjoy this, and drunken dancing is a very different type of fun. It's an empty kind of fun, and this is...
Well, it's still new, and it's better not to think too deeply about it. He's just going to let it happen.]
Yeah, I'll let you off this time. [Dazai's laugh catches him off guard, mostly because he likes it.] I'd prefer just letting you keep showing me what you can do.
[It's rare for him to be this honest, especially when he's not drunk.]
[A one-sided contest might not be so bad, really. Dazai considers turning it into that, just out of habit, and because getting blind drunk might be dangerous, but probably not as dangerous as this whole emotional development they're going through.
But no, he'll behave. He does honestly like this too, as oddly fragile as it feels. Or perhaps he just insists on seeing it as fragile, because then he won't be disappointed if things change back.
[Chuuya refuses to think about how fragile this all feels. They might be deluding themselves, and this might all fall apart the second they return to Yokohama, or backfire in a way that's worse even, but... He can worry about that then. For now, they both want this, and he wants to keep flirting.]
That, too. That first.
[Well, they're drinking first. And Chuuya isn't rushing his drink. He knows how much of a lightweight he is, and the last thing he wants is to ruin this evening because he got impatient, the way he normally does.
But there are a few people around them wondering if the pause in dancing means they might have a chance. He notices someone looking at Dazai - probably wanting to dance with him, and who can blame them - so he subtly leans a little closer, and then crosses one leg over the other, so one leg falls free from the slit in his dress, his foot bumping lightly against Dazai.]
[Because he definitely doesn't know exactly what you're talking about!
And there goes Chuuya's dress... Far be it from Dazai to behave equally sluttily, of course, but it would be a shame not to take advantage, wouldn't it? So he'll reach over under the pretense of fixing Chuuya's dress to fall over his leg a little more modestly... and use that movement to brush the back of his fingers over Chuuya's thighs, ever so slowly. Look at him being a gentleman, and everything!
There might be some satisfaction in making people back off in more violent ways than just being gross and somewhat clingy, but violence is a standard for them, and Dazai is kind of enjoying how not-standard this is. Not that he's going to stop Chuuya from beating up anyone who approaches either Dazai or Chuuya himself. Watching Chuuya fighting in a dress might be worth cutting their dance time short.
[It definitely is a nice change from a violent standard. Chuuya likes that he's free to make these clear signals to everyone else, that they're here together, that neither of them will be dancing with other people. He doesn't need to be violent if he trusts Dazai. And Dazai is sending clear signals to Chuuya.
And those fingers against his thigh are making him shiver every so slightly.]
To a lovely evening.
[He raises his glass in a toast. No one is approaching them, and no one seems to be thinking about it any more.]
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Of course.
[And then he takes Dazai's hand, and allows him to lead him into the dance. The basic steps are simple enough, just starts with the opposite foot, and the first few movements don't really make things more complicated. It's all about stepping away, turning, allowing Dazai to pull him back in, never fully breaking apart, and he's not going to comment on how that almost perfectly describes their dynamic anyway. It's easy enough to predict what Dazai wants him to do, and Chuuya has dexterity and balance on his side.
(He remembers, from years ago, the dance teacher saying that the woman should never try to predict what the man will guide her to do next, because she'll inevitably get it wrong, and the dance will go more smoothly if she simply allows herself to be led. But that clearly doesn't apply to him.)]
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Chuuya is following along nicely enough, even if he's not always technically following, and soon enough Dazai ups his game a little. Rather than making a simple turn at a corner of the dance floor, he steps in close, his body practically up against Chuuya, so they can speed up their steps to twice the speed from before, accomplishing a quick and dramatic turn around their axis before continuing at the regular pace.]
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And Dazai is definitely trying to challenge him with these steps. He did keep his promise of letting Chuuya get used to it, but it's barely been a couple of minutes, and one song change. And his next prediction for where Dazai will lead turns out wrong. He stumbles as he falls out of step, just barely, a split second before his dexterity saves him, not something anyone but the two of them would notice, but then Dazai is the only person in this room whose attention actually matters.]
So you knew.
[That he's predicting instead of following. He leans in closer to Dazai's ear to say it, so he can hear it over the music. Okay, he's a little embarrassed by his own fumble, he'll have to do better.]
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[Chuuya may or may not hear it, but he'll certainly feel it. Of course Dazai knew. He doesn't normally object to that habit of Chuuya's to predict Dazai's actions, either; after all, it's worked out well enough for them in the past. Not now, it seems... Still, Dazai's goal was never to make Chuuya stumble, or to embarrass him in any way. All Dazai wanted was to force Chuuya to rely on him a little more, to prove (in slightly newer ways than the usual) that Chuuya can trust Dazai. It's like a trust fall - just with more music, and less actual falling!
... Dazai could have made Chuuya fall. But where's the fun in that? Especially now. Even if Dazai likes embarrassing Chuuya from time to time, it's been literal ages since Dazai's cared about having an audience for it. Their world has always been a lot smaller than that. Cozy, even!
He'll keep going like this for a while, his movements unpredictable but always perfectly in time with the music - and always with him close and steady enough to make sure that Chuuya doesn't fall.]
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Besides, it really is nice. Fun, really. And it's only for the two of them. It's difficult to get out of his head enough to follow, but Chuuya does his best, paying attention to the signals Dazai is giving him instead, the way he's confidently guiding him towards the next move.
And when he manages to let go, it becomes obvious why you're supposed to trust your dance partner. Dazai is steady, clear in his direction, guiding him into a twirl - and that allows Chuuya to focus on giving it that little extra flare. He gets to show off because Dazai is showing him off, extending his leg at the end of a turn, drawing attention, but his own attention entirely on Dazai.]
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Really, don't things only get worse, the more you analyze them? It's much easier to enjoy yourself when you're not overthinking, too.
Dazai continues showing off Chuuya, mostly by giving Chuuya plenty of chances to show off himself, until the music eventually hits a break, and Dazai decides it's time to maybe hit up the bar. But not until he finishes with an extra dose of dramatic flair, letting Chuuya bend over backwards so far that his hair almost touches the ground.]
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But a break is nice, too. He takes Dazai's arm again, staying close, a clear signal that he's not interested in dancing with anyone else, if they were considering asking.]
I'm starting to think you were given more dance lessons than me.
[Is that a compliment? Maybe.]
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Is it so hard to believe that I have a natural talent for these things~?
[... Better not answer that, really. Or do, but Dazai isn't all that serious to start with.
He'll start walking Chuuya to the bar. Talented or not, Dazai can use a little break, even if Chuuya doesn't need one!]
You dance pretty well yourself, once you start listening to instructions for a change. You should consider doing that in other fields as well!
[The compliments are just flying around today, clearly.]
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Maybe I'll consider doing it when we fuck.
[He leans in close to say that, too, not to avoid being overheard, but just because. His lips almost brush against Dazai's ear before he pulls back again.]
If you buy me a drink.
[There was no way for him to bring a wallet with this dress.]
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Promises, promises~!
[No, he doesn't think that Chuuya will ever listen to him properly - or, if he would, Dazai could enjoy it for a while, but Chuuya might not. Then again, it might make for an interesting change of pace for the both of them! For some reason, it feels like they have a lot more options now than they did just a few days ago, and while that probably makes no logical sense... it's not a bad feeling.
Dazai is, for all intents and purposes, not nearly as wealthy as Chuuya (if you ignore all the secret bank accounts he no doubt has, anyway!), but he has made sure to bring some cash. And also Chuuya's credit card, because it seems like a shame not to turn that into a running gag at this point.]
Wine? Or are you feeling more adventurous?
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Chuuya definitely feels like he is.]
You can decide.
[Normally that's a risky move with Dazai, but tonight it's about proving that Chuuya trusts him. And Dazai does know his tastes pretty well.]
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[He'll get them seated at the bar, making sure to pull back Chuuya's stool for him and generally being a perfect gentleman, before ordering. He gets a whiskey for himself - a bit boring, but he can let loose with Chuuya's order, so that's fine.
For Chuuya, he orders a cocktail, since the sugar should help the alcohol go down a bit more smoothly, and higher alcohol content isn't really advisable, probably. Better to be able to have a few drinks if they feel like it, than just one and needing to run out because Chuuya is getting rebellious!
Dazai also makes sure to order a cocktail that is pretty, and matches Chuuya's dress. Because why not.]
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Not bad. Thank you.
[Thanking Dazai is always weird, but it's what he should be doing if he's being treated by a gentleman, isn't it?]
So you're not trying to get me drunk so you can get me in bed?
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He's just going to chalk that up on his failed attempts, many years ago, to choke himself by swallowing the oversized ice.]
Do I need to get you drunk for that?
[Shhh, it's a rhetorical question. Not that Dazai is ruling out either or both of them getting drunk eventually, really, but it's not his end goal or anything.]
Sometimes less is more. If nothing else, you can enjoy yourself longer that way.
[If he's not just talking about the alcohol but also about at least three other things simultaneously, well... he's still mostly talking about the alcohol.]
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You know you don't.
[Dazai never did, and he especially doesn't now. Chuuya is looking forward to it. This could almost count as a new form of foreplay for them.
Which means that even Dazai's whiskey shouldn't be stealing his attention away. Chuuya reaches for the glass, but only so he can slide it an inch over, where the light from the bar will reflect off it just right. He pushes on the ice with the tip of a finger, making it spin, before pulling his hand back to lick that finger clean.]
I'll last longer here than you will.
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Fortunately, however, it seems things won't come to that. Dazai feels kind of silly about the whole thing - but that seems to be his default state, ever since Chuuya "kidnapped" him. Somehow, it's not that bad.]
So full of ill-deserved confidence! [He laughs lightly, genuinely... but he's still going to take his glass back on the sly. Mostly because he simply wants his drink, though.] Let's save the contests for another day?
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Well, it's still new, and it's better not to think too deeply about it. He's just going to let it happen.]
Yeah, I'll let you off this time. [Dazai's laugh catches him off guard, mostly because he likes it.] I'd prefer just letting you keep showing me what you can do.
[It's rare for him to be this honest, especially when he's not drunk.]
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But no, he'll behave. He does honestly like this too, as oddly fragile as it feels. Or perhaps he just insists on seeing it as fragile, because then he won't be disappointed if things change back.
Showing Chuuya what he can do, it is!]
On the dancefloor? Or...?
[Wink wink, nudge nudge~!]
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That, too. That first.
[Well, they're drinking first. And Chuuya isn't rushing his drink. He knows how much of a lightweight he is, and the last thing he wants is to ruin this evening because he got impatient, the way he normally does.
But there are a few people around them wondering if the pause in dancing means they might have a chance. He notices someone looking at Dazai - probably wanting to dance with him, and who can blame them - so he subtly leans a little closer, and then crosses one leg over the other, so one leg falls free from the slit in his dress, his foot bumping lightly against Dazai.]
Or any other way you want to impress me.
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[Because he definitely doesn't know exactly what you're talking about!
And there goes Chuuya's dress... Far be it from Dazai to behave equally sluttily, of course, but it would be a shame not to take advantage, wouldn't it? So he'll reach over under the pretense of fixing Chuuya's dress to fall over his leg a little more modestly... and use that movement to brush the back of his fingers over Chuuya's thighs, ever so slowly. Look at him being a gentleman, and everything!
There might be some satisfaction in making people back off in more violent ways than just being gross and somewhat clingy, but violence is a standard for them, and Dazai is kind of enjoying how not-standard this is. Not that he's going to stop Chuuya from beating up anyone who approaches either Dazai or Chuuya himself. Watching Chuuya fighting in a dress might be worth cutting their dance time short.
But for now, the booze.]
To a lovely evening!
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And those fingers against his thigh are making him shiver every so slightly.]
To a lovely evening.
[He raises his glass in a toast. No one is approaching them, and no one seems to be thinking about it any more.]
And to letting you lead.