Tragedy comes in many forms and Dazai has a policy of avoiding it at all costs. Unfortunately, his walking-curse of a partner seems to leak the stuff like a shitty gas-station fountain lid. And surely, it’s Chuuya’s doing that today is at least the 5th worst day of Dazai’s entire life. And with tragedy comes mourning. And Dazai has never been one to hold back.
Comes the horrified wail as his treasured Pretz go flying across the parking lot and into the street. So quick to come into his life and so quick to leave it. Dazai’s arm is outstretched, reaching as it goes, as it goes, and as it’s gone. Fleeting. He slowly lowers it into his pocket, reminded of just how MEANINGLESS this all is. The snack is run over; crushed into powder in an instant. A hint of comfort. He smiles, fondly.
But duty calls, and dreams are for sleeping. Chuuya has so kindly reminded him that Dazai has a whole lot of the former and shit to show for the latter. So he strides ahead to the driver’s side.
It’s .05 seconds before Chuuya ruins their new ride. Unsurprising. Dazai laughs; melodic, relaxed; any urgency only underlying his same mocking attitude. It wasn’t the best choice of car, no leg room at all, and Dazai’s half certain that on extra kick has compacted it even more.
“Don’t go taking souvenirs before you’ve seen the attraction.”
It takes him a solid two minutes to figure out how to start the damned thing, and another three to differentiate between drive, neutral, and reverse.
It’s after about an hour of driving that Chuuya makes his request. Information. Dazai could easily share his plan. Chuuya is nothing if not trustworthy; PREDICTABLE. And predictably, Dazai ignores the request.
“It’s so cramped in here!” He groans, conveniently shifting towards the center console, fortuitously obscuring the FUEL EMPTY light beside the odometer.
“The lake will have to wait. It’s almost time.”
it’s the slowest hour of his life, by the way. chuuya has calmed enough of his outward aggression to press his chin firmly into the cup of his hand, elbow parked on the base of a dirty passenger window while dazai fumbles with the gears. drive much? haha. he’s ‘bout to vocalize that, too, but he’s too mad to make a sound. the light mock is committed to later, if he remembers.
they seem to drive endlessly and endlessly through the fog of nothing, and it’s amazing how there ain’t one single thing on the other side with the gall to capture his attention. tends to happen in farmland, especially when it’s too dark to point out or make fun of the obscure road signs with the one boy irritatingly capable of making him laugh.
eventually his eyes slip closed, and they stay that way for an aptly-timed power nap. he’s stirred back into consciousness around the hour mark when the sleep gets too deep, too heavy to hold & too curious to dream — dropping his temple down in a crash against the bone of his wrist, begging for an ouchie.
ouchie never comes. instead, interrogation. indisputably ignored interrogation.
❝ hey. just once, once, can you cut it the fuck out? with the cryptic shit. big mouth. kiss my ass. it’s almost time for what? ❞ interrogation, take two. ❝ ... are we slowin’ down or something? ❞ and, really, it’s all an accident when he shoves sideways towards the center console, more so when his eyes flicker towards the FUEL EMPTY light — which is thereafter spotted with a passion and furiously pointed at.
❝ are you stupid? your big plan, revealed! running out of gas in the middle of nowhere! good, dazai. stay here and get hit by a truck, okay? ❞ the dramatic exit would’ve had more flourish to it had he unlocked the door ahead of time, instead uselessly wiggling the handle with more spite than bite until eventually he cheats, kicking it open with the intent to unhinge.
intent successful. goodbye, door!