Velvet Alley
Part 1
Osamu Dazai X Reader
So the is fucking loooong... I wanted to write it as a one shot but.
The title is from a song from a band I like, Strung out. Not related to the story. I'm just not creative.
Warning- smut, cussing, idk
Dazai hummed twirling the belt attached to his tan jacket mindlessly around in a circle.
The day had gone well for him.
He had bought a new tape of a pop band he liked and spent most of the day listening to it at his desk.
At some point Kunikida started blabbering at him but he just smiled and nodded to whatever he had been saying.
It seemed to relax him so he kept doing it and eventually he left him alone. His usual yelling was replaced by Kunikida pointing at him while talking to Ranpo, then to President Fukuzawa.
Dazai paid it no mind, he hadn't done a scrap of paperwork and was happy to be the subject of their gossip while he relaxed.
Realistically though, he knew they weren't gossiping. Dazai had assumed in his efforts to appease Kunikida he had agreed to some sort of effort the agency needed help with.
Obviously he didn't hear what it was but that would all come in do time.
He bobbed his head to the tunes playing in his head phones as he walked the rest of the way down the darkening streets to Bar Lupin.
There was another reason he was on cloud nine.
As he opened the door, his eyes scanned the lowly lit bar until he spotted you sitting at the far counter. You were already through your first drink. Your cheeks flushing cutely as you turned around and smiled at him.
'she never was one for restraint' he mused to himself waving lightly at you as he closed the distance, sitting on the bar stool next to yours.
"It seems you have started without me" he said gently grabbing your hand and kissing your knuckles.
You rolled your eyes signaling for another drink with your free hand.
"You were late, what else is a girl supposed to do" you said, pouting cutely. Gently you pulled your hand back and rested it on the counter.
Dazai grabbed a strand of your long hair absentmindedly toying with it. "I'm five minutes early my love" he said, his voice smooth, soft.
You blushed and turned your head away from him grabbing your second drink from the bartender. "Is that so?" You said trying to hide your embarrassment.
Dazai chuckled to himself.
The bartender came to him asking is Dazai would like his usual.
Dazai nodded, thanking him politely. Quickly turning his attention back to you.
His eyes mapped over your body. You were wearing a semi short black skirt and a fitted white button up t shirt with short sleeves. You wore his favorite black thigh high socks and chunky Mary Jane shoes. You had one side of your hair pinned up with a black beret. The rest of it hung loosely around your back and shoulders.
He thought you looked adorable.
He hadn't seen you in a long time, a few months. Though he was used to it. It had been like this since he left the port mafia.
Your hair was longer.
Whenever he saw you again it was like time slipped away. You always came back slightly different and he hated not being there to find out why.
You looked up at him from your drink, narrowing your eyes when you caught him staring. "Deep in thought about work I assume?" You teased him and he smiled at your comment. "Something like that, I'm sure" he replied taking a small sip of his drink.
He set the glass down on the counter watching the liquid lazily slosh around in his cup.
"How has things been at the old homestead?" He asked, masking his care with sarcastic language.
You looked down at your drink, he couldn't read your expression. "It's been..." You trailed off trying to find the word.
"treacherous?" He offered
You shook your head, pinching your chin between the knuckle of your pointer finger and your thumb in thought.
"No..."
"Miserable?"
"Not quite"
Dazai leaned back slightly on the stoolalso feigning to be deep in thought. "Hmm" he hummed watching you bit back a smile.
"I think it's been steady" you finally said.
He nodded, understanding what you meant.
"There has been a few big clashes. Nothing super major. Mostly paperwork and meetings." You said, satisfied with your answer.
He pressed his drink against his lips.
A three months ago Chuuya, in an odd display of kindness had informed him you had been in the hospital due to injuries you received in some fight.
He wanted to bring it up, scold you for hiding things and yourself away from him but he supposed he had no room to talk
"I suppose that's nothing to complain about then" he said.
You smiled at him. "What about you traitor?" You asked and he choked on the drink he took.
"What a name to call your dearly beloved" he said, his vocal cords burning from the liquor.
He coughed a few times and you gently patted his back, smiling. Evidently proud of yourself.
The bartender brought him a glass of water. Dazai thanked him with a nod before downing the refreshing liquid.
He set the cup down with a sigh.
"Work has been absolutely splendid" he halfway lied.
He didn't mind working at the armed detective agency, dare he say he liked it. It was just the responsibility part of it he didn't necessarily enjoy. That and you weren't there.
You were acrossed the city getting your head washed in for some some wayward cause.
"How's the new boy?" You asked him finishing off your second drink.
"Atsushi?" He said perking up.
You nodded "yeah, the were tiger. Aktugawa hates him" you chuckled.
Dazai nodded, he could practically picture his scowl in his mind.
"I'm sure he does." He said acknowledging your comment. "Atsushi seems to be adjusting fine. He's been with us for awhile."
A gentle smile spread across your face. You put your head in your hand staring, clearly buzzed,at him.
Dazai looked down from your eyes to your lips.
Pink, slightly shiny from some gloss he was sure would taste like vanilla, maybe strawberry if he was lucky.
"...Marry me" he said. His voice spoke before he thought.
You froze, your beautiful round eyes stuck on him before you covered your mouth and turned your head.
You laughed, as you always did. He smiled like he always did, pretending it didn't crush him. Though, he supposed he only had himself to blame for that.
"Stop Osamu" you said, lightly pushing his shoulder.
You singaled to the bartender for another one seeming to think the moment was over.
In the past he would have let it go. Brushed it off as a joke.
Except in the past it hadn't been years of this. Years of quick meetings in bars. Surface level conversations. Sometimes he was able to get you to come back to his apartment so he could feel your skin against his again.
He had met you when he first joined the port mafia. You had family that was in and was practically birthed for your role.
Dazai fooled around with your heart for a long time, scared of what would happen if he were to actually commit.
He didn't know why.
You were all he really wanted.
The night he left the port mafia he asked you to marry him and leave. "Fuck all of them" he remembered saying. Just as you had to ight you laughed.
You laughed and kissed his cheek "Stay safe out there" you said and he left.
He had hoped after Oda died you would have seen things more clearly.
It was a violent life to live.
He grew tired of hearing every couple of months about you being in some fight, you getting promoted putting more of your life on the line.
He set down his cup and sighed. Overwhelmed by the thoughts in his head.
A careless smile spread across his lips.
"Y/N I'm serious" he said, trying to keep his voice light.
You took your drink from the bartender, shaking your head.
"I'm sure Mori would be thrilled about that arrangement" you rolled your eyes.
"Leave him. Come to the agency" he said
You shook your head. He had said these things to you before.
"I need money Dazai. I can't just up and leave Mori pays me very well recently. It would be dumb to walk. I just got promoted" you sighed
Dazai took a casual drink. He propped his elbows on the bar counter and seemed to be in thought.
"There's not an expense the agency cannot handle. Kunikida will whine but I'll endure it" he sighed. Eyeing you for a reaction.
Silently you sat there for a moment seeming to mull the offer around.
"Where will I live? Mori provides my housing? I'm just supposed to say fuck you and leave after everything he has done for me?"
Dazai chortled. Not in a entertained way. A bitter way.
"you can live with me. I have nothing in my apartment. It's mostly empty." he said trailing off thinking about the picture of you he kept on the refrigerator.
"Besides..." He eyed you carefully "Mori has taken more from you then he could ever return."
He knew this was dangerous territory.
Your face twisted slightly like you wanted to get mad at him but instead you dropped the expression.
A chuckle left your lips.
"Dazai you have done this for years. I thought you liked that waitress? Yosano says you talk to her often
Dazai rolled his eyes. "Of course she told you about the waitress" he sighed, playfully covering his eyes.
You rested your head on his shoulder, pulling him out of his hiding spot.
You smelled sweet, like strawberries and cream. You had used the same perfume and lotion for years. He yearned for the smell.
"Let's stop talking about such serious things" you whispered. "It's making my buzz wear off."
You relaxed into him and up close he noticed the exhaustion under your eyes. The slightly slump in your body.
He draped his arm around your shoulder and rested his cheek on your forehead.
Natural as breathing.
"What's your answer then?" He asked.
You huffed out your mouth "Stop teasing me Osamu" you said. Using his first name so he knew you weren't playing anymore.
"I'm serious" he replied. "I have never been one to repeat a good joke. Marry and leave the port mafia."
Your eyes slightly widened at his sincerity.
Gently he grabbed your hand "besides you're not getting any younger what are you 23 now?" he teased.
"Don't say that so loud!" You scoffed and ripped your hand and body out of his embrace,smiling stubbornly.
He chuckled and pulled himself back. He looked back into his drink. The next part feeling like acid to say.
"I've already spoken to the president. All you have to do is say when. I'll figure out all the boring parts." He didn't turn to see your expression.
Silence fell between the two of you.
"I'll think about it" you lied.
He peeked up aware of the deception in your voice. He kissed your temple. "I'm sure you will" he smiled. Pretending not to be disappointed.
Lazily he stood from his stood and stretched his arms above his head. Yawning dramatically.
He looked down at his non-existent watch.
"yeesh look at the time. I should probably be going" he said.
You nodded your head, sipping on your drink. "It was good to see you" you said gently. Your voice genuine.
You took no move to stand with him. He scoffed. "You're just going to reject me and then make me leave alone?" He pouted dramatically leaning all of his body weight onto you until you were practically sliding off of your bar stool.
"Alright, Alright!" You exclaimed barely able to keep yourself from slipping onto the floor.
Dazai popped up throwing his arms happily into the air "Yay!" He exclaimed.
Fishing around in your purse you grabbed your wallet and set some money on the counter.
You grabbed the black vest you had draped across the back of your chair. Dazai quickly snatched it from you.
"allow me" he hummed, helping you slide it on.
You shot him a doubtful look and he slung his arm over your shoulder again. "You are quite nice when you know you are going to get some."
He pulled you closer smiling. "Careful, don't get my hopes up" He said.
You rolled your eyes seeing the error in your words.
He walked with you, opening the bar door with his free arm. Not allowing the contact to break.
The night hair brushed your hair back and Dazai noticed the way you smiled when the summer breeze hit your face.
"Feel good?" He asked and you nodded.
Gently you patted your cheeks. "Alcohol warms me a little to much" you said.
He pulled you slightly closer. "I've noticed." He said almost off handedly.
The streets settled comfortably around the two of you. There were a few salarymen conversing outside of a steak house smoking cigarettes. Though it was mostly quiet.
"Hey isn't there a liquor store on the way to your apartment?" You asked.
Dazai knew the answer but feigned ignorance. "I think so" he started pausing.
You were drinking far more then you used to. "Not quite satisfied?" He asked innocently.
You shook your head and smiled up at him. "Who else is going to warm my cheek in your freezing apartment" you teased, coyly.
He raised an eyebrow at you. "I think I know a guy" he said.
You laughed, wrapping the arm closest to him around his waist.
A familiar gesture.
One he liked a lot.
"You're always so witty. I wish I was like that" you said.
He looked down at you.
You were looking out into the city. Slightly drunk and with pink cheeks. There was an innocent expression on your face.
It always took him off guard how genuine you could be.
"Being naturally charming has its down falls" he sighed dramatically "but I suppose it's my cross to bear."
"Is that right?" You rolled your eyes, slightly pulling away from him as the sidewalk became uneven due to some pretty large cracks that had been over looked by the city.
"The liquor store is three minutes from here" he opted. Pointing down the street.
As you were distracted he pulled you flush against him again.
Your eyes lit up and you clapped slightly. "Perfect! Prepare me for whatever nefarious position you are going to put me in" you teased.
He scoffed "Nefarious, I prefer passionate" he said bowing slightly.
You dropped our arm from his waist and walked ahead of him. Opening the door for yourself. "I guess we will see" you said winking at him.
He grabbed the door, allowing you to enter into the building. Closing it behind him.
Dazai eyed you as you made very quick work of picking out a bottle of whiskey, not a full size. Big enough that it was to much for one person.
He also wasn't convinced you wanted to share much with him.
Worry subsided into his chest.
You set the bottle on the counter and paid for it with a smile. One that didn't completely reach your eyes.
After you finished the transaction you turned to him. "Ready?" He asked, placing his arm back over your shoulder.
You nodded "I suppose"
Again, Dazai pushed the door open for you.
The rest of the walk back to his apartment was mostly quiet. He asked you a few easy questions about the music you had been listening to,sharing a headphone with you so you were able to hear the new tape he picked up.
You listened intently seeming to like it.
Pop music wasn't totally your thing. You listened to odd dreamy music with blasting bass and electrical sounds.
He didn't mind it when he heard you play it in the past but he certainly wouldn't reach for it himself.
When you handed him his headphones back you explained you had been into more rock music. Stuff Chuuya had put you onto.
Dazai rolled his eyes, swearing that red head had the worst taste in music.
You shrugged saying "It could be worst"
His apartment was a little bit out of the way from the city. Pushed back behind a park. He liked that it was secluded, heavily wooded. It blocked out some of the noise at night.
Not that he minded spying in on the occasional drunk conversation on some of his more difficult nights.
When he needed something to distract his mind.
Dazai led you up the stairs of his apartment building when you reached the second floor you burst out into laughter. "What is it drunkey?" he teased.
You swatted at his arm, he skillfully dodged every one of the hits..
You looked up at him, you were practically glowing.
It made him stop. This smile reached your eyes. You looked less tired.
He liked that.
"Do you remember the night you left..." You started and burst out into another fit of laughter.
He rolled his eyes knowing exactly where this was going but indulged himself.
"No, please, do tell" he said. Taking his keys out of his pocket and unlocking the door.
You covered your mouth and held up a finger trying to compose yourself. "When you planted the bomb and blew up Chuuyas car" you finally managed to get out. "He was so pissed. The next morning he bursts into the meeting room and is all 'I'll kill that dumb ass bastard'"
Dazai laughed from his chest. A shocking sound, even to himself.
He remembered it well.
Dazai had spoken to you and after you rejected him he blew up Chuuyas car.
It was one of his fondest memories.
"It was a really nice car" Dazai mused. Entering into his apartment.
You took your shoes off and set them next to his discarding your purse and vest on the floor.
"Yeah he had just bought it, what- two months before?" You asked.
Dazai sighed and picked up your purse and vest from the floor hanging it on his coat hanger.
"I hope so" he replied absentmindedly.
He took off his own coat and put it over yours. Hopefully in the morning you forgot it was there and wouldn't leave right away.
Carelessly you walked through his empty apartment. He had tidied up mostly before he met with you but there were still empty alcohol bottles and dirty clothes scattered in random corners.
It was still starkly empty. No couch. No tv, nothing. Most of his belongings were in his bedroom and even then there wasn't much.
You were used to it though, you had seen it in worst states.
"You need a woman Dazai" you said twisting the top off of the whiskey you had bought. "Liven this place up a little."
Dazai deadpanned at you, silent for a moment.
"Oh I've been trying" he huffed.
He walked up to you and snatched the bottle from your hand. Stealing the first drink.
"Hey-" you complained but he put his hand on your forehead, stiff arming you.
He took a big swig, hissing at its bitterness. Immediately handing it back to you.
"What a delightful beverage" he grimaced.
You laughed taking your own swig. "Good thing you don't drink it for the taste" you teased tiredly.
He looked at you, mulling those words over.
"What do you drink it for, my dear?" He asked.
You turned away from him and shrugged. "Couldn't tell ya" you replied. Feeling Dazais gaze behind you.
"I'm fine" you suddenly said.
He inched closer to you and rest his head on the back of yours, his long arms drapping over your shoulders.
"Didn't say that." He hummed.
"Didn't need to. You've been looking at me like a wounded animal since we left the liquor store."
He smiled to himself. "That obvious?" He remarked.
"Unfortunately, no"
You stepped away from him. You walked into the kitchen where the biggest window was.
You set the whiskey bottle down on his downtrodden kitchen table, a two seater at best. You leaned over his kitchen sink looking out into the night.
He followed you leaning on the counter next to you. His back turned to the window.
He crossed his arms and waited.
"You were easier to deal with when you didn't care about me" you sighed.
He chuckled. "I think you have me mixed up with some other guy then" he said. His voice a little more tired sounding than usual.
You paused taking your eyes away from the city.
When you set your eyes on him. You looked at him.
Thoughtfully for a moment.
You let his comment die.
Outside cicadas, chanted loudly in the tall grass. Carefully you opened the window, to welcome the sound more.
A cool breeze flooded into the room, cooling your face.
"You keep it awfully hot in here" you said.
He nodded. You couldn't read his expression but the usual bravado he had was slowly slipping away.
"it suits me" he said blandly. An attempt at a joke.
You sighed.
You moved from your spot at the kitchen and snuggled against him. His chest against yours.
He dropped his arms down loosely around your waist. His brown eyes searching your face.
"I love you Osamu" you said.
He nodded. Carefully one bandaged arm came up and brushed your hair back out of your face. A stubborn smile came to his face. "You're getting my hopes up again" he said.
His hand came back and lingered on your face. Like he was searching for something, waiting for something.
When it never seemed to come be brushed his thumb on your cheek, just under your eye. Gentle he leaned in placing a soft kiss to your lips.
You kissed him back, resting a hand on his chest.
He moved his lips against yours, at first slowly. Like he was afraid the seconds would pass by too fast if he rushed it. He moved the hand from your cheek to the back of your head entwining his fingers in your hair.
With his other free hand he pulled you closer against him. Like the idea of space between you was unbearable.
His pace quickened and you matched, one hand on his neck the other creeping down his stomach.
Gently he bit your bottom lip before pulled away.
He rested his forehead onto your and grinned, that stupid crooked smile you knew so well. Mischief returning to his eyes.
When he spoke his voice was hushed, almost rough."So..." He said softly "bedroom?"
You smiled despite yourself. You placed a quick kiss to his lips and nodded.
Dazai grabbed your hand and kissed your knuckles, His eyes closed as he kissed the scarred skin. He felt your eyes on him, liking the way they lingered.
He dropped your hand and slung his arm around your shoulder. "After me then" he hummed.
Dazai held you close as he led you into his bedroom. It was messier than the rest of the house. Not disgusting but barely passable.
You slipped out from underneath him, paced a bit in front of him. With your back facing him you began to slide off your skirt, then your shirt.
Dazai paused in the doorway watching you.
He wanted this.
He wanted tonight.
He wanted you.
After you slept with him though, all the would be left was for you to leave in the morning.
The thought sat uncomfortably in his chest.
You had stripped down to your underwear, standing shyly before him
Blushing he hadn't seen you naked countless times before.
You reached down fingers grabbing at your thigh highs. You had gotten one pulled halfway down. When he shut it down
"Not so fast" he lulled quickly at your side, snatching up your hand.
He slung your arms over his shoulders. A Cheshire grin across his face.
You brushed some of his hair back behind his ear. Exposing more of his face then he allowed the world to see.
"Some things never change I guess" you smiled
He kissed your forehead, dropping to his knees.
"How could they when this...." He trailed off pulling the stocking back up to the thicker part of your thighs.
The black fabric squeezed your thighs slightly. His smile widened and he found himself running his hands up and down the exposed skin of your leg. He brought his head forward and kissed where the sock ended and your thigh began.
He kissed up your leg, traveled to your hip bone until his lips were flush with your underwear. He kissed the black fabric.
"Why don't you take these off?" He hushed.
You gazed down at him with half lidded eyes and nodded. You hooked your thumb into one side and slide them down your legs. Discarding them somewhere on the floor next to you.
As soon as you were exposed. He attached his lips to your exposed front, lapping you up. You squirmed underneath him, moaning cutely with every lick.
"Dazai" you panted, he smiled in-between laps. "Feel good love?" He asked. Gently he sucked at your clit feeling your fingers tighten in his hair.
"Yes" you said weakly. He chuckled pulling away sitting back on his heels.
"Lay down, get comfortable" he said. He looked up at you, he could feel his lips and face were wet from you.
You knelt down in front of him. Gently kissed him any previous sassiness you had earlier in the night melting away.
It was one of his favorite things. The moment he finally stripped you down to who you really were.
His sweet gentle girl who from the time she was born got mixed into the wrong crowd.
He gently pushed you onto your back keeping his lips connected to yours. Almost hovering over you.
You looked down to his white button up and black pants, forming your lips into a pout. "Not fair" you whined.
He looked down at his clothes and sat up with a sigh. "I suppose you're right."
He stood up and began unbuttoning his shirt. Staring at you as you watched him. Your eyes were sultry, a slight smirk on your cute lips. An expression he had seen numerous times before.
He discarded his shirt onto the floor. Stripping him of his pants and underwear. He moved to return his chest to yours but you stopped him pointing to his bandages with your foot.
"All of it" you said, your voice too sweet to sound like the command it was.
He chuckled. "As you wish"
The unwraveling began at his right wrist. The soft fabric leaving his skin a foreign sensation at this point. The air was cold against his skin.
He got it off his right arm then sighed. "This would be so much less exhausting if I had a beautiful woman assisting me" he groaned.
You scoffed. Standing obediently to your feet.
Carefully you unwound the wrapping at his waist while he started with the ones on his left arms.
It was oddly vulnerable, every time he took them off in front of you.
He had scars.
His entire body wasn't mapped with them but the few he had were ugly. Roughly slashed and pink, even after years. Some were newer than he cared to admit.
You never asked about them, sometimes he thought you didn't even notice them.
Once you removed yours you knelt down and kissed his sternum traveling down to his stomach.
He draped his fingertips up and down your back. Reveling in the sensation of your lips on his skin again.
You stopped at his lower stomach, just above where he waist band would sit.
"Go lower, my love" he said. His voice almost wavering with desire.
A lopsided smile spread across his face when he felt you take him into your mouth.
You bobbed your head up and down on his painfully erect member. Accidently making a slurping sound as you tightened your lips around his shaft.
He watched you lovingly as you pleased him.
"So beautiful" he muttered. Tenderly he pulled all of your hair into a pony tail, holding it tightly as you worked around him.
...
Soon after he had his way with you- you fell asleep peacefully against his bare chest.
He held you tightly.
Eyes staring at the ceiling.
He was still slightly out of breath, his sweat cooling his skin in the hot room.
He slicked all of his hair back, so it was out of his face.
An exhale left his lips and he found himself smiling. Thinking about how you moaned underneath him. Gushed around him. Cried his name. Dazai pulled you closer to him and kissed your forehead.
He didn't think he could ever get tired of it.
Everytime he saw you again, it was perfect.
Quietly he looked down at your face. You looked younger. The bags he saw earlier lifted with rest. Historically you had never been a light sleeper so it surprised him how soundly you slept now.
You must have needed it.
He found himself thinking how if you stayed it could be like this every night.
He found himself thinking he would take 100 ordinary Tuesdays where you don't leave the next morning over a perfect night with you. The sex could be ground shaking, destabilizing.
If you didn't feel like you had to walk out his door he would trade it all.
Eventually he let his thoughts wind down, falling asleep to the steady sound of your breathing. Your heartbeat on his chest.
....
The next morning you woke with a groan. Covering your eyes with you arm.
Dazai was already up. In his underwear and bandages drinking coffee in his kitchen.
"Osamu what time is it?" You said, calling out from the bedroom. Your voice absolutely adorable with sleep.
He glanced back at the clock on his stove, impressed with the time. He was sure you would have slept more.
Wishingful thinking he supposed.
"It's 8 in the morning, sweet sleeping princess" he teased.
He poured you coffee into a mug knowing you would take one drink and hate it.
You had never been one for coffee.
He brought the mug into his room and sat next to you. Handing you your mug.
"Is this coffee?" You asked and he nodded.
"Only the finest" he said with a dramatic bow of his head.
You took one sip of it and set it beside you. He waited for a string of complaints.
None came though. You laid back back down, closing your eyes.
"did you like that?" He asked almost beside himself.
You shook your head "Hell no"
He laughed to himself. "You scared me for a second. " He said thoughtfully. Taking another sip of his coffee.
He had brewed it completely black. No sugar, nothing. Truthfully he liked sweets. He liked sweet drink. He didn't know why he started brewing his coffee so dark. He looked down at the liquid pondering before he turned his attention back to you.
He set his hand on your naked rib, it was warm from holding his mug.
"Are you hungry?" He asked softly.
You shook your head. "No, I feel sick" you complained. "But I need to be going soon."
Languidly you sat up and rested your head on his shoulder.
He posture tightened, almost like preparing for your exit. "You don't need to do anything." He mused, coming to his feet and exiting the room.
Busying himself he started washing his mug in the sink. He hadn't finished drinking his coffee but needed something to do, anything would be better then watching you pack up and leave again.
He poured the still steaming liquid down the drain, kicking on the warm water.
He poured dish soap. An odd amount of it into the cup.
From the room he heard you get up, slipping back into your clothes from the night before.
An involuntarily sigh left his lip.
He used his hand to scrub the soap onto every surface of the cup. It suds up ridiculously in the sink.
He furrowed his eyebrows watching the bubbles soon grow out of control.
'is this supposed to behave like this?' he asked himself casting a doubtful glance to the bottle.
Truthfully, he had only actually washed dishes by hand a few times.
Plastic and paper being much more to his liking.
Behind him you exited the room and grabbed your vest and purse from underneath his coat. The trap he laid the night before failing.
Dazai set the cup into the sink and stared at the running water for a moment.
He hears you slip your vest on, setting your purse around your shoulders.
"I'm leaving Dazai" you said.
He turned around, his hands were soaking wet.
"I know" he said. Drying them on the towel that sat next to his sink.
With a dramatic drag of his shoulders he walked over to you. He bumped his forehead against your, staring stubbornly into your eyes. "So soon" he whined.
You kissed his nose cutely, pulling your forehead back.
"So soon" you repeated back, turning for the door.
Turning the handle like it was easy for you to leave.
He watched you trying to keep his smile from faltering.
You opened the door, sending one glance back at him. "Bye Dazai." You smiled sweetly.
For a moment he didn't say anything, fighting with the words that wanted to come out of his mouth.
The ones that asked you again to stay.
The ones he had the hardest time saying.
He waved slightly. "Stay safe out there" he said.
Repeating the same worda you had said the night he left the Port Mafia.
You nodded curtly and walked out the door.
The room felt immediately more vacant after you left. The boring stale kind.
He sighed and dropped his hands to his side.
By the time he stopped moping and drug himself down to the Agency headquarters he was four hours late for work.
Kunikida, as he expected was practically beside himself.
"You told me yesterday you would be here for the meeting Dazai! Where the hell have you been!" Kunikida said, practically breathing down his neck.
Dazai lacked his usual fight today. He waved Kunikida off with an innocent face. "I've had the most terrible flu." He lied. "Pity me"
He tries to make the most pathetic face he could muster up. Looking his angry coworker directly into his face.
Kunikida pushed up his glasses, he looked over Dazai. "I suppose you do look like shit today. You're paler, lethargic"
Dazai's jaw dropped at the onslaught of insults. "Well I wouldn't go that far..." He mumbled.
"if you are sick why did you come into work? Just stay home and rest. The rest of us don't need whatever you picked up" he said.
Dazai shrugged. "You're right. I just thought you would miss me. I didn't want you to worry if I didn't show up"
Kunikida turned his back, walking towards the printer "I wouldn't have." He said. His voice ripe with anger.
Dazai narrowed his eyes. "So mean" he sighed.
He started to fiddle with one of the pencils on his desk trying to balance it between his fingers.
The smile you flashed him before you left assaulted his mind. A groan left his lips and he rested his head on his desk.
He stayed like this for most of the day, hours passed. Occasionally Dazai would stand and walk to the other end of the office. Absentmindedly pressing print on the printer so it appeared like he was doing something.
You occupied his thoughts his entire day.
He picked up his phone multiple times, tempted to text you.
Say something stupid just to see if you would reply.
He didn't though instead tucking it back into his pocket.
At the end of the day it was just Ranpo and himself still in the office.
Dazai had been watching him eat candy for ten minutes. It amazed him someone could eat as Ranpo did and stay in shape.
Or have teeth.
Dazai sighed.
"you're a pretty smart guy Ranpo" he said resting his chin in his hand.
Ranpo stared down at his computer not looking up "yes" he said simply.
Crickets practically chirped around then with the amount of disinterest Ranpo had in anything he was about to say to him.
Dazai rested his chin in his hand choosing his words carefully.
"Theoretically if you ever found yourself asking a girl for years to marry you. She ejects you every time no matter how sweetly you ask. How would you handle that?" He said smiling.
Ranpo looked up from his snacks and stared at Dazai blankly.
"Are referencing the port mafia girl you sneak off with every couple of months to get drunk with?"
Dazai had to turn his head to keep from laughing. "I said theoretically"
Ranpo looked at him for a moment, sitting back in his chair.
"I would stop."
Dazai turned his head, narrowing his eyes in thought. The room growing quiet around them "What would you do if stopping wasn't an option?" He asked finally.
Ranpo rolled his eyes. "For a womanizer you sure are clueless" he sighed.
Dazai accepted this, vaguely agreeing. "Humor me" he said.
Ranpo shoved a chip into his mouth chewing briefly.
"You text her randomly from drinks, probably sleep with her then send her out the door the next morning. Then you come back to work and stare out the window for three days. What is there to take seriously?" He said like it was simple. Like it was fact.
Dazai wanted to rebuke his words. Tell him he never sent you out the door. He never asked you to leave.
"I asked her for years" he mumbled cupping both sides of his face with his hands.
"Exactly" Ranpo pointed a can't at him. Dazai reached out to take it but he quickly pulled it away dropping it into his own mouth.
Dazai pouted disappointed.
"You have asked her over and over again since you left the mafia and the only thing you haven't changed is the sentence." He said.
Dazai mulled his words around "What would you have me do then?" He asked.
Ranpo shrugged "Don't know. I know sitting around and doing nothing won't work either though."
Dazai sat back in his chair. A comfortable silence formed between both of them. Ranpo returned to his computer and his snacks and Dazai his thought.
A wry laugh left his lips. "Good things this is all theoretical" he breathed.
Ranpo didn't look up. Just shook his head. "Sure"
