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Tonight, all of the members of the ADA were celebrating Yosano’s birthday. There was plenty of drinking, eating, and laughing going around the room, and everyone seemed to be having a good time.
Kunikida made an effort to keep an eye on Dazai during the party to make sure he didn’t give himself alcohol poisoning, but he was also talking with Atsushi, Kenji, and Kyouka. They were three of the five minors at the Agency; the Tanizaki siblings were on the other side of the room, listening to Dazai and Yosano.
Poor Atsushi kept moving his gaze over to Dazai, obviously concerned about his mentor, but then his attention would return to the group as he tuned back in to whatever story Kunikida was telling about Yosano next. Kyouka and Atsushi had been the most curious, after all, and Kenji seemed to be along for the ride as he munched on snacks.
At some point, Kunikida noticed that Dazai had drifted from Yosano’s side and was now sitting on the floor by his desk, a mostly empty beer bottle in his hand as he watched everyone in silence. The blond knew that a silent Dazai, especially after several drinks, was never a good sign. With a sigh, he excused himself from the group of kids and made his way over to Dazai.
“Oi, what are you doing sulking over here? You know you’re going to make Yosano upset, and you’re already worrying the kid over there,” Kunikida grumbled, staring down at the drunk who had yet to look up at him.
“Hmmm? Is that your way of telling me that you’re worried about me too, Kunikida-kun?” The brunet laughed softly, closing his eyes briefly before opening them and tilting his head up to look at the person in front of him. “You’re so sweet.”
Another sigh made its way past Kunikida’s lips, shoulders slumping. “I never said that, idiot. You’re drunk, and annoying.” Still, he found himself sitting down next to Dazai. There was obviously something on his mind.
“What’s going on with you, Dazai? You’re usually obnoxious the entire time until I end up having to drag your sorry ass home. Silence is for when you’re drinking and you’re still sober.”
Dazai blinked at him slowly before giving him a slight smile. His gaze shifted to Yosano, and Kunikida’s eyes followed. “We were talking about crushes, silly high school level stuff like that, and how it turns into love, or fizzles out,” the brunet explained quietly. “I couldn’t relate. I’ve fooled around before, mostly with Chuuya, but I don’t think I’ve ever had a crush on someone.”
There was a long pause in which Kunikida didn’t speak, wondering if Dazai was going to continue. He was expecting it, yet it still startled him when he did. “Actually, that’s a lie. I did, once. But it never had a chance to grow to anything more. He died before I got the chance to decide how I felt.”
“I see,” Kunikida murmured.
Dazai took a swig of his beer, effectively finishing it off, before letting himself fall sideways. His head landed on Kunikida’s lap, causing the blond to let out a surprised huff. “What the hell do you think you’re doing, Dazai?” he asked firmly. He didn’t want to sound angry, though he was pretty annoyed by the action already. Dazai knew better than to get in his personal space and touch him.
Sometimes, like right now, he couldn’t find it in himself to be terribly upset though, and he found himself already carding his fingers through soft brown strands.
“Mm…” Dazai hummed softly, his eyes slipping closed. He didn’t actually answer the question, instead just laying there in silence for several minutes. Kunikida had actually thought that Dazai had fallen asleep at some point when he spoke again.
“There’s one more person,” Dazai started slowly. His eyes opened, and he blinked a few times to focus them. “One more person that I really care for. But he’s got such a long stick up his ass, I don’t know if he can see me past it.” That made him laugh, though it was obvious that he wasn’t entirely amused.
“The hell are you talking about?” Kunikida knew that Dazai was bi, and a total mess in general, but he would’ve figured that it was a girl he was interested, considering how often he flirts with girls. He even playfully flirted with Yosano sometimes.
“You. I’m talking about you,” Dazai mumbled.
“What??” Kunikida wasn’t sure if he had heard the other right. Dazai rolled over so that he could stare up at him, his hand coming up. Suddenly the blond was being tugged down by his ponytail, which was resting over his shoulder for some reason, and his lips met Dazai’s.
“I said , I love you, you stupid OCD jerk,” Dazai whispered against his lips.
Kunikida wasn’t quite sure how to process this information. He wouldn’t say it aloud, but the kiss hadn’t even been that bad. He reached up and pulled Dazai’s hand from his hair and straightened himself up with a sigh.
“Tell me that again when you’re sober, and maybe I’ll take you seriously. For now, let’s get you home before you decide that you really do want to take a nap on my lap.”
Dazai pouted up at him, whining and grumbling, but he did as he was told and sat himself up. He seemed to be struggling to get to his feet though, so Kunikida hooked his arms under the other’s armpits and pulled him up.
“Yosano, I hate to call it in early, but I’m bringing Dazai home before he gets wasted. Let me know if you need me to come back and take you home, alright?” Kunikida didn’t want her walking home by herself too late.
Yosano waved him off dismissively, laughing. “I’m not surprised. Yeah, go get him home. I’ll be fine getting home, I have plenty of kind young men here who will walk me back.” She grinned and gave them a thumbs up, to which Dazai grinned at.
“Alright. Happy birthday again, and I hope you have a good rest of your night.” Kunikida collected their things, while Dazai leaned against him uselessly until the blond dragged him out of the office.
“Byeee~” Dazai waved as they headed out the door, winking at Yosano before the door was shut. They could hear her laugh inside, though Kunikida wasn’t quite sure what was so funny.
Even though Dazai seemed to be going along rather willingly, he was still whining and complaining the whole way back. It was obvious to Kunikida that he was starting to fall asleep despite his best efforts. So Kunikida just let him talk, if only for the reason that he didn’t want to carry dead weight up to the apartment.
Kunikida wasn’t even really paying attention to Dazai’s words, which helped manage his irritation. He was focused on getting them home in one piece, but he was also thinking about Dazai’s confession earlier.
How was he supposed to know that Dazai had feelings for him, much less liked him? It came to a total shock to him, though he supposed that maybe it shouldn’t have. He had seen a brief glimpse of how he and Nakahara Chuuya worked together, and it was similar to the way that he and Dazai worked together.
Was that just how he was with his work partners in general, or did he only act like that with potential romantic partners? Kunikida sighed. Maybe he’d never quite know. Only Dazai would know, and he’d never give it away.
He was pulled from his thoughts when Dazai started whining loudly about being trapped in a car with him because he wouldn’t unlock the door.
“You can unlock the door yourself, you dumbass,” Kunikida grumbled as he turned off the car, glancing up at the worn apartment building before he unlocked the car doors and slipped out. He pulled Dazai’s things out of the car and then went to the other side to collect Dazai, who was haphazardly clinging to his door.
“....geez. Come here.” Kunikida motioned for the brunet to come over to him, and Dazai pushed himself off the door to cling to him instead. Rolling his eyes, Kunikida closed the door and locked his car before hauling everything, which included Dazai, over to Dazai’s apartment.
Once they were inside, they kicked their shoes off before he took Dazai to his futon and set him down. His things were set next to the wall before Kunikida turned back to face him. “Alright, you need to get changed and brush your teeth. Don’t forget to drink some water and take some painkillers in the morning.”
Dazai just blinked up at him before tilting his head. “Aren’t you going to stay the night?”
“What the hell makes you think I’m going to stay the night?” Kunikida sighed again and shook his head. “Are you trying to tell me that you’re purposely going to get into trouble so that I have to stay?” Dazai’s slowly spreading grin answered that question immediately. “You’re ridiculous…”
“You love me anyway~” Dazai laughed, finally pushing himself off of his futon to get himself some clothes. On his way to the bathroom, he dumped some clothes into Kunikida’s crossed arms, causing the blond to raise an eyebrow.
“What’s this for?” he questioned, watching as Dazai gave him a soft smile in return.
“What else would I give you clothes for? You’re staying the night, so you get pajamas.” Dazai didn’t explain any more than that, disappearing into the other room.
Kunikida sighed, getting dressed right there in the bedroom, since Dazai was taking up the bathroom. Then he dug around for the spare pillow and blankets that he knew Dazai kept in the closet. He was getting them all bundled into his arms when Dazai came back into the room, looking a bit more put-together.
“What are you doing now,” Dazai whined. “Just use my bed, it’s just too cold to be sleeping on the couch, even with all the blankets you have in your arms. Come on, just pile them up here.” He tugged the blankets from his arms, seemingly ignoring Kunikida’s protests and sounds of annoyance.
“I’m not sharing your bed with you,” Kunikida grumbled, though he knew he was going to have to, because Dazai was going to take up all the blankets if he didn’t. So he helped Dazai layer them up on the futon before he was tugged under the covers with the brunet.
“See, isn’t this much better?” Dazai hummed, suddenly sounding a lot more sleepy now than he did a minute ago. Kunikida was going to respond, but his partner decided to cuddle even closer than they already were, tucking his head under his chin and closing his eyes.
Kunikida let out a soft sigh, closing his eyes as well, and before he could even think about their situation, he could hear and feel soft breaths coming from the brunet. Satisfied that Dazai was actually sleeping, Kunikida let himself slowly drift off as well.
They spent the night peacefully asleep, but Kunikida should’ve known that would only last so long. He woke up to a pressure on his lips, blinking his eyes open when the pressure pulled away to see Dazai wide awake and leaning over him.
“Good morning, handsome~ I love you.”
Kunikida groaned and facepalmed as Dazai pulled back and laughed. What a way to wake up, that’s for sure.