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Kunikida sat on the couch, his posture impeccable, and a stern expression on his face. He had decided to take a rare break from work and indulge in a movie night. And Dazai, being the source of chaos and mischief in his life, had roped him into watching a horror movie, obviously. Kunikida, however, was determined to remain composed. He knew that Dazai had intentionally picked this movie hoping to get a rise out of him and ridicule him, but he wasn't going to let Dazai get his way again. He was adamant on proving to Dazai that he wouldn't be easily swayed by a silly horror movie, just because he had managed to catch him off guard a couple of times on investigations.
Dazai, on the other hand, was sprawled on the couch, popcorn in one hand, and a soda in the other. He wore an expression of exaggerated terror, his eyes wide and his mouth forming an exaggerated "O" as the movie's eerie music began.
"This movie is pretty scary, huh? My heart is racing!" Dazai said dramatically.
Kunikida huffed in annoyance, "Dazai, this movie is just a fictional creation filled with cheap jump scares. I refuse to be frightened by such nonsense."
Dazai leaned closer to Kunikida, whispering. "Ah, but Kunikida-kun, the real deal is just getting started from here!"
Kunikida grumbled but begrudgingly turned his attention back to the screen. The movie was filled with cliché moments: doors creaking open, flickering lights, and menacing shadows. Every time a jump scare occurred, Dazai would yelp loudly and send popcorn flying.
"Dazai, stop that! You're ruining my focus!"
"What? I don't know what you're talking about." Dazai smiled innocently, a smile that got on Kunikida's nerves, and had his heart fluttering at the same time.
"You're pure evil." Kunikida muttered, trying not to let the movie get to him.
"You can come closer to me if you're scared you know~" Dazai smirked, knowing the effect he had on him.
"I am not scared." Kunikida scoffed adamantly, although he did involuntarily inch a bit closer to him as the movie progressively got scarier.
Despite Kunikida's best efforts to remain stoic, he couldn't help but flinch a few times when the movie's suspenseful music reached its peak. The movie was quite creepy and gory, leaving him with an unsettling feeling. Dazai, of course, took this as an opportunity to tease him relentlessly.
"Oh, look, Kunikida-kun. A strong and fearless detective scared by a mere movie."
"I-I am not scared, Dazai!" Kunikida weakly defended. "I-I'm simply evaluating the p-predictability of the plot."
As the movie continued, Dazai couldn't contain his mischievous grin. He reached over and placed his hand on Kunikida's, giving it a squeeze.
"Don't worry, Kunikida-kun. I'm here to protect you from those imaginary monsters."
Kunikida's face turned several shades of red as he struggled to focus on the movie. Dazai's unexpected words and touch had turned his heart rate a notch higher. Unsure of how to respond, and too embarrassed to look at Dazai in the eye, Kunikida simply squeezed his hand back. "Maybe you should start by picking a decent movie for one." Kunikida muttered.
Dazai laughed airily, "I can't help it, Kunikida-kun~! The movie is so much more fun when I get to see your nervous face!"
"You scheming bastard..."
The horror movie played on, and Dazai continued to exaggerate his reactions, much to Kunikida's chagrin. Eventually, they both dissolved into laughter, the tension of the movie forgotten in their shared amusement, hands still linked together for the rest of the movie.