Work Text:
"Aww, don't be jealous, Kunikida. I'm sure she thought you were handsome too, I'm just more charming."
Kunikida is tired, annoyed and waiting for this day to be over but he is definitely not jealous.
He lets out an irritated huff. "I'm respectful enough not to flirt with women while I'm working."
"Well, I couldn't help myself. I'm a romantic."
Knikida sighs. He somehow got used to this by now. It's hard to say when exactly it became familiar, but he curses that day.
Dazai still chatters about something as they move towards the end of the hall. The Agency got a case from a big company – and that's one of the reasons why they should be as professional as possible. They've just finished looking around and interrogating the company members, including the receptionist, who Dazai started flirting with when Kunikida walked away to answer a call.
"You're insufferable" Kunikida says now, entering the elevator. The bandaged man only shrugs, following him and whistling nonchalantly.
Kunikida rubs his eyes with the back of his hand as the elevator goes down. There's still so much to do. They need to get back to the Agency, make a list of suspects, go through all the interrogations and– wait, why aren't they moving?
Kunikida looks at Dazai, who finally stops whistling and furrows his brows. "Did you push the right button?"
"Of course I pushed the right button, you can check it." Dazai does and his eyes widen realising Kunikida was right. They stand in silence for a moment after that. The moment turns into a minute, then five more, then–
"I think we're stuck" Dazai announces. A heavy sigh leaves Kunikida's mouth, because unfortunately he has to agree. He takes out his phone and tries calling a few times but there's no answer. He texts the receptionist.
"Couldn't you use your ability to get us out?" Dazai suggests.
"How exactly do want me to do it? Without destroying the elevator because the Agency isn't going to pay for something like this?" Kunikida shakes his head, looking at his phone once again. "No one's answering."
"So we're really stuck?"
"That's what it seems like."
"Oh my" Dazai whistles.
That's one way to put it. Kunikida pushes his glasses up his nose weighing the possible options in his head.
"If we're still here by the time our shift ends we will have to think about other solutions" he finally decides, although he is already busy thinking about other reasonable solutions. However, his brain fixates on the fact that they are stuck with no quick way out. "Until then, we wait."
"But that's over three hours?" Dazai whines.
"I'm sure we will be out earlier" Kunikida says. It's mostly to reassure himself, though. His thoughts are already screaming in his mind, disrupting his composure.
He takes a deep breath, wondering how he's going to withstand staying locked in this place for such a long time if things don't go the optimistic way.
Dazai sits down, leaning against the elevator wall. "One look at you and I can already tell this is going to be fun."
Kunikida doesn't know if it's a blessing or a curse that he's not alone. But that's how he usually feels about Dazai.
He taps his fingers on his sides, lips flattening into a thin line, not giving in to Dazai's teasing. Maybe he would, because however terrifying it may sound, it became a part of his routine, something he's familiar with. But he can't really think about it now. Kunikida feels the urge to start pacing around, to move, to do anything. He isn't able to, the elevator isn't that big and besides he can't lose it in front of Dazai. So for now he can't get rid of this weird itching under his skin.
Kunikida hates not having control, not having a strict plan, he hates how it makes him feel, even in such a stupid situation. Because rationally thinking this is nothing, nothing that serious, not a real problem. But there's less rationality in Kunikida with every passing second. He already feels as if his head is about to go spinning.
Dazai doesn't seem to be even half as distressed as his partner. "C'mon, Kunikida, sit down, relax. Your annoyance isn't going to change anything." Maybe it is a curse after all. The worst of them.
Kunikida scowls at him, but sits opposite Dazai. They are both bending their legs, yet due to the small space their shoes are touching. Kunikida hopes his leg isn't shaking enough for Dazai to be able to feel it. He hopes the bastard won't see right through him. In order to calm down Kunikida tries to ignore all of this, leaning his head back and breathing deeply with eyes squeezed shut. His fingers are still rhytmically tapping on his thighs as he focuses on this specific buzzing electricy sound.
Kunikida doesn't know how long this lasts. Not long enough, probably.
"We should play a game." These words and the playful grin that Kunikida sees when he opens his eyes will haunt him in his nightmares.
"I'm not going to entertain you" Kunikida says flatly.
"Hey, it's not just for me." Dazai raises his hands in defense. "I'm thinking about you, actually. You don't look very happy."
Kunikida crosses his arms over his chest and raises his brows. "I wonder why."
"It looks like we're going to be here for a while. Might as well make the time pass" Dazai explains, ignoring Kunikida's response. It seems somewhat reasonable but Kunikida knows his partner well enough to be a little bit dubious about the idea. "Listen, I know being stuck with me anywhere isn't exactly your dream–"
Kunikida frowns for a second, because these words have a very weird effect on him. Something inside stings, something unsaid, needing to be clarified.
"That's–" he tries getting through, but Dazai doesn't stop rambling.
"–but I'm trying to make it more bearable. So, a game it is." There's apparently no way to convince him otherwise. Kunikida sighs, because he probably would indulge Dazai anyway. That's how it works between them. And he would be lying if he said he didn't like it, at least a little bit.
Or maybe even a bit more.
Suddenly, Dazai's eyes lit up and the smile on his lips turns into something more devilish. Kunikida shivers, yet somewhere deep inside he feels some anticipation. It makes him disappointed in himself. "Or we could make a deal and tell each other secrets, agreeing that anything said or done here won't have any consequences once we're outside."
They've been here for what, half an hour? And Dazai is already acting like this? Kunikida prays that they will get out soon.
"I'm not playing your mind games, Dazai" Kunikida refuses, feeling it's just the usual Dazai's foolery. Or madness.
"I know how much you hate spending time with me, but you can't really do anything else" Dazai doesn't even let Kunikida say anything, because he's already focused on his little game. "I'll go first–"
"I'm not–" Kunikida wants to cut in. He opens his mouth and his words get out at the same time Dazai speaks.
"I don't mind spending time with you."
"I stole your lunch three days ago."
It takes a second for both of them to comprehend what they've just heard. Kunikida watches Dazai go quiet (truly a miracle), his mouth and eyes opened wide, visibly dumbfounded. Kunikida knits his brows and chooses to voice his own surprise. "Wait, what?"
"So you're playing after all?" Dazai asks, instead of answering, like he's trying to turn Kunikida's attention elsewhere.
"No, I was just–" Well, fuck this. He isn't going to win, anyway. Not with the devil himself. He might at least try to gain something, too. "You said you're going first" Kunikida reminds pointing at Dazai.
Dazai's smirk slowly returns to his lips. "Okay, okay, just remember the rule about no consequences. And also, you can't beat me up here." Kunikida rolls his eyes. "So, three days ago you left your lunch in the break room, totally unsupervised, and honestly it would be stupid not to use that opportunity. Also I was pretty hungry and pretty broke" Dazai explains with an innocent expression, raising his hands, like he's just a plain poor soul. "It was really good, by the way."
Dazai looks at him with a carefree smile on his face, however, Kunikida notices the anticipation in his eyes, some kind of worry about his reaction. As if he's waiting for the response, unsure what it's going to be.
Kunikida can't help but laugh.
The smile is gone from Dazai's face, his brows furrow in confusion. He seems bewildered, realising he lost control during his own game. This look is so unusal, so unnatural, it makes Kunikida even more amused.
"You didn't steal shit, bastard" he says, when he calms down. "I left it there for you."
Dazai's mouth hangs open. "What?"
"I know how little you care about eating well until you are literally starving, so I made it for you, knowing you wouldn't miss such occasion. Like you didn't miss for the last two weeks, which apparently weren't a secret worth mentioning" Kunikida explains. When he finishes, he looks at Dazai with raised brow and this weird sense of victory as he watches Dazai slowly realise what happened.
"I can't believe you manipulated me." He shakes his head, but there's a small smile on his lips, a rare true smile.
"It was hardly manipulation." Now that the amusement slowly leaves him, Kunikida feels something else as he starts thinking about the whole situation again.
The omniscient Dazai Osamu, who can't be fooled or mislead, falling into a trap, a trap as silly as this one. Why? Kunikida's heart tightens because he knows the sole reason is that Dazai doesn't believe anyone would do such thing for him. That anyone cares enough.
But Kunikida does care. Probably a little more than he should. And perhaps he wants Dazai to understand it.
"Keep telling yourself that. I will be more careful now" Dazai's voice rips Kunikida away from these thoughts.
"I'm guessing it doesn't mean you're not going to eat my lunches, though?" Kunikida asks, deciding to consider that matter more carefully and seriously later.
"I'm guessing it means you're not going to stop preparing them?" Dazai's gaze is piercing through him with the usual all-knowing look. Kunikida has to admit he's right. He just wonders, not for the first time, if Dazai knows why.
After a minute of silence, Dazai nudges Kunikida's leg. "Your turn."
Kunikida rolls his eyes. "I'm still not playing this stupid game. It's not even a game." Dazai doesn't look like he cares about that. His gaze becomes more and more pressing. Kunikida gives up. "I don't mind spending time with you, it's not a secret."
Well, not exactly at least. There undeniably is something secret-shaped about why he likes Dazai's company. Something which Kunikida himself had to recognise and accept some time ago. He hasn't dared to name it yet.
Dazai doesn't look too convinced. "You didn't seem very happy earlier."
"I'm not the biggest fan of getting stuck, especially in small spaces."
"That's fair." Dazai nods. He turns his eyes away for a moment and Kunikida thinks he looks a bit embarrased. Like he was fooled once again. But that's just improbable, right?
This time it's Kunikida nudging him to get his attention. "I meant what I said. You can be annoying, extremely, incredibly annoying" Dazai smirks, the smug bastard, "but we're partners. I'm used to having you by my side. I actually like it." These words are genuine and maybe that's what makes Dazai look at Kunikida, his gaze strange and unreadable. Finally he smiles and this is the smile that never ceases to warm Kunikida from the inside.
"You know, if I got to choose someone to get stuck in an elevator with, it would be you" Dazai says and maybe it's also some kind of confession.
They sit in silence for a moment until Kunikida gives in to this specific wish appearing in his mind and pats the space next to him. Dazai understands, moves to sit there as soon as he makes sure Kunikida means it.
It feels better like this, like something familiar. Even if Kunikida wanted to deny it, he can't hide how safe the company of the other man makes him feel.
In the same moment Kunikida realises he isn't shaking anymore, even when his body is pressed next to Dazai's. "I think your stupid game might have worked" he admits.
"Maybe I just have this effect on you." Dazai winks and smiles playfully, smugly. It's meant to be a joke, a tease, but Kunikida considers these words seriously.
"You do, actually" he says quietly, yet like a fact rather than a secret. Dazai is definitely surprised by this, considering the way his eyes move to study Kunikida's face. Kunikida licks his lips, his mind reminding him about something suddenly. "Do you remember the case from last week?"
"The one in that restaurant?"
Kunikida sees the memory even more clearly now. They were talking to a waitress, gaining information. Somehow Dazai restrained himself from flirting with the woman. Or perhaps he was too tired, considering how he was leaning against Kunikida all day. Even during the interrogation his head was on the blond man's shoulder. It was incredibly unprofessional, but the way Kunikida's heart beat faster seeing the calm and relaxed look on his partner's face, didn't let him reprimand Dazai or push him away.
"Yes. After you left to call Ranpo, I talked with the waitress to get the last details" Kunikida takes a breath. He isn't sure why he thought about it, why he wants to talk about it in this moment. Maybe being so close to Dazai reminded him, made him speak. "She told me that we look like a cute couple."
Kunikida can feel Dazai tense next to him. However, his face doesn't show any emotions, it looks like he's calculating, thinking carefully about his next moves.
"Wonder where she got that idea from" he says nonchalantly, looking up at Kunikida expectantly.
"Well, you are rather clingy" Kunikida isn't sure if he wants to turn this whole situation into a joke or treat it seriously.
"Well, you don't really fight it" Dazai counters back. Kunikida can't help but chuckle lightly.
"There's no point in fighting you" he says and looks at Dazai.
It's the truth, the whole and most simple truth. And after some time, Kunikida learned that he doesn't even want to fight it, to fight this strange thing he has with Dazai. He embraced it, for better or for worse.
The words are genuine, coming straight from this warmth inside Kunikida's chest and maybe that's what makes Dazai turn his gaze away.
"Did you correct her?" he asks at last. Kunikida clears his throat, a bit nervous again. There's no point in lying, it's not like he wants to anyway, so he just ends the story.
"I said we're good partners." And how weirdly nice it felt to say something true, just a fact and yet to not correct the waitress at the same time. Kunikida still isn't sure why he phrased it like this, he only remembers he was looking at Dazai through the window feeling as if something new was blooming in his chest.
Now he looks at Dazai, so close to him, wondering if he made the right decision, if it was okay to be so ahead of himself, to act, well, like a stupid teenager, to be honest. He should probably be ashamed now and Dazai should just move away from him.
However, Kunikida notices a small smile on Dazai's lips, this incredible warm, almost shy smile, which Dazai doesn't let anyone see very often. Then, Dazai just hums and leans his head on Kunikida's shoulder. And it definitely feels right.
After a moment of silence, Dazai refuses to let them sit in peace. "Is it my turn?"
"It's still a stupid game and you're using it to tell me even more stupid stuff and–"
"Yeah, yeah, keep complaining and I won't be entertaining you anymore." Kunikida rolls his eyes at Dazai's offended tone. He awaits Dazai to share something stupid or just admit to another theft. Kunikida tells himself his enthusiasm is only moderate or at least that's what he's trying to show.
Dazai doesn't seem to care. "That thing with the receptionist? I actually wanted to make you jealous."
Wait. This isn't as stupid as Kunikida expected. Well, not in the way Kunikida expected, at least.
"Why?" he asks right away. Something bitter in his mind tells him it's because Dazai must know, has always known what Kunikida only recently accepted, and he's using it to make fun of the blond. After all, it wouldn't be the most cruel thing he has ever done. The mere thought haunts Kunikida and the possibility of it becoming a fact now makes his stomach twist.
Dazai looks a bit puzzled, however his gaze is back on Kunikida's face, watching his reactions carefully. "It wasn't for shits and giggles if that's what's bothering you. But explaining everything would be another secret, wouldn't it?" he says vaguely, then smirks in this mischievous way before adding "It was never about the receptionist, though."
It's not an explanation, if it is it's a very shitty one. And yet, it tells something, something Dazai predicted Kunikida will understand. He does, and feels his heartbeat fasten.
Kunikida licks his lips, before hesitantly sharing his own confession "It did make me a bit jealous" he admits. Even though it's exactly what Dazai wanted, he doesn't feel like the one who fell in a trap.
Dazai looks up at him from under his lashes, tilting his head to the side, with a shit-eating grin on his face. "Oh, I'm aware" The husky tone almost makes Kunikida shiver. Almost.
"Your turn" Dazai says.
"I've just said something" Kunikida defends himself. He already feels like an open book and this whole thing isn't helping.
Dazai rolls his eyes like a child whose made up rules to a silly game aren't respected. "Alright, but you aren't avoiding it next time" he agrees then hums and looks around like he's finding a thing worth saying. Despite the show, Kunikida feels that Dazai has already planned everything, every possible outcome.
"Okay" he says finally. Kunikida curses the moment he agreed to this – although he didn't, not really – because unfortunately he gets a little excited. "So, the case with arms dealers – you remember it, right?"
Kunikida remembers. He remembers how they got in a fight, far from pretty. He remembers how Dazai, despite definitely not sparing his opponents, got hurt quite badly. He remembers how he felt like he didn't want to see a single bruise on Dazai's body ever again, like he needed to make sure it would never happen. Kunikida had to carry Dazai, bridal style, to the car and then to the Agency so Yosano could take care of him. He remembers how light Dazai felt, how his head was resting against his chest. He looked so calm then, like it was the right place for him – in Kunikida's arms
"Sooo, it actually didn't hurt that bad" Dazai confesses. He shrugs. "I mean, it was shitty but I could probably walk on my own if I wanted to. Your offer to carry me was just so tempting I couldn't refuse."
Kunikida's eyes widen as he looks at Dazai, who seems incredibly amused by the whole story. Nevertheless, there is this specific worry in his eyes, which he tries to hide behind smugness, as he waits for Kunikida's reaction.
"You. Are. A. Menace" Kunikida says, meaning every word. It seems to put Dazai's doubts to rest because starts laughing, loud and open. It makes Kunikida a bit less angry – well, he wasn't truly angry to begin with – seeing Dazai so happy, so carefree, even if at Kunikida's expense.
Dazai pats his thigh. "Don't look so grumpy. Try to understand me – a proposition like this, and from my partner of all people? You're so strong, I needed to indulge my curiosity." He leans forward and bats his eyelashes. "And those arms, I mean c'mon, you can't be mad at me."
Kunikida raises a brow, trying to look unimpressed. Unfortunately his heart does flutter and he feels his face heating up. The fact that Dazai was thinking about such things, that he would lie to make it happen, is a reason why he's starting to feel dizzy.
Maybe Dazai is an asshole, but after all, he is Kunikida's asshole.
"Your turn" Dazai announces now. "And don't try to wriggle out of this again."
"What do you even want me to say?" Kunikida sighs. Dazai's eyes shine with mischief as he turns to fully face Kunikida and leans closer, too close for Kunikida's brain to function properly.
"It's not hard, just tell me a secret. Something hidden deep inside" Dazai explains, his voice low, the smirk on his lips dangerous. "No matter how dirty it is."
Kunikida opens his mouth to deny anything like that, but he just can't focus, not with Dazai being so close. Everything about this man is distracting – pink smiling sharply lips, equally sharp line of jaw, brown hypnotizing eyes. Kunikida could stare at him for hours, just take in his haunting beauty. And the truth is, he does stare. That's the secret.
Kunikida clears his throat. "Sometimes during work I just look at you until you realise" he confesses mindlessly, involuntarily, too caught up in Dazai.
The bandaged man doesn't look unhappy, doesn't pull away. Actually, it doesn't seem to be a big secret for him – of course it isn't, damn bastard – but more like it was the fact that Kunikida admitted it that surprised him.
"I guess you must like what you see" he remarks with a self-pleased expression on his face, then asks reflecting Kunikida's question "Why?"
"It would be another secret, wouldn't it?" Besides, Kunikida is sure Dazai knows the answer. Fortunately for him, Dazai just chuckles and doesn't fight more. "Your turn."
Kunikida feels some kind of buzzing under his skin. Because maybe, however stupid it may sound, this game became something more. Maybe it became a strange way of addressing this weird, yet well-known thing between them. The one they both notice and feel, but don't actually acknowledge. Why? Probably for too many reasons. It might be the fear of expecting something different, it might be thought of only imagining certain signs. It might be the uncertainty.
Dazai taps his finger against his lower lip, like he's thinking about his secret. It makes Kunikida's attention focus on his lips again and Dazai must know it, know what he's doing to him, but the asshole either ignores it or leaves it unsaid.
"I think I like to annoy you so much, because it makes you break your stoic composure" he says finally, watching Kunikida attentively.
"Or maybe it's because you're a little shit" Kunikida counters, trying to keep said composure steady. He doesn't want to show how Dazai's words work on him.
Dazai chuckles. "Maybe, but the thought of turning the always so serious Kunikida into a mess is the biggest motivation." Fuck this, the bastard definitely knows what he's doing. The worst problem is that in reality Dazai could turn Kunikida into a mess almost effortlessly, he wouldn't even have to try.
They stare at each silently for a minute or two. Kunikida is determined not to drop his gaze. Dazai raises his brows expectantly, signaling his turn is over. Kunikida has to make sure he's breathing evenly before he speaks.
"Somehow, despite always making me worry and keeping me on the edge, you are the person I trust the most" he decides to say. It's not really a secret, it's the foundation of their partnership, and yet said in these conditions it feels much more intimate, much more meaningful.
Dazai's eyes soften. Kunikida notices his cheeks turning slightly pink and he refuses to think it's only his imagination.
"I trust you too" Dazai says. They smile at each other and these smiles are probably even easier to understand than words.
But as another minute passes, another round starts.
"I think about your hair a lot, you know?" Dazai announces. Kunikida knits his brows.
"What about it?"
"It just looks so soft, makes me want to run my fingers through" he explains as if it's obvious. "It's distracting."
"Maybe you just need to ask" Kunikida says quietly.
"What?"
"You heard me." Kunikida stares at Dazai, maybe daring him to do something. Dazai doesn't back down, brings his hand up and twirls a strand of blond hair around his finger playfully. Kunikida hopes it's not obvious when his breath hitches. Dazai pulls his hair lightly, reminding Kunikida it's his turn.
"Your eyes" Kunikida blurts out, too busy staring at Dazai to form a more coherent sentence.
"My eyes are a secret?" Dazai cocks his eyebrow with curiosity, his voice amused. "Or a mystery, perhaps?"
Of course they are, with the way they shine in sunlight, with the way they make Kunikida feel special after looking at him tenderly. They are hiding so many secrets, so many untold stories, and Kunikida is sure he wants to know every single one.
"Everything about you is a mystery" Kunikida whispers, not even sure if it was meant to be said out loud.
There's a smile on Dazai's face, one that causes Kunikida's heart to hammer in his chest. "Maybe one day you will solve it."
Maybe. The mere possibility makes Kunikida's head spin.
"Well, in that case I will say..." Dazai hums, eyes narrowing before looking at Kunikida. "Your voice."
In this exact moment it's obvious how lost they are.
"Your damn smile."
"Your deadly stare."
Has it gotten warmer somehow? Kunikida pulls at his collar, but it doesn't really help.
"Your hands."
"Your lips."
Kunikida's mind comes to a halt when Dazai leans even closer. Their faces are mere centimeters apart when Dazai brushes his thumb over Kunikida's lower lip. "They are so captivating" he purrs.
It's getting harder to breathe and to think, to think about anything other than the man in front of him. So Kunikida decides not to.
"Dazai–" he lets out, a question hearable in his voice.
"Yes" Dazai says, one word meaning so much, giving Kunikida so much.
Kunikida starts the kiss softly, slowly, but with their shared verocity it quickly becomes heated and fast. Dazai's lips move against his like this is exactly what they were made for.
Dazai bites his lower lip and Kunikida immediately needs him closer. He pulls Dazai on top of himself, holding his hips tightly. The action causes Dazai to gasp into Kunikida's mouth and grab him by the collar of his shirt, maybe to keep himself steady, maybe to make the distance between them even smaller.
Kunikida's hands wrap around Dazai's waist when he deepens the kiss. Dazai's hands are relentless, always moving, always keeping Kunikida on edge. One of them travels from his side, his throat, his jaw to his hair, pushing his fingers through it. When Dazai pulls, gently enough not to cause pain, hard enough to make it felt, it's Kunikida's turn to gasp. Dazai pulls away then, only for a second, to look at Kunikida's flustered face. The look in his eyes is almost mad, with lust and something else, something even more fascinating. Kunikida shivers and decides to close the distance between them again. He kisses, kisses with such ferocity, letting out everything he has been trying to hide until today.
When Kunikida pulls Dazai closer so their chests are touching, he can feel Dazai's heart beat just as fast as his own, making him believe this is all real, this could be real, the man in his embrace could be truly his.
Kunikida leans back to stare at Dazai, his mouth parted, eyes wide open, filled with desire which reflects Kunikida's.
"Do you even know what you do to me?" Kunikida breathes out. It's a rhetoric question. Dazai probably knows the answer even better than Kunikida.
"I might have some idea." The sly grin as Dazai strokes Kunikida's jaw with his finger is all it takes to get Kunikida started again. However, this time he goes straight to Dazai's throat. He kisses all the way to his jaw and again, slowly and tantalizingly. Dazai buries his fingers in the blond hair, maybe to avoid getting too lost. Kunikida moves his mouth to Dazai's collarbone and finally bites eliciting a moan from Dazai. The sound rings in Kunikida's ears, he could get drunk on it. So he does what he can to hear it again and is rewarded with a litany of moans and pleas. Kunikida could die here and now and he would die as a happy man.
When Dazai has enough of his teasing bites, he grips Kunikida by his chin and directs their lips to meet again. Dazai uses his hold to tilt Kunikida's head and deepen the kiss. Kunikida hums encourangily, feeling like he's about to melt.
They pull apart solely because they need to take a breath. Kunikida uses this as an opportunity to gape at Dazai. His cheeks are now in this beautiful pink shade, his hair is messy, lips swollen. He looks so disheveled. Kunikida knows his state isn't any better, he can feel his glasses being askew. He couldn't care less.
They look at each other in silence. For a moment the only sound in the elevator is their heavy breathing. There are questions and doubts hanging in the air. Kunikida chooses one of them.
"Can we change the rules?" he asks, voice raspy. He can't bear the thought of this becoming meaningless as soon as they are out. He will accept it, if that's what he must do, but he needs to at least try.
Dazai knows what he means, of course he does. His gaze turns into something more puzzled now. "Do you really want to?"
There's strange hesitation in his voice, making Kunikida uneasy, but even more sure of his desires. He needs to make Dazai sure of them, too.
He pushes some hair from Dazai's face to have a better look at his eyes. "Yes. I want to do this the right way."
Dazai gives him a wry, crooked smile, shaking his head. "It's never going to be right. Not in the way you've always wanted."
Kunikida's hands cradle Dazai's face softly, thumbs stroking his cheeks. "I only want you" he whispers, sure of his words. Dazai's eyes widen, something similar to surprise and disbelief shattering across his face. He seems slightly relieved, yet still not convinced. Kunikida plans to change it.
They both move simultaneously, the same thing on their minds. They can already feel each other's breath on their faces as their lips are about to connect when suddenly–
Kunikida hears his phone ringing. They pull away from each other at the sound. Kunikida fumbles through his pockets to get it and tries to make his voice normal as he answers. It's hard to focus on anything, with Dazai still so close and warm, but he manages to have a normal conversation. After few minutes he turns his attention back to Dazai.
"They had some sort of electricity shortage in the whole building but they are going to get us out soon."
Dazai nods. He's still in Kunikida's lap and they sit in silence for a moment. It's a bit awkward, but gives them a good occasion to think about the words from earlier. About the promises and possibilities.
However, there's still some tension.
Kunikida clears his throat, pointing at the messy state they're in. "We should probably–"
"Yeah, right."
Neither of them moves.
Dazai licks his lips. "I mean, it's still going to take some time."
"Exactly."
"So we could probably–"
"Yeah."
Just as always, they move and think in perfect tandem.
When they finally get out, managing to seem presentable enough, they don't really look at each other. Kunikida talks to someone from the company who explains the whole situation to them and just like that it's over. He can only hope it doesn't apply to everything.
They leave the building then, free at last. Kunikida peers at Dazai from the side, wondering if it all was just a dream. But then, he catches Dazai staring back.
Before Dazai can get in their car, Kunikida catches his wrist. He wordlessly asks a single question, Dazai's eyes answer him in the same manner. He pulls Dazai close, the man falls into his embrace easily, willingly, and their lips meet again.
This kiss is different, slow and tender, a kiss that is meant to be a beginning. Dazai hums happily, wrapping his arms around Kunikida's neck. When they part he stays close, his eyes are shining as he looks up at Kunikida.
"What was that for?" he asks, raising an eyebrow.
Kunikida tucks a strand of brown hair behind his partner's ear. "I'm just making sure you know the new rules."
Dazai smiles, playfully and genuinely at the same time. His gaze is warm, conveying such fondness, Kunikida thinks he's trapped. He never wants to get out, though.
"I know them very well, and let me tell to something." Dazai leans closer so he can whisper directly into Kunikida's ear "I think I already won."
Kunikida kisses Dazai again with a wide smile on his lips. If this is how defeat tastes, then he doesn't really mind.
But honestly? It seems that this might be a game without any losers.