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Dazai doesn't know peace.
He only knows the brutal truth. The harshness and monstrous nature of humanity.
Still, peace chooses when to find him.
Even after his own unspeakable actions. Even after all the torture he afflicted on others.
Peace still chooses to find him.
Why? Dazai has no idea. All he knows.
Is that it's never permanent.
────୨ৎ────
Dazai feels relaxed.
Like he can sleep on his bed with memories.
Good memories.
About Odasaku. Ango. Their friendship. How it was.
His room isn’t cold, nor is it hot. It’s warm.
The sun isn't blinding him. It's almost shielding him from the world.
Which would’ve worked if Dazai hadn't already been exposed to it's cruelness.
Dazai feels at peace. Something he hasn't felt since… Odasaku.
A mysterious object isn't poking his back or sides. His bed cover isn’t smushing him. Isn't weighing on him. It’s covering him.
Dazai doesn't know what deed he had done to deserve this treatment. Maybe it's a blessing from Odasaku himself. Who knows?
Dazai isn't complaining. Nor is he moving.
⏔⏔⏔ ꒰ ᧔ෆ᧓ ꒱ ⏔⏔⏔
Kunikida is impatiently awaiting Dazai’s arrival.
Which doesn't appear for 3 more hours.
Kunikida clutches his book tightly, internally grateful for the durability. “Where is he.” His voice is dripping with irritation.
Clearly not over the moon to be waiting for Dazai for an astonishing 3 whole hours.
Atsushi–Bless his poor soul— is wearily watching Kunikida, worried his anger would be directed towards him.
Kunikida catches his eyes and quickly snaps his own to Atsushi, who in fact does flinch.
“Atsushi! Where's Dazai!?” Kunikida tried—tried —to hold the bite in his voice when he saw Atsushi flinch.
“W-well, I saw him go home yesterday… And knowing Dazai being… unmotivated to do anything on Mondays he probably stayed home… S-so I really don't know!?”
Kunikida was momentarily stunned. He wondered why he didn't think of that.
Maybe the good-for-nothing didn't find another good-for-nothing.
Maybe Dazai was good for something.
(A/N I’m going to get the ao3 curse for even slightly mentioning the chance of Atsushi being a good for nothing)
Not being punctual that's for sure.
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･
Dazai is interrupted of his haven from heavy banging of his door.
Ruining his peaceful moment. And his mood.
So don't blame him for not being overly optimistic. Anything he does from now on is not his fault.
His old bed frame creaks; likely from it's age. Heck, it could be as old as Mori. Fukuzawa even.
Dazai's steps patter against his wood floor. His breath even soft. His drowsiness making him sluggish.
The onslaught on his door only get louder, it starts to tick off Dazai. The man who never loses his composure. Is getting ticked off.
The door creaks as he slowly opens it a smudge.
Dazai's smile isn’t kind and it definitely isn't welcoming. Nonetheless, it's a smile.
“Can I help you Kunikida?” Dazai tilts his head in an innocent gesture.
Kunikida doesn’t seem to find it innocent though.
“Yes, by coming to work on time.” Kunikida strictly reminds, he attempts to enter Dazai’s stuffy, small apartment.
Dazai refuses, lightly shoving him back. Dazai's smile doesn’t even darken—in fact it brightens.
“Now, now Kunikida. I didn't agree to you to enter…” Dazai playfully tilts his head.
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･
When Kunikida tries to enter Dazai’s apartment, he blocks the way.
Dazai raises an eyebrow. “Now, now Kunikida. I didn't agree for you to enter…”
Kunikida internally slaps himself for forgetting his manners. Even someone like Dazai deserves manners.
“I apologize. May I come in?” Kunikida asks in a pleading tone.
Dazai ponders it, seemingly thinking over it. The smile he gives is bright and warm.
The answer he gives Kunikida is cold and firm.
“No~! See you next week, Kunikida!” With a thud, the door is slammed right in front of Kunikida.
He’s left behind in the hallway, staring blankly at the door.
Kunikida gets out of his daze, walking back to the agency absentmindedly.
When he enters, he is greeted by Ranpo staring at him like a hawk.
Kenji is admiring his plant at his desk. Atsushi doesn't notice him until Ranpo speaks up.
“Had fun? Yeah, me either.” Ranpo harshly said, his voice grim.
Yosano perked up, “Whoa, woah!? What happened? Why is everyone so..?” She made a gesture to Ranpo and Kunikida. Atsushi is seen quietly watching.
Ranpo looked back with a cruel laugh. “Kunikida made Dazai annoyed.”
The man in question quickly defends himself. “Woah!? I didn't make him mad!?”
“You don't have Dazai at your side to annoy you or anyone else. You clearly made him annoyed or worse. Angry.” Ranpo brutally told him.
Yosano teasely smiled. “Aw, I never thought I’d see the day Dazai is annoyed instead of Kunikida.”
“Is… Is Dazai-san okay?” Atsushi softly asks, finally making himself known.
Ranpo waves him off. “Who knows?”
The three look at him blankly, and they all say at the same moment. “You do?”
Ranpo smiles egoistic. “Exactly.” They wait for him to put on his glasses, “Oh my glasses? I don't need it to know, Kunikida, you interrupted his peaceful nap.” Kunikida rolls his eyes.
“Yeah? So, that's a stupid reason to be annoyed.” Kunikida unconcernedly comments.
“It’s really not my place to tell you why, but the nap was a once in a lifetime for Dazai.” He carefully explains with enough details without giving any further details.
Kunikida grumbles under his breath, “So what your saying is, Dazai can't sleep often, and when he finally did, I ruined that?” Ranpo grimaces but nods anyways. “Yeah, I’m a huge asshole for that. I won't bother Dazai anymore.”
Atsushi and Yosano stand on the sidelines, unsure of whether or not to input their thoughts on this conversation.
“Well—” Atsushi starts, “You're not an—A-word… For checking on Dazai…” He chooses his words as wisely as he can.
Yosano nods, “Yeah, you were just concerned. Besides, I’m sure Dazai is peacefully sleeping right now.” Yosano positively vocalizes, trying to lighten the mood.
Kunikida sighs.
“Let's hope so.”
▶︎ •၊၊||၊|။||||။၊|• 0:10
Dazai is lying on his bed, somehow comfortable even after getting up to deal with Kunikida.
He’s relaxed. He doesn't have to worry about Mori and his slimy tricks. About the loads of paperwork. About the smile that feels too tight on his face.
Too painful.
He doesn't have to worry at all. He can just rest. Sleep away his troubles. Escape life. His life.
And the best thing about it? He’s not causing anyone harm or pain. He’s just sleeping. He's not constantly worrying Atsushi and the others about his suicide attempts.
He’s probably annoying Kunikida. He’s supposed to be working right now. It's a miracle he's not fired. An even greater one Kunikida isn't assaulting his door right now.
Those are thoughts for later. Dazai when he awakes from this bliss.
So Dazai just sleeps. He doesn't sleep forever, but he sleeps enough.
ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ♡ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ