Work Text:
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it's been boring..
all it has ever been is work, sleep, and repeat. What kind of life is that?
But today was not like that, even if it seemed that way.
The clouds hovered over this city; Yokohama, and sure enough, it had made the streets drenched as the sky’s tears spilled.
A storm had ambushed this place, fast and furious. A sigh was released, from the woman with brown hair, she seemed disappointed. The weather perhaps? Anyone would be disappointed with rain and thunder disturbing the peace. She sat near the window; the beige wallpaper of the cafe makes her pop out, what really sticks is that
The cafe was empty, no customers except for her, holding a cup of what used to be hot coffee, not a single sip was taken from the sad thing. Dazai was moving it in a circular motion, bore to death, but waiting. Her dark eyes settled on the liquid of the same color, watching the way it created ripples because of the movement she's causing.
It was a childish act.
Sulking and groaning, getting impatient as the tick of the clock goes on.
Where is she?
Did she ditch our meeting?
the thoughts clawed at her brain, her very psyche, however interrupted by a very unwelcomed yet welcomed voice that called out from the counter.
“Oi.” Dazai perked up as quickly as a golden retriever who was called by its owner, her joy-filled gaze caught the source of that call.
A familiar woman with unique and beautiful features, someone the brunette had been coming to the cafe for ever since she saw it opened. The waitress at this establishment made Osamu’s visits all the more worth it. If it weren't for the rain, the sunlight would have made the lady’s ginger hair and azure eyes more vibrant, more noticeable.
“Chuuya!” she sang, putting her hands together as if God had answered her prayers (if she believed in any god at all hypothetically), the other moved to the table where the taller one was sitting, looking at her with slight annoyance. It seems like almost a daily occurrence. Almost.
“It's almost closing hours, asshole.” The ginger took a seat across from her customer with her elbows placed on the surface of the coffee table. Looking at Dazai with a suspicious glare “what are you still here for? You haven't even drunk the coffee you ordered.”
To which the chocolate-haired woman replied
“i just wanted to talk to you~” continued the coat wearing female. “i rarely get to talk to you properly nowadays! The cafe is always bustling with customers that grab at your attention so easily.”
Crossing her arms and straightening her back, Chuuya didn't relax just yet. “Uh-huh, says the one who literally flirted with every customer here.” the ginger clicked her tongue “I wouldn't be surprised if the cafe goes out of business because of the amount of people you're scaring away.”
Hahaha, god, if this shortie wasn't so cute-looking in her waitress uniform, Dazai would have thrown a sarcastic remark right back.
Actually wait, why's that stopping her?
With a smug grin, Dazai gleefully countered “More like the cafe is booming with business because the customers come here for me!”
“You don't even work here!” Slamming her hands on the table, Chuuya stood up and barked at her. Her frustration and annoyance is evident, it was a familiar situation really, and Osamu didn't mind at all. All she did was smile, smug and all, looking at Chuuya as if she just won the lottery.
The waitress’ eye twitched before she took a deep breath and sat down. Her hand resting on her chin, as she spoke reluctantly
“What did you want to talk about? Surely it's not this..” she gestures to the regular customer across from her “..antic of yours.” It came out more like a huff than genuine curiosity.
The brunette bit her tongue, and suddenly shifted in her seat, her eyes widened for a quick second before they softened. Was she nervous? It's a bit hard to tell since it was only for less than a second. An awkward moment of silence..
Chuuya's eyes darted to the nearest exits, the bastard was acting weirdly. And who knows, those windows may come in handy.
“Chibi, you know how I always come to your workplace, right?” the regular customer started, her gaze now exploring the whole cafe.
“this cafe..I always visit this place, to see you.” Her fingers tabbed against the marble-like cup in her hands
“So, I was wondering..”
A pause
“..if you’d like to come to the bar that I work at?”
The ginger’s ears seemingly perked up, she leaned against the table, her sharp blue orbs now looking straight into Dazai's very soul.
“What do you mean work at?” she shook her head, doubtful. The waitress honestly assumed that Dazai was a college student who hasn't found a job yet, she didn't strike her as a hardworking person either, considering how much the woman loved to ditch work in order to spend hours at the cafe.
“I’m a bartender,” Dazai answered with a grin plastered on her stupid face. “Surely you didn't think I don't have a job, did you?”
“You didn't seem like—you know what, whatever.” Chuuya scoffed, waving her off dismissively. Gosh, she really needs to stop assuming and judging people by the things they do in their everyday lives.
The off-duty bartender's expression turned a bit shy, the grin dropped.
“..so…?”
And, there she goes. The ginger’s mind drifted off, almost like she was considering Dazai’s invitation.
I mean, she hasn't been going anywhere lately due to work, her friends are busy, and her family lives miles away. Practically, there was no one available to hang out with or visit.
“...fine.” She stood up, with a confident stance. And was about to walk out to the back of the place, to clear out the leftover desserts and clean things “What time?”
“8 pm would be best!” Osamu then clapped her hands together, her eyes wide and shined “I'm sooooo happy that Chuuya accepted my date!”
Chuuya stopped mid-step.
Within a mili-second, she turned around faced Dazai, her eyebrows furrowed immensely as she shouted;
“NOT A DATE!”
“SUREEEE SLUG!” Dazai playfully jabbed back, she's lucky that there was barely anyone in the streets right now.
The brunette swore she caught a glimpse of Chuuya's cheeks turning pink, but brushed it off.
The thought of actually making her blush was nice though.
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The bar was…
It wasn't loud or that crowded, however, it still felt suffocating.
Chuuya had arrived, dressed in a red cocktail and a black jacket, a fat cry from her waitress uniform, looking a bit exhausted, it seems that she had walked here.
People chitchatting makes the whole place feel busy, it echoed off the walls and probably added to the ginger’s already going headache.
Why did she agree to this again?
There was no point in coming, the bitch was probably just lying and wanted to embarrass her.
But why does a small part of Chuuya..longed, hoped that it wasn't a lie, just this time?
Sighing and groaning, her eyes scanning and piercing through every corner of the place.
Looking for Dazai, who was nowhere to be found just yet.
“...humph.” Her heels clicked as she made her way to find her partner. People were at their chairs, tables, and stools around the bar counter.
Again, talking.
“Did you see that bartender? He looked so handsome!” One young lady squealed to her friend, who was practically holding the other back from falling off her seat as a result of the fact that she was moving a lot to express her excitement.
How unnecessary.
The location was pretty big for a bar, with gold accents in the wooden exterior. Felt more like a very important event than an actual place people find solace in.
Nakahara would find herself absentmindedly running her fingers on the walls or counters for a second or two.
As Chuuya walked, she would be approached or stopped by multiple men, getting a little too close for their own good.
“Want a drink?”
They’d ask, some have breath that was tinged with alcohol, smelling unpleasant. Others are extremely just polite and stood, clean, notably had no scent of whiskey or wine.
The ginger would always push them away, rejecting their advances. A scowl, and protective stance. A glare with sky blue eyes that could stab a man’s heart.
“No thank you.” She barely held back the urge to grit her teeth as she said that "I'm meeting someone.”
Where is that ‘someone’?
Urgh, Chuuya was starting to lose her shit! Stupid mackerel, stupid bar.
Her forehead wrinkled, every footstep.. everything was…
Ah, Chuuya was so stupid, to think that someone like Osamu Dazai would take a liking to her. She probably had eyes for someone else, to think that this was..a date, it feels like a fever dream, it wasn't something that she thought would be true or even come true.
Her expression shifted from irritation to disappointment, a bit of hopelessness and maybe even sadness.
Did she…
She got played didn't she?
a humorless breathless chuckle had escaped.
Her head turned, clearly about to leave until—
“Oh! Chuuya!”
She stopped and turned with wide eyes, and there was that stupid woman.
Across from the room, Dazai, the bartender, made eye contact with her. Waving at her to come over.
Her counter looked.. occupied, with young women and men alike, but there was one seat left.
The shorter woman’s breath hitched, as she approached, and for once
She had nothing to say
“Dazai..?” as she got close, Her gaze fell on the other’s attire
Long sleeved buttoned up white blouse, black waistcoat and pants.
A question in her eyes, that somehow looked softer to the bartender:
You didn't lie?
The brunette chuckled, “c’monnn!” She grabbed Chuuya's wrist and pulled her to the tool in front of her. It was so unexpected, so fast, the ginger’s heart pounded against her chest, she couldn’t breathe—
“Take a seat, tell me what you wanna order~”
“I-” Chuuya hesitated, her mind torn between wanting to run, and wanting to stay. It was a hard battle, as she sighed, the shorter lady nodded and sat down at the stool.
“What about your other customers?” Nakahara asked, her hand on her chin as she looked at the other people who were besides her.
They were chitchatting with one another, the rare few were quiet.
“Oh them?” Dazai tilted her head as she looked their way, before waving a dismissive hand “they already got their order, you’re the only one left, chibi!”
She looked at Chuuya with a grin, plastered on that stupid infuriating pretty face.
Surprisingly, despite that—no, because of that, Chuuya didn't feel the need to yell or bicker with her right now. It was strange..was it pity? No, no it wasn't that, nothing of the sort at all.
She was in deep thought..
Osamu, seeing this as an opportunity to tease her partner. Decided to make a very bold move..
She tucked her coffee brown hair behind her ear as she leaned close to the ginger’s ear, her breath barely touched the skin
“Time is ticking, Chuuya..”
She bursted out laughing when Chuuya flinched and pushed her away as fast as possible, embarrassment evident on the woman in red’s face. Her cheeks tinted with a soft pink.
“DON'T FUCKING—” the other customers almost turned their attentions to the lady that was about to yell at a poor, poor bartender.
And since Chuuya saw that people were watching her, she cleared her throat as she shyly grumbled
“..a French 75..” looking away, and refusing to meet Dazai's smug face.
“On it, dear customer!” She cheerfully chirped.
Sigh.. how insufferable.. the ginger could barely even stare sharply at the other.. but she still looked, watched as the bartender made the drinks, talked to other customers, swaying them even. A very unfamiliar feeling grew in her chest.
It felt boiling, much stronger than any anger that it forced her to keep quiet and bite the inside of her mouth.
What is this?
This feeling?
She turned her gaze away, for a moment, she felt a daze consuming her. It was a temper, but ultimately.. the hint of doubt or maybe grief, she could taste it on her tongue..
And eventually, it subsided—no, she subsided those emotions.
What's the point? They're unnecessary and unbearable to carry.
◞ ྀི◟ ͜ ◞ ྀི◟ ͜ ◞ ྀི◟ ◞ ྀི◟ ͜ ◞ ྀི◟ ͜ ◞ ྀི◟
dizzy..
Very…dizzy…
And foggy.
“You ok, Chuuya?” Dazai’s voice sounded like an echo.
The two knew that the waitress couldn't handle her drinks, a light weight they said.
Her cheeks were warm, wait, no, her body felt warm. As if she caught a fever! Her blue eyes were half-lidded, her body language was sluggish.
“ ‘m fine…” she slurred.
“The bar is closing soon..” The brunette was cleaning the cups, and tools. Getting ready to head out. “You wanna sleep over at my place for the night?”
“..nooooo” it was childish, a bit bratty, but.. somehow innocent.. Dazai looked at the other with a raised eyebrow, clearly, the answer puzzled her.
“Alright, tell me where your house is..” Dazai sighed, when Chuuya whined out another rejection. She can't leave her alone like this, especially not walking alone.
And so, muttering an apology, she helped Chuuya up from her seat, putting the other’s arm around her shoulders, the woman was like a slug; she didn't fight back much. Man, how out was she?
Dazai shook her head, to get herself together.
With (reluctant) gentle words, the off-duty bartender guided her friend out of the closed bar, walking on the streets. Luckily, there were street lights. Providing a clear path.
“C’mon, you can do it chibi~”
The next thing Chuuya knew, she heard a click of a lock..
Ah, they were here..
Dazai took off her coat, and left it to hang near the door. Taking off her shoes and Chuuya’s, before pulling the lady to sit down on the couch.
“your ‘partment smells...” the mock remark came out as a murmur, Dazai only chuckled at the adorably pathetic display, knowing that her home was clean, no sources of bad smells. It was just a spiteful statement.
She waved a dismissive hand
“Yeah yeah, Chuuya. Whatever you say”
opening the fridge, she rummaged to find water
“..Dazai, do you think I'm pretty?”
…
The brunette froze for a few moments, Chuuya's really, really out of it, huh?
She turned to look at the girl sitting on the couch, her blue eyes were almost pleading.
“..yes.” Dazai answered, the word, unfamiliar. “Yes, because you are pretty, Chuuya.” she shifted her attention to pouring a glass of water.
“Really..?” the ginger shifted in her seat, As Dazai approached with a cup of water.
“Yes, really.” Chuuya’s hand grasped the cup, looking at it for a second before she gulped it in one go.
“Don't choke on it, drink carefully..” Dazai pouted, patting Chuuya's back.
The water helped the woman sober up a bit, clearing her throat..
“..can I take a shower in the bathroom?”
“Yeah, sure. Be quick, m’kay?”
Nakahara only nodded before quickly leaving.
Dazai waited..
She turned on the TV, but her mind couldn't get rid of that strange encounter..
That question.. that Chuuya asked
‘do you think I'm pretty?’
a strange warmth creeped up her cheeks, and neck.
Did her crush really just ask that? Did alcohol make someone more honest or more prone to exaggerating?
He looked at the TV, blankly, before turning it off.
Groaning in frustration, her hand running through her hair.
What is she doing?
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“I’ll sleep on the couch”
Dazai was used to napping on that furniture a lot of times, she didn't know why Chuuya insisted that she should sleep on the bed with her.
“You’ll get neck pain, if you do that.” the ginger said, tugging the taller woman’s sleeves. “Just sleep with me, it's not a big deal.”
The brunette looked at the other as if she was suggesting something scandalous
“SLEEPING ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE BED, DAZAI!”
And that's how they ended up here..
Dazai stared up at the ceiling, and Chuuya with her back turned to her.
They couldn't sleep, not at all. So..Osamu thought it’d be a good idea to just, talk.
“Chuuya..” the shorter replied with a nod, the taller had a feeling that, the other would forget all this in the morning, although she had sobered up, she was still pretty drunk. “Why did you ask that question? About if I thought you were pretty?”
“...”
A pause.
Silence, Chuuya only buried her face into her pillow, clearly embarrassed..
However after a while of silence, she would grace Dazai with an answer so profound it knocked the air out of her lungs.
“.. because, I like you..”
..pardon?
Dazai immediately turned to look at Chuuya, who still didn't return eye contact.
“You..like me?”
“Mhm..”
“Me?”
“.. yeah.”
The brunette couldn't even process the shock until Chuuya scoots a bit closer, her cheek resting on Dazai's chest, her body made contact with the other.
“..just, hold me..just for a while..”
It was a mumble.
Dazai was hesitant, she didn't know what to do, so she just..
She just reciprocated the touch, the embrace.
Wrapping her arms around Chuuya's waist, her chin on the shorter’s head.
It was warm..
A feeling that Dazai could drown herself in forever.. a sharp intake of breath from the other made her pause.
“...you alright?”
“...yeah, just nervous..”
The two shifted a bit, before Osamu let out a soft sigh.
“M'kay..”
Hesitantly, Dazai’s lips met the top of Chuuya's head. It was a brief display of affection, but it made Chuuya's heart hammered. Her eyes widened before they rested.
“Good night, Chuuya.”
“....goodnight, Osamu.”