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Dazai enters the club, smuggling his own bottle so he doesn’t have to pay for ones from the bar. But he also knows Kunikida will cover his tab anyway. That is...if he can find him. "KUNIKIDA-KUN?" Dazai shouts, his voice drowning into the loud booming music and constant chatter. "Where is he?"
Dazai decides to check the restrooms. Upon entering, he hears heavy breathing coming from the very last stall. Dazai recalls the time where Kunikida told him that he likes to pick the stall furthest from the door in public restrooms. "Kunikida...?" He calls out questioningly. Immediately silence falls.
“Dazai…”
Kunikida unlocks the stall. Inside, he is sitting on the closed toilet lid, looking uneasy. A few wine bottles are on the floor beside him, and his ideals book in his lap.
“Woah.. Erm, what happened here?” Dazai asks, more surprised than worried, but still concerned.
“Ah..uhm, well...it's just...I-I…” Kunikida stammers, his face flushing as he looks away embarrassedly.
“Is Kunikida all sad and alone? How unpleasant!” Dazai asks dramatically.
Kunikida pauses for a few moments, gathering his thoughts, before letting out a sigh and answering, “I'm not sad, just...overwhelmed. I thought a night out would be fun. We get drunk, and do all types of crazy...things. And I know this is something you enjoy, so I was hoping to spend more time with you. As...as partners. But when I got here, it was too much. The lights, the sounds, the people. I tried to just deal with it and wait for you to arrive. But I couldn’t. I...apologise. I've probably ruined your night.”
Dazai’s expression softens at Kunikida’s admission. Slowly, he steps closer, and crouches beside him.
“Kunikida-kun, you haven’t ruined my night. It’s alright to get overwhelmed. It is pretty noisy out there, huh? I know you’re sensitive to that. If anything, it’s my fault I suggested we go out. I should’ve considered your feelings. I apologise.”
Kunikida flushes at their proximity. “Th…Thank you, Dazai. But, it’s okay, really. I’m fine.”
Dazai thinks for a moment, before leaning in closer, and opening his arms. “May I?”
When Kunikida nods subtly, Dazai wraps his arms around the other man’s torso, resting his head on his chest. “I thought you’d like a hug. So here.” Dazai murmurs into Kunikida’s chest.
Kunikida’s face immediately goes red at the contact and warmth of Dazai’s body, but he also feels comforted. He debates on just letting Dazai hug him but then he’d feel guilty for not reciprocating. So, gingerly Kunikida’s arms find their way to Dazai’s upper back, his fingers skimming over his nape. Their skin making contact sends a feeling similar to shockwaves through Kunikida’s fingertips, making his hands shake ever so slightly as he returns the hug to Dazai.
The two partners share an embrace comfortably as the minutes tick by. Eventually, Dazai breaks apart, sliding his arms back over his lap. Disappointment flickers over Kunikida’s face before he quickly masks it with as much of a neutral expression as he can muster.
“You feel better now, Kunikida-kun?” Dazai asks, shifting back to his silly façade. For a moment, Kunikida just stares ahead, stunned by the memory of the contact from just moments ago, but eventually regains his composure. “Yes, I do feel better. Thank you again, Dazai.” He smiles at him gratefully.
“Hey, don’t mention it! It’s what partners are for, huh. You know, it seems I’m really good at comforting people. Maybe I should become a therapist.” Dazai jokes, elbowing his partner in the shoulder.
“You’re the one that needs therapy, Dazai.” Kunikida retorts, swatting his arm away. He picks up a half-full wine bottle from the floor and takes a long swig. “This bottle is a better therapist than you’ll ever be,” He slurs, holding it out exaggeratedly to Dazai, who just giggles softly. “Had a bit too much to drink, have we Kunikida? You know that’s not good for you. Surely that’s written in your ideals, no?”
Kunikida locks eyes with Dazai for a beat before taking another swig, not breaking eye contact. “It is, but right now, I don’t care.” He states bluntly. A look of surprise crosses Dazai’s features before he quickly schools them back into his annoying smug expression.
“Kunikida…not following his ideals to the very letter?! I never thought I’d see the day!” Dazai jested, snatching the other man’s ideals book just to take a flick through it. Kunikida quickly snatches it back, using the hard cover to smack Dazai across the face. “Ow! What was that for?”
“That was to knock some sense into you.” Kunikida commented, before slipping his book back into his pocket and finally rising from the closed toilet lid. He finds himself having to lean on a wall to keep steady as he stands.
“Aww, Kunikida-kun can’t stand by himself? You need a wheelchair, old man?” Dazai teases, but still jumps up to assist Kunikida, who accepts his help reluctantly. “Shut up, you’re literally older than me.” He snaps in reply, pushing Dazai away as he stumbles out of the cramped cubicle on shaky legs.
Dazai sighs and, before Kunikida can take another step he scoops him up into his arms.
“Da-DAZAI?! What the HELL are you doing?!” Kunikida yelped, struggling against his partner’s firm grip. “Kunikida-kun, I’m doing you a favour. You definitely can’t walk another step, so I’ll just carry you.” Dazai answers matter-of-factly, as if discussing the weather.
This only enrages Kunikida further. “PUT ME DOWN! I can walk FINE!” He yelled, however his partner wasn’t listening. “No, I’m not putting you down. We’re going home now!” Dazai insists, starting to leave the bathroom with Kunikida blushing furiously in his arms.
Kunikida’s hands immediately fly over his ears once they enter the main club again; the abrupt, overwhelming blast of noise assaulting his senses. But he quickly lowered them, not wanting to show any more signs of weakness than he already had. Dazai notices but doesn’t acknowledge Kunikida’s sensitivity. However, inside his heart ached for his partner.
Once they finally exit the club, Dazai just drops Kunikida onto the ground, walking away from him non-chalantly. “I’ll call a taxi.”
Kunikida gets up and dusts off his clothes, grumbling to himself softly. “It’s fineeee, I’ll drive.” Kunikida sways slightly, gripping onto Dazai’s shoulder for support. Dazai lets Kunikida lean on him, while pulling out his phone to call for a taxi.
“Dazaiiiii, it’s cold.”
“Well, good thing you’ll be in a warm car a few minutes from now.”
The taxi pulls up just outside the entrance of the club. Dazai grudgingly drags his drunk partner to the vehicle, throwing him in the backseat before slamming the door and making his way to the front of the car. “The Detective Agency, please.” Dazai requests the driver, handing him a couple of notes.
The driver nods and starts the engine, the two partners heading off into the distance after their…intruiging night.