human ~ dazai osamu

18 : throw all flower of chrysanthemum into the coffin

~
The winter sun beams into the apartment from the gap in the thin curtains. It is warm on your face, and slowly a e/c eye opens from its slumber and you squint at the golden light.

This was the first time you had seen the sun in weeks, you had forgotten how its gleaming rays could lift your spirit in an instant. The human mind is so peculiar, that even on the worst days – a shine from the golden sun against a sapphire sky could make a small smile appear on a person's face. Natsu was the same.

Your lips are turned upwards as your sigh through your nose, basking in the small of warmth as you run cold fingers through your h/c locks. It isn't until that moment do you realise a familiar bandaged arm is wrapped tightly around your waist.

Dazai is asleep beside you. His curly coffee locks are messy and falling over his forehead lazily as he rests, smooth lips are parted slightly as he breathes peacefully and a bandaged hand lays just next to his head.

You gaze at him with a gape, a slight blush on your face. He looked so innocent, so peaceful. You were reminded of the day you met him in the alleyway, then you had seen the most serene expression from his exhausted features, but now – as he holds you tightly – he looked genuinely at peace.

With slowed movements, you edge your hand towards the brunette's face. You had an overwhelming urge to brush his curly bangs away from his forehead, for no other reason than your own selfishness – this may be the only time you'd get to stroke the man's hair without the humiliating consequences, after all. But your hand abruptly stops just as you were about to touch the bouncy curls and you retract the hand in haste.

'What am I doing?!' You think, as your whole face turns a deep crimson as you turn away from the sleeping man in embarrassment.

Sheepishly, you carefully remove the mocha-haired man's arm from your waist – in hope of not disturbing him from his slumber – and get up from the kontatsu. Dazai stirs a little, his lips pressing into a line and eyebrows knotting before he shifts his position and lets out a sleepy sigh.

A loving grin appears on your lips as you watch him, before you tread softly into the bathroom to wash your face.

~

The shrill tone of a mobile wakes Dazai up. He grumbles slightly as he raises from the kontatsu, scratching his messy hair and letting out a yawn as he fumbles around for his phone.

"Yes..." He mutters, his voice husky as he blinks a few times, trying to awaken his tired eyes. As he does, the brunette peers around the room and smirks to himself as he realised, he had 'accidentally' stayed the night.

"Ah, Mori-san." He greets the older man through the phone and listens carefully to what the boss had to say. "Mhm... yes... okay... goodbye."

He presses the red 'end call' button with his thumb, and stares at the phone in his hand with a disapproving frown.

You step into the living area with a curious expression, a toothbrush is held lazily in your mouth as you peer towards the executive.

"Good morning." You announce, the words are just audible through your toothbrush. Dazai's eyes widen slightly – it was as if for a moment he had forgotten you were there – and turns his head over his shoulder. His scowl turns into an authentic smile as he meets your gaze.