𝖙he 𝐧𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞 of living

i know teen dazai would look dead. with chapped ass lips too.

@humanity-error404 continued

There is a blink at that response. This guy was a weirdo. Why were adults all weird? “His name is Gon, he’s my best friend. You can pet him if you’d like? He won’t bite so don’t worry.” Biting was for bad people.

But now he can’t help but wonder. Could poison ivy really kill someone? But that’s a dark thought Niimi rather not think about! “You sure you aren’t hurt?” Strange as this person was, worry and concern are heavy in his voice. The boy opens the little pouch on his side- ignore the roasted cicada and the rocks- digging out ointment meant for minor scrapes. Which he holds out.

“Here! This always helps when I get hurt playing.”

“If that’s the case…” Dazai’s index was placed on Bon’s head, moving slowly as a consequence of the expressive gestures he tends to make with his hands. “Pleasure to meet you, Bon-kun.” The detective scratched behind the fox’s ears for a few moments before withdrawing his hand.

What a lovely friend.

“You have nothing to worry about, but I’m flattered by your concern!” There’s some resemblance between Atsushi and the unknown boy, it’s probably the kindness they both possess. For that reason alone, he accepted the ointment. “Mm, how could I refuse? Thank you~.”

That hadn't been what Lovecraft had expected, not from what he'd seen on the battlefield. Dazai was putting up a front, either then or now && Lovecraft was unsure of which one was more real. Humans would continue to confound him for as long as he was around them, but it was humans like Dazai who confused him the most.

❝ That's...quite profound, ❞ Yet he still felt uneasy looking at Dazai, he was near impossible to read, ❝ We are both monsters...we have both done...terrible things, but you still find our love...beautiful. That's...not something I would expect to hear from a human. ❞

“You heard it from a nuisance.”

Appreciation often comes from the least expected places; those who receive it from the common crowd are fortunate. Not only have they been accepted, but they have also been admired by the strangest, and perhaps even most terrifying, phenomenon Dazai had ever seen.

Alas, what a troublesome situation.

❝ Why do you...care? ❞

"Have you ever admired a flower, Octo-san? Or an animal that is not yours?"

Perhaps a fish, or a shark. Sharks are often called the dogs of the sea, which he finds fitting given his ignorance of the species. Both possess teeth that are equally vexing.

"You do not need to act to find peace or joy in witnessing it; admiration is more than enough. If that is so, why would you ever sabotage something so beautiful?"

He was more focused on what the human said about Bram, that he should allow his love to flow as freely as a river. The very idea made Lovecraft's hearts ache. If he were braver, he'd shout his love for his mate from the rooftops until his throat was raw && bloody. He'd spill his own sapphire blood upon the ground for an eternity if it meant Bram was loved.

Lovecraft was being manipulated, to a degree at least, he knew as much, but he could not bear to hold back his emotions after what Dazai had said.

❝ For his safety...I can't say a lot, ❞ Bram had been, at one point, an enemy to the world itself, ❝ I met him...in a music store in Yokohama that'd I'd been coming to...for awhile. He was...not familiar with a lot of music, so I helped him learn because...I used to be the same way. ❞

Lovecraft sighed, remembering the first time he saw Bram && how he was so obviously a vampire that it was a wonder he hadn't been staked yet.

“Two beings blind to the human world comforting each other, easing their loneliness, and creating something that can only be called a home. What a lovely tale.” He confessed, closing his eyes. “Thank you for entrusting me with such a precious memory.”

Francis had lost his child &&, to a degree, he'd lost Zelda as well, it was why he'd fought so hard to get the Book. Not something Lovecraft was personally invested in, but he'd understood it at least, from a logical standpoint. Though a part of him did think it to be extreme, but such was humanity. They had so much damn determination that they relied on beings like himself to try && achieve the impossible.

❝ I already told you.. ❞

It was only the second time Dazai had pried into Lovecraft's personal affairs, but he was being worn down so easily. His patience with the human was already worn thin && more than anything he just wanted to, get rid of him. Lovecraft wouldn't attack Dazai if he didn't need too, that was far too much effort to get rid of a mere nuisance. If he gave Dazai a name, something simple, perhaps he'd leave him be.

He paused, narrowing his eyes. One of the few genuine expressions Dazai could offer is tied to a gloomy memory; a quiet melancholy always surfaces whenever he remembers his friend. Aware of the sorrow that brimmed in his gaze, the detective sighed with a faint smile, chuckling in the face of defeat. Perhaps he should eat spicy curry today, even if he has no appetite.

“…Otherwise, it becomes a descent into hell where even before it begins, the door to return has already been closed.”

His objective seemed feasible, but Dazai’s insufferable enthusiasm did not appear again.

“Bram, huh... You may pardon me, that is not enough.”

Dazai barely moved, looking up at the sky. There are no romantics left in the world.

❝ My relationship with my mate is...none of your business... ❞

He shouldn't have even brought it up in the first place, but Lovecraft took things at face value too easily.

Ignoring what had become another victim of his horrible character, filled with a twisted sense of pride in annoying a creature like Lovecraft, Dazai once again found himself facing the emptiness that only his eyes could convey. Perhaps God was vexed with His own creation and, in an act that can only be described as inconsiderate, isolated it from the mortal paradise. It’s a plausible explanation; otherwise, why do stray dogs even exist?

“Fitzgerald possesses a rare gift for business, a true Midas of our era.” Sighing, slipped his hands into his pockets. "An obstinate gentleman, but who could blame him? What drives his existence is love itself, and while he acted as our ally, I am certain that, sooner or later, we will face each other once more. Only you, Octo-san, will decide whether to participate in his next crusade or not."

Smiling again, Dazai decided to insist. He cannot rest without knowing who Lovecraft’s mate is, and to his misfortune, he is not someone who abandons what captures his interest.

❝ I'm already seeing someone anyway... ❞

“Oh? Love seems to be in the air; how jealous I am~!” Dazai clasped his hands before his face with a bright smile. “The only remedy is telling me every last detail of this romance of yours.”

He pressed a finger lightly against his lips, tongue peeking out as he tilted his gaze toward the sky, wearing an expression of youthful innocence.