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Eh, Monopoly...
While you never understood what is so fun about this game, there was no way you could refuse an evening spent with those considered close.
A humble yet quite cozy flat truly became neutral zone - hosting hang outs with not only your partner, but bunch of kids that one could call 'friends of family'.
Or a family, actually.
And irregular one at that: two Mafia fugitives, one actual member and a tiger. Group made of both enemies and allies alike, putting barriers aside and indulging in this shared life.
"Prepare for bitter taste of harsh defeat, Weretiger." Akutagawa's convinced voice was one among the whole commotion.
"This is just a board game- You know what?!" Atsushi's exasperated expression quickly sparked up with a newly found determination "Fine... Loser has to clean a sink full of dishes."
"I accept your terms."
Well, at least they didn't try to kill each other in your living room.
"Heh, you can stay within this world of your delusions." Dazai laughed, his grin spreading from ear to ear "But Monopoly is actually a game of strategy. And there is only one who can emerge from that."
You opened box with pawns and everyone chose thing that caught their eyes first.
Dazai grabbed a dog (although he didn't seem to like it all that much), you went for a boot and Akutagawa chose a hat, staring at it for a moment.
"Why a hat?" You asked with a soft smile.
"It looks a bit like Chuuya's," he replied, inspecting it momentarily and placing it down on the board.
"Jeez- The slug isn't even here and still I have to hear his name," Osamu huffed, crossing his arms. Maybe the pawn was fitting, because he brought on this tone like pavlov's dog each time Chuuya's name was mentioned.
You patted man's back and looked around the others.
"Which one would you like, Kyouka?" Atsushi glimmered at young girl, showing her remaining tokenes in his palm.
"Hmmm... A cat," she replied quietly. Fingers held a freshly baked cream cookie, which she munched on peacefully.
"Do you like them?" You asked. Kyouka rarely visited, so it was nice to see her enjoy herself, especially around Akutagawa. Formerly uncomfortable within boy's presence, now she sat beside him with not as much as batting an eye "There are more if you'd like."
"Yes, thank you." Kyouka grabbed another one "They are really good."
Weretiger gave you a mutual happy nod, visibly on the same page regarding girl beside him. He chose battleship token and the game has finally begun!
You didn't have much strategy when it came to playing this. So you just bought what seemed reasonable and set to see where it will go. Others, on the other hand, seemed much more into it. Even your calculated lover - although it wasn't something visible at the first glance.
You watched Dazai with a constantly fueled amusement, it was nice to see he was still a kid at heart. Afterall, such form of spending time had not occurred in your both collective minds before.
"Yes!" Atsushi did a little seated cheerful dance "Better pay up, Akutagawa~"
This joy didn't last long when a terrifying shadow casted above tiger boy.
"What's the matter?" Akutagawa asked, crossing his arms. Aside from curious expression, there was a flicker of amusement in his eyes.
He did pay up the money.
It just so happened to be placed right inside Rashomon's mouth, dripping with long inky strings resembling a saliva.
"Is it really necessary to activate your power inside the house?" Atsushi's hand hesitantly reached up and to his surprise, black sharpened teeth eased slightly, allowing him to take the papers out. Boy looked over at the hosting couple.
"I mean... as long as it doesn't chew on furniture, then I don't really mind," You said, grabbing white cubed dice.
Rashomon turned away and wrapped around its maker's back, resting at the lap. Pale white hand gave the creature a pleased pat.
You braced yourself, for sure these shenanigans were bound to last until the very end of gathering.
⪻────𖤓────⪼
After around two hours of this, your attention span was giving out. But emotions in the room went high!
With another shake of dice, Dazai threw it on the board and moved his token with overtaking confidence, right onto a dark blue space.
"Park Place. This one is mine," Kyouka said calmly, holding two property cards.
Her voice didn't do the situation justice. She did not only own two most expensive properties, but built there two hotels.
You glanced at Dazai's budget.
Or a lack thereof...
Man smiled, turning his last property card facing back "Finally at last - I declare the bankruptcy!"
"Honey... That means you've just lost," you said at his dorkily glimmering eyes. He placed his arms around your shoulders.
"What is loss, my dearest, if not death of one's whole capital! If it's not my glorious time in this ongoing life, then it shall be within this game. But oh, to bear this fate alone- Without a beautiful, my beautiful woman. When is it your turn to give this wealth away and-"
"Get a room you guys," Atsushi spoke, seeing blush that crept on your own face at Dazai's advances.
He even acted as one does around the parents, yikes.
"Actually, let's all take five. I will go make tea," you got up and Dazai followed, noticing that kettle may be a 2 people job.
"Are there any more cookies?" Sweet voice called from the remaining game participants.
"Of course, Kyouka." You replied happily "I baked a whole batch. They will also be at ADA office tomorrow."
Automatically, as if brain manifested what Osamu was going to say next, your mouth was faster "And we're not spiking one with mayonnaise for Kunikida."
"Oh your lack of sympathy for a freshly declared bankrupt man..."
While in the kitchen, you pressed down a button on the kettle. Suddenly, warm pair of arms wrapped around you from behind.
Turns out this 2 people job was really an excuse to spend some time one on one. While having genius mind, Dazai was really just a man.
But he was still your man and you welcomed this embrace.
"So you lost first, huh?"
"That would be correct, my dear." He said nonchalantly.
How convenient.
"When it comes to the strategic bit, I really thought you had good hand at the beginning. It's really kind of you to let the youngsters win."
Osamu scoffed.
"Yeaaaah, that's totally what I just did. You saw right through me on this one."
Or so you thought? But his tone left you unsure. Well, leaving people guessing was Dazai's whole charade, so instead of questioning lover's intentions, you simply leaned into the touch. Nose snuggled your hair, tickling skin behind the ear.
"Whatever, who cares about bunch of properties when I have the most valuable treasure here." No matter the amount of months you've been together, man's honeyed words caused your legs to weaken each and every time "Right in my unwielding arms."
You poured boiling water right into a huge teapot none of you had expected to come in handy one day, until teenagers started to become a mundane occurance at the house. Even if managing the three of them turned out to be a bit of a challenge.
A heavily cherished one.
"We should head back soon," your voice carried tinge of softness "Before they try to wreak a havoc just like during Uno night."
"Boys should learn to solve such fights among themselves." Dazai mumbled out, tightening his secure bind around your waist "Plus, it makes things much more entertaining. Especially considering I can break up their shenanigans with touch of itsy bitsy finger."
Mischievous chuckle graced your ear "You know, stopping fights is not the only thing my fingers are quite good at..."
"Gosh, Osamu-" You slipped out right after these tantalising words became apparent in your mind.
Meanwhile in the living room, Akutagawa left for the bathroom. Atsushi got up too, yet still looked back towards his friend.
"Don't you want to stretch your legs out, Kyouka? We've been going at it for at least two hours," Boy asked kindly.
Girl, however, only sat there with a calm expression.
"No," steady voice escaped her mouth "The game is still in progress. I will stay here and protect the bank."
Atsushi laughted nervously. Kyouka's literal perception of things would have been endearing, except this was not a real bank and no one here would even care to raid it.
Certainly not two honorable brats.
And Dazai was already out.
Still, that at least meant girl was having fun.
Eventually you came back with tea and the tournament resumed. Osamu, now completely unnatentive towards game he lost, just laid head on your lap, opening a book.
Pawns moved across the spacious board, with multiple transactions to be due and stakes more on the line than ever.
It took you a few rounds to notice that, but Kyouka was silently sitting across. You caught fiddling of her fingers, as wheels spinned inside the detective mind.
Of course! She probably got too shy to ask about the cookies, the ones you forgot.
"Oh, I left cookies in the kitchen. Let me grab them for you," With a gentle smile, you were about to pull yourself up from the ground.
"You can stay down, I've got that covered." Akutagawa spoke as multiple black strings left his coat. They stretched right towards the kitchen, bending on the way and jumping against walls to probably finish at the counter.
Not a minute passed before creature returned to the room, bringing porcelain plate filled with cookies right beside Kyouka's hand. None of the contents were spilled within the process too.
Girl's eyes shimmered at the sight of baked, delicious goods. So much so that acknowledging who delivered them didn't really cross her mind.
"Thank you," she spoke, taking the plate off dark creature's head and grabbing the awaited treat. After a brief pause for consideration, Kyouka broke off half of it and fed it to the beast.
"Hey, Akutagawa?" Atsushi's head rose up from the behind mafioso's shoulder "I've been wondering why now he doesn't have this stringy falling thingies?"
"Well, although I can't exactly specify that..." Akutagawa looked at demon which still chewed on the snack "Rashomon just so happens to be an excellent judge of character."
Atsushi huffed, sourily crossing his arms. But then, gaze moved above other boy's lap and towards Kyouka. Girl glanced at his soft palm and placed a cookie right in centre.
Tiger boy just waved it up, catching Rashomon's attention. Beast stayed vigilant, moving slightly to the sides, as if thinking whether this was target that it should attack.
Attack or in this case - devour. It flew right above their heads until teeth closed on the dough, just nibbling it politely.
"See? I think it likes me."
Suddenly, black creature froze. It felt Akutagawa's ice cold glare and closed down on the cookie with its might, presenting little growl, before forcefully seeping through the cloth that made its surface.
"Awh, aren't you a little harsh on it?" Your head tilted when you watched the spectacle of inky moving matter.
"Not at all," Akutagawa grabbed his tea. Although composed, his lips squeezed shut "Rashomon is a weapon and not a mere pet. Alas, there is already one sitting beside me."
He glanced upon the cat.
"I am a tiger!" Atsushi pressed his hands together to his chest in a desperate whine.
⪻────𖤓────⪼
Finally, after what seemed like ages - two unbreakable minds fought until the very end.
But only one emerged still standing and honestly, devastatingly rich. If they ever made Monopoly Yokohama edition, you were sure that this young girl could buy off the Guild.
"I'm happy for your victory, Kyouka" Akutagawa gave her a courteous bow "You were the opponent worthy of my time. Even you, Weretiger... Until the moment of your very expected defeat."
Boy patted head of former mafia junior, unsuspecting of the cheerful threat behind him.
"It was real run for the money, Akutagawa. But just wait until we play whatever's next!"
Atsushi squeezed enemy's shoulders, making black ferocious tentacles spike out of Akutagawa's coat and sway like serpents in the raging sea.
"You wretched cat, get your hands off me! Don't you have dishes to clean?!"
Akutagawa's wiggles caused more laughter than concern. Rashomon, although fiercely moving in the air, didn't make any attempt to attack the Weretiger. Still, tentacles ruffled Atsushi's hair and clothes.
He eventually let go, rather amused than angry.
"Okay, okay!" He stood up. Thinking of the pile of dishes made the air wheeze out of him like the balloon "I forgot it was part of the deal..."
Your head turned towards the victor, while still grazing Dazai's hair over your lap "Contratulations on beating us, Kyouka! What would you like as a reward?"
Girl glanced towards her friend and then right back at you.
"Can I wash the dishes with Atsushi?"
"Huh?" Curiosity sparked up on Weretiger's face, as he awkwardly scratched cheek with his slim finger "Are you sure about it, Kyouka? You didn't lose like I did."
"I am."
"Osamu, would you take care of putting game away?" You asked, giving him one last pull on gorgeous brown strands before attempting to get up "I'm going to pack youngsters some food."
Your lover closed his book and stretched arms before obediently putting things away. He seemed high in spirit.
Afterall, the game was done and soon it would be just the two of you. Finishing little game of man's own, which started not so long ago inside the kitchen.
"Let me assist you with that," Akutagawa got up, straightening his clothes. He followed calmly behind.
You knew he probably would kill for time to spend with Dazai, maybe not after acquiring second place during Monopoly, but you could see boy yearn for validation. Which only made you so much happier that he still decided to assist you with packing up food.
And what effective helper you just had!
Rashomon was not only as deadly as he could be cute depending on the situation, but dark limbs enwrapped the cutlery, putting bits and pieces of the dinner into boxes you provided.
Once that task was completed, you found creature's head on top your shoulder, sneaking way into the fridge. Giving it a strand of cheese, fingers nuzzled Rashomon's chewing jaw, before it swiftly flew back up.
"I can take it over from here. Thank you, Akutagawa. Will you go grab Osamu for me?" You watched boy's face freeze at the request. Hand reached for his shoulder, giving him an encouraging squeeze "He should be done with cleaning things up in the living room by now."
Akutagawa looked at you, before walking out and heading to find his former mentor.
Monopoly already packed was placed neatly on the coffee table, but Dazai seemed to be elsewhere. Teenager wandered, before chilling breeze came from balcony doors.
He stepped there, pushing on the glassy surface and stepping onto the tilled balcony.
Dazai stood back to him, facing view of Yokohama's streets. Sun was already at the very bottom of the sky as the city went into ominous night.
Akutagawa stopped beside the man. Not speaking, but also admiring the city both parties managed to protect.
It wasn't long, until familiar voice spoke up, catching his attention.
"Another day is nearing to the finish line, inviting darkness to its inevitable and just as natural state. They intertwine as sun falls down, yet cannot stay within same sky. Always circling."
Mafioso placed his hands on top of the guardrail.
"Each have their own domain and that's where they should stay. Matters of the light have nothing worth of interest to me," boy's hands tightened on the metal bar, his tone was strongly swoon with confident conviction. Yet, his heart beat faster at the faint flicker within his mind. Light could be a truly terrifying matter "It is confusing... This bizarre line between the two. Though not more than Weretiger, Kyouka and the detective."
Akutagawa looked down to his palms and smoking shadow pooling over polished tilled floor "I can't wrap my head around how a being made entirely of obscure and twisted dark can still be object of such naive compassion. Especially to her."
"That would make the two of us."
Dazai's reply seemed to enwrap balcony with nothing but defeaning silence, in a melancholic limbo state.
And somehow Akutagawa wondered who could be the aim of former mentor's thought - the boy or the speaker himself.
Perhaps it was the wonder that brought two of them to witness further peaceful view. Surrendering to quiet, unspoken and unknown.
"But isn't all of that what makes life just a bit more beautiful?" Dazai's hand tapped on the guardrail, as he eventually pulled back, leaving the mafioso without appropriate reply "Let's head inside, before we get told off for letting doors be open for too long."
Unfortunately, some disasters are a work of fate, which was why pair was greeted with you near the doors to the balcony.
"You are letting the cold in, Osamu." You said, but then eased seeing both of their expressions.
There was no way to tell what exactly happened outside, but the contemplative faces somehow managed to convey the message.
Atsushi and Kyouka already began putting their shoes on and pretty soon after that, bustling apartment was overtaken by peace once again.
At least within the apartment, because as soon as the entrance doors closed, sound of laughing, talks and arguments filled in the building hall like a deadly hurricane.
You sighed contently. As long as their viscious arguments could be heard, it meant they were alive and kicking - a luxury one just shouldn't take for granted in their line of work.
"Sheesh, it is quite a zoo we have there. Neighbours're gonna looooove us," Dazai's body weight leaned partially on you, with chin atop your head and arms placed against shoulders.
"Our neighbours can just kindly suck it," You replied with the same snarkiness "They would have privilege to complain, if it wasn't for these stomps at night."
"God, you're right." He slurred the words out, overtaken with disgust "Or that damn TV with no volume limits and national news playing religiously regardless of the day. And night."
At least until one time Dazai meddled with the wiring. One small blast and issue didn't manage to resurface, at least not yet.
"Fucking hell, we're getting old." The sudden dryness of your tone caught Osamu by surprise.
Initially, he laughted. Statement itself was nothing but preposterous! To think that you would even try to so blindly imply-
Oh no.
Diving into subject deeper, synopses of detective's brain sparked up while bringing on the little habits that had overtook your recent life.
Aside from early nights spent in with chamomile and drowning in the piles of coupons stored protectively as some grand prize, he only feared what could be next - a new fresh pack of sponges he would ask for during Christmas time?
Looking at the ones residing in the sink, he might wish for just that!
"Let's not panic." Osamu pulled back.
"You sure? I even see grey hair starting to come out..."
"Ah, please. In case any would be found, it's only the result of meeting Chuuya at the ripe age of fifteen. Nothing makes you age up faster than knowing the guy."
It squeezed out a laugh. At least, regardless of flowing state of time, some things were bound to never change.
You crossed your arms, wrapping them around.
It was inevitable fact that both of you were growing up. Only a year ago the goal was to get by. Day by day, surviving through persisting challenges of life.
And then, so suddenly, yet far too overdue it all changed up - falling for Osamu, building this safe haven from the little scraps both of you could find.
When thinking of events that made the past, vision of the coming future didn't seem so frightening.
Dazai must have seen the glint within your eyes, as man stood right in front. There was a peaceful smile adorning his mouth.
"Who would care about that..." With tone now serious, he pulled your chin up, causing little sparks of warmth at the proximity "Especially having such partner at their side. And hey, we're still in our mid-twenties. That's plenty of time."
Focus turned to pleasant way in which man's fingers twirled small strands of your hair around. Dazai breathed in, taking in gorgeous sight, finally his in empty flat.
"How about we use some of this youthful energy," He said and you smirked once man leaned in, allowing lips to gently touch "Would you care to join me in some... Prolonged disturbance of the residential peace? I think we still may have it in us to go for the whole night."
An offer asked so tenderly was not one you could let slide. Especially with kiss that followed after or the path that Dazai's hands began to travel, knowing just where they should wander.
"I'm pretty sure the bedroom is that way," you said, feeling the softness of man's lips grazing against each corner of your mouth.
"Is that your sense of whimsy, darling?" Osamu's arms already stirred the course in which they gladly offered to assist you as a guide "If we're going for being a nuisance, we have a pretty creaky couch..."