[Oda patiently listens, and gradually curiosity turns to confusion turns to frustration and concern, the descent pushing Oda's buttons hard enough that—]
Enough, Dazai. Please...
[There's a snap to the tone in his slightly raised voice, warning and exasperation and worry all at once, his mouth is more parched than ever before, and all of that damned anxiety he'd swallowed earlier has rebuilt its home in his throat. The look on his face is that of puzzlement and unease, he cannot remain neutral as Dazai speaks on darker matters as this.
Suddenly it seems so hard to breathe; why? Is that a twisting feeling in his chest? Is there another in the pit of his stomach? When did they start, how did they get there? His heart is beating fast, so fast, alert because he feels alarmed because—
Oda squeezes his eyes shut and then shakes his head until he regains enough composure to regard Dazai again.
Gingerly,]
Are you... alright? What happened after I...
[...left you?
Say it, he should just say it, he wants to say it. Just ask Dazai; why can't he just ask Dazai already?]
no subject
Enough, Dazai. Please...
[There's a snap to the tone in his slightly raised voice, warning and exasperation and worry all at once, his mouth is more parched than ever before, and all of that damned anxiety he'd swallowed earlier has rebuilt its home in his throat. The look on his face is that of puzzlement and unease, he cannot remain neutral as Dazai speaks on darker matters as this.
Suddenly it seems so hard to breathe; why? Is that a twisting feeling in his chest? Is there another in the pit of his stomach? When did they start, how did they get there? His heart is beating fast, so fast, alert because he feels alarmed because—
Oda squeezes his eyes shut and then shakes his head until he regains enough composure to regard Dazai again.
Gingerly,]
Are you... alright? What happened after I...
[...left you?
Say it, he should just say it, he wants to say it. Just ask Dazai; why can't he just ask Dazai already?]
...died?