It's officially been half a year since everything at Mersault. Everything has turned mostly to normal... well, aside from the life changes Dazai has had to make after his injuries in Mersault. His leg got shattered from his fall in the elevator, leaving him with permanent injuries and left relying on a cane most days, something he hates. Additionally, he now has chronic pain in his shoulder from where Chuuya shot him.

It's definitely been a struggle for Dazai. Feeling vulnerable has never been something he's been good at, nor has he enjoyed. Slipping into headspace has always been difficult for those reasons, especially since he slips really young around one to five, and now that he feels so weak 24/7, he wants to slip even less. Weak times two? No thanks.

Basically, he hasn't slipped in months, and it's definitely catching up with him now. Who would've guess that removing your one healthy coping mechanism from your routine could result is problems? He's been more irritable and stressed, but he'll be darned if he lets himself slip!

Chuuya, his husband and caregiver, is reaching his limit. That idiot won't just let go. He's been trying to push the topic for weeks, only for Dazai to wiggle out of the conversation everytime. Today, though, he won't be so lucky.

Chuuya purposefully got off of work early, getting home before Dazai for once. He was going to make the mackerel slip with a surprise attack. He's turned their living room couch into a cozy little fort, knowing Dazai loves closed spaces, he's put out his baby's favorite snacks and plushies and blankets, and he's putting on Osamu's favorite movies. He wants Dazai to be comfy, knowing that this will be a very hard drop for him.

Dazai comes home around his usual time, finding Chuuya sitting at the kitchen table waiting for him. The ginger smiles gently at the tall brunette, waving at him. "Welcome home, Osamu. Did you have a good day at work, sweetheart?" He asks, knowing pet names are an easy way to make Dazai's brain mushy.