You're sat propped up in bed, engrossed in your book as evening fell. The long hours of the day were finally catching up to you as your eyelids grew heavy. Before you could give in to sleep, you heard the apartment door creak open down the hall.

Sitting up straighter, you strained your ears to listen. Faint footsteps approached, slower than usual. You peered over the top of your book just as Dazai appeared in the doorway.

"Welcome home," You said softly. Dazai gave a weary smile in return as he shuffled into the room.

Without bothering with pretense, he came straight to the bed and crawled onto the mattress, in between your legs. You lowered your book to watch as Dazai turned onto his stomach, tugging the blankets up over his shoulders and your waist.

With a contented sigh, Dazai laid his head on your stomach, nuzzling into the comforting warmth. You shifted to better accommodate him, settling one hand gently atop unkempt brown locks.

"Mori kept you late?" you asked, already guessing the answer.

Dazai made a wordless sound of agreement, forehead creasing briefly at the memory before smoothing again under your touch. You - his partner, always knew just how to soothe away the strains of the day. As you resumed reading aloud in a steady tone, Dazai let his eyes drift shut. Safe and relaxed in this haven, he slipped easily into slumber's embrace.