Bonds within Bars

                                    

                                          
Note: This was one of my favorite chapters so far. It's a nice break to the oncoming angst.
                          
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Rain; it's soft, cold, and welcoming. The weather had been poor for the past month, constant weeks of rain and hail. The smells of winter drained out by the musty smell that stuck to the ground. Friday nights were supposed to be fun, especially when you get asked to go out to a bar with a friend. Tonight wasn't like that, rainy, cold, but welcoming. Dazai leaned against the entrance to the bar, waiting for the arrival of Fyodor. He was usually the one who arrived last, normally late. Except for this time, he was the one waiting, still late based on the time that he was given, but here before the older male. Eventually, he spotted the Russian in the distance, accompanied by another. As they came into view Dazai couldn't help but glare. The boy by Fyodor's side happened to be his roommate. Chuuya appeared to be laughing, a large smile on his face from what Dazai could see of it. It was difficult to figure out who it was before due to the multiple layers of clothes. From the fur wrapped around his neck to the heavy coat that had to be custom-tailored to fit Chuuya's exact frame. 
                          
"You didn't tell me Chibi was coming." Dazai glared at the equally tall male before shedding a glance at Chuuya, who stuck his tongue out.
                          
"I wasn't told you were coming either." Chuuya's retort earned a snicker from Fyodor who walked on ahead, leaving the two roommates to bicker with each other. He only invited the two for the entertainment. They had such an interesting relationship compared to normal roommates.
                          
"You know they probably don't have weak things like wine here." Dazai hummed his tease as the two walked in and took seats at the bar.
                          
"I am not a light drinker!" The ginger's voice raised as he lightly smacked his hands against Dazai's chest.
                          
"You totally are, and it's called a lightweight Chibi!" Dazai snickered as he looked to Fyodor, who already had his drink resting next to him. Shockingly, it seemed he was volunteering to drive back considering the glass of water he had.
                          
"Am not! I'll even prove it, you order me something and I'll drink two glasses without getting a bit tipsy!" Chuuya once more crossed his arms with a scowl placed across his face.
                          
"Deal! But if you end up drunk, I have all the rights in the world to make it a free pass for picking on you!" Dazai quickly turned around to order Chuuya something that had a bitter-sweet taste like wine, but without the burn. 
                          
"You two are like children." Fyodor swished his drink around as he spoke, not needing to make eye contact to express his observation. "You sit next to each other, but say you dislike one another. There is a seat next to me, but you pick to sit side by side." A smirk lifted Fyodor's lips as he spoke.
                          
"Eh, well it's easy to tease him like this!" Dazai quickly made an excuse that couldn't be refused or challenged.
                          
"I just felt like sitting here, that way I can prove he's wrong." Chuuya's excuse wasn't believable, but either way, neither member of his company questioned him. Within the silence, he picked the glass up and took a small sip, tasting whatever he had in the glass. Chuuya instantly went from a small sip to half a glass. "It's sweet?"
                          
Dazai nearly laughed as he laid his hand on his palm, his glass of whiskey sitting untouched. "Have you never had anything besides wine?" Dazai could almost laugh, but he held back for a reason he didn't understand.
                          
"Wha? Of course, I have, I've tasted other things, I just don't like them!" Dazai hid a smile at how defensive Chuuya got when it came to drinking, something he'd never really understood.
                          
"Mhm, and somehow you've never run into sake before?" Dazai smirked watching Chuuya make an effort to find a repute and challenge him, but found the boy drinking the rest of his glass.