For ninjou.

[tenimuho]

[Tonight, Dazai is really drunk.

This is not different from most other nights in their favorite bar, save for a few things.

1. Ango isn't here.

2. Dazai is really drunk. The kind of drunk that has Odasaku concerned that he might be trying to die through liver failure. That drunk.

And so, it's with hesitation that he speaks up.]

Maybe you should stop drinking for tonight.

Comments

[ninjou]

[Dazai is, in fact, really really drunk, so much so that this is the last round that the bartender will allow him, despite him being a ~big scary Mafia executive~. He's been cut off. Or, well, he's going to be.]

One more! On the rocks!

[His head is on the bartop and his hand is waving a bit aimlessly. It almost hits his companion in the shoulder. It wasn't even a bad day, nor a particularly good one. Dazai just thought that focusing on destroying his liver might speed his whole dying young process along...]

Hey, O~da~sa~ku~

[tenimuho]

Dazai.

[Dazai's name neither has enough syllables to say it singsong nor any reason why Odasaku should say it singsong. The world might end first.]

What is it?

[ninjou]

[Singsong is awesome, and Dazai loves it. He's all about making things fun and exciting when they should be. And he smiles stupidly, grinning at Odasaku.]

Maybe we can go play cards after this. I don't want to go back yet, but I don't think Mr. Bartender here is going to let me stay... And besides, Sensei ran to the corner.

[tenimuho]

Playing cards doesn't sound bad.

[There's no real harm in that, except possibly someone losing a lot of money. What's the worst that could happen?]

[ninjou]

[What's money to Dazai? He'll just hand it to Odasaku if he wants it!]

Do you want another drink? I'll pay for it!

[tenimuho]

No, I'm done too. Thank you.

[Dazai would spoil Odasaku if he asked, one of the many reasons why Odasaku never will.]

[ninjou]

[Because Odasaku is his favorite person, he'll do pretty much anything for him.

He's also going to wave off the last drink before it's poured and clap a hand on Oda's shoulder.]

Okay, okay. I'll stop. I don't want to see anyone sad...

[tenimuho]

Good.

[Dazai will not die of liver failure today. Maybe someday.]

What game did you want to play?

[ninjou]

[Dazai twirls on the stool, and watches as the proprietor goes to the back for a few moments to start closing up.]

What can two people play?

[tenimuho]

Poker? ...Crazy Eights?

[There are lots of options but he hasn't played in a while.]

[ninjou]

[Ahh, classics. But Dazai has a better idea. He leans in confidentially, alcohol on his breath:]

Go Fish.

[tenimuho]

Okay.

[That sounds kind of boring, but Odasaku supposes it could be fun with the right opponent?

Is drunk Dazai the right opponent to make Go Fish fun. Time will tell.]

[ninjou]

[It's stupid, and Dazai has motives. If he's cute, maybe Odasaku will pay more attention to what he says. If he acts stupid, someone has to monitor him, right?

He leaves exact change on the bar and puts his hand on Oda's shoulder again.]

Let's go! Onward.

[tenimuho]

Alright.

[Odasaku leads them out of the bar. His own aparment is in walking distance - that's why he frequented this bar in the first place - and if Dazai can walk that far without need for a cab, then it's better to get the exercise.]

[ninjou]

[Now, being an executive, Dazai has to look cool and in charge, so he walks a half step in front of Odasaku...

...until he realizes that, being drunk, he's slightly disoriented. So he bows generously and gestures for Odasaku to lead on.]

It's a nice night, too. So refreshing, don't you think?

[tenimuho]

[Dazai doesn't have to look in charge for Odasaku. It's not like he can forget.]

I thought it would be more humid tonight, but it's actually nice.

[Humid nights are the worst after you've been drinking, and also in general.]

[ninjou]

[Dazai shrugs his outer coat off and drapes it over his arm--something he's usually only comfortable doing around Odasaku. It's not good to be so exposed, but he has Oda there to protect him and his interests.]

It's beautiful... you can see all the stars. Look!

[He points up and there's nothing visible but city lights, but by god he will pretend. And stagger into Odasaku.]

Sorry.

[tenimuho]

[Oof. Dazai isn't too heavy, but he does make Odasaku reach out to steady him, one hand on his shoulder.]

It's okay. [He glances up, then back at Dazai's face.] But you can't see the stars at all from here.

[ninjou]

You can if you squint.

[He covers his already covered eye and leans heavily on Odasaku. They never get to do cool things like stargazing.]

Should I get glasses, I wonder... I'd look pretty cool.

[tenimuho]

I don't know about that. Borrow Ango's, and then we'll see if you look good in them.

[Ango will probably get mad, but it should be fine if it's just for a minute.]

[ninjou]

Oooooh, good idea!!!

[No. His glasses are ugly. Don't do it.]

I'll borrow them next time we see him... Maybe you'll have to hold him down while I steal them, though...

[tenimuho]

I'll ask.

[He only occasionally helps Dazai do terrible things to Ango. Not all the time. Really.]

[ninjou]

[HE WANTS THE GLASSES.

He's also just leaning on Odasaku now.]

I really like that bar...

[tenimuho]

It's a good bar.

[Just humor drunk Dazai, it's fine.]

Come on. We won't get to play Go Fish if we don't keep walking.

[ninjou]

Sorry, sorry.

[Dazai starts walking in the same direction they were going, then, and he looks Odasaku over instead of the sky. He feels... oddly warm and stupidly touchy feely. That's odd. But it's kind of strangely directed at Odasaku. Not humanity in general, just him. A dilemma.

They round a corner, and Dazai settles his coat back on his shoulders with a flourish.]

Hey, Odasaku?