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

[tenimuho]

...I want either you to stop touching me like this and let me go deal with things- [wow he is not able to say things like 'get off while thinking of you' and it's for the best that he isn't] or I want you to stop stopping.

It's still your choice.

[He'd never try to push Dazai too far.]

[ninjou]

[Dazai stiffens slightly, then lets his hands drop to his sides. He looks a little cold, even though he understands. His way of doing things isn't the nicest, and Odasaku isn't usually the target.

But if he fucks up, he might lose him. That's not a logical thought, but Dazai knows a taste of only one fear in life: losing the one thing that's important to him.]

Right.

[He wants to be close, he decides. That's what he wants is this raw closeness and nothing bigger. He wants to feel him, but not... not like that. Just to be close. And he has his own ways of getting to that that have proved, as he glances down, ultimately troublesome for both of them.

He's not sorry, so he doesn't apologize. He does, however, move so that he's standing, and he offers the shirt back.]

I'll leave. I shouldn't... have done that. I'm not used to you. Or people like you. [Good people.] I just wanted... [Shrug. Doesn't matter. He's awkwardly turning away and... awkwardly fixing things so he can tuck his shirt in.]

[tenimuho]

[Odasaku is quiet for a moment as he pulls his shirt back on. He buttons it carefully, then rises off the couch.]

You should still have breakfast. I'm sure it's gone cold by now, so just put it in the microwave for a minute.

[He worries about Dazai. There are so many things he does that are unhealthy and not eating breakfast is only the smallest of them.]

I'll... I'll be back.

[And before he can get a reply, he disappears in the direction of the bathroom.]

[ninjou]

[He'll be back, and Dazai will be well gone, having not even bothered to steady his head or anything else before donning all his usual garb, adjusting his tie and bandages, and heading out.

He's been missing all night, after all. Someone might think he's dead.]

[tenimuho]

[Dazai...

If he's not at the bar at the usual time, then Odasaku will really start to worry.]

[ninjou]

[He shows up, albeit very, very late, almost 11, and with a few new injuries.

He was hoping it would be just Ango, but it's Odasaku alone again, and he smoothly sits down as his usual is placed in front of him.

It's funny, how he's scared to even acknowledge Odasaku. But he's here, and he's alive, and he's confronting him physically though not yet verbally.]

[tenimuho]

[Ah. That's one worry off his chest.]

Hello, Dazai. [He acknowledges the new bandages with a nod.] How did you get those?

[Dazai will tell him some story, and Odasaku will believe it, and things will be like they always are, at least for right now.]

[ninjou]

[Dazai is quick to reply.]

I got stabbed. Twice.

[And that's it. Even the bartender feels that awkwardness and retreats to the back for a few minutes.]

[tenimuho]

[Ah. Well, that's plain.]

I see.

[The tension is so thick you could probably stab that, too..]

Are you alright?

[ninjou]

[Dazai relaxes a little when the proprietor leaves, and Dazai looks over to Odasaku briefly before turning his whole body to face him.]

Do you want me to sleep with you? Will that help?

[tenimuho]

[That had been a bad time to take a drink. Odasaku chokes, and ends up coughing for a few moments before he can even answer the question.]

I'm sorry?

[ninjou]

Will it help?

[He turns back to face the bar.]

I know I fucked up. I'm not sorry, but you didn't... like it.

[tenimuho]

That's not what happened.

[Oh no no no. It doesn't even occur to Odasaku to be embarrassed over talking about this in public, because it has to be fixed right now.]

I liked it a lot, I loved it, I want to do it again, I just got carried away and had to stop or it'd be harder for me to stop later. You didn't do anything wrong, Dazai.

[ninjou]

[He breathes, and settles his head on the bar. He got distracted all day, which got him stabbed by a damn novice criminal coming after him. Guy's dead now from his own knife, but still.

And then he mumbles.]

I wanted to... I wasn't ready. If it's what you want, I'll do it.

[tenimuho]

No. I don't want you to do it because of that.

[He'd feel awful. He'd never forgive himself.]

[ninjou]

[Dazai's done worse for dumber reasons.]

I like you. I said that. That's why it's weird.

[tenimuho]

[That doesn't make it not terrible.]

I like you too.

[The bartender should stay in the back if he knows what's good for him.]

[ninjou]

[A deep breath. Shit. God. Okay. He can... do this. He would literally do anything for Odasaku, anything within reason and within his power.]

No, I like you.

[Siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiip.]

[tenimuho]

...I like you too. I know what you meant.

[As much as he questions Dazai's taste, he knows friends don't usually get that giddy about making out.]

[ninjou]

Right.

[Wait.]

Damn.

[tenimuho]

[Odasaku's face is the picture of '...?' right now. Are you okay, Dazai.]

[ninjou]

[HE IS NOT OKAY!!!!!]

But we can't do anything about it. This was easier when it was one-sided.

[tenimuho]

Do you think we could go on a date?

[...Maybe a very surreptitious date.]

[ninjou]

[No.]

Please.

[tenimuho]

That's too bad.

[Well then, he's out of ideas.]