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]

[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.]

[ninjou]

[Thunking his head against the bar...]

That was a yes.

[tenimuho]

Oh.

[How is he supposed to know when you make a face like that, Dazai.]

Okay. Do you want to see a movie?

[ninjou]

[He's just... so upset...

Huff. Huff. Breathing... He finally raises his head.]

I'd like that.

[tenimuho]

[Nod. They can do this.]

Do you like romances? Or comedies?

[Horror movies are a little too close to their everyday life. All that blood and gore is a bit over the top anyway.]

[ninjou]

[Dazai laughs.]

It's going to be suspicious if we go see a romance.

[tenimuho]

That's true. [And really obvious, wow, Odasaku.] A comedy should be fine.