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]

[tenimuho]

What?

[Don't give him that look.]

[ninjou]

Pleeeeeeeaaaassseee?

[tenimuho]

I really don't think I'm up to whatever you're thinking about.

[ninjou]

[Oh well. He tried.]

Ahh, fine. I'll stop.

[tenimuho]

[Sigh of relief.]

Sorry.

[ninjou]

[Rude.]

Can I do it, then?

[tenimuho]

...

...

.............


Yes.

[ninjou]

[Blinking... staring...]

You're messing with me...

[tenimuho]

I'm not.

[Look at how red he is right now.]

[ninjou]

[Gosh smiling this much...]

Then... sometime maybe I will. I'll still let you do whatever you want though. It's a fair trade.

[tenimuho]

Sounds good.

[Can't quite make eye contact yet.]

[ninjou]

Odasaku...

[He takes a breath.]

If I'm going to be with you for a long time, I have to be honest and keep you on your toes. The minute you get bored, I'll go.

[But... they're not... dating...]

[tenimuho]

[That gets Odasaku to meet his gaze, more confused than anything else.]

You are the least boring person I have ever met, Dazai.

[ninjou]

Really?

[Head tilt.]

[tenimuho]

Really. Nobody comes close.

[You might as well just propose right now if those are your reasons for ending a not-relationship.]

[ninjou]

[Well. He's done with his eggs and walking the plate to the sink, and peppers or not, he's giving Odasaku a slow, sweet kiss.

It burns.

He's not sorry.]

I'll do my best, then. Let's work hard together.

[tenimuho]

[It's a long, lingering kiss, and it's peppers or not it's sweet.]

So will I.

[He'll be here for as long as Dazai wants him.]

[ninjou]

I ahould go. I don't want to.

[Plate set aside, he reaches for his hand.]

Maybe we should "date" anyway. Is it too soon to say?

[tenimuho]

I think we've known each other long enough. It should be okay.

[He clears his throat.]

Dazai Osamu. I'd like to date you.

[ninjou]

[Why does he look stupid and stand there staring at Odasaku for a full thirty seconds? Because he's not good enough for this man, not as caring or capable of affection. Odasaku is foolishly stepping down a rung if he wants this. Dazai was almost kidding, and now he's...

It hurts but he likes it.]

About time.

[tenimuho]

[For those thirty seconds, Odasaku felt a growing sense of unease. He wasn't sure if Dazai would say no - that he'd say 'surprise, just kidding' and Odasaku would make an idiot of himself.

Don't treat Dazai like he's higher than you, he reminds himself. He promised not to.]

I'm glad.

[ninjou]

I...

[He moves in and pulls Odasaku close. He buries his head against his shoulder.]

...I've wanted that for a long time.

[And he's 18.]

Thanks.

[tenimuho]

['How long' would be a good question, but not one Odasaku feels like asking right now. Maybe later. Right now he strokes Dazai's hair instead.]

You don't have to thank me.

[ninjou]

[It doesn't take long to fall for someone like him. So... call it years.]

That's fine for you to think. I don't want to leave now, though.