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]

[He waits down the street while he finishes his cigarette, watching people go by, casually seated on a bench. He doesn't look as imposing today, smiling faintly and making silly faces at children who look at him. He isn't usually the sort, but he had a day of many successes. What's more, he thinks he'll be able to catch Odasaku tonight. They've both been busy, as usual, but this time around they haven't been able to meet at the usual place. He sent Odasaku a message saying to meet him after he was done with his job, but back at Odasaku's place rather than anywhere public.

It's just a matter of waiting for the phone call with the okay to come along.]

[tenimuho]

[As for Odasaku, it's been a regular day. The grunt work that makes up his tasks in the mafia is easier to get through lately - not that anyone's really noticed a change in his mood. It's Odasaku, king of not showing his emotions, after all.

Once he gets a chance to check his messages, he immediately calls back.]

Dazai? It's me.

[...as if Dazai wouldn't have caller ID or something.]

[ninjou]

O~da~sa~ku~~~!!!!

[God, he sounds like a teenage girl. Well, he's hopping up from the bench and finishing off his cigarette before disposing of it, looking down the street toward Odasaku's house.]

Are you home yet?

[tenimuho]

I'll be there in five minutes.

[He just couldn't wait to call back.]

[ninjou]

I thought I'd head directly there instead of getting a drink tonight. Can I come meet you?

[Business voice...]

[tenimuho]

Sure, that's fine.

[He'll pick up the pace.]

[ninjou]

Right. Five minutes.

[He drops his voice.]

See you soon~~

[tenimuho]

Love you. Bye.

[Click! And he's home in about five minutes as promised.]

[ninjou]

[Love. He's still not used to it....... It still makes him have to stand up straighter and clear his throat as he stashes his phone.

And he looks as normal as possible as he makes his way to Odasaku's house. They arrive at about the same time, and Dazai smiles at him warmly before they even get inside.]

[tenimuho]

I should just give you my spare key.

[He unlocks the door for them as he's musing that.]

[ninjou]

Ah...

[That's... Dazai laughs quietly and nudges Odasaku inside.]

I'll sneak in in the middle of the night and eat your food.

[tenimuho]

If you do that, you'll make me start to worry you aren't eating enough.

[Odasaku enters, takes off his shoes.]

[ninjou]

I really like your cooking. One man's leftovers...

[Dazai closes the door and removes his own shoes, then hangs his coat and suit jacket up by the door.]

[tenimuho]

My leftovers aren't worth you sneaking around at night.

[Odasaku's coat gets hung up next to Dazai's before he has a seat on the couch.]

[ninjou]

But then I get to see you, too...

[Dazai heads straight for the bathroom.......?]

I'm taking a shower.

[tenimuho]

Oh.

[Ohhhh. What does he say to that?]

Have... fun?

[That, apparently.]

[ninjou]

I'll be out in a few minutes, if you want to take one after me.

[It's a hint.]

I missed you today. All week, actually. Ah... it's been a few days.

[tenimuho]

[It's a hint he's getting, not to worry.]

I missed you too.

[ninjou]

[Dazai nods, smiling. Thinks his point has been missed. Just shrugs and goes.

There's a great deal of singing in the shower that goes on, especially for such a short endeavor, but he emerges a little while later with his bandages off, shirt unbuttoned, slacks on. He fluffs his hair with a small hand towel.]

I've been up since five.

[tenimuho]

[Oh no. He's even more attractive than normal. Odasaku swallows and moves towards the bathroom.]

Make yourself at home. I'll just - yes.

[ninjou]

[Oh. Oh he... took the... the hint...

Shit.

Well.

Dazai flops on the couch and continues fluffing his hair.]

Alright.

[tenimuho]

[And then there was a shower, where absolutely no one was nervous about anything. Nope.

Odasaku comes out in pants and a towel draped over his (shirtless) chest.]

I hope I didn't keep you waiting.

[ninjou]

No, it's fine. I think I was in longer.

[Now they get to be awkward for a while, right? He feels a little bad that he's decided to go for it as a little bit of an outlet, rather than as some big romantic gesture. Still, it's what feels right, and if nothing happens, nothing happens.]

[tenimuho]

[Awkward works. Odasaku settles down next to Dazai.]

How was your day?

[ninjou]

Long. I was thinking about taking a nap, but I wanted to see you instead. It's been almost a week since I got to see you.

[His hair is suitably dried, still a little damp but not dripping, so he sets the towel aside.]