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]

[As long as he doesn't read them his favorite book, it'll probably be fine.]

I can arrange for that, if you're really interested. [A pause.] It'd mean a lot to me.

[ninjou]

[It's a good book. Very informative and instructional. But, wisely, he wouldn't let it within eyesight of those kids. They're as precious to Odasaku as Odasaku is to Dazai. No, probably more. Dazai could never understand that kind of love.

He smiles.]

Are you serious? I'm terrible with kids, but if they're yours, I'm going to do my best.

[tenimuho]

Thank you, Osamu.

...Should I tell them that we're dating? Or do you want to try to keep it a secret from them too?

[On one hand, children have loose lips - on the other hand, they're his children.]

[ninjou]

[They're going to ask so many questions...]

Tell them we're friends.

[Children are vulnerable to attack. Children are an easy weakness. Dazai knows this.]

[tenimuho]

I'll tell them that.

[It's a good compromise. And not a lie.]

[ninjou]

Tell them I love you.

[He grins.]

Ah, what a terrible idea...

[tenimuho]

If I tell them that, they'll definitely demand to meet you.

[But they were going to meet him anyway, so it's fine.]

[ninjou]

Tell them you have a suuuuuuper gorgeous secret lover they can't know about.

[Naked cheek nuzzling...]

[tenimuho]

I'm not telling them that. That'll just make them interrogate me about it every time we meet.

[The naked cheek nuzzling is nice, keep doing that.]

[ninjou]

They'll think you're dating a supermodel! It's the perfect cover.

[Oh he will. And neck kisses.]

And they probably won't understand this anyway.

[tenimuho]

They had parents, Dazai. They understand what adult relationships are supposed to look like.

[He knows. They still talk about their birth parents, sometimes.]

[ninjou]

Two guys? That's a little weird for kids.

[Dazai is still getting used to it himself. He's also assuming a lot about children he didn't really know much about until a few minutes ago.]

[tenimuho]

They were going to learn at some point. It's not like you'll be all over me like this.

[Hands to yourself in front of the kids.]

[ninjou]

Oooh, you're asking a lot of a man in love.

[Earlobe nibble...]

[tenimuho]

If you do this in front of the children I will break up with you.

[He is 100% serious here.]

[ninjou]

I promise I won't be naked in front of children, calm down....

[tenimuho]

Or handsy. No hands.

[ninjou]

Hand on your shoulder?

[tenimuho]

That's fine.

[He's not unreasonable.]

[ninjou]

Kiss on the cheek?

[Slippery slope time.]

[tenimuho]

No. No kissing whatsoever.

[ninjou]

Hugs?

[Keep... trying...]

[tenimuho]

One hug, which ends exactly when I say so.

[ninjou]

Well.

[There's a long pause as Dazai leans on him, and buries his face against Odasaku's shoulder.]

Maybe someday they'll be my family, too.

[tenimuho]

[It's a shame Dazai can't see the beatific smile he's being given for that.]

...That'd be nice.