For ninjou.

[tenimuho]

[There are a lot of reasons why a person would want to humor an up-and-coming mafioso, likely to be one of the youngest executives if not the youngest executive in Port Mafia history.

But Odasaku doesn't really think of what he's doing right now, sitting down and playing video games with Dazai, as 'humoring' him. Even if he's not all that great at fighting games compared to Dazai, and even if it might be considered a little weird, a 20-year-old playing games with a 15-year-old...]

Oh, I lost again.

[...it's fun even when he loses, so he's playing.]

Good game. Want another round?

Comments

[tenimuho]

Alright, I'm sorry.

[...hopefully it doesn't hurt too much.]

[ninjou]

[It hurts. He doesn't let it show. Just... smile through it.]

How're you?

[tenimuho]

I'm okay. More alright now that I can see you're still alive.

[Not that he'd thought he wasn't, but the proof is nice.]

[ninjou]

Ah. You were worried?

[Interesting...]

[tenimuho]

Of course I was.

[Dazai was seriously hurt, and they're... friends? Maybe?]

[ninjou]

[They're something. It makes Dazai smile and hang his head for a moment.]

To be honest, I was concerned when you didn't come to the hospital.

[tenimuho]

...I didn't think it was my place to.

[What would he have said to the nurses? He's barely even a coworker, if they can be considered that.]

[ninjou]

I wouldn't have minded. Well, I thought you were probably working, so it's fine.

[Now he looks back to Odasaku. He really was wondering where he was...]

What were you doing?

[tenimuho]

Working. And worrying from my apartment.

[...sorry, you have to spell out your relationship to Odasaku.]

[ninjou]

Come see me when you're thinking about me.

[It's somewhere between gently friendly suggestion and strangely serious order.]

[tenimuho]

But then you'd get sick of me.

[He'd show up a lot more often, is the thing.]

[ninjou]

I won't. I like having you around.

[A smile, and he puts a hand on Odasaku's leg.]

[tenimuho]

[That sure is a hand there. Odasaku tries not to tense up, and... mostly succeeds.]

Are you sure? I'd come around a lot more often.

[ninjou]

[It's just a friendly pat, calm down. It's also his injured arm. He's not doing anything. Tch.]

I'm sure.

[tenimuho]

[...So he's not. Odasaku gives a weak smile.]

Alright. I'll call you up when I'm thinking about you.

[ninjou]

I'm glad.

[Dazai looks down again, as though contemplating something important.]

You know, my birthday is next month. Do you want to do something?

[Being Dazai's only friend, maybe he'll oblige.]

[tenimuho]

[He will, of course.]

Sure. What would you like?

[ninjou]

I don't know.

[A thought flashes through his head, and he almost voices it.]

We could do something special.

[tenimuho]

Like...?

[What does Dazai consider 'special'?]

[ninjou]

I don't know yet.

[Odasaku won't do what he wants. He knows that.]

I feel weird, though. I really almost died.

[tenimuho]

...I'm glad you're still here.

[Odasaku sets one of his hands on top of Dazai's hand, the one on his leg.]

[ninjou]

[Dazai scoots a little closer, though subtly. He likes this.]

I'm glad you care.

[tenimuho]

[More people should, but the Mafia isn't that kind of organization.]

Is it selfish that I don't want you to go?

[Since Dazai doesn't always want to stay.]

[ninjou]

[Dazai chuckles. He feels like he's older and wiser, with this being the second or third worst injury he's gotten. the worst close call in a while. He wants to be bundled up in those arms and tell Odasaku how special he makes him feel. It's not happening, but still.]

Yes. Really selfish. But I like it.

[tenimuho]

I see.

[Dazai almost died. Next time, or the time after that, he could very well die. He might not even see sixteen, let alone adulthood.

That's too much of a burden for someone to carry without struggling, but Dazai manages, somehow. Or maybe it's just that no one can see where he struggles.]

...I don't mind if you're a little selfish, then.

[His thumbs rubs softly over the back of Dazai's hand.]