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

[ninjou]

You haven't talked to me in almost a year.

[So.]

[tenimuho]

I know.

[Hard to forget their last real encounter.]

[ninjou]

So why are you treating me like we're friends?

[He sighs.]

You don't have to worry. I'm not going to do anything stupid. But treat me with the respect I deserve.

[tenimuho]

...I'm treating you like a friend because I think of you that way, even though I know it's onesided.

[Dazai has every right to be angry at him, still. He won't contest that.]

[ninjou]

If you're treating an executive like that, you're asking for trouble.

[Dazai shakes his head.]

[tenimuho]

I wouldn't do it in public.

[Give him some credit.]

[ninjou]

This is public.

[tenimuho]

[No one's really paying attention to the bathroom, but alright.]

Fine. Did you want to say anything else, sir?

[If not, he'd be - well, not content to just hang around for the rest of the party not talking to people, but it would be what he'd do.]

[ninjou]

Yes.

[He steps closer, looking around, up and down the hall, before focusing on Odasaku.]

I miss you.

[tenimuho]

[That gets his eyes to widen, and he's not entirely sure what to say, so he settles on:]

...I'd come back any time you called on me.

[It's always been Dazai's decision as the wounded party.]

[ninjou]

[And Dazai still hurts, he still feels used and wronged, but he was younger and stupid. He's sure he should ignore all of that in favor of the overwhelming shame.]

I tried to pretend like it never happened, but it did. I'm a different person than I was then, but you really hurt me. I was ashamed.

[tenimuho]

I'm sorry. I should never have taken things that far.

[He hangs his head in contrition, not quite able to look directly at Dazai.

Is it even possible to make up for something like that?]

[ninjou]

You're right. You shouldn't have.

[He sighs, though, and extends a hand.]

I shouldn't have asked you to.

[tenimuho]

[Odasaku hesitates a moment before taking Dazai's hand.]

If there's anything I can do, or say, that would help...

[ninjou]

[A little smile, and Dazai moves in to embrace him with his other arm.]

I'll forgive you. That'll help. But I had to do it to your face.

[tenimuho]

[-Oh. That embrace gets returned.]

I understand. - Thank you.

[It was a little lonely, this past year.]

[ninjou]

Can we try again?

[He turns his head toward Odasaku.]

[tenimuho]

I'd like that.

[Odasaku offers him a small smile.]

[ninjou]

[Quite formally, he kisses Odasaku on the cheek.]

Alright. Do you want to get drinks after this? I found a bar that lets me get away with whatever I want.

[tenimuho]

As long as you're not too worn out from being the guest of honor - I'd love to.

[ninjou]

It's boring.

[He smiles a bit.]

Let me go make random excuses.

[tenimuho]

[Odasaku lets go of him.]

I'll slip out first. No one will notice.

[ninjou]

Sounds good.

[It hurts to be physically close to him, but time helped. Distance helped.

He waves a little and gestures toward the main area.]

I'll see you outside.

[tenimuho]

[He nods, and goes to slip out of the party.

This is nice. Not quite comfortable yet, but - nice.]

[ninjou]

[Dazai joins him a while later, immediately fishing a small metal case from his inner coat pocket and drawing out a cigarette. A new habit. A bad habit. He finds his lighter and doesn't even ask if he'll bother Odasaku by lighting it up.]

You look good.

[And he sounds a thousand times more adult than he did the last time they spoke.]