For ninjou, yandazai~

[tenimuho]

[Someone who knows Odasaku as well as Dazai does surely noticed from the moment that Odasaku entered the bar, but he's in a surprisingly good mood tonight. He's humming a little, his steps are lighter, and there's even the hint of a genuine smile on his face as he sits down.

Ango's not here tonight, so it's just the two of them and the bartender.

Inquire as to what's made him so pleased?]

Comments

[ninjou]

[Not a normal thing for someone to do in the Port Mafia unless they're desperately trying to ingratiate themselves or set something up. The Mafia just isn't like that. Respect is earned and kept, not bought.

New. Absolutely shining.

He pokes it a few more times, then withdraws his hand.]

Who was it?

[tenimuho]

Shiga Naoya. Apparently, he got it for his girlfriend but she broke up with him before he could give it to her, and he'd already lost the receipt, so he didn't know what to do with it.

[Odasaku sounds like he completely believes this, because he does. That's just what Odasaku is like.]

It's a nice watch. I'll have to be careful with it.

[ninjou]

Oh? She must've had really big wrists...

[That is not some dainty ladies' watch. That's a nice goddamn men's watch. And Dazai is displeased.

He smiles, and laughs.]

Are you his girlfriend now?

[tenimuho]

No.

[...Does Dazai have to tease him every time he has a completely innocent interaction with someone else?]

It's just a gift.

[ninjou]

[Dazai has to inspect every aspect of his life. Dazai has to control it. He doesn't know how many times he's protected Odasaku from this or that, from people who would use him or love him and hurt him later. He looks out for Odasaku the way a good superior should]

It's a pretty nice gift.

[Ah, there's an opening.]

Are you... you know...

[Gay.]

[tenimuho]

...Just because I'm interested in men doesn't mean I'm interested in every man, Dazai.

[So, yes, but still: not going for this one. As far as Oda's concerned, it's a nice gift and a good way for his superior to get rid of something suddenly useless to him.]

[ninjou]

[Well, fuck. It's good, but it's not... hrm.]

Yeah, well.. you know, he could be trying to seduce you.

[tenimuho]

Then he should try harder. I don't care about watches that much.

[Oda Sakunosuke isn't so easily bought.]

[ninjou]

Then why'd you take it?

[All innocence, Dazai looks Odasaku over. If this guy is trying to get Odasaku, he's doing it for the wrong reasons. He's doing it when Odasaku isn't interested. That's not okay.]

Well, it doesn't matter. It's a nice watch.

[tenimuho]

I thought it would be rude to turn it down.

[And Odasaku is nothing if not polite to his superiors.]

[ninjou]

Ahh... I can see that. Be careful with it!

[Gosh, if something happened to it...]

[tenimuho]

I'm always careful with expensive things.

[...he's just rarely around expensive things in the first place.]

[ninjou]

You never have expensive things.

[A grin, and Dazai claps a hand on his shoulder.]

Nothing is wrong with being frugal, though.

[tenimuho]

No, not really.

...Oh, I didn't ask about your day yet.

[How rude of him. Dazai surely thinks he's being self-centered just because someone gave him something nice.]

[ninjou]

My day? It was fine! I had lunch with a nice-looking girl. I think she likes me.

[He grins, testing the waters. It's a lie, obviously.]

[tenimuho]

Congratulations. [Not the slightest hint of jealousy - Dazai had a good time with a pretty lady, that's good.]

Did you ask her to commit double suicide yet?

[That's Dazai's usual method with attractive women.]

[ninjou]

[So he hasn't worked on Odasaku enough yet. That's what he's learning. Odasaku doesn't want him yet. He needs to want him, because the man is all Dazai wants in the world.]

At least twice.

[tenimuho]

[If Odasaku wants him in the wrong way, will Dazai still get upset about it...]

Do you think anyone will ever say yes?

[ninjou]

[As long as Odasaku likes him some way... he can work with it. As long as they have that bond, he can build on it.]

I doubt it. They're all too clever.

[tenimuho]

[They're friends.

Though that might be sorely tested.]

Then why keep asking?

[ninjou]

[Dazai swears they'll be more than friends. Someday he'll get his way.]

Because they're beautiful, and I'm lonely. Being lonely is a shameful way to die...

[tenimuho]

...If you say so.

[He hesitates, then reaches out to try to put a gentle hand on Dazai's shoulder.]

[ninjou]

You don't think it's sad?

[Time for a performance. He drops his voice a little as he speaks, as he looks at Odasaku's hand and reaches hesitantly up to cover it with his own.]

[tenimuho]

It might be sad. But I wouldn't call it shameful.

[The two words are distinct. If Dazai decides to end his suffering in this world, he shouldn't have to be ashamed of that.]

[ninjou]

I don't want to die unloved. Or alone. It's as simple as that. Let's live and die on our own terms.

[It's a test, and he looks at Odasaku with intense warmth.]