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

[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.]

[tenimuho]

...I hope someone loves you the way you want them to someday.

[Does he love Dazai? Maybe. It's complicated. But it's no more than friendship, if so.

If that's not what Dazai's looking for, then he can't help him.]

[ninjou]

I hope so, too.

[And he looks at Odasaku with such deep emotion, a soft smile, but schools it quickly. That ought to reel him in a little.]

Well... I should get another drink.

[tenimuho]

[Rare to see genuine emotion on Dazai's face. That it's aimed at him in particular is an honor.

Odasaku pulls his hand away, slowly.]

Me too.

[ninjou]

[Dazai lets his hand fall back down to the bar, where he taps the bar top with his fingers.]

So tell me about your watch friend.

[tenimuho]

Shiga Naoya? I don't know him well. We mostly talk on the job. He seems like a casual sort of person?

[Since he was fraternizing with someone as low as Odasaku, he must be.]

[ninjou]

[The name is vaguely familiar.]

I don't think I've met him. What does he look like?

[tenimuho]

Green eyes, black hair a little longer than yours. Likes fancy neckties.

[ninjou]

Green eyes?

[He should't know what color some random person's eyes are. That's... that's too much for Dazai, who looks away, to his own watch, and jumps up suddenly.]

Ah--I forgot something. Drink mine for me.

[tenimuho]

[They're pretty striking, that's all.]

Ah... alright. Take care, Dazai.