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]

Sure, I'll try.

[He can't be all that bad... probably...]

[ninjou]

[Good.]

Ah! I think I need to plug it in... I think I left my charger downstairs. Do you want to come with me...?

[tenimuho]

I don't mind.

[What can possibly go wrong with getting a charger?]

[ninjou]

[He waves a hand and leads on.]

This way, please...

[He falls silent quite readily as they pass where Odasaku's gift giver is being held. He's not begging, not pleading, but he's stating his case. And it's largely true. He's being framed, he's innocent, he has secrets he'll offer in exchange.]

[tenimuho]

[It's impossible for Odasaku not to at least look at Naoya when they pass by his cell. He doesn't say anything - he wouldn't know either way whether Naoya was innocent or guilty, so he has nothing to contribute.

It really is a shame.]

[ninjou]

[Dazai is helpful and was helpful, and whether the man is fully innocent or not, there's some delightfully damning evidence that won't necessarily get him killed, but certainly in a godawful position.

When they're well past, Dazai shakes his head.]

What a shame...

[tenimuho]

It really is.

Do you think he's innocent?

[A simple question with no suspicion behind it.]

[ninjou]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm................

[Dazai nods.]

Probably! No one will listen to my opinion, though.

[tenimuho]

I do.

[If Dazai says he's probably innocent, he's probably right.]

[ninjou]

Right? It's disappointing. I wonder what he did...

[SHRUG.]

Ah, here we go.

[Dazai's office thing!]

You can come in...

[tenimuho]

[Odasaku steps into Dazai's office thing. Offices are offices, but it's weird being in Dazai's for some reason.]

Where do you keep your charger?

[ninjou]

In my desk... Where else do you think I should keep it?

[And he goes to retrieve it while motioning for Odasaku to have a seat in a side chair. It's a small office, but cozy enough compared to something intimidating like Mori's.]

[tenimuho]

Makes sense.

[Odasaku has a seat. It's much better to be in Dazai's office than Mori - he doesn't have as much concern that Dazai will do something horrible to him for displeasing him somehow.]

[ninjou]

[Rather stealthily, Dazai locks the door while he plugs the charger in.]

You know, I'm worried about you.

[tenimuho]

[Doesn't even notice.]

Really? Why?

[ninjou]

You keep falling in with troublesome people.

[God, how concerned he sounds! How actually worried! How not just trying to control him!]

I wish I could get you transferred under me.

[tenimuho]

I don't think that would be a good idea. It might strain our friendship if we had to work together.

[Office relationships are difficult, even in the mafia.]

[ninjou]

You don't want to work with me?

[How hurt can Dazai look while still looking like Dazai?]

I understand... After all, we're not on the same level.

[A pause.]

Personality-wise, I mean. You're too forgiving to work under me.

[tenimuho]

I'd just get in your way.

[Dazai has no need for someone like him.]

[ninjou]

No.

[That's firm. He's walking over and putting hands on the arms of the chair, leaning in...]

You're never in my way, and you won't be. Ever.

[tenimuho]

Thank you for saying that.

[Not that he believes it, but it's a nice thing to say to someone.

...Dazai is pretty close, isn't he.]

[ninjou]

[Very close. And looking at him very, very strangely.]

You don't believe me, do you. I don't ask for a lot, Odasaku.

[tenimuho]

I know you don't.

[So he's sorry that he can't believe Dazai on that.]

[ninjou]

I care about you.

[The tone is distant enough that it sounds like friends and not potential, desperately wished-for lovers.]

Stick with me, no matter what, and I won't let anyone take you down.

[tenimuho]

I'm not leaving anytime soon.

[Dazai is his friend, and he cares about him too.]

But you don't have to do that for me.