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]

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.

[ninjou]

I don't have to, no. But I'm going to.

[He backs off, but only a little. The way he feels about Odasaku can't be compared to anything else in the world. Ever. With anyone.]

Let me take care of you.

[tenimuho]

...If you want.

[How can you even take care of someone in the Port Mafia anyway? It's a dangerous job. People get hurt.

But Dazai can try.]

[ninjou]

Am I not making sense?

[Slightly confused, Dazai stands, straightening his overcoat before going to drape it over his desk. He looks like he wants to pace.]

What am I doing wrong?

[tenimuho]

I don't think it's possible to keep someone with my job from getting hurt. Even for you. And I don't want you to blame yourself if something happens.

[He knows the risks very well.]

[ninjou]

You can get physically hurt, it'll happen. Though... [His ability.] ...regardless, your reputation is what matters.

[tenimuho]

...I don't care much about that.

[He's the mafia's lowest-ranking member, he doesn't have much of a reputation to protect.]

[ninjou]

I care.

[Dazai, looking grim, goes to lean on his desk.]

You could end up tortured, or worse. I'm not okay with that.

[tenimuho]

[He hadn't really thought about that.]

I don't think that's likely.

[ninjou]

Isn't it?

[A sigh.]

You don't understand the mafia world at all sometimes.

[tenimuho]

No, I guess not.

[...Really, though, this is too much concern over a small possibility.]

[ninjou]

Think, Odasaku. What would I do without you?

[He tries to smile. This actually hurts, thinking about something happening to him, thinking about him turning his back on Dazai, or dying, or becoming anything but his.]

You're my best friend.

[tenimuho]

[Dazai would survive and move on, but Odasaku doesn't think that's the right thing to say right now.]

You're my best friend, too. - Ango will be jealous.

[It's awkward being a third wheel.]

[ninjou]

Ango can...

[Basically fuck off.]

Cope. He's a big boy, he'll be fine! [Shit. Gotta laugh. Must laugh. He forces a chuckle.]

[tenimuho]

[Ango will probably be fine, but... still.]

Please excuse me for a second.

[Odasaku rises from his seat and turns towards the door. He's only leaving to use the bathroom, but he'll probably be pretty concerned when he finds that the door is locked.]

[ninjou]

[Well. That's... abrupt. Dazai's eyes go wide while Odasaku isn't watching, then narrow. What did he do wrong? Why is he being rejected? No one just walks out on an Executive, even if they are friends.

Laugh. Fucking laugh.]

I need to get that lock fixed, don't I?