Continuation for bandagedheart.

[thesettingsun]

[Very few people get this dressed up for a bar crawl. It looks like it'd be hell to wash, and the only reason you'd wear it out to the bar is an obsession with fashion.

So that's one clue about who this patron sitting at a table is, since he forgot to tell other-Dazai how to identify himself. As for him, when he sees Dazai come in with bandages visible on his arms, he makes an (incorrect) assumption that this is the injury that caused that text and thus this is Dazai.

Well, he's half right, at least.]

Dazai!

Comments

[bandagedheart]

[Dazai hardly registers Shuji’s return until he’s spoken to, and even then there’s a distant look in his eyes, as if he’s reliving some horrible moment from his past.]

Odasaku. Oda Sakunosuke. You know someone by that name?

[Obviously, but Dazai is hardly in his right mind right now.]

The Odasaku I knew is dead...

[Dazai looks absolutely pained as he says that. Look at him, acting human.]

[thesettingsun]

[This is a minefield that Shuji's stepped into. Both because he's technically supposed to be keeping the whole dead author thing a secret, and because Dazai is obviously not over his Odasaku's death. He has to speak carefully.]

I know an Oda Sakunosuke, he's one of my best friends, but he isn't the one you knew. Not any more than I'm the same Dazai Osamu as you.

[He can say that with certainty, because it's impossible for Dazai to know someone who died so long ago.]

[bandagedheart]

[Of course it isn’t the same Odasaku. That would be impossible. Dazai watched Oda die himself, heard his last words and made a vow to himself to uphold them. He’ll never see his dearest friend again, and it was foolish of him for ever thinking that he would even deserve to. Dazai rubs at his temples with a sigh, reality slowly closing in on him like the jaws of a bear trap.]

Of course.

[Dazai forces a polite smile as he gestures to his bed.]

You’re welcome to stay the night.

[thesettingsun]

Thanks, but I really should get home before my friends worry more.

[He knows he hasn't inspired a lot of confidence that when he disappears, he isn't trying to die, but Oda doesn't have to call him after just one night with unknown whereabouts. Sheesh.]

I'll text you some other time?

[bandagedheart]

Mmm...alright.

[It’s not like Dazai can force Shuji to stay, nor should he want to. This was meant to be a one night stand, nothing more...]

Sounds like a plan~

[Hes not opposed to more sex sometime.]

[thesettingsun]

[Neither is Shuji, even if things did get weird at the end.]

Alright. Take care.

[While he's getting redressed, he realizes something, and he turns to look at Dazai over his shoulder.]

It might make it easier to deal with the same-name thing if I tell you now - my birth name is Shuji. Dazai's a pen name.

[Other-Dazai is just so annoying to put into your phone.]

[bandagedheart]

[This is the first time anyone has really shown care or consideration after such a casual encounter, and honestly? Dazai has no idea how to deal with it. It’s a good thing then that Shuji is leaving soon.]

Shuji...that does make things easier.

[Dazai adds the name to his phone just in case.]