Chapter Text
Atsushi was dozing in the chair beside the bed when Dazai stuck his head through the door. “Atsushi-kun, where’s the broom?”
He jumped and yawned, scratching a hand through his hair as he squinted at Dazai. “What?”
“The broom. You seem to lack a broom closet, I assume you have a broom?”
“Ah, by the washing machine. Through the door off the kitchen.” Dazai gave him a grin and a thumbs up and disappeared, and Atsushi stared at the door left ajar, slightly puzzled. “Why does Dazai-san need a broom? He never cleans up anything.”
Akutagawa coughed from the bed, and said in a scratchy voice, “that does seem rather concerning.”
Atsushi spun in his chair, immediately alert. However, Akutagawa was now sitting upright against the headboard, a book lying open in his lap. He looked better than he had this morning, but still very pale, even for him. “You shouldn’t be up!”
“I’m not out of bed,” Akutagawa pointed out, although he had a fresh mug of tea on the nightstand in easy reach. Atsushi frowned at him, and Akutagawa rolled his eyes. “I’m just ill, I’m not at death’s door. You needn’t make a fuss.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Atsushi muttered, leaning forward in the chair. “I’m allowed to properly worry after you.”
Akutagawa reached out and placed his hand over Atsushi’s, squeezing it gently. “Perhaps you should worry after the children more. You allowed Dazai-san here to watch them?”
“Didn’t really have a choice in the matter.” Puzzle pieces suddenly clicked into place, and Atsushi had a vision of Dazai attempting to pry an angry tiger cub off the ceiling as his ability wouldn’t reach that far. “Um. I should probably go check on the kids. And Dazai-san.”
Akutagawa squeezed his hand again, looking somewhat amused. “Perhaps you should.”