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“Akutagawa should be getting here soon.” Dazai said, snapping the flip phone that had been pressed to his ear closed, a big smile etched into his face. The smile was edging the line of warm and sinister. It always did when Akutagawa was involved. Like he was over compensating for something Atsushi didn’t want to think about.
They had been training for a couple of hours in the dusty lawn in front of the Agency apartments. Maybe he should have been alarmed that Dazai had started inviting Akutagawa to the front doors of their personal living spaces. The reality was that Akutagawa had stopped being a real threat ever since the end of the world thing was wrapped up and he was brought back to life after sacrificing it for Atsushi.
It was strange, after the whole debacle, it was like a vacuum had sucked up all of the rage in the port mafia member. It wasn’t like Akutagawa had stopped actively disagreeing with Atsushi at every turn, but he had been filling the air with strange neutrality. In other words, He just seemed less angry. It was making Atsushi antsy and Byakko restless inside of him.
First he smelled the faint scent of burnt leather and ash, mixed in with the signature cool mint that always seemed to linger on Akutagawa. Then he saw him. He noticed in his peripheral vision that Dazai had too, his back straightening like he’d seen something of particular interest. And it was interesting, Akutagawa’s coat was missing. He had a normal white button down on, untucked. And a black tie haphazardly tied around his neck. Atsushi’s hand twitched aching to redo it for him.
When Akutagawa made it close enough to them, Atsushi was the first to speak, “What happened to your coat?” he said.
Akutagawa’s eyes bore into him, completely ignoring Dazai who was doing nothing to mask his curiosity from his spot perched on a rusty barrel. “I burned it.” He sneered.
Atsushi’s eyes widened comically, he had enough self-control to keep his mouth from gaping at the other, but it was still embarrassing how three words could catch him so off-guard. So many questions ran through his mind, all competing to slip out but he couldn’t speak. He wasn’t sure he’d ever seen Akutagawa without the coat unless for the rare chance it was on him. Akutagawa rolled his eyes, “Spit it out, Jinko.”
“W-Why? I mean why did you do that?” was all he managed to get out, and it came out in an embarrassing squeak to top it all off. He could imagine the pleased smirk on Dazai’s face.
Akutagawa had crossed his arms over his chest and was staring intently at his nails, as if this whole interaction was boring him, “It was what had to be done.” he sighed.
Dazai was still being ignored a few feet away from him. He was probably content with absorbing all the details without interfering, Atsushi thought.
“But your ability? Won’t it not work?” Atsushi said, furrowing his eyebrows. Akutagawa stepped over to him at lightning speed, grabbed his arm and started marching away. Atsushi yelped but let himself be dragged.
That’s when Dazai stood up, “Where do you think you’re going?” He said with his hands on his hips. Atsushi couldn’t help but think he looked like a strict mother from one of those childrens cartoons.
Akutagawa didn’t even spare him a glance before saying, “I have things I need to discuss with the Weretiger. Unfortunately, your presence is not required.” He said with that stale tone void of empathy that he’d adopted for talking to Dazai ever since he’d been turned back to human.
“Ah fine, I guess we can take a break for today. Please don’t do anything unnecessarily cruel to my little Atsushi, Akutagawa. And vice versa!” His tone was chirpy and light-hearted, he stretched his arms over his head like he was tired anyway. No doubt, there was more to the simple action than meets the eye. Curiously, Atsushi thought, There was an implication that in some universe he had also said “my little Akutagawa.”. And for some reason that made him feel faintly jealous.
Akutagawa had stopped the iron grip on his bicep, hand slipping down to feather-light grasp on his forearm, as he continued to guide the two of them somewhere.“So where are you taking me? if you don’t mind me asking.” He joked, to break the silence. Taking in the sight of a coat-less Akutagawa. He looked good without the thick black coat, his shoulders were less broad and the cream color of his button down complemented his skin, making him look more alive than the dark black ever did.
Akutagawa glanced at him for half a second before training his eyes on the path in front of them again, “We haven’t been seeing eye to eye.” Akutagawa said vaguely.
Atsushi paused, planting his feet into the ground, then with a heavy frown he tilted his head, “Us? I’ve been under the impression that we’ve been doing pretty good recently. I mean I can’t even remember the last time you actually stabbed me so if I did something, I apologize but communication is key. Or that's what Kenji said and I believe him. So I’m sor–” Atsushi said, rocking from one foot to the other.
“Atsushi.” Akutagawa said, placing his hands on Atsushi’s shoulders to soothe his fidgeting. Atsushi paused, eyes widening on Akutagawa’s face which flushed a pretty shade of scarlet on his cheeks. Akutagawa must have noticed his staring and looked away again, hands still firmly placed on Atsushi’s shoulders.
“I didn’t mean you. I meant Rashomon.” Both of them were obviously going to ignore the fact that Akutagawa had just said his real name within his own free will.
Atsushi’s mouth rounded into an ‘O’, nodding at Akutagawa, as he processed that Akutagawa was in fact, not upset with him. Well not in any way that wasn’t normal for them. “Is that why you burned your coat?” He asked, perking up again.
“That may be part of it, yes.” He replied. Atsushi would’ve followed Akutagawa anywhere at this point, but his heart warmed when Akutagawa shyly grabbed his forearm again to continue their walk.
“Do you even know how my ability works?” Akutagawa said, looking at him again.
“Rashomon manifests through your clothes but almost always your coat. The only time I’ve seen you use anything else is when I have Rashomon, that time you almost…” He trailed off. He didn’t like talking about Akutagawa’s death even if Akutagawa was obviously living and breathing in front of him he couldn’t shake the image of the other bleeding out on that boat.
“Is that all you have to say?” Akutagawa muttered, eyes unimpressed. Atsushi just stared at him dumbly, he wasn’t really sure what he was missing. “Dazai hasn’t explained it to you?” Atsushi didn’t move a muscle, the silence continuing.
Akutagawa sighed, “You really are an idiot, Jinko.” But there was no bite to his words.
“This is usually the part where you explain it to me now, Akutagawa.” Atsushi said furrowing his eyebrows at the other.
“I mean we are a team! I can’t believe you were this clueless, wow, Dazai is an idiot too.” He said throwing his hand that wasn’t busy protecting Atsushi’s forearm into the air. Atsushi was more focused on the fact that Akutagawa had called them a team, though. “Okay listen, I refuse to repeat myself.” Akutagawa said at the same time as he pushed open the door to a cafe.
Bells jingled as they walked in and Akutagawa nodded at someone working behind the counter, before walking the two of them over to a table in the back corner of the quaint shop. “Are you hungry?” Akutagawa asked.
The question caught him off guard at first, he was still adjusting to the fact that he was casually sitting in a cute coffee shop with the enemy – possibly reluctant co-worker. “Uhm, I’ve been craving carrot cake recently. But I don’t have my wallet on me.” Atsushi mumbled, scrunching into his shoulders.
“Your stupidity is alarming today, Jinko.” Akutagawa deadpanned, “I’m paying.” He followed, standing up. “Just the carrot cake?” He said over his shoulder as he walked over to the person he’d nodded at a moment earlier.
Atsushi shrieked, “What?” He froze, reluctantly letting Akutagawa vanish ,pay, and reappear.
“Considering how Dazai acts, I think we know who here has the disposable income.” Akutagawa said flatly.
“Right.” He said, glaring at Akutagawa with feigned anger. It only took a moment for him to remember the reason they were here. Akutagawa’s burned coat.
As if Akutagawa had read his mind, “I will explain once I have my tea, so sit patiently. You can do that for me right, Jinko?” Akutagawa said with a strange smile, one that someone would use if they were telling a joke.
“You’re joking.” Atsushi snapped back at Akutagawa, realizing that Akutagawa had been comparing him to that of a pet dog.
“Yes. Believe it or not, I’m familiar with the concept.” Akutagawa said, sticking his nose in the air.
A waitress came over to their table and placed two cups of tea and the piece of carrot cake on the table. Smiling at Akutagawa then rushing away. “I didn’t order tea,” Atsushi said, peering at the layout.
“Well I figured you like black tea. So I ordered you some.” Akutagawa blushed through his defense, as if he was embarrassed.
“Oh, Thanks.” Atsushi said, dragging the tea and cake in front of him.
Before he could dig in, Akutagawa started, “Rashomon doesn’t just work on any clothes. Well, not to the extent that Rashomon was able to manifest through my coat. I have to have a strong emotional connection to the clothing item, if I expect it to be useful in combat. Or extreme bloodlust, naturally.” Akutagawa paused to take a sip of his tea, but Atsushi could tell from the way he was tapping the table and looking anywhere but at him, he was nervous to continue. In an attempt to make Akutagawa as comfortable as possible he kept his eyes on the cake in front of himself.
“I received my coat when Dazai invited me into the Port Mafia. Whether or not I saw it as a—” He paused again, thinking over his words, “--positive memory for the years that I used the coat, it was still intensely personal to me. Though recently, I have been feeling less and less connected to that memory. And Rashomon could tell, xo she has been acting up. The coat’s connection with Rashomon was growing weaker and weaker and had simply become insufficient for my use. I ached to dispose of it anyway. Thus, I burned it.” Akutagawa finished, taking a sip of tea to ease his dry throat. Reminding Atsushi of another thing about Akutagawa, the coughing had stopped, Atsushi smiled faintly at the thought.
Atsushi took a sip of his tea to wash down the sugary cake and any unwarranted comments he might've let slip out of his tongue. “So, What are you going to do?”
Akutagawa smiled, “You are finally asking good questions.” Before Akutaawa could continue his smile vanished and all the pretty color drained from his face. All Atsushi could think of was when Akutagawa came back from the dead as a vampire, frankly he felt sick.
Everything blurred around him and he was barely able to process Akutagawa muttering, “That meddling asshole. He’s really done it this time.” There was definitely some more incoherent muttering in there too, followed by a string of obscenities. While this was happening Akutagawa rushed to drag them away from their table and towards the bathrooms in a back hallway.
He heard the door click lock and glanced at Akutagawa who was pacing around the bathroom. His face was flushed again for some reason which eased Atsushi’s anxiety enough to ask, “What happened? Is everything okay?” He pouted.
Akutagawa paused to glare at him. Strangely the glare didn’t last long before Akutagawa sighed and shook his head, like he’d given up. “It was that lovely mentor of yours.” Akutagawa said, crossing his arms over his coat-less chest. The tie was still a mess, Atsushi was still aching to fix it.
“Dazai? Why are we hiding then? I wasn’t done with my cake.” He said, sitting down on the closed lid of the toilet and dramatically pouting.
“I just– I don’t want to see him right now. He is obviously snooping. I’ll buy you some more cake another time.” Akutagawa said, tugging at one of the longer locks of hair that framed his face. Atsushi liked the sound of another time.
“Was he just passing by or—” Atsushi said, still slightly confused why Dazai was banned from seeing them right now. It wasn’t like they were doing anything illegal. Akutagawa had paid, hadn’t he?
“I have an idea.” Akutagawa said, “Out of my way, Weretiger.” Atsushi stood up from his makeshift seat on the toilet, and was quickly replaced by Akutagawa standing on it and summoning Rashomon.
“Oh my god, what are you doing!” he gasped, watching a white tendril of Rashomon manifest from Akutagawa’s shoulder and work as a makeshift drill, unscrewing the frame of the small window above the toilet.
“What do you think? Getting us out of here.” he said casually.
“Why can’t we just go out the front door? I mean this is totally property damage!” He said shrieking, he wagged his hands helplessly from the door to the window, finally finding purchase in his hair.
“You are too much, Weretiger.” Akutagawa said with the window fully detached, he let Rashomon retreat back into his dress shirt.
'Oh, I'm too much?’ He was at a loss for words. “Y-you are the one planning a prison escape!” Then there was a knock on the door. This only made Atsushi jump up into the air like a scared cat.
“He’s here.” Akutagawa said as his shoulder’s deflated and his eyes darkened in a strange mix of annoyance and fear. Atsushi watched the other take a big breath in then out, his eyes were closed softly and he looked calm again.
“What are you guys doing in there?” That made Atsushi freeze, it was Dazai.
Akutagawa was already climbing out of the window and for some strange reason Atsushi felt compelled to follow. He wasn’t interested in trying to explain why he was willing to be dragged around by Akutagawa right now. Therefore, The best solution: get dragged around for a little longer.
He was climbing onto the toilet seat when he heard the distinct sounds of metal clicking. Dazai was fucking breaking in, because of course he was. He used Byakko to help lift himself and scramble out of the window. Suddenly he was falling the six foot length from the window to the ground but before he could face plant into the ground white tendrils wrapped around his waist. Suspending him an inch away from the ground, Akutagawa huffed out a breath of laughter and let him drop.
“What the hell, Akutagawa!” Atsushi spat, face still shoved in the grass beneath him so his words came out more muffled.
Meanwhile Akutagawa was pacing again, a hand placed on his chin and the other twirling that stupid tie. “I wonder if Dazai will put in the effort to climb up the same way we came. I suppose we might as well move on to the next part of the da– day.” his eyes widened for a millisecond before he regained composure and he looked down at the pitiful state Atsushi was in. Akutagawa crouched down, he placed his hand on Atsushi silver hair and pet him, “Get up tiger. We can’t let that asshole catch us here. Your fall would have been for nothing.” It sounded strangely fond and Atsushi couldn’t confirm or deny that Byakko wasn’t purring inside of him. They made eye contact and Akutagawa awkwardly moved his hand away, he tucked a tuft of hair behind his own ear, and coughed. Atsushi felt like he could conbust at the strangely endearing sight.
Atsushi pushed himself off the ground and then they were off. “Where are we going now?” Atsushi said. He had to jog for a second to keep up with Akutagawa who was speed walking away like they really were suspects at a crime scene. If Atsushi thought about it, it did seem like wherever Dazai went Akutagawa would actively try to escape if he could these days. Did the two of them know something he didn’t?
“We are going to go purchase a new coat.” Akutagawa was by his side now. Their shoulders were so close that every once in a while they’d bump together. It made Akutagawa blush and Atsushi smile every time.
The shop that Akutagawa had led them to (not without checking behind his back every minute or so for a stray Dazai) was quaint and unassuming. But upon Atsushi’s first step he could see why Akutagawa had brought them here. The warm glow of sunlight leaked through old stained glass windows and into the shop. Specks of golden and red sunlight dappled their surroundings. Atsushi knew they were there for a coat but the whole place was full of miscellaneous knick knacks, many that looked right out of an Akutagawa-themed inspo catalog. Old books were stuffed into every corner. Beads and glittering jewelry rested in bowls stacked on tables with skulls that Atsushi couldn’t confirm were real or fake. There was barely any room to walk through the store that seemed to be a maze of ceiling high shelves.
“Wha-” he was interrupted by an old lady who seemed to have appeared out of thin air shushing him and pointing with a bony, wrinkled finger at a sign that said ‘whisper please’, he gulped, nodding at the lady with a wary smile. When he turned back to Akutagawa the other boy sent him a teasing smile, “What is this place?” He tried again, whispering this time.
Atsushi felt the ice cold touch of Akutagawa’s hand slipping into his own, before he leaned in and whispered a hair away from his ear, “Follow me.” Then, with his hand intertwined with Akutagawa's, he was led through the maze of shelves and hallways that he thought would never end until they entered a room full of vintage coats.
“This is magical.” Atsushi murmured, spinning around like an excited kitten.
“I often come here to purchase a book or just talk with the storekeeper — who was always so insistent I buy a new coat – She swore there was bad energy emanating from it. But I- I couldn’t let go of that coat until now.” He said, letting out a stuttered breath.
Atsushi squeezed Akutagawa’s hand. “Well where do we even start? There are so many! How are you gonna pick?” Atsushi said, taking his turn to drag Akutagawa towards a rack of gray coats.
“Well, I thought you could help me choose.” Akutagawa said, staring at the rack of coats and avoiding eye contact.
Atsushi nodded, guiding his free hand over all of the coats. They were soft with age but even an amateur in coat knowledge could tell they had been made with high quality materials. He stopped at one that was made with the perfect mix of thick protective material that also felt lightweight and flexible. The coat was a dark rich gray on the outside but the inner layer was a beautiful swirling pattern of black and white. He picked it out of the rack and shoved it into Akutagawa’s chest. It seemed like a coat the mafioso would like. “I like this one.” He said cheeks flushed at the idea that he was picking out Akutagawa’s coat right now.
“As you wish.” Akutagawa said, inspecting the coat before walking over to a mirror to slip it on in one grand and effortless sweep.
“This is so unreal, this feels so… domestic.” Atsushi said, staring at the two of them in the mirror. He hadn’t felt uncomfortable, in a life threatening way, around Akutagawa in a long time. But this was entirely a new level of sweetness. Akutagawa was running his hands over the coat that could have been tailored just for him. It fell right above his boots and accentuated his shape flatteringly.
“Kind of like a date, right?” Akutagawa asked, staring back at him in the mirror. His hands were balled into fists and he practically leaked, a mix of confidence and crippling anxiety.
“Huh, I guess it does seem that way.” Atsushi mumbled, surprising himself with how relaxed he was. Akutagawa had turned away from the mirror to look at him now, and Atsushi started to get the feeling he was missing something big.
“Well, that was essentially the plan. Have I successfully taken you out on a date, Weretiger?” Akutagawa looked at him, eyes glassy with hope as he waited for Atsushi to respond.
“Your tie, I have been aching to fix your tie all day.” Is what Atsushi ended up saying. He was already closing the distance between them so he could tug on Akutagawa’s tie until it unraveled in his hands. “I mean who even let you walk out of your apartment like this?” Atsushi huffed out a laugh.
Atsushi had his eyebrows scrunched in concentration as he focused on fixing the mess, in the meantime Akutagawa was staring at him. “No one ever taught me.” Akutagawa said honestly.
Atsushi finished tightening the tie perfectly around his neck, before taking in the sight of Akutagawa. His cheeks were flush with red and he was cast in a golden light from the strange antique shop that made him practically glow. His silver eyes reflected like warm honey in this light. Atsushi couldn’t recall if he’d ever seen someone look so beautiful.
“Well I’ll have to teach you sometime, won’t I?” Though he was done neither of them made any move to separate from one another.
Akutagawa cleared his throat “I believe this is the part of the date where we are supposed to kiss” he said, as if he had looked up “what to do on a date” on wikihow. Atsushi imagined Akutagawa on a computer and couldn't help laughing a little. Akutagawa’s eyes darkened at the sound of laughter, “What?” He spit, but it sounded more insecure than actually mad.
“Nothing, come here.” Atsushi said through a smile. His hand that was still touching Akutagawa’s fixed tie, he gripped the black fabric and pulled Akutagawa in. Until their lips hit one another. Akutagawa gasped against his mouth. Nervous energy pooling from his lips and dissolving upon contact with Atsushi’s own. Akutagawa’s hands stayed firmly at his sides. So amidst easing Akutagawa’s lips open to deepen the kiss he gently grabbed Akutagawa’s hands and placed one on his neck and the other on his waist.
This seemed to help Akutagawa loosen up. He tilted his head to get more comfortable, and the hand on Atsushi’s neck slid up in his hair, scratching lightly. Atsushi purred into the feeling. Years of untapped tension was fueling the kiss and it felt like neither of them wanted to be the first to separate.
Atsushi felt weak from untapped lust, and out of breath from hunger so he pulled away. Still holding Akutagawa close as he watched the boy pant heavily against him.
Akutagaw wrapped his arms around Atsushi letting his chin rest on Atsushi’s shoulder. There was a couple seconds of comfortable silence that Akutagawa ended up being the first to break, “Thank you, Atsushi.” He said softly.
“For what?” he said because he really just wanted to listen to the other’s voices forever.
“I think this coat will be a suitable replacement.” He answered. Then it hit him all at once, the idea that Akutagawa had done all of this to get the perfect memory for his coat. An intense emotional attachment.
Oh
Oh
—MEANWHILE—
4:43 pm Missed call from Shitty Dazai
4:58 pm Missed call from Shitty Dazai
5:30 pm Missed call from Shitty Dazai
6:32 pm Missed call from Shitty Dazai
Shitty Dazai: Chuuyaaaaa
Shitty Dazai: it’s Akutagawa and Atsushi, they are finally doing it!!!!! Pick up your phone
Mackerel: I will end you.
Shitty Dazai: Do as you wish but please you have to come see this
Shitty Dazai: right now!
Mackerel: Jokes on you Akutagawa and I already made plans that involve a nice bottle of wine and a lengthy discussion on protective sex tonight.
Shitty Dazai: traitor.