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Atsushi felt like he was dying.
Perhaps ‘dying’ was a bit of an exaggeration, but it’s what it felt like as he lay there on his futon, a thin sheen of sweat building on his forehead. He stared up at the ceiling blankly, despising the heat of summer. It had gotten particularly awful recently, and he found himself longing for the days when the weather was more pleasant. The mornings were the worst part of the day when the sun was brightest and the air outside almost scorching. Though it wasn't much better when the sun went down. The temperature had dropped slightly, but the night air was still muggy and suffocating. The open windows weren’t helping to make a difference, and Atsushi wishes that things would start to cool down. Even a nice breeze every once in a while would be fantastic.
As it stands, the night is humid and dry, and Atsushi releases a quiet sigh as he digs his head further into the pillow. And, normally, he’d be able to make due with this situation alone. He’d certainly survived worse conditions at the orphanage. He’d also much rather be dealing with the effects of the heat wave under a roof, as opposed to out on the streets like he had been before. He had removed the blanket from his body and this had offered a slight reprieve. The only thing that wasn’t helping was the warm body pressed against his side.
Atsushi looked over at Akutagawa who was sleeping soundly beside him. His face not even showing a hint that the hot weather was bothering him. ‘How does he do that?’ the boy wondered, lips pursed into a pout. As Ryunosuke was almost consistently cold, the higher increase in temperature almost never seemed to phase him. He just lay there on his side breathing softly with an arm draped across Atsushi’s chest. He adjusted in his sleep, causing some of the longer strands of his hair to slide further down his face, brushing lightly against his nose. His eyebrows drew together unconsciously, and his nose was lightly scrunched up at the ticklish sensation.
Atsushi bit back a giggle as he lifted his hand to move the black and white locks back into place, tucking the hair back carefully behind Ryunosuke’s ear. It was amazing just how far they had come since their first meeting. Just how much had changed since they’d started their relationship. For one thing, Atsushi never would have pegged Ryunosuke as a cuddly person. And indeed, in the beginning he’d been more than a little unaccustomed to intimate gestures and loving touches. Atsushi had been the same way. It had taken some time, but they kept at it until they made it work. They had both managed to grow used to that type of contact before they had attempted to share a bed, but it was still something else entirely to try it for yourself. Atsushi himself had become fond quite quickly of snuggling as if the boy had been trying to make up for eighteen years without any positive affection given towards him.
Ryunosuke, on the other hand, had been extremely stiff and unresponsive at the start. Not only as a result of being unused to that kind of touch, but also because he’d just been so used to sleeping by himself. Gradually though, he had started to respond to Atsushi’s advances, and after a while had begun to reciprocate and even initiate a good amount of the time. It had been especially adorable once he had just started to grow fond of having the two of them close together since he’d be too embarrassed to bring up the conversation of cuddling. He’d also be too hesitant to initiate the contact himself, so he would use Rashomon to bring his partner closer to himself. The pitch black tendrils would always catch him by surprise before pulling the detective over to Ryuu's side. Gently too, it was always so gentle.
Atsushi, absolutely smitten at this point, would then proceed to give him all of the affection that the mafioso could want. Which was actually quite a shocking amount. For being so cold almost all of the time, the other’s skin was surprisingly warm. This made for the perfect conditions during winter. They would nestle together underneath Atsushi’s blanket and just lay together. They didn’t even have to be doing anything. Sometimes, Ryunosuke would retrieve a book beforehand, and the two could pass the time reading together. Most of the time though, these evenings were spent in companionable silence. Neither felt the need to say anything, and so they didn’t. Those moments made for some of his favorites.
His attention was pulled from his thoughts as he was forced to remember how hot it was again. Wiping another collecting bead of sweat from his forehead, Atsushi bit his lip as he started to think. Should he just bring up the conversation with Ryunosuke? He was sure that his boyfriend wouldn’t mind keeping his distance until the weather started to cool down. All Atsushi had to do was say something and he would be willing to go along with it. He would probably even ask why he hadn’t just come out and said something before. Noticing movement out of the corner of his eye, he tilted his head to look at Ryunosuke, who’d shifted once again in his sleep.
“Ats...ushi.” he mumbled, voice quiet and slightly obscured by his pillow. He gave one more sleepy exhale before growing still once more.
The boy in question could feel a wave of affection for his partner rising inside him. He bit his lip harder and glared at the wall, his cheeks coloring. Dammit, how the hell was that fair? He wasn’t even awake and he still managed to enamor Atsushi with every single thing that he did. When did he even start talking in his sleep? Who was allowed to be that cute anyway? This was completely unfair. No man should have that much power. He glanced down at Ryunosuke again, his pout growing and his eyes narrowed. He would swear that the other had to know what he was doing.
Finally giving in, Atsushi lay his body on his side just as Ryunosuke was. He curled one arm around Ryunosuke’s back before pulling himself closer, bringing Ryunosuke’s head to his chest. He lay his other arm in the space between them, taking Ryunosuke’s hand in his own. He could feel the other’s fingers twitch slightly in response before falling still. Ryunosuke nuzzled closer, his face now pressed against Atsushi’s chest. The were tiger could feel a warmth spreading through him, and he smiled as he leaned down to kiss the top of his boyfriend's head.
“Goodnight, Ryuu,” Atsushi whispered, before closing his eyes. Well, he didn’t have to do anything about their arrangement tonight. He could always mention something tomorrow.