Chapter Text
Atsushi and Akutagawa were spending time together outside of a mission? As outlandish as it sounded, it was true. After a few missions, the two found that perhaps they actually got along. Perhaps they could be… friends?
Akutagawa shook his head, his tongue bitter at even the thought of saying that aloud. He wasn’t quite sure what it was, but something about being friends with the weretiger didn’t sit right on his chest (I’m sure you can guess why, though).
He walked beside Atsushi now, touring the market streets of Yokohama as the weretiger excitedly pointed out everything that caught his eye. Akutagawa half-listened to his excited rambles until a certain word made his ears perk up and his eyes widened.
“Babe, look at this!”
Akutagawa had to stop walking, not because Atsushi was initiating contact by pulling on his black coat sleeve, but because he called Akutagawa ‘babe’. Did he mishear? Or was he overthinking this? Was it just a slip up? Is this what people call each other nowadays? Atsushi didn’t seem to notice his word choice as he pointed to a giant pretzel drowning in salt.
Akutagawa coughs. “Do you want it?”
At the suggestion, Atsushi’s eyes grew large. Then he sheepishly looked away. “I don’t think I could afford it…”
Akutagawa strode forward and handed the vendor some yen in exchange for the pretzel. Then he returned to Atsushi, who was practically wagging his tail, and presented him with the pretzel. “You’re welcome.”
“You’re amazing, Akutagawa!” Atsushi grinned, greedily taking the pretzel. Akutagawa tried to ignore how disappointed he felt at not being called babe.
“Whatever.” he grumbled, looking away. Atsushi began munching at his pretzel as the two continued their stroll. Eventually, he broke off a piece and passed it to Akutagawa.
“Here you go, love.”
Love!? Akuatagwa tried not to look taken aback as he humbly excepted the piece of pretzel. What the hell was Atsushi thinking, calling him love? I mean, babe was one thing, but ‘love was so tender and caring and, well, loving.
“Stupid weretiger.” he growled.
“You say something?”
“Nothing.”
Atsushi shrugged and finished his pretzel while Akutagawa debated internally. Is this a date? Is that why Atsushi was calling him pet names? Should he try holding Atsushi’s hand? Why was this so stressful?
“Akutagawa?”
“Yes?”
“Can I hold your hand?”
Akutagawa started coughing so violently, people turned to stare at him. Atsushi was panicking, asking if he should call someone, when Akutagawa shook his head. His coughing fit died down but the blush on his cheeks refused to settle.
“Is that a no…?” Atsushi asked and, again, Akutagawa shook his head.
“No! I mean, it’s not a no, it’s a yes, I was just surprised.” he swallowed, realizing he was rambling. “Yes. Please. I would… like that very much.”
Atsushi grinned widely and held out his hand. Akutagawa took it shyly in his own, averting his gaze. “Don’t get any weird ideas. I’m still going to kill you.” Atsushi laughed.
“Yeah, yeah.” he said and the two walked down the market street hand in hand.
The day ended, Atsushi walked Akutagawa home, and Akutagawa was still confused on whether or not the day could be considered a date.
Oh, well. At least he’s pretty.