Work Text:
Kyouka is walking back to the Agency after successfully completing her mission. She's awkwardly clutching a bouquet of flowers that she received as thanks from the lady she just helped. Listening to the sounds of the city around her, she wonders what to do to help the flowers survive the rest of the day at the office so that she can bring them home. Do they even have a flower vase at home? Probably not. How about a tall glass, then? That could work, right?
A familiar sound pulls her out of her thoughts. Arrhythmic clicking of a long nail against the handle of a knife. Communication signals used by the Port Mafia assassins.
Naturally, she knows the code, so she focuses on deciphering it. Whatever the assassins are up to, it can't be anything good.
Her eyes widen in surprise when she recognises her own code name being signalled. Is another assassin using it now? She supposed that it wouldn't be too hard to find someone who could go by Demonic Princess. Then again, why would they use a traitor's name if they could just come up with a new one?
The next part of the signal indicated a location. G0204. That's a café in the mall right around the corner. Is it a rendezvous point? Or is an assassination going to take place there? It was all too strange. What could they be planning to do in broad daylight?
She decides to go there, just in case. She didn't hear anyone respond to the signal, but that doesn't mean no one did. The assassins had several communication methods, ranging from visual signals to cryptic text messages.
When she enters the cafe, she looks all over for hidden assassins, but then, she spots one of them sitting alone at a table for two and… waving at her?
Kyouka is certain. That person is her former colleague, Akutagawa Gin, an she's inviting her to join her for a cup of coffee. Kyouka decides that she has nothing to lose and heads over.
“Sorry for the roundabout invitation, I couldn't think of any other way to contact you without anyone noticing,” she signs, an apologetic expression on her face.
“Did you need something from me?” Kyouka asks, wanting to get to the point.
Gin nods. “I need your opinion on my birthday present for my brother.”
Kyouka tilts her head in confusion.
“There is an apartment on sale in an apartment building in the same block as mine. I thought I could buy it and move there, so that Nakajima could finally move in with Ryuu,” she explains.
“They do need to get a room,” Kyouka agrees, remembering all the times she came home to A****gawa sitting in her living room. Needless to say, she had mixed feelings about their relationship. She was happy for Atsushi, of course, but seeing her saviour date the person he saved her from was… strange, to say the least. To some extent, she understood that Atsushi is saving that person as well, and she could see he needed it, but that didn't stop a part of her to think that he didn't deserve it.
“The reason why I'm telling you is because I didn't think I could contact Nakajima directly…”
“It's good that you didn't, I don't think he'd agree to moving in with that person.”
Gin pauses at that.
“Why not?”
“As far as I know him, he'd be worried that he'd hurt my feelings if he left me behind,” Kyouka guesses.
“I see…” Gin thinks, tapping her masked chin. “This might be bold of me, but if you'd like, you could move into my apartment? It's big enough, and you'd be close to Nakajima. It would be a bit further away from your office than the dorms, but…”
If she's perfectly honest with herself, Kyouka has no reason to refuse. A few more minutes of walking in the morning didn't bother her, and the only reason she liked living in the Agency dorms was because it wasn't the mafia. Sure, Gin is with the mafia, but she's nice.
“I wouldn't want to impose…” she starts politely, but Gin cuts her off with a resolute gesture.
“It's fine, Higuchi-nee-san and I were thinking of finding one more roommate anyway.”
Seeing the name piqued Kyouka's interest even more. She had several fond memories of her from her times in the mafia. All of her colleagues could see that she wasn't happy in the job, but while most of them either ignored her or offered quiet solidarity like Gin, Higuchi-nee-san would bring her sweets or invite her out for tofu after a mission. They were little things, but they brought at least a little bit of light into the darkness.
“It sounds nice. I'll help you get Atsu-nii in on the plan,” she smiles and Gin returns it.
“Thank you. Ryuu is leaving on a mission on February 27th and will return on his birthday morning, so do you think we could do all the moving while he's gone? I really want to surprise him.”
“I'll ask the President to give us the days off. The move will be quick with Atsushi's help, two days is more than enough time. I'll go back to the office now, and contact you with his response.”
Gin nods, and Kyouka gets up, picking up the bouquet she put on the table earlier. She sets out for the Agency, a small excited spring in her usually calm steps.
—
“Did your mission go well, Kyouka-chan?” Atsushi asks when he sees her enter the office with an excited glimmer in her eyes and a bouquet of flowers.
She nods. “I have a message for you.”
Atsushi casts a worried look at the flowers, but Kyouka puts those on her desk, so they're not for him. Thank goodness.
She gestures for him to follow her to the booths where they talk to customers and take lunch breaks.
“Are you planning something for your boyfriend's birthday?” she asks, almost conversationally.
“Ryuu's not one for birthdays. I planned to spend the day with him, but he'll probably be tired after the mission he has the days before so I don't want to bother him too much,” he admits. It was a bit sad, but his boyfriend slept so little that Atsushi hated to deprive him of a rare chance to do it just because it's his birthday.
“Have you thought about moving in with him?”
That question makes Atsushi feel guilty immediately. He has. And he shouldn't.
“I would never leave you behind, Kyouka-chan. Besides, Gin-san-”
“Gin-san is the one who suggested this. She and Higuchi-nee-san are buying an apartment together and invited me to join them. She was wondering if you'd like to move in with her brother as a surprise for his birthday.”
Despite his feelings of guilt, this idea has Atsushi smiling like the lovestruck idiot he is.
“Yeah, I'd like that.”
“Great,” Kyouka nods, standing up. “I'll ask to get the days off. We can start packing our things when we get home.”
“I don't think we'll have much to pack,” he reminds her.
Kyouka just gives him one of her unimpressed looks.
“Then we better make sure to change that in our new homes.”
—
When he and Kyouka get to the Akutagawas' apartment on the 27th, Gin had already packed all of her stuff into cardboard boxes. Atsushi was tasked with moving her furniture, while the girls busied themselves with the boxes as well as unloading Higuchi's stuff from her car. Kyouka had all of her property in a small bag, and so did Atsushi, so they were done unpacking fairly quickly.
In the afternoon, the girls received a delivery of the new furniture they ordered for their apartment. It was mostly for Kyouka-chan, since she didn't have any of her own, but also for their living room and kitchen. Higuchi turned out to be the most useful in assembling it. Atsushi could only help by holding stuff up for her, while Kyouka and Gin deciphered the instruction manuals.
The next day, they went out to get some decorations. Kyouka wanted some cute bedsheets, Gin thick curtains and Higuchi a nice tablecloth and tableware. Atsushi originally didn't intend to go with them, but he felt more useful helping to carry their stuff than sitting in the empty room that used to be Gin's and despairing about how to fill it up.
He's seen Ryuunosuke's room numerous times before. It had a large bed with satin sheets, a bookshelf full of books, a drawing desk with calligraphy tools, a built-in wardrobe, long velvet curtains and abstract paintings on the walls. He couldn't imagine having something similar. What would his own room even look like?
Big comfy pillows, Kenji-kun would tell him.
A secret hiding spot for sweets, Ranpo-san would propose.
A first-aid kit, Yosano-san would remind him.
And a scratching post! Dazai-san would joke.
But neither of that would be helpful.
He doesn't know if he even wants his own room. He always imagined he'd share one with Ryuu, like they did whenever he slept over. Ryuu's apartment felt like second home to him already, considering how much time he spends there weekly, but it felt weird to change something without Ryuu's consent. He'll just wait until he comes back, and they'll discuss it together.
—
Ryuunosuke's mission ended at 11pm, but by the time he gets home, it's already two in the morning. He's not terribly tired, nothing that a pot of coffee couldn't fix, and he's looking forward to seeing Atsushi later in the day.
There is a post-it note on the door to his room.
Happy birthday! Hope you like your surprise!
Love, Gin
Mildly curious about the surprise his sister prepared for him, he opens the door, and his heart skips a beat when he recognises the person sleeping in his bed, hugging his pillow cutely.
“Weretiger?” he whispers, disbelieving, and it's enough to wake him up.
“Mmn… Ryuu?” Atsushi turns to him slowly, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. He smiles softly when they make eye contact. “Welcome home.”
“What are you doing here?” Ryuunosuke can't help but ask.
“Do you want me to leave?” Atsushi worries immediately.
“Of course not,” Ryuunosuke leans down, brushing Atsushi's bangs back and kissing him on the forehead. “Please, stay. As long as you want.”
Atsushi hums.
“Join me?”
Ryuunosuke caresses his cheek.
“I'll just have a quick shower first.” Atsushi turns his head a bit to kiss his palm. “I'll be back soon,” Ryuunosuke promises with a kiss on Atsushi's cheek.
True to his word, he's back in a few minutes. Atsushi is already half-asleep when Ryuunosuke climbs into the bed next to him. They easily slip into a comfortable embrace, like they've done many times before.
“I like coming home to you like this,” Ryuunosuke murmurs into Atsushi's hair, placing a kiss there.
“Better get used to it,” Atsushi nuzzles into his neck.
Ryuunosuke is getting sleepy as well, so it takes a few moments to register what Atsushi said.
“You mean "Don't get used to it", right?”
His only answer is Atsushi's rhythmic breathing against the bare skin of his neck.
—
When Ryuunosuke wakes up the next day, Atsushi is laying on his back and he's curled into his side and partially on top of him, using his as a body pillow of sorts.
“How long have you been awake?” he asks quietly, because he knows Atsushi is. He's a morning person who gets up at unholy times like 7am even on weekends.
“Not sure. A couple of hours.” Ryuunosuke feels the reply vibrate in his chest. He feels a bit bad for him, Atsushi couldn't get up and do something just because he didn't want to wake him up.
“Sorry.”
“Don't apologize. You needed to sleep and I needed some time to think,” Atsushi brushes his fingers through Ryuunosuke's hair.
“I always sleep better when I'm with you,” he says, closing his eyes in pleasure. “What were you thinking about?”
“Your room.”
“Jealous that you don't have your own?” Ryuunosuke teases.
“I don't want my own. I'd rather share yours.”
Oh.
“I wouldn't mind that.”
“Could you make some space for me in your wardrobe, then?”
“Is my bed not good enough for you, man-tiger?”
Atsushi chuckles.
“It is, but I doubt you'll be able to bear having my bag on the couch for long.”
“Please. Your bag wouldn't take up more space than a pillow,” Ryuunosuke scoffs.
“Actually, it's taking up almost a whole seat. I was surprised too.”
“Mhm, sure.” A beat of silence. “Wait, what?”
“I'm moving in with you.”
“Shouldn't you at least ask first?”
“Not when I got asked to move here.”
“Wh-… Gin?” Ryuunosuke finally realises.
“Yup. Happy birthday.”
“Where is she?” he asks, resigned. Atsushi is relieved, he thought Ryuunosuke would be angry with him for pulling something like this behind his back.
“She bought an apartment in a building just a bit down the street.”
“Alone?” Ryuunosuke worries.
“With Higuchi-san and Kyouka-chan.”
“I see.”
“Hey, Ryuu,” Atsushi makes Ryuunosuke look up at him. “They'll be fine. And so will we.”
“I know,” Ryuunosuke agrees, pulling himself up to kiss Atsushi properly. “What is it with people forcing us into important relationship milestones on our birthdays, though?” he wonders, and Atsushi laughs.
“You mean when Dazai-san set us up on our first date on my birthday?” he remembers.
“And when Higuchi pushed me onto you and into our first kiss on my birthday after that,” Ryuunosuke adds.
“That was an accident, though.”
“It better have been. My nose and teeth hurt like hell.”
“I think it was worth it.”
“Easy for you to say, you healed immediately.”
“Stop whining, you weren't even bleeding.”
“I totally was.”
“That was my blood, idiot.”
“Sure, whatever you say.”
“Do you mind if I go make breakfast?”
“And burn down my- our kitchen? No, thanks. I'll do it myself.”
—
They settled into a routine fairly quickly. Their lifestyles couldn't be more different, but they knew each other's habits by heart and it only took a little bit of adjusting to match them up. Atsushi went to work early, grabbing a breakfast with Kyouka on the way to the office. Akutagawa woke up at noon and made lunch, packing half of it away for Atsushi to take to work the next day. His working hours were different every day, but he did his best to return home and have dinner with Atsushi every day. When he had time, they cooked together, when he didn't, they ordered something or ate out. On free evenings, they'd cuddle up on the couch and just talk or watch TV, and without fail, they'd join each other in bed at night.
However, Gin's room remained empty. They had no idea what to do with it.
“Did your coworkers come up with anything useful?” Ryuunosuke asks when Atsushi returns home from work and plops down next to him on the couch.
“Kunikida-san said I could make a home office, which isn't a bad idea. I had to take my work home with me a couple of times in the past, so it could be useful.”
“I do my reports at home sometimes too, it's true that a desk would be convenient. I could move my drawing desk there too, that way, there would be more space in the bedroom. We could finally get you a proper wardrobe.”
“I don't really need a wardrobe. All of my stuff fits into one shelf of yours,” Atsushi dismisses the idea.
“And that needs to change. I'm not living with someone who has two sets of clothing plus pajamas and thinks that's normal.”
“Says the guy who wears the same edgy coat every day.”
“You know that's different. I got it from Dazai-san.”
“I got these clothes from Dazai-san and the others too, you know? Maybe I just like them.”
“Remember that time when you accidentally took one of my shirts instead of yours?” Ryuunosuke asks.
“Sorry, I didn't mean to…”
“I'm not angry or anything,” he cuts off Atsushi's apologies, which causes him to frown. Where is he going with this? “It looked good on you. The reason I want you to get different clothes is because I like seeing you in them, that's all.”
“O-oh, okay.” The honest admission flusters Atsushi. He had to admit that Ryuunosuke's frilly shirt didn't look bad on him, even though it earned him weird looks at the office (and a wolf whistle from Dazai-san). “We could go shopping on Saturday, if you want.”
“Sounds good.” Speaking of… “What did Dazai-san propose for Gin's room?”
Atsushi gives Ryuunosuke a narrow-eyed glare. He promised he'd try to get over this fixation.
“Something stupid. It doesn't matter,” Atsushi averts his eyes, blushing slightly. He really did not want to repeat Dazai-san's words out loud, and definitely not to Ryuunosuke.
“I'm not asking because I want to follow it, I'm just curious.”
“It's embarrassing,” Atsushi mumbles.
“It can't be worse than when Chuuya-san told me, in front of the other Black Lizard captains no less, to get a children's room,” Ryuunosuke rolls his eyes.
“Huh,” Atsushi pauses. “Dazai-san said the same thing.
”Sometimes I wonder how are we even together when those two aren't,“ Ryuunosuke shakes his head.
”Tell me about it,“ Atsushi agrees.
In the end, they did end up making a home office, as boring as it was. However, since Ryuunosuke used it as his atelier too, it ended up becoming a pleasant place Atsushi liked coming to. And that was even before he found out how useful it would be to him in the future.