Work Text:
The rise of the sun was always the one that woke people up, its bright sun rays going through the windowpane, blinding the person on the other side with its glow. Akutagawa personally hated it but it helped fix his body clock.
He stretched his limbs as he fluttered his long eyelashes. He stared at the ceiling, contemplating whether he should get up already or stay in bed for a bit. He turned to his side where his roommate's bed is supposed to be and found the weretiger nuzzling his pillow, cheeks puffed out as he softly snored.
Akutagawa could just get up and walk over to press his lips on his forehead but he didn't. He sighed, his gay side had already awakened before him. He tipped toed around the room, making his steps as light as possible.
He took a quick shower, a petty attempt to forget about the weretiger and to wake up his nerves. It was no help, not that he didn't feel livelier, but he the weretiger was still in his mind. He checked the time on his phone. He had 2 hours to spare, a little nap won't hurt, right? Right. So he plopped back to bed, drifting away to sleep.
He felt much better when he woke up the second time that day. He reached for the phone and his nightstand, the brightness almost blinding him as it greeted him. His eyes widened in panic as he realized the time. He scrambled out of the sheets, nearly falling over and picking up the first sweater he could find, putting it over his shirt.
He was almost late; he didn't have time to think about his appearance. He rushed down the building, it was fortunate that the campus wasn't that far. He ran through the streets and then he ran through the halls. He glanced at the clock on the wall. He made it. He hunched his back in relief, "fuck, that was close" he muttered.
He ran his hand through his clothes, only to realize he was wearing a light pink sweater. The wool was soft to touch, but the design was something else. It was a crocheted version of his pet dog, Rashoumon. It was amAtsushi's birthday gift to him, so even though he didn't like the color, he would still confidently wear it.
Speaking of the weretiger, Akutagawa saw him in the corner of his eye. He was about to raise his hand and call out to the other when a redhead came into his view. Tanizaki, a close friend of Atsushi.
Akutagawa could feel a vein in his head threatening to pop. He didn't mind Tanizaki's existence, he didn't even care about him but what bothered him was Tanizaki was wearing a sweater. Atsushi's sweater.
He felt bloodlust (in a non-dramatic explanation, it's jealousy). He turned his back. His footsteps became heavy as he made his way to his classroom. He rolled his eyes, "Why would i care about those fools? i've got better things to do anyway." he told himself, sitting down on his seat at the corner of the room.
When the bell rang, he tried his best to focus on the topic at hand and not on the jealousy he was feeling in his gut. Atsushi looked so happy as he was talking to Tanizaki, his eyes were sparkling as usual but his smile was different.
He nearly threw the pen he was holding before he realized he was aiming at the board where his professor was currently teaching. He slammed the pen on his desk, banging his head on his table. The others didn't mind him, it was too early for them to care anyway.
The day proceeded with Akutagawa fighting his inner possessive trait. He decided it was best to ignore Atsushi. They didn't have any classes together which was a good thing, but he had entirely forgotten that he always spends lunch with atsushi.
As he was about to leave the classroom for lunch, Atsushi was already waiting outside. "Ryuu!" he yelled, running over to him. Akutagawa grunted in his response, focusing his eyes on the wall behind Atsushi.
"So, what do you wanna get for lunch?" Atsushi questioned.
Akutagawa shrugged, walking past Atsushi. Atsushi followed him and he was beaming, "You're wearing my sweater!" he chuckled, proud of his creation.
"It was comfy," Akutagawa reasoned, his cold tone sending goosebumps over Atsushi's body.
"What got you so grumpy today?" he asked, raising his eyebrow as he went closer to observe the other.
"Don't act like you didn't forget to wake me up"
Atsushi laughed, "I was late, so I panicked. i'm sorry" he pouted, it wasn't to be cute but to annoy the other. Akutagawa found it adorable nonetheless. "If it makes you feel better, I'll treat you to lunch!"
"That isn't why, you dumb idiot" Akutagawa muttered, which was, fortunately, not heard by Atsushi.
"Come on" Atsushi tugged on his sweater and grabbed his wrist, leading him down the halls. They passed by Tanizaki who waved at Atsushi with a smile. The poor redhead then received a glare from Akutagawa making him rub his neck sheepishly, turning his gaze to the air.
Akutagawa smirked, satisfied that he intimidated the other. He takes pride in those kinds of things. He ripped his hand off Atsushi's grip and intertwined their fingers instead. without exchanging any other words, they made it to the canteen.
Akutagawa sat down at a nearby table while Atsushi ordered their meals. Akutagawa placed his hands in his palm, tapping his fingers on the table. It took Atsushi a few minutes to come back, with trays in hand. Akutagawa stayed silent and only spoke to say "Thanks".
He thought Atsushi would sit down across from his seat, but the other sat beside him. Atsushi was then resting on his shoulder, nuzzling his neck. "You're jealous of Junichiro, aren't you?" Atsushi looked at him expectantly.
Akutagawa glared down at him, "Why would i be? I don't care about you and who you like." he tried to shake the other off his shoulder, but he didn't budge.
"But what if you are the one i like? What are you gonna do about it, Ryuunosuke?" Atsushi smiled smugly, moving close to him.
Akutagawa snaked his arm around Atsushi's hips, tugging him closer. "Then, i'll ask you out" he whispered, "As simple as that," he said, his warm breath brushing Atsushi's ear. "And i'll treat you the way you deserve."
Atsushi flushed. he tried to pull away, but this time, Akutagawa wasn't going to let him go. "So, what do you say, Nakajima?"
Atsushi spluttered, "I… I like you, Ryuu" he covered his warm cheeks with his own hands to hide his embarrassment.
Akutagawa placed Atsushi's hand on his, lightly brushing it on his lips, "That's all i needed to hear."
— extra
Atsushi clung to his boyfriend, teasing him for the way he acted earlier that day, "so..." he drawled out the words, "What made you jealous of my good old friend, Junichiro?"
Akutagawa glared at him, but kept his mouth shut. Atsushi shook his arm, "come on, tell me"
"It was stupid" Akutagawa ducked his head to hide the crimson that was obviously staining his cheeks.
"Tell me" Atsushi remained persistent.
"I thought the sweater thing was an us thing" Akutagawa explained, turning away from his boyfriend.
His reply earned him a laugh from the other, "Aww, that's so cute, Ryuu. Don't worry, it'll remain like that" he smiled, "Junichiro simply forgot his jacket and i had my sweater in hand so I lent it to him."
Akutagawa brightened, "Really? You aren't just saying this right?"
"Of course, love"