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An unexpected love began to blossom from within, and it was only the two of them who knew. Neither had anticipated that their relationship would turn out this way, but it was not an issue for them. In fact, they were both happy about it. To have felt the warmth of being in love was something they had never experienced, and they were grateful to one another for acknowledging each other’s weaknesses, strengths, abilities, and potentials.
Naturally, with how things currently are in terms of their relationship from the outside, they had to keep whatever was going on in between them a secret. No one knew of their heartstrings. They were careful and meticulous in concealing any evidence nor sign that would reveal their relationship. Not even their mentor knew.
Even so, the two would always find ways to spend time with each other. Such was what the effect of love had on them, and there were no places of regret in their hearts, even if they had to sacrifice something. They would usually meet in the dead of night when the city was in solemn peace.
They usually did not have to do anything special. Just being in each other’s arms and warmth was enough for the both of them. They immersed themselves in the cool evening breeze and the fuzzy feelings in their hearts that exuded warmth. Over them was the full bright moon, watching over them and keeping them company.
Tonight, they had planned to meet up again. They had a usual meeting place, not far from the heart of the city itself. It was an isolated area where no passersby were present, so they could be at ease in each other’s peaceful presence. They would also always arrive on time or earlier, which revealed their eagerness in seeing each other for the evening. Of course, such was the case for tonight.
A smile began to form on Atsushi’s lips the moment he saw his black-clad partner. It was the same for Akutagawa, although his eyes revealed more of his feelings. Their hearts started to beat faster as well, and together they spent the night under the moonlight.
They would simply talk about their day and how things were like in their respective organizations. For Atsushi’s side, it was pretty much a typical day at the Agency—solving cases, identifying culprits, and other kinds of assistance work. Meanwhile, as for Akutagawa, it was also the usual Mafia day for him. Unlike before, however, he had a promise to keep—a promise that was not fitting for a mafia member like him.
His days were no longer filled with bloodshed. Sure, it was in his nature to kill and to trample upon the weak, but he was a person of his word. Especially since it was a promise he made to his beloved partner. Gone are the days of murder for the black-cloth ability user.
Other than that, the two would usually make jabs at each other, but they were all in good fun. Sometimes, they would also talk about their colleagues and their plans for the following days ahead, but through all of that, their fingers were intertwined and never left each other. Atsushi would occasionally glimpse at his partner’s face, so deeply infatuated whenever Akutagawa began chatting more. He always loved listening to him talk about different things. He was typically a quiet person, so seeing him in a more talkative side was like a privilege for him. Akutagawa, on the other hand, loved seeing Atsushi’s pure golden eyes that pulled him closer whenever he would stare. He could easily get lost in them. And his heart would beat faster than before.
It was still ironic yet fascinating to think how he fell in love with the person whom he once was so intent on taking his life. Love works in the most mysterious ways.
Akutagawa, having felt the fatigue from his work, laid his head on Atsushi’s shoulder. He wasn’t the most expressive person when it comes to his feelings, but with the weretiger around, he was vulnerable. He can choose to let his emotions run freely, and the white-haired lad wouldn’t even mind. He would just caress him gently in return.
Atsushi was a gentle soul at heart. Like what his mentor said, the hell he underwent when he was a young child raised him well. He wanted to protect everyone around him, most especially his beloved. He wants Akutagawa’s heart to be at ease just as his.
“You’re tired, huh?”
He ruffled his partner’s black hair. Akutagawa loved it when he does that, especially with how soft and gentle his hand is.
“When I’m with you, it feels like all my worries disappear.”
“I feel the same.”
The two of them smiled together.
There was silence in between them for a few minutes, but it wasn’t a problem for them. Amidst the cool evening breeze, they could hear each other’s breathing. Both of them closed their eyes as they continued to enjoy this quiet moment they were in. Nothing else mattered to them now.
“Weretiger.” Akutagawa whispered, breaking the silence.
“What is it?” Atsushi replied.
“…Nothing.” The black-haired lad turned to face him before forming a small smile. “It was becoming silent, and I wanted to hear your voice.”
“You could’ve just told me to say something.” He replied, smiling right back. It was in that moment when he had begun to realize something.
“Oh, yeah.” Atsushi continued. “I realized you have never actually called me by my name. Or maybe you did, just on rare occasions.” He paused for a moment to think. “Nope, can’t remember.”
Akutagawa, admittedly, had also just realized this as well. “I got used to calling you weretiger. Back then, I despised you so much I didn’t want to address you by your name. I guess it just stuck.”
“But we both know it’s different now.” The weretiger snickered. “Come on, say my name, Akutagawa. I want to hear it from you.”
The black cloth ability user looked away for a bit. It’s true, he never had tried calling him by his actual name, so there was this bout of nervousness when he spoke.
“N-Nakajima.” His voice was so soft, and his tension caused him to stutter. Now he was expecting some kind of jab from his partner.
The weretiger peered at his partner’s face closer, noticing his embarrassment. He found it cute. “What was that? I couldn’t hear you. Also, you can just call me Atsushi, you know.”
Akutagawa looked back at him, noticing the contradiction from his words. He also found that cute.
Afterwards, he took a deep breath, trying to relieve his nerves. It baffled him how simply saying his partner’s name made his heart race. Still, he wanted to say his name as well, especially with how much his heart has been screaming it.
“Atsushi.” He spoke, with a voice louder than his first try. Atsushi smiled at him. “Say it one more time.”
He didn’t say anything else and didn’t question it any further. Before he spoke once more, he turned to look at his partner’s beautiful golden eyes. “Atsushi. Nakajima Atsushi.”
The silver-haired lad looked straight into the dark eyes that had stared at him. Softly, he spoke as well. “Akutagawa Ryunosuke.”
Their names had begun to flutter through the night, and for the both of them it was like listening to the most beautiful piece of music to have ever been composed. To hear their names from each other was another heartwarming moment for them to cherish for the longest time. Before anything else, Atsushi whispered a short message of gratitude. Akutagawa just smiled back at him.
Not long after, he continued. “I hope you’d call me by my name more often. I love it when you say my name. It sounds so beautiful when you say it.”
“Then I’ll do just that.” His partner replied, smiling once more. “…Atsushi.”
He leaned in to give him a soft and gentle kiss. Atsushi pulled him closer. It was moments like these that they wished wouldn’t end. To have the love you’ve always longed for from someone you would have never expected was the greatest of all miracles. Beneath the moonlight, they rejoiced in happiness, bliss, and comfort, and it was the moon above them that was their only witness to their love.