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The Akutagawa siblings were mysterious to everyone. Hell, most of the port mafia weren't properly aware they were related. Not because it was a secret but because they both kept to themselves so much.
Though, it was very clear they were similar. Slender and quiet. Quick and vicious. Dark hair and eyes and a tendency to glower.
Nobody quite knew what their relationship was really like, but if they were to guess it would be close.
They rarely talked outside of work but this was due to Akutagawa’s awkwardness and Gin’s general dislike of talking and not of any lack of closeness. More of the opposite really.
Gin was laying down on the couch when the door flipped open and a man flopped through the doorway and into the apartment.
The long haired assassin rushed to his side on the floor near the door where he had collapsed, hissing and clutching his chest.
“What's wrong?” said Gin, cringing at the sound of the voice crackly and horse from disuse.
“It’s noth-” he got cut off by a coughing fit.
When he recovered enough to speak again he simply (but reluctantly) said.
“...Binder.”
Gin sighed and, (to his chagrin,) propped him up on a wall so he’d be able to take off his long overcoat.
“Would you like some water?” Gin asked.
“Tea, please.” he responded, running a hand along his ribcage and not looking up, his shirt in a pile next to him.
Gin put the teapot on the stove and sat down on the ground next to the brother.
“Gin.” he acknowledged.
“Ryuunosuke.” Gin said.
There was silence and then Gin sighed.
“Tell the truth Ryu. how many?”
Akutagawa tch-ed.
“9 hours. Roughly.”
“Do you want to have a ribcage or not, dear brother?” Gin said exasperatedly, eyebrows furrowed.
He grumbled something incoherently looking away.
“I must ask even though I already know the answer… did you take breaks at least?” Gin asked desperately.
“I’m not weak.” he spat.
“Ah, my brother, he may be stupid! But at least he isn't weak.” Gin exclaimed sardonically with a snort, pouring the steaming water into the mug.
Akutagawa scoffed and took the cup.
“There's no need to be scared of them, you know. it's not like that's what they’ll hold against you of all things.” Gin said, sliding down the wall to sit next to him.
“Then why haven't you told The Black Lizard about your “true gender?” ” Akutagawa said scornfully.
Gin turned away and swallowed.
Akutagawa’s face softened. He stood up, walked over to the kitchen, and opened the cabinets. He got a hold of a bag of chocolate and offered it out.
Gin accepted it and stood up to write something down.
I’ll think on that. the paper said.
Akutagawa scrawled I’m sorry. That was harsh.
Gin made a sweeping gesture to signify it wasn't a problem and retreated.
~~~
Ichigo Higuchi wasn't often paired with The Black Lizard and for good reason. The way they operated was vastly different.
But, today, inexplicably, she was walking with Tachihara and Gin and conversing with the former.
Gin was lagging behind the two by virtue of not being in the conversation and Tachihara was slightly in front of both of them due to power walking.
“I never got the appeal of the helpless damsel in distress. C’mon do a lot of men really wanna date a wet blanket?” Tachihara said, scratching the back of his head.
“So, not your type Tachihara?”
“Nah. I want someone who can kick my ass.” Tachihara said, smirking and running a hand down his gun. “But while we’re on the topic, what about you? What would you say your type is big sis?”
Higuchi looked down with her hands on her face, biting back a smile.
“Well… someone who’s quiet, observant, and independent. Dark and mysterious.” Higuchi said, her mind wandering to Akutagawa. her empathy to the prickly man despite his refusal to afford the same.
Tachihara looked thoughtful and then his face light up deviously.
“Huh. sounds a lot like… Gin’s pretty much your type.” Tachihara said casually.
Upon hearing that Gin let out a noise like a tea kettle and their hands flew up to their face although they were wearing a mask and most of it was obscured.
“What? I’m not wrong. He fits it to a tee.” Tachihara said teasingly bending down slightly to get in Higuchi’s face.
Higuchi was sputtering trying to find words to deny but as she thought further she realized…
He was entirely right.
Gin was quiet and thoughtful but had a rash stubbornness to them. They had long silky black hair kept in a messy bun and dark eyes normally squinted into an intense intimidating expression.
Their sense of humor was dry and sarcastic but they weren't rude. They were quiet but not cold.
But currently they were flustered to the point they were walking backwards to avoid facing either of them.
Gin avoided eye contact with any of them for the rest of the mission.
~~~
The door slammed open.
Akutagawa looked up from his shelf of trinkets which he was delicately rearranging.
Gin practically ripped off their mask.
Silently they walked up to their brother.
“I’m not sure I want to tell them.” Gin said quietly. “It wouldn't be the truth.”
Akutagawa simply nodded but Gin scooped him up into a hug. He seemed to malfunction for a second before accepting his sibling’s affection.
“Ryu?”
Akutagawa blinked.
“You’re still an ass.”