Work Text:
Ryuunosuke had been working far too much. He had always looked sickly, with his way too pale skin, and thin wrists, that implied a poor diet. But, his worse for wear appearance had gone to an ultimate low.
His skin was so pale, it looked green. His eyes had heavy bags under them, his lips chapped no matter how much his boyfriend put chapstick on them. His movements were slower, and he had become increasingly thinner, staying in bed less and less and taking on even more hours at work.
Atsushi had gotten increasingly worried. He had known that his villainous boyfriend was incredibly devoted to work, but this was just horrible. He looked like a skeleton.
Ryuunosuke got home even later than usual that night, the sun had begun to rise. Atsushi decided to stay up that night and wait for him. The worries for his beloved had begun to ebb away at his mental health also, making him more unfocused, and zone out at work. So he would wait.
He stumbled into their apartment, letting out hisses and groans. He was clutching his waist, despite the black coat, you could see the dark liquid spewing from it. And when having a boyfriend in the Mafia, constantly going up against strong and ferocious enemies (not that Atsushi didn’t have faith in Ryuunosuke, it was just always a worry) you can’t help but assume the absolute worst.
Atsushi, who had been sitting on the couch sipping a cup of tea, gasped. He almost let go of the glass cup which was gifted to him during the Armed Detective Agency’s Secret Santa that year. It said, ‘World’s Best Weretiger’. Instead of letting it drop, he quickly set it on the coffee table, standing up and rushing to his boyfriend's side.
“Atsushi— you were supposed to be sleeping.” Ryuunosuke muttered, wincing as he tried (and failed) to take another step.
“Oh my god, what happened? Why didn’t you get a medic? You know what— don’t answer that.” Atsushi said frantically, pulling his boyfriend’s coat off.
“What are you doing?” Ryuunosuke questioned, trying to pull away, but just getting dragged back to where he was.
“Trying to help you. Take the coat off.” Atsushi demanded, looking him in the eyes. He wasn’t going to let down on this. He was worried for bis boyfriend, and was going to make sure he was okay.
“It isn’t a big deal.” Ryuunosuke sighed sharply, shaking his head, but he obliged, slipping his dark coat off of his shoulders, exposing his white undershirt.
A good half of it was soaked in blood. Atsushi felt horror swell up in his gut.
“Sit— Sit down.” He instructed, quick. He ran into the small bathroom, getting all of the medical supplies he owned (which wasn’t much, just some bandages and a few things to clean wounds, given to him by Yosano).
When he ran back in, Ryuunosuke had thankfully listened, and was on the ground, still clutching his wound as a frail attempt to stop the bleeding. A bead of sweat dripped down his sickeningly pale forehead.
“Take your shirt off.” Atsushi told him with a nod, and Ryuunosuke sighed (always horribly stubborn), but listened once again, unbuttoning his shirt with wobbly hands that seemed so unsteady Atsushi was scared he’d pass out any minute. It would’ve been great if he could call Yosano, she definitely would be more qualified at helping the Port Mafia agent then he was, but tensions were still high with his boyfriend and the rest of the agency, and Atsushi felt horrible calling the woman at this hour, so his own medical skills would have to work.
When Atsushi got a full look of the wound, he felt his heart drop— but he stayed calm. He might’ve been shaking, but he did what Fuzukawa had taught him, to stay under control, and take deep breaths.
He crouched down to Ryuunosuke’s level. The first thing he did was take out a wipe meant to clean wounds.
“This will sting.” He warned, soon swiping the cloth over the wound, watching his lover let out a groan in pain. But now he could see the wound better. Before, all the piled blood was making it seem worse. It still looked horrible, but Atsushi felt calmer trying to heal it.
It wasn’t too deep, just really long. So Atsushi took out an ointment, spreading it across the wound. Yosano had said that it was to make sure wounds didn’t get infected. He took out a roll of bandages, wrapping it around his boyfriend's waist. Ryuunosuke, who recently had a rapid heart beat and honestly did see his life flash before his eyes, started to calm down himself, his pulse becoming steadier.
Once Atsushi was sure that Ryuunosuke wasn’t dying, he fully collapsed to the ground, putting his hands on his shoulders and pressing his forehead against the other’s, inhaling deeply.
“Are you okay?” Atsushi asked, his voice meek.
“I will be.” The other replied, voice shaky, but he still tried to make it seem strong.
Atsushi pulled back, face twisted into an expression of anger, sadness, and confusion all at once.
“What even happened? You told me you’d be more careful!” His voice broke, and a few tears welled up in his purple and yellow eyes, which he wiped away before they could fall.
“It was supposed to be a peaceful mission. But we got ambushed.” Ryuunosuke explained, his voice seemingly devoid of emotion, but Atsushi knew better.
“Still! You should’ve ran, gotten help— and look at you.” Atsushi couldn’t avoid the tears any longer, a couple falling down from his eyes.
“I know I’ve been working… more than usual.” The other whispered, finally addressing the thing that had been worrying the other for months.
“Why?” Atsushi questioned, desperate for an answer. For months he’d been bringing it up, and for months Ryuunosuke said it was just a ‘short arrangement’ and that he’d have normal work hours soon.
“I wanted to be stronger.” Ryuunosuke explained, and Atsushi let out a laugh devoid of any sort of humor.
“You’re already strong.” Atsushi shook his head in disbelief.
“I want to be stronger for- for you,” He paused. Talking about emotions wasn’t common for the man, “It has always been Gin and I. But now I have you. I don’t want you to have worries in life.” He explained, seeming a lot more weak, and vulnerable, then Atsushi had probably ever seen him.
“Stop— that’s really sweet but overworking yourself isn’t being strong.” Atsushi told him, putting a soft hand onto his cheek.
“Being strong is waking up every day, eating a proper meal, and listening to yourself. If you need a break, take a break.” He continued, pleading. Ryuunosuke stared into his eyes, taking a shaky breath.
“I could… work on it. With— With you.” He looked down, and Atsushi lifted his head back up.
“Good. It’ll take some time, but I know you can do it.” He encouraged, a light smile on his face.
“I am looking forward to it. Would now be the time where you kiss me better?” Ryuunosuke asked, a humorous, but serious smile on his face.
“Hmm, I guess so.” He laughed, leaning forward and pressing his soft lips onto Ryuunosuke’s chapped ones.
They leaned into each other, Ryuunosuke putting a shaky hand onto the other’s slim waist.
As long as they were together, they’d always look out for the other.