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Life is feeble, weak, and useless.

Akutagawa had always struggled to see humans as anything but weird funny ants compared to the grand scheme of things. They are born, live, work, die. Accomplishing nothing of note in that whole time really.

And yet they seemed to love living so much they sometimes begged him to be spared, be given a second chance at life once brought into his domain. But he couldn’t care less about any of their pleas.

“Oh please, I have a wife and kids!”

“I never got to tell my friend I love them!”

“I didn’t have enough time, oh please, I beg!”

And that didn’t even include all the times mortals would try to gamble or try and bribe him or flatter him even! Humans were so pathetic.

Suddenly they were kind and pretended to like Akutagawa, who was only known as Rashomon the merciless among humanity. A heartless God that will come take you when your life is over.

Before they are brought before him all they ever do is curse his name when someone they loved died and Akutagawa was tired of it. So endlessly tired.

He already spends his days alone in this dark and deary realm, all alone except for occasional visits f other gods like his sister, Goddess of the harvest, fertility, agriculture, nature, and the seasons. They were much more popular than himself, as praying to them accomplished something. She would have so many nice things offered to her in her temples, it almost made him jealous.

Speaking, or rather, thinking of her, the yellowish light announced her arrival in his realm. And soon her elegant figure stood next to him as they gazed out to the universe, stars and planets just outside of the stone structure that made Akutagawa’s home.

“What brings you down here, normally you send someone to fetch me, and we meet in your realm?” Akutagawa questioned.

It wasn’t that Gin disliked her brother’s dark home, more so that Akutagawa liked sitting in theirs, as they spoke about their tasks while sipping on tea underneath beautiful trees plunged in all sorts of flowers. Gins realm was just as beautiful as she was, many of her favorite creations like flowers and fruits spread in a sunny domain with marble structures.

“Can a Goddess not see her brother once in a while. But you are correct, I do have something I am supposed to tell you.” Akutagawa sighed annoyed.

Seeking his sister out instead of coming here themselves, it was all the same with his fellow deities.

Barely anyone came into his real, it was often described as the uglier and darker realm of  Dazai, who too chose the stars and vast open space as his home but opted for clouds to inhabit his home and have many golden trinkets floating around.

While Dazais home looked whimsical, Akutagawa had only dark onyx making up his home and while he liked the darkness other Gods shied away from it, making his home so much lonelier.

“And what brings you?”

“Dazai demands to see you.”

Dazai, the God of wisdom, handicraft and warfare, well party warfare. If Dazai wanted to see someone it normally didn’t mean anything good, but Akutagawa was no fool, Dazai was only a God too.

He was one to bend the rules a little, muddy the tasks of others just so he will gain something from it, but Akutagawa barely found it bothersome. Maybe because Dazai had never to his knowledge at least done so to his duties.

“Well… I suppose I will head to him.” Akutagawa sighed and Gin looked at him from the corner of her eye before she watched the stars twinkle again.

“Don’t let him push you around like he does to others. You are strong, Ryuu. Don’t ever forget that.”

“You wanted to see me Dazai?” Akutagawa asked as he stepped into Dazais realm, clouds making up the ground beneath his feet.

Dazai sat on a bigger, light blue cloud looking down through a portal on the human world. Akutagawa briefly looked down too, finding it hard to care about the miniscule beings that ran around like headless chickens.

“Yes! Yes indeed. Akutagawa, tell me, what do you see when you look at them?” Akutagawa knew Dazai was very fond of humans. He occasionally used his uncomprehendable powers to go and live amongst them for a while before he’d return and tell stories of wonder.

Knowing that, Akutagawa tried his best to give an answer that would please Dazai.

“They are… Interesting.” Akutagawa hated that he made it sound like a question and the quirked eyebrow Dazai shot him told him the other wasn’t convinced, but he had to save himself, he did not want to appear stupid in front of Dazai.

“I mean, their lives are so…”

Unimportant?  Stupid? Pointless?

“You don’t care for them do you?” Dazai interrupted him and Akutagawa was afraid of the darkness that lingered in those eyes.

“You know as the God of death, I always thought you’d be invested in them. Care for their lives as you are the one who grants them passage to the afterlife, takes their souls to be brought here and safely transferred to their new home.” Dazai got up and circled the portal to Akutagawa.

“They aren’t fond of me, curse my name. All because they died and are brought before me. I do not make the call to end their lives and yet they blame it upon me. I find it therefore hard to care, what is a life anyways. Their lifespan barely compares to ours, so what is it they could even care about?” The laugh Dazai let out upon hearing that made the Ichor in Akutagawas veins freeze. It was obvious he was failing whatever test Dazai set for him.

“Good thing Chuuya isn’t here, he would kill you for sure for saying that!” Dazai murmured and Akutagawa looked at the other.

He smiled knowingly.

Akutagawa knew Dazai would not share whatever knowledge he had with him, what Chuuya Nakahara had to do with this, the God of War.

“I really think it’s a shame you think about the mortals like that! After all I envy them for all the experiences they get to make before death awaits them to take them into the afterlife.” Akutagawa froze up when Dazai slipped behind him and held his shoulders tightly and whispered in his ear.

“Maybe you will think so too once you experienced it.”

“Dazai-” But before he could plea to the sly God, he had already pushed him and he fell through the portal, his celestial body experiencing all sorts of emotions before it abruptly stopped, and everything went dark around him.

A throbbing pain surrounded him when he finally felt conscious again.

It engulfed his body and he had never experienced something like this, it was even worse than that time Chuuya had thrown his spear and impaled Akutagawa accidentally with it. That one barely hurt, and his wound had closed up within seconds once the foreign object had been removed. But this pain he felt right now hurt like hell and made him groan.

Carefully he opened his eyes and immediately had to throw his hand over the sun blinding him.

Wait.

The sun. Blinding him.

He sat up way to quicky, his body aching and causing him light nausea as he did so. He sat on grass, and it even tickled his skin once the pain slowly ebbed away, the gentle breeze forced his longer strands of hair against his skin, and he stiffened from the unexpected wind against his bare arms.

Bit by bit the realization hit him.

“DAZAI!”

Akutagawa hated this dumb asshole. This stupid selfish God! Just because he enjoyed living with the humans doesn’t mean he can force it on his fellow deities. Once Akutagawa is back in his realm Dazai will pay for it. He will make sure of it.

With wobbly legs Akutagawa got up and looked down on himself. His godly markings on his body were gone as was his usual dressing.

Instead, he wore a black chiton that went down to his knees, a few bracelets around his pale wrists and some basic sandals that wrapped all the way up around his calves, finally a black himation was wrapped around his shoulders.

This… was humiliating.

He hoped Gin would soon notice his absence and together with Chuuya can convince Dazai to let him back into the Gods domain.

Angry beyond any comprehension he walked towards the dirt road down the field he woke up in, climbing the fence that was in the way of escaping. Or rather he tried. Miserably.

He nearly faceplanted down into the gravel if he hadn’t caught himself last second. Humans were so dumb. If he had his godly powers, he could easily just destroy the fence or simply phase through it and not humiliate himself trying to get over it. But once this herculean task had been accomplished, he was ready to… to…

Akutagawa had no plan now.

He would definitely not be able to simply reach any of the gods here. He would need one of their temples. Preferably Chuuya or Gins. Those two would probably be the most willing to help him.

But neither looking left nor right helped him with this. There were only more fields and forest. Left or right, right, or left? After debating for just a little while he took left and began following the path. Looking around the place wasn’t that interesting either, only a landscape of greens and soft yellows from grains and occasional trees. As he stalked past the third field of wheat, he heard something on the gravel behind him. Turning around revealed an older guy with a tiny horse carriage approaching him. That was a chance to ask for directions. Finally!

When the guy came closer Akutagawa waved him down and he luckily did stop. In the bag of his carriage where a couple of wheat bags.

“Excuse me Mor-.. Mister…. I am unfortunately lost and need to know how to get to the nearest town with a temple.” The guy raised an eyebrow and studied Akutagawa, who felt weird being looked at like that.

“Well, I’m heading to it right now. I can take ya with me if you don’t mind the bags in the bag.” Akutagawa nodded curtly. “I do not, and I would appreciate it very much.” Who knew mortals could be of use?

The guy didn’t speak much, only occasionally looking back and checking Akutagawa out. He had only asked a few questions in the beginning about why Akutagawa was all the way alone out here and the likes. Thee God turned mortal answered in short and cautious answers. Akutagawa found him annoying almost. The glances had him at edge and he felt naked and vulnerable without his powers.

The rhythmic melody of hooves against gravel soothed his nerves just a little and soon enough they approached a moderately sized village. Akutagawa eyed the other mortals carefully as they made their way over the cobblestone path.

They were busy with their precious lives, hurrying all over the place and Akutagawa found it strange to see. He and the other Gods were barely as hectic as this, and they were at least important. But who was he to judge currently. He was now stuck too in a body that was nothing noteworthy.

He sighed and slipped off the cart once the man halted his horse and Akutagawa wanted to thank the mortal for helping him when the guy looked at him expectantly.

“What?” Akutagawa questioned when he extended his hand and made a grabbing motion.

“My payment brat. You didn’t think I was helping out of the goodness of my heart right?” Akutagawa stared at the man and then scowled. “You didn’t say anything about payment.”

“Did I have to? I thought it was obvious. Now give me some money or were gonna have a problem.”

Akutagawa’s eyes briefly looked around, the other mortals were paying them no mind, only continuing with their lives. “Don’t think about running.” The guy said and towered over Akutagawa who fiercely returned the dark gaze the man shot him.

“Well, I don’t have money on me.” He spat and hoped the guy would just leave it be, he’d hate having to remember this guy just to smite him later once his powers were back. See how benevolent he was?

Akutagawa was free to end lives but barely ever did so simply because he didn’t find the mortals to be worthy of his time.

But this one? Oh, he was testing the Gods patience.

“What a brat you are.” The man roughly grabbed his wrist, painfully removing the bracelet from the pale thin wrist, before pushing Akutagawa just as quickly away. The god needed a second to process what had just transpired and rubbed his hurting skin while the guy tried walking off.

“Hey, that doesn’t belong to you!” Not like he cared about the Rashomon themed bracelet, he was a God with unfathomable riches after all, but he did not like being disrespected like this and be hurt by some random mortal who thought he could get away with it.

Akutagawa stormed after the man, gripping him by the shoulder, but as soon as he did that, the guy turned and a fist made contact with the Gods face. Akutagawa landed on the floor, his face burning and cringing from the pain and the other guy laughed, a disgusting deep laugh.

“Don’t try that again brat.” With that he and his cart began disappearing into the crowd and Akutagawa could do nothing but stare after him with hate flooding through his body. A few onlookers stopped to spare glances at Akutagawa but then again quickly hurried off, not caring. Oh he will burn this whole village to the ground. Just they wait.

Akutagawa was ready to just scream, lash out, curse everyone and everything around him, when he heard quick footsteps coming his way. He quickly shielded his face with his right arm, his left holding him upright on the stone and turned to glare at the mortal that dare approach him.

“Are you alright?”

A hand was offered to Akutagawa, which he quickly pushed away before getting up. He briefly inspected the mortal, a young man, silver uneven hair with a long strand and a black streak in it, dressed in a simple white Exomis and sandals, a little coin pouch attached to the zoster around his waist. Truly unique about him were his eyes, a mix between purple and yellow, reminding the God of the beautiful sunsets his sister was so proud of.

The guy looked concerned, not like the man from before. He had kind features the worry was easy to read off his face.

“I will be once I am at the temple of the city.” Akutagawa said and dusted off his own clothes, trying his best to shake the feeling of vulnerability. If any of the Gods hear a mortal had managed to hit him in the face and send him down into the dirty after he stole from him even? He would be the laughingstock for millennia to come.

“Huh? I think you were told misinformation; we have no temple here.” The guy says and Akutagawa turns to glare at him.

“What?” The other smiled nervously, cocking his head.

“But the man said there’s a temple here!”

“Well, I think he just lied to you. The closest temple is the temple of the Tainted Sorrow, but that one is still a good chunk down the road. I think the guy just told you the lie to bring you here and rob you.”

Akutagawa felt his eye twitch. Mortals were vile. How was Dazai even remotely interested in them and even liked living among them. Maybe Dazai truly had lost his mind in the last war amongst the Gods.

“Can you point me in the direction?” Akutagawa pressed out, his scorching scowl hitting the boy full force. But he didn’t flinch, or back down, only continued to smile like a fool.

“It’s down to the east and woah where are you going?” The boy called out when Akutagawa began marching the direction he pointed at.

“To the temple where else you damn fool?” Akutagawa wasn’t having any of this and just continued, even when the guy kept trying to call out to him.

Akutagawa soon found out walking for a while hurt. Especially when lose stones and gravel kept making their way into his sandals, determined to poke his feet. The sun beat down relentlessly on him as well and he was plainly getting tired of this whole thing.

He could only hope Dazai too would grow tired of it, because watching a fellow God surely must get boring quickly.

Right?

Apparently not, because after what felt like an hour he was still here. It certainly hasn’t been an hour, but that was not Akutagawa concern right now. His bigger concern was finding rest under a shady tree. He had that, he was nicely sitting in the grass, eyes wandering around disinterested, but to his demise a few wield workers nearby had noticed his presence and were now bothering him.

“Well, he ain’t from around here?” One said, inspecting Akutagawa and the God was getting real tired of mortals looking at him like he was a weakling.

“Of course, he isn’t. Just look at that body, nothing more than a sickly kid. Barely any worth on the field.”

“As if I’d need to proof my work on a senseless square of land.” Akutagawa murmured but the guys heard him.

“Did we ask for your opinion stranger?”

“No, but I reckon you were doubting my strength and worth based solely on the fact if I can be a brainless vermin on a field.” The guys threw their gardening tools to the ground, approaching Akutagawa now, who tried to appear taller and broader than he was. He would not let another useless mortal lay hands on him.

“Brainless? Listen here, without us all these crops would not come out like this. We are helping to provide for a bountiful harvest. And yet we are being talked down to by an unimportant weakling like you.”

Akutagawa scoffed, as if these two were making the difference. It was his sister who blessed the earth and made sure everyone had enough to eat when the harvesttime comes.

Not liking the way, they were being scoffed at, one of the guys grabs Akutagawa by the hemline of his Chiton.

“I don’t like your attitude stranger.” He growled and brought their foreheads together.

“Hey, guys let him be.” A voice called out and Akutagawa froze up was he recognized it. The kid from earlier.

To the Gods surprise the mortal let him be and they both returned to their dropped tools, picking up their work again. Meanwhile Akutagawa marched over and stared at the guy who was looking down on him from his heightened position on a horse.

“You sure seem to attract trouble.” The guy laughed and Akutagawa scowled at him.

“What is it to you?”

“Oh nothing.” Akutagawa turned on his heal and began marching again, the guy quickly catching up to him, now holding his tempo while on horseback. “What are you doing here? And why do you follow me?”

“Well, I thought you might need help, you just seemed like the type to attract trouble and it seems I was right.”

Akutagawa scoffed and crossed his arms. “I am not.”

“Then what was that just now?”

“Just a friendly conversation.”

The guy deadpanned and shot him a look. “You are not going to fool me. Anyways, I wanted to offer you my help. I can take you to the temple. It’s on my way.”

Cautiously Akutagawa eyed him. He would not fall for the same dumb mortal trick twice.

“I will pass, I have been robbed once already. So, get lost, I ain’t worth the time.” Saying that hurt his celestial pride.

“I did not plan on robbing you. I’m genuinely offering you my help.”

Akutagawa stopped in his tracks and Atsushi haltered the horse a few feet ahead. Akutagawa eyed him once more. This kid was more open in his motives, he seemed a lot easier to read like the other guy and he could not determine a reason to mistrust him just yet.

“Fine.” He sighed. “But one wrong move and I’ll kill you.”

The guy laughed and waited until Akutagawa stepped closer to help him up on the horse, placing the man behind him.

He kicked the horse into a gentle canter and so the trip began. Akutagawa cringed and hated having to hold onto the mortal to not fall off, but unless he was keen on meeting the floor once again today, he would have to do so.

“What’s your name?” The kid asked, looking behind himself, and Akutagawa looked away from him.

“Akutagawa.” The kid smiled.

“Nakajima Atsushi. But just Atsushi is fine.”

“Huh?”

“My name.” Why did the mortal tell him his name, not like Akutagawa would remember it once he was back in his realm. But oh well, he supposes he would play along.

“Well then, Atsushi.”

The ride was silent at first, but Akutagawa could tell by Atsushi’s looks when he occasionally turned around to look at him that he wanted to talk. So, Akutagawa decided to be benevolent once more today: “Speak.”

Atsushi shook like he was spooked for a second, before going back to smiling. “Why do you need to get to the temple of the Tainted Sorrow so badly?”

“I don’t think you need to know that.”

Atsushi nodded disappointingly and turned forward again.

“Many people go there for different reasons, was just curious.” He said and Akutagawa didn’t respond.

Small talk wasn’t his strong suit. Hed rather figure out which deity this could be. Stupid mortals giving everything dumb names. Just how they called him Rashomon, when Rashomon was just his manifested power, the dark dangerous being he tamed and had harvest souls for him.

His name was Ryuunosuke Akutagawa and yet the mortals always prayed to Rashomon.

Dumb Mortals. Foolish little beings. But hey this mortal was being of use right now, so maybe he could be of more.

“Tell me what you know about the Tainted sorrow.” Atsushi shoot him a look again.

“You’re quite bossy.” Akutagawa quirked an eyebrow in return.

“Answer the question.”

Atsushi sighed, ignoring his own questions.

“Well, the Tainted Sorrow is the tale of a man who fell in love with a God who lived down on earth a long time ago. When he returned to the godly realms the human rebelled and, in his grief, went to fight in the war. He died during it but was blessed by the God he loved and was allowed to ascend to the status of a God himself.”

Atsushi continued talking about the detailed story, but Akutagawa had already the realization who it was. A god who lived with humans? Dazai. A human ascended to God status who died in the war? It must be Chuuya.

Oh, Akutagawa should really go out more and talk to people, this was getting sad at this point.

But oh well, that was a problem for later. Chuuya was perfect to pray to, he would definitely take pity on him and let him back into the celestial realm, right? He just had to! Or he would probably at least tell Gin, right?

Well, he had no real time to think about this, since Atsushi was still talking, and the temple slowly came into view. It wasn’t one of the big ones, the ones Dazai was getting worshipped at or anything, but still pretty and nice to look at.

Akutagawa waited impatiently until the mortal haltered the horse in front of the temple and watched as he tried it to a post. “What are you doing?”

“I’m coming with you, I’m afraid you might attract more trouble if I leave you be again.” Akutagawa was annoyed.

This mortal dare insinuate he was a danger to himself? He rolled his eyes and marched ahead with Atsushi quickly hurrying after him.

“Soooo what are you gonna offer?” Atsushi asked and Akutagawa was beginning to question why humans talked so much. What was the worth in all these useless answers.

“Offer? I don’t need an offer; the guy better listen to me, or he will regret it.”

“See, that’s what I meant, now you’re even picking fights with Gods. You’re acting all high and mighty for someone who laid in the dirt earlier.” Akutagawa stopped in his steps, making Atsushi crush into his back.

“You have no idea who I am.” He simply spat and then continued into the temple. Inside people were gathered around a golden statue of Chuuyas celestial form.

The resemblance wasn’t even that bad, they missed the celestial marks on the man’s body and definitely made him a lot taller than he is, but otherwise not half bad. Atsushi stood next to him as Akutagawa scanned the room, unsure how exactly mortals did this.

“You’re lost, aren’t you?”

“I am not.” Atsushi chuckled, not fooled by Akutagawas confidence.

“Listen, you leave an offer down at the feet of the statue and then you silently call to them, hoping they hear it.” The black-haired God looked at Atsushi like he was crazy before he remembered a problem.

“I have nothing to offer. That dirtbag from earlier stole the only thing of value on me.”

Akutagawa new the rules of offerings too well, as Gin regularly in large quantity got them. He himself rarely got any, but he knew the rules. Something of value or something crafted by your own hands.

Somber he stared at his empty wrist where just a few hours ago had been a golden bracelet.

“If you got nothing then here.” Atsushi opened his satchel and pulled out a few coins. “It’s not much but this seems really important to you so…”

Akutagawa stared at the golden coins in the others hand as if they were dangerous and intent on harming him. “I… But these are yours.”

“You can always repay me once you have something of value back on you.” Akutagawa debated this. He did not want to be in debt to a mortal but what choice did he really have.

“Fine.” He grumbled and took Atsushi’s coins, placing them carefully at the statue’s feet, closing his eyes as he did so, calling out to Chuuya.

He returned to Atsushi’s site.

“Any chance I can talk to the gods alone, like a private room or anything?” He asked and Atsushi quickly looked around.

“There are a few empty rooms in the back if you-” Akutagawa already pulled him along to where Atsushi had gestured to.

“Hey, what do you need me for?” “To watch that no one comes alright! I do not want to be interrupted.” Atsushi sighed and yanked his wrist out of the cold hand that had been around it just a second ago.

 “Okay, but stop being so demanding, by the Gods.” He lamented and Akutagawa shook his head before slipping into the empty chamber. It really wasn’t spacious, but it was privacy which was all he needed.

Closing his eyes he sat on the lone chair in the room, calling out to the other God.

“Chuuya, if you can hear me, please answer me.”  He whispered carefully and expectantly. Very slowly and carefully he opened an eye and there was nothing. He tried again, waiting, and retrying to call out to him. But alas… No voice, no light, nothing. He sighed. This would have been too good to be true.

“Good for nothing God of war, just as lazy as Dazai.” Akutagawa lamented and got up, turning around only, to almost get a heart attack.

What a strange emotion to flood his body. Fear is something he had never felt this intense.

“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.” Chuuya said with a cocky grin and stood straight, leaving his position of leaning on the door.

“So, what Dazai said is true?  He really threw you the scary God of Death into the mortal realm?” Chuuya sauntered around him, inspecting him, his orange hair floating gently.

“Yeah, now get me back, I hate it here.” Akutagawa answered bluntly and Chuuya laughed, his head cocking to the side as he let his eyes wander one more time over the others small mortal frame.

“Sorry, my hands are tied. As are Gins. Dazais orders. None of us can get you back, its Dazais decision alone when you learned your lesson.” Chuuya crossed his arms and shot him a sympathetic look.

“You’re kidding me, right? Dazais decision? So, I’ll be stuck here forever? He cannot just do this to another deity!” Akutagawa protested and Chuuya shrugged in return.

“I’m afraid he can for now. If you want to speak to him directly, go to one of his temples and talk to him. I’ll throw in a good word so hell hear ya out. I’d have a good speech ready though, he seemed really happy to teach you a lesson on humans.”

Akutagawas hand balled into fists. This was frustrating to no end. Dazai toyed with him, and he hated, despised this feeling. “I’m sure it won’t be as bad as you think.”

“I got robbed and punched in the face, and some other damn mortals planned on beating me up too if the kid outside hadn’t intervened.” Akutagawa slapped a hand over his mouth, he had not intended to let Chuuya know of that. As if Chuuya, could see Atsushi, the redhead turned his head to look at where the door was.

“I’d stick with him then. Being a mortal ain’t that bad, people just won’t put up with your celestial temper.” Akutagawa stared at Chuuya in disbelieve. As if the other too wasn’t prone to temper tantrums during times of war or when Dazai was messing with his duties.

“I heard stories about you. Are they true?” Akutagawa instead decided to ask and Chuuya looked confused before it clicked.

“That I was a mortal once and ascended because Dazai and I loved each other? Pft, as if. I’ll tell you another time when you’re back. Until then, make sure to not die, I don’t wanna find out what will happen when the God of Death dies from being beaten into a pulp by mortals.” And just like that Chuuya began glowing in a mix between orange and red, slowly fading away.

“No wait!” Akutagawa called out, his hand trying to find purchase on the God, but it grabbed air instead.

Pondering on Chuuyas words Akutagawa only now realized Chuuya implied he could perish.

Facing mortality? Mortality was even a possibility? But how? He was supposed to be immortal! Ichor coursed through his veins, having weathered countless trials during the Godly wars. Gazing at his hands, a chilling tremor traversed his body.

What had Dazai done? He craved certainty and consequently, he sank his teeth into his hand, anticipating the familiar golden fluid, yet instead, a rich crimson blood flowed, and he felt the ground beneath his feet disappear.

The specter of death loomed large over himself for once.

His body responded to the revelation in a manner entirely unfamiliar to him. Muscles, once firm and resilient, seemed to liquefy, causing him to collapse onto his knees, while his chest felt alarmingly tight and each time he tried drawing a breath it felt harder.

The irony taste in his mouth made him almost throw up. This was strange. Was it fear clawing at him? Panic, perhaps? It felt like an uncharted territory of dread, a visceral reaction that overwhelmed his senses and left him questioning the very essence of his being.

Before he could further wallow in his misery the door was carefully opened, and Atsushi popped his head in.

“Hey, are you alright- Oh Gods.” Atsushi rushed to his side, shaking Akutagawa lightly. “H-hey, can you get up, what’s wrong?” Atsushi’s panicked voice barely rang through the deafening high pitched tone Akutagawa was sure he only imagined.

He was hoisted to his feet, the mortal was surprisingly strong, or he was just really weak, it could really be either way, and quickly guided him out of the temple, trying to not leave flecks of blood on the polished marble.

“Hey what happened?” Atsushi asked as they approached the horse they arrived with. Akutagawa remained silent instead, the shock still settled too deep in his bones.

“I’ll bandage your hand, okay?” Atsushi asked and had Akutagawa sit on a bench nearby before he gathered some basic bandages.

Akutagawa watched him apathetically as the mortal touched his hand so tenderly and carefully, wrapping the hand in the white cloth, which immediately was tainted by the cursed red fluid that caused his whole physical shutdown.

“Does it hurt?” Atsushi made a knot and Akutagawa hissed from the tightness and pressure applied, but he shook his head.

“No, I am…” He coughed. “Alright. I will be.”

 Atsushi sighed in relief and sat down next to him, studying his features carefully. “Sooo I’m guessing you were blessed with a bad vision?” Akutagawa shook his head.

“Not directly.” Akutagawas brain was slowly able to comprehend the new reality he was faced with, and once clear goal was burned into his mind.

“I need to get to a temple of Dazai.” “D-Dazai?” Atsushi asked and cocked his head. Akutagawa looked at him with burning determination in his eyes.

“Where is the nearest temple of Dazai?”

“In my hometown. It’s about two days way from here.” two days. He could live those probably. Two days. Yeah, that was doable.

“Can you get me there?” Akutagawa asked frantically, getting up and grabbing Atsushi by the shoulders, shaking him a little.

“Ehm… Sure. I could. I need to head there anyway, but it’ll be quite a while-”

“I do not care; can we go right now?” Atsushi also got up, grabbing the Gods wrist, and pushing the hands of him before taking a step back.

“Fine, but you owe me big time. I already paid you for your offering and I do not wanna end up empty handed.” Black, white tipped hair moved around frantically as Akutagawa nodded in a frenzy.

“Whatever you desire, once I have everything cleared up, Ill repay you in wealth your mind would barely comprehend!” Purple-yellow eyes widen.

“Promise?” Akutagawa laid a hand on his chest, the other he held openly beside him.

“I swear by the God of Death I will repay you handsomely for your troubles.”

Atsushi wasn’t one to turn down such offers. Others may call him beyond naïve, but he couldn’t help himself.

“Alright. Then let’s get some road done before the sun sets.” Akutagawa almost smiled but forced his curling mouth corners down into their neutral state and Atsushi sighed. He could at least show a little happiness. It sure wouldn’t hurt the gloomy man.

Akutagawa once more found his space behind Atsushi on the horse, which Atsushi petted generously.

“Maybe I should introduce you now. This is Byakko.” Atsushi mumbled and kicked the mare into a canter like earlier. Akutagawa remained silent again, and just watched Atsushi guide his horse.

“You will have to live with me asking you questions, I hope that’s alright with you. I barely get to talk to anyone on the long rides besides Byakko, so I appreciate the company.” Akutagawa looked the silver hair in front of him confused and irritated.

“You can babble whatever foolish thing comes to your mind; I can’t promise Ill dignify it with an answer.”

“Wow, you’re back to being rude, your enthusiasm really didn’t last long huh?”

And the black-haired remained silent again while Atsushi chuckled. “I’ll make you like me. You will answer me eventually.”

Atsushi sounded so sure, it made the God scoff. As if he would ever even think nicely of a mortal but fine, Atsushi shall have his challenge.

Could all mortals talk so restlessly and without taking a break? Because at this rate Akutagawa could swear his ears were gonna fall off any second.

Atsushi was indeed talkative. Telling him about why he had been in the village in the first place. Apparently, he worked for noble man named Fukuzawa and was the one tasked with delivering goods to towns who ordered from them.

Not like Akutagawa cared, it all only proofed once more how insignificant Atsushi’s mortal life was compared to his.

Today he had delivered apples that his friend Kenjo? Keiji? Whatever his name was, had cultivated.

“He kept a few back to offer them to Gin later.” Akutagawas attention finally was on the words Atsushi mindlessly babbled and Atsushi could tell.

“Kenji is really devoted to Gin, he always offers him a good chunk of anything he harvests from his work as a thanks.”

“Them or Her.”

“Huh.”

“Gin is not a man. That you should know.” Akutagawa said and eyed Atsushi cautiously. Akutagawa had heard a few times that the mortals apparently had it out for the celestial siblings. He was confused with Rashomon, while Gin had been described like a guy thanks to a translation error. Dazai had found that one real funny when he told the Goddess about it, who in turn had just looked at him annoyed.

“Oh. Many people say they are though. Are you from somewhere far away?”

“You could say that, yes.” Akutagawa answered and watched the water flowing gently along the riverbed as they rode over a bridge.

Atsushi didn’t press him on that, better for him the God thought and watched as the riverbed slowly faded out of his vision. Far away? Yeah, a totally different realm. A realm so beautiful and majestic no human could begin to understand.

“What else is in that city of yours?”

Atsushi perked up and looked behind himself, smiling contently.

“See, you’re finally taking part in our conversation.” He laughed as Akutagawa pinched the waist he was holding onto.

“I asked you something, so answer instead of ridiculing me.”

“I wasn’t ridiculing you.”

“Yes, you were.”

Atsushi laughed again and Akutagawa found it a little less annoying this time but still let out an annoyed sigh. “Well, we have a temple for Dazai, my work and home are there. We have a temple for the golden Demon Ozaki, a little port where ships sail off from sometimes. It’s neat there.”

“Are there any temples nearby for the God of Death?”

“Rashomon?” Akutagawa wanted to say something so bad but held his tongue.

“Ehm, yeah, a chunk outside the city is an abandoned one. You seem real interested In the Gods if I may say so.”

Akutagawa sighed. It would seem that way, but in actuality it was a mix between gauging where he could contact the only celestials he had to get to and a little curiosity about his own standing in the world.

“What do you think about Rashomon?” Akutagawa asked, cringing a little in his skin as he referred to himself incorrectly. If this guy answered anything but the highest praise, he would smite him once he gets back into his celestial body.

“Rashomon… People don’t talk about him much.” Atsushi said and steered Byakko off path to avoid a fallen tree on the path. “Many dislike him and tell horror stories about the black beast that comes to steal your soul away when your life starts fleeting.” Akutagawas hands briefly grab onto Atsushi a little harder.

“But I think he isn’t a full-on bad guy. Death is part of life and while it might be the ugliest part of it, it’s not the Gods fault that it belongs to being human.” Akutagawa would let that slight. People had said worse about him.

The sun was starting to set, painting the sky in all sorts of beautiful colors. Pink blending into orange, purple bleeding into blues…Silently he admired Gin for having created such beauty. She deserved to be worshipped for her work after she put in so much effort just for the silly mortals to witness it.

He missed her.

Gin was one of the few deities regularly visiting him. Dazai was often busy or in the mortal’s world to cause a little chaos, Chuuya was preoccupied often as well and while Gin was too she still made time to visit her brother in his dark, deary and sad realm.

“It’s getting dark, we need to set up a camp soon.” Atsushi murmured and slowed Byakko down, confusing Akutagawa.

“Why can’t we continue?” He asked and Atsushi got off, almost making Akutagawa fall with him. The silver haired stared confused up at him and cocked his head. Akutagawa liked when he looked up at him, felt more natural to him.

“Well, Byakko is certainly tired after this day, I’m getting tired and you soon will too.” Akutagawa scoffed. Gods don’t get tired. They simply rested their minds a little from time to time laying down in silence.

“Don’t look at me like that, we can continue soon.” Atsushi said and offered a hand which Akutagawa again slapped away and opted to remove himself from the horse instead. Just not particularly elegantly. Instead of landing sturdy on his feet, his knees betrayed him, and he almost fell, if Atsushi hadn’t quickly stepped in to support him. The realization was mortifying for the God, and he quickly made some distance.

“Is accepting help really that hard?”

“Yes. Especially from someone like you.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Atsushi asked, placing his hand on his hips, halting his progress of getting his belongings off Byakko.

“You know nothing about who I am, and I am being very generous in my opinion for taking you with me despite you having no money.”

Akutagawa closed his eyes and sighed. Okay, so how do you explain to a mortal its humiliating that he helped you because you’re a God and you hate getting helped. You don’t right, so you take the ‘a little less humiliating’ path than getting stranded and left behind in the mortal realm by the only guy who had shown you a little kindness.

Sighing annoyed, he looked at Atsushi all serious; “I apologize for my words, I do not like being touched nor being helped.”  Akutagawa stared at the other like he was seriously angry, so it contrasted pretty harshly against what he wanted to convey with his words.

Atsushi gave him an awkward smile in return. “Alright, I’ll remember that.”

“Good.”

With that out of the way Atsushi continued getting his belongings and unloading Byakko. He threw a few bags at Akutagawa who inspected them briefly.

“So, I did not expect to have a stowaway, means I only have my animal fur and a bedroll. Are you fine with that?” Akutagawa now cocked his head and stared at Atsushi. Atsushi found he resembled a black cat he had petted in the city a while back.

“You can take the bedroll; I’ll take the animal fur.” Akutagawa still looked confused, but Atsushi didn’t have time for this now as he heaved the saddle of Byakko. The mare took a few cautious step now ridden of her burdens and Akutagawa looked after her as she slowly circled them.

He also just looked on as Atsushi set everything up. Akutagawa admired how deftly Atsushi did these tasks. He made a little fire, unpacked the bedroll, positioned everything, and eventually gestured for Akutagawa to sit down next to him on the roll.

He reluctantly did so and watched intently as Atsushi opened a back to pull out some food. It was simple bread and yet it oddly enough caused a reaction in Akutagawa in the form of making his mouth salivate like a wild animal. He found this reaction also particularly strange.

Mortals were so weird.

“Are you hungry?” Atsushi asked with a full mouth and offered him the bread he had been stuffing his face with.

“I don’t know.” Akutagawa said and was immediately interrupted by a loud rumble coming from his stomach.

“That’s a yes then.” Atsushi chuckled and passed Akutagawa the bread.

“Come on eat it.” He encouraged before getting fruit from the bag. Hesitantly, as if he could be inflicted with serious harm he ripped of a tiny piece and stuffed it into his mouth, slowly chewing it. And it tasted so good. Bi-colored eyes watched him intently.

“Do you like it?” He asked and Akutagawa pondered upon the question. It tasted nice? Was that what the mortal needed?

“I guess so?” Atsushi’s eyes crinkled as he laughed. “You’re such a weird guy.”

Akutagawa was unsure if it was supposed to be an insult.

“I do not think I am.” Atsushi didn’t respond, only continuing to smile as he bit into a pear. Akutagawa continued to be unbothered and kept eating away on the bread.

Once that was all done and the bread had completely disappeared into his mouth, Atsushi got up and went to sit close by, leaning on a tree stump, bringing the animal fur closer to him. Only now Akutagawa noticed which animal.

“Is that a white Tigers fur?” Atsushi nodded.

“Yes! Fukuzawa, the man I work gifted it to me on my birthday a while back.” The mortal was probably eager to share more but Akutagawa looked away in disinterest to avoid it and luckily the mortal didn’t speak more. He just wrapped the fur around himself and looked pleased with himself. Akutagawa eyed him from the corner of his eye and the boy bared a strange resemblance to a tiger actually. Especially with that black streak in his hair. A nickname for the mortal came to his mind.

But for now he felt strangely exhausted, a feeling he was barely familiar with but it quickly overtook him.

The following day was more riding. And it started to annoy Akutagawa because the mortal somehow still had things to talk about.

“Jinko, don’t you ever grow tired of your own voice?” The God asked and Atsushi looked at him offendedly.

“J-Jinko?”

“Yes.” Akutagawa pointed at the black stand of hair. “You remind me of one, especially with your hair and the white tiger fur you have.” Akutagawa saw the face of the mortal grow a little red as he processed that information.

“But don’t call me that I- I am not a tiger…” Atsushi protested, and Akutagawa shrugged. He would keep on calling Atsushi that if he didn’t like it. Serves him right.

They continued on like that, riding until they reached Atsushi’s hometown and compared to the other one, he had seen this one was a lot bigger.

Akutagawa watched curiously as he inspected the many mortals going about their life. They stood behind stands selling goods, were huddled together somewhere and spoke, others played games, and many were on their way to somewhere. Even after having seen, it before it still fascinated him, especially since these were more people in a bigger town.

It’s all just very, overwhelming in a strange sense. All his senses were on high alert, and it was the very opposite of his usual life, which consisted of dark and lonely, quite days.

They rode past all these bustling streets, further into the city until Atsushi took a right and the houses became sparser again. The road turned from cobble stone back to gravel and ahead was a big house with a few smaller sized fields.

As they approached it a kid came running from amidst the apple trees, jumping and happily leaning on the fence as he waved enthusiastically. “Atsushi! You’re back!” He called out, a big smile etched to his face.

“Kenji!” Atsushi greeted back, also waving. Akutagawa unintentionally made himself a little smaller behind Atsushi, trying to hide himself away.

Meeting more mortals was not part of the plan. This made him mildly uncomfortable.

Oh, how he longed to have Rashomon to protect him.

Once they arrived at the front door Atsushi quickly got off and was once more properly greeted by the blond kid, who also eagerly waved at Akutagawa once he saw him. Very awkwardly Akutagawa waved back and got off Byakko.

Lured in by the commotion more people came by and soon Akutagawa found Atsushi to be surrounded by a group of people. They chattered among them, none of them really sparing him much attention until the tall blond guy looked at him.

“Atsushi, who is that?” He asked and Akutagawa did not miss the sharpe edge in his voice. He should leave soon.

“I should go.” He just said and wanted to walk away, but Atsushi calling out to him had him hesitate in his steps.

“Wait. Please. Kunikida, this Akutagawa. I-”

“Let me guess, he needed help and you offered yourself up?” Akutagawa watched as Atsushi’s personal space was invaded by the blond man.

“We talked about this!”

“I know but this is different okay! Really, I promise.”

Meanwhile the other mortal also looked at him, cautious were their looks as they took him in, a woman with shoulder length, dark hair, and a younger girl with black hair tied into pigtails. The blond kid, which was Kenji simply stood there smiling, bouncing on his feet.

The arguing between the blond guy and Atsushi continued on, as the man seemingly counted down all of the times Atsushi had been a naïve fool and Atsushi desperately trying to explain how Akutagawa was a different case to anything before this.

Akutagawa was gonna offer to just leave again and figure his stuff out alone, when out of the house came two more men, who’s presence made everyone shut up.

“What’s going on?” The grey-haired man asked and his sharp and focused gaze landed on Akutagawa briefly.

“The brat brought another brat.” The blond said and pointed at the God.

“Fukuzawa listen I-” The man, Fukuzawa seemingly his name, held up a hand, silencing the crowd once more. Akutagawa didn’t budge when Fukuzawa eyed him with an authority that had even the God hesitate.

“Come with me.”

Silently the black-haired followed the man inside, not caring for the looks the others shot him, nor for the odd sly smile the black-haired man gave him who came outside with Fukuzawa.

In the house he followed along before being brought into the spacious main room. It only held a table and a few other furniture items.

“What brings you here?” Fukuzawa asked and interrupted Akutagawa from further inspecting the wooden furniture.

“I need to get to the temple of Dazai and when Atsushi told me there is one here, I asked him to please bring me along.”

Akutagawa left a whole lot out of it but in his opinion the old man could consider himself lucky Akutagawa was being so generous and open with his motives in the first place. Normally he’d never just admit to anything, but he had a miniscule amount of respect for this man.

“I see. And so, you will just leave now?” Fukuzawa raised a brow and inspected the God thoroughly.

 Akutagawa opened his mouth to babble out “Of course! I can finally have my peace and quiet again without the stupid Jinko babbling my ear off.” But he stopped and hesitated.

He had no offering.

No offering, no chance Dazai would even listen to him. And he hadn’t even really considered what to tell Dazai.

His gaze wandered to the floor, staring at his feet as he tried quickly to come up with a plan that didn’t sound half-baked, Fukuzawa spoke up again, interrupting his hasty thoughts.

“I’m guessing you have nothing? No money, no family?” He had all those things. Just not in this realm.

“I think you can say that. I have all those things, but they are far away from here. I have a sister, but I cannot get back to her right now. I need to speak to Dazai to know how to get back.”

Fukuzawa looked away, wandered off to look out the window, his hand grabbing onto a wooden carving that looked crudely made.

“You shall work for me; live here and once you feel ready you can go to the temple and get you guidance. I hope you understand that I am only allowing this because of Atsushi.” And another mortal he felt now in debt to. If this continued, he would only feel more ridiculous.

Might as well throw his wealth at very mortal now.

“I understand and thank you. You will not regret it and I will repay you.” Fukuzawa waved his hand as he continued to look outside, and Akutagawa took it as a sign to leave.

In the hallway stood the man with the sly smile, his eyes were closed but opened to zero in on Akutagawa as soon as he rounded the corner. The green was comparable to a luscious green hill.

“You’re not from here.” He said, a knowing tease to his voice.

“That much is obvious.” Akutagawa replied and brushed past, only to stop when the man spoke again.

“No, I mean, you’re from somewhere else entirely. You feel…barely human if I might say so.”

Akutagawa looked over his shoulder to glare at the man. “No offense!” He said and all the seriousness from his demeanor vanished to return to a childish one. It freaked Akutagawa just a little, but he simply continued on his way.

Back outside the commotion had settled and Atsushi leaned on a pillar of the porch, speaking to the blond and the older woman. The little girl stood beside him, face devoid of emotion, Kenji was gone, not to be seen. Atsushi smiled when he spotted him and looked at him expectantly.

“I will work and live here for a while until I have the offering.” Atsushi’s smile grew and he looked really pleased with himself.

“I’m happy to hear. Then let me introduce you!” He said and pulled Akutagawa closer by the wrist.

“This is Kyouka.” The timid girl waved carefully, and Akutagawa nodded at her, as he also did for the others.

“This is Yosano, and Kunikida. The other guy you saw with Fukuzawa is Ranpo. This is my family.” Atsushi beamed and Akutagawa inspected them all briefly.

Kunikida meanwhile pulled out a piece of paper and a pen from the waistband, grumbling as he noted something down.

“And another brat to the expenses list. This was not planned.” Yosano laughed and elbowed him.

“Awe come on, he said he won’t stay for long!”

“That’s what we all said and look at us now.” Kunikida replied and it only made Yosano laugh more.

Her laughing calmed as Kunikida was done with whatever he had written down and she smiled up at Akutagawa. “Well…I shall check up on you then.” Akutagawa cocked his head. What was coming now?

He was happy Atsushi didn’t leave his side as Yosano dragged him through the house.

“She’s a doctor. She inspected all of us when we came here.” Atsushi offered as Akutagawa was made to sit in a wooden chair.

“I promise it won’t be long.” Yosano said with a weirdly unnerving smile and began her practice.

It really didn’t take too long and soon she was done inspecting most of the God in Mortal form.

“Well, I wouldn’t say you’re the pinnacle of health or anything, but everything seems to be in order. A little too slender for my taste, but that is nothing new. Atsushi had been worse.” She offhandedly mentions and Atsushi muttered her name in retaliation in a tone that Akutagawa was briefly unsure if Atsushi could produce it.

It was a warning, loud and clear.

“It’s nothing to be ashamed of, you know that.” Yosano simply replied, a sharp gaze of her calming the tension in Atsushi’s shoulders. Meanwhile Akutagawa simply watched it happen, noting it all down mentally.

Once Yosano started shooing them out, Atsushi took Akutagawa to the kitchen, where they met Kunikida once more.

“So, you want to work?” He said as he was busy noting more things down.

“Indeed.”

 “Well, you barely look like your cut out for Atsushi’s work.” Akutagawa growled lowly.

He hated that the mortals put so much emphasis on tying worth to physical strength. Not everyone could be like Chuuya. If he had Rashomon he could show them what true strength can be.

“I think you could help you Kenji. He will show you what to do.” Kunikida continued, not even paying attention to the hostility he had brought shortly to the surface.

“Fine.” And with that he turned to march back out to the field where he had seen the blond kid earlier. Atsushi remained with Kunikida for now, the two talked, but Akutagawa didn’t hear what.

It took him a minute or two while looking between the rows of fruits trees and bushes to find the kid. Kenji was busy replanting a tiny tree into a bigger empty space when he looked up to the God.

“Akutagawa, right?” He asked, a kind smile on his face.

“Yes.” Akutagawa truly was a man of short answers by now. He like that though. It was efficient.

“I’m guessing since you seeked me out you’ll be working with me?” The black-haired nodded and Kenji got up, wiping some sweat of his forehead.

“Well…” Kenji looked around until his eyes landed on something behind Akutagawa. “You can get a basket and pluck the ripe oranges!”

Without answering Akutagawa turned to the woven basket and marched determined to the orange trees a few rows down.

Just one problem. What were ripe ones?

His eyes wandered from one fruit to another, they all looked largely the same. Why did the stupid kid give him such a task without explaining anything. He began to scowl at the fruit trees. This was horrible. Humans were so vile, always out to trick him and-

“You don’t know it huh?” An all too familiar voice asked from a few feet ahead.

Atsushi leaned on the wooden fence, watching amused that the black haired was obviously lost.

“No I-” Akutagawa hated making a fool out of himself. But what could he say. Atsushi would wait to see if Akutagawa lied if he said he knew what to do.

Before the God could think more on it, he saw from the corner of his eye how Atsushi jumped over the fence and came towards him and swiftly grabbed into the basket once next to him. From under the cloth at the bottom he pulled out a tiny knife and Akutagawas heart raced.

This was a trick, he’d die now. Atsushi was gonna kill him, everything had been a farce, the God of Death would die by the hands of a mortal who tricked him and-

“Okay, so you first check that the color is all even, like this!” Atsushi said and twisted one of the oranges around for Akutagawa to see, who was still stuck in his panicked state. Atsushi seemed oblivious to it and so he continued.

“Then you test for the firmness and if it all looks and feels well, you twist it a little before cutting off a tiny part of the stem with the orange and there.” Atsushi smoothly cut the fruit lose to then present it to Akutagawa, who hesitantly took it to inspect it himself.

“You get it?” Akutagawa slowly nodded before placing the orange in the basket.

“Kenji always forgets not everyone is so Intune with nature and agriculture like he is. If you’re unsure just ask him. He will be happy to explain anything to you. He did the same for me when I came here.”

“Why can’t you explain it to me?” Akutagawa wanted to slap himself silly, he did not want to seem like he enjoyed Atsushi’s company, because he really didn’t. The mortal was annoying and a loudmouth. Atsushi in return laughed, obviously flattered.

“I would, but I have to get back into town to deliver some grain. I’ll soon be back though, then I’ll check in on you.”

Akutagawa tried his best to hide the bubbling panic on the inside. All alone with a bunch of mortal he couldn’t trust, and he could die and had no celestial powers. Real great, he was sure Dazai was somewhere laughing his ass off.

Atsushi was already back to the fence and once more effortlessly got over it, leaving Akutagawa with the fruits again. Determined to not be a fool, to proof himself to be a good mortal, he began doing what Atsushi showed him and got harvesting the oranges.

Soon enough he presented Kenji the now filled basket. Kenji inspected the work briefly before gifting Akutagawa a bright smile. “Wonderful. Then now let’s get harvesting some berries and then I’ll show you our cow!”

Akutagawa silently followed Kenji around. Unlike Atsushi Kenji didn’t constantly speak. He rather spoke up when he picked up on Akutagawa having very little experience around agriculture or hummed melodies to himself. He was very hardworking, and Akutagawa was in awe at his strength.

He had already considered Atsushi quite strong (though he would never admit it) and you could see it a little on him with the slightly bulkier build but Kenji was a kid with normal stature and yet he lifted heavy baskets and bags with such an ease it made Akutagawa look in astonishment.

When the sun was beginning to set and Akutagawa helped by carrying a lighter basket after Kenji who carried a whole crate with ease, Akutagawa decided to for once initiate conversation but only because something was of interest to him.

“Atsushi mentioned you are a devoted follower of Gin?” He asked carefully and Kenji sat down the crate near the front of the house, dusting his hands off to remove any dirt.

“Oh indeed!” He said and gestured for the God to follow him. He brought him to a shrine near the back of the house and took the basket out of Akutagawas grasp.

“I bring him offers from anything I harvest and make because I know he blessed the soil and my crafty hands.” Akutagawa debated to speak his mind and ended up going through with it.

“Gin is not a man. In my home we…We learned  thoroughly about the Gods, and Gin is the sister of Rashomon.” He was getting rid of the translation error one mortal at a time.

“Oh, thank you for telling me! Whatever Gin may want to be, I thank them every day.” Kenji ignited a candle in the shrine and laid a little assortment of the fruits they harvest out for the Goddess.

Kenji bowed his head and silently spoke; “Thank you Gin for once more blessing us with all the delicious fruit, vegetables, and berries. Thank you for the sun and the rain.” With that he seemed content and Akutagawas lips curled into a slight smile.

His sister deserved all this praise. She was wonderful.

As they turned to get into the house Akutagawa spotted Atsushi leaning on a wall, having obviously watched them. When Kenji skipped inside, Akutagawa grinned at him.

“Watching instead of working? How cruel Jinko.”

“I told you I am not a tiger, and no, I did work. I’m sure I lifted more than you since you had Kenji to help.” Akutagawa rolled his eyes and too went inside, Atsushi following closely behind.

For dinner everyone gathered in the main space, sitting at the table, chattering about their days. Fukuzawa and Akutagawa were the only ones not actively speaking and Akutagawa had tried to listen to the other 3 simultaneously happening conversations but in the end, it had been a little overwhelming so he simply drowned it out.

Atsushi eventually seemed to notice, and tried getting Akutagawa into the conversation but he remained in his silent state, content with simply eating some bread and meat.

After that was done, Akutagawa found himself in a discussion about sleeping arrangements.

“But I do not want to share my room!” Ranpo kept repeating like a mantra.

“You won’t have to, I’m sure Kenji, Akutagawa and I can just share and-”

“The new brat will come with me, you and Kenji are already too noisy during the night, I don’t need another one in that room.” Atsushi laughed as if Kunikida had said something hilarious instead of what he found to be truth.

“Is that alright with you?” Kunikida asked and Akutagawa pondered upon it. His preference was clearly Atsushi, because it felt less threatening, but he couldn’t say that. So, with a deep sigh, he held his head high and nodded.

Saying good night to Atsushi felt odd, as before he could still see him when he opened his eyes and he was never far, but tonight walls separated them. It frightened him a little since he found Atsushi to be the least detestable out of all these people, but he turned to follow Kunikida with a bedroll under his arm regardless.

The room was orderly, lots of books everywhere. Akutagawa waited patiently until Kunikida instructed him where he could put the bedroll. In the end Kunikida instructed him to put it parallel to his bed with some distance so he wouldn’t step on Akutagawa on accident.

The God absolutely did not like that mental image and Kunikida could tell by the scoff on his face.

When Akutagawa had settled in and was ready to close his eyes, trying to push the mental images of getting murdered out of his head, Kunikida spoke up; “Where are you from brat?”

“Very far away.” He simply answered. Kunikida seemed content with that answer. Not pressing him on it, and he was silently thankful for it because Akutagawa had no answer.

“I hope you’re not here to hurt him. He doesn’t deserve that. Not again.” Akutagawa looked at the laid down figure up on the bed.

Did he mean Atsushi? If so then Akutagawa had no intention of harming the mortal, even if he was annoying.

“It’s not my plan. I only want to return home.”

“Then you will hurt him.” Akutagawa furrowed his brows. How in the world would he hurt Atsushi by returning home? It was not like he needed a human sacrifice or anything.

“I do not understand what you’re implying.” Kunikida chuckled. “I figured.”

They didn’t speak further. Silence settled, and Akutagawa turned around to sleep. It soon blanketed him comfortably and the night passed.

Plowing the fields was a horrible task. In the sense that it was exhausting and making his muscles ache. But it needed to be done.

Akutagawa had been at it for a while now, just earlier he had slipped and fell face first into the dirt, growling he will make sure to find Dazais favorite human and smite them out of existence just to spite the God.

Akutagawa, Kenji and Atsushi were all busy plowing, sweat dripping out of every pore and the sun wasn’t even that warm today. Only an occasional breeze brought a little bit of relief but it was always just fleeting.

Around noon they could finally take a break, Kyouka brining out a tray with water and fruits for them. Akutagawa was handed a strange looking fruit by Atsushi and some water before he went to get himself some.

Biting the unknown fruit, Akutagawa was pleasantly surprised how much he adored the taste.

It was delicious in all the right ways, and he couldn’t help himself from continuously chasing more of the juicy flesh. When Atsushi saw the delight on the others face, he laughed.

“That’s a fig.” He said and Akutagawa looked at the last piece left between his fingers. He likes figs, he concluded and ate the last piece.

“I talked to Kunikida earlier and we’re gonna bake tomorrow. You can help us and then you have your offering for Dazai.” Akutagawa looked at Atsushi with wide yes.

“Really?” Atsushi nodded. “Yes! I’m so excited to see how your attempts will work out.” “Tomorrow, right?” Akutagawa wanted to be sure he heard correct.

“Yes, when we are done with the field, we-HEY!” Atsushi was dragged back to the field by Akutagawa before he could finish.

“We need to work; I need to bake or whatever it was you said.” Atsushi looked confused for a second before he laughed and let himself be dragged back to the field, not bothering to correct Akutagawa that it wouldn’t matter if they finished quicker.

Kunikida, Yosano, Kenji and Kyouka watched as they bickered over the tools.

“This will end badly, right?” Kyouka asked. “I’m afraid so.” Yosano agreed.

 The day was spend with more work and work. Akutagawa was encouraged by the prospect of soon earning an offering for Dazai and to get home and therefore helped like he had gone mad. After dinner he fell dead on the bedroll, sleeping before Kunikida had even removed his sandals.

And so the next morning he stood in the kitchen, determined together with Kyouka and Atsushi.

“Kyouka is the best at making baked goods.” Kyouka silently nodded and gathered everything they needed. Kyouka too was a quiet person like him, and Akutagawa liked that about her.

 What he didn’t like was the glares she shot him when she thought he didn’t see. But he did see. Felt them too.

But that didn’t mean she wasn’t going to show Akutagawa how to bake bread. She explained everything calmly and called him out when he mixed wrongly. It was humbling to be called out by a young girl but coming from her he didn’t mind that much. Before long the trio watched their dough bake and Akutagawa couldn’t take his eyes away. It had to be perfect. Dazai had to be impressed.

“I’ll get us some water.” Atsushi commented and ruffled Kyouka’s hair before leaving the two alone to stare at the fire.

“I will kill you if you hurt him.”

Akutagawa thought he misheard but judging by the determined look the girl had on her face she wasn’t.

“I don’t want to hurt him.”

“But you will, and I know it.” Akutagawa shook his head. Why was everyone assuming that?

“Why do you all think that? I do not intent to kill or harm him in any way.” Kyouka angled her head slightly and inspected him.

“You don’t get it. You want to go home, right?”

“More than anything else.”

“And your home is far away, right?” Akutagawa nodded.

“He likes having you around. He will hurt from you leaving.”

Only then it clicked. Atsushi could miss him, would miss him apparently by the way everyone was vaguely threatening him. And there was not only physical pain, no there was also emotional pain and they all believed he will cause it in Atsushi. What fools.

“He won’t. I’m not someone to waste thoughts upon. He won’t hurt I promise because he does not like my company. No one does.” Kyouka shook her head.

“You’re delusional.” It seemed like she wanted to say more but shut up once Atsushi returned with water for them all.

The conversation was still stuck in his head when he stood with his now ready bread in front of the temple of Dazai. The bread was rather small and ugly, not as good looking as Kyouka’s or Atsushi’s, but he made it so he will offer it.

With determined steps he made his way inside, this temple being much bigger and garnish that Chuuyas.

The big statue of Dazai in the very front of the temple was quite accurate. It had to be since Dazai had lived in the mortal realm for years and he surely would use his time to make sure the people got his likeness right.

Akutagawa wondered if there were depictions of him. What they would look like.

Walking past dozens of mortals, he laid the bread on the altar and looked for a private space. Like in Chuuyas temple he soon found an empty little room and quickly slipped in, pressing his back against the door as he closes his eyes to call out to the God that brought him into all of this.

He waited, not daring to breath and soon enough he heard the annoying voice he had almost missed.

“Akutagawa! So nice to hear of you!” Dazai had decided to not show himself like Chuuya, who had briefly projected his self into the mortal realm.

“You’re lucky I’m not dead! I’m sure Mori would have loved to hear your explanation on why the God of Death is no more.”

“Oh, please I would have never left you die my dear. That would throw the world out of balance, wouldn’t it? Anyways, I know what you are here for.” Akutagawas breath hitched. He wanted to go home.

“Will you let me return?” Dazais laugh echoed around his brain and  he sighed. He knew what it meant.

“Not yet. Your little journey isn’t over yet.”

“How do you know?” Akutagawa spat, but it was pointless.

“I’m glad I don’t have to actually explain that to you. Now that you had your little talk with me, try living a little. I know your friend sure would appreciate it.” So Dazai knew what he had been up to, oh he better keep watching then, Akutagawa was a petty man, and he would stick it to Dazai, he was sure of it.

“But I have not much more to say. I will give you something though. After all it was taken unlawfully from you.”

Akutagawa felt something warm wrap around his right wrist and looked at it. A bandage, much like the once Dazai always wore to cover his celestial marks, wrapped around it before transforming into the golden Rashomon bracelet with red gemstone eyes that had been stolen from him.

It seemed odd Dazai was returning this of all things, but Dazais plans always had purpose, so he wasn’t gonna question it.

“See you soon Akutagawa, I promise, it won’t be too long.” And just like that it was silent in his head again. Only his own racing thoughts in there. He couldn’t even believe Dazais words.

Soon. That could mean days, weeks, months, years. To them anything could be soon.

Annoyed that he once again got no step further and with the defeat settling into his bones he trots out of the temple, back to where Atsushi and Kenji were selling their produce today.

It was a little stand amidst many others and people sold their wares, amongst them he quickly found the now familiar silver and blonde hair and came up to them, his unhappiness apparent to both.

“I’m guessing Dazai didn’t hear you out?” Kenji asked and Akutagawa shook his head.

“He did but… He as always didn’t listen. He only gave me back my bracelet.” He held his wrist up and Kenji admired it, while Atsushi finished exchanging money for some oranges.

“Well, what is your plan now?” Atsushi asked and waved the woman he had just helped goodbye.

“I don’t know. I feel more lost than ever. He basically just said I’ll return eventually. But not when or how.” Kenji turned to listen to the new customers wishes and Atsushi swiftly swooped to Akutagawas side to talk to him.

“Hey, it won’t be as bad as you think. You at least got us.” Akutagawa looked away, unable to meet the sunset-colored eyes of the mortal.

“I said I’ll stay until I got the offering and will leave then. I have no right to stay.” Atsushi grabbed Akutagawa by the shoulders, forcing the Gods attention on himself.

“Listen, we all made promises to Fukuzawa to leave eventually. And yet we are allowed to stay. So don’t worry about it.” The sincerity with which Atsushi spoke had Akutagawa calm his racing mind. If he’d believe anyone telling him things will be alright, it’d be Atsushi.

“Besides, now that you won’t immediately leave, I have something planned for us.”

 Cocking his head Akutagawa silently demanded an explanation but Atsushi only gave a lopsided smile before he had to turn his attention to an elder woman asking for the price of their grain.

“You will see.” He just said before answering the woman.

And see he did. Because after he helped Kenji filling crates and brought offerings for Gin with him when they returned home, Kunikida and Atsushi took him back into town again.

They entered on the of the buildings and Akutagawa was greeted by loud music and lots of chattering from drunken patrons.

Kunikida left them to get drinks while Atsushi dragged Akutagawa to a table. “What are we doing here?” he asked, and Atsushi only smiled.

“To have a good time. Have you had alcohol before?” Akutagawa shook his head. “Oh, that’ll be interesting then!” Atsushi’s giggle was barely audible over some guy loudly laughing and other patrons talking loudly.

Kunikida soon returned with a dark reddish liquid and Akutagawa carefully took a whiff of it and inspected it. “It’s wine. Made from grapes. They will make you feel really funny.” Atsushi grinned and him and Kunikida began to sip theirs.

Akutagawa followed suit and the taste was strange sure, but not necessarily bad. He knew Chuuya was a big fan of wine, but its intoxicating abilities didn’t affect him as a God anymore. If  Chuuya liked or disliked that he didn’t know.

Another thing he’d have to ask him once he’s back.

Akutagawa watched the world around him happening. Kunikida and Atsushi were the ones talking and it seemed like this isn’t the first time they did this. Other men around their table were doing arm wrestling, excessive drinking, somewhere dancing or playing games. They all seemed happy, and Akutagawa wished he knew what it felt like. To not see life as pointless and a waste. To live in the moment.

“Akutagawa?”

“Mhm?” Kunikida had snapped his fingers in front of the Gods face, demanding his attention.

“I wanted to know if you too want another?” he asked and pointed at the empty wine. “Oh yes, sure.” He replied courtly and Kunikida took the empty glasses with him as he went to get new ones.

“You’re not having fun are you?” Atsushi asked and Akutagawa heard that he was disappointed.

“I…I guess so? I apologize. I simply struggle to…live?” Akutagawa questioned and Atsushi looked at him before he seemingly got an idea.

“Let us dance then!”

“Dance?” Akutagawa received no answer as Atsushi pulled him to the open space in the back of the building near where other mortals played instruments. Some men where here dancing with women, others danced alone and now among them danced Atsushi, looking mighty weird and out of place.

His moves followed no rhyme or reason and Akutagawa felt odd as others looked at him. He planned on returning to their table, and drink more wine to experience the intoxicating effects, but Atsushi was quicker in grabbing his wrist and dragging him with him.

Now Akutagawa had to shuffle awkwardly from one leg to the other and feel the burning stares of mortals around them, while Atsushi held his wrists tightly and moved his arms just as wildly as his own.

It was weird, felt awkward and strange and yet seeing Atsushi’s eyes crinkle as his smile stretched across his face, cheeks dusted red and giggles escaping him, ringing loudly in Akutagawas ears, he too couldn’t help but give a gentle smile in return.

Perhaps the intoxicating effect was already afflicting him. But he couldn’t care less.

They continued until the mortals with the instruments opted for a short break and together they returned to the table, where Kunikida awaited them.

“Where were you?”

“Danced.” Atsushi quickly answered and began downing the wine before Kunikida stopped him.

“Not so fast, you’re already a lightweight.” He reprimanded to which the younger one mumbled apologies.

“How are you holding out?” Akutagawa thought on it for a second before concluding he didn’t particularly feel different.

“I’m just fine.” He answered and Kunikida nodded before throwing Akutagawa some coins over.

“I’ll return home. You two share a room tonight so you won’t bother anyone when you return. Don’t cause any trouble.” Kunikida emptied his wine and went to leave, Atsushi waving after him.

“Does he normally leave this early?” Akutagawa asked and Atsushi nodded.

“Yes, he has strict plans, normally if I want to stay longer, he leaves me with enough coins for one more wine and then I return too. But tonight let’s have fun!” Atsushi proclaimed and Akutagawa considered it. Fun sounded great.

“Alright. Then show me a good time Jinko.” The other grew a sly smile as he accepted the challenge, raising his wine to toast.

“I will.”

Intoxication felt funny. Akutagawas brain was a little mush, but when looking at Atsushi he knew he was the soberer one of the two.

They had simply been talking while drinking more wine, but the patrons started leaving bit by bit now, so did they. Atsushi talked even more and louder while drunk but at least the boy was still able to walk, because Akutagawa would not have known how to get him home otherwise.

Right now, they strolled through empty wild paths away from the city. They decided to take a slightly longer path Atsushi knew about to sober up a little on the way back home. Currently Atsushi was busy talking about that time he had first helped Kenji with harvesting.

“He was so strong, I was jealous. No really, don’t give me that look!” Atsushi laughed, upon seeing Akutagawas disbelieving face.

“But you are strong Jinko.”

“Now I may be. But back then? I wasn’t.” Atsushi thought back to that time, life had felt so very different back then, a gentle smile on his lips as he thought about his now family. 

“I’ll tell you something.” Atsushi said and stopped in his tracks, he looked a lot more somber and afraid almost. The moonlight was bright enough to let Akutagawa see the others face twist as he debated what to say.

“I… I never told this to anyone who isn’t family but… I”

“You don’t need to tell me anything Jinko. You don’t have to.” Akutagawa watched as Atsushi shook his head. “No, I want to tell you. I had... I had a horrible childhood.”

The trees rustled as wind blew through them and Akutagawa stood there silently unable to speak or move as he waited.

“I have no parents. I lived in an orphanage for most my life. And they treated me horrible. Burned my skin, drove nails through my feet.”

Akutagawas felt sick hearing this.

Who could harm someone like Atsushi? Who could possibly think to do something like that to a child. It was vile, had his insides twist at the thought. Mortals were cruel, he knew that so very well, but doing things like that to a child? It was a whole different level.

“Why?” Was all Akutagawa managed to get out as the sick images danced around his mind. He needed to know what someone would do such things to Atsushi and the other looked aside, over the open fields.

“As punishments. For whenever I misbehaved.” Akutagawa had trouble imagining Atsushi could have done anything that would warrant vile punishments like that, but he didn’t ask further, didn’t want to make Atsushi remember more of this.

“You didn’t deserve that.” He just said, tone dry, and yet it was noticeable that something lingered within the raspy voice, honesty, and concern.

“No one deserves that. Especially someone like you.” Atsushi’s head snapped towards him and even in the pale light that only the moon provided Akutagawa could see the tears building up in his eyes.

“Someone like me?”

“Someone so unbelievably kind that it frightens me. Someone who makes me question myself.” Akutagawa didn’t know where all that honesty and kindness came from, perhaps the intoxicating effects of wine included some strange honesty and poetic words?

Akutagawa could feel the air get knocked out of his lungs when Atsushi went for a hug in the blink of an eye, his arms more that tightly secured around his lean frame. Awkwardly, Akutagawa raised his forearms, as Atsushi had the upper part secured, and went to rest his hands on Atsushis back, returning the hug.

A moment or two passed with them like this. It felt strange to the God and yet also nice. A strange feeling of comfort spread through his bones, and he concluded he might like being hugged by the mortal. What a strange thought.

When Atsushi finally removed himself from Akutagawa, he almost missed the warmth the silver haired provided, but he didn’t speak on it. Atsushi wiped his hands over his face before his usual big smile returned.

“I apologize, that wasn’t…I didn’t…” Akutagawa shook his head, effectively silencing the other.

“It’s alright. Just…warn me next time or something.” Atsushi nodded and the two slowly continued on their way again. Atsushi seemed better, while Akutagawa mind raced with thoughts. He had a question for Atsushi. One he was unsure how to ask.

“Jinko?”

“Again, not my name.” Akutagawa smiled. Atsushi still responded to it.

“I have a question. One you don’t have to answer but…”

Atsushi looked at him curious, intrigued just what the other wanted to know.

“So I…If you were brought before Rashomon, would you plea to him for your life?”

Someone like Atsushi had to proof his point. His life was painful and small. He wasn’t rich, had endured the worst of humanity… Someone like him had to understand his pessimistic view on mortals.

“Of course.” Atsushi said, no hesitation.

“What? But you... You just told me what pain you endured! You can’t tell me you’d chose that over the afterlife!”

Atsushi seemed to think about and yet the gentle smile on his lips returned as he spoke; “Well, I don’t know what the afterlife brings. I don’t know if I will see my family again, see my friends again. Maybe if I was guaranteed I’d be with them I would agree. But otherwise… I endured pain and sure it’s horrible and hope I won’t ever have to go through something like that again but its so worth it for all the memories I made after that, for everything I get to experience now. Even just what I felt when I danced with you tonight makes it all worth.”

Akutagawa felt suddenly warmer as Atsushi spoke of him like that.

“Kenji once told me everything comes in halves. The good comes with the bad and bad comes with good. And I think that’s something nice. Now matter how bad life can get, one day it’ll be made up by something that’s good. And that is what keeps me going. What keeps me looking forward to every new day.”

That… was something Akutagawa could understand. That sounded reasonable, even if he personally would still prefer to simply avoid any suffering at all. But he could see Atsushi’s perspective.

The rest of the way back they spend in silence, each one pondering upon the things spoken. They quietly got into Atsushi’s shared room, Akutagawas bedroll placed similarly to how it normally was in Kunikida’s.

The silence lingered but it was a comfortable one, so falling asleep while listening to the others rhythmic breathing felt just as comfortable.

The next day went on as normal, Atsushi and Akutagawa were busying themselves in work, the conversation from the previous night still in the back of their minds.

At dinner that night Atsushi is informed he needs to deliver goods to a village again but should return in two days. Hearing that had Akutagawa stiffen.

He didn’t mind when Atsushi left for errands or into the town, leaving him alone, but the prospect of Atsushi being gone for days still shook him for some odd reason he couldn’t place.

“So, you will return soon, right?” Akutagawa asked that night as they settled into their nightly routine, Akutagawa now Atsushi’s permanent new roommate.

“Are you… Are you implying you’ll miss me?” Atsushi questioned, his expression growing happier by the second.

“No, never Jinko. I’m happy you’ll be gone, so my ears finally get a break from all your nonsensical blabbering.”

The God lied straight through his teeth.

He didn’t mind Atsushi’s long talking anymore. He liked listening even. Hearing the other talk about things he had seen in the town, compliments about their produce. Having Atsushi talk also helped the fact that Akutagawa didn’t know what to say about himself.

He would love to tell Atsushi about his family. His sister. Tell him about Dazai and how much of an asshole he is. Tell him about Chuuyas assortment of weapons, tell him about that time a mortal tried to gamble with him for his soul only to be utterly humbled in return. Tell him Rashomon was actually just his beast that harvested souls for him and was born from his clothing. Akutagawa would love to show him the galaxies and stars that shine bright and yet fail to compare to the brightness of Atsushi’s smile.

He would love to let Atsushi in. And that terrified him.

Because the more he became aware of that, the more he realized…home didn’t even seem that interesting anymore. Of course, he wanted to see Gin again, feel the pure power of Rashomon and travel wherever he pleased but a part of him also wanted to stay here, harvest fruits while listening to Kenji hum, watch Atsushi fail to negotiate for sweet snacks with Ranpo. It felt nice being here.

And it tore him apart.

“Akutagawa?”

The God quickly snapped out of his thoughts and looked at Atsushi.

“You looked so brooding. I…Is everything alright?” Atsushi reached out and went to put a hand on the others shoulder, but Akutagawa took a quick step back.

“Everything is fine, don’t worry.” Hurt flashed across the mortal’s face and Akutagawa briefly looked over him to see if he had been hurt anywhere but couldn’t find anything, concluding he must have imagined it. 

“When I return let’s do something fun, alright?” Akutagawa nodded and Atsushi smiled again. He clapped his hands in excitement and that was the last they really spoke besides good night wishes before Atsushi left early the next morning.

The two days without the silver haired felt like a drag. Akutagawa felt out of place without him. It wasn’t that he was disliked by the others, but more so he didn’t want to come across rudely with his bristly attitude which was currently worse than ever.

The only person not particularly minding it was Kenji, but they two of them had always worked well together.

But that also couldn’t replace Atsushi.

And this marked another epiphany for the God. What was it he liked most about the mortal realm? What had him want to remain here?

Atsushi.

The answer was always Atsushi.

He had become attached to the mortal.

How utterly foolish of him.

When the silver haired mortal returned after two days he picked up on Akutagawas reclused behavior. The man spoke less, seemed more in thought, and looked somber when he thought no one was looking.

So, Atsushi needed his plan to succeed more than ever. He wanted to show Akutagawa a good time. He just needed to get a few things done.

First, he spoke to Kunikida to make sure they could leave for a while without causing trouble. Luckily the blond was kind enough to allow them to leave the next day, as they hadn’t planned much that involved Byakko anyways.

Then he spoke to Kyouka and Ranpo, asking for their help.

Then the final and almost most important part was Gin. He brought some pears to the shrine and wished dignified and very politely for gin to hear his plea.

“Oh please, please powerful and divine Gin, make it perfect.” He whispered before hoping that everything would work out and disappearing back into the house. Tomorrow.

Tomorrow can come.

When Akutagawa awoke it was to a bright sun and warm breeze. The weather was perfect for summer day and before he really understood what was even going on, Atsushi dragged him through the house, rambling like the fool he was.

He was simply getting manhandled onto Byakko and before he could process much more Atsushi and him were already riding off, the house growing smaller behind them.

“Jinko, where are you taking me?” Akutagawa asked as he held onto Atsushi for dear life, fearing with Atsushi’s enthusiasm and Byakko’s speed he might fall off.

“To have a fun time, you’ll see!” He just said and the grin on his face when he looked back as well as the sparkling mischief in the other’s eyes had Akutagawas breath hitch.

The rode away from the town, past fields with workers in them, past little forests, past so much and then some.

“Is this an elaborate plan to kill me Jinko?” Akutagawa asked as Byakko began trotting into a forest.

“Mhm, who knows. But no, actually not, you will see soon.” Akutagawa did not like that answer. Because it wasn’t one. His question had not been answered sufficiently.

“Ah come on, don’t look at me like that!” Atsushi giggled upon seeing Akutagawas frowning face.

“Like what?”

“Like you just got bitten by a snake that sucked the joy out of you.” Akutagawa laughed dryly, sarcastically, hoping the other would get he wasn’t being funny.

“I have a fun fact for you though.”

“How are facts fun?”

“It’s a figure of speech- oh whatever. I’ll simply not tell you.” Atsushi smiled slyly as Akutagawa looked offended.

“I demand you tell me!”

“You? With what power?” Oh, Akutagawa would love to show him Rashomon. Too bad he has no access to her in his current form.

“Jinko!” He growled and began napping Atsushi in the side.

“Ow, stop that. Fine. I’ll tell you. You asked about temples, well near where we’re going is the temple of Rashomon. And I thought it might interest you, as you speak of him often and the Rashomon bracelet…”

Akutagawa stared at his wrist and rotated it, the golden bracelet reflecting the light into his eyes as he did. Atsushi paid attention to his words. Why did that make him feel warmer than the sun?

“It would…I ehm…Can we go there?” Akutagawa asked and silently questioned if that was being selfish.

“Sure.” Atsushi replied calmly and urged Byakko to walk a little faster.

The two fell into silence again, Atsushi thinking about all the fun they would hopefully have today, while Akutagawa wondered what his temple would look like. What the mortals had done for it. Chuuyas and Dazais were both beautiful and even the little shrine Kenji build was pretty…

He could only hope for someone like him, a God the mortals didn’t like and cursed his name, it would be at least a little nice.

As they rode Akutagawa continued admiring the forest with the way the light danced through the moving leaves, the earthy smell, the many noises of the trees, bushes, and animals. It was beautiful.

It wasn’t long before the trees on their left grew sparser and Akutagawa saw a stone build building.

“Here we are.” Atsushi announced and watched as Akutagawa got off in awe.

The temple was starting to become overgrown from the outside. Ivy making its way up the stone and into the temple through cracks within the stone, as did other plants. It was a sorry-sight, not feeling adequate for the temple of a God.

“Seems like no one has been here for quite some time. I hope you’re not-” Atsushi stopped himself as he noticed Akutagawas stunned silence and his attentive grey eyes taking in the whole view.

His expression held something that was hard to read, it wasn’t his normal stoic face, nor was it his confusion when he encountered something new. It had something vulnerable about it and it made Atsushi wonder if it had been the right call to tell Akutagawa about this.

Without saying anything Akutagawa slowly made his way towards the building. And Atsushi a little more clumsily followed him. Akutagawa meanwhile was attracted to it like a magnet, his eyes raking over the details, mouth slightly agape as unpleasant feelings spread through him.

He truly was the unbeloved God, the God no one care for or liked.

Vines hung from the very top of the uneven temple roof and the marble steps were partially covered in moss, bugs crawled everywhere. Walking inside it felt cold and dark. The broken roof let in a good amount of light and yet it felt just like Akutagawas realm always did, dreary, dark, and somber. Akutagawa grinned. At least now it was apparent which God this temple was for.

No statue was here, unlike in Chuuyas or Dazais. The altar was completely empty and destroyed, only dirty old rags that used to decorate it were still here, but they were ripped and scattered among the floor.

This temple couldn’t be more befitting of him. Cold, empty, destroyed, simply and utterly sad.

Careful, as if he could destroy the altar even more, Akutagawa let his hands wander over the broken stone and his mind raced with a million thoughts. What they were about? He was unsure, they were too fast to be coherent, barely being formed before discarded again in favor of the next building thing.

Only when a warm hand landed on his shoulder, his mind stopped, and he looked at Atsushi whose face displayed all the worry he currently held.

“I… I shouldn’t have brought you here.” Atsushi whispered and Akutagawa shook his head.

“No, I think I needed to see this. Thank you, Atsushi.” The silver haired nodded and stood beside Akutagawa, his eyes wandering up to the high ceiling and looking through the big hole in it.

“I had an encounter with Rashomon once.” Atsushi said and Akutagawa jumped in his skin.

“When? Back in your orphanage?” Atsushi shook his head, his eyes not leaving the ceiling.

“No, when I got kicked out of it. I didn’t know what to do or where to go, never mind how to get food. I was starving, laid in the dirt, I was waiting for Rashomon to come and take me. When I closed my eyes, I swear I felt it. The black beast as they call it. The cold fizzing lightning-like power. But just as quickly as I realized I was about to meet my end; a voice called out to me and helped me. It was Fukuzawa.”

Akutagawa was unsure what to do with the information that he had almost taken Atsushi into his realm. That just almost he would have never known him.

“I’m glad Rashomon didn’t take you.” He said sincerely and he meant it. He was more than glad.

“Me too. Otherwise, I would have never met all my friends and family. I wouldn’t have met you.”

Finally, Atsushi turned to look at him and smiled gently. As did Akutagawa in return. This time Akutagawa initiated a hug. It wasn’t as impulsive as Atsushi’s when they were drunk, but it was nice. It brought them comfort, warmth, and the satisfaction of having the other in their arms.

Once parted Atsushi turned to leave, letting Akutagawa have his moment. Akutagawa didn’t take much longer, he followed just a couple moments after, and their journey continued.

“Can I tell you something about me?” Akutagawa asked and Atsushi swore he almost fell of Byakko.

“What?”

“You told me so much about yourself and things that make you vulnerable. So, I want to even it out, because I barely ever spoke about me.” Atsushi nodded eagerly, ready to listen.

“I can’t give you too many details, else it would be… confusing alright?”

“Share however  much and only what you want to share yes?” Akutagawa took a deep breath before he started to for once be the talkative one.

“I have family. A sister to be exact. She’s… the more beloved from the two of us, as you can probably guess. We live with a couple of other people. Similar to how you live. Theres one guy, who’s a giant asshole. He has a friend, or lover, I’m not quite sure, who is really kind to me whenever I see him, but we don’t talk much. I barely talk to anyone of them and they with me.”

Atsushi looked at him like he had something sad, and it confused Akutagawa for a second.

He cocked his head and silently waited for Atsushi’s question. “Doesn’t that me you sad?”

Akutagawa briefly pondered on it, before shaking his head. “I don’t think so. Its simply how it has always been.”

“But that doesn’t sound very nice. And you want to go home to that?”

“Yes, I have to.”

“No, you…You could always stay with us…” Stay with me was left unsaid.

“Jinko…” Akutagawa began but he cut himself off. He didn’t and couldn’t explain why he couldn’t stay forever. It was inevitable that he had to return, as much as it already hurt thinking about it now.

They stopped talking. The things said lingering on their mind, both thinking about if there was a chance they could stay together.

The ride continued and soon enough the trees grew sparce again and Akutagawa saw a beautiful blue shimmering lake that looked awfully inviting. “This is beautiful…” The God whispered and albeit he didn’t see, it made Atsushi smile.

The rode up to it, Byakko finally being given freedom to roam, while Atsushi took the bags, he hastily packed this morning.

Meanwhile Akutagawa stood close to the water, admiring the beauty in front of him while also inhaling the fresh air. It was a mix in between the earthy smell of the surrounding forest and freshness of the lake and its flowers before him.

Turning back around he saw Atsushi spreading a larger piece of cloth onto which he put some food, baked good and fruits to be exact. Akutagawa smiled when he spotted figs amongst the fruits. Atsushi was truly attentive.

Copying what he saw he sat down with Atsushi on the cloth and waited patiently for the silver haired to say something. When he didn’t, the God took the initiative.

“So, this was your surprise? Taking me to a pretty sight with food?”

 Atsushi chuckled in response, his eyes avoiding looking at the black-haired in front of him, as he replied, “Yeah. But I don’t think for the pretty sight we would have needed to come all the way here, but don’t mind that.”

In confusion Akutagawa cocked his head but he couldn’t make sense of what Atsushi had been alluding to.

“I knew that your mood had soured a little, so I thought we’re going to have a nice day of relaxation. And to our luck Gin has heard my plea and even gave us good weather.”

Akutagawa smiled faintly and quickly stole a fig from Atsushi’s side.

“Well, I think your surprise is wonderful. Thank you for it.”

Atsushi opened his mouth briefly as if to respond but then chose not to, instead opting to smile and to start eating. The silence now was comfortable again, only interrupted when Akutagawa asked how he had managed to plan all of this, to which Atsushi counted down all the people he had asked.

The list of course wasn’t particularly long but in Atsushi typical fashion the boy rambled on for far longer than necessary, but Akutagawa didn’t mind it that much anymore. Where he had rolled his eyes and drowned the voice out in the beginning he was now listening attentively and captivated.

Once Akutagawa has done eating, which wasn’t much, only two figs and a shared bread with Atsushi, he laid down to enjoy the warm sun on his skin. He closed his eyes, listening to all the noises around him, the leaves occasionally rustling, Byakko chuffing contently nearby, birds chirping and the sound of cloth falling.

The last one then had him open his eyes, only to quickly avert his gaze to anywhere but Atsushi.

“Jinko! What are you doing?” Akutagawa asked, hiding behind his hand, when he briefly saw Atsushi undressing so casually next to him.

“Going for a swim, come on, join me!” and with that Atsushi made a run for the water, almost completely bare, getting further and further in until he briefly fully submerged.

Akutagawa was still shook by the bold display of the man undressing right next to him.

Feeling a little curious Akutagawa too got up, taking off his sandals and himation. He would only dare to go into the water knee deep, nothing more.

As he came closer, Atsushi, whose head struck out from the deeper parts of the water watched him, a grin on his face.

“Don’t tell me you don’t wanna come in.” He called out and was met with a scoff.

“Can’t you see my feet are in the water, that counts!”

“No, it doesn’t!”

“Yes, it does!”

Quickly the God stepped further in, the water now mid calves as he grinned happily at the other man.

“See?”

Atsushi laughed teasingly and swam a little closer. “That’s barely anything. Come on, are you scared or something?” He teased further and enjoyed the offended look on Akutagawas face as he continued his journey into the water.

Holding up the black chiton, the water now reached above the black-haired knees, who looked pleased with himself, until he saw Atsushi swimming up with malicious intent clearly written all over his face. But before Akutagawas brain could react, Atsushi had quickly grabbed hold onto an arm and pulled him fully into the water.

A shriek briefly escaped Akutagawa before he quickly held his breath, not wanting to die of drowning now of all things. Once he got footing again, he stood again, now drenched  from head to toe and apparently the sight was funny, as Atsushi laughed wholeheartedly a feet away in the deeper water, having quickly swam away when he pulled Akutagawa.

Otherwise, he knew he’d be the one drowning. And judging by the bewildered but also pissed look once Akutagawa zeroed in on him, that assumption had been very correct.

But yet couldn’t stop laughing, not even when Akutagawa quickly made his way over, mumbling about all the way he will kill Atsushi, who in return only laughed more. As The God reached him, they began fighting to pull the other under the water. It was a mix in terms of who won.

Whenever Atsushi got dunked under Akutagawa was sure to follow suit when Atsushi got back up once again. They repeated this a couple of times, as their smiles only grew brighter.

When Akutagawa let out a full-on hearty laugh Atsushi stopped in his attempt to drown a God and simply held the others wrist in his hands as he stared in astonishment. When the other noticed he paused and to look at Atsushi.

“What?”

“Nothing. I just…I haven’t heard you laugh like that before and its...really pretty.” Akutagawa blinked a couple of times, unsure if he heard correctly.

“Pretty? Me?” He questioned and Atsushi finally let go of his wrist, which quickly fell into the water again, that went up their chests.

Hesitantly Atsushi nodded, his wet bangs glued to his face. “Your laugh is very pretty. But its barely the only thing about you that is.”

Akutagawa needed a good second to actually comprehend what Atsushi had just implied and once he did, he felt his face heat up a little. Atsushi watched him attentively, his own face a little red.

“What are you saying?” Akutagawa questioned and it make Atsushi sigh and laugh nervously. “You’re very handsome. Don’t tell me you never noticed. You rival the statues of the tainted sorrow, yes, your beauty easily rivals the one of a God.”

 Being compared with Chuuya? Now that was an ego boost if Akutagawa had ever gotten one. But yet he also had to smile. He was a God; Atsushi just wasn’t aware. And it hurt hiding that from him. But at the same time, it was self-protection. He couldn’t tell Atsushi, or else it could cause trouble that he didn’t want.

Akutagawa knew he had to return a compliment, he didn’t wanna be selfish and didn’t mind returning it, but just what? He stared at Atsushi, who stared back and squirmed a little under the intense grey eyes and his own feeling of being so vulnerable.

“Your eyes.” Akutagawa said finally and he swallowed the lump that had somehow build up in his throat.

“Your eyes are so unique. The colors alone make me dizzy but when the light catches just right in them is breath taking. As if my sister herself had given you one of her sunsets to carry around in them.” Luckily neither paid Akutagawas slip up any mind as Atsushi took a step closer to Akutagawa, the eyes the God had just praised now half lidded as he invaded Akutagawas personal space.

“That’s… I don’t think anyone has ever said something so nice about me. That isn’t family at least.” He breathed and Akutagawa couldn’t believe his words.

“You deserve to be told nice words.” The corner of Atsushi’s mouth twitched as he smiled gently. Atsushi’s eyes kept locking with his before briefly flickering to his lips and back up.

The mortal heart in Akutagawas beat insanely fast, it felt like it was trying to break out of his chest.

As Atsushi's gaze lingered on Akutagawa's lips, a charged silence hung between them, broken only by the soft ripples of the lake. The tension in the air was palpable, as if the world itself held its breath, waiting for the next move.

Akutagawa's mind raced, trying to comprehend the sudden shift in atmosphere. The air became dense with anticipation, and he felt a strange mixture of vulnerability and desire. The proximity of Atsushi, his breath warm against Akutagawa's skin, sent shivers down his spine.

In the hushed stillness, Atsushi's fingers gently traced the edge of Akutagawa's jaw, a touch so delicate it felt like the brush of a feather. The mortal's eyes, filled with an intensity that mirrored the stormy waters beneath them, bore into Akutagawa's soul. It was a gaze that held promises and secrets, a magnetic force that pulled Akutagawa closer despite the turmoil in his heart.

"I've never met anyone like you," Atsushi murmured, his voice a low whisper that seemed to echo in the silent surroundings. "You’re just so...."He trailed off, obviously finding it hard to find the words.

Akutagawa swallowed hard, his throat dry. He could feel the heat radiating from Atsushi's body, the mortal presence that surrounded him. It was intoxicating, and Akutagawa couldn't deny the magnetic pull drawing him in.

As if compelled by an unseen force, Atsushi's hand slid from Akutagawa's jaw to the back of his neck, fingers entwining in the dark strands of his hair. The touch was possessive yet tender, igniting a fire within Akutagawa that he couldn't quell.

Their breaths mingled, creating a shared atmosphere that crackled with tension. Akutagawa's lips hovered just inches from Atsushi's, teasing and tempting. The god's heart thundered in his chest, a relentless drumbeat drowning out the world around them.

"I could show you things…” Atsushi whispered, the words dancing on the precipice between invitation and seduction.

Atsushi's eyes, brimming with a sincerity that tugged at Akutagawa's heart, searched his face for answers. Answers Akutagawa didn’t have as he was stunned in silence, his thoughts empty or at least not coherent enough to make out.

In the end Atsushi couldn’t help himself but fitting their mouths together in an awkward but yet tender kiss. The simple new experience of having the mortals lips on lit Akutagawas nerves on fire, a comfortable warmness spreading all throughout his body as he instinctively pulled Atsushi closer by the waist, the skin feeling smooth until his hands landed on something strange feeling. But Atsushi just quickly moved his hand a little higher again.

After a couple more moments Atsushi drew his head back to take a breath, his tongue quickly darting over his lips and that simple motion alone drove Akutagawa almost mad.

“Again.” He breathed and chased after Atsushi’s lips who smiled into the kiss as Akutagawa pulled him flush against his chest.

Any shyness or want of holding back for either flew right out of the window as Akutagawa was promptly lifted up by Atsushi, which had the God briefly grasp, before adjusting by cupping Atsushi’s face with his hands, clinging onto him like he needed him to live. The water helped Atsushi carry him immensely, but Akutagawa had no doubt the strong arms could also carry him outside of it.

It felt wonderful to kiss Atsushi. And the second time Akutagawa gasped as Atsushi took a step with Akutagawa still held in his arms, the sly mortal had his tongue dart out and had it explore Akutagawas mouth. The god had never kissed anyone before, and before this he had found the idea of someone else’s tongue in his mouth repulsive, but right now he wanted nothing else more. The world around them faded out of existence as all Akutagawa could see, hear or feel was Atsushi.

Atsushi.

Atsushi.

Thumbs caressed the sun kissed skin, as the tips of his fingers entangled themselves into the wet silver hair he adored.

Tongues retreated as Akutagawa and Atsushi each took quick breaths before quickly chasing the others lips again and again. They each only yearned for more of the other and everything else, like breathing felt secondary as of now.

But eventually Atsushi’s arms did grow a little tired and so he had to let Akutagawa back down and with it the God took a step back, regaining his breath and rational thinking.

Only a few words were formed in his head, but they were enough to make his blood run cold.

Atsushi. Mortal. Love.

He had fallen in love. With Atsushi. A mortal.

Oh, what a fool he was.

Akutagawa couldn’t help but chuckle, Atsushi looked on shocked.

“What…Why are you laughing?” He asked and Akutagawa smiled as he heard the insecurity in the others voice.

“Nothing. I just…. It doesn’t matter.” He replied and, in an attempt, to calm Atsushi, he grabbed the others wrist, pulling him into the second hug of the day.

“Atsushi…” Akutagawa didn’t miss the shiver he caused by simply breathing the others name into his ear.

“I am…not who you think you are. I cannot let you know what’s going on but…Please know I do like you.” The honesty and rawness of those words made Atsushi stare at the other wide eyed. “I…I like you too. And I…I do not care for your secrets. I do not care for who you claim to be, all I want is you. Can you give me at least that?”

Releasing the hug, so Akutagawa could once more cup Atsushi’s face with his hands, he looked at him, a gentle smile on his lips, eyes shining with adoration.

“I will give you all of me for as long as I can.”

Carefully Atsushi hooked his arms around the Gods neck and let himself fall backwards, encouraged by the romanticized vision in his head of kissing the other below the water. To his surprise Akutagawa let himself fall with him and not a moment later their lips found each other again.

Atsushi knew this moment would be forever engraved in his brain, a memory he would always look back on, a memory that would help him through any troublesome time. And it made his whole body feel like it was ignited while his mind had never felt calmer.

Before long the two had kissed more times and they could ever count and the water began to feel a little chilly, and so they agreed to get back on land.

Their hands were intertwined as they marched out, the water growing more and more shallow, and Akutagawa briefly looked at the part where Atsushi had moved his hands away from earlier.

He saw two long scars, scars that could only stem from being burned and Akutagawa remembered what Atsushi had told him when they had been out drinking.

He wasn’t disgusted by the scars itself; Atsushi was beautiful with or without them, but he felt nothing but hate and disgust for the mortal that did this. To be so vile and do this to someone as wonderful as the silver-haired he had grown to care for.

“Jinko.” He said and paused in his steps, ignoring the shivers he got from his clothes hanging dripping wet on his body. Atsushi paused and looked at him, confused why the other suddenly halted them.

“Please don’t ever think I find your scars detestable.” The second the scars were mentioned, Atsushi looked panicked and went to move his arm so he could cover them.

“I think you’re perfect the way you are, annoying rambling, scars, and idiotic smile. All of it.” A lopsided smile appeared on Atsushi’s lips, his arm unmoving.

“Thank you… I still don’t like them though. It’s not…a pleasant memory. Unlike today.” Akutagawa nodded and raised the hand he was still holding onto to his lips, pressing a brief kiss to the skin.

“I know it isn’t. But let’s not dwell on that. I just wanted you to know.”

They continued back to their abandoned blanket and Atsushi brought some towels for them to get dry. Akutagawa remained in his wet chiton, even now refusing to take it off and instead replying on the sun to quickly dry him. And as if his sister had heard he could swear the sun shone brighter and he instantly felt warmer.

He smiled, a hand raised in a shy wave towards the sky, he hoped his sister could see it. But then the memories of all the things he just did with Atsushi came back to his mind, so he made a new motion, a shooing one, hoping Gin didn’t see her brother draw in a fight of strength and then kissed his opponent.

How embarrassing that would be. She would surely tease him for eternity. He could hear her voice so clearly “Oh Ryuu… Kissing a mortal, after he got you good and pulled you into the lake? That’s so adorable! Didn’t know you had it-”

“You alright?” A warm hand was placed on his shoulder and hesitantly Akutagawa nodded.

“Yes, just thought about my sister.” Atsushi rounded him and gave him a chaste kiss. Akutagawa would have thought the shift in relationship would feel strange to him, as someone who never loved before, but everything he and Atsushi did felt natural, as if it was always meant to be. And it made his head spin just a little.

They were so different.

A mortal who’s love for everyone and especially life itself couldn’t even be tarnished by the indescribable pain inflected to him. Someone who saw the good in people first and showed others the light of life.

And a God of Death, someone who was perpetually doomed to live in darkness and loneliness and had a distain for the world as a whole.

But yet they were also alike in the strangest ways.

“Stop thinking so much.” Atsushi murmured and ruffled his hair with the towel to dry it. The damp silver strands shone blindingly in the light. And Akutagawa acted on his urge to kiss Atsushi once more.

This continued for both of them throughout the rest of the day. Their newfound enjoyment of kissing the other breathless became their favorite game to play and while they did talk sometimes in-between, most of their time was spend entangled and lips finding each other again and again and sometimes other pieces of skin, like jaws, cheeks, foreheads, or necks.

Only when the sun began to skin lower and lower, orange bleeding into blues and purples did they back up and got back on Byakko to ride back home.

In an act of sudden exhaustion Akutagawa fully wrapped his arms around Atsushi as they rode, slumping against him, his cheek resting against Atsushi’s shoulder. Atsushi himself smiled like the lovesick fool he was and rested on hand on the paler ones around his waist.

The day had been everything Atsushi hoped for and so much more. Never had he imagined his little idea to make Akutagawa happier would result in kissing the handsome man and admitting to his adoration of all things. But he was glad it happened.

Was glad their paths had been destined to meet and get entangled.

As they left the forest behind Atsushi was more than sure that Akutagawa had fallen asleep, and it made him giddy. He carefully made sure the other wouldn’t fall or hurt himself somehow and Byakko calmly strode down the way home.

His happiness today felt different from the other moments of his life where he had considered himself to be foolishly lucky. It wasn’t the happiness she felt when he was with his family, spending time with Kyouka or the others. It wasn’t the same as getting praised for a job well done.

It was an entirely new happiness that fizzled through his whole body, the simply way he had managed to gain Akutagawas fondness, make him drop his guard just a little and get him to fall for someone like Atsushi... It was mind-blowing for the mortal who was still blissfully unaware just who snored against his shoulder.

Back home, Atsushi send Akutagawa, who had been a little disorientated upon waking up, straight to their room to keep sleeping, which the man did no complains, while he took care of Byakko and the stuff their brought along.

It didn’t take him too long, he was used to all the work after all, so he soon joined Akutagawa in their room, finding the black-haired resting on the bedroll. Atsushi mentally made a note to tell Akutagawa tomorrow he didn’t mind sharing the small bed if Akutagawa wished to do so.

But for now, he quietly slipped into his bed and fell asleep with a smile on his lips, that could only be caused by love.

The following days felt more intoxicating than any amount of wine. The feeling of working together, knowing smiles and stolen kisses whenever they briefly met each other during their tasks for the day felt better than anything Atsushi could have imagined.

Currently Atsushi was busy helping Kenji get rid of weed amongst the fruit trees, when Akutagawa came by and asked for his attention.

“Jinko, I need your help quickly.” Akutagawa said, coughing a little awkwardly, hand covering his lower face.

Atsushi exchanged a glance with Kenji, who only happily nodded and told him he could need a brief water break anyways. Atsushi followed Akutagawa to the shed where they stored the harvested goods and he wondered what problem Akutagawa had run into to ask for help, as the stubborn man normally didn’t ask for help, opting to either try the task to the best of his capabilities or standing around awkwardly until someone offered their help, which would be reluctantly accepted.

But the second they were out of sight, and Atsushi saw the mischievous glimmer in those grey eyes, he knew Akutagawa had just made up an excuse to catch him alone.

Within seconds lips met, hands entangled themselves in hair or caressed bare skin and reason was thrown out the window.

After a couple of moment, Atsushi laughed and Akutagawa cocked his head, awaiting to be told what’s so funny.

“You could have just asked to have me.” Akutagawa smiled and snickered. “I’d rather not. That way even you are a little surprised.”

“If you keep doing it, there is no surprise and if you then actually need help, I’d be left wanting to taste your lips.”

“As if I wouldn’t kiss you regardless.”

Atsushi hugged Akutagawa close and relished in the feeling of comfort.

It was breathtaking, the feeling of being wanted by someone he adored so much.

Before their mouth could slot together again, Atsushi heard them being called.

“-Tagawa! I need your help!” Kunikida called out to the field and the two separated, quickly making sure they looked presentable by fixing their hand and the likes. Atsushi was the first to move, opening the door, light flooding the shed at an instant and making the silver haired look like an angel to Akutagawa. The moment was brief but yet felt time slowing as Akutagawa watched him disappear through the door.

He wanted to move as well, when he felt strange, like snakes sliding up his legs, looking down, he saw bandages creeping their way up and he knew what it meant. His time was over, Dazai called him back. His breathing fastened, his heart beating so fast he wasn’t sure if it was going to break through his chest and his thoughts were a mess. And yet one thing was very much prominent. Jinko.

“Atsushi!”

The man’s head snapped towards the shed and his heart arched from the panicked tone. Something felt wrong and when Atsushi didn’t see Akutagawa emerge from the shed, he quickly sprinted the tiny distance he made back, ripping the door open, only to find a horrifying sight on the ground. A black himation, chiton, sandals, and the golden bracelet.

But the man who wore all of those things was gone. Like he had simply evaporated into thin air and Atsushi couldn’t comprehend the sight. It felt too unreal for his mind to wrap around, while panic settled into his bones, shaking him to the very core.

Akutagawa awoke and he sat up straight, taking a few breaths as his eyes darted around, taking in his surroundings. He was in his bed, the Rashomon markings back on his arms, headpiece on his head and his celestial long gown back on him. He was back. Back in his realm his... Home? It didn’t feel like home anymore.

Confusion was the first thing he could identify his emotions as. He felt odd being returned, feeling Rashomon’s power engulf him once again, then it bled into despair as he was reminded of Atsushi, the man he loved and had now left behind.

Then it turned into sweeping hot anger, bubbling deep inside of him and Rashomon responded to it by forming around him, her sizzling red energy mimicking the inner turmoil of her master.

And Akutagawa knew very well where to go.

Dazai lounged lazily on a cloud, Chuuya gravitating above him and staring down at him annoyed.

“What are you looking so pleased about?” he questioned and Dazai cracked open one of his eyes to smile even wider.

“Ah you know, just plans in motion. But I think I will get into trouble.” Chuuya laughed and doubled over.

“You? In trouble? That’s something I wanna see! Is Mori finally going to beat you for messing with my war in the northern region?”

“Not at all my dear slug. I think it was more to do with-” Before Dazai could continue, the God was slammed off the cloud by a black beast and Chuuya, who to his credit was more than ready for a fight, quickly got into stance, ready to defend Dazai from the intruder. He only relaxed a little when he recognized Rashomon and Akutagawa manifested himself into the realm, looking so angry and hateful that Chuuya almost didn’t recognize the God.

“Oh, so you’re back?” Chuuya asked and when the grey eyes of the fellow deity met his, he knew this wasn’t a God being angry with Dazai for messing with their tasks, but a deep hatred. Chuuya held his hands up in surrender, not willing to get into a dispute that didn’t concern him when he would much rather watch Dazai get handed some consequences for once.

“Dazai!” Akutagawa spat out and the other God got up, pretending to pop his back and grinning like an idiot. Chuuya wondered if he could take over Dazai position once Akutagawa kills the bastard.

“Welcome, see, I listened and got you back ain’t that-”

“Quit it!” Akutagawa interrupted him, Rashomon coming dangerously close as a threat, but Dazai only smiled wider.

“You and I both know you can’t kill me.” Dazai heard Chuuyas disappointed whine nearby.

“Why?!” The God screamed and Dazai froze on hearing the agony that was heavily veiled by the anger Akutagawa was more used to. The God had always been known for his temper when provoked, but it barely ever had been directed towards his fellow Gods.

“Why did you take me back when I didn’t want it anymore?!”

Chuuya felt shocked by the black-haired confession when he himself knew how desperate Akutagawa had been. He hadn’t checked in on him after the talk they had but he could guess what had happened and how it had to do with the kid he mentioned back then. He himself had fallen into the same trap ages ago.

Dazai took a few cautious steps forward.

“I gave you as long as I could. You had to return. We all do. And if I gave you any longer Mori would not have been pleased.”

Akutagawa jittered, his stance wavering, gaze unsteady and Chuuya could tell the God was close to do a big mistake, so he stepped in.

“Akutagawa…” His tone was firm but still a little gentle, giving the fellow God his full sympathy.

Dazai sighed, his eyes showing a hint of regret. "Akutagawa, you know as well as I do that even we are bound by rules."

Akutagawa's eyes flared with frustration. Chuuya could see the internal struggle in Akutagawa's eyes, torn between anger and the desperate need to understand. He had been in those shoes before, haunted by the agony of choices that seemed beyond his control.

Dazai, now standing closer to Akutagawa, spoke in a softer tone. "There are balances to maintain, Akutagawa. I gave you as much as I could and trust me I know just how much it hurts."

Chuuya interjected, "He's right, Akutagawa. He has been through it, as have I. We may be gods, but even we are bound by cosmic laws. Dazai can't simply ignore them. There are limits to what even he can do."

Akutagawa's anger seemed to wane, replaced by a somber realization. The crackling energy around him began to subside, though the pain in his eyes remained.

"I don't care about your sympathy, Dazai. I care about Atsushi. I left him without a word, without a chance to explain. Do you know what that feels like?"

Dazai's expression softened, his gaze meeting Akutagawa's with a rare sincerity. "I do, more than you realize. But sometimes, sacrifice is inevitable. Your mortal, Atsushi, will have his own path to tread."

Chuuya placed a hand on Akutagawa's shoulder, offering silent support. "It's not easy, Akutagawa, but we must navigate the currents of fate, no matter how turbulent they may be."

Taking a deep breath, Akutagawa blinked a couple of times, fighting his irrationality. “Whatever. Still, don’t you dare step anywhere close to me or my realm for the coming millennia, Dazai, or I will have you regret it.”

Before either could reply the God was wrapped by Rashomon and disappeared from the realm, leaving the two fellow Gods to stare at the now empty spot.

Crossing his arms over his chest Chuuya watched as Dazai summoned a new cloud to lounge on and Chuuya used his gravitational forces to again float with him. The ginger quirked an eyebrow and demanded answers from his fellow deity.

“So what is your big plan now?” Chuuya asked when Dazai didn’t elaborate on his own.

”Oh nothing. I had my fun.” Chuuya rolled his eyes and flicked Dazais forehead.

“Really? Youre not planning some shit like the dumb plan you pulled on me?” Dazais hand quickly caught Chuuyas wrist and pulled the God of War down to press a kiss to his forehead.

“Dumb? I remember you being rather happy back then when I-“

 “One more word and I will leave.” Dazai laughed and Chuuya stopped his powers to join Dazai on the cloud, or rather rest on Dazai himself as the God of wisdom held him close, long slender fingers combing through ginger hair. Dazai thought back to their time together back when Chuuya was still a stubborn mortal and not the stubborn God of War.

“My plan is far from over, but it will require patience from both of them.” Chuuya snorted and kissed Dazai briefly.

“Patience. And Akutagawa? Your plan is so shit.”

“Ah ah ah!” A finger wagged in front of Chuuyas face as the lazy God leaned back and smiled.

“You know my plans always work out. I’m just somewhat apologetic for the pain they will have to endure. But its nothing that’s unfamiliar to us right?” Chuuya couldn’t help rolling his eyes again. Dazais plan did indeed always work out, that didn’t mean they were pleasant to endure.

He knew so very much himself, having gone to war because of the very bastard.

Catatonic. That’s what Atsushi felt.

He barely registered anything said or done to him as his family was in disarray to get the boy to speak. He simply sat on their table, eyes fixed straight ahead, head empty, limbs stiff. Only his hands fidgeted with the golden bracelet Akutagawa had left behind.

It was the only thing he had managed to hold onto before Kunikida found him. It had been a horrible sight, the poor kid on his knees, body trembling, tears streaming down his face as he stared at Kunikida, who bit by bit realized what happened. Or rather part of it.

He couldn’t talk, couldn’t say anything. His mind was blank, only replaying the last kiss he had shared with the black haired again and again mentally before his eyes.

He couldn’t be gone. Right? It was all just a misunderstanding, a prank or something, there was no way Akutagawa was just gone right? Without a goodbye, an explanation?

But Akutagawa didn’t return unlike Atsushi copiously had hoped. It took him a couple of days to function properly again, to bit by bit process that Akutagawa wouldn’t return as his brain slowly led him to only one conclusion, with a little help from Ranpo of course.

He had fallen in love with Rashomon, the God of Death in human disguise.

And by the Gods, he never felt so flattered, so humiliated, used, happy and disgusted at the same time. All this emotions were conflicting with one another but the most prevalent was his longing. His desire to see Akutagawa again. He at least wanted an explanation, that much felt like he deserved. And yet he wasn’t sure if he would ever get one.

Atsushi felt grateful for Fukuzawa to give him time to slowly creep back into his life that had been thoroughly shaken and torn apart like a storm had made its way through it. A storm named Akutagawa.

But Atsushi wasn’t one to give up ever, and so he fell back into routine. Doing his work, delivering goods, helping Kenji, baking with Kyouka, Ranpo testing his mind with silly riddles and philosophy, going to drink with Kunikida after a hard workday, the golden Rashomon bracelet always on his wrist.

It all felt normal until late at night, when he was alone with his thoughts and his mind tortured him by replaying the happiest memories of his life again and again until he fell asleep exhausted from silently crying himself to sleep.

When his next free day came up, he was nowhere to be found at home. Kunikida, Yosano and Kenji were worried until Kyouka told them calmly he had left early in the morning with Byakko to go somewhere important and he would return before the sun will rise again. It did little to actually calm the others really, but they trusted him.

Trusted Atsushi to not be a fool.

Oh, but a fool he was, just not in the way they expected him to be.

Placing the fig perfectly on the broken altar Atsushi wondered if it would even accomplish anything. The temple was broken, and he didn’t know if people even prayed to Rashomon anymore but he hoped Akutagawa would hear him out.

Ignoring the bird that flew through the whole in the ceiling, Atsushi closed his eyes and began to speak his mind.

“Akutagawa…” He took a deep sigh, feeling like an absolute idiot for talking like this.

Atsushi's voice quivered as he continued, the weight of unspoken emotions hanging heavily in the air. The outside light coming through the broken bits of the temple created long shadows on the temple's damaged walls, adding an eerie ambiance to the somber moment.

"I don't know if you can hear me, or if you even care," Atsushi confessed, his words hesitant and fragile. "Why did you leave without a word? Was I not enough? Did I do something wrong?"

His fingers nervously traced the edges of the fig on the altar.

"I know I'm probably sounding foolish, talking to a supposed deity like this," Atsushi admitted, a bitter smile playing on his lips. "But you made me feel something I've never felt before. I thought we had a connection, a bond that transcended the ordinary. And now you're gone. If you were the God of Death, then I must be a fool for thinking I could ever hold on to something as ethereal as that."

A bitter laugh escaped Atsushi, a sound that resonated with the pain in his heart. He felt like a fool, standing in a broken temple, pouring his heart out to someone who may not even be listening.

"Did you ever feel anything for me?" Atsushi questioned, his eyes brimming with unshed tears. "Or was I just a passing shadow in your life, easily discarded?"

A rustle of leaves outside the temple added a melancholic backdrop to Atsushi's heartfelt words. The silence within the broken sanctuary felt deafening as he awaited an answer that might never come.

Tears began to swell in his eyes, threatening to spill as he was growing to be sure that no one listened, he laughed bitterly once more, his contorting into a mix between sadness and a wicked grin as thoughts of self-loathing shuffled into his brain.

The atmosphere suddenly shifted as if a mighty presence had it under command and Atsushi didn’t dare to turn. Had he perhaps been wrong and offended Rashomon who wasn’t Akutagawa at all, or did Akutagawa return? He wasn’t sure. A shiver ran down Atsushi's spine, and for a fleeting moment, he was certain he could feel a divine presence lingering behind him. The air seemed to crackle with an otherworldly energy, and his heart raced with a mix of anticipation and trepidation.

“Atsushi…”

He whipped around, swearing he heard his name whispered by the voice he missed so much but there was nothing. Nothing but the broken remains of the temple scattered around. Great, now he was hallucinating even, just when he thought it couldn’t get worse.

A broken smile slowly stretched across his face, tears escaping from his eyes, while his hands clutched onto the fabric right above his heart.

Slowly he sank to his knees, a soul crushing scream escaping him and he kept on screaming until his lungs gave out.

Akutagawa did know why he had come in the first place, he shouldn’t have heard out Atsushi in the first place, that much he knew now. It was a grave mistake, because even just hearing Atsushi’s words and the tone in which he said all those things, it broke him just a little on the inside. His fingers pressed intensely into his palm to the point he broke skin, making the gold shimmering Ichor bubble up on the pale skin.

It wasn’t fair, not on him nor Atsushi, but it’s how it was now. He was bound by laws that had him stay here and after doing just a little research, he could only visit Atsushi for brief periods of time and Akutagawa was not going to do that. He felt it would be even crueler to Atsushi to show up and leave again, to forever string him along. No, he was not going to do that, he vowed to stay away instead, giving Atsushi the time to move on and heal, forget all about him.

And in doing so, he also didn’t allow himself to see Atsushi. He would stay away from Atsushi, or else he might break his own vow.

As hard as it will be, he will endure.

The sun had long set yet Atsushi was still sitting at the lake where he had made the most pleasant memories of his life just a while ago. Yet those same memories taunted and haunted him, painfully reminded him of the good he had before it just up and vanished before he could even say goodbye.

The water rippled each time he tossed in another stone in frustration, distorting the image of the reflecting moon before it builds itself together again. He envied it in a strange way, because his feeling of distortion didn’t feel like it could just pass.

The night wore on, the world around him cloaked in darkness, and Atsushi couldn't shake the feeling that he was destined to forever dwell on the pain of a love that slipped away. The stars above silently witnessed his inner turmoil, offering no solace or guidance.

With a heavy sigh, Atsushi leaned his head back, staring up at the moonlit sky. The soft lapping of the lake against the shore provided a somber soundtrack to his thoughts. He tugged the himation Akutagawa used to own around him tighter, the scent of the other having long faded away already, but it still provided just a little comfort. He would hold onto these things forever. Especially the bracelet he refused to take of at any point. He wanted to carry at least a little bit of his faded love with him, to remind himself of the good he had.

Kenji’s words, the words he himself had told Akutagawa, briefly flickered into his thoughts.

Good things come in halves.

Atsushi still believed in this. A melancholic smile creeped onto his lips. Maybe he had to endure this pain for now so he could soon be rewarded with something much better. He only had to believe and hold on and he was trained in doing so. He can do this.

Atsushi can wait.

“Brother…” Akutagawa almost dropped the golden tiger statue he was twisting around in his hand upon hearing the sweet voice. Gin was a master at sneaking into his realm without letting anyone know. They had always been one of the more quiet gods without grand entrances or huge displays of power.

“What is it?” Akutagawa asked and watched her conjure up a throne made of plants to lounge in.

“You’re suffering.” Gin watched her brother grin and wave his hand, Rashomon taking the tiny tiger statue to place it elsewhere quickly.

“Me, suffering? Gin you know I don’t.”

“So you’re telling me you do not care for your mortal? For Atsushi.” Gin knew her brother to well, the subtle shift in his demeanor and his adverting eyes told her so much more than words. Their hands moved to her their brothers, offering him comfort.

“He cared for you and you for him. I can tell. And now you believe distance is the best thing you can offer him?” Akutagawa relished in the comfort Gins hand provided for him. His sister had always been there for him, through each hardship and not even back when he first fell out of favor for the humans had hurt him as much as this.

He felt idiotic almost for feeling so much when he hadn’t even known Atsushi for that long. It was irrational but wasn’t that what feelings were all about? Defying the logic, the brain was bound to?

“He deserves to move on, forget about me.” Gin gave him a sad look.

“I don’t think the kid will just forget. I have watched him a little.”

“Even so. You know I’ll only be able to return briefly to him. It’d be unfair to have him wait on me only for me to leave him every time.”  Akutagawa revoked his hand and got up to walk a couple of steps. He wandered near the onyx structures that functioned like windows to the universe outside of them. Even the stars he liked to watch had lost its beauty because nothing compared to Atsushi.

“Ryuu…” Gin spoke softly and hugged her brother from behind. She had no wise words to offer, had no solution to the distress her brother experienced. All she could provide was her unwavering support and to be there for him. She held him tight, as time passed by.

Decades drifted by like fleeting whispers, and the world continued its relentless march forward, indifferent to the lingering sorrows of the past. The once-vivid memories of that fateful night at the lake, where the moon had witnessed Atsushi's heartbreak, were now faded echoes in the corridors of time.

In the intervening years, seasons changed, cities grew, and people moved on, their footprints etched in the sands of time. Atsushi, too, found himself caught in the ebb and flow of life's currents. The once-young man, whose heart bore the scars of a love lost, had aged into a wiser, weathered version of himself. The weight of experience had etched lines on his face, each telling a story of resilience and growth.

Atsushi laid in his best, he knew this would be his last night amongst the living, his time had come. Kyouka and her daughter sat by his bed, watching Atsushi hold tight to the bracelet, the only thing of Akutagawa he still had.

The room, dimly lit by the soft glow of a candle, felt heavy with the weight of impending loss. Atsushi's breaths came in slow, measured rhythms, each one a testament to a life well-lived, yet tinged with the poignant awareness of its imminent end, the flickering flame of life in his eyes dimming.

Kyouka's eyes, once filled with the vigor of youth, now mirrored the wisdom acquired through the passage of time. Her hand gently rested on Atsushi's, a silent reassurance that bridged the unspoken distances of a lifetime. The room seemed to hold its breath as they shared a poignant moment, a final tableau of a family forged through the years.

“Come on, Kiyoko, we need to go to bed too and leave Atsushi his space.” Kyouka spoke and squeezed Atsushi’s hand a final time, a final promise to forever think of him.

“I love you uncle Sushi!” Kiyoko spoke softly and hugged him tight, a tear escaping her, which Atsushi promptly wiped away. “Me you too. All of you.”

Kyouka blew out the candle and allowed herself a final fingering gaze to the man who was like a brother to her.

Atsushi's gaze lingered on the bracelet, its metallic links a tangible connection to a love that transcended the boundaries of time. In the stillness of that room, memories flooded his mind – the laughter shared under the moonlit sky, the whispers exchanged in the quietude of the temple ruins, and the unspoken understanding that defined his connection with Akutagawa.

With a feeble yet determined grip, Atsushi clutched the bracelet tighter, drawing strength from its presence. The years had worn down the physicality of his being, but the essence of his love for Akutagawa remained steadfast. Even long after Akutagawa had left him behind, he couldn’t find another person to love like he did him.

Instead, Atsushi remained alone for the decades to come.

 As the night wore on, the room embraced a profound stillness, broken only by the rhythmic hum of Atsushi's fading breaths and as he closed his eyes, feeling the impending end incoming.

He waited for Rashomon to come and take him, just like all those years ago when he had almost starved to death and soon enough, he felt the divine energy again, just that if felt gentler this time, warmer and less rough as he felt the straps wrap around his skin.

It made him smile bitterly. In his final moment he could believe he wasn’t alone, could imagine Akutagawa hadn’t forgotten about him and that maybe just maybe it was his way of finally apologizing for leaving him, giving him a gentle end.

In the eerie silence of the room, Atsushi's frail voice carried a quiet assurance, a farewell whispered to the unknown.

"Akutagawa," he murmured, a gentle smile playing on his lips, "I've been waiting for you. It's time, isn't it?"

As the straps reached his throat, he took a final last conscious breath and exhaled, the smile ever present on his lips.

It was over.

Everything felt incredibly soft and mushy. Is this what the afterlife felt like? Like lounging on a cloud? Atsushi felt heavy, so incredibly heavy, even just opening his eyes felt like a tedious task but eventually he managed to do it.

He first noticed he was indeed laying on a cloud, with a blanket draped over his body. The he looked further around, the ground too was covered in light blue clouds and when they faded into the darker edges of the room, the bleed into the walls that looked like they were just made out of the night sky. A bunch of little things in gold floated around, like statues, jewelry and the likes. It was breathtakingly pretty.

“So, you’re finally awake huh?” A voice asked in a teasing tone and from behind him a man sauntered into view. He had messy brown hair, long deep blue garments and lighter blue bandages wrapped around his arms and neck.

When he turned to show his face, Atsushi recognized him, though the realization felt unreal.

“D-Dazai?” The God smiled, happy to be recognized apparently and sat down on the cloud near Atsushi’s knees.

“The one and only.” Atsushi stomached that information, was a God he had worshipped for most is life really sitting by his knees right now?

“Is...Is this real? Am I…What is going on?” Atsushi asked and Dazai tilted his head. “Oh, this is a lot more complicated than back then with Chuuya.” He lamented just quietly enough Atsushi didn’t quiet hear it.

“Come again?”

“Listen to me, Nakajima.” Atsushi swallowed hard as felt like he was young and dumb again and he was getting a stern lecture from Kunikida.

“I fear this might be a lot to take in, but I’ll just tell it to you as it is… I pulled some strings and had you ascend. Are you familiar with the story of the Tainted sorrow?”

Atsushi felt cold suddenly. He had to be hallucinating, this had to be a dream, could not be reality. Any second he surely would wake up in his bed and have Kiyoko come in to greet him. But it didn’t happen.

With a sudden rush of adrenaline, Atsushi finally moved his body, ripping the blanket away only to discover a much younger version of his body. If he had to guess itd be somewhere around twenty again.

His legs and forearms were covered in gold shimmering marks that resembled the ones of a tiger. His Exomis was still white but now sported golden intricate details at the bottom hem and a lot more accessories that made him look wealthier than he ever had been.

The Rashomon bracelet was still on his right wrist.

He scrambled, feeling disconnected from his own body, promptly managing to scramble off the cloud and landing on the floor. Dazai quickly dismissed the cloud and offered Atsushi a hand to get up again. But instead of taking it, Atsushi stared at it like it like he had never seen one before.

“Chuuya had a similar reaction, maybe I should have asked him to do this. You’re nice to someone else for once and look where it lands you.” Atsushi barely grasped what was going on, his head filled with a million questions but no strength to ask any of them.

When Atsushi shyly moved his hand to finally moved to grab Dazais hand, the God quickly grabbed him first and pulled him to his feet.

“I cannot give you a grant title or anything, since Mori denied my request to make you the God of Orphans, but I’m sure you will work just fine with Akutagawa.” Just upon hearing the name of his long-lost love had Atsushi perk up.

He had totally no thought about that whole debacle that came with that.

“I…I want to apologize to you actually even. Akutagawa left you behind because of me. I had to return him, he didn’t want to leave. In case you…” Dazai trailed off and the silver haired pick up on the fact that the God wasn’t finding his words particularly well as of now, so he simply smiled and waved it off.

“Thank you for telling me. Its- It’s alright. It’s in the past… Does he... Even want to see me?”

Dazai seemed taken aback by the question briefly before tilting his head a little and clapping his hands together.

“I’m sure he does. He doesn’t know I did this though so I’m sure he will be surprised. And probably not be happy for me to enter his realm, but… Whatever! Not like that stopped me before.” And before Atsushi could ask much more, Dazai held onto his wrist and let himself fall through the clouds into a blinding light.

And in just a blink Atsushi found himself in a much darker realm with a breathtaking night sky. Dazai guided him onto the dark onyx ground while he himself chose to keep floating just above it. He gestured Atsushi to come after him which he did and it didn’t take them long to wander in the hallway until the room opened to a grand one and Atsushi felt his breath hitched as he saw the figure who was facing away from them. The pale skin and unmistakable black hair with white tips… He would recognize those anywhere.

“Dazai, the millennia is not over as far as I know.” He spoke, cold tone and mean and Atsushi watched as a serpent like creature formed from the black robes of the God.

“I know, I know, but I got something for ya.”

Turning around Atsushi felt squeamish under the stare Akutagawa gave him. His eyes were wide, mouth open in a threat he wanted to hurl but couldn’t speak anymore the second he saw the other person next to Dazai.

Atsushi felt stunted by the image of Akutagawa, his body had his celestial markings now, looking similar to the lightning like strands of Rashomon, and his robes were much elegant, dark layered robes with golden stitches and a red sash wrapped from one shoulder across his chest to wrap around one arm, to then continue behind his back to the other arm as well. But other than that he looked exactly like back then, and it felt strange to Atsushi who had grown old and seen others do the same, but here Akutagawa was, as young looking as all those decades ago, he was still indescribable beautiful and ethereal looking.

"Akutagawa..." Atsushi's voice caught in his throat, a mixture of wonder and uncertainty. Dazai meanwhile made sure to float a little away, to give some space.

“Atsushi I…” Akutagawa opened and closed his mouth, as if imitating a fish, while unable to find what he wanted to say. He was speechless, happy Atsushi was right before him, was angry because he was nowhere near prepared to deal with this and he had a dislike for Dazai messing with his business, and he felt sorry for all the pain he brought to Atsushi. So many thoughts and feelings were too overwhelming to even just voice one.

He had stayed afar from Atsushi’s life ever since the temple incident, so he too could eventually forget, so he was unsure what Atsushi even thought of him right now. Had he moved on, how had his life been…

His eyes drifted over to Dazai, and he settled for ignoring the situation and focus on Dazai. “You messed with my tasks if you took his soul away-” Dazai help up a finger and sat on a cloud.

“I didn’t mess with anything. I just intercepted Rashomon returning the soul with a little help. Everything is in Order, this is all in agreeance with Mori and the others. You have a little helper for the underworld now, ain’t I so kind to you, my dear?”

Akutagawa let Rashomon manifest and lunch for Dazai who took that as his cue to quickly leave and therefore left the realm before Rashomon could take a hold of him. This now left Akutagawa and Atsushi in their with tension burning impasse which neither knew how to navigate.

Finally, Atsushi was the first to speak.

“I…Do I still get to have you?” Akutagawa blinked a couple of times.

“You promised me back then that I can have you for as long as I want.”

“You…you still want me?” Akutagawa asked in disbelieve.

 Atsushi nodded, a smile tugging on his lips. “Of course. My heart carried your name every single day since you left. I never stopped wanting you, even when you were gone."

The realization that Atsushi still desired him, even after the passage of time and the scars left behind, stirred something deep within Akutagawa's guarded heart.

"I'm not the person you thought I was," Akutagawa confessed, his voice carrying the weight of his own regrets.

"I'm just me, flawed and scarred. But if you'll have me, despite everything, then... yes, Atsushi, you can still have me."

Atsushi's eyes sparkled with unshed tears, mirroring the starlit expanse around them.

"I don't care if you're a god or a man. All I care about is that you're here, and I want you just as you are."

Not caring if he was perhaps rushing into things, Akutagawa quickly made his way over, hugging Atsushi close and slowly let the sensation of having Atsushi in his arms again take over him.

Feeling the silver hair against his face, feeling the warmth radiate off him, and the smell that was so uniquely Atsushi.

Drawing his head back, his hands coming up to cup Atsushi’s cheeks, deft thumbs caressing the skin, Akutagawa smiled gently. “The tiger stripes on your cheeks are adorable.” He commented and Atsushi furrowed his brows, before laughing.

“So, they are on my cheeks too? I haven’t seen it yet…” He spoke softly and watched as Akutagawa nodded.

“Indeed, they are. I must say, you look stunning like this. But you always did, so that’s no surprise.” He responded, and briefly let himself check out Atsushi.

The God of Death had to admire, Atsushi looked stunning with the celestial tiger markings and intricate robes. His eyes kept on roaming over Atsushi and his mind was too preoccupied with praising the looks, he didn’t notice Atsushi looking at him expectantly, with a sly smile on his lips.

Only when he spoke his request did Akutagawa halt.

“Kiss me, you fool.”

Grey eyes met purple-yellow ones, and Akutagawa swallowed hard.

“Are you sure? We don’t need to rush-”

“I waited decades for this, so do it.”

When Akutagawa once again seemed to hesitate, Atsushi rolled his eyes and closed the distance himself. As their lips met in a tender embrace, a surge of emotions coursed through Akutagawa's being. The touch of Atsushi's lips against his own ignited a fire within him, burning away the lingering doubts and hesitations that had plagued his mind. In that moment, time seemed to stand still, the celestial realm fading into the background as they became lost in the intoxicating dance of their reunion.

The kiss was a testament to the unspoken longing that had endured through the passing decades, a silent affirmation of the connection that had defied the bounds of mortality. Akutagawa's hands instinctively found their place on Atsushi's waist, pulling him closer as if afraid to let go. The sensation of Atsushi's warmth against his skin sent shivers down his spine, each touch only fawning the flames ignited in both of them.

As they finally parted, breathless and reeling from the intensity of their shared moment, Akutagawa's gaze met Atsushi's, and he silently thanked Dazai. He would be caught dead before admitting it out loud, but still he was grateful for the meddling God.

The sight of Atsushi's playful smile, still brighter than any star he had ever seen, filled him with a sense of gratitude for the second chance they had been given.

"You fool," Atsushi teased, his voice laced with affection as he brushed a stray lock of hair from Akutagawa's face. "I've waited a lifetime for that."

"I promise to never make you wait again." Akutagawa whispered, his words carrying the weight of his sincerity as he pressed a gentle kiss to Atsushi's forehead.

“You better. I don’t ever want to endure that again…”

Atsushi stepped away and looked around his new home, never had he imagined to stand here and look at a glowing sea of stars just outside of onyx structures. It felt surreal still.

“I hope you took good care of my family when they came here.” Atsushi said and Akutagawa took his hand to give it a squeeze.

“Of course. I repaid them for the kindness they showed me.” Akutagawa reassured and guided Atsushis gaze towards the many stars outside.

“They will forever illuminate the night sky, the four brightest are them.”

Atsushi stared in awe as he saw the illuminating blindness of four particular stars and he smiled thinking about Fukuzawa, Ranpo, Kunikida and Yosano.

“You can talk to them sometimes. I’m sure they won’t mind you disturbing their afterlife to say hello.” Akutagawa nudged him and Atsushi beamed at him.

“That’s a possibility?”

Akutagawa nodded and held him close. “But before that, why don’t you meet my family?”

Atsushi remembered bits from what Akutagawa had told him all those years ago; “You mean your sister? The divine Gin, sister of the heartless God Rashomon?”

While Atsushi laughed and quickly dodged a tiny tendril coming for him, Akutagawa grinned sardonically; “Mean of you to use the wrong name when you know better.”

Atsushi rolled his eyes and quickly came to steal a kiss. “Well then, I’m excited to meet her.”

Pulling Atsushi close by the wrist Akutagawa kept on smiling as the red glowing, black tendrils wrapped around them to take them to Gins realm. Unlike Dazais blinding blue light, Akutagawas powers shrouded them in a dark read before they stood on soft grass in the blink of an eye.

Gins realm had Atsushi in awe, the beautiful bright blue sky, sun shining down on a landscape comprised of beautiful flowers, lush trees and bushes and a white marble Monopteros, where the Goddess sat on a thrown comprised of vines and flowers.

When they looked to see who arrived Atsushi and her locked eyes and she seemed confused before they  gave him a gentle smile. Atsushi meanwhile marveled at they similarity between the divine siblings; The same black hair, ashen grey eyes, sharp features.

They were both undeniably beautiful.

Atsushi walked up to Gin, Akutagawas and his hand still intertwined, who conjured up seats similar to their own for them.

“Atsushi,” The Goddess had a soft and light voice, it sounded very delicate to Atsushi as she continued: “I’m glad to finally meet the man who stole my Ryuu’s heart.”

Akutagawa gave her a look, but she just smiled sweetly.

“Wait, Ryuu?” Atsushi questioned and Akutagawa looked surprised at him. “Oh I never gave you my first name, right.”

Akutagawa turned back to his sister, to ask her something, but he was interrupted by Atsushi poking him in the side. “You had me wait a lifetime to give me your first name?”

“Ryuu, you never told him?” Gin joined in on Atsushis outrage.

“I forgot, in the beginning when I gave him my name I didn’t think I’d even like staying in the mortal world.” Akutagawa tried justifying himself, but Gin was moving her seat closer to Atsushi’s side so they could both looks at him with doubt.

“His name is Ryuunosuke. I can’t believe he forgot to tell you that on top of never mentioning who he is.”

“Gin…” Akutagawa warned and the black tendrils from his robes rose, only to threaten them, but they were unimpressed.

“Well, not like I can blame him, dangers and all, but regardless… tell me about yourself Atsushi. I am elated to finally meet you.” Gin smiled kindly and Atsushi felt flattered how the Goddess was interested in someone so unimportant like him.

“Oh, where do I start…”

As Akutagawa observed Atsushi and Gin engaged in conversation, a soft smile graced his lips, a rare display of warmth that seemed to soften the edges of his typically stoic demeanor. His gaze lingered on Atsushi, his thumb tracing gentle circles on the back of Atsushi's hand, a silent gesture of reassurance and affection.

He eagerly anticipated the moment when his Jinko would meet Chuuya, for the two of them to annoy Dazai in retaliation, to show Atsushi just how much he loved and adored him, showring him in admiration. And now, with eternity stretched out before them, there was ample time to do just that.

----

Among the mortals there is a story to be told. It is the myth of Rashomon and his faithful white tiger, whispered in hushed tones by those who dare to entertain the notion of the divine.

The story goes that when the final chapter of your life draws near, Rashomon, the enigmatic deity of death, will descend from the celestial realms to claim your soul. Alongside him strides a majestic white tiger, its presence a symbol of purity and guidance in the journey beyond mortal existence.

Protected by Rashomon's black tendrils, the soul embarks on its passage to the afterlife, cradled within the embrace of divine guardianship. The white tiger, with its warmth and gentle eyes, serves as a beacon of hope amidst the darkness, guiding the soul towards its ultimate destination.

Though the details of this myth vary from teller to teller, one aspect remains steadfast: the profound bond between Rashomon and his white tiger companion. Theirs is a love that transcends mortal understanding, a symbiotic relationship forged in the depths of eternity.

In the heart of the legend lies the unshakeable connection between deity and beast, a union of divine purpose and unwavering loyalty. Together, Rashomon and the white tiger stand as guardians of the soul's passage, their shared devotion illuminating the path to the afterlife with a radiant light born of pure love.