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Akutagawa was exhausted, covered in blood, and standing at Atsushi's front door semi-pathetically while the weretiger himself fiddled with his keys in front of him. Neither could care any less if they were caught red handed (literally) at the detective agency dorms, they just wanted to collapse into Atsushi's bed and sleep at last.
Atsushi's clothes were more tattered strings than real garments. Akutagawa was mourning the loss of his favorite white shirt right now, lost to blood stains. He was mostly glad it wasn't his blood, though.
After a full minute of attempting to open the door, Atsushi finally managed to successfully use his key. He walked in and slumped onto the couch, which was probably an unwise choice, considering he was also splattered with scarlet drops.
Akutagawa fumbled his shoes off at the door, clinging desperately to the wall. His eyes were half lidded already, and he would've happily slumped right onto the floor then and there if not for one problem.
He needed a shower. Badly.
Another problem, he did not like showers. He especially didn't like them at other people's houses, boyfriend or not.
So, he lingered awkwardly in the doorway for a moment, debating if he should put his shoes back on and beg Chuuya or Higuchi to come get him.
Atsushi popped his head over the couch's back. "What are you doing?"
"Standing."
"I see that. I mean, are you going to come sit down?"
Akutagawa gestured at his bloody clothes. Atsushi clicked his tongue. "I have some clothes you can borrow. Just go shower and I'll grab them for you."
Akutagawa walked silently to the bathroom. He made a plan in his mind that he'd wait for Atsushi to drop the clothes at the door, then just wipe himself down in the sink. He'd never have to be fully naked and without his ability.
He leaned against the wall of the bathroom, listening to Atsushi fumble around his bedroom for clothes. He chewed his lip in thought, trying to figure out how to accomplish his amazing stunt.
Normally, in his own home, he'd bring his change of clothes into the bathroom and take the fastest shower possible. Then, he'd get directly out and get fully dressed before anything else. It was a system, and it worked.
He didn't like being without clothes, but more importantly without his ability. No matter how much trust he extended to Atsushi, he decided very early on it would never be enough for that.
Unfortunately for him, his genius plan was foiled. Atsushi did not knock on the door, instead just tugging the handle open and staring awkwardly at Akutagawa as he stood, fully clothed and not showering.
"Are you gonna..." he trailed off, pointing to the shower with a fist full of clothes.
Akutagawa cleared his throat to talk, but nothing came out. The words died in his throat, leaving him there like a deer in headlights. He just hoped the fear didn't show on his face.
Atsushi's walking into the doorway of the bathroom. Concern painted his face pretty obviously, but it looked like he was attempting at least somewhat to hide it.
"What's going on?" He asked, voice softening in a manner Akutagawa usually labeled as 'pity', but had come to know as 'concern.'
Akutagawa feigned indifference. "Nothing."
"You're being weird."
"You're being weird, weretiger."
Atsushi seemed dissatisfied with this response. He looked Akutagawa up and down, noticing suddenly the tendrils of Rashomon that played in the depths of his coat.
"You don't like not being able to summon Rashomon, do you? You're scared?"
Akutagawa tried very hard not to fumble his words. "I'm not a child, Jinko. I don't get scared."
Atsushi raised his hands, leaning against the wall beside him. "It's not a bad thing. If I wasn't able to use my powers, I'd be freaked out too."
Akutagawa crossed his arms defensively, raising his shoulders then dropping them with a sigh. He knew it was pointless to argue with Atsushi once he had his mind made up on something. They were both stubborn as mules.
"I can stay in here with you, if you want."
Akutagawa turned his head. "Heathen. I don't want to be seen unclothed."
"I'll make it a bubble bath."
Akutagawa made a face. He never took baths. He just never had the time, always between missions.
He wanted to trust Atsushi, really. He wanted more than anything to be able to trust him with everything. But, he didn't trust anyone without his ability. He just couldn't make himself.
He chewed his lips thoughtfully, a habit Gin always nagged him for. He trusted Atsushi everywhere but in the depths of his worst fears. On the battle field, his life was in Atsushi's hands, and he didn't care one bit. Why'd it have to be so different now?
"Fine," he decided, unclenching his jaw for the first time all day.
Atsushi smiled, satisfied. Akutagawa grabbed a towel and walked out of the bathroom, leaving him to draw the bath. Something about this situation made him feel more vulnerable than if he had just showered alone, but somehow this was less dreadful.
He stripped off his clothes and tossed them in the laundry basket beside Atsushi's regular basket, the one designated for bloody and torn clothing.
When he returned to the bathroom, feet hitting cold tile, he found Atsushi standing next to a full tub with bubbles lining the surface.
Atsushi covered his eyes with his hand as Akutagawa dropped the towel and sunk into the warm water. He hated how nice it felt, and he hated even more so that he would be hearing for this again for the rest of his life.
Once Akutagawa gave him the ok, he moved his hand and flashed that big smile. The same smile Akutagawa had been convincing himself had absolutely no effect on him or his heart rate for the entirety of the time he'd known Atsushi.
They sat quietly, neither quite sure what to say. Akutagawa sat upright, like he didn't know what to do with himself. Atsushi leaned his head on the porcelain, looking up at Akutagawa's face.
"You know this is all dangerous, right?" Akutagawa said, voice slicing the carefully decided silence.
"What's dangerous?"
"Us. Dating."
"Obviously."
"Are we being stupid?"
"Yeah. But...I love being stupid with you."
Akutagawa splashed him, partially because what he said was corny, and partially to hide the red on his cheeks.
Atsushi laughed, unbridled and real. Akutagawa considered splashing him again, but decided against it out of fairness.
Atsushi dipped a hand into the bubbles, scooping them up and blowing them at Akutagawa, who was not entertained.
"You act beneath yourself," he noted.
Atsushi rolled his eyes. "You are absolutely no fun."
They stayed that way, silence returning. Akutagawa's body relaxed into the water, an unfamiliar feeling. He never relaxed. He was like a bear trap, waiting patiently for something to come close enough to bite.
He liked this. He liked being soft.
After a bit of sitting in silence, the water began to turn cold and the moon was only getting higher outside. Akutagawa tried rubbing the sleep from his eyes so he could go about washing himself off, but it was a failure of an attempt.
Atsushi, who was far more energetic for someone who usually fell asleep so early, noticed immediately. He pulled himself to his knees. "Can I wash your hair for you?" he asked, making it sound like it was for himself than for Akutagawa.
Akutagawa struggled with an answer. He normally didn't like being touched, especially when so vulnerable. The 'no' played on his tongue until he opened his mouth and a clear "Yes," slipped out.
Atsushi sat on the edge of the tub, tilting Akutagawa's head back and pouring water into his hair from his cupped hand. Akutagawa busied himself with staring at the wall, not wanting to meet his eyes.
The feeling of shampoo being scrubbed into his scalp made him just close his eyes altogether. Atsushi's hands kneaded his scalp like those of a cat—fitting. It was oddly nice. A strange comfort Akutagawa had never expected, just like Atsushi himself.
Warm water poured from Atsushi's hand yet again, pushing soap down Akutagawa's back. After a few more rinses, the shampoo was out and cold conditioner was being rubbed into his hair. He didn't mind nearly as much as his scrunched nose would have you believe.
One more rinse and his 'torture' was over. He watched Atsushi step outside the bathroom, leaving the door open but his back turned. He quickly toweled himself off and got dressed in borrowed clothes that definitely didn't fit right.
He followed Atsushi to his bedroom, which wasn't uncommon for the two, but Akutagawa was pretty sure he'd never get used to it.
He down on the edge of the bed before Akutagawa noticed a glaring problem.
"Hey, you didn't shower." He said, looking over at Atsushi, who was already under the covers.
"I'm a cat. I'll just clean myself," he joked.
"Gross."
Atushi pulled him close, burring his face in Akutagawa's back and pressing a kiss between his shoulder blades. Akutagawa decided he'd let it slide, and fell asleep right beside him.