Work Text:
Atsushi had asked for the evening off in advance. Unfortunately that doesn’t help when a job runs a little longer than necessary—the guy already saw he could transform into a part-tiger man, so he’s not sure what he was expecting, trying to make an escape on foot. Naturally, he gave chase. Unfortunately the tiger didn't spare his clothes, and neither spared him from receiving looks from the people he passed by, ranging from startled to simply disgruntled. Such is the nature of the job, and he wouldn’t trade it for anything. He can still feel a little annoyed about it, though.
He’s going to be late. He stops in front of a store anyway.
Atsushi shifts his weight, peering into the window. He’s wasting time, had wasted enough cleaning himself up from the day, and he knows Akutagawa will never let him hear the end of it, head’s up be damned, but he’ll just have to forgive him this once. The door jingles with his entrance, and he doesn’t have long to peek around at the displays before an employee emerges from the back.
She smiles brightly, knowingly. “What can I help you with, young man?”
He can’t help scratching his cheek, suddenly shy at having to explain himself. “I’m going on a date, wanted to surprise him a little.”
With a kind laugh, the older woman says, “I thought so. You have that air about you. Excited, hm?”
Despite the slight flush on his face, Atsushi smiles back. “Yeah. We’ve been together awhile, but flowers aren’t something we normally do. Would you be able to give me a suggestion?”
“Of course,” she says, and guides him through a few common choices, asking after who it’s for. He’s hesitant to say too much, until she makes an idle remark that gives him an idea.
“You’re late, weretiger,” is the greeting he gets outside the little restaurant they agreed to meet at. Akutagawa had initially wanted to take him elsewhere, somewhere he’d make a reservation for, and in hindsight Atsushi is glad he managed to talk him out of it. Even if before his reasoning was more to do with the price tag than any sort of prediction of how his day would go.
“Hey to you too.”
Akutagawa narrows his eyes at him. “What are you hiding?” He tilts his head as he peers past him, but makes no further moves.
“Can’t even wait until we sit down, huh?” He rolls his eyes as he steps closer, pulling Akutagawa by the arm inside instead.
He lets himself be manhandled, which speaks volumes to Atsushi of how far they've come. He grins as they sit at a quiet table in the back, across from each other. He feels a little self conscious, still hiding his gift with his back to the door, but it’s better than Akutagawa not having his back to the wall where he can watch the flow of people without looking over his shoulder periodically.
Never the most patient, Akutagawa doesn’t give him a chance to say anything. “Well? I waited. Show me.”
Atsushi bites his lip, determined not to laugh at the near pout on his boyfriend’s face. “Here, for you,” he presents the single flower with a teasing flourish.
Akutagawa stares, and accepts it carefully. He speaks softly, “A rose?” He brings it up to his face to take in the scent, hands shifting around the wrapped stem slightly. His brow furrows. Atsushi smiles. “Were you trying to make me bleed? There are easier ways, weretiger,” he comments, not letting the flower go.
He can’t stop this chuckle. “Well, I heard a thornless rose means love at first sight.”
Akutagawa snorts, smirk apparent as he finally lowers the flower. “I see.” He leans forward over the table.
Atsushi meets him halfway. “Happy one year anniversary, Ryuu.”