Chapter Text
It’s a common fact that, when you get a soulmate, your left eye is the same color as your significant other. That’s a fact.
When Atsushi turned 16, he’d been delighted to see that his eye had changed into a dark grey color.
He’s dyed a streak of his hair to accommodate the new color.
“Hey Atsushi!!!” Ranpo called from the other side of the room. Today was his day to visit the ‘Soulmate Detective Agency’ in his school- and he was more than excited to discover who his soulmate may be.
“Hey Ranpo!!” He smiled, waving again at Ranpo.
It was odd. Ranpo had his left eye covered constantly, ever since he turned 16 a few months before. He’s also been really close with the ‘Edgar Allan Poe’ kid.
The detective had disappeared for a few weeks right after his birthday. Nobody really asked why. He just told everyone he wanted a break, and frankly, nobody believed it. But no questioned were further asked.
“Did ya get your soulmate mark?” Ranpo questioned, beckoning Atsushi. Atsushi opened his eye wide for Ranpo to see.
“YES!!!” He cheered. “I think I know who it is already!!!” He beamed. Ranpo gave him a soft smile.
Another thing Atsushi’s observed with Ranpo lately. There’s a distant look in the one eye they could see. It seemed… almost longing. Like seeing someone’s soulmate mark brings him extreme pain of some sort.
It’s no matter. Atsushi didn’t want to pry.
“Have you told him yet?” Ranpo asked, shoving a pockey snack into his mouth.
“No, not yet. I… wanted to see him in person,” Atsushi mumbled, a blush creeping along his cheeks. Ranpo hummed.
“He left a few weeks ago, right?” The detective questioned. Atsushi nodded with a frown. Ranpo hummed, opening his eye.
“Hmmm… step a bit closer,” Ranpo mumbled, narrowing his eye. Atsushi raised an eyebrow, yelping when Ranpo tugged him closer by the collar. “Atsushi..??” Ranpo murmured. “Does… Akutagawa’s eyes have yellow in them?” He quietly asked.
Atsushi blinked. “W-what??” He stuttered. Ranpo let go of him, leaning backwards.
“Does Akutawagwa’s eyes have yellow in them?” The detective repeated, pulling out a mirror. “Look closely.”
Atsushi grabbed the mirror peering close to it. Blinking a few times, a stone was starting to grow heavy in his stomach.
Ranpo was right- they weren’t grey. They were a dark yellow.
He bit his lip. Slowly setting the mirror back down, his mind raced. Aku isn’t my soulmate..? He wondered.
Looking back up to Ranpo, he swallowed. “I guess we’re gonna have to search after all!” He chimed, putting on a fake smile. Ranpo frowned.
“You should go talk to Ryunosuke,” Ranpo stated. “Do you want your eye covered?”
Atsushi shifted from side to side, staring at the ground. “Um… yes, for the time being,” he mumbled. Ranpo hummed, opening and reaching into the desk.
“Pick your poison!!!” The detective happily chimed, displaying his collection of various eye coverings. There was an array of regular eye patches. Some of them were specially designed, for there were a few steampunk ones. One had a rose glued to the front, and another had a card. There were a few with CD’s on them, and stars.
Atsushi pointed to one with a star on it. Ranpo smiled, handing it over.
“That’s 1,000 yen!!!” The detective teased. Atsushi froze, frowning.
“I don’t have any,” he mumbled, staring at the patch. Ranpo hummed.
“Eh. Just make sure you get this back to me once your done, or when you get your own,” the detective stated. Atsushi sheepishly smiled and nodded.
“I will!!! Thank you!” He called as he turned around and headed for the door.
He started to make his way to his third class. Unfortunately, Akutagawa is in his class. He’d have to tell him.
Pushing the door open, he silently slipped into the classroom and made his way to his seat. He sits in the middle of the room; a few seats away from Aku. Unfortunately, Akutagawa was already there.
“Weretiger,” the man rasped, standing up. Atsushi raised his head, looking up at the taller man.
“Atsushi, he corrected. Akutagawa narrowed his eyes.
“I call you what I want. I am aware today is your sixteenth birthday. Congratulations,” Aku stated, holding out a gift bag. “Please accept my token of appreciation.”
Atsushi rolled his eyes, chuckling as he takes the bag and placing it on his desk. “Thank you!!!” He chimed with a smile. Akutagawa cleared his throat, a slight blush on his face as he covered his mouth with a light fist.
“I take it you are not aware of who your soulmate is?” He asked, opening his dark grey eyes and raising an eyebrow. Atsushi felt his smile fall, staring down at the table.
“No,” he mumbled. He gently grabbed his eyepatch and looked up at Akutagawa, holding it up. “I thought it was yours,” he whispered.
Aku leaned down to his eye level and looked closely into his eyes. Atsushi felt his breath hitch, fidgeting with his fingers and glancing anywhere but Aku’s face.
Akutagawa cleared his throat, causing Atsushi to snap his gaze back into the latter’s eyes.
They were dark, like the Atlantic Ocean. Cool and grey like ash after a storm. They were alluring.
Atsushi held eye contact for probably more than needed. Aku looked away, nodding. “I see,” he murmured. “After school you should stop at the agency. We’ll get your eye scanned.”
Atsushi silently nodded as Aku walked away back to his seat. It’s always been hard to read his friend’s expression. With a frown, he grabbed the bag, taking note of how Aku was secretly watching him.
Chuckling, he reached into the bag and pulled out the gift. There was only one layer of tissue paper; probably a gift from the art room since they both weren’t very well-off.
Inside was a simple mug. It looked beautiful. Akutagawa took ceramics, which meant he worked with clay and other materials to make something 3D.
The mug was small, but still all the same. It was painted pastel colors, small flowers and butterflies attached to the side.
And his name- ATSUSHI NAKAJIMA- carved into the side.
Atsushi stared at it for what felt like hours. He didn’t think he could possibly get bored of the design. It was beautiful. His gaze traveled back to Aku, who was staring at the front of the room, trying to hide a smile.
Atsushi sheepishly stood up, wandering over to the other kid. He cleared his throat, trying not to get too awkward as Aku looked at him.
“Thank you so much!!!!” He exclaimed, clapping his hands together and leaning down. He spared a glance at the other kid, who stared at him with a surprised look.
“It’s not that big of a deal,” Aku stated. Atsushi smiled wide.
“Thank you, anyways!!!” He chimed. Akutagawa stared at him, a smile on his face.
People were starting to enter the classroom now. The only other person Atsushi really knew in this class was Gin. She was a year younger than Aku and Atsushi, but she still took extracurricular classes.
She took one glance and smiled at Atsushi settled back into his seat.
“He was up all night making that,” she whispered. Atsushi blinked in surprise.
“Really?! I wonder why,” he said with a smile.
“He fussed so much over it. He kept asking me if it was good enough,” she sighed. “He really likes you.”
Atsushi cleared his throat, his gaze drifting over to where Aku was sitting.
He likes me, he thought with excitement.
The teacher then walked in and cleared his throat, signaling that class was about to start.
…
After class, Atsushi went to talk to Dazai.
“Atsushi!!!” Dazai cheered, waving his hand. Ranpo was next to him, begrudgingly crossing his arms. The two often went here, below the stairs, for lunch. Though since a few weeks ago, Dazai had insisted on following Ranpo. Nobody knew why.
Anyways, Dazai was currently forcing food down the detective’s throat. Ranpo listened, munching on a bento box.
“Hey Dazai!!” Atsushi greeted with a smile. Dazai raised an eyebrow.
“Oooh!! Did Ranpo give you a gift?” Dazai asked, looking at his eye. Atsushi blushed a bit, glancing to the side.
“Yeah. I didn’t want anybody to know yet,” he mumbled, carrying his food and sitting next to the two other men. Dazai smirked and raised an eyebrow.
“Do you know who it is yet?” He asked with a teasing tone. Atsushi shook his head.
“No,” he murmured. Dazai frowned.
“Is it not Akutagawa?” He asked. Atsushi shook his head.
“No,” he mumbled. “I wish it was, but it’s not.”
Dazai narrowed his eyes. “Do you like Akutagawa?” He asked, suddenly all in his face. Atsushi blushed.
“I-I mean… yeah, I… I do,” he mumbled.
“Then you should go for it!!!” Dazai exclaimed. “You don’t want a silly mark to determine who you can fall in love with!!! Plus, there’s plenty of dix to go around-”
Dazai got punched by Ranpo.
“Ooowwwwiiee!!!” Dazai cried, rubbing his arm with a pout. Ranpo turned away and crossed his arms. Dazai just sighed.
“Anyways,” he said as he clapped his hands.
“I… don’t think I should,” Atsushi mumbled. He looked down at his hands, rubbing his thumbs in circles. “I feel like I’m putting my soulmate down.”
Dazai blinked a few times. “Why?” He asked. “You don’t control who you fall in love with. Whether it’s a dick or pu-”
Dazai got slapped again, which ended up in the bastard whining. With a sharp glare, Dazai sighed again.
“Meanies,” he muttered. “Anywhoo, your soulmark shouldn’t define who you fall in love with. You’re allowed to fall in love with anybody, whether you can or not,” Dazai stated, glancing at Ranpo. Ranpo nodded.
“Yeah,” the detective quietly mumbled. “So long as they make you happy.”
Atsushi listened, deciding to keep his mouth shut. He looked over at Ranpo, a small pang of concern running through his chest at how he was lost in thought. Luckily, Dazai noticed the detective, and booped him on the nose.
Ranpo snapped out of his thoughts and glared at his classmate, who stuck his tongue out. Ranpo smiled and continued eating his bento box.
“So… should I tell Akutagawa anyways.. even though I have a different soulmate?” He quietly questioned. Ranpo rolled his eyes.
“Yes. I think you should. If you like him, hook up!!! If you don’t, then don’t!!! If you’re in love with someone, then tell them!!!!” Ranpo stated in a bold voice. Atsushi widened his eyes at how confident Ranpo said that.
He hadn’t said anything as bold and confident as that in several weeks.
Atsushi sighed, taking a bite out of his sandwich. “What if he doesn’t want me?” He mumbled. Dazai shrugged.
“Than he isn’t worth fighting for,” the bandaged man stated. Ranpo snorted.
“Easy for you to say,” Ranpo said with a grin. “You keep begging for the ginger man to take you out. I don’t think he understands you are genuinely trying to ask him out.”
Dazai sighed, slumping down. “Why meeeee…” he whined. “It’s not my fault Chuuya’s so hot!!! But the man keeps insisting on waiting a month until he finds his soulmate!”
Ranpo rolled his eyes, eating a sushi roll. Dazai gasped.
“RANPO!!! THATS CANNIBALISM!!!” He screeched, pointing at the sushi. Ranpo raised an eyebrow.
“Huh?” He mumbled with his mouth still full. Dazai pointed at Atsushi.
“ATSUSHI’S SITTING RIGHT HERE!!! ARE YOU REALLY GOING TO EAT ONE OF HIS KIND RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIM?!” He exclaimed.
Atsushi couldn’t help but chuckle. He gave Ranpo his best betrayed look.
“How dare you…” he mumbled, taking extra care to make his voice crack. Ranpo rolled his eyes, making direct eye contact with Atsushi.
His hand slowly lowered and grabbed another one. He popped it into his mouth.
He ate another sushi roll while making direct eye contact with Atsushi.
“You’re sick.”
“Nuh-uh!”
“That’s my people!!!”
“You taste good.”
“WHAT?!?!? RANPO!!!”
“DAZAI!!!”
Dazai was slapped again.
“Oh, the bell’s ringing.”
“No shit Sherlock.”
“Ranpo!!! Cursing?!? Unforgivable!”
…
It was after school. Atsushi was sitting in front of the eye scanner, Akutagawa holding the device steady.
There’s this website that everybody uses when they’re sixteen. They scan the user's eye and post them on the website, and if they see their own eye (they’ll know), you’ll find your soulmate. This website is extremely useful for people whose soulmates are all across the sea.
Like Kouyou and Yosano. Kouyou lived in Korea before she moved to Japan to meet Yosano.
Akutawaga hummed, flipping up the switch and waiting for the photo to print.
The room was empty. The two sat next to each other, silently, as they waited for the photos to print.
“…you know,” Atsushi eventually murmured, “I really thought you were my soulmate.”
He looked over to Akutagawa, who gave him a wide look.
“Is that so?” He asked, glancing at the latter. Atsushi nodded.
“…yeah,” he murmured. “I want you to be my soulmate, to,” he whispered. Akutagawa nodded, his gaze deep in thought. His eyes dark, smokey, and beautiful.
“I do admit, I would think you are my soulmate as well,” Akutagawa murmured. “I believe I wish for you to be mine as well.”
He looked away again, grabbing the picture and staring down at the eye.
“But fate decides otherwise, I suppose.”
Atsushi frowned and nodded, taking the photos. He looked into the eye, an empty feeling in his chest.
“Do you think my soulmate would be mad if I never wanted to find them?” He murmured, looking up. Akutagawa scoffed.
“That’s their problem. I believe you should go to whomever you like, no matter who the person may be.”
Atsushi looked up, peering deep into the other man’s eyes. He took a shaky deep breath, turning and fiddling with his fingers.
“W-will… you be.. my soulmate?” He squeaked, forcing himself to maintain intense eye contact.
For once, akutawawa’s eyes widened, displaying his full suprise for a moment. Though he quickly covered it up by clearing his throat. He put his hand over his mouth, closing his eyes, and trying to suppress a smile.
“Are you asking me if we can date?” Akutagawa amusedly asked. Atsushi smiled.
“Yes!!!” He chimed.
“So you will take me out on a date?” Aku prompted.
“Yes!!!!”
“…”
“…”
“…”
“You are very forward, weretiger.”
Atsushi blinked, his expression immediately twisting in shock at what he said. He covered his face with his hands, a fine color of red creeping over is face.
“YES!!! I WANT TO DATE YOU!!!” He yelled.
It started with a low rumble. Then it sounded like he was choking. Atsushi looked up.
Aku was laughing.
He was LAUGHING.
The sound was airy and light, but still there. After a moment, he cleared his throat, a smile still on his face.
“I accept,” Akutagawa stated. Atsushi froze, staring in shock. Akutagawa smiled, looking extremely amused.
“You’re staring,” he stated.
Once Atsushi remembered how to human, he immediately covered his face again.
“Are you sure?” He eventually said after he was done screaming. Akutagawa chuckled, finding his embarrassment extraordinarily entertaining.
“If I get to listen to that display every single time I do something, then yes. I am definitely sure.”
Atsushi smiled. In mere moments, he was diving at Akutagawa, encasing him in a tight hug.
He was so happy.
It was Akutawawa’s turn to be flustered, it seemed. The man awkwardly patted the latter on the back, looking away.
“Ahem.”
Atsushi’s head snapped up, looking over Aku’s shoulder to see Ranpo at the door.
Immediately clearing his throat, he let go of Akutagawa, who was hiding his face in the scarf he was wearing. Ranpo smirked.
“See? Told ya so!!!” The detective proudly stated. Poe walked in behind him, a soft smile on his face.
When the two were in the room, Ranpo spun around, holding out his hand. “Gimme.”
Poe sighed. He looked dejected. Reaching into his pocket, the taller man pulled out five bucks and several pieces of candy.
“R-Ranpo- uh… what..?” Atsushi stuttered. Ranpo smiled mischievously.
“I bet that you two would’ve gotten together anyways. And it seems I was right, as always-” he proudly stated. Poe sighed.
“I was betting he would’ve found his soulmate,” he mumbled.
Ranpo walked over and held out his hand. “Do ya still wanna know who your soulmate is?” He asked with a raised eyebrow.
Atsushi handed the pictures over, still hiding his face in embarrassment. “I-uh… sure,” he mumbled.
Ranpo hummed. “Lucy,” he stated. Atsushi raised an eyebrow in surprise. “Montgomery?” He questioned. “Doesn’t she have blue eyes?”
Ranpo smirked. “She wears contacts.”
Huh.