Work Text:
The office was bright, the mid-day sun shining through the windows just right. It was a calm day, Atsushi was typing on his computer, working hard to complete both his and Dazai's work. Junichiro and Naomi whispered quietly about something at their desks. Yosano was hysterical over something being shown to her on Ranpo's phone. No missions had been assigned yet that day, a perfect, calm shift.
Suddenly a familiar voice boomed as the door was gently kicked open.
"I found these two bickering outside!"
Kunikida walked in irritably holding Kyū in one hand and Teruko in the other, both with displeased expressions. Kunikida held them by the backs of their shirts, like how a mother cat may hold her kittens. Teruko only grunted, her arms folded, avoiding the gaze of the stunned office workers.
"Umm...and why did you bring them here?" Atsushi asked faintly, afraid to agitate the man more.
"Well we can't just leave them out there, and my morals won't allow me to stand by when their argument could turn potentially dangerous."
"Well what were they arguing about?" Junichiro asked.
"Isn't it obvious? You can tell by the way they're glaring at each other they're fighting over whose ability is better." Ranpo stated matter of factly.
Dazai, suddenly interested in the conversation, perked up and said, "Why don't they just use their abilities right now and we'll decide who's stronger?" His chin rested between his pointer and thumb as he grinned.
"I don't think that's the best way to go about this-" Kunikida was cut off as both captives launched their abilities forward. Light filled the room as their abilities collided.
"Wuahh!-" A shaky voice yelled as the light faded. The room went silent as the two detainees stared forward in shock.
"What? What is it?" Kunikida asked worriedly. His eyes followed theirs to see Atsushi, only taking up a third of his chair.
"What the?.."
"...Atsushi?"
There, in Atsushi's chair, was a smaller, younger version of himself.
"Wh-where am I? Who are you?" He asked shakily, looking around the room. Tears started to form in his eyes from confusion.
"What did you do?!" Kunikida asked furiously.
Teruko coward, "I only turned him physically younger! I don't know why he's crying like a little baby." She huffed.
"No, this is more...Atsushi's not acting like himself." Dazai noted, gently poking Atsushi's fragile shoulder.
Kunikida growled, "You!" He pointed at Kyū, "What did you do to his mind?!"
"It was an accident-really! Our abilities just combined and since she turned him young, I turned his mind young, too!"
Kunikida argued with them, demanding them to turn him back, but this new found combination of powers had yet to be understood. No one knew how to reverse the ability.
Once Atsushi stopped crying and finally looked up at Dazai, he asked quietly, "Who are you, mister? Did the headmaster take me here?"
The members looked at him, all unsure of what to say, when Dazai spoke, "Yes! But don't worry, you're safe here," he smiled warmly, releasing the tension in Atsushi's shoulders.
"Oh...okay," he said, still confused. "Are we still...in the orphanage? Will I go back?"
Dazai opened his mouth to speak before the president walked in firmly.
"There is a serious case in need of urgent help, we'll need everyone in the agency to go right away." The room went silent.
"What is it? Where is Atsushi?"
"Atsushi is-"
"You're leaving, mister?" Atsushi asked sorrowfully, tugging at Dazai's sleeve. The president watched, his jaw slightly dropped.
"What...happened?"
They explained the situation to Fukuzawa. The members of the agency left, deciding to just take Teruko and Kyū along with them, leaving only Dazai, Kunikida, and Atsushi.
"Well we can't just leave him here alone," Kunikida stated.
"Looks like we'll need a babysitter."
Dazai grinned deviously as he pulled out his phone and dialed a number. As it rang Atsushi only watched in confusion, his small hands gripping at his pants to get his attention.
"Don't worry, this babysitter will take great care of you, I know it!"
After some ringing a voice came out from the phone, Kunikida listened in aswell.
"Hello, Dazai?"
"Ah, yes, Akutagawa how are you?" Dazai asked cheerfully with a smile the other couldn't see, but could still pick up.
"I'm doing fine, thanks for asking." Akutagawa stated calmly.
"Great! I actually have a teensy little favor for you, it'll be quick I promise!" Atsushi was now playing with a piece of lint on the floor, no longer interested in the adult conversation.
"Anything, Dazai."
"Well, so...We actually have a member here I would like for you to watch. You see we all have to go work on a case immediately so no one would be around to make sure this little guy is safe, and I thought you would be perfect for the job!"
"You want me to watch someone? Who is it?" Akutagawa questioned slightly more enthusiastically.
"One of our members here is actually pretty young at the moment, I'd probably ask another member to watch over 'em, but since we all have to leave it has to be you," He stated matter of factly.
'An agency member? I thought Kyoka was their youngest recruit...unless Dazai wants me to watch over Kyoka, would he trust me with such a task? He thinks I'm worthy enough to watch over someone whom I've wounded so carelessly?'
Dazai's voice knocked him from his trance, "Is that alright, Akutagawa?" He asked, but the answer was already set in stone.
"Of course, I'll be on my way shortly." And with that they bid their farewells and Dazai ushered Kunikida to leave while he waited for Akutagawa to show.
------
When Akutagawa finally arrived, Atsushi was fast asleep. All the weeping and confusion finally caught up to him. Dazai greeted Akutagawa with his usual mischievous smile as he displayed the young Atsushi.
A harsh silence as the man stared at the view before him. There, on the agency couch, lie his mortal enemy. The man he'd sworn to kill in a mere months. The man who has everything, had seen more than most, lightly drooling, petite hands tucked under his head.
"...Jinko?"
"You see, there was a dilemma and Atsushi happened to get caught in the mix, the agency was called for an important mission so we had to leave urgently. His body may look young-and his mind's been set back as well-but I'm sure he won't be too much trouble!"
Dazai swiftly lept over to the door, leaving Akutagawa gaping at the sleeping form on the couch.
"Thanks again, Akutagawa! Make sure to keep him safe!" He glanced at Akutagawa, now halfway out the door, eyes suddenly a bit more serious, "We wouldn't want anything happening to our little Atsushi, would we?" Akutagawa shuttered at the use of little as Dazai sang before the door quickly slammed shut. Akutagawa still stood there, his initial surprise now turned to utter confusion. His brows furrowed in an attempt to make sense of the situation.
"You...fool."
It took ten minutes of Akutagawa awkwardly sitting as far as humanly possible away from Atsushi before he woke up. As he stirred, Akutagawa's shoulders tensed, not sure how Atsushi would react to a random man sitting next to him. Would he scream? Cry? Perhaps attack him? 'No, he wouldn't, he's too kind hearted to assume the worst of people.'
Akutagawa hadn't had to 'take care' of anyone since he lived in the slums. To say he wasn't the least bit nervous for how he would perform would be a falsity. When he thought about it, Atsushi looked just like those orphans had, malnourished and scarred. Perhaps they were more alike than he'd thought.
As Atsushi stirred Akutagawa stayed frozen, staring at him from the corner of his eye. Suddenly, he sat up and rubbed his eyes before glancing around the room.
"Mister?..." he then looked to his left to find Akutagawa sitting at least two feet away from him.
"Who...who are you?" He stuttered, eyes wide.
Akutagawa sighed, this was going to be a long day.
"I am Akutagawa."
"Octo-huh? You have a weird name, mister."
He glared at the small Atsushi, his legs slightly swinging against the couch. Atsushi stared back, analyzing the strange man before him.
"Are you friends with mister Dazai?" He asked. Akutagawa, arms folded disinterestedly nodded his head before he thought, 'are we? Could you call us that? Maybe what the weretiger has with Dazai could be considered friendship, but what really is our relationship?' Atsushi spoke again.
"Your hairs kinda weird."
Akutagawa's head snapped over, thin brows furrowed, he replied, "well you're not one to talk, Jinko."
"Jinko? Like a cat?" Atsushis eyes lit up at the mention of cats, he balled his hands into fists and held them in front of him, "meeeoow!"
Akutagawa stared in slight surprise, this is my enemy? He thought. He could rip him to shreds right now if he wanted to, teach the illiterate fool to respect him. However, the sight of the Jinko acting like a cat made his ever cold heart just a little less firm.
"Don't act a fool, Jinko. If you keep doing that I'll turn you into cat food-see how it feels to be devoured by a man-eating tiger."
Atsushi shivered before his eyes turned watery. He scooted away from Akutagawa as far as he could. However, Akutagawa's hard glare caused him to wail.
"I don't wanna be eaten!" He cried, "please don't make me cat food Aku!" His voice was small as he balled. Akutagawa grimaced at the nickname. 'Great.' He thought, 'Now I have to deal with a cry-baby.' He sighed before attempting to calm the crying child.
"Okay-fine. I won't feed you to a tiger. Now stop your nonsense." Atsushi must've not heard him with the way the tears kept pouring down his face.
"Jinko. You can stop now." He tried again, to no avail. He considered just letting the kid cry, but found it impossible to ignore the pain his sobs were causing his ears. He groaned before shuffling over a few inches closer, but still a safe distance. He hesitantly reached his arms out to rest on
Atsushi's back.
"There, is there anything that will make you stop your sobbing?" He scoffed.
Atsushi sniffled, wiping his eyes. "N-nothing.." he stuttered.
"There has to be something," he sighed, "not chocolate or sweets?" He pushed.
"No..." he sniffled, obviously hesitant in his answer. Akutagawa scowled. 'What kind of kid refuses sweets? He clearly wants them, so why?'
Akutagawa retracted his arm and glared at Atsushi, frustrated and confused. What he says next surprised even him, "There has to be something that will rid you of your tiresome whining. Let's go."
"Go...where?" He asked.
But Akutagawa didn't elaborate as he stood up and started for the door. He saw this as more of a favor for him than it was for the tiger. As if he would ever do anything for his pleasure.
"Wait, mister! Wait for me!"
------
The small, nearby convenience store was fairly empty to Akutagawa's relief-he wouldn't ever be caught dead watching over a mini Atsushi. Even be caught near him at all. He glanced at the shelves, a variety of candies lay before him, not looking for anything in particular. 'I'm not sure what the weretiger would like,' he admitted to himself. He looked down to Atsushi, eyes glued to the floor. Struggling with the temptation of sweets in front of him.
"Are you not going to pick anything? After the trouble I took of taking you here." He muttered to Atsushi, arms folded in pseudo annoyance. The convenience store was right down the street, not far from the agency or port mafia at all. He wanted to fix the Jinko's face as soon as possible.
"R-right! Sorry. Uhm, if it's really okay," he looked up and scoured the shelves with utmost concentration. "I would like that one! If I can..." he pointed to a small bar of chocolate, picking it up and holding his arms out to present to Akutagawa. With a straight face, he extended his arm and gently shoved the bar away from him as if it was infected with a virus and made of glass.
'Am I really going to buy the Jinko chocolate? The things I do for Dazai...'
"Sure. Let's go then." He muttered so quietly even Atsushi could barely hear it.
He started for the front counter before the door shoved open and an annoyingly familiar voice called out to him.
"Mister Akuatgawa!" Higuchi yelled as she ran inside towards him. She huffed as her hands rested on her knees, trying to catch her breath. "How's the mission at the agency going?"
Akutagawa froze, his body preparing to fend off the threat before his mind could catch up. 'Out of all people...' he cursed before answering his lowly assistant.
"It's fine." He said, keeping his composure.
"Do you need anything?" Higuchi offered. "I could help with-uh.." her eyes lowered to find a young boy clutching at the bottom of her Boss' coat, cowering slightly behind him.
Huguchi's eyes went wide, gears turning in her mind. Her air-headed brain came up with the seemingly most plausible explanation for the sight.
"I-uh...didn't know you had uh...y'know," she pointed to Atsushi, her face turning slightly red as she spoke. "Is he, uhm...your-"
"No." Akutagawa's cheeks flushed slightly at the accusation. 'The weretiger? Mine?'
'As if we look anything alike.' His mind quickly added
"Oh-of course not! My bad for the misunderstanding!" She swiftly bowed her head at a ninety degree angle.
''Of course not?' Does she think I'm incapable of taking care of a child? How impertinent.'
When she raised her head back up she took another gander at the boy, surely not Akutagawa's, but if not-then who's? Her eyes squinted as she attempted to recall every face she's ever encountered to try and match one with the kid. When the tiger-boy from the agency popped up at last, she accidentally let out a gasp.
Akutagawa hummed and gave her a confused glance.
"Th-the weretiger...is that...does he..?"
Akutagawa sighed, "no."
"Then who?"
"I have places to be, so if you'll excuse me, we'll be leaving."
Higuchi let out a defeated sigh, knowing she blew her chance with Akutagawa. Atsushi glanced at her once more, flashing her a quick small smile before turning back to follow Akutagawa.
They stood in the small line as they waited to check out. Atsushi bounced around in boredom, drawing attention to him and Akutagawa. Attention was the last thing he wanted right now. Or ever.
"Weretiger, stop dicking around and stand still for once," he demanded.
Atsushi stopped and repeated, "dicking? What that?" He asked with a raised brow.
Akutagawa groaned, 'What an idiot', "nothing, just forget it," he sighed, "and don't say that," he added.
"Dicking? Why not? What's a dick?" He questioned with utmost sincerity. Heads began to turn in judgement. 'Great.' He thought, more attention was just what he needed. Not like he also didn't want Atsushi's head littered with bad words-why should he care that the Jinko is brought up right, anyway?
But alas, he ushered to quiet him, "Jinko, hush!" He knelt down to cover his mouth with his hand. Atsushi's brows furrowed. Akutagawa sighed and stood back up straight, moving forward in line.
Atsushi muttered under his breath, "you're so gay."
Akutagawa's head snapped down to glare at him in surprise. 'What did he just call me?' He thought, infinitely more offended than he should've been. 'Me? Gay? The Rabid Dog of the Port Mafia? As if' he convinced himself before he stuttered,
"How do you know that word?" He interrogated in irritation.
"What-the other kids at the orphanage say it," he answered simply.
Akutagawa's eye twitched, "Do you even know what that means, Jinko?"
"Nope, but I guess it's something really bad cuz your face is really red, mister," he stated.
He huffed, "it is not-and you are not to use words you don't know, do you hear me?"
Atsushi nodded, "okay, okay."
-----
Once they arrived back at the agency, the other members were still absent. Akutagawa sighed, knowing he had to watch the feline for who knows how long.
Atsushi, having eaten his chocolate hastily on the way back, explored the agency as if it was his first time there. He checked under desks, drawers, trying to find anything that would ease his ever-growing boredom.
Akutagawa stood, silently watching Atsushi as he roamed around, he too was getting bored of the tour.
"Mister Aku," Akutagawa again shivered at the label, "can we play hide and seek?" Atsushi asked sheepishly. There were a million things he would rather do than play with a man-eating tiger.
'But if it's for Dazai's sake...' he thought, not so much ignoring the way Atsushi's big sunset eyes pleaded and the way his bottom lip slightly puffed out.
'I could never let him down. I must show him that I'm capable of taking care of a wild beast!'
Akutagawa, now determined to prove himself worthy, did the unthinkable. Akutagawa Ryūnosuke, age twenty, the Rabid Dog of the Port Mafia, agreed to a game of hide and seek with the Armed Detective Agency's Weretiger.
He himself knew it was ridiculous. In fact, he hadn't played any sort of game since he lived in the slums. Attempting to cheer up the other orphans he watched over, he played a multitude of games with them. Hide and seek being his least favorite of them all. With his illness, it was nearly impossible to keep quiet for more than a few minutes, and his seeking skills were as keen to that of a blind dog.
However, despite his rusty skills and the glum memories the name had brought to him, he still accepted Atsushi's request.
"Yay!" He exclaimed when Aku agreed to play. "Do you wanna hide or seek?"
Akutagawa already knew he was too distinguishable to hide, and didn't feel like squeezing himself into any crammed place in the small office. He chose to seek, turning around and bowing his head low as he counted aloud. Atsushi didn't make a sound, seemingly a master at going undetected. He must play a lot with other orphanage kids to be able to be so soundless. Akutagawa theorized before reaching the final number.
"Ready or not, here I come." He stated blankly. He scanned the room for any signs of where he may be. 'No sign of him yet.' He walked over to the nearest desk and peered underneath it unamused. A basic spot for sure, but the tiger was never the brightest in the head. He hummed a small sound of acknowledgement, knowing he was at least smart enough not to hide under the closest desk. He checked under a few more before confirming he was not under any desks.
He then turned towards the cabinets, 'surely he'd think himself clever to hide inside one of these.' He assumed before opening each one and scouring inside.
He then confirmed that, no, Atsushi was not in any of the cabinets either. Akutagawa rolled his eyes and began checking every other place that could possibly be used as a hiding spot; behind curtains, under the table in the conference room, under the president's desk (which he was certain he was not allowed in there, but since when did he follow rules). Atsushi was seemingly nowhere to be found.
For a second he thought about giving up, then quickly pushed the idea away. He would never admit defeat-especially to the weretiger. He sighed before his phone rang suddenly. He checked the caller ID to read a familiar name. He answered the phone quickly and a voice came on.
"Hey, Akutagawa, I couldn't find you anywhere-where you at?" The Port Mafia executive asked.
"I'm at the Detective Agency," Akutagawa answered simply.
"I need to talk to you about your next mission-wait did you say the Detective Agency?!" He pestered in surprise.
"Yes, I'm doing a favor for Dazai, it is of utmost importance." He assured.
"Urghh! What did that bandaged weasel put you up to this time?!" Chuuya yelled, clearly triggered by the man's name.
Akutagawa did not want Atsushi to pop out and claim his victory, he refused to lose to a mere child.
"Excuse me, Nakahara, I'll call you back," he said politely, "I'm playing hide and seek."
"What?!-" He exclaimed before he was cut off by the sound of the call ending. Akutagawa had no time to waste, the Jinko was waiting for him.
-----
Akutagawa loathed to admit it, but the tiger was evidently impossible to find. He'd cleared out the entire agency and had no leads whatsoever. 'Another skill I must train at'. He thought as he sighed, ready to give up. He walked towards the front of the room when a soft sensation tickled his leg. He looked down to find a small, white, and black striped tail peeking out of a drawer.
'Impossible! No way he'd fit inside such a small space,' he thought before hastily opening it, surprised to see the weretiger had fallen asleep, his tail having appeared in his dreams. His ability wasn't always on his side, it seems.
'You fool, how could you have forgotten we were playing?' He thought, 'The audacity you display never ceases to irritate me.' He scoffed then pulled at Atsushi's tail, startling him to wake.
"Wuahh!-" He wailed as he was pulled out of the drawer. "Oh-you found me!" He giggled softly, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
"Of course I did. The spot you chose was simply too obvious." He stated, arms folded, unimpressed.
"Aww, was it really?" He asked, sorrowfully looking up at Akutagawa, "the kids at the orphanage never seem to find me."
"I presume that you play with them often?" Akutagawa questioned.
"No, they never wanna play with me..." Atsushi admitted.
"So then how is it you're so skilled at hiding?" He slipped.
"Well," he started, now looking down, "when they do find me, they only make fun of me or-" he sniffled, trying to hold back tears. Akuatagawa watched with a slight frown. "...or they hurt me..."
"What?" Akutagawa asked slowly, noticing the tears that prickled at the small boy's eyes.
"When they see me, they only try to hurt me so I hide." He clarified, "I-it's okay, though. I like being by myself," Atsushi lied as his voice broke, tears streaming down his face.
Akutagawa already knew about the headmaster, how he'd abused Atsushi, how he'd torture him and use him in ways that nearly compared to Mori. Although, seeing who was truly being affected, Atsushi admitting his woes as if they weren't enemies, stirred something antique in the mafioso. Something he hadn't felt since he protected those orphans so long ago in the streets, how he'd witness them get beat and killed and starved and die of hypothermia. The sight of Atsushi crying and even trying to seem like he wasn't so clearly wounded by it, it made Akutagawa's blood boil.
He hesitantly brought his hand down to rest on the tiger boy's head. He gently caressed his hair as Atsushi quieted.
He whispered quietly, surprising even himself, "Everything will be okay."
Atsushi calmed at his promise, eyes still glistening, but he wiped his tears.
"Thank you, mister."
Once his vision finally cleared, a small light caught his eye. The window reflected the sky just right, causing a ray of sun to cast onto the couch. Atsushi, as if on instinct, ran towards the light. Akutagawa startled as he watch him jump at the couch, arms out in an attempt to catch the ray in his grasp. A loud 'riiip' was heard when he finally reached the target.
Akutagawa ran over in an attempt to see what had happened. Next to where Atsushi stood, four small claw marks were visible on the bottom of the couch.
'The tiger's ability must've acted on its own. How fascinating.' He thought as he admired the attack. The agency was sure to blame Akutagawa for this, especially that blonde irritable one. He knew to be prepared for whatever payment the agency would ask for the damage, but he pushed the thought of the future away. As Akutagawa stared in awe, Atsushi stared in fear. He was snapped out of his trance as he heard the boy begin to cry.
"What-what is it?" He asked, confused.
"I-I'm sorry! I'm so s-sorry!" He breathlessly sobbed between words. He held his head in his hands, snot and tears pouring down his face. He fell to the ground in pure agony.
Akutagawa stared at the sight. It was a small scratch, really. It was noticeable, but surely the Agency would be lenient on Atsushi.
"I'm really sorry mister-really, please, don't hurt me!" He begged, voice cracking as his words were illegible.
"No-why would I hurt you? I was ordered to protect you, you idiot. No one's going to hurt you, weretiger." He assured, but his weeping did not leave. Akutagawa lowered to his knees to be on Atsushi's level. He perceived this reaction was cause of the headmaster. Who knows what kind of punishment an act like this would've gotten him. There was no hope behind the Jinko's cries, not an ounce of doubt that he was going to be brutally punished in some way. To have experienced such abuse at such a young age, the thought of it made his eyes soften and his hands lay upon the boy's shoulders.
"Listen to me, Atsushi, I'm not going to hurt you."
"B-but the couch-I didn't meant to really-"
"I said it's fine, no one's mad at you. I know you didn't mean it."
"What about the headmaster?!" He realized, "He's going to punish me for this-please just hit me or beat me or something, please anything but him! Don't bring me back there!" He pleaded as he pulled his hair in panic, his eyes wide with fear.
He knew it was foolish, to promise such a thing. It truly meant nothing, after all. Atsushi was safe, in the Agency. The headmaster was dead, the orphanage no longer his worst enemy. Yet he still felt the need to assure Atsushi,
"You're never going back there, again."
"B-but the headmaster, and-'
"I won't let you. For as long as I'm here I won't let anything bad happen to you, are you hearing me?"
"I don't understand, I'm so confused, who are you?! Why aren't you hurting me?Why...?" He asked, "Why are you being so nice to me?!" He demanded pathetically.
Akutagawa didn't have an answer, to any of his questions. Who was he really to Atsushi? Could he truly call himself his enemy after the way he'd played and promised and stroked his hair in comfort? 'Could I kill him after this?'
As to why he wasn't hurting him, well he was ordered to, of course. He was only here on Dazai's orders. But the more he thought about it the more he realized how similar they were. Atsushi, so helpless in the orphanage, struggling every day to live in peace. Then Akutagawa, who lived his life in the slums, trying so desperately to help his found family. Both so deprived of hope and hospitality. So derived of family and care. While Akutagawa had Gin and the orphans he looked out for-who did Atsushi have? Orphanages were meant to be family, a place to help people, how could it have turned out this way?
He thought, if their circumstances were any different, maybe, just maybe, they could've lived slightly normal lives. What if Atsushi hadn't been brought to the orphanage and had been with Akutagawa? Would his ability have saved those kids who Akutagawa couldn't, or would Atsushi have perished along with them?
Or if Akutagawa was in the orphanage, could he protect him? Would he save him from the fate of torture, or would he be beaten along with him?
It hurt him to think about how if he had found Atsushi sooner than he had, under different conditions, they wouldn't have to be like this. The promise he made to defeat him in a few measly months, the way he'd wounded and nearly killed him countless times, 'Did I really do that...for Dazai? What was I hoping to accomplish? The man who stands before me was never my enemy,' he realized, 'he was my parallel.'
As Atsushi sat there, sobbing into his hands, body filled with fear and doubt, doubt in himself and the world, Akutagawa thought, 'Why am I being so nice to you? What is it about you that pulls at my heart and makes me ache for you?' The answer slowly came to him as he responded.
"Because we're allies."
"What?" His head turned up.
"Don't make me spell it out for you, Jinko," he started, "we're more alike than I thought. You were never my enemy, and truthfully, I don't know why I ever thought you were." He stated, admitting more to himself than he was to the boy.
Atsushi sniffled as he wiped his tears from his face. He looked at Akutagawa with big eyes, full of intrigue and future.
Akutagawa stayed staring at him, he added, "I promise that no matter what, I'll fight by your side," he said shakily, "I won't let my fear or envy get in the way, and I won't let my greed for praise cause you any more harm.." he hesitantly attached, "because I know now that it was never about you. You don't deserve it, you don't deserve any of it."
His throat felt tight, like someone had tied a noose around his neck in attempt to hang him for his crimes. He probably deserved it, anyway. For the senseless killing, the unnecessary hurt he'd caused, and the belief that he needed approval that he'd built himself upon. He deserved nothing but hurt and the coldness of the streets that he'd grew up on. He deserved cold yet he felt warmth wrap around him and squeeze tightly. He felt his small hands grip at his coat, his face buried in his chest.
'I don't deserve this, your warmth. You've been so hurt yet you still keep going, keep giving. You give more love than you were ever given, why? Why are you so good? And how did I ever hate you for that?'
Akutagawa very hesitantly extended his arms and gently wrapped them around Atsushi. After everything, he deserved this hug more than he did. Despite how uncomfortable and foreign the action was to the both of them, they both knew the other needed it. They sat there for a while, basking in each other's warmth before Atsushi began to fall.
He had fallen asleep on Akutagawa, what a fool he was. His head rested in his lap, face still wet with tears he'd forgotten to wipe. Akutagawa smiled ever so slightly as he lightly stroked Atsushi's hair. 'Thank you,' he thought, 'Thank you for existing.'
-----
When the Agency finally retreated from their mission, their jaws were agape to find the young Atsushi fast asleep on an also sleeping Akuatagwa. Dazai instantly pulled out his phone upon seeing the sight to capture the moment.
"Awwwww! Looks like they got along!" Dazai cooed whilst snapping way too many photos.
"This is...quite the sight," Kunikida stated in awe, squinting to make sure he was seeing right.
"Are you sure this is safe? Them being that close to each other-especially with Atsushi being so young?" Junichiro asked in worry.
"Of course, I made sure Akutagawa would keep him safe-and look at them don't they just look as snug as a bug in a rug?"
"I mean, I guess," Yosano said, slightly surprised herself.
"Hey, what happened to the couch?" Ranpo asked.
"What?" Kunikida's eyes followed to where Ranpo was pointing, four small claw marks on the bottom of the couch near Akutagawa and Atsushi. "GRRR THAT AKUTAGAWA! I SWEAR I'M GONNA-"
"Shhh! You're gonna wake them, Kunikida!" Dazai whisper shouted as he moved around to get different angles.
"Ugh, can you just touch Teruko and Kyū so we can get this over with?" He asked in annoyance at Dazai's bubbly attitude.
"Yeah, why did you even wait to get here when you figured out that you could just use No Longer Human to cancel out their abilities?"
"Because," he smiled deviously, as he does, "I wanted to see this!" He held out his arms to display the sight as if they weren't already looking at it.
"Just get on with it," Teruko demanded.
"Okay, okay," Dazai walked up to Teruko and Kyū and activated No Longer Human, canceling out both their abilities. As expected, a light flashed and Atsushi was back to normal in an instant.
Although, he was still asleep, comfortably on Akutagawa's lap. Dazai giggled, whipping out his phone once more to capture an even better moment.
Kunikida groaned, "can someone go wake them up?"
"I'll do it!" Ranpo offered, knowing it would be quite the show.
"Nah, how about we just let them wake up when they're ready, they clearly need the rest," Dazai suggested, and they hesitatly agreed.
A couple hours later Atsushi awoke to find his head rested on a soft black fabric-definitely not his pillow. He pushed himself up with his arms, meeting face-to-face with none other than Akutagawa.
"WHAT?!" His face turned red instantly, startling Akutagawa from his sleep. Atsushi jumped up, "Why is he here?!" He screeched, Akutagawa also stood defensively.
"I was ordered here by Dazai, if you must know-do you really forgot what happened to you?"
"I-uhh..." He tried to remember, to no avail. "What happened?"
Dazai chimed in, "You were turned into a kid, mind and body. I called Akutagawa over to come watch you while we worked on a case," he said cheerfully.
"WHAT? Akutagawa watched me?!"
"Yes, and it seems you two got along pretty well," he snickered.
"Grrrr, Akutagawa, get out!"
"You don't tell me what to do, weretiger!"