Work Text:
"I told you not to tell them!"
“Oh come on, I didn’t know that would happen.” Naomi waves at Akutagawa’s desk, or rather under it.
The average person would think it to be a normal dark space with nothing to hide. However, a careful look would reveal the whites of someone's eyes.
“They literally went on a Port Mafia raid a month ago and fought the White Reaper to the death. They’re definitely not ready to hear that they’re ‘obviously best friends’!” Junichiro is almost violently swinging around his arms.
“I would never be acquainted with someone like the Tiger,” Akutagawa helpfully adds.
“See?”
“First off, they didn't actually kill each. And second, if they're such mortal enemies,” and Naomi rolls her eyes so hard he's shocked they don’t get stuck. “Then why are they meeting once a week for tea?”
Akutagawa speaks again, voice showing annoyance that no one sees their vision. “I am collecting intelligence to better understand how to vanquish him in battle.”
“And knowing that he likes four sugar cubes in his tea will help?”
“Yes.”
Before Junichiro can spit out his rebuttal, Kunikida marches through the door. He crosses his arms, his glare silencing the heated debate. “What the hell is going on? Why isn’t anyone working?”
“Because Naomi keeps—”
Naomi smushes Junichiro’s face with her hand. “Akutagawa-san likes the White Reaper!”
Kunikids chokes. “WHAT?”
“That is slander and I do not appreciate its malicious spread.”
“Why are you down there?”
“They're in denial.”
“I am very uncomfortable with these false allegations, Naomi.”
Kunikida is silent for a moment, then: “You’re avoiding your paperwork.”
Akutagawa doesn’t answer. Instead, they close their eyes, hiding the whites and blending into the darkness.
“I CAN SEE YOU DUMBASS!”
“Oda-senpai. What training exercises have you prepared for me this week?”
Oda blinks, then looks over to his charge. They’re currently in the produce aisle of a supermarket, each holding a basket of groceries for the week. “Good question.”
He hums, pointer finger to chin. “How about this? You have a week from tomorrow to ask Nakajima-kun out to the arcade.” He compares two apples, behaving as if his request hadn’t devastated their very being, leaving them a decayed husk.
“Oda-senpai. That is impossible.”
“I won’t spar with you until you report back that it’s done.”
Akutagawa stares, waiting for the punchline just in case. But their mentor’s face remains as impassive as ever. “Then I shall run away.”
“You won’t.”
They sigh. “I will not.”
He squeezes their shoulder, warmth spreading from where his hand rests. “It’s good to nurture your friendships, Akutagawa-kun.”
They want to push back, but refrain from it. They’d be hard pressed to admit it, but spending time with the Tiger has been…pleasant. Though asking him to go to another location is a rather tall order.
But…they have Gin in their life again. They’ve discovered new things about themself, aspects they never would have thought to consider on the streets. And they drink tea with the Tiger every week without fail, occasionally with Kyouka as well.
So maybe this task will end up just as fulfilling in the end.