Work Text:
Atsushi hadn't been able to keep the smile off his face all morning, and everyone in the agency was starting to take notice.
"Did something good happen, Atsushi-san?" Tanizaki asked.
"He had a date last night," Ranpo explained as he opened a box of powdered donuts.
Dazai grinned and teasingly elbowed the younger detective in the side, "Good for you, Atsushi-kun."
"Thank you, Dazai-san," Atsushi beamed as a light tint of blush formed on his cheeks. He never thought that just a simple date could make him this happy, but ever since he got home last night, he couldn't stop himself from smiling.
Dazai propped his chin on his hand and asked, "So, what are they like?"
Atsushi twirled a lock of his hair between his fingers as he thought about his date. "He's kind even though he'd deny it if I said that to his face. He even listens to me when I start rambling about the book I'm reading." Atsushi always thought he was annoying when he started rambling about whatever book he was reading, but Chuuya would encourage him and even ask questions. "I know I haven't known him for very long, but I feel like I can let my guard down around him because he makes me feel safe." Which Atsushi knew was a weird thing to say, considering Chuuya was a Port Mafia executive.
"Sounds like you got yourself a keeper, Atsushi-kun," Dazai admitted fondly. He was glad that his mentee found someone he could be himself around, since after everything Atsushi had been through, he deserved nothing but happiness. Even after one date, there was a noticeable positive difference in Atsushi. Dazai hoped that the person who was the cause of it would continue to be the reason Atsushi smiled this brightly.
"I hope so," Atsushi whispered shyly. He didn't think it would be possible for him to connect with another person as much as he did with Chuuya. He was surprised to find out how similar they were. Atsushi was pulled from his thoughts when his phone started to ring. His heart fluttered when he saw who was calling, "Chuuya-san." Atsushi greeted him as he made his way out of the office.
Dazai blinked and turned to Ranpo.
"You don't need to be concerned. Mr. Fancy Hat has Atsushi's best interests in mind." Ranpo assured the brunet. If Chuuya had any bad intentions with Atsushi, he would've told Fukuzawa when they first started meeting up as friends.
"He'd better or else." Dazai asserted. Chuuya would be in a world of pain if he even thought about hurting Atsushi.
"Sorry about calling you at work, Atsushi."
"Don't be. I'm really glad you called." Atsushi expressed fondly. He had to bite his tongue to not say 'I missed you' since he didn't want Chuuya to think he was clingy and because he didn't know what the relationship between them was. Would it be too early to ask Chuuya to be his boyfriend or should he wait and see if the mafioso wanted to go on another date first?
"I was just wondering, are you free tonight?" Chuuya inquired.
"I am," Atsushi said, hopefully.
"Would you like to go on another date?" Chuuya wondered. He knew they just gone out the night before, but he honestly didn't want to wait a few days before asking him out again.
"I'd really like that." Atsushi beamed with excitement.
Chuuya sighed from relief. He didn't know why he had been more nervous about asking Atsushi out on a second date than he had been on the first one. "Great. How does seven sound to you? I'll text you the details about where we're going later." There was a small, intimate ramen place that Chuuya wanted to bring Atsushi to he just hoped he'd be able to make a booking at such short notice.
"That's perfect. I'll see you then, Chu-" Atsushi didn't get to finish what he was going to say when his phone was grabbed out of his hand. "Dazai-san!" Atsushi spluttered.
"You bastard! Give Atsushi back his phone." Chuuya demanded.
"I will when you tell me your intentions with Atsushi-kun," Dazai remarked calmly. He knew Ranpo said there was nothing to be worried about, but he needed to hear Chuuya's reason before he would acknowledge him dating Atsushi.
"Dazai-san, you can trust him," Atsushi insisted as he tried to get his phone back from the brunet.
"Nakahara." Dazai ordered in a warning tone.
"I care about him, okay? I promise I have no plans on hurting Atsushi or getting him involved in mafia business." Chuuya hated that he needed to be honest about his feelings with Dazai of all people, but for him to accept he was dating Atsushi, he would do it.
"And what if your boss had other plans?" Dazai asked with false cheerfulness.
"I don't betray those I care about," Chuuya promised. He respected Mori, but if he threatened Atsushi in any way, he wouldn't ignore it. Atsushi made him happy, and that was a feeling he wouldn't risk because of his occupation.
"Great, and do have him back at a reasonable time, slug. Atsushi-kun does have work tomorrow," Dazai declared. It did ease his mind that Chuuya would always have Atsushi's back when it came to Mori. Dazai ruffled Atsushi's hair before he handed back his phone.
"Thank you, Dazai-san." Atsushi expressed. It really did mean a lot that he was okay with him dating someone from the Port Mafia.
"You don't need to thank me, Atsushi-kun, but just know if he does ever hurt you, no one will ever find his body," Dazai assured him with a smile. He wasn't even sure who Chuuya should fear more if he ever harmed Atsushi, him, Kyouka, or Fukuzawa.
Atsushi was too shocked to speak, so he just nodded. He was still getting used to having people care about his well-being.
Chuuya chuckled, "Why can't he just say he cares like a normal person?" Atsushi and the rest of the agency were a good influence on the former executive.
"Dazai-san isn't good at expressing himself," Atsushi noted.
Chuuya snorted, "That's an understatement." He couldn't think of anyone worse at expressing themselves than Dazai.
"I'd better go back to work before Kunikida-san comes looking for me," Atsushi explained. He was surprised that the blond hadn't already. They were so behind on reports lately. "I'll see you later, Chuuya-san."
"Looking forward to it, Atsushi."
What Atsushi didn't expect after going back to his desk was being teased by Dazai and Yosano about dating Chuuya for the rest of his shift. Even Kunikida couldn't get them to stop.
Atsushi was sure his face was blushing mad, but he didn't care because it meant he had people who cared about him in his life.