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"Everyone get in!" You shouted, trying to push through defeaning sound of explosions.
As it turned out, Dazai's back up plan played out right - with no surprises there.
Atsushi was sent in first and knowing that, Akutagawa followed. After stubborn pair completed their task, you and Dazai showed up to back them up and took care of the exit.
"Youngsters in the back," detective said, taking rightful place within passenger's seat.
Car drove off with dreadful screech of tires as you hit the gas like your life depended on it.
And it did.
Before a cloud of smoke caused by various bombs could graze black shimmering paint of the vehicle, you were already heading down the street.
Inside it there was silence, given thrown in individuals. Four different people: one weretiger, one formerly devious demon prodigy, one enemy and you as driver, fellow detective and Dazai's partner in both work and life.
The situation was as tense as it could possibly be.
"I have a pick up point," Akutagawa said, deciding to break awkward silence first. Not surprising for Port Mafia member and a former mentee "I can be dropped off at the nearest turn."
You looked at him in mirror-view. He looked out of the window, face visibly stoic but nervous attitude. Most of all, as much as boy tried not to let it show, his arm was bleeding. There was a darkening stain on Akutagawa's coat.
"You're injured. Our house is nearby, let's get there first and after patching that thing up, you're free to do whatever."
Dazai's lips zipped shut in a thin line once these words escaped your mouth. Atsushi was no better - although his grimace was not as easy to hide.
"Is this some sort of joke? I need to make it to the point."
"Yeah, good luck with that." Atsushi crossed his arms and leaned his back against the seat "Once she just sets her mind on something, there's no way to change it up."
"Agreed. I would know the most about tha- Ouch!" Dazai's body jerked once sudden fist just bumped against him. Although there was no real force behind it, you still caught him by surprise.
Your boyfriend's gaze glanced right in your direction, eyes flickered with the silent 'Are you sure?'
You nodded back.
It was already risky to be inside the same car as member of enemy group. Another factor was your relationship with Dazai - list of people sharpening their knives specifically for him has only grew in numbers. These were all real threats to your own safety, if it weren't for the skills which flourished within the agency.
He looked along the stretching road as if in thought. After a moment of what seemed to be a live-time analysis of the situation, corners of his mouth just barely, yet still twisted upwards.
It seemed that grasp of things was finally understood, even if not fully by yourself.
Akutagawa glared at Dazai. Surely man could comprehend the urgency of things.
Alas, detective only shrugged "What she says goes. Even I can't stop it now."
Throughout the journey home, boy couldn't help but steal a glance towards directions of the driver and passenger seat. It wasn't first encounter with mysterious woman. In fact - either her or her and Dazai would appear on missions fairly often. But that wasn't the weird part.
What stunned Akutagawa the most was the sight of former mentor looking at you with that bizarre gentle glint within his eyes, when his body eased under your touch.
It seemed like truly pathetic display caused by allowing darkened heart to bond. Mafia could never lose sight of their loyalty and therefore unnecessary ties were always bound to bring despair.
Demon prodigy was sure to know that better than anyone sitting in this car, including current member.
Still, detective didn't reply further to your plans nor anyone made any comments during short drive home. Which actually seemed like a blessing in disguise - once muscles finally relaxed against the seat, exhaustion ensured.
After entering your flat, Akutagawa's eyes narrowed. Space looked cozy: couch in living room covered with pillows and blankets, fairy lights as well as overtaking smell of cinnamon.
Boy's shoulders tensed.
Forget the fighting and explosions - being here was the furtherst off his game that he could be.
Even that damn weretiger began to take his shoes off.
Dazai grabbed Atsushi's shoulders and swiftly pulled him towards the kitchen. You, on the other hand gave Akutagawa nod towards the hall. He followed you weirdly obediently for a destructive Mafia threat ticking like a bomb at the flat.
Black haired boy sat on top of bathroom counter.
"So, how did you manage to get a wound like that with your nifty power?"
Akutagawa squirmed.
"It's merely a cut, which shouldn't have happened in the first place. And to have it singled out, right in front of Dazai-"
You turned around to find first aid kit, feeling clench inside your chest.
You knew some facts about Osamu's past. All the vile and dark and twisted which seeped through the man even till this day.
All those parts your heart accepted, for they were parts that made the very being that you loved.
Yet you knew very little in regards to Dazai's ties with Akutagawa and knowing the mentoring nature of it, you could only expect why Osamu left this out for you.
"Atsushi gets hurt pretty often too," with soft voice free of judgement you looked through the cupboard, preparing the stuff to treat boy's wound "Though his ability just heals it right away."
"This only makes him reckless," Akutagawa scoffed "It's no accomplishment to simply throw yourself under the fire and wish it gives your life a drop of sense. That truly sickens me."
You sighed. Both of them on the battlefield was not a foreign sight. The good and evil, white and black, nourishment and destruction - they just couldn't comprehend that these opposite ends aligned within the same long spectrum.
One couldn't be without the other and this balance between light and darkness brought a perfect equilibrium among all the living creatures.
"You're right. He reminds me of one person I happen to know too."
With one swift grab you took the kit and placed the equipment on the counter beside him. Akutagawa hesitantly slid down his black coat and you made sure to roll up already crimsonly stained shirt as carefully as possible to not irritate the injury.
Boy had the same unmoving look upon his face, but muscles twitched once held.
"Has it ever crossed your mind that with painfully obvious lack in the defence and ability not skilled in combat, it could take one move to slice you in half?"
His tone was dry, but you only shrugged at empty threats outside of teenage mouth.
Of course Akutagawa was a killer - though it wasn't the first image currently inside your mind.
"That is correct again. Rashomon wouldn't struggle much with tearing me to pieces" hand soaked cotton pad in hydrogen peroxide "However, I think we both know that you won't go through with that. At least for next few months."
"How did you-" he hissed at sudden sting which took him by surprise "That weakling cat!"
Boy's body jerked and caused a rumbling somewhere behind.
"Careful there- I just bought that candle," cotton pad pressed deeper, making Akutagawa squirm just a bit more. This injury was nothing, yet somehow he just couldn't help but get awfully pissed about it "It wouldn't hurt so much if you stood still."
"You start to sound like Dazai. Forcingly patching me up yet doing that on purpose. Is it really about helping or do you just enjoy the torment?"
Sheesh, this was one dramatic lad.
Yet being so casually compared to your lover like that made heart flutter fast.
"While he is nowhere short on mystery, I doubt even Osamu likes the torment for the fun of it."
"You would be surprised. Don't act like you know all about him just because you share a flat."
Hands paused for a moment, but only for a moment. Akutagawa's attitude, although harsh, was not a complete lie.
There were many spots within the story you were presented to. That was a fact. The same as false security of naively believing face Osamu shown was truly genuine. Afterall, man's tender hands which held you tight during the night, brought pain and suffering at different time. They could fill you in with life and take another 3 heads down under the ground.
And still... There was no length that you could stop at, having Dazai in your heart. His joy, affection, nasty parts - what partner would dare claim to love yet push away the silent monsters of one's mind. People wanted fantasy, but it is nothing more than fleeting image.
To be real is to be true. Enjoy breathtaking laugh when the times are high and shatter down choking on tears when disaster strikes.
All these convoluted shards made a living human.
You resumed working around the wound. Scorching liquid cleaned his injury when you grabbed piece of bandage. Fortunately, in your house there was always enough.
"I don't know what you've been through. And it would be ignorant to even try assuming parts of that," you said, wrapping fibers around the cut. They clung to skin closely and put pressure on the wound "I know that you and Atsushi were thrown into this sort of life. Full of fighting, violence, bloodshed. While that doesn't make your actions right, I-..."
Akutagawa's leg anxiously bounced while swinging off the counter. For the very first and furiously uncomfortable time he felt this weird restless current coursing through the veins: making muscles shake and gather something foreign in the corners of his eyes.
"When I look at you, Atsushi, Kyouka - all I see are bunch of kids. It is what you are and it is adequate to call you that. Knowing this is ever-present order of things to deprive children of their right to exist freely... My very being disagrees with such cruel farce. That's the reason why I joined the agency: to help create a world where kids wouldn't be subjects to this painful fate simply to survive. I can't speak for Osamu, but I think he is more rational of man than trying to abide ideals. I get the feeling that is why whatever happened created what is now."
"I apologise," Akutagawa said once you stopped talking. His tone lacked former anger, which surprised you all the same "For questioning your attitude and knowledge."
"It's alright. A wise choice not to trust a declared enemy," with finishing touch you pulled on the bandage end "When Atsushi started visiting us frequently, his timid attitude seemed to open up. Considering how similar the two of you are, I just can't help but think wishfully of noticing a hopeful glint like that in your eyes too. Buuut, that's the kind of inner dreamer Osamu tends to laugh at now and then. How are the bandages, not too tight? Unfortunately, compared to your former mentor, my skills lack in the department."
Boy moved his arm around, testing the restraint. When pressed against his skin. The force brought peaceful wave of comfort. In a way it almost felt like hug.
He gently smiled.
"It's done correctly. Thank you, mom."
Before you could react, a heavy slam on a handle behind made the doors spread open.
You quickly turned around and saw Atsushi's face almost greet the floor with full on might, until Dazai grabbed boy's white shirt and quickly pulled him back behind him.
Figures.
Somehow the idea of two dorks eavesdropping didn't seem to stun you at all.
Unfortunately, the same didn't apply to Akutagawa - his eyes were wide open and even if not visible for you, pale face drowned in red.
"Sorry guys~" Dazai waved his hand with obnoxiously faked innocence "You were taking such long time that we managed to prepare the dinner."
"You mean I prepared the dinner, Dazai. Please come back to the kitchen," Weretiger turned to you "He got to the cleaning cupboard under sink and wondered if the sauce would have a better taste after pouring there a glass of bleach!"
"Hold right there, Atsushi-" Dazai gasped dramatically, seeing pair of disapproving female eyes staring right into his soul "Twisting truth is unbecoming of the Armed Detective Agency member. This was not a glass but a mere container screw cap. Anywayyy! Lacking bleach and cold wouldn't do the justice to a carefully made meal. Get a move on."
With the loud mouths steering away from the room, it took you a moment to turn again to Akutagawa.
Seems like many things can happen within a minute. He went from genuine to flustered and now miserably wiping off the tears that couldn't stop rolling down boy's eyes.
He couldn't comprehend the reason, but his chest burned with no trace of a wound, yet resembling sharp and forceful stabs.
Akutagawa's breath picked up pace and he could only hold the fabric with strong grip. This shame, embarrassment and bizarre daunting squeeze that threatened to destroy him whole.
When has he ever fell victim to experiencing emotions?
He inhaled a huge gasp of air, when suddenly a pair of arms just wrapped around him, pressing head against a shoulder.
"You are okay..." female voice soothed and he could only sit there helplessly like a rug doll "Everything is going to be fine. You are safe here."
Eventually the caress on his hair made sobbing ease, as if a ripple made one last wash against the coast before returning back to ocean.
You ruffled his hair once more before finally pulling away.
"I will hold them off, so that you can stay here and calm down." You gave him a small smile and slowly left the bathroom, ready to clear up the mess that probably became of kitchen.
Akutagawa stayed there, jumping off the counter and taking look into the mirror. It was a relief that the image there still resembled him. Although with puffy eyes and reddish discolour of his pale face. He splashed it with cold water and took a deep, refreshing breath.
He was okay and he was safe.
✦ . ⁺ . ✦ . ⁺ . ✦
After all of you were full on averagely good meal Atsushi prepared, it was a time for peaceful slumber.
Weretiger threw a blanket on the couch beside his enemy.
"Although that doesn't seem like danger to you in the slightest, she said it was late and you should stay the night. Since you are wounded one, I can take the futon on the floor."
"Just who you're calling wounded, Weretiger!"
Before the glint of Rashomon could glare within the living room, Dazai broke oncoming fight.
"It is a neutral area, but any damage done while we're asleep will be taken off both your paychecks."
Surprisingly, with statement like that, none initiated any further brawl.
Dazai caught your hand and walked along the hall until reaching the bedroom.
He leisurely bit his lip, visibly amused.
"As genius as you consider my mind, this couldn't be how far it reached to think of something like that. You really are a blessing," with a gentle smooch, Dazai closed the doors.
You never had a family. Nothing coming close that sparked 'mine' within your heart.
So seeing that one awkward, tortured white haired boy and enemy, so deadly and yet still so naively young just peacefully prepare to sleep as a fresh memory in mind - it was impossible not to cause a smile.
Maybe this twisted life was not at all bad.