Work Text:
Atsushi didn’t know how these feelings came to be. Perhaps it was the time Akutagawa welcomed him into the Armed Detective Agency, or the time after office hours and Akutagawa gave Atsushi his umbrella, then ran away in the rain. Not noticing that they were going in the same direction to the Agency dorms. Watching the back of Akutagawa's wet coat, feeling a mix of "He's so cool" and "what a fucking idiot."
Or the time they were walking to their case on a bridge, and Atsushi dropped his phone into the water. Akutagawa stared at Atsushi’s sullen face for a few seconds before he gave him a quick ‘I’ll get it” and dove into the water. Atsushi yelped and rushed to the railing, to try to seek the sight of a drowning Akutagawa. He did not expect an Akutagawa that was grinning at him, His hair was wet and sticking to his face, holding a wet phone in his arms. Showing it off proudly.
The way the light hit the water on Akutagawa's face and the rare look of him grinning led to the conclusion.
It was undeniably a very handsome sight.
It took a few moments to get Akutagawa back up but eventually he was face to face with a shivering man and a destroyed phone.
Atsushi smiled at him, thanked him with red cheeks and pocketed the phone. Not caring to tell him that it was probably already done for. Instead he offered to go back to the dorms for Akutagawa to change only to be refused and said that they had to finish their case.
“Where are you going?” Akutagawa asked, his fingers following a non-existent beat on the cafe table.
"Just a croissant," Atsushi said, lingering a second too long. In the bustling cafe, he could still smell the damp fabric of Akutagawa's coat from the incident at the bridge, "Sure you don't want anything?"
Akutagawa didn't look up, but his tapping stopped, "Just the target."
Atsushi sighed. The target was a stray cat that had been terrorizing a local baker by running away. It was a domestic, boring job. Not that Atsushi was complaining, but with Akutagawa sitting across from him. Atsushi's heart is mistaking it for a high risk mission.
A warm croissant was placed gently on a white porcelain plate, he took careful steps bringing it back to their table.
He placed it gently in the middle of the wood, hoping to get Akutagawa’s attention with the gentle scent.
Akutagawa glanced at it briefly, only to look back at the window. Watching the bakery across the street.
“You can take a bite if you want.”
Akutagawa shook his head again, “I’m watching for our target.”
Atsushi frowned, bringing the plate closer to himself.
Lucky kitty.
Getting all of Akutagawa’s attention.
He grabbed a knife that was placed in a row with all the other utensils. Using a bit more force than necessary to slice the croissant in half. Watching the hot chocolate filling drip onto the plate.
Eventually they did get the cat, from some gentle coaxing by Akutagawa behind a smelly dumpster. And Atsushi helped by watching intently when the cat jumped to Akutagawa’s lap.
He stood there, arms crossed, watching with a growing scowl as the cat circled twice and made itself right at home on Akutagawa's lap.
Akutagawa looked paralyzed, his back hitting the brick of the alleyway.
"We got him," Akutagawa announced, his voice stiff but carried a layer of fondness underneath.
"I see that," Atsushi snapped, the words coming out a little sharper than he intended.
He should have been happy. The mission was over. But instead, all he could notice was the way the kitty was kneading its claws into Akutagawa's damp trousers.
Traitorous furball, Atsushi thought, glaring at the cat. He was the one who bought the croissant. The one who worried about pneumonia. And the cat just walks up and decides it has all the right to sit on the man's lap.
"We're leaving," Atsushi decided, reaching down to grab the cat by the scruff. "You're shivering too much to carry him."
"I am fine-"
"No you're not!" Atsushi rolled his eyes, his cheeks flushed from the cold air and pure unadulterated envy.
As he hauled the disgruntled cat into his arms. He felt a tiny bit of victory. Until Akutagawa was already standing up, smoothing his coat and looking back toward the street, his attention was already drifting away again. Away from Atsushi.
Atsushi frowned and followed him into the back entrance of the bakery.
The warm bakery air hit Atsushi in the face. It was heavier than the cafe. More solitude, there were only a few people in the building.
The baker came out of the kitchen, immediately laying his eyes on the grey cat in Atsushi’s arms.
“Cookie! I was so worried!” The baker rushed towards Atsushi, putting the tray of delicious pastries on the counter to carry the grey cat in his arms.
Atsushi gladly gave the cat to him, watching the baker tread his fingers through the cat’s fur.
“We found him by the dumpster nearby,” Akutagawa spoke beside him.
The baker’s grin widened as he gave them a “be right back,” rushing towards the cash register. The cat was in one of his arms while he waved a small coupon in Akutagawa’s face.
“As a thank you!”
Atsushi smiled, watching Akutagawa hesitantly take the coupon, eyeing the writing on it. Atsushi took a peek. A specific ‘Couples Coupon’ stood out in pretty, red font.
Akutagawa sighed, “Sorry but we-”
“No!” Atsushi snatched the coupon from his hands, blushing, “Thank you very much.”
The baker nodded as he waved them goodbye, Atsushi gave him a grin, grabbing Akutagwa’s hand, leading him out of the bakery.
Atsushi took a careful glance up to Akutagawa, who seemed to be oblivious, now used to Atsushi’s outbursts. He let out a breath and let go of Akutagawa’s hand.
Atsushi mulled over what he could say. Eventually he came to a saying, Dazai-san would often say. Atsushi bit his lip. Wondering how he could use it.
The streets were empty, as Akutagawa and Atsushi walked side by side. Atsushi took a long, heavy look at the coupon in his hand before putting it in his pocket.
Oh well.
“It’s so cold. I think you’ll have to warm me up.”
Akutagawa frowned, "Didn’t I tell you to bring a jacket this morning?"
Atsushi stopped in his tracks, sighing as he knelt down and grabbed the pocketknife hidden in his boots. In a second he stood back up, turned around and pinned Akutagawa to the brick wall. His nose briefly touched Akutagawa’ lips as the silver knife scraped against his throat.
“I said.” He hissed, “You have to warm me up.”
Akutagawa blinked, showing no reaction to the knife against his throat, “Yeah. Ok, I'll buy you a jacket.”
“No!” Atsushi stepped back, his cheeks reddening. The pocketknife was still in his hands as Akutagawa took a brief glance at it, “Never mind! I’m not even cold anyways.” He huffed out.
Atsushi turned around and started walking away.
“What? You just said-”
“I said never mind!”
Atsushi walked faster than he usually would. Wanting to get out of this embarrassing situation. Except he stopped, frozen when a body enveloped him in a hug. A nose traced his ear as a warm breath landed on his neck.
Atsushi felt his entire body go red. His limbs are weak now, burning.
“Is this good?” Akutagawa carefully probed. Hesitant. Caring.
Atsushi let out a sharp breath.
“Yeah. It’s good.”
Akutagawa nodded, “That’s good.”
Atsushi, mesmerized by the ground, smiled.