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Atsushi was determined, his clothes were ripped from a mind-numbing detective case, boring yet the norm. Although what he was doing now was definitely not ordinary. Atsushi walked down the street, his steps rigid and robotic, as if he were not supposed to be there, and truthfully, he was not.
The white-haired man crossed the street and arrived at his destination, the main hospital. He was here for one reason and one reason only.
To visit Akutagawa Ryunosuke.
Atsushi could only remember the incident in bits and pieces, though those pieces were detailed and fresh in his mind.
Atsushi and Akutagawa had been partnered up again by a smug Dazai on another cross-organization mission. The tiger could remember Akutagawa's expression at the news. His fearful gaze at Dazai quickly shifted into a glare at Atsushi. The mere thought of working with the tiger made the black-haired man sick with jealousy and rage.
The pair were tasked with capturing a Russian sea vessel containing illegal substances, meant to be sold to the city's inhabitants. It was dangerous, yet a simple mission in retrospect. Having fought many times on boats, even fighting each other, the duo had plenty of experience. It was harder than Atsushi thought it would be. The cartel had thrown more of a fight than expected, and Akutagawa was being a pain in the ass as usual. Although he was being even more unbearable today, he was constantly snapping and being violent. It was no surprise that the pair had done their job and conquered the ship, saving many Yokohama citizens from potential substance abuse. Basking in their glory, Akutagawa and Atsushi stood together. Atsushi was proud, while Akutagawa looked pissed as usual. Most times, at the end of their battles, the two would part with disgruntled respect and mutual hatred. Before they could say their classic lines, Akutagawa doubled over, clutching his chest and wheezing for air; he sounded like a cat puking a hairball. It all went so fast for Atsushi. The last thing he remembered of the moment was the other man's pitch-black eyes staring up at him, a silent plea in his dark eyes for anything. A look so against something that Akutagawa would ask, it was strange. Despite their history, Atsushi couldn't leave the man to suffocate; his soft heart wouldn't allow that.
.
Now he's in this predicament, visiting Akutagawa in the hospital after saving him. He could still flee this bound-to-happen awkward situation, right? He had good reason to. Akutagawa is the man who had abused Kyouka, tried to kill him, and hurt so many people. Yet Atsushi was drawn to him in ways he could never explain. Why did he care? Oh yeah. Dazai-San wanted a report on the mafioso’s condition from Atsushi himself, probably to taunt or verbally injure Akutagawa. The brown-haired man was his superior; the WereTiger could not refuse.
.
Atsushi walked through the hospital doorway, examining the white walls and front desk where the receptionist sat. The sounds of machines and ongoing treatments hurt his sensitive tiger ears. He felt out of place in the busy hospital in his casual work attire. Atsushi got up to the receptionist's stand and asked hesitantly.
“Excuse me, miss, do you know which room Akutagawa is in?”
The receptionist looked confused.
“I need a full name,” She replied plainly.
“O-oh! It's Akutagawa… Ryunosuke!”
The first name Ryunosuke felt weird on his tongue; Akutagawa would never approve of him saying his first name, it would disgust him.
The clerk nodded and began going through her computer. She clicked and typed a few letters, then responded.
“Room 367, 3rd floor.” Atsushi nodded.
“Thank you, Miss!” He scampered to the hospital elevator and pressed the third button. Tapping his foot against the floor, he was still unbearably nervous, and the tingle in his gut grew worse as he got closer to his destination. He stepped out of the elevator on his floor. The silver-haired man looked up, scanning the numbers above the rooms. That would take way too long! Instead, Atsushi used his tiger nose to smell out Akutagawa's room. The scent that followed the mafioso was distinct, due to his lack of bathing; Akutagawa often reeked of dirt and uncleanliness, and especially the metallic smell of blood. It clung to his hair like a second skin and allowed Atsushi to spot his room easily.
“Room 367, I really hope this is his room. I also hope he will be in a good mood.”Atsushi muttered, then corrected himself.
“Knowing him, probably not.” His hand drifted to the doorknob, but he stalled. I have to do this. Plus, I need to file my report to Dazai-San!
Atsushi pushed the door open. The odor of heavy machinery and the intense metallic smell of blood permeated the room, seeping into Atsushi’s nose and making the back of his throat tingle. The hospital room was warm and sunny; the sun peered through the windows from outside, making the white walls shine with cleanliness, and Atsushi’s nerves get worse. Akutagawa sat there in the hospital bed, staring at the sky and birds, the occasional beep of a heart monitor interrupting the bloody silence. A calm image indeed, one rare for The WereTiger to see, especially from The Rabid Dog himself. A good start so far; he doesn’t seem too angry. He certainly did not want to deal with an annoyed and jealous Akutagawa. Akutagawa glanced over to Atsushi,
“Weretiger?” Akutagawa's cat-like eyes shifted into slits at the sight of him. Atsushi could see the man's slight form; the hospital gown really showed off his fragile body and slender waist. Atsushi could even see his prominent collar bones, a place the white-haired man had never seen before.
“Weretiger, why are you here?!” Akutagawa demanded as Atsushi stood quietly, he was feeling the familiar anxiety creep up in his stomach.
“H-hey, Akutagawa. Uhm, how are you feeling?” Atsushi had to stay calm and collected; this was the only way to speak to a furious Akutagawa. Even with the barrel of insults expected, he must stay poised and not get frustrated.
“Never mind that! Tell me how you found my room! You are trying to slaughter me while I am weak!” Akutagawa hissed, Rashomon creeping out from underneath Akutagawa's blanket, ready to strike if needed.
“I just-... I was worried about you, okay?!”
“Why would you be worried about someone like me?!”
Atsushi was as confused as Akutagawa was enraged. How could he care about this bitter and violent man?!
Akutagawa went quiet. Then glanced out the window, clearly upset about something.
Atsushi looked over at the waiting chair, ready to sit down, but stopped himself. The dark-haired man's signature coat lay over it. He had thought the coat was lost in the battle, although it had been restored.
“Who brought your jacket?”
“And why should I tell you that, Weretiger!?”
“Maybe because, I don't know, I saved your life?! Why must you always be so difficult!” Akutagawa groaned, clenching his fists together.
“Chuuya-San delivered my coat to me this morning!” Akutagawa hissed, looking down at his thin hands, “Give me my coat this instant!” He demanded. Atsushi rolled his eyes at the urgent tone, but reached out and grabbed the jacket. The coat’s tangy metallic scent wafted in the air, making the silver-haired man shudder. Atsushi handed the coat over, and its owner laid it out on his lap, patting the jacket gently, smoothing out the wrinkles in its cloth design. Atsushi sat down in the visitor chair. He had never seen Akutagawa look so weak and defenseless. Atsushi never knew that the man was so thin. His coat usually defended his thin wrists and underweight body, but now, all he wore was a thin hospital gown that clung to his scrawny body, showing an unwanted truth carried for most of his life. Akutagawa spotted Atsushi glancing and swiftly pulled the blanket over himself to cover his physical weakness.
“So, how is the hospital stay so far?” Atsushi asked, trying to make small talk. It took a moment of silence for the black-haired man to respond.
“I don't like hospitals.” He replied coldly.
“Why?”
“They reek of weakness and insecurity.” Akutagawa turned his head and crossed his arms. The Were tiger knew hospitals did not smell like that, only Akutagawa did.
“How long until you get out?”
“They did not tell me, and if I did know, I wouldn't tell you.”
.
There was a pause. Atsushi didn't know what to say or what to do. He had really only come to see if Akutagawa was okay and to report back to Dazai.
“Why do you hate me?” Atsushi absently asked. Akutagawa gave him a sharp glare.
“You really asked that question? Answer it yourself, think deeply, you mongrel. For once, think about others rather than pitying yourself.”
That stung. Atsushi looked up at Akutagawa with a hurt expression. The black-haired man continued.
“See, you're doing it right now, as we are speaking.”
“So what if I pity myself? At least I don't lash out at others like you!” Akutagawas’ eye twitched.
“Why did you save me?”
Atsushi froze, his mind calculating an answer that would not piss Akutagawa off anymore.
“I don't know. I just remember that begging look in your eyes. I cannot ignore a look like that. Even if it's you.”He replied earnestly.
“Of course you would save a person like me. Would you save that enemy we faced if he had one pathetic pleading look in his eyes?”
This made Atsushi think,
“No, you're special.”
.
A faint redness floated to Akutagawa’s cheeks. An unfamiliar feeling made its way into his gut. Not the bliss of a compliment, but something fuzzy. The Weretiger spotted the slight pink flush on Akutagawa's fair skin; the sight gave him whiplash. He didn't know Akutagawa could blush.
“That's foolish, Weretiger. The agency must've taught you that idiotic mindset.”
Had the agency taught him to care for Akutagawa? Or perhaps it was his own naivety and need to save the weak and powerless. Did he imply that The Rabid Dog is weak? Perhaps so. Truly, he is weak, and this was just a wake-up call for The WereTiger, not to anyone else. Those who do not protect others do not deserve to live.
“Ouch!” Rashomon’s tentacle flicked Atsushi on the forehead before retreating to her master.
“Weretiger, stop zoning out.”
“Eh! Ah! Sorry!”
The flush on Akutagawa's cheeks had dissipated; his usual angry expression remained.
“I still do not understand why you saved me, nor did you tell me. You said I'm special, but what makes me special?”
The answer to that question was certainly something the dark-haired man would not enjoy hearing.
“Uh- that's a difficult question.”
“Answer it, Weretiger.”
Atsushi pondered; he needed a way to not make it sound weird.
“It's weird, you are special. The only enemy that I would ever save. Possibly because Dazai-san is so insistent on us working together.” Akutagawa's face darkened.
“Shut your trap, WereTiger! You only saved me because you are too pathetic to watch anyone die!”
Atsushi shut up and stood awkwardly. He didn't want to spoil Akutagawa's unusually docile mood. The dark-haired man glared at him with his big black eyes, his staring issue apparent. The hospital room was quiet, interrupted by the vibration in Atsushi’s pocket, which transitioned into a ring. The ringtone was unbearably annoying, cat noises that would never stop. His superior must’ve changed his ringtone to bother him. He grabbed his phone and glanced at the screen. Dazai’s face popped up on the screen. Dazai-san was calling? What could he want now? It didn't matter. Atsushi didn't return the call; he'd rather deal with this later. Taking on Akutagawa and Dazai at one time would be a total mess, along with their weird power dynamic. Something Atsushi would rather die than witness.
“Who is it?” Akutagawa asked from the hospital bed, cocking his head to the side, trying to see the phone screen. The WereTiger quickly clicked to decline the call.
“Just spam”
Atsushi paused, then continued speaking.
“I should get going. The agency is expecting me.”
“If you insist. Goodbye, Weretiger.”
Atsushi got up from his seat and began walking to the sliding. Something was wrong; he was definitely forgetting something. The white-haired man turned around to Akutagawa, his body on auto-pilot. He stalked up to Akutagawa's bed and put a hand on the dark-haired man's cold cheek. Atsushi's body leaned in and pressed his lips onto the other man’s. It felt strange, but natural, and Akutagawa did not push him away. The WereTiger closed his eyes as Akutagawa stared at his face. A few seconds of connection passed before the white-haired man pulled away to look down at the surprised Akutagawa.
Atsushi's eyes widened in shock. That was definitely crossing a line he had never thought of even approaching! Although Akutagawa did not have an explosive reaction as Atsushi thought he would. He kinda just stared at him in shock, not the usual glare, a stare. His large black pupils widened as he scanned The Were-Tiger’s face. The white-haired man retracted his hand and finally found his voice.
“A-ah! I'm so sorry! I-i definitely shouldn't have done that!” He stuttered and sputtered.
“You should get on your way; I have things to do.” Akutagawa crossed his arms.
“Y-yeah, you're right.”
Atsushi scampered to the sliding door, slid it open, and made his escape swiftly.
While walking down the hospital halls, he thought to himself, how could he just go kissing Akutagawa! This was disrespectful to the agency, Dazai, and especially Kyouka! Although he couldn't help these feelings, he would just have to resist them or wait for them to pass. It couldn't be that hard.
He didn't even get the guy’s phone number! Atsushi would have to ask for it when Akutagawa recovers or if he visits him again. He finally walked out of the hospital and began down the street. How would he explain what happened with Akutagawa? Dazai would obviously be curious; he was the reason he went to check on Akutagawa! He thought for a bit. He'd just not mention it; that would definitely work.
The Weretiger finally stepped in front of the agency and entered the building. He climbed the stairs and opened the office door. He had to report back to Dazai.
The brown-haired man was lazing on the couch, reading his cruel book, doing nothing as usual. Atsushi sat down beside him.
“Oh my dearest Atsushi-kun! How was your visit with little Akutagawa?”
“It was fine; he just needs time to recover.”
“Ohoho! Did anything special happen?” Dazai said smugly, grinning like he had won the lottery. He definitely had an idea of what happened and couldn’t hide his giddiness.
“Nothing really. He got angry a few times.”
“That's expected of itty bitty Akutagawa, isn't it? You cannot expect anything else from him, can you?”
“Yeah, I guess so.”
Atsushi rubbed the back of his head and yawned.
“I'm going to my room; I'm tired.”
“Heh, have a fun sleep ‘sushi,” Dazai said in a cheerful tone as he curled back up again on the couch. Atsushi crept into his room; he did not want to encounter anyone else. He already felt mentally exhausted from the whole kiss thing with Akutagawa, so when he got to his bed, the man collapsed.
He'd sleep it off; it was easier to deal with it tomorrow than ponder it today.