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It has been two hectic weeks since Akutagawa’s last shower, Tomoki grew progressively apprehensive about the boy’s health by the day. He knew his fears, his insecurities, those that were secured away by his ability, Rashomon, it granted him the power to manipulate any piece of clothing into a black-reddish beast. Obviously, his most vulnerable moment would be when he’s deprived of such fabric that essentially completes his soul. Tomoki knew he had to take action, he couldn’t stand watching his most precious person degrade themselves in such a manner.
“— Hey Ryu..I think we gotta talk.” — Tomoki calls in a steady but worried voice. Akutagawa looks at him, permanently staring at the tanned man with his empty black eyes that Tomoki adored so much. With little to no effort, or emotion, Akutagawa responds.
“— Hmm..? What is it Moki?”
“— It has been 2 weeks since you had a bath, you’ve been through a lot of missions, a lot of blood, sweat, dirt..I’m scared of you getting an infection , you know well of the effect of your lung-“
That’s when Tomoki’s speech was brutally interrupted by Akutagawa’s defensive harsh words.
“— I know damn well of my lung disease! I know of the risks! Don’t treat me like a damn baby Tomoki.”
“— I know you don’t like being vulnerable in the bath, without your special ability...just please.”-he plead with sadness in his voice.”— Just listen to me, I’m really worried about you, last time you caught a virus it was very difficult to help you!”-The tanned man’s hand accommodated Akutagawa's pale cheek in a loving and caring way.
The black haired man gazed at the wooden floor and sighs, he absolutely knew Tomoki was right, but there was no way his pride would let him verbalize such thoughts. He simply glances at him and nods in defeat, just to request something in a low quiet voice, almost inaudible to Tomoki’s ears.
“— Promise you’ll be with me..”
A small smile emerged on the other man’s face, a white straight smile, a great contrast in comparison to the sun kissed skin of his, even so it was a soft smile nonetheless.
“— Of course I can Ryūnosuke.”
Both of them plodded slowly, silently to the bathroom, Tomoki turns the faucet on, warm water fell from , splashing into the bath’s floor, filling it. While Akutagawa waited patiently, obediently sitted on top of the toilet lid, his partner ran around the house searching for fragrant soaps, those that old ladies give you thinking about your “wife”, unfortunately for them, that wasn’t the case.
Some minutes have passed, and Tomoki comes back with a caring smile and a warm low voice.
“— Come on..I’ll help you undress, don’t worry dear, I’ll be here.”
Akutagawa expresses his agreement in a small almost insignificant nod, though to Tomoki, that small gesture meant the world to him. It was obvious that the mafia man was nervous, insecure even about all of this. Yeah he had taken showers before, but it was constantly for a very short period of time, his coat permanently near him in case of an emergency.
He gasps softly upon feeling Tomoki’s soft and gentle hands aid him by undressing him of his coat, it was a strange but kinda comfortable emotion.
And one after the other Akutagawa standed only in his underwear, the final piece that divided his strength and independence from his vulnerable and weak self.
“— If you wish you can take that yourself.”-Said Tomoki warmly.
He does. Akutagawa standed in front of his boyfriend completely naked, uncomfortable, he hated feeling helpless, he hated needing protection, that wasn’t his true self: someone that needs aid, at least that’s what Akutagawa believes..
The mafia man proceed to submerge his skinny pale naked body in the warm water that filled the bathtub. He does get confused, Tomoki wasn’t undressing, he was simply on his knees outside the bathtub, behind him, that’s when Akutagawa forces himself to question the tanned man.
“— Are you..not joining?”
A genuine grin surged on Tomoki’s face, he was actually so happy to witness Akutagawa finally admitting that he cares about the company of the casino owner.
Tomoki happily deprived of his clothing, exposing his muscular sun kissed body, his nipple piercings reflecting the white bathroom light. He was quick to join Akutagawa inside the bathtub, just right on the opposite side, in front of him.
“— Cmon Ryu, I can’t wash your hair if you’re 3 kilometers away!”- Tomoki laughs softly, trying to lighten the mood. Akutagawa obeys him by moving next to the man, rotating so his back would land on Tomoki’s chest.
The bath finally began. It was a cozy moment for Akutagawa which was a surprise, he never even considered being vulnerable to someone, it’s even more bizarre him being okay with it. Tomoki massages his head, washing the dirt accumulated through those busy weeks in a calm manner. While helping Akutagawa bathe he sensed a shiver coming from the boy, obviously worried he lowers his head next to his ear and relocated his hands from his head to his shoulders.
“— Everything is gonna be okay Ryūnosuke, nothings gonna happen, and if something does end up frightening you, I’ll take care of it, okay? You’re safe with me, my darling.”
He ends his comfort with a soft kiss on his head.
It was a rare sight indeed but Akutagawa warmed up, his cheeks were painted in a soft pink, he drops his gaze to his naked body inside the water and in a small whisper he admits.
“— Thank you Tomoki.”
Akutagawa had a small, a really small smile on his face, he was still slightly uncomfortable but he knew he could trust Tomoki with his life, that fact that was the key for his next move, a move of love.
Akutagawa fully lays agaisnt Tomoki’s chest, and closes his eyes. The casino man smiled in return, wrapping his hands around the man’s stomach, and with joy, he gladly shut his eyes.
Both boys later slept comfortably, knowing that even in hard times, they had each other.