Work Text:
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“Atsushi, there’s a new set of boxes that came in yesterday. Can you distribute it in the shelves?” Kunikida said for the 3rd time around, when Atsushi was just about to take a seat in one of the couches inside their rest room. He halted and let out a small, “Sure.” Before heading on their stock room. The faint sound of him muttering the word made it look like he’s opposing the favor, but Kunikida didn’t mind because he also has something to do and they’re in a tight schedule. When Atsushi was about to reach the doorknobs, it opens and revealed a person holding a large box. Atsushi was startled, but he immediately felt irritated by the sight.
“Looks like we’re slacking off here, huh?” Akutagawa provoked, his head popping on the side of the box; with a smirk that made Atsushi annoyed more. Atsushi clicked his tongue and rolled his eyes. He made his way around the older, not paying attention towards him at all. It’s not like he’s avoiding him or what, it’s just that Atsushi is not in the mood to have another verbal fight with his partner.
Their stock room expands all the way from the back, given the fact that their establishment is one of the largest book-selling stores in the Yokohama. With also having the huge amount of personnel in the building. And that makes Atsushi and Akutagawa see each other every day.
The Philautia bookstore was the place where the two of them met, and how their relationship formed.
====
“That is not where you’re supposed to place it, how many times do I have to tell you?”
“Well maybe if you just teach me properly and politely, you wouldn’t get stuck here with me!”
Atsushi said almost whisper-shouting towards the least favorite staff member of his, named Akutagawa Ryuunosuke. Akutagawa was assigned to teach Atsushi the basics of labelling different books on their designated areas in both the shelves for their books in the front and library in the back. Atsushi is not a slow learner, but the way Akutagawa just told him all the information in one day, and expecting him to adjust to it the next day, is making Atsushi agitated.
He lets out an annoyed grunt and snatched the wrong book he placed at the upper shelves, almost tip-toeing. But given that he’s kind of annoyed, he lost his footing and lost his balance.
His butt landed on the solid concrete below, the impact muffled the sound by the black carpet. Atsushi groaned, cursing under his breath. “What are you even doing?” Atsushi looked up and glared at the older, “None that concerns you.” he said bluntly. Akutagawa just coughed and crouched down, now in eye-to-eye level of Atsushi. Few meters apart.
“Then get up.” Akutagawa said, Atsushi was sure at first that he looks like he was going to be assisted by Akutagawa for standing, but then Akutagawa just reached the scattered books on the side of Atsushi and left.
And that made Atsushi wanted to punch himself. What is he expecting? He clenched his fist and he helped himself to get up, only being knocked on the side of the shelves, wincing in pain.
Ah, great.
His ankle is throbbing in pain and can’t even manage to move it. “Are you okay?” he looks up, startled at the other. “I thought you left?” he asked, confusion in his voice. Akutagawa examined him for a moment, and then walks towards Atsushi, placed his hands on the latter’s small waist to assist him in walking.
“I’m fine-“
“You can’t even walk and you call that fine?”
Atsushi stayed silent and let himself be carried away by Akutagawa.
====
After that incident, Atsushi can’t walk for a few days and was given a different type of work inside the staff room. Which is checking receipts, orders and scheduled deliveries of the store. This was supposed to be the work of Ranpo and Yosano, but because of his injury, they swapped for a while.
And also, after that incident, Akutagawa often visits him almost every hour or any chances possible he can get to visit Atsushi. Sometimes he has food and they’d eat together, sometimes Akutagawa just checks him out of nowhere an d watches him do his agenda across the room. It’s not like Atsushi is uncomfortable, he actually finds it relieving that he has someone inside the room.
When Akutagawa went inside the room one Wednesday afternoon, he found the younger asleep, papers scattered around that had been blown away by the fan. Akutagawa let out an exasperated sigh, but decided to pick up everything on the floor.
He saw Atsushi sleeping with his arms as a pillow, head facing his right side . With him being this peaceful and beautiful, Akutagawa can’t take his eyes off of him. His pale but silk face, long lashes in the shade of grey, the same color of his hair, and his plump and small pinkish lips. Without realizing, he’s been caressing his cheeks and removing some hair strands that’s in the way of Atsushi’s face.
A beat.
Akutagawa held his chest, thinking if did he just had a mini heart attack? What was that?
====
Atsushi chews his food while looking at the person beside him. Akutagawa. “I don’t remember that you’re stationed here. Why are you here again?” he asked for the nth time. It’s not like he’s complaining, he also gets free food whenever Akutagawa is in here. But Atsushi can’t figure the reason why because his ankle was already healed when he injured himself a few weeks ago, there’s no reason to still keep coming in here.
“I don’t like having lunch with Higuchi and the others. They’re loud.” Akutagawa explained in the most straightforward way possible. Atsushi raised his brows and glanced at Dazai and Kunikida having another episode of bickering, Yosano watching murder videos on her laptop, Ranpo talking on Tanizaki about sweets and gives suggestions for his sister’s preferences of sweets. Atsushi looked back on Akutagawa, “And you call this quiet?” he just heard a small hummed by the other.
“Atsushi-kun~ Can you help me sort these books listed here on the shelv- oh hey Akutagawa. You’re here again for the fifteenth times in a row now. What brings you here?” Dazai broke the silence between the two who’s casually and quietly eating. He handed Atsushi the paper(that Atsushi examines)and took a chair somewhere and sat between them.
And now he’s looking at the both of them. “Dazai-san… this is supposed to be your work-- uhh what are you doing?” Before Atsushi can even finish his sentence, he saw Dazai smiling at him. “I sense something.”
“Something what?”
“Something… unusual.”
Atsushi can’t really understand how Dazai’s mind work. He can never read him at all. “Anyways! Make sure to sort those books. The shelves are hidden, Akutagawa can take you there. See ya~” and with that, Dazai sneaks out of their office and went out somewhere Atsushi doesn’t even bother to know about.
====
Atsushi was at awe when they’ve reached the place, tall shelves and a lot of thick books that looks branded and new, the smell of paper and parchments is sending Atsushi crazed about the aroma. The books Dazai asked to be sorted about are the ones that something like some of the customers should discover, like a challenge. And they’d give it for free if found one. Atsushi made some sound when looking around the place, only to be given a silent atmosphere.
He glanced at Akutagawa, who’s quietly placing the books. He seems a lot quieter than the usual. And by the means of a LOT quieter, it’s unusual. There are times when Akutagawa will try to mess with Atsushi when being shown new things, or just provoke him for being an idiot. But this particular day, Akutagawa is different.
“Hey, Akutagawa.”
“Huh?”
“The books are on the other side- seriously what are you doing.” Atsushi snatched the remaining books on Akutagawa’s hands and he started to re-arrange their positions. Honestly, Akutagawa’s mind floating somewhere is not making Atsushi at ease. He senses that something’s bothering him, and it also made Atsushi worry.
As he was doing his agenda, Atsushi felt a warm and slender-fingers on his left-cheeks, somewhat caressing it. He flinched, making him stop his movement. He slowly averts his eyes on Akutagawa, who has a different look on his face—something Atsushi really finds unusual. It was soft- the gaze that looks at him passionately.
He can hear their heartbeats syncing with each other, eyes locked staring on each’s pupils. “Don’t.. frown like that...”
A beat.
Atsushi’s expression changes from being irritated one, to slowly softening and relaxing his face. Akutagawa moved his hands again to touch every feature of Atsushi, from his brows, down to his cheeks, and brushing his thumbs on Atsushi’s lips.
“Wh- what are you doing- Akutagawa-“
Akutagawa held his waist to pull him closer, gently placing a kiss on Atsushi’s lips.
Atsushi on the other hand, was taken back but didn’t broke the kiss nor step back. His mind tells him to ‘move!’ but his heart tells him to ‘stay’. And by his mind and heart contemplating on each other, it resulted on him having a blank mind. Atsushi stayed still, his lips trembling a little.
When Akutagawa realized what he was doing, he lets go his grip on Atsushi’s waist and decided to break out from the kiss, but Atsushi did not allow him to. He pulled Akutagawa by his nape that made them closer again and started to wrap his arms on Akutagawa’s shoulders.
The kiss didn’t last that long but it felt like it was one of the greatest thing Atsushi has ever received in his life. The way he feels an imaginary butterflies on his stomach, and his cheeks blushing in bright red. When they broke apart, their foreheads were brushed against each other. Smiling, panting.
“So, it’s mutual huh.” Akutagawa chuckled and slightly pinched Atsushi’s cheeks.
“No wonder you’re too quiet and unusual.” Atsushi said and smiled he buried his face on the crook of Akutagawa's neck, feeling his warmth.
====
“Why are you following me?”
Atsushi faced the older male. Ever since in the morning he’s being followed by Akutagawa, helping him sorting the books and assisting him whenever there’s a new order from Kunikida.
Akutagawa just coughed and crossed his arms, “You’re being unusual.” Atsushi frowned, “No, I’m not” and turned around to continue what he was supposedly doing inside the stock room. It’s not like they’re being overworked or being treated poorly by the company. He just felt that his whole body has been stabbed, kicked, punched at every part. Because hell, his whole body is aching.
It was not Atsushi’s fault, nor Kunikida, or not someone’s fault at this moment. It was just the work of a natural phenomenon, he’s just physically tired. And in a need of some affection emergency, lots of it.
Atsushi tensed up when he felt a pair of hands touched his back, “Knew it.” He heard Akutagawa mumbled and followed by a silence. When Atsushi turned around to check, he saw Akutagawa rolling up his sleeves. “What are you doing?” asked Atsushi.
“Turn around and don’t complain.”
Atsushi blinked, but obeyed the other. He turned around and felt Akutagawa’s hands starting to massage his back in different motions. He relaxed his back, “You’re quite good at this. Maybe you can work at some spa?” Atsushi murmured, while grunting in between because the way Akutagawa hits every muscle and nerve made him shivers.
“I prefer massaging you over someone else.” Akutagawa calmly replied, because that’s the truth. He can do this on Atsushi almost every day, wholeheartedly. Atsushi turned around to face him, “Really?” he said while trying to suppress his laugh and crossed his arms. “That sounds cheesy, Akutagawa.”
Akutagawa glared at him, and looked away with what looks like.. a pout on his lips? “Eh? Why are you looking away, Akutagawa?” Atsushi said the second time, intentionally mentioning the name Akutagawa hates him saying.
“I’m heading back-“
Before Akutagawa can even take a step, Atsushi lounged at him at full force and hugged him. “I’m kidding, my Ryuunosuke~” he giggled and placed kisses all over Akutagawa’s face. Akutagawa, who's trying to maintain a poker faced, burst out of character and joined Atsushi, their laughs echoed the whole stock room. It was at times like this that it felt like the whole universe stopped rotating and everything surrounding them stops, leaving them the only living thing existing. It felt surreal, being at each other’s arms lovingly.
"Isn't your name's Akutagawa too?" Atsushi rested his head on Akutagawa's shoulders and tilted a bit, enough to see him from the side.
Akutagawa scrunched his nose and his laughter immediately died, "No, call me by my name." said Akutagawa and pinched Atsushi's nose. The younger giggled again before speaking in a funny tone,
"Okay Kitten-"
"Alright I'm done here."
"Noo~ Come back!" Atsushi followed Akutagawa with his bouncy foot while giggling like a happy kid, and hugged him from the back now. The older scoffed before turning around, "You really like calling me names?" and kissed Atsushi's cheeks.
"Hmm.. maybe?"
"Ha.. funny cause you're my kitten."
There was a brief silence and them looking at each other's eyes, before bursting out for another laughing session.
Since it’s near their close time, they didn’t bother going back for the moment. “You, if you’re in some kind of pain, at least let me know.” Akutagawa said as he gently squished Atsushi’s cheeks. The younger rotates them, causing them to sway from left-to-right while still intact. Atsushi nodded repeatedly, “Aye, master!” and giggled for the second time.
Akutagawa kissed his forehead, before embracing him again.
*