The End Of It All | Akutagawa Ryunosuke x Any! Reader

{Chapter 11}

"Ah Y/N~ you seem to have brought a friend." Dazai's eyes were locked onto Akutagawa. He was clearly annoyed that the younger man was there but there was nothing he could do. Once he checked to see if Y/N was finished evacuating their stomach, he spun on his heel and walked into the bar behind him. The two partners followed behind him, looking to each other to check they were okay. Akutagawa's eyes lingered on Y/N a little longer to truly make sure they weren't faking the fact that they felt okay. His theory was correct, making him aware to try and keep them comfortable. 

Dazai sat on a bar stool, his tan coat dropping behind him, the ends elevated ever so slightly off the floor, threatening to touch the ground with the slightest movement from the man which sat in front of them. A bartender began preparing a whiskey, clear to know his usual order. 

"Sit down." Dazai gestured to the two stools next to him. Y/N took the seat directly next to Dazai with Akutagawa taking the next one along. "How old are you two again?" 

"Twenty." (Legal age for drinking in Japan is 20, yes I researched that for this). 

"Perfect. So, Y/N, Chuuya was getting you into underage drinking before I even left the mafia so you are clearly a sucker for red wine, and..." His gaze went a little further to reach Akutagawa, questioning him. 

"I'll just have some water." Akutagawa was on high alert, he couldn't risk the possible numbing of his brain that alcohol might bring. 

"Ha, still as boring as ever." The bartender placed the two drinks in front of their owners before Dazai payed the man for his work. Silence fell between the three, Y/N was unconsciously sipping at their drink out of nervousness, so much so that when they set it down again they were surprised to see the glass half empty already. 

"I used to come to this place with two friends. Now it's just me." 

"Oda." Y/N spoke quietly, remembering the man. Far too kind to be a Port Mafia member and gone far too soon. His death came soon before the departure of Dazai, always making Y/N wonder if the two events were connected due to the closeness of the pair. 

"Yeah, he was one." There was a reminiscent looking smile on Dazai's lips, his breath slightly shaky. Despite this, he was back to his usual self in no time. His hands were now clasped around the person in front of him. "Ah~ Y/N, you've become quite a beauty in the time I've been gone from the mafia, how would you feel if you were to commit a lover's suicide with me?~" 

Akutagawa suddenly realised that he was stood up with his hand on Y/N's shoulder. Dazai looked up to lock eyes with him, a slight smirk forming on the elder's face. A smirk which translated to Akutagawa that he knew of his jealousy over his partner. A discovery which made him slowly return to his stool. If Dazai knew, who else might alongside? 

"I think someone other than me may be a better option, Dazai-san." Y/N retracted their hands, clearly left uncomfortable by the sudden contact from the man. Dazai performed a melodramatic heartbreak in response, flailing his right hand over his eyes and swooning backwards. Suddenly, however, a serious tone had settled on his featured, clearly about to state the reason he had invited Y/N to meet him that night. 

"You're in danger. There is an organisation known as the Guild attempting to take over the Armed Detective Agency. But there are also two ability users which they are interested in. The Beast Beneath The Moonlight power of Atsushi Nakajima and The End Of It All, ability user, well, you." A deep bit of fear formed instantly in Y/N's lower abdomen. Being targeted was not a new experience for them; however, this felt different. The fact that this organisation was going after the Detective Agency alongside Y/N and the Weretiger felt bigger, more ominous. Behind them, Akutagawa was seething, so much so that his emotion was visible on his face for once. Nobody would lay a hand on Y/N on his watch. Nobody. A murderous intent formed within the man, causing the urge to hunt down this so called Guild and demolish them before they could even find his partner's location. 

"The Detective Agency can provide you safety, Y/N. Come with us." 

"I can look after myself, Dazai-san. I don't need the help of your newfound friends." Y/N finished the last of their drink and stood up from the stool they were sitting on. "Thank you for the offer, but I'm staying here where I know there are people I can rely on to protect me rather than trusting your word for it." Y/N's partner stood up beside them and turned with them to walk out of the door. 

"Y/N, you need to trust me!" Dazai shouted from the room behind the two.

"When have I ever been able to do that?" Y/N replied to him, insuring the bitterness of five years of torture from him was evident in their voice. Sure, the Port Mafia was a horrific place, but anything is better than being around that manipulative man again. Despite this, Y/N felt as if they should trust the words of their once superior. As if, for once, he was doing something for the benefit of them. Could that man be capable of such things or was he too one of the many people willing to do anything to get their hands on them for their ability. 

Briskly, the two left the bar, the cold air returning to their bones once again. It had become a lot darker now, even though it was night when they arrived. Lights had been turned off by sleeping civilians, causing the stars to be seen millions of miles above Yokohama. A sight rarely seen due to the usual amount of light pollution from the bustling city around them. Y/N looked above themselves, stopping to take a better look. A sense of calm washed over them for the first time that night, allowing them to step back from it all and appreciate the fact that there is some beauty in the unknown universe in which they stood. Akutagawa was not looking at the marvels of the night sky, instead he was looking at his partner, their face full of awe for the flaming balls of gas in places they could only dream of visiting. Something formed inside of him, a feeling that he wished this moment, this happiness they felt could last forever, but he knew that Dazai was telling the truth. He may be manipulative, but he never lies if someone is in danger and that worried the man. He would do anything to protect Y/N from the forces out there. Anything to save them from their misery. Anything to keep this sense of awe they currently possessed. 

Y/N averted their gaze from the stars above and looked towards their partner, locking eyes with him. A smile formed on their face, making Akutagawa's heart skip a beat, not that he would ever admit it. He allowed a soft smile to creep onto his face, warming Y/N's heart a little more than they expected. Much to Akutagawa's disappointment, however, that smile on Y/N's face fell to an expression of concern. 

"The Guild." They murmured, causing Akutagawa to come closer to them, so much so that if he were to be even a centimetre closer, their foreheads would be touching.  

"I won't let them get anywhere close to you, I promise." A funny feeling formed in Y/N's stomach, a somewhat fluttering. One which they had felt frequently over the past few months but had just brushed it off. However, that feeling was undeniable and it was far more than just a funny phase. 

Chuuya was correct.