Bungou Stray Dogs ~ One-shots

[Atsushi xR] Nine roses

Knowing how this boy, of all people, could find someone who agreed to go out with him was beyond them.

Atsushi, not surprisingly, was as comfortable with his romantic relationships as he was with others. He kept saying that he wasn't good at this kind of thing, that he never knew how to behave with his loved ones.

And yet, the reality was there: of the entire agency, he was the only one who had found love. Including you, of course. Since you were the one who had responded favorably to his declaration of love... All in all, an eventful one.

In fact, it was Dazai who had encouraged him to declare his feelings to one of their office employees, who occasionally worked at the agency as asecretary, you. Only, the said Dazai had never imagined that Atsush iwould actually do it, shy as he was.

The worst/best part of the story? It is that you had answered yes. You had accepted the feelings of the weretiger, by confessing to him that you also planned to declare your flame to him very soon, without having the courage to do it.

Dazai, cupid in spite of him. While he was expecting Atsushi to chicken out at the last moment, the young man had stunned him by going all the way. He must have really loved you, to have managed such a feat.

The news had quickly spread around the agency, and everyone had been filled with joy upon hearing the news, even though they were slightly frustrated. Atsushi was the last to arrive, and yet he was the first to find someone to love.

But hey. If he was happy, that was the main thing. With everything he had been through, he deserved it more than anyone. But there was still a shadow in the picture. Something the other members couldn't quite grasp.

How could you date a boy who couldn't look you in the eye without becoming a blushing mess? Without stumbling over every word he said, without spilling whatever was around him with sudden movements, too embarrassed to calm his heartbeat?

So the question was: were you really receiving affection from your boyfriend, with all his strange ways?

It was obvious, however, that he couldn't get enough of you for long.

How did they know that? It was very simple. Whenever you were away, especially because of your second job appart from the agency, he was much less productive and often sighed, with all the sadness in the world in his eyes. All that was missing was two ears lowered on top of his head, and the picture of the lonely little dog would be complete.

Or maybe a tiger's, which was more likely?

In any case, his colleagues were starting to worry about your relationship. Atsushi was always so awkward and unentrepreneurial when he was with you, and when you weren't around he was depressed. It was cute, sure, but the lack of reaction from you made them fear for the future.

You didn't seem to mind Atsushi's excessive clumsiness. On the contrary, you always looked at him with a sweet smile when it happened, and comforted him when he apologized for being so clumsy.

It was one of those quiet days when everyone worked dutifully on their own, with only the sound of pages being turned, pens scratching paper, fingers on computer keyboards, the crunch of chips being eaten by Ranpo, and the desperate moans of Dazai, who was doing everything but work again.

Kunikida had just gotten up to go talk to Tanizaki about a particular report, when the door to the agency began to open slowly. Some of them turned their heads briefly, discovering in the doorway that a little Atsushi was looking attentively in the office, before turning around and continuing their work, greeting the young man in passing.

Young man who scanned each of the faces that were in the agency, before putting his eyes on the figure he was looking for so fervently. She was not in her usual place, so he had had a little trouble finding her.

But it was okay. He had noticed you.

His heart was pounding has he had walked towards you, and you looked up from your work just in time to see him stop in front of your desk, his cheeks flushed and his eyes glazed over, as he usually did when he was near you, in fact.

"Good morning Atsushi, did you sleep well?" you asked with a big affectionate smile, leaving aside your papers and your pen for the moment.

You saw the young man nodding his head up and down, ecstatic at the adorable sight he was so generously offering you. Your reverie was cut short when you realized something.

Before you had a chance to ask him what he was hiding behind his back, his hands came out from behind him and held out to you...

A bouquet of flowers, tied with a white satin ribbon. Nine red roses, to be exact. Perfectly blooming.

Speechless, you raised your head to meet Atsushi's eyes, who was looking at you with a big smile, eyes closed. His cheeks were still red, but his smile overshadowed everything else.

He... bought this for you?

"My god...!" you murmured as you brought your hands to your mouth, fighting the tears that threatened to fall at any moment. "This is too much Atsushi, you shouldn't have...!"

"I walked past a florist this morning, and these flowers reminded me of you!" he said, smiling ever wider, as you took the bouquet gently, as if it would break in your trembling hands.

He was far too adorable for his own good, that boy. You didn't waste any more time as you gently placed the bouquet on your desk, rising from your chair to wrap your arms around your boyfriend's waist, burying your nose in the shirt he was wearing, wiping your tears away with it at the same time.

You couldn't hold them back any longer, you were so happy. It wasn't the first time that Atsushi gave you little things here and there, but it was always something magical.

Receiving gifts from the one you loved was the most beautiful thing in the world, without a doubt. And him returning your hug was the pinnacle of that ultimate happiness you were currently feeling.

You had even forgotten that you were not all alone in that office. The other members were looking at you with wide eyes, completely stunned by the fact that Atsushi was undoubtedly the most devoted boyfriend of their entire agency. Despite everything they had said about him, they had to admit that he beat them all to the punch when it came to showing affection to the one he loved.

They felt foolish for doubting him now. Especially when they saw the two of you embracing each other like that, and especially when they saw the look on Atsushi's face when he hugged you.

A soft smile was on his lips, his cheeks were much less red than usual, and his whole being exuded the joy of being the most genuine, as he rested his chin on your hair.

He hadn't just proven that he was far more dedicated than anyone else...

He had humiliated them all in a matter of seconds.

Especially since the bouquet he gave you had a much deeper meaning than it first appeared. Nine roses...

The symbol of an eternal love.
    
    
  
     
     
(In my country nine roses mean an eternal love... But I don't know if it's the same in others countries :') Hope you liked it though!)