𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐊𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐭 [AU] (Being rewritten!!)

𝟏𝟒-𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭

Inside Atsuhsi lay a thick determination. This determination remained unbroken, nor scratched, even by the harsh blows of Dazai's chilling response. "I don't care! I'll dig a thousand holes if I have to! Who cares if along the way I mess up?! "                                                                                              

Dazai quirked back in awe of Atsushi's sheer drive and motivation. "Oh, Atsushi.." Dazai groaned longingly. "How I would have loved for you to be one of my lackeys back in my mafia days. You'd make a great-...No...the perfect understudy."

Atsushi understandably creeped out, guided his apartment door open, to which Dazai began to lead the way to the residence of Chuuya Nakahara. Upon stepping out of his room, he noticed a familiar sensation chill down his frigid spine. As he drove his head up from the floor, he saw Akutgawa floating peacefully in his direction, seemingly not noticing Atsushi. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                      His flight or fight response kicked in due to the sudden spike in adrenaline in his system. He turned his focus to Dazai so he could instruct him to hide, knowing the extent of the consequences if Akutagawa consciously knew that Dazai was in the building. However, once he flung around to notify Dazai, he was gone and disappeared without a trace. Nonetheless, he had far more important matters to attend to, like Akutagawa mindlessly wandering around with what looked to be no exact destination.

Atsushi shifted his attention back to Akutagawa, who remained to roam the hallways with a face that displayed little to no emotions. Atsushi sprinted forward, running after Akutagawa. Eventually, he caught up with the calmer spirit.
                                                                                                                                                                                      "Akutagawa! Wait!" Atsushi called out to the serene boy, who stopped in his tracks to see what the commotion was all about.

"Oh...Jinko, I'd like to offer you a proper apology, but here is not an ideal place to do so." Akutagawa declared.                                                                                                                                                            

"No, Akutagawa, I should be apologizing to you right now. But I hear you out. We should move this conversation back to my place." Atsushi agreed, taking the conversation into his own hands.The two headed back to Atsushi's dwelling location, awkward silence following them the entire trip there. 

 Once they arrived, Atsushi prepared a cup of steaming hot coffee to soothe himself from the buildup of stress that threatened his currently tipping sanity. Hesitantly, he began to speak. "Akutagawa, I sincerely apologize for abandoning you. It was the only way I would get you to follow me..."

"Jinko, none of this was your fault. I have to come clean. I only followed you because I was jealous. I felt this undying feeling that you'd leave me here alone. I hate to admit it, but I no longer despise that you've become present in my afterlife. You have made me realize that I am no longer lonely with you by my side." Aktugawa admitted frantically. He caught not even a single breath to support his lengthy paragraph.                                                                                                                                                                                                        Atsushi choked on the scorching coffee he was trying to consume peacefully due to the shocking words Akutgawa truthfully announced. After spitting out his coffee, he wiped his mouth courteously and apologized for the sudden disruption. "Agh, I'm sorry...I just was a little..." Atsushi paused for a moment, trying to find the correct word to describe his emotion, "-Surprised is the word. In truth, I found it concerning behavior, but I also maybe just a little bit liked it. I don't know. My mind was rather blurry. But I mean, it was nice having someone look after me." 

 Akutagawa blushed mildly, shielding the bottom half of his face from view with his hand. "I see. But aren't you upset? I did indeed cross the line. You won't just forgive me so easily, correct? I at least deserve some form of punishment." Akutagawa ranted, seeming to expect the worst of punishments, even after explaining himself thoroughly and justifiably to Atsushi.

"What? No! Of course, I'm not going to 'punish' you-" Atsushi hastily responded, halting himself midsentence. "There is one thing I can think of doing... To punish you, that is." Atsushi continued, staring Akutgawa sternly in the eye.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              "Do your worst, Jinko." Aktugawa dared Atsushi, asking as if he were pleading for it.

"As you wish," Atsushi replied, hopping out of his seat and slowly approaching Akutagawa. He now stood in front of Akutagawa, who sat on a sofa chair innocently.

"I want to sit on your lap. Maybe read there for a bit." Atsushi decided swiftly, crossing his arms to create the illusion of authority.

"Wh-what?! You're joking, right!? You have to be messing with me!" Akutagawa perked up.

Atsushi chuckled at the flustered response given to him. "No buts! You made it very clear that anything goes! I have selected this as the punishment! Although if you're too scared, we could always plan out something else-"

"NO!" Akutagawa quite noticeably interrupted Atsushi's speech. "Ahem...What I mean is that I must abide by the rules that I have set in place. I will not back down. Just know that this will be HIGHLY unenjoyable for me." Akutagawa poorly lied, his face sweating with heat as he did so."

"Sure tough guy, now get comfy." Atushi teased him purposefully. "Ready?" Atsushi charmingly probed Akutagawa.

"Whenever you're ready. It doesn't concern me. It's not like you'll even be physically touching me anyways." Akutagawa argued in protest.

"Alright then, don't mind if I do," Atsushi said, sitting down upon what at first felt like an empty seat, falling right through the mystifying creature Akutagawa was. Before long, he began to feel a slight tingle, yet that tingle only grew as he continued his 'punishment.' Soon enough, it was an unbearable chill that ran through his bones. Quickly, Atsushi perched from his seat, disappointed that he had to leave so soon. Upon lifting himself, Atsushi immediately heard a sigh of relief that followed. He peered around his shoulder to see a very troubled Akutagawa. His face was beet red, and his crossed legs added to the curiosity. The utterly clueless Atsushi questioned Akutgawa's behavior. "Akutagawa? Are you alright? You look rather distraught..."

"I-its nothing...I'm fine...Erm..I just have to go..ugh..do something.." Akutgawa stuttered aggresivley before rushing to the restroom.

While Atushsi was left alone, the thought of Dazai loomed in his head dangerously. He knew Dazai had been watching, he could feel it, and he knew that Akutagawa could undoubtedly feel it too. Atsushi just assumed that because Akutagawa hadn't felt the presence of Dazai in such a long time, he panicked at the unfamiliar sensation and rushed to calm himself down privately. Atsushi still longed to meet this "Chuuya" person. He was of great interest to Atsushi for many reasons, but most importantly, it was information about Dazai and Akutgawa's past relationship he sought to find. Atsushi made a risky, split-second, impulsive decision. A decision he could not fully trust but still leaped into with full anticipation. He was going to find Chuuya. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                  Unsure of Akutgawa's condition, or when he was going to return from the depths of the restroom, he called out in uncertainity . "Hey Akutgawa! I have...um...a class to attend! I'll be out for a while!" 

No response.