Akutagawa and Nakahara at in the redhead's room, on the futon, crisscross as the redhead braided his hair. "Atsushi... He's like the sun," Ryuunosuke had said, eyes closed. The other laughed gently, "Beautiful?" He whipped round to glare at him, "No. I can't stand to look at him." Chuuya sighed, "Oh, come on now. You know you don't mean that." He scoffed, curling up. "Oi! If you mess up this braid, we're fighting." They both shook with laughter for a moment, just a moment. They couldn't afford to have it any longer than that.
"Are you planning on getting your haircut anytime soon?" Akutagawa shrugged, turning a little to look at the other. "Why, is it too long?" Chuuya smiled, tying up the ends, "No. Just sloppily cut. Have you not gone and trimmed your hair since Dazai did it last?" The name made the air stale and the other swallowed. "How'd you know?" It was Nakahara's turn to shrug, "I have my ways. If you ever want to get it cut, I can do it for you." Ryuunosuke shook his head, "No. I'm good with how it is now," He wasn't quite ready to let go of that part of his life just yet. The room goes back to comfortable silence as Nakhara and Akutagawa turn so he can do Chuuya's braid next.
-
"Jinko. Come here." Atsushi whined, letting himself be dragged to the dark alleyway. "What is it? I'm with Kyouka right now, you know-" Rashomon rounded his head and covered his mouth forcefully before letting go. "Do you know how to cut hair?" The other's eyes stared, looking almost confused with the question. "Are you braindead? It's a simple question." Atsushi smiled, eyes glistening with excitement, "Are you telling me I'm getting to cut your hair? Is that what this is right now?" Akutagawa scoffed, "That... might be what I'm suggesting." Atsushi suddenly squealed excitedly, "Yes-! I mean, yes I do! I cut people's hair all the time! Dazai just... doesn't do my hair too well. I guess you can see that."
The name did the same thing as it had during his conversation with Chuuya, it startled the normal air and instead, filled it with an uncomfortable mist of longing. "Interesting." His tone made it clear to Atsushi that he, in fact, did not think that fact was interesting. "So, uh, why are you asking? I'm not cutting Mori's hair. That's not happening, if that's the intention here." He stifled a laugh at Atsushi's 'I'm serious, don't test me on this,' tone. "God no. I was asking to see if you could cut... mine."
"Oh! Of course, Ryuu! Any time!" He deadpanned at Atsushi, "Since when did I say you could call me by my given name?" The other shrugged, "Oh, I don't know, since you literally sacrificed yourself for me? Since we started dating?" He held back a smile. The banter the two shared was irritating at times but appreciated nonetheless. It made him feel more normal. Atsushi hurriedly pecked Akutagawa on the cheek before running back with Kyouka. He restrained himself from smiling.
-
As the two walked towards Atsushi's dorm, an idea popped into his head. "Princess," He said, grinning at Atsushi's flushed face. Payback for using his given name. "If you cut my hair wrong, I'll have Rashomon tear you in half." The other, still flustered, sputtered before answering with a, "Come on! I can do it well, I swear." He hummed, "I doubt that." Atsushi giggled, "You sure do talk a lot." He deadpanned at Atsushi once more, for the millionth time, it seemed. "I don't recall ever identifying myself as a mute."
Once they walked into the ADA headquarters, they encountered a confused Kunikida who asked, "Is there a reason for his presence? Are you both on a mission together?" Rashomon promptly silenced Atsushi before he could say the true reason and Akutagawa answered, "No, he's doing me a favor. Don't worry about it." The man looked suspiciously at the two but allowed them to pass through to the dorms. "I couldn't have told him I was cutting your hair?" He tsked. "No. That's Dazai's partner, Jinko. What happens if he tells Dazai about this?" Atsushi looked perplexed but didn't question it further.
Atsushi laid out a soft, clean sheet on the floor, and with a delicate gesture, said, "Okay, sit down. I'll sit on the futon and we'll get this done quickly so you can get out of here." He nodded, complying without a word. His body felt oddly tranquil. D/mn Atsushi and his natural soothing aura. "I'll just trim it, okay? Your style won't change. Does that sound good?" He bobbed his head once more. It felt as though he couldn't speak; the words wouldn't come out, against his best efforts.
With that, Atsushi began snipping and cutting the dead ends. "How long has it been since you cut your hair? These look pretty damaged." He huffed, "Wow, thanks. It's been... At least five years." Five years since Dazai left. Since the Demon Prodigy became nothing more than a feeble traitor who needed to be removed. Five years since his mentor roughly trained him for the last time, with a parting gift of silence and deprecation. He frowned.
"And... done! Here you go, how does that look?" Atsushi handed him a mirror, which he glanced in. His hair was reminiscent of how it had been when he was a child. He hardly smiled, but it was a good enough confirmation for Atsushi to giggle and stand. "I hope it's up to your expectations!" He stood up, shaking his freshly-cut hair out before stepping off the sheet. "It is. This is appreciated, Jinko." The other clapped his hands excitedly, "You're welcome!"
He handed the mirror to Atsushi and they began walking out so he could get back to the Port Mafia headquarters. "You look so cute," The white-haired said, a dopey grin on his face. "You think so?" Atsushi reached for his hand, which he let the other have, "I know so."
(Story credits > bpd_chuuya)
