The (rut) cycle (shinsoukoku)

Chapter 6

Atsushi runs out of the restaurant and looks around. He tries to find the diablo but the mafia executive is long gone. He yells out of frustration and because his claws didn‘t go in yet, he scratches the wall but then winces at the sound that it makes.

Meanwhile, Akutagawa‘s jumping over the roofs, tears running down his face but he didn‘t understand the reason for them. Why the hell was he crying? What was wrong with him? Why did he feel such strong fucking attraction to that stupid and useless weretiger?

After he gets tired he realizes he‘s been running the wrong way and that his house was on the complete other side. To make matters worse, it started raining and even though Akutagawa had Rashomon who he could use as an umbrella, he decided to find some hiding spot. He finds one about 3 minutes away from his location and goes there. It‘s a small corner but enough for him to fit in. After all, he had to live in worse places before Dazai saved him from the slums.

He puts his knees against his chest to prevent them from getting wet and just stares at the sky.

His body’s shivering and he feels like he’s on fire but in the worst way possible. It’s not even cold but the thought of Atsushi actually manipulating him like that made him scared. Was he manipulated that easily? Was he just some toy to use for everyone around him? Just a pawn without a life worth living?

No. He shouldn't think that way. He still had a sister he had to care for who also cared for him back…

“Akutagawa?” He hears someone call and immediately makes Rashomon cover him. He tries tk his in the shadows and only.leaves a small hole open to see who’s walking next to him.

It’s Atsushi… Is he back to use Akutagawa? Maybe there was never lust in Atsushi’s eyes, only ways to humiliate Akutagawa? Was that why he was searching for the diablo? To show what toy he’s finally become?

Akutagawa holds his breath and tries to be as quiet as possible. Atsushi stays on the roof for a few minutes but then jumps to the next one. Akutagawa immediately lets out a relieved breath and makes Rashomon go away.

That was a bad idea.

“Got you” Atsushi says, suddenly next to him and before Akutagawa can do anything, Atsushi grabs him, puts a hand over his mouth and pushes him against the cold and wet wall.

Atsushi’s tiger growls through the human’s mouth and Akutagawa suddenly can’t breathe because of the placement of Atsushi’s hand on his neck.

He gets turned around and his chest is pressed against the cold bricks.

Is this his fate?

…he hates it.

“Why did you leave?” Atsushi asks Akutagawa and the diablo’s surprised the weretiger isn't doing anything more.

“Why? Did you want me to stay? To ‘play the part’?”

“What are you even talking about?!” Atsushi yells, frustrated and angry. He was trying to make things good again. Why was Akutagawa so goddamn difficult to deal with? Can’t he see that Atsushi just wanted a normal date?

“Y-You just wanted to humiliate me! Do you think I didnt notice Dazai in the corner? He was probably laughing about how easily I trust people. And it’s all your fault, Jinko!”

Akutagawa hates that he stuttered the first word. It was a sign of fear. A sign that Atsushi could very likely overpower him and Akutagawa knows he wouldn't win so why should he even try to fight back? It never ended well for him…

“Dazai was there?” Atsushi asks. He didn't notice him. Akutagawa doesn't answer. Atsushi’s probably acting confused. There's no way he didn't plan this together with Dazai.