The (rut) cycle (shinsoukoku)

Chapter 7

Akutagawa can’t sleep. At 3 am he calls the boss and tells him to cancel the next mission he has with Jinko. He knows he won’t be able to look at the weretiger… And knows the weretiger won’t be able to keep his hands to himself either

Someone knocks on his bedroom door but he knows it’s his sister.

Akutagawa stands up and opens the door for her. She’s in front of him, holding a tea cup in one hand and some ice in the other.

“For your head” she says and puts the ice to his head. Akutagawa nods and holds it in place.

“Come to the living room. Your room barely has any light in it” she says and takes Akutagawa's wrist, then drags him to the couch and makes him sit down. She puts the teacup in his free hand.

Akutagawa takes a small sip, his hands shaky. Some of the liquid spills on the diablo’s leg and he winces a bit because of how hot it is.

Why was his body reacting like that? This small drop of hot tea shouldnt hurt him. It never did. Atleast not before-

“Ryuu, are you okay?” Gin asks and the worry in her voice is very obvious. The male Akutagawa nods and tries to cool down the tea.

Gin stays silent and then backs away from her brother to put on her jacket.

“I need to go to work soon. But please call me if you feel worse.” She says. After eating a small breakfast, she leaves the house.

Akutagawa lies down on the couch and stares at the ceiling.

He liked it when Atsushi fucked him for the first time. Yesterday though? Yesterday was torture. He couldn't remember most of the details but he still feels the pain and ache from it.

He knows his asshole was ripped. He didn't want to tell his sister so he knew he would have to clean it up himself soon. He knows Atsushi mostly cleaned him but the rim ripped open again because of how often he kept moving in his sleep, so there was newly dried blood on his thighs.

Akutagawa doesn't want to stand up. He wants to go to Atsushi and punch that useless tiger in the face. He’s so fucking angry at him. He was vulnerable and the weretiger took full advantage of that. Akutagawa knew they were enemies but at the same time he never expected Atsushu to do anything like this.

He manages to fall asleep soon after.

“I’m home” He hears his sister say and sits up. Gin comes his way and puts her hand to his forehead

“You don't have a fever. That's good… “ She says and opens her mouth again but quickly closes it.

“Nothing happened yesterday. Stop thinking about it '' Akutagawa answers the silent question for her and looks away, avoiding eye contact.

Gin’s eyes squint with worry and she sighs. She sits down next to her brother.

“You were always here for me when we were younger. I can be here for you now” She says.

Akutagawa looks at her and his lips form a tiny smile. Hesitantly, he puts his head on Gin’s shoulder.

His tears unwillingly start running down his cheeks. He cannot stop then. He feels like a crybaby. He’s not even sobbing or crying loudly but just the fact that his cheeks were wet made him feel vulnerable again.

But at least this time he knew that the person next to him wouldn't take advantage of him.

Gin puts her arm around him, pulling him to her.

She remembers something similar that happened in the slums. She was also shaking a lot, and her brother was hugging her.

She doesn't ask Akutagawa what happened. But she did see the bruises yesterday… Gin knows Akutagawa won't confess but she also knows that once she finds out who made her brother cry like this, she will kill them.

“Gin?” Akutagawa asks after he finally calms down again.

“Yes?”

“Sorry for making you worry about me. I’m supposed to be taking care of you, not the opposite… But thank you” He says and sits up again. He wipes the rest of his tears away.

Gin smiles a bit, wanting to comfort her brother.

“Don't worry. We’re both adults now, so I don't need as much protection as I did a few years ago… And you don't have to thank me. Being here was the right thing to do” She says

The male Alutagawa nods and then fully stands up.

“I feel much better now. I need to use the bathroom though.” He says and leaves.

In the bathroom he turns on the cold shower and just stands her with his clothes.

He hated that he couldn't tell his sister the truth. She did make him feel better but the feeling of his body being on fire in the worst way possible didn't fade. He wanted to scratch his skin off. He wanted his skin to disappear.

He still felt Atsushi’s hands on himself… He wanted to make it go away.

“Ryuu? Are you okay?” He hears his sister call.

He doesn't answer her.
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I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter
-Nat