The (rut) cycle (shinsoukoku)

Chapter 33

Akutagawa's in a weird place. Everything around him is blue and it feels as if he's drowning even though he's breathing. There's bubbles coming out of his mouth every time he takes a breath and once he gets used to it, he starts looking around.

There's nothing here, except for a weird figure far away from him. Akutagawa decides to go there and at first he walks, then starts jogging and in the end starts running. The person doesn't seem to be getting nearer though. If anything, it appears to be getting even further away.

"Hey! Wait!" Akutagawa yells but no sound comes out.

Right. He's in water. That kind of makes sense.

"What are you running after?" He hears a familiar voice behind him say and he turns around.

Chuuya.

"...how are you here?" Akutagawa asks but Chuuya completely ignores the question. He chuckles and walks over to Akutagawa. He puts his hand on the diablo's shoulder and suddenly, all the water around them disappears. Now, they're on an island. The island Atsushi built their house on.

"It's a pretty place. I would've left too if someone offered me to live with him." Chuuya says and looks at Akutagawa again.

The diablo feels a pinch of guilt.

"...he might've killed you if I didn't go with him. And I really do love him. I wanted some... peace, and freedom."

"What you say makes no sense, Ryuunsuke. I am dead, am I not?" Chuuya asks and suddenly, his entire body crumbles and all that is left is blood, bones and his hat. Akutagawa falls to his knees and takes the hat into his hands. He holds it close to his heart.

"I'm sorry!" He yells and cries.

Unfortunately, the hat soon disappears too and he's left all alone. The bright island gets darker with every second until all Akutagawa sees is darkness. There are neither stars nor moon in the sky and Akutagawa is... lonely.

He craves any kind of light. Any kind of touch. But there's nothing here. All he sees is emptiness and darkness.

He's never wanted to see Atsushi more than in that exact moment.

And soon, he does.

There was a small spark in the darkness and Akutagawa stood up. He reaches out for the spark and light embraces him. He's flying through stars, following Atsushi, the brightest star of all, without any guilt, without any regret... only love.

That star was his saviour. Atsushi was the first person to ever make him feel so loved, so cherished.

The weretiger turns around and walks over to Akutagawa while they're standing on one of the smaller stars, one that was only big enough for the two of them. He reaches out, Akutagawa reaches out too...

but Atsushi doesn't not touch him. No. He touches Sub.

"...Atsushi?" Akutagawa asks and the weretiger slowly turns around.

"What? DId you really think I would still love you after what you did? You ignored me for ages. You made me think you loved Chuuya more than you loved me"

"N-No, you understood that wrong. Atsushi, please, hear me out-„

"It's too late for that now. I've already found myself a new lover. He's prettier, funnier, better in bed... He's better than you at everything, Ryuu."

Akutagawa wants to catch Atsushi but invisible chains hold him in place. He's forced to watch as Atsusi puts his hand on the other man's waist and slowly walks out of sight.

And once again, Akutagawa is alone.

_______

"Atsushi!" He yells and this time, he opens his eyes. He looks around frantically and the first thing, or person, he sees is his weretiger. His love.

"Atsushi..." he repeats and this time puts his head on the weretiger's chest. Atsushi, confused about what was happening, hugs him tightly and caresses his hair.

They're in their bed and Atsusih has been trying to wak ehi mate up for ages and finally managed to do it. He didn't expect him to be so sad though. Did he have a nightmare?

Akutagawa mutters something but Atsushi's chest muffles it.

"Could you repeat, Ryuu?" He asks and his mate looks up. His face is full of single tears.

"Never leave me alone again. Never" He says, this time louder and Atsushi gives him a small smile.

"I will never leave you again. I promise... Thank you for giving me a second chance." He says and softly kisses his mate on the lips.

"I love you." Atsushi says and Akutagawa blushes. He feels like falling in love all over again but this time, he knows things will work out between them.

"...I love you, too" The diablo answers and smiles. He knows Atsushi will finally change, only for him. He wipes off his tears but this time, they're tears of happiness.

_________

I kind of expected this chapter to be longer but oh well.

I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter
-Nat