The (rut) cycle (shinsoukoku)

Chapter 34

Ever since Sub left their life, Akutagawa felt happy. It's already been a few months and he could feel his and Atsushi's relationship change. For the better, of course.

They got a new routine. First, they wake up and depending on their mood they make love. Atsushi makes sure not to be too rough to not force his mate to be bedridden all day.

Then, they go to wash up and take turns making breakfast. Usually it's Atsushi who cooks but whenever Akutagawa feels like doing it instead, he's always welcome to.

After breakfast, Atsushi usually prepares little dates for them. Sometimes they watch movies, sometimes they go to the beach... Every day it's something different.

Their dates usually went until it was either dark outside or Akutagawa was tired. Atsushi would make him dinner then and they would talk. Either about the books Akutagawa read, Atsushi sometimes talked about how annoying his job was. But their conversations were always really enjoyable.

Atsushi stopped trying to get the book. He realized that he and Akutagawa could be happy without it and he didn't want to break what they had. Their relationship was already perfect.

When winter came, they made a christmas tree and Atsushi gave him an entire new wardrobe because he noticed his clothes were very old already. Akutagawa gave him something else. He didn't know what to give a person who was already so rich, so he decided to give himself. So a few minutes after he received the wardrobe, he took all his clothes off and put a red collar and some chapstick on himself, nothing else.

Their Christmas night was a great one.

With time, Akutagawa stopped thinking about people from his past. Everyone except his sister and Chuuya were slowly fading. He wasn't even thinking about Dazai even though he was so obsessed with the man back when he was still in the port mafia. Atsushi helped him become more confident in himself. Akutagawa didn't need Dazai to be proud of him anymore.

If Akutagawa ever met him again, he would thank him for the training he received and leave it at that. It'd be best if they never saw each other though. Dazai would've probably tried to take Akutagawa away from Atsusih.

Fortunately for him, Dazai killed himself a few days after Atsushi killed Chuuya. The weretiger didn't say anything to his mate though, so Akutagawa still didn't know about it. Sometimes, ignorance was bliss.

________

"Hey, Atsushi. Do you know how my sister is doing these days?" Akutagawa asks on a random morning while they're eating breakfast and Atsushi looks at him.

"I could find out, if you want to. Why, though?" He asks and Akutagawa looks into his now empty cup.

"I don't know why but when I woke up today, I really missed her. I know you don't like me talking about people from a few years ago, but could you just make sure she is safe?"

There's a small moment of silence and Atsushi nods.

"Yes. Of course, my love. Anything for you"

Akutagawa smiles in return and gives his mate a kiss as a thank you.

A few hours later, when Atssuhi comes back from searching for Gin, he has a letter in his hand. The diablo stands up and the weretiger hands him the letter.

It's a wedding invitation.

Akutagawa's eyes go wide and he looks at Atsushi. A few seconds later he looks back at the letter again and opens it, fully expecting some beautifully scented paper with the names of the future married couple.

The envelope is empty though.

"Gin and Higuchi are getting married. The date they set is on the 1st of March, next year."