Secret (shinsoukoku)

Chapter 14

Atsushi wakes up and feels warm. He realizes there's a blanket on his and slowly, he opens his eyes.

The light doesn't blind him much and he sits up.

...He can't believe he fell asleep while Akutagawa was visiting!

The weretiger looks around and for a few seconds, his heart drops. Where's Kasumi? Did he put her to sleep? And where's Akutagawa?

Atsushi stands up and is about to call the diablo, when he hears a laugh coming from the kitchen and a groan. He slowly walks over to the other room and needs to cover his mouth to not let a snort come out.

Akutagawa was trying to give the baby food, while Kasumi kept pulling at his hair. He had Rashomon holding her, trying to get his head away from the girl's tiny but unbelievably strong hands.

"Do you need help?" Atsushi asks and Akutagawa immediately turns to him.

"Yes please" He only manages to say before the baby somehow manages to spill the milk on his face. He closes his eyes for a second and lets out a loud sigh, happily handing Kasumi to her dad. The baby is giggling and only after she's in Atsushi's arms, she actually starts drinking milk from the bottle instead of playing with it.

Akutagawa searches for a towel and Atsushi gives one to him.

"Thank you" Akutaagwa mutters and cleans his face up while trying to ignore Atsushi's constant laugh.

"It's really not that funny" He groans after Atsushi still doesn't stop after a few minutes and crosses his arms.

„Jinko, shut up or I'll kill you" he warns and Atsushi knows he doesn't mean that.

"With Kasumi in my arms?"

"...I'll wait until you've put her down then"

"I won't put her down." Atsushi says with a smug smile and Akutagawa rolls his eyes. He turns around again and throws the dirty towel away, together with the now finished bottle of milk.

The white haired kid was staring at Akutagawa with wide eyes and for the first time, the diablo was able to see how similar their eyes were. If Atsushi was a girl or Kasumi was a boy, they'd probably be almost identical.

The baby's tiny fist holds on to Atsushi's chest and the man is rocking her back and forth.

"I hope she didn't wake you up." Atsushi says suddenly and Akutagawa shakes his head.

"She didn't. I usually have to wake up early for my missions, and this time I accidentally awoke her too. I made her food... I hope that's okay" He says, a bit embarrassed. Atsushi was making him nervous and he felt as if he had butterlief in his stomach.

Atsushi felt the same way.

"I'm actually glad you did. I'm surprised she didn't cry, to be honest" Atsushi laughs and the diablo shrugs his shoulders.

The two men walk to the livingroom once again and Akutagawa grabs his coat. He puts it on and starts searching for his sunglasses. Right before he sees them though, Atsushi stands in front of him.

"You're leaving already?" He asks, some sadness visible in his tone. It was like a mix of sadness and disappointment. Kasumi was looking at Akutagawa too and, just like her dad, she had a sad expression on her face.

Akutagawa nods his head, although not very enthusiastically.

„Mori called me shortly before you woke up. I'm needed for a mission. I would stay for longer, but you know how it is. I'm... sorry" He says and at the end, he apologizes.

Atsushi shakes his head and gives him a somewhat guilty smile.

"Don't worry. You don't have to explain yourself to me."

Silence.

"I'll get going then" The diablo says and grabs his sunglasses but rught before he's about to open the door, Atsushi grabs his wrist and his hand slowly moves down to the diablo's hand.

"Wait!" He says and Akutagawa turns around. Atsushi gulps but takes a deep breath.

"I really liked our time together yesterday. Would you like to come again sometime?" He asks as if it's the scariest thing he's ever asked and a small smile forms on the diablo's lips. He slowly moves closer to Atsushi and leans in.

He kisses Atsushi's cheek.

"I would really like to" He says and finally leaves the house.

The rest of the day, both of them can't stop talking about the other one.

________

The next day, late at night while Atsushi is lulling his daughter into sleep, he's deep in thought.

"You know what, Kasumi?" He asks even though he knows he's just talking to himself. The kid sleepily looks towards him and Atsushi caresses her forehead.

"I think I'm in love with Akutagawa..." He admits to her and puts his head on his hand. He looks out of the window. He watches the stars, the moon, the sky... He's looking out for Akutagawa but knows he won't come today because of the job he got.

"Do you think he's in love with me too?" He asks Kasumi and smiles softly when she starts giggling.

"I hope you're right. Good night, Kasumi. Have sweet dreams. I love you!" He says and finally gets into his bed.

He dreams of Kasumi and Akutagawa. Of a future he hopes will happen.
_____

I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter
-Nat