Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was in the evening, when a meeting was called with all agency members.

In the small room everyone sat down, Ranpo sitting properly and attentive. One thought stood out to Atsushi out of everything his mind threw at him. Why is Ranpo so serious?

Atsushi never thought he’d see the day where Ranpo sat down so professionally without his snacks. Maybe this meeting was about reprimanding Ranpo and his “hobbies.”

But something told Atsushi this was more than scolding someone.

Everyone looked expectantly at Fukazawa. eventually he spoke, clearing his throat, “Some of you may be aware of the deal made with the Port Mafia during the incident with the Decay of Angels.”

Suddenly, Dazai’s face contorted to a frown, glancing towards Atsushi as if he knew something. Yosano’s, Kenji’s, Junichiro’s, and Kunikida’s face also showed signs of something close to impending doom

Atsushi didn’t like this. He didn’t like this at all.

Fukuawa continued, “The Port Mafia has made their decision on who is to transfer.”

…what.

Was is Kyoka? No, she just got out! What doe he mean transfer? This isn’t real-

“Atsushi.”

Suddenly, he was broken from his rant, now looking up at the person who helped him escape his thoughts. His brows furrowed towards Fukuzawa.

“…They chose Atsushi.”

Junichiro was the first to protest. “That’s bullshit! Send me instead I can escape with my ability! Why does it have to be him?”

Kunikida stood beside him, trying to get him seated once more, “Just stop it, we can’t send anyone else let alone you. They’re the ones at liberty to choose here, as much as it pains everyone, we can’t… we just can’t do anything.”

Kyoka looked at Ranpo with pleading eyes, “Please, you need to think of a way to bring him back. Bring him home.” Her voice trembled at its edges, yet held onto firmness.

Ranpo looked lost in thought, “We can’t do anything… It’ll only cause more turmoil between the organizations, more chaos. You know this. Maybe after a while we’d be able to save Atsushi, when their guard is down. But right now…”

Kyoka stared at him with a mixed look. Then, she turned to Atsushi, walking over and squeezing him in the tightest hug from behind. “I’ll save you Atsushi. Like you saved me. I swear.”

Atsushi wanted to turn around and hug her like there was no tomorrow, but something in him couldn’t face the girl he was determined to look after, now abandoning her. He just sat there staring into the void of possibilities oh what might happen to him. He didn’t want this. He hated this.

“Okay. It’ll work out, Kyoka. I promise.”

She only hugged him tighter, tears burning the corners of her eyes, she mumbled only for Atsushi to hear, “It better, you fool.”

It had been four days since the meeting. Atsushi had said his goodbyes, hopeful they weren’t forever.

He stood under roof outside the building, shielding him from the heavy rain. A black car, with what were probably illegally tinted windows pulled to the curb. A man in a suit and shades stepped out with an umbrella walking hastily towards Atsushi.

The man grabbed his duffel bag. It wasn’t as light as it looked, he didn’t have many clothes, items however, he had a lot after rooming with Kyoka. She always made sure he got stuff for himself whenever they went shopping.

Atsushi followed the man as he opened the door for him, and without protest Atsushi sat in the car, his eyes never leaving the agency building as the door closed. After the sound of the trunk closing, the man went behind the wheel and drove off.

The image of the agency growing smaller, yet remained the same in Atsushi’s mind.

He didn’t know if he would be killed in the Port Mafia due to his place in the agency… can he even consider himself an agency member anymore? Was he officially Port Mafia now? So many questions with so many unwanted answers. Safe to say, Atsushi hated this, he wished it would all just go away.

The car was now parked in front of the centre building. It felt towering, quite literally and metaphorically.

The driver opened his door, and passed his bag to him. Atsushi hadn’t realized the rain had stopped, now just spitting spec-like drops. He grabbed his bag and followed another man—similarly dressed to the driver—who approached him.

“Come with me.” Is all the man said before walking speedily towards glass, sliding doors.

When Atsushi stepped inside the building, it looked like a normal business. But still, he felt so out of place, like all eyes were on him. Like he was candy and everyone had a sweet tooth.

Maybe he was out of place.

The man walked a few different hallways until they were in front of an elevator. He scanned his card, and the doors closed, making their ascent.

The elevator dinged and the man scanned his card again, opening the doors. Atsushi was grateful, he felt claustrophobic standing in that elevator for a whole 8 minutes.

They walked down the large hallway, illuminated by the wall of windows all the way down. They stopped in front of tall double doors, the man cleared his throat, “Boss wants you in there.” When Atsushi didn’t move, the man heavily sighed and opened the door for him, using his foot to kick Atsushi’s ankle towards the big open room.

The first thing Atsushi noticed was another man sitting at a desk, metres ahead of him.

Mori Ōgai.

Next to the desk was a little blonde girl on her stomach, drawing whatever she thought of.

Atsushi walked forward hesitantly. He shouldn’t be disrespectful but he couldn’t see eye-to-eye with a guy like Mori. No matter how he looked at it.

“Come closer, Atsushi, I don’t bite.” He carried a sickening smile. It looked sweet but his eyes betrayed the image with a plotting look.

Atsushi stepped closer after a few seconds.

“Why me?” He couldn’t help the question, it ate him from the inside ever since he learned he was chosen.

They stood silent for a moment, Mori thinking about the words that will help him put the boy where he wants him.

“Do you hate me, Atsushi?” Even when Atsushi knew he was dodging the question, he had a feeling it would be answered if he went along.

His voice betrayed him. He wanted to sound calm, like this whole ordeal didn’t affect him. But his words came out with a tremble, rushed, on the edge of panicking, “Well considering you’re the boss of the one and only Port Mafia, I’d say yeah. I do hate you Mori.”

The mentioned only smirked at that. He fell for Mori’s “trap.”

“That’s laughable, considering I technically saved you from a job that didn’t care about you.”

Atsushi was not only confused, he was upset. He marched towards the desk, dropping his bag along the way, and leaned in towards Mori’s face. “What the hell are you talking about. And even if that was true, I don’t see the Mafia changing their ways any time soon.”

Mori simply smiled at the boy, his elbows resting on the desk with his hands clasped together. “Notice how even though they have someone with the ability of deducing any problem that comes their way and finding the solution… They still sent you away? Threw you out on the curb like garbage?”

Atsushi tried to interupt but that didn’t stop Mori, “And don’t get me started on your working conditions! I know Dazai throws all the work onto you, I know about the living situation with you and Kyoka, I know about the pay even though you probably need more money for clothes due to your ability, and I know about the times they’ve kept you in the dark on missions. Remember when they sent you first to prevent the hostages from getting ripped in half? Remember when Dazai, so cruelly, tricked his former mentee, the one he abused for so many years? All of those instances don’t seem a little off to you?”

Atsushi stumbled back, his brows furrowed. Now Mori was the one standing, peering over the edge of the desk at Atsushi. “Am I really the one you hate, Atsushi?”

Too focused on the floor, realization fighting with what he knows as the truth, Atsushi didn’t notice Mori walking around the desk with something shiny in his hand. Before he knew it, something poked him in the neck, and his vision blurred into darkness.

Chapter Text

Atsushi felt like shit.

He was cold, laying on concrete, and his head hurt worse than any concussion.

Slowly, he opened his eyes. The first thing he noticed was how dark it was, the only light source coming from a singular wall light outside of the cell. Wait, cell? He immediately got up, ignoring the pain in his bones and head, his movements were sluggish but he stumbled towards the bars in front of him.

He tried to use Byakko’s strength, but suddenly it hit him. Not only was he caged, he couldn’t use his ability.

The president’s ability…. it doesn’t apply to him anymore. Is that why he was in a cage like some animal?

He heard footsteps approaching, they were commanding in an ominous way, he thought. The figure came to light, it was Mori.

Atsushi tried to tell him off, to say anything, but his voice came out in broken whispers. What did Mori do to him?

“Good morning, Atsushi! I do hope you slept well. You’ll be free from this cage soon, just be patient, okay? Okay.”

Mori then turned around and walked down the hall into the darkness.

Days passed without food, then Mori would personally give him food. This happened a few times, until one day when he was supposed to be fed, he was told to stand up. Atsushi didn’t comply, he kept sitting against the wall opposite Mori out of spite. He wasn’t fed that day. This kept happening until he finally listened, and when he did, he was given food. And Mori would praise him, “Good boy.” he’d say passively.

This repeated for a while with different commands, different rewards, different praises, different punishments. Slowly but surely, Atsushi was becoming somewhat of a loyal dog, or cat, really.

One day, Mori took him outside. It was sunny and the warmth felt nice on his skin, after having spent at least a month without seeing the outside of his cell. Mori sat on a bench, and Atsushi stood next to him. “Sit.” Atsushi didn’t know why he felt compelled to sit, even if it was on the ground. He sat in front of the bench next to Mori, his knees tucked to his chest.

It was nice, peaceful, but it was quiet. Atsushi was still thinking about whether he wanted to believe Mori, or rather see everything from his perspective.

Time passed faster than he expected, he didn’t want to go back to a cage. But when Mori commanded, he followed him.

They walked a different path than the one they took before. More time passed and they ended up in some warehouse, it looked abandoned but still had its containers and boxes.

A car was heard outside the warehouse, and a man in a black suit came inside with a large black bag.

“Now, we wait.” Said Mori.

*Wait? For what?*

Out of nowhere, Atsushi felt compelled to stare at the moon, its light illuminating the space where he stood. Soon it was a blue light overtaking the space around them.

There it was, the man-eating tiger. Atsushi’s white fur coat gleamed under the moon. His eyes glowed against his somewhat monochrome body.

Mori took the black bag from the man, and used his scalpel to cut it open. The stench of blood and flesh hit Atsushi’s nose instantly. He lept towards Mori, specifically the bag. Mori threw it in front of him on the floor. Waisting no time, Atsushi clawed into the bag and began to eat.

Bones snapped under his paws, his jaw chewing the soft red meat below him. In all honesty it was gross, disgusting, but Mori just watched him. In fact, he had the biggest smile Atsushi had seen on a man.

When all that was left was bones, Atsushi looked up and growled.

“My, my, it appears you’re still hungry.” Mori turned to the man in the suit and pointed. “Atsushi,” Atsushi looked to where he was pointing. “Eat.” Slowly, Atsushi made his way to the now terrified man.

When he saw the man pull his gun out to shoot him, he dashed forward, dodging the bullets, and in no time at all, Atsushi had caught up to the man. He ate to his hearts content, destroying his hunger.

Once he was done, Mori walked next to him unafraid, earning a growl from the tiger. Mori put his hand slowly and gently on top of Atsushi’s head and pet him. “Good boy.”

They walked back to the Port Mafia, wearing the night like a cloak. Atsushi didn’t go back to his cell, instead, he went with Mori back to his office.

Atsushi woke up, the sun disturbing him. He processed where he was, and to his surprise he was in Mori’s office. He didn’t know why he was on the floor though… in front of Mori’s desk…

There were so many questions running through his mind until it hit him, what happened.

He couldn’t keep himself from letting out a choked cry, which turned into hysterical sobbing. He gripped his hair to ground himself, pulling at his roots. “No, no, no, no, no, no.” He kept mumbling between hiccups and tears.

He ate someone. He chewed and swallowed someone’s flesh and blood. And the wordst part is, *he enjoyed it.*

He had become a monster.

He didn’t know when Mori had entered the office.

He didn’t know when Mori had rested his head on his lap.

He didn’t know when his hands had left his hair alone, now fidgeting with the red scarf around Mori’s neck.

Mori had something in his hands, it emitted smoke on one end. Was is a cigarette? It didn’t look quite right. He didn’t know, except for the fact the Mori took a long drag from it before pushing it to his own lips.

“Here, calm your nerves. You’re where you belong, in this den of monsters. Don’t blame yourself, you’re only surviving.”

Atsushi inhaled, of course he choked on the smoke. But he tried again and again, until he got used to the feeling. He and Mori alternated until Mori decided it was enough.

Atsushi felt weird, lighter, like if he jumped he would say floating in the air. The edges in his sight were slightly blurred, his throat started to go dry. “Thirsty.” This caused Mori to laugh.

Mori pushed him so he was sitting up and held his hand out for him to take. Atsushi tried to hold onto him but his hand kept missing. In the end Mori simply sighed and grabbed his hand himself, pulling him up.

Atsushi stumbled and kept holding onto Mori’s hand. “You can let go now.” “What?” Mori pulled their joined hands up to show him. Atsushi simply looked at their hands and did nothing.

More sighed and pulled his hand away from him. “Maybe I should’ve held off a little… you’re high, high.” Atsushi giggled a little, “Hi!” Mori couldn’t help but let out a small smile. It was not only hilarious, but kind of adorable.

Two and half years had passed since then. Now, Atsushi laid down on a rooftop, his legs dangled off the edge. The smoke from his cigarette dragged into the night sky, blending in with the dimmed clouds.

The blood on his hands and face slowly dripped down.

It was peaceful, until a man in a suit, wearing shades—despite it being nighttime—harshly opened the door to the roof top.

“Get up, boss needs you.”

“It’s not a matter of need, more like want. He never needs anything.”

“Tch. There’s a van waiting out front. And next time, be more cleaner about it, I can’t help but gag just thinking back to what I saw.”

Atsushi smirked as he got up to stand over the edge of the building, “Wuss.”

And just like that, he jumped off.

Mid fall, he used his ability and ran down the building, his claws gripping the glass and causing it to crack. He landed on his feet, and jumped into the back of the van where hostages sat tied up.

At the sight of a tiger with blood all over its teeth, they all squirmed and tried to yell for help, but their gagged state made quick work of muffling their voices.

Wanting to tease them, since he was in a good mood, Atsushi growled, sticking his nose right in one of their faces, and just when the hostage looked like he was going to pass out, Atsushi licked his face. His sandpaper-like tongue dragging from the man’s chin, all the way up to his forehead.

The only reason Atsushi was in a good mood was because Mori had called for him. The last time he was with Mori was three weeks ago, on the dot. That was four days more than last time!? That didn’t matter right now though. He had work to do, watching the hostages during transport.

He sat quietly in front of the doors, blocking any means of escaping.

Once the van approached its destination, the double doors opened to reveal the inside of a parking garage. And a pissed looking Akutagawa.

“Weretiger.”

Atsushi simply let out a deep meow(?), quick and short, and continued off to the side to watch as some underlings pushed the hostages out, treating them harshly with no remorse.

Once the van was cleared, and the hostages were lined up, Akutagawa made quick work of extracting the needed information from them, proceeding to chop off the left foot of each one.

Akutagawa spoke over the screams and groans of their victims.

“You three, get these in a bag and send them to the address we just got. This’ll teach those scoundrels not to mess with the Port Mafia.”

“And the hostages, sir?”

“…Jinko. Eat.”

Atushi transformed back just to yell at Akutagawa for ordering him around like some dog, Akutagawa simply mentioned the irony and his obsurd version of loyalty to the boss.

“Whatever! It’s not like you would know! You’ve never even had a pet dog before in your life!”

“And you have?” Akutagawa said in a matter of fact tone. Atsushi simply sighed and walked towards the hysterical hostages.

“Hey again guys! So I need to hurry this up if don’t want to dissapoint Mori, sooooo… no hard feelings, yeah?”

Atsushi transformed and soon enough, there was nothing but bones and bits of meat and blood stains left.

Akutagawa had left midway through his meal, Atsushi made a mental note to tease him later about bot having the stomach for it.

As he deactivated his ability, blue light now dissipating into the air, he grabbed his phone and hit a contact named “clean this shit up” and stated his location. He left not waiting for the clean up crew to show up, to go see Mori, and maybe he’d also get to watch Elise draw.

He didn’t know completly why he felt like it, but Mori had a suspicion it was the fact that Atsushi never had those experiences as a child, and seeing Elise be a child made him able to live a childhood through watching her.

The Port Mafia’s centre building wasn’t as domineering as it used to be to Atsushi.

He scanned his card and entered the elevator, hitting the numbers of Mori’s floor.

What first felt like a claustrophobic eight minutes, was now an exciting trip full of anticipation.

As soon as the elevator dinged, he walked towards the two tall doors and knocked gently before opening them.

There Mori stood behind his desk, as well as a man Atsushi didn’t recognize. Atsushi gave himself permission to strut up to the mystery man, and sniff him.

To say the man was speechless was an understatement.

Atsushi worked his way around the man starting from the bottom, now in front of his face. Unmoving.

“Atsushi, dear, this man’s name is Kieran Wolf. *Remember him.*”

And Atsushi made sure to do just that.

Kieran was a tall, tanned man. He had big, pale, green eyes with dark magenta hair, on the verge of being black. He wore a royal blue suit, lacking a tie. Atsushi made note of each freckle on his face, he would never forget Kieran Wolf unless Mori decided so.

Kieran was clearly uncomfortable with how close Atsushi was, especially when the scent of death hung off him and his now slightly red stained face and hair. He tried cleaning off with some randoms hose but was caught so he ran off before he could finish.

“Atsushi, here. Don’t scare off our Mr. Wolf just yet, he hasn’t told us what he wants.”

Atsushi went and crouched next to Mori, his head leaning in to the pets he received from Mori. But his eyes never left Kierans, they burned a bright yellow, overcoming the purple.

“Ah, thank you Mori sir. But your… dog? Is still staring.” Atsushi’s eyes narrowed. He was a tiger, Akutagawa is the dog, damn it.

“I wouldn’t call him that if I were you. Plus, he’s only doing his job. Pay him no mind.” Mori had his usual smile on his face. It didn’t feel sincere but it still felt lighthearted in a way.

The two talked with each other some more before Kieran had to leave.

“I’m glad we could come to a compromise, sir.”

“Hm. Atsushi, watch him until one of the men downstairs arrive. Don’t let him leave till then.”

Mori walked off to some separate room off to the side of the spacious area, leaving the two alone.

Kieran silently prayed that his escort would arrive any second now, but he knew how long the elevator ride up was.

“So, got any chocolates on you? I’m so hungry still, even after that big meal earlier. But sometimes meat just doesn’t cut it. That’s why I like to indulge myself every now and then.”

Atsushi knew what he was doing, scaring the poor guy. He sniffed the chocolates on him earlier when he was intimidating him. He had a feeling Mori let him pretend he hadn’t smelt the man’s person before he entered. He was just locating the chocolates thoroughly.

Kieran pat his clammy hands over his pockets. He mumbled, “What?… I swear I had some when I got here…”

He looked at Atsushi and his eyes widened at the sight of him eating the chocolates while sitting on Mori’s desk, they were slightly melted and got his lips even more messy. He giggled at Kierans expression.

“Here, catch!” Atsushi threw the condensed wrappers at him, Kieran barely catching them and still remaining on his feet.

Mori returned, carrying a white hand towel and a key with a bright orange keychain attached. Atsushi recognized it as one of the keys to their speedboats.

Mori sighed as he approached Atsushi, “You always will be a messy eater at heart I suppose.” He wiped Atsushi’s mouth clean and threw the towel over his shoulders.

He then faced Kieran and tossed him the key. “You break it, you pay. Kabuki, you can enter now and escort Mr. Wolf.” Kieran didn’t know there was someone there the entire time, and he wasn’t meant to.

Atsushi smiled mischievously at the man when Mori turned away to retreat behind his desk. He had seen the escort outside when he arrived, gave him a fist bump while he was still in a good mood.

The escort walked in and Kieran left looking defeated and scared shitless.

Mori looked up at Atsushi, his hands rest in behind his back like always.

“I didn’t call you here for that pathetic excuse of a man. I called you here for this.”

Mori opened one of the top drawers of his grand desk, pulling out three relatively small brown paper bags. He held them in between the two, not quite giving Atsushi the go ahead to take.

“Ah-ah, wait. I’m giving these to you with the intention they’ll last at least five days. Non consecutively. So don’t go walking into the nearest pet store you find alright?”

Mori noticed how atsushi tensed, knowing he caught him red handed about his little outings. He didn’t suppress the smirk on his face when Atsushi hesitated to agree.

“Very well then,” he tossed the bags to Atsushi, who caught them effortlessly. “Good night, Atsushi. Leave.”

And like that, the night came to an end when Atsushi went home and fell asleep a little easier knowing he got to speak with Mori, especially with the ‘gift’ from Mori.

When he wakes up, he should probably air out his room. Maybe get one of those scent things people put in cars and stick it on his fan or something.

Chapter Text

1 : tbanana : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

When Atsushi woke up, it was to the feeling of vibrations under his head. It was his phone.

He answered, “What.” Ok, kind of rude.

He heard a familiar sigh on the other end, it was who he nicknamed his “Handler.”

“…Listen, Nibbles.” Oh… Atsushi hated that nickname. It was given to him by his “Handler” when he was caught subconciously nibbling at his lips and the skin around his nail bed. It happens when he’s sent on missions involving death by his hands and more along those lines.

“What’s wrong this time?”

“Nothing, nothing… actually, yeah, you’re right, something is definetly wrong. You know the guy you met in Mori’s office? Well when asked to borrow the boat, he decided it would be a good idea to take advantage of the fact we would recognize it as one of ours… He managed to transfer a high priority shipment onto the boat and is currently MIA. We need you to sniff him out, Nibbles.”

Atsushi had just woken up, now he was expected to go walk all around Yokohama actively looking for someone and some shipment. Which could be destroyed for all he knows.

“Hinata. You better treat me after this. In fact you better get your shit together and think of a way to repay me for all the times I’ve covered your ass. Oh! And good morning to you to.” Atsushi used a sarcasticly sweet tone at the last part.

He had worked all night and was hoping to sleep in. It was whatever, he knew the man, Kieran Wolf, was up to no good anyways. He should’ve expected this.

The last thing Atsushi heard was Hinata “Tch-” Before he hung up the phone. Oops, his finger slipped… yeah.

Atsushi sat up, unmoving. He was finding the motivation to get ready. To walk through floors upon floors of constant talking and office noises, which normally he would ignore but for fucks sake. Atsushi was going to kill that stupid man… Jokingly, of course.

“Ew… I need a shower I smell gross.” Atsushi forced himself out of bed with a loud, long sigh. Maybe a god will hear him silently complain.

He opened a window and turned on the tall fan next to his bed and the fan inside his washroom, which was conviniently connected to his room.

It was five in the morning. Maybe he should go to the convinience store down the road while no one’s around. Yeah, he’ll do that.

He never changed out of his black sweatpants, and slipped a grey hoodie over his tank top. To put it short, he looked like a bum and smelled like high school dropout selling drugs to get by. May he evaporate if anyone he knows sees him.

He quickly jumped out of his window, landing on his feet. He thanks Byakko in his head and speed walks to his destination.

When he arrived, his eyes squinted at the sudden flourescent lights but managed to adjust quick enough as he walked in, the sound of a beep mingling with the quiet song in the background.

He walked around, grabbing about five air freshners—the ones people hang in their cars—along with a redbull and a pack of pepperoni sticks.

He snuck behind the counter, making sure to not wake the cashier, and took a plastic bag, placing his things inside once he exited outside. He walked back home after giving the surveillance camera a knowing smirk. He knew they would check the footage once they realized their stock didn’t match their bank. And he knew they couldn’t do anything about it, at least not without pissing off a couple of the wrong people.

If anyone asks where he was, they’d probably take offence to thinking they’d give information away for free. He made that mistake once or twice back at the agency, but lucky enough for him, Akutagawa was always nearby.

He sighed, Hinata—his Handler—warned him about being mischevious like this. Oh well, Atushi is pissed off with him.

He returned home and put his stuff away, tying the air fresheners to his tall fan. He took his much needed shower and finished his morning routine.

He grabbed the bag of chips and the redbull he stole earlier, stuffing the drink in the pocket of his coat and opening his bag of chips.

He left his apartment and locked the door, speed walking to the maintenance stairs that led to the roof. He sat on the ledge and inhaled deeply, his ability had senses a thousand times stronger than a tigers, this shouldn’t be as difficult as he was making it out to be on the call. Hinata probably knew this considering how much of a drama queen Atsushi could be with him.

…

Well according to Atsushi’s nose, Kieran Wolf was… everywhere? Not exactly everywhere but spread throughout all directions of Atsushi.

Yeah-no. He’s not dealing with this right now.

He retrieved his phone and put it up to his ear. He listened to it ring until a voice answered.

“Did you find him already? What about the shipment? Nibbles?-”

Atsushi grimaced at the speed of words being thrown at him, “Let me talk damn it.” Hinata on the other end, immeadiately shut up. Atsushi’s voice went soft and quiet, the tone you’d use if something didn’t feel right and no one could know.

“Listen, Hina, something is wrong about Kieran Wolf. I don’t think he is who anyone thinks he is.”

The sound of shuffling papers, keys being picked up and hurried footsteps could be heard from Atsushi’s phone.

“Where are you? I’m coming to pick you up. See the thing is, we looked into him some more and he was seen in the background of a selfie taken in France. He doesn’t have a flight history to anywhere except Japan.”

“I knew it. Tch. That stupid, sneaky bastard. I’m at home, also bring your shotgun. Just in case.”

Hinata never went anywhere without his gun, even when he was in the office, doing research on Atsushi’s next victims. But Atsushi’s mind wasn’t clear. 

He should’ve told Mori about the gut feeling he got the second he opened his doors to see Kieran.

“Hinata… what’ll happen to me if boss finds out this time?”

“Stop thinking like that. We’ll handle this quickly and quietly. Besides, I have a feeling Boss knew something didn’t seem right anyways.” Atsushi hung up and sighed. He knew Hinata was just trying to take his mind off the inevitable punishment he would recieve. He just hoped this time it would be something that Byakko could heal, perhaps something akin chopping his fingers off over and over again?

Chapter Text

Atsushi waited patiently outside of his apartment building, stuffing his face with chips.

A polished black car with windows that were most definitely tinted past legal means, slowed to a stop infront of him.

He walked to the passenger seat and opened the door, sitting down and making himself at home by putting his foot on the seat, resting his leg on the door.

“How many times before have I told you to put your foot down. Put it down.” Atsushi huffed, opening the window and stretching his legs, making a point to scuff Hinata’s mirror with his dirty boots.

Hinata seethed when Atushi gave him a bratty look, he knew this was because he woke up the grumpy beast.

“Damn you. Now, tell me what you’ve got.” Even though the pair would fight, the reason they never ripped each other in half was because they were similar when it came to work. At least the corporate-business-whatever you call it part. They would bicker, but get serious right away.

“You said sniff him out, so I did. Originally I thought he would be somewhere near the docks, but low and behold, he wasn’t just by the docks, he was all around.”

Hinata looked into the back shoving papers around, Atsushi quickly took the wheel while Hinata did what his crazy self did.

He grabbed a folder and tossed it into Atsushi’s lap. Who made a point of wiping his salty fingers on Hinata’s coat sleeve. It didn’t do much but it still grossed the older male out.

He read through the files, staring at some of the pictures. It was all the information the Port Mafia had on the man.

“I asked Akutagawa to meet up with us at that warehouse from before.”

…

“You what.”

…

“What will you do if he tells someone about this!? Its not your ass getting in trouble you know.”

Atsushi went on a rant about how Hinata was basically praying for his downfall and how Akutagawa probably has much better things to spend his time on. All of this translated to Hinata as Atsushi not wanting to interact with Akutagawa because now that he’s in the Port Mafia, everything was so much more awkward between what he called ‘the two lovebirds’.

Atsushi doesn’t need to know about that last part though.

They finally arrived, Akutawa stood with Higuchi, scowling at the tigers lack of car manners. He walked up to the car, shoving Atsushi’s feet back in and taking the off-yellow folder from his hands.

“Mr. Sato… Jinko.” Akutagawa greeted them, his polite tone switching to a sassier one when mentioning Atsushi. He backed off towards Higuchi who had been on her phone doing whatever she does in the background, letting Atsushi get out of the car.

“You caught up or what?” Akutagawa gave him a glance that Atsushi had familiarized himself with since the day they met.

Atsushi decided to continue after being ignored. 

“Guy runs off with shipment, we need to find him, you’re less fucked than me, in fact nothing will probably happen to you if this guy gets away. Me on the other hand… well let’s just say you’ll get a new fur coat. Or carpet. Whatever.”

The sound of a trunk closing and Hinata’s footsteps filled the air, and the two current enemies were now focused on the most mature one there. If you could consider the four mature with Hinata’s driving skills, and Higuchi’s twisted crush-riddled reasonings.

Autagawa tossed the file to Higuchi, caught off guard, it hit her her square in the face. Two pretended not to notice, Atsushi laughed to his hearts content.

Which was followed up with Hinata elbowing him in the side. Ow…

“Shush, Jinko. We aren’t here to waste time.”

“Oh you be quiet. I bet you snore loudly because your brain is tired of the silence. Mute vampire.”

“Nibbles, don’t fuel the fire…” Hinata deadpanned, Akutagawa snickered, “Nibbles? How’d you get that one, crackhead.”

It went silent. “What do yo mean, Akutagawa?”

“Relax, Jinko. It was a joke. When did you start taking things so seriously?” Akutagawa muttered something under his breath about Atsushi being to much of a wimp to touch the stuff. And the unnaturality of his white hair, whatever that means.

Higuchi finally spoke up during the akward moment,”Uh, guys? Keiran just posted again. “Like the view?” And hes on a boat in the middle of the ocean.”

“Well shit. This just officially went international.” Higuchi shuffled akwardly in place.

Akutagawa didn’t hesitate to reply, “Thanks captain obvious. We have to tell Mori now.” He let out a long sigh, not really inconvenienced since this wasn’t his problem to begin with—he was feeling charitable when Hinata called him—it just felt right in the moment.

Atsushi was visibly stressed, but the other three were too busy sorting everything out.

Atsushi couldn’t pay attention to the sounds around him, what were once sharp and clear jabs from Hinata, were now muffled and distant concerns.

He stumbled to the car and fumbled his hands looking for something. God, his throat was itchy. Was it getting harder to breathe? He opened the bottom of the passenger seat, lifting it to reveal a compartment with money, passports, and a brown paper bag. 

He opened the bag, taking out a joint he rolled previously, and held a ligther to the end. 

After exhaling the smoke, he untensed his shoulders, trying to somehow get high at that second. Of couse, someone had to ruin his attempt of forgetting his problems. A firm hand made him jolt.

He quickly whipped around, “Fuck, Hina! Can’t you see I’m doing something over here? Fuck.”

Atsushi shoved pass Hinata, Akutagawa staring at the comotion not realizing what Atsushi had in his hands. “What is the matter with you, Jinko?”

All Akutagawa could see was Atsushi’s back, “Leave me alone for a second, alright?!” he walked away to an area out of earshot, squatting on the grass while he thought.

Hinata approached the two. “When did Jinko start smoking?” His eyes lingered on Atsuhi’s hunched form, “Just forget it man… He’s, he’s got a lot to think about. You know, with Mori.”

It kind of clicked for Akutagawa. He realizes that Atsushi has a closer relationship with the boss than him. And everyone knows; the closer you are with Mori, the harsher the punishments are.

That doesn’t always mean physical punishments. Akutagawa wondered where Atsushi was at mentally, knowing how stubborn the giant cat could be.

Hinata sighed, hand on hip, his other on his forhead. “Go home, he and I will figure this out. If Mori asks, you aren’t involved.”

And with that, Akutagawa and Higuchi left.

“May the gods above reap mercy on us pittiful cowards... Reap mercy on the boy.”

The day started bad, and progressed to this clusterfuck.