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Chapter Text

July 24 (Seven Years Ago)

Armed Detective Agency

8:20 am

“All he left was the note! Does it look like I know!?” 

A small pair of hands slammed down on a desk as Kyouka's yell echoed through the office. She loses her footing and barely holds up herself on the desk, she's sobbing.

“Kyouka…” Kenji held her up by the arms. 

“H-how can I know if he hasn't been acting weird!?” She pushes out through broken sobs.

“Now, he suddenly disappears without a trace?” Kunikida added, looking frustrated. Clearly it makes no sense.

Everyone's attention shifts to Ranpo. He is not collected at all, something unusual for the type of person he is. He can feel everyone's eyes bore into his back. They clearly want him to say anything that can soften or kill their worries.

“I...he's shown nothing.” He starts, “Nothing at all to indicate hiding anything.” Ranpo's head slams onto the wall. 

Atsushi is officially missing.

⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆

July 10

Downtown Yokohama

12:30 pm

“Thanks for the oranges!” Kenji calls out and waves to the stall owner. After walking down the sidewalk for a bit, he relaxes on a bench and takes out a lovely orange. The stall owner gave him about a baker's dozen for stopping a pair of thieves. 

The thieving teens scrambled away before Kenji could even talk to them. So much for their earlier threats towards the owner. “Thank you so much Kenji-san.” The young owner smiled before handing off the bag to him.

“I wonder if I can make a cake with these for Kyouka later?” He wonders aloud as he peels the orange. He plucks out a piece and throws it into his mouth, face twisting in happiness as he enjoyed the fruit. 

Suddenly, he felt a tug on his sleeve. Turning his head to the side he saw a little girl, who Kenji guessed was no older than seven. She had sat on the bench with him. Her white hair was tied up with red ribbons into twin pigtails and her eyes…

Where had Kenji seen eyes of an interesting mix of colours before? He knew where.

She was wearing a red shirt and black overalls. On her back a bright red school backpack. 

“Hello there.” He spoke softly to the girl. She stared in curiosity at Kenji, if not with a hint of fondness. “Uh, so where's your parents?” 

“I can't find Daddy...” She finally spoke. Her voice was flat-toned and her frown crinkled her small face. She was clearly worried about where her father was.

The poor girl was lost. Kenji couldn't let that be at all.

Kenji gets up and stoops down in front of her. With the kindest smile, he reassures her, “Don't worry, sure we can find him!” She gives him a tiny smile and nods.  

“Can you tell me where you last saw him?” She pondered a moment before shaking her head. She didn't know where he had last been. 

“Do you remember anything around where he was?” “A playground with an elephant.” She replied, being sure of her memory.  

“Oh, the park. Weird that she ended up pretty far from there.”  Kenji recognized where she was talking about. He holds out his hand to her.

“Alright! I know where he is.” She doesn't take his hand, but gets up from the bench. He retracts his hand and stands up with her.

“I promise we'll find your father.” Kenji smiled confidently and he began to walk. She nods and starts walking after him. 

For being lost, this girl was calm and collected. She did frown when she mentioned being unable to locate her father, but she hasn't shed a tear or panicked in the slightest. She had quickly spotted Kenji to tell him she was lost, but he chalked it up to knowing who he was. He was pretty famous around Yokohama anyways.

Kenji lingered on these thoughts for a moment before being more focused on getting this girl back to her father. As they made their way down the sidewalk, Kenji asked, “What does your father look like?” 

“She has the same hair and eyes as me.” She explained. The same hair and eyes. He hadn't noticed before but among her white hair was a small streak of black. Familiar, very familiar to him. 

Kenji shook it off. 

As they neared an arched entrance of the local park, “Also what's your name?” Kenji asked. 

The girl stops and turns to look up at Kenji. She clutches the straps of her little red backpack, “My name is–”

“Rin-chan!”

Before she could respond, the loud voice of another girl gave the answer for her. She runs up to both of them. The girl looks the same with the same outfit as Rin's except her hair is jet black.

Kenji guessed this was her sister. If not her twin sister.

“There you are! Daddy's been searching everywhere for you.” The black haired one said in annoyance, her hands on her hips as she glared at Rin. 

“Hello there, I found your sister by the market.” Kenji spoke up, “She said she was lost.” The girl looks up at Kenji as he spoke, her eyes seem to light up in recognition.

The same way Rin's had done before.

“This nice man helped me, Lin-chan.” Rin said, “You should have stayed with Daddy.” She crosses her arms. 

The black haired girl, Lin, glared at her sister like she had said something so outrageous. “That's funny coming from the girl who was lost!” Lin huffed and stuck her nose up and away from her sister. 

Kenji smiled fondly, siblings were always an amazement to him who didn't have any. Although this was a problem, both girls were apart from their father. Would he have to help them both now?

“Lin-chan! You have to stay where I can see you before you get–” The voice of a man grew close to the three as he walked from inside the park. He sounded worried but as he came closer, he cut himself off.

Kenji directed his attention to him. The moment he saw him as he understood why he cut himself off. It couldn't be.

Kenji couldn't say a word. “That's not him. It can't be. It just looks very much like him.” Denial and doubt were the first things to cloud his judgement. A part of him hoped that his denial was false.

“Atsushi, did you find her?” 

His girlfriend's voice, Izumi Kyouka stepped out from behind the man. She held two crepes in her hand. Her eyes snapped open in shock the moment Kenji came into her view. 

“Kyouka?” 

“Kenji…”

The three adults have gone silent and there is a change in the air here. Kenji's mind started running a mile-a-minute. His usual smile has faltered, even to the shock of himself. 

There he was, Nakajima Atsushi, the man who has been M.I.A for seven years. He looked so different, much different than the scrawny eighteen-year old Kenji met all those years ago. He was much taller than Kenji and bigger in the strength department. 

Atsushi was dressed casually in a white tank top and green camo pants. He was also wearing two necklaces, not that Kenji was paying any attention to either one.

Why was Atsushi here after all this time and with Kyouka no less? 

Kenji needed to clear his mind, he was thinking too much. She likely just ran into him.

“Daddy. I'm back.” Rin broke the tense atmosphere, she stood beside Atsushi and hugged his leg. “Yeah, that guy found her!” Lin pointed at the blonde detective. The girls seem to not notice the situation at all.

“Auntie Kyouka, can I have my crepe now!” Rin bounced on her feet as she reached for the crepes in Kyouka's hand.

“S-sure Lin-chan.” Kyouka hadn't taken her eyes off her boyfriend as she handed both crepes to the girl. Rin gave one to her sister as she started devouring hers.

“I think we should sit down.” Atsushi spoke up. Yeah, this was gonna require a lot of talking.

𓉸ྀི

“Lin-chan, please, you have to stay here.” The weretiger said exasperated, he looks as if he didn't get a full eight hours. That is if the dark bags under his eyes are anything to go by. He set Lin down on a bench beside the one the three adults sat on. Rin sat quietly as he did this, enjoying her crepe.

“Okay Daddy.” Lin's voice was muffled by her chewing.

Now to the meat of this matter. 

Nakajima Atsushi, the man-tiger that they all know, just appears after seven years. Kyouka herself had found much earlier than Kenji did. She was very relaxed around him though. Granted, they consider each other siblings but if she just found him herself, would she be more shaken.

And the twin girls, that was Kenji's next thought. Atsushi has children now? When did this happen? So many questions, but not enough places to start.

Atsushi and Kyouka haven't said a word, clearly unsure how to start this conversation.  

“Kenji…” Atsushi speaks first, he is trying something, “I don't even know how to begin to be honest.” He chuckled slightly, that faded as he saw Kenji's pained look despite his smile. 

“Why?” Kenji said bluntly, surprising himself with his words. Kyouka and Atsushi also seem surprised, “Why j-just everything?” Kenji adds and stumbles a bit. His disbelief is troubling him.

Atsushi leans forward, putting his hands together between his lap. He frowns.

“I don't know if I can say everything, some things I can't tell–” 

“Then what can you explain!?” Kenji cuts him off, his smile faltering completely, “Just talk in a straight line, I can't..” He was breathing heavily, he didn't exactly know if he should be angry, sad or confused. 

Kyouka's hands come up to his arm, she's trying to calm him down. “I know you're upset, but let's not start yelling at each other.” She gives him a stern but understanding look. 

“Why are you so calm about this Kyouka-chan?” Kenji asked, “He's back and you haven't reacted strongly…” Kyouka turns her head away from her boyfriend. Kenji knows that sign of guilt too well.

“Kyouka-chan…” He said upon noticing her guilt.

“Kenji-kun, I'm sorry. I just left and I couldn't say much then.” Atsushi vaguely explained. It's clear he doesn't want to say anything further. “But I came back to find someone. Then I'll be out of all your hair.” He smiles sadly.

He's just going to leave again. Why wouldn't he just explain something? Anything at all? He was making it seem like he's not supposed to be here somehow. Kenji wanted, no, needed answers for all the heartache and stress his disappearance caused all those years ago.

“Atsushi-nii, you can’t just leave again.” Kyouka said, “Kenji-kun deserves an explanation, if not everyone else.”

“Kyouka, you know I can't just–”

She glared at him. He wasn't squirming away from this now. Kenji was glad she put her foot down but she wasn't free from anything either. “Besides you are going to need help otherwise for you know who.”

“Daddy…” Lin had joined them by grabbing her father's arm, she groaned in annoyance, “We are going to find them right?” She frowned with a kicked puppy look, Lin had also joined in on this.

“As soon as possible, I promise.” They seemed to be looking for some people. Maybe that's why Atsushi suddenly came back. 

Rin stretched her arms up towards Atsushi. Atsushi picked her up and held her in one arm. 

“You can't let Daddy carry you everywhere Rin-chan.” Her twin grumbles out loud, “Stop being a baby.” 

Rin absolutely didn't like that comment because she snapped back, “I'm not a baby!” 

“Lin-chan, no name-calling.” Atsushi lectured his daughter, “But it's the truth!” She talked back and her father gave her a disapproving glare. She crosses her arms and looks down. Atsushi stoops down, picks her up and throws her over his shoulder.

“No, put me down!” Lin protested in a fit of giggles while dragging out that last consonant. “Nah, I have to carry both my babies around.” Atsushi playfully retorted as his dark haired daughter groaned. Rin giggled at her father's jab at her sister.

The three of them appeared to be very close. Atsushi was a very good father considering how quickly he killed that argument. 

“We're going to the ADA.” Kyouka said as they made their way out of the park. Atsushi's face dropped the smile that he directed to his girls. Clearly, that was the last place he wanted to be. The twins seemed excited at the mention of the office.

Lin squealed out, “We're going to see Daddy's happy place!” Both girls giggle with each other. Atsushi's face goes red in embarrassment. “H-hey, don't start embarrassing your poor dad..” The weretiger weakly contested and the twins continued to laugh between each other. Atsushi still saw the ADA as a special place after all this time.

Somehow, that made Kenji a little less angry with him.

✩♬ ₊˚.🎧⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

July 10

Port Mafia Base

12:50 pm

Akutagawa sat in the confines of the Boss’ office. He hasn’t seen these hideous cyan walls and the blood stained carpets in years. A part of himself bleeds in nostalgia, receiving direct orders was a rare thing, but he was no stranger to walking this room. This time however was different.

In front of the diablo was the big boss himself, Ougai Mori, a faux lazy smile on his face. A little blonde girl was across from them, colouring away on the ground, her eyes were constantly on Akutagawa. Elise hadn't seemed to change, not that Mori would let that happen. 

Akutagawa stared at the evil man in pure disinterest, but in the back of his mind he should have figured this would have happened, he had no one but himself to blame. He had an urge to just return here despite his mind, and his husband, telling him it wasn’t a good idea. Dazai-san disappeared for a shorter time than himself, but I guess he didn’t wander around the Port Mafia's premises the moment he made his presence known. 

“Akutagawa-kun, it’s been awhile.” Mori’s smile widened an uncomfortable amount. 

Akutagawa really should have stayed home.

Chapter Text

July 10

Armed Detective Agency 

1:00 pm

The trip to the agency was a nerve-wracking one. Atsushi felt a cold spike crawling on his back, a hollow pain in his stomach. He hadn’t planned to even set foot in the building when he returned to town. How could he? After he abandoned everyone and everything without a proper goodbye? He wasn't even sure that this was a good idea. He felt as if his legs would suddenly give out and he would lose his footing but that would risk injuring his baby girls. He wouldn’t risk that happening.

But his sister insisted.

Unfortunately, Kenji was the first to see him and set this in motion. At least the girls were happy and excited. Oh, the girls, what would everyone else say about them? Kenji hasn't said anything concerning why he was suddenly father. It’s like he just accepted it or the shock of Atsushi’s appearance didn't let him inquire about it. That wasn’t helping with Atsushi’s anxiety, it was leaving him in uncertainty.

As they arrived at the doors of Uzumaki Cafe, another person came to the tiger's mind, Lucy Montgomery, his abandoned best friend. She had been deeply affected by his disappearance by what he had been told to him by Kyouka. How terrible it felt when they couldn’t find him, she had exhausted herself to find him. Atsushi had cried when Kyouka told him, he felt horrible, he still does. He’s unsure if he can face Lucy either.

“Daddy…” Rin muttered out as she grabbed his cheeks and squeezed at them. She only does this when he’s frowning or sad. She started playing around with his face, forming it into a smile while staring into his eyes. Despite her own stoic face, Atsushi could help but smile at her attempt to cheer him up. “Sorry, Rin-chan. Daddy’s just having a bad day.” He smiles for her, he can’t be upset now because his girls need him to be strong.

He set both girls on the ground, “Okay girls, you have to be on your best behavior.” Atsushi instructed while stooping to their level, “So no running or yelling when we get inside, okay?” “We promise Daddy.” The twins exclaimed in unison. Atsushi smiled.

“I never thought I’d see the day you became a father, Atsushi-kun.” Kenji piped up, he gave him a slight pat of the back. Atsushi nervously laughed, “T-thanks..”

Kyouka directed the twins into the cafe, and Kenji followed them in afterwards leaving Atsushi to himself. “Okay Atsushi, you’re bigger than this, man.” He was trying his best to psyche himself up,   “ Just go in there, your girls are depending on you.”  He grabbed the glass door handle and walked inside.

𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒₊˚*ੈ🎀⸝⸝🍓✩‧₊˚

For a fair red-maiden like herself, Lucy’s life was rather normal or as normal as an ex-terrorist’s life can be. After trying to destroy Yokohama for the sake of his boss’ grief delusions and now starting to work in a cozy cafe, after 8 years she found herself embracing the tranquility of it all. It was honestly a joy that she could leave the pains of her past in the dust and begin a fresh life. She wouldn’t forget what and especially who brought her here, she realistically couldn’t anyway, even if…

Clop, clop, clop

The sounds of shoes hitting the tile floors. Someone was running across the cafe floor, you obviously aren’t allowed to do that. Lucy turned around and saw two elementary aged girls running through the cafe together, holding hands. Lucy noted how similarly dressed they were, she guessed that they were twins. Behind them was ex-assassin, Izumi Kyouka, who seemed to be chasing the two. She moved quickly and grabbed both of their arms and guided them towards the stairs.

“Good afternoon, Lucy-san.” She called out to her as she held the girls in place. “Aww, we weren’t running fast.” The black-haired whined and she struggled against Kyouka's grip, her face scrunched up in a frown, her head thrown back in annoyance. “What an adorable little girl.” Lucy thought as she chuckled to herself, “I hope I have a girl just as adorable one day.” She turned back to continue making coffee for her customers.

Kyouka shook her head towards the girl. “You heard your father earlier. He clearly said both of you are not to run in here.” By the way Kyouka talked to them, she was close to these two. Although, Lucy had never heard her talk about a friend with kids. Maybe a new friend she hadn't mentioned before.

“Sorry, we made you wait so long, Kyouka-chan.” The cafe bell rang, as by the voice, Lucy guessed that Kenji had entered the store, and behind him another man who called out to the girls. The buzz of the coffee press finishing kept Lucy’s attention. She only listened to the three of them while finishing up the order of coffee.

“Order for Table 19–”

Lucy spun around with the drinks as she was finished putting them together, about to give to the server but her sentence could be finished the moment her eyes caught a glance at the agency door. Standing there with Kyouka and Kenji, white-hair caught her eyes. Even as different as he looked she knew it was him.

“Alright, let’s go!.” Kenji said as he opened the door, “Yay!” The little girls ran through first, Lucy faintly heard their footsteps going up the stairs. “Atsushi-kun, after you.” Kenji held the door open for him and he slowly walked out of Lucy’s sight. Light white hair, purple and golden eyes, he was way more built than she last remembered. There wasn’t a doubt at all.

“Lucy-san?” The server girl was staring at her with a concerned look. She hadn’t let the girl take the tray because Lucy‘s grip on it had not loosened. She hadn’t noticed it because of her reaction to her missing cru–best friend. 

“S-sorry. I got a bit distracted.” Lucy apologized to the server, who shrugged it off and walked away with the order.

Lucy looked at the agency’s door again, only to find no one standing there. She knew he was there, Kenji had said his name out loud. What are the chances that she misheard or imagined it? None. She cannot leave her post at the counter as much as she wants to. This is gonna eat at her for the rest of the day. 

༄˖°.🍂.ೃ࿔*:･

Kyouka and Kenji step into the office, the only people of note are Ranpo, Naomi, Tanizaki and Kunikida. Definitely not everyone. “Should we bring them in?” Kenji whispered to his girlfriend. She shrugged her shoulders, this was a difficult and serious situation after all. The moment Atsushi stepped foot into the office, everyone would begin to freak out. He had been missing for a mass amount of time after all.

They just rushed here from the park. Kenji wanted to talk to Atsush so he could figure out the truth behind his sudden departure. Kyouka had said it was best for Atsushi to come here to everyone.

“Kyouka-chan! Kenji-kun, you two are back!” Tanizaki said walking up to the both of them, “Can you both start on some of the paperwork over there?” 

He points to a short pile of papers on Ranpo’s desk. Clearly, these belonged to him and he was slacking off again to stuff his face. “Ranpo-san, why have you done your work?” Kyouka glared at him as he shoveled some candy into his mouth. 

“These ain’t mine!” He protested, mouth full of sugary snacks, “These are Dazai’s he left ‘em on my desk and left the office earlier.” He spun his chair away from them to eat his unhealthy stash in peace. Lackadaisical as ever that detective. He would do anything that didn't interest him or came to him in urgency. It was just one of his many flaws despite that massive brain of his.

Kunikida lets out a sound of annoyance, one that he can’t really place. He hates that paperwork is piling up on a rather slow day, even if it is a small amount. If no one does anything, the blonde will be on everyone's ass about it. Kenji rests his bag of oranges on his desk as he begins picking up a couple sheets. 

“Ooo, can I get one Kenji-kun!” Naomi fiddles with an orange as soon as Kenji nods.

“Ranpo, please help out with a few.” Kunikida said, at his wits end at this point, “We don’t have any clients today.” “So until Dazai gets back, finish what you can, please.”

Business as usual in the Armed Detective Agency. That is except for the one obstacle standing outside the front door. That was sure to be discovered at any time, right about…

“Tsk, tsk, Kunikida-san. That isn’t the truth.” Ranpo points to the front door with a confident smirk, “Kyouka and Kenji have brought back a client themselves.” Yep, Ranpo could tell immediately. They should have seen this coming to be honest. At the end of the day this man is ridiculously smart. 

Ranpo directed his attention to the young couple, “You can send them in!” The front door slams open loudly the moment Ranpo finished his sentence. The rest of the agency brought their attention to the front as a loud voice of a little girl bellowed from it. “Sending in!”

A white haired girl and a black haired girl stand in the doorway, holding hands. The black-haired one was the one to yell out loud, all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. The other one was stoic-faced but her eyes glowed in delight. 

“R-rin-chan, Lin-chan!” Kyouka spoke up as the girls looked around the room in amazement. Lin ran in and jumped up on the side of Ranpo’s desk and greeted him with a massive smile, “Hi there! Are you a detective? Are you, are you?” Ranpo was a bit surprised by this girl, not just for her excitement, but her appearance. 

“Lin-chan, don’t stand on his desk…” Kyouka wrapped her hands around the hyperactive girl and picked her up off of Ranpo’s desk. “My apologies Ranpo-san. Lin-chan just loves to go over the top sometimes.” Ranpo had been in a state of shock since the two had burst into the office. Everyone else in the office seemed to be in the same state.

“No! No! I wanna talk more!” Lin whined while struggling, kicking and twisting around, against her aunt’s grip. She was putting up a good fight too, because Kyouka was losing the battle here. “Daddy. Lin’s making a fuss again.” The other girl stuck her head out of the doorway. 

Everyone had been wondering why Kyouka was the one dealing with this alone. If this child's parents were right outside their door, listen to this commotion, surely they should have stepped in by now. It's pretty impolite to let the detective you have asked to look at your case become your child's second parent.

“What is even happening right now?” Kunikida asked, very much dumbfounded. You’d expect him to have been upset by the disruption right now but he couldn’t even start to figure this out but also he was exhausted, extremely exhausted. 

“I’m not even sure myself.” Tanizaki replied to him quietly. The commotion was so bad that Yosano had stuck her head out of her office door.

“Atsushi!” Kyouka yelled, everyone seemed to freeze at the mention of that name. It couldn't be him, so many people have that as their first name. “You have to get over this or you’re gonna be weighed down by this forever! Now get in here and control your child!” She demanded of him. Everyone stared at the door with nothing but silence amongst everyone in the office, the only thing to hear was Lin’s fussing. Kyouka had said the one and only name they hadn’t said in years. She couldn’t have been calling out to him of all people.

Before anyone else could speak up, in walked a tall man who moved quickly towards Kyouka and Lin and he took the fussing girl from her into his arms, holding her to stop her wild movements. “Lin.” He said in a serious tone to the girl, a tone she definitely was used to as she immediately stopped thrashing about.

“You heard your aunt, stop misbehaving.” Lin slumped as the tension in her body went away. “I’m sorry Daddy...” She frowned, the guilt across her face was evident. 

“I’m not the one you should be apologizing to, young lady.” Atsushi corrected her and he let out a sigh. He turned around to everyone in the office and bowed, “My apologies for her behaviour.” Atsushi stood up straight for Lin to have a view of everyone in the room and to apologies to them all. 

“I’m sorry…” Lin apologized with her head hung low, she was embarrassed after being lectured by her father.

Silence.

“ATSUSHI-KUN!” Naomi tackles the weretiger into a massive hug, somehow almost pushing him over despite his stronger stature and tears streaming down her face. Atsushi uses his one free arm to hug her back while holding up his daughter, tears filling up his eyes as well.

⋆.˚🦋༘⋆

July 10
Port Maria Offices
12:40 pm

Take it with a grain of salt. That's how most rumors are to be taken after all. Whatever your ears pick up has a few embellishments. Whether it be a cheating scandal, relationships or backstabbing. One or more parties are lying to some capacity, no matter if you trust that person’s words in any case without doubt. 

That's what Higuchi had to learn the more time she spent in the Port Mafia. The younger members loved to stir up pointless drama and gossip to quell their boredom. She had been in a few circles in her younger years. It wasn't always pretty. Thankfully, no one died from the drama, but people have gotten hurt whenever things have gotten physical.

A week before the seven year anniversary of her dear superior's disappearance, rumors started to stir once again. Higuchi couldn't bear to hear another story of why he had jumped ship without notice, she was still grieving his disappearance to this day.

But these rumours were picking up and getting louder and louder. She'd arrived on base after an important business deal.

“I'm not making shit up. The boss has him in his office right now.”

A perky young assassin stubbornly stated to her friend. Higuchi recognized her from a smaller team Gin had shadowed. 

Whoever had returned was in the boss' office? They probably got in trouble or something, the boss doesn't summon random people unless they've done something major.

Higuchi didn't bother standing around to listen to the two gossiping girls, she just wanted to get this report to Chuuya and get some food.

Passing through the busy corridors, Higuchi noticed a small crowd lingering a couple steps from Chuuya’s office. This was annoying but, unfortunately, it wasn't unusual. This corridor is massive to the point that people decided to plop down a couple of benches, tables and chairs. It’s home to a bunch of ridiculous stuff that happens on a daily basis. Higuchi quickly marched through the conglomerate of members socializing with one another. 

“Hey Higuchi-san!” A male co-worker called out to her. He was known for his love of bothering Higuchi about the stuff he overhears. She slowed her march and looked at him, her face displaying her annoyance very clearly. 

“Come on dude, she's not gonna believe you anyways.” The guy who called her in the first place playfully punched the other one in his arm and said, “Oh shut it Saku, everyone can back it up.” Higuchi was confused, if not a tad annoyed. What was he talking about, what was so important that he stopped her in the middle of an urgent matter of work. 

“Whatever it is, hurry up. I don't have all day.” The guy chuckled before gaining a serious face and dropping an atomic bomb on Higuchi.

“Akutagawa's back and he's in the boss' office.”

Maybe some rumors aren't chuck filled with salt.

Chapter Text

July 10

12:40 pm

Armed Detective Agency 

Atsushi was beginning to understand the pains of his disappearance. Well, it wasn't like he didn't know the extent of what he had caused but seeing it face to face was way more eye-opening and heartbreaking than hearing about it. 

Here he was placed on a chair in the middle of his first ever workplace, surrounded by the first people in his life to show him guidance and love since his birth, now they were staring at him with a mix of sadness, anger and a hint of relief. 

The girls had been taken out of the room by Kyouka so as to not get them involved with the impending conflict. Kenji followed his girlfriend out as well, and Atsushi had an inkling that he would confront her about her knowledge about this. He would have to apologize to her for getting her to basically lie to everyone. The room was silent, every person was struggling to start speaking. Atsushi couldn't speak for himself, no words couldn't leave his own mouth.

 “Atsushi…”

Tanizaki finally broke the silence and he was trying his best not to either break down or react strongly.

“How…how are you..?” 

A simple question, okay. 

Atsushi nervously smiled and answered, “I'm doing alright, things could be better…” 

Yeah, things were definitely on a broken roller-coaster that was speeding to a cliff. He began sliding the metal slab of his necklace between his finger, his palms were beginning to feel sweaty, these stares were choking his ability to calm his nerves.

“Where have you been?” It was less of a question and more of a demand that left Kunikida's mouth. Telling him he was obligated to tell him about his whereabouts. Clearly, Tanizaki’s question gave him the confidence to bluntly drop that question.

A hard question, not okay.

Atsushi swallowed hard, “That's…something I can't specifically answer.” He continues before anyone can butt in, “..b-but it's nowhere unsafe!”

The room is way more stiff than before, clearly that was the wrong answer. That was what he guessed by the increased glare on Kunikida’s face or was it disappointment? Atsushi was too anxious to properly distinguish it.

“That's not the answer you want to hear…” He meekly said as he averted his gaze. Kunikida sighed, he seemed to realize that the pressure that Atsushi was being crushed under was taking a toll on him.

“I'm guessing this has to do with those two girls, huh?” Ranpo chimed in, he was mindlessly chewing on a lollipop, “Considering they both referred to you as ‘Daddy’.” Atsushi nodded his head. 

“So you just disappeared because of two children? How old are they?” Kunikida asked, his eyes searching for an answer from the weretiger.

Atsushi rubbed the back of his neck, “They're only 7 years old…” Someone slams their hand down on a desk, everyone's attention is directed to Yosano. She looks horrified and Atsushi can understand why, considering what she must be thinking upon hearing the girls ages.

“Atsushi, don’t tell me you got someone pregnant at 18!?” Yosano yelled out her question, she was slightly shaking as she grabbed the corner of the desk she had just slammed. Atsushi nervously laughed and started biting the nail of his thumb, his sharp teeth chipping the corner of it. He wanted to curl up into a ball and die right here, right now.

“I doubt that Yosano-san, Atsushi isn't that irresponsible, he probably found them abandoned somewhere.” Tanizaki said as he looked at Atsushi like he was trying to confirm his own thoughts. Yosano didn’t seem to agree though as she locked her sights on the redhead.

“Tanizaki, the white haired one looks exactly like him!” Yosano shot back, “That kid is not adopted.” She wasn't wrong, Rin was basically a copy-paste of Atsushi, with her eyes and hair being the same as her weretiger father.

“Yeah, both of them are biologically…mine…” The weretiger admitted while looking down. Obviously he didn't want to see everyone's reaction.

“WHAT!?”

Everyone in the room exclaimed out loud, much to the dissatisfaction of Atsushi’s sensitive ears. Yosano stomps up to him and grabs both his shoulders, making Atsushi look up at her, he noticed that strong grip hadn't faded in the slightest.

“After everything I educated you about!?” She sounded upset and shocked at the same time. Yosano has been the only person to advise Atsushi in that sense. She hammered into his brain the importance of safety but clearly that never worked. 

“You got a girl pregnant because you didn't listen to me!?” She shook his shoulders violently, Atsushi tried to reply but was cut off by Kunikida.

“So you just decided to cut town because of this, brat?” He said, trying to piece this together, “Why didn't you just come to us about it?”

Atsushi looked directly into the serious man's eyes, they looked so disappointed and upset. He hated it when Kunikida did that so much. He always hated making Kunikida disappointed as it always cut him deep to know that he screwed up. Atsushi didn’t imagine that it would still affect himself 7 years later. 

“I-I couldn't tell any of you at all, okay!?” He breaks, his voice getting louder than before. He had shaken Yosano's grip on his arms, and she stepped back afterwards to give him some space. Atsushi knew why he never came to tell them, it was way too dangerous to do so.

“Why!?” Tanizaki pleaded to him, “N-none of us would have thrown you out for it! So why Atsushi, why couldn't you!?” He began to break as his voice struggled to push out words. 

Atsushi had only seen Tanizaki cry once. It was after the first job he worked on in this company, his sister had almost lost her life that day. Now, the orange-haired man was shedding tears over Atsushi's actions. It made him tear up as well, it was the worst in the world to make those you care about hurt.

“If I did I couldn't have kept him and the girls safe!” He replied rather harshly, shocking everyone else in the process. Atsushi apologised for coming back so strongly, “I'm sorry I just couldn't, it was too risky.” 

Coming to them the day he found out would have put both of them in danger, especially the girls. Everyone went into a moment of confused and shocked silence after that explanation.

“Him? That doesn't make any sense.” Ranpo spoke again, discarding the half eaten lollipop in the trash can beside him. Oh right, that's going to be an interesting part to explain. Atsushi couldn’t blame him for being confused at the mention of a male in this context, “You couldn't have gotten a guy…” Ranpo's thought wasn't finished but everyone understood what he meant.

“Is he an ability user?” Yosano asked firmly and Atsushi nodded in response as he fiddled with his metal necklace again. He expected her to know the answer to Ranpo’s question.

“What does that even change?” Kunikida questioned because to his knowledge men cannot get pregnant, biologically that is. Yosano quickly went into her office and grabbed a large book and handed it over to Kunikida. The book’s cover read, Ability Users: A Biological Spectrum. 

“Flip to page 276, and read the 3rd paragraph.” 

He does that and reads what's there aloud, “Despite the limitations of reproduction of regular humans, once they have or receive an ability they are able to reproduce with any other ability user. The gender of which doesn't not matter.”

“Huh, what!?” Ranpo freaked out. It was a sight to behold, Ranpo was learning something he didn't know before, it was kinda amusing. “Since when was that a thing?” He had grabbed the book out of Kunikida’s hands and started flipping through the text.

Yosano shook her head in amusement, “It's been a thing for years, but I have never encountered it.” She returned her attention to Atsushi, “It is my assumption that you didn't know either.” 

“No, I didn't know until I got the news.”

Yosano sighed, she seemed rather conflicted. She couldn’t really blame him for that, he didn't know that was possible. Atsushi being a father was definitely a massive shock that’s for sure. There was one question that was on everyone’s mind.

“So, who is the lucky guy Atsushi-kun?” Naomi asked, getting right into his face. The tense air that had been there before was killed the moment the question was asked. Naomi had always been one for love drama, it only seemed to have grown over the years. This shouldn’t have been a surprise to Atsushi anyways, “W-what?” 

“Who is it? You had to expect this to come up eventually. I mean if you never told us he must be someone who we wouldn't approve of?” Atsushi slumped back into the chair they had him in, Naomi wasn’t wrong after all.

“I’m very interested too.” Kunikida said, looking away from Atsushi because he seemed embarrassed to be asking. Everyone else was interested as well because they all looked at Atsushi. Does his love life truly matter right now? He snuck deeper into the chair and sighed. He was exhausted. Nonetheless, it goes hand in hand with his disappearance. 

“Geez, I didn’t think you’d be interested in that kinda stuff Kunikida-san, ha-ha…” He laughed then straightened himself in the chair. “I mean, I didn’t think a brat like you would have such a commitment, if I’m being honest.” Kunikida admitted, which made Atsushi feel massively offended, “Do you not have any faith in me Kunikida-san…?” he mean-mugged the blonde man. 

“I said no such thing.” He smiled as he said that. “Either way, you have to answer my question!” Naomi hopped back in the conversation, again getting into the man’s face. Atsushi waved his hand to get some personal space. “Alright, alright.” He said, “It’s actually–”

“Atsushi!” The weretiger is cut off by the sound of the office door slamming open and Kyouka’s voice. Everyone else looks at her as well as she explains further, “It’s an emergency.”

༘⋆🌷🫧💭₊˚ෆ

The twins were standing at Haruno’s desk, staring right into the poor woman’s soul. Haruno wasn’t sure whether or not to be scared, these twins were giving off an intense aura, like a pair of hungry lions watching their prey. They came into the office along with Kyuoka, Kenji and shockingly Atsushi. Apparently, both of them were his children, Rin and Lin. Never did Haruno think Atsushi would be the first of them all to have children but she was happy for him nonetheless. His girls are rather intimidating though, something Haruno couldn’t understand if they are the offspring of sweet and kind Atsushi.

The white-haired one pulled out a photo from her pocket and showed it to Haruno. “You’re in my Daddy’s picture.” Rin said. It was a photo that was taken almost 8 years in the office when Atsushi first joined. Everyone was in the photo, especially herself and she noticed how meek her posture was. She slightly chuckled at the sight of it. 

“Yes, I am.” Haruno replied to her, “Do you know our Daddy?” Lin asked, looking at Haruno with inquisitive eyes, “I do know him. He’s a very nice man.” Both girls smiled at her answer and the aura they had before vanished, replaced with their happiness. Haruno felt more at ease as she listened and answered the questions the twins had for her.

On the other side of the room, stood Kyouka and Kenji. Unlike the happiness on the other side of the room, they weren’t doing the best over there and for pretty good reasons. 

“Kyouka…how long did you know?” 

He cuts straight to the meat of the matter, his face was serious, he usual smile was nowhere to be found. That’s one thing about Kenji, he wasn’t fond of untrust with those he cares about and right now he was questioning the love of his life, his own girlfriend. He didn’t want to do so but her calm demeanour around Atsushi was messing with his head. Even though she could have calmed down from seeing him before he arrived, her closeness to the twins was messing with that explanation if she had just met them that day. It left Kenji questioning her the entire way back to office. 

She looked at him and softly sighed, it was almost as if she was dropping a weight from her chest.

“Only for a year after he left, he informed me of his whereabouts but before that I was as clueless as everyone else.” She admitted. That confirmed that Kenji’s suspicions were correct, she knew more than she’d let on. 

“You knew where he was?” Kyouka nodded, she wasn’t looking him in the eyes anymore, “Then why didn’t you say anything? If you knew he was safe you could have told us…” Kenji exclaimed with a pained look on his face.

Kyouka rubs her hands together, she feels guilty but she stands firm on her words.

“Because I couldn’t tell anyone anything.” She answered, “Atsushi asked me not to and so I didn’t.” “T-then why couldn't you just tell me at least…” 

He looked into her eyes, she saw the sadness in them. He looked so defeated and hurt that she hadn't said anything before. Kyouka really wanted to back then but Atsushi had begged her not to for his family's safety.

“Believe me I wanted to tell you, I wanted to tell all of you but Atsushi telling me was a risk on its own. So he begged me not to tell anyone.” Kyouka pleaded to him, hoping he would understand as she held both of his hands and squeezed them. 

Kenji looked conflicted with what his girlfriend explained. He understood completely why she had hidden this but he couldn’t help but feel hurt that she watched as everyone around her grieved Atsushi’s disappearance, many of them believing the worst had happened to him. 

Tanizaki had shut himself at home for a couple days after thinking the worst happened to his best friend. Yosano spent more time working in her office, refusing to talk to anyone except Kyouka or in times of emergency. Kunikida had become more unhappy and less laidback, getting extremely angry at the mention of Atsushi sometimes. Ranpo had actually stopped snacking on sweets, only recently picking it back up. 

And Dazai, well, his appearances at work were so infrequent to the point everyone thought he had gone missing himself. The only reason they stopped believing he was missing too was because he visited the dorms often.

Now looking back, Kyouka seemed to have calmed down rather quickly. She used to cry everyday since her brother's disappearance, she spent hours in Yosano's office brawling her eyes out. Sometimes, Kunikida had to force her to stay home because of her mental state. 

Then one day, she just stopped. It wasn't that she wasn’t sad anymore, instead she looked relieved as if her problems and fear had been resolved. Of course, no one noticed as they all were wallowing in their own grief. 

Kenji squeezed her small hands back, he understood why she made that sacrifice, he truly did.

“I understand why you did it but…” He trailed off, his hands loosen from her own and Kyouka tried to keep them in place with no luck. It is clear that he’s resentful of her actions and he feels bad for having those thoughts.

“Kenji…” Kyouka uttered out, her voice layered in sadness.

Before she could speak again, in her pocket, her smartphone began to ring out. Pulling it out she noted the caller ID. It was an unknown number as it had no name, only the number. Despite that, Kyouka knew who it was.

“She must have found him!”

“Hello.” Kyouka answered.

Kenji slightly listened in but he couldn’t make out the voice too well.

“Is he there with you?” Kyouka goes quiet as the person speaks, it was a rather soft lady's voice but Kenji could tell that she sounded panicked.

“Okay, then why do you sound so panic—”

“B-because the baby's missing Kyouka-chan!” The voice was loud and clear as she yelled into the phone and she began to sound like she was on the brink of tears. A baby was missing, of course she would be weepy.

“What!?” Now Kyouka was panicking, she gripped the front of her kimono, “How!?”

“I don't know! H-he was right beside me a-and I turned arou..nd..” The woman began to sob before she could complete her sentence as Kyouka’s face became way more concerned as she tried to calm the woman down, “Hey, hey Gin, calm down. You can’t get hysterical now.” 

“Gin? As in that assassin from Port Maria.” Kenji thought. He wanted to speak but considering the seriousness of the situation, he decided it was not to say anything. Kyouka had started to pace around the room as she continued to speak to Gin.

“You have to tell him though.”

“I-I can’t. It will send him into a mental break again! Also he’s currently with the boss.” Gin explained, “Just go tell Atsushi, please. I don’t know what to do at this point.” 

Once Kyouka was instructed to tell Atsushi the situation, she rushed back into the office. Kenji watched as his girlfriend burst into the office, thinking about what he had just heard. Clearly, that baby was Atsushi’s.

Chapter Text

Akutagawa leaned into the, rather comfortable, leather-covered couch. It was just the type of couch he likes to sleep on. He still wanted one for his home because sleeping on it would be heaven on earth, not that his own bed isn’t comfortable enough. Comfortable couches aside, there are more important matters right now. He is in the boss’ office of the Port Mafia, but how did he arrive in this predicament? He had only himself to blame.

⋆˚🐾˖°

July 10

3:57 am
Yokohama

Akutagawa stepped onto the outskirts of Yokohama at around 4 in the morning. He’d have to apologize to Atsushi later for basically stealing the car to drive all the way here. An early morning drive was great for the mind, windows open with the coolest breeze passing throughout the car. Well, his son enjoyed it by how much he looked outside at the passing cars and trees, that was enough for Akutagawa to be at peace. When he arrived in Yokohama, he parked rather on the outskirts of town so as to not signal his sudden appearance to a certain organization.

He stepped out from the driver’s seat to the back door and there was the cutest little baby in the world sitting peacefully in his carseat, snuggled in his white tiger onesie and sucking on a light blue pacifier. Akutagawa reaches in and unbuckles the seatbelt from around the baby, and places him into the baby carrier he has on. The baby relaxes into the carrier without any fuss. Yuzuki was peaceful like that, being in the care of his father was enough for him to relax.

“Here we are Yuzuki.” Akutagawa said to the baby, who looked up at his father, “Yokohama. The last place your father and I lived.” Yuzuki wiggles his legs in happiness, yet his expression is still stoic and bored. Akutagawa’s heart squeezes in joy at the sight of his happy baby and yet his expression is stoic as usual. The both of them can sense the other's happiness despite their inexpressiveness.

“Let’s take a little stroll around the town.” Akutagawa stated as they began to walk away, and Yuzuki relaxed back into his father’s chest, his tired little eyes drooping as they walked in the city.

As they walked along the empty streets of Yokohama, Akutagawa occasionally stopped to show something to his baby. Whether it be a shop, landmark or an alleyway he recognized. He especially found a rather familiar alleyway, the same one he first met his husband all those years ago and he was proud of himself for remembering where it was.

“And this is where I met your ridiculous weretiger father. He was so confused and scared back then.” The man reminisced smugly as he re-told the tale, “He was rather fascinating, especially his weretiger ability.” The baby listened in content, occasionally staring down the alleyway he was being presented with. He found it nice to listen to his father’s voice, a common sentiment shared by all babies. 

Yuzuki grabbed one of Akutagawa’s sleeves and tugged on it, “Yes?” Akutagawa watched as his son made a pair of grabby hands up and towards the massive black towering buildings in the distance, the Port Mafia headquarters. Akutagawa stared mindlessly at the building, he was here for that place after all and walking around the city aimlessly with his baby wasn’t him delaying getting to that location, of course not. Even though a part of him was screaming to head back home with his son right now. He must have been staring at the building for too long because Yuzuki used the back of his hand and smacked Akutagawa in the face. Babies don’t have much self-control over their motor skills because the hit was rather hard. Then again, Yuzuki seemed to understand how hard he hits whenever he does.

“Ow! Why do you insist on smacking people in the face, you little mischief maker.” Akutagawa said as he playfully bonked their foreheads together, Yuzuki wiggled his little legs afterwards clearly enjoying the attention from his father. “Cease your physical violence child.” More wiggling in excitement from the baby, Akutagawa gives his son a small smile and Yuzuki returns it in kind. 

“Alright. Let us be off towards the large towers.” So off they went to the Port Maria’s headquarters upon Yuzuki’s silent request. 

That was the biggest mistake of his life. The moment he arrived, he was spotted and recognized by the security at the front of the building and placed in a room for, to quote the guards, “safe keeping.” Clearly, he was going to be brought in front of the boss later on. He was an idiot, a massive idiot. Of course, he would never admit that out loud for the sake of his own pride. 

Yuzuki wasn’t removed from his care because one of the guards received a painful lesson upon trying that out. He wasn’t a fan of stabbing a man in the leg in the sight of his innocent baby’s eyes but he was not leaving his baby in the care of these people he did not recognize or trust. Akutagawa made space in between them with Rashomon as they were not going to touch his baby, not on his watch.

“You have to give us the baby–” “Over my dead body. Get Gin here this instant, they will keep him instead.” He seethed, cutting off the guard before he could finish his sentence and demanded his sister’s presence. "They can’t take you from me again."

One of the guards was conflicted, clearly they didn’t not know why the infamous rabid dog of their organization was found with a whole baby and he was demanding that the baby be given to a random Black Lizard member? That was absurd to him.

“Just go get them now.” The other guards commanded and he obeyed, jogging off to find his sister. 

He was watched by the remaining guard, he and Yuzuki glared right into his eyes with so much venom and hate to the point the guard began to feel unsafe by being alone with them. This was one the most feared men that had been a part of the organization that this building was founded on. Once Gin arrived, she took the baby from their brother’s arms. Yuzuki went off to her without any fuss or tears, just a bored expression on his face as he leaned into his aunt’s chest. She plops the baby into the baby carrier Akutagawa had on before.

Gin tried to ask why he was here in Yokohama but Akutagawa said nothing, much to Gin's disappointment. So she let it go, deciding to call Atsushi later about his husband's appearance. 

‧˚꒰🐾꒱༘⋆

July 10
12:45 pm
Port Mafia Base - Boss’ Office

Now hours later, here he was in Mori’s office on the top floor of the main building. Regretting every action he took to wind up here, sometimes listening to his more logical side would save him from the situations that he gets in. There wasn’t any time to linger in self-pity because other matters are on the table now. 

Mori was lazily smiling at Akutagawa, of course that smile was nothing more than fabrication. There was only evil hidden behind it and the only type that this man had in his heart. He stretched his arm to Akutagawa and leaned back into his own chair before saying a word.

“Akutagawa-kun, it’s been awhile. How have you been?”

Akutagawa didn't want to answer that question because he didn't like it, it was clearly casual for the sake of guiding him to a corner Mori wanted him. These small tricks weren't hard to spot after working under this man for years. Therefore, Akutagawa remained silent.  Mori’s smile had not faltered despite the silence the diablo gave to him.

“You have never been one for small talk Akutagawa-kun and doesn't seem to have changed at all these years.” Mori laughed fondly as if this was a light-hearted joke between them. 

Akutagawa’s frown only deepened in his face, he wanted to go back to his baby and watch him being adorable as he slept, it was almost nap time for him, “I hope Gin has put Yuzuki to sleep by now.” 

“You may not refer to me by my maiden name, sir.” Akutagawa finally spoke up.

“Oh my, so Akutagawa is no longer your last name? I'm surprised that you found someone to tolerate you.” The man had the audacity to laugh at him.

Was that supposed to be an insult? If so, it was a very cheap one he has heard a thousand times, he would be rich with all the nickels it could have produced. Unfortunately, all his wealth remained in Yokohama for good reason.

“Not that it is any concern to you, I rather you not to do so.” Akutagawa said. He had fallen into casual talk at this point just like this fowl man wanted, he decided to nip this in the bud and cut the chase.

“We both know why you have me locked up in your office, so cut the chase. What is it that you'll punish me with for jumping ship?” The question was so blatant that even Mori was surprised by it himself. Akutagawa was too busy waiting on the answer to his question to notice the slight shock in the Mafia boss’ eyes, even Elise had raised her head and eyebrow at that. Yet, his question was neither a joke nor a jest.

“Ryuunosuke-kun, you are jumping to conclusions that I have not stipulated when you joined our lovely little organisation.” Mori corrected with the wag of a finger and a cheeky smile. Akutagawa wanted to roll his eyes so badly. Did his old man become more silly with old age? How is he around the same age as Hirotsu? These questions were pointless now. 

“Let’s start simple. How have you been?”

“Better before I got here.” Akutagawa bluntly said. Whoops, that wasn’t on purpose, the neighbourhood moms were probably right, he really had a loose tongue. He wanted to smack himself in the face. 

“That’s good to hear, I’m sure that is the case.” Mori spoke afterwards, choosing to ignore the blunt reply, “Having time from the mafia life must be peaceful. I’ve wondered though why you choose to run off.” 

Akutagawa leaned back into the couch as he slightly shrugged, “That is truly for me to know. My intentions were sudden and I apologise for my leave without notice.” His apology obviously was not sincere, not that Akutagawa minded if Mori picked up on that. Mori sighed and finally frowned as Akutagawa’s irritation was as solid as a rock.

Elise giggled loudly, clearly mocking the half-defeated man.

Akutagawa was not sure what was his end goal but he guessed that intimidation was Mori's way to get Akutagawa to spill his whereabouts and actions of the past 7 years. Honestly, this was kinda sad to watch, did the Port Mafia shell out tons of money to try locating him? If that's the case, it's embarrassing that Akutagawa wasn't able to be spotted until he basically came to them. He and the Jinko weren't that secretive then, at least to his knowledge.

Mori dramatically pouted at Elise's laughter, faking a pain in his heart. Doing his regular song and dance at this supposed attack on him, "Don't laugh at me Elise-chan! You're breaking my heart."

“Ignore him Ryuu-kun. He's just mad at himself.” Elise waved her hand at the boss and continued to draw her picture. Akutagawa sighed, this was a waste of time then he was ready to leave. His son probably missed him terribly and Akutagawa couldn't spend another moment away from his offspring. He got up and dropped his coat back down to his elbows.

“Then I will be on my way out.” Akutagawa said before turning around to leave.

“Wait, wait! I’m not finished talking to you!” Mori called out, he sounded shocked and confused at his sudden departure. Elise had begun to laugh her head off at Akutagawa’s disrespect for the Mafia boss, she couldn't believe it herself. Nevertheless, Akutagawa didn't bother stopping at Mori's request and walked over the entrance and shoved open the massive doors outwards to escape this wretched place. He would have never dared to do this in the past but he didn't really care now his son mattered more at this moment. He couldn’t let him out of his sight for too long. 

“I wonder how my younger self would react to my behavior?” His thoughts caught him in his current actions, a funny thought it was.

Before he could begin his quest for his child, someone appeared in the doorway. A face Akutagawa hadn't seen in the longest time, he was kinda happy to see it.

“A-akutagawa-senpai!?” 

The woman's loud voice was muffled by slight wobbles in it. She was clutching a few folders that were stained with the sweat from her shaking hands, her eyes had a glint of tears to them. The moment she saw him, Akutagawa swore her face became as white as a ghost, like she'd seen the ghost herself. The diablo was surprised to see her as well, less deadly shocked though.

“Hello Higuchi.”

My art of the SSKK Family

Chapter Text

July 10

1:06 pm

Port Mafia Base - Boss’ Office 

Akutagawa hated that he was still confined to this accursed and foul office. He was trying not to become vocally upset from being held back from finding his baby, the poor little one was probably missing him so much. With Yuzuki being out of his sight, it was beginning to eat at his mind.   It was a massive inconvenience to be away from Yuzuki, because missed his son.

Unfortunately for him, his ex-boss and ex-subordinate, along with an interested young girl, were not allowing him to leave. They all stared at him with dissecting eyes, pulling apart whatever information that was located physically on his body. Higuchi was shaking and very close to tears at the sight of the diablo but she was holding herself together rather well. 

“I-it's really you, I t-thought everyone was joking or lying!” Her words tumbled out her mouth, she's clearly in pure disbelief. 

The folders in her hands are suffocating under the weight of her grip, crushing up and being stained by her sweating hands. Mori's face cringes in discomfort at the crushed files and motioned for Higuchi to give them to him.

“Higuchi-san, please just give me those before you ruin them further.” 

“O-oh! Sorry boss, here you go…” She hands them to the boss and he places them on top of a pile of other folders. 

Now he directed his attention to Akutagawa again, he was less welcoming than before. He slightly glared at the man to which Akutagawa returned it in kind. It was like watching two angry cats daring the other to strike first. Higuchi watched in disbelief and Elise was having the time of her life as she snickered at the sight, but both of them were unsure what to say to the men. As the glaring contest continued Mori gritted his teeth and pointed at Akutagawa.

“Ryunnosuke-kun, answer me this.” He tried, “Why did you come back now?”

Akutagawa hissed through his teeth and placed his head into the palm of his hand and looked away from the boss. He isn't gonna admit anything to this snake because it wasn't necessary. He just needed to stall for more time; any more time to get him out of this situation and back to where he was before. He just wanted to have his son in his arms, that's what matters now. Gin was keeping him safe but it was terrible of him to throw his responsibilities upon his sister. 

⋆⭒˚.⋆🪐 ⋆⭒˚.⋆

Higuchi recognized that look of his. He was embarrassed to admit anything for the sake of pride. Akutagawa never made it unless he was clearly backed into a corner and had no space to jump away. It was absolutely adorable to her and it was even better now as he was much older looking than before. Higuchi was savouring every single second of it in her head, it was heaven on earth to see him like this. 

Speaking of Akutagawa being older, Higuchi noticed just how much he had changed since she last saw him. He wasn't the same malnourished and concerningly pale man she had known, but he was at a healthy weight and his skin was still pale but it was the same shade as his sister's. Honestly, she believed that when he disappeared it was to succumb to his lung disease out of the sight of his friends, family and co-workers, most of Higuchi's shock was seeing that he was alive and doing better than before. She wasn't upset by that fact, thankfully the man she looked up to was alive and her mourning could finally come to a stop. 

She wanted to hug him so badly, just to know that he was actually alive and right here at this very moment. It was a massive relief. Right now, she wasn’t sure if she should leave or stay, the boss hadn’t dismissed her yet. Akutagawa had acknowledged her when she came into the room, and right now had his attention fixated on the boss. What happened after he left? He was alive and well obviously, but how did he just decide to pull his life together and get better? Did he find new friends and were they treating him well? She hoped so above anything else. What if it the worse came true, that is did he find lov–

“Higuchi-chan!” 

The boss was talking to her as she was lost in her thoughts, that was massively embarrassing, “Y-yes sir?!” He smiled at her and motions her to come closer to him. When she does, he whispers to her and slightly points at Akutagawa, who looks lost in his own thoughts. 

“Since you are here, I want to know if you can help me out with him. He refuses to answer my questions so I was wondering if he’d answer to you instead.” The boss seemed to be slightly desperate to get some answer out of Akutagawa. 

A simple request, but Akutagawa may not answer anything she asked, he never really did unless he was in an alright mood that day. Although she wasn’t sure if this was the case now, after all this time. He was watching Elise as he was colouring away on the floor; he seemed to be looking at her in fondness.

“Hey Akutagawa-senpai.”

He looks away from Elise to focus on Higuchi, “Yes?” Higuchi gulped, the back of throat felt prickly and hot. She was really, really nervous, she couldn’t remember the last she had felt this way. 

“I-it's been forever since I've seen you, I-I don't know what to say…” She looked into his mellow and soft eyes, the ones that always had a fierce look to them; always on guard. Sometimes he was at peace but he would go right back to being on his toes, it was mostly what Higuchi saw in his eyes. Akutagawa tucked a loose hair stand back behind his ears before answering Higuchi.. He looked so beautiful; there was nothing that could have erased the memory of that moment for her, it was like a once in a lifetime chance.

“I can understand that, I definitely caused some havoc upon my sudden disappearance.” Akutagawa looked up at her, “Also some disruption to your emotions.”

Higuchi was rather surprised at the sincerity of Akutagawa's voice; she hadn’t ever heard anything of the sort from his voice before. It was rather jarring for her to hear and almost stunned her out of speaking. Honestly if not swooning her a little bit, those thoughts would always continue to seep it’s way back into the forefront of her mind.

“If so, w-why did you decide to come back after all this time?!” The blonde blurted out, after pulling herself together. She clasped her hand together and held them in front of herself.

Akutagawa glanced at the boss and squirted at him or was he glaring? Higuchi couldn't tell over her shaking and sweating palms. He sighed rather audibly and looked away from her.

“I came back because I felt I needed to for my indecent departure.” Akutagawa lied through his teeth, no one in the room believed that for a second. He had never been the best at hiding anything and that fact hadn't changed one bit. Everyone deadpanned at the poor attempt and Akutagawa noticed it. 

“Just admit your guil–” “I have no guilt.” Elise rolled her eyes and blew a raspberry at his interruption. Guilt was the proper word to describe it.

Mori shook his head like a disapproving father and he placed his hands under his chin to hold his head upright. Higuchi couldn't bear to witness anything the boss could do to Akutagawa, because he was getting more and more frustrated at his refusal to answer the question straightforwardly. Akutagawa had always been a person who didn't answer to anyone unless it was the Boss or Dazai, Higuchi guessed that the circle of people had shrinked. 

Her shoulders tensed up as she tried again, “It is that you aren't safe to tell us?”

Akutagawa shook his head, “No, what gave you that inane idea?” He looked so disappointed and a bit amused, “I can assure you Higuchi, I am perfectly fine.” 

That was good. He was okay, it seems that his new life was treating him well. That made Higuchi extremely happy. Akutagawa pointed at Mori, “..but I don't feel that he should have any knowledge of my current life.”

Higuchi could understand that; it was best to assume that Akutagawa was not in any mafia or gang circles these days. Considering that possibility, it was best to assume he wanted to keep up his calm life. Higuchi wonder if there was any space for her to join that life.

“No, stop those thoughts.” Higuchi got herself back on track; the boss was basically breathing down her back to get Akutagawa to open up. 

“Well, you do know that you may be punished for your actions.” Akutagawa raised an eyebrow and looked pointedly at Mori. Higuchi was worried, did the boss tell him there was no punishment?

“I figured as much but what would even punish me for? Leaving without prior notice?” 

Akutagawa examined the vase filled with a lovely bouquet of black roses on the table in front of him; a few petals had a glint of water on them. He traced his fingers across one of the nearest ones before plucking a petal from it. Higuchi noticed how his attention wasn’t just bored but somehow his mind was elsewhere, and he was agitated, mildly agitated. It was likely from the setting he was placed under. He wasn't wrong because unless he massively betrayed the organization, there wasn't really anything Mori would typically do in the case of jumping ship. Dazai was a good example of this. 

That is if the boss decided to follow this unspoken rule. Higuchi hoped he would follow it. 

“I guess that is true~” Mori finally spoke up in a sickly sweet voice, it made Higuchi’s skin crawl. “But I won’t let you leave until you comply, Ryuunosuke-kun.”

Higuchi isn’t even surprised, she knew the boss wasn't the type to let go of something that intrigued him so much and Akutagawa was currently the most interesting thing on his petri dish. This was taking forever, Akutagawa had to finally let up and just tell  Higuchi  them why he did what he did. It was eating away at all of their minds as this back and forth continues. 

Akutagawa tilted his head backwards as his view of the office doors were likely in his view. His hands were gripping the armrests, it was like he was trying to relax. He sat in silence for a moment, he twisted a single petal of the black rose in-between his fingers and he swallowed visibly hard before speaking.

“I just want to go get my son.”

“What.”

༘⋆₊ ⊹★🔭๋࣭ ⭑⋆｡˚

There were many things in his life that Akutagawa had gone through. Whether that be death, pain, betrayal, guilt etc. Of course, he started to become numb to most of it, chucking each experience into the back of his mind. Losing friends and companions to death and hardship wasn’t anything new to the man, he just let it be and moved on with his life. Nowadays, it seems that those experiences left a scar on Akutagawa’s heart and mind but he never noticed or paid it any mind. That was his life after all, nothing much that could have been done about it.

Maybe that wasn’t the best thing to do. As it stands to have someone who you love and care for that you brought into this world, can lead your mind to horrible pa–

Akutagawa I did not have time for this.

Akutagawa I needed to hold my baby in my arms.

Akutagawa I can’t bear another moment.

It’s happening again.

I can’t fail my duties to my baby.

not again.

Chapter Text

July 10

1:00 pm

Armed Detective Agency  

Atsushi almost dropped Kyouka’s phone the moment that Gin explained the urgent situation to him. A parent’s worst nightmare, his child was missing without a trace. The tiger’s mind started to run a mile a minute, his body felt numb, he couldn’t feel anything in his arms or legs as the weight of the situation began to set in for him. He had hoped that the baby was with Akutagawa. That same morning at 5 am Atsushi had woken to more space on his left side than usual, two crying twins shaking him awake, and a missing husband and baby. That made Atsushi take a one way train trip to Yokohama to find his husband. 

He knew that Akutagawa’s mind had been on Yokohama and what he left behind very often. Atsushi promised they would go back there someday, and Akutagawa suggested when the girls were a little older would be the best time. But Atsushi knew that look in his husband’s eyes. The weretiger liked to look into them whenever his beloved was lost in thought. He could pick out the emotions and thoughts running through his husband’s mind. He knew what he was thinking but he never expected it to happen so soon. 

Of course, he wasn’t too surprised that he took Yuzuki with him. It had become a part of his consistent behaviour since he had him. Yuzuki was always by his side no matter what. You would think it wasn’t anything odd but he would lash out if anyone tried–

“Atsushi, stay with us please!” 

Yosano was holding both of his hands, he noticed that they were trembling which had extended to his body. His breathing had become heavier and he was pulling in way more air than before, his face felt tight like it was trying to crush his face inwards. He didn’t notice any of this because of his constant thoughts about both of his boys. 

“You’re in the ADA office, you just came here with your daughters and you are currently talking to Yosano Akiko.” Her words were helping him to refocus, his body began to relax. Atsushi looked around the room at all the concerned faces around him, Gin’s voice could still be heard in his ear.

“Atsushi-kun, are you okay now?” 

“Y-yes, I think so...”

Gin sighed out in relief.

“What was the emergency because whatever it was it sent you straight into a panic attack.” Tanizaki had walked closer to him, his eyes filled with concern.

Atsushi’s face is laced with concern as he hands the phone back over to Kyouka, he leaned forward and places his head into his hands and he begins to think. He goes silent and the only thing to be heard is his deep breaths. 

Tanizaki and everyone else looks over to Kyouka and he asks the same question, “Kyouka? What happened?” She hesitated for a moment, “So, Atsushi’s baby son is missing…he was with his other aunt and now he is gone.”

All the present agency members are a mix of horrified and concerned. That clearly explained why Atsushi had shut down for a few minutes, and now he hasn’t said anything after coming back to his senses. He was very deep in thought and knowing him, there was an insane idea brewing in his head. It was safe to be worried about whatever was going to come out of his mind. Kyouka’s rescue was the first thing that would come to mind. Everyone turned their focus on the quiet were-tiger.

“Atsushi…what are you thinking?” Kyouka gave him a worried look as she raised her phone to her ear to continue talking to Gin. Before she could speak to her sister-in-law, Atsushi raised his head and got up from his seat, he looked so serious. He signalled to Kyouka to hand him the phone and she did so.

He raised it to his ear and heavily breathed out, “Gin, I am coming down the Port Mafia right now.” 

A cold chill washes over everyone's back in the room, Atsushi suggestion was borderline insane. Was he planning to storm into the Port Mafia headquarters unannounced? That was basically a suicide mission and the ADA would know this based on past events. A certain cannibalistic ability comes to mind.

“WHAT!? NO YOU CAN’T!” Gin yelled so loud that everyone else in the room could hear her, Kyouka also jumped on his case and spoke up, “Atsushi, that’s not a good idea.” He didn’t respond to his sister’s pleas and walked around her.

Kunikida, knowing the were-tiger’s impulsive behaviour, stood in front of the man trying to stop him from leaving. 

“Atsushi-kun, relax. You can’t jump into something without a clear head.” The idealist said, “You should know this by now.”

Atsushi inhaled deeply before huffing and glaring at Kunikida.

“Kunikida-san, please. I need to go.”

“You are not storming into the Port Mafia.”

Both of them are left in a stand-off. Kunikida isn't going to back down, neither is Atsushi. This back and forth can last until the other makes a move. In bated breath, all present remained still.

In that still moment, Atsushi surprisingly relaxed from his tense stance. He backed down and instead called out his daughters. Both hadn't noticed the current issue at hand, being distracted by their talk with Haruno. 

“Rin, Lin!”

Clop, clop, clop

Small, quick footsteps enter the main office.

“Yes Daddy?” The twins piped up from across the room, their loud voices grabbing a hold of everyone. 

The were-tiger walked past Kunikida and to the little twins. Kunikida still kept himself and his eyes trailed into the man-tiger. Atsushi stooped to their level rubbed both of the girls messy, little heads with a smile. 

“Girls, could you give them a posy for me?”

“Okay!” The twins responded before holding the other’s hands.

“A posy? ” Kunikida thought, still keeping his eyes trailed on Atsushi. 

The twins started spinning in a circle as they walked close to the group and loudly began singing a German children’s game song.

“Ring around the rosie, pocket full of posies…”

The moment those words left their mouths the room seemed to take a tint of red, very dark red and the familiar lines of an ability began to spin quickly around the twin girls. As they continued their song, a layer of red smoke began to surround the room making it harder to see.

“ashes…ashes…”

Kyouka realized what the twins were doing and she covered her face as the smoke became thicker and thicker, “Everyone cover your nose and mouth immediately!” She shouted from behind her sleeve and Kunikida, Ranpo and Yosano were quick to follow Kyouka’s instructions immediately. Unfortunately, Tanizaki and Naomi were not quick enough to stop any of the smoke entering their lungs and they collapsed to the ground. Through the red thick smoke, the only thing that was sensed was the sound of the siblings falling down, the sound of door and the twins finishing their song.

“...they all fall down.”

Kunikida couldn’t find Atsushi, the smoke was way too thick to see much but the sound of the door opening was definitely Atsushi’s escape. The smoke flowed out of the open door into the foyer and out the front door.

“That sneaky brat…”

Kunikida was almost impressed.

🦀°˖𓍢ִ໋🍁✧°.🦞༘⋆

Failure is subjective. Everyone has their own standard of failure. Losing a game, failing a test or getting your bike blown up by an ex-boyfriend frenemy, failure is based on what a person chooses. Of course for a man like Dazai, being dragged out the river for the umpteenth time today was another failure to add to an already long list of failed suicides. A police officer had dragged him to shore and left him alone once it was clear Dazai could be left on his own. Dazai sat by the river as he replaced his soaking wet bandages, the only sound for miles was his own breathing, a passing vehicle and the water flowing by. He didn’t mind coming to the river every now and then, it gives off a grim sense of comfort and nostalgia.

Tightening his arm bandages had always been a struggle without help.

Drip.

His hair would dry by the time he got back to the agency; Dazai shook his head to get out any loose droplets. He wondered if he should get something to eat or get back to the office. Kunikida beating him over the head wasn’t a fun idea if he stayed out longer, plus Ranpo hasn’t likely done those papers. Dazai made his way down the sidewalk, the sky was still bright and blue and the sun was not merciful to him today. 

Again, his hair would dry. As Dazai was about a building or two away from the building, he spotted a lovely white cat running by him, it was in a rush from what Dazai could tell. He watched as it blazed down the street before he continued to the office.

He quickly made his way through the cafe floor and as he made way up the stairs, the sight of a red mist caught his attention as it crawled towards him. It attempted to swirl around him and up to his face, but it slowly disappeared in small chunks with a blue glow as he walked into the office. An ability, no doubt. 

He spotted Haruno lying down on her desk, her pulse was still going, she had only passed out due to the smoke. Dazai walked to the main office door, he heard muffled talking and shuffling of feet. He pushed the door open and a little more of the crimson mist creeped out. Inside was a sight to behold, two members down and out cold. 

Kenji and Kunikida were carrying Naomi into Yosano’s office, a distressed Kyouka, a pondering Ranpo who was talking to two unfamiliar girls. He assumed Yosano was in her office. The twin tails girls turned around when he walked in, their eyes were blooming with curiosity. A curiosity that wrapped tightly around Dazai’s neck, those eyes reminded him of his failure.

fail 

           ure 

                                                                hu                          

                                                                                 rts.

Chapter Text

July 10

???

12:56 pm

“What a strange child.”

Nikolai stared right into the white-haired baby’s angry face. Normally children would cry or start screaming bloody murder if they were taken away from their home or if they saw Nikolai in his clown paraphernalia, except the clown could swear that this baby was glaring at him. Why was this baby glaring at him and why does he feel slightly unsafe in his presence? 

“You’re an interesting little one!” Nikolai said to him as he poked the baby’s nose, “What’s your name?” The baby continued to suck on his pacifier and glare at him further.

“Oh right, babies can’t really talk. Silly me!” Nikolai hit himself in the head cheekily. The baby responded by shaking his head, making his onesie hood fall off.

“Your cute little hoodie fell off.” Nikolai grabbed the hoodie and as he was about the place back on the baby’s head, he noticed a little cloth tab sown into the hood, it read “Yuzuki.” Nikolai looks at it and back at the ba-Yuzuki and he smiles at him. 

“Yuzuki-kun!”

Nikolai picked up the baby and held him close to his chest, “I like you a lot kiddo, you are very interesting!” He gave Yuzuki a cheeky little smile, the baby deadpans and glared at the clown. Nikolai laughed as they walked off.

☕🍪🤎📜🧸

July 10

Port Maria - Boss’ Office

1:30 pm

“W-what did you say…?”

Higuchi looked at the ex-mafioso with a look of disbelief in her eyes, like her ears were tricking her and he didn’t say that. Akutagawa had blurted it out after he began staring at the ceiling and went quiet. His mind was somewhere else, it was clawing at the back of his head like a hot iron. 

He did his best to not show it. These thoughts in head were only in his head, he had to remember that. Yuzuki was in safe arms, he was in the same building as him. Even if he wished that he didn't give him to Gin, Yuzuki was fine.

“A baby? Is that why you’ve been so absentminded?” Mori asked, looking half confused and half concerned; his eyes squirting at the man who hadn’t stopped staring at the bleak ceiling. Akutagawa lifted his head and looked over at both of them, he saw the confusion in both of their eyes and he snapped back into sitting upright. How long had he been lost in his mind?

“My apologies, I don’t know what came over me.” Akutagawa fake cleared his throat, “No, no, no, we aren’t glossing over that.” Higuchi said.

“You have a baby?” Mori added, he looked intrigued and if not somewhat surprised.

Akutagawa scowled at the boss once again before he spoke up, “I just want to check on my son..”

Higuchi’s eyes snapped wider as she went much closer to the diablo, she looked slightly panicked as if she was trying to hide her emotions. Akutagawa swore she'd fall over by how much her body shook. 

“Y-you have a s-son Akutagawa-senpai?” 

Higuchi had placed her shaking hands on the table to hold herself up, her feet were slipping on the rough carpet. Akutagawa stared into her eyes and saw the disbelief and sorrow in them, though Akutagawa swore there was a hint of anger lingering within. 

“Yes, it may be a shock to you all.” He rubbed the bridge of his nose, “I had not wanted this snake to be aware of his existence, as it is not of his business.” He bitterly hissed out at Mori.

Elise popped up from the floor, “Wow, I thought you were terrible with kids Ryuu-kun!” 

Her comment brought some ease to Akutagawa’s mind, he had definitely said something of the sort to her in the past. He always thought he'd been a horrible father to any child; these doubts carried over to before and after the twins were born. Sure, he cared for his sister since she was young but that never stopped any of his doubts.

“There are some things we miscalculate, Elise.” He replied to the cheeky comment, she laughed at his words.

“It makes me rather sad that you wanted to even mention his existence to me.” The boss feigned innocence as he sweetly said this, his face held a disturbing smile. 

It made Akutagawa sick to the stomach. This was one of the main reasons why he despised this evil man. The first reason was especially why none of his children would meet this man, Elise was a prime example of that.

“Who's the lucky lady?” Mori asked. Higuchi's neck snapped up and looked at him so fast that Akutagawa thought it would snap like a twig. 

“He has no mother.” Akutagawa answered. Why was he answering this question? Mori's eyebrow slightly rose, it was like he was thinking about something. Higuchi looked as if she would combust in joy.

“Adoption then.” 

“No.” Higuchi looked horrified once again.

Akutagawa's ex-subordinate's range of emotions was astonishing to him, she switched them up so fast. It was slightly concerning and if not amusing to him.

“Then—”

Before Mori could get another word out, there was a loud pounding of the office doors, whatever it was, it was urgent. Everyone in the room immediately became on edge, expecting anything and everything. The doors swung open with a slam.

A guard yelled into the room loudly, “Boss, it's an emergency! There's an ambush and no one's been able to stop him.

“Him? It's one person?!” Mori spoke up, looking rather upset and confused.

“Yes, he's on track to your office.” The guard stated, looking behind himself occasionally. 

The faint sounds of gunshots were ringing throughout the building, this threat was getting close. Mori, Elise and Higuchi immediately walked out of the office and towards the source of the noise, leaving Akutagawa behind. 

Obviously, he was not going to be left behind. Plus, his son was at risk of getting hurt considering he was still in the building. That worried the ex-mafioso, he quickly moved out of the office, ignoring the guard that was trying to keep him there.

⋆.˚🦋༘⋆

Slash

Another one down.

Kick

Another man fell.

Grab and throw

One was launched into a wall.

Atsushi's mind was racing, his body was on a steady and fast path, his arms and legs attacked anything in his way and his eyes flaring in the tiger’s predatory glare. He had one goal at this moment, find his husband in this overfilled denizen of mafiosos trying to stop his road forward. He blocked any and all bullets that rained down on him, his ability was always amazing like that. 

Was this stupid? Of course.

Would he end up getting hurt in some ridiculous stuff? Maybe.

Was finding his husband and then his son the first and most important thing at this time? Absolutely.

As he climbed, higher and higher up the floors of the building, the more skilled the people got and more unconscious bodies were left in the weretiger's wake. A part of him hoped that someone would actually give him some pause, at least his ambush would feel like a challenge.

“Huh, the weretiger's returned.” A sly and smug voice caught Atsushi's ears. He had thought too soon.

Standing with two other people, the redheaded metal bending ability user, Tacihara Michizou, had called out to the weretiger as he punched another person into unconsciousness. Atsushi noted the two beside him.

Hirotsu Ryuurou, a man Atsushi didn’t really know much about, only that he was a part of the Black Lizard. 

And his sister-in-law, Akutagawa Gin, Atsushi could tell she was upset and purely worried about him if she was trying to stop him from going any further.

“Get out of my way.” Atsushi snapped at the redheaded mafioso, he wasn’t going to hold back at this time. There was too much at stake for him to linger here any further.

“It seems you haven't lost your brash personality.” Hirotsu commented, his formal posture had broken  since they confronted him, “We cannot allow you to continue your ambush, though it is very impressive you have gotten this far up.”

“Yeah, honestly you're one of the first people to get this far, especially on your own.” Tachihara smugly said with a hint of amusement.

Atsushi's glare didn't shift one bit but his gaze focused on Gin, she stared right back at him with her eyes filled with worry and pain. He looked at her as if telling her that he wasn't going to stop his path of terror throughout the Port Mafia offices until Akutagawa was found. 

She understood his stance but she was required to help out her place of employment at this very moment. 

“Atsushi. You don't have to do this to find him.” Gin spoke up. Hirotsu and Tachihara raised an eyebrow at Gin speaking up and very personally to the weretiger of all people, what is she even referring to?

A guttural rumble erupted from Atsushi's throat at her words, he was not happy with her attempt to reason with him, “I’ve already made up my mind.”

Atsushi ran forward, trying his best to push through the three. He does his best to dodge Hirotsu from using his ability on him, but by focusing on that, Tachihara kicks him in the stomach and flung him back away from them. The weretiger didn’t pause at being flung away and he quickly regained his footing to rush around them, missing Tachihara’s attempt at grabbing his arm. Tachihara caught his arm and tried to throw him down and Atsushi elbows him in the face and ducked away from Gin as she was about to kick him in the head.

Atsushi ran away from the three of them to the stairwell.

“Shit, he’s getting up the stairs!” Tachihara cursed before running after Atsushi, Gin and Hirotsu followed suit. 

Atsushi hastily ran up the stairs, hoping he wouldn’t lose his footing and fall down head first down these steps. 

“Gin, what is he even doing here?” Hirotsu questioned, “You mentioned that he was looking for someone.” Gin’s voice was very suddenly lost in her throat as they could find the courage to speak up again, she knew if they didn’t say anything this would only get worse.

Atsushi had made it to the next floor before the assassin would form her words. Tachihara used his ability to grab the door’s metal handle and slammed it on Atsushi’s left arm as he was running through the door. The weretiger’s arm was lodged in between the opening of the door and he struggled to get his arm free. Before the three Black Lizard members could detain him, there was a loud and deafening crunch that came from Atsushi’s arm as he freed himself from the door’s jaws. 

“Did he just break his arm?!” Tachihara said in disbelief, the sound of the man’s arm breaking still resonating in his mind. 

Atsushi ran into the new hallway as fast as possible, forcing his way through the large number of people in the hallway. His arm healed quickly as he felt the tiger’s regeneration doing its job, he hadn’t destroyed a limb like that in years and it hurt like hell. He shoved those feelings aside and continued his way through the people getting in his way. 

“Can none of you stop him?! What the fuck?!” Atsushi couldn’t make out who said that but whoever it was, they weren’t happy in the slightest. He did not want to be at the receiving end of that rate of anger. Unfortunately, Atsushi’s thoughts had brought this upon himself as he felt someone come crashing down on his back, then the weight of gravity crushing him. 

The weretiger let out a growl of annoyance at his restricted movements. Chuuya’s ability always had felt so heavy, Atsushi felt the man boots on the back of his head as he felt the concrete rub against his face. Moving his body was out of the question, he was not going to get to his husband at this point. 

“Now who the fuc–” Chuuya paused his angry yelling to look at Atsushi’s face properly as he recognized the man his boots were smearing, “Oh it’s the weretiger kid.” Atsushi wasn’t sure if he was happy that Chuuya recognized him. The executive placed his boots on Atsushi’s back instead, almost crushing his spine instead of his jaw. Everyone in the room kinda surrounded the two, the crowd murmured amongst themselves. Atsushi could only pick up a few words here and there.

“First, Akutagawa comes back then the ADA’s missing weretiger?” A feminine voice whispered to another person.

“So that’s the weretiger…he’s so much different than what I’d heard.” Two guys said to each other.

“He was the legendary rabid dog’s rival?” Atsushi was surprised that Akutagawa was legendary amongst these people, he was gonna tease him about this later.

The members of the Black Lizard push their way through the massive crowd towards Chuuya, who was now sitting on Atsushi’s back. Chuuya glared at the three of them as they approached him.

“Why the fuck couldn’t the three of you stop the weretiger after 7 floors?!” Chuuya shattered the wine glass in his hand as he spat at the three.

“The weretiger’s clearly gotten somewhat stronger, he broke his fucking arm on purpose just to get up here.” Tachihara argued back, shoving his hands into the pocket of his jacket.

Hirotsu glanced over at Gin, who had stepped much closer to the weretiger that was becoming one with the floor at this point. They had kept their eyes glued to him the entire time they had started chasing him down, plus they clearly knew why he had come here in the first place. Her eyes were laced with worry, very clear worry, something Hirotsu hadn’t seen in her in years. 

“Gin, you know why he’s here.” The older man spoke up towards the assassin girl and her stance became defensive, eyes looking away in a frantic manner. Chuuya looked over that her and squinted suspiciously at her. 

“Leave Gin out of this, they didn’t have anything to do with this!” Atsushi spoke up from the ground, his voice loud and angry. Chuuya placed his boot back on the man’s face to quiet him down, “Can it, tiger boy.” Atsushi sulked back into the ground in annoyance.

“My my, what a commotion this is.” The voice of the boss echoed across the entire room, there was a massive shift in the atmosphere as the man himself stepped in. Behind him, Higuchi and Elise followed in both seriousness on the older blonde’s part and curiosity on the younger blonde’s part. A path was made by the crowd as the boss walked through.

Chuuya got off the weretiger’s back to acknowledge the boss, standing up. He still kept the Atsushi pinned to the floor with his ability.

“The weretiger!?” Higuchi said in shock once she saw him, “Didn’t he go missing a couple years ago?”

“Why yes, Fukuzawa-san mentioned his disappearance to me a few years back.” Mori replied as he stood over the annoyed weretiger, observing him curiously. 

“My apologies that he wasn’t detained sooner, boss.” Chuuya apologised, “He was giving the building an embarrassingly hard fight." 

Mori waved it off and smiled cheekily, as if he was enjoying all of the commotion that had been created from the return of the infamous rivals. 

“I’m rather shocked that you decided to come here of all places.” Mori added, “Shouldn’t the Armed Detective Agency have been the first place to go? Not the Port Mafia of all places.” Higuchi pointed out as she glared down at him. 

Mori’s smile only grew wider as Higuchi chewed out the weretiger, he hid his ever growing smile behind his hand. Elise sighed as she noticed how much the boss was enjoying this. 

Atsushi felt defeated under the gaze of everyone in the room, it was embarrassing that he failed to get to Akutagawa due to being captured by Chuuya. Gin’s worried look as they kept giving him chipped away at his mindless determination as well, she knew why she told him not to come. If only he hadn’t given into his panic and just let Kyouka and Kunikida talk him down. His exhaustion had clearly gotten to him at this point, he just wanted to go home with his family at this point.

“Akutagawa-senpai, I thought you stayed behind!” Atsushi perked up at the mention of his husband’s name. Could it be?

The crowd splitted as Akutagawa walked through the crowd and into the circle of the Black Lizard, Chuuya and the boss. Atsushi couldn’t really see much but if the crowd hadn’t somehow dissolved at Mori’s appearance, it definitely wasn't going away now. The Port Maria was extremely drama heavy as people’s murmurs had gotten to a level of whispers. 

“Did these people have nothing better to do?” Atsushi thought in annoyance.

“You’re actually here Akutagawa, I thought people were starting up rumors again.” Chuuya said to him, a small smile formed on his face.

“The rumors are unfortunately true, Chuuya-san. For now, I’ll need you to get off of the Jinko.” Akutagawa pointed to the man who was one with the floor at this point. Atsushi was about to sob of pure happiness; he was saved and by his husband no less.

“I don’t think I can do that considering all the havoc he just caused.” Chuuya said before placing his boot once again on his back.

“Stop killing my joy, Chuuya-san. This is the only good thing to have happened to me today.” Atsushi yelled in his mind. 

“No, no you can let him let go.” Mori finally spoke up, his joyful attitude sent everyone into a wave of confusion. The boss had seemed angry at all during this whole encounter, but the moment he saw the weretiger detained, his smile grew wider. Everyone in the room stood still as Chuuya let Atsushi from his pinned down state. As he sat up, Akutagawa stooped down to his level, staring right into his weretiger husband’s eyes. No one moved, letting the two men do all the breathing for them. 

“Nakajima Atsushi.” Akutagawa said the weretiger’s full name, it was definitely jarring to those who know that Akutagawa never called the weretiger by his name. Atsushi was paralzyed in fear as he had a feeling what was to come next.

Akutagawa smacked him in the back of the head.

“What on earth do you think you are doing?” His husband scolded him.




This day had gotten so much worse.

Chapter Text

“What on earth do you think you are doing?” Akutagawa scolded his husband in front of everyone in the room after smacking him in the back of the head. 

Akutagawa grabbed the weretiger by his right ear and his glare deepened, he was absolutely pissed and anyone could tell. 

“I was looking for y–”

“And ambushing the Port Maria was your best idea?!” Akutagawa cut him off in the middle of his explanation, he was breathing very heavily and he rubbed the bridge of his nose.

Everyone didn't know what to say, Akutagawa had started scolding Atsushi like a child. It was baffling to say the least. The weretiger snuck back into the floor, clearly embarrassed from his husband's scolding.

“Get up, you fool.” Akutagawa demanded as he dragged the defeated tiger by the ear from the ground.

“Ow, ow, that is my ear…” He whined in pain. Didn't he just break his arm a moment ago? Akutagawa glared at him once again and Atsushi's cries fell to silence as his body drooped forwards in disappointment.

“I do not think we should stay here, considering all the chaos my impulsively idiotic husband has caused.” Akutagawa stated to the boss while glaring at Atsushi.

Everyone went silent, slowly registering what Akutagawa had just called the weretiger.

“Of course, considering the crowd that has gathered.” Mori smiled as he replied to Akutagawa, he was clearly getting a kick out of all of this. Akutagawa didn't really like that but if it kept the both of them on a nicer side, it was better than getting him upset.

“Wait, what the fuck did you just refer to him as!?” Tachihara yelled out and broke the silence before anyone else, his face a blend of shock and disbelief. His outburst caused everyone to begin to talk to one another in confusion and disbelief. 

“Excuse me?” Akutagawa responded despite the noise.

“You just called the weretiger your husband.” Chuuya chimed in and pointed at Atsushi, “Did you mess up your words kid?” He raised an eyebrow at the man.

Akutagawa rolled his eyes and spoke again.

“No, I know what I called him.”

A choir of gasp and shocked yells rang across the crowd as Akutagawa dragged Atsushi by the arm and made their way towards the stairs to get to the boss’ office, Elise following behind them. A loud thud was registered in everyone's ears and they looked to see Higuchi had fallen over, clearly from the shock of Akutagawa’s last statement. Hirotsu quickly rushed over to her and checked her pulse.

“She's fine, just fainted from the shock.” Hirotsu noted aloud, he motioned for some people to help him carry her.

“Chuuya, Gin, Tachihara, would you three follow me to the office?” Mori asked the three to follow him. They, of course, followed without fuss.

“Everyone, please fix up the mess that was made, it would be much appreciated.” Mori gave a sly smile to his employees.

They all immediately began to do as instructed, the flames of gossip were hot on all the bystanders tongues. As they cleaned up, their talking was increased to a maximum. This revelation was the best gossip they had gotten since a guy tried to assassinate Tachihara to impress his new girlfriend. The fact that the missing infamous rivals of the ADA and Port Mafia reappeared and were now married, that was a level of news you could never get on a regular day.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ🐇་༘࿐

On the path to the boss' office were the amused mafia boss, two confused redheads, a blonde girl and a worried assassin.

All of them were focused on the two men walking ahead of them, as the younger one had made a mess within the building floors below them. Akutagawa was grabbing Atsushi by the arm and grabbing him towards the boss’ office. There was nothing that could have prepared any of them for the event that transpired today.

“You’re all so quiet.” Elise disturbed multiple thoughts as she eyed everyone, “Are you really so shocked?”

“I’m less shocked, more so intrigued on how this happened.” Mori chuckled to himself, a slight lie in that statement. 

“I don’t get it, they were always at each other’s throats for the whole year they knew each other.” Tachihara said, placing his hands on the back of his head. 

“Honestly, you’ve never seen how they worked together. The more I think about it, they were alike in enough ways.” Chuuya stated, “But I’d never think they would get hitched.” 

“What about you Gin, did you notice anything?” Tachihara asked the assassin while looking directly at her. They nodded in response and just before they could explain farther, the sound of the office doors opening grabbed everyone’s attention. Akutagawa and Atsushi had already gone inside.

˖⁺‧₊˚🫧💿📓🖋️˚₊‧⁺˖

Akutagawa wasn't sure what to even say to the weretiger as they walked towards Mori's office. Atsushi was known to do some insane things upon impulse but Akutagawa thinks that this topped anything he's done. He was even more unsure what to say when they entered the office and sat down. They’re both quiet and Akutagawa leaned into his husband’s arm, he was stewing in his thoughts.

“Hey, isn’t this the type of couch you wanted?” Atsushi said, trying to break the silence.

Akutagawa frowned further and he closed his eyes and refused to respond to his husband’s questions. Atsushi sighed before getting slightly serious and he moved his arm to be around Akutagawa instead. The weretiger looked him directly in the eyes.

“Diabolito~, I should be the one angry at you right now…” Atsushi noted towards his upset husband. 

Akutagawa's thoughts were halted and he glared at the man before looking away from him, his cheeks turning a light shade of pink. That stupid nickname. It wasn't that Akutagawa hated it but it was embarrassing considering Atsushi's coworker had suggested it to him and the tiger had latched onto it. 

“Angry for what?” Akutagawa responded back, still not looking at him.

Atsushi deadpanned at the man, clearly Akutagawa should know what he had done for them to be in this situation right now. He knew; Akutagawa knew exactly what his husband meant. Running away from home on whim isn't something to not be upset about.

“That can be discussed later.” Akutagawa replied, “I think you're in deeper trouble than me.”

“Ryuu...” Atsushi replied with a worried look in his eyes, he held the other’s hand and rubbed the palm of his hand. Akutagawa wrapped his hand around his husband’s hand; he leaned into the couch and the weretiger stared at him for a moment. Waiting for the diablo to speak.

Before they could continue, the remaining people entered the room. All of them sending him a different look ranging from upset to worried to amused? Gin standed closer to the couple while Tachihara and Chuuya stood closer to the boss and Elise went back to her drawings on the ground but she kept her focus on the group.

Akutagawa finally opened his eyes, his glare sending icy chills around the room. His glare was directed at Mori; to which the boss ignores that and looks at Atsushi.

“So, what happened for the weretiger to end up in my office?” 

Everyone looks at one another, before Tachihara speaks, “All I know, we got word from downstairs that someone had broken in and was quickly moving towards your office.” He shoved his hands into his pockets and he glanced at Atsushi, “Then we found the weretiger on the 6th floor and Gin’s seemed to know that he was coming here.”

Gin shuffled nervously and Tachihara’s last statement, they knew he’d bring it up and she still wasn’t ready for it to happen. 

“Oh, is that true Gin-san?” 

She took a deep breath and nodded in response, “By the time I was about to warn the others about it, Atsushi was already here.” She stared back at Mori, “I’m sorry I was quick enough.”

Mori shrugged his shoulders and smiled uncomfortably wide, “I do wish that threats as serious as this are quickly reported in time. Do not let this be a repeat, Gin-san.”

The assassin shrunk into themself before bowing in remorse, “I won’t let that happen again, boss.”

Mori nodded and looked back to Akutagawa and Atsushi, both of them seemed to be engaged with the conversation, the boss smiled in delight as the two cringed at his joyful attitude. This wasn’t a good sign, frankly it was absolutely horrible.

“Babe, why is he looking at us like that…” Atsushi whispered to his husband. “I don’t know, I can never know what this snake is thinking.”

“I thought this relationship was too good to be true.” Chuuya appeared beside the two on the couch. Atsushi jumped slightly and Akutagawa frowned at the small redhead. “How the fuck did the two of you end up like this?”

“I wondered the same thing too Chuuya-san~” Mori said in a sing-song voice.

“Our marriage has no importance to the situation at hand.” Akutagawa bitterly said to the giddy man.

Mori let out a rather cheerful laugh loudly and he placed his head in the palm of his hands, “It has all the importance considering how interesting it is. I never thought in a million years that the both of you would look past your differences, let alone get married.”

“How did you two do it and how did you manage to keep it hidden for so long?”

Atsushi has a shocked expression plastered onto his face, Akutagawa was visibly annoyed and upset.

“I didn’t think the boss of the Port Maria would be interested in our relationship.” Atsushi laughed with a sound of disbelief.

“Neither did I.” Akutagawa said.

“I guess things just worked out after we left. But I don’t think Ryuu is fond of giving up so many details.” Atsushi chuckled as he looked at Akutagawa, to which the older man nodded. He noted how Mori frowned in disappointment at his statement, clearly the mafia boss wasn’t too happy with not getting the details.

“That’s not important at the moment though.” Atsushi spoke again, before anyone could interject, “Gin, you have to tell him.” The weretiger gave them a serious look, she cannot choose to keep this from her brother. Everyone looked confused by Atsushi’s demand, none of them knew how close the two were and the serious look on his face hinted at an urgent problem.

The assassin walked towards her brother, a noticeable shake in her steps.

“Onii-san.” Gin sat down beside him, Chuuya had shuffled away to make room for them. 

“Where’s Yuzuki?” Akutagawa asked, not terribly worried but worried nonetheless. Gin saw the worry in his eyes and she broke down as she explained to him with tears in their eyes.

“I’m so sorry, Yuzuki is missing!”

Akutagawa didn’t react for a moment, he froze and kept staring at his sister. He suddenly felt dizzy and a horrible pain in his stomach, then nothing.

‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.🧸ྀི

The baby, Yuzuki has some interesting days in his life but nothing could have prepared him for this. Staring at his Papa was more fun than this, he absolutely hated this weirdly dressed man who’s hair was the same colour of his Daddy’s hair. Expect this man wasn’t his Daddy, he was stupid and annoying unlike his loud father. 

He was with his Papa’s sister before and she was going to get him a toy to play with. When she looked away, this weird guy picked him up out of his crib. Now they were somewhere that Yuzuki doesn’t recognize at all. It was a place that he’d never seen before in his place, it was dark and uncomfortable. Yuzuki smelled a horrible smell and he scrunched up his face upon smelling it. The clown man arrived at a door and he unlocked it with a key, once it opened the room wasn’t very nice looking and cozy. Nikolai closed and locked the door behind them before yelling into the room.

“Feyda~!” 

Yuzuki smacked Nikolai in the face for yelling, he had accidentally yelled into the baby's ears.

“Ow! Why did you do that?” Nikolai whined to the baby, he held the baby up in the air and pouted at him. He was clearly trying to get a reaction other than malice out of the baby. No dice.

“What are you yelling about here Nikolai?” A fluffy hat was the first thing Yuzuki saw when Fyodor entered the foyer. Yuzuki didn’t even bother taking in what the new person looked like, his sights were locked onto the hat.

Fyodor noticed what his partner had in his hand and his eyes grew wide, “Is that a baby?”

Nikolai nodded with a big smile, “I found him and he intrigued me alot! He’s been glaring at me since I met him.”

The clown brings the baby closer to Fyodor and holds him up in his face. The rat leader stared into the little one’s eyes and Yuzuki stared back, his glare increasing once the hat wasn’t in his view. Fyodor glared back in hopes of scaring the poor child into tears. That was apparently the wrong thing to do, because the baby was offended by his icy gaze and smacked Fyodor very hard in the face. Then he grabbed Fyodor’s hat from his head when he was distracted from the hit.

“What the fuck!” Fyodor stumbled back from the baby’s harsh smack. He lifted his head, looking extremely angry and clutching the side of his face.

“Wow, he snatched your hat, Fedya.” Nikolai said in awe as he watched his partner getting angry from the assault. Yuzuki was messing with the fluffy hat, interested in that alone. 

“And he just assaulted me!” Fyodor was ridiculously upset about a smack from a 5 month old. 

“You did try to scare the child, he was just defending himself, ha-ha!” Nikolai laughed at the man as he hugged Yuzuki with stars in his eyes. 

He hadn’t known the baby for long but Nikolai really liked him and his attitude while Fyodor was less pleased. Nikolai walked past the upset man into the living room with Yuzuki still clutching onto the hat. Fyodor follows them into the room and starts to question Nikolai about the baby, because they can’t just keep a baby that likely belongs to someone. That is if this is someone’s baby.

“Kolya, where did you even find this baby?” Fyodor asked, “If he’s someone's child we cannot keep him.”

Nikolai wasn’t looking at his partner and kept his sights on the baby. He had placed him down on the couch and watched him play with the hat.

“Oh, yeah. I just found him in the park by himself.” Nikolai said, “So I just took him with me.”

Nikolai was lying through his teeth but Fyodor didn’t need to know that, he just felt the need to study this child for longer. He wasn’t sure why, it was definitely odd of him.

“Then take him to the police or something, you cannot keep him here.” Fyodor demanded, “We have more important things to worry about instead of an abandoned baby.” Fyodor walked up to the two of them, looking rather upset by all of this.

Nikolai hadn’t turned around to face his partner, he only replied, “Silly Feyda, I can’t just walk into a police station with him. That would be dangerous!” 

“Then just–”

“Don’t worry Feyda, I’ll take him there in the morning!” Nikolai said before getting up from the chair and bringing Fyodor into a hug. He kissed the Russian man on the forehead and it surprised Fyodor, “Alright?” 

Fyodor pushed the clown off of him and walked away to the next while speaking, his cheeks dusted in a rosy colour, “Fine.”

“Hooray!” Nikolai celebrated by throwing his hands in the air and he knelt down beside the couch to look Yuzuki in the eyes. He smiled brightly at the baby, Yuzuki not returning the jolly smile.

un healthy intrigue. 

˚₊‧꒰ა ⭐ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚  

Atsushi was concerningly used to his husband passing out from many things, but his fainting spells only happened before the twins were born. Back then, Akutagawa didn’t have healthy nutrition for himself and two babies. Now, this was shock paired with his current health issues that had likely made him pass out. The moment Akutagawa started to fall, Atsushi grabbed him and placed his hand under his head.

“Gin, Chuuya-san, I need to rest him down on the couch. Pass me that pillow.”

Atsushi placed Akutagawa down on the couch. He was immobile but he was, thankfully, breathing but he wasn’t conscious. That didn’t make Atsushi less worried.

“No, no, that is why I didn’t want to tell him!!” Gin said to Atsushi while grabbing their brother’s motionless hands, kneeling down beside the couch and looking over him with worry. 

“And not telling him will likely put him into the hospital again!” Atsushi argued back while putting his hands on his head, “You can’t keep him from bad news because he’ll get upset, it's gonna affect him way more if you don’t tell him! Especially since our son is missing!”

“Your what!?” Chuuya said with a rather stunned look, he was learning a lot of things today but he wasn't ready to find out those two have children. Tachihara is also shocked as well.

“Yes, we have children.” Atsushi said as he held up Akutagawa's head to see if he'll open his eyes.

“Ryuunosuke, are you awake?” Atsushi loudly said. Akutagawa's face squeezed up in discomfort but his eyes do not open; this isn't too concerning as Akutagawa is very much alive but not waking up.

Mori had made his way close to the couch at this point, he scanned over Akutagawa with his eyes rather quickly.

“He's fine, but I guess finding out your son is missing is a horrible thing for him.” The mafia boss noted before looking at the weretiger, both of them making eye contact. 

Atsushi warily stared back at him while Mori stared back with an indescribable look. Atsushi hated the fact that he couldn't read the corrupt doctor, but his instincts are screaming how bad this was going to be.

“Mantiger, I do have a question.” 

Atsushi stood up and towered over the doctor, never breaking their eye contact.

“What?”

“Is there a chance he's suffering from any mental issues due to the baby?” 

Atsushi thinks for a moment before answering, “Yes, it's related to the baby but that's all I'll say.”

Atsushi was going to reveal much of his husband's medical history to his terrible ex-boss, but it was obvious that Mori could tell what Akutagawa was currently suffering with. 

“Alright then.” Mori said as he walked over to his desk and a small smile formed on his face. 

“Then how did the kid even go missing in your care Gin?” Tachihara asked.

“I just placed him down to grab something for him then he was gone.” Gin explained, “It happened so fast that I tore apart my apartment to find him.”

“Then you called Atsushi and told him, correct?” Mori added and Gin nodded in response.

“So someone got onto the apartment grounds, somehow nobody noticed and the baby–”

“Yuzuki.”

“Yuzuki was gone without a trace.” Chuuya's stated, correcting himself on the baby's name when Atsushi did. 

“Yes, that's what happened, I feel horrible considering I was trusted to take care of my nephew and I lost him. Onii-san never leaves the baby with anyone except Atsushi-kun.” Gin explained while getting very upset.

Atsushi rested his hand on her shoulder to comfort her. That made them begin to get teary eyed as they squeezed the hand of their brother.

“Either way, this is pretty serious. Whoever is able to swipe a whole infant without a trace on Port Mafia territory, can do way more without being discovered.” Mori said his chair was turned to face all of them.

With his statement, everyone seemed disturbed that Mori cared more about the safety of his territory and not the baby, but it was unfortunately not a surprise. 

“Considering one the best assassins here couldn't tell when the baby disappeared makes this worse.” Chuuya added.

“Mantiger.” Mori directed at Atsushi.

“Yes?” The weretiger in question perked up and looked at the back of Mori's chair. The chair spun around to reveal Mori's relaxed smile pasted onto his face.

“I think we can help you find your son.”

Atsushi glared at the man, “What.”

“I am sure you heard me loud and clear with those tiger senses of yours.”

He rolled his eyes, “Of course I did but what's the catch here.” 

The mafia boss chuckled knowingly, he was excepting Atsushi to ask about an ultimatum.

“It's nothing serious, you'll just have introduce me to the boy—”

“Absolutely fucking not.” 

Atsushi answered immediately and harshly, “You have to pick something else, there is no way I'm letting a pedophile near my son.”

That last statement was definitely unexpected and a massive whiplash to the mafia boss. Everyone else looked at Atsushi with disbelief and understanding.

“But–”

“With all due respect boss, the weretiger's disagreement is pretty reasonable, I wouldn’t agree to this either.” Tachihara said in agreement.

“Then, my help isn't offered then.” Mori said rather childishly as he spun his chair around again, “Also I wouldn't be overlooking the mess both of you have caused today.”

Shit. Atsushi was expecting the last thing. He didn't really need the help of this evil man but he wasn't sure what would happen to his family if he didn't agree to Mori's terms, but he couldn’t let his son anywhere near the disgusting mafia boss. What choice did he have in the end? Tachihara and Chuuya were clearly very eager to help them locate Yuzuki but Mori was standing in the way of this.

“May I suggest this instead.” Gin spoke up, stood up from the ground and pointed at the boss, “You can see the baby in person but you cannot touch or talk to him. That way you do not have any sort of relationship with Yuzuki.”

The room was quiet. Mori was thinking, Atsushi was clearly still not happy with this compromise but it was better than letting Mori be close to Yuzuki. Gin was also uncomfortable with her nephew being in Mori's presence but she wasn't ready to see any bad happen to their brother's family.

“Fine, I can work with that.” Mori shrugged and leaned forward and placed his hand on his desk. He and everyone else looked at Atsushi for an answer.

Atsushi looked over at Akutagawa who still hadn’t opened his eyes and he brushed the side of his face with an upset look. Atsushi knew Akutagawa would never agree to this in a million years but trying to fight against a wicked man like Mori was a literal suicide.

“I'm so sorry, Ryuu.” He thought as he stared at the still man.

“Fine, I accept.”

Corruption at its finest.

Chapter Text

July 10
Armed Detective Agency
2:00 pm

Dazai expected a dozen dangerous things to have passed through the office to cause three of his coworkers to have passed out but a pair of twin girls wasn’t on his list. Ranpo was talking to the girls with interest that was rare for the great detective.

“Does your ability work together?” Ranpo asked.

The white-haired one shook her head in disagreement. “It's just stronger if we both do it.”

Kyouka stood over the three of them looking displeased with something unbeknownst to Dazai. As he drew closer to them, the girls noticed him and stared directly at him, their eyes were filled with curiosity. Their eyes were the same as Atsushi's ombre eyes, Dazai couldn't forget them if he tried.

After the curiosity came defensiveness in both of the girls' eyes. Defensiveness was an odd emotion to appear and before he could even think about it further, they ran over to Kyouka and hid behind her.

Dazai looked behind him to look at whatever was scaring the children.

“They're hiding from you Dazai-san.” Kyouka said, finally acknowledging the suicidal maniacs presence. 

“Oh, why's that?” Dazai said curiously and suspecting what he believes to be causing the twins' fear. 

Children are very perceptive and are known to sense danger quicker than adults. Many times, they don't know a situation is dangerous but they know they don't like it. Dazai's presence was likely what made them run behind Kyouka considering he doesn't know them. It was definitely the reason–

“Papa said we can't talk to him.” The black-haired one said.

Ah, parental guidance. Whoever the parents of these children, told them to keep their distance from him.

“Your papa said that, huh?” Ranpo said while glancing at Dazai. 

“Oh, really then your papa has a very funny sense of humour.” Dazai replied with a silly little smile. Whatever these twins heard, had to be from someone who’d known Dazai long enough to instill their distrust in him. 

However, children sway rather easily, a kinder face tends to break their worries; but Dazai's smile didn't make either of them any less defensive. They avoided any eye contact with him, choosing to hide their faces in Kyouka's kimono. Dazai was slightly taken aback by how much the two of them were intent on not trusting him. Considering this, who on earth could their parents be?

“Dazai, you seriously haven't put it together.” Ranpo said with a bored tone.

“I don't know them though.” Dazai retorted in confusion laced with a silly tone, the smile on his face never faltering. 

“They're Atsushi's kids.” Ranpo said as he shovelled a handful of candy into his face.

A pause. 

Is he getting older at age 29, because he swears Ranpo just spoke a mouthful of nonsense. Maybe his extreme hunger is starting to eat at the side of his brain again? Maybe Ranpo’s mouth was muffled by the copious amount of food in it?

“Sorry, I wasn’t listening~!” Dazai said, “What did you say?”

“Dazai-san...” Kyouka said while crossing her arms, “These are Atsushi’s children.” His ears were working alright, he just couldn’t believe what he just heard.

“W-what.” Dazai stuttered out in his moment of disbelief.

Dazai was still trying to grasp what on earth was happening considering his student had children now. 

“Are you going to find Atsushi-kun?” Ranpo asked Kyouka as he continued to stuff himself with way too much sugar.

Kyouka sighed and placed her hands on the heads of her nieces, “No, I am sure Atsushi's been found by the Port Mafia at this point.”

Kyouka's frown deepened, “Or worst case scenario, he's been captured by them.”

Dazai listened carefully as she explained and picked up that Atsushi was at the Port Mafia currently. It was questionable why he'd do so because the only person that weretiger knew wasn't there anymore. The detective's mind kept moving a mile a minute as he slowly pieced these events together.

Kyouka pulled out her phone to call someone. The sound of the phone dialing hung out in the office as Kyouka walked towards the window. The twins still clung closely to her legs, cautiously eyeing Dazai.

“So Atsushi-kun was here?” Dazai quickly asked Ranpo in a low and cautious tone. The candy horder nodded.

“Yeah, he bolted after an emergency came up, Kyouka's been trying to call him but he won't answer.” Ranpo answered, “He was frantic about it too and then he got his tiny terrors to gas bomb the office.” He snapped a piece of chocolate into his mouth as he explained further.

Dazai hummed in response as he began to receive more clarity, however the one thing eating at him was why Atsushi would have ever told his children to not interact with his beloved mentor.

“Dazai.” Kunikida's voice brought him back to reality, “Where have you been?”

Dazai laced a cheeky smile on his face once the idealist was on his case, he was busy with important things and Kunikida should now that.

“Wouldn't you like to know Kunikida-kun!” Dazai teased the blonde, “You just love to know way too much about me~” Dazai wrapped his arms around himself and wiggled, trying his best to rile Kunikida up.

Bonk.

Dazai got a bonk on his head instead of the usual smack or kick he was used to receiving from Kunikida. Despite the weaker corporal punishment, Kunikida was very upset with the suicidal idiot.

“We could have used your help earlier, yet you decided to run off again!” 

Dazai smiled and shrugged off the lecture rather nonchalantly, “You have Ranpo and whatever problem it was he could have solved it.”

Ranpo spoke up, “Not without any evidence present. I don't even know what the baby looks like.”

“Baby?” The question slipped carelessly out of Dazai's mouth.

“I'm sure you've been told but Atsushi has returned out of the blue and his son is currently missing.” Kunikida explained, “He raced out from the office the moment he found out.”

“Whoever took the baby is unknown for now but we have to find him and fast.” Kunikida ended.

Dazai felt a slight pain in his chest and stomach, who could have swiped a baby like that. 

“Hey Kyouka–”

Ranpo was cut out by the loud shushing of the twins as they came closer to the three men.

“Auntie Kyouka is on the phone.” Lin pouted and looked angrily at Ranpo, it was less intimidating and more adorable the way her face was scrunched up.

The three of them slightly chuckled at that before Rin held up a picture. In the picture were both of the girls smiling and holding a baby with both of their arms. 

“That's Zuki-tan, he's almost always wearing that tiger onesie.” Rin explained before letting Ranpo hold the picture.

“He is rather adorable.” Kunikida commented with a small smile on his face.

“Yet he looks so mad.” Ranpo pointed out, “He must have had a bad day before this picture.”

“No, Zuki-tan always looks very angry, even when he’s happy.” Lin giggles with her hands over her mouth.

“Or was it that he was–”

Before Dazai could make any funny remark, the twins turned their backs to him and focused on Kunikida and Ranpo. Basically, stonewalling him from the conversation.

“Ouch, that was abrupt and harsh.” He thought, looking at how the twins were treating him. Almost like he didn't exist in their small world. 

Somehow the twins didn't seem to be fazed by their brother being missing. Maybe it hasn't registered to them how serious his disappearance is considering how young they are.

However, that baby in Rin's photo. Dazai had seen that baby before but he couldn't remember where. Odd for him considering he rarely forgets much.

“I have gotten an update on where Atsushi is...” Everyone turned their attention to Kyouka as she walked away from the window, the twins immediately toddled back towards her.

“...except the Port Mafia has gotten involved with this.”

The three men blankly stared at her for a moment. Before Kunikida reacted very viscerally with a loud, “WHAT!?”

Kunikida's reaction was reasonable, as whatever Atsushi had done had made Mori agree to help him in the search for his baby.

“Well, I don't think that means that the ADA will be involved, right?”

Kyouka shrugged, “Considering Atsushi is on his way back here, there is a good chance a few of the mafia goons are with him.”

“The Port Mafia's coming here!?” Yosano's voice erupted from down the hall. She stormed out of the back with Kenji in tow, with her having an exasperated expression and Kenji grimacing a bit.

“Thank God, the president isn't here because this would be a bigger train wreck.” She added gritting her teeth.

“Thankfully, they aren't coming up here. Atsushi is asking me to meet him in the cafe.” Kyouka clarified while motioning to the ground. 

Everyone looked at one another, looking to see who is willing to follow Kyouka down below. The twins were excited that their Dad was coming here and were tugging their aunt by the kimono towards the door.

“Hey, hey, girls wait a moment.” Kyouka was trying her best to calm the girls down, “Daddy's gonna be here soon!” Lin squealed out in impatience, her sister kept dragging Kyouka's sleeve for good measure. The older woman sighed at their insistence.

“I'll follow you Kyouka-chan!” Dazai stated in a happy tone, the sound of mischief lingering in there.

Kyouka shivered at his offer, “I don't thi–”

“Ranpo should go as well to help figure out what caused the baby's disappearance.” Kunikida said while pushing the short detective forward slightly.

“Yeah, it's the least I can do.” He said with a grin before adding a bite to a new lollipop.

Kyouka looked over at her boyfriend and gives him a hopeful look, “Kenji, do you wan–”

“I'll stay to help Yosano with her patients.” Kenji quickly replied before disappearing back to the doctor's office. Kyouka looked hurt by his response but there was a hint of guilt in her eyes. Whatever happened before Dazai returned, it was throwing a wrench into their communication.

“Are you coming as well Kunikida?” Dazai asked as he slid over to him with a smile.

“In a moment, Haruno's been knocked out as well so I need to get her into Yosano’s office. The three of you go ahead.”

“Alright.” Dazai replied. He strutted his way to the door letting Kunikida through first before motioning for the others to follow.

Dazai wasn't sure what was the mess awaiting them downstairs but seeing Atsushi again was definitely at the cornerstone of his mind. Considering all he learnt today, about his children and one of them going missing, it was not what Dazai expected for his mentee's return.

Also who on earth are these girls' mother?

˙ . ꒷ 🍰 . 𖦹˙—

July 10
Yokohama
2:38 pm

Akutagawa woke up in a car he didn't recognize but the freshener was familiar, the awful cherry and lemon combination was Chuuya's favorite choice to make his car smell good. Akutagawa loathed the scent.

“The freshener isn't that bad, holy shit.” Akutagawa made out Chuuya's voice as he regained sight, “That couldn’t have woken him up.”

“Then change the ridiculous thing.” Akutagawa’s voice was gruff and dry from being out for so long but he still did his best to criticise the gravity manipulator.  

“Ryuu, you're awake.” Akutagawa laid down on his back and looked up at his husband, he looked extremely relieved. He must have fainted considering his new headache and Atsushi's relief.

“How are you feeling?” Atsushi asked before placing his hand on the side of Akutagawa's face and rubbed his cheek with his finger. Akutagawa breathed out heavily to relax himself.

“Headache?”

“Mhm..” He responded.

Atsushi kisses him on the forehead to ease his husband’s pain, and he continues to rub his face.

“You’ll be better soon, promise.” Atsushi said in a caring tone.

Tachihara loudly cleared his throat and looked at the two in the further back seats. He looked rather annoyed at the men's affection towards each other.

“Gotta make the rest of us feel single?” Tachihara said with annoyance in his voice.

Atsushi's face flushed at his comment while Akutagawa glared at him, his face also slightly flushed.

“Yet you don't make any movements to change that Tachihara.” Akutagawa shot back as he sat up and fixed himself in his seat before adding, “You clearly haven't talked to the Agency's illusionist yet.”

Gin lets out a loud snort and begins laughing at Tachihara. His face a blend of shock and anger and his face became red, he struggled to form a sentence towards Akutagawa’s insult.

“Oh, you like Tanizaki-kun?” Atsushi asked with a smile.

“No–”

“Yeah, he does but he can't bring himself to talk to him when he sees him.” Gin said as she exposed Tachihara at his expense.

“Gin!”

Atsushi and Gin laugh at his anger as he tries his best to defend himself.

Akutagawa slightly smiles at the antics happening. It was nice to have the company of those he left behind in Yokohama, but he felt a deep sense of dread in his stomach. He looked towards the front of the car. Chuuya was driving and Higuchi was in the driver's seat, she caught his gaze and they stared at the other for a moment.

“Are you feeling better, Akutagawa-senpai?” Higuchi asked with a small smile, her mouth was slightly twitching as she said this.

Akutagawa gazed at the road through the window and leaned back into his seat. He was still processing that Yuzuki is missing. How could he let this happen? Why did he bother parting with Yuzuki just so the boss wouldn’t know of his existence? Why didn’t he ask Atsushi to come with him? Why did he ever leave home in the first plac–

Akutagawa was released from his panicked trace by Atsushi wrapping his arms around him, he whispered low enough for only Akutagawa to hear, “Baby, you’re stressing again…”

It was still fascinating to Akutagawa that Atsushi was able to read his emotions so quickly to respond to them, whether negative or positive. Atsushi was correct, he needed to relax, getting flustered about what led up to this was the least of their problems.

“Where are we going?” Akutagawa asked, watching the road and seeing a few familiar buildings pass by.

“The ADA, technically the cafe beneath the agency.” Higuchi quickly answered from the front, “The weretiger said we have to go there because of your younger daughters…” She added. She sounded upset at the last comment or was it sad? Akutagawa couldn’t tell. 

“I thought you would have left the girls with someone back at home.” Akutagawa questioned his husband with a suspicious look.

“No one was available to keep them at like 4 in the morning. Also they wouldn’t let me leave without them.” Atsushi explained, “I didn’t want to take them with me but I had to.” 

Akutagawa sighed, “‘Fair enough.”

“Considering you guys live about an hour and a half away by train, I’m surprised you got here with the twins and without the car.” Gin mentioned with an impressed tone and Atsushi chuckled slightly, “I’m just glad we got here safe and sound, now we have to find Yuzuki.”

Akutagawa nodded in agreement, “Yes, we will.”

Gin’s phone pinged very loudly, it was a text from Kyouka.

Gin >>>> TinyTofuSister

TinyTofuSister: We’ll meet you all in the cafe!

Gin: Alright, we’re about 10 minutes away.

TinyTofuSister: Okay!

“Kyouka says that she’d been waiting with the girls and her coworkers in the cafe.” Gin stated aloud for everyone to hear. 

“Alright, thank god.” Chuuya said, “This shouldn’t take too long to discuss.”

Akutagawa hoped so too.

Chapter Text

July 10

Yokohama

2:45 pm

“Do we all need to go inside?” Tachihara complained as they walked from the car to the building.

“Considering we're the ones taking charge of this on the Port Mafia's side, yes we do.” Higuchi explained and Tachihara groaned slightly annoyed.

Gin slithered up beside him, their mischief was clear in their demeanor, “You'd miss out on seeing Tanizaki-kun if you stayed behind anyways.”

Tachihara flushed at Gin's teasing but choosing not to lash out at her and he grumbled something under his breath. Gin chuckled at his embarrassment and walked ahead of him.

“Jinko, please stop treating me like glass. I am fine.” Akutagawa said a bit exasperated at Atsushi's trying to hover his arms around him. Just in case Akutagawa may be too 

lightheaded to walk.

“I know, I know, but you haven't had fainting spells in a while and I'm ju–”

“You heard him mantiger, he's fine so leave Akutagawa-senpai alone.” Higuchi inserted herself in their conversation, glaring at the weretiger. She smiled softly at Akutagawa after defending him, her face was rosy with joy. Akutagawa didn't return the smile but he seemed content with Higuchi's interruption.

Atsushi returned the glare to the blonde woman but dropped his arms from around his husband. He stood closer to him though. Atsushi wasn’t dumb, he knew about Higuchi’s obsession with Akutagawa. Ever since they chased down a girl Higuchi suspected to be Akutagawa’s girlfriend, which turned out to be his sister, Atsushi understood the extent her crush went for his husband. 

Unfortunately, those feelings haven't died out after all these years. He'd hoped they would be gone by the time they decided to return to Yokohama, but his hope was blind. 

“Do you see what I mean Ryuu?” Atsushi whispered to Akutagawa, to which the cloaked man sighed and shook his head. “Atsushi, leave her alone. She hasn't done anything wrong.” His husband whispered back.

Atsushi facepalms at Akutagawa’s response with a nervous chuckle. Akutagawa was aware of his ex-subordinate's crush on him after Atsushi explained it to him, but he thought those feelings would be gone by now. Clearly this was not the case but Akutagawa failed to see it.

☕✩°｡ ⋆⸜ 🎧✮🤎

July 10

Uzumaki Cafe 

2:50 pm

The group arrived at the cafe, the place was rather empty at the moment. A few people were leaving as they entered. All of them made their way to the largest booth and sat down.

“When did they say they would be down here?” Chuuya asked Atsushi while crossing his arms and leaning into the comfortable booth chairs.

“In a moment, they're having some issues up there.” Atsushi said, his eyes gleaming in a knowing sense. Everyone picked up on that.

Akutagawa nudged Atsushi and whispered something to him. Atsushi smiled at him and stood, “Alright, I'll order one for you.”

Atsushi walked away to the counter, leaving the mafiosos to talk amongst themselves.

“So what are your twins like?” Chuuya asked immediately. Akutagawa wasn't too surprised at his interest, Chuuya seemed to like being around kids and caring for them. It was one of his rather endearing sides to him that Akutagawa learned from.

“They're good girls, rather polite and imaginative but they love making trouble for us.” Akutagawa began, “Never a good idea leaving them alone for too long considering those two seem to scheme up something new together, but at the end of the day they are really the most loving and happiest kids. They get along well despite their differences and I'm glad they’re in my life.”

Akutagawa finished off, he noticed the shocked stares he was getting from his ex-coworkers.  His face bloomed a light pink in embarrassment as he realized all he said. He faked coughed into his hand while looking away from the three of them. His sister was chuckling at his embarrassment. Did he start rambling on about his children again? He did this any time he was asked about them, it’s rather embarrassing at times.

“You seem passionate about them, Akutagawa-senpai. I can tell by how your eyes seem to shine while you speak of them.” Higuchi noticed from Akutagawa’s ramble.

“It’s kinda scary to see that in Akutagawa of all people, you know.” Tachihara added, “Went from a terrifying mafia hellhound and a brooding puppy.” He let out a small laugh at his own joke with Chuuya and Gin joined it as well.

Akutagawa didn't seem to appreciate the joke as Tachihara got reminded of the man's merciless attitude as Akutagawa slashed Rashomon beside the redhead. It missed him by an inch instead tearing the booth's leather casing. Tachihara jumped away from the attack, an audible squeak of fear from his voice.

“This hellhound hasn't gone anywhere Tachihara. He's just less willing to slice you into pieces.” Akutagawa said to Tachihara, a small and sinister smile laced on his face. Tachihara gave Akutagawa an annoyed grimace, sinking into his seat.

“Never change, kid. Your attitude is what keeps people on their toes.” Chuuya added and Akutagawa smiled genuinely at the comment.

“Now that's terrifying.” Tachihara pointed towards Akutagawa’s smile, “Never do that again Akutagawa...”

“Honestly, I think it’s beautiful…” Higuchi muttered quietly with a smile on her face.

Out of the corner of his eyes, Akutagawa spotted two familiar faces from the door at the back of the cafe. He didn’t need to look for long as the voices clue him in to who it was.

“Papa!” The loud excited shriek of Lin echoed throughout the cafe. She came barreling at him with massive force and brought him into a hug. A tight and clinging hug, he knew why this was so.

“Hello Lin…”

Lin immediately began sobbing her little eyes out at the sound of his voice. They continued to cry into his coat and hug him tighter. The others in the booth gave different looks ranging from concern to shock and Gin's look of disappointment. He felt horrible as he watched his daughter cry in his grasp and Akutagawa knew he was to blame for this. He left them at home without a word of his destination so early in the morning. Akutagawa could tell they were scared and upset because of his actions. 

“Lin-chan, I'm so sorry for leaving you.” Akutagawa apologized as he hugged them back tightly.

“Y-you promise not to do that again, Papa?” Lin's tear-ridden voice said, looking for more reassurance. It broke Akutagawa’s heart.

“I promise on my life.” Akutagawa said with care and seriousness in his voice. Lin continues to cry into his jacket.

Rin had slowly walked over to the two of them, she bumped her head into her father’s arm. She kept head hung down and she refused to look at Akutagawa. Rin was always the one to try to be the tougher twin of the two whenever Lin is upset but it never works. She mumbled something aloud but Akutagawa wasn't able to hear what she said but he understood how hurt she was feeling. Her shoulders were shaking and she was sniffling and quietly sobbing as she occasionally wiped her face. Akutagawa placed a hand on her head and rubbed it to comfort her.

“I am sorry, Rin-chan. I didn’t mean to make you cry.” He apologised to the light-haired girl. 

“I-i’m not crying!” Rin disagreed loudly, her voice still wobbling with her tears.

“Right, my mistake.”

Akutagawa’s parental demeanour was jarring for the Port Mafia members as this man had never shown once being caring towards children, he never expressed interest into having children of his own. Currently, this was no longer the case considering he was comforting his daughter after disappearing so early in the morning from their home. Lin looked up and over her father’s shoulder and rubbed her face that was stained with tears. She sat down on his lap and leaned into his chest, she didn’t want her Papa’s to disappear again. Rin noticed this and started to climb up to sit beside her sister. 

Akutagawa was clearly not able to hold the both of them properly in his lap as these two girls aren’t small and Gin was about to speak up, likely to hold one of them but Akutagawa held up his hand.

“It’s alright Gin, I don’t mind.” Akutagawa said as he did his best to balance the both of them in his grasp.

“Hi girls, I can see you missed your Papa, right.” Gin asked, “Y-yeah, but I’m mad at him.” Rin said angrily, making Akutagawa look like he got shot in the chest.

“Well, I can see why. He just left home without a reason.” Gin added looking pointedly at their brother, “Uh huh, I think Papa is mean for that.” Rin replied, “He made Lin and Daddy sad.”

Akutagawa slouched at his daughter’s criticism but understood why she considered him to be “mean.”

“Your Papa can be pretty mean sometimes.” Kyouka’s voice entered the conversation as she addressed Rin directly, she immediately focused her attention on her nieces. She had arrived with two others walking up behind her. The agency’s best detectives, Edogawa Ranpo and Dazai Osamu. 

Dazai Osamu.

Dazai Os—.

“Hello Port Mafia members, I honestly didn’t expect you to arrive here so soon!” Dazai spoke up immediately, his common silly tone being evident upon his arrival. Chuuya’s face was a mix of annoyance and amusement upon hearing his voice, a common expression that the redhead had whenever he was around Dazai. “Especially you chibi!” He motioned over to Chuuya with pure bliss in his voice. Akutagawa glanced away from Dazai messing around with his best friend and kept himself focused on his girls. 

“I guess I was right, you’re the twins' other parent.” Ranpo spoke directly to Akutagawa while standing next to him. 

“It doesn’t take a genius to figure it out.” Akutagawa responded, “The only person that man can be romantically involved with is me afterall.” Ranpo gave him a nonchalant look and bit down on the lollipop in his mouth, “Unfortunately, the both of you basically escaped my radar for 7 years. That’s impressive to be honest.” He admitted.

That made Akutagawa felt a sense of pride at Ranpo’s admission, it wasn’t too deserved though considering he and Atsushi never thought they were able to escape from everyone that easily.

“Wait, Akutagawa!?” Dazai said looking slightly shocked, somehow just noticing Akutagawa sitting at the table or he chose to ignore him when he got there. Either way, Akutagawa wasn’t elated at the acknowledgement of his former adored mentor. 

“Hello Dazai.” Akutagawa said begrudgingly while glaring at him.

“Oh wow, I didn’t think Atsushi-kun would actually decide to adopt children with you.” 

“These girls are not adopted.”

“Oh really? Surrogate-”

“I’m not discussing this in front of the girls and in a public cafe.” Akutagawa said while covering the girls’ ears with his hands and Rashomon, doing his best to not have his girls listen to Dazai. Akutagawa continues to glare at him, trying his best to send the message to him not to talk to him further. 

“Anyways it happened, it is honestly shocking that Atsushi allowed you to shackle yourself to him.” Dazai said as he tutted his finger in the air before walking up to Akutagawa and standing over him. Akutagawa had a look of offence at his comment, “Just saying, taking Atsushi-kun from us was rather selfish .”

Akutagawa was even sure what to say because Dazai’s words left him in a state of anger and embarrassment. Also, he had never expected those words to leave his ex-mentor’s mouth towards him and his life with Atsushi. Then again, Dazai never knew when to curve his words towards people, especially Akutagawa. Everyone, except Chuuya, looked rather surprised at Dazai’s words that were still coated in a joking tone. Gin and Kyouka had a look of discomfort from Dazai’s words, both of them understood why Akutagawa tried to push back. He just decided to glare at Dazai with a look of pure malice.

Dazai’s smile was wrapped in mischief and disdain. 

Before anything else could be said, a cup of coffee was placed on the table separating Akutagawa and Dazai’s intense staring contest. Just before anyone could process anything, a deafening crunch was registered by everyone in the booth except the twins.

Atsushi’s arm had made hard contact with Dazai’s jaw with a bone-breaking crunch.

Chapter Text

July 10

Uzumaki Cafe 

3:00 pm

“Here you go, one black coffee.” A cup of coffee was placed down in front of a taller white-haired man. Much taller than she had last seen him in years.

The man hesitated to speak as he placed the cup into his hands. He looked rather guilty and conflicted about even taking the coffee. Instead of responding with a thank you, he started to add about 4 sugar cubes into the piping hit liquid. I made Lucy slightly cringe at the amount of sugar he was adding.

Both of them sat in silence.

“H-hey Lucy-san.” The man started, his voice unsure of what to say next, “Long time no see.”

Lucy frowned, crossed her arms and glared at him. Whatever he was trying to do wasn't going to be accepted lightly by the red-headed maiden.

“Wrong thing to say huh…” He mumbled. 

“Yeah, I hoped that would have been obvious.” Lucy replied in a less than inviting way before letting out a heavy sigh.

How could she after all this time? She felt the corners of her eyes well up with tears, but she forced them back down just to talk to Atsushi without breaking down in front of him. She began to wipe down the countertop between them, giving her a moment to think of what to say next.

Atsushi had become very interested in messing with the cup of wooden stirrers. 

“You decided to come back to town.” Lucy started.

Atsushi answered without looking at her, “Yeah, but only for a while.”

Her grip on the wet rag increased making her hand feel clammy from the texture. 

“He won't look at me…” Lucy's thoughts began to drift.

“Did you miss this place or what?”

“I did but I also had to find someone.”

Lucy's heart skipped a beat, shock and hope twisted in her stomach. Of course, her hopes of being that person lingered in the front of her mind. 

“O-oh really!” Her voice cracked. Before she spoke again, she cleared her throat, “I bet they wouldn't be too happy that it took you so long for you to come back.”

“I don't think so. He was pretty angry at me.” Atsushi chuckled slightly.

It was not Lucy, noted.

“Well, I’m not happy with you.” Lucy said bluntly, continuing to shave down the counter with the rag.

Atsushi bowed his head even lower, Lucy could tell he was ashamed.

“I mean, I thought you had decided you didn't care about us anymore and just left.” Lucy stated, “I mean death was another assumption that the Agency threw around.” As she continued, her hand began to shake as she squeezed the rag tighter.

Atsushi placed her hand on her shoulder and she looked up at him. His eyes were filled with remorse and care, always filled with care towards others. She missed how often they were in her life before. 

“I am so sorry, Lucy.” Atsushi said, “I never meant to hurt you o-or anyone at all, I swear it.”

Those swallowed tears had begun to spill on the redheaded maidens face as she listened to him. She had years of unshed tears and pain spilling out right there.

“I know that won't make up for 7 years but I had responsibilities somewhere else…” He added, “...but that doesn't mean I wanted to hurt everyone.”

“What responsibilities? It could have been that serious.” She chuckled in between wiping a few tears away.

Atsushi’s face began to glow in embarrassment, his hands and eyes fell back onto the cup of stirrers. Lucy sadly smiled and hoped the next words out of his words wouldn't be something silly. Atsushi had a pattern of getting himself roped into life or death situations because he’s so kind.

“A family…” He said.

Oh.

“What!?” Lucy did her best to not yell out loud in the middle of the cafe, but that was definitely not what she had expected.

“I know, I know, I wouldn't have expected that for myself either.”

Lucy's mouth was gaping like fish out of water as she processed what he said and the implications of that. Atsushi having a family wasn’t even on the list of whatever he left Yokohama for. If he has a family, that means he has children and he's likely…married.

Her eyes shifted to the golden ring around his neck. A lovely ring with two small initials etched into it. That was all she needed to confirm her fears, Atsushi was no longer up for grabs. Her heart shattered into a million pieces, damn it.

“I can see that you have a ring around your neck. Is that a new marriage fashion statement?” Lucy joked about the odd placement. 

Atsushi laughed at that, “Ha-ha, nah. I just can't wear it on my fing–”

Before he could finish his sentence, he perked up and looked towards a booth across the room.

It was the group that Atsushi had come in with earlier. Lucy only recognized Chuuya and Gin as they came here pretty often for a coffee but Akutagawa being with them was a shock to her. She hadn’t seen him in years so she assumed he was busy with mafia work.

Currently, Akutagawa is talking to Dazai and their conversation didn't seem to be very peaceful. Lucy couldn't make out what was being said but Akutagawa looked tense and upset while Dazai seemed laidback and a bit ticked off.

Atsushi clearly heard what Dazai had said, likely due his tiger abilities. He wasn't too happy either because he got up so quickly and stormed over to the booth. 

Lucy had never never seen him react so aggressively towards Dazai. Whatever Dazai said, it earned a hard punch to the face.

☕✩°｡ ⋆⸜ 🐊✮❤️

Everyone froze the moment Atsushi had given Dazai a hard right hook to his jaw. The crunch that followed confirmed how hard Atsushi had punched the man. It was so sudden and quick that it sent everyone into stunned silence.

“Watch your mouth, Dazai.” Atsushi said with pure venom in his voice, “You have some nerve to talk to and about my husband like that.” He ended, his breathing was heavy. 

Atsushi had grabbed Dazai’s shoulder and turned him to meet his fist. It wasn’t something you would have expected from Atsushi towards Dazai of all people. Dazai stumbled back from the harsh blow and grabbed his broken jaw. It was clear Dazai wasn’t expecting such a hit to his face considering his shocked expression towards Atsushi’s stance and glare. 

“Atsushi Nakajima! What the hell do you think you're doing?!” Akutagawa finally spoke up against the silence, his demonic ability wrapping herself around the weretiger’s arms.

Atsushi was clearly being impulsive as his anger was clouding his judgement and Akutagawa knew that if he didn't restrain him he'd probably try to punch Dazai a few more times.

“Daddy just punched the mean guy!” Lin's excited voice piped up, her eyes gleaming in amazement. 

Oh no, Lin had seen what Atsushi had done.

“Yeah, it was really cool.” Rin added to her sister's observation, the same amazement twinkling in her eyes.

Great, both of the twins saw what just happened. Neither of their dads liked them to witness any violence that they can cause, Akutagawa and Atsushi didn’t want to raise their children in violence in the first place. Then again, Atsushi had brought them to Yokohama of all places.

“Holy hell, I didn’t expect the weretiger to deck Dazai like that.” Tachihara said in awe, still reeling from what just happened.

“I think his jaw is broken..” Gin said, “I heard his jaw crack from the hit.” They pointed to a hurting Dazai, who was clutching his mouth in pain.

Chuuya had stood up to check the man, looking over him but never being physical in any way. “His jaw is fucking destroyed, you a lot of power into that punch, kid.” 

“Then next time he should watch what he says.” Atsushi frowned, his angry eyes trailing on Dazai's every move.

“There was no need to punch him.” Akutagawa interjected as he eyed Dazai doubled over in pain from that punch. Kyouka walked over to Dazai and Chuuya before placing an arm on his shoulder. 

“I’ll take him to Yosano-san to help him.” Kyouka started leading him towards the stairs, “You all continue without us.” Before she leaves she looks at Atsushi before walking away. Akutagawa couldn’t quite read her expression. Either way, he let Atsushi go once Dazai and Kyouka disappeared up the stairs. The moment he did so the girls jumped onto their father’s case, words flying out of their mouths.

“Daddy, you saved Papa from the mean man!” Lin said enthusiastically while climbing up his back, “But why did you hit him?”

“Didn’t you say we shouldn’t hit people if they make us mad?” Rin questioned while placing two fingers under her chin. Any anger that had been left in his mind evaporated to be replaced with worry as he realised the way he acted in front of his daughters.

“W-well, you aren’t supposed to–”

“Then why did you?” They both asked with their curious eyes, one set being bright and one set being suspicious.

Atsushi groaned in embarrassment as he took Lin off of his back, “Look, you two don’t do what Daddy just did to anyone who’s saying mean things, okay?” Atsushi said, “I just got a little angry.”

The twins responded in a sing-song tone, “We promise!”

Atsushi sighed in relief before looking at everyone at the table. Faces full of disbelief, amusement, disappointment and annoyance met him. Akutagawa was staring him down, but Atsushi couldn’t tell if it was anger or something else.

“Sorry about that.” He chuckled as if he just told a bad joke.

“It’s best if we move on from that. We have more pressing matters to address.” Chuuya spoke up while messing with the edge of his gloves. “Yes, we should!” Ranpo said, “But your girls probably don’t need to hear any of this.”

“Girls, go sit over in that booth. We have to talk about something important.” Akutagawa instructed while pointing at another booth, “Okay!” They both run off while talking frantically with each other. Akutagawa sighed deeply, he was tired now more than before.

“So Ranpo-san, what can you piece together at the moment.” Atsushi asked.

“Nothing at all, I’ve only seen that this baby is definitely a byproduct of the two of you.” Ranpo noted before placing a photo of Yuzuki on the table. “Where did you get that from?” Gin asked.

“Your niece, she wouldn’t take it back from me.” Ranpo said with a shrug.

 “But all I have is what he looks like. Uhh…” He pointed at Gin.

“Gin. My name is Gin.”

“Right, what do you remember before Yuzuki-kun disappeared?”

“I had brought him back to my place because Onii-san wouldn’t want Yuzuki in the headquarters without him being able to watch him.” Gin began to explain.

She unlocked the door and switched on the lights to her apartment, “First time you get to come to my house Zuki-tan.” They said in a sweet way to Yuzuki, “Your papa will be back soon, so Auntie Gin will be watching you today!” 

Yuzuki wiggles his legs at her soft voice while made Gin smile so brightly at her nephew’s happiness. It was only a couple out days of the year she was able to see him and spend time with him.

Gin placed him down on the couch and moved over to a box beside it and opened it. They pulled out a playmat and spread it out on the ground then they picked up Yuzuki and placed him on back on the mat. Yuzuki stared at her and then the toys floating above him. He began to play with the toys peacefully, Gin watched him with joy filling up their heart.

“Oh, right! I have something else for you Zuki-tan.” Gin said before standing up, “It's a gift for sitting up all by yourself!”

“You got him a gift for sitting up?” Tachihara said with a look of confusion.

“Babies sitting up on their own is a big milestone!” Higuchi injected rather matter-of-factly.

“Okay, okay. Continue.”

Gin entered their bedroom and grabbed a blue box with a big red ribbon from a shelf before walking back to the living room.

“And when I got back to the living room…”

“Yuzuki, look what I have~!” Gin said in a silly voice as she walked up to the playmat and looked down at it.

“Yuzuki?”

“...he was gone.”

“And I just started to tear the place apart, because Yuzuki can’t crawl or stand yet, at least I think so. But I know that someone took him because he’s nowhere in my apartment.”

“Yuzuki can’t crawl, he’s not at the age for it anyways.” Atsushi said, “Even if he did, he wouldn’t have gotten far.”

“It’s still not enough info, but it’s clear he was kidnapped from your apartment. How you didn’t notice could be at the hands of the kidnapper’s ability.” Ranpo pointed out, he bit off the rest of the lollipop and began to chew on the pieces. Everyone began to think as Ranpo crunched away.

“Then it makes sense that we go to Gin's apartment to check out for clues.” Tachihara offered. 

“Yep!” Ranpo said while stretching out his arms, “But we have to wait for Kyouka and Dazai.”

“Do we really need to?” Atsushi said through gritted teeth. 

“Atsushi.” Akutagawa warned the younger man with a stern look.

“It's better to have more of us looking, plus Dazai seems to know something.” Ranpo said as he got up from his seat. 

Atsushi and Akutagawa both perked up at the last statement. If Dazai knew something about Yuzuki's whereabouts, they couldn't leave him behind. 

“You better be correct about that detective, I'd rather not have him around us long.” Akutagawa said with a slight glare.

“Of course I'm correct. I'm never wrong.” Ranpo shrugged with a smug smile, “I'll go upstairs and get them. Yosano is probably done at this point.” The detective slugged away towards and up the stairs.

Everyone else waited at the table, looking at both Atsushi and Akutagawa. So much has happened in the past few hours without a chance to talk to the two men about their disappearance.

“So…” Higuchi began.

Atsushi and Akutagawa turned their attention to the blonde woman.

“Akutagawa-senpai–”

“My last name is no longer Akutagawa, Higuchi.” Akutagawa pointed out but he saw the confusion and shock on her face, “But I don't mind if you refer to me by my maiden name.”

“You took his last name?” Chuuya said while pointing at the weretiger.

“It was rather easy for me, considering my maiden name is most known for the acts I have committed in the Mafia.” Akutagawa explained, “I thought it was only logical to take Atsushi's last name as to avoid anything.”

“That means you've been using “Nakajima” since before you were married?” Tachihara asked.

Akutagawa nodded.

Higuchi's head slammed down on the table with a loud smack, frightening everyone. 

“Higuchi!? Are you okay?” Gin asked with a worried tone. The blonde woman lifted up her head and gave a thumbs up.

“But for the more important question…” Chuuya said his face darkened as he stared at Atsushi. The weretiger grabbed Akutagawa’s arm and raised it in front of his eyes.

“Those twins had something to do with the two of you disappearing, correct?”

“Yes, they did.” Akutagawa answered.

“You said they aren't adopted…so that means…” Chuuya was starting to put it together. Tachihara and Higuchi hadn't gotten it just yet. 

“Weretiger, you did something, didn't you?” The shorter mafioso accused the white-haired man. Atsushi was shaking in seat, which was unbelievable to his husband from the deadpanned look on his face.

“Just say what you are thinking, you coward.” Akutagawa said to Chuuya.

Chuuya huffed out in anger at Akutagawa's insult before leaning against the table. “He got you knocked up didn't he?”

Everyone went silent, Higuchi and Tachihara gave their superior a shocked look as if what he said was insane.

“Yes, he did.” Akutagawa said nonchalantly as he took a sip from his coffee, “This is cold, what were you doing for it to get like this.” His face crumpled up in disgust before looking at Atsushi. He placed the cup back on the table.

“Ryuu, you can be so blunt sometimes.” Atsushi said as his face was in his hands, his face red from embarrassment.

“Wait, you're actually serious!?” Tachihara said, his eyes still blown wide.

“Yes, Tachihara.” Akutagawa said without a trace of amusement on his face, “Also why did you assume it was me?”

Chuuya gave him a look that basically said you can't be serious.

“Screw you.” Akutagawa bit back the swear word that was on the tip of his tongue.

“But you're a man, that shouldn't be possible.” Higuchi said with a hint of confusion and panic.

“It's some weird ability biology thing.” Atsushi began to say, “We didn't even know it was possible ourselves until 7 years ago.” He explained.

“So it was more of a surprise thing, you know.” The weretiger laughed nervously. The looks from Akutagawa’s ex-coworkers were sending him into a state of panic. Somehow, he felt like he was in danger despite his actions a few moments ago.

“YOU!” Higuchi said as she basically flew around the table so fast, “You thought it was okay to just keep him away from us because of this.” Her eyes were filled with rage at the weretiger as she stood over him.

“Higuchi, stop it!” Gin said quickly with anger in her voice.

“He took your brother from you! Why are you defending him?!” Higuchi retorted.

“They didn't have much of a choice Higuchi!” Gin said while hitting her fist on the table and gesturing at her brother and his husband. 

Higuchi looked at her friend in confused anger, “He could have gone to any of us or the bos–”

“Don't you dare finish that sentence.” Akutagawa snapped at the woman. Higuchi shinked back from the two men as he glared at her.

“Atsushi didn’t keep me from anyone. I chose to leave with him because I damn well wasn't going to let my children stay here while I was in the mafia.” Akutagawa expressed his anger. 

“And knew if I went to any of you, that snake would have found out and did something I couldn't imagine.” His body slightly began to shake.

Atsushi wrapped his arms around Akutagawa to relax him from his statement. Higuchi looked guilty as she shrunk back further, she grabbed the edge of her suit jacket.

“You didn't want Mori getting his hands on them, right?” Chuuya said.

Akutagawa nodded as he melted into his husband’s embrace. 

“That makes sense, I would do the same if I was in your situation.” Tachihara added, “The boss isn't someone you can trust around kids in the first place.

Everyone seemed to agree on that. Higuchi has sat back down on the opposite side of the table, her face in an expression of something unreadable. The atmosphere had dropped back into a tense and awkward one.

“Either way, it's good that you're alive and well.” Chuuya said to Akutagawa with a slight fondness to it.

“Thank you, Chuuya-san.” Akutagawa responded in kind.

“Yeah, most of us thought you died...again.” Tachihara laughed nervously. 

“Well, I don't think I will be dying anytime soon if this weretiger continues to smolder me.” Akutagawa said with a smug smile, side eyeing the man who was still embracing him.

“Caring for your health and wellbeing is a part of my vows. I don't care if you think it's smoldering.” Atsushi contested with a prideful smile and Akutagawa smiled very softly at his pride.

“Eugh, get a room for crying out loud…” Tachihara groaned, making everyone chuckle at his blatant jealousy. 

─── ˗ˏˋ🩷 ೀ🩹꒱ ˎˊ˗ ───

July 10

Yosano’s Office

3:10 pm

“Geez, you got a pretty good crack to the face.” Yosano said as she examined Dazai's now bandaged jaw, “Who was even able to hurt you this easily?”

“I–”

“It was Atsushi.” Kyouka said bluntly while typing on her phone.

Yosano gave her a shocked look, if not one of disbelief.

“That can't be true, Atsushi wouldn't truly do that to him.”

Dazai waved his hand weakly at Yosano as he struggled to speak, “N-no, Kyouka is right…”

Yosano is in even more disbelief, the conflict was clear in her eyes.

“Why did he punch you, Dazai?” She asked with a questioning look. 

Dazai rubbed his hand across the area of his previous injury, the pain crawled around his jaw. He couldn’t believe it, he wasn't able to say much; shock is such an insanely chaining thing.

“Dazai-san, you suddenly have nothing to say now?” Kyouka asked, her eyelids squeezing closer together.

“No, no, Kyouka!” Dazai did his best to throw himself back into his painfully joyful attitude with the weak wag of a finger. The three of them fell into a silence due to his change in attitude.

“You deserved it.” Kyouka said.

“What?” Dazai replied, he was pushed out of his thoughts.

“You deserved that punch.” The ex-assassin repeated while looking directly into his face. 

“What did he even do that warranted Atsushi to shatter his jaw?”

“Insulting his marriage and his husband.” Kyouka explained, “I wasn't even really surprised he decided to insult Akutagawa, because he often does it.”

Yosano was thrown for another loop as she tried to gather her bearings, she held her hands up slightly, “Glossing over the information that Atsushi and Akutagawa of all people are married .”

“Whatever you said must have been pretty damning for Atsushi to punch you that hard.” Yosano ended.

“I don't think it's just that. Akutagawa told Atsushi about his past with you.” Kyouka explained.

Dazai's face twisted up uncomfortably away from the view of the two women. 

“Getting an angry-crying phone call from your brother at 2 am is rather jarring, you know.” Kyouka said.

Dazai looked at her with a slightly shocked face with a look of conflict being in the corners of his eyes. He shouldn't be too surprised because Atsushi was going to find out eventually. Except that wasn’t what unnerved Dazai, the look in Atsushi eyes before and after he had punched him. 

Bloodlust.

An overwhelming amount. It was as if Atsushi wouldn't have hesitated to split Dazai's head open right then and there.

Of course, with Atsushi’s ability it wasn't shocking that he possessed those attributes of a predator. Dazai had seen it directed at other people but Atsushi has never shown it to his mentor before. 

That punch was clearly not fueled by his tiger strength as it would have nulled the moment contact was made with his jaw. The punch would have been a lot lighter. Atsushi's strength was his own in that moment.

“I don't know much of your time in the Port Mafia…” Yosano leaned onto her desk, crossing her arms, “But having Atsushi snap at you that way, it must have been some treacherous stuff.”

Dazai didn't respond. He kept his hand on the side of his face, rubbing small circles around his cheek.

There was a knock on the office door before a certain candy loving detective pulled it open. Ranpo poked his head into the room.

“Come on, we're leaving to look at the scene of the crime.” Ranpo stated, waving his hand in a “hurry up” motion.

Kyouka got up from the bedside chair and looked at Dazai before walking out of the room. He got up from the bed and followed suit. Dazai did have something on his mind as he followed Kyouka out of the room.

“Why would she care that Akutagawa was being insulted?”  

Those thoughts were one to ponder on for a while.

🫧🦢🪞.♡⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚

July 10

East Coast Apartment Complex

3:30 pm

“Papa, you can't say that!” Lin's loud voice piped up in the car after her dramatic gasp.

Akutagawa snorted, “Say what? Stupid?”

The black-haired girl squealed in a fit of giggles as she covered her ears. Akutagawa laughed with her as her giggles increased.

“Don't say it again!” Lin giggled as she put her hands over her father's mouth and he continued to laugh with her. Their  joyful laughter filled the car as they drove down the road.

“Are they always this lively?” Higuchi asked Kyouka as he stared in awe at Akutagawa and Lin's antics.

“Yeah, these moments are common for them.” Kyouka replied.

Akutagawa had been in his thoughts during the beginning of the drive. He was extremely worried about the whereabouts of his son, therefore he looked incredibly upset.

Lin noticed and began to play a game with him, counting the cars that drove past them on the freeway. Akutagawa had seen a bright neon yellow car and commented, “Who's stupid idea was it to paint a car in such an eye-sweltering colour?”

That then led to Lin playfully arguing with him about saying bad words. He played into the girl's mindset and they were laughing about it.

It was uplifting to such a somber mood, and Lin was the cause for that.

Higuchi seemed to be savouring the moment so much as Akutagawa smiled and laughed. She had never seen him laugh genuinely or even smile in that manner in her life. Kyouka didn’t blame her for being in so much awe at a sight. When she reunited Atsushi and Akutagawa again, it had given her so much pause that Akutagawa of all people was so attentive with two young children. 

“Alright, we’re here.” Atsushi said as he finished parking the car.

“Already, I could have wished for a few more miles.” Ranpo commented as he stepped out of the car and stretched his arms and legs, “Your car is cozy but did you have to lock my snack bag in such a sealed box?” He asked with an annoyed tone while pointing at a large metal box under the car seat.

“No food in the car, Daddy doesn't want anything to ruin the car.” Rin piped up while pointing her finger in the air and she jumped out of the car.

“Yup, our last car was overrun with ants…and a few roaches.” Atsushi said, trailing off quietly at the end. He locked the car doors and walked over to the six of them. Rin ran over to him and put her arms in the air, indicating her desire to be picked up. Atsushi sighed and he does so with a smile.

Chuuya’s car comes in just as Rin is messing with Atsushi’s hair. Once parked, everyone in that car comes out and makes their way towards the group. 

“Hi Auntie Gin!” Rin said towards the black-haired women as she drew near to the two of them. Gin rubbed Rin’s head with a smile.

“Gin, lead the way to your place. We’ll start the investigation there.” Chuuya said.

Gin nodded before walking ahead and everyone following. Atsushi walked over to his husband who was holding Lin in his arms. “No more sad face! Only a smiley face!” Lin was singing a made-up song to cheer up her Papa. 

It didn’t seem to be working too well as Akutagawa’s stern worried face was coming out in full effect. Lin was getting upset herself as Akutagawa continued to look worried. It was common that if either one of them is upset and it shows on their faces, the twins will get upset as well.

“Daddy…” Lin looked sad as she complained to Atsushi. Akutagwa snapped out his thoughts and hugged Lin and kissed her on the forehead.

“Sorry Lin-chan, I had a sad thought for a moment.” Akutagawa apologised to his daughter, “I did not mean to make you upset.” 

Lin smiled softly and wrapped her arms around his neck into a hug, “Okay, Papa.” She laid down on his shoulder afterwards.

Atsushi gave Akutagawa a worried look that was a question to if he was doing okay. Akutagawa nodded slightly and walked faster than Atsushi, catching up with his sister. Atsushi knew he wasn’t doing alright, his eyes were filled with fear and sadness. He was pushing his feelings down to make Lin happy, it was an old habit that hadn’t died in him yet. 

“Daddy, you made him get a bandage.” Rin said while pointing at someone behind them.

It was Dazai. He was walking behind both of them and right up to them. Atsushi really did put him into a bandage and damn, Atsushi didn’t think he had hit him that hard. He did intend to do so though, he wasn’t trying to be light with that punch. He didn’t feel bad for punching him either, he deserved it.

Dazai walked beside the tiger and his spawn as they trotted off to the apartment buildings. Atsushi kept his sights in front of him, doing his best to ignore Dazai and it was clear that Dazai wasn’t going to say anything. He was glad for that. Right now, hoped that Gin’s apartment would give them clues to find his son. 

‧₊˚✩彡⋆⭒˚｡⋆‧₊˚✩彡

July 10

Gin’s Apartment

3:40 pm

“He was right there, laying down on the playmat.” Gin said as they stooped down in front of the baby’s playmat.

“Still can’t believe you brought such an expensive brand of a playmat for Yuzuki.” Atsushi said as he examined the tag and area around the mat. 

“If he was going to come here eventually, I might as well have one for him.” Gin shyly said, her smile being visible despite her mask.

Everyone was moving around the living looking for anything that may indicate a break in or an ability of some sort. Ranpo was sitting on the coffee table as he scanned the room.

“Umm Edogawa-san, could you not sit on the coffee table–” Gin tried to say but Ranpo spoke up, “Dazai! Get over here for a second!”

Dazai, who had been messing around with the room’s dimmer, walked over to Ranpo and gave him a bored, questioning look. Ranpo holds up a piece of hair in his hands. A tuft of white hair, it was very light in colour. He motions to give it to Dazai and he takes the hair from him. Ranpo looked at Atsushi and asked him a question.

“Atsushi, does Yuzuki hair take after yours or your husband?”

“Mine, the same cream white colour.” Atsushi asked, he holds up his own hair as an example.

“These aren’t the same colour of white.” Dazai added holding up the tuft of hair next to Atsushi’s. Atsushi looked up at Dazai as he was standing near him and gave Dazai a look that meant “back up”. Dazai didn’t move back, unfortunately. He ignored the glare in favor of staring at the hair.

“It’s much lighter.”

“Therefore, we have our perpetrator’s hair on the scene.” Ranpo stated before hopping off of the table. He slid his way quickly over to the window and inspected the ground and the windowsill. Only a layer of dust laid across the windowsill, the window showed no sign of force being placed on it but there was something trapped in between the opening.

Ranpo takes a moment at the window to think about all he has seen. As he began to put it together, Dazai piped up about remembering something.

“I saw the baby somewhere in the town.” Dazai said loudly, making everyone direct their attention to him.

“Where Dazai, where did you see him?” Akutagawa said with a serious tone as he got right up to Dazai; the desperation being clear in his eyes.

“Down by the shipping dock, he was with Nikolai of all people.”

Atsushi felt his heart drop into his stomach. That psychotic clown had kidnapped his son.

“Are you kidding me? And it took you so long to remember!?” Atsushi snarled at the man. 

“Atsushi-kun, there are a lot of things that happen in my life, I truly can’t remember–”

“Bullshit.” Atsushi snapped off the end of Dazai’s sentence as he glared him down. The laid-back and silly tone of his voice wasn’t helping to quell Atsushi’s anger.

“Hey! Fighting about this isn’t gonna help find the kid.” Tachihara spoke up to break the argument, “Detective?”

Ranpo shoved his hands into his pockets and rolled his lollipop to the corner of his mouth. He gave the group a smug smile, “Yeah, that clown guy definitely has him.”

Atsushi clenched his teeth in anger as he struggled to stop his hands from shaking and accidentally losing the grip on Rin. He has never had a good run-in with Nikolai but it has never really left Atsushi in nothing more than a feeling of malice. Today was a change in that malice.

“We should go to the docks right now.” Akutagawa said as he started moving towards the front door.

“Are you sure, what about the girls? We can’t bring them with us.” Atsushi asked.

“Why not?” Lin questioned loudly, crossing her arms with an angry face. “It’s not safe for the both of you, kiddo. Atsushi tried to explain to both of his children.

“We can’t leave them anywhere, I’d rather not.” Akutagawa said before picking up his black-haired daughter and holding her tightly in his arms.

“Ryuu, this guy is a part of the House of the Dead Rats. It wouldn’t be safe for the girls to come with us.” Atsushi tried his best to reason with him.

“I’ll keep them safe and you’ll keep them safe. That’s all that is necessary.” Akutagawa tried to cut the conversation short. 

Atsushi could believe his ears. He knew Akutagawa would have never dared to do something like this concerning the safety of their children; but it’s likely due to Yuzuki’s disappearance that his causing him to act this way. In the end, bringing the girls with them wasn’t not on the table at all.

“We shouldn’t be going anywhere at the moment.” Kyouka spoke up while walking up to her brother-in-law, “Ryuunosuke, Atsushi, the both of you are in no shape to be running around looking for Yuzuki.” 

“Kyouka, I understand that but…”

“The girls look tired and hungry from all the running around, Atsushi.” She motioned to the upset and annoyed children. Rin was boredly staring off into space and Lin was in a mixture of teary-eyed and upset breathing. They weren’t the slightest form of happiness between everything that had been happening.

Akutagawa and Atsushi were both horrified at the state of the children. They have been running around all day and they haven’t been paying attention to the girls well-being. Some parents were with the children who weren’t missing.

“Alright, I’ll find a hotel for us to stay at tonight.” Akutagawa breathed out while fishing his phone out of his pocket.

“Give me Lin, I’ll rest them in the car.” Atsushi said as he began to lift Lin from Akutagawa’s arms. Atsushi opened the front door and walked out. Akutagawa followed him out shortly after.

Everyone left behind in the apartment let out a breath themselves; the silence in the room afterwards spoke volumes about the situation.

“I don’t think I could handle their feelings about everything right now.” Tachihara spoke up, “It seems so stressful.”

“Yeah, I can’t imagine their mental state at the moment. Between their missing 5 month old and their twins.” Ranpo added as he removed the lollipop in his mouth. A frown laced his face.

“The best we can do for them is help, so they don’t do anything drastic.” Everyone mumbled in agreement with Chuuya’s final statement. It was all they could do for the moment.

— ♡

Chapter Text

July 11 

7:30 am

???

It had only been a day since Nikolai had brought this baby to their hideout, and all of his attention was on this strange creature. Fyodor wasn’t one to hate babies but that doesn't mean he necessarily liked them. Yuzuki had no expectation of these thoughts, at first . This little baby was evil, as evil as people would describe Fyodor. Of course, it would seem that he was overreacting to a 5-month old, but he swears that this baby was doing the most to annoy him.

The first day he was here, Nikolai placed Yuzuki beside Fyodor on the couch. Nikolai was trying his best to find something for the baby to eat. Fyodor decided to ignore the baby’s presence to focus on his important plans. 

The moment he looked away from the baby, he felt something hit him in the side of the head. He looked over at the direction of Yuzuki to see him roll over on his back and playing with his feet. That was strange, did he imagine that?

Again, Fyodor focused on his work before getting another hit to the head. He snapped his head towards the baby to see him staring at him with a blank stare. Yuzuki grabbed his pacifier and put it in his mouth, looking away from Fyodor. Fyodor looked around on the chair to see anything that could have hit him. 

The only thing on the chair was the remote for the TV. He looked at the baby before reaching for the remote. Before he could grab the remote, Yuzuki placed both of his hands on the remote and grabbed it up.

Fyodor tried to take it from him by prying it from his little hands and Yuzuki began to fight back by holding the remote tighter in his arms. Fyodor wasn’t backing down and tried his best to get the remote without hurting the baby. This back and forth between the two continued for a while before Yuzuki slapped Fyodor in the face. 

Fyodor had already understood that this baby knew his strength and used it to his advantage, but it wasn’t too hard for him to ignore it and continue to pry that remote from him. 

Yuzuki seemed to have realised that Fyodor wasn’t going to back down, so he used the remote to smack Fyodor in the head about 3 times. It made Fyodor move backwards while reacting to the hit with a sound of pain.

“What is wrong with you!?” Fyodor screeched at the baby. Yuzuki stared his outburst for a moment before he began to giggle and laugh. Fyodor wasn’t sure if this baby was capable of laughter when he first met him, but this proved him wrong. 

“Is he laughing?” Nikolai had appeared in the living room at the sound of laughter, his eyes sparkling as bright as diamonds while watching Yuzuki laugh. 

“He’s been using the remote to torment me!” Fyodor said in annoyance, causing Yuzuki to giggle harder.

Nikolai began to laugh along with the baby which made Fyodor’s anger and annoyance increase ten fold. Nikolai took up Yuzuki and brought him into a big hug while genuinely smiling at the baby’s joy. It gave Fyodor a moment of pause to see Nikolai smile with such sincerity. “Oh, you rather dramatic Feyda! I’m sure he meant no harm.” Nikolai waved off his complaint before lifting Yuzuki into the air.

“What you cannot actually belie-”

“I didn’t think you could make any other face a side from that boring deadpanned face of yours!” Nikolai commented, cutting Fyodor’s sentence, “It’s good that you have a little laughter in your life! Now come with me, you have a meal to consume little one.” 

Nikolai walked off to the kitchen with Yuzuki looking over his shoulder. Fyodor watched them while slightly glaring at Yuzuki. Yuzuki’s face dropped the smile and he glared back at Fyodor. It was slightly unnerving that he quickly lost the joy in his eyes. Yuzuki’s twinkled at Fyodor’s visible disturbance.

This baby wasn’t normal. Not that Fyodor knew that many babies over the course of his life. 

—

Nikolai wasn’t sure why this baby was so interesting to him. Yuzuki was just a baby who caught his eye while Nikolai was surveying the grounds of the Port Maria apartments. Because of Yuzuki, he basically forgot what he originally had gone there for.

Unfortunately, he would have to bring the baby back there eventually or else Fyodor may do something that Nikolai wouldn’t want to happen. He hoped that Fyodor wouldn’t try to end the little one’s life, because Fyodor doesn’t seem like the type to hold off on threatening a baby’s life. Nikolai watched as Yuzuki drank the milk he had gotten from a store. 

Nikolai tried to hold the baby and the bottle to feed him, but that wasn’t allowed apparently as Yuzuki swatted Nikolai’s hands away from the bottle and he began to feed himself. It was truly interesting how independent Yuzuki seemed as he wasn't a fan of help towards being fed by someone. It made Nikolai feel more attached to him, he wasn’t sure why.

Yuzuki stared at him with his massive void eyes, it seemed to suck Nikolai in. Tomorrow, he would have to bring the baby back to where he found him. How disappointing. 

⋆｡°🕯️✩.˚₊

July 12

3:30 am

Yokohama Shipping Docks

Fyodor watched as Nikolai was tiptoeing with the baby as he slowly lifted him up. Fyodor never knew that babies wouldn’t sleep at random hours of the night but he wouldn’t cry, just make a fuss to get attention. It was honestly tiring because the night before that baby fell asleep the moment he was placed down. 

“Do I have to go out this early….” Nikolai whined quietly, “We could wait till–”

“No, you need to take him back where you found him.” Fyodor said, “He cannot stay here any longer.”

Nikolai frowned childishly as he stepped out the opened door, Fyodor followed behind him. As they walked throughout the shipping yard, Nikolai could not have been more nervous as he walked ahead of Fyodor.

“Why are you following me? I thought I was the one to be returning this child.” Nikolai stated, his teeth slightly gritted. Fyodor did not respond, he continued to walk along with his partner. This didn’t make Nikolai less nervous or suspicious. He didn’t want Fyodor to know that he found the baby at the Port Mafia. Then again, Fyodor probably already knows about the baby’s original whereabouts. It was one of Fyodor’s most annoying traits as Nikolai could nearly not hide anything from him. 

It was also breathtaking.

—

July 12

4:20 am

Port Mafia -  East Coast Apartment Complex

The ocean breeze was freezing cold, common for an early summer morning. Yuzuki didn’t seem to like it at all because he pulled his legs closer to his body. Nikolai frowned as the baby’s body shaked from the cold weather, he used his coat to try his best to protect him from the cold.

“Nikolai, you are attached.”

Fyodor piped up with his expression appearing to be calm and collected. Despite his best efforts, Fyodor was annoyed by Nikolai being attached to Yuzuki. In such a short time, Yuzuki had clearly etched a place in the clown heart.

“You surely jest Fedya, I’m just not a monster.” Nikolai defended himself.

Nikolai was attached but he could never admit that now considering Fyodor was being apprehensive towards that same attachment. Whatever Yuzuki had done in the few hours they took care of him, it made Nikolai worry less about things that didn’t concern Yuzuki. Fyodor’s eyes always tended to expose his true emotions and there was a hint of anger laced in them.

That wasn’t something Nikolai wanted to linger on, the apartment building of the Port Mafia came into view.

Both men stood on the edge of the sidewalk and border of the apartment buildings. Fyodor’s eyes were piercing through the side of Nikolai’s head. Nikolai came here after Fyodor told him to scout the place for anything important, but he decided to steal someone’s baby. This clown cannot be trusted with anything and Fyodor made a mental note of this.

“You are a wretched idiot, Nikolai.” Fyodor spat lowly at his partner.

“In my defense, this place had nothing too useful. That baby was more interesting!”

Fyodor glared daggers into his head at his answer. He would probably do worse if they weren’t in public at the moment and on the edge of enemy territory.

“You there!”

Speaking of enemy territory, the voice of an annoyed man. The darkness of the area made it harder for each party to identify each other. 

“The two of you need to get out here, this place isn’t a public stomping ground!”

Fyodor and Nikolai decided to not respond to the man’s yelling and continued to stare at him from afar. The man, who they assumed was some form of security, continued to yell at the two of them. Fyodor and Nikolai were about to move when Yuzuki stirred awake at the loud noise.

Yuzuki hated loud sounds, his little ears were so sensitive to some of the most low level sounds. He began to get fussy and he whined while grabbing at his ears. The yelling eventually made Yuzuki cry loudly.

What horrible timing.

A bright light shined down on the two men in quick succession, the security guard looked shocked at the sight of the baby, if not with a hint of recognition. Yuzuki continued to cry and imitate covering his ears. 

“That’s–!” The security guard began to say.

“Why is that idiot Dazai somehow always right?” The voice of an annoyed man came in-between the guard and the two men, the ground shattering under his weight.

“Contact the agency’s emergency contact, tell them we found the baby.” Chuuya barked at the security guard. The man scrambled off very quickly at the order.

Nikolai and Fyodor looked slightly confused and on edge. Chuuya wasn’t someone they could play lightly with, he was a dangerously destructive man and neither one of them were capable of going against him. Although, what caught their attention the most was the fact that Yuzuki was connected to the ADA. Fyodor could tell from the surprised look on Nikolai's face that he was not aware of Yuzuki’s ADA connection.

“I dunno what you two rats think stealing a baby is gonna do, but it’s a pretty fucked up thing to do.” Chuuya spat at the two, his teeth clenched tightly with his anger.

“Well, he was such a sweetheart, who couldn’t think of taking him away.” Nikolai snarked in response. He always chose the wrong times to joke around.

It was also the wrong thing to say as Chuuya stomped his foot into the ground and shot larger pieces of stone debris around the two of them, “Shut up.” His eyes flaring in anger, as he walked forward. Fyodor watched as Chuuya drew closer, his eyes shifted towards Yuzuki and an idea came to mind.

Moving quickly, Fyodor took Yuzuki out of Nikolai’s hands while wrapping his coat around himself and the baby. Nikolai caught on quickly and teleported the two of them away from the scene. Chuuya realised what was happening and moved quickly to grab Nikolai. He pinned the clown to the ground, placing him under the weight of gravity.

“Where did you teleport them?” Chuuya demanded. Nikolai chuckled despite the pressure from Chuuya’s powers. 

“My, my, you are such an angry person. It really doesn't do you well to have so much anger.” Nikolai teased, which got him more weight collapsing onto his head. This was woefully painfully, Chuuya should consider using this for torture.

“I’m going to cave your skull in if you don’t tell me where you sent them.”

Nikolai smiled again.

“You could never find them, even if you tried.”

The ground formed a deeper hole around Nikolai’s head as Chuuya shoved him down farther in anger. He knew that Nikolai was right, Chuuya doesn’t know the true lengths of Nikolai’s ability, so there is no telling where he moved Fyodor and Yuzuki. Chuuya grabbed onto Nikolai’s coat and ripped it from his back before holding him by the back of his shirt.

“Fine, then you can come with me.” Chuuya said with a layer of venom in his mouth.

Nikolai kept his smile on his face but in the back of his mind he knew that losing his cape wasn’t a good thing, it lowered any chance for escape.

“Did you get in contact with them!?” Chuuya yelled at the guy who confronted them before.

Nikolai hoped that Fyodor was far away and Yuzuki was feeling better now.

♡₊˚ 🦢・₊ ♪ ✧

“Why do you continue to cry?”

Yuzuki’s tears flowed down his cheeks as hiccups quake through his chest. He doesn’t wail or scream with his cries. Despite that, Fyodor could tell that the boy was sad but he doesn’t know that sadness wasn’t for himself.

“Don’t worry, things will work out.” Fyodor smiled slightly, “Nikolai did find something useful at the end of the day

The moment those words leave Fyodor’s mouth, Yuzuki’s face of sadness and upset returns to his deadpan face. His tears were drying along his cheeks and he sniffled from the aftermath of his tears. Yuzuki’s black eyes stare at Fyodor with a cold, dead stare. It was creepy how fast it happened.

It was almost like Fyodor had seen a stare similar to it but instead of desperation or a sense of hope, it was a look that Fyodor couldn’t explain. He understood why Yuzuki intrigued his partner the moment he set his eyes on. Whatever ability this baby possessed, it wasn’t something pretty at all.

Fyodor didn’t think he could find an asset equal to the weretiger.

Chapter Text

8:40 pm

July 10

Hotel Room 301

Atsushi placed Lin in bed and tucked her under a sheet. She huddled herself into the bed to gain the maximum comfort. Rin was already laying down beside her fast asleep.

“Good night Daddy…” Lin said, her voice layered by a level of sleepiness. She turned onto her side and went to sleep. 

“Good night…” Atsushi whispered as he left the room. Finding this hotel wasn't terribly hard but the twins were absolutely restless the entire time they got here until dinner.

Atsushi was just glad that they were feeling better and sleeping. They didn't need the stress of not knowing where their brother was. He was sure they would at least ask him about Yuzuki, but not a peep was said about him and it worried him a considerable amount. 

Atsushi had a lot of worry and dread in his mind and his stomach had been uneasy during dinner. He wouldn’t think that he would be able to go to bed tonight. He couldn’t imagine what Akutagawa was feeling at this moment, maybe something similar or worse.

He was worried that Akutagawa would do something drastic. It was a funny thought to be honest, doing drastic things was more of Atsushi's thing but considering Akutagawa current health issues, it wasn't an unreasonable thought.

Atsushi opened the door of his and Akutagawa's room, the latter sitting on the end of the bed. In his hands, his phone light illuminating his face amongst the dim lighting.

“Ryuu?” Atsushi said quietly as he closed the door behind him, “The girls are sleeping…”

Akutagawa silently nodded before staring down at the phone in his hands. It was opened to his messages. He seems to be waiting for something new to appear in the recent messages. Everyone else had decided to continue the search and told them both to get some rest. They were going to inform the couple of anything new later. Atsushi walked over and sat beside him, placing a hand on his husband’s hand.

“Hey…” Atsushi started, “You should get some rest, you know…”

“Do what you want, I cannot sleep.” Akutagawa responded, his voice hollow and tired. Atsushi wasn’t sure what else to say, he wasn't planning to sleep either. He chuckled before wrapping his arms around the older man, hiding his face in Akutagawa’s shoulder.

“I’ll stay awake with you.” Atsushi said in response.

Akutagawa kept his head down and didn't reply which concerned Atsushi very much. Akutagawa wouldn't be so lax about that, in fact he would have likely shoved Atsushi into the bed and tucked him in or replied with a mean quip about his lack of sleep.

“Ryuunosuke...you aren't even–”

“I should apologise...” 

Akutagawa said quietly, Atsushi couldn't finish his worries aloud.

“I shouldn’t…I shouldn’t have run off in the middle of the night. I just… ” Akutagawa confessed. “I felt like I needed something from here and don’t know what…”

“You wanted closure…” Atsushi answered for him, lifting his head to peer into his eyes, “I get it. I’ve wanted to come back to Yokohama for years too.”

“And it wasn’t safe to do so and I should have just stayed in bed, at home and with Yuzuki in his crib. But I couldn’t leave without him in my arms. Now he’s gone, all- all because I couldn’t just–”

Akutagawa rants on and on before he crumbles into his hands, then the tears follow from his eyes. His breathing becomes more quick and loose; Akutagawa covers his mouth to stop the noise coming out. Atsushi rubs Akutagawa's back and chest to try and relax his breathing. 

Atsushi was shedding his own tears but kept focus on calming his husband down. Akutagawa was scared and Atsushi shared the same feeling. Any parent would be horrified in this situation, the feeling of not knowing where your child is wasn’t a good feeling.

“Ryuunosuke, breathe...” Atsushi said, “You can’t beat yourself up now. Yuzuki wasn’t taken because of you, I promise.” 

Akutagawa’s breathing slowed down and he tried to relax his mind.

“He wouldn’t have been taken from Gin if I just stayed home…if I kept him in my arms.”

Atsushi sniffled slightly as Akutagawa continued to list off his what-ifs again. He could tell how horrible Akutagawa felt at this moment but he couldn’t have him spiraling right now. His psychologist advised that Akutagawa shouldn’t be placed in any mental distress concerning his post-partum. This situation wasn’t helping at all.

Rashomon fizzled throughout his clothes as Akutagawa's emotions were still heighted. “I need to go find him, Atsushi. I..I can't stand the uncertainty…” Akutagawa's voice broke as he continued and more distressed tears ran down his face.

Atsushi pulled him into a hug, Akutagawa hides his face in his husband’s chest with his shoulders shaking. 

“I want to find him too. Even if it meant burning this place to the ground to do so…” Atsushi tried his best to comfort him through his own tears. They both part for a moment to stare at each other. Atsushi raised his hands to Akutagawa's cheeks and softly wiped away his tears. He kissed the edges of his eyes tenderly.

“We cannot do anything to help Yuzuki if we panic and blame ourselves. You have me and everyone who is helping us out.” Atsushi continued.

Akutagawa stared into his husband's eyes as he listened to the reassurance. His heartbeat pounded heavily in his ears, he wanted to relax. Atsushi was doing his best to accomplish that despite his own distress. Atsushi drew him back into the hug and Akutagawa returned it in kind, still feeling a wave of sadness. He kissed the side of Atsushi's face to send comfort to his tears. 

They remained entwined within each other's embrace, doing their best to comfort the other. Eventually, Atsushi lays them both down on the bed and pulls the blanket over their bodies. 

“...You truly will not let me stay awake?” Akutagawa said with a tired and joking tone.

Atsushi’s eyes were closed and his head nuzzled into Akutagawa’s chest, “Of course not…”

Neither Atsushi nor Akutagawa remembers when they fell asleep but it wasn’t too long after the other.

“Lin-chan...are you still awake?”

Lin turned over to face her sister, her eyes brimmed with tears. Despite the dim lighting of the room, Rin could see that her sister had been crying.

“Don’t cry Lin-chan…” Rin frowned as she moved close to hug Lin.

“I-I’m not crying, promise…” Lin tried to hide her tears by wiping off her face.

Rin knows that her twin sister always tries to be a tough girl to make her and their brother happy, but Rin can always tell when Lin is about to break. Yuzuki being gone wasn’t nice at all and Rin wanted to cry too. 

When she heard that Yuzuki was missing, it took a while to set in as she thought that he was with her Papa. Then when they got to the hotel, that’s when Rin realised, her baby brother was gone.

It was terrifying to think about because of all the missing children that would be on the news. Rin always found it sad whenever the picture of the little kids would be on the screen and their parents would cry and hope for their kids to come home.

“Let’s watch something else, Rin-chan.” Her daddy would say everytime the missing person’s report would play on the TV. It was something that Rin never thought would happen to her family because her parents always kept an eye on them. 

Now her brother was missing, it was really scary.

“Daddy and Papa will have Yuyu-tan back soon.” She said despite being unsure herself but she didn’t want her sister to cry. 

“You don’t know that Rin-chan. What if Yuyu-tan never comes home!” Lin cries. Rin didn’t know how to respond, she just started to cry too. 

Tomorrow is another day.

──── ⊹ ࣪ ˖🥞 ────

11:00 am

July 11

Armed Detective Agency 

The morning had been fresh but the members of the Armed Detective Agency and the members of the Black Lizard decided to start the search early that morning at 6 am. This was to the dismay of the Nakajima twins. They normally get up at 6 to get ready for school, but it was the middle of summer! They don’t have school so the twins will often sleep in, so being dragged to the agency wasn’t fun at all. Both girls had been in the office since 6 am.

Lin lets out an annoyed yawn as she stretches in her seat, she doesn’t even have the strength to do anything fun. She decided to continue sleeping by making herself comfortable on the couch.  Rin was awake and had her head in a book that she found. 

Everyone has left to help in the search except Haruno, she was the tasked with keeping an eye on the twins. Although, it was more of a stay with the twins, the president and his unexpected guests. She wanted to help out but this held her back in the office.

‘’What are you reading Rin-chan?” Haruno asked as she peek over the girl’s shoulder. She had been sitting at Dazai’s desk as she “found it to be the most comfy.” or so she said.

“I don’t really understand it much but I think it’s a doctor book?” Rin replied while eyeing the pages closer, “Because it’s showing a lot of hurt people but also them dying?”

Haruno took a closer look and was horrified by the contents of the page. It was Dazai's suicide guidebook. She snatched up the book from Rin’s and moved it to another table. 

“Why don’t I find you another book to read? This one isn’t for little girls at all.” Haruno said with a strained and nervous laugh, “You must never try to copy anything you read in that book, okay?”

Rin raised an eyebrow and shrugged before replying in her indifferent way, “Okay, I promise.”

Haruno sighed in relief, Dazai’s suicide books always seems to cause some sort of trouble but the fact that one of the kids read it was more concerning. She’d have to inform Kunikida about this later. The young woman walked out of the main office to get another book, leaving the twins to their own devices.

Rin dragged her heels over the small seating area where her sister was trying to get back to sleep. It wasn’t working all that all for Lin as she continued to toss from side to side.

“It’s not going to work Lin-chan, you can’t go back to sleep. Plus don’t you hate bedtime?”

Lin opened her eyes and glared at her sister, the tired indents being clear beneath them.

“I like bedtime you dummy.” Lin replied with an insult, “Don’t mix up yourself with me.”

“Did not, you are just lying.” Rin huffed in response, crossing arms and gritting her teeth, “And you can’t say that word.”

Rin sat down on the other couch and eyed the army of ants that were going under it.

Lin rolled back over to face the couch, ignoring her sister’s last remark. She felt a tap on her shoulder, making Lin roll over again. The black-haired girl raised an eyebrow and stared at her sister.

“What?” Rin asked, looking up from the ground.

Lin opened her eyes to glare at her sister, “You tapped my shoulder.”

“I didn’t!”

“You like being cheeky, stop lying, Rin.”

Before Rin could get upset and chew out her sister, both girls heard a giggle from behind Lin. Both of them got up onto the couch to look behind it. On the ground with a bunch of shattered papers with tons of colourful drawings; Lin would have described the art as that of a 5 year-old because personally, her art was better.

In the middle of the papers was a young girl with honey blonde hair — wearing a simple, yet fancy red dress — leaning on the back of the couch. She looked up at the cat-eyed twins with a sly smile before waving at them.

“You girls really like to argue a lot~” The girl teased with a smile.

Lin frowned at the girl before pointed at her sister, “My sister is a troublemaker, so I have to keep her in line.” Lin’s statement caused Rin to flick her sister’s forehead which caused Lin to wince in pain. 

“Ignore my sister, she’s a big bully to anyone she meets.”

The blonde girl shrugged before standing up to look at the both of them. 

“Is that what it's like to have a sibling?” She curiously asked.

The twins nodded in response before the girl grabbed both of their hands and squeezed them. 

“Then you two can be my little sisters now!” She smiled brightly, shocking both girls.

“Huh!?”

“But you wouldn't like having siblings!” Rin exclaimed.

“Yeah, Rin gets into trouble so much that I get into trouble too!” Lin accused her sister.

“Hmph, whatever! At least Yuzuki-tan likes me more than you.” Rin said with smugness and vanity. Lin looked ready to strangle her sister from that comment.

The blonde girl tilted her to the side in a faux-cutesy way and placed her finger on her chin. 

“Who’s Yuzuki?” 

“He’s our baby brother!” Lin quickly answered. She dug into her back pocket and pulled out a locket. Inside was a picture of Lin and a small baby, his large black eyes staring deep into the camera. Beside him is Lin smiling brightly while she had his little hand wrapped around her finger.

The red dressed girl is taken by his appearance and his eyes, the deep black is almost like a swirling black hole of innocence and curiosity. 

“He’s so cute like a doll!” She exclaimed, “But where is he?”

Both girls' bouncy and competitive attitude visibly turned into a somber one.

“He’s gone…” Lin muttered loud enough for the girl to hear; her voice slightly shaking as she spoke. Tears had begun to welling up in the corners of her eyes, the tremor in her shoulders slowly becoming obvious.

“But...our Daddy and Papa are going to find him with the detectives!” Rin said with weak optimism and she hugged her sister, patting her twin’s back. The blonde girl’s face dropped her cheeky smile instead, now dawning a stoic face; observing the twins despair with almost cold calculation. 

“Oh, I see. That’s why Rintarō chose to come here so early…” She muttered under her breath.

After a brief moment of Rin comforting her sister, the blonde girl gets closer to the two by placing her hands on the top of the couch.

“So what are your names?” She asked.

“I’m Rin.” 

“And I’m…Lin”

“My name is Elise, it’s nice to meet you.” Elise smiled as she processed the twins' names in her head. They looked so much alike that Elise had already mixed up who's-who; it was something that she would get right soon.

“Nice to meet you too Elise-chan! Lin cheerfully said, “I think you’re really, really pretty!”

Elise felt a sense of pride from Lin’s complement and she flicked her overhanging hair over her shoulder. Quickly remembering what she wanted to say, Elise placed her hands on her hips and looked at both girls.

“Well, it seems like you girls are really bored because all the adults are gone off doing stuff.” Elise pointed out, “So, I have an idea to not be bored but we have to go downstairs.”

Elise moved herself towards the entrance of the seating area; Rin and Lin eyed each other then Elise. The office was really boring with nothing to do so with the promise of something better they followed Elise.

They three girls ran past Haruno's desk, the woman was busy browsing the books on a large shelf; too focused to notice the three run out of the office. 

Elise led the twins to the cafe, where she was standing at the counter, ordering something from Lucy. 

“Hey! Can I have an strawberry cake and fast?” Elise demanded with her hands on hips, her foot tapping impatiently. 

Lucy sighed and wrote down Elise's order on her notepad. She had experienced Elise coming to the cafe to buy whatever she wanted on a regular basis since the Port Mafia and the Agency's actual truce.

“What do you two want?” Elise said to the twins.

The girls were taken aback by Elise's question. They thought the red-dressed girl would be the only one to get something. Lin was digging through her little backpack for some money.

“I only have 70 yen in my bag. I brought candy the other day.” She admitted, showing Elise the two coins in her hand. Not enough for really anything in the cafe.

“I have no money, my allowance is at home.” Rin said afterwards.

Elise frowned at the twins before pulling out a couple 1,000 yen bills from her pocket. It was almost as if the twins’ jaws were on the floor as Elise placed the money on the counter.

“Don't be stupid, I'm paying for it.” Elise said with a mean glare, flickering her hair back.

Rin shook her head and gave her sister a look that said “Don't argue with her.” and Lin decided to oblige with Elise's offer.

“Okay, I'll have a slice of cheesecake.” Lin said nervously to Lucy. 

“Me too!”

Lucy nodded, “Alright then, you two are just like your aunt.” Lucy whispered the last to herself. Which, unfortunately, didn't miss Lin and Rin's ears and before either girl could say anything Lucy was gone.

“Thank you Elise-chan.” Rin said to the girl with a small smile.

“Don't thank me, it's just a one time thing you hear.” She crossed her arms and looked away from them.

The twins smiled with one another, understanding what Elise was like. She reminded them of their Papa; he liked to downplay anything nice he did for other people. 

“Anyways, I had an idea when you mentioned your brother.” Elise explained as she and the girls moved over to a booth to sit down.

“I think we should go find him.” 

“Huh!?” The twins exclaimed.

“But Daddy and Papa said to stay until they come back.” Rin argued.

“Don't you want to find your brother faster?” Elise said, leaning back into the booth couch.

Yes, they both wanted to find their brother as fast as possible. They missed Yuzuki dearly and hoped he was alright, wherever he was. This morning their parents had to reassure both of the girls that Yuzuki would be alright and they would see him again by the end of the day. Despite that, they couldn’t just leave right?

“Look, if anything goes bad we can come right back here. Also we would just go where your parents are and see if we can help too.” Elise added to reassure the twins of her plan.

“How do you know where they are?” Lin asked, sceptical of the girl’s words.

“I heard it from one of the detectives earlier.” Elise said with a smirk, the white lie was there but neither Lin nor Rin had picked up on it, “So, what do you say?”

Lin and Rin thought for a moment before looking at Elise and replying, “Okay!” Their answer brought a huge smile to the blonde girl’s face. Prefect, this adventure would be fun!

Three plates were neatly placed on the table in front of each girl along with a cup of water for them. Lin and Rin got a massive slice of cheesecake on their plates, while Elise had a massive whole of strawberry cake in front of her. Elise didn’t even thank the waiter for the food before digging into the cake.

Elise plopped a big bite of cake into her mouth, “Mhmm! So good!”

Both twins giggle at Elise's excitement over her cake. Otherwise, she looked slightly annoyed at the entire world; but cake seemed to be her escape from that.

“What? Eat your cake before I eat it!” Elise demands of the twins, her face littered with frosting and cake crumbs.

˙ . ꒷ 🍰 . 𖦹˙—

2:30 pm

July 11

Yokohama Shipping Dock

Elise, Rin and Lin had finished their dessert before slipping out of the building during the rush of lunch hour. Leading through the city, the three girls arrived at the shipping dock; Elise had said this is where everyone had gone for the day.

“And this is where Yuzuki could be?” Rin asked as they walked through the mountains of shipping containers.

Elise was walking behind the two, her face as stoically bright as ever, “Yes, if we look around we can find him!” The twins were excited and Lin ran off further than Rin and Elise.

“Let’s go, the quicker we look, we can find Yuyu!” Lin dashed off around the corner.

“Lin, don't run too far!” Rin ran off close behind her sister; Elise had to pick up her speed to keep the girls in her sight. 

Elise's senses were on high alert as this shipping dock was a breeding ground for homeless criminals, black market deals. Many of which have abilities and had no problem harming others for their own gain or fearing of being caught. She wasn't in for them ruining their little adventure.

Rin and Lin were only 7, they didn't need to experience anything horrible this early in life. Elise’s memories of the war and a certain doctor girl flashed in her mind. She shook her head at her thoughts, focusing on the current goal. 

Two low lives had already tried to sneak up on them, Elise took wonderful care of them without either twins noticing it. 

As she rounded the corner, she spotted Rin and Lin were standing in the middle of a large area. Lin had stopped down, her face close to the ground. She seemed to be sniffing the concrete? Elise’s face twisted in disgust before quickly marching over to the floor sniffer.

“Rin-chan, what are you doing?!” 

“That’s Lin, Elise-chan. I’m Rin.” Rin corrected, “Lin is trying to find Yuyu-tan’s…uhh...smell?”

“Do you mean “scent”?” 

“Yeah, she picked up his scent by smelling his teddy bear and smelling around her.” Rin explained while holding up a little brown teddy bear with a large pink bow, pink stars in the palm of the paws. 

“Can she find his scent just like that?” Elise said looking confused, “Is that her ability or something?”

Rin giggled, “No, Lin and me can smell like a lot better than other people!” Rin stretches her arms far apart to emphasize her point, “Daddy says it's because of his tiger powers, that's why we have really sharp teeth.”

Elise had noticed the abnormally large canines on the twins but she didn't think too much about them. Although, the mention of a tiger made Elise realize who these twins were related to. She didn't know the weretiger guy that well, only that he existed and his expired bounty. 

“Did you find his scent?” Elise asked.

Lin continued to sniffed the ground before perking up, “I found him! It’s really a small smell but he is this way!”

The black-haired girl runs off with a bounce in her step with Elise and Rin following close behind. They continued to run around for about another hour, the containers around them blending in more and more.

“Lin…how much longer until we find Yuyu…” Rin said, sounding rather out of breath. “Just a little more and we’ll be there. I just know it!”

Rin plops herself on the ground and leans back onto the container behind her. She pulls out a water bottle from her backpack and starts to drink it quickly.

“We need to take a break Lin, your sister is tired.” Elise frowned while crossing her arms. Lin puts her fist onto her hips and frowns a bit before moving closer to the others.

“Oh okay…” She sits down beside her sister and rehydrates as well.

Elise kept standing, watching the girls as they rested. She didn't need to do any of the sort, she never truly gets tired. But something had been bothering her for a while now; a sinking feeling in her stomach. Whoever was following them had been doing a pretty good of hiding themselves.

Before Elise could fish out the stalker, a few gunshots ringing out and the bullets landing into the container above the girls. 

“What the fuck!?” Elise’s thoughts rang in her mind as she grabbed both of the girls and quickly moved away from their current location.

“What do you think you're going?” Elise and the twins were stopped by a tall ragged mad. A pistol in hand pointing towards the twins. 

More people began to surround them, the space starting to get smaller and smaller.

“W-what’s happening!?” Lin said in terror and confusion, her voice became more high-pitched. The three girls stood side to side of one another, the group of people becoming suffocating to them.

This wasn't good at all, Elise could have flown away in no time if these guys weren't taking up space or if the twins weren't with her. Trying to fight them would lead to either twin getting shot or held up.

How unfortunate, is it not.

Chapter Text

4:20 pm

July 12

Yokohama Shipping Dock 

The search for Yuzuki had been going on since daylight arrived across Yokohama. Everyone had been on high alert and focused on finding the lost baby, his parents being the most prevalent in doing so. It had been about 6 hours since their search began without any leads. The shipping dock was a massive stretch of containers upon containers; meaning that it may take hours just to find Yuzuki and his kidnappers. 

Even with the help of a bunch of people from the Port Mafia and ADA helping out, their suspect was nowhere to be seen. 

Despite everything happening, Higuchi was living her worst nightmare. The moment she heard about Akutagawa’s relationship with the mantiger, she felt her entire world shatter.

When she had woken up from fainting, she didn't spend another moment waiting around for details, she was going to see that Akutagawa's words were a fragment of her imagination.

Praying to whatever higher power out there to confirm her hopes and that Akutagawa was still within the grasp for love. She started by putting herself into the mission to find Akutagawa's son, in hopes that the weretiger wasn’t even here in the first place.

The car ride to Uzumaki Cafe — two days prior — shot down the small hopes of fantasy she had. The mantiger was carrying the man she loved in his arms, he was holding him so tender as if he was a prized possession. His affections and words to Akutagawa were sticky and sickly sweet, also the way Akutagawa responded in kind clawed away at her heart and lungs.

Learning that they had more children was just as bad, it was a scenario too impossible for Higuchi to imagine how this came to be. She was walking a thread of stability at the moment, emotions were colliding in her mind left and right. It made her sick inside, the motion sickness of the earlier car ride was definitely contributing to it.

Why was it eating her up so much? She should be happy for him, her feelings be damned, but she couldn't. Akutagawa had been the centre of her life for years, even after his disappearance. She spent so many nights crying over his missed presence, even getting sick because of it. 

Hoping that when he was back she could embrace him and never let go. Perhaps he would see how much she loved and cared for him.

Only to lose him again once he had returned and to that weretiger of all people. The man that Akutagawa insisted he despised for taking Dazai's place as mentee. 

He made it his goal to see that weretiger dead, even as far as making a 6-month promise with him to eventually fight with the weretiger to the death. A promise Higuchi didn't know about until just before the fight. That fight ended in a draw, considering both of them were alive afterwards.

A few months after that fight they both vanished. It was clear why they left no trace all those years ago. Those children were their first and important priority and the mafia was not the place to raise a child.  

Even with that understanding she never understood why she had lost Akutagawa to that weretiger, why his self-proclaimed enemy was deserving of those longing gazes, why her love was never enough. Higuchi hated how it all turned out.

She hated Atsushi so much.

“..gu..hi.”

“Higuchi!” The mafioso is released from her drifting thoughts, a hand placed on her shoulder. Gin was looking at her with concern.

“You started staring off into space, are you okay?” Gin asked. 

Despite her face being halfway covered, the concern in their deep dark eyes was slightly enchanting.

“It's nothing, I'm just worried for your brother.” Higuchi brushed off the concern, “I'll stick close to help him out.”

“Oh, I was honestly hoping…” Before Gin can finish their sentence Higuchi is off towards Akutagawa, “...we could search together.”

Gin sighed, deciding to follow another group.

˚₊‧꒰ა ☆ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚

Akutagawa was slashing open shipping containers left and right. No concern with its contents unless it was his son. He was swiftly going down the rows and columns with Rashomon biting through locks and doors.

Higuchi — doing her best to avoid getting slashed — inched closer to Akutagawa. He noticed Higuchi quietly walking behind him, asking her a question.

“How is the search going with the others?” 

Higuchi was caught off guard and tripped over her words, “O-oh, we have completed a proper sweep of the northern side of the shipping port. Nothing of note was found.”

Akutagawa and Higuchi were quiet for a moment. His emotions were not able to be read from looking at his back; it made Higuchi's nerves sting.

Akutagawa sighed — his shoulders relaxing slightly — while placing a hand to his face. He continued to walk forward and summoned Rashomon to continue his previous actions.

“Akutagawa-senpai, are you okay—”

“I AM FINE–”

Akutagawa notices the moment the blonde woman flinched at his outburst. It made him back down immediately; he had learnt how such inappropriate anger was not the way to deal with annoyance — especially in regards to disciplining children.

“My apologies, that outburst was inappropriate.” Akutagawa apologized; causing Higuchi to gasp quietly, “I have been losing sleep lately, nothing serious.”

He wrapped his large coat around his body tightly before trudging forward, Rashomon continuing her destruction. Higuchi almost got left behind by being rattled by Akutagawa's apology. Never in a million years would she have believed that he would apologize for yelling at her. 

Higuchi was conflicted by his attitude change considering that it was different from what she knew about him. Despite that, it was better that he wasn’t needlessly aggressive with her. Her stomach was doing a few backflips as her brain rattled on.

After walking for about 10 minutes, Akutagawa was beginning to get agitated from their lack of progression. When he spotted a small cloud of red mist ahead, he recognized it.

“Higuchi.”

“Y-yes sir?”

“You are not to inhale any of that gas ahead. Understood.”

“Yes sir.” Higuchi complied as she placed a mask on his face. Akutagawa pulled the neck of his shirt over his mouth and nose.

As they drew closer, the mist became thicker and there were a bunch of unconscious people on the ground. This mist was clearly an ability considering its odd colour and its potency. Whom it belonged to was unknown to Higuchi.

On the ground among the unconscious people was a red schoolbag — it was halfway open with its contents peeking out — sitting beside a shipping container. 

“That's–” Akutagawa audibly says as he used his ability to pick the bag. He quickly opened the bag and tagged inside with the name, “Nakajima Rinmi”.

Higuchi watched as Rashomon fizzled harshly upon the name being shown, Akutagawa was upset.

In the corner of her eye, Higuchi noticed a man trying to crawl away from the mist. She immediately jumped in front of him and stuck up with her pistol. He looked horrified despite his hand being over his mouth and nose.

“Akutagawa-senpai, one of them is awake.”

Akutagawa snapped his attention from the schoolbag and he glared at the man.

“There was a blonde-white haired girl here, where is she?” His words are cold and demanding — his eyes not letting his man have a moment to think.

“I-I don't k-know!” The man squealed in terror, trying his best to move away from the cold metal of the pistol.

Akutagawa strikes the man in his side with Rashomon, not enough to make him bleed just to bruise. 

“If you do not speak now, you will be answering to the Port Mafia instead.” Akutagawa threatened.

The colour from his face drained the moment Akutagawa mentioned the Port Mafia. 

“F-fine, they went that way! I swear on my life!”

Akutagawa looked in the direction the scared man pointed towards. He motions for Higuchi to release him; to which she does. The man was shaking in terror as he slowly backed away from Higuchi before Akutagawa wrapped Rashomon around his neck. This knocks the man out. 

Akutagawa drops him on the ground as he walks in the direction he had pointed them towards.

Once they are far enough away from most of the mist, Higuchi and Akutagawa take a deep breath. The mist has started slowly seeping into their lungs; luckily it did not make them pass out.

“We have ground to cover Higuchi immediately.” Akutagawa said, “The girls aren’t at the cafe, they've gone to find their brother themselves.”

Higuchi was concerned upon hearing that. Considering Akutagawa's reaction to the schoolbag, the bag belongs to one of his daughters. 

“Yes sir, we will find them quickly.” She said firmly.

She hoped those girls were not in danger.

˚₊‧꒰ა ☆ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚

2:50 pm

July 12

??? - Yokohama Shipping Dock 

Elise did her best to shield the trembling twins with her body. The horde of people were closing in on them, disregarding any personal space that was left. Lin's previously strong confidence was beginning to waver, the fear in her eyes being evident. Rin was curled in on herself; she was mumbling something quickly under her breath. She couldn’t understand any of it.

Elise couldn’t spawn her syringe as that would risk hurting the girls she was protecting.

“You look like you have a pretty penny on you.” One of the hostile women directed at Elise.

“Yeah, her dress looks expensive.” Another added.

Elise bit her tongue, it wouldn't be a good idea to rile them up with a mean quip. It was probably better to just throw them some money so they could back off. Elise tried shoved her arm into her pocket fishing for any money.

“Hey!” One of the men yelled, “Hands away from your pocket little missy.” His pistol still aimed at Lin, “Any tricks in there won't work. I'll take out whatever you have.”

Elise hissed her teeth and glared at him before lifting her hand back up, barricading the girls. 

The man yelled at her and reached for her pocket himself. Just as he does so, the air begins to feel heavy with a tint of red surrounding all of them. 

Elise’s body began to feel heavy but she was not losing consciousness. On the other hand, the people around were beginning to drop like flies. 

“What…the…f..” The man who was about to take her money began to slur his words, his body going limp. His gun slipped from his hand and he fell backwards on the pavement.

The sound of the metal clicking with the floor almost made Elise jump. Once the man fainted, Elise noticed that Rin's mumbling had become louder and quicker, like a mantra.

“Ashes, ashes, they all fall down. Ashes, ashes, they all fall down. Ashes, ashes, they all fall down!” Rin screamed like her life depended on it.

And down they indeed did fall, most of them littered across the ground. A few doing their best to escape, others holding their breath. It was a horrifying sight to see that many bodies so still. 

“Rin, Rin! You can stop now!” Lin was hiding onto her shoulders as Rin's chant slowed.

“Huh…” The girl seemed dazed from her chant, “Oh, they're sleeping, that's good...”

Elise wasn't sure if they were even alive, they weren’t breathing. 

“Let's go, quickly.” Elise ordered the girls. They ran off in some direction, the red mist lingering around them longer as they left the scene.

After running for what felt like forever, Rin spotted an open shipping container. The three of them pushed their way inside while Elise dragged the heavy-duty door shut.

The exhaustion hit the twins hard as Lin collapsed onto her knees, her sister following by sitting on the ground. Elise took that moment to scan the inside of the container. 

She expected to find miscellaneous items that most of these contained but the inside was decorated like a house. A living room was a few steps inside connected to a makeshift kitchen. Two doorways were to the right, one leading into a bedroom and the other a bathroom.

Whoever was living here made this place into a cozy home. This couldn't have been work for a couple days, this was years of labor put into this place. 

“I think this is somebody's house.” Rin appeared beside Elise, talking after viewing the place. 

“I guess, we're literally looking at a living room.” Elise replied, gesturing to the leather couch. 

Rin eventually caught her breath, moving towards her sister and Elise. She looked frightened, her body producing small trembles. Lin pulled her into a hug, which seemed to help to calm her down.

“What should we do now Elise-chan?” Lin asked.

“We have to find our way back to the Agency considering it's getting dark.” 

“But we have to find Yuyu-tan!” 

“Lin-chan, we just got attacked by dangerous people and we can't continue or either one of you could get hurt.” Elise emphasized. 

“But Yuyu–” 

Before Lin could argue her point, the door began to open up with the voices of two men scaring the girls. Elise grabbed the girls by their arms and dragged them into the bedroom. Noticing a large closet and she pushes them in before jumping inside and closing the doors.

The loud metal door slams shut with the sound of heavy boots entering the container. The girls couldn't make out what they were saying over their nervous breathing and racing heartbeat. Through the crack of the closet doors, a man in a cape walks past — his face not visible — while placing something down on the bed.

Another man walks in behind, seemingly cursing him out. Elise managed to catch a glimpse of his face, a man she recognized from past altercations, Fyodor Dostoevsky.

Meaning the caped man was Nikolai Gogol. They had accidentally stumbled into the hideout of the last two members of the Rats in the House of the Dead. What a horrible gamble this was. The twins were trying to see what was going on outside, Rin blocking her sister’s view.

”I don't see why you insist that we should take back the baby?” Nikolai says, “You seem to be interested in whatever ability he has.” 

A baby, what baby? 

The sound of a baby cooing can be heard from the bed where Nikolai placed something down. It was definitely a baby that they had, but could it actually be?

“That’s Yuzuki…!” Lin yelled in a hushed whisper to Elise and Rin, “It’s the same scent.”

Rin takes a deep breath in before her ears wiggle slightly, “Yeah, it is him.”

“What should we do?” 

Both girls look at Elise for their next move. They couldn't jump out and fight Nikolai and Fyodor for Yuzuki, that would end badly.

The best decision would be to head back and tell the adults but they were trapped in the closet. Looking at their current situation, they have to stay up until an opportunity presents itself.

“We have to stay here for now, it’s too dangerous to leave.” Elise says.

Lin and Rin look excited by her answer.

“Maybe, when those guys leave we can grab Yuyu.” Lin says with a beam of excitement.

These girls were optimistic to stay in such a dangerous situation for their brother; Elise couldn't help but wonder where they had gotten such selfless personalities.

˚₊‧꒰ა ☆ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚

2:30 am

July 13

Nikolai and Fyodor's Hideout

Elise isn't sure when she dozed off but she is woken up to Rin shaking her shoulder. 

“Huh…?”

“Those two guys aren't in here anymore.”

The blonde girl peeks through the closet and indeed no-one was in the room. Elise pushes the closet door open and the three of them step out. 

The room was dark, the only light was a lamp on a bedside table next to the door. There was one bed, it was neatly spread and two large pillows were in the center like small walls. In the center was a cooing baby, Yuzuki.

He had started coo once Rin moved into his view. Yuzuki rolled over onto his belly and sat up, reaching out to Rin with his tiny hands. Rin grabbed one of his hands and Lin rushed over to hold another hand as soon as Rin had done so.

“Yuyu-tan…” Lin spoke as her voice began to crack, “W-we found you.”

“Yeah now we can go home!” Rin emphasized her brother with a teary smile.

Yuzuki looks at his sisters in a fond way before he breaks into a big smile. He babbles loudly as he tries to crawl into Rin's arms. Elise felt her heart melt as she watched the siblings interact.

“Hey, the baby sounds like he's awake Fedya!” The muffled sound of Nikolai’s voice comes from the door.

“Oh no, girls back to the closet, he's coming.” Elise said as she hurried the girls back into their hiding place, much to their frustration. Yuzuki stared in confusion as they ran off.

Nikolai walked into the room spotting that Yuzuki had gotten up on his own. He was staring off to the closet with a longing gaze. As the clown picked him up, he never took his eyes from the closet.

“What troubles you little child?” Nikolai questioned.

Yuzuki blinked a couple of times before yawning and resting his head on Nikolai's shoulder. 

“Ah, you still seem to be tired. No worries you will find yourself back at your home then you can sleep.”

The baby listened in content and nuzzled Nikolai's shoulder more. Nikolai smiled as he turned back to the door.

“Let us be off then.”

Nikolai leaves with the door clicking behind him. The three girls in the closet tumble out, the twins in righteous anger. Lin was about to stomp her way out of the door before Elise stopped her.

“Let me go, Elise-chan. I'll claw his face for Yuyu-tan!” Lin's nails seemed sharper as she tried to push past Elise.

“He took Yuzuki again, we can't let him leave!” Rin protested.

“I'll follow them. Consider you two have no experience with those two.” Elise said, putting her foot down.

Rin and Lin were obviously sceptical at Elise's request. They didn't want Yuzuki to be taken again but it was dangerous to try to fight a dangerous man. It was frustrating to say the least.

“Then what should we do?” Rin asked.

“Stay here, it's better that you two can't get hurt if we all follow them.” Elise explained.

Not that they had a lot of choices, the twins could only agree to what Elise suggested. 

“Fine, just get Yuyu-tan back, please.” Lin said with a stern tone that a 7 year old can muster.

Elise leaves the room as soon as the metal front door slammed shut. Lin and Rin stand alone with worry, fear and anger running their emotions.

“Shouldn’t we follow her?” Rin asked.

Lin shakes her head and turns to her sister, “No, I think we should trust Elise-chan.”

“I wanted to hug Yuzuki…” Rin said as she began to cry; wiping her face of the tears spilling out.

Lin placed her trembling fingers on her golden locket. Rubbing her thumb across the open latch. She failed her little brother again and she was mad; really really mad.

“Me too, nee-chan.”

— ˚₊‧꒰ა ☆ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚ —

「Fun Fact: Lin and Rin’s names are just nicknames. Their actual names are Linako and Rinmi.」

Chapter Text

3:39 am

July 13

Yokohama Shipping Dock

Linako stared at the digital clock in the room, watching the minutes tick by. The rain had started pouring hard with thunder and lightning creating noise occasionally. Nothing had happened in the past hour and her hopes were growing weary. Elise took off so quickly that it was like she was never there. Linako looked at her sister who was sitting by the doorway and listening in case someone entered the container. 

Honestly, Linako thought it was pointless for them to have stayed but they did want to leave any doubts for the kidnappers to escape again.

“How much longer until something happens….” Linako groaned impatiently, walking towards her sister. She sits down beside her, placing her ear on the door.

“I dunno but we have to be ready atleast…” Rinmi yawned, trying her hardest not to doze off.

Linako sighed, she would just close her eyes for a moment.

THUMP

Linako was shaken off of her sleep by a muffled thump in the other room. She looked up at her sister with confusion. Rinmi slowly cracked the wooden door open. It was wide enough for them to peek through.

In the corner of the living room there was a man in a large coat, and he was holding something that was making a sound. Sounds of tears and wails. It couldn’t be…right?

The man was talking to himself and he lifted the item in his hands into the air.

“Your ability seemed too weak to do much at first, but learning of your heredity was truly an eye-opener.” Fyodor smiled at the tearful baby, “You were only able to rewind about 20 minutes but…” He paused with a chuckle, “I could try pulling it out stronger again. I’d be able to see how far back you can rewind time.”

Again?

Linako and Rinmi were first surprised that Yuzuki had an ability but the second half of Fyodor’s talk made them confused. What did he do to Yuzuki for him to say that? The girls watch Fyodor move towards the bedroom and they quickly move into the closet. They hoped their light feet were enough to conceal them.

Fyodor rested Yuzuki down onto the bed before opening the bedside table drawer. He fished around the drawer, pulling out a black box. Linako couldn’t truly make out what he had in his hand. Rinmi, however, understood what was in the man’s hands.

“That’s a taser…” Rinmi gasped in horror.

Taser? Linako didn’t remember what that was. She thought about it hard, trying to remember. A clap of thunder and the flash of lightning from the storm outside made it click in her mind. That man was going to shock her baby brother.

Linako registered the sounds of Yuzuki’s cries from the bed, the man moving closer to the bed. She wasn’t sure when it happened but Linako dove from the closet with furious rage. Her large canines dug deep into Fyodor’s arm. She knocked him over causing him to tase himself instead. 

Fyodor screamed in pain as the taser electrocuted him and Linako drew blood from his arm. The girl wouldn't let her clamp on his arm loose as well as holding him down with her arms and legs. Rinmi had run over to Yuzuki as the two of them went down. Yuzuki rolled over to his sister and she picked him up.

“Go Rin!” Linako released her teeth to shout to her sister. Rin began the run towards the door but Fyodor struggled against Linako. He was able to grab Rinmi by her leg causing her to fall with Yuzuki.

“LET ME GO! LET GO!” Rinmi screamed, kicking her legs. She wrapped her arms around her brother tightly as Fyodor tried to drag her back. Fyodor shoved Linako off him and he tried grabbing at Yuzuki. Rinmi rolled over to move him away from Fyodor.

“You little brat, stop that!” Fyodor yelled at her.

Fyodor was able to get up, lifting Rinmi into the air and pushing her away from Yuzuki. Rin was doing her best to hold her brother away from the man.

Yuzuki was in tears as he was angry and scared. The moment Fyodor’s hand reaches for him, Yuzuki bites the man with harsh force making him drop his sister. Linako was able to get up again and push Fyodor to the ground.

Rinmi clings tightly to her brother and she runs for the exit. Not sparing a second to get to safety, she wanted to help her sister but she knew that Yuzuki was their priority. She heard as her sister fought to keep Fyodor down.

The metal door creaked open and Rinmi ran with all her might. She hoped that someone would find her soon.

˚₊‧꒰ა ☆ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚

6:00 pm

July 12

Uzumaki Cafe

Lucy was cleaning up the cafe tables as it was nearing closing time. Piling up the leftover dishes and wiping the tables down. The dinner rush was hectic that evening and her coworkers had clocked out for the day. Therefore, Lucy was on cleaning duty tonight. Just her lucky day, huh? 

As she finishes cleaning the last table, the doorbell rings. Kenji and Kyouka make their way into the cafe. They walk in with an air of awkwardness to the couple. Lucy had noticed that they were angry at each other a couple days ago. That tension hadn’t fallen since.

Kyouka walks past Lucy, “Good evening, Lucy.” she greets as she walks to the stairs.

Her boyfriend was not following her; instead choosing to sit at the counter. Lucy returns to the counter herself, acknowledging Kenji.

“Are you and Kyouka alright?” Lucy asked as she brought the plates behind the counter.

Kenji gives her his usual smile and waves the question off, “Oh no, we’re fine..”

Lucy narrowed her eyes at him because despite that answer. His fingers were tapping on the table rather rapidly. Kenji always seemed to shake some part of his body whenever he was nervous. Also those two are always sickly sweet in the calmest way.

“The both of you were upset the other day and I can tell it’s still bothering you.”

Kenji’s smile drops into a sad grimace. Lucy felt bad for making him lose that smile but he wasn’t holding onto it tight enough.

“It’s really nothing but…” Kenji began while looking out the cafe windows, “Kyouka knew where Atsushi had gone about a year after he dissappeared.”\

“S-she did?” Lucy said, surprised.

“Yeah and she kept it from us…”

“I’m sure that Atsushi told her to do so.” Lucy replied and Kenji shivers visibly. “He did..” He replied.

Lucy couldn’t understand why Kenji was upset about Kyouka not sharing something she wasn’t allowed to. She understood that they wanted to know where the man had run off. But if he told Kyouka not to say anything, there must have been a good reason. Considering one half of the couple is involved with the mafia; it makes sense they left quietly for the children’s sake.

“Then why are you upset?” 

“I..I don’t know. It just hurts that she didn’t at least tell me.”

Lucy thinks for a moment, “Does it feel like she lied and betrayed you?”

Kenji nodded in shame.

“I understand but if Atsushi told her not to say anything, you shouldn’t get mad at her.” Lucy replied, “If anything, you should be happy that she kept him safe.”

The girl chuckles, “You and I both know how terrifying the Port Mafia can be. And I’m sure that Kyouka knows that better than us.”

Kenji feels his heart ache at Lucy’s comparison. He didn’t think of it that way. Imagining how Kyouka must have felt knowing that such a petrifying organization would have been after her brother and his family. Especially a place that had hurt her so much. He wasn’t sure about her feelings towards Ryuunosuke-san these days though.

“Look, I would have been upset too at first. But I know Kyouka must feel horrible watching everyone grieve while she knew he was alive.” Lucy sympathized, “So don't let this sour your relationship,”

Lucy lifts up the stacks of plates and walks into the kitchen. Kenji sat on Lucy’ words; knowing she had a point. He knows that he had to speak to Kyouka about this again.

“Lucy-san!” 

Kyouka came yelling downstairs with Haruno, Mori and Fukuzawa following behind her.

“What happened!?” Lucy stumbles out of the kitchen, arms covered in soap and water. 

“Where are the twins?!” 

“The twins? Atsushi’s kids?”

“Yes, they were down here with you when I last checked.” Haruno said.

Lucy looked at the woman in disbelief, “That was 4 hours ago, Haruno. Are you kidding me?”

“Then…where are they?” Kyouka said with hostility. Lucy had to be extremely careful with her next words.

“They came down here with Elise and brought some cake...” Lucy explained, “...then they left the cafe. I figured they had gone to the park to play.”

Kyouka and Haruno looked horrified; Kenji was understandably concerned; Fukuzawa looked at Mori with a tired frown and Mori was somewhat gleefully nervous.

“Rinmi and Linako weren’t allowed to leave the building.” Fukuzawa explained, crossing his arms, “Their parents had told them not to leave without one of us. But…”

Fukazawa was looking pointedly at his ex-friend who faked a cough, “I had wondered where Elise had gone all afternoon; but I had figured she was with the twin girls.” Mori said with that typical grin of his, “Glad to know I was right.”

“But they haven’t returned all day meaning…” Kenji pondered, “Do you think they left to look for their brother?”

“They had been bothering Akutagawa about going since they came here.” Kenji remembered the girls complaining and asking why they couldn’t go look for Yuzuki.

“Knowing Elise, she probably convinced them to go find him.” Mori added. Elise’s boredom often leads her to do something to bother Mori or everyone else. Half the time it’s not a plan Mori has her doing. This was one such time.

“Why can’t you ever hold a leash on that girl?!” Kyouka spat at Mori, a peeved glare directed at him “Now my nieces have gone missing as well.”

‘Kyouka, calm yourself. We need to focus on finding them now.” Fukuzawa said, “Lucy-san, do you have any idea of the way the children went?”

“Up the street. They got too far for me to see them.”

“Then uptown we go, I’ll see if I can summon Elise to us.” Mori said as he walked out the door.

“Haruno, keep an eye on the office, I’ll be back soon.” Fukuzawa followed Mori out the door, along with Kenji and Kyouka.

“Wait up! I’m coming as well!” Lucy said before throwing a spare cafe key at Haruno. Giving the girl a thumbs up before running on the door.

Haruno watched them leave, “I hope they find them…” She thought before locking the front doors.

˚₊‧꒰ა ☆ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚

5:00 am

July 13

Yokohama Shipping Dock

All of them had spent the last few hours searching for the children, the sun had begun to rise at this point. Despite this they hadn’t stopped considering the lives of the young children on the line.

“Any luck on getting Elise here?” Fukuzawa asked.

Mori was looking towards the sky, seeing if Elise had flown over the multiple containers and storage buildings. Like clockwork, from the darkness of the shipping yard, Elise comes running towards the group.

“Elise!” Mori said as he dramatically dropped to his knees to hug her but she instead ran to Fukuzawa. Mori falls forward onto his face the moment she ignores him. The hours of search fatigue seemed to have caught up.

“You all noticed we were gone.” The blonde girl laments.

“Of course we did, where are the girls?” Kyouka asked.

Elise looks conflicted before hugging Fukuzawa’s leg and sighing, “I don’t remember exactly where we were, only the general direction.”

The adults look amongst themselves; they were all tired and hoped that Elise would have been able to lead them to the twins.

“So why didn’t you bring them with you?” Lucy asked. 

“Rintaro called me this way so I couldn’t go back for them or remember where I was.” Elise frowned, her annoyance being clear, “But we found him, the baby. He is with those Rats.”

To say that they weren’t relieved to know that Yuzuki was found is an understatement.

“Did you inform Atsushi and Akutagawa of the girls going off on their own?” Fukuzawa asked Kyouka.

Kyouka pulled out her phone to dial her brother’s number. In all their panic she had forgotten to inform either of the girls’ parents. Knowing them, this would only cause them more anguish.

“However, they left their hiding place to bring him back to where they found him.”

“The apartments..” Mori muttered. As those words left his mouth, his phone began to ring.

“Hello?”

“Boss, I wasn’t sure what number was the ADA’s, but we found the baby and his–” There is loud yelling from the phone. Mori removes it from his ear due to it. Everybody else can hear Chuuya yell at someone before a loud crack resonates from the phone.

“Boss, the Russian guy–”

“He got away with the kid, likely back to their hiding place.” Chuuya interrupted the other guy, “I got the clown guy.”

“Keep him under lock and interrogate him. He’ll have to spill their location eventually.” Mori ordered before hanging up, “Elise, lead the way. It’s best if we gain a head start.” 

Elise unlatches from Fuzukawa’s leg and walks back the way she came; everyone follows her.

Chapter Text

5:50 am

July 13

Port Mafia – Holding Cells

Today couldn’t have been any worse. Atsushi was running on 5 hours of sleep since yesterday. He had hoped that they would find Yuzuki before the next day, maybe get a couple hours of sleep, then his current worries would be gone. Unfortunately, that was a dream that he could only wish would come true. Making things worse, Kyouka had called not too long ago saying his baby girls had gone to find their brother.

During that call, Kyouka told him that Yuzuki was with Fyodor and Nikolai but that the Port Mafia had only captured the jester. Without his son. Apparently, Fyodor was sent back to their hideout via Nikolai's ability.

Atsushi was developing a headache, he could only imagine what Akutagawa was feeling right now. Kyouka said that she would inform Akutagawa and that he should focus on finding out information from Nikolai.

Well, Atsushi was hoping he’d see Nikolai when he beat him to a pulp. But getting information about Yuzuki’s location would be better. Then he could punch that jester in the face.

Atsushi had gone to the Port Mafia’s holding cells with Gin as his guide. Dazai and Chuuya were leading the way.

As they approached the interrogation room, Dazai stopped him.

“You shouldn’t go into the room with us.” Dazai said, holding out a hand in front of him.

“What? Why not?” Atsushi asked, his headache growing worse

“Chuuya and I know how to do things like this, Atsushi-kun.” Dazai patted the man on the shoulder. More like reaching up to do so.

Atsushi would have argued but he was too tired to do so. “Whatever, I’ll just watch from the outside then.

Dazai and Chuuya left Gin and Atsushi outside as they entered Nikolai’s cell. Gin was standing in front of a large glass window and motioned for Atsushi to stand beside her.

“I’m surprised you did not push to go with them.” Gin shrugged before setting their attention on the conversation inside the room. Atsushi responded with an amused grunt.

“Nikolai Gogol, what a long time it has been, no?” Dazai started the interrogation off, “I never thought that you would be stooping so low to steal from cradles.”

“Yes, it has been a while indeed,” Nikolai commented with a laugh, “You are a whole lot plumper than your last suicude attempt.”

Dazai disliked that comment but he did his best not to show it. Chuuya on the other hand, could see the slight clench in Dazai’s jaw.

“Quit your clownery, just tell us where the baby is.” Chuuya slammed his fist on the table. That made Nikolai laugh even more.

“I have no clue what baby you’re losing your head over.” Nikolai smiled while leaning back in his chair.

“Did you get brain damage from your head hitting the curb? You were the one holding the baby!”

“A doll of a baby is enough for the mafia of this city to abduct someone?” Nikolai replied, “You all never cease to amuse me! All of you and your friends at that detective agency.” He ended with a loud laugh.

“You and I both know that the baby was crying. Loudly in fact.” Chuuya threw back.

“Baby dolls have voiceboxes or are you too senile to know that?" 

Dazai stands up, his hands in his pockets. He walked up beside Nikolai speaking, directly in his face, “I understand you are messed in the head. Most of us are.”

“But do you at least have shame in kidnapping a person’s child for your unwilling partner’s plans?” Dazai irritably said, “Aren’t you the one who wanted to kill him? Why be so protective now? All to make two men suffer from the loss of their infant."

Nikolai bites the inside of his mouth, forcing down a frown. He knew that Fyodor never truly cared for him but—

He stared Dazai in the eyes, grinning like a Cheshire cat. He ignored the insult before responding in a sneer. “Suffering is honestly so over-exaggerated, considering I did not induce any suffering. Besides, if the baby’s parents cared enough, the baby wouldn’t be missing.”

Nikolai leaning back into his chair, shifting his body away from his interrogators.

“I was a better parent to the kid anyways.” Nikolai muttered under his breath.

The metal door slammed open, nearly breaking off of its hinges. Atsushi stormed into the room, his face fueled by his rage and exhaustion. Dazai and Chuuya move right out of the way the moment he storms in. Nikolai was shocked as Atsushi came up to him and grabbed the back of his hair. Gin had followed him in but backed off once he grabbed the jester.

“I DIDN'T ASK FOR SOME ASSHOLE TO KIDNAP MY SON!” Atsushi yelled right into the clown’s face.

“Well it’s–”

Nikolai had his face slammed into the side of the table the moment he spoke. His nose and head began to run red from the impact of the hit; the back of his hair stung from Atsushi’s grip.

“So tell me, tell me to my face that I didn’t care enough! Tell me that’s asked for you to kidnap my baby while he was with his aunt!” Atsushi yelled, “Tell me I’m a shitty father because you have nothing better to do than to be a monster!”

Atsushi slammed his head into the table again, Nikolai let out a pained groan. The weretiger lifts the jester up to look into his eyes. Nikolai tries his best to maintain that eye contact, trying to keep his faux-joy.

“Where is Yuzuki?”

Nikolai remains silent.

“Why did you take him?”

Nikolai remains silent.

Atsushi grabs Nikolai’s right arm, pulling it from his handcuffs, and uses his elbow to crack down on his forearm. There is an audible crack and pop from his shoulder and forearm. Nikolai tries and fails to hide his pain as a pained yell leaves from his mouth.

Gin, Chuuya and Dazai visibly cringes at the impact. Although, one of them enjoyed the pain Atsushi had inflicted on Nikolai more than the others.

“Unless you want to keep the function in your arm, you will spit out wherever he is.” Atsushi said, “Stop being a coward and say it.”

“Y-you’ve gotten rather aggressive haven’t you, Tiger Boy.” Nikolai dryly chuckled, “I’d never thought I’d be at the receiving end of your torture. So much of hating torture.”

Atsushi slams his elbow down again onto Nikolai’s forearm. Nikolai groaned in pain once again. Atsushi glares right into Nikolai’s eyes. Clearly, the father had no time for this jester’s words of irony.

“Don’t try spinning your bullshit on me.” Atsushi responded, “Where did you take my son?”

Nikolai inhales deeply trying to calm his rapid breathing; his body rattling from the pain. His stomach was doing backflips from nausea as the pain spiked around his body.

He smiled wildly into Atsushi’s face. “To think…that you would spawn such a sweet child is…honestly so…in-character for you.”

Nikolai’s chest heaved once again, supplying more air to his lungs. “Yet, your genes seem to always…supply something that Fyodor finds useful for…his plans.”

Atsushi was done, Nikolai wasn’t proving to be useful in the slightest. The weretiger shoves the man away from him, causing him to fall onto the floor. Nikolai grabs his arm and cradles it, as the blood is slowly dripping from the wound. Atsushi walks away from Nikolai, still enraged.

Dazai touches him on the arm, causing his transformed arms to retract and some of his anger to subside. 

“Go take a walk, Atsushi, clear your head.” Dazai suggested.

Atsushi shrugged the man's hand off and he stormed out of the room. He grumbled a few curses under his breath as he left. The three left behind looked at the damage Atsushi had caused to the man in pain.

“Never thought the weretiger kid would ever torture anyone.” Chuuya commented on Nikolai's state, “I don't think his arm is gonna be good anytime soon.”

Dazai chuckled to himself, “Honestly, that was some of the best entertainment I've had in a while.”

Chuuya and Gin gave each other a look of disbelief as Dazai continued to laugh to himself. 

“What do we do with him now?” Gin asked Chuuya.

“The boss said we had to keep him here until he cracked up his hideout location.” Chuuya shrugged as he shoved his hands into his pockets.

Dazai perked at what Chuuya said, he grabbed something from his coat pocket. It looked like a metal bracelet or anklet. There was a teal band around the metal ring. Dazai twirled it around his finger as walked towards Nikolai.

“I guess you'll be needing this then. I've already tested it on me and Chuuya…” Dazai said as the ring became wider and he placed it on Nikolai's leg.

He messes around with a code pad on the ring before smiling and standing up.

“There he shouldn't be able to leave with that pesky ability of his.” Dazai smiled with his tongue sticking out a bit.

“Honestly, if you're willing, the Port Mafia could use a few of those.” Gin mentioned.

Dazai laughed to himself, “I have a few more at home, I'll consider it.” He stretched his arms as walked out the door, “Alright, I'm feeling a large lunch today, maybe barbecue…”

Gin and Chuuya follow him out as he harps out about what he wanted to eat for lunch. Chuuya fixes the broken door before walking off.

Nikolai lies down with his arching face and arm. He stopped struggling against the pain at this point. His mind swimming through the past few days and seconds. Atsushi's words continuing along with the throbbing pain the same man had inflicted.

Why did he even take the kid?

Nikolai didn't know that the kid was Atsushi’s until the confrontation with Chuuya. It was obvious, The hair, the white tiger onesie, that defying stare. 

The clown almost laughed at the irony of it all.

Yuzuki was a charming little guy, oddest baby Nikolai had met. Holding Yuzuki and seeing how much he warmed up to Nikolai after caring for him. Nikolai's cold heart felt an ounce of genuine joy. Yuzuki's smile and giggles were just comforting to see and listen to.

Is this what baby fever feels like? What is a guy like him doing thinking like this. Nikolai giggles sounded more like wheezing at this point.

Honestly, he would have reacted the same if his kid was kidnapped.

˚₊‧꒰ა ☆ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚

5:40 am

Yokohama Shipping Dock

July 13

Kyouka's phone call had given Akutagawa some context on why he found Rinmi's backpack on the ground. It did not soothe his previous fears when he realised the girls weren't at the agency. 

Akutagawa’s head was giving him a horrible time. Being stressed over one missing child is enough stress but three has him ready for a stroke. He hoped that the girls were alright and not in danger. 

Higuchi hands his phone back to him as the call ended. She studied the disgruntled face he's making; the made her worried for his current mindset.

“Akutagawa-senpai…” Higuchi tried.

He grunted in response.

“Do you want something to eat?” She asked, she stuffed a hand into her jackets pocket. A brand of granola bar he was familiar with, in his favorite flavor of figs.

Higuchi watched as his upset look was replaced with a slightly starry-eyed one. He swiped the bar from Higuchi and like a ravenous animal he tore through the poor granola bar.

“Ugh…I couldn't have anything…fig related for months.” Akutagawa said between chewing.

“Oh, why not?” Higuchi asked, curious.

“Yuzuki hated them so I would vomit up anything fig related.” Akutagawa continues as he finished the granola bar.

Higuchi chuckled at that, “But you love figs, it must have been miserable.”

“Honestly, I might have began to hate figs if I carried–”

Then from behind of the two, a blood curdling scream. It was so loud, clear and it sounded like a young girl. The scream made both adults blood run cold. They don't waste a moment, Akutagawa and Higuchi book it towards the sound of the scream.

As they continued running for about half a mile, a small figure started to come into view. The morning sun through the cloudy skies makes the figure clearer. A pair of frazzled pigtails flew around; as a young girl with white-blonde hair came running towards them. In her arms, an infant with the same hair colour as her. Her arms clinging on to the baby with all her strength.

Akutagawa knew that girl, he watched his husband tie her pigtails the previous morning. Remembering that purple dress he brought for her. The infant in her grip was also familiar to him, his baby. The one he had been looking for day and night, losing sleep over, wondering if he was safe.

Rinmi barreled towards Akutagawa with Yuzuki in her arms. Akutagawa catches Yuzuki as he tumbled from his sister's arms. Both children are crying their eyes out.

Rinmi is breathing frantically, her sobs clogging up her words. The terror in her eyes was so evident, the sounds of terror in Yuzuki's cries; it broke the father's heart to see his children like this.

“P-papa..I-I..”

The girl takes a huge breath as she does her best to explain something. 

“Rinmi. You have to breathe.” Akutagawa directed her, his free hand rubbing the girl's back. 

Rinmi calms her rapid breathing as she clings onto her father's arm. With one more small breath, finally she began to explain.

“Papa…I...I left Lin behind, she's still with that scary man. I couldn't help her and…and…” 

Rinmi's hiccups and tears began to disrupt her words once again. Akutagawa's ears began to ring as he registered what Rinmi said. The bruises on her arms and legs are enough to say she had to fight her way out here. 

Linako was still in the hands of danger. Using Rashomon, Akutagawa picked up his terrified Rinmi. He looked at Higuchi, his face telling her exactly what they needed to do. They ran towards the direction Rinmi ran from. Heart pounding in his ears, Akutagawa did not want to imagine what would happen if they didn't find Linako.

As they came to the end of the long walkway. A horrible sight awaited them.

“Quit moving you brat!” Fyodor's voice said loud and clear.

In-between his voice, the screams and yelling from a little girl. Doing her best to free herself from his grasp. Fyodor held Linako by the back of her dress, his other hand in his pocket.

“FREEZE!” Higuchi yelled at the Russian as she pointed her pistol at him.

Both Linako and Fyodor stopped to stare at them. Linako's aggressive demeanour changed as she saw her father.

“PAPA!” She yelled as she stretched her arms towards him. Fyodor looked confused at her calling him her father. 

“Well, isn't this interesting? The Port Mafia's dog had children with the weretiger.” Fyodor said with amusement, “I thought cats and dogs hated each other.”

“Release my daughter, Dostoevsky.” Akutagawa demanded; he paid no attention to Fyodor’s comment.

Fyodor smiled, not a smirk like he usually does. A toothy grin as he began to laugh, hysterically. The man's laugh echoed through the miles and miles of shipping containers around them. Usually this attitude of insanity was reserved for Nikolai but today Fyodor seemed to have been pushed to his limit.

“You and that worthless pawn of a weretiger always seem to get in the way of my plans.” Fyodor ranted while grinding his teeth together.

“You are lucky that your idiotic mentor failed to kill me the first time! But just as I thought I had found a perfect way to fulfill my plans…”

Fyodor sucked in a harsh breath.

“Your offspring decided to interfere with my plans. You and that weretiger's presence always have a way to mess up something!”

Higuchi and Akutagawa gave him a look of disbelief. His rant seemed to add to his unstable state, his words became more frantic. Akutagawa knew that Fyodor had escaped from the prison before Chuuya and Dazai could kill him. 

He hoped Fyodor's insane mission for destruction of abilities would end there. Unfortunately, he was back in Yokohama on the same path of destruction, trying to involve his son in it.

Fyodor pulled his hand out of his pocket, pulling out something. He placed it at the side of Linako's head. The cold metal made Linako's skin crawl, but she couldn't figure out what was placed on her head.

However, Higuchi and Akutagawa could see what it was. The crisp black pistol pointed deadly on the side of Linako's forehead. Horror filled Higuchi's face as Fyodor pointed the gun at the 7 year old. Akutagawa was must the same except a once of anger was building in his head. He insured Yuzuki and Rinmi couldn’t see what was happening.

“Give me the baby or this one gets it.”

Fyodor’s request was ridiculous at worst and idiotic at best. Akutagawa was not going to even consider the offer, he would give of either of his children to this sick bastard. Rashomon tinging on his clothes as his anger rose steadly. 

Linako slightly struggling in Fyodor's hands made his worry spike. If Fyodor got annoyed enough by her resistance, his fingers would click that trigger so fast. He couldn’t waste a second of time.

“You're wasting my time. Hurry up, you mutt.” Fyodor barked at Akutagawa, his finger slipping closer to the trigger.

As Akutagawa was about to do something, it was like a miracle happened. From the sky, someone dropped down onto Fyodor with brute strength and aggression. It knocked Fyodor into another container with his gun and Linako dropping from his hand.

Linako was caught before she lands onto the ground. The hands belonging to a certain black and white tiger, Atsushi.

Linako settled into Atsushi's arms and the moment she released it was him, “Daddy!” she cried to him in joy as she clung onto his shirt. Atsushi held her close using an arm to shield her from the rain as he placed a kiss on her forehead. She began to cry into his shirt as he kissed her.

“I'm sorry Linako. I'm sorry I was so late.” Atsushi apologised to her.

He walked over to Akutagawa and Higuchi. 

“Ryuu…” Atsushi breathed as he moved towards his husband. He saw Yuzuki clinging onto Akutagawa's shirt and the biggest weight was removed from his shoulders, “Yuzuki…”

“Weretiger, focus on the target. Your children are still in danger.” His words caused Atsushi to fall out of his trance to focus on the biggest issue.

Akutagawa handed Higuchi his son. Using Rashomon, he takes Linako and Rinmi and gives his coat to them to shelter from the rain. He placed it over their heads and rubbed the girls heads.

“Higuchi, ensure the children don't witness anything we do next.” Akutagawa requested, "They have been traumatized enough.”

Higuchi understood what he meant. They were planning to eliminate Fyodor, of course they would want their children to see. But she knew that it would be impossible for them to do that. As Akutagawa walked over to his husband, he used Rashomon to restrain Fyodor as the man regained consciousness.

Though she knew that the weretiger hated murder. Akutagawa had definitely stopped killing people once he disappeared. He had refrained before he left the mafia.

Should she tell them?

“Be careful of his ability.” Higuchi spoke as she turned the girls around to face her, “He is unable to die under violent means. We lost someone because they tried to kill him.”

Akutagawa and Atsushi shared a look of pondering as Higuchi spoke. Both of them nodded after Higuchi dropped that information on them. Akutagawa tighter Rashomon around Fyodor arms and legs.

Atsushi jumped towards the man and using his ability, he slammed Fyodor into the rough concrete. The concrete cracked and splintered around him. 

Atsushi grabbed the man by his collar and threw him towards Akutagawa’s direction. The other, using Rashomon, formed a claw-like mouth to clamp around Fyodor's arms and legs. He pulled Fyodor towards him and glared right in his face.

“You have an excellent amount of confidence that your beat down will not kill me!” Fyodor smiled at Akutagawa. 

“And the audacity you have to kidnap my infant is insolent.” Akutagawa replied eeriely calm.

Rashomon pierced through Fyodor’s right arm. Fyodor choked on the pain before Akutagawa sent him back towards Atsushi still holding onto his arm. Punched the Russian in his stomach with so much force, it returned Fyodor back towards his husband.

Fyodor threw up a large amount of blood as the two continued their game of ping pong with his ailing body. Atsushi eventually grabbed Fyodor from Rashomon and he placed down all his weight on Fyodor’s legs. Shattered, his legs were definitely shattered from that. 

“I don't think I would have done this otherwise. But you put your hands on my children, and threated their lives.” Atsushi told Fyodor with a cold smile, “Let's hope you still have legs to walk on afterwards.”

Atsushi picked the man up and began to swing him by his legs. He spun around a multitude of times, Fyodor let out a harsh groan of pain as the weretiger continued. After spinning him around, Fyodor was sent flying towards Akutagawa once again.

Akutagawa placed his cold hands into his pants pockets. As Fyodor flew in his direction, he give him a harsh kick to his side. It sent him back towards Atsushi; who watched in awe as Akutagawa did so.

The couple wasn't looking to kill the man. Oh no, they going to do much worse to him. It was the best to keep him from bothering them again.

Blood more and more stained the concrete ground and nearby containers as the duo showed not an ounce of mercy. They were doing a pretty good job of keeping Fyodor alive despite the devastating blows on him.

Higuchi watched in slight horror as the Russian flew back and forth between the couple. His screams and yells of pain ringing in her ears. She swore she hear Atsushi chuckle as he kicked Fyodor back to Akutagawa.

Even after all these years those two were more sync than before, moving like the other could read their minds. It was fascinating to witness. 

Higuchi always worked well with Akutagawa, but she couldn't tell what he was thinking half the time. Most of the time he made some of his thoughts obvious and others thoughts were left for her to ponder about. Honestly, with how much time she spend trying to be on the same wavelength as her superior, Atsushi had done it in a few months.

Now he had been doing that with Akutagawa for the last seven years. Higuchi had heard that parent hood can strengthen your bond and partnership. It almost makes her heart grind in pain. 

A small tug on her tie breaks thoughts. Yuzuki grabbed onto the front of her shirt, he looked sad and scared. She felt her heart sag when she looked at the baby. Clearly the sounds of Fyodor being thrown around was getting to him. She had moved away with the children before Fyodor’s pain increased and he started screaming in pain.

Higuchi pulled out her phone and requested some back up. Now they has found the children, she could inform everyone to stop the search. 

Chapter Text

7:50 am
Armed Detective Agency – Medical Office
July 13

Rinmi and Linako were laying down on two rather comfortable beds. Although, neither girl could enjoy the comfort at the moment. Their parents were standing  them, with no so joyful faces. They knew they were in trouble but they didn't think they should be.

“But–” Linako tried her older father.

“You both were told to stay put here, were you not?” Akutagawa asked them, his arms crossed.

“Yes Papa, but we just wanted to find Yuyu.” Linako explained.

“And…and we did! So we didn't have to stay here because he found him.” Rinmi added.

“That is great and your father and I are proud of you for that. But you disobeyed us and put yourselves in danger.” Atsushi said.

“Well, it was Elise's idea. She–” 

“And you have a mind of your Linako.” Atsushi cut her off, “You and Rinmi could have obeyed but you didn't.”

Linako slowly bowed her head in shame.

“I did tell Lin we should have stayed but she didn't listen...” Rinmi attempted to throw the blame on her sister.

“Rinmi.” Akutagawa said.

“B-but it's true!”

“ And you went with her as well. You are just as guilty as your sister.” He stood firm.

Both girls sulked as their parents scolded them. They felt it was unfair that they saved Yuzuki and now they were being punished. Atsushi and Akutagawa could tell their girls were getting upset. They had something extremely brave and saved their brother but they were too young to be putting themselves in harm’s way. Especially when it was avoidable.

“Rinmi, Linako, you were extremely brave to save your little brother. I know he was happy when you came to help him.” Akutagawa explained carefully.

“But you placed yourself in danger when we needed to keep you safe.” He sat down on Rinmi's bed, placing a hand onto her head.

“Both of you are only 7 years old. You aren't old enough to be running off by yourself to save people.” Atsushi reaffirmed. 

Rinmi and Linako didn't say anything. They were upset but couldn't argue with their parents because they were right.

“When we get home, the both of you will be getting punished.” Akutagawa said, which made the girls frown and Rinmi to tear up, “For now you both can rest.”

“We are love the both you girls.” Atsushi said before giving the girls a kiss on the forehead.

The girls snuggle themselves into bed

Akutagawa and Atsushi leave the room to let the girls sleep.

“Do you think we were too harsh?” He asked, worried that the twins might have been deeply hurt.

Akutagawa is silent for a moment, he looks at his husband and places a hand on his back. 

“They will be alright, we can't be too relaxed on them especially considering they obeyed us and put themselves in danger.”

Atsushi let out a heavy breath, “Yeah, you're right…”

As they returned to the main part of the medical office, they spotted Yosano by a table. She was looking over Yuzuki and bandaging his injuries; meanwhile she is making small talk with him.

“You are such an angry little fellow, aren't you? Just like your papa.” Yosano said as she poked him in the stomach. 

Yuzuki pouted at her as she kept moving him around to check his body. He made a grunt of annoyance when she flipped him onto his stomach for like the umpteenth time. It made the doctor laugh as she placed a bandage on his back.

“I'll be done soon, don't worry.” 

Yuzuki spotted his parents and he began to fuss and whine as they got closer. 

“Hey now, Doctor Yosano will be done soon.” Atsushi said to his son while standing next to Yosano. He smiles to cheer him up.

Yuzuki makes grabby hands towards his dad as he quiets down. Akutagawa watching from the side as Atsushi starts to fawn over their son to keep him calm.

His eyes drifted across each bandage that had been placed on his baby's skin. It made him sick to see even just one on Yuzuki's body. He wished he could make them disappear, take away an injury that was there. The way Yosano constantly moved him around and around was annoying, he didn't like that she was even holding him. What if she moved him to quickly, what he slipped—

“Ryuu…” Atsushi’s soothing voice brought Akutagawa back to reality, “Are you okay? You're staring intensely at Yosano.”

Akutagawa glanced at the woman, she was giving him a look of concern. He honestly rather she looked at him without such pity. 

“Nakajima…” She's referring to Akutagawa as she gestured with her hand, “...do you have a concern with my checkup on Yuzuki?”

Akutagawa clenched his jaw before breaking eye contact with the woman. He cleared his throat before responding, “No, just be careful.”

He looked away from them, choosing to focus on whatever was out the window instead. Yosano continued to check Yuzuki and talk to Atsushi.

“You almost made Kunikida faint when you walked in with a pair of bloody arms.” She mentioned.

Earlier 

Higuchi entered the Agency's office, she was carrying Yuzuki in her arms. Rinmi and Linako were walking ahead of her. She was keeping the baby entertained by baby-talking him, thankfully he was giggling and laughing. Unfortunately, the twins looked worse for wear as Rinmi and Linako looked tired and scared. 

The first people to rush over to them were Haruno and Naomi, the women were worried to see the girls like that.

“Oh my goodness, are you girls okay?” Haruno asked as she dropped to her knees.

Rinmi and Linako were silent but they shook their heads at her question. Haruno's brows deepened at their quiet answer. She placed her hands on both of their hands.

“Come, we need to take you to Doctor Yosano.” She said as she led them to the medical office.

Higuchi and Naomi were both fawning over Yuzuki as he babbled and grabbed at Nomai's finger. 

“Aww, he's so precious.” Naomi squealed as she placed her finger in his hand.

“Y-yeah, he's an angel. After all that just happened to him, he's so happy.” Higuchi said, her voice choking up from the melting of her heart, “But I have to get him checked up, he's got a scratch on his cheek.”

“Oh no! I hope he'll be alright.” Naomi said with worry, placing her hands over her mouth.

Higuchi nodded as she left down the hall. Passing Kunikida, Tanizaki, Fukuzawa and Mori. They all walked into the office area.

“Thank goodness they found him. I don't know if I could bear knowing he was missing for a day longer.” Kunikida said with a sigh.

“Yeah, Atsushi and Akutagawa looked miserable every time we saw them.” Tanizaki replied.

Just as he said their names, Atsushi and Akutagawa appeared in the office. Akutagawa was walking ahead and he spoke to Mori as he walked by.

“The threat has been neutralized, Fyodor isn't going to be bothering us again.” 

Everyone is happy to hear but confused on what he meant by that. Until they see Atsushi walk into their view. They all had seen a lot of blood in their daily life but that doesn't mean they want to see a copious amount all the time.

Atsushi was covered in a wash of blood; from the base of his feet to his knees, the blue and yellow shirt he was wearing was now spotting dark brown and red. His hands to his elbows were covered in a deep red.

Naomi and Tanizaki were horrified, Kunikida looked as if he were about to faint. Fukuzawa was perplexed at Atsushi's appearance and the blood that was being tracked through the office. Mori looked slightly baffled and impressed. 

“Atsushi…” Fukuzawa began. “You are rather good at taking people out.” Mori joked as Fukuzawa spoke, to which the president elbowed the mafia boss in his stomach. Mori doubles over in pain.

“I do hope you are alright. Same to your children and husband.” Fukuzawa said, giving his sympathy to Atsushi.

“Thank you president, but I think this is going to affect the girls for a long time.” Atsushi's eyes became glassy as he spoke.

“Hopefully, not. Go wash off…all that.” Fukuzawa said motions to the blood coating Atsushi's body, “I do want you to return tomorrow to discuss some things.”

“Y-yes president!”

“I'll be here too, don't forget your agreement.” Mori said, lifting his hand into the air.

Atsushi frowned and rolled his eyes, “Yeah, yeah.” Atsushi walks off to the medical office.

Present

“Oh God…I hope Mr. Kunikida is alright. I just…” Atsushi trailed off.

“I get it, sometimes beating up a guy you're mad at makes you lose your sense of surroundings.” Yosano smiled.

Atsushi hummed in agreement, he rubbed the back of his head with his hand. He noticed Yosano was still looking over Yuzuki despite all his injuries being patched up.

“I don't think he has any more injuries Yosano, why are you still looking?”

Yosano’s face turned into a grimace, she didn't answer Atsushi. She placed Yuzuki upright and made him sit; she lifted up his right arm before stopping.

Her face dropped into a look of despair and horror. On Yuzuki's right arm was covered with a few marks; they were slightly red, dark dots close together. They had slightly healed and faded but they were visible.

“What is that?” Atsushi questioned, the worry in his voice alerted Akutagawa to look at them.

“Higuchi told me something. The girls said something before they got to the office.” Yosano explained, her hands began to shake lightly, “Rinmi and Linako said that Fyodor had used something to pull out Yuzuki's underdeveloped ability.”

Atsushi slightly stepped back, bumping into Akutagawa who grabbed him by his hands. The older man looked at Yosano with a concerned face, he asked in a serious tone.

“What did he use?” It was less a question and more a statement. Yuzuki’s parents held their breath as Yosano opened her mouth again.

“A taser.”

It was poetic that the lightning flashed through the window as Yosano revealed the weapon. Those words caused Atsushi's legs to give out, and he collapsed his body weight onto Akutagawa.

Akutagawa and Yosano's ears rang as the younger man let out a scream. A scream filled with rage, terror and sadness. It frightened the doctor and the baby. Yosano held onto Yuzuki, her hand shielding his ears from his father’s screams.

He didn't stop screaming as he fell out of Akutagawa's arms. Akutagawa used Rashomon to avoid Atsushi slamming into the ground. He was still processing what Yosano had said and Atsushi's scream was truthfully both of them. 

Never would Atsushi have imagined that his son would have to experience the same thing he had. Someone using electricity to force out his ability. Worse, it was at an even younger age. 

Atsushi's stomach began to twist and tighten as his throat ran dry from his scream and turned into weepy sobs. He clung tightly onto Akutagawa's arms as he poured out his sorrow. It didn't take long for Atsushi's stomach to turn outwards as he began to show signs of throwing up.

Akutagawa moved him to the small wastebin in the room. Atsushi emptied out the bile from his stomach, he sobbed in-between each vomit. His husband wrapped his arms around him as he snuck to the ground, relaxing from vomiting. Atsushi continued to cry himself dry in Akutagawa arms. Akutagawa rested his head on Atsushi’s back as the facts of the matter snuck in. The older man’s mind began to race, his body began to shake. 

Their son had experienced something so horrible at a tender age. Worst of all, he had to endure it after he had been kidnapped. Akutagawa wished they had removed such a monster from the earth. A monster who found it necessary to torture a baby to achieve his goals.

Akutagawa's hands clung along Atsushi’s arms as he thought about all the events that lead up to this point. Why did he get up that morning? Why couldn’t he just listen to his more rational side and stay home. No matter how many times he doubted his actions that morning, he didn’t turn back. He sat down on the ground beside Atsushi and let the man sob into his shoulders, it was enough to make him shed a tear or two.

Yosano was not sure what to say to Yuzuki’s parents, they were rightfully shaken up. She looked into the baby’s eyes and back at the taser bruises on his arm. He seemed tired but happy to be here, it broke her heart that he experienced something so cruel.

“I’ll treat the wounds on his arm.” Yosano said to Akutagawa as she carried Yuzuki to her desk.

Akutagawa nodded and leaned onto Atsushi’s head. Atsushi continued to cry himself dry as Akutagawa comforted him. As a while, Atsushi's tears stopped and his hiccups slowed down. 

“Are you alright now?” Akutagawa asked.

Atsushi took a deep breath before responding, “No, but I can't continue to cry in front of Yuzuki. He shouldn't have to see me like this.” Atsushi sat up and wiped his face in his shirt.

Akutagawa stood up and helped Atsushi up. His husband was correct, they should be comforting their son, not crying in front of him. As they were dusting themselves off, Yosano brought Yuzuki to them. His right arm was wrapped in a tight bandage.

Yosano handed Yuzuki to Atsushi and he gave Akutagawa a tube of burn cream. “You'll have to put this on his arm every morning and rewrap his arm. Do that until the injuries heal.”

Akutagawa thanked Yosano and placed the cream into his pocket. He glanced up at Atsushi and Yuzuki, who both were sharing a hug. Atsushi was whispering a million apologies to Yuzuki as he held him tightly. Yuzuki was clearly confused but happy for the hug.

Akutagawa placed himself into the hug and whispered a couple of apologies to his son as well. He felt like the worst parent in the world for letting this happen to Yuzuki. They would have made sure that the children would have the best rest of the summer. 

Hopefully, their trip in August will be for the best.