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The first thing Akutagawa noticed when he woke up was that it was cold, he wasn’t freezing but the familiar warmth he was so used to waking up to was gone. Slowly he opened his eyes to look over to the place where Atsushi should be sleeping but found the bed empty. While it wasn’t rare that Atsushi woke up before him it was rare that he managed to get up without waking him. The years on the streets had left their marks and the smallest of sounds usually woke him up. Meaning his boyfriend had to have really been trying to not wake him up.
Muffled sound of activity came through the door from the kitchen meaning that Atsushi still home. Deciding to get up and look what he was doing he rolled out of bed and immediately regretted it as the cold air hit his bare skin. Cursing under his breath he pulled the covers around his shoulders, tying the ends together to make some sort of cape. Had someone a told him a year ago that he'd be willing to let anyone see him wrapped in a blanket with a bed head he would have killed them. And had they'd said that that someone was Atsushi he would have laughed as he did. But alas here he was.
Quiet as a mouse he made his way into the kitchen, stopping at the door to take in the sight before him. Atsushi was sitting at the table, wrapping pieces of candy in colorful paper, humming along to the soft Christmas tunes that were playing on the radio.
The sight of his love doing something so domestic without an ounce of stress or necessity but simply because he wanted to made his heart melt.
Without making a sound he stepped closer to him before wrapping his arms around Atsushis shoulders, planting a soft kiss on top of his head. “Morning Jinko.”
Atsushi flinched before realizing who it was and leaned into the touch. “Morning Ryuunosuke.” He replied after an eyeroll at the nickname. The nickname that had once held such hatred and jealousy but now only held love and affection.
“What are you doing? And why didn't you wake me?” He comes of more blunt than he intended to but Atsushi is used to it and knows he means no harm.
“I thought you might need some extra sleep, you've been working too much.” He leaned backwards to with him a quick peck on the lips before turning back to his work. “I'm just making so candy for the local orphanage. I did tell you that the agency has been collecting money for months to buy the kids some gifts, right?”
“Mhhh.” He does remember Atsushi having some of the ADA members over to bake things to sell. He spent most of the day trying to hide in their bedroom to avoid the awkwardness of being around them. (And maybe to avoid Dazai so he wouldn't find even more reasons to be disappointed in him.) This worked perfectly fine, until Kenny found out he was home and insisted that he join them in the kitchen. Much to his surprise neither of them seemed to hate him.
Which had been more than understandable and even to be expected but no, despite his initial awkwardness he'd soon fund himself enjoying himself. Kenji’s energy rubbed of on everyone in the room and the afternoon had been surprisingly productive. Dazai had even given him a head pat and told him good job. Atsushi had teased him about his reaction of pure shock all evening but Dazai had actually praised him!
Unwrapping his arms from around Atsushi’s shoulders he sat down across him, pressing his cold feet against Atsushi's legs, ignoring the playful glare it earns him. “How much did you get in total?”
“A bit over half a million yen, so I'd say we succeed quite well.” Atsushi beamed.
“You did, now show me how you do that.” His expression softened before he picked up a piece of candy and a wrapper to help him.
A surprised smile spread over Atsushi’s face before he, with a giggle showed him how to wrap it correctly.
“Are you planning on going down with them later today?”
“Yeah, I was planning on dressing up like santa but I'm not sure I can carry everything by myself so I was hoping that someone would help me out?” Atsushi said, looking at him pleadingly.
“Mhh, I'm sure kyoka would be happy to help you.” He watched as Atsushi’s smile fell.
“Ryuu, you know that's not what I-”
“Well what do you want me to do, dress up as santa and play around with the kids?”
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“I look ridiculous.”
“Don't be silly, you look perfect.”
Akutagawa glared at Atsushi who only smiled at him and adjusted the fake beard.
“If this gets out I'll be dead. ‘Port mafia member spotted handing out candy to kids’ I can hear the boss scolding me already.”
“Don't be silly, if Mori finds out about this he'll ask you to dress up for Elise.” If he wasn't so cute Akutagawa would have strangled him with the Santa hat already.
“Why do I have to dress up?” He complained, readjusting his clothes. He could feel Rashōmon’s dismay over being put into the red itchy fabric of the Santa costume but she would have to suck it up.
“So you can help me without getting accused of drugging kids, now hurry up we're running late.” Atsushi himself was wearing a green sweater and a hat with a little bell on, looking like one of “santa’s elves.”
With a deep sigh he grabbed the sack of gifts and began to make his way out. The air was chill but surprisingly fresh and as the two of them, hand in hand made their down the street he couldn't help but to feel as if everything was perfect.
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“Never, I swear on my honor, never will I help you with anything again.” Akutagawa mumbled as he tore of the fake beard and threw it on the floor, soon followed by the rest of the costume.
“Aw come on, it wasn't that bad. The kids were so happy.”
“Yeah, especially the one who almost pulled down the beard that would have been really fun to explain.”
“Now you're just being unnecessary grumpy. If you don't stop that you're gonna end up on santa's naughty list.” Atsushi draped his arms around his neck, leaning his head against his chest.
“I can think of other things we can do that'd put us on the list.” He watched how Atsushi, much to his amusement, turned beet red at his comment before looking up at him with a shy yet smug grin.
“Then why don't you show me some of those things?”