"Man-tiger, if you have something to say, just say it."
Atsushi's looking Akutagawa up and down with a strange expression on his face. The latter feels quite a bit like a bug under a microscope, a feeling he does not enjoy.
Atsushi had been behaving strangely since the fight ended, keeping an eye on Akutagawa as if he might try to run away. After the police had picked up the ability-user they'd captured, he thought perhaps he could just go home and forget about it, but for some reason Atsushi had asked him to stick around. They sat at the edge of the concrete now, their legs dangling over the water and Atsushi hadn't said a word, only continued to stare.
His partner winced at the tone of his voice, but Akutagawa didn't regret it. There was no reason for him to just stare. Atsushi bit his lip as if considering something very important. His eyes trailed to look over at the water before he finally got to the point, avoiding Akutagawa's eye contact. If he was honest, the dark-haired man's heart was starting to race a bit. What's with his partner's behavior? He's behaving like he has something embarrassing to admit.
"So... um... are you okay?"
Akutagawa just blinks at the question, coming out of nowhere as it did. Now it was his turn to stare at Atsushi. "Yes," he said firmly.
Atsushi sighs, obviously annoyed at himself. He leans forward and clasps his hands together. "No, I mean... Your coughing? It's... worrying me..."
His concern for him was enough to make Akutagawa embarrassed immediately. Was he really just worried about that? And he acted so embarrassed about it. God, he's cute. "It's called pleurisy."
Atsushi looks shocked he'd even answered, turning to look his partner in the eyes. "Pleurisy? What... does that mean?"
Akutagawa was surprised by his own patience. "The tissues of my lungs are swollen in such a way that they rub at my chest, making it hurt to breathe. Sometimes it makes me cough." Admitting this to anyone else would be admitting weakness, but with Atsushi it was just casual conversation. If they were to work together, Atsushi need to know something like this he supposed.
"It hurts you to breathe?" Atsushi's voice is laced with concern, which seems strange.
"Yes," Akutagawa says, "Is that a problem?"
"I mean... yeah. You need to breathe to live," Atsushi mutters, shaking his head as if exasperated by his behavior.
"It's... really not a concern," Akutagawa feels strange, heat rising to his face. His concern surprises him. A few members of the Port Mafia knew of his predicament, but had only expressed mild interest in it once they knew it wouldn't affect his work. If he could still work just as hard as before, it didn't matter if his breathing hurt...
Atsushi is silent for quite a while. "Does you're breathing get all raspy, too?"
"Yes."
"Can I... listen?"
"Yes." His answer is out of Akutagawa's mouth before he can consider the consequences, or even what he really meant. For some reason, when he said 'listen', he imagined he'd simply ask him to breath deeper. Instead, Atsushi leans over and puts his ear to Akutagawa's chest.
It takes all of Akutagawa's willpower not to completely panic and instead think about breathing normally. It's very difficult, though, when Atsushi's comforting warmth and weight is on his chest, listening intently and giving his partner his undivided, concerned attention. Atsushi looks so serious, his face twisting into a look of discomfort every time Akutagawa takes a breath. Seeing Atsushi like that...
The other man can almost certainly hear his heartbeat by now because it's pounding in Akutagawa's ears. He can't believe Atsushi's so close and the impulse to lean down to plant a kiss on his forehead is surprisingly strong.
Before he can, though, Atsushi's face suddenly turns panicked and he sits up with such a jolt, he jams the top of his skull into Akutagawa's jaw. He grabs at his head immediately, but still stumbles to his feet, eyes squinted shut in pain. Akutagawa rubs his jaw almost absent-mindedly, partially to hide how much it hurt, but also because it hurt a lot less since with how flustered he is.
"I-I'm sorry! I just remembered that I-the agency needs me. Or something, I just..." Atsushi's basically gone by now, running down the street, hand still on his head, "Take care of that breathing and," he stops and cups his hands around his mouth, "Make sure you tell me if you need a break, okay!"
Akutagawa sits still for quite a while longer, a little stumped by the whole exchange and his heart still racing unreasonably fast. A slight smile grows on his face and he can't help but laugh. Fucking adorable.