Atsushi woke the next morning greeted by the pleasant aroma of coffee and bacon. He didn't want to make himself known yet, last night was pretty tense. He stayed on the couch, comforted by it's softness, and took in his surroundings. Akutagawa was at the stove. He had the longer sides of his hair pinned back, and even donned an apron. He would probably look cute if he wasn't such an asshole. Atsushi covered the grin on his face.
He must really be into cooking; maybe he wants me to get out so he can eat.
He sat up and cleared his throat loudly. Akutagawa did not turn around, but he said "Breakfast is almost ready."
Is he inviting me to eat with him? Atsushi pursed his lips and got off the couch, walking closer to the table.
"Hey it smells really good!" He put on his best friendly voice because he wanted to clear the air between them, maybe even start over today. "Oh! You have my favorite blend of coffee!" Atsushi said animatedly.
"Do you really think it looks ok?" Akutagawa turned his head toward Atsushi.
Was that a glimmer of a smile in his eye?
"Yeah, it looks fantastic!" Atsushi replied. There was hope.
"Just have a seat, I'll bring you a plate. How do you take your coffee?"
Atsushi covered his mouth again and giggled.
"What's funny?"
Atsushi didn't know if he should respond, but he just couldn't help it.
"It's just that you almost look like a house wife right now, but your attitude has certainly contradicted that." He continued to smile, but noticed Akutagawa narrow his eyes.
"It's not a bad thing! It's a good look for you!" Atsushi had tears in his eyes by this point.
Akutagawa sat the mug he had gotten out back down by the sink and said, "You can prepare your own coffee then." And he turned back to the stove where the bacon was sizzling.
"Come on, lighten up Akutagawa." Atsushi slid his chair back and proceeded to pour his coffee. "How do you take yours? Allow me if you will." And he gave a small, sarcastic bow.
Akutagawa closed his eyes, "If you wish- I take it black."
" I might could have guessed that." Atsushi nudged Akutagawa's shoulder as he reached for a second mug.
That smell, thought Akutagawa, what was that smell just then.
Akutagawa tilted his head toward Atsushi and tried to think.
"Oh!" He had said it out loud. Shit, I didn't mean to say that. He startled himself and dropped his spatula in the floor.
"I mean, oh look, the bacon is done." He said as he bent down to grab the utensil. That was close.
Akutagawa had remembered smelling Atsushi as he was carried up the stairs, but didn't know why it had flustered him.
"I'll get it." Atsushi had bent down at the same time and wound up grabbing Akutagawa's hand instead.
The moment of awkward silence between them bent down on the ground lasted a bit too long for Akutagawa. He stood up, cleared his throat and said, "If you don't mind sitting down. I am trying to say thank you for yesterday."
Atsushi nodded. He placed the spatula on the counter and sat down at the table.
"So what do you do for work?" Atsushi tried to change the subject.
"I don't think that's an appropriate conversation over breakfast."
"But now you've piqued my interest!" Atsushi scooted up to the front of his seat, Akutagawa was plating the food and didn't take the bait.
"What do you do for work then? If you want to make idle talk that badly."
Atsushi could swear he felt a chill in the room, and it had been going so well earlier.
"Well, actually, it's nothing very exciting. My friend is a journalist and he hired me on to edit for him. He's great at getting good stories, but sometimes his embellishments are a little off." He thought about Dazai-san. If it weren't for Atsushi editing his work, it would be full of chat speak and emojis.
"That sounds nice." Akutagawa sat a plate of food in front of Atsushi: an omelette, bacon, and toast. He sat across the table and took a sip of his coffee, turning slightly sideways so he could rest his elbow on the table and not have to look Atsushi directly in the eye.
"Are you not going to eat any?" Atsushi raised an eyebrow as he picked up his fork.
Pulling his coffee away from his face, Akutagawa cooly replied, "It's fine, I usually can only eat once a day."
"Well this is really delicious, thank you again."
Akutagawa glanced over. "What's your favorite?"
"Hmm", Atsushi rubbed his chin a moment, "probably the omelette. I can never manage to make them without burning one side."
This got Akutagawa's attention. "So you really think it's good? Better than yours then?"
Atsushi nodded through a mouthful of food, "No doubt" and he gave a quick thumbs up.
Akutagawa relaxed back in his seat, seemingly pleased.
"I believe I told you that nothing you made could compare to my cooking already." He sat his mug down.
Atsushi just smiled, "I suppose you mentioned that. Speaking of last night, you seem to be feeling better today also. I'm glad. You had me worried last night."
Last night. A night Akutagawa really didn't want to remember. The account would have been embarrassing enough for close friends. At least that's what Akutagawa assumed, he didn't have any to really compare it to.
"I had a cold yesterday, I do feel better now at least." He put his hand to his head "See? No fever."
Atsushi had just finished with his food, he had practically inhaled it. He picked up his coffee and rested his arm on the table.
"So you won't tell me about your job, hmm... How old are you?"
"I'm Twenty. I'll be twenty-one in March."
"You've got a birthday coming up in a few months then! We'll have to celebrate!" Atsushi tried to be cheery. He did hope that they could become friends.
"No need to bother. You'll be leaving today, I doubt we'll see each other again." Akutagawa hid behind his coffee mug.
That annoying pain in his heart again. Why did that keep happening?
"Don't be like that! Everyone needs a birthday party!" Atsushi tried to nudge Akutagawa under the table, but he had stood up already.
"I've never had one before, I think I'll be ok." And he walked over to sit on the couch.
Atsushi didn't know how to respond to that. To be honest, he hadn't celebrated his birthday many times either. It seemed like he was very similar to Akutagawa, but the way they reacted to their circumstances was vastly different. He picked up his plate and laid it in the sink.
I guess he did the dishes from before, Atsushi thought, he noticed the bowls were gone.
He slapped his hand on the counter and walked over to the couch.
"Well", and he plopped down right beside Akutagawa, "there's a first time for everything!" He smiled, a really genuine smile and looked directly at Akutagawa. Akutagawa felt his heart flutter, and redness crept up his neck.
He forced himself to look at the floor and tried to push himself as far as he could into the corner of the couch.
"Do you mind scooting over," he pointed "there just a little."
Atsushi did as he was told.
I was just trying to be friendly, he thought.
What was that just now? Akutagawa wondered. His heart had started pounding and his chest felt tight. He kind of had the feeling he wanted to scoot closer again.
"I'd better check my phone, I bet Gin messaged me about coming today.. she gets up early." Akutagawa made an excuse to get off the couch. He didn't like feeling confused.
He found his phone folded up in his bed sheets, and swiped it on. His shoulders dropped.
"Gin had a meeting come up, and she had to travel today to be able to make it for tomorrow. I really hope she has enough clean clothes." Akutagawa sighed and threw the phone back down. He crossed his arms and said, "You really don't have to stay here, you've already said yourself that I am fine today. I made you breakfast. We're even." He leaned over his bed on one knee and picked up his cough syrup, swiftly opening it and taking a draw on the bottle.
Atsushi raised his eyebrows, "You haven't coughed once this morning, what gives?" he pointed toward the bottle.
"Just prophylactic, you know..." Akutagawa trailed off, took another sip, and crossed his arms again.
Will this man just leave? He's frustrating me and I don't like it.
Atsushi had gotten up and walked around the couch, he tapped the bottle.
"Mind giving that to me?" He held his palm out and made puppy dog eyes in a joking way. Akutagawa felt his face grow hot, so he shoved the bottle into Atsushi's chest and turned on his heel to face the other wall.
"You are quite bothersome."
Atsushi sighed, "Well, it's obvious you need some guidance." He put his hand on Akutagawa's shoulder and said, "It's ok, Aku."
Akutagawa stood frozen. His heart was beating so hard he wondered if Atsushi could feel the pulse.
"When did we settle on nicknames?" Akutagawa asked.
"If you don't like it, it's fine. I just..I'm really trying here. I don't have a lot of friends either, and we were thrown together for some reason yesterday. Why not make the most of it?" Atsushi pulled his hand back and thought for a second.
"If you feel like it, why don't we hang out today?"
Akutagawa swallowed hard and nodded his head.
Atsushi reached for his pocket and pulled out his phone.
"I think there's some good movies on...or we could try bowling...hey! Have you been to the zoo in a while?"
Akutagawa shook his head. "I've never ...been to the zoo." Was this really happening? It hardly seemed real. This must be what friends normally do. Akutagawa guessed he wouldn't know if it was or not. Could being friends really be this easy? Did he even want to be friends with Atsushi? He really didn't know, but he thought maybe he wanted to see for himself. Just for today.
"We can go. I don't mind."
