Pairing: Atsushi x F!Reader soulmate au
Warnings: toxic thoughts, parental abuse, self-doubt/confidence issues
And that’s how you found yourself sat in an unfamiliar office, your clothing half burnt off and wrapped in Dazai’s large, beige overcoat. You watched the older gentleman sat across from you at his desk, with the blonde and Dazai accompanying him. The blonde man was watching you, stoic faced, his only movements since you entered the office was to either push up his glasses or check his watch. Dazai on the other hand, kept peering over the notes on the desk, and grinning to himself. Occasionally though, he’d hum a tune to himself that you’d never heard before.
“So,” the man sat in-front of you started after clearing his throat. “I’ll start with introductions. This here, is Kunikida,” he motioned to the blonde.
“I’m aware you’ve already met Dazai,” he continued, gesturing to the eccentric brunette you’d only met an hour ago. “And my name is Fukuzawa. I’m in charge of this group of misfits.” He said, offering you a warm smile. You nodded, subconsciously pulling Dazai’s coat tighter around you.
“Y/N L/N.” You spoke quietly to fill the silence. Fukuzawa nodded and wrote something down on the notes in front of him.
“And how old are you, L/N?” He asked, not looking up from the papers.
What month are we in? August? Yeah, that’s about right, hard to keep track when you can’t afford a calendar, or keep your phone charged for half a day.
“I’m uh… I’m eighteen… Next month, the 20th…” You replied and looked down. Surely your age would rouse suspicion within the group. Surely enough, Kunikida looked at you as he cocked his eyebrow, but said nothing. You felt a blush creep onto your cheeks under his stern gaze. Fukuzawa hummed and wrote down the new information.
“And Dazai told me you were searching for a job?” He asked, finally looking back up at you. You simply nodded, unsure of what to tell him. He nodded in return before straightening up in his chair.
“I’m correct in assuming you have a gift, L/N? A supernatural ability?” Fukuzawa asked with caution in his voice. Your eyes widened. Nobody had ever spoken so openly about your… nature before. Not like this. Not without poison, or malice. Not just out of curiosity.
“That’s not exactly how my parents described it, but sure… I have a…. gift,” you muttered sheepishly, tugging at the singed fabric of your ruined favourite jeans. Fukuzawa hummed in approval, almost as if he understood your predicament without having to ask.
“Well that’s what we call them here. Our organisation is the Armed Detective Agency. We’re run to help the police and government protect Yokohama from people out of their range of capability.” He explained, gauging your reaction.
You sat there in utter disbelief. You had been told you were a monster by everyone surrounding you in your old life. You were nothing but a freak, a monstrosity to them. But here you could not only be useful, but a good person? You head spun.
This has to be a fever dream or something surely.
With your silence, Fukuzawa sighed softly. He opened his mouth to say something and stopped when you shifted in your seat.
“I’m sorry, Fukuzawa, sir, but I really don’t understand what any of this has to do with me?” You said, or more asked. You scratched the back of your neck sheepishly, afraid you’d spoken out of line, only to be answered by Dazai giggling. Both Fukuzawa and Kunikida shot him a stern look, and he simmered down fairly quickly, the odd snicker still falling from his lips. The silver haired man then turned his attention fully back to you.
“We usually conduct an entry exam. This is an intense and stressful situation, although harmless, to bring out the best in people. It’s designed to show us who would be capable of giving their life for others if the situation arises. However, due to the circumstances that brought you here today, I believe you would have passed our exam. Dazai also believes so, as he was the one to inform me of your actions.” Fukuzawa flashed you another half-smile. You could only sit there in shock.
This is NOT happening right now.
“We’d like to take you in, Y/N! We want you as part of the Agency! Come on, what do ya say?” Dazai sang, moving from behind Fukuzawa to wrap his arm over your shoulders, shaking you slightly.
You were about to gladly accept, until the memories came back to haunt you. The worst timing.
‘You’re nothing but a monster!’ Smack. Your father had screamed and hit you again. ‘You’re disgusting! You should die in a hole!’ Smash. Your mother had thrown her favourite vase at you, missing your face by inches. ‘Nobody will want you! You’ll end up in jail for being a disgrace to this earth!’ ‘We’d all be better off without you alive!’ They had both hurled insults, beatings and objects at you until the sun had risen.
You snapped out of your memories with a harsh flinch and glanced up at Dazai.
“I-I’m not sure… I just… Is it really true?... Can I be a good person, even as a monster?” You trailed off into a whisper, tears welling in your eyes as you looked at your lap.
A soft hand with slender fingers cupped your chin, and through blurry eyes, you could only just make out Dazai, who was now crouched in front of you.
“Hey, I get it… I promise I do. But even monsters have a chance to be good people. You do too, and I can also promise it’ll make your life a little more beautiful.” He spoke softly, wiping away a few stray tears that trailed down your face. You were in awe – the man who was an eccentric, loud and slightly strange character when you first met him only hours ago, was now giving you some of the most motivational words you’d ever heard.
You sucked in a large breath and steadied your whirring mind. You closed your eyes for a moment, letting your thoughts dissipate before looking at Fukuzawa.
“Okay. I’d like to accept your offer, Sir.” You said with a half smile. While Dazai returned to his odd self, whooping and dancing around the room, and Kunikida checked his watch again for what seemed like the hundredth time, Fukuzawa nodded, scribbling some more. Dazai threw an arm around you and pulled you into his side, a large smile plastered on his face.
“Welcome to the Agency, Y/N!” He sang, twirling with you. You felt your cheeks heat up immediately, and you couldn’t help but let a giggle slip from your lips.
“You’re so obnoxious, Dazai.” A deep voice piped up. You looked up to see that it was Kunikida who had spoken for the first time since you met him. His face was stern as he stared at the brunette prancing around you, but you noticed the look of fondness in his eyes. Fukuzawa stood from his position, and you looked up at him as he approached you.
Are they all this tall?... You wondered. With a slight bow, he handed you a small piece of paper – a cheque with a sum that made your eyes bulge from your head a little. You’d never been allowed to get a job due to your parents’ fears of your ability being found out – and they had only given you small amounts to keep you alive.
“I-I uh… Thank you so much…” You stuttered, still processing the amount in your shaking hand.
I’m certainly not going to worry about money now… A smile crept up onto your face.
“Consider it your first pay-check. Since my schedule isn’t fully booked today, I’ll be the one introducing you to the rest of our members.” Fukuzawa nodded and led you to the door of his office, where you could now here muffled voices and rustling behind it.
I suppose they must have just arrived at work.
A bubble of anxiety brewed in your stomach when a large hand patted at your shoulder. You looked up at Fukuzawa once more.
“They may look like a strange bunch, but they’ll become your family sooner than you think.” He finished with opening the door to the main part of the office.
Kunikida immediately returned to what was presumably his desk, muttering something about having to get back on schedule, pushing his glasses up and huffing.
Fukuzawa cleared his throat, and everyone, except Kunikida turned their attention to him, and you, the new girl.
“Everybody, this is Y/N, our new recruit. She’ll be working close with you all, do please take care of her.” Fukuzawa asked – or more instructed politely. At that moment, Fukuzawa’s phone started ringing. He sent a silent apology in your general direction and gestured for Dazai to take over, and with that he was by your side again.
“That’s Yosano,” Dazai pointed to a young woman with a short black hair style, legs crossed over one another, as she read today’s paper. She looked up and smiled, before returning to her paper.
“Kenji.” He pointed to a shorter blond boy in dungarees with a smile as bright as the sun. He waved to you with the hand that wasn’t occupied by a watering can, before turning to tend to the plants on the windowsill once more.
“We have Kyoka” A short, teenage girl with long dark hair and big eyes pulled her attention away from assisting Kenji and have a short wave before going back to her duties.
“We have the siblings, Naomi and Junichiro Tanizaki.” He pointed to an older teenage girl sitting at a computer, maybe high school age, sitting next to a sweet looking ginger male, who’s sweater sleeves covered his hands. They both offered quick ‘hellos’ and smiles before working once again.
“And the young lady with the pretty face and brown hair that you saw at the entrance of the building was Haruno. She’s our secretary.
And that’s everyon- wait. Where are Atsushi and Rampo?!” Dazai cried dramatically.
“Rampo wanted snacks and dragged Atsushi with him for help. You know how Rampo is getting about.” Yosano spoke without looking up from the paper as she turned the page. Dazai flopped against your shoulder, sighing into the crook of your neck. You patted his head awkwardly, sure that you’d have to get used to his affection quickly otherwise things could get uncomfortable.
“I suppose you’ll have to meet Rampo and Atsushi some other time. Give me your number and I’ll walk with you tomorrow.” He sprung up again. You chuckled softly at his antics and added your number to Dazai’s phone. As he led you to the door, Dazai flashed you the charming smile he introduced himself with.
“Can you find your way home from here?” Dazai asked, leaning against the door frame.
“I can, thank you. Would you uh… Like this back?” You gestured to Dazai’s over coat still draped around your shoulders. He grinned.
“Keep it until you get yourself some new clothes. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He blew you a kiss as you entered the hallway and you laughed, calling your goodbyes to the rest of the team, waving to Dazai as you walked off. As you got to the main entrance of the building, a young man, dressed in brown, a paper boy hat and glasses bumped into you. He looked lost.
“My apologies, are you alright?” You bowed slightly. He looked up at the building, then at you and cocked an eyebrow.
“I’m fine, thank you, Miss. I’m just waiting for a friend.” He dismissed you with the wave of a hand. You smiled and nodded before making your way through the streets to return to your shack – which seemed warmer and more welcoming than when you’d left it this morning.
Rampo and Atsushi. I wonder what they’re like. You hummed to yourself as the names of the two missing members settled in your mind, smiling to yourself. You shrugged off Dazai’s coat and laid it over the arm of your small sofa, and traced your fingers over it lightly, his words coming to the forefront of your memories, making your heart swell with hope.
It’ll make your life a little more beautiful…
