Putting this here bc it's not long enough rn and I'm bored 🩷
Junichiro/Atsushi, around 550 words, warning: Naomi and sa mentions
Junichiro let out a breath, finally getting a moment away from Naomi. He loved her, of course, she was his sister. But it was a bit much...
Atsushi was staring. Junichiro puffed his chest up with a smile.
"So, shall we?"
"Sure."
They'd been sent to buy donuts from the shop on the corner (by Dazai). They walked down slowly, and Junichiro enjoyed the peaceful sun on his back. Being able to swing his arms without a whole person hanging off them was nice. It wasn't like he never got any time alone, but... He breathed in. The flowers were starting to bloom.
"It's a nice day." He commented, trying to fill up the quiet between them.
Atsushi hummed, walking a bit more timidly, like he didn't quite belong. Junichiro slowed further, letting Atsushi stick close.
They went into the shop and ordered, two dozen for the office. Atsushi turned white when the worker read out the total, and Junichiro quickly stepped in.
"I can pay."
He got his card out. Kunikida would pay him back, anyway. He guessed Atsushi was insecure about money, having been on the streets before getting a job with the agency. The money he made was precious and his. Even if he'd be paid back, he clearly wasn't comfortable with it.
Atsushi carried the boxes, trudging after Junichiro. Junichiro hummed contently, closing his eyes to see the sunlight press through his eyelids.
"Hey, um... Could I ask you something...?" Atsushi ventured.
Junichiro, thinking it was about the agency, nodded. "Sure."
"Um... I know Kunikida told me not to question it, but... Do you actually like it when Naomi touches you...?"
Junichiro went very cold, from his face down his spine.
"I-it's okay," Junichiro said, forcing a smile. He didn't want Atsushi to stress. "You just caught me off guard there."
"S-so..."
Junichiro's thoughts were turning to mush. He didn't... He didn't know. There were times when he didn't say yes. There were times when he said yes just to appease her. There were times he'd wake up and know she'd touched him.
"I don't..." He turned to Atsushi, confused.
Atsushi set the donuts down on a public table and made Junichiro sit, apologizing when Junichiro cringed at the touch on his wrists. He knew abuse, even if this was different to his own, and he knew shutdowns. Junichiro's mind couldn't make sense of what was going on, so it was turning off.
"Junichiro? Can you hear me?"
Junichiro nodded, staring dazedly at the ground. Atsushi grabbed a donut, easing it into the redhead's hands.
"Try to eat."
Touch was a no, and Junichiro could barely focus his eyes. Atsushi would reach him through taste.
Junichiro ate slowly, the sugary taste bringing him back just enough for him to be able to speak to Atsushi.
"Atsushi- what happened, I-"
"It's okay. We're near the agency. I think I accidentally triggered something for you..." Atsushi said. He settled beside Junichiro. "I'm sorry."
"It's okay..." Junichiro said, even as he still looked like he had no idea what was going on.
"...I asked about Naomi. You don't have to explain or anything, but... If you need help, I'm here. Or even just someone to talk to."
