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Stray Dogs Cafe has had a long standing tradition since its founding only four years ago.
Okay, so it wasn't that long.
But it had other traditions too.
Like the board in the the front window, having scraps and rough drafts of stories and poetry tacked up. Almost anyone who entered the well known coffee shop put something up there, be it a short note, a drawing-usually from younger customers-pages from books they've read and books they're writing. It was always covered in various colors and papers, put up like a sort of collage of art.
There were definitely more, telling ghost stories around Halloween to customers, dressing up whenever the holidays came around, so in short, every employee there was a nut. A good nut-usually-with good intentions-excluding Dazai-who worked very hard-minus Ranpo, sometimes-and were always friendly.
Sorta.
Yet among all the other odd policies Stray Dogs Cafe had about traditions, one was kept secret until the time was right.
That very tradition is what had Akutagawa sitting on his butt in Stray Dogs Cafe break room, with almost the entire staff-and non-staff-hovering around him. "Now my dear apprentice, you have to do this perfectly!"
Dazai looked more smug than a dog that had just stolen a box of treats out of a cats paws.
How'd he get here again?
"Dazai's insanity aside," a loud protest from Dazai, rewarded with a jab to the stomach by Chuuya. "he's not wrong Akutagawa-kun. If you want this to work, it has to be prefection! Absolute perfection!" Naomi was right in his usually stoic face, with her brother, Junichirou trying to tug her back.
He wasn't doing very well.
"Please refrain from scaring the poor boy," Yosano said, Kunikida and Higuchi nodding furiously from their place at Akutagawa's side.
"But Aku-chan~! This will change the way you live your life forever!" Kenji crowed happily, sunbeams burning his face off. Well, that made this a whole lot easier, Akutagawa thought dryly as he shied away from the blonde boy's brilliance.
Ranpo sighed, holding Karl's paws in his hands as Poe leaned into him shyly. "Just pour your heart into writing this, and you can't veer from the desired path."
"Ranpo!" Dazai suddenly burst out, a very realistic pout on his face. "I wanted to say that! I'd be so wise!" Another jab from Chuuya, and Ranpo childishly pulled his lower eyelid down and stuck his tongue out.
"Ow, Chuuya that hurt~!"
"Shut it, you suicidal masochist!" Said short ginger haired man spat.
Dazai, copying Ranpo, stuck his tongue out, and Akutagawa could swear he heard a vein in his Chuuya's head snap.
"Thats it!"
"Save this for the bedroom~!"
"Just die already, bandage wasting device!"
"Kunikida, hold Chuuya back before he blows up the shop!"
"What!? Why me!?"
"Just do it!"
Again, how'd he get here?
Now, he was sitting in a dark room in the middle of the night, staring at a blank paper.
Why'd they have this tradition in a coffee shop of all places anyway?
He mulled it over at lightning speed, trying to think why, who started this, and are you serious?
When he'd asked Dazai the are you serious question, he looked him directly in the eyes, grabbing his shoulders.
'I'm always serious.' Was all he'd said at he time.
With dead seriousness.
Ugh
The custom at this particular cafe, was that if an employee found their true love while still serving there, and they were hopelessly ignorant or just nervous, one of them was to propose to the other through writing on their birthday. The founder of the Cafe, Fukuzawa Yukichi was an adamant writer and reader, and he liked the idea of marriage through artistic gestures. Though that was his initial request, the specifics fell into place shortly after. And even if he had no idea how it had started, every single person working there was very passionate about it. Apparently the customers were too.
Some regulars there had created a blog, detailing on all the current dating statuses of the employee's, their past love life, and the likelihood of being proposed too.
The founder's of said blog, were of course, teenage girls. But as it became more popular, more and more people came invested in their love lives.
When Dazai asked for Chuuya's hand about two years ago, the website literally had to be shut off for a short time due to all the explosions of gasping and shrieking people.
Exasperation weighed down on him heavily as fatigue began to set it. He had a month to do this, having told everyone else of his plans only a week or so ago.
They had promptly sat him down, told him exactly how this strange tradition worked, and forced him to scratch down some of his thoughts.
Only a month till May 5th.
Akutagawa groaned.
"Ryuu?"
His head shot off the table in a split second, head spinning to meet the person that had addressed him with a gentle kindness in their voice. The din of idle chatter within the reasonably sized cafe made its way to his ears.
Gold eyes dusted lavender and violet looked at him, slight concern flickering in their depths. "Are you okay? I'm sorry for waking you." His voice took on an apologetic tone. "But you'd fallen asleep so quickly I was worried you were sick or something."
"Ah, no. I'm fine."
A relieved smile abruptly painted itself onto the angelic face in front of Akutagawa, making the person now sitting across from him glow with a warm halo of unconditional love and happiness. "I'm glad."
Nakajima Atsushi.
A recent collage graduate, earning his degree in literature and writing.
His boyfriend for two years, and by Dazai's influences, Akutagawa secretly called this being he privately cherished his lover.
With pale white skin and soft silvery hair, his body seemed to be forged of moonlight, and bright golden eyes hued wisteria purple seemed like stars in Akutagawa's mind. But this otherworldly boy had been tarnished by human hatred, and bore scars that rippled along his form in painful remnants of a past he had left behind.
The first time Akutagawa had seen them, his heart stopped.
He'd taken it upon himself as soon as he'd realized his feelings for Atsushi that he would try to envelope those memories in newer, happier ones.
The Stray Dogs Cafe was helping too, banishing dark thoughts with endless smiles and cheer.
"Atsushi! We need you're help in back, Kenji broke the toaster again!"
"Control your outrageous strength Kenji!" Kunikida barked loudly.
"But I'm hungry!" Came the whine from said blonde.
Customers laughed, not unused to these kinds of happenings everyday.
A halfhearted sigh fluttered past Atsushi's lips, and he stood from his seat with catlike grace. "I'll see you later?" He sounded hopeful as he gave Akutagawa an anxious gaze.
"Of course."
He could swear a blush, not unlike the one creeping up his own cheeks, bloomed on Atsushi's pale face, and the younger boy hurried away, ears probably burning.
Three weeks left until May 5th.
Bumping his head against the counter for what felt like the fifth time that night, Akutagawa was fidgety. "Something wrong, Onii-san?" Gin looked bored, but questioning all at once.
A towel was grasped in her hand, and she was finishing drying the dishes they'd been asked to clean by Dazai. The water had been drained from the large sink already, and he sat at the counter, pen and paper before him. Only a few sentences were hastily written down, and he was feeling slightly dejected.
A slice of cake was right in front of his eyes, put there by Dazai himself. He promised it wasn't one of his 'suicidal poisoned cakes'.
"I'm uninspired."
"But you love Atsushi, right?"
"Yes."
"So much so you're going to ask him to marry you?"
"Yes."
"Then why are you uninspired?"
"There aren't enough words."
"You're a hopless, lovesick romantic."
"I know that."
Sixteen more days until May 5th.
"You gonna eat that?"
He looked her in the eye, both glimmering with wary hesitation.
It looked good.
"I wouldn't."
Tapp
Tapp
Tapp
Tapp
"Something on your mind?"
"Yes." He admited, setting the pen down with another soft tap.
Kyouka stared at him, emotionless gaze boring into his soul with the same blank stare as always. "My brother seems very nervous lately." She spoke matter'o'factly, but the meaning behind it was clear.
So, she knew too.
No doubt Gin and Naomi told her about his plans to propose to her elder brother.
But Atsushi had never been told about this Stray Dogs Cafe tradition.
"He's probably wondering how this birthday will end."
Akutagawa cringed.
Last year's birthday had been disastrous.
Long story short, he'd gotten Atsushi his gift, and very soon after, Dazai had shoved an entire bottle of sake down the boy boy's throat. Needless to say, Atsushi wasn't at work for a short while.
He'd only touched tea, water, and a few select kinds of fruit juices since.
Coffee made him jumpy.
Ironic, since he worked at a coffee shop, but they served tea, juice and water too, so it was all good.
Dazai would not be allowed to bring sake.
Neither would Chuuya, but Akutagawa was sure he'd make it.
Hopefully.
Eleven days until May 5th.
Papers and balls of paper were scattered all over his room as he shut the door. Stuffing his hands in his pockets, he padded downstairs and hopped onto his bike. Pressing his shoe to the pedal, he shot off toward the large park in the middle of the city.
He had a date with Atsushi, who'd blushed immediately after Akutagawa asked him.
But as he pedaled down the streets, his thoughts strayed back to his proposal letter. It was slowly forming, making its way to the paper, but even as he wrote it, is felt wrong. And like hopeless romantic he secretly was, and he would never admit it, he felt it wasn't good enough.
Vibrant green leaves made their way into his vision accompanied by pale pink and purple flowers.
Coming to a slow stop, he set his bike against the bike rack at the entrance, he walked through the bright red gateway.
Strolling along the stone pathways, sakura blossoms fluttered to the ground, accompanied by wisteria petals and shibazakura scattered amongst the grass in large clusters. Akutagawa was making his way just past a large bird topiary, the center fountain surrounded by visitors, families, children, and couples.
Atsushi was just past all these people, standing atop a small hill.
The wind rushed by, warm and enveloping Akutagawa in a feeling he felt whenever he was around the young silver-haired man.
And as he set his eyes on his love, warmth rushed to his face, and Akutagawa could feel himself falling for Atsushi all over again.
Toes curling in the bright green grass, petals from different kinds of flowers kissing his dainty feet, Atsushi stood, characteristic gentle smile graces his pale pink lips. His arms were held behind his back, and longer blades of green brushed his fair skinned ankles. His shoes were set off to the side, bare feet against soft grass.
Dressed in a v-neck shirt that fell slightly past his hips and lightly baggy black capri pants, his slender form was a soft contrast against the glow of the sun and the iridescent afternoon sky. His signature belt was wrapped around his hips and the tail fell to thin calves, looking very much like a cat's tail.
Atsushi chose that moment to turn an search for him, and their gazes met.
He waved to him, the sweet smile breaking into a brilliant grin.
Akutagawa's heart near burst from his chest, a small smile forming on his own lips as he walked over to join Atsushi.
Nine more days until May 5th.
Three papers sat atop his desk, and he stared down at them critically.
Would these work?
Did they show how much he wanted to keep Atsushi in his life?
What would Atsushi think of him if he read this sap aloud?
Would he still love Akutagawa?
What if-
"Onii-san, dinner."
Gin opened his door slowly, poking her head through.
"R-right."
He pushed himself from his seat, and as he brushed past his little sister, she whispered to him.
"He'll love it no matter what you say."
Uncharacteristic doubts swirled in him mind.
Would Atsushi really love whatever he would say to him on his birthday this year?
Four more days.
Dazai suddenly popped out, and yanked him inside the shop he was passing by. The bag already in Akutagawa's hands nearly vanished from his grasp, but he caught it in time before it fell to the floor.
A second later, he was stripped of almost all his clothing, and he stared at Dazai before asking, "What are you doing to me?"
"Getting you ready for your wedding!"
"What."
"Now now, hurry up and get changed!"
Dazai shoved him into a dressing room, and as he stared down at the black fabric in his hands, he sighed.
Fine. If it'll get Dazai off his back, he'll do it.
Only a day until May 5th.
"C'mon Aku-chan!" Kenji was bouncing with joy as he shoved Akutagawa into Stray Dogs Cafe albeit forcefully. "Hurry and get dressed."
"What for."
"You know!"
"Alright."
He tumbled into the back room, Dazai, Kunikida, Kenji, Chuuya, Higuchi and even Gin converging on him. Pulling off his clothes, a black tee and dark jeans, they folded them neatly, and immediately planted the same black clothes from yesterday into his arms.
"Get changed." Gin said rather easily. He stared at her for a moment, before quickly slipping the garments on him. Kunikida fussed for a minute, shifted fabric left and right, tugging and pulling before turning Akutagawa around and forcing him to face his reflection in a full body length mirror that appeared out of the ether.
Dressed in a pitch black montsuki kimono with a black hakama speckled with silver splashes at the bottom in favor for his usual dark clothes, he looked ready to stand at an altar.
"Is this necessary? We're not getting married yet."
"It's entirely necessary." Dazai spoke, Kunikida nodding sagely.
"Fine."
Suddenly, Dazai perked up, a grin spreading across his face. He slid the small box Akutagawa had been holding into a pocket at his hip.
"Atsushi is ready for you, go get 'im!"
Today was May 5th.
He stepped out from the break room, entering the open cafe. Customers turned to greet him, many gasping when they laid eyes on him. A few squealed so loudly, he had the urge to go back to the break room. He came to a halt in the center, where all the tables were pushes aside or set against the wall.
Click
The door on the side of the shop opened with a flourish, and wind blew through, followed by sakura blossoms and wisteria. Naomi, Yosano, Kyouka, Lucy, and Gin came through, and then a figure draped in silver, purples, and lavenders and white stepped inside.
His breath caught in his throat, words stolen from his lips as people stood, oohing and aahing.
Atsushi placed a foot gracefully inside the cool room, a blush evident on his face and embarrassment glittering in his gold eyes.
Dressed in a bridal hiki-furisode kimono, clusters of wisteria and hydrangeas curled up the fabric to his hips and across his back and shoulders. They were scattered across the slight train that rustled softly behind Atsushi as he made his way to the center of the cafe.
The kimono hugged his lithe body tightly, the obi around his waist a mix of lavender and silver with a thin golden ribbon. A sheer fabric haori was resting on Atsushi's shoulders, pattered with orchids and lotus. Tabi socks and sandals were on both of their feet.
Atsushi finally took his place, facing Akutagawa in the very center of the cafe, a confused look in his eyes. "Ryuu, what's going on here? Why does it seem like were getting married?"
He didn't seem the least bit concerned that he was the one in the dress.
He breathed a harsh sigh, and before all his courage deserted him, he grabbed Atsushi's slender hands. The silver haired man jumped slightly, eyes widening and he looked up to meet Akutagawa's gaze.
"What...?"
"Nakajima Atsushi." He bit out quickly, aware of all eyes on them.
"For the past two years, you have made me the happiest man alive. I used to think you were so frail, weak and needlessly stubborn." Hurt flashes in golden eyes, and he hastily began again. "But, after meeting you, spending time with you, I can't," he got choked up a bit. "I can't imagine a life without you."
He clenched Atsushi's pale hands tighter in his own.
"It's human to lie. Most of the time we can't even be honest with ourselves. We all want to forget something, so we tell stories. It's easier that way." Akutagawa breathed, feeling Atsushi's hand squeeze back in nervous anticipation.
"You've told me so much about yourself. You past, your pain, your stories, and while I pretended not to care, I do. I can't bear to watch you suffer. My mind tells me to stay back and be a shadow, save you when you fall from behind." Tears had begun to well up in the golden eyes he loved so very much.
"But, I don't want too. My heart is telling me to be at your side, catch you before you can even think about falling, and hold on until you're completely safe."
He fell onto one knee, still holding onto his boyfriend's shaking hand, and fished the small box from his pocket. He fumbled for a second, and the lid opened. A shining silver wedding band rested atop the white satin, a diamond flanked by two smaller moonstones embedded into its surface. On the inner surface, four words were inscribed.
Stay by my side.
"So, will you honor my selfish request, and marry me?"
Tears splashed to the wooden floor, and Atsushi's free hand came up to cover a strangled sob, eyes glimmering with water. He nodded shaking, and Akutagawa felt every bone in his body relax, if only a little bit.
Grasping his soft hand, he slid the ring onto his now fiance's ring finger.
He stood, legs feeling like jelly, when his breath was knocked from his body. Luckily, he remained standing as Atsushi flung himself into Akutagawa's arms, throwing his own arms over his shoulders and pulling himself up.
He felt petal-soft lips against his own as his fiance kissed him gently, and quickly recovering from the shock, he wound his arms around Atsushi's waist, pulling hims closer, reciprocating the kiss.
Screams of excitement and overwhelming joy shook the Stray Dogs Cafe as they broke apart, now more packed as people from outside had come to watch. Chuuya was wiping away a tear, and Naomi was full on bawling along with Dazai. Everyone had a look of pure happiness and gladness, seeing the two of them finally take another step forward after two years together.
"The head may err, but never the blood."
Akutagawa looked at his fiance, who was looking up at him with tears rolling down his cheeks still. A knowing smile came across his already aching face. He reached up a hand, brushing the tears away when Atsushi's hand came up to rest on him, pressing it firmly against his cheek.
"Happy Birthday." Akutagawa said quietly amidst all the of the celebrating, still holding onto Atsushi's hand.
"This was the greatest gift I could have even recieved."