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Paul was pouting.
Perhaps not the most dignified of things for a master assassin like himself, but he really couldn't help it.
He couldn't get close to Atsushi-kun!
Which was a crying shame. Even Chuuya-kun could get close to him now, even though he wasn't allowed to beforehand. Chuuya-kun and Dazai-kun had obviously needed some sort of rift, because Atsushi-kun was actively spending time with Chuuya-kun.
So Paul should be allowed to be close now!
But no, he wasn't allowed to. Everyone was against him in this sense it seems.
At least Mori-dono wasn't allowed close either. It seemed whenever he and Atsushi-kun were about to intersect, Dazai-kun managed to intervene and corral the boy away. Dazai-kun was always getting in the way of Mori-dono wanting to connect with the Omega-adjacent boy.
But in other news–
Paul pouted down at the street that he was watching. He was just people watching, and no one really looked up, so this was fine. He wasn't even near the Armed Detective Agency side of Yokohama, so it's fine! He's not breaking any rules.
Paul sighed as he sat on top of the building.
Had he upset Atsushi-kun? He didn't think he had. He had simply wanted to ensure that the pampered pooch from the government wasn't going to try anything. When Paul had confirmed he wasn't going to try anything, then he had left.
And then Chuuya-kun had come after Paul, raging like the true Prime Alpha his little brother was.
He had apparently upset Atsushi-kun. The Omega-adjacent boy must have a very sensitive nose to distinguish Paul’s softer scent from amidst the insanity that had been that shop.
Or perhaps it has simply been insanity from Paul’s point of view. Er, point of scent? Since Paul was a biological Omega but could give commands like an Alpha could, the wires in his head, and the rest of his body, often got crossed.
Honestly Paul could just blame the people who had created him for this entire debacle and it would work. Who in their right minds would create something, someone, that could pass as an Omega and give command like an Alpha? It was sheer foolishness on their parts, and Paul was honestly glad that Arthur had killed them, once upon a time.
But back to his dilemma at the present.
Paul couldn't get close to his little brother's claimed pup! Even Mori-dono had spent a few days with the boy, and Paul couldn't even get close still! A crying shame in Paul's opinion, as family pack needed to be around family. A pup needed stability, and little Atsushi-kun’s life had been anything but that since he had come to Yokohama.
Paul was still looking into the orphanage that Atsushi-kun had come from. The headmaster that Dazai-kun had killed, the glasses detective had disposed of, and then subsequently washed up on the shores of the Port Mafia's territory was a dead end.
Quite literally.
Honestly, what if Paul has wanted a piece of the headmaster? What if had wanted to kill him too? He lamented his luck at meeting Atsushi-kun later, after the torturer had died by the hands of a Hovering Omega.
Ah well.
Finding the orphanage and burning it to the ground would have to suffice. Maybe he could bring Chuuya-kun along! A nice brotherly bonding experience for the two of them, ensuring that no one else from that horrible place would ever try to come to Yokohama and take away the little Omega-adjacent pup.
That was perhaps the most puzzling thing about Nakajima Atsushi-kun, now that Paul was thinking about it.
Atsushi-kun wasn't an Omega. Paul could discern that. It was just something in the scent, he could simply tell that Atsushi-kun wasn't a normal Omega. But he was Omega-adjacent.
Paul sighed and leaned back on his hands, staring at the blue sky above him.
Was it so wrong of him to try and interact with Atsushi-kun? Perhaps he had come off too strongly. Maybe he should have been kinder to the government chihuahua? But Atsushi-kun didn't seem to like the government’s mutt, in fact, he had seemed rather upset by him.
So Paul had intervened.
And look where that got him. Bruised by Chuuya-kun.
Which! Rude. Paul had only been helping Atsushi-kun out. Atsushi-kun had looked ready to snap the government mutt in half himself, but it seemed that he didn't appreciate Paul’s intervention.
Where was he going wrong!?
He didn't understand.
Maybe he should ask Chuuya-kun for help? But no, then Chuuya-kun would simply try to fight him and force him back into the basement. Paul didn't want to go back now that he had a reason to be out and about.
Who else could he ask? Mori-dono? Ideal, but the man thought in losses and gains, and who knows what the Omega might tell Paul so he could keep using him as an Executive? Not very ideal in the end.
Kouyou-kun? She would try to slice and dice him on sight. Not a chance.
Paul pouted.
There was no one he could ask.
This was the worst! How could he get better and gain Atsushi-kun’s trust if he didn't understand what he did wrong? He couldn't even ask Atsushi-kun what he could do to be better, because the young Omega-adjacent was protected on all sides.
Dazai-kun refused to leave his side most days, Kyouka-kun a snarling Alpha now that could smell Paul coming from probably a mile away, and then there was the glasses Alpha from the Agency. Then there was the Armed Detective Agency itself.
Paul would never be able to get close!
He collapsed backwards onto the top of the building, arms crossed and pouting at the blue sky that had darkening clouds.
It would storm soon, probably.
It seemed that Paul always brought storms with him.
He rubbed at the bridge of his nose, sighing deeply.
Maybe he should just–
Stop the stalking? Yes, Paul was quite aware that he was stalking Atsushi-kun. It was preemptive stalking, who knows what trouble the pup would get into otherwise!? That pup ran into so much trouble on a daily basis, and why on earth was that? Why did everyone target Atsushi-kun, he was just a cute lil pup.
No, no Paul couldn't stop the stalking. Not when people went out and targeted the pup.
And Chuuya-kun was doing his best, really, Paul's little brother was trying! But Chuuya-kun was a very busy young Prime Alpha. Mori-dono worked him quite hard except for his days off, and on his days off, he met up with Atsushi-kun. Those were the only days that Paul didn't stalk Atsushi-kun, because he knew Chuuya-kun wouldn't let anything happen to the pup.
Paul was so proud of his little brother.
He closed his eyes and studied the back of his eyelids for a few moments as the sky rumbled with thunder.
Perhaps Paul should let go?
Chuuya-kun’s claim was now renewed. The reason Paul had clung so tightly and stalked Atsushi-kun so much was because of the lack of renewed claim.
Ahh, but that means that Paul would never be able to be a part of the pack, didn't it? Chuuya-kun hated him, and Paul quite messed up the way that he first protected Atsushi-kun.
Atsushi-kun would never let him near if he knew how Paul and Chuuya-kun met.
Paul opened his eyes to look at the darkened sky.
He would think on these things.
Think and ponder.
~~~~~~~~~~
Atsushi hummed softly as he walked back from his job, gripping his bag tightly.
He had managed to solve a case all on his own! No need to call Ranpo-san, no need to call Dazai-san, no need to call Kunikida-san.
Okay, it wasn't a really big problem of a case, but it was a big thing to Atsushi!
Not having to rely on anyone, despite them apparently being Atsushi's parentals. Because Atsushi was a child, a pup until he was twenty.
Twenty.
Dammit.
Did Akutagawa know this? He should ask. It could be a problem. Not that Atsushi thought it could be a problem, and Dazai-san would probably gut Akutagawa if did something shady, but still.
Something they should talk about.
Because they talked, unlike Soukoku.
The dumbasses.
Dazai-san and Chuuya-san hated each other, but also trusted each other, but also sincerely disliked each other. The only reason they didn't dissolve into a fight each time they saw each other was because Atsushi was usually there.
The wind swirled and played with Atsushi's hair. It was a really windy day.
Iris and amber swirled along on the wind as well.
Atsushi froze.
It’s not in the nest. It's fine. We're in public. Technically. Atsushi told himself fiercely.
Atsushi drew his head back up, having dropped it when he first smelled that scent. Looking around, he saw the older man that the scent belonged to.
Verlaine Paul was sitting on the bench by the river, staring out across the water.
Atsushi inhaled sharply, before walking forward with purposeful steps.
The panic attack wasn't his fault. Chuuya-san said he was protecting me, in his own crazy way.
Gravity users were a different breed of insane. Ability users were insane, but gravity users were a whole different level, Atsushi has learned through spending time with Chuuya-san. Chuuya-san had threatened a waiter for taking Atsushi's order of all things. Insane.
Atsushi wouldn't trade him for anything.
Atsushi stopped by the end of the bench.
Verlaine-san tilted his head, before jolting and staring at Atsushi with wide, icy blue eyes. As if he didn't believe that Atsushi had approached him.
He inhaled slowly, before tipping his head to the empty end of the bench.
“Is this seat taken?”
Verlaine-san’s eyes were wide, before a smile started to work its way onto his face.
“No, it's most certainly not.”
Atsushi sat down.
Because he's learned through talking with Dazai-san about boundaries, and talking with Akutagawa in general–
No one gets anywhere without communication.
So he'll talk with Verlaine-san.
It's the least he can do.
Communication is important.
~~~~~~~~~~
Paul was elated as he walked Atsushi-kun back to his apartment that the Agency supplied him.
Paul had pouted when he heard about it, and had offered to pay for an apartment for Atsushi-kun and Kyouka-chan.
Atsushi-kun had immediately denied him.
“You and Chuuya-san are way too much alike!”
Paul would take the comparison to his little brother in exchange.
But they had actually talked. About why Atsushi-kun hadn't wanted him around. About how he hadn't been afraid of Paul, not really. But he had been afraid for everyone around them if Paul decided to get physical.
Paul could acknowledge that had been a possibility. And had apologized for that.
Atsushi-kun had accepted his apology, and then they talked about other things. Atsushi-kun's favorite foods, and Paul's favorite foods.
To be quite honest, Paul didn't have a favorite food until Atsushi-kun guessed that his favorite food was something savory.
Now, Paul had to go find a savory food to find and prefer.
As they got to the stairs, Dazai-kun appeared like an Omen. Capital letter intended.
Atsushi-kun winced and passed by the older Omega without a word, only nodding goodnight to Paul.
Dazai-kun just kept his eyes on Paul.
Paul kept his eyes on Dazai-kun.
“I'm not asking for every day.” Paul said calmly. “In fact, I'm quite sure that Atsushi-kun is going to be the one to approach me every time.”
Dazai-kun narrowed his eyes, before they flicked towards the heavens.
“Fine.”
Paul blinked.
“Fine? Just like that?”
“I've tried to control Atsushi-kun’s bonds before. It did not end well.”
Ah. Dazai-kun has grown emotionally and is trying to be mature! What a shocker, especially from the Demon Prodigy. Not an unwelcome surprise, but still. The Demon Prodigy was a rather possessive Omega.
“I see. You want to see if this will crash and burn without your machinations?” Paul asked wryly.
Dazai-kun shot him a look before turning on heel and going back up the stairs.
Ah well.
At least Chuuya-kun never liked Dazai-kun as more than a passing fancy.
Imagine that lunch for in-laws! Not a good time, in Paul’s opinion.
He turned and walked down the street, tilting his head up to look at the clear sky.
“I wonder what ramen places are open right now?” He mused to himself. He did have to find a savory food after all.