"18... 19... 20! Ready or not, here I come!" Chuuya hollered, gloved hands uncovering his eyes as he turned and looked around. The apartment was silent, not a sound to be heard but the noises from the outside. Though the silence was only accurate with the situation at hand; make a single noise and you're it. Well, if it were a serious game of hide and seek, the two people hiding in the apartment would be found easily. But no, this was only a friendly game for a certain child's entertainment.

Chuuya tiptoed as he walked around, easily for him with the use of his ability. He left the living room after looking around the place with no avail and moved to the kitchen. When he did, his vision caught the sigh of a tiny form squeezing itself underneath the chair; the ginger couldn't help the chuckle. He tiptoed closer to the chair where he was out of the child's sight before leaning down with a loud "I found you!"

Atsushi squealed and was about to run off but the ginger immediately caught his tiny body "Oh no, you don't. Where do you think you're going, little tiger? I got you, haha!" loud giggles escaped the small mantiger's lips as he was pulled into Chuuya's lap, showered with soft nips in his neck from the male.

"Chuuya! I give, I give! Haha!" Atsushi giggled, obviously tickled of the sensation from Chuuya's lips.

"Oh no! I'm still enjoying this adorable little feast, nom nom nom nom!" Chuuya began nibbling on the small kid's arms and hips, enacting as if he's making a feast out of the little kid while laughter filled the kitchen.

Chuuya's little play of nibbling on the small mantiger only seized when a thump could be heard from the bedroom followed by a loud groan of pain. As much as Chuuya was aware that the person caught in the accident would be fine, he still had to make sure that said bastard didn't break anything during his fall. Also because Atsushi was worried about the brunette and ran off. Chuuya admired the little kid's effort to run to the bedroom with his tiny legs—he swore it was one of the most adorable things that make this decision worth it—before he followed suite, scooping the kid up in his arms as he did.

"Seriously, can you be anymore stupider?" Chuuya groaned as he and Atsushi were met with the sight of Dazai on the cold floor, random books and boxes toppled in the floor and above him.

"Shtoopider!" Atsushi giggled, pointing at the brunette.

"See? Even Atsushi agrees. Can you at least try to look less of an idiot in the presence of your subordinates?"

"How about you help me out here instead of teaching my subordinate more colorful ways of insulting languages?" Dazai suggested, removing an open book that had fallen on top of his head "What's this? A porno book?"

"Don't even dare looking at those, you insufferable pervert." Chuuya threatened as he quickly placed Atsushi down and began picking up the books on the floor.

***

"I didn't know Chuuya actually read porn."

"If you don't shut your trap and just forget about what you saw, I'm shoving this ice bag into your ass and throw you out the window."

"It's just interesting. Well, not like I haven't caught you hiding those novels years ago—Ah! Ah! Ah! Not so hard!" Dazai hollered as a stinging sensation coursed through his head due to the amount of pressure from the ice pack Chuuya had given his bruise.

"I believe I've made myself clear, Dazai."

"Yes, Ma'am—Ah!"

"Pown?" Atsushi suddenly mentions, sitting on the kitchen table as he watched Chuuya nurse Dazai's bruises.

"It's nothing, Atsushi. Forget you ever heard that word and I promise to sing you a lullaby tonight." Chuuya offered, glancing at the kid then back at nursing Dazai.

"And pancakes tomowwow?"

"And pancakes tomorrow." Atsushi giggled in delight. Either Chuuya was already smooth at making deals, or Atsushi was simply easy to bribe. Whichever it was, he felt like he'd become too familiar with the small mantiger already to know easily what would make him overjoyed. And it scared Chuuya to some extent.

***

Atsushi wouldn't stop crying and it was starting to get embarrassing. First off, Chuuya was already 10 minutes late from work and never in his life had he been tardy. Second, they were standing outside the Armed Detective Agency building. And third, Atsushi kept yelling his name over and over again between his wails. As much as being caught in front of an opposing organization's office building and being scolded by his mentor and fellow executive for being late was enough to make Chuuya flustered, making others think that he had made a kid cry adds to the embarrassment.

"Come on, Atsushi, you know I have to go to work and I can't bring you with me. We've talked about this, didn't we?" Chuuya reminded the small child in Dazai's arms but he doubts the kid could even hear him with how loud his cries were and he was sure even the Agency members from the top floor could hear him.

"NO! I WANNA GO WITH CHUUYA!" Atsushi kept wailing, his cheeks and eyes already red from crying.

"Don't worry, Atsushi-kun. It'll only be for a short while. We can see Chuuya later after work." Dazai continued to convince Atsushi to calm down, but of course, the kid wasn't buying it.

"I DON'T WANNA GO WITH YOU! I WANNA GO WITH CHUUYA!"

"Okay, okay. Give him to me, Dazai." Chuuya sighed.

"Are you sure? I mean, I don't think Mori-san would allow you to bring a kid to work." Dazai couldn't help but ask.

"I know. Just give him to me." Dazai hesitated for a bit but neared Chuuya still. The moment Atsushi saw Chuuya's open arms, he immediately held out his hands towards the ginger and Chuuya had to step forward before Atsushi could fall from Dazai's arms.

"So, Atsushi-kun, do you really want to go to work with me?" Chuuya asked the weretiger, Atsushi simply nodded, positive of his decision "Why?"

"Becaushe I wanna be with Chuuya." was his answer.

"But Atsushi-kun, my line of work is dangerous. I have to go on missions were people will try and kill me. If I bring you, you might get hurt, too."

"No, I won't! I'w be extra shafe! And I wiww pwotect Chuuya!"

"I'm touched, Atsushi, really. But if something bad would happen to you, I'll be sad. Do you want me to be sad?"

"Hmm... no. But I'w be okay!"

"I know, I know. Atsushi's such a good, brave boy. Tell you what, how about I give you a task to do, is that okay? Since you're such a brave boy. It'll be such a big help for me." Dazai hummed, aware of where this was going.

"Okay!" Atsushi smiled; excited of the fact Chuuya had let him do something that could help the ginger.

"You see Jinko right here"—Chuuya placed a hand on the white tiger plushy Atsushi had named 'Jinko' cuddled in the kid's arms—"he's really scared of bad people. Especially the people who will try to kill me at work." He mentioned, Dazai tried to hold back his chuckle by biting his lip.

"Oh no. Poow Jinko." Atsushi's voice was filled with worry as he looked down on the tiger plushy with sad eyes.

"Yes. Poor Jinko, indeed. So, here's the thing. I want you to go with Dazai to his workplace and comfort Jinko. That way, he'll feel safe from the people who will try to kill me at work. Can you do that for me, little tiger?" Chuuya asked.

"Yesh, Chuuya! I pwomise to pwotect Jinko for you!" Atsushi interjected.

"Really? You will? Oh, thank you, Atsushi! I knew I could trust you, such a good and brave little boy you are." Chuuya mused, hugging the little child lightly then planting a quick kiss to his cheek.

"But, how about you, Chuuya? Wiww you be okay?" Atsushi worried.

"I'll be fine. I'll see you and Jinko after work, okay? It's a promise." Chuuya assured him, holding out his left pinky to prove his promise.

"Pwomise!" Atsushi echoed, holding out his pinky and Chuuya wrapped his own around it into pinky promise.

After that, Atsushi voluntarily went back into Dazai's arms and they both waved goodbye to Chuuya as they entered the building. Upon arriving to the office, they were met with curious interrogations from everyone present and Dazai enthusiastically told the story of how Chuuya managed to convince Atsushi to come to work with him.

Meanwhile, Chuuya had done the same thing as he was questioned by Mori and Kouyou for his tardiness that day. Mori excused Chuuya then and was actually rather delighted of the thought of Chuuya bringing baby Atsushi to work the following day. Chuuya tried reasoning out with his boss that bringing Atsushi to work would be dangerous for the kid, so Mori assigned Chuuya on handling paperwork whenever he'd bring the kid. Defeated, Chuuya agreed to the terms and he was sure Atsushi would be delighted of the idea.

The upcoming days that came, Chuuya and Dazai switched turns on who brought Atsushi to work. It was easy enough to have Atsushi go with Dazai with the condition of being with Chuuya the following day.

***

"Atsushi~" Chuuya called out as he walked into the living room, a white bath towel in hand, looking for the small kid that had run off from his hold in the bathroom yelling 'Catch me if you can, Chuuya!' right after he had him wear his underwear "Come out, come out, wherever you are."

Out from behind the sofa, came an almost-naked Atsushi wearing only a white brief with a tiger print in the posterior "Come and catch me, Chuuya!" the kid yelled before rushing towards the bedroom.

Chuuya had no time to react and sprinted to the direction of the bedroom to catch the naughty Atsushi. The two ran around playing tag in the bedroom—although Chuuya could easily capture him by keeping him still with his ability, he decided not to for the fun of it—before Chuuya finally caught him and tackled him on the bed. Loud giggles escaped the weretiger whilst Chuuya nuzzled his nose against the kid's neck.

"You naughty, naughty boy. Chuuya's going to have to punish such a bad kid. Hmm?" he then placed his lips on the little boy's stomach and began blowing, causing a sound similar to one farting to emit from the action. The ticklish vibration Chuuya had made caused Atsushi to squeal and writhe beneath him.

"Shtop, Chuuya! That ticklesh! Haha!" but Chuuya didn't seize from there and continued doing the same not only on his stomach but even on his tiny arms as well. Atsushi could only giggle.

"Ah.. I just couldn't help it. Atsushi smells so nice!" Chuuya mentioned, sniffing on Atsushi's armpits "Hmm, smells like sweet flowers." The small kid giggled "Okay, let's get you dressed, little tiger."

"Dun wanna." Atsushi smiled, obviously teasing the older male.

"Oh? Then you don't wanna help me make dinner? We're having curry and rice balls."

Atsushi's eyes gleamed with delight at Chuuya's words "I'w help! I'w help! I wanna make wice baws!"

"Very well, then. Let's have you dressed so we can start preparing dinner before Dazai comes home, hmm?" Atsushi nodded. Chuuya stood up from the bed and neared the dresser where he had some of Atsushi's baby clothes stacked in a drawer. Taking Atsushi's favorite tiger-print onesie, he walked back to the bed and helped the small child put the onesie on. He dried the kid's hair with the blower and combed it neatly before carrying the kid and heading for the kitchen.

As the curry was being cooked, Chuuya taught Atsushi how to make rice balls. Atsushi got a bit disappointed on the first three tries he did since he couldn't round the rice up correctly. Chuuya could see the kid start to cry if he hadn't encouraged him to keep trying. On his fourth one, he managed to make a not-so-circle rice ball but it was near perfection and Chuuya complimented the child's hard work.

"Oooh, this is a cute looking rice ball. Did you make it, Atsushi-kun?" Dazai took notice of the weirdly-shaped rice ball, which not only grabbed attention by its odd shape but also by its smaller size from the rest.

"Yup! Chuuya taught me how to make waish bawsh!" Atsushi responded rather proudly in his improvised high-chair—old books stacked over each other and strapped onto the chair with a small pillow above it all.

"That's good. Can I have a taste?" Dazai was about to grab the small rice ball when Atsushi stopped him.

"No! That waish baw'sh for Chuuya!" the kid squeaked.

"Oh? You sure you don't want it, Atsushi?" Chuuya asked.

"I want you to have it." Atsushi insisted.

"Hmm, okay." Chuuya grabbed the rice ball while Dazai cried, saying Atsushi doesn't love him anymore "Is it okay if Dazai gets a bite of the rice ball, too, Atsushi?" the ginger then asked.

Atsushi thought for a bit, looking at Dazai before nodding his head okay. Chuuya pointed the rice ball at Dazai and the brunette gleefully bit the other half of the rice ball. The ginger bit another half before letting Atsushi eat the rest of it to the weretiger's delight.

***

A heavy sigh escaped Chuuya's lips as he checked the numbers on the thermometer; 39°C, Atsushi's fever hasn't gone down since this morning. Small coughs took the ginger's attention from the device in his hand and to the sick kid on the bed. He feels bad for the child, getting a fever isn't a new experience for a Chuuya, rather it's a huge pain the ass and in the head too. The heavy and hot feeling your body gets, almost as if moving a finger feels like a chore. The mild headache and runny nose that prevent you from doing more important shit than just lying in bed and sleeping the day off. It all sucks.

"Chuuya..." Atsushi mutters, though it sounded more like a cry. He could see the tears at the side of the boy's eyes and Chuuya's heart melted. He looked like he was in so much pain and Chuuya wished he could've caught the cold instead.

"It's okay, little tiger. I'm here." Chuuya assured him, caressing the kid's forehead and cheek; they feel so hot it almost burned.

"Don't weave... pwease?" Atsushi pleaded and Chuuya exhaled deep breath, almost as if the statement made his heart drop completely.

"I'm not going anywhere, okay? So sleep and rest up, sweetie. That way, you can get better, okay?" Atsushi groaned in response before closing his eyes and drifting off to sleep. A minute after, Chuuya placed a soft kiss on the kid's forehead before standing up and walking to the door where the reason for Atsushi's fever stood and watched.

"How's he doing?" Dazai asked, worriedly.

"Not getting any better, that's for sure." Chuuya tone was cold and Dazai could only nod.

Chuuya had already cursed him hundred times over for charging into the rain yesterday with Atsushi since they forgot to bring an umbrella when they went to the convenience store from the Agency and didn't even bother wiping Atsushi dry or covering his head with anything from the rain earlier so he felt no need to speak of it again. As much as he blamed Dazai for being the cause of this, there was no point in talking about it since it wouldn't help Atsushi get any better and only waste time and effort.

"You're not going to work? I can look after Atsushi-kun in the meantime." Dazai offered, obviously guilty for what happened but Chuuya wasn't buying the guilt.

"I already called in sick. How 'bout you? Don't you have a huge case to crack about organ smugglers? They probably need you. Don't worry; I can handle shit on my own." Chuuya meant to be more compassionate but it was hard to control emotions for him.

"Not really. I can help out with anything you want."

"Then go to the pharmacy and buy some meds." Chuuya ordered, walking past Dazai to the kitchen. The ginger peeled out a piece of paper from the small notepad by the phone and began writing the needed medicine "Use your own cash. That's the least you could do for now." He added, pushing the paper onto Dazai's chest, causing the brunette to back away a little. Dazai gave no other response and simply left to do his errand.

Upon Dazai's return, Chuuya was in the kitchen preparing soup to feed Atsushi when he woke up. Dazai approached the older male to hand him the meds and Chuuya accepted it without a word, much to Dazai's chagrin. The ginger poured the soup into a bowl and placed it in a try along with a glass of water. He opened the medicine to put a bit in the small cup that came with it and placed the said cup on the tray as well.

Passing by Dazai who stood behind him without a word, he delivered the tray to the bedroom. Dazai heaved a sigh before following suite. As he got there, he saw Chuuya simply place the tray on the bedside table then sat by the bed.

"Chuuya, can we talk?" Dazai asked once he approached the ginger.

"There's nothing to talk about." was Chuuya's reply.

"You don't have to be so cold to me. It was an accident; I didn't think he'd be sick like this. You don't have to be mad about it." Chuuya turned to him with a look of disbelief.

"Mad? Who said I'm mad?" the ginger asked.

"It's written all over your face."

"Okay. I am, a little, but there's no point in getting mad."

"Then at least talk to me and let me help out."

"Like I said, there's nothing to talk about anyway and you've done your end of the bargain."

"This is why you have a hard time making friends." Dazai sighed and that immediately caught Chuuya's attention. Before the brunette could speak, Chuuya was already pushing him towards the door and a hard punch was sent to his face.

"You're seriously going there, huh?" Chuuya asked, anger almost at its peak.

"Going where? Seriously, you should stop hitting everything you're mad at all of a sudden." Dazai commented as he caressed his punched cheek.

"Okay, fine! I'm mad at you, okay? I'm mad at how you neglected Atsushi's well-being when he should clearly be in your care! I'm mad because you could've avoided him getting sick but you didn't do shit! I'm mad because you're a pathetic excuse for a colleague! And I'm mad because I feel bad for the kid but there's nothing I can do to help him!" Chuuya began hollering. Dazai knew Chuuya could get emotional at times, but this was the first he saw of the ginger tearing up during his anger.

"Don't tell me you're getting worked up... because you feel bad for the kid—"

"Shut your trap! And what if I am, huh?! Can you blame me; he's practically only 3 years old! He shouldn't be experiencing pain like this!" Dazai wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry. As much as Chuuya was both emotional and stupid, surely he was aware that kids aren't invulnerable to sickness. But perhaps this was his first time seeing a kid in pain.

"Spoken like a true mom." Dazai muttered.

"What's that you said, bastard?!" Chuuya asked, grabbing a fistful of the brunette's shirt.

"Nothing. It's just, Chuuya's like a concerned mother. Are you sure you never considered having kids?" Dazai asked, a cheeky smile plastered on his face.

"You mention that one last time and I'm letting you sleep outside." Chuuya threatened and he wasn't joking, he'd definitely do that.

Dazai was about to respond when a child's cry echoed from the bedroom and Chuuya dropped the brunette before dashing into the room. The brunette managed to chuckle and cough before tailing behind.

"What's wrong? What is it, Atsushi? Are you okay? Does it hurt somewhere?" were Chuuya's follow-up questions.

"Why awe you two fighting?!" Atsushi cried.

"H-Huh? Uhm... we weren't—"

"Stop fighting each other! I don't want Chuuya and Dazai-shan fighting!" the small kid continued to rant "Chuuya forgive Dazai-shan. It not hish fault Atsushi got shick! I'm showy! You'we fighting caushe of me! Aaaahhhhh!"

"What? No, no, shh, don't cry, Atsushi." Chuuya couldn't help the voluntary action of hugging Atsushi and rubbing his back to calm the cries "It's not your fault, okay? We weren't fighting because of you." Chuuya assured him.

"Yeah. In fact, we were only fighting because I said something that offended Chuuya. But I'm sorry, right?" Dazai explained, sitting on the other side of the bed and eyeing Chuuya.

Chuuya glared at the brunette for a moment before Atsushi whispered between his sobs "You—hic—did? And you fowgive him, Chuuya?" the kid then looked up at Chuuya.

"Uh... y-yeah. I did. It was no big fight, really. Dazai's just a little mean sometimes."

"Hey, how am I the mean one?" Dazai complained.

"Because you insult me."

"I speak of only the truth about you, chibikko."

"See? How's that not insulting?"

"You just have to accept it so it won't be an insult."

"You're lucky Atsushi's here, idiot."

"Yes, I guess I am lucky Atsushi's here. In more reasons than one."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Dazai only shrugged as a response and Atsushi giggled against Chuuya's chest.

Chuuya fed Atsushi the bowl of soup and had the kid drink the medicine. Of course, Atsushi didn't want to at first, luckily, Chuuya managed to persuade him by saying that if he didn't drink the medicine, he wouldn't get better and if he didn't get better, he wouldn't be able to go with Chuuya to work tomorrow to make up for not being able to go with him today. Holding on to that promise, Atsushi went through the ordeal of drinking the wretched medicine.

It wasn't in vain though because the following morning, Atsushi woke up bright and cheery once more.

To be continued...

Hello, world!

Pardon the part with Atsushi being sick, I honestly had no idea what to do with that so I ended up just making skk fight and Atsushi crying about it like how kids cry about their parents fighting hahahaha! xDDDDD

That's all! Byeeeee!

Lots of luv,
Jullia