Work Text:
“Oi, brat, have you finished your paperwork?”
“Yosano-sensei, would you show the brat where the filing room is?”
“Dazai, leave the brat alone, he’s working.”
“Come with me, brat.”
Atsushi was going to snap.
Normally, he was fine with Kunikida-san calling him ‘brat.’ He liked it, even. He knew it was a term of endearment from the tsundere-esque man and that he didn’t mean anything malicious by it.
The problem now, though, was that Atsushi liked it a little too much. His brain latched on to the childish pseudonym bestowed upon him by the ex-teacher and giggled and rolled around like a cat that got into a plant it shouldn’t have. And now he was struggling against the pull of headspace in the middle of a work day. At least it wasn’t making him feel so young that he wanted to just sleep and cry and be held, although wanting to throw himself on the floor and scream because he was upset like – well, like a brat, wasn’t much better. Or any more dignified.
Kyouka-chan stopped by his desk on her lunch break before she went off with Kenji, gifting him a bottle of water and a questioning look. Atsushi had accepted it gratefully, returning her look with what was hopefully a reassuring smile. She had stared at him before shrugging and running off.
Atsushi’s own lunch break couldn’t come soon enough.
When he finally closed his laptop, headache already forming from stress, he wobbled slightly upon standing up. Shaking his head, Atsushi steadied himself, then made his way to the break room to get his lunch box.
Kunikida-san was already there when Atsushi went in, which was fine. All he had to do was avoid confrontation. It probably wasn’t fair to Kunikida-san, the man hadn’t even actually done anything wrong, just what he normally did, it was Atsushi’s fault for letting himself get so comfortable with it to the point of finding some ridiculous comfort in a stupid word.
The blonde man was just making coffee. Atsushi didn’t plan on getting anywhere near the coffee machine… or Kunikida-san.
Atsushi felt himself frowning, probably pouting, as he tried to inconspicuously retrieve his lunch from the fridge. But, of course, it couldn’t be that easy.
“Hey, brat, would you mind grabbing the coffee creamer while you’re over there?”
His tone was even. The question was simple. The request was easy.
And it pushed Atsushi right over the thin edge he had been balancing on.
Atsushi dropped his lunch box in surprise at the sudden drop, then frowned. He briefly contemplated kicking it, tried to decide against it, then did it anyway. Kunikida gave him an odd look.
“Atsushi?”
He ignored the man, just glaring at the lunch box that was now three feet further away, before slamming the fridge door and storming out of the break room, leaving a confused and likely worried Kunikida alone.
Ignoring the others’ equally worried looks, Atsushi made a beeline for the infirmary, not bothering to knock before opening and closing the door with a decent bit of attitude and plopping himself on a cot with his arms crossed.
Yosano-sensei raised an eyebrow at him. “What’s going on?”
Atsushi pouted and flopped over onto his side. “Kunikida-san hates me.”
Yosano-sensei’s eyebrow went even higher. “I can assure you that he does not hate you, sushi boy. What happened?”
He huffed and recounted the events leading up to his entry, and by the end he was sniffling. Yosano-sensei sighed softly and rifled through a drawer next to her desk.
“Where are you at right now?” she asked, passing Atsushi an infinity cube. “Five, six?” He took it, immediately beginning to fold it back and forth on itself, thought for a moment, and nodded. “I feel icky,” he informed her, and Yosano-sensei nodded her understanding.
“I’m sure you do,” she replied. “I’d bet we all feel icky after being mean to someone because we’re upset.” Atsushi nodded again, bringing his legs up closer to his chest. He sniffled again, frowning. “Are you sure Kunikida-san doesn’t hate me?” he asked again, and Yosano-sensei sighed. She sat herself down at the other end of the cot Atsushi was laying on, patting his leg.
“I’m sure,” she affirmed. “If anything, he’s probably just worried. He cares about you a lot more than he lets on. Do you want me to go get him? Would apologizing make you feel better?”
“…mhm,” Atsushi hummed. Yosano-sensei smiled and patted him again before standing. “I’ll be right back, then.”
Atsushi was left alone as she exited, and he sniffled again to himself. What if Kunikida-san didn’t accept his apology? He’d probably cry, and he didn’t want to cry. Crying made his head hurt, and his head already hurt. Plus, it would make Kunikida-san feel bad, and he didn’t do anything to feel bad for! Atsushi absentmindedly flipped the cube back and forth, back and forth, the clicking sound that it made somehow soothing. He hated when this happened. He was supposed to be a grownup, he was supposed to do work and be helpful! Little time was supposed to be for after work or on weekends when he had playdates with Ranpo-san, not for at work. He was naughty.
Atsushi sniffled again at the realization, eyes welling up despite not wanting to cry. He had been naughty. He was going to be punished. He should be punished. He made Kunikida-san upset and regressed at work. That was naughty.
“Hey, hey,” Yosano-sensei said, coming back into the infirmary. “What are you crying for, sushi boy, I told you I’d be back!” Atsushi just whined, the edge of the fidget toy digging into his hand as he squeezed it. Yosano-sensei gently took it from him and set it aside. She crouched down to look him in the eyes. “Hey, can you look at me?” Atsushi sniffled once more, shifting his gaze to meet Yosano-sensei’s. “I brought Kunikida-kun. Would you like to talk to him?”
Atsushi glanced behind her at the man and shrunk in on himself further. He nodded despite his fears that he was in trouble. Yosano-sensei stood. “I’m going to go let Dazai know what’s going on, okay?” Another nod, and she left the room. Now Atsushi was alone with Kunikida-san. He sniffled.
“Atsushi,” Kunikida-san said. “I’m not mad at you, I promise.”
“But,” Atsushi blubbered, “but I was naughty!” Kunikida-san sighed, taking up Yosano-sensei’s previous seat at the end of the cot.
“You were upset,” he corrected, “and overwhelmed. You shouldn’t throw a fit like that again, but I’m not mad at you for it this time.”
“…’m sorry.” Kunikida-san sighed again.
“I’m sorry too. I should’ve known better than to say something triggering while you were trying to work.” Atsushi sat up, hands folded in his lap. “You di’nt know,” he said, and Kunikida-san conceded.
“How’s this,” he bargained. “I forgive you, if you forgive me. Deal?” Atsushi nodded, holding up a hand with his pinky extended. Kunikida-san smiled and did the same, locking their fingers together. Atsushi giggled when Kunikida-san shook his hand like they really were making a deal, and Kunikida-san smiled.
“Can I have a hug?” Atsushi requested shyly. Kunikida-san nodded, and Atsushi just about launched himself into the man’s arms when he did.
Kunikida-san just laughed and held him tight.