Archive of Our Own ^beta

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Training with an executive isn’t very common, especially one who doesn’t really handle combat like Kouyou. However, after seeing how Tachihara behaves on missions, Kouyou decided to train him on how to be more "delicate” while fighting, per se.

Golden Demon hovers over Tachihara’s body, the man on the ground panting. Tachihara gets himself back up with a stumble. That’s definitely gonna bruise.. Kouyou shakes her head.

“You’re just like how Chuuya used to be. Running in with no plan, hoping brute force will work on all your enemies. That’s no way to fight, you see.” Kouyou states with a calm smile.

Tachihara and Kouyou don’t speak much, but he enjoys it when they do. She’s calm, serene. She smells lovely, a mix of lavender and amber. It reminds Tachihara of his mother, in a way. She signals for him to sit down again, noticing how sweaty and exhausted he is. Tachihara nods and flops down. Raising a brow at the pure lack of manners, Kouyou sits next to him.

“I get whatcha mean and all but…”

Tachihara starts, trailing off as he moves his hands to run through his hair. Tachihara would rather rush into everything. He thrives in the chaos of a gun fight. Does he always have the upper hand with his metal manipulation? Well yes, obviously. Does anyone know that? Of course not! When it comes to certain fights, he prefers to turn his brain off and go auto-pilot. Kouyou looks off, putting down her sword.

“I understand wanting to rush into things to have fun, but you need to understand that won’t get you anywhere sometimes. You look tired. Let’s take a break from training and have some tea, yes?”

Kouyou’s tone is calm, as usual. It’s something Tachihara kind of admires about her. He can never keep a steady tone, especially when emotional. He nods, walking into the locker rooms to change out of his smelly, sweaty clothes.

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Tachihara is stopped with a firm hand on his shoulder. He turns to Kouyou with a confused expression.

“Um…?”

“Why are you headed into the women's locker room, may I ask?”

Tachihara’s face grows even more confused. Kouyou’s gaze remains firm.

“....because I’m a woman?”

And now it’s Kouyou’s turn to look surprised. Her grip loosens on his shoulder. Tachihara fully turns to look at her, a confused smirk playing on his face.

“You couldn’t tell? I mean, I guess I never tried to show it, but I thought it’d be a little obvious…”

With a masculine name and constantly referring to himself as well, “he”, Kouyou can’t say she ever batted an eye. Gin, at least, she’s known before Gin started pretending to be a man. With Tachihara..? She had just assumed he was some edgy teen boy who didn’t know what he got himself into.

“I…would have never guessed. I apologize for assuming..”

Kouyou removes her hand, looking rather flustered about her mistake. Tachihara waves her off, smiling up at her.

“Don’t worry about it! Honestly, I try to present as a boy anyway so it’s not like I care.”

“...why’s that?”

Kouyou asks as she and Tachihara walk into the locker room. To be respectful, she turns her back. She finds herself awfully curious about the supposed girl behind her right now.

“I’ve always felt…I dunno, cooler? Being perceived as a guy? I can’t really explain it. I’m not a guy though, I’m a girl. I like being a girl a lot!”

To Kouyou, it almost seems like Tachihara is trying to justify this. She shakes her head once more. She doesn’t quite understand what he means, but she doesn’t want Tachihara to feel as though he has to defend himself to her.

“I understand. I’m just…curious. Am I to refer to you as a guy still then?”

Kouyou has had some questions about her sexuality and gender over the course of her life, so she tries to be as respectful as she can.

“It’s your call, really. I seriously couldn’t care less.”

Tachihara replies as she walks in front of Kouyou, new less smelly outfit on. Kouyou follows her out. Now that Kouyou really looks at Tachihara, his features are awfully feminine…

“You’d look beautiful if I could dress you up.”

She speaks without thinking. It’s a force of habit, really. With all that she runs, she’s quick to notice how to accentuate everyone's beauty. Kouyou quickly shuts her mouth after saying that. Her timing was so impeccably off! She scolds herself. Tachihara just said she likes being masculine, and here she is, talking about dressing her up? To his credit, Tachihara doesn’t seem to care, really.

“You can try. Can’t promise I’ll be into it that much though..”

Kouyou is pretty surprised by this. But it provides a chance to get to know more about her subordinate so…

_____________________

“And all done!”

Kouyou states proudly as she finishes applying the gloss to Tachihara’s lips. Tachihara stands back, checking out herself in the full body mirror.

“...Can’t say I really like the outfit. I don’t mind the makeup though.”

A small smile spreads to Tachihara’s face. Kouyou nods in agreement.

“Yes, it doesn’t really fit your personality, despite how well it fits your body…”

She puts her hands to her chin, like in deep thought. Though she speaks up again shortly after.

“Next time, you wear what you like, and I’ll show you some makeup that works with your preferred style then.”

Tachihara stares at Kouyou, looking extremely touched by her words. Her smile grows larger.

“Seriously? Sweet! Thanks Kouyou!”

The enthusiasm is clear as day in his tone of voice. Kouyou makes a mental note to teach Tachihara his way around a cosmetic case. During their small talk, Kouyou found out quite a bit about Tachihara. With how it went, she can say that she’s looking forward to their next meet up.

“Of course. Perhaps I can even give you a perfume out of my collection as well, if you wish.”

It might be a little soon, but Kouyou thinks that this offer means more than enough to this girl. And sure enough, Tachihara’s eyes light up once again.

“But it seems we’re out of time for now. I’ll come to collect you when I have some free time, yes?”

Kouyou says before the conversation can go on for longer, guiding Tachihara out of her chambers. It’s not that she doesn’t want to speak with him more, she’s really just way too busy…

Tachihara nods, gratefully smiling over at Kouyou as she starts to head off.

“Right! Thanks again Kouyou!”

As Tachihara walks off with a wave, Kouyou can’t help but feel a bit gleeful. Girls in the port mafia were a bit of a rare occurrence, so to have another girl to talk to was fantastic! Even if you and that girl don’t have much in common in terms of self-expression and style. Just having that shared connection is enough sometimes, in some strange way.

Kouyou closes the door once Tachihara has completely retreated. She wants to do her work, truly she does, but she finds herself thinking about her perfume collection, and wondering which one Tachihara would enjoy the most.

Chapter Text

Akutagawa was starting to head to his apartment when Tachihara’s door flings open. Akutagawa whips around to stare, considering it almost hit him straight in the head.

“Big bro! Perfect timing! I need you for something super important!”

If looks could kill, Tachihara would’ve been turned to dust as soon as the door opened. He doesn’t reply verbally, but he squints to show he’s at least acknowledging Tachihara this time. Tachihara grins and leans on the door frame, foot raised up behind him.

“I need you to help me with a couple things!”

“...why are you standing like that?”

“I may or may not have stepped on a sewing needle..”

Now Akutagawa’s just confused. He had no idea that Tachihara could sew. Though he supposes it makes sense - no matter how many times Tachihara’s jacket gets torn up, it never stops being worn. A part of Akutagawa had honestly thought he just had multiple of the same coat. He feels stupid now.

Stepping into Tachihara’s apartment, Akutagawa is greeted with a big mess. Fabric everywhere, some ugly looking mannequin, and a small bit of blood splatter on the ground by the couch. Akutagawa can’t help but grimace at the sight. Is he the cleanest person in the mafia? Not by a long shot. But he wouldn’t let things get this bad around his place.

“Ignore the mess! I swear I’m usually cleaner than this, I was just doing something and it got a bit messy…”

As Tachihara explains, Akutagawa sighs and shakes his head. He steps over the fabric and blood, taking a seat on Tachihara’s couch.

“Don’t tell me you want me to clean up after you like some sort of maid.”

Akutagawa already sounds somewhat offended at the idea. Tachihara’s head cocks to the side.

“What? No, I need your opinion on things. And also a bandage.”

Akutagawa scoffs and grabs Tachihara to shove him on the couch. Tachihara looks stunned, but obediently remains seated anyway. Akutagawa, after rummaging around in Tachihara’s bathroom, comes back with some bandages and starts to patch up Tachihara’s wound.

“...Don’t look so happy I’m doing this for you. What are you even trying to do?”

Akutagawa asks, gesturing to the naked mannequin and fabric spread out on the floor.

“Oh! I’m going on another undercover mission soon, so I wanted to make my own dress for it. Mori’s options were all pretty ugly in my opinion…”

“Dress?”

Akutagawa pauses wrapping the bandages around Tachihara. Tachihara moves away and finishes it up himself.
“Well, yeah. I figured it’d be nice for a change. Suits are so plain sometimes…”

Tachihara’s crossdressing? He didn’t seem like the type to do so, at all really. The confusion must’ve been clear on Akutagawa’s face considering Tachihara spoke up again.

“What color would I look best in?”

Now Akutagawa is even more bewildered. Tachihara is asking HIM for fashion advice? Not Gin? Higuchi? Or literally anyone who gives a damn about fashion? Well… Akutagawa has to be useful now that he’s been given this task so..

“...black. It’s a safe choice. It looks good on everyone. And bloodstains aren't as obvious.”

Tachihara nods, almost as if saying ‘why’d I expect something different?’ before getting up to hobble towards where he put the black fabric.

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Sitting on the couch, Akutagawa occasionally answers any questions Tachihara asks about what would look good. He’s still not sure at all as to why Tachihara wants advice from him specifically, but he’s allowed to eat the fruit in Tachihara’s fridge, so he’s not complaining.

“I think I’m pretty much done! I’ll try it on and you tell me what you think, m’kay?”

Akutagawa nods as Tachihara hobbles to the other room. Once the door opens and Tachihara comes back in again, Akutagawa can’t hide the surprise he feels for what must be the millionth time today. It looks good on him, it really does. And the sewing job was much better than Akutagawa thought it was going to be. That’s all fine and dandy but..

“Did you always have those?”

“My tits? Obviously, yeah.”

“Oh.”

Tachihara walks in and sits by Akutagawa once more.

“I’m starting to think nobody here realizes I'm a woman.”

“You’d be correct.”

A moment of silence falls between the two of them. Though, he can’t help but wonder..

“Are you doing this for respect?”

Akutagawa is blunt, as usual. He’s curious and he wants answers. Seeing Tachihara’s expression, he elaborates more.

“The men here are respected better, I’m sure you’re aware of that by now. Higuchi is capable, and yet, subordinates talk down to her. She’s not the best the mafia’s ever seen, yes, but I think my point is clear regardless.”

Tachihara remains silent for a long while after that. She doesn’t seem offended, but more so like she’s in deep thought.

“Y’know, I had the same conversation with Kouyou a couple days ago. I’ve really been thinking about it.Is it respect? I’ve noticed people definitely treat me better when they think I’m a man, but even if they didn’t…I can’t say I’d really vibe with all that stereotypical feminine stuff either. So..I guess I just like it? I’ve always had an affinity towards masculine stuff anyway. I can count on one hand the amount of times I’ve worn skirts or dresses. Actually, having this conversation in a dress feels a bit ridiculous...”

Akutagawa nods. He can accept that answer. Tachihara’s tone is much quieter than usual. It’s clear that she’s been thinking hard about this subject, for whatever reason.

“It is.”

Is all he offers up as a response. Tachihara tilts her head and shrugs.

“Fair.”

Tachihara sighs.

“I should get to cleaning up. I pulled out all this shit and used none of it…”

Tachihara gets up, cracking her knuckles. Akutagawa nods. It’s awkward sitting here and doing nothing..

“I’ll assist you. How do you have these organized?”

“Ah, in the room on the side when you first walk in the hall, there’s like…a little shelf. It’s color coded.”

Akutagawa picks up some of the fabric. Blue and green, he’s holding. It feels smooth in his hands. He’s not sure he likes it.

“Wait. You brought out all these, from a completely separate room, and tossed it on the floor?”

Akutagawa can’t help but feel…a little appalled. He didn’t even put these on a table? She walked in, grabbed a handful of fabric, and just tossed it?

“I thought I was gonna use it!”

“I…I won’t even try to understand you.”
Grabbing more Akutagawa heads off into the other room.

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Once everything is all cleaned up and the dress is securely placed on top of the mannequin, Akutagawa prepares to take his leave. He pauses before leaving, turning around to face Tachihara once more.

“Where do you store that ugly thing when you’re done with it?”

“The mannequin? I lock her in my closet until I need her.”

“...That’s disturbing. I’m leaving now.”

“Bye bye!”

Tachihara sighs as Akutagawa shuts the door behind him. He's not looking forward to telling everyone else…

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The curse got me. Will delete once the new chapter is completed!! Sorry thanks for being so patient with me!!