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ada throw atsushi a surprise party and put akutagawa in charge of distracting him but forbid him from harming atsushi/picking a fight

after a lot of thinking, akutagawa decides the best way to proceed is to do something that the weretiger would not expect and would leave him defenseless

so he kisses him.

atsushi is flabbergasted

eventually, after waiting for aku to bring atsushi for like 10-20 minutes the ada call him like 'dude u have to bring him in now'

and akutagawa and atsushi show up red faced with bitten lips

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Akutagawa: “he is my ordeal” “return him to me” makes a life changing oath that’s kept even in death

Atsushi: you gotta bounce on it crazy style man

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Akutagawa saving that technician means so much more than just him following his promise

His promise to Atsushi was to not take the life of anyone, not to voluntarily save someone under no orders

Not only is he loyal to Atsushi and his vow, he’s actually changing too. The reason why Atsushi made him make that promise was because Atsushi knew Akutagawa could be good, he knew Akutagawa always had the potential to be and was a good person, and he needed to stop sinking into the ease of killing to learn that

And it worked. Akutagawa has such a different moral compass now, he’s obviously not a saint or anything and he’s still Akutagawa, but through Atsushi, he’s learned the weight and meaning of life and death. Akutagawa used to be a reckless killer, but he’s not anymore, all because of Atsushi

At first, he had just promised to not kill. He found ways to do things differently, like putting pressure on the carotid artery to temporarily knock people unconscious. He followed his vow, because he keeps his promises

But then the fight on the Boswellian ship with Fukuchi came. Not only did he prove his dedication, but then he died for Atsushi, to save him

“Does his life really mean that much to you?”

Personally, I think in that moment when he died, it’s when Akutagawa both felt strongest and also fully learned the meaning to a life

And now, in chapter 124.5, we see how much that’s actually changed him. Honestly, if Asagiri doesn’t give us a later scene where Atsushi notes that, I’m going to be disappointed, because it means a lot to both Akutagawa’s development and sskk’s

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It wasn't until this exact moment that I realized just how like...insane this all is. Like Akutagawa is literally a superhero now. That was an Iron Man landing. Like imagine seeing this as a normal civilian???

And these guys immediately took his side not because they were intimidated by him but because that was an Iron Man landing, he's obviously here to save the day. No credentials needed, just aura.

I've joked about sskk being the Avengers of Yokohama before but like...maybe it's not a joke anymore.

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bungo stray dogs is so funny because I don't think so they understand what the word 'rival' means cuz these bitches be dying for each other, committing crimes, helping them become better and stronger, protecting and killing for each other, living each second thinking about them and then go ahead and call each other 'rivals' lovingly yeah sure.

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if i had a nickel for everytime atsushi said to akutagawa that akutagawa NEEDED to ride him to stop a villain I'd have two nickels which isn't a lot but it's weird (and very gay) that it happened twice

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It strikes me as significant that when Akutagawa was talking about striking down the plane, he specified that it would be their victory - he's using a plural pronoun 僕等 right there, in a separate speech bubble for emphasis.

He definitely thinks of himself and Atsushi as one unit, inseparable. And it's only emphasized by how he sprung to action at Atsushi merely mentioning what needs to be done.

His sword, his shield.

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there’s no other way…you have to ride me…

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“There's no other way Akutagawa you have to RIDE ME now. Akutagawa our only chance to catch Dostoyevsky is for you to RIDE ME. The world will end if you don't RIDE ME this second. It's a life-or-death matter that you RIDE ME. My life depends on you to RIDE ME. If you don't RIDE ME I will cry. RIDE ME RIDE ME RIDE ME”

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why sskk are canon To Me:

• the unique way they reassure each other. "just the two of us?" "do we need any more?" = akutagawa's way of telling atsushi he remembers him, he's not alone, and they will win this.

• based on that, they often communicate with very few words. "akutagawa?" "yeah". a knowing glance that speaks for itself. if this alone isn't proof that they're soulmates, i got a ton more don't worry.

• "the thing beyond power created when your souls intertwine" said by beast dazai. i don't think we as a society talk about that line enough. they're literally destined to meet in every universe.

• they have both begged/demanded the other to be returned to them. atsushi pleaded with akutagawa in a classic "look at me this isn't you" fashion. akutagawa, bleeding profusely from his side and minutes from death, yelled at a fourth dimensional god and demanded it to bring atsushi back to him. do! not! separate!

• didn't mention the elephant in the room until now. they both fucking died for each other. using the same words, with the same soft smile. akutagawa knew he wouldn't make it out, and atsushi had no idea if he would survive being struck. "consider us even". "atsushi doesn't care about akutagawa" takes found dead in a ditch

• clearest yin and yang symbolism i've personally ever seen in a pairing. it's about as subtle as a brick thrown through a window. their character designs reflect this and are made to compliment each other.

• asagiri saying "the person atsushi needs by his side the most might surprisingly be someone like akutagawa" keeps me up at night

• their little date in beast. they were allowed to be happy for five minutes. it shows that without circumstances placing them on opposite sides, they would instantly get along

• the look on atsushi's face when he learns that akutagawa kept his promise. the look on atsushi's face when he realized that akutagawa fought through fucking vampiric mind control to keep his promise.

• the entire vampire bite scene was so sensual for no reason in the manga. there was no need for ANY of that, but it was put there anyway, and as far as we know it has no relevance to the plot. they're just gay

• "you'll save him. you know the reason yourself, don't you?" god ok.

• atsushi tearing through the fucking fabric of spacetime, tapping into the ability to reverse time-- all to save akutagawa from death. all of this after he was told to feel strongly and let that guide him.

• there is more but i can't possibly list it all

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just this once: EA, I love you

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No, it wasn’t casual

When you turn back time (again) to save your enemy

The way they call out to each other is just too

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I don't know if you can ever beat a family meal with the Ferrarses from Sense & Sensibility when it comes to awkward relatives. Edward and Elinor, sitting next to the girl who jilted him (Lucy), the brother who stole his fiance (Robert), and then the half-brother who denied his father's deathbed request to help his sisters (John), and the woman who encouraged him to do so (Fanny). Then the matriarch, who declared both of her sons dead, then allowed them to live, and whose favourite child is now Lucy Ferrars (nee Steele)

I can't even imagine.

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So let's say there is a character and I like them right away when I encounter them. I find them compelling and interesting, but I'm not obsessed, not yet. Then I go into the fandom and I find out that everyone hates this character for a very dumb reason or maybe for a good reason but the hatred is wildly disproportionate...

This character is my #1 Precious Little Baby now and I will defend them with my life

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Edward Ferrars: I might have have lost her, but at least I stayed true to myself, and that is what matters!

Lucy Steele, suitcase in hand: that’s the spirit! So you won’t be mad if I stay true to myself too, right?