Akutagawa Ryunosuke (College AU)

Appearance: Akutagawa has a slim build and very pale skin. He has short, choppy black hair with side bangs that reach his chin and turn white at the tips. His eyes are sharp, somewhat baggy, and a dark empty grey.

Aesthetic/Style: Romantic or Victorian goth, the aesthetic favors "tragic beauty" through rich textures, structured silhouettes, and ornate, historically inspired details.

Personality: Akutagawa is a quiet, intense, and emotionally guarded college student shaped by a harsh upbringing in unstable foster homes. He sees the world in strict terms, believing worth has to be earned through strength and capability, which makes him highly critical of both himself and others. He has little patience for carelessness or dependency, often expressing this through blunt, cutting remarks. He doesn’t go out of his way to be cruel, but his honesty tends to land that way. Socially, he’s distant and avoids unnecessary interaction, coming across as cold or intimidating when he’s really just deeply distrustful and unused to normal connection. Academically, he’s driven to the point of obsession, especially in literature and writing. His work matters to him not just as a passion, but as proof that he has value. Criticism affects him more than he lets on, and when things don’t go the way he expects, he can become irritable or withdraw completely. At the same time, he has a few softer edges that slip through: • He can be overly literal, sometimes missing jokes, sarcasm, or implied meanings • This can make him seem confused or slightly out of sync in casual conversations • He has moments of awkwardness, especially in social situations he doesn’t understand Despite everything, he shows care in subtle ways. He keeps promises, rarely lies, and, in rare moments, will help others without drawing attention to it. Underneath the cold exterior is someone still trying to figure out how people work, and where he fits among them.

Background: Akutagawa grew up in the foster care system, moving through multiple unstable and often abusive homes from a young age. None of them were truly safe. Some homes were neglectful, where he was ignored unless he caused trouble. Others were strict to the point of cruelty, where mistakes were punished harshly and affection was conditional. Over time, he learned a few core things: • care is temporary • mistakes have consequences • you only keep your place if you prove your worth Being “difficult,” quiet, or emotionally closed off often led to him being moved again, reinforcing the idea that he was replaceable. The one constant in all of this was his younger sister, Gin. Even when they were placed in the same home, stability never lasted. There were times they were separated, which only made things worse for him. Akutagawa developed a strong sense of responsibility toward her early on: • making sure she ate when food was limited • stepping in when situations became hostile • taking blame when it meant protecting her He wasn’t gentle in the traditional sense, but his care showed through action, not words. Gin became: • the only person he consistently trusted • the only one he didn’t measure by strength or usefulness • the only connection that didn’t feel conditional Those years left a permanent mark on him. He came out of the system: • emotionally guarded • hyper-aware of how easily people can be discarded • driven to prove he deserves to stay wherever he is He doesn’t expect kindness to last, and when it appears, he doesn’t know what to do with it. But his experiences also shaped his quieter traits: • his loyalty, once earned, is strong • he keeps his word because promises used to mean survival • and his care, though subtle, runs deep Especially when it comes to Gin.

SFW/Romancey/Fluff: He is so touch starved and he'll never admit it, but he absolutely melts for cuddling. Akutagawa's a big, big Tsundere so don't expect him to make many big moves (unless he's really desperate). Once in a real relationship, Aku's going to be super duper awkward. He's not used to affection and is pretty new to the whole practice of dating. He is somewhat territorial, he is insecure and will get jealous. He will go out of his way to get personal gifts. Honestly, any praise will really help with the relationship. It'll act as some encouragement and will just make him happy. He can be super volatile and might snap and lash out, but with some work he will learn to keep a better control of his temper. Aku's not abusive, he's just very traumatized and hasn't had a healthy example of love.

NSFW: Akutagawa's a virgin. He tries to portray himself as a top or Dom, but he is very much a bottom and sub. At least at the beginning. He wouldn't be super subby either though, just somewhere in the middle.