( closed )

[lifeprice]

WHO: Denji and Aki
WHAT: Post-memory sharing
WHERE: Vegas room
WHEN: During the memory share event
WARNINGS: N/A, possible CSM spoilers

[ Emerging from the dreams - the memories - is an exhausting experience.

Aki is getting tired of it, being drawn in, being forced to witness his own grief or someone else's, and slipping away from what Denji had been forced to share makes him feel a little bit wrecked. This is the last thing he wanted to see, especially when his own loss and pain has been so fresh in his mind, but he does what he can to shove it away. He pushes it aside, forces himself to move forward and try not to dwell.

The sight of Denji's tears. The way he broke, the way his grief was clearly a weight on him, knowing the reasons why, because Aki had - he had gone to the beach - he had been there, he had shared himself, he is the one who stumbled into his own demise.

They're sat together now, and Aki reaches up, to rub his hand over his face and force himself to breathe in and out. This is a similar situation to when Denji came and spoke to him before, and when he lets his fingers drop away, he turns to look at the boy - no, the man - beside him, reaching out to wrap an arm around him, to try and draw him close, to offer any kind of comfort or warmth that he can.

Is he able to do that any more? Is he the kind of person that Denji would turn to for that? Or has it been too long?

Can Aki be here, at his side, now? ]

I'm sorry. I don't think you wanted me to see that.

Comments

[lifeprice]

I don't have any, so you'll have to wait!

[ Tempted to bonk him gently on the head, Aki relents. Sharing memories had been hard, he understands that, and he longs for a cigarette himself. If he could slip out and buy some, he might lend himself to desperation and buy whatever was there, but he has no desire to leave Denji alone right now. This man is the most important thing in the world to him, so why would he risk him slipping into another deadly memory with his absence? It's not worth the risk.

He wants to stay here. He wants to stay with Denji, for just a little longer. Denji had already lost enough, had already suffered so much, that if Aki can do anything to ease his hurt, his suffering, the way he aches... He'd do it. That's how things have been for him for so many weeks, so many months, now: just Denji, wanting to save him, help him, cherish him.

Curling around the other man a little more, drawing him all the closer, offering his embrace as an anchor. ]

Of course you can.

[ It's not as if he has anywhere else he can go or wants to be right now. It's just Denji, with their sore hearts twinned together. ]

Do you want to rest now? Or are you hungry?

[nutkick]

[ a part of him did want to — escape this heavy night by forcing himself to go to bed early. that is one way to cope with everything when all options have been utilized between them. it's not like they had a disagreement that required further persuasion; they both agree their life fucking sucks, aki decides to forgive him, denji wants to believe him- ... if only they can close this chapter and be normal again. they are following all the right steps, talk about it, process it, forgive, and attempt to heal. that's how it goes, right? it's a lot harder than he thought.

he considers his options with a subtle hum. ]

Room service, dinner on the bed while we watch a movie that has at least one sex scene. Let's do that.

[ he's joking about the last part. kinda. unbothered to move from where he was snuggling. he then lazily stretched his arm to the side, gesturing for aki to hand over the wireless phone that was placed on the nightstand. he'd wait for his friend to comply before denji called in to make an order, starting for himself. pizza. he's having pizza and a large soda. it's greasy and full of fat, sugar, and junk. in other words: comfort food.

once he's done, he offers aki the phone so he can pick what he'd like to have for the night. ]

You can order cigarettes too. [ a pause. ] For yourself. Don't worry. I know you don't want me to try it ...

[lifeprice]

I'm not going to watch a sex scene with you!

[ Gross! Stupid, idiot Denji...

They're working on all of this together, though, aren't they? Aki is aware of it. He's trying to do what Denji has asked of him, is trying to find his peace, his happiness, to forge some kind of place for himself in this world with what little time he has left. The medics had told him that his lifespan was extended, at least for a while, but that doesn't mean he's completely safe - there's no way for him to live as long as he would've done without his contract.

At least the Curse Sword is hidden away in his glove, so that he won't have to struggle with the temptation to use it.

Reaching over, he takes the phone and orders a slightly healthier meal of some kind of sandwich and some iced tea before he puts it back. Glancing at Denji, he adds cigarettes on the end, even if they don't have his proper brand.

It won't be the same, but it'll be fine. ]

You can try one. But you shouldn't make it a habit, even if your lungs with be fine.

[ Bakugo would kick your ass, Denden. ]

[nutkick]

[ jeez, he knew aki would have this reaction, which will always make him laugh inwardly. it's good to know one thing hasn't changed between them; he can still rile him up in a heartbeat. at least they can hold on to the small quirks that haven't changed between them, and it can be reassuring in a way. aki proceeds by ordering a healthy option, in which the half-devil makes a subtle face, unimpressed with the choice yet there are no protests. the additional order of cigarettes perked his interest, despite that— he didn't expect his friend to humor his request further until he did.

that's when he straightened his back, pulling away a bit to glance at the other. surprised at first, and then he relaxed with a growing smile. no, he will not ruin this moment by sassing him about how he can regrow his lungs anytime he wants to because he understands, in a very odd way, aki is just trying to take care of him. in the best way he can.

with that, he nods- ]

Yes, sir. Got it. I'll try it one time and never again. I promise.

[ oh yeah. bakugou will kill them both. ]