Chapter Text
"Um, Aki," Denji says in a meek sort of tone that can't mean anything good, and follows with one of Aki's least favourite phrases to leave Denji's mouth: "don't be mad, but..."
Aki sighs, dropping the newspaper in his lap and turning to face Denji. "What?"
"I said don't be mad," he says defensively, his voice coming out a little rough - and he's stepping backwards by a few inches, back into the apartment, as if Aki's going to surprise attack him where he stands. Not that it would be a very good surprise attack, because the element of surprise wouldn't be there; he's tensed and ready for an altercation - fuck knows why, because Aki is only preemptively mad, so he's not going to attack. Yet.
"Just tell me what's wrong," Aki says, and Denji sniffles slightly. His first thought is that Denji's been crying - which means he's done something really bad.
"Uh, I think I'm getting sick again." Denji wipes his nose with the back of his hand.
Aki frowns. It's only been a couple of weeks since he was last sick, and that had lasted a week in itself. "You're not trying to get out of work, right?"
Denji huffs, indignant, and Aki notices how tired his eyes look, and how he's sickly pale, and feels stupid for asking. "Obviously not. I wouldn't do that."
Doubtful, but his voice sounds a little hoarse, and it seems genuine.
"Did you sleep at all last night?" Aki asks, standing to approach Denji and rest his hand across his forehead. Too warm.
"Uh, a little," Denji says. "Just not deep, y'know?"
"Mm." Aki pushes him back inside, over to the table, shutting the door behind them. "I'll make you some breakfast. Maybe you'll feel better."
He doubts it. Denji does too, Aki thinks, by the way he stays quiet but gives him a dubious look.
It's not that weird that Denji would get sick again so soon - there's always something going around, he supposes. Devil Hunters haven't exactly been known for coming down with sicknesses, though. Most people in this line of work are highly physically and mentally strong, which means they either don't get too sick or grit their teeth and work through it. Not the best way to go about things, sure, but Aki doesn't remember the last time one of his coworkers had a sick day. Hell, he doesn't remember the last time he had a sick day - doesn't remember the last time he was sick, for that matter. Injured, yeah, hospitalised, sure; but he's been pretty lucky to avoid getting really sick for the most part, all things considered.
Denji, though... he must be extremely unlucky. Getting sick again after being so ill so recently is shitty. Maybe his immune system is just weakened from the last illness. Maybe his immune system is generally just shitty from the way he grew up. He never ate right, Aki knows that much. It makes him wonder, though.
"Hey, Denji?"
He sets the plate of toast down on the table. Seedless raspberry jam today - he bought seedless because Denji had complained about the texture last time he'd bought raspberry jam, and he doesn't care to listen to Denji bitch and whine. Which, of course, is the only reason he bought it. To shut him up. "Did you ever get vaccinated?"
Denji's face scrunches in confusion. "Vaccinated?"
"You know, like, shots. Vaccines."
"What for?"
Aki blinks at him. "Well, everything. Anything."
Denji looks worried. "How many was I supposed to have?"
"How many did you have...?"
He seems to consider it for a minute. "Uh, I don't remember. I think none."
Aki drags a hand through his hair, letting out a slow sigh. He'll book an appointment. Several appointments. Denji's body is still human, can still get sick - and realistically his devil side should be able to fight off disease quickly, but having him completely unvaccinated seems irresponsible too. Plus, his immune system is clearly ass, and Aki doesn't want him getting sick every other week - for his own sanity, at the very least.
"I'm going to stop by the office and let Makima know you won't be able to work for a few days," Aki says. "I need to go pick some stuff up anyway. Make sure you stay hydrated. There's juice in the fridge."
"Okay," Denji replies, sounding worse than before. Exhausted.
"And try to get some sleep, if you can. You'll feel better."
When Aki gets back, Denji is worse. Much worse. He's laying in bed coughing and groaning in pain.
"I got you some things," Aki says, frowning.
"Awesome," Denji croaks out, and his voice is barely there.
Aki frowns harder. "You sound awful."
"Gee, thanks." Denji glares at him, but pulls his gaze away as he breaks into another coughing fit. It lasts a good couple of minutes. "Whatcha get me?"
"Cold medicine," Aki says, pulling it out of his shopping bag and dumping it in Denji's lap. "Ice cream - it's in the freezer. And this."
He pulls out a jar and hands it to Denji.
"Oh, thanks," Denji says, squinting at the label, and then, "um, what is it?"
"Butterscotch spread," Aki tells him. "I saw it and thought you might like to put it on your fucked up toast. I'll put it in the fridge for you."
Denji smiles slightly. "Thanks, Aki. You're the best. The bestest."
Aki half laughs. "You're delirious. Go to sleep."
"Fine," Denji mumbles, pulling the blankets up over himself. "You should go anyway. Don't wanna get you sick."
It's strange, but Aki can't bring himself to care about getting sick himself. He'd gladly get sick if it would make Denji well, if it meant Aki could take care of him.
(And later, he will take care of him. He'll make a warm, soothing drink, cook a nutritious meal, run a hot bath with extra bubbles. Anything to make Denji feel better.)
"Yeah," he says, because it's easier. "Sweet dreams."