Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Today, when he woke up, Kenji had to rush to get ready. He had slept in today and was already late.
It had taken ages to fall asleep after the nap he had after eating that day.

When he reached the agency, he was met by an annoyed Kunikida, "I see you've finally decided to show up, Kenji". Kenji answered with an awkward smile "sorry Kunikida-san" he says apologetically. After greeting the people in the office, he goes to do his work.

"Hey Kenji-kun? Me and Kyouka-chan are planning on going to get lunch now, do you want to join?" Atsushi asks Kenji. Kenji looks over the work he still has to do "ah, no thank you Atsushi-san" he answers despite the hunger growing, the work is more important and besides, he will get something later. Atsushi leaves after that with a short goodbye.

When he is done with the work and leaves for home, he stops by a convenience store and grabs the first food item that looks appealing, the hunger has grown to a slight nausea and it reminds him that he skipped both breakfast and lunch. Though as he pays, he muses to himself that this could count as a late lunch. At home he opened the udon and ate slowly.
It's nice, he thinks, a bit salty but tasty. Throwing away the plastic container he feels his eyes droop. He feels thirsty but he opts for just laying down and letting sleep overtake him.

When he wakes up a few hours later, he decides to look at his plants and make sure they are all doing well.

A sudden ring from his phone startles him away from his plants. Looking at the caller id he sees it's Kunikida. "Hello?" "Hello Kenji, are you available? We have a small mission with the port mafia meant to build trust." "Oh sure! I'll come " "great, come to the agency and then we can leave together."
After hanging up he checks the time.

It's pretty late he realizes, but he gets ready regardless.
He is hungry again, but his ability is more important than some slight discomfort. He can eat later.

Every time he moves, a pulsating headache makes itself known. He ignores it all, the hunger slowly creeping back, the headache, shakiness and slight dizziness. None of it was that important right? Not more important than his work at least.

He arrives at the agency. He is feeling worse and worse as the time passes, but he doesn't say anything. He follows after Kunikida ignoring the hunger.

"What's the li'l punk doing here? isn't it past little kids’ bedtime?" is what they are greeted with by Nakahara Chuuya "I assure you it's fine sir! I usually fall asleep later than this" he gives a cheery smile; it's forced but no one seems to notice. Chuuya glances away from Kunikida, who the question was directed to and glances at Kenji. He just huffs and everyone starts to walk together

The nausea and headache is getting so bad he can’t really ignore it anymore. Maybe some water will help? Now that he thinks about it, he hasn't really had anything to drink this whole day "uhm.. Kunikida-san? do you have any water?" he asks hesitantly, Kunikida looks up from his notebook. "No, I don’t. I’m sorry, but you can wait a little, right? then we can go to a vending machine, and I’ll buy you a drink, ok?" "o-oh.. yeah, that's fine" it’s a lie, but he didn’t want to pester him. Black static is slowly creeping across his vision. He doesn’t notice.

Chapter Text

He feels floaty, he isn’t in pain anymore. As feeling is slowly returning, he realizes he is on the floor. When did he lay down on the ground? Wait no, not on the floor, he is lying on someone. As his vision clears, he sees a concerned face framed by red hair. Oh.. it’s Chuuya.

Sitting up, he looks around. Everyone looks so concerned, even the people who were just passing by. “What.. what happened?” he still doesn’t understand what happened “you passed out kid, why didn’t you say something sooner? I could’ve gotten you that water” Kunikida answers, obviously feeling bad about denying him earlier, it makes him feel worse. “I didn’t realize it was that bad..” After all, Kenji was used to ignoring hunger and other discomfort, he didn't think it would be different this time. Kenji looks away, not wanting to see the guilty look Kunikida sends his way. “It’s not your fault Kunikida-san, I just forgot to drink water”

Someone walks up to them holding out a bottle of water and a small bag of ice, Kunikida accepts it gratefully. He hands them over to Kenji who takes them, surprised. He didn’t think people would care that much.

Everyone is being so attentive right now, he doesn’t know how to feel about it. There were people he didn't even know, and yet seemed to really care. People who were just going about their lives stopped to check if he was ok.

Drinking the bottled water felt heavenly, a headache was still pounding and nausea was still curled around his throat, but he felt better. Despite feeling a bit wired it was nice to be so cared for.

“You good to get up? The others can handle the mission, but we still need to get off of the sidewalk” Chuuya says gruffly, yet still holding Kenji carefully. “Yeah, I’m fine..” he slowly rises. He knows that with how hungry he is he could easily lift a car if he wanted, and yet that same hunger is leaving him feeling weak and shaky, despite the strength he knows he possesses. The dichotomy left him feeling disoriented.

Chuuya watches him warily as he stands up. “You’re not going to fall on me again, are you” the words are spoken as a complaint, but there is an undercurrent of worry lining the words. “I fell on you?” Kenji asks surprised “I’m so sorry!” Chuuya just sighs at the apology “It’s fine kid, we are more concerned about the fact you passed out at all. The people over at the agency are feeding you properly right?” “Oh you don't have to worry! it not their fa-”

“It seems we have not been diligent enough in making sure you take proper care for yourself,” Kunikida cuts him off “we will take steps to rectify that” Kenji did not feel like this was their fault at all and was about to say as much when Chuuya spoke up again “Good, he’s a good kid. If you don’t take proper care of him then I’d have to step in” Kunikida just nods as if that was totally reasonable. Kenji didn’t understand it. Why was this such a big deal? “Of course” “Kunikida, this really isn't your fault!” Kenji tries to get them to understand, he was the one who forgot to take care of himself not the others!

“It is our fault, it is our responsibility to take care of you. You're a kid Kenji, you don't have to do everything alone. We love you and want you to be taken care of.”
He didn't really know what to do with that, it was nice to hear but it felt like a bit much. Though the others didn't seem to like it when he tried to convey this. So instead he decides to change the subject.
“Can we go eat? I’m hungry..” “Sure kid, then you get some sleep. Got it?” Chuyya ruffles his hair, Kenji nods happily.

Despite how the day started, it wasn't all that bad