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Aki felt two heavy weights pressing on all sides of his body and slowly opened his eyes to see Denji resting his head on his right shoulder, drool dripping down the side of his mouth, and Power locking her arms and legs around his middle while snoring as loud as the sound of chainsaws revving. Denji's arm was thrown over Power, trapping him in place with no way to get up without waking them.
Aki laid there, motionless, staring at the ceiling. It was starting to get cold and the warm press of bodies on either side was pleasant against the chill. Absently, he thought he didn't mind waking up to this every morning, huddled together, sharing heat and feeling like the world hadn't gone bad, that living this kind of life was something he should've wanted a long time ago. Denji and Power were ungrateful, overzealous morons with the mental capacity of children and since no one seemed to know or bother to keep them in check, they were Aki's responsibility. A responsibility that mended into caring for them. When did he start doing that? It was hell from the beginning and eternally worse after. Aki was losing his mind but something changed. He watched them sometimes. Maybe when Denji started listening to him and cleaning after himself. Or Power stopped trying to break furniture and throw vegetables in the air. They listened to him when it counted. Behaved when he bribed them rewards. Like a switch, Aki began to grow startlingly attached. It freaked him. To see them beyond their inhuman characteristics, think of them as people, worry about nonsensical things.
Denji's shoes are starting to wear out.
Power needs new shirts.
They keep leaving mud tracks on the floor.
One of them has to clean it.
He should ask what they want for dinner.
What hasn't he cooked yet that they'd like?
Power hates vegetables.
Denji will eat anything.
The'll pester until he lets them come with him.
Another tiring grocery trip.
Before he knew it, he wanted to stay. To keep worrying about them, tell them off, be a part of their pranks, sleep together like this, wake up by their side, protect the happiness they built around their home and the life they have together. Have meals at night. Do their laundry. Clean their mess. Hang out like friends. He never wanted to stay.
He was going to die soon. Did it matter? Aki thought it might. Who's going to cook for them? Who's going to tell Denji to clean his room? Who's going to make Power take a bath? Who's going to be there when he's gone? He realized too late that they were more important to him than he'd ever thought they would be, and dammit, why did it have to be this way? He was ready to die every moment working at Public Safety, welcomed the danger and the certainty of death that came from knowing his shortened lifespan and didn't care enough when or how he'd kick the bucket. Whether he wanted to die or not, meant nothing to him. Death was so much easier that way. But Denji and Power. They need him. He couldn't leave. The fog in his head started to dissipate, the bodies of dead friends disappearing, the doubt and despair that pervaded him every day, the chains that shackled him to keep pursuing that unfulfilling revenge. For the first time since his family died it was clear to him. He needs them just as much. They were more than mindless devils or roommates or co-workers.
Saying it aloud meant it was true. But Aki knew anyway. there was no reason to question it.
Nothing is going to stop him from dying but for now. He'll stay.
Denji muttered and shifted on his shoulder. He opened his eyes, squinting at Aki, surveying the tangle of bodies and realized the state of their sleeping arrangement. He grimaced, yet he didn't move.
“This doesn't mean I'm into you. Going for dudes ain't my thing.”
Aki glanced at him. “You're ugly anyways.”
Denji snorted as if he genuinely didn't believe it. “Ms. Makima doesn't seem to think so.” He said, smirking.
“Sure.” Aki complied.
Denji's face fell, remembering something. He gasped and groaned, thumping his head heavily on Aki's shoulder, making the man under him grunt.
“Hey.” Aki grumbled, though there was no real annoyance to it.
“Ms. Makima left on a trip again.” Denji whined, muffled from his cheek pressed against Aki's shoulder. “I wish I went with her. We would've gone on another date. We would go to a park and maybe hold hands. And feed each other while in a nice restaurant. Maybe…I could finally kiss her.”
“Like it'll ever happen.” Aki interrupted his ludicrous fantasies, ignoring the indignant noises coming from Denji.
“You've got no imagination. That's why no girl would want a sad boring guy like you.”
“Right.” Aki breathed out, uncaring of the conversation and wanted to drop the matter entirely.
Denji said nothing. Power snored away. The morning started to rise, the sun casting a soft yellow glow around the room, easing into a comfortable quiet. It was peaceful. Mornings weren't like this before. Like the world outside doesn't matter or work didn't cross his mind but this moment. Aki should have known things would turn out this way. The feeling of unexpected contentment, wrapping his body like the two bodies clinging to him. He never knew fearing death would come so easily as now. This wasn't the plan. But…
Plans change and this should be the last time.
“Denji.” Aki said to the ceiling.
“What?” Came Denji's reply, still by his side.
“Don't come looking for me when I’m gone.”
“Gone?” Denji said, confused. “You going to work? You said it's our week off.”
Aki didn't answer. Whatever happens, be safe and happy. You could do that much. The unspoken words fluttered around in his head, wanting to fly out from his mouth but he couldn't bring himself to let them out. Was that all? Was there more? Did they know he cared this much? He felt Denji's head lift and Aki stared at his questioning look.
“Just remember that.” Aki finally responded.
A moment passed before Denji shrugged and settled on his shoulder once again.
“Alright dude. Just come back. I don't want to clean Power's crap and barf by myself.”
Aki felt the strong churn of guilt and shame in his stomach, twisting that existing dread from the death he cannot escape from. Grasping at sentimentality was pointless. He will die. Denji doesn't seem to know and it's better if he doesn't. Whatever happens, he'll do everything in his short life to stay alive. To protect them. To keep them alive. He could do that much. Without thinking, his hand came atop Denji's head, ruffling it.
“Hey! What gives?”
It stayed there.
“Your hair is too long.”
“Like I care.”
"Girls won't like you if you grow it out like a hairy, unkept dog.”
Denji thought for a moment, probably figuring out whether Aki was lying or cutting his hair would indeed score him a ticket with girls.
“Fine. If girls are really into bald guys I'll cut it!”
“I'll do it.” Aki offered.
“Cut every inch off!”
“Sure.”
Power squirmed in her sleep, murmuring Meowy's name and crushing Aki's ribs.
“Too loud.” She complained.
“Power, I’m going bald.”
She squinted her eyes open and saw that it was not Meowy she was cuddling. She blinked. Yet, she didn't move.
“Bald? You'd look uglier than you are now.” Power cackled.
“Say what!” Denji yelled. “Girls will totally dig it.”
“Hah? I don't understand human costumes.” She sighed, closing her eyes, presumably going back to sleep and continued to wrap her arms and legs around Aki.
“Whatever. Aren't you going to make breakfast?” Denji yawned, once again burrowing his head against Aki's shoulder. He doesn't seem to realise what he's doing, his aversion to touching guys forgotten instead of lamenting his disgust. He muttered something under his breath, stringing unintelligible words.
“You idiots won't let go.” Denji didn't respond. Aki thought he might have not heard or chose to ignore him but looked down to see Denji fast asleep.
“Shit.” He could push both of them off. Start the day.
His hand hadn't moved from Denji's head.
He laid his head back, looking at the ceiling.
Whatever happens he'll stay to keep them here by his side.
If this was going to be the new abnormally normal then living wasn't so bad.