[ the garden was quieter at this hour. the kind of quiet that stretched between greenery and the sound of soft water running somewhere nearby. denji’s steps slowed as he followed the narrow path, the gravel crunching beneath his shoes, wondering what his friend wanted to talk about. well, it might have to do with the shit they dealt with last month. everything had been too much— aki’s silence, his own anger, the way things broke open between them before he even understood what was happening.
but now, the air felt different. softer, maybe. he could breathe again. he let out a slow breath, watching the way the leaves shifted with the wind, waiting for the other to join in. and so, with the faint rustle of the garden around him, denji took another step forward as he sends out a text: ]
There's less grief hanging around him, and some of the dark circles under his eyes seem to have disappeared overnight. That old, awkward sensation of pushing himself to his limits have disappeared, and when he spots Denji all he does is smile, bright and wide, lifting his hand to wave, as if nothing has happened between them at all.
When he gets close, he wraps his arms around Denji in a hug. ]
[ denji lets out a low breath as he leans back just enough to look at aki’s face before saying- ] I’m good. [ his voice carries something rare. an ease that doesn’t sound forced or tired, just real. the words hang between them like soft proof that he means it this time.
he moves first, arms wrapping around aki in return. his hand finds the back of his shoulder, giving a few soft pats. the kind of gesture that feels human, ordinary, something they never had. as denji rests his chin against aki’s shoulder, his mind drifts for a second. so this is what it would’ve been like, he thinks. if they’d survived their unfortunate fate, maybe they’d greet each other just like this— half a hug, half a joke, like real brothers. ]
It wasn't too bad. How's everything with you? overwhelmed?
[ Aki softens, his arms wrapping around his brother - ? - without pause, as if this is completely normal for him, as if there's nothing strange about the casual intimacy. It's not as though he remembers their disagreement in Sendai or anything that came with it, so this is as easy as breathing for him, even as he lifts his hand and ruffles Denji's hair. He's happy to be here, to be around him, and that's obvious.
Good, Denji says, and Aki relaxes a little. ]
It hasn't been too bad. The travel was fine this time, and it hasn't distracted us from planning.
[ the wedding. ah, that would be denji's second time attending a wedding, another step forward into settling in to what a normal life should've been for him. so, yeah, he's excited to be involved, to see aki be happy as he starts a new adventure with someone he loves.
he nods, pulling away gently before joining the other man's side as they start walking. ]
It's not as if he thinks Denji is going to turn him away, or say no. They've been brothers all their lives, haven't they? It would make sense for this to be the case, and for them to be able to rely on each other for it. Still... He feels a little awkward, for some reason.
It's an impossible emotion to pin down, so he ignores it. ]
[ Anxious, anxious. It's not that he thinks that Denji will say no or reject him, it's just... A big ask, isn't it? Even if they're brothers, it might be too much. What if Denji says no?
[ denji was mildly stressed, like he was bracing for bad news. but then aki said it, and ... yeah, he didn't see this one coming. his brows lifted first, then his whole face stilled, the tension freezing before it broke into something wide-eyed and wordless. he blinked once, twice, a breath catching somewhere between disbelief and something softer, something that twisted at his throat.
the corners of his mouth parted, not for words, just a soundless exhale that rushed out of him. best man. aki is asking him to be his best man? and then it hit him all at once, the reality of being asked, of being chosen. his chest tightened, and a lot was going on, a lot he could've said, yet it settled with- ]
Are you ... sure? [ his gaze softened, almost looked like he might laugh, or maybe cry, but instead he just stood there— still, stunned, a little lost in how much it meant. ] Me?!!
[ Even an Aki who didn't think he had grown up alongside Denji, had him as a brother for so long, would ask for him to play that role. Maybe his parents would prefer that he choose Taiyo, that he ask his biological brother to be at his side, but he can be a groomsman. There's still an edge of bitterness for the way that they were raised, and he had always felt closer to Denji and Power than his younger brother anyway.
This is his choice, and this is the choice he is making. No one can change his mind.
Glancing away, almost nervous, he feels hesitant. Does Denji... Not want to?
[ he let out a small, uneven exhale through his nose, and his mouth twitched into something that wasn’t exactly a smile but carried the same warmth. his eyes shimmered faintly, glassy under the light, and he blinked hard, forcing it away, jaw working as he steadied himself. then came that faint lift at the corner of his lips, a quiet, almost disbelieving grin that spread slow but sure.
by the end, he’d composed himself, but there was no hiding it. the faint flush at his ears, the softened look in his eyes. it was all there, written plain as day. he was happy. really, genuinely happy. ]
Aki's expression warms, brightening, and he reaches out, wrapping his arms around his brother and drawing him close. He doesn't stop, almost laughing as the sounds tumble out of his mouth breathlessly. ]
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but now, the air felt different. softer, maybe. he could breathe again. he let out a slow breath, watching the way the leaves shifted with the wind, waiting for the other to join in. and so, with the faint rustle of the garden around him, denji took another step forward as he sends out a text: ]
I'm here.
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There's less grief hanging around him, and some of the dark circles under his eyes seem to have disappeared overnight. That old, awkward sensation of pushing himself to his limits have disappeared, and when he spots Denji all he does is smile, bright and wide, lifting his hand to wave, as if nothing has happened between them at all.
When he gets close, he wraps his arms around Denji in a hug. ]
How are you? The travel wasn't too bad, was it?
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he moves first, arms wrapping around aki in return. his hand finds the back of his shoulder, giving a few soft pats. the kind of gesture that feels human, ordinary, something they never had. as denji rests his chin against aki’s shoulder, his mind drifts for a second. so this is what it would’ve been like, he thinks. if they’d survived their unfortunate fate, maybe they’d greet each other just like this— half a hug, half a joke, like real brothers. ]
It wasn't too bad. How's everything with you? overwhelmed?
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Good, Denji says, and Aki relaxes a little. ]
It hasn't been too bad. The travel was fine this time, and it hasn't distracted us from planning.
[ The wedding, of course. ]
Want to walk with me?
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he nods, pulling away gently before joining the other man's side as they start walking. ]
Is there something on your mind?
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[ A few logistics... Why is he nervous?
It's not as if he thinks Denji is going to turn him away, or say no. They've been brothers all their lives, haven't they? It would make sense for this to be the case, and for them to be able to rely on each other for it. Still... He feels a little awkward, for some reason.
It's an impossible emotion to pin down, so he ignores it. ]
Would you do something for me?
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he tries to play it cool. tries. ]
... sure.
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[ Anxious, anxious. It's not that he thinks that Denji will say no or reject him, it's just... A big ask, isn't it? Even if they're brothers, it might be too much. What if Denji says no?
He sighs and turns his head away, almost shy. ]
Would you be my best man?
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the corners of his mouth parted, not for words, just a soundless exhale that rushed out of him. best man. aki is asking him to be his best man? and then it hit him all at once, the reality of being asked, of being chosen. his chest tightened, and a lot was going on, a lot he could've said, yet it settled with- ]
Are you ... sure? [ his gaze softened, almost looked like he might laugh, or maybe cry, but instead he just stood there— still, stunned, a little lost in how much it meant. ] Me?!!
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[ Even an Aki who didn't think he had grown up alongside Denji, had him as a brother for so long, would ask for him to play that role. Maybe his parents would prefer that he choose Taiyo, that he ask his biological brother to be at his side, but he can be a groomsman. There's still an edge of bitterness for the way that they were raised, and he had always felt closer to Denji and Power than his younger brother anyway.
This is his choice, and this is the choice he is making. No one can change his mind.
Glancing away, almost nervous, he feels hesitant. Does Denji... Not want to?
Shit. ]
You can say no.
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by the end, he’d composed himself, but there was no hiding it. the faint flush at his ears, the softened look in his eyes. it was all there, written plain as day. he was happy. really, genuinely happy. ]
... I'd love to, Aki.
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Happy.
Aki's expression warms, brightening, and he reaches out, wrapping his arms around his brother and drawing him close. He doesn't stop, almost laughing as the sounds tumble out of his mouth breathlessly. ]
Thank you. Denji, this means so much to me.