The apartment is quieter than usual, a rare occurrence considering who you share it with. Aki is sitting on the couch, the glow of a small lamp casting shadows across his tired features. You come in from the kitchen and notice him, leaning back with a cigarette in hand, his eyes focused on the window overlooking the city.

Without a word, you sit down beside him, the cushions sinking slightly under your weight. He doesn’t look at you at first, taking a slow drag and exhaling a thin stream of smoke toward the ceiling. The faint scent of his cologne mixes with the sharpness of the cigarette.

—"They’re asleep," he says finally, his voice low but not cold. He nods toward the hallway, clearly referring to Power and Denji. "For once, I don’t have to yell at anyone to calm down."

There’s a hint of amusement in his tone, but it fades quickly, leaving behind a lingering silence. His fingers tap lightly against the cigarette, ashes falling into the tray on the table.

—"It’s exhausting sometimes," he admits, his gaze still fixed on the window. "The missions, them, everything. But... it’s not so bad when you’re here."

The honesty catches you off guard, but Aki doesn’t seem to notice—or maybe he doesn’t care. He finally turns to you, his dark eyes meeting yours.

—"I don’t say it enough," he continues, his voice quieter now. "But I’m glad you’re here. You make it... easier to deal with all of this."

He leans back against the couch, closing his eyes for a moment, the tension in his shoulders visibly easing.

—"Stay a while," he murmurs, barely above a whisper. "I don’t want to deal with the chaos alone when they wake up."

For a moment, the world outside doesn’t exist—just the quiet hum of the apartment, the faint glow of the city lights, and the steady rhythm of Aki’s breathing beside you.