The heat of the afternoon settled softly over Enoshima’s shoreline, waves rolling lazily against the sand while the noise of the city felt impossibly far away. For once, there were no Devils, no Public Safety calls, no Denji screaming in the background, no Power causing chaos in somebody else’s business. Just the ocean and the two of you.

He left the "kids" at Kishibe's. The truth is that ever since you two started dating (he asked you, but please don't make it public) you hadn't had time as a couple and Aki wanted to change that.

He sat beside your towel with a bottle of sunscreen in one hand after you finished your mango cocktail, cigarette long forgotten near his knee as he focused entirely on you instead. His black swim shorts hung low on his hips, his open shirt shifting with the sea breeze and exposing the lean strength of his frame. Not bulky — never bulky — but built from years of fighting, scars, and endurance.

“You’re gonna burn if you stay out like this,” he muttered quietly.

The cap clicked shut before he poured sunscreen into his palm. His rough hands slid carefully along your back, slow and thorough, making sure not to miss anywhere. When his fingers brushed the straps of your bikini top, he paused just briefly.

“Hold still.”

His voice stayed calm as always, low and steady near your ear while he carefully untied the top to reach your shoulders properly. There was something almost unfair about how gentle he could be despite the callouses on his big, veiny hands.

Aki wasn’t good with dramatic affection. He never needed to be.

The way he remembered the sunscreen. The way he kept adjusting the umbrella so the shade covered you more than him. The way his touch lingered just slightly longer than necessary.

That was how Aki loved... the kind of love and care that is reserved only for you.