#and idk something about aki letting you paint and do his nails

[angstigone]

WARNINGS: discussion of toxic masculinity, denji being a teen, implied that reader has anxiety and they paint their nails.

«alrightie, I am all done» you said promptly, setting aside everything on the table and meticulously closing the nail polish bottle «... tell me how you like them».

denji was quick to arch his fingertips as he had seen power do, after the torture that you had made him go through for the past half an hour, by filing his nails, coating them with transparent shit before passing the bright orange.

"it isn't too girly, right?" he had questioned you after he had chosen the color, attentive to your reaction as you good-naturedly shook your head and went to retrieve the bottle "... although it's already bad I allowed you so far".

still, although denji couldn't help but worry he'd be emasculated by wearing nail polish on your existence - "denji, anymore neglect and you'll have paws not hands!" - the result wasn't half bad with the color being bright enough to match his personality.

«I like them!» he promptly screeched, getting up while you urged him to stay seated, grabbing him by the hem of his sweatpants « do you think I'll pick many chicks with it?».

«first you need to let it dry, ladykiller» you ushered him, as he plopped himself down, holding his hand in front of his chest as if it was radioactive «and I am glad you enjoyed it. I do destress by putting on nail polish and as aki isn't around...».

«you pant aki's nails?» the thought startled denji, or better it unsettled him as if the sole notion had him confused «... he lets you?».

«mmh» you nodded lightly as if it was obvious, instead «girlfriend privileges».

«so... if I get a girl, she'll... she'll do this every month?» it hadn't been so bad and maybe he'd have some 'boyfriend privileges'.

«more like each week, as that's normal nail polish and it'll chip within the hour» you said slightly grimly. and not answering his question at all.

«then why do you do them?» your nails were always impeccable and albeit denji had noticed a few chips, you'd have a fresh color by the next day. maybe the toxic fumes from the nail polish had fucked with your brain.

and hayakawa's that allowed you to paint his nails.

«... if they don't last».

«because I like them».

it felt like such a silly reply and denji lightly tilted his head in confusion as if the answer itself felt like a question.

«... panting nails makes me feel good with myself and I think that's all that should matter. whether you are a boy or a girl».

«power isn't either. and I am not human... anymore» denji pointed out on the monster that had been your previous test subject, who sported pretty barbie pink nails and you had had to lock down the nail polishes so she wouldn't paint meowy's nails of the matching color.

«alright, alright. whether you are human or not» you lightly showed your tongue to him which had denji lightly fluster.

still, he couldn't protest anymore as the door opened, signaling that aki was likely off work.

and he could now be the one indulging you, although denji couldn't see how he'd allow you to paint his nails.

he didn't think that he had even seen a speck of color on aki's nails, although they were indeed groomed far more properly than his own; still, they didn't hold a candle to your colorful ones.

«I am home!» that confirmed it as denji did scatter off, a bit still ashamed of being caught with his painted nails by the sole other male member of the hayakawa household, although you cursed out to him to remind him that the nail polish was still fresh.

all of this conversation went back to denji once, after a mission, when aki went to retrieve his pack of smokes, he noticed something on his pinkie finger.

a black stain that got him thinking it might be a weird bruise or something. but upon coming closer he noticed that it had a strange shape.

an heart.

he wanted to tease him lightly, but he couldn't help but think it was cute.

strange on hayakawa, but definitely cute.

and it made him feel even more like he might just need a girlfriend.