Dr. Akari Dezart

Holy shit, I think we found a Karneval trope I haven’t written about. How exciting! 

Hmmm, so I don’t know that there’s any getting stuck on an elevator with Hirato because I think his incuna-based powers would probably get them out with little fuss. But let’s say he’s not equipped with his weapons - maybe he’s left his ID, cane, and hat with Ryoushi for standard post-mission inspection and maintenance. That means he’s hanging around Research Tower until Ryoushi’s done. What better thing to do at Research Tower than go and visit his dear doctor?

Let’s assume they’re not together because if they were, I’m sure getting stuck in an elevator wouldn’t be an issue. They’d work together to find a way out or otherwise occupy themselves, yes? But if they’re not together, then the stakes are higher in a sense. After all, Akari acts like he can’t stand the very sight of the captains, and Hirato in particular. 

So, the brunet gets into the elevator to go up to Akari’s floor. Lo and behold, the Director General is already inside. He’s reviewing notes, it looks like, attention fully occupied by the hologram coming from his communication device. He doesn’t even notice that Hirato’s slinked in beside him until the captain gives a slight bow and says, “Good afternoon, Akari-san. I was just coming to see you.”

Akari bristles because that’s exactly what pre-relationship Akari does when Hirato’s around. He barks, “What are you doing here, hmm? I’m not coming to another tea party, so if you have no business here, then leave now.” 

The brunet can only chuckle. Leave it to the most fractious, confrontational man alive to think that his vitriol serves as an appropriate greeting. But Akari’s really cute, even when he’s cranky, so Hirato merely smiles and faces forward, waiting to follow the researcher to whatever floor he’s headed towards. 

That’s when the elevator lurches. The lights flicker, once. Then they go out and the small space is illuminated by the dim green emergency lighting. Akari doesn’t even flinch, doesn’t bother to stop going through his notes. He says to Hirato in a perfunctory drone, “Get us out of here, will you? I’m inordinately busy this afternoon.”

“Ah, Akari-san, I’m afraid that’s impossible. Ryoushi is currently inspecting my ID and related weapons, so I’m completely disarmed.”

“Unarmed, you mean,” the researcher corrects.

“I know what I said.”

The blond looks over at him. Hirato knows that if there were sufficient lighting, the tips of his ears would be pink. But in the dark, Akari only huffs. “So you’re completely useless right now, are you?”

Now that’s a bit unfair, Hirato thinks. He may not be armed, per se, but he still has a number of skills he can marshal towards their escape. He shrugs off his coat and folds it neatly before settling it on the floor. “I doubt the Research Tower will allow you to remain stuck in an elevator for long, doctor dearest. I daresay our rescuers are already en route and you will only need to subject yourself to my company a little while longer.” Despite assuring his companion that help is likely on the way, Hirato does his best to prise apart the elevator doors. In any other building, this might cause bigger problems, but he knows Tokitatsu designed the Tower to contend with all emergencies, even having their Director General stuck in an elevator when the power goes out. So he tries to open the doors, knowing they can get out since they’re not between floors or anything like that. 

Akari, for his part, softens when he realizes that his companion is trying so hard to free them. “Yes, yes, getting out of time-wasting situations like these is the only benefit to my rank.”

So cute, Hirato thinks. And then he hisses in pain because some weird mechanism in the elevator doors cuts his palm open. It’s not as painful as his typical injuries, but the cut surprised him and so he reacted. “Damn,” he mutters.

The doctor’s reaction is predictable. He pulls at Hirato’s shoulder and tells him to forget about the door for now. From his lab coat pockets, he pulls out one of those individually-wrapped antiseptic wipes. “Are you this careless in the field?” he snaps, but there’s a cast of guilt in his tone. 

Hirato lets himself be guided towards the emergency lighting. He pulls out his communication device with his free hand and turns on a flashlight so Akari can see what he’s doing. The antiseptic wipes are no big surprise; he knows the blond is mysophobic and carries them everywhere. What is surprising, though, is the gentleness with which his dear doctor handles his hand, prodding at the cut lightly and examining it with feather-light touches. That alone conveys more than any of Akari’s pissy snapping ever could. 

But then the elevator lurches again. Hard, this time, dropping them a few floors. Even Hirato raises a brow. Instinctively, he reaches out to steady the other man, his bloodied palm smearing scarlet over the doctor’s lab coat as he wraps an arm around his waist. 

Akari doesn’t scream at him to take his hands off him. That’s odd, Hirato thinks. He notices that the blond’s eyes are wide as hell, unblinking, and if he didn’t know Akari as well as he does, he’d say the man was frightened. “Are you okay?” he asks, internally cringing because he knows Akari hates being patronized.

“Fine,” comes a terse reply. Akari continues examining Hirato’s palm now that the elevator’s steadied once more.

The captain’s words are thoughtful when he speaks. “I always imagined you to be fearless, Akari-san. In fact, I thought your fearlessness very often presented as recklessness.”

“There’s no need for stitches, but I want to wrap this up,” Akari says. “Lucky for you, I just got done wrapping injuries on the Children’s Ward.” It’s with a triumphant gleam in his eyes that he reaches into his lab coat and pulls out a Nyanperona Ace bandage and some gauze. The bandage is the tackiest thing Hirato’s ever seen, and in normal circumstances, he’d never deign to allow it anywhere near him, but arguing with Dr. Akari Dezart when injured has never gotten him anywhere. He’s always lost these little spats, and sometimes he’s been dosed with fast-acting sedative. He doesn’t think he should push his luck here. So he allows himself to be pieced back together with a bright yellow bandage featuring gamboling Nyanperonas all over it. 

“Charming,” Hirato deadpans. But he keeps his peace as the blond works, hissing slightly when pressure is applied to the cut. 

“I’m not afraid,” Akari says softly, eyes downturned. He wraps the bandage over the gauze, layering it in a precise, efficient manner. 

Hirato starts. He was very much expecting the other man to ignore his observations on fear and fearlessness and his sheer stupidity. He’d just pointed out a weakness, yes? Akari-san likes to pretend he is without weaknesses, he knows. 

“I’m not afraid of death,” the researcher clarifies without prompting. “But I am afraid of dying in a runaway elevator. Do you know what happens to the human body when it undergoes such trauma? Off the top of my head, I can list 324 less painful and more dignified ways to die.” 

What can Hirato do but laugh at that, really? Leave it to Akari to logic his way out of being afraid. Ah, he’s adorable, isn’t he? Simply adorable. “Well, Akari-san, I have no intention of letting either of us meet such an ignoble end.” 

So, it’s canon that Akari forgets important dates. He forgets his own birthday, for example. He might remember his anniversary, maybe. I could see him reminding himself with an alarm on his communication device or something, sure (and only because he feels guilty that his lover’s always the one who remembers these things). Still, I don’t really see him getting bent out of shape if they don’t do anything special. I mean, he tends to work through holidays. And often, Hirato’s away on a mission. So, for this couple, not doing anything on their anniversary isn’t enough to get them upset. They much prefer to spend quality time together, yes, but if it doesn’t happen, then they’ll just find another time to enjoy one another. 

But forgetting important details of their relationship? This will cause Akari to worry.

If Hirato woke in an alternate dimension where he and Akari are lovers instead of colleagues who are constantly at each other’s throats, I think his first thought would be, “Surely, we did not drink that much last night?” I know everyone likes to imagine that Hirato and Akari drunkenly get together at one of Tsukitachi’s tea parties, but I don’t see their relationship starting that way. I’ve written a lot about that, so I’ll just summarize by saying that Hirato wouldn’t take advantage of Akari’s low tolerance like that. And Akari wouldn’t take advantage of a drunk Hirato, either. When they get together, it’s a deliberate thing - they confess their feelings openly, though I admit the captain probably had to inveigle his repressed blond into admitting his feelings. But apart from that, it’s a very intentional beginning. 

So our Hirato would be charmed for a minute, because why else would Akari-san be in his bed naked and looking very much like they’d gone at it for hours last night. He looks down at himself. He’s also naked, bruised, and it’s clear that the body he’s inhabiting (which is very much his) spent quite a bit of time tied to the bedpost. He smirks and thinks to himself, “Akari-san is into bondage, hmm? Not surprising.” Then, he lets his eyes gaze over at his bedmate. As we all know, the doctor is sublimely beautiful when he’s sleeping. His long, long eyelashes flutter against his cheek, and Hirato thinks, “So adorable. He looks younger when he’s asleep. Sweeter, too. Like he doesn’t carry the world’s burdens.” Without thinking, he reaches out and smooths Akari’s hair back. 

But then the sleepiness clears from his head and he comes to his senses. He and Akari-san are not lovers. And there’s no way either of them would do something so predatory as to take an intoxicated person to bed. Frankly, he would have put the other man to bed, tucked him in, and written another snarky note for him to find the next morning.

So something’s obviously not right. He checks the bedside alarm clock and starts when he realizes it’s the wrong month. Hirato’s pretty sharp, so things would fall into place for him after that. He’s never heard of incuna abilities being able to twist time, but they can twist space, so maybe it’s not impossible that he’s been sent through space-time into another dimension or another timeline? Unbelievably, he laughs to himself because the Akari-san in his universe is going to be so floored by this new bit of information. 

….Assuming he gets to go back, that is. He glances at Akari again. Ah, assuming I even want to go back. After all, this universe seems much more pleasant. 

Akari stirs and blinks. The sleepy smile he offers Hirato when he sees him steals all the captain’s breath and leaves him a little hot. His Akari-san has never smiled like that. If the other man is gorgeous when asleep, he’s that much more alluring when he smiles. 

“Good morning, Akari-san,” the captain says out of habit. 

Being a genius means it only takes as long as he wakes fully for Akari to figure out something’s up. “Akari-san?” he asks, eyes narrowing.  

He doesn’t feel like dissembling, and frankly, there’s no reason to. If anything, his doctor should know exactly what’s going on since it could be of great importance to Research Tower. Anyway, tricking the man into acting like his lover would be cruel. So Hirato explains everything. 

At first, the blond is convinced his bedmate is just fucking with him for kicks. He huffs and sits up, grumbling that it’s too early for pointless games, and can’t they wait until he’s had some coffee? Well, at least Hirato didn’t unplug the alarm clock, so maybe he should be thankful for miracles. He keeps grumbling as he makes his way into the bathroom. The brunet watches as Akari brushes his teeth and steps into the shower. 

After a few minutes of staring hard at the water streaming down the other man’s back, Hirato finds his clothes too. He’s going to want to be dressed for the conversation about to ensue. He’s thinking of ways to broach the topic again, figuring out what it’ll take to truly convince Akari of his situation, but before he comes up with a suitable answer, the blond strides back into the room. 

Akari’s whole affect shifts. He’s nothing like he was before. Instead, he’s cold and assessing. He towels his hair as he speaks. “When did you realize you’d arrived in a different dimension?”

Hirato flinches. He was expecting the man to remain unconvinced. “When I woke,” he says softly. “When did you realize I was being truthful?”

Akari blushes, just a bit, just the tips of his ears. It’s ridiculously cute, but he doesn’t change the cordial tone of voice. “We – I mean he – and I shower together in the mornings. When you didn’t–”

“–I see,” the captain interrupts. He looks at his companion again. Akari’s dressed. In fact, he got dressed before he came out of the bathroom. He’d closed the door as soon as he stepped out of a (very short) shower. He’s being officious and wary all of the sudden, that warm, sleepy smile nowhere in sight. 

Hirato understands. “My apologies for witnessing you in such an intimate situation. I would never take advantage of you, Akari-san, not even in another dimension. Still, your wariness is warranted. I am not your Hirato, in the end.” 

Akari nods. “No,” he says. “You’re not.” But he does soften a touch. “And I know you would never behave in a predatory manner. I’m not offended Hirato, it’s just…” he falters. 

The captain can practically hear him thinking. He gets it. Yes, it’s cute to wake up next to a naked researcher. And it’s wonderful to see him smile like he means it, unlike all those smug grins he gets back in his universe. He even loves the smell of the blond’s sheets; they smell like the both of them, like they spend a lot of time in bed. But this blond, this life, doesn’t belong to him. Frankly, he wants his own Akari-san. He wants to figure out how they fell in love, wants the first kisses and initial confessions, and he definitely wants the first time they made love. “Let’s find a way to return him to you. I, too, would like my Akari-san back.”

The blond huffs, “You say that like it’s simple.” 

Hirato smiles. “For the most brilliant scientific mind of the century, I imagine it cannot prove much of a challenge.” He adds in a serious voice, “I am at your disposal, doctor. No doubt this has to do with my ID. Let’s start there.”“As if I hadn’t already figured that out! Who do you think you’re talking to?” Akari exclaims. But he seems like he’s up for the challenge. Like he’s looking forward to it, even.  

I can’t believe how fast time has gone, like how are we already at the end of a decade! Nevertheless, it has been a crazy couple years for me and I’m sure for most of us, lots of growing up and life changes. One thing that was special about this decade is I got into anime. I’ve always been a reserved person and around my high school days I had a lot of responsibilities that made it hard to do the things “normal” teenagers did. I think it would be safe to say that anime gave me enjoyment in life and the stories to be told. From the tearjerkers to the “WTF did I just watch”, the series that made me laugh like a maniac and the ones that left several holes in my walls, anime has definitely impacted my life one way or another (^^).

So to end this decade I’m going to be listing my favorite anime, some honorable mentions and underrated anime for each year (2010 - 2019). These are solely based on my own opinion and some shows not on here may just be ones I haven’t watched yet. Also I’m not going to be putting any continuing seasons, only season ones. I know I’m not very present on Tumblr as I used to be but I really love being on this platform. Happy new year and I hope the next decade treats everyone nice! 

PS. this is going to be a very long post sorry (><)

2010:

Favorite Anime: Angel Beats (P.A. Works)

Honorable Mentions: Durarara!! (Brain’s Base), The World God Only Knows (Manglobe), Maid Sama! (J.C.Staff)

Underrated Anime: Princess Jellyfish (Brain’s Base)

2011:

Favorite Anime: Fate/Zero (Ufotable)

Honorable Mentions: Blue Exorcist (A-1 Pictures), The Idolm@ster (A-1 Pictures), Anohana (A-1 Pictures)

Underrated Anime: Bunny Drop (Production I.G)

2012: 

Favorite Anime: Little Busters (J.C.Staff)

Honorable Mentions: Love Chunibyo & Other Delusions (Kyoto Animation), Kids on the Slope (MAPPA), Kuroko’s Basketball (Production I.G)

Underrated Anime: Tsuritama (A-1 Pictures)

2013: 

Favorite Anime: (I was stuck between these two so I made it a tie)

1.) Karneval (Manglobe)

2.) Galilei Donna (A-1 Pictures)

Honorable Mentions: Silver Spoon (A-1 Pictures), My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong, As I Expected (Brain’s Base), Beyond the Boundary (Kyoto Animation)

Underrated Anime: Sunday Without God (Madhouse)

2014:

Favorite Anime:  Terror in Resonance (MAPPA)

Honorable Mentions: Monthly Girl’s Nozaki-kun (Doga Kobo), No Game No Life (Madhose), Mekakucity Actors (Shaft)

Underrated Anime:  Laughing Under the Clouds (Doga Kobo)

2015:

Favorite Anime:  Yamada-kun and the Seven Witches (Liden Films)

Honorable Mentions: Charlotte (P.A. Works), Assassination Classroom (Lerche), Death Parade (Madhouse)

Underrated Anime: Beautiful Bones: Sakurako’s Investigation (Troyca)

2016:

Favorite Anime: Erased (A-1 Pictures)

Honorable Mentions: Bungo Stray Dogs (Bones), Kiznaiver (Trigger), Servamp (Brain’s Base/Platinum Vision)

Underrated Anime:  Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash (A-1 Pictures)

2017:  

Favorite Anime:  Rage of Bahamut: Virgin Soul (MAPPA)

*I know technically this is sequel but I don’t really consider it as one

Honorable Mentions: Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid (Kyoto Animation), World End (Satelight/C2C), Masamune-kun’s Revenge (Silver Link)

Underrated Anime: Tsuredure Children (Studio Gokumi)

2018:

Favorite Anime: Violet Evergarden (Kyoto Animation)

Honorable Mentions: Banana Fish (MAPPA), Zombieland Saga (MAPPA), Citrus (Passione)

Underrated Anime: After the Rain (Wit Studio)

2019:

Favorite Anime: Fruits Basket (TMS/8PAN) *also I know this is a 2019 remake but how could I not put it on here

Honorable Mentions: Fire Force (David Production), The Quintessential Quintuplets (Tezuka Productions), Given (Lerche)

Underrated Anime: Dororo (Mushi Productions)

A blush rises to the doctor’s cheeks, blooming across his skin to match the scarlet tips of his ears. Akari takes a bracing gulp of scotch and returns his glass to a wooden stool. He offers a hesitant explanation. “We’re not hanging it anywhere public, of course. But I thought–” and here, he’s clearly at a loss for why he arranged such a gift in the first place.

Hirato strides towards him, warm affection fluttering in his chest despite the considerable chill in the room. In fact, the floor is freezing beneath his bare feet. And the silk robe he was provided with isn’t much comfort. But he hardly minds. Neither of them will feel the cold soon. Still smiling, he reaches forth to pull Akari close by the sash of his robe. “You thought it’d be fun to lather ourselves in paint and fuck on a giant canvas,” he murmurs against the blond’s ear. “I agree. It sounds like a marvelous idea.” 

Akari’s breath hitches at the touch, the crude language, the intent in his beloved’s tone. He carefully removes Hirato’s glasses and places them out of harm’s way. “No fucking. I doubt the studio will appreciate cleaning up after.” He frowns, considering something. “It’ll ruin the painting, too.”

Laughing softly, the captain accedes the point. He finishes undressing his lover and bends around him to look at the various non-toxic paints arrayed for their use. Monochrome blues and greys – Akari’s preferences, no doubt. Such muted colors for so risqué an endeavor. It suits him, Hirato thinks. The colors, the contradictions, the way he hides the most fascinating parts of himself. It all suits him. 

The brunet scoops up a handful of slate-colored paint. It’s oddly sensual, dipping his ungloved hand into the bucket and letting the viscous, velvety fluid run through his fingers. He rubs his hands together, warming them. “You’ve always been a work of art, you know,” he whispers, curving his palms over Akari’s shoulders and leaving a streak of shiny, wet grey down the pale expanse of his back. 

Akari’s own fingers – covered in a deep navy blue – play along the captain’s collarbones and trace his pulse as it thunders underneath his skin. His expression betrays something profound and far too tender to name. He leans forward to claim a reserved, almost innocent kiss. “Thank you for indulging me, Hirato.”