[ He considers repeating, not for the first time tonight, that he wasn't worried. Isn't worried now, either. But then Angel's insulting him, Aki's thanking him, and Denji's cheeks are burning from the effort to not to do something stupid and out of character, like grinning, gross and gratuitously, thinking about everything that had to go wrong tonight to make the one thing he wanted go right. Before he can talk himself out of it, though, his hand lifts to Aki's hairline, stroking down a few licks of hairs that are standing on end, tickling his palms as he smooths them down. Bed hair always looks so funny on Aki. Even once his hair is all flattened, Denji continues the repetition of patting his head just a while longer — until he realizes how this must look, and his arm shoots back. ]

— Uhhh, that was his idea! [ His thumb jerks at Angel. ] Not mine.

[ Denji pauses. Angel… What a weird devil. He counseled him on how to help Aki, agreed to meet him, saved his life sorta… all to mooch some ice cream and cake? Nah, there's no way. It's annoying, but he probably owes the guy. ]

Do you have to take him back…? It was so much trouble breaking him out! [ Actually, all Denji did was stand outside as Angel broke himself out. He doesn't mention that. ] That's like refunding a gift you didn't like right in front of me! …And, anyway, he thinks I'm yucky, but he still came with me to cheer you up. You can't just send him back to bed. That's messed up.