Wrath (def.): Forceful, often vindictive anger.
Akari knows he has problems with anger. He isn't proud of it by any means, and it isn't as if it is a recent development for him. Even as a child, he was prone to tantrums at the drop of a pin. As he grew older, his wrath grew more and more internal, changing from fits of screaming and kicking to silent rage and murderous glares. While he knows this tactic most likely isn't healthy for him, he has stuck with it for many years. He'll occasionally raise his voice, but explosive fits aren't his style anymore.
And honestly, he wouldn't say he gets angry that often. It's more irritation that fills his mind than fury.
Hirato is uncannily good at both irritating and angering him.
The captain is nothing but a manipulative bastard, though by now, that term has a bit of endearment to it. He bends others to his will and enjoys it, often passively mean for no reason but boredom. Akari has been at the receiving end of his torment so many times that it has all but lost its effect by now. Still, it annoys him when the asshole does his best to make a fool out of him in public. Akari finds nothing funny about being paraded around the halls with the head of a costume stuck to him, but Hirato finds it immensely amusing.
Akari can't really get revenge on him either. After his first few attempts, one of which somehow ended with Akari getting thrown off the ship by the Sheep, he mostly gave up on the idea.
"You and Hirato seem close," Akari's sensei comments to him one day. Hirato has just left after having his fun, antagonizing the doctor to the point that someone is going to suffer, most likely a certain blonde, childish Circus fighter who's fortunate enough to have a checkup today.
Akari gazes at the old man with barely contained irritation. "We are far from close. I would be glad to never see him again," he retorts, and the old man laughs.
"You have to start being more honest with yourself."
Hirato rarely manages to really incur his wrath, and when he does, it isn't because of some petty argument or Hirato's teasing.
"Akari-san is someone… that everyone can trust!"
Akari is frozen, unable to react as the knife swings down at him and the blood splatters onto his cheeks. It takes a moment for it to register that it isn't his own, even with Azana's cries of pain. Looking up, Akari can see Hirato, his eyes cold and far too focused. Azana's words make no sense to the doctor, and Hirato's expression doesn't change when he hears them.
"Nation Defense Organization, Research Tower, 'Azana,' member of the Life Research Department…" Hirato begins, and Akari realizes with a jolt that he recognizes that formality and Hirato's stance.
"Hirato! Wait!" Akari doesn't bother to keep the plea out of his voice; instead, he is honest in begging the captain to stop.
Hirato's eyes flick down to him for a split second then back to Azana. "…has committed a crime of violent actions against SSS rank protected species. The punishment will go ahead according to the provision." On the last word, Hirato pushes off the ground and flies toward Azana, killing intent in his dark eyes.
Akari doesn't think; he just acts. "Hirato!" The doctor slams into Hirato, somehow managing to stop him. It's long enough for Azana to start to flee.
"Get away," Hirato growls. His voice is confused, likely because he can't understand why Akari would stop him from killing someone who wanted to kill him. "What are you doing? It's really dangerous."
"Wait!" Akari pants, a silent and desperate "please" in his tone. "Wait…"
Hirato turns to his banshees, entirely unmoved. "Capture Azana."
"Hirato!"
"I followed you because I wanted solid evidence. I'm very sorry." Hirato's face says otherwise, and his voice conveys no emotion at all. Akari doesn't know what to say, what to do. "…Are you alright?"
"I don't want your concern!" Akari says incredulously. "You would have killed him!"
"With any luck, I'll still kill him. He tried to kill you. I don't think you understand that."
"But you—"
"I did what I was supposed to do, and because of you, I failed to complete my mission. I lost Azana. But I will not allow you to die."
In that moment, Akari truly hates Hirato. "You won't allow me to die because it's part of your mission," he snarls. "You would kill Azana because he had a moment of confusion, because he tried to kill someone of SSS rank, because—"
"Because I had to," Hirato finishes. He fixes Akari with a look of disdain. "It's not like you to make excuses for people."
"I just don't understand how you can be so cold—"
"I am a terribly cold person," Hirato admits. "But you knew that when you got involved with me."
Akari has nothing to say to that. He lets Hirato lift him from the ground and haul him back to the ship, but there is no affection in their closeness.
Akari doesn't let his emotions cloud his treatment of his patients. Tsukumo, Eva, Gareki, and many others received injuries during the raid, and Akari oversees all operations. Most concerning is the mysterious Karoku. The man, barely alive, is suddenly thrown at Akari along with orders to save him at all costs.
It takes several hours, but Akari manages to stabilize him at last. He and Hirato are alike at times; neither will give up on a mission.
After all of his patients are sewn up and breathing again, the stress finally takes its toll on him. My brain can't handle this, Akari thinks as a wave of exhaustion overtakes him. It can't handle Azana missing and possibly dead, and it can't handle that it's all because of him.
The doctor is able to take off his coat and make it to the couch before collapsing and curling up in a ball. As he settles in, he realizes he's angry, yes, but there's more to it. He's hurt by Hirato's disregard for his feelings, wounded that someone he holds so dear would be willing to murder someone he considers family. Pushing the thoughts away, he falls asleep within a few minutes to dream fitful dreams of dark blood and even darker eyes.
Akari doesn't like being angry, but he likes this even less.
.
.
.
A/N: Sorry this is late. This time it wasn't my fault. My Internet died on me, and it only came back in the last 15 minutes or so.
Also, I'm not so good at writing depressing things. If you want to read more stuff like this (only better), check out Azii's writing. Some of the chapters of Karnevalesque are heartbreaking in the best way.