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To call the atmosphere tense after Stanley’s near victory would be an understatement. Even after narrowly dodging the commandeered Perseus on untested motorcycles, and kicking up a cloud of dust that should have served as a foolproof smokescreen, they barely escaped Stanley in one piece. Well, barring Tsukasa and Hyoga, who now bear matching bullet wounds.
The casualties are one reason Gen is hesitant to call it a win. The other entails their captive. Even gagged and bound, Xeno had looked much too smug— more so than usual. Gen has a sneaking suspicion as to why.
There’s no use thinking about it. If Xeno had really transmitted any valuable information, there’s nothing the rest of them can do now.
Stanley is bound to find them, one way or another. This is a race, first and foremost.
Gen should save his energy for the task at hand. There’s an air of distrust and lingering resentment among those gathered by the fire. It’s hard to sit still when the reason for your near demise is sitting across from you. Gen doesn’t blame his friends in the least. The day has been painfully long, and even he’s apprehensive about playing nice with Xeno right now.
There’s only so much Gen can do to remedy tension like this. He’s a magician, not a miracle worker.
Truthfully, he doesn’t serve much of a purpose out here. The science team has no need for him, especially now that they’ve acquired Xeno and Chelsea. Gen’s physical prowess leaves something to be desired. He doesn’t have Francois’ steadfast sense of duty, nor Suika’s eagerness. Unlike Gen, Ryusui and Ukyo’s skills are well suited to exploration and escape.
And in light of Tsukasa and Hyoga’s injuries, Luna has proven a blessing.
In comparison, Gen has been doing a whole lot of nothing. He’s mostly been hovering over people’s shoulders, with his hands tucked inside of his sleeves, providing colorful commentary whenever he can.
There’s no one here for him to sweet talk. There’s no need for bargaining or manipulation when they’re all alone in the wilderness, with foreign plants and rock formations as their only company.
Gen would be far better suited to the diplomatic work their allies back in the Kingdom of Corn are carrying out. If possible, he thinks he would have liked to stay behind and—
But Gen cuts that thought off before it can fully form. Mentalist or not, Gen isn’t immune to fallacies like hindsight bias. He knows, deep down, he wouldn’t have agreed to stay behind, even if it had been a plausible option while they were making their hasty escape.
For purely selfish purposes, Gen needed to tag along on this expedition. It was somewhere next to food and water on his personal hierarchy of needs.
Senku had been out of his sight for far too long.
Gen can sit here contemplating the heavy atmosphere all he wants. The truth is, he feels just as uneasy as everyone else. Hearing bullets rain down on them— and pierce through skin and flesh —transported Gen right back to the four barren walls of his room in Xeno’s castle.
He was struck with the same terror he’d felt when Stanley had marched in and greeted Xeno with a damning confirmation. Gen’s chest had practically caved in on itself. His vision had blurred. The shock nearly brought him to his knees.
Stanley had been confident, and Xeno had been certain. Stanley never missed a mark, after all.
Gen had less than five seconds to steel himself. He plastered a blank expression on his face, blinked, then shifted to something more satisfied. He was under no impression that Xeno and Stanley trusted him. Still, he had an image to maintain. So Gen ignored the invisible chain winding itself around his ribs. He steadied his breath and relaxed his jaw.
And as he met Xeno’s cold gaze, Gen told himself Senku was perfectly alright.
Had Stanley truly succeeded, Gen would have felt it.
It was an entirely illogical idea. Senku would wrinkle his nose if Gen ever shared the thought with him.
It was almost too pretty a thought to belong to Gen. And Gen, before Senku, would never have thought such a thing.
But Gen had spent years by Senku’s side. He had faith, not in god or in fate— but in Senku. Senku would be fine.
And until Gen saw him again, he’d force himself to be just as fine.
Gen looks toward him now. Senku is sitting to his left, uncharacteristically quiet. To Gen, he’s a source of warmth burning brighter than the fire crackling in front of them. He's a beacon— Gen's very own lighthouse.
Senku is probably deep in thought. He’s drawing up plans for tomorrow, and the day after that, and every day until humanity is restored to its former glory. Senku carries the weight of the world on his shoulders, and Gen doesn’t envy him one bit. Some of Senku’s responsibilities are self-imposed. Some have been placed on his shoulders by others. Gen doesn’t envy him, which is exactly why he’d like to help lighten the load. He’ll do his part to help Senku bear it.
Gen leans into him, ever so slightly. Senku doesn’t seem to notice.
But Ukyo, somewhere further down their makeshift circle, does. He gives Gen a nod of approval.
Something crosses Gen’s mind then. If he’s feeling restless, how does Senku feel? Gen had been spared the sound of gunfire, the first time around. His imagination paled in comparison to the real thing.
But Senku—
Senku isn’t the type to put his vulnerability on display. But he isn’t capable of disguising himself as thoroughly as Gen. He can’t hide the tension in his shoulders.
Gen wonders if his barely healed bullet wound is aching again.
He reaches for Senku’s hand. Senku lets him take it without even glancing in his direction. It’s a privilege Gen’s never taken for granted.
Mindful of the people surrounding them, Gen initiates a private conversation. Carefully, he taps his index finger against Senku’s palm.
Hey.
Senku turns to him and raises a brow, without delay. Morse code comes to him as easily as Japanese. He’s been given ample opportunity to practice.
Are you okay, Gen asks.
Yeah, comes Senku’s response. Somehow, Gen can hear the subtle amusement in it. Don’t tell me you’re worried.
Gen frowns in fake offense. Quicker, he taps out, Maybe, if you stopped being so reckless—
Before Gen can finish, Senku reaches out and sweeps Gen’s splayed out legs into his lap. Without thinking twice.
No one in their makeshift circle bats an eye. Well, aside from Hyoga, who wrinkles his nose. It’s visible even under his mask.
Gen’s left tapping the rest of his sentence into empty air. He stops, feeling heat rise to his face. Senku might be incapable of feeling things like shame, but physical displays of affection still leave Gen a little flustered. Being half draped on top of Senku like this isn’t new, but it’s been a while. Gen’s out of practice.
Senku finds Gen’s hand again. I’m fine, he promises.
With a sigh, Gen presses a little closer to Senku, so that he can feel just as fine.
Senku, and every other person sitting around this fire, knows Gen’s worst kept secret. It’s been obvious since day one.
Ishigami Senku holds Gen’s fickle heart in the palm of his hand.
And Gen can’t complain. Not when he gave it up to Senku voluntarily.
Not when Senku has handed him his own in exchange.
The tension starts to leave Senku’s shoulders, and finally, Gen can exhale. That’s the first of his concerns taken care of.
Still, the rest of their companions seem ill at ease. They’ve already eaten— something bland and unappetizing, but Gen’s long since stopped complaining —and come up with a night watch schedule. Any moment now, someone will nod off, and then the rest will follow, like dominoes poised in a line.
Or so Gen hopes. It’s looking more and more unlikely, as every minute passes them by.
Ryusui’s eyes are bright and wild. Ukyo’s staring off in the distance with a furrowed brow— a tell-tale sign he’s listening for far-off noise.
Kaseki and Chrome are engaged in some heated conversation. Tsukasa is murmuring something to Suika, who’s practically bouncing with nervous energy. Kohaku still has a hand hovering over her side, as if she’s loath to part with her blade.
Hyoga is glaring daggers into the back of an oblivious Xeno’s head. Though oblivious isn’t quite right. Xeno is likely aware of Hyoga’s gaze. But he can rest easy. He knows his value as a hostage.
Out of all of them, he seems the most relaxed. It’s only natural. Xeno had struck gold being captured by them. He might be the world’s best treated hostage. And he’d nearly caught a glimpse of his dear Stanley’s face earlier.
Oh.
They’re all in desperate need of a distraction. Gen stops flipping through his mental book of tricks and settles on something lighthearted. Something safe.
It’s easy to think of Xeno and Stanley as something monstrous— as something more than human. Perhaps a reminder of their humanity would do all of them some good.
If Gen plays his cards right, maybe he can even make Xeno squirm.
“Say, Xeno-chan?” Gen says, attracting the attention of the scientist, along with the rest of his companions.
“How did you meet Stanley, anyway?”
Senku stiffens, almost imperceptibly, but Gen squeezes his hand in a gesture that says, trust me.
Xeno’s bottomless dark eyes meet Gen’s. He scrutinizes him, most likely trying to figure out what Gen’s objective is. It’s a seemingly harmless question. Gen wouldn’t want to scare him off so soon.
“We were neighbors,” Xeno finally says. His voice is flat. If he’s uncomfortable being the subject of everyone’s attention, he doesn’t show it. “My parents kept inviting him over so I could finally talk to someone ‘my age.’ Not that I’d ever wanted anything of the sort.”
“Childhood friends? How eet-sway.”
Hyoga wrinkles his nose again, unconvinced. The rest of them blink, probably bewildered by the idea of Xeno and Stanley as ordinary, harmless children. Harmless might be a stretch, Gen thinks.
“So what, Stanley-chan wore you down eventually?” Gen asks. “Begged you to be his friend?”
“Naturally,” Xeno says. The answer comes a second too quickly.
“Hm. It sounds like a plausible story.” Gen tilts his head. “Good job, Xeno-chan! Anyone other than me would believe you.”
“Excuse me?”
“You’re lying,” Gen says gleefully. “A tiny lie, but a lie nonetheless. It wasn’t Stanley-chan that wanted to befriend you. Am I right?”
Xeno is silent. The firelight brightens his eyes, and casts shadows over his cheekbones.
“What are you getting at, Gen?” a puzzled Chrome inquires.
Gen lets his lips quirk in amusement. “Our Xeno-chan must have been quite taken with his neighbor,” he says, with a theatrical sigh. “It was you who begged Stanley-chan to be your friend. Wasn’t it?”
Xeno swallows. “The details are irrelevant now. I needed someone to test my prototype railgun. Stanley was fit for the job.” He can’t meet Gen’s eyes as he says it. He can’t hide the fondness in his voice either.
Gen isn’t the only one who picks up on it.
“I guess even Xeno has a cute side,” Kohaku muses.
Before Xeno can bristle and close off, Gen steps back in. “There’s nothing shameful about making the first move.” Gen ignores the twitch of the hand Senku has intertwined with his own. “And if he’s this devoted to you, you must have done a good job.”
Xeno’s stare is heavier this time. It’s uncertain.
“I don’t feel any shame, I assure you. I just don’t see how knowing this will help you lot escape your inevitable defeat.”
“You misunderstand me, Xeno-chan. This is just small talk.”
“About Stanley and I?”
“What can I say?” Gen says, tipping his head to rest on Senku’s shoulder. “I have a soft spot for love stories.”
Xeno’s eyes widen then. “What?” he asks, entirely absent of his usual smugness.
“Gen’s a romantic,” Senku says, deadpan. Gen nuzzles against his shoulder, and the fact Senku doesn’t protest only highlights his hypocrisy.
“I heard him right.” Xeno’s eyes are on Gen, but he doesn’t seem to register the sight in front of him. It’s like he’s looking straight through him, and Senku, by extension.
“I just don’t understand what Stanley and I have to do with…”
Gen lifts his face off of Senku’s shoulder. “With?”
“Love,” Xeno says, unimpressed. “We’re not…”
Gen pauses.
There’s simply no way. He turns to gaze at the others and finds his friends staring, frozen in bewildered silence.
Is Xeno seriously implying that him and Stanley are in no way—
Ryusui laughs, a bright, chiming laugh, but it tapers off when Xeno’s expression doesn’t change.
Now, Ryusui’s eyes are wide with disbelief. Ukyo’s are shut in something like disappointment. There’s fierce whispering coming from Kohaku, Tsukasa, and Suika’s side of the circle.
Only Chrome seems unaffected. “I don’t see what the problem is,” he says to Kaseki, who shakes his head in resignation. He’s never looked older.
Even Gen hadn’t seen this coming.
He shakes his head and turns to Luna, who Francois has been rapidly translating for. In English, he asks, “What’s the nature of dear Xeno and Stanley’s relationship?”
Luna smiles. “They’re dating, of course.” She brings a thumb to her chin. “Or maybe… engaged?”
“We’re not,” Xeno corrects quickly, looking horrified. “Why would you even… Who else thinks that?”
Luna points at Carlos and Max. Gen gestures at the rest of them. Xeno’s horror makes way for mortification.
Gen can’t even revel in it. Not when he’s so deeply confused.
Before Gen can say anything more, he notices something odd. Though everyone else is in some state of disbelief, Senku seems unmoved.
Senku sighs. “If you guys thought Taiju and Yuzuriha were bad…” Taiju makes a sound of protest, but Senku glosses over it.
“Hell, if you thought Chrome and Ruri were bad…” It’s Chrome’s turn to protest.
“You haven’t seen anything,” Senku finishes, with something dead behind his eyes.
Gen rubs his shoulder in an attempt to provide comfort. “Oh, Senku-chan. You poor dear.”
“The emails I had to read…” Senku trails off, shuddering.
“Emails?” Chrome asks, intrigued. Before Senku can delve into the wonders of modern technology, Gen interrupts.
“Let’s not get into that right now, Chrome-chan.” He turns to address Xeno, who’s still gaping like a fish out of water. “What do you mean you aren’t together?”
“Exactly what it sounds like,” Xeno says.
“But you talk about him like he’s the most capable man on the planet. Like he’ll do anything for you.”
“That’s because he is.” There’s no room for doubt in Xeno’s tone. “And he will.”
“Uh-huh. And your boundless faith in him is backed by science?”
“Naturally.”
Gen studies the confident set of Xeno’s jaw as he attests to his faith in his most devoted soldier. He takes note of the softness in Xeno’s usually icy eyes, and the slight upturn of his mouth. He pieces the puzzle together.
So, this is a case of pining.
Gen had intended to lighten the mood, to poke a little fun at Xeno, and put the rest of them at ease. Now, a new scheme is brewing in the back of his mind.
Senku’s eyes narrow. He must recognize the expression on Gen’s face. Gen gives him an innocent smile, and Senku shakes his head, resigning himself to whatever Gen’s plotting this time. He doesn’t drop Gen’s hand.
Gen addresses Xeno again. “You’ve found someone erfect-pay then, haven’t you?” he challenges. “What’s stopping you from taking things a step further?”
Xeno’s mouth forms a thin line. “You misunderstand the nature of our relationship. It’s purely platonic.” And Gen doesn’t detect any dishonesty in his ridiculous attempt at defense.
Ah, Gen realizes. A case of obliviousness, then. Luckily, Gen has had plentiful practice with this.
Out of the corner of his eye, Gen sees Ukyo bury his face in his hands. Poor Ukyo has long since stopped entertaining their “nonsense.” The situation must be dire if he’s choosing to listen in.
Gen takes a breath. “Stanley-chan is chasing us down even though he knows we won’t hurt you. All because we had the nerve to drag you away from him.”
“He’s a soldier,” Xeno says. “He’s doing his job.”
“Uh-huh,” Gen says, unconvinced. He thinks back to his brief stay at Xeno’s castle and digs through every compromising memory he can recall. He settles on: “Does that job entail telling you good morning and good night every day?”
Xeno doesn’t flinch. “A consistent routine is necessary for optimal productivity.”
To any outsider, he must seem calm and collected. But Gen is no outsider.
Xeno’s making this too logical. He’s relying on what’s familiar. He must really be on edge. Gen bites back a satisfied grin and presses the scientist further.
“And just now, you were using morse code. While we were running from him. You knew he would catch on. That requires a great deal of trust, doesn’t it?”
“How did you—”
“What, figure out you were using morse code?” It’s a silly question and it proves that Gen was right. Xeno is very off-kilter right now. He should know that a mentalist like Gen has his ways.
“He has his ways,” Senku says in Gen’s place. If his mouth wasn’t otherwise occupied, Gen would kiss him.
“There’s nothing romantic about morse code anyway,” Xeno says, almost petulantly. “It was developed to allow for communication through an electric telegraph—”
“I beg to differ,” Ukyo interrupts, looking uncharacteristically somber. “Morse code is rarely used the way it was intended. At least, not anymore.”
That’s a jab at Gen and Senku, of course. Gen hadn’t realized their tapping was loud enough for him to hear. He’d send Ukyo a silent apology, but he doesn’t actually feel any shame. It must be Senku’s influence.
Xeno ignores Ukyo entirely. Gen suspects he hasn’t caught on to their similar ages. He supposes having a youthful face comes with its drawbacks.
“Regardless, your mentalism seems to have failed you, Mr. Gen. I assure you, Stanley and I are simply good friends.” Xeno looks over at Gen then, studying the way his legs are draped over Senku’s lap. His eyes find Gen and Senku’s intertwined hands.
Xeno nods approvingly at whatever he sees. “Not unlike you and Senku.”
Gen nearly chokes on his own spit.
A second goes by. It’s followed by another. Xeno doesn’t take the words back. He doesn’t clarify that he’s joking. He doesn’t smile.
Gen’s face falls as he realizes that Xeno is being serious.
The silence that follows is excruciating. Gen doubts even Ukyo could pick up on any noise. Another second passes.
Even Senku is wide-eyed now.
“Hm,” Tsukasa says. Gen has no idea what he’s getting at but he feels inclined to agree.
Gen swallows, and once he’s sure his voice will come out steady, he says, “You are aware that Senku and I are in a committed, long-term relationship, aren’t you?”
Xeno blinks at him. “You…”
“I?”
Xeno turns to Senku, stricken. “Senku? Is he…?”
Senku raises their interlocked hands so they’re on full display. When Xeno’s expression doesn’t change, he rolls his eyes. With a sigh, Senku brings Gen’s hand to his lips and presses a kiss to the back of it. He’s trying hard to seem reluctant, but Gen can feel his mouth twitch in amusement when Xeno’s eyes fill with pure dismay.
Being blind to his own feelings is one thing. But entirely missing Gen and Senku’s obvious body language, alongside every one of their intimate conversations, and the frequent jokes the others make at their expense? That’s something else.
Many things about Xeno and Stanley can be explained by one simple fact: the two of them grew up in Texas in the nineties.
Gen keeps it in mind now. He repeats it like a mantra. Repression can run crazy deep, after all.
“You really couldn’t tell?” Kohaku asks, quietly, like she’s dazed. She’s forgotten her sword entirely.
“Even I could tell,” Chrome says.
Xeno looks alarmed by that.
Gen tuts, shaking his head. All hope isn’t lost. He just needs to redirect things. He can work with repression. He has experience.
“This is an eal-ray nasty case of repression,” he says aloud. “Even Senku-chan wasn’t this bad.”
Ukyo exchanges a look with Kohaku, as Gen inadvertently unearths years’ worth of frustrating memories. They’re probably commiserating. Their friends insist Gen and Senku’s pining was worse for those who had to bear witness to it.
Gen strongly disagrees. The rest of them haven’t experienced the mortifying ordeal of being in love with Ishigami Senku.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Senku asks now, pinning Gen with a dubious expression.
Gen gives him a placating smile. “I gifted you an entire observatory, dear. I’d never call you dense… but matters of the heart have never been your forte.”
“Don’t bring my heart into this, Mentalist. My brain was the deciding factor in our relationship.”
“And what did your brain tell you?” Gen can’t help but ask. There are multiple eyes on them, but Gen finds himself caught— like a fish on a hook. He’s entranced by the same crimson gaze that’s held his attention all these years. The gaze he’s never been able to look away from.
The answer comes before Gen is ready for it. Then again, Gen is never ready for Senku’s unabashed honesty— his brazen affection.
“That you’re ten billion percent right for me,” Senku says. “Obviously.”
Even Hyoga’s disgusted groan can’t wipe the pleased smile that creeps across Gen’s face then.
It’s unbearably difficult to return his attention to Xeno after that, but Gen manages it somehow. He squeezes Senku’s hand, mentally promises to kiss the life out of him as soon as he gets the chance, and turns to their hostage.
Xeno seems convinced of their decidedly non-platonic relationship now. A different kind of horror is dawning on him instead. “Gifts?” he says stiffly, referencing Gen’s mention of the observatory.
“There’s nothing quite as romantic as a thoughtful gift,” Gen says. “Like homemade cola. Or a custom deck of cards. Or—” Gen smiles knowingly “—maybe even a pack of cigarettes. Wouldn’t you agree, Xeno-chan?”
Xeno looks anything but amused. “I know what you’re trying to do. These kinds of tricks won’t work on me.”
Gen hums and changes his approach. He’ll try for less trickery and more honesty.
“Have you seriously never considered it? Love?”
“No,” Xeno says bluntly. “I don’t have time for that kind of thing.”
Gen hums again, like he’s deep in thought. “But you make time for Stanley-chan.”
Xeno huffs. “I don’t have to make time for Stan. He’s always there.” The words leave his mouth without any consideration. Only once they’ve been set loose, once they’re traveling freely through the air, does Xeno pause. He swallows. Something lights up behind his eyes, brighter than the red-orange flames of the fire. “He’s always…”
Any hushed side conversations have come to a halt. All eyes are on Xeno.
“And it’s comforting, isn’t it?” Gen asks. Senku brushes along Gen’s calf with his free hand as he speaks. Though the desert is chilly at night, Gen feels pleasantly warm. “To have him close by?”
“It is,” Xeno breathes, with his hand on his chin like he’s running through dozens of mental calculations. Gen can’t help but think he bears a striking similarity to Senku right now.
Still, there’s no equation for Xeno to solve. There’s no formula he can rely on. Gen prepares himself. Here comes the most delicate part of all.
“Now, that doesn’t mean you have to date him,” Gen tells Xeno. “Platonic relationships are just as meaningful. And it’s not like everyone experiences sexual attraction in the same way.” He squeezes Senku’s hand once more.
“But, as a mentalist, I can’t help but point out something… odd.”
When Gen doesn’t elaborate, Xeno tenses. Gen has every person sitting around this fire hanging on his every word. It’s a heady sort of feeling. Gen missed this.
“Well?” Xeno asks, while his fingers tap against his leg in impatience.
“Everytime I bring up Stanley-chan…” Gen lowers his gaze, ever so slightly. “You smile.”
And just as Gen intended, his friends’ gazes return to Xeno, eyes wide as they realize—
“I don’t…” Xeno starts, raising a hand to his mouth. He stills when he finds it curved upwards, betraying him. “I…”
“Like you can’t help it,” Gen finishes.
He leaves Xeno open-mouthed and silent.
Kohaku is the first one to react. She snickers, placing a hand over her mouth when Ukyo gives her a warning glance.
Ryusui follows with an impassioned plea. “You should tell him how you feel!” The rest of them refrain from pointing out what a bad idea that would be. Communication between Xeno and Stanley would spell disaster for them.
Xeno doesn’t respond. He closes his mouth, but doesn’t look any less dazed.
Hyoga, who’d been unimpressed by this topic of conversation, looks delighted— like he’s grateful he didn’t stab Gen when he had the chance. It’s high praise, coming from him.
Even Tsukasa seems amused.
Gen can’t help but enjoy the sight of Xeno lost for words. It’s been an exceptionally long day, and the person to blame is sitting right across from him.
So, he gives into his urge to tease. “It’s just like Kohaku-chan said. You have a cute side.”
Still, Xeno doesn’t say anything. He looks like he’s processing years’ worth of data, like Gen has just handed him the final piece of a puzzle he’s been assembling for decades. There’s a hint of a flush on his cheeks.
In other words, it’s Gen’s victory.
Gen sinks back into Senku’s side, exhaling a satisfied sigh. He drops his head back onto Senku’s shoulder, like he’s tired from a long, hard day of work. Maybe he has more of a role here than he realized.
“You’re horrible,” Senku tells him. It doesn’t sound like a bad thing when Gen can hear the grin in his voice.
“You love me, Senku-chan.” Not anyway, not in spite of it, but—
Senku’s grin widens. “Yeah.”
Senku just loves him.
That night, Gen is awoken by a gentle nudge to his shoulder. He blinks the sleep out of his eyes and finds Ukyo hovering over him.
“You’re up next,” he whispers, offering Gen an apologetic smile.
Gen sighs, but waves the apology away. It’s only fair for everyone to take a turn guarding their camp. He could weasel his way out of it, but if Tsukasa and Hyoga are taking part, he’d make himself look worse than usual. And, beneath all his tricks and glamor, Gen has some semblance of a conscience.
So he extracts himself from the confines of Senku’s arms. For someone so lacking in strength, Senku sure knows how to hold on tight. Gen untangles Senku’s fingers from his shirt, careful not to wake him up. The bags under his eyes are frightening. He needs sleep, more than any of them.
Gen smooths a hand over Senku’s wild hair, before pushing himself off of the ground. He yawns, surveying their makeshift campsite.
Ukyo is in the process of rousing Kaseki, who insisted on being assigned a shift, despite being told to take it easy. He’s unmoving, and even with his face pressed against his sleeping bag, his snoring is deafening. No wonder poor Ukyo is desperate to wake him.
Carlos, who had been on the first shift with Ukyo, is already sound asleep, curled up next to Max and Luna.
Like Gen had anticipated, the lighthearted fireside conversation had been enough to put everyone at ease. Suika nodded off in Kohaku’s lap as soon as Gen stopped bothering Xeno and turned his attention back to Senku. And the rest of them followed, one after another.
Or so Gen thought. He takes a few steps away from the fire, well aware he’s in danger of falling asleep if he’s comfortably warm.
Only then does he realize someone else is sitting up, with their back to the fire. The slicked back hair is a dead giveaway.
“You couldn’t sleep, Xeno-chan?”
Xeno shakes his head, without turning toward Gen. “I’m only thinking.”
Ordinarily, that wouldn’t bode well for the rest of them. But Gen has a feeling Xeno’s thoughts are of a far more innocuous nature than usual.
Gen tucks his haori under himself and takes a seat, readying himself for another volatile conversation. A mentalist works odd hours, after all.
“I suppose you have an ot-lay to think about now,” Gen says, offering Xeno the most sympathetic expression he can muster. “Feelings can be quite difficult.”
But Xeno shakes his head again.
“Difficult is… building a castle from the ground up with limited manpower.” Gen had wondered about that, actually. Xeno’s brain is no doubt impressive, but a feat like that must have been arduous with so few people.
“Or being forced to mingle with overenthusiastic coworkers,” Xeno adds, grimacing like he’s recalling someone in particular.
“Anything that has to do with Stan—” another one of those blink-and-you-miss-it smiles crosses Xeno’s face “—is remarkably easy.”
“Ah,” Gen says. That might as well be a love confession. “So you’ve found your answer?”
“I have.”
“What a relief.” And Gen means it, truly. He’s had his fill of oblivious scientists.
But, Gen feels his brow furrow as he thinks a little harder about the implications of Xeno’s realization. “At least, for you. This might make the rest of our lives harder…”
“I still don’t understand why you’re so invested in all of this.” Xeno finally meets Gen’s eyes. In love or not, his gaze is just as cold and unfeeling. Then again, Gen isn’t the object of his affections.
“Why are you meddling?” Xeno asks.
Gen shrugs. “I can’t stand to see pining where there’s no need for it.”
“If you think I’ll feel indebted to you, you’re sorely mistaken.”
“I’m not asking for gratitude.” Gen isn’t altruistic. He simply knows better than to expect something like that from Xeno, who hadn’t even hesitated to have Senku, his student of several years, shot dead.
“I did all of this out of the kindness of my heart.”
Xeno, the brilliant man he is, looks hesitant to believe Gen. His dark eyes pose a challenge. “Do you think this will make me weaker somehow?”
Gen laughs, quiet and restrained, then shakes his head. “Weaker? On the contrary, Xeno-chan, I think love makes people stronger.”
And Gen would know. He, like so many others, has dedicated himself to Senku, who might as well be the embodiment of love itself.
“Isn’t that why Stanley-chan is chasing us down so fiercely?”
The only sounds Gen can make out are the crackle of the fire and the hitch in Xeno’s breath upon hearing his question.
The lack of an answer means Gen has done his job.
The red creeping up Xeno’s ears is just the cherry on top.
All of Gen’s overtime has finally paid off. He’s just successfully set up the worst two people he knows.
Gen leans back, humming a playful tune and basking in a newfound sense of accomplishment— before something alarming dawns on him. He quickly sits up, with his back straight and his eyes wide.
He just set up the two worst people he knows.
Oh, fuck.
It culminates in a spectacular moment Gen is fortunate— or perhaps unfortunate —enough to bear witness to.
Gen had been right. There was nothing soft about Stanley’s one-man rampage. He’d come after them with all the tenacity of a well-seasoned soldier— and then some.
There hadn’t been any time for conversation, then. Certainly not between Gen and Stanley. Even Xeno and Stanley had only been able to exchange a handful of words before Senku resorted to their last-ditch option and the world fell into stillness.
After all of that, Stanley and Xeno were the last thing on Gen’s mind. Their very own space race took priority.
Still, Gen hadn’t missed the careful look Xeno had given Stanley’s statue— a look nothing short of adoring. He certainly hadn’t missed the way Xeno purposefully hid his face when they announced their choice of pilot.
So when the time came to revive Stanley, Gen couldn't help but tag along. He’s curious to see how the events he set in motion years ago will finally play out.
Though Xeno's damsel in distress line had been charming— an opinion Gen only holds after the fact, once the trauma of being gunned down alongside his closest friends had finally worn off —this time Gen’s anticipating something grander.
And when Xeno hands Stanley a cigarette, Gen can’t help but think back to his own words. It must have been a memorable piece of advice. A gift, huh? Not bad, Xeno-chan.
Of course Xeno would go for a more subtle approach. He values honesty, but not at the cost of his dignity. He’s like Senku, in that respect.
“Are you up to the task…?” Xeno asks, fixing Stanley with an unyielding gaze. Gen almost feels the urge to look away.
“… Stan?”
So this is how they show each other affection. It makes sense. They’re mature, private people. They won’t just—
Stanley places a gentle hand on Xeno’s jaw, in full sight of everyone, and Gen takes back everything he was just thinking.
Nevermind.
“Sure,” Stanley says, voice low and measured, as he strokes Xeno’s chin, dangerously close to his bottom lip. “I can.”
And then, before the rest of them can so much as blink, Xeno surges forward, snagging the cigarette from Stanley’s mouth and—
Xeno kisses him.
Stanley’s hand falls away from Xeno’s face in surprise. Gen staggers backward, equally surprised.
Chrome squeaks— a tiny, mortified sound.
But before Xeno can pull away, Stanley’s hands find his waist and drag him even closer. His eyes flutter shut and he kisses Xeno with desperation bordering on ferocity.
So, Senku was right about him being quick to catch on.
“Oh, ho, ho, ho,” Kaseki chuckles, sounding absurdly pleased. Gen entirely ignores his reaction, for his own peace of mind.
Instead, he watches Xeno kiss Stanley, feeling a strange sense of horrified fascination. When he turns to his right, he finds Senku doing the same.
A respectable kiss should have long since ended. This is a level of shamelessness Gen’s never seen before. It must be an American thing.
“Senku-chan?” Gen whispers, when the slick noises become too much to bear. “Should we…?”
Senku shakes his head in resignation.
You did this, his eyes are saying. Now live with it.
Stanley groans when Xeno threads his fingers through his hair and tugs.
Chrome does as well, though he sounds much less pleased. “Uh, I’m gonna w-wait outside!”
Gen watches him go, and prepares to do the same, only to find Senku tightly holding onto his wrist.
“Consequences, Mentalist. Learn to live with the consequences of your actions.”
Senku’s voice is firm, but his eyes are soft. Though Xeno and Stanley are painting a vivid picture in the background, Gen finds himself sufficiently distracted.
Only one person has been able to hold his attention this long. He’s standing in front of Gen right now.
“You know me, Senku-chan,” Gen teases. “I’ll never learn. I’m horrible.”
Senku smiles, letting go of Gen’s wrist in favor of grabbing his hand. Gen twines their fingers together instinctively.
“Yeah,” Senku says fondly. “The worst.”
(When Xeno and Stanley finally part, they find the cave entirely empty.
“What was that for?” Stanley asks, a little breathier than usual.
“I felt a sudden urge,” Xeno explains plainly. He glances toward the side, uncharacteristically hesitant. “Did you not want me to?”
Stanley shakes his head immediately. “I wanted,” he promises. “I want.”
Xeno graces him with one of his adorable, tiny smiles. If Stanley could, he’d bottle up the image and carry it around forever. Actually, that isn’t a bad idea. He’s sure those brats have invented a camera by now.
But he can’t help but wonder—
“But in front of the kids?”
“Oh, that?” Xeno says, letting amusement creep into his voice. “ That was revenge.”
There’s a maniacal gleam in his eye.
Stanley knows better than to question him. Stanley would burn down the world for him. So, rather than say anything else, he leans in, and kisses his scientist again.)