Chapter Text
. . .
. . .
From even after that emotional confrontation, things got.. weirdly okay. Better even. Despite the fact you couldn't figure out why, being around Senku felt easier than before. Like things were back to how they were before the world ended, but with this added air around you two you weren't able to place.
Was he more protective after the Bout? Calmer now that things were moving in a steady direction towards his goals? It was unclear, but the part of your brain that gnawed at you said it had to do with that blank memory of the night you.. 'celebrated' his not wedding. But every time you asked about it, Senku changed the subject quickly. Or called you an idiot.
But even with those affectionate insults thrown your way, there was this.. gentleness in his red stare. Like those eyes, cold but knowing, knew information you didn't, and kept it close with him.
Tch.
Secretive fucker.
But for now? You'll take this over the awkwardness you guys had up until now. Whenever he was ready to finally talk about the unspoken tension, you'd be ready..
Maybe.
God.
You told yourself this as you felt your face heat up at your work table, fiddling with some glass work until your flustered grip snapped the bulb in half with a delicate snip.
Fuck.. that's the third one..
"Stressed?" A small voice came from below you
"Mmm.." you rubbed your fingers where the glass almost broke skin, "Not sure Suika.. I shouldn't be, but..-"
"Dont worry" the small girl patted your side, trying her best to be optimistic, "We're all stressed to see if that weird white stuff will work for the Priestess"
You blinked
Right. Actual important things to worry about
Everyone in the village was slightly on edge, waiting to see if the medicine you all worked your asses off to make would help Ruri. It'd been a few days, and each dosage Senku administered seemed to make her coughing sound significantly worse than the first time you'd heard it. Needless to say, it didn't sit well with those meant to protect her.
Your thoughts returned, however, when you hear shuffling in the gravel behind you, followed by your equals familiar hissing of murmured vemon.
"Heh, Daddy issues?" You looked back from where your knelt position by the forge to see his narrowed glare
"Tch.." was all he grumbled as he gripped your shoulder to lean his weight on, rolling his shoulder, "Old man can really swing his weight around.. literally.."
"He's worried" your head perked upwards, looking at those red eyes boring down at you, "You're messing with his baby girl."
A smirk crawled on your lips.
"A strange sorcerer feeding the discovered Priestess of the village weird white stuff? I'd be sus, too."
A sharp laughed barked out you as Senku's fingers dug crecent marks into your shoulder, to either shut you up or support his aching body while he slid to his knees along side you. After adjusting a moment, he leaned in, right up closer to you ear, his voice low but solid.
"We did it."
You blinked again
"Hmm? Did what?"
"That work.. all that fucking work.. paid off."
It took you a minute, but it hit you.
Oh shit
"Oh shit." You repeated out loud
"Oh shit indeed, you oblivious girl." Senku's tone rose, his hand on your shoulder shaking with building excitement.
"Oh shit!" You say again, turning on your heels from where you crouched, gripping his shoulders now, "OH SHIT."
"You gunna keep saying that?" Senku laughed low, but couldn't even stop his own grin crawling on his lips, "You know how these guys feed off of-"
"Why are we 'Oh shitting' ?!"
Chrome's eager pitch called out from the lab hut, popping his head from the doorless opening. He knew Senku had just gotten back from seeing Ruri, so his attention was alert. Eyes focused and tense, ready for the worst. Or the best. Either way he was visibly shifting like an eager puppy unsure if going to the vet or going to the park.
Your's and Senku's head shot over to the waiting science user, smiles and smirks widening. Which did nothing to tell him if it was good or bad news.
"Guys. Stop. You look like you just got away with murder."
"Don't they always?" Kohaku walked over from gathering some more foxtail millet, "They share a damn brain cell. Feral."
Ah good, Kohaku was here. Now seemed like a good time to-
"Your sister will be 10 billion percent cured."
Silence flooded the small area of wilderness you all called home for now
Damn. Just rip that bandage off, huh?
But given the reactions? Seemed to be affective.
"Seriously..?" The blonde warrior dropped her gathered material and fell to her knees suddenly, covering her mouth.
"For real?!" Chrome ran over, his fists clenched by his sides, "I-it.. you're sure??"
"Doubting me?" Senku scoffed, huffing out a low laugh, "I just checked her lungs after her 3rd dosage. And they sound like shit."
"BUT-" You grabbed Kohaku before she could run across the bridge in a panic, "It means that Ruri-san is coughing up all that crap inside that's been in her for years."
"Heh heh.. 10 billion points for paying attention", Senku ruffled your hair, standing up, "Yep, she'll sound worse before she gets better. But it was bacterial. Not viral. Meaning-"
"WE WON?!" Chrome cut Senku off again, pounding the air with said fists, "Science freaking won! THAT IS SO BAD THAT'S SO BAAAAD!"
The celebratory air was so thick one could cut it with a blade, but fuck, you felt it, too. It was infectious. Blood pumping. But not from this small victory alone. It was this moment among others that really set in that you guys weren't just pounding rocks around in the dirt.
This was actual progress. Tangible progress. Science at work. Proof of you and Senku's worth in this small village. Progression towards what was lost.
And the adrenaline of success had you bolting towards Chrome, arms flinging around him in a tight, bouncing hug. The second he hugged back with enough force to split you in half, you both started jumping around like morons, dust rising up from where your feet shuffled.
But you didn't care. Hell, he could split you into three and you'd still be grinning like a fool. It was the best sound in the world to hear his voice tremble and try not to cry into your shoulder. And failing. Feeling his relief, and his hope building in every shaky inhale.
"All those years.." his chocked words huffed along your neck, his hold on you somehow getting tighter, "All those fucking years.. and finally.."
"Don't sell yourself short" you managed to cough out, rubbing his back to keep him in the moment, "Your scavenging and experimenting on plants to hold her over kept her alive this long. That and the hot spring water.."
You looked up across where Senku was now standing over Kohaku still bent over her own knees, sobbing openly with pure happiness.
"You all did an amazing job. This was a team effort. Science users, and curious villagers turned sciencs users."
Chome only answered in a loud wail into your shirt, his euphoria translating into a stronger vice grip around your ribs.
"HCCK-"
Heat mixed with tight human contact. Gunna melt. Gunna die. Good death. Science user's death
"Tch, Dont break my assistant." Senku patted Chrome on his back, half yanking his collar to attempt to loosen that death grip, "Yes, yes, we're all happy, but now we just need to keep up with the dosage and watch for any side affects."
"Tch.. worrier.." you gagged out, smiling through your flushed, oxygen deprived face
And over the next week or so, with continuing administration of the drug, Ruri quickly was showing signs of healing. No more coughs that bloodied up the ground where she stood, not being out of breathe from just taking a step into the sun, her pale complexion becoming pinker.
It was one of the most wholesome sights from waking up in this new world that seemed too overwhelming to hold onto.
Especially the day she took her first full walk outside her Priestess hut. Standing in the field she hadn't felt under her flesh in years, the sun lighting up her blue eyes, and radiating that small but knowing smile. But even so, the tired but relieved look on her face? It was enough to bring half the village to tears. None more than her dad, the cheif, seeing his daughter rise up again from what was surely a death sentence of a disease.
"Ruri!" The cheif cried out, trying and failing to hold back his tears, "I-.. you're..!"
"Alive?" Senku cut in bluntly, stepping forward from the group watching from behind with that smug ass tone, "That's science. And the hard work-"
"Aaaaand she's gone" you point out into the distance as Ruri seemingly appeared suddenly on the opposite side of the field, "Damn. Bitch can run fast."
"Well, she is the Gorillas sister" Chrome shrugged, but also physically unable to pull his eyes away from the blonde haired girl twirling in the sun, "She's always had this energy. It was just locked away. And now.."
"She's free" Kohaku came in, half knocking her fists into Chromes back for that comment. But still smiling. At her sister. Back at you and Senku. Then to her dad with a smug, knowing look.
And even the chrief couldn't ignore what had happaned. And who was responsible for this. So, with a final sniffle, he stood up, dusting off his knees of dirt and his old thinking, and walked over towards the two sorcerers who came into his village and changed their whole damn world.
"Senku.. was it?" He spoke, reaching out towards your friends arm you were subconsciously holding onto during that emotional moment.
"Whoa, hold on, old man" Senku backed up, smirking nervously, "I haven't recovered from the last-"
But with a decisive grip, the older man lifted Senku's wrist up into the air, and turned to his people that had slowly gathered around.
"This Sorcerer-.. no, this man. He saved our Priestess's life. And he and his friend have proven themselves to us fo not be a threat. So, to honor his victory officially.."
He paused, smiling gratefully, "I present the new cheif of the Ishigami Village, Senku!"
Amongst the deafening roar from the village's cheers, Senku and you blink once. Twice. Three times. Then turn to one another.
Ishigami.. village..
Coincidence? I think not.
--
...
...
"Sounds familiar, doesn't it?" An out of breath Ruri came up from behind Senki and [y/n]. She was smiling knowingly, putting her hand to her chest, "..Senku Ishigami?"
"Whoa. Is this some magic Priestess shit?" [Y/n] held out her hands in a mock blockage. "That's freaky. More so than the village having your name. Is Ishigami that common of a name?"
"Hardly" Senku finally jerked his arm free, approaching Ruri, "Heh. That why you asked what my last name was before the Bout? Found it suspicious. Since last names are all but dead now."
"Damn.. I missed so much while knocked on my ass, huh?" [Y/n] whispered to Suika, before also approaching Ruri, "but for real, how-"
"The hundred tales." She began, "This village had been named Ishigami for generations, and part of this village's duties is to carry the wisdom of our founders. It helps us learn basic survival skills, speaking and education.."
Her eyes landed on the invested Scientist
"..and hold onto the past. It's messages. And ideals."
It was clear Senku was more than a little interested in this new bit of information with the way his usually sharp eyes went wide for just a moment.
"Tch.. now it makes sense.."
"Eh?" You tilt your head in confusion along with Kohaku, "It does?"
"Course, you oblivious girl" Senku's stance got straighter, looking back at the small crowd that gathered, "Think about it. This village didn't juat shoot out of someone's ass while every human was in a Stone prison. Plus.."
He gestured to the blonde sisters, waving his hand around their face with zero tact, "Look at them. Not one of these guys looks a millimeter of pure Japanese. Not even a partial mix."
"Excuse you?" [Y/n] raised an irritated eyebrow, stepping closer, her chest slightly puffing out to make a point, "you saying mixes can't exist in Japan?"
Senku blinked, taking in [y/n]s blatanent stance. She was close, but not to actually do anything other than remind her of her background.
Right. Poor choice of words.
"For fucks sake.. I'm not being racist" He grumbled, flicking her forehead to make her step back, "Obviously. But my point is that there are ONLY mixes in what is left of Japan's population. Blonde hair and blue eyes everywhere? Some with paler skin than most? It's all very European meets Asia.
"Meaning?" His equal rubbed her head, her tone less confrontation now and more curious.
"Meaning." Senku continued, looking back to Ruri with a smug grin, "Someone, or someone's, had to 10 billion percent start a new cilivzarion 3700 years ago. As the last humans on earth. Or rather.. in space."
...
...
...
"Right.." [y/n] managed to step forward after a silence that seemed to last forever, "On earth.. everyone got petrified.. but..", With eyes up skyward, the late morning sun took over the blue above, "Those in space at the time likely avoided that blast.."
"WHOA. HOLD ON." Chrome cut in, pointing upward aggressively, "People were UP THERE?! IN THE SKY?!"
"Hell yeah there was" Senku smirked, his hand moving to his hip, "And amongst them was my father, Ishigami Byakuya."
That information took a moment to settle in. It was so hard to comprehend that someone from the time of prepetrification was able to not only start another line of society, but to have lasted almost 4000 years. That, and to have that same person's son standing in said lineage.
Trippy.
But they did. He did. He is.
"Heh, so.. your old man did get you a damn good space souvenir." His equal nudged Senku's arm, smirking a bit too wide "And a hell lot of.. sibilings. Heh heh. Go Byakuya. <Space orgys must've been lit as fuck>".
"What?"
"<Zero gravity titties, positions and angle that could only be done in> OW."
That earned a swift smack to the back of her head, but it didn't stop her from still cackling away while wincing. He knew enough English to know that profanity. And knew y/n enough to put the pieces together.
"Worth it.."
"W-..where all related to Senku?!" Kohaku blurted out, her fluster uncharacteristically taking over
"Tch! Hardly! Were-"
"<Space Orgy>..?" Suika peeked out from behind.
Oh my fucking-
The steam coming from Senku gritted teeth was audible, practically seething, glaring holes into his bitch of a friend, who was still giggling away from under his knees, still keeling over in recovery.
"I swear.. always making more work for me.."
But even so, Senku put his hand on top of her aching crown, rubbing it gently in small circles as he explained to the the Kingdom of Science his relationship with his father, his father's career, and.. a small glimpse into his childhood. The more he recounted his adopted dad's past story, he could feel a small smile creeping on. Not a smug grin, but a real, nostalgic smile that went right up to his eyes for once.
Hearing it almost brought [y/n] to tears. It made her think of a time before this. Simple, Irritating, daily struggles of an adolescent. Their simple times. Ones that she missed dearly. Ones that made her so damn grateful they found one another in this new world. Found their old friends. Made new friends. Are staring new, greater things.
She slightly tuned out the story of the astronauts, semi lost in her own thoughts for the moment, giving Senku time to set things straight and put together pieces of his past to this village. Answer questions that these people had.
And at some point, someone wanted to start celebrating about Senku being chief for real this time.
All of it was background noise at this point to her.
..Senku's dad was really incredible.
. . .
. . .
. . .
Once things quieted down after Senku get practically abducted and dragged away to the main village to begin the party, you realized you were alone. That was okay. You needed a moment.
Standing up, you looked out at the far off island like structure where it was clear the huge jugs of sake were being rolled out in preparation. Ugh.
Seeing that liquid quickly brought back that throbbing headache from last week. Yeah, no thanks. One hangover is plenty for a forever. But it was nice to see this moment of joy overtaking the place you and Senku started his journey to Science in.
"Not going over?" You hear a small voice by your legs
"Mmmm.. nah, not this time." You hum out, tying your ponytail tighter, "Let him have this."
"Have what?"
Huh.. this made you rethink your answer a moment
"..a moment just for him." You managed to breathe out with a smile, "For us? Thats a luxury."
. . .
. . .
"Another round, cheif??" A village pushed a cup of sake Senku's way before he held his hand out with a forced grin.
"Tch, tying to poison your new cheif already?"
This earned a wholesome laugh from the wasted crowd, who quickly resumed their own inebriation. The torches were lit inside the main square by now, Ishigami villagers tripping over one another while smiling the whole time. Naturally, Senku just mainly watched in polite acknowledgment of their gesture. Observing. Taking in. Wondering where [y/n] slipped away to.
But after a while, his eyes tilted to the setting sun, watching how it's rays bounced off the waters below. Though he acted like the information hed been given was just another moment in his life, deep down, it made him.. sad. Like [y/n], he was semi hoping to one day run into his old man's statue and revive him. See him again. Hear his nagging voice again. Tell him all he's accomplished. Pretend to act irritated when his dad went on about how he knew he'd do well.
But that voice is now lost in the stars, looking down at what he left his son.
Everything. And he can't even thank him.
"Tch.." Senku breathed, feeling his red eyes well up with emotion, "You old bastard.."
He quickly blinked his tears away
I'm not alone. Wish I could tell you that. But I bet you had a feeling, didn't you..?
But his thoughts were quickly brought back with a gentle tap on his shoulder. Looking back, Ruri was standing over him with that small, knowing smile.
"Heh, sorry, not gunna remarry. Decision is final." Senku teased, looking upward at her with a low laugh, "Seems it's not needed to be in charge around here.".
She simply sighed patiently, smiling as she gently gestured to follow her. Blinking, he set his cup aside and obliged, humoring his curiosity, the party quickly faded out behind their steps.
"There was one more story in the hundred tales.." Ruri began, leading them over the bridge and into the quickly setting sun, "It was less of a story and more of a.. direct message."
"Let me guess, the one named Senku Ishigami?"
Her lack of an answer was his confirmation, and their silence continued all the way through a small part of the forest up to the mouth of a cave.
"I figured it would be more appropriate to only let your ears hear it" the Priestess whispered to the evening air, continuing forward inside towards a pile of carefully places rocks.
A cemetery.
Heh.. way to set the atmosphere.
Ruri carefully climbed the small mound of ascending headstones, stopping finally in front of one that was shaped differently from the rest. With a small bow her head, she finally spoke under her breathe. Precise. And practiced.
"This.. is the hundredth tale: Senku Ishigami."
. . .
. . .
It was nightfall by the time you found your way back to the Kingdom of Scinece. The small walk around the shoreline helped settle your thoughts back to their priorities while letting them room to wander a bit. Part of you felt bad for not going to that celebration, but you knew Senku understood. Out of all things, that was the one thing that never needed verbal communication between you guys; knowing when the other needed their own time to process. And when to go after them. An unspoken rule almost.
Most times.
The warm late summer air held a small chill behind it, nipping along your flesh in the best way. The scent of the crisp turn of the season, and all the flora that came with it.
Aww yes. The heat is almost gone. Finally. Hello Fall. Fuck you Summer.
You'd stay out there all night if you could, but the exhaustion was beginning to ware at you from the rush of emotions hammering one after another all damn day. Ruri cured, finding out Senku's dad made the colony you're literally standing beside. A whole damn civilization and were subconsciously waiting for him to come.
It was.. a lot. And your legs dragged you back to the familiar storage hut on sheer memory alone. It's torches still alight as people such as Chrome and the old craftsman were still tinkering away well into the twilight.
Do they ever sleep?
"How was the party?" You called out while climbing up the ladder, "Looked lit."
"Dunno. Didn't go." Chrome murmured low, concentrating, "Drinking makes the brain go dumb. Don't like it."
"Don't blame you at all.." you grinned, leaning out to watch him hunch over the forge. It seemed he was finishing up some light bulb filaments along with the older man blowing more glass to keep the conveyor belt moving
"Need any hel-?"
"No!" The elderly craftsman shielded his work with his body desperately, "You already broke 4 of my babies this morning!"
"Oh come on! I wasnt focused!" You coaxed, reaching forward playfully, "Don't be like that-"
SMACK
A small, long wooden stick swatted your hand away like a mosquito, making you pull back and whine out.
"Yeah, well, keep back until your thoughts know better!" He warned, pointing the stick at you non maliciously, but firmly, "Come back tomorrow and maybe I'll let you be close to my work."
Seeing this small, roided old craftsman be so protective of his work tickled you a little. You couldn't be mad at that. It was only fair.
Heh. Reminds me of another old soul.
"Fine, fine." You raised your hands in mock surrender, climbing the rest of the way up, "I know when to not sign my death warrent."
Hearing the experienced and cross crafter puff out his nose in approval, the clinking and grunting began again just below the elevated storage hut. Hmph. Good. You were tired anyway. Beyond tired. Dead.
Don't need to be sweating anymore than you already did.
Speaking of.
SNIFF SNIFF
"HHHHHCK"
The sound of flesh meeting flesh was sloppy as you winced at your own armpit, forcing it down hard. Not like you all didn't smell awful on a daily basis, but THIS? The bacteria could be enough to grow it's own ecosystem.
Mhm. Thats overheating sweats. God, why couldn't I inherit mom's small sweat glands??
Tch. Oh well. You had a small bucket of cold water and a cloth to quickly wipe down your stink. Alone up and away from prying eyes, it easily wouldn't be a big deal. So, kneeling on the sleeping mat, you pull the basen towards you, a few drops rolling over the side until it stopped at your lap.
"There.. maybe I can have a moment of my own now."
Slipping you top off was like peeling off a wrapper to melted caramel. The leather clung to your skin, suction cupping off you flesh unit it finally released from the chest wrappings, then finishing off by wiggling your skirt off with similar difficulties..
"..Ew" The shirt sat in your hands, limp, now folding in on itself.
Yeah. Way overdue.
The sounds of splashing and sloshing quiely filled the air, hands careful and unwasteful of your energy while you rubbed down your arms, roaming down towards your sternum, and up your neck. You weren't looking for a full on bath, just enough so Senku wouldn't kick you to the shadow realm of the room for assaulting his sinuses.
The though did made you snort under your breathe, though, wringing out the cloth to work on your left side now.
The unexpectedly icy water rolled down your flesh with every swipe of the cloth, refreshing and cooling. Plus, with the wind at your back from the doorless opening behind? Only added to your body temperature coming down to that cozy chill. It was a good way to end the day after all that excitement. Enough to elicited a long, verbal sigh from your lungs
"..should I come back later?"
You blinked, body tensing up. Not in fear, but your body hasn't been off high alert since.. well, being unpretified. Cannot afford fuck ups. No do overs here.
Slowly turning your head to look out of your peripherals, you see the outline of a lean, tall male presenting figure behind you. Before jumping to defense mode, your eyes calmly analyze the shape, quickly identifying it as not a threat.
"Nah. Not like I'm indisposed. Off guard duty?" A gentle but controlled breathe rolled out your lips, the cloth tossed unceremoniously back to the waiting water by her.
"Mm. Not exactly.." Kinro pushed his glasses back into place to avoid looking at you in your essential underfabrics directly, "But.. I figured youd be who I'd need for assistance.."
"Assistance? At this hour? Well, whatever it is, it'll have to be without my shirt. Shit's too dirty right now."
A quick shift of your knees got you to your feet, brushing off the front of your thighs and hips to fully address the lone guard. It's not like you were naked, but it was understandable that a guy like him wasn't exactly used to talking with an almost bare female so casually.
"That's.. that's fine." Kinro manages to cough out, his stoic tone still intact. Barely. "Come."
. . .
. . .
The stars outlined Kinro's form as he guided you away from the Kingdom of Science and towards a path leading away from any domestication. The brushes tickled you bare legs and abdomen, following with still no context on why. But you trusted him. He wasn't the kind of guy to walk anyone in the direction of danger without making the follower aware.
Plus, even when you tried to whisper your questions, he hushed you, gesturing with his hand to stay low and calm.
So you did.
It wasn't long until the path opened up to a cliffside, and a lone figure was standing there. Ridged, tense, looking out at the ocean that went out to touch the horizon.
"Is that..?" You breathed out almost inaudibley.
A short hum was your answer, and a gentle nudge on your lower back towards the familiar form that made you stumble slightly.
"[Y/n]?"
You blinked, now in the opening. Arms outstretched to keep your balance. Still. With red eyes staring at you that seemed surprised you even found him.
The fuck Kinro?? Wh-..
But after your eyes adjusted to the dim but glowing light haloing around Senku, you could see it now. He looked.. uncharacteristically lost. Like those piercing ruby eyes, usually so focused and sure, didn't know what to think. Where to look. Or what to say. But he did look genuinely confused why you were here.
"..Why are you half naked?"
Well. At least he was still sharp as ever. Irritatingly so.
But before you could mention you were lead you here, Kinro was gone.
Tch. Right.
"Just, uhh.." you started, non challantly closing the gap towards him at the cliffs edge, "..Walking."
"Half naked?"
"..Yes."
He blinked, an eyebrow raised
"Dont judge me."
You huffed at his continued silent judging.
"Its just-! Yknow! Starting to get cooler. Just.. relishing it I suppose."
Nailed it.
Senku just sighed out his nose, but a small smirk curled up his lips.
"Heh heh. Sure.. Why wouldn't you be?"
The silence came back as you finally reached his side, staring out where he was aimlessly doing so. It was weird, you could almost feel this heaviness that surrounded him. Like he was trapped in his own thoughts before you snapped him back to reality.
But before you could even ask if he was okay, he opened his mouth. Closed it. Then attempted again, only to raise his hands to his face to rub away his built up and unknown frustration.
"Senku..?" You quietly hum, leaning towards him by your waist to try and meet his eyes again, "Is there-?'
"My old man is dead." He finally forced out, the words almost like acid in his mouth, "Not petrified. But.. legit dead."
You let the silence fill the open air. This didn't sound like he wanted confirmation, but rather someone besides the trees to hear his thoughts.
"..Tch.." Senku's fists clenched at his sides, "And he obviously asked the descendents to take his fucking headstone with them. Like a keychain from Universal Studios."
His sentences rolled into a choked laugh, like the idea of this all was so absurd. And.. it kind of was. How else would one react to one's father literally giving their child the world? People waiting for him on the day his dad was so sure Senku would pop out of his stone prison and retake this New World?
And it hurt to see someone you cherished in this mental status. Your chest practically ached in time with the hisses of his half sobs half laughing, but you let him. You let your equal let out the side of him he reserved for only a select few in his life. A task that wasn't easy for someone like him.
Senku..
No teasing could help balm this pain. No plan. No words of comfort. Just.. listening. Being here. Filling this lonely and open space with him.
Your foot moved on it's own towards him, hand reaching for his shoulder to calm him. But the moment you made contact? He swung around, and his arms flinging around you so quickly it was almost a blurr. Gripping you, squeezing your semi bare form flush to his labcoated chest like he'd been waiting for an opening to do so since you showed up. At first, you tensed at the speed, but quickly relaxed and returned the hold tighter than he was.
The green haired scientist, who usually had all the answers, now just a man exposed to the wind at his back. Clinging to the one tangible thing he felt the most safe with, burying his head into your neck like it would hide him. Just for a second. Just for now.
And you let him, cupping the back of his head to keep him snug to your flesh in this unexpected embrace. Listening to his muffled laugh sobs, stroking his hair to remind him hes not alone. No words were said, none were needed. Only the sounds of the cliffs side's winds snaking around your ankles helped fill this somber moment
The longer the moment stretched on, the deeper you pushed your lips into his temple, mouthing "You're okay." against his flesh like a mantra. It seemed to loosen his shoulders just a touch, but also tighten his hold around you, smoothing over your bare curves, sprawling out his fingers up your spine and sown again. Almost like he wanted to make sure you were here. Real. With him.
It made you blush, but fuck it. This was his moment. To be.. human. So you let your face burn with his pain.
"..Please.."
The words cut the silence as they hissed from his mouth like a plea.
"..Don't ever be too far. Even when I'm insufferable. I-".
A small kiss on his hairline stopped his rambled request.
"I'm still here aren't I?" You weakly giggle, nuzzling into where you kissed, "And Ive seen every level of how 'insufferable" you can be. So dont waste brain capacity worrying about that.".
A snort finally coughed out of Senku, and it almost sounded like a laugh.
"Bitch.." was all he could manage as his arms settled around your waist.
"Always and yours."
His breathing got steadier then, but didn’t let you go. Not yet. He wasn't ready to face anyone. At least not until he felt like he could speak with no lump stuck in his throat. Senku hated this feeling of being emotionally run ragged, but even he knew keeping this in wouldn't help anyone at all. Or him.
"Think you can managed walking back with me? I am just in my underwear out here, yknow."
"And whose fault was that?"
You laughed a little when you felt the grip silently tighten for an instance, small inaudible grumbles tickling your neck. But he reluctantly agreed by releasing you, all but one hand.
"Well.. lets just say you have more eyes on you than you think. Watching out for you. Leading me to you when they think you need someone who knows you."
Senku finally looked up at you, eyebrow raised even with a puffy, swollen stare.
"Don't worry about it." You coaxed, leading him back to his Kingdom of Science. All of your Kingdom of Science, "But I'm diagnosing you with night cuddles. Sorry, can't get out of it. So deal."
Despite his huff, he readjusting his hand in yours to hold more firmly. He wasn't in the mood to argue, but that small tug towards along his mouth? Didn't seem like he was too opposed to your treatment.
"Fart and I'm rewriting the perception to kicking you out of the hut.".
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HEY! IT'S BEEN A GOOD WHILE! I've been so busy lately, so unil the next chapter, enjoy this extra long chapter 💚💚💚 Thank you all for still reading this!
I'M NOT DONE WITH THIS YET 😤😤😤