Chapter Text
Chapter 1
“So, do you think Stanley will figure out a way to make the ship go faster?” Senku asks, a map on the table. He looks over at Xeno who shrugs. The man has been rather quiet and occasionally gives little input on anything. It makes sense as he is a hostage. Senku sighs and I can see the gears turning in his head. It has been eating at him since we left the place in a hurry. We’re going to be in a hurry for a long time with Stanley after our asses. Why do I have a feeling there is more between Stanley and Xeno than meets the eye?
In the time that I spend at Xeno’s base I have seen how Stanley interacts and most of the time he is calm and collected, calculating. A clever man who has the ability to make you feel unsafe anywhere you went. But when he interacts with Xeno, he is more playful and even flirty. And Xeno plays along with it, so I don’t know if they are simply messing around or are actually lovers. I think they are lovers as we pissed of Stanley good with kidnapping Xeno.
“We should imagine worst case scenario and go with that.” Tsukasa suggests. The man still terrifies me but at least he can be reasoned with on a level. Senku agrees and turns to me, raising an eyebrow. I hope he hasn’t notice how I’m quite a distance away from him, but it’s not like Senku to pick on those subtle details. He probably thinks he’s imagining it and decides it’s not worth racking his brain over. He would be completely right though since I am avoiding him as much as I can on this way too tiny ship right now.
“Gen.” He motions for me to come over. I sigh and reluctantly make my way over. Being this close to him again makes my heart race and I want to bang my head on the wall over there. What does he even want me to do? I’m practically useless on this ship. I’ve done my part of infiltrating and now I’m just wasting space. And with the current situation I’ve found myself in, I’d rather stay hidden as must as possible.
“I have a job for you, but I’ll tell you later. For some reason it’s hard to find you these days.” Senku says. Oh, he did notice. I’m a master at disappearing the moment I hear Senku’s voice. And I always keep myself aware of where the boy is at any moment so I won’t have any accidental confrontations. “A job? For me? And here I thought I could take a long vacation.” I chuckle. Senku rolls his eyes. “Mentalist, I figured you would slack off.” There is a playful smile on his face and I have to hold back a blush. Damn, I love it when he calls me that.
“Oh! Did you find out my secret masturbation spot! I don’t mind sharing!” Ryusui laughs, not caring that he just announced something rather wild to the group. “Nobody cares one millimetre about that.” Senku comments. “It won’t be a secret if you tell everyone about it.” I tease. I want to know about the place as it has been impossible to find a spot where you can jerk of in peace. Although it’s one of the last things on my mind, my body can’t help it sometimes and get horny at the thought of a certain science boy with fierce red eyes.
Senku-chan is brilliant. His mind is capable of creating things out of materials you would never even think about combining. Going as far as to make a modern guy like myself be comfortable in this stone age. He taught me how to make crème’s and scented soaps. We even have some form of shampoo now and I could kiss him for that. His mind is one of the things why I fell in love with him in the first place. He’s very interesting in the way he processes things. I sigh.
“Don’t worry, it’s not heavy labour…this time.” Senku grins at me. Not why I was sighing. “Well, thank you dear Senku-chan. I’m too delicate and fragile for such jobs.” I say with my cutesy voice. Senku cringes visibly. “Shut it. You’re stronger than me.” He simply says and his attention goes from me to Tsukasa. Well, time to make my exit. Of course Senku knows my strategies and grabs my wrist, making me incapable of leaving.
Why did I fall in love with him? I’ve been wondering that for a long time but in the end I don’t really have an answer. Senku is simply fascinating and since we met I started to unravel him layer by layer. Betraying Tsukasa was easy when I met a guy who could make the world for me. Of course it was in my own interest at the start, but gradually I found myself falling for the brilliant person that is Senku.
Sometimes I wonder what he thinks of me, but I know it’s nothing romantic as I have known from the start, Senku doesn’t care about relationships and dating. Zero interest in romance. If I would confess my love for him he would be uncomfortable and reject me immediately. No hesitation. It won’t even bother him at all and he would move on like it never happened. That would hurt the most, so I decided to keep my feelings for myself.
But this, of course, brings up the question of the most annoying situation I’m in right now. I came back from infiltrating, made sure Xeno was kidnapped. Senku was hurt tremendously, never bothered to tell me about it, I had to hear from others what happened, and then he gets himself a girlfriend! A girlfriend! Senku…dating? I can’t wrap my head around it. Luna is a lovely girl, friendly, flirtatious and maybe a bit pushy sometimes. Anything dear Senku wouldn’t like, so why is he dating her?
I’m the one who slowly got the know Senku better, afraid of pushing him away if I went too fast. I learned more about him than anyone has the patience to. Except maybe for Yuzuriha and Taiju, since they have known him the longest. I’m the one who reminds him to eat and sleep as he tends to forget. I see how he gets frustrated and angry at himself when he can’t figure out something. I’m the one who smiled brightly at him when he told me to ‘not die, and come back’ when I went to infiltrate Xeno’s base. I had never smiled so genuine before and my heart went in overdrive that day.
I’m the one who got all the people to help build that observatory for his birthday, because I genuinely wanted to. I’m quite selfish and normally only do things that benefit me or makes me sure I get something in return. I planned that whole thing for Senku, never wanting anything in return. And he was amazed by it, happy and I even saw him wipe a tear away. My heart had melted and he grinned when I told him ‘happy birthday’.
I never expect Senku to be mine as he isn’t one for dating, and I could accept that. I’m always by his side after all. But now, someone has invaded that space. Luna. The space I created so carefully, the one that made me capable of being close to Senku no matter what without the boy being annoyed at my presence, it’s gone. I’m partially the blame for it as I’m keeping my distance, but Luna is getting closer and closer. She does whatever she wants and Senku is visibly bothered by it but never says anything about it which is weird to me. Senku doesn’t hesitate to tell you to get off and yet he accepts it from Luna. Does he secretly like her? What has happened between them when she was taking care of Senku? I have so many questions.
I’m pulled from my thoughts by Senku as I noticed the room is now empty except for us two. The meeting has gone by without me paying attention to anything that has been said which is very unlike me. Normally I’m on top of it all and am exceptionally skilled at eavesdropping.
“Gen? You seem…off?” Senku tilts his head. He isn’t good at human emotions and also tends to not care that much but for him to notice means, I have to step up my game. Putting on my usual grimace. “It must be my lack of sleep. The beds aren’t that great for my delicate frame.” It’s not a lie which means it’s perfect for hiding the actual reason. Senku ponders over it for a moment.
“Fair enough. Not giving you more breaks though.” He grins. “How rude, you asked for a reason.” I put my hands in my sleeves. He chuckles. “Yeah and you lie about it.” His eyes stare into mine and I know I’m caught. Well, slightly caught. It’s not like I have to tell him the truth right now, or ever. Time to change the subject.
“What job did you have for me?” I ask. Senku doesn’t notice or decided not to call me out on changing the subject as he happily gives me a notebook. “Since you were spacing out for the remainder of the meeting. Long story short, we’re going to make motorcycles!” He exclaims happily. I blush lightly at being caught spacing out. But… “Motorcycles?” I’m not surprised as Senku has proved the impossible many times by now, but still. He nods.
“How exactly? I don’t really think we have the materials for those, right?” I look around as if the walls of the meeting room are going to give me the answers. He laughs, which makes my heart skip some beats. “We have everything to make the engine and the exterior of the vehicle, but we need to make a quick stop at an island not far from here to retrieve oil and rubber.” He explains. Then he goes into a ramble about how these exact motorcycles are made and it’s something I love listening to, even when I don’t understand half of it. Senku shines bright when he is talking about creating stuff.
“And this is where you come in, mentalist.” He says at the end of his ramble, pointing at me and I have to compose myself to not blush at the motion. It felt like he picked me over a thousand people at that moment. He didn’t though, he picked Luna. I tilt my head playfully. “We have limited supplies so we can at most maybe create six motorcycles and you have to split us evenly so equal weight is on every motorcycle.” He says.
“I can do that.” I say. Gives me a good excuse to sit inside the sleeping quarters and avoid talking to Senku. Or looking at Luna trying to interact with him. Despite Senku not caring that much I still hate seeing them together. “Good. You’re also driving one by the way. I put the rest of the drivers in the notebook.” He says with a sly smile as if that comment would get passed me.
“Dear Senku, I don’t know how to drive one.” I say as I really don’t feel like driving a motorcycle through some desert with Stanley and his sniper rifle on our asses. “Neither does the rest of the drivers, but I know you can do it. I’ll even help you get the basics down.” He says. I move closer to him, bumping my shoulder against his. “Hmm, and why aren’t you one of the drivers?” I ask playfully. His name was not in the notebook listed as one of them despite him coming from the modern world as well.
“I need to be focused on other things, remember Stanley? And Xeno could be planning something at any moment.” He smirks. “I guess that’s fair. Who should I pair Xeno with?” I still keep my shoulder against his and for now it doesn’t seem like he minds. “I’ll leave that up to you as well. I trust your guidance.” He says. Playfully I put my head against his softly and now I feel him tense up. He groans and pushes at my head.
“Stupid mentalist, don’t use me as a pillow.” He says. Senku doesn’t sound or looks angry, just mildly annoyed. “I also want you to talk to Xeno.” I raise my eyebrow at this. “And you think the guy will talk to me?” I chuckle. Xeno has been quiet which is a smart move on his end. He also looks rather amused instead of scared or intimidated. He has absolute fate in Stanley saving him and knows we aren’t going to harm him. “You are the mentalist, you figure it out.” Senku pats my shoulder and goes back to his blueprints of what looks like a motorcycle.
Well time to annoy Xeno then. The guy is handcuffed but is allowed to roam around as even this guy isn’t suicidal enough to jump of a ship, going at full speed. It would definitely give us a good shock and then another when Taiju wouldn’t hesitate to jump in after him. He won’t be able to escape from us and we all know that so Xeno can roam around the ship and do whatever. He isn’t really a threat to us and doesn’t even try to be.
I find him on the deck with a drink in his hand, awkwardly drinking the liquid from a straw. Not too happy about this, but it gives me something to do besides constantly moving around, avoiding Senku. Xeno eyes me curiously, but says nothing. There is no way I can get information out of this man. He knows I manipulate people as a sport and is less socially inept than Senku. He will definitely pick up on my lying.
“What do I own the honour? No way you’re gonna keep me company in silence.” Xeno starts the conversation. Maybe he does want to talk. I could try to be direct and get a laugh out of the man, but that won’t give me an answer regardless. Talking casually could help and maybe the man slips up on something. I put my hands elegantly into my sleeves.
“I figured it would be very nice of you to give us some information on Stanley.” I smirk. The man chuckles. “Unfortunately for you I’m not very nice.” He plays with his fingers and we did take off those long accessories as we thought it could help him get out of the handcuffs somehow. “Aren’t you though? There is no way you didn’t detect my lies and yet you allowed me close to you regardless.” I say. no need to hide anything now.
“Hmm, your acting was splendid.” Xeno says. “And yet you simply played along. Was it entertaining?” I tilt my head. He chuckles again. “Oh, what’s entertaining is right here underneath my nose. You might be able to fool Senku, but your crush on him is rather obvious. One might laugh at how you deliberately avoid him like the plague. Must be difficult if there is nowhere to go.” Xeno laughs. I wasn’t expecting to be this obvious. I don’t think other people know, but the fact that Xeno knows doesn’t sit well with me. And now I stayed silent for too long to deny it. Shit!
“I wasn’t sure yet, but you just confirmed it for me. How cute.” Xeno states with a smirk. Damn this clever scientist. He is way more understanding of emotions than Senku. “How about you and Stanley? I know there is more to you two.” I ask, trying to change the subject. “Oh, I thought that was rather obvious with how much you pissed of Stan by kidnapping me.” Xeno says in a chipper voice. For some reason this guy annoys me but I also enjoy talking to him.
“So what now? You’re gonna give me relationship advice?” I ask, slightly pouting. “There isn’t much to say.” Xeno says and it’s true.
Even if the man would give me random advice, I can’t do anything with it. I can’t let Senku learn about my feelings and if I do anything Luna would notice and call me out on it. Besides I haven’t fallen so deep that I would flirt with Senku when he is already dating someone. I’m not that desperate, except that I am though.
“I was surprised as well.” Xeno suddenly says. And here I thought our conversation was over and I would leave to tell Senku I learned absolutely nothing besides that we pissed of Stanley since we kidnapped his boyfriend. I give him a look. “Do you really not know? That would make things even more entertaining.” Xeno says with a grin. “Well it was surprising that Senku decided to date someone.” I say. “Yes, but that’s not all. Despite all odds, he started dating Luna.” Xeno is playing with his fingers again, obviously missing those accessories he has on them. He could poke your eyes out with those.
“I did hear that she helped him recover.” I say absentmindedly. As if that would make Senku fall for you. There is just no way. I have no clue why he started dating Luna and I’m too scared to ask. “Recovered is a big word. Senku is far from healed and he is pushing it way too far. You should get him to rest.” Xeno smirks. Since when does he care so much for someone he wanted dead not that long ago? I have a hard time reading this man, even though that should be my specialty. Am I losing my touch? Or am I seeing double meaning in words that don’t have them? Reading between lines that don’t exist.
“Why do you think he started dating Luna?” I ask. Xeno shrugs. “Who knows? Senku could be suddenly interested in dating and is conducting an experiment on his own or something.” It’s a vague answer and I know I won’t get more out of this man. It could absolutely be true that Senku is testing things out, but for what reason? Dating has nothing to do with what Senku is trying to achieve and normally it doesn’t occupy his mind at all. And even now that they are dating it bothers him more than it does him good.
I flinch when I hear Senku’s voice, getting a grimace from Xeno who knows full well what it means. I really gotta get my feelings in check. Sneakily I make my way to the front of the boat, going from the other side to not run into him. It’s pathetic and I know that, but I want to have as little time with him as possible. It hurts too much and the sooner I get over these feelings the better. Because apparently it’s making me lose focus sometimes and I suck at hiding it since Xeno now knows. Although Xeno is on a different level and he literally has nothing to do besides observing everyone.
My mind is still in a gutter and I bump into Ryusui. I need to get some alone time! Maybe somehow I can coax that secret masturbation spot out of him. The man just laughs at me and puts an arm around my shoulder. Another person I can’t easily get away from.
“How about you ask Senku for me to make some condoms. Some people have needs.” Ryusui winks at me. With some people he just mostly means himself. “My my, so that secret spot you have isn’t good enough?” I ask, hoping to get more information on that. The man grins. “It’s splendid, but it would be even better with some company.” He says. So, it’s big enough to fit two people, that narrows down some places. He couldn’t be simply masturbating in the shower, thinking that nobody would know. It would be a very Ryusui thing to do though.
“How about you? You need to blow of some steam? I can help with that.” The man offers and honestly I almost want to say yes to that. Ryusui isn’t bad looking, in fact, he is quite hot. But I’m way too terrified of us being found out and making things somehow worse. What if Senku thinks I’m dating Ryusui now because I decided to fuck him? It’s not like I couldn’t explain to Senku we are simply pent up and needed some release.
“Wait, we still need the condoms then.” I blurt out. He pats my shoulder. “Exactly, and that’s where you come in. You get it, so try to make Senku get it as well.” He says. “Hmm, Ryu-chan, do you really think I can convince Senku?” I ask knowing full well how that conversation is going to go. And I already didn’t want to talk to Senku that much. Everyone ruining my plans to hide in a corner and pretend to think about who to put on which motorcycle.
“Now that he has a girlfriend, who knows.” Ryusui says. Don’t remind me of that. It’s already depressing enough. “Still surprised about that.” The man mumbles. “I guess Luna is cute enough for even Senku to date her.” I say, almost stumbling over my own words. Luna is cute and pretty, but Senku doesn’t care much about appearance. It can’t be appearance, so she must have a great personality then. Something must have happened when they were spending some time alone as she was nursing him to get better.
I feel very bitter. I was in some danger at Xeno’s base. Senku was also in terrible danger I hear about way too late in my opinion as I consider myself close to the scientist. Well, maybe not anymore. They might have been flirting with each other although I can’t see Senku flirting in any way. It might be terribly cute if he flirts. I know I can’t be selfish but I wanted to be the first to date him.