Our Brains Have Been Impounded by Our Hearts

by chillielava

Summary:

Senku Ishigami and his former mentor Dr. Xeno finally meet under unfortunate circumstances. Pursued by Stanley Snyder, dead-set on revenge, the former student and teacher are now captor and hostage. Despite this, their past fondness for each other still remains. And as they indulge in their shared passion for science and get to know each other personally, their feelings become something deeper. But the politics of the situation make it difficult to accept as well as other complexities- unbeknownst to Senku, Stanley is a bit more than just Xeno’s childhood friend.

Senku didn’t think there was anything more his mentor could teach him, but it appears Xeno may still have a few lessons left to give…

Chapter 1: How to Treat a Hostage

“The two of us will surely crack the secrets behind the petri-beam and the moon…” Xeno declared deep from his chest.

No need to delay. Senku waved his friends out of the room. Chrome whined as he stalled behind everyone else. Pout and pleading eyes begged Senku to let him stay in on the science-pro’s secret meeting. This was the event of the millennium; a must-see. Senku assured him that he’d be included some other time and that seemed to be somewhat satisfactory. 

Senku lingered at the door, peeking out the port to confirm everyone had cleared. He hummed, the leather seat creaking under his weight as he placed himself across from his old mentor. Silence fell over the salon. The large windows displayed the murky river, streaks of white danced over the surface as the pale clouds and shining sun bled over its dark waves. Xeno readjusted, gravitating his student’s attention back to him, his eyes much like the scenery.

Senku leaned in, “Sure, we got time now.” The prospect of finally getting to have this conversation sparked a fervor through the young scientist, “So let’s you and me- mentor and mentee exchange everything we know so far.” 

The man he once sought guidance from, now his hostage, reciprocated this passion. “Very well. Because science is elegant…” 

Finally they had a moment alone- face to face.

It was early morning, neither man had gotten much rest last night in the commotion of the escape. But neither felt fatigued. The thrill of the previous day and the anticipation of days ahead invigorated them. 

Senku broke the ice, “It’s been a real long time, Dr. Xeno.” 

The older man nodded, his disposition hard to read, “A long time coming, yes.” Yet at this moment nearly four-thousand years had felt like no time at all, “If only it had been under different circumstances…” he said wistfully. 

Xeno repressed his sentiments from when he learned Senku had evaded his attempt on his life. Vowing to never tell of what transpired in his mind the moment ‘Do it’ slipped from his lips. This fondness for his mentee was his achilles heel and this war wasn’t over yet. 

“For sure,” Senku dipped his head. “I don’t like when things come to this.” 

Xeno leaned back and spoke reassuringly, “I don’t fault you Senku. You’ve only done what’s necessary in order to win this conflict.” He looked down his nose at him. “Though, taking me hostage is a grave mistake…”

This ominous comment sent a chill through Senku. “Why’s that?” the young scientist inquired, having a feeling he already knew the answer.  

“Stan may have failed to kill you the first attempt, but he’ll succeed the second… He doesn’t accept failure.” 

Senku pressed his lips thin, looking past Xeno as he thought. Then his eyes darted back to meet his. “Do you want me to die?” he asked matter-of-factly.

Xeno went still. He had no intention of answering, “Why don’t you tell me about your journey so far? What’s led up to this very moment, I’m curious?” Senku let out a heavy sigh, the weight of his past making him slump in his chair. Xeno noted this hesitancy to divulge, “Why don’t you start from the beginning then? When you broke out of the stone.” he asked in a manner reminiscent of a therapist. Senku could only hope this wouldn’t turn into a therapy session- it easily could. 

“Well… I de-petrified April 1st 5738,” Xeno’s lips parted in silent awe. “What about you, Xeno? I’m assuming around the same time since you stayed conscious too.”

“You know the date?” he questioned breathlessly. Senku nodded, wondering to himself what was so shocking about that. “How do you know that?” 

A smile tugged at the corner of his lips when he realized. “I counted.” Somehow even Xeno of all people could still be dumbfounded by the things he himself didn’t give much mind to. 

Xeno’s jaw dropped, a glimmer in his eyes. At a loss for words he stared up at the ceiling looking for what he wanted to say. “Tell me. What is today’s date, Senku?” 

“December 1st 5741.” 

Xeno lit up, “Ooh, truly elegant, Senku-” A strange squeal-like sound of excitement piped from the older scientist. His eyes wild, a tinge of red bloomed on his cheeks. Just as quickly as he had lost his composure he reeled it back in. Xeno cleared his throat, “...Only you could accomplish something so prodigious...” he praised. 

Senku had gotten plenty of admiration for the things he had done before but, Xeno was pretty much admitting he had outdone him. He felt himself soften. There was still a part of him that felt giddy to be praised by the NASA scientist he looked up to way back when. 

Senku shrugged, attempting to mask his sudden bashfulness, “Not all that much you can do petrified. Figured I might as well use my time efficiently.” Xeno muttered more words of affirmation, causing his student to fidget.

Quickly Senku wanted to change the subject. He gave him the run-down of the members of the crew and how he came to know them, keeping it surface level and factual- as if he was describing the life of someone else. 

Xeno figured this was a strategic choice as to not reveal any potential dynamics to exploit. Never-the-less he could tell Senku had accomplished many seemingly impossible feats. 

All with the power of science. 

Xeno butted in, “How did you discover the revival fluid? I feel you glossed over that part, Senku…” 

“Oh.” Senku really hadn’t meant to omit it. He actually did want to discuss it with him. “When I de-petrified I was by myself for a while. So after getting my basic needs met, I started trying to figure out how to replicate it. I needed to find out how to revive people, I probably wouldn’t have survived for much longer all on my own.” 

Xeno finished his thought, “Which is why you discovered the revival fluid and I did not. But I have my reasons for why I came to the conclusion I did…” he paused for a moment. Senku wondered if he was doing it for dramatic effect or if the cogs were just turning.

Finally after some mental preparation Xeno began, “The CDC had conducted experiments in the days prior to the petrification, which yielded significant results. They had consulted me, so I was aware there was a slight ion outflow when nitric acid was introduced to the stone swallows. Using glass wool soaked in nitric acid as a terminal and a potentiometer to measure voltage- there were the slightest electrical signals being outputted- a very slight potential difference appearing only around the head. I deduced them to be brain waves. While in the stone I theorized that since I was in Pinnacles National Park, a place filled with saltpeter caves- meaning nitric acid- that the chemical had to have some involvement in the process when I ultimately broke out of the stone. I followed this hypothesis and searched the nearby caves where I had indeed found ionized nitric minerals as I had suspected I would. So, using this prior knowledge of the swallows measured brain waves with my own maintained brain functioning and the evidence that my statue had indeed come in contact with an amount of nitric acid. I concluded that sustained brain activity was necessary for de-petrification as the energy expended from brain activity over a long period of time was slowly breaking down the stone. Nitric acid, as a corrosive agent, merely speeds up the process.” Xeno’s lips seemed to blur, as did the world around him as he rambled a mile a minute.

Senku absorbed every last word. 

He had leaned in, holding his chin in deep consideration. “Brain activity plus nitric acid equals de-petrified. I don’t fault you for sticking to that. You had sound evidence that that worked.” 

“Huh, you actually let me finish…?” Xeno mused to himself. 

Senku straightened his posture, crossing his arms. “But, I wasn’t satisfied with the conclusion that anyone who didn’t stay conscious couldn’t be helped. I gathered all the stone swallows I could find and pretty much threw everything at them just to see what would happen. Eventually I decided to try nital. Every problem has a solution- no matter how much of a pain in the ass getting that answer can be.”

“A bit of an inelegant method yet, effective.” Xeno hummed, “Considering that at the time I lacked any modern equipment, I figured that any test I could try to do would be unreliable. As well as I had a couple dozen people I needed to feed and shelter. So I’ve only recently had more time I could dedicate to research and experimentation.”

Senku’s fingers drummed against his chin as he considered a question he really wanted an answer to. A part of him felt like Xeno wouldn’t give him a straight answer though. He let out a deep sigh. Senku had managed to get him talking, so maybe it was worth a shot. 

“You didn’t even know if there were other people who had broken out of the stone, let alone if they’d be a threat to you. Why’d you stockpile like you were going to war?”

Xeno wished to wave off this notion, but with his hands bound, he settled to kick his leg dismissively. “It’d be plain illogical to assume my people and I were the only ones on Earth who had stayed conscious. In such a primitive new world, the ones with the most physical prowess are the strongest. With weaponry, the playing field is leveled.” he scoffed, “Humans are always seeking to gain power- it’s in our nature.”

Senku took a moment to think about how he felt, recollecting that he indeed did say something similar to what Xeno espoused at one point in time. It was apparent his old mentor wasn’t completely delusional; he was just more of an expect the worst, prepare for the worst kind of guy. 

Senku looked at the man across from him curiously, “So did you become the leader of your group because you’re just the leading type or did you declare yourself one?” 

Visibly his jaw clenched. Xeno went dead still. The only sign of life was the faint crease of his brows, the twist of his bottom lip. “With science, the wise can guide and lead the masses… That’s how I came to power.” Xeno sneered. His dull eyes, like black-holes, all consuming. “That’s how you did as well, Senku, so don’t pretend like you're above that.” 

Senku matched him with a glare. His own eyes red, like a signal of danger- they told him not to continue any further.

Xeno heeded the warning. A smirk fought its way onto his lips, “Aren’t we off track? I thought we were supposed to be talking about the petri-beam.” 

They observed each other wordlessly. 

“We’ve got all day to do that,” said Senku.

“Indeed we do.” Xeno tilted his head, idly gazing out the windows. The sun blazed high above in the picturesque sky, spreading its hazy rays across the clouds.  Now the land was long behind them and all that surrounded was the wide open ocean.

Senku raised his clasped hands to his mouth as if he were deep in thought, in reality, a weak attempt to conceal a smile. 

He could hardly hide it- Senku was excited. Even more than he had expected. 

The time went by much faster than the two scientists had expected. As the sea birds squawked overhead the crew congregated up on the bridge, having quiet conversations. The sound of a tea-pot whistle echoed from the galley and voices faded in and out as they passed by the entrance to the salon. 

Senku stood from the leather booth, stretching his stiff muscles with a groan. Xeno likewise took the break in conversation as an opportunity to stretch his neck, wishing he could do the same with his arms. Senku poked his head out the door to the deck to see if who he was looking for was around. He called in Kaseki, who hoisted a sack of inventions about twice the size of his body into the room. Out of it came the record-player, the glass record containing Byakuya’s message placed delicately on it. 

Of course Senku had told Xeno the story about Ishigami village and it’s origins, but it was nice to hear some proof confirming it. Xeno hadn’t known Byakuya that well, but he had spent a considerable amount of time with him- enough to know what type of man he was. And it wasn’t hard to empathize with Senku knowing he was long dead. But with the crucial information that from space Byakuya had witnessed the petri-beam started in South America, the two could start calculating the exact location of where it originated from. 

To get started, Xeno humbly requested he be unbound to not hinder his ability in experimenting (and to relieve his sore shoulders). Senku eyed him a bit suspiciously, but all it took to convince him was Xeno saying, “What am I going to do, jump off and swim back to America?” And they got to work, Chrome sneaking in to join them eventually.

Seeing Xeno untied, Chrome practically announced it to the entire crew in his shock. 

By dinner time, they’d determined the origin. Delicately picking up his scientific model with metal claws, Xeno packed them into a box if needed for later use. Senku had left, heading up to the helm to inform Ryusui of their precise destination. Of course the young scientist hadn’t left him alone unattended, the looming presence of Tsukasa eyed him silently from the corner of the room, stoically staring.   

Having gotten an abridged history of his past, Xeno was surprised Senku had actually told him about what Tsukasa had done. This affirmed his notion that a brute could and would try to cultivate power in the stone world. If Senku had prioritized weaponry, then their conflict would’ve ended much quicker. That was for sure. 

Tsukasa was once a formidable enemy, yet Senku had managed to convert him into a powerful ally…

With science.

Xeno caught himself smiling at the thought. Well, the creation of weapons is a science in itself, yes?

Before long, the first full day out at sea drifted away. 

Xeno joined Senku and the rest of the crew down in the salon for dinner. He didn’t feel very hungry or very welcome, so he distanced himself from the crew. Watching their jovial conversation from afar- crude jokes and obnoxious laughter echoed through the room. Their irresponsible and unrestricted drinking was a stark reminder of how he had been defeated by a gaggle of immature teens and early twenty-somethings. 

His eyes darted off to the outskirts of the group where Senku stood, arms crossed sternly as he watched over everyone. Perhaps to make sure no-one wandered off and fell overboard in a drunken stupor. It seemed Senku was the only mature one here. 

Senku suddenly turned to look in Xeno’s direction, sensing the older man’s eyes on him. A subtle look of pity crossed his features. Xeno looked away- he didn’t want it. This was his choice. 

But unfortunately it wasn’t his decision whether or not Senku felt bad for him. When he looked back, Senku was gone from his place, having disappeared behind the curtain into the mini galley. Moments later he was making his way towards Xeno, with two meat kebabs in both hands. 

He extended one to his mentor. “I know you didn’t eat anything all day,” he said. 

They had spent the whole day together after all, too absorbed in their work for the thought of sustenance to cross their minds. All of a sudden aware of the burgeoning hunger pains in his stomach, Xeno stubbornly took the kebab from his outstretched hand and nibbled on it petulantly. 

“You can have a drink too if you want,” Senku offered with a small smile. 

“Get me drunk and spilling my guts?” He scoffed, “No thank you.” 

Senku had expected such a response. He moved next to Xeno, resting his back on the glossy paneled wall. Xeno's disposition remained stiff, eating his kabab with an amusing seriousness. 

“You lurking in the shadows is kinda freaking everyone out, Xeno.” Senku looked up at him, the warm light smoothing his face. “Come sit down.” 

In his peripheral vision Xeno caught a glimmer of his pleading look. He rejected the offer with his silence. 

Senku sighed and looked over at the rest of the crew around the solid wood table, happily chatting and stuffing their faces. The young scientist chewed on his food and took a good look around the room. Warm inset lighting, classy trim details on the furniture and polished steel walls framing scenic windows showing the shiny sea provided a pleasant atmosphere. Though contrastingly, the cabins below deck did not follow this industrial-style. Honestly, this boat was not too bad. Senku'd never make it like this himself, but he could still appreciate the craftsmanship. He was sure that if he asked Xeno to describe it-  he would say it was elegant. 

This brought a bit of an out of the blue question to his mind. “Xeno, in the old world, did you have a yacht?”

“No.” he answered curtly. 

Senku huffed. He was just trying to start a conversation with him and Xeno was being pouty for whatever reason. “You seem like you would,” he said, sounding a little more insulting than intended. 

Shifting in place, Xeno mumbled, “Well… my parents did.” 

“Yeah that kinda counts.” 

Xeno paused to swallow his bite. “No, that one was theirs. This one is mine.” 

Senku sighed, “Better not get too attached to it. Prob’ly gonna get pretty beat up.”  

“Well then I suppose it’s actually yours now.” He waved it off. “I can always make another. It didn’t cost me any money.” 

“How much do you think this woulda cost back then, huh?” Senku asked, trying to keep the conversation going. In honesty, he didn’t really care.

Jumping up from his chair, Ryusui chimed in, “Definitely a couple million. Xeno, did you design this?” He stumbled his way over to the two scientists, clearly a little drunk. He snapped his fingers. “When this conflict is settled, could I commission another one from you? No- one hundred of them! We can sell them for millions- everyone gets a boat!” he laughed boisterously. 

“Priorities, Ryusui-chan…” Gen sighed from the table. 

Ryusui looked over his shoulder. “Future planning should be a priority.” 

Senku rebuked, “We still have limited resources. And we need to build more important things than a hundred yachts.” 

Xeno cocked his head in his fellow scientist's direction. “What are you planning on building Senku? I haven’t heard you mention any plans…” he said slickly.

Ryusui suspiciously scrunched his lips and met Xeno’s eyes. “Why isn’t he tied up, Senku?” He jerked his head in his friend's direction. 

Senku yawned, “I’m watching him, relax…” 

Taiju shouted with his mouth full, “He literally just shot you the other week!” 

“Didn’t you say you were gonna tie him back up after we finished? Why’s he still free?!” Chrome added.

Above the crew's disapproved muttering, Kohaku spoke up, catching everyone’s attention. “What are we going to do about him tonight?”

Senku crossed his arms flippantly. “It’s alright. He’s not going anywhere.” 

Ryusui placed a hand on his shoulder, pulling him away from Xeno. He spoke gravely into his ear, “It’s not about him escaping...” 

Senku bowed his head pensively. It was too early to say Xeno was safe, wasn’t it? 

After everyone had cleaned up and headed off to bed, Senku, Xeno and Ryusui remained in the dining area. Xeno’s eye twitched as Ryusui pulled the ropes tight, securing the knot. “You sure you want to be the one keeping watch on him?” the blond asked with a hint of concern. 

Senku gave a curt nod. 

“Alright then.” He gestured to the tucked-away staircase in the hall that led to the lower deck. “There’s a large cabin down there, doesn’t connect to the rest of the crew’s sleeping quarters.” 

“Mmm yes, that one was actually intended to be mine.” Xeno looked to Senku, who kept his head turned away. “Quite the elegant space- You’ll like it.” 

“Yeah alright, you got your way in the end,” Senku grabbed Xeno by the arm. “C’mon, old man. ‘Past your bedtime,” he teased, leading him down the tight staircase. The older man was visibly unamused by the situation. 

Xeno flopped down onto the bed with a grunt, his bound arms having taken the brunt of his fall. Senku kneeled onto the bed and rolled him over a couple of times until he settled at the far end of the large mattress. Glaring over at his former student, Xeno flicked his head in an attempt to fix his now unkempt hair. 

“You can’t expect me to get any ounce of sleep like this, Senku.” Xeno pouted.

Senku scratched his ear with his pinky finger, his expression unbothered, though he did find this scenario pretty amusing. “I’ll tuck you in,” he offered, a smirk tugging at his lips. 

“We were getting along so well today. Where’d that cordialness go?” Xeno said haughty. 

Senku, tapping his finger on his chin playfully, answered, “I did tell you I was only untying you for a bit,” He pulled off his tool belt, placed it on the side table and slipped out of his shoes. He chuckled as he sat down on the bed, criss-crossing his legs. ”The only reason I waited until after dinner was because I didn’t wanna hand feed you.”

Exhaling a laugh through his nose, Xeno gave a slight smile at the mental image. He mulled on what to reply to that. When the words came to him, his eyes softened. “I’m not going to… try anything in the night.” 

Senku nodded. “I know, but it’s just for peace of mind for everyone else.” After a beat, he sat up. Lurching over to grab the quilt folded at the foot of the bed. He unfurled it, laying it over them both.

Xeno squirmed as the blanket settled on top of his body. “Uhg- At least let me take my shoes off first.” 

Between them there was a good meter of empty space. Enough to not make it awkward to share a bed and blanket, not that Senku really cared. Senku flopped down onto the mattress. “Kick ‘em off. You can do that yourself.” 

“Unlike your primitive ones, mine are laced.” he responded snobbishly.

Senku rolled his eyes as he rose up. Indolently crawling over and flipping the blanket up to get access to his loafers, he swiftly pulled loose both knots on each shoe. Once finished Senku returned to his spot with a big sigh.

Xeno side-eyed the young man as pushed his heel out of his shoe, soon there were two thuds against the floor as he discarded them off the side of the bed. 

Senku closed his eyes, nuzzled into the pillow and made himself comfortable. He’d hardly gotten any sleep the past couple of days due to the hectic conflict. As well as getting in a plane crash while still recovering from getting shot- certain to say he was more than a little tired. 

“Hmm… Senku?” 

One red eye blinked open. He raised an eyebrow in question.

“Could you loosen my tie for me?” Xeno grinned, amused with his own antics. “If you’d be so kind to…”

Senku scrunched his nose at him- rejecting the request. 

Xeno rolled his head against the pillow theatrically. “Ahh it’s like I’m being choked. I couldn’t possibly fall asleep like this.” he deadpanned. Flopping his head to the side, he met Senku’s unamused glare. “I think I’ll be up all night if you don’t…” 

Senku’s lips parted in confusion. Xeno was so much more un-serious than he had initially struck him to be. Or maybe he was always like this and he just wasn’t privy to this side of his mentor before. “Are we seriously doing this?” 

Xeno pressed his lips thin and nodded. 

Once again Senku pulled the quilt off of himself and sat up. He leaned over Xeno, who in response, exposed his neck to him. The gesture catching him off guard, his hand froze in place.

Senku’s eyes trailed up from the silky tie, over the lean muscles of Xeno’s neck, and finally settled onto his face. He tried not to, but he cracked a smile at his mentor's blatant smug expression. Xeno was just messing with him that’s all- trying to get a rise outta him. 

Taking hold of the article, Senku gave a prompt tug and yanked it side to side until the knot was undone. “Anything else?” he asked, his tone a bit kinder than he intended. 

“No.” 

Senku squinted suspiciously. “You sure...?”

“Yes.” Xeno assured. That devilish look in his eyes and the subtle curl of the corners of his mouth did not go unnoticed, though.

Hesitantly, Senku scooched back to his side of the bed. The moment his head hit the pillow-

“Could I possibly have my coat removed as well?”

Senku composed himself, half way between wanting to laugh and scream. “I’d have to undo the ropes to do that.” 

“You’ve already untied my shoes and tie, what’s another?” Xeno remarked, his voice velvety and beguiling.

Senku wasn’t opposed to it- really he was not a fan of the idea of Xeno being restrained overnight. But right now it was obvious Xeno’s ultimate goal was not only to annoy him, but to get free. Maybe he was scheming or testing his limits. Maybe he just wanted to be comfortable. Senku really couldn’t tell. Though he trusted Xeno on his word, perhaps his reasons for doing so were not so logical. 

Senku turned to look at him. “I dunno… I think you’ll be alright.”  

Xeno wouldn’t meet his eyes. “Just take off my coat. Tie me back up after of course,” he reasoned in almost a whisper. The soft light from the bedside lamp illuminating his face warmly, a harsh shadow of his profile cast across the upholstered walls. Xeno’s eyebrows furrowed. “Senku, I assure you I won't-”

“I know,” he reiterated. Xeno met his eyes, now Senku was the one who averted his. His mouth fumbled as he tried to speak before knowing what he wished to say. “I guess… weirdly enough, I’m kinda having a hard time finding a balance between treating you like an enemy and like a friend.” 

Hanging out with Xeno today wasn’t so bad. Senku hasn’t had the opportunity to just sit down and talk about science like that in a long time. Just to have someone who got what he meant without needing an explanation. Of course he didn’t fault any of his friends for this, Senku was well aware that he had an above average understanding of the subject. But man was it fun just to be able to talk. He’d always had people in his life who would listen to him ramble about whatever projects he was up to or what he was researching and all that. They would smile and nod, but… he could tell they didn’t really get it.

Senku loved sharing science with his friends, but he needed this badly. And he hadn’t even known it until he finally got to sit down across from his old mentor. Even before, when they only spoke through emails, Senku felt like Xeno and him were on the same wavelength. 

Maybe that’s why he still liked the guy- because they were the same. The same but still so different… 

“...I’m not your friend.” Xeno hissed, his baritone voice cutting through the silence. The bite in his words made Senku tense. “Why are you permitting my blatant disrespect of your authority?” 

Senku tried to ignore this sudden hostility. “Enemy or not, I’m still gonna treat you fair.” 

“Fair?” Xeno sneered, seeming disgusted by the notion. “You’re practically rolling out the red carpet for me! You’re at my beck and call- Doing what you're told…!” he spat out. 

“What are you getting at?” Senku asked. If Xeno thinks he’s making a mistake then, why is he correcting him? 

With a pensive gaze, Xeno muttered, “I expected better from someone like you…” 

He was right. They weren't friends. Senku didn’t really know Xeno and Xeno didn’t really know Senku. But Senku wanted to. Eventually he’d befriend him. His old mentor couldn’t understand how to win a war without death, but Senku had done it before. And he was sure as hell gonna do it again. 

That was the only option to resolve this conflict that he’d accept. 

Senku swallowed the lump in his throat and leaned over Xeno, a look of determination burning in his ember eyes. With the strength he could muster up, Senku turned Xeno around, making quick work of undoing the ropes that bound his arms. Catching a glimpse of his bewildered face as he flipped him over again, Senku swiftly unzipped his coat, pulling it off promptly.

Tossing it aside, Senku opened his arms wide, offering himself to Xeno, “If I’m dumb enough to trust my enemy, are you smart enough to kill me right now? Is that what you want me to think?” 

Xeno’s wide eyes bore into him. Then his expression soured, licking his lips as a malicious laugh crawled out from the depths of his chest. A suave grin spread on his lips. “Tie me back up, Senku.” Closing his eyes, Senku sported his own smirk. When he opened them again, he went to do what was asked of him. Xeno provided some additional input, “This time, secure it to the bed frame. Otherwise, though I may not have had good dexterity, I still would’ve been able to move about the room as I pleased.” 

Senku tugged on the frame firmly to assure there wasn’t some kind of hidden weakness in it that Xeno had already ascertained. It felt sturdy. In fact it looked like the frame was bolted directly to the walls of the ship. Senku wondered why he even bothered to check. It seemed like Xeno was doing some kind of weird mind game right now. He knew he couldn’t escape if he tried. At least for right now- he didn’t have any other options to get one over on Senku but to mess with his head. 

So the question was, why is Xeno trying to reinforce to him that he isn’t to be trusted instead of doing the obvious and attempting to gain his trust? 

No clue. He’ll run this by Gen in the morning- that’s his forte. 

Xeno offered his wrists, Senku wrapped the ropes around them not too tight. Lifting his arms above his head, the movement causing his shirt to untuck itself, Xeno let himself be tethered to the metal post.

Once it had been done, Senku pulled back. Observing his mentor’s face as harsh shadows cut across it. Holding eye-contact with his former student, dark eyes challenged him to search into what was hidden within them. It was obvious Xeno’s presence was domineering, his vulnerability was merely perceived. 

Mercifully, Xeno let go of eye-contact before Senku could fall into the abyss of his oppressive gaze. The older man cleared his throat, bringing Senku back to reality. “One last thing. Then I’ll let you get some rest.” 

“What is it, Xeno?” Senku wondered eagerly, wanting to get it over with.

Xeno met his eyes. “Take off my belt.” he demanded plainly. 

“Sure but,” Senku tilted his head playfully. “Can’t you ask a little nicer?” 

With great difficulty Xeno repressed an eye roll. “Would you please?” 

That was fine enough for Senku. He looked down at the task at hand and…

…The realization of what he’d just agreed to sank in.

Senku felt heat creep up the back of his neck. It was a bulky utility belt, of course it wouldn’t be comfortable to sleep in. It wasn’t anything weird- Xeno was trying to embarrass him, wasn’t he? Senku's eyes darted back up to Xeno’s amused expression. He knew any pleasure he derived from this was purely from being a nuisance. 

At least he assumed so.

Senku had hesitated longer than he’d realized. “What’s keeping you?” Xeno inquired, almost as if he already knew the answer. 

He didn’t know what to say. Rushed hands took hold of the buckle and pulled it out the rivets. Senku discarded the belt off the side of the bed quickly, letting out a relieved sigh once the deed was done. 

Xeno opened his mouth to speak, Senku interjected, “Shut up and go to sleep.” his mentor complied, shutting his mouth. 

Senku fell back into his spot on the bed, bringing the blanket up over himself and Xeno. His back to him, Senku situated himself as far away as he could before he risked falling off in his sleep. 

The bedside lamp flicked off, coating the room in a serene darkness. 

A melody of crashing waves, the steady creaking of the boat, and each other's breathing lulled them both. After a few long silent minutes, a whisper intertwined itself into the atmosphere, “Goodnight, Senku.” 

Senku turned onto his back, already asleep. He hadn’t heard Xeno’s wishes.

It was starting to become hard to keep his eyes open any longer. Xeno finally relaxed. But when he untensed his arms, his wrists slipped free from the loose rope that bound them. 

Xeno opened his eyes. “Oh?” He held his hands in front of face, as if he was imagining things in the dark. 

He looked back to Senku; he was smirking.

Notes:

I actually started writing this a couple of months ago, but I figured that it was better to wait to publish so that anime only fans could enjoy this too. I plan on updating along with when what is covered in the chapter airs (Though there will be spoiler-ish foreshadowing) I swear my writing has improved since this first chapter- I tried to go back and touch it up as best as I could without essentially rewriting the whole thing so bear with it lol. Also I'm dyslexic and so is spell check too ig cause it never catches it. I literally had the title misspelled this whole time in docs as "our brians have been impounded..." and only just caught it >_< (title comes from "who's stopping you" by semisonic)

Chapter 2: How to Maximize Efficiency

Thick sheets of gray clouds blanketed the morning sky. Wind whistled over the ocean, hitting the hull of the ship it jostled and rocked the tiny vessel. A cool breeze blew into the cabin through a porthole left open. Senku stirred from the chill. Still tired, he felt like he’d been hit by a ton of bricks and his right arm numb from being laid on the whole night. He rolled over, faced with the sight of who he had shared a bed with that night. 

Xeno, asleep on his back, pale lips slightly parted and stray strands of hair falling onto his face. If it weren't for the quiet breaths he took, he’d look like a corpse in a casket. And without his dark coat on he was almost unrecognizable. Donning his white dress shirt, fair skin and sandy hair- his petrification scar like a splash of spilled ink on paper.

A fleeting thought crossed Senku’s mind. His ‘enemy’ wasn’t so intimidating when he was snoring. From what he’d gathered- by himself Xeno was relatively harmless. 

Though, with his friend Stanley at his command… 

Right, that’s the situation. 

Senku pulled the covers off, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. Slipping his shoes on, he stood and tied his tool belt around his waist. Out of one of the pouches he retrieved his toothbrush. He always kept it on him. Don’t want to forget- especially in a world without dentists. He stepped into the en suite bathroom, quietly shutting the door behind him. 

Face washed, teeth brushed, hair combed by fingers; Senku was ready for the day. Well no- there was nothing he could do about those dark bags under his eyes. He was awake only by definition. But really, when was he not exhausted nowadays? 

Exiting the washroom, Senku laid back down on the bed and stretched out his sore body. He rested his eyes for a moment, rubbing the sleep from them. Looking out into the dim room only lit by the dawn light, he glanced over at Xeno. 

Senku startled. With no indication his mentor had awoken, Xeno stared at him doll-like. 

“Good morning.” he said, voice raspy and tired. 

“Uh… Hey…?” 

Xeno frowned. “Say it back.” 

Senku sat up, his face twisting in confusion. “You sound like a clingy girlfriend.” 

“Have you ever had one of those?” 

“No.” 

Xeno hummed. "Presumably because you lack basic courtesy.” He stretched his arms above his head with a soft groan. 

“Fine.” Senku took a deep breath- it was too early for this. “Good morning, Dr. Xeno.” he said sarcastically, turning his back to his old mentor. 

What a strange guy. Senku just couldn’t seem to predict what was gonna come outta his mouth next. 

“Good boy.” 

Senku whipped his head back. “Huh?” 

Xeno looked around innocently. Must’ve been the wind… 

“All right then…” Senku pushed himself off of the bed. “Get dressed so we can go up and eat.” 

Xeno sat up, yawning. “Do you have any coffee?” he asked as he began re-buttoning his shirt.

“Got green tea,” Senku compromised. “Coffee beans are grown in tropical climates.” 

“Hmm, right.” Xeno shrugged on his coat, fidgeting with the zipper. “I miss coffee…”

“Yeah… I miss energy drinks.” Senku leaned against the door, waiting for Xeno to finish lacing his shoes up. 

“I switched to just coffee a while ago- almost put myself in the hospital drinking those.” 

“How’d you manage that?” Senku held the door open for him.

“Very sleep deprived, didn’t realize I had already had 5 cans in under 24 hours, 200mg of caffeine each. Luckily, it all came back up before my heart gave out.” Xeno pulled on his gloves. Wiggling his fingers, his steel claws chimed together as he stepped through the threshold. 

Senku followed close behind. “That’s… Something I didn’t need to hear.” 

“You asked…”

They made their way up the cramped staircase that led up from their private cabin into the salon. 

The wind was harsh, agitating the waves horribly. The boat rocked side to side, creaking with every sway. Senku looked out the port on the door, it didn't appear as if there’d be rain. It would suck if they ran into a storm this early. But with his luck, Senku wouldn’t be surprised if the weather suddenly turned for the worse. 

“Nobody’s up yet?” Xeno wondered aloud. 

“Yeah… It’s like, 5 in the morning.” 

The older man groaned, “5 AM? Senku, why did we wake up this early?” 

Senku pondered the question. “I didn’t mean to wake you up, but I suppose since we are here already…”  He opened the door excitedly, pushing against a strong gust of wind. Senku looked back. “I want a tour!” he said giddily. 

Together they walked out onto deck, Xeno leading ahead. “Where should I start?” he said, curtly tilting his head.

“Just tell me a bit about your boat. I'm curious about what we’re working with here.”

“Hmm. Well, it’s length spans 18 meters… Cruising speed 11 knots… Ah! Over here.”

Xeno pointed a long claw over to the left of the path they walked. Senku’s eyes traveled up the length of the towering chimney bellowing thick black smoke from its peak. His gaze followed Xeno’s finger back down it.

“All six engines are powered by gas from charcoal… We’ll progress slowly and steadily, at a snail's pace.” At the base were the engines, letting out a low drone. The rumbling hum much like Xeno’s deep voice. “Yes, this craft should be able to get us there…However…” he trailed off. 

Xeno fidgeted, tapping metal claws together. Senku held his breath waiting for him to continue. 

… 

“However…?” Senku urged him. 

Xeno folded his hands behind his back properly, spinning around to look at him. 

“You’re a smart boy, Senku. I don’t need to spell it out, do I? Really you should be thinking about your ship right now. Surely you know what it’s capable of?” He grinned cat-like. “I know what Stanley is capable of…”

Senku unconsciously touched his chest, letting out an ironic laugh, “Shit, why’d I have to make such a good boat?” 

Xeno joined him in his laughter, his more of a conniving sound. “Of course you did. I wouldn’t expect anything less of you.” He turned on his heel and continued on. 

Senku stared at the back of his head with a wry smirk. “Nothing we can really do about it. Gotta work with what we got.” 

The tour ended up going on longer than expected once the two got talking specifics. Stuff like- the materials, process of procurement, challenges and achievements. To many this yacht wouldn’t be anything to write home about, but it definitely excited Senku to learn Xeno had actually built this only a year after he’d revived. What was it? 3 years to get to the Perseus’ completion? Granted- Xeno’s was made for the purpose of transportation up and down the coastline and rivers. 

And yes, Xeno had described the boat as elegant. About 20 separate times actually. 

The tour ended up at the helm, the wind whipping at them from that elevation cut things a little short though. Climbing back down, Xeno scrunched his nose. A burning scent caught by the breeze, he looked around for its origin. “A fire?” 

Senku smirked, almost drooling from the pleasant aroma. “No, barbeque.” He jumped down, joining Xeno on the deck. “In the mood for some leftovers?” 

The two scientists headed to the rear of the boat, a plume of savory smelling smoke emitting from behind the mobile lab. When they arrived, Xeno stepped up first, stopped in his tracks as he was met with a crowd of judgmental stares. 

Senku came up shortly behind him, passing him with a quick pat on the shoulder. “Oh, yeah. I got a meeting with everyone right now. Forgot to mention it.” he said impishly. “You can sit in but, be quiet alright?”

Xeno huffed, banishing himself to the sidelines. Leaning against the guardrail, he snappily crossed one arm over the other. “Fine. I get it.” he sighed.

Plucking one stick from the grill, Senku presented it to Xeno much in the way he’d done the night before. “You want one?” 

Xeno shook his head, averting his eyes away from the strange stares Senku’s friends were shooting at the two of them.

Senku shrugged, taking a bite from it himself. Standing confidently in front of his friends, Senku commenced, “Our main issue is fuel.” It was time to address this. He had already known they’d need to figure out the fuel situation at some point, but those six hungry engines were gonna absolutely burn through it. A slow boat that eats up fuel going all the way around an entire continent… the odds were starting to not look so good. But it could work. And if there was a chance that it did, Senku was gonna take it. “We lucked out though, all we need is charcoal.”

He looked around at the nervous faces of his friends. 

“We’ll follow the coastline and make landfall every time we run out of juice.” Senku ginned devilishly. “So we can procure some locally sourced lumber!” 

“I thought by now we’d evolved past brutal physical labor Senku-chan!” Gen squeaked, a sweat already breaking out on his face just from the thought. 

Ryusui widened his stance and gave a hearty laugh, “Haha! Is imminent death a good enough motivator?” 

“D-death? But we’re gonna beat Stanley right?” Suika wandered up to the blond, her eyes big and bottom lip quivering. 

“Ah- I mean- threat of death. Not imminent.” Ryusui reassured the girl, albeit poorly. “We’re gonna get him! Right, Senku!”

Senku scratched his ear. “Eh- Well right now the only plans we have are to run away.” 

There was a collective groan. Senku always told things as they are rather than give out comforting lies. He did actually have an idea though, but it was highly dependent on luck- so he didn’t want to get their hopes up just yet. Not until he gave it some deeper consideration. 

“Which…” Gen started, trying to recover. “Will give us more time to plan on how to defeat him!” He smiled at Suika, who hesitantly returned one back. 

“Y-yeah… And what about Dr. Xeno…?” she asked, looking up at everyone. 

Chrome butted in confidently, “We’re gonna convert him. Turn him from a bad scientist to a good one- like me and Senku.” 

Xeno quietly scoffed at the notion. 

“What makes you say that?” Senku chuckled under his breath.

Chrome put his hands to his sides, smiling at his fellow science pro. “Well, that’s exactly the thing you’d do, isn’t it?”

Yeah, but unfortunately it wasn’t as simple as Chrome made it sound. 

Xeno’s believed the things he does for a long time. But obviously he wasn’t always that way. For the first few months he’d mentored him, Dr. X stuck to pure science, sharing the wonders of it with some dumb curious kid for the fun of it. Then one day it was like a switch flipped and the things he said became so bitter, grandiose, and macabre. After that… Senku stopped reaching out, not getting anything out of it. 

Though, he’d re-read that old ranting message just in case. He didn’t know his name let alone what position of power Dr. X held so he considered the possibility he could have his radical ideas come to fruition. 

But there were also some times he’d look through their old lessons too- from before. The old Dr. X he used to look up to still a curiosity to him…

Senku looked back to his crew, pulling himself out of his own head. “Maybe we shouldn’t be discussing our plan of attack in front of the guy we’re trying to beat, huh?” 

“...Why did you bring him?” Ryusui asked, his brows furrowed as he eyed Xeno suspiciously. “I suppose we can figure out what we will be doing in the long run later, but what are we doing about Xeno now?”

“We don’t need to ‘do anything’ about him yet. He’s cooperative.” Senku smirked. “Hell- he’s helped us by working with us to figure out the origin point.” 

Kohaku raised an eyebrow. “I don’t trust him. He’s plotting something. Who knows when he’s going to try and attack you again.” 

“Xeno doesn’t pose any physical threat to me or any of you, I’ve got proof of that.” 

“How so?” Gen asked.

Senku tilted his head, giving a dumb look. “We’re not dead, are we? I left him untied last night.” 

“WHAT!!!” everyone exclaimed. 

Senku crossed his arms, waiting for their protests to settle down. Eventually, he was given an opportunity to explain himself. “Xeno’s not the type of guy to get his hands dirty. That’s why he left all the dirty work to Stanley and the rest of his crew.” 

“The only time Xeno will be restrained is when Stanley catches up to us.” Senku nodded his head in his fellow scientist's direction. “If he’s gonna run, that's when he’ll do it. Right, Xeno?” 

The older man conceded, “Naturally.” 

“...‘When’ Stanley catches up?” Ukyo pointed out. 

Senku shared a glance with Ryusui. They both knew that the Perseus- being a warship- was significantly faster than Xeno’s little yacht.

“We’re running into him at some point. Just we need to control when, where and how prepared we are when we do.” Senku moved his attention to Kohaku. “Back to Xeno- keep him in eye-sight. I’ll keep him close, but anytime I can’t, someone from the power team will supervise him.” 

Kohaku put her hands on her hips. “You said he wasn’t a physical threat. Why do you want us?” 

“Cuz you guys are strong enough to keep him away from comms, out of places he shouldn’t be, ect…” Senku looked around at everyone. “You don’t have to be nice to him, don’t be hostile either, got it?” 

The crew nodded- some affirmative, some reluctantly. Kohaku frowned, disappointed she wasn’t getting the go ahead to beat Xeno up.

“We’ll be docking in a couple days so make sure you’re ready to go when we get there…” 

As it turns out, those couple of days passed relatively quickly at sea. As they made more and more distance, they burned through more and more charcoal. Now it was time for the issue of their depleting fuel to be dealt with. 

They had docked early that morning and had been going at it all day, only stopping for a brief lunch break. Now the hot afternoon sun shone intensely, orange and pink hues creeping over the horizon.

Xeno propped his elbow on the guardrail, looking down at everyone. He tapped a silver claw against the railing, searching for Senku in the crowd of hard-working young people. He found him close to the large pile of accumulated lumber, sweating and panting as he feebly split a log. He wasn’t looking too hot. Or rather he did… as in- he was certainly over exerting himself. 

He didn’t enjoy just standing around all day but… hostages don’t generally aid in escaping rescue, now do they? There wasn’t anything he could do about it, oh well…

Senku was not made for such prolonged physical activity that was evident. Xeno watched on as the axe the frail man was dragging caught on an exposed root, causing him to trip forward. Falling face first into the dry dirt, he wheezed as the wind was knocked out of him. For a second Senku simply laid there in defeat as his friends were too consumed in their own work to notice. With no one coming to help, he shakily pushed himself up onto his hands and knees. 

Xeno called down to him, his tone only slightly patronizing, “Senku, why don’t you take a break?”

Senku looked up in a daze as he struggled to get back on his feet. He swayed in place, a slight tremble in his arms and legs. “I’m gonna in a bit.” he croaked. 

“You might not need to wait for Stanley, you’re about to drop dead already.” Xeno teased.

That joke was perhaps a little too real. It only managed to make Senku want to work even harder. “I’ll be alright.” He picked the axe back up, attempting to swing it up onto his shoulder to rest. The shift in weight caused him to stumble backwards instead. Luckily, he discarded the axe to the side before it could take him down once again.

With his hands on his knees Senku huffed, trying to catch his breath. When he looked back up he could see a smirk on Xeno’s lips even from a distance. And though it was too quiet to hear, Senku could tell he was laughing at him. 

Xeno craned over his shoulder to look at the door leading into the interior of the ship. He was told to stay up on deck where Senku could see him. But if he were to wander off, then would he come looking for him? 

The older man peeked back down and fanned his face. “I’m going in the cabin- the sun’s killing me.” He slipped away, disappearing from view. 

Senku ran a hand over his forehead. “Xeno!” he shouted through gritted teeth.

Kohaku perked up. “I can go get him!” She jumped up, perching on a tree stump ready to attack. 

“Nah, I got him…” he sighed, already trudging towards the boat.

When Senku opened the door to their shared cabin he was greeted by the sight of Xeno smugly lounging on the bed, arms behind his head and ankles crossed.

“This is how you thank me for letting you walk freely?” 

Xeno cocked his head as if he didn’t understand him. “You should take a shower. You’re filthy.” 

Senku tried his best to suppress his growing annoyance at the older man, who ironically enough seemed to act quite childish at times. “Get back outside, we don't have time for this.” 

Xeno sat up, folding his hands in his lap. “Sure you do. You haven’t had a hot shower in just under 4,000 years. I know you want to.” He grinned like a salesman selling a scam. “Put me on the radio, I’ll tell Stan to take the night off too.” 

“Ha. You’re funny.” Senku deadpanned. 

Senku had of course noticed Xeno’s yacht had proper showers in the bathrooms. But the ol’ water bucket and a rag method was so efficient that he didn’t utilize them. His plan for today was to jump into the water off the shore after he was done chopping wood anyway. But with how sore his muscles were (or lack thereof) the prospect of a hot shower was enticing…

He caught himself and grimaced. No- Xeno’s just trying to distract him so that things will move slower…! The longer they stayed docked, the closer Stanley was to catching up. “What are you trying to do?” 

Xeno tapped his claw to his mouth in careful consideration. “You want the truth?” He raised his eyebrows.

Senku nodded. What a redundant question…

Xeno looked off, hiding his eyes away from Senku. “Overworking yourself like that was not very smart of you. You’ll be able to be more efficient if you give time for rest interspersed, you should know that.” 

“Doesn’t benefit you if I’m more efficient.” Senku countered. 

His head snapped back with a soft tilt. “It doesn’t benefit me if you work yourself to death.”

Senku chuckled, “Oh alright…” That hint of concern was easy to spot. “You can just say you were worried about me if that’s what you mean.” 

Xeno’s eyes went wide. “I was not.” 

Senku shifted, putting his hands on his hips. “Good. I don’t want you getting all sappy on me.” He didn’t believe him one bit. But, Xeno did actually have a point. Senku wasn’t thinking straight. 

Damn, of course he has to have a point…

“Hmm y’know what…” Senku smiled and took a step out the door. He wasn’t gonna give him his win that easily. “This was a good enough break for me. Let’s go!” he called him playfully with a wave.

“Hardly.” Xeno folded his arms. “I’m not going, Senku.” 

“...Man, you’re stubborn.” 

Xeno scoffed and laid back down. “You too…” 

Sluggishly, Senku slid his hand down the door frame. “Ah, alright. Fine.” Feigning defeat, he turned back into the room.

Xeno laughed deeply under his breath. “I thought you were going to put up more of a fight than that.” he hummed.

“Ok, nevermind then.” Senku stepped back out.

Xeno shot up, reaching his hand out. “Wait-” 

Senku stopped. He looked back at his mentor with a cocky smirk. “When are you gonna realize you need to keep your mouth shut when you’ve won?” He’d already made up his mind to take him up on his offer. 

He was just going out to tell everyone else to take a break as well. 

Up on the deck, Senku leaned over the guardrail. He cupped his mouth with his hands and shouted, “Break time guys! Get washed up, eat something- whatever. Just go sit down!”

Luna collapsed to the ground in relief.  “Yay…” Carlos and Max rushed to her, each desperately trying to be the first to help her up. They both clunked their heads together in their haste, falling to the ground by her side. 

Kohaku struck her axe into the ground with a huff. Wiping the sweat from her face, she looked over at Taiju who didn’t seem to be slowing down.

Taiju let out a roar from the depths of his chest, “CAN’T STOP NOW, I’M ON A ROLL!” 

“You’re the only one with limitless stamina, Taiju.” she sighed to herself, “So intense…” 

“But-” Over near the pile of lumber, Suika fell over, the stack of logs she was carrying splaying out in front of her. “W-we gotta hurry… No time to lose or else Stanley’s gonna catch up and get us…” 

Kohaku’s eyes locked onto Suika. She expertly hopped down from the hill and flew over to Suika’s side. Kneeling down, she reached her hand out to the little girl. “Don’t worry. Taiju’s going to keep chopping for us so we can rest for a little while.” She smiled, directing her gaze in his direction. 

Taiju was like a machine, his arms blurring from the speed at which he whacked at the tree stump. In a minute flat, the tree came crashing down, ready to be broken up further. 

Seeing this, Suika took her friend's hand and popped right back up. “Right…! I do wanna take a break… Just a quick one though!” 

“Don’t over do it, Suika.” Senku called down after watching the whole exchange. “You’ll be able to work better if you’re rested.” he echoed Xeno’s advice. Smiling to himself, Senku was thankful his old mentor had forced him to take a breather. If he’d kept going, everyone else would follow and they’d all work themselves to exhaustion. 

But… Senku knew that if anyone was aware that this was Xeno’s idea then… 

Senku sighed, turning to head back to the cabin. Yeah, he was definitely ready for that shower. 

When he got back to the room, Xeno was still right where he had left him, his eyes now closed in deep thought. Without acknowledging his return as to not disturb him, Senku went right into the bathroom. 

He fumbled with the dial for a bit, trying to figure out how it worked. Eventually he twisted it to the left and spurts of water started to gush from the shower head. Twisting it even more built up the pressure and the stream became steady. He slid the shower door closed. The water pattered against it hypnotically, emitting hot steam it fogged the glass. 

Senku’s hands went to undo the ribbon cinching his tunic when he heard a knock.

“You should be able to open the port in there to let the humidity out.” Xeno’s voice came muffled from behind the door. 

Senku stepped over to the other side of the cramped room. He undid the lock latch and tugged. It didn't budge. “It’s stuck.” he called back. 

Xeno sighed, “Did you unlock it?” 

“Y’think I did?” Senku pulled on it again just in case it needed more force. Xeno must’ve had to deal with a lot of idiots in the past for that to be his immediate assumption. 

He forgot it was Senku he was talking to. “Yes… I assumed you’d be clever enough to.”     

Senku looked closer at the metal rim of the porthole. He ran his finger over it and red flakes came up. 

“It rusted shut.” This was an easy thing to prevent. How did Xeno- someone with such attention to detail- neglect it? “It’s iron in a humid room on a boat. Why didn’t you galvanize it, you had access to zinc?” 

Xeno brushed it off, “I’m not the one who built it. I just designed it.” 

“That’s part of the design process.” 

There was a heavy sigh from the other side of the door. “Well, I’m a rocket scientist, not a tradesman.” 

“I’m just gonna crack the door.” Senku walked over and unlocked it. “I’ll be able to keep an eye on you too.” He opened it to the sight of Xeno’s unamused face. 

With yet another exasperated huff, the older man sauntered away to the bed. He sat back and closed his eyes- there wasn’t much entertainment around so meditation was the next best thing to pass the time. 

After a few minutes the sound of fabric falling to the floor broke his concentration. Xeno blinked his eyes open. Looking into the washroom from the ajar door, he could see Senku’s face in the reflection in the mirror as he stepped into the shower. His form now merely a vague blur through the fogged pane. He startled when the glass door suddenly swished open and Senku peaked his head out. 

“Xeno, could you take my clothes out to Francois to get cleaned? It’ll be done by the time I’m out.” 

“I thought you wanted me to stay here?” 

Senku rolled his eyes. “You got 5 minutes- then I’m coming for you.” 

Xeno lifted himself up with a grunt. “Without your clothes? That would be amusing- I might just…” 

All while staring Xeno down, Senku stuck his foot out from the shower. Drops of water dripped from the tips of his toes as he kicked his heap of clothes into the room. “Don’t even think about it.” 

“You put the thought into my head…” Xeno mumbled as he crouched down to gather it up. He examined the garment with contempt, supposing that if there was ever a time to bring tunics back in style this would be it. Noticing something missing, he raised a curious eyebrow. “Ooh how intriguing… Is this it… ? You don’t wear anything underneath this?” 

The look Senku shot at Xeno told him that if he were to continue speaking any further the ropes were coming back out. The lingering stiffness in his shoulders- a reminder of what it was like. 

“I’ll be right back.”

Down at the water, the now free scientist looked straight, blocking out the passing dirty looks directed his way. Most everyone was down at the shore cooling off in the ocean water. Further back closer to the forest, a large basin filled with soapy water and a clothes line was set up. 

The butler, Francois was facing away from him, dutifully working away. Xeno didn’t like the possibility of needing to explain why he was in possession of Senku’s clothing, so he snuck up and tossed it with the rest in the dirty clothes pile.

The blonde turned around, stern eyes locking with Xeno. “Did you need anything, Xeno-sama?” 

He stiffened, shaking his head. They both stared at each other for another beat. The butler gave a tiny smirk and simply turned back to resume scrubbing away at the laundry.

Perhaps a butler of all people would know not to get involved in the happenings of what is going on around them, Xeno considered.

Returning to the room, a joke about wreaking havoc in the 3 minutes he was away crossed Xeno’s mind. He’d tell Senku, but maybe it would be in poor taste. And perhaps a little counterproductive. 

He settled on simply informing the young man of his presence, “I’m back.”

“Hey,” Senku made eye-contact with him through the reflection in the mirror. “Didn’t get up to any trouble, right?” 

Xeno sat down on the edge of the bed. “Of course not.” He watched idly as Senku tipped his head back into the stream. His hair slow to saturate, the weight of the water pushed it down and his thick locks spread like a blooming flower. 

Senku leaned on the wall. Closing his eyes, he let the warm water flow over his face. He remained like that for a while, simply basking in the pleasant sensation. His expression- pure content.

A smile tugged at Xeno’s lips, the light catching his eyes. Senku looked truly-

The young man’s eyes snapped open. “Ah- Shit…!” 

Xeno felt his heart skip a beat. “What is it?” 

“It went cold…” Senku whined, a shiver in his voice.

“...Oh.” Xeno was relieved. That’d startled him a little more than he would’ve thought…

The steady sound of running water ceased and the shower door flew open. Senku’s shivering hand reached out and grabbed at the towel on the counter. He couldn’t quite get at it from the distance so he took a step further out. 

Xeno looked up at the ceiling so as to not see anything he wasn’t supposed to. 

Senku walked out of the bathroom, wrapping the towel tightly to his waist. “What are you doing?” 

“You’re indecent, Senku.” 

“So? We’re both dudes.” 

Xeno closed his eyes and groaned. How he hated that sentiment. 

Senku raised an eyebrow, confused by his prudishness. “My dick’s not out if that’s what you’re thinking.” 

“I was just trying to give you some privacy.” Xeno said with a sigh, opening his eyes.

Senku’s hair drooped like a dying houseplant, framing his sulking face. Lightly shivering, his thin figure sprinkled with goosebumps and dew. Xeno’s eyes followed a stray drop of water as it fell from the green tips of his bangs, down his lean chest, trailing past… 

Faded wounds. Spattered yellowed and purple bruises. Stark white scars. 

…Senku had indeed deflected his attempt on his life, but only enough to prevent fatal injury. Clearly Xeno had over estimated how unscathed the young man had come out of the ordeal. Or perhaps Senku hid his pain well. 

Xeno quickly looked away, not wanting him to think he was staring.

“Move over. Still got a bit until my clothes are done.” Without a word, Xeno let Senku get into his spot on the bed. He covered himself with the quilt to quell the chill that ran through his shivering body. Pulling it up to his chin, he curled up to face Xeno. “I swear, it wasn’t like it just dropped a couple degrees. That was ice cold.” 

“Sorry about that…” Xeno murmured. 

Senku chuckled, “It ain’t your fault, probably just an issue with your water heater.”

“I know…” Xeno smiled down at him. “It was nice, wasn’t it? That is- while it was still hot.” he said softly.

“Mm. Yeah.” Senku curled his body up tighter. 

“...You don’t handle the cold well, do you?” 

“No. Not really,” Senku readjusted the blanket. “Doesn’t help that I’m naked.” he said under his breath. 

Xeno suddenly stood. Leaning over the side of the bed, he pulled the quilt from his side and folded it over top of Senku to double up the layer. Then he went to the closet in the corner of the room, pulling a spare blanket out from the top shelf. It unfurled and floated down over Senku’s body delicately.  

It seemed to work as he shook slightly less than before. Senku decided not to comment on the gesture, deciding just to leave it at that. 

He lifted his head from the pillow as Xeno returned to his side. “Might as well stay in for a bit.” Senku shook his hair, drops of water flying from the ends. “...When I was a kid, I was always told not to go outside with my hair wet or else I’d catch a cold.” 

“Hmm. I’ve heard that before too.” Xeno folded his hands in his lap. “Nothing but a myth.”

“Yeah, it is. But as a kid I didn’t know if it was true or not.” 

Senku laid his head back down with a reminiscent sigh. “I was a curious kid. So one day I wet my hair in the sink and shoved it all under my winter hat so Byakuya couldn’t tell when I went out the door. Guess what? Didn’t get sick. But I figured it probably wasn’t a 100% chance of happening. So I did some research and that’s when I found out for sure it was a myth. Sure, water can lower your body temperature and the cold can slightly weaken your immune system but it doesn’t cause illnesses. Really it only makes you marginally more susceptible to catching something, but not enough to matter.” 

Senku stifled a yawn, “Anyway- I explained all that to Byakuya and said I wasn’t gonna listen to him anymore cause it just wasn’t true. So he switched it up- started saying that if it was cold enough and the wind blew too strong, my hair would turn into icicles and shatter. So guess what I found out?”

“Not true?” Xeno reckoned. 

“Yep. But it is possible if you stick your hair in liquid dry ice.” 

“Did you… do that?” 

The corner of Senku’s lips curled. “Yeah…” He turned onto his back, staring at the paneling on the ceiling. “I never really understood why he didn’t want my hair being wet even after I proved him wrong…” he chuckled.

“Perhaps he just wanted you to do what you were told to establish a sense of authority.”

Senku hummed in agreement at that conclusion. Sometimes things were just that simple. “Yeah, I was a pain in the ass as a toddler.” 

Xeno readjusted to rest further on the pillow. “That reminds me of a story from when I was a child…” he said with a chuckle.

Senku’s eyebrows arched curiously. Come to think of it, he knew nothing about Xeno’s childhood. Or really his past in general. “Tell me. I wanna hear.” 

“Well… why not…” Xeno hummed to himself, gathering his thoughts. “By the time I was in kindergarten, I was already at an advanced level in math. To me, learning 2 + 2 or how to count to 100 was trivial and my brain was severely under stimulated. But I was given no choice but to deal with it. So I had come up with an idea. I was told I had to do all of the questions in my math book by the end of the school year- thinking that this was all I needed to do to get out of that torturous slog. I took my work book home and filled everything out- correctly mind you.” Xeno paused. His memory from when he was so young was spotty at times.  

“The next day I showed my teacher, proud of my accomplishment and… I was scolded for this. She said I wasn’t supposed to go ahead- that it wasn’t fair to my classmates. I didn’t understand. I did exactly what was expected of me, I just did it in the wrong way and so I was punished for stepping out of line…” 

“Sounds like you’re still bitter about it.” Senku commented, muffled from the cocoon of blankets he was wrapped in. 

“Who wouldn’t be?” he countered. 

“Mm hmm.” Senku blinked slowly, his head feeling heavy against the pillow. Now that he had finally laid down, he wasn’t sure he’d be able to get back up. 

Xeno hummed, his face softening as settled onto his side. “You look exhausted…” He reached his hand out, lifting a wet strand of hair out of Senku’s face with clawed fingers. “You should take a nap while you wait.” 

Wide ruby eyes glanced up, this gentle action and warm tone unfamiliar to Senku- especially coming from Xeno of all people. He didn’t want to rest for any longer than what was necessary, but…  

Senku let his eyes fall closed. “Stay here, alright?” he breathed. 

Xeno removed his gloves and placed them neatly into his pockets. “I’m not going anywhere… You can relax.” 

There wasn’t much time for rest lately. He… really needed this. He’d never admit that though. Before he knew it, Senku slipped into a peaceful sleep.

…

In what felt like a blink of an eye, Senku awoke in a sweat- alone. He looked around for Xeno, the room now shrouded in darkness. How long was he asleep for? 

The door swung open, in came Xeno with clothes folded neatly in his hands. He flicked the light on. “Oh. Well of course you wake up the second I leave…” he scoffed. 

Senku writhed out from under the layers of blankets. He’d warmed up by now, too much actually. He tossed the quilt aside in desperate need of some fresh air. He glanced down at himself, feeling a bit too breezy. “Oops. The towel fell off.” 

Xeno snapped his head away. “Senku…!” He chucked his clothes at him. “Get dressed!” 

Senku snickered at his mentor’s embarrassment. Does this make them even for what happened the other night? Gathering up his tunic, Senku slipped it on over his head. “How long was I asleep?” 

“A few hours or so- you were pretty tired.” Xeno nodded to himself, still staring at the wall. “Your crew is out on deck having dinner at the moment.” 

“You eat already?” Senku asked, wrapping his arms back up in leather. 

“I only passed by when I went to retrieve your clothing.” Turning back to look at him once he was dressed up, Xeno folded his arms. “You did ask me to stay here…” he said, voice softening.

Senku pushed himself up off the bed. Crossing his arms too, he stepped up in front of his old mentor. Gazing up, their eyes met warmly. “So… you’re listening to me now?” 

Xeno titled his head. “Not at all.” Then he smiled. “I simply chose to stay here with you because I wanted to.” 

Senku closed his eyes, his own smile fighting its way onto his lips. “Heh- You sound so cringey…” he said wearily.

Not that it was unappreciated though.

Notes:

Oh yes btw every chapter is nice and long. I'm not satisfied until it's roughly around 5,000 -7,000 word range so yes you will all be eating good. At the time I was writing this I actually considered doing some flashbacks to Xeno and Stan's childhoods but luckily I did not end up going with that because the anime is doing it for me lol. Speaking of which the next chapter is a flashback (but a dirty flashback ;p) so it will not be a week before it's uploaded and will be coming to you soon! Thanks for the nice comments and kudos !!!

Chapter 3: How to Deal with Hard Feelings

When Stan had returned home, he surmised that their ‘defector’ had been spouting off about that- petrification device or whatever- for a few hours now. Xeno with his arms crossed, had listened to the whole spiel anyway, his raised eyebrow twitching irritably by this point.

This Gen guy was more than likely lying. 

He’d mentioned that there were more of those things, implying those ones did work. And this one in their possession- a dud. Stan had a hunch this was those kid’s only one, or the others didn’t work too. 

But he won't dismiss it so quickly. Better to be safe than sorry.

Xeno picked up the device, examining it closely. “Mr. Gen’s credibility aside… this elegant little machine surpasses the technology of the old world.” Usually things like that would bring a sparkle to his eyes, but he observed it passively, his mind elsewhere. 

Stan struck a match and lit his cigarette. He didn't care much about the implications of such technology. “How does it work?” What was important was the specifications, how to combat it. “For how long? What’s its range?” 

To no surprise at all, the spy didn’t know shit about it. All he knew was that it was real scary and his team wasn’t afraid to use it.

It was a total bluff.

Stan almost felt second-hand embarrassment from how much this guy believed his own lies- his smarmy face. He kept himself indifferent on the outside though. Blinking slowly, he steadily exhaled pure white smoke. 

He had always been highly attuned to when someone was trying to deceive him. He had to be- everyone was a liar. Everyone but Xeno. He always told it as it was, not caring for the consequences. 

Xeno might not be a liar, but sometimes… Well- he’d hide certain things.

That night Xeno’s somber disposition wasn’t hard to miss. And he wasn’t telling Stan what had got him feeling that way. Stan took drag from his cigarette, blowing the smoke out the open window. What was this, his tenth one that hour? He could just feel it in his gut that something was wrong. 

He glanced over. Xeno sat quietly in deep consideration at his chair, holding his head in his hand. 

Stan shut his eyes pensively. Shit, it was obvious- written all over his face. 

That kid was dead already. It had sounded like Xeno knew him, though Stan had never heard of him. And he did ask if he was sure.

But Xeno was having some regrets.

Stan sighed, “Who was that kid?” 

Dark eyes darted in his direction. With a subtle twitch of his jaw, Xeno silently turned away, his posture hunching even further. 

Stan looked back out at the night sky. Exhaling a puff of smoke, he watched it dissipate into the cool atmosphere. It seemed nowadays the stars were brighter and space had more depth. He remembered those first few nights out under the stars before they had made shelter, the way they made Xeno’s eyes glimmer as they did. 

He wanted to see that again. 

Flicking his cigarette butt out the window, Stan walked over to the man of his affection. Taking his index finger he pushed the scientist’s chin so he’d look at him.  

Clutching his wrist, Xeno hushed, “It doesn’t matter, Stanley…” 

Promptly, Stan pulled back, seizing Xeno’s hand into his own. He gently slid his glove off and placed those soft, slender fingers to his lips, kissing them as if they were made of fragile porcelain. 

Xeno averted his gaze, hesitantly pulling away. 

Stan kept his hand in place as Xeno’s fingers slipped from his grasp. “How can I make it better?” 

Without a word Xeno stood and brushed past his invitation. “It’s late…” He briskly walked off in the direction of the bedroom, shoes clicking with every step. Stan followed behind like he was tethered to him. 

The steel door creaked open and the light clicked on, its warm glow painting the modest room. The scientist removed his other glove, placing it on the nightstand, the metal chiming on the wooden surface. He sat down on the edge of the bed. Behind it a floor to ceiling window overlooking the front of the compound, beaming in cool moonlight. 

Stan likewise got comfortable, detaching his hunting knife and harness, he tossed them onto the chest that sat at the foot of the bed. He glided his hand along the iron bedframe as he slipped next to the other man’s side.

Xeno crossed his arms, looking down in thought. “Perhaps…” he trailed off. Swinging one leg over the other, he huffed, “Stan, you have to know it's a little difficult to talk about given the circumstances.” 

“You don’t have’ta answer.” Stan leaned in close, nuzzling his nose against his temple. “Just seems like there's something you’re not telling me.” he drawled into his ear, sultry and intimidating- neither being his true intention.

“It was a long time ago.” Xeno waved him away.

“Well, I’ve been with you a long time and this is the first time I’m hearing of this ‘Senku’ person…”

Xeno looked at him, his eyes guilty. “It wasn’t important to mention at the time.”

Stan tilted his head skeptically. “He sounded pretty important to you.” 

“Again- that was a long time ago.” 

Stan’s dark lips spread into a smirk. Getting Xeno to admit he did something wrong was like pulling teeth. “Then how about I agree to shut up about it in exchange for the story, huh?” he said, reaching into his belt for a new cigarette. Xeno slapped his hand away, eliciting a pout from the soldier. 

Turning back with a sigh, Xeno nodded his head in agreement. 

“When I first started at NASA, they had emails open for schoolkids to ask questions. There was one from a Japanese kid who was trying to get advice on his own homemade rocket project. It included detailed formulas along with his findings. I distinctly remember all the veteran engineers referring to his methods as ‘bordering on criminal’ and dismissed it as a prank. So of course I was curious. I read the email for myself and it was undoubtedly legitimate.” Xeno chuckled fondly, “I could tell because I was just like him at that age.” 

“Mm hmm.” Stan leaned back against his arms, his face unreadable. But a troubled thought crossed his mind- if this had supposedly happened when Xeno first got his job, then he would have told him? He told Stan everything about work in the beginning even if he didn’t really want to hear it.

Stan raised his eyebrows. “Did you… write to me about this and I forgot about it or…?” 

“No I didn’t,” Xeno confirmed, “I knew that kind of stuff bored you right out of your brain.” 

Stan clicked his teeth. “Yeah…” 

“I mentored him for a little under a year after that. I wanted to see him accomplish his goal, give him the help I never got… I believed we were very alike.” He fidgeted with his hand in his lap, encircling his wrist with his thumb and pointer finger. Hesitant, he continued on, “You know that wasn’t a very… nice time in our lives back then. Perhaps I developed a bit of an emotional attachment, like I was reconnecting with my child self…?” 

Xeno’s eyes softened in the warm glow of the lamp for just a moment, then just as quickly as it had happened, his gaze darted away and so too left the light. “Do you remember when… my project proposal was rejected?” he asked in almost a whisper.

Stan dipped his head. That was something Xeno actually did write to him about. During that time Xeno was- Well, Stan tries not to think about it much. What mattered was… he wasn’t there for him. 

“I was demoted after that. They said it had nothing to do with it but- the timing was…”

“What the hell?" Stan flustered, his calm demeanor slipping. "Xeno why didn’t you-” 

“I was targeted!” Xeno interjected before Stan could say anything he’d regret. “My co-workers- they all were idiots. Sure they were skilled in their field, but they refused to accept true progress if it didn’t fit their preconceived notions of the concept.” 

Frustrated, Xeno shook his head. “Since you were gone, I didn’t have anyone to vent to. So I sort of… sent an extensive rant to this- child.” He cringed to himself. “Not that I was wrong in what I said. I’m just embarrassed that that was my reaction.” 

Stan took a deep breath, bottling up his grievances. “Then what…” 

“He said he had no interest in what I had to say. He didn’t want to hear it.” Xeno’s face looked grim as he conjured up those old feelings. “He was just a child, he hadn't learned how the world really worked yet. But he was so brilliant, I didn’t want to see him get lied to about the true power he possessed- what he could do with it. He had so much potential he just wouldn’t listen to me.”

Scratching his jaw, Stan thought aloud, “...Think he’s changed?” 

Xeno stiffened, a hopeful shine in his eyes as he considered the possibility. Senku was same age Xeno was back then. There was a chance, perhaps he-

What was done was done. Senku's dead. 

“If Mr. Gen had told the truth about the science leader being Senku, then I would’ve had the chance to find out. I suppose this is what they get for sending in a third-rate spy,” Xeno said bitterly. “But it was unlikely he did… I remember him being quite head-strong in his convictions.” 

Stan sighed as he laid down onto the bed lazily. Propping his leg up, he gestured for Xeno to join him. “So you’re feeling a little down…?” 

“I killed someone today, Stan.” Xeno said facetiously. 

“Not like you’re goin’ to jail.” Stan readjusted his head on the woven blanket, blond strands splaying out like the sun's rays. “You disappointed you’re not getting put in cuffs?” He winked. 

Xeno shut his eyes, the corner of his lip twisting up. “I should’ve known you’d be full of endorphins from such an eventful day…” 

Stan reached his hand out towards him and hooked two fingers in one of his belt loops, giving it a teasing tug. “C’mon. Lay down.” 

The best cure for doubt was distraction. 

“Stan…” Xeno said his name the way one would tell off a rowdy dog. “What an awful thing to get aroused from.”

“What?” He bumped him with his knee. “You’re the one gettin’ me going, hon.” 

Xeno pushed back with his elbow. “What did I do?” he asked, a flattered grin on his lips.

“I like to listen to you talk…” His eyes darted. More like he liked the sound of his voice. “...sometimes.” 

“You know what…” Xeno considered with a sigh. He moved up on the bed to get next to Stan. Holding himself up, he loomed above him. “You sure are running your mouth, but you haven’t actually told me what you want.”

Stan smirked, a shimmer of the warm light on his glossy lips. “It’s obvious. Aren’t you supposed to be smart or something?” 

“Ooh, aren’t you bold?” Xeno yanked his tie off, fervently hiking his sleeves up. “I’d like it if you used your words, Stanley.” 

“I just want you…” he whispered feistily, baring his teeth. 

Xeno placed his hands on either side of his head. In a push-up-like fashion he shortened the distance. “Well… in what way?” 

Stan looked up at him with large eyes. “Don’t know… do whatever you want.” He was practically panting.  

Xeno leaned in even closer, his oppressive dark eyes holding Stan captive. “I want you to tell me.” Stan shook his head, pitifully overwhelmed. “No? If you don’t I’ll have to use my own discretion. Are you sure you really want that?” Dark lips scrunched up to hold back a whine. The look in his eyes screaming for whatever was to come.

Finally Xeno kissed him. Stan's body broke from paralysis. He reached up to grasp at Xeno’s coat, to run his hands over his sides, his arms. Stan’s back arched, desperate for more, unsatisfied with the distance between their bodies. 

Xeno placed a firm hand on his chest, sternly shoving him back down into the mattress. 

“Nngh-” Stan’s mouth fell open. Xeno seized the opportunity to deepen the kiss. Stan couldn’t help but utter another pleading moan into his partner's fervid mouth. 

Their lips parted unceremoniously. From above, Xeno looked down at him with contempt. He slithered his hand through Stan’s golden locks. Reaching the back of his scalp, he took a handful. “Now Stan…” He dipped down and breathed into the crook of his neck. “Tell me where you want me to touch you.” 

Stan closed his eyes, long eyelashes fanned over flushed cheeks. “God, everywhere…” His jaw quivered. “Touch me- Put your fuckin’ hands on me!” his pleads slurred together. 

Xeno hooked his leg over his lap, tantalizingly rubbing up and down with his thigh. He pulled Stan’s head back, taking the zipper to his suit with his other hand. He pulled it down steadily, trailing kisses along the skin as it became exposed. Slipping his hand under the fabric, he pushed it out of his way and kissed Stan's clavicle. “Be nice…” He tightened his grip on his hair, eliciting a whine from the soldier. “Say please.” Xeno commanded sternly.

“Please-” He obeyed. 

“Good boy.” 

Stan swallowed, his adam's apple bobbing visibly from his exposed neck. Xeno wrapped his lips around the protrusion, feeling the vibration on his mouth as Stan let out a low groan. He lapped it with his tongue as Stan gulped once again. 

With his knee, Xeno continued to stroke up and down Stan’s groin. The blond responded predictably with restrained humps. “Fuck…” he chanted under his breath with each movement. 

Xeno cupped Stan’s face in his hands. “How’s that feeling, gorgeous?” 

“Mmn.” Stan shuddered.

Xeno struck his flushed cheek. “Speak!” 

“G-good…!” Stan’s mouth hung half open. “It doesn’t matter how I feel.” he stammered. 

Xeno shifted position. “Aw, what happened to that ego of yours?” He situated himself between Stan’s legs, hoisting his ass up onto his lap. Slender fingers slid down Stan’s jawline, to the sides of his neck, fleetingly over his collarbone and clothed nipples. Concluding with a firm embrace on his waist, thumbs rubbing soft circles on his hip bones. “Take it off.” 

Stan placed the tip of his white glove between his teeth, pulling it off then removing the other hastily. He took hold of the zipper that had been undone to his breastbone. Xeno aided him by unbuckling his belt. 

Once the zipper reached his navel, Stan paused, hazy eyes following up delicate hands and arms. Staring- Stan was wholly infatuated by the insatiable look on his lover's face. Distorted in desire, mouth ajar, pupils dilated to take in everything in front of him. 

Stan squirmed his way out of the sleeves of his suit desperately. He locked his legs around the scientist’s slim waist and pulled himself up to sit on his lap. Crashing their lips together, Xeno couldn’t react quick enough. 

Stan held onto him as if his life depended on it. Their chaotic kiss- producing lewd smacks and sucks. The two men- exchanging sighs and swears. 

Xeno scratched down Stan’s toned back, leaving hot trails. When he reached his hips he tugged at the clothes that hung there, pulling them off of his ass. The death grip Stan had with his legs prevented him from getting it off any further, but for now it would suffice. 

Xeno broke the kiss. “Open up, gorgeous.” 

Stan followed his order, parting his purple lips. His eyelashes fluttered as Xeno shoved his long, slim middle and ring finger down his throat. Stan closed his eyes and hummed, his lips wrapping around his knuckles. With his free hand, Xeno soothed him, petting pretty blond hair as he bobbed his head on his fingers. 

Lewdly gagging on it, the soldier released the appendages briefly to take a sharp breath, then obediently went back to sucking. A low groan came from Xeno at the sight. “You’re such a whore.” 

“Mm hmm.” he agreed, bucking his hips against Xeno’s stomach. 

Xeno pushed his fingers deeper, craving to see him struggle again. Stan fought the urge to gag on it, strenuously relaxing his throat. Xeno shoved again, eliciting the blond to choke and pull off. A string of saliva connecting fingertips to glossy lips. 

Stan looked at him offended, tears sprinkled on the corners of his honey eyes. 

Xeno gave his next command, “Come up.” 

Stan unhooked his legs and placed his knees onto the mattress, scooching up further on his lap. He threw his arms over his shoulders, pressing his partner’s face into his chest. 

Xeno held his slick fingers out to the side blindly, with his other hand he gave a quick whack to Stan’s ass. 

He flinched, hiding his face in his lover's light hair.

Slender fingers feathered over skin, abruptly sinking into the flesh and pulling apart. His other hand came down, lapping the wetness evenly over his asshole, evoking a clench at the sudden sensation. 

Stan rolled his head, cussing indistinctly. “Hurry up already…” his words slurred. 

“Hmm… What makes you think you can talk to me that way?” Xeno smirked, lifting his head up to hiss into his ear, “Are you sure you really want that?” 

Xeno thrusted both fingers in as deep as they could go, writhing them incessantly, the sound of the perverted stirring filling the homely room. 

“Ahack- Fuck…! Fuck me, hon…” Stan fell back, looking at him with clouded eyes. 

“No. Fuck yourself.” Xeno retorted.

Stan nodded obediently, affirmative words falling from his lips incoherently. Closing his eyes, he sat back all the way onto Xeno’s unrelenting fingers. He lifted himself up… and then dropped back down. Pleasured moans intensifying with each repetition. He thrusted his hips involuntarily, his erection tenting in the fabric that constrained it. The merger friction obtained by the movement was enough to make it twitch, rising and falling as if it had a mind of its own. 

Stan grinded his ass onto Xeno’s hand as he grew overwhelmed, pathetic cries escaping him. Without notice, the scientist retracted his fingers, leaving Stan feeling empty. Before he could protest, Xeno knocked him down flat on his back, zealously stripping him of the rest of his clothes. 

Stan let him, elated in anticipation of what was to come. 

With a fiery determination, Xeno undid his own belt. Then he pulled down his slacks to release his reddened cock. He dipped his head and spat on it, taking hold and stroking it keenly. Stan was mesmerized, staring at it with hunger, indecisive on which end he’d rather him put it in. 

Xeno, his hair disheveled and cheeks flushed, looked back up into Stan’s dazed eyes. With a grin he puffed, “You’ve earned it, gorgeous.” His arm’s rapid movement made his body shake. 

“Thanks...” Stan whimpered. 

“Hmm, so polite.” he purred. Stopping his self-pleasuring, he put both hands onto Stan’s toned thighs, spreading them to the limits of his flexibility. There was a quiet pop from his pelvis as the muscle stretched. “Think maybe this time I’ll screw some manners into you?” Xeno taunted.

Stan let out a breathy laugh. “Prob’ly not, but don’t let that stop you from trying.” 

Xeno flashed a smile before returning his focus to the task at hand. He spat again onto the tip of his cock, readying himself against the blond’s eager ass. He slipped the end in excruciatingly slow. “Mmn… You look stunning.” Xeno reached up, flicking his thumb over Stan’s hot cheek. 

Furrowing his brow, Stan groaned, “Don’t flatter me.” 

Xeno’s smile dropped, he slapped him across his pretty face. “I’m going to do whatever the hell I want.” 

Through clenched teeth, Stan whinned in frustration, “Then are you gonna fuck me already…?”

“Oh, I can’t wait to- Hopefully it will shut you up…!” Xeno gripped his hips, sharp fingernails digging in furiously. With a dreadfully sinful look in his eyes, he lurched down, thrusting deep into him. “Nngh…!” He rolled his hips, smoothly gliding out to the end then he rammed back in with force. His movement, precise and rhythmic; painted with passion, yet under his total control.  

Stan shook with every hit, finding it difficult to catch his breath in between each broken moan. He gasped when a particular thrust hit him in just the right way. “You gotta try harder than that- Mmph!” 

Xeno slapped him on the mouth, shutting him up with his palm. “That’s enough.” he scolded through clenched teeth, eyes alight. Keeping his hand in place, he dug his cock into him all the way, his bushy pubic hair coarse against the skin as he grinded in stilted circles. 

“Mmf…Mmmff…!” Stan’s muffled squeals intensified. Long eyelashes twitching as his eyes rolled back. He crossed his ankles behind Xeno’s back, pulling him deeper in. 

“Be quiet-” Xeno’s hips jutted back, holding for an agonizing beat, bucking back inside of the soldier full force. “Take it, gorgeous!” he shouted. 

“Ahmph…!” Stan’s hands clambered to hold Xeno’s arm, not to remove his hand from his mouth, but to feel the warmth of his skin- his prominent veins. Petting his thin arm lovingly, he squinted, the light glinting in his eyes. “Hmmph…” he sighed in submission into the palm of Xeno's hand.

“Good boy… See what you get when you listen to me?” Thrusting again, Xeno felt the muscle pulse against the base of his cock. Meticulously, he pulled out… plunged back in, again and again. Stan’s dick twitched, rising from his stomach, falling back down. A sticky string of pre-ejactulate oozing from the swollen tip. “You love that, don’t you…” 

“Mm hmm…” Stan whined, arching his back. 

Xeno stroked his sharp jawline affectionately. “You’re so pretty…” His eyes were soft despite how roughly he ravaged him. 

“Nmmph.” Stan writhed, shaking his head. Xeno’s hand slipped from his mouth, sliding obscenely up his face. Smudging lipstick and drool on his cheek, scattering golden strands over his eyes. Xeno took a messy handful of disheveled hair in between his delicate fingers.

“What is it? You don’t think you’re pretty?” Xeno cooed. 

Stan shook his head again, his lips quivering. 

His pace slowed. Xeno leaned down and pressed his chest to Stan's. “Well, I think you look beautiful right now…” he sighed into his mouth, connecting their lips together. Stan winced, but it wasn’t too long until he accepted the tender kiss. 

Xeno opened his mouth, taking Stan’s tongue. He hummed- ‘ashtray’ has never tasted better. He rocked his hips back, then sunk back in. Out again, then in again. Again a little quicker, a little faster and harder. 

“Ahgh- f-fuck…!” Stan gasped into the kiss. Xeno pounded into him, over… and over and over… like a man possessed.

The bed creaked under them. Stan’s flushed cheeks began to mist, a bead of sweat dripped from his hairline. Even the cleavage between his pecs perspired. He held onto Xeno’s coat desperately, begging for mercy yet never wanting it to end. He tried to moan but only a broken cry could escape. 

Xeno tugged on Stan’s hair, pulling his head back against the mattress. “Look at you- You take it so well…!” he praised fanatically. 

“I’m a fucking whore…” Stan cried, voice trembling as his back thudded into the bed. 

“Yes, you are.” Xeno drawled. “Touch yourself- show me how much you like it…!” 

Stan released his grip and shakily reached down to his neglected cock. He hardly realized it hadn't been touched until his hand wrapped around his warm, pulsing erection. “Mmnph- Shit!” Stroking his cock eagerly, he looked down his nose at Xeno, his mouth opened in a pleasured smile. “P-please… Please keep going, I wanna come…Haah…!” 

“Ah- You finally learned to say please without needing to be told!” Xeno accentuated his words with a forceful thrust. “Go ahead, then.” 

Tighter Stan locked up around Xeno’s waist, flexing his long legs to bounce against his dick sloppily. “Nnnh-” He gritted his teeth, determined to reach his goal. Xeno rolled his hips back, Stan slammed himself back down. Perfectly connected. 

Xeno slid both of his hands onto the sides of his head, forcing him to look him in the eyes. “Come for me, gorgeous! Let me see it…!” 

Stan looked at him through tousled blond strands with glassy eyes, nodding and panting. He continued to masturbate, engrossing himself in the feeling of being filled, being held, being utterly exploited. 

Stan’s breath hitched and his lashes fluttered, approaching tipping over the edge of his pleasure. Suddenly he felt Xeno drive into him, feeling the twitch of his cock, the quivering of his pelvis, the warmth of his semen inside of him. 

His wide eyes stared at his lover’s wholly satisfied expression, then rolling back in total ecstasy. “Ah- Shh-iit!” Stan’s head nodded back.  His arm jerking hastily, firm hand pleasuring his weeping cock. He just couldn’t handle it any longer. 

“Come, Stan.” Xeno commanded.

Stan obeyed. “Y-yess…Yes…!” 

He trembled, his cock throbbed, a thick glob of come dripping from the head. Then his abs tensed- powerfully, hot ropes of semen shot out, splaying on his stomach and chest. 

They both gasped, panting and sighing as they reeled from their orgasms. The room fell dead silent except for the two weary men’s shaky breaths. 

Xeno huffed, his shoulders rising and falling exasperatedly. Retracting, he fixed his hair back into place and briefly wiped the sweat from his forehead. Then he pulled out, puffing his shirt to cool himself off and restlessly tapping his fingers against his thigh.

Stan couldn’t move- he was too dazed and destroyed to. Eventually, he began to feel the cold air cross over his bare sweating body. Starting to regain his grip on reality, the first thought that crossed his mind was that he needed a cigarette. Stan watched Xeno dress up, feeling accomplished. There was no better feeling in the world than making him happy. He waited expectantly for his partner to lay with him. For him to comfort him.

Xeno buckled his belt. From above he stared down at Stan with dull eyes, a scowl on his lips. 

Stan’s pleased smile faded, feeling his heart drop. “...Feelin’ better now?” he asked, hopping he was just imagining things. 

“No. Not really,” Xeno confirmed his fears coldly. “In fact I feel worse.”

He tried to mirror Xeno’s impassiveness, but the sting of failure put a lump in his throat. Stan pulled himself up off of the mattress to sit. Wrapping his wavering arms around his partner's waist. He pressed his face into his chest and murmured a promise, “I’ll try again, then.” 

Xeno petted him gently. “It’s alright. You didn’t do anything wrong…?” 

“I failed.” Stan blinked away a tear. He hated how emotional sex made him. But if he didn’t let it out here, then he wouldn’t be able to keep his composure out there- where he needed to most.  

“Sorry gorgeous, I…” he trailed off. Xeno pulled away from his embrace and sat on the bed next to him. “I shouldn’t have said it like that.” He pulled Stan back into his arms.

“Then what did'ya mean to say then…” he said into the crook of his neck.

Xeno fumbled on his words. He didn’t really know. “Well, it was great sex and I love you, but-” he stuttered.

The blond snapped up. “You love me- but…?” he echoed, clearly offended. 

Xeno’s face flushed. “Stan, let me finish-” It felt like he was digging himself into an even deeper hole.  

Stan squinted at him. He reached down to find his pack of cigarettes and matchbox on the floor. Popping one into his mouth, he lit it. “Okay.”

Xeno suppressed the urge to tell him to put it out, knowing he was in no position to. He took a hold of his knee and looked into his eyes earnestly. “It was a tough decision I made today. It doesn’t just go away from-”

“S’alright. I get it.” Just like that, Stan was back to normal. He took a drag and turned his head away to exhale. 

Xeno sighed in relief. “Good- You had me worried.”

Stan grumbled under his breath, “...‘I love you, but’...” he repeated, holding his cigarette at his lips. “Man, you really fucked that up- Didn’t even clean me up…” he complained to himself. 

“Sorry, let me-” Xeno frantically looked around for something to use as a cloth.

Stan propped his leg up, resting his arm on it. “It’s dried by now- might as well get in the shower.” 

“I’ll get it ready for you then.” Xeno went to get off the bed. 

Stan grabbed his arm, stopping him in place. “Love you too.” he said with a subtle smirk. 

Xeno turned and smiled at him. Leaning in, he plucked the cigarette from Stan’s mouth and planted a sweet kiss on his lips. 

Their lips parted. “I can get my own shower ready, hon.” Stan lurched and wrapped his lips around his cigarette from in between Xeno’s fingers.

Xeno closed his eyes and sighed, “I was just being nice.” 

Stan stood, walking off to the washroom. His bare back to Xeno, he looked over his shoulder with a chuckle. “Don’t bother- ‘Turns me on when you're not.” He winked.

Notes:

This was actually my first real attempt at writing smut lol. I've tried to in the past but I'd always get too embarrassed to finish it ;p. I was considering pulling this chapter out and just posting it as it's own standalone fic but it did actually add some good context for the rest of the story and so it stayed. (it's also just some plain good stanxeno fun)

Chapter 4: How to Try to Hide it

Xeno stood at the stern, feeling the ocean wind hit his face. He had wandered off, bored with the conversation the others were having. Their discussion- it was all things he already knew. But alas, he wasn’t permitted to go off on his own so he lingered nearby. 

In almost a trance, he watched the deep blue water part as the boat cut threw it, white foam blurring as it swished away. 

“...turn the tide against Stanley and his band of pursuers.” Hyoga’s voice came through in the sea of murmurs.
Xeno's ear was caught by the mention of the soldier’s name. 

Next Kohaku spoke, “Hah! But what if Stanley and our new ‘friend’ Xeno manage to take it for themselves?”

Xeno hummed. Naturally bringing up Stan would lead the conversation to be about himself. He didn’t much appreciate when people talked about him in his absence- though, who does? He raised an eyebrow. What were they even on about? The petrification device? He didn’t actually know how to activate it, let alone did Stan. Senku had enough forethought to at least keep that bit of information away from him. 

He turned on his heel, ready to set things straight. Xeno had no plan to use the device to win- he was already sure of his strategy to victory. 

When he arrived at the group, he was met with a rude finger to his face. “YOU’RE A BAD DUDE, XENO!” the newest member of the crew, Chelsea, exclaimed. She retracted her hand, apologizing for her bad manners. ”You’d better not try to take the weapon for yourself. No more of that evil genius stuff!” the girl scolded.

Xeno smirked, impressed by her audacity. Not many had such boldness to speak to him that way. Except for Senku, though he did it with better tact. And sometimes Stan… but Xeno knew how to put him back in his place when he did. 

But, ‘evil genius’...? Was that really how he was perceived? Xeno supposed- if going strictly by definition- it would be apt. He was… immoral. But morality was a subjective concept. In order to be truly evil, one would need to believe they were moral by their own standards, correct? 

No, what it truly was; if he is seen as evil by the world, then he was evil. Nothing could sway their opinions. He might as well play the part. 

“Dr. Chelsea… You’re a truly elegant geographer yourself,” he said darkly. “So why not join me in taking charge of this world…?” 

As he’d predicted- his offer was rejected. 

The brunette ran right over to Senku and latched onto his arm, proclaiming her allegiance to the kingdom of science. “Just tell me what to do! I’ll help out however I can!” Xeno watched, amused as Senku wormed out of her grip as politely as possible. 

The young scientist stepped up to the crew, hands confidently resting on his slim waist. He announced the next resource to be obtained was rubber and with this new girl’s geography skills- finding it should be a cinch. 

Xeno bowed his head, hiding his smile. Finally getting to do some hands on science with Senku was… certainly something he was looking forward to. 

He snapped his head up again, feeling someone staring at him. Just as he did he caught Gen as he hurriedly looked away. Xeno chuckled to himself. This was no surprise- he’d been watching him for the past week or so. 

Xeno’s gaze scanned the crowd, when his sights landed on Senku’s thrilled face, his eyes lit up. “It’s quite a special item when it comes to science and engineering!”

“Oh yeah- we’ll be getting a massive upgrade once we get our hands on some.” Senku beamed, stepping towards his mentor. “Like, wire insulation, rubber stoppers…”

Xeno continued his sentence seamlessly. “...rubber shoes, faucet washers…”

“...Rubber bands, elastics! All that cool stuff, but the coolest of all…” Senku leaned in closer, his smile somehow getting even brighter. 

“Tires!” the two scientists exclaimed in unison. It was as if momentarily, everyone else disappeared as both were consumed in their ramblings.

“Yep. In-sync besties~” Chelsea declared. She pressed both hands to her blushing cheeks. “You two are like, totally cute!” 

The two scientist's smiles dropped, both disgusted by the notion that they could be described with such words. “...Besties?” The word sounded funny coming from Xeno’s mature voice. “What are we- Girl scouts?” 

She pushed her glasses up. “I used to be! I can teach you how’ta be one!” 

“No thank you…” Xeno brushed her off. 

Chelsea swished her hands at her side cutely. “Welp, if y’need rubber for motorcycle tires… I’ll be happy to be your guide!” she sang.

Xeno panned the crew once again, nobody seemed to be as excited about rubber as Senku and himself were, but at the mention of motorcycles they lit up. He shut his eyes hard in annoyance. “Of course you people only cheer for flashy things like motorcycles. Think of all of the amenities you had thanks to rubber!” 

Nobody heard him.

Xeno let out an exasperated sigh. Ignored and pushed to the sidelines, he couldn’t help but feel like he was back in high school. Perpetually the odd man out. Well he in fact was- as a hostage and all. 

It was easy to forget as of late. He never suspected he’d be so content in captivity.

Off to the side, Senku was listening to Chelsea list off what supplies would be needed for the expedition given the terrain. She explained how it would be far inland and they’d need to be prepared to camp out. Senku nodded along, but he only seemed to be about half paying attention by the look on his face. Xeno recognized it as being the expression he made when calculating something. 

Everyone else was busy in their own indistinct conversations, ecstatic about the upcoming invention. How ‘cool’ it was going to be, how fast it’ll go and how they can’t wait to ride around on it…

Xeno scoffed at their immaturity. 

But then, out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse into the ship through the windows. There was Ukyo, the navigation tech, looking down at the radar with wide eyes. Xeno couldn’t get a view the screen himself, but judging from the man’s reaction to the information he was witnessing- it was most likely…

Xeno clasped his hands behind his back. “If you want to treat this as some kind of vacation, then I won’t stop you. But I will warn you to at least give a second of thought as to what your priorities should be,” he snapped, catching everyone’s attention. His voice dropped to a sinister taunt, “The issue is… this race against Stanley across the globe.” 

Just then, Ukyo called out- Stanley was locked onto their position.

Now it was time to get to work.

Senku and his friends rushed about. Xeno, like his shadow, trailed behind the young man. Occasionally he’d give some commentary, but he wasn’t there to help or anything. Perhaps he did in a way by providing that little boost of motivation by mentioning Stanley. But in truth, Xeno simply wanted to get things moving. Maybe on the surface it didn’t appear to be the smartest move, but… 

Things would balance out in the end… And Xeno was starting to get bored anyway.

Even with boosted speed from the sail, it was still a few days out to their next destination. And over those few days, Xeno soon expended his usefulness- now cast away somewhere he wouldn’t be a bother. 

At least that’s how it felt.

Xeno tapped his claw rhythmically against the bench as he sat in the dim salon, Tsukasa across from him looking equally as under stimulated. Come to think of it, he had hardly spoken a word to him, even though he was essentially his babysitter.

Without Senku around, Xeno had nobody to talk to. The moments the young man was busy elsewhere were lonely, despite him never being allowed to truly be alone. 

So in these quiet moments he was forced into his head- to fill the silence in his subconscious. Xeno had been thinking about a multitude of subjects lately. Though, no matter how hard he tried to keep his mind elsewhere, his thoughts always came back around to one person. 

Stan.

Xeno had to admit to himself, in only the couple weeks he’d been gone, he was beginning to sorely miss the man. The last time the two had been apart for more than a few days was when Stan had been away on deployment. And at that time, Xeno had not handled it very well. Perhaps this time was different because he knew that his soldier would return to him. No matter how long it would be… he would see him again. He was sure of it.

He shut his eyes fondly, envisioning in his mind's-eye Stan's ethereal face. His honey eyes, only for him, devoted and vulnerable. To others so cold and piercing. The way he moved- the way he did his job- so polished and professional. The way his stained lips parted to envelope the end of his cigarette…

He was truly elegant. No- not just elegant. In fact Stanley was gorgeous. 

Xeno coughed back his fantasies, remembering his brooding company. The scientist shifted, uncrossing and re-crossing his legs. 

He was far too aware of how much he was dictated by his feelings as of late. When they got too zealous, he’d manage to impound them to the depths of his mind, but he could still hear them rattling the bars. Nobody needed to, or should know the nature of his and Stan’s relationship. 

Then again, Xeno didn’t know the particular label himself, nor did he care for them. But what he did know for certain- they were both each other's biggest weakness. 

Out the large windows facing the front deck, Xeno caught some commotion. There appeared to be a small gathering forming. They were set to drop anchor today so Xeno figured it must be some kind of briefing. 

Muffled through the glass panes- a familiar name that just wouldn’t go away. 

“...mean old Stanley Snyder…” 

“...before we know it Stanley’s gonna catch up, right? N-not that I’m scared...” 

“...if our boat is reachable by plane from Stanley’s ship, we’re doomed.” 

“Most of you don’t know how nasty Stanley can be!” 

Xeno looked out, eyes wide. His fingers ceased their fidgeting, now curled tight. None of them knew Stanley- not one bit. Yet they assert their opinions as if they even had a single clue as to the man he truly was…!

“...Especially those who didn’t witness him snipe Senku…” 

Xeno felt a chill go through him. Pensively, he bowed his head. Stan had only done what he had told him to do. Though the gun was in Stanley’s hand, Xeno was the one who had pulled that trigger. 

The other night he had seen those horrid scars littering on Senku’s body. That was Xeno's own doing.

Xeno took a deep breath, swallowing the words he wished to say to them all. He remembered the day after he’d given those orders well. He hadn’t much peace and quiet to contemplate exactly what he was feeling but when he eventually did, the only vague conclusion he could come to was that he felt troubled. And so he tried to push those hard feelings away by-

Well… he was certainly going to Hell- that he was sure of.

Just then, the door leading from the deck crept open. Xeno perked up… Senku? 

A man in a purple robe ducked in. He jumped when he noticed the two sullen men who occupied the- assumed to be vacant- room. 

Gen waved apprehensively. “Oh, Xeno-chan, Tsukasa-chan… hi…” 

Xeno crossed his arms, eyeing him suspiciously.

“Do you need something, Gen?” Tsukasa asked flatly. 

The mentalist tapped his cheek. “Um…” He grinned, leaning in Xeno’s direction. “Senku-chan actually asked me to talk to Xeno-chan. Privately.” 

Xeno grimaced, sensing his mood was about to worsen. Gen was a liar, he knew that. If Senku wanted to say something to Xeno, he’d do it himself. Hopefully Tsukasa wouldn’t-

“I’ll be in the other room.” The brunet stood and sauntered off. 

Humming a tune, Gen plopped himself down next to Xeno on the bench. He craned his neck to check when the other man was gone, turning back when it was clear. “I wasn’t expecting you to be here, Xeno-chan..” 

“Sure…” Xeno huffed.

“It’s just- Out there they’re cooking up some kind of scheme and I don’t want to be involved.” He gestured theatrically. “So I slipped away~” 

“Uh huh.” And why did he isolate him? No point in asking. Xeno turned away with a sigh, deciding to ignore him until he got the hint.

“Well… Senku-chan did ask me to keep an eye out on you, that's true.” 

Xeno glanced at him, irritably tapping a clawed finger against his forearm. “I surmised that Senku would take proper precaution to ensure I was trustworthy… enough.” His commitment to ignoring him was short-lived. 

Gen stretched his hands out idly. “From what I know from being your hostage at one point… You’re not a manipulator. You prefer intimidation, argumentation, and exerting your dominance to getting what you want.” 

“That’s not too difficult to deduce.” Xeno commented. 

“Buuut~ I’ve noticed you haven’t really been doing that, have you?” He smiled slickly.

Xeno wanted to laugh at that. “There’s no reason to. I don’t need to do anything other than wait to be rescued.”

“Hmm…” Gen leaned in, scanning the older man’s face. “Is it because you’re already getting your way? If that’s the case, then what is it that you want, Xeno-chan?” 

He shut him down. “I don’t know what you’re referring to.” 

“You know exactly what I mean- stop acting so cold.” Gen whined, sinking back into the seat.

Xeno uncrossed his legs, tapping his heel on the floor, steady like a metronome. He wished dearly he could go back to his session of rumination. Anything would be better than this. He hugged his arms tighter to his chest. “You’re a horrible spy- coming right out with all the intel you’ve gathered on me.” he sneered.

“You already knew I was doing it,” Gen admitted with a giggle. “What would be the point in pretending I was getting away with it?” 

“I’m glad you recognize the absurdity.”

Gen looked up at the tiled ceiling. “You’re quite the puzzle Xeno-chan and I just can't seem to solve you.” he murmured. 

The scientist held strong onto his standoffishness, but it was starting to feel like an uphill battle. “What are you talking about?” 

“It’s so hard to understand you geniuses,” Gen pouted, shaking his head. “You’ve got so much space in those heads of yours- your emotions get lost.” 

Xeno glanced at him curiously. 

“And somehow…” Gen continued, locking eyes with him. “They always take the wrong turn when trying to get to your lips and end up right in your eyes.” 

Xeno scoffed and leaned back against the wall. What a ridiculous notion. He opened his mouth to retort but… he had nothing to say. Come to think of it, he's never won a game of poker in his life. 

Thankfully a voice from outside on deck cut their conversation short, “Gen! Get out here!” Gen startled, ducking behind his sleeves, as if that was going to help. Kohaku pressed her face against the window. “I can see you.” she snapped.

“Umm~ Coming, Kohaku-chan…” he warbled, coming out from hiding.

He shot one last knowing look at Xeno before scurrying away. Leaving the scientist feeling a little exposed. 

Xeno sat in shocked silence. He just played right into Gen’s hand, didn’t he?

Soon the boat landed on shore. The bustling crew ran around packing sacs and prepping for the day ahead. Senku reached out into the sunny sky with a deep breath, straightening his back. With the mobile lab baiting Stanley’s crew in the wrong direction, a weight lifted off his shoulders. He felt he could actually let himself have a little guilt free fun for once. 

He situated himself down on his knees. Sitting off to his side, a heavy sealed pot. Inside- a crap ton of vinegar. He wobbly picked it up and placed it inside of his pack, padding a blanket around it to keep it steady. 

“Is that all you’re bringing?” Kohaku walked up beside him. 

Senku looked up at her, sliding the straps onto his shoulders. “This is how we turn the sap we collect into rubber.” He managed to stand up, acting as if it was nothing. “Adding an acid turns it solid.” 

“Are you going to be able to carry that all the way?” she questioned. 

Senku shrugged. “Eh- it’s not too bad.” He started making his way down to the shore.

“Hah! We’ll see about that.” She laughed, jogging ahead of Senku.

“What do you got?” 

“I was left just carrying the collection pots,” Kohaku frowned, “It’s not fair, I wanted to push myself!” 

“It’s a long hike, you’ll get some good exercise no matter what.” 

The blonde agreed, giving him a thumbs up, as she sprinted out of view. 

Senku sighed as his feet hit the sand- maybe the bag was a little heavy, but he could manage. 

From behind, he heard the familiar clack of metal claws rapping together. Senku tried to look back, but his large pack blocked his view. He stopped and spun his whole body around, a smile spreading on his lips at the confirmation of who he thought was there. “Xeno, you’re coming?” 

Xeno’s arms threaded together. “I thought you’d forgotten about me.”

“Again with the clingy girlfriend thing…” Senku mumbled, smiling wryly.

“Well you’ve hardly spoken to me the past couple of days, you’ve been tossing me off to-” He flicked his hand.“-your friend there. I assumed I wasn’t invited. So… I’ve invited myself.” 

Senku mimicked his posture. “No, I asked you…?” His hand snapped to his chin, “Um…The other day…?”

“You didn’t.” 

Senku paused. “I didn’t…?” 

Xeno looked unamused.  

“Oops.” He shrugged. “It’s the first opportunity we have to do a real science craft together. Obviously I wanted you to come along.” Senku looked away and continued on walking. 

Xeno paced up to his side. “No, it was not obvious.” 

Smirking, Senku readjusted his bag straps. “You’re being weird, Xeno. What’s with you?”

“Well I-” he stuttered. 

“Are you trying to say you missed me or something?” Senku scrunched up his nose, his lips curled up. “Ew.” 

Xeno threw his hands up and shrugged. “You’re just the only person here I can have a half-decent conversation with.” 

“Is that a yes?” he snickered.

Xeno hummed, leaning in closer. He spoke playfully in his ear, “Isn’t it obvious, Senku?” 

“...!” Senku stumbled, his knees buckling under the weight of his pack. Xeno jolted to reach out to stop his fall, latching onto his arm. 

“What do you have in there…?!” Xeno grunted, holding up Senku. 

“Ah- Pph…Couple gallons of vinegar- ugh…” Senku fought to catch his breath. 

Looking back, Xeno observed they hadn't even made it off shore yet. “I’m shocked you even made it this far…” He lowered him down to the sand gently. “Let me carry it for you.”

Senku couldn’t stop hyperventilating long enough to protest. Slipping his arms out, Xeno wrapped his hands around the shoulder strap and lifted. 

He dropped it right back down. “I’m not carrying that.” he said haughty. 

Senku sank to the ground. His chest shuddered, continuing his struggle for oxygen. Xeno looked down at him semi-sympathetically, mentally comparing him to a fish out of water- that elicited a smirk. 

Kohaku stepped up to the commotion, hands on hips. “Hah! I knew this would happen.” She felt a little bad for laughing at him, but she did warn him. “Did you forget I trained hauling water?” She swung her own- significantly smaller- bag off of her shoulders and exchanged it for Senku’s. 

Kohaku started her jog back towards the tree line- no sweat.

“You were right… lioness…” 

“I’m not a lioness!” Kohaku’s voice echoed over the beach. 

Senku croaked out a mischievous laugh. After a few more deep breaths, his breathing began to settle back to normal. 

Xeno offered his hand out to him. Senku stared up, his eyes softening. He took it with a grin, allowing himself to be lifted. 

The scorching sun beamed down over the untamed landscape. The crew sweltered under its rays and struggled over the overgrown bushes. Chelsea, the expedition's guide, tried to make the best of it by pointing out the wildlife, fun facts about the species of animals in the region and what plants grew there. She even conducted a little quiz afterwards to see who was paying attention. Senku was disqualified to make it fair for everyone else after he got too many answers correct. 

After a good couple of hours of hiking with little breaks interspersed, Senku spotted the old rubber trees in the distance. It was still shocking to see the monumental size that most trees were now after thousands of years of uninterrupted growth. Worn down from the trek, he caught a second wind at the sight. Balancing across the exposed roots, he placed his hand on the tree, feeling the rough bark underneath his palm. 

“This is it, guys…!” he panted.

Senku started his demonstration to the crew. The tutorial on how to get started collecting sap was easy; Take your blade, cut the tree at an angle, fix a bowl or jar under the leak and wait. 

Xeno watched him proudly. Senku was in his element, completely swept away by his passion for science, much in the way Xeno felt. His restless hands agitated, wanting nothing more but to be swept away along with him. 

He felt a presence behind him. Xeno turned and there was Gen, hand outstretched. In his palm a sheathed blade. 

Xeno smirked curiously. “You would willingly hand a potential weapon to the enemy?” 

“Xeno-chan, surely you can’t resist making rubber with us.” Gen’s eyes glanced over- with Senku, more specifically. “Besides, if our vehicles aren't up to snuff, it’ll be your funeral as well.” 

He realized what the mentalist was doing; this was a method used in interrogations. Feeding the suspect a potential explanation for their actions to get them to admit to the crime- regardless of the true reason. To Xeno, keeping up appearances was important. And the other man had given him an excuse he could use to explain why he was helping without putting his motivations into question. 

But Xeno had to admit- that bait was certainly enticing. 

Gen took a step forward, insisting. “You and Senku are birds of a feather~ You both aren’t the types to taint science with lies,” His voice dropped to a hush, “right?”

Their status as enemies didn’t matter right now. Xeno wanted to do this with Senku more than anything in the world.

Xeno looked away- he was caught- read like a book. The way his eyes became alight at the mere mention of his name, the way he lightened up when speaking with him, how he was stuck to his side. This fondness for Senku was his achilles heel, he knew that about himself, but not the extent. It only worsened the closer they became over those short weeks.

What an elegant display of deduction. 

Xeno took the blade in Gen’s hand into his. The man did make it clear that, though trusted with the knife, that didn’t mean he was completely free to do whatever he’d like. This amused Xeno as he was already well aware of that fact. 

Stepping up to a suitable tree, Xeno ran a claw over the bark and maneuvered the knife into a comfortable grip. With a delicate jab, he plunged the blade into the trunk and etched a slanted scar across it with precision. Pulling back, he watched the sap begin to pool at the bottom of the wound. Xeno looked around for a spare collecting pot laying around, but there was none to be found. 

Soon he grew nervous as the sap slowly started trickling down to the dirt, wasting the precious rubber. Xeno kicked himself for not going to Senku first before he started- he’d been too keen to get going. 

Then came just who he was looking for. Senku rushed over, supplies in hand. “We need to collect all we can get, Xeno…!” He held the bowl underneath the leak. “I saw all that. Why’d Gen give you his knife?” 

“I stole it.” Xeno deadpanned. 

Senku chuckled, “Probably just wanted you to do his work for him.” He panned around for the mentalist- gone. “Yep… Ten billion percent correct.” 

Xeno placed his hands on his hips. “Oh. That makes more sense.” He smirked. “I thought he was just an idiot.” 

“Nah. He’s not as dumb as he pretends to be.” Senku gestured to the pair of metal stakes in his belt, asking Xeno’s help to stick them into the tree.

“Certainly…” Xeno kneeled down close, shoulder nudging against Senku’s leg. He inserted the stakes at the base of the jar.

Senku murmured from above, “I vouched for you- he knew it was alright.” 

His brows furrowed. Xeno craned to look up at him through the gap in Senku's outstretched arms. “You don’t need to do that, Senku.” he asserted. 

“That’s how I got everyone on board with letting you walk around free.” Taking his hands away, Senku let the pot rest in place. “It was days ago. Only the one time.”

“Good. Doing that too much will make you seem compromised.” Xeno placed his hand against the tree to steady himself as he stood. “Then your team could lose faith in your authority.” 

“Well, they're not just my team, they’re my friends. They listen to me because they know I only do what I think is right.” The two men locked eyes. “They have faith in me.” 

“...” Xeno fidgeted with the blade in his hand. With a sigh, he turned away. “As they should.” 

After a couple hours, the collection pots were ready to be emptied. The sun now hidden behind the clouds provided some much needed relief from its oppressive temperature. Xeno and Senku set up their mixing station. One large clay jar was situated with a big funnel lined with a filter. Sat nearby, multiple rectangular molds crafted out of wood.

“SENKU!!!” Chrome sprinted as quickly as he could to the two scientists, stopping himself right before he crashed into them. “You were gonna start before explaining it to me?” he gasped. 

“It’s super easy.” Senku glanced at Xeno, who nodded in agreement. 

Chrome pumped his fist. “Doesn't matter, I still wanna know!” 

Xeno scoffed, “Fine. But after- leave us to work in peace.” 

“Right, right.” Chrome rubbed his chin. “...Gen did tell me to let you have some alone time together.” he murmured to himself. 

“What was that?” Senku asked. 

“Nothing! C’mon, quick- then I’ll leave you alone.” 

“Don’t worry, I’ll show you.” Senku pointed at the large vase. “To coagulate the latex, we mix it with an acid and water mixture. We’re using vinegar as our acid.”

“Pre-mix it of course.” Xeno commented, tipping the jug of water and vinegar mixture into the funnel.

“Then take the sap,” Senku picked up the jug of freshly collected latex with a grunt and poured. “...funnel it in. The filter strains out any bugs or dirt.” 

“And stir.” Xeno emptied his hands and swished the liquid with his claws to thoroughly mix it. “That’s all for now. After it all strains, it goes into the molds…” 

Chrome cut him off, “Baaad. At this rate we’ll have all the tires done in-” 

Xeno finished his sentence, “...for ten to twelve hours. That’s how long it takes to solidify.” 

“CRAP!” 

The older scientist smirked. This was one of his favorite parts about teaching science- the surprise. “Did you think we were camping out for fun? In the grand-scheme of things the process is relatively quick.” 

“And we’re making a crap ton of it.” Senku chuckled, Xeno quietly joining him. “Once it’s solid we can move it. We’ll take it back to the ship and get it done on the move.” 

Chrome looked disappointed, but he knew it would be better in the long run if he stayed out of things for now. “Then I don’t wanna slow you down or anything, we need to save as much time as we can get…” 

“That’s alright- I was already gonna explain it to Xeno anyway.” Senku grinned, egging the other man with a nudge from his elbow. 

Xeno followed up sarcastically, “I know right? How dumb of me not to have put natural rubber production to memory. I should’ve studied.” 

“Alright I’ll leave you to it!” Chrome enthusiastically went off to go retrieve more collection pots for the two.

Senku waved him goodbye and then picked up the jar again, laughing to himself as he poured more latex into the funnel. 

Xeno huffed, “What?” 

“Sorry, it’s just funny.” 

“No it’s not. You’re such a punk.” Xeno pouted, crossing his arms. 

“You gotta admit, it’s pretty entertaining when the roles get reversed, Xeno.” 

The older man conceded with an eye roll, “Ah well, I suppose there isn’t much I can teach you anymore. In terms of general knowledge, you are more versed than I am.” He watched Senku from behind as he used a stick to stir the mixture for himself. “But if you ever need a rocket-” 

The words caught in his throat. Xeno’s eyes went wide. 

A rocket.

How had he not thought of it before?

The petrification's origin point was simply a pit stop on the way to his true destination. Senku didn’t even know if anything was left there- he wouldn’t take this trip without something to show for it. And with those signals coming from the moon…

Xeno knew of a city in South America that was rich with minerals. Metals necessary for the production of rocket engines. Minerals that couldn’t be found anywhere else…

“It’s gonna be a bit before we can make one of those.” Senku looked back at him. 

Remembering what Gen had said about his emotions showing on his face, Xeno rushed to crouch down and grab the water-vinegar mix. “Right. Of course.” 

“I can still find something for you to do.” Senku smiled at his mentor. “You’re not out of the job just yet.” 

Xeno stood and poured more mixture in. His head down, concealing his somber expression. “How considerate of you…”

He felt a pit in his stomach. Xeno didn’t know why, but he wished he hadn't figured it out. For the time being, he decided to banish this information to the back of his mind.

It didn’t matter right now.

As the landscape became coated in an indigo haze, the sound of tents being spiked and fires crackling filled the forest. Senku shakily poured the rest of the rubber into the final mold, then stood, wiping sweat from his face with the back of his hand.

“Finally done…” Senku’s voice came out dry. 

Having taken his coat off earlier, Xeno brushed off his disheveled dress shirt. “I regret wanting to help.” he deadpanned. 

“I had fun,” he said with a smirk. “...For about the first hour.” 

“Likewise…” Xeno looked at him softly. Getting to work together was worth the sore back. He wouldn’t trade it. And from the way Senku looked back at him, he felt much the same. “I think we’ve overworked ourselves…” Xeno pulled his dirty gloves off. 

Senku walked over to him, giving him a gentle punch on the shoulder. “Yeah. But hey, at least you didn’t have to force me to take a break this time.” 

“Small improvements are still worth celebrating.” His hand brushed against Senku’s lower back, guiding him away from the workstation. “Now, where’s your things? We should set up before we’re too exhausted.” 

Senku yawned, “I left it over with everyone else’s stuff.” 

“I’ll get it for you,” Xeno assured. ”Go find a nice spot.” His voice was tender.  

“Got it…” The young man wandered off, seemingly already half-asleep. 

Making his way over to where everyone had initially dropped their supplies off, Xeno noticed how disheveled the area had been left. Empty bags, discarded pots and bowls littered the area. It was about what he’d expected from a group of college-age kids. Eventually Xeno located the singular sleeping bag, mat and tent left in the stray. 

He scanned the area again. There wasn't a sleeping bag for himself? Certainly there had to be, he'd packed one, right? This place was just such a mess he couldn't find it. 

Xeno stifled a yawn, he was much too exhausted to continue searching. He decided to head back with only Senku's stuff in hand.

When he returned to where he had left him, Senku was nowhere to be found. He squinted, trying to spot a tan and green figure in the dark forest. Xeno sighed, everything was tan and green- Senku was certainly well camouflaged. He decided simply to follow the direction he’d last seen the young man headed in. 

A ways out, Xeno finally found him- entranced by the night sky.

The ring of trees reached distantly into the sky. Like the heavens opening up, the canopy parted, giving a glance into infinity. Shining purple and white specks danced around in the swirl of the universe, winking down and inviting him to stay a while. 

“In this new world, the night sky never gets old, does it?” Xeno whispered, padding his way over to his student’s side. 

Senku stared up, mouth agape, not willing to look away just yet. “Nope.”

“Then why don’t we set up camp here then?” Xeno placed the supplies down with a soft smile. 

Senku pulled himself away from the breathtaking view. “It’s kinda far from the others.” he said breathily, a tinge of worry in his tone. 

“So? Isn't it peaceful out here? Wouldn’t want them disturbing it.” 

Senku exhaled, shifting his weight. “I get ya.” He looked down at only his sleeping mat on the ground. Was Xeno not given his own? “You can have it, I’m fine on the ground. I know your old bones need the extra support.” he snickered.

Xeno kicked the mat to roll it out. Hands on his hips, he mentally measured it. “It would fit both of us, but I get it if you don’t want to cuddle up to me.” he said cheekily. Xeno would gladly accept his hospitality. 

Senku pursed his lips. “I wouldn’t mind…” he mumbled. His proposition would’ve been inaudible if it weren't for the still surroundings. 

Xeno held his breath, slightly shocked at those words coming from Senku of all people. Looking over at him, Senku was still as he was moments before, but now his head was turned away, looking at nothing in particular- just anything but his mentor…

“Uh. Heh-” Senku jerked his head in Xeno’s direction, not meeting his eyes. “I’m joking. You thought I was serious?” 

Xeno mouth closed, forming a smirk. “Perhaps I thought you were serious because a part of you was.” 

“What?” Senku turned back, trying to appear casual. Though he was betrayed by the flush on his ears. “Why would I wanna do that?” 

Xeno blinked at him. This was funny- but he had to refrain from laughing- otherwise he’d mortify the poor boy. “How would I know?” he teased him instead. 

The older man decided to leave him with his thoughts and got down to unroll the blanket, forgoing the tent in exchange for the view. He didn’t feel much like setting it up anyway. With a grunt Xeno sat, patting the unoccupied side with his palm. 

Senku glanced at him, his eyes wide and lips tight. After a few seconds of consideration, he planted himself down onto the bare ground. Was he… flustered? Xeno had to compose himself, he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. “Senku…”

The young man ignored him, pulling his knees up to hug them. He gazed up into the starry sky with an absent look. 

Xeno let out a heavy sigh- Senku was a stubborn one. He had been successful in persuading him on things before, but this was because he knew Senku needed a reason before he’d concede. 

So the question was… what was that reason? 

Moving closer, Xeno rested his hand gingerly on Senku’s shoulder, rubbing it softly with his thumb. “You’re going to get a stiff neck looking up like that.” he said, his deep voice intimate in Senku’s ear. 

Senku glanced at him momentarily, then down at the dirt.

Xeno broke out into a grin. “Senku, are you okay?” This was just too amusing. He'd never seen him get so self-conscious. It was like a whole new side to him. 

“Yeah, just tired.” Senku croaked. Clearing his throat, he leaned back and stretched his legs out. “Worried about me or something?” 

Xeno slid his hand over his back to rest on his far shoulder, pulling him into a half hug. “I dare say I am.” he husked. 

Senku looked at him wide from the corner of his eye, his lips slightly parted. 

“Why do you look so shocked? Xeno laughed softly.

Senku closed his eyes and smiled. Leaning his head away, he whined. “You’re being weird….”

“Me?” Xeno raised an eyebrow. “Senku, you’re the one with your ass in the dirt.” 

Senku knocked against him playfully a smile breaking on his lips. “Then move over, old man.” 

Xeno did, leisurely slipping out of the hug. He laid himself down steadily, shifting around until he got comfortable. It felt great to straighten his back out after being hunched over all day. 

Gazing into space, the dazzling stars demanded his undivided attention. 

Then, like the wind blowing through the treetops, green locks waved into the border of his view. Senku, his face in shadow except for those ruby eyes that stared down- glimmering with curiosity. 

“What is it?” Xeno asked. 

With his finger, Senku traced an ‘X’ onto his own forehead. “You’re reflective.” In the polished black surface of Xeno’s severe scar, the twinkling shine of the stars mirrored back. “Like you got the universe in your head. You would have enough room in that giant forehead of yours…” 

Xeno smiled, reaching a hand to brush one of Senku’s dangling bangs behind his ear, grazing his earlobe with his fingertips. “Lay down, Senku.” he hushed. Then he stretched his arm out to his side. Senku hesitated but, when he understood the gesture, he accepted the invitation. 

Xeno hooked his arm over his shoulder, letting Senku rest his head.

Though Senku’s eyes were trained on the night sky, he couldn’t fully bring his focus back to the captivating view. The sound of his heart beating loud in his ears. Where their skin touched, burning like spotlights were trained on them. The million rushing thoughts trying to decipher what was happening. 

Xeno patted Senku’s shoulder gently. “Did you figure out why you’re suddenly so inclined to affection?” he whispered, reaching down to pull the blanket up. 

Senku silently rolled onto his side and hid his face in Xeno’s side, nuzzling ever so slightly closer. “Just… thought it’d feel nice. Not really all that deep.”

Xeno slid his hand smoothly over his back. Senku sighed at the touch, then inhaled deeply into the crook of Xeno's neck. It must be quite soothing for him to have his back rubbed after such a laborious day, Xeno figured.

“So…?” He brushed Senku’s hair away with his other hand. “Would you say it feels ‘nice’?” 

Shifting his hand on Xeno’s chest, Senku’s fingers idly fidgeted with one of the shirt buttons. “Guess so.” 

Xeno closed his eyes, feeling Senku’s heart jittering against his torso. He would’ve never expected him to do something like this as he seemed so affection-adverse to others. Though, something told him this was exclusively for him…

“Get some sleep, Senku.” Xeno whispered warmly into the younger man’s hair. “Goodnight…” 

Senku tugged the blanket up higher to conceal his face. “...Night…” he mumbled, muffled from underneath the fabric. 

Then, without giving it any thought, Xeno placed his lips against Senku’s forehead. No- It wasn’t a kiss. 

It was just a touch of his lips- nothing more.

Notes:

At first it was hard to figure out how Senku would express that he likes someone because- well- it's Senku. He doesn't ever show that he likes someone ever right? Nope. He's just subtle about it while also being incredibly not-so-subtle at the exact same time. Like he's speaking in a code that only those close to him can decipher.

Oh! And I've settled on my upload schedule. Every Friday expect a new chapter! As always kudos and comments are much appreciated :)

Chapter 5: How to Delay the Inevitable

Orange clouds rolled over the purple sky as the birds sang. It was bright and early, the light catching the morning dew, it sparkled on each blade of grass. As they all began to wake up, everyone gathered around to watch Senku pull the newly created rubber. 

Standing with his legs on either side of the wooden mold, the young scientist bent down to slip his hands between the rubber and the wooden walls. It wriggled in his grasp- coming up with a suction sound. 

Laying a mat out, the long slab of rubber was slapped on top, Taiju had the honor of kneading it with a roller. This strengthened the rubber so it could be formed into spheres, or rather, bouncy balls. It wasn’t done for just fun though, doing this made it easier to transport.

The crew was excited to see the process- but some were confused as to why it didn’t look like tires yet. To their dismay, Senku informed them that they needed to carry the rubber all the way back to the ship before they could continue the crafting.

“We’re on a time limit. We gotta be sailing by noon…!”

Bustling around, everyone prepared for the hike back. Senku tried not to rush them but he did want to get moving as soon as possible. The power team loaded the bulk of the rubber into their packs. Everyone else packed what they brought with them. 

Senku ended up carrying nothing on him. He didn’t exactly know how that happened- guess this is the result of letting things get too unorganized- things go missing. It was fine though, this just meant he could maybe last a little longer on the hike. 

Making his way down the cleared path of trampled bushes, disturbed dirt and scythed branches, there was hardly any noise other than his own footsteps. 

Senku’s gone off ahead a bit further than everyone, he knew he probably should've waited but… he couldn’t bear the thought of facing a certain someone right now.

Last night was probably the weirdest thing he’s ever done. 

Senku was a pretty unashamed guy usually. But damn- what was he thinking? Was he outta his mind? 

Suddenly he froze, hearing footsteps rushing up behind him. 

Breaking out in a sweat, he continued walking just a little bit faster. The footsteps quickened. Senku hastened his pace, feeling a pair of eyes’ burning stare on the back of his head. 

“Ehhh!? Senku, why are you running from me!?” 

Senku stopped, whipping his head around. “Oh. It’s you…” He’d never thought he would be so relieved to see Luna. 

“Don’t sound so disappointed!” She stomped her heel on the ground with a pout. “We haven’t gotten to talk in like- forever…” 

Senku scratched his ear. “I said something to you this morning?” 

“Saying something is not ‘talking’ Senku.” Luna put her hands on her hips with a huff. “C’mon, you’re my boyfriend.” 

“I forgot…” Senku mumbled to himself, continuing on ahead. Suppose he accidentally lied when he said he’d never had a clingy girlfriend. 

Luna ran up to match his pace, clasping her hands together in excitement. “Anyway- Did you see the sky last night? I couldn’t believe it.” With a dreamy look in her eyes, she sighed, “I wish you were there to watch it with me. It was so romantic~ ” 

“I did see it. So… technically we were watching it at the same time.” 

“That doesn’t count!” She shouted. Luna closed her eyes and considered his words a second. Then she smiled. “Well… I guess looking up at the same sky can be a bit romantic in a poetic kinda way…” 

Senku sighed. Luna really wasn’t a bother most of the time. She was cool. Just a tiny bit delusional. Or suppose a ‘hopeless romantic’.

Maybe they weren’t too different in a strange sort of way. Senku saw the science in everything- what made it up, how it came to be. But Luna, she was always thinking about love and so she saw it in everything. She looked at that breathtaking night sky and instead of thinking about the massive planets and burning stars tens of billions of kilometers away, she was thinking about the blend of colors, the sparkles- how it made her feel. 

Thinking back to Luna’s initial description of the sky, Senku wondered aloud, “A ‘romantic’ sky… How does the sky feel romantic?” 

Luna tilted her head, thinking it was a strange question from someone like Senku. She tried to answer the best she could, “Looking at beautiful scenery can make your heart flutter. Kinda in the same way when you look at someone you like. I guess that’s what makes it romantic?” 

Senku tapped his fingers to his chin, musing about what that actually meant. “So… the wires are just getting crossed…” he mumbled. 

“What do you mean? Like, the sky tricks people into thinking they're in love?” 

“Kinda…” In basic terms that would be close. But that phrasing made it sound like magic- there was a science to it. “Say you see a nice looking sunset, chemicals in your brain are released like oxytocin, dopamine. If you happen to be next to someone when this happens… Your brain might think they were the one who caused it. Brains can be stupid like that.” 

“Just anyone? Like any random person?” She asked quizzically. 

“Not a stranger, an acquaintance at least…”

Luna questioned further, “But what if they were super ugly? Or smelt bad?” 

Senku shook his head. “No- a normal, average person. Not unattractive, but not a supermodel.” 

“What about their personality- does that have a factor?” 

“Obviously.” Senku shrugged. “That would be pretty shallow if not.”

Luna stopped in her tracks, swinging around to stand in front of Senku. She tapped her finger on her temple as she put it all together. “Soo… Someone you kinda know that’s just okay looking with a tolerable personality… Like a slice of white bread personified.”  

“As a baseline.” He was mostly asking himself the question, but he wanted her input. Luna was more of an expert in romance- Senku could only make an educated guess. “Would the pleasure chemicals produced by the scenery create a false sense of attraction to a person?” 

“Hmm…” She scrunched her nose, hunched in thought. ”I think… it adds to whatever feelings are already there.”

Senku folded his arms across his chest. “The hypothetical is that you have zero- completely neutral- attraction to this person.” 

“Then no.” Luna straightened out, waving her hand. “What I mean is- you’d need to be at least a little bit attracted to this person to begin with. And the pretty sky boosts that attraction. It elevates feelings, it doesn’t create them.” 

“But what if-”

“WHO ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT!?” Luna blurted. Getting in Senku’s face, her cheeks red with anger. 

Senku leaned away. “N-Nobody?! It’s a thought exercise!” he defended.

“Hmmph!” Luna stared him down, intimidatingly inching closer. Then she retracted, still squinting at him. “You don’t seem like a cheater so I’m gonna take your word for it…” She flicked her hair haughtily.

“Y’know we aren’t really-” 

 “Anyway-” Luna giggled, ”That was fun how you were making me chase you earlier…!” 

Senku closed his eyes with a sigh, “I was running away from you…” 

“We should race!” She grabbed his hand, bouncing in place, bursting with energy. “That way we can spend some time together and get back to the ship quicker!” 

Luna pulled his arm, breaking out into a jog and dragging him behind her. Senku had to start running- otherwise he’d trip and bring them both down. 

“I like your efficient mindset but-”

“You like me?” Luna gushed, gaining a little bit more pep in her step. She yanked his arm with an unexpected amount of strength. 

“That’s-” Senku panted, almost tripping over his own legs. “Not what I said…!”

“You complimented me!” 

“I… complimented your…” He wheezed horribly, “Th…in…king-”

To absolutely no surprise, he collapsed. What was surprising was that Senku managed to maintain that brisk jog for a long five minutes- may be a new record. 

 Luna leaned over him, blocking the sun with her head. “Really…? I suppose this is part of the deal when getting with a nerd…” 

“Just… “ He took a deep breath, then huffed dryly. “Give me a few… minutes…”

Luna pouted. “I was hoping that when I got tired out you’d offer to carry me…”

Senku chuckled, “That wasn’t gonna happen even if I was strong enough.” 

“Well then-” She turned, skipping away and waving Senku goodbye. “See ya at the ship!” 

Basking in the hot sun, Senku closed his eyes, catching his breath. If he stayed there too long then soon the rest would catch up to him. 

Xeno would catch up. 

C’mon- there wasn’t anything to be embarrassed about. Nobody but him and Xeno knew about it. And really what was ‘it’? They slept next to each other- like they do every night- only this time they were slightly more next to each other than usual. It wasn’t anything..

So why does it feel like it is…? 

“Nngh…” Senku groaned, holding his head.

This was a new sensation for him. All logic and reasoning was lost. No matter how much he tried to rationalize and look at things objectively, nothing would make that feeling go away. 

His brain was not in control right now. 

And it scared Senku a bit…to lose control…

The distant sounds of footsteps echoed through the forest. He had to keep going, he couldn’t lay there forever. Senku took a deep breath and lifted himself up. He had to take control of the situation. He had to face this!

…Later. 

He walked away briskly, never looking behind him. What? He was taking control… Control over when he was gonna do it. That counts. 

Man, something really was wrong with him…

But that ‘later’ came way too soon. Senku stood by, taking headcount as everyone re-boarded the ship. And of course right at the end of the line was Xeno- as well as Tsukasa, who had dutifully assumed his role as hostage babysitter.

 The older man made eye contact with him as he passed but made no indication that he had any idea that Senku was purposely avoiding him. Strangely enough, Xeno was carrying a second pack.

…Was that Senku’s bag? 

Suddenly a clawed hand landed on his shoulder. Senku jumped. Jerking his head around- he was met with Xeno’s smirking face. “Ready to make some tires today, Senku?” 

Senku took a deep breath.

…and…

…everything was normal.

He exhaled. Senku’d worked himself up so much about Xeno- thinking that he’d embarrass himself again. But now that it was happening. Everything was totally normal. He could almost laugh.

“Yeah, we have a lot of work to do.” Senku grinned, feeling a burden lifted off of him. “Let’s get started right away.”

“Yes, of course.” Xeno leaned in. “Good thing we both got a good night’s sleep last night.” 

Senku’s smile strained. “Heh- Yeah…” Maybe Senku had managed to not embarrass himself, but Xeno was certainly making an effort to embarrass him. 

Tsukasa raised a curious eyebrow at the two scientists. Senku looked away- there was nothing to see here. 

Xeno let go of Senku’s shoulder and the two older men walked off to board. Senku stood there trying to return to that fleeting moment of normality he’d just experienced. 

He brought his mind over to the task at hand. Tires. 

Senku started off towards the ship, trailing behind them. Tires. Tires. Tires. Senku repeated it until it didn’t even sound like a word anymore. That seemed to help. There were seriously more important things he needed to focus on. 

Whatever this was… It was distracting him. He couldn’t afford to get off track right now.

Everyone was up on deck, dumping their bags and getting the rubber unpacked- ready to start being processed. For now, the crew was mostly just playing with the fancy new material as they waited for Senku to begin his demonstration. 

Senku psyched himself up, slapping both hands to his cheeks to wake up and refocus. Time to get going. Now, what did he need?

“It’s a pretty interesting material, I guess.” Kohaku bounced one of the rubber balls with precision. She was clearly enjoying herself, yet she kept a nonchalant attitude about it. “...It’s just a toy and not much else.” 

Senku smiled at the display, walking over to her. “Fair point…” Maybe he’d leave some leftover rubber for his friends to keep- they seemed to be having too much fun with it for him to take it away. “Cuz without scientific processing, even a godly material like rubber is just a mere plaything.” 

Then he felt a presence at his side, Xeno had returned to his place next to him. Senku reminded himself- Xeno was just as excited about this as he was. And by the look on his face he was eager to get involved. 

Xeno butted in, “As history tells it, even after Columbus brought some back to his civilization. It just kinda sat there unused for two whole centuries.” He grinned at his own fun-fact, giddy to impress the crowd with his niche knowledge. 

…

Met with dead silence, Xeno bowed his head awkwardly, folding his hands behind his back. It was incredibly apparent nobody cared for his tidbit. Didn’t help that it was Kohaku and Chrome closest to him- they had no idea who Columbus was. Senku offered him a sympathetic smile to compensate.

In one on one conversations Xeno was quite the smooth talker, but in group settings like this, he tended to flounder. Senku could tell that at his core, Xeno was just a nerd desperate for some recognition. 

Xeno squinted at him, not appreciative of his pity. 

Senku smirked back- he was gonna give it to him anyway. 

In a way he related, but Senku never wanted anyone to think he was cool. It just happened. Hell, he’s come to find out having so many people look up to him was a lot…sometimes he wished he could just go back to being nobody.

But that wasn’t really an option. Senku didn’t have a choice- this was his job.

Senku continued on through the steps. Heat it up, roll it out, mix stuff in. Xeno followed behind, trying to aid in any way he could and offering his input. 

Senku could tell his mentor was having a great time and he had to admit, he was too- just like yesterday. Even though it wasn’t just the two of them this time, science really brought them together.

With a stamp in hand, Senku printed the tire pattern onto the soft rubber. With a big smile on his face, he was amused by this step in particular. This was when it all started coming together and actually started looking like a tire! 

Xeno gilded around, carrying more jars of sulfur and carbon powder to be delivered to Taiju, who was rolling some more rubber as Senku worked with the first batch. “I take it, we'll craft the balloon-like tubes separately?” Xeno asked as he passed by.

“Yeah.” Senku finished stamping the pattern onto the tire with a sigh, satisfied with how it was coming out so far. “Ten billion points to you, old man.” 

Kohaku watched over Senku’s shoulder as he worked. She chuckled to herself, Xeno’s strange behavior had not gone unnoticed by her. “Hah! You’re acting really cooperative despite being our enemy.” she stated, hands on hips.

Xeno glanced at her briefly, but turned his back to the blonde. “I’m doing this with my own well being in mind.” His smile fell, taking with it the light-hearted atmosphere. “You and the rest are free to do yourselves in with inferior science but, not if it means taking me down with you. I’ll be getting on those bikes whether I want to or not. I’d rather them work properly…” 

Senku kept his head down, pretending he was paying no mind to their conversation.

 “That said…" When he looked at his fellow scientist, Xeno’s voice grew adoringly tender, “With Senku at the helm I have nothing to worry about…” 

Senku felt a warmth spread through his chest. That weird sensation came over him once again- making it hard to think. It made him anxious but- weirdly enough… he kinda liked it.

It was exhilarating. 

A few hours passed and the production of the tires was going smoothly. Having gotten a few done already meant the construction of the bike itself could get started. 

Senku felt a tiny bit bad about this but… he planned to scrap the boat. Senku didn’t care about the ship itself, but for Xeno- it can suck to have your own creation destroyed. There wasn’t any alternative option; they needed the materials. And so the crew spent the rest of the day gutting the ship, keeping the hull intact- for obvious reasons. 

But eventually it came time to jump ship. 

Now that they’ve docked on the shore of Ecuador, the boat wasn’t getting back in the water anytime soon. 

Xeno stood on the beach away from everyone else, watching as the sun approached the horizon, its rays radiating orange beams down on the demolished shell of the boat- a melancholic image.

“It’s a shame…” Xeno sighed.

“The real shame would be to let those resources go to waste.” Senku stepped up to his side, his shadow casting across the beach.

“It was a nice luxury to have in this world…” Xeno murmured, tapping a claw to his lips. “But, if I were in your position, I would’ve done the same.” 

Senku shifted, putting his hands on his hips. He supposed this did mark the end of a chapter. “Once we get everything out, we’re getting started right away.” 

“Hardly any time to relax now…” Xeno said wistfully, listening to the sound of the waves crashing on shore for a moment longer. Then he smoothed the train of his coat and sat himself down onto the white sand. He invited Senku to join him and so he did, silently accompanying him at his side. “These bikes… they’ll take a few days to finish, correct?” 

“Yeah, a couple.” Senku leaned back on his arms lazily. This atmosphere made him calm. Yeah- this might be his last opportunity to rest for the time being.

Xeno mimicked his posture, stretching his legs and crossing his ankles. “You’re not making them just for land traversal, now are you…” He lowered his voice, “...You’re anticipating an encounter with Stanley in the days to come.” 

Senku bowed his head, nodding. “...If we’re lucky, the mobile lab will cause enough of a delay and we’ll be able to finish before he reaches us.” He was relying too much on luck nowadays. Hopefully where he lost out on it wouldn’t be too devastating. 

Fidgeting, Xeno snapped out of his relaxed position with a hesitant breath. “I suppose… this is where I must cease my cooperation…” he said coldly.

Senku laughed at this. “What makes you draw the line here?” That stuff Xeno said back on the boat about helping for his own sake wasn’t true one bit. How did he know? Because that morning, Gen had related to him that conversation he and Xeno had. Gen had given him that excuse and he’d taken the bait.

Along with that, the mentalist had come to a conclusion about Xeno’s personality. Apparently Xeno wasn’t the type to come right out and say things, but in his own roundabout way he’d end up revealing his true intentions eventually. Though, not because he wanted to- because he was bad at hiding how he felt.

The older man looked down at his folded hands, smirking warily. “It’s arbitrary really…” he said, scoffing at his own lack of logic. “I simply… couldn’t deny you or myself the pleasure of working together. No matter how fleeting it was…” 

Senku’s lips curled up, he couldn’t help it. “Thanks.” The two locked eyes. “I mean it. It was fun while it lasted, Xeno.” 

Xeno's gaze darted down subtly, then back to Senku’s shining eyes. “It was.” Grinning, he turned towards the beaming sun, his eyes similarly alight. He ardently declared, “Ah, what a truly elegant experience this was…!” 

Senku laughed, “You’re so cringey, old man…” He stuck his tongue out in disgust. 

“Ooh how could you ever be seen with me…?” Xeno teased. 

Senku stood and brushed off the skirt of his tunic. “Exactly.” He smiled down at him, letting out an exaggerated sigh, “I still got a lot to do today, you’re wearing me out.” 

The older man scoffed, “That was nothing, I have other ways to wear you out.” 

Senku blinked. “...Hm?”  What did he mean by that?

“I can talk your ear off.” Xeno raised an eyebrow at Senku’s confusion. “That always put Stanley right to sleep?”

Closing his eyes, Senku shook his head. He didn’t think Xeno knew what that phrase implied.

Senku made his way over to unite with the rest of the crew. Taiju and Kaseki pulled up the materials from the now dilapidated ship with breakneck speed, metal and lumber piled up on the sand. The boat was unrecognizable. 

Putting on a smile, he happily explained the plan to recycle the resources that were being taken from the yacht. Everyone seemed to be excited to get started, but fear was probably more of a motivator than their enthusiasm…

Ukyo had been hunched over the radar the past hour or so, watching it closely. Senku could feel the bad news coming, but he didn’t want to jump the gun and freak everyone out. Not like that would really change anything if he did. He had a hunch everyone else had sensed it too by their apparent restlessness.

At a point… fear stops pushing you to run- it paralyzes.

But then the call came. “Guys!” Ukyo shouted, everybody's heads spun to look at him. “The mobile lab’s been sunk.” 

Senku tensed. This was way too soon. 

“...They’ve changed course and are approaching our location at top speed!”

Way, way too soon. Senku knew right away, he was only getting his friends out of this by the skin of his teeth.

There was no evading anymore- they were running.

Senku had an impulse to glance at Xeno to see his reaction to the news, assuming he’d feel much the opposite. But the other scientist looked just as grim. With eyes straight forward and lips tight, he jittered. Claws chinking together as he flexed his hands. 

Guess Xeno was still hiding. 

That night was filled with sounds of labor. Metal clanking, fires roaring, people exerting. Ryusui had been actively discouraging anyone from stopping, but some of the less physically inclined members had collapsed by early morning. Senku was still going though. His brain was more important than his physical abilities so he watched over instead, aiding with instruction and direction. 

Over away from the commotion, a campfire was set up for those that needed a break. At the moment Gen was out like a light face down in the sand. Chelsea tended to the fire, struggling to keep her eyes open.

Then there was Xeno. Of course he wasn’t very tired, he’d been there lounging about for hours. In fact, he was restless from the inactivity. He needed something to do. Anything really- it just couldn’t benefit the escape effort. 

Anything just to distract himself from his troubled thoughts… 

Xeno closed his eyes, wracking his brain. Maybe he could- 

Wobble~ There was a strange noise from elsewhere- Wobble~ Wobble~ Warbble~ 

No, this idea would be too helpful… No, that idea isn’t very interesting…

Wibble~ WOOOOBLE~ 

Xeno snapped his head around- What was that hellish noise…!?

There behind him, a little girl had a long sheet of rubber in her hands. Playing with it, she waved and wiggled it around, giggling as it kicked up dust. 

“Why do you have that?” Xeno blurted. 

Suika froze, clutching her new toy close. “U-Um. S-Senku gave it to me…” 

“Stop playing with it. It’s a precious material…!” He scolded.

“But…” She stared at him with wide eyes. “I wasn’t playing. I wanna make something out of it.”

Xeno squinted at her, it sounded like the type of lie befitting of a child. “What exactly?” he questioned.

“A flag.” Suika held it up above her head, giving it another shake. ”This super scientific rubber stuff waves really well…!” 

Xeno stood and walked over to her, his hands crossed snobbishly behind his back. He informed her, “It’s too heavy and thick, the wind wouldn’t be able to lift it.”

“Oh…” Suika dropped the rubber flat on the ground, her head low in disappointment. “I don’t know what else it would be good for other than a toy then…” 

“Well…” Xeno looked it over, tapping his claw on his chin. Such a large sheet could be useful. “Cutting it into a pattern, clothing could be made. Such as… a moto jacket perhaps…?” He smiled to himself. 

Suika looked up at him curiously. “A moto jacket? What’s that?” 

Xeno hummed, ready to educate. “Back in the 21st century, motorcycles were a hobby vehicle. They’re quite dangerous, especially at high speeds as they provide very little protection in the event of a crash…” He laughed devilishly, clinking his metal claws together, “If you were to be ejected, your skin would be peeled right off of the bone as you skid across the abrasive concrete…!” 

Suika cowered at the thought, as well as the creepy look on Xeno’s face- it was the same one she’d seen Senku do a few times before, only somehow worse.

Xeno cleared his throat, returning back to normal- as normal as he could be. “So riders would wear external protective gear, such as a helmet and bulky coat to protect themselves from injury. Death on the other hand…? Well, those articles could only do so much. Usually moto jackets were made with leather, but rubber is still quite a sturdy material and is used to make other heavy-duty protective clothing.” 

Suika pointed her finger in the air, fascinated by the idea. “If we’re going super fast, then we definitely need those!”  

“Though, there’s only enough material to create one…” He turned his chin up and folded his arms.

“Oh…” The girl frowned, racking her brain on what to do. 

Xeno shut his eyes. It was a fun idea, but perhaps it would be a waste of resources, even though it was spare. There wouldn’t be much of a practical reason to create one jacket unless it was simply done for aesthetic purposes. 

“I’ll make it for Senku then…!” Suika jumped into the air, twirling and cheering. “It’ll be a birthday present!”

Xeno’s eyes shot open. “...birthday…?” He certainly was not expecting that. Why had Senku never mentioned it? 

The little girl beamed and he got his answer right away. “It’s coming up soon. He doesn’t like to celebrate, but I do! I was starting to worry I wouldn’t be able to get him anything.” Suddenly she slumped. “Wait… I don’t know how to make a jacket.” 

Xeno smirked. He liked the sound of this. “I do.” He gestured to his own coat, boasting, “I made this myself.” 

Suika frowned still. “But you're the bad guy, why would you help me…?”

“Because I’m terribly bored.” Xeno sighed, a weary smile on his lips. He was really doing this…

“Yay!” She clapped her hands together. “We can’t let Senku see though- it’s gotta be a secret.” 

Xeno nodded in agreement and knelt down to analyze the material he was working with. “First, we need Senku’s measurements in order to cut the fabric to the correct length. Since I can’t exactly walk up to him and take them, I’ll guess based on observation.” 

“What if we can…?” Suika tapped her cheek, thinking of a solution. “I could walk right up to him, give him a big hug and measure him with my arms.” 

 Xeno hummed, impressed with the girl's problem solving skills. “That could work…” He smirked.“I’d only need his waist measurement, then I can infer the rest based on standard sizing. But I would need to measure your wingspan first.” 

“Measure!? I’ll go get Senku’s tape measure thing!” She rolled away towards the work area, stealthily locating the tool table and swiped it, making her way back in less than ten seconds. “Got it!” Suika posed, arms straight out at her sides.

Xeno took it and measured her from fingertip to fingertip. “100 centimeters exact. You’re the perfect meter stick.” 

She bounced energetically. “Alright, tell me what I need to do…!” 

“Make sure you get the smallest part of his torso. If you go too low you’ll be taking his hip measurement instead.” Xeno gestured the action as he explained, “Behind his back, stretch your left arm straight and with your right hand, use your fingernail to mark your skin where your arms connect.” 

Suika nodded. She knew she could do it.

Casually and cool, she sauntered her way over to Senku standing over near one of the furnaces. He was speaking with Ryusui, who was hunched over the fire, tossing some more wood in. Suika slipped in between the two smoothly. 

“Hi Senku…!” She waved.

Senku yawned, stretching his arms behind his back. “Hey. You need something, Suika?” 

“Nope!” The girl shook her head cutely. “Just wanna see what you’re up to-” 

Then the fire roared, bursting furiously from the mouth of the furnace. 

“Crap…!” Ryusui flinched back, taking Suika with him. 

The fire raged for a moment longer and Ryusui held a protective arm in front of the girl- rather he’d get singed than her. When the fire retreated, he wiped a nervous sweat from his forehead. 

Senku kneeled down, offering his hand to Suika. “You okay? Probably should stay away from the fire…” 

She grabbed his hand as he helped her up. “Yeah, I’m okay…” Suika tapped her finger to her chin- this was the perfect opportunity…! She jumped up, latching her arms around Senku. “Oh, thank you! You saved me, I almost got cooked!” 

Ryusui grumbled, “He just stood there like a dumbass…” 

Suika stealthily marked the measurement, her sly smirk hidden in Senku’s chest. 

“Yeah, why am I getting the credit?” The scientist let out a tired chuckle. 

Suika let go of him. “OkayIgottagobye!” She rambled as she bounced away, waving frantically.

The two men looked at each other confused. Ryusui put his hands on his hips. “Hell was that?” 

Senku could only shrug. “Dunno.”

Kicking up a puff of dust with each hop, Suika returned to Xeno. “I got it! I got it!” She held her arms out. “Hurry, before it fades…!” 

Xeno squinted, locating the scratch mark on her forearm. “Hmm. 29 inches…?” He raised his eyebrows. 

“What?” 

“Just…” Xeno chuckled to himself. “Small for a man.” 

“Yeah, he’s a twig- but I'm one to talk.” She giggled. 

Holding his fingers out in front of his face as he thought, Xeno determined the measurements. “A 74 centimeter waist would be a men’s size extra small. We’ll go slightly on the larger side and say 89 centimeters for his chest.” Xeno reached into his coat, taking from one of his belt's pouches the blade he had used for rubber collection. 

Suika looked at it nervously as he took it out of the covering. “Um. Why do you have a knife…?” 

Xeno grinned menacingly. “Nobody bothered to take it back from me. Imagine what I could do with this…” he muttered with a dark laugh. Then he turned to Suika, snapping out of it. “Cutting the pattern, of course.” 

“Oh… How do you know what shape to cut it?” 

“I have an idea for the style in mind. I can simply mentally deconstruct the jacket and see how all of the shapes come together.” Suika tilted her head, not understanding what he was talking about one bit. “We only have a few days to complete this, but with everyone else distracted, we can work throughout the day unnoticed.”

“Yes!” Suika jumped in place. “Senku’s gonna love it!” 

Xeno shushed her, “Keep your voice down, you don’t want him to catch on, do you?”
“N-Nope.” She repeated herself in a whisper, “Senku’s gonna love it…” 

He waved her off, bending down to begin cutting the rubber. “Now, go get me whatever leftover fabric or hides you have in your supplies as well as a needle and thread.” 

Suika marched off, swinging her hands at her side cutely. “Alright! I’m gonna help however I can…!” 

“Ah, wait-” Xeno called to her. Suika stopped in place, spinning around to look at him. With his back still to her, he spoke low, “When you give this to Senku… don’t mention I helped you.” 

“...But why?” Suika frowned. “It’s your present to him too-” 

 “Just do what I said!” he snapped through clenched teeth, glaring at her over his shoulder.

The girl was startled. Seeing that vicious look in his eyes, Suika nodded her head, agreeing to do what he told her. She quietly turned and left off to get the supplies. Though maybe she’d take her time…

Days later Senku stood in front of his crew in a daze, feeling the midday sun on his skin. How long had he been awake for? Or rather how long had he slept over the past couple days? That'd be easier to count- it’s in the single digits. 

He sighed as he saw Ukyo making his way over to him, a dismal look on his face. The other man placed his hand on his shoulder, his hand clammy. Ukyo delivered the bad news, “We have about two hours at most.” 

Senku bowed his head. “Stanley will probably be pushing it even faster in the homestretch. More like an hour if we’re lucky.” 

Ukyo gave him an affirmative nod, leaving to go speak with Ryusui next.

Luck… of course… 

Most of the bikes were ready. But, one of them was having difficulties starting. They were working hard on trying to diagnose the issue. It shouldn’t be long until they got it working, but they were running out of time. 

Senku rubbed his eyes. He wasn’t just tired from the lack of sleep. It was everything. He couldn’t help but have that selfish desire to wish he could just lay down and do nothing- to not worry about a thing- to push it all on someone else and say ‘not my problem’.

But he can’t. He knows that all too well. 

He felt a tug on his sleeve, pulling him out of his worries. Behind him was Suika, a sack with a neatly tied bow on it in her tiny hands. 

“Um…” She thrust the gift towards him. “Happy birthday Senku…!” Suika seemed a little on edge, but she put on a nice smile. 

Senku sighed- was it January already? He hadn’t been paying attention. Taking the bag from her hands, he couldn’t hold back his own smile. “You didn’t have to get me anything…” 

“Yeah, yeah, you say that every year.” Suika kicked the dirt bashfully. 

He knelt down to her height, giving her a pat on the head. “Thanks, Suika.” Senku undid the tie on the bag. “Now what did you get me…” 

Out of the sack came a red moto jacket, made out of rubber, adorn with leather cuffs, yellow shoulder and elbow pads, and shiny metal clasps. 

Senku stared at it in disbelief. Suika piped up, “So what do you think?” 

He held it up to get a good look at it. “Pretty cool, Suika…” Grinning still, he raised an eyebrow at her. “How did you make this?” 

“U-Um. With the extra rubber you gave me.” Suika said. Then she pointed. “There’s still more stuff in the bag.” 

Senku looked at her suspiciously. He couldn’t think of anyone who knew how to sew like this other than Yuzuriha. The village had well taught Suika sewing, but there’s no way she could’ve made this on her own in only a few days, let alone would she be familiar with this particular style of garment… 

He lifted the bag up, dumping its contents. Out came a pair of leather gloves, goggles, boots, a new utility belt…

Senku’s mouth hung open in shock. “You did not make all this…!?” 

“Y-Yes I did,” she lied. Picking up the gloves, she shoved them in his hands. “Show me the whole outfit- please put it on!”

Senku scratched the back of his head, perplexed. She was acting strange about this, but then again everyone was a little off today. This felt kinda suspicious though, he was gonna do it for her anyway if it made her happy. “Alright, I will…” Senku conceded, pulling on the gloves.

“Yay, thank you! Thank you!” the girl cheered. 

He slipped the jacket on and buttoned it shut, smoothing it out over his torso. With it all on, he found it to be surprisingly comfortable. Despite the bulky material, it was well fitted. It was too good- not that Suika wasn’t capable of many things- just there was no way she had done this all on her own. "So really, who helped you?”

Her eyes darted around as she thought of an explanation. “It was… a group effort…” She tapped him on the back. “I sewed the patch on...”

He hadn't seen it. Removing the coat curiously, Senku flipped it around. On the back was the kingdom of science logo- a rocket. 

That brought to mind someone… Someone who he didn’t know could sew or not. Someone who was overly concerned with his villainous image and wouldn’t want to be caught doing something nice…

Senku slipped back into the jacket with a smirk and brought his finger to his lips. “Alright…” He winked playfully. “I won't let Xeno know that I figured him out.” 

Suika’s bottom lip quivered, her eyes wide and nervous. “Please don’t. He’d be really mad if he thought I told you.” 

Senku’s smile fell. She looked…scared…?

“...What do you mean-” 

The roar of the motorcycle engine bursting to life echoed across the beach. The two’s attention was diverted. Over near the bikes, Chrome and Kaseki celebrated enthusiastically. They’d successfully repaired the ignition. The crew started gathering around, ready to get into action.

Senku felt the relief wash over him. It wasn’t a big head start, but Stanley didn’t have any means of land traversal other than on foot. 

They were getting out of this.

“It’s ready.” Senku jumped up, making his way hastily over to them. “Alright everyone- let’s get going!” 

But he paused. 

Catching a glance at Xeno sitting against a nearby rock. Senku noticed him staring grimly into the ocean as the tide left the shore, almost as if hypnotized by the waves, his eyes dull and void. 

Xeno’s expression was more than just mere frustration that things weren’t going in his favor. He looked deeply troubled. 

Then a sound shot through the land, echoing off of the rock faces- the engine coughed and wheezed… 

A death rattle. 

Senku took a sharp inhale, feeling the dread pierce through him. This just wasn’t happening was it? That’s what he gets for putting too much money on luck.

Quickly making his way over to Ryusui, Senku lowered his head as he spoke into his ear, “Start loading the bikes into the hull…” he instructed. 

The blond gave him a curt nod. “Got it…” Ryusui knew what this meant. Quietly, he retrieved something from their supplies, handing Senku the bag. “Here’s what you need.” He pointed his chin in Xeno’s direction. 

Right… better it be him to be the one to do it. 

Wearily he made his way in his mentor’s direction. Each step he took felt like he was sinking deeper and deeper into the sand. Senku fidgeted with the bag, opening it up with nervous hands.

“Xeno.” He got his attention.

Dark eyes glared at him briskly- lips parted but he didn’t speak.

Senku kneeled in the hot sand at Xeno’s side. Out of the bag came a thick rope. The restraint heavy in his hands, he leaned in and Senku laid the rope behind the other man’s back. 

Xeno didn’t resist, he only dipped his head in acceptance.

Solemnly, Senku wrapped it around Xeno’s arms and torso. He tried to meet his eyes, but was denied. “...Turn around.” he murmured. 

Xeno’s bottom lip twisted into a scowl- still not a word from him. He twisted to put his back to him. 

Fumbling with the knot in his jittering hands, Senku tied it tight. He tugged on it as hard as he could- squeezing a grunt from his hostage. 

“Sorry…” Senku whispered.

“...Don’t be.” Xeno shuffled back to look at Senku. Finally he looked him in the eyes. “This is simply something you must do.”

Senku nodded pensively. At the beginning of all of this- that first night, he tied a slip knot when Xeno had insisted he be retrained. The idea of him bound had put a bad taste in Senku’s mouth- it was inhumane. Now wasn’t any better. No… it was worse. 

Because he had no choice this time.

Senku mumbled dismally, “Yeah… it is…”  His hand returned to the bag.

Xeno jerked his chin up suddenly. “You never took that blade from me. It’s in my belt.” he confessed, his tone stiff.

Senku’s hand retracted- empty. He parted the train of Xeno’s coat, patting his hands around his waist. Though their faces were inches apart, Senku looked past him, still feeling Xeno’s intense eyes on him. 

He found the blade and placed it into his own belt, sighing wearily, “Sucks this is the first time we’ve talked in a few days, old man…” 

Senku glanced over his shoulder hesitantly- nobody was watching. With a deep breath… he turned back. 

He wrapped his arms around Xeno- hugging him tight for a quiet moment… 

But he felt cold in his embrace.

Senku pulled back. Staring at the ground, he felt his whole body tense as waves of shame crashed through him.

“Do what needs to be done, Senku.” Xeno told him sternly.

The young man swallowed hard, reaching into the bag once more, he removed the rest of its contents. In his clammy hand- a gag constructed from a chunk of wood.

Xeno stared at it wordlessly for a beat, then smirked. His eyes darted up, the look in them challenging, telling Senku- ‘go ahead.’ He let out a velvety chuckle, “How fun. You’ve finally found a way to shut me up.”

To Senku, there wasn’t anything amusing about this. Though, he supposed that’s all Xeno could do- pretend he wasn’t bothered. 

The older man opened his mouth wide, not needing to be asked. Senku, with shaking hands, inserted the gag and fastened the knot behind his neck. 

The whole time his stare never wavered.

Xeno’s gaze antagonized him on the surface, but diving deeper into the abyss of those eyes, the true meaning peaked through the dark into the light. 

Xeno was just trying to make it easier for Senku.

To treat him so callously.

Notes:

Oh man Senku is stressed out... Also I must put a heavy, heavy emphasis on that 'ishigami senku is bad at feelings' tag. It will only get worse from here on I assure you. Xeno is certainly going through something as well- let the man brood for a bit. They're both bad at feelings honestly- just in different ways. Hell, I'm the one writing this and sometimes even I get tangled up in their messed up emotions and struggle to decipher them lol.

Chapter 6: How to Remember Your Purpose

Notes:

(For you anime-onlys) Spoilers for Xeno's morse code message at the end of this chapter btw!

Stan had known from the start, yet he let himself get strung along on this meaningless detour. “No one’s abroad. It’s a decoy.” His finger clamped down the trigger- he knew there was no reason to shoot. But it made him feel better seeing that thing riddled with holes, blown up to the point of unrecognition and reduced to mere drift wood. 

Because that's what he was gonna do to Senku. 

“Reverse course! Full speed ahead!!” Stan commanded through gritted teeth. 

Exiting the turret, Stanley pulled his armor off. He chucked his helmet to the ground with a grunt, then shakily reached for a fresh cigarette. 

Charlotte observed him from up on the perch through her binoculars. “Next person who talks to Captain Stanley’s getting torn a new asshole.” she mumbled. 

Stan puffed on his cigarette, his head downturned. 

Maya chuckled from beside her. “Didn’t you say you think it’s sexy when he gets angry~”

“Eh? Shut up! That’s not what I said…!” 

“Then what did'ya mean? And why can’t you look away…” 

Charlotte lowered the binoculars, turning to the other woman. “I admire how he doesn’t let his anger control him. How he takes hold of it and transforms it into strength.” 

“Dammit…!” Stanley spat out from below, stomping away towards the lower deck entrance. 

The blonde flinched at the sudden shout, a wary smirk forming on her lips. 

“Ooh, did that turn you on, Charlie?” Maya prodded. 

Charlotte jumped up. “No way! Just…” She paused, cautiously looking down at Stan as he disappeared from sight. “Something doesn’t seem right… Captain Stanley never loses his cool like that.” 

Stan made his way through the ship, each heavy step echoing down the long hallway.

He gritted his teeth in rage, flattening the cigarette’s filter between them. At first, Stan didn’t sweat it. His team were older, more experienced and had proper military training. But with this little stunt- Senku had managed to fool him twice. First evading his snipe and now this. Stan had been chasing him for weeks now and yet every time he was in his grasp, that little brat would slip from in between his fingers. 

Finally reaching his personal cabin, Stan slammed the door shut. 

He threw his cigarette butt to the ground, crushing it under his boot. He lit another. It seemed no amount of nicotine could help him relax. At this rate, he was gonna run out and if that happened then all hell would break loose- that was for sure.
“Xeno… I ain’t givin’ up.” His face scrunched up in distress. “I just need a second.” 

Leaning his head back against the cold iron door, Stan took a deep breath. 

Up on deck, Charlotte and Maya jumped down from the perch. The blonde jogged over to gather up her Captain's discarded armor into her arms. 

“You wanna get torn a new one?” Maya joked. 

Charlotte frowned. “I know what I said. Maybe he needs someone to talk to, but we're all just too afraid to try.” 

“You’re brave. Even I’m cowering when he gets like that.” 

“We shouldn’t be scared of our Captain.” She looked back with a pout as she walked away. “He’s still human too.” 

“Good luck, then.” Maya saluted her off with a hearty laugh. “I’ll be attending your funeral.” 

Charlotte tip-toed down the dark hall. Though she knew she shouldn’t be scared, she still couldn’t help but tremble at the thought of making an attempt to comfort her Captain. Her mind raced with all the possibilities of what could happen. She didn’t know him that well as he wasn’t much of a chit-chatter, but maybe this could be the perfect opportunity to finally develop some semblance of a personal relationship. 

She kicked herself for thinking something so selfish- this should be about helping Captain Stanley- not making a move on him. Not that she liked him like that anyway…

When she reached the door, from the other side came a broken voice, “...I can do it.” It wasn’t the Captain's usual confident declaration of the phrase- more like he was trying to convince himself of it.

Hesitantly, Charlotte tapped on the door, silently praying it was quite enough he wouldn’t answer. 

The door opened and there was Stan, his face shrouded in heavy shadow. 

“Um.” She timidly offered his armor. “I’m here to return this to you, Captain.” 

Stan stepped forward into the light, taking it into his hands. “Okay.” He wouldn’t meet her eyes, but she could see the corners of his burned red. 

He retreated back, beginning to shut the door. “Wait-” Charlotte reached out to hold it open. “Captain- don’t take this as an insult please- were you… crying?” 

“I got smoke in my eyes.” He pushed against the door.

Charlotte pushed back harder. “C-Captain! If it wouldn’t be a bother I’d like to…” she trailed off. 

Stan scowled. “What.” 

“I’d like to…” she stuttered, looking away. No- now’s not the time to get cold feet. A soldier always steps up to the challenge, no matter how intimidating. Charlotte locked eyes with him. “...Talk about your feelings, Sir!” 

“I’m pissed off- plain and simple. There ain’t nothing to talk about.” Stan asserted. 

“I know, I’m mad too, but…” She bit her lip. “It seems like this time it’s really getting to you.” 

Stan's voice rose, “Obviously it’s-” he stopped himself. With a groan, he paced back into his room and sat down on the bed. Holding his head in his hands, his shoulders shuddered, trying to contain his anger. 

“Captain…” 

He looked at her through his fingers, his sharp stare striking right through her. “Leave. I’ll deal with this on my own.” Stan hissed. 

Charlotte considered walking away now, but she just couldn’t abandon him in a time of need. It wasn’t right. “A soldier never goes at it alone, Captain.”

“I’m no soldier.” His head fell. “I had one job… and I failed.” 

Tentatively, she stepped into the room, knowing this probably wouldn’t go over well, but her Captain needed to be ready to fight. The entire crew needed him back up to his usual self and ready to go. “We haven’t failed. This is just a minor setback. We’ve got those kids spooked and running away with their tails tucked between their legs!” She pumped her fist.

Burying his face deeper into his palms, Stan scoffed, “I failed when I let them take him-” 

With her pathetic attempt of a pep talk flopping, Charlotte wracked her brain on what to say next, rapidly realizing emotional support was not a skill she possessed. “...Those kids are spineless, they’re not gonna hurt Xeno.” 

Stan lifted his head up, glaring daggers. “It’s not about that. It’s the principle of it.” 

“Oh…Right, Sir.” That was embarrassing, she still wasn't sure what Stan was getting at. Charlotte crept a little closer. Sometimes she forgets that Stanley and Xeno weren't just the leaders of her and her people- they were friends. “You two go way back, right? Sorry, I never had any close friends. I don't know what it must be like for you.” She reached out to pat her Captain on the shoulder in an awkward attempt to provide solace.

He shrugged her off. Charlotte understood why he did- it wasn’t her place. 

“I need some peace and quiet to think.” Stan muttered, his expression grim. “To plan our next move. Give me an hour to think it through and those brats are as good as gone.”

Charlotte offered him a smile. “You're the strongest man I’ve ever known, Captain, mentally and physically. But are you sure you got this on your own?” 

“I can do it.” 

It seemed Captain Stanley got his confidence back, Charlotte couldn’t tell if what she said helped or if she had just distracted him enough to forget his anger. Didn’t matter really- as long as it did the job. Satisfied, Charlotte turned to leave. “Yes, Sir. You can come to me if…”  she almost said something really cheesy, she cringed at herself. “Well- you get it.” 

The door closed, leaving Stan alone with only the sound of the waves crashing to fill the space. A heavy sigh escaped his lips along a plume of smoke. Laying down on the bed, he deeply wished Xeno was there next to him. 

Closing his eyes, Stan fell into a memory. One of the hardest days of his youth, as well as the best. A day that had started so mundane, that set off a chain reaction that started it all- bringing him to this very moment. 

…

Stan stretched across the plush bench, shoving his sweatshirt under his head to use as a makeshift pillow. The library was empty, few were crazy enough to enroll in summer classes- except for Xeno of course. His friend had a knack for maximizing his educational potential; he had been taking college level courses since the fifth grade and at only eighteen years old, he was already completing his doctorate.

Since Stan had graduated high school, he’d join his friend on campus a few times. He wasn’t a student, but as long as he looked the part nobody questioned him. 

The two sat in a booth all the way in the far corner of the building, the librarians probably didn’t even know the two were there. Xeno hadn't said a word or so much as moved for about an hour, except to turn the pages of his book. 

Stan shut his eyes with a yawn. Usually he’d been good about going to sleep at a normal time, but the past couple weeks, something had been keeping him up. Right now though, he felt like he could pass right out. 

Then a gentle touch to his head relaxed him even more. 

Xeno idly twirled Stan’s blond locks with his fingers. He frowned, mumbling to himself, “When you join the military they’re going to shave your head.” 

Stan blinked his eyes open hazily. “Mm. Yeah.” 

“How awful.” 

“I don’t really care.” Stan nuzzled his head into Xeno’s palm. “You like my hair more than I do.” 

Xeno’s fingernails scratched lightly at his scalp, tousling the strands. “I suppose it’ll grow back. But it’s still a shame.” 

Stan turned up at him. “How ’bout I grow it back out before I see you again.” 

“No…?”  Xeno looked at him confused. “I wanna see you as soon as possible. What your hair looks like doesn’t matter.” 

Stan looked away. Why’d Xeno have to say such sweet things? It made his stomach flip, like he was gonna throw up. He wanted to change the subject…“You done studying?” 

Xeno shook his head ‘no’ and removed his hand from Stan’s hair to close his textbook. ”Is this boring you? You could’ve waited at my parent’s house- you’re staying over anyway.” 

“I don’t mind.” Stan sat back up, rubbing his eyes. He watched Xeno pull a thick notebook out of his bag and flip it open. It was filled with pages and pages of things that looked more like hieroglyphics than English to Stan. “But, how much longer…?” 

“Few more hours.” Xeno hummed as he clicked his pen and began scribbling. 

Stan clicked his teeth, man was he glad he never had to study again for the rest of his life. Xeno was a genius- no way he needed to put so much time to studying. He’d never seen him stress once about school work or passing a class. 

“Why’re you writing notes without looking at the book?” Stan thought out loud. 

“How am I supposed to memorize what I read if I just copy it right off the page?” Xeno explained without losing focus. “Haven’t I already told you my method?”

Stan’d never paid much attention to Xeno when he was talking about that kinda stuff. He figured that’s how Xeno managed to retain so much information in that head of his- rigorous training. Gotta respect it. The blond scooched over to see what he was writing, pressing his shoulder to his. 

Xeno stopped, turning to look at his friend. “Do you even understand any of this?” 

Stan was smart compared to the average guy- next to Xeno… he was practically a neanderthal. Xeno would attest to that. “I might… if I could read your handwriting.” 

“You could just say no. No need to insult me.” Xeno tried to look angry, but with his baby face, he only managed a pout.

Stan poked him on his puffy cheek and chuckled, “Wasn’t an insult. It’s a fact.” 

Raising his hand, Xeno shooed Stan. “You’re such a… ugh.” he grumbled to himself, turning his attention back to his notes.

Stan gave it up and slumped back into the seat, resting his head on Xeno’s shoulder. He’d been on the verge of falling asleep only a couple of minutes ago, now he restlessly bounced his leg up and down. 

Hell, why did he wanna come along, didn’t he already spend enough time with Xeno? 

Suddenly agitated and invigorated, he stood up. Stan stretched his arms out with a loud sigh. “Let’s take a break, Xeno.” 

“‘Let’s?’ Like you’ve done any work…” Xeno kept his head down in his notes. 

Stan nudged him with his foot. “Get something to eat, then.” 

“I’m not hungry.” 

Stan thought for a second, rubbing the back of his neck. He knew what would get Xeno’s attention. “What if we got… burgers…?” 

Xeno perked up, intrigued. A smirk spread on his lips. “Well, now you’re distracting me…” he chuckled, deep and velvety. Stan always thought he had a nice laugh- like a supervillain's. Bringing his hand back to the textbook, Xeno thumbed for a page. “Sit back down.” 

“Okay.” Stan did just that, returning to his side on the bench.

Xeno covered his mouth, stifling a giggle. This time it was the type of laugh he only did when he was up to something.

“Why’re you laughing…?” Stan asked, suspicious. 

“Just-” Xeno cleared his throat, trying to force his laughter back down. “My theory was correct…”

“What theory?” 

Xeno propped his arm on the table, chin on hand with an impish look. “Like clockwork, you always do what I say or give me what I want when told.” 

“Well, I…” Stan stuttered. “I just didn't wanna distract you.” 

Xeno titled his head cutely. “And if I said I wanted a cup of coffee…” 

Stan crossed his arms, not looking impressed. He wanted to say something rhetorical like ‘you think I’m an idiot?’ but for how long and how well he knew Xeno- he would affirmatively answer such a question. Stan wasn’t gonna fall for it, he wasn't saying shit. 

Xeno let out a mischievous laugh observing Stan’s reaction. “Alright… All jokes aside…” He sighed, returning his attention to his book. “...I do actually want some coffee…” 

Stan rose from the bench. “Okay, I’ll-” 

“Hah! I knew it!” Xeno burst out laughing. He pointed at him, cackling even harder when he caught the pissed off look on his friend’s face. “I’ve got myself my own personal servant now! Did I somehow Pavlov you without realizing?” 

Stan scoffed, “You’re such an asshole.” 

Xeno clutched his stomach, his giggles shrill and strange. With a deep breath, he lifted his head high, looking down his nose at Stan with an intense air of superiority. “Is that any way to talk to your owner? Bad dog!” he scolded.

Stan’s stoic face fell into shock, his sun-kissed skin erupting in an intense bright red. Unable to form a rebuttal he brought a hand up to hide his burning face. “Shut up. I’m getting your stupid coffee…” He rushed away. 

Damn- Xeno was good at pushing people's buttons. It was funny when he did it to others, but Stan absolutely dreaded the times he would do it to him. He always got him good.

A few hours later- now headed home, the overcast sky blurred as they sped down the open road. 

Stan glanced from the road to his friend, he’d been quiet the rest of that day. The only sound in the car was the sound of the engine and the windshield wipers' occasional squeak. It felt like something was bothering Xeno. Stan tried to push that gut feeling down. Then again, no amount of caffeine ever seemed to be able to wake Xeno up, maybe he was just tired.

Eventually they came up to Xeno’s house- he insists it be referred to as his parents house- even though they barely lived in it- a modest McMansion on an acre of land, perched perfectly at the end of a private driveway. 

Putting the car in park in front of the garage, Stan tapped his finger nervously against the stick shift. Without a word, Xeno gathered his bag and coat. His head down, he popped the door.

“You okay?” Stan blurted. 

Xeno stopped in place, after a beat, he turned to look at him. Xeno opened his mouth to answer, but seemingly to his own surprise, no words came out. Quickly, he averted his eyes and rushed out of the car. 

Then he second guessed himself, turning on his heel. “Actually, Stan.” He pointed his slender index finger in the air. “Since you’re still in the car… Could you go buy us something to eat? I don’t think there’s anything here.”

“Come with-” Xeno cut him off by shutting the car door. Stan sighed shakily, watching his friend walk away through the window. 

From the porch, Xeno looked back at him, mouthing with a coy smile, ‘I’m okay.’ This died down Stan’s stress for a minute- maybe a nice drive alone could cure it. He reassured himself as he shifted back into drive- Xeno was just hungry and tired- turning the wheel, letting his hand glide over the leather. Just hungry and tired…

But as he pulled out of the driveway, it was apparent solitude only worsened his anxiety. 

Stan took a deep breath, his heartbeat rapid, his hands clammy. The words 'something’s wrong’ repeated incessantly, over and over in his mind. The awful feeling that it was his fault and no matter how much he tried, he couldn’t think of what he did wrong. These thoughts filled his head with no way of escaping. He patted for his carton of cigarettes in his jeans, retrieving one and swiftly placing it between his trembling lips. 

Feeling for his lighter in the cupholder, Stan’s fingers landed on something pointed and flimsy instead. Next to his lighter was a neatly folded piece of notebook paper- his name jotted on the front. 

Sat in the parking lot of a gas station, Stan fidgeted with the paper between his fingers. Finishing up his cigarette, he tapped the ash out the open window. He figured it must be a note or something, but he had no idea what Xeno would’ve written. Stan could think of plenty of things he’d say to him, but not specifically anything Xeno’d write down instead of telling him in person. 

He dropped his used-up cigarette down to the concrete and sat up in his seat eagerly, he decided to get it over with already instead of sitting there wondering for an eternity. He unfolded it hastily. 

Stan stared at the open letter with eyes wide and darting around the note, trying to make sense of what he was seeing. 

No really… he didn’t understand a single word. It was chicken scratch. 

He squinted, holding it closer to his face. 

He held it up to the light. 

He traced each letter with his finger. 

Stan even turned it sideways. 

“Dammit, Xeno.” 

He tossed the paper onto the dash and exited his car. The bell rang distantly in his ears as he entered the store. Stan couldn’t think of what he wanted to eat, the labels blurring together indistinctly. Was that letter what Xeno was getting all weird about? What the hell could it have said? That’s all he could think about as he picked out some snacks at random. At checkout, he put his card in the reader backwards; he was so preoccupied in his own thoughts. 

Before he knew it, he was back in the car with his cell phone in hand, dialing Xeno’s number. It rang for a while, long enough Stan thought he might not pick up. He almost gave up, then the dial tone stopped, followed by an uncomfortable period of silence. Xeno’s voice came through, stilted, “Um. Hello… Stan.” 

“The hell’s that letter?” Was all Stan could come up with to say, his phrasing a little harsher than intended. 

“Sorry…” Xeno said, followed by some static shuffling coming through the speaker. Stan waited for him to continue, tapping his hand on the steering wheel impatiently. Xeno stuttered out, “Well-  No. Sorry. I assumed you meant that in a bad way. But- Yeah, I don’t know…! I was worried it wouldn’t make any sense. I wrote it on a whim- I should’ve-” he rambled. 

“What? I can’t read it at all. Your handwriting’s shit, Xeno.” 

“Oh…!” He blurted out a laugh. “So you have no idea what it says?” 

“I think it says…” Stan retrieved the note, scrunching his face as he looked over the page. “My name at the top and your signature on the bottom- that’s about all I can get.” 

“Throw it out!” Xeno exclaimed. 

“Why?” He tossed the paper back on the dash and fell back against his seat. “You sound a little strange right now, man.” 

Xeno hummed in agreement, but failed to provide any explanation. He muttered, “I’ll…try it again…” 

“Just tell me what it says…?”

Xeno hung up.

Stan groaned, running his hand through his hair. For how much Xeno espoused rationality, occasionally he didn’t make any damn sense. He felt like he was getting whiplash from this rollercoaster of emotions he’d been forced upon. Anxiety to confusion to annoyance- he was about ready to drop to his knees and beg for mercy.

It was a quick drive back, but Stan still had to hold himself back from speeding too much, his patience wearing thin for Xeno’s antics. 

He just wanted to get it over with at this point.

Stan’s boots thudded hard on the wooden planks as he made his way up the stairs to Xeno’s porch. Before he could get to the front door himself, it opened a crack. A pale hand extended out, a folded up sheet of printer paper pinched in its fingers. Stan reached out, getting a glance at Xeno’s bashful expression. 

He retreated once the letter was in Stan’s possession. “Come in when you’re done reading.” Xeno said, muffled from the other side. 

Stan chuckled. “You’re a riot sometimes, y’know that?” He spun to lean on the door, causally unfolding the note. Xeno was just treating this as a bigger deal than it really was. He could be dramatic like that. It couldn’t be that important if he wouldn’t just come right out and say it. 

As he read, Stan could see Xeno was right when he’d said it didn’t make any sense. The words made sense on their own sure, but to Stan, it wasn’t exactly clear what the point of the letter was. Some kind of experiment? Come on, Xeno knew he didn’t understand that jargon. 

But as he continued- things cleared up a bit…

The note read, typed out in Times New Roman 12 point font:

“Hi Stan,

I’d never make an assertion without proper evidence. I’ve been delaying a conclusion in order to gather backing for my argument, now I feel as if I have ascertained all that I could through mere analysis. I’m confident in my findings- the evidence is overwhelming. I hadn’t disregarded the notion that I could've simply asked for an explanation from the beginning and saved myself the trouble. My reason for this- I must admit- was that I was afraid. But fear is no reason to neglect to deliver crucial information- no matter how difficult.

The next time I see you, I’d like to kiss you. On the mouth. 

-Thank you, Xeno H. Wingfield.”

Stan held his breath. For a second it looked like it said… 

He read it again. 

Then he read it again a little slower. 

Once again, he read it. But, he always got stuck on that last line, something so innocent, so blunt. ‘I’d like to kiss you. On the mouth.’- those words seared into his psyche. 

Stan stared in disbelief. He must be misreading it. There’s no way in hell it says that. No way… 

He stood there, out on the porch as the rain poured furiously from the overhang- frozen in time. 

Stan wanted to run. 

Every fiber in his being screamed to get the fuck away. It was fight or flight- he was in danger, or so his instinct felt. Stan gritted his teeth. His shock melted into embarrassment, his humility burning so intensely, it ignited into rage.

Xeno made him so damn weak, it was humiliating- awful- something he couldn’t stand…! Nobody was allowed to affect him like that. It was insulting!

Stan bit his lip to still its quivering. Stumbling forward, he braced himself on the railing, fingers digging painfully into the painted wood. The note crumpled into his fist. He couldn’t will himself to go. Not away from Xeno- not to him. He could stay there forever if he had to. He couldn’t do anything, he couldn’t decide. 

He just couldn’t do it. 

Xeno was a better man than him. At least he had the balls to do something about his feelings. He’d always been better than Stan.

Stan was a coward.

From behind him, the door swung open. “Stanley.” Xeno stepped out, his brows furrowed and tense, a tinge of spite in his gaze. “If it’s a no then leave already…” 

Stan kept his back to him. He’d left him waiting for almost twenty minutes now. Slowly, his hand wavered up to conceal his ashamed face. He didn’t say anything, knowing that if he spoke his voice would fail him.

“At least give me the courtesy of an answer…!” Xeno spat.

Stan bowed his head. “I can’t.” he confessed. 

Xeno huffed and stepped up to him, taking hold of his wrist, he yanked his hand from his face. The blond turned away, refusing to meet his eyes.

And then Xeno’s scowl dissipated…  

This bombardment of emotions- this self-hatred- had taken a toll on Stan. It was pathetic. He looked to his friend out of the corner of his misty vision and blinked, a tear falling from the end of his long lashes. 

“Stan…” Xeno hushed, looking tender and guilty.

Another hot tear fell from his honey eyes. Stan lowered his gaze. He’d never let anyone see him cry before. He fell into silence, wanting to disappear. 

When he finally spoke, Stan’s voice was just a broken whisper, “I don’t deserve this.” 

Xeno reached up apprehensively, cupping Stan’s jaw delicately to turn his face towards him. His stern eyes looking deep into him, Xeno asserted with unwavering belief, “Yes. You do.” 

Shame trapped in his throat, Stan swallowed hard. He closed his eyes pitifully, leaning into Xeno’s touch. For a moment they existed together, not uttering a single word. 

Then Xeno’s hand slipped from his face, leaving his cheek warm, but empty.

Stan waited a moment, then his eyes fluttered open slowly. Xeno stood in front of him, eyes averted, arms folded, shoulders hunched. 

Stan coughed. “I…” he rasped, “I thought you were gonna…” 

“Huh?” Xeno’s eyes went wide. “Oh- Oh…! I’ve never kissed anyone before, I didn’t-”

“C’mon man, that was like- the perfect moment…” Stan smiled, whipping his face.

“It was…” Xeno whined, cursing to himself. “Uhg… I’m an idiot.” He rubbed his temples in frustration. 

Stan chuckled, “You’re such a nerd.” Xeno rolled his eyes and pouted- a cute nerd. 

He felt like he could finally breathe again. That shine in Xeno’s eyes told him everything was okay. That he was right where he was supposed to be. 

“Alright then…How about I try again?” Xeno clapped his hands, turning to go back into the house. “Follow me, Stan.” 

He did just that. 

Entering the house into the living room, Xeno led Stan to the couch and pushed him down onto it. Giggling to himself, he sat at his side. He leaned in, cupping the blond’s face with both hands, and guided him to lay back. Stan pressed both hands to Xeno’s chest, feeling his heart beating wildly despite how confident he was acting. It was like it was happening in slow motion, yet it all went by in a blur all the same. 

Turns out, Xeno was a suspiciously good kisser. Stan had a hunch he probably practiced with his pillow- that seemed like something he’d do. 

…

This memory usually elicited a fuzzy feeling in Stan’s chest- it brought him comfort. He’d escape into it at times when he needed to remind himself what he was living for. Who he was living for. But this remembrance left him feeling hollow. Xeno's disappearance left a vacancy in his heart and reminding himself only made his absence that much more apparent. 

Stan turned over in his bed, staring at the cold metal wall. The day Xeno would return to him couldn’t come any sooner…

The warship sliced through the water, thunderously crashing waves against the hull. Approaching the land peking behind the horizon, Stan stared forward with intensity. Locked on- complete tunnel vision for his one goal. 

Stan was getting him back. Today. 

He clicked the magazine into his gun, his finger itching at the trigger. The soldiers around him, unimportant, blurred into the background. Stan didn’t need them. He could do this all on his own- his vigor alone equaled an entire army and then some. 

“Enemy vessel in sight!” Stanley's commanding voice ripped through the commotion of the preparing infantry. “Prepare to jump!” 

He tucked his gun under his feathered armor, charging ahead with a fearsome grace. The ship hardly breaked, coming as close to shore as possible, splaying a biting cold mist into the air as it tore through the shallow waters.. 

Eyes darting with precision- Stan observed not a soul on the beach. His sights trained on the enemy's beached boat, they were trapped. It was like shooting fish in a barrel. 

He leaped from the bow, gliding through the air like a bird of prey. 

Boots thudding hard on shore, Stan removed his helmet. He wanted to get a good look at them. The fear, the dread in their eyes as he made them suffer for what they’d done to him. 

Pulling his gun, he prepared to riddle the hull with piercing bullets. But then- there was a fierce roar, not from men behind him, but one from within the enemy's ship. 

The roar of an engine. Of many engines. 

From the hull, six motorcycles sped out, kicking up a plume of dust a mile high. 

Stan’s eyes widened in utter disbelief, then he shut them hard. In a fraction of a second, he regained his composure. They wanted him to sit there, gape like an idiot at their surprise escape. He wasn’t gonna give it to them. 

He lit his cigarette held between his lips calmly as he deduced the optimal vantage point- a jagged rock formation. Kicking off into a sprint, he charged right into the eye of the dirt storm as it rushed towards him, his form merely a shadowy blur within it. 

Pulling out his handgun, he put his eye up to the sight- scanning for him.

The dust parted ever-so-slightly. Through it, he caught a glimpse of his position at the very end of the line.

Can’t hit the bikes- a crash would injure him.

Can’t go for headshots- he was elevated above the rest, blocking his sights. 

There… Stan soaked in the visuals in front of him. He found the opening. 

Two men near the rear of the formation, their broad shoulders sticking out from the sides of the bikes. A muscular brunet and a fit one with his face covered- Stan remembered them from his first time scouting these kids. The former had sensed him on instinct alone, the latter deduced that his crew was lured into a trap. They were the largest and most fit men of the group with impeccable battle smarts. 

Shots rang out the instant his feet landed flat on the dirt. 

The dull sound of bullets making contact with flesh, specks of blood sprinkling, spattering the sand. Their fighters' arms have been injured. Their only weapons were destroyed. 

Footsteps approached behind him, his name was called. 

But it was as if he was on the bottom of the ocean. He heard the noise, but it swirled around in his ears, murky and gurgled. He couldn’t feel his body, like he was drifting. Like he couldn’t breathe no matter how desperately he gasped. 

Xeno…

He inhaled sharply. That was Xeno in front of him. He saw him already, but Stan hadn't processed what he was looking at.

There Xeno was, with his arms painfully bound behind his back, gagged with a stick of wood, legs dangling dangerously close to the spinning tire of the motorcycle. 

Mounted to the back of the rear bike to be used as… a human shield…

…How could he let this happen? 

He blinked away his blurry vision. Now wasn’t the time for tears. Stan needed to see clearly- to see that dauntless look in Xeno’s eyes. Stan could stare into them forever. Fully consumed and enveloped by his dark gaze. Those eyes told him everything was going to be alright.

But, before he could fall totally within them, they closed. 

Then opened, blinking a few times in rapid succession. 

Charlotte was stood next to him. Stan, without a moment's hesitation, ripped her binoculars from her hands. “C-Captain Stanley? What is it!?” 

He remembered those words Xeno had written to him a decade ago- no- many millennium ago: ‘Fear is no reason to neglect to deliver crucial information- no matter how difficult.’ 

Xeno would never let anything stop him from saying what needs to be said. 

Stan held the binoculars up, scanning for him. “Xeno will be sure to leave us some hints to go by. No matter the situation.” When something needs to be done, Xeno gets it done. Stan’s voice dipped with passion. “That’s the kinda man he is.” That’s the man he respects more than anyone else in the world. The man above him. 

The man he-

“What do you see, Captain?” Charlotte asked.

One short, one long blink, pause, short long short. “He’s using morse code by blinking.”  He reached into a pouch on his utility belt, pulling out a notepad. He shoved it into her hands. “Take note, Charlotte.” 

The woman shakily took the pen and paper in hand. Stanley relayed the message he’d received so far. 

“A…” Stan honed in his focus. His morse code skills were a little rusty. “X…”

Xeno was fading from his view, the bikes speeding away as fast as they could go. “...A” Stan bit his lip. He had to translate it correctly the first try- there were no repeats. A bead of sweat dripped from his temple, down his jaw. Stan was nervous- yes- but he wasn’t afraid. 

He could do it.

“A… R… A… X… A…” 

Charlotte put the finished message together. “Araxa…! Wait, is that right?”

Stanley had heard of it. “It’s a city.” He didn’t exactly know where it was, but he could find that out later. It was better than nothing and Xeno risked his safety to deliver that message. He repeated the information into his radio. “They’re out of range. Leonard, send out the plane.” Stan ordered calmly, his stoic confidence refreshed.

In a desert like this, those kids couldn’t hide from their aerial attack. From the sky, one by one, they’d be taken out. Stan wished he could’ve done it himself, though maybe then it would’ve been too easy. They might have escaped the first two phases because he hadn’t expected vehicles, but those kids were done for now.

Charlotte and Maya stood behind him as his two most capable combat soldiers. They could take it easy now. All they had to do was watch. 

Maya stretched her brawny arms above her head. “Is it over? Can I sing to celebrate our victory?” 

“No.” Stan answered both questions with one answer. ”But those kids are dead already- just they happened to still be breathing.” 

The sound of the engine firing up echoed over the desert. Stan kept his eyes on the fading convoy. Xeno was now only a black dot in his vision, but he wasn’t taking his eyes off of him just yet. Not until he returned to him.

Then from behind, a dreadful rattle, a sputter. 

The three soldiers felt a chill wash over them, whipping their heads around to the source of the noise. Stan knew instantly, before he even saw it. 

That was the sound of the plane's engine failing. 

Charlotte and Maya gasped as the plane lost altitude rapidly, twirling erratically like a torpedo until it slammed into the sand. Metal crunching and twisting as the pilots were flung from the cockpit. 

Stan watched the wreck wordlessly. Frozen. Feeling like the world was crashing down around him. 

This couldn’t be happening. 

He was so close to him… So damn close…

He flinched, wanting to run. A hopeless desire to chase Xeno. Stan knew he’d never catch up. 

And then Xeno disappeared over the horizon. Gone.

Charlotte wavered, her face wet in a nervous sweat. “We… failed? They got away…?” 

Stan’s jaw clenched, his heartbeat loud in his ears. 

“...What’s the move, Captain?” asked Maya, flexing her fists.

No… Xeno wasn’t gone. Not yet. 

Stan had been coming undone these past weeks. Without Xeno to guide him- dictated by righteous anger- he’d grown reckless. Stan released the breath he was holding when he finally acknowledged it. 

Now he knew what he needed to do.

“We didn’t fail… We just got ‘em running is all. No more underestimating these kids.”

Stan turned to the two women, a fire in his amber eyes. “Let them run all they want. With that information Xeno gave us we know exactly where they’re headed.” Exhaling smoke from between his lips, he brushed past them- onward. “Senku won’t know what hit him. That brat’s dead.”

Stan needed to get his shit together. 

For Xeno.

Notes:

Writing Stan is so much fun honestly. On the surface he's the American military-man stereotype like in the movies. But I think there's certainly something deeper in him- something he keeps buried deep in his core that only Xeno can drag out of him. There will be more of these flashbacks to the early years of Xeno and Stan's relationship. Seeing what things have changed in the past 10 years and what things haven't- what has stayed the same but is now hidden- is something I'm looking forward to exploring.

We've broken over 100 kudos! Thank you all <3 As always, your kudos and comments are greatly appreciated :)

Chapter 7: How to Forget Your Inhibitions

Wrapped in a warm embrace, the nostalgic aroma of ramen wafted through the night air. Senku nuzzled his face deeper into the soft fabric of the sleeping bag. He was so sleepy not even his favorite food could wake him. 

Like white noise, a familiar backing track of the muffled mumbling of his friends surrounded him. They talked casually, about nothing in particular. Joking, celebrating, gossiping- it didn’t matter. Senku’d been laying there for a long time- he didn’t know how long for sure- in a deep lull of relaxation.

He’d gotten away from Stanley. No- they had all gotten away. They’d won despite those seemingly dismal odds.

Senku had saved everyone. He saved his friends.

Everyone was safe…

But still… he couldn’t sleep. 

The voices became clearer. What was that…? Something about needing to get a map to the people in Corn City?

Groggily, Senku pulled himself out of the cozy sleeping bag, like a zombie digging itself out of its grave. He sat up, blinking his eyes open with great strain. 

Fixing up his bed hair, Senku stifled a yawn as he made his way over to his friends. “Aw hell, it’s gotta be done for this remote work to work so…” What a pain, he was actually looking forward to getting some sleep tonight. “Let’s make a fax.”

As expected- the usual gasps of disbelief. Senku let a yawn slip as he scooped up a scroll of paper, a pencil and ruler. Then he began scribbling away with a precision speed. This was ridiculously easy, he could do it still half asleep. 

Gen looked at the convoluted array of lines and boxes Senku’d illustrated, his face twisted in confusion and amazement. Senku chuckled, if Gen knew what he was doing, he would’ve made himself scarce by now.  

“Time to send it…" Laying the paper out, Senku plopped the telegraph right next to it. “By hand. Here ya go, Gen.” 

“I should have known!” the mentalist cried. 

But of course Senku’s job wasn’t over yet. He watched over as Chelsea relayed the information, Gen imputed it via morse code to be sent to the team in Corn City. 

It was slow, monotonous- incredibly un-exhilarating… 

By the third hour… Senku could hardly keep his eyes open. Francois had brought the three some tea but it was doing no help. But he was pushing through his exhaustion well enough. 

Senku placed his hand on his stomach as he felt a pang through it. The one thing he couldn’t ignore anymore was his increasing hunger. He’d skipped dinner in his attempt to nap, but clearly that had been a mistake. 

Suddenly a smell in the air made his stomach growl. Was that… ramen?

Before he knew it he was following the scent of food, making his way over to Francois, who was preparing a fresh bowl of noodles. “For you, Senku-sama.” The butler handed him the bowl with a bow. Francois was intuitive to everyone else's needs as always. Senku took it with thanks and drowsily wandered off to find a place to sit.

“Senku!” Ryusui called to him. He was sitting cross-legged on top of a nearby rock. He was still awake, presumably fueled by the second serving of dinner he was currently enjoying. 

Making his way to his friend, Senku smiled. “Hey, man.” he yawned once again. 

Ryusui chuckled, “I knew you’d take a break for ramen.”

Placing his bowl by his side on the ground, Senku followed suit and sat down on the dirt. “Is that why you asked Francois to make some more?”

Ryusui flashed him a humble smirk- obviously he did. Senku was hungry anyway, so he probably would’ve come to eat no matter what. But it was still a nice gesture. 

Senku leaned back against the base of the rock. He felt for his chopsticks resting on top of his bowl beside him and twirled up some noodles. Lifting them high above his head, he lowered them into his mouth lazily. 

“Ha ha! You’re a genius, Senku!” Ryusui snapped excitedly. He slipped down from the rock and laid down next to his friend, mimicking his actions.

“Huh?” Senku scrunched up his nose. 

“Lounging while eating. Incredible multitasking.” Ryusui said, some noodles falling on his chin as he slurped them up. 

Senku placed another round of noodles into his open mouth. “I’m just… running on low right now, man…” he sighed, letting his heavy eyelids fall closed. 

With his mouth still full Ryusui jerked up, anxiously looking over Senku. “Err- Don’t fall asleep. You’ll choke!”

“Mm?” Senku swallowed his food. “Nah, I couldn’t fall asleep if I tried.”

“Why’s that? You don’t seem very refreshed from your nap earlier.” 

“I wasn’t really asleep- just resting.” 

Chuckling, Ryusui settled back down and threw an arm behind his head to prop himself up. “Do you have any idea why? Tonight I’m going to sleep like I’m dead once you all are done.” 

“Might as well head in. It's gonna take all night.” Senku shrugged. “I dunno why I couldn’t fall asleep. I’m exhausted… I just couldn’t for whatever reason.” 

Ryusui turned to him, raising a concerned eyebrow. “Are you stressed?” 

“Maybe…?” Senku frowned. ”War’s not over yet, I guess.” 

“Yes, you’re right.” The blond nodded. “But for tonight at least, there’s nothing to worry about, am I wrong?” 

“I know, just…” There was something gnawing at the back of his mind. Something he couldn’t quite pick out of the drowsy fog his brain was shrouded in. “It feels like I forgot something.” 

“Trust your intuition, Senku.” Ryusui smirked. “Think back to what we did today- you’ll be able to remember.” 

“Hmm.” He closed his eyes, digging through the haze as he wracked his brain. “We finished up the bikes in the early morning, worked on the faulty one until noon… and Suika gave me my birthday present.” 

Ryusui looked at him with an earnest grin. “Happy birthday, Senku.” He held his palm out and Senku in turn gave him a lazy high five. “Well- if it hasn’t passed midnight yet, hah hah!”

“Heh- It’s not actually my birthday today. But I kinda needed a motorcycle jacket today so…” 

“Either way…” Ryusui rubbed his chin with a hum, “At noon we encountered Stanley. After that we rode all day. Now we’ve arrived right where we are at this moment.” 

“Hmm…” Senku sighed, “Maybe it really is just stress.” 

“Stanley’s stuck on shore fixing up his plane. That’ll take him a few days at the least- we don’t need to worry about him for a while.” 

“Mm hmm…” Senku finished up the rest of his dinner, pushing the bowl aside. “I don’t think we’re getting anywhere with this.” 

“You need to hear it, Senku.” Ryusui locked eyes with him. “I’m not going to just tell you everything’s okay- I’m giving you the reasons why it really is.” 

Senku brought his hand up to wipe a drop of broth from the corner of his lips, but mostly to hide his smile.. “...Alright, man.” His eyes fell closed once again- he did need to hear it. 

“Okay-” The blond took a deep breath, counting each point with his fingers. ”We know where we're going. Bikes are working. Stanley is distracted. Tsukasa and Hyoga are in stable condition. Everyone’s fed. Plenty of food. Everyone’s happy. Xeno’s tied up. Pleasant weather. No dangerous wildlife-”

“XENO’S STILL TIED UP?!” Senku gasped.

Ryusui sat up, rubbing the back of his neck. “...You wanted me to untie him?” 

Stumbling to stand, Senku grumbled, “We’re not anywhere near Stanley, Xeno’s not going anywhere…!”

Ryusui gave a quick apology- he was simply being safe rather than sorry. “Guess we found what you forgot.” He snapped. “Always trust your intuition!” 

“Where is he?” Senku asked, dusting off his tunic.

“That one over there…” Ryusui stuck his arm out and pointed to the farthest hut from the rest. 

Even though his mentor had advised against treating him too nicely, Senku felt this wasn’t any sort of special treatment- it was just basic respect.

“It’s fine, Ryusui. I should’ve communicated better what I wanted done with him.” Senku sighed, frustrated with himself. “I’ll be right back.” They waved each other goodbye. 

Senku treaded off in the direction he was pointed in. Figuring Xeno was most likely having a hard time sleeping with those ropes on him, Senku knew he was about to get an earful. He detoured from his straight shot to the hut to grab a sleeping bag and some pillows for Xeno- he probably wasn’t given any if he was left bound. And again- he was probably tired. 

Reaching the shadow shrouded hut sitting just on the outskirts, Senku lugged the bedding up into the shelter, then pulled himself in, placing the door flap back behind him. 

In the pitch black, Senku was only just barely able to make out Xeno’s dark form at the far end of it.

Senku squinted as his eyes adjusted to the dark. His back to him, Senku could see Xeno’s arms still bound behind him as he’d expected. But as he looked closer- the gag that was only in place to prevent him from communicating with Stanley remained needlessly jammed into his mouth. 

Lying on the bare floor… Xeno had just been tossed in here to be forgotten about. 

Feeling his heart rate spike, he felt a pang of guilt ripple through his body. Yeah, Xeno was a hostage- an enemy- but this wasn’t right.

“...How could I leave you like this?”

Senku rushed over and kneeled down, swiftly undoing the knot behind Xeno’s head. The older man didn’t acknowledge his presence. Eyes dark and down turned, he stared aimlessly at the wall.

Reaching in front of his face, Senku carefully removed the piece of saturated wood. Without a sound, Xeno’s jaw trembled as he closed his mouth. His neck arduously flexed as he swallowed to relieve his dry throat. 

A flow of silent apologies fell from Senku’s lips as he unbound the ropes, his shaking hands struggling to untie the restraints. “It’s been hours…” 

Pulling the ropes off, Senku tossed them away. Xeno’s shoulders quivering as he shifted his arms to rest in front of him- crossed in front of his chest. He didn’t attempt to move from his feeble position.

Waves of guilt kept crashing over Senku as he stared at his mentor. He hopelessly wished Xeno would give some haughty remark- that’s what he’s come to know him to do- but he just laid there like a statue, so still and silent.

Senku knew no amount of apologies could make up for this but he didn’t know what else to say. It’s all that would come out. Reaching his hand out, he timidly pressed his fingertips on his arm. “I’m sorry…”

The older man jerked away. “Don’t be-” Xeno rasped, bowing his head. “I deserve this…” 

Senku fists clenched, grasping onto the fabric at his knees. Nobody deserved to be treated this way- not even his enemy. “No you don’t, Xeno!” 

His mentor glared over his shoulder, the hurt in his eyes palpable. After a silent beat of processing his words, Xeno rose to sit. Piercing eyes scanned Senku with a questioning look, begging for elaboration, as if he couldn’t fathom the concept. 

Senku closed his eyes tight to quell the sting.  “...Are you okay?” 

“Ooh- Aren’t you righteous Senku?!” Xeno snapped, his voice strained and sharp. “You kill your enemies with kindness- smother them with your virtue! Shall I get on my knees and praise you?” he mocked.

Senku held his breath.

“I don’t want any pity from someone who gives it up to anyone!” Xeno scoffed, his hoarse voice cracking as he barked, “It means nothing to me…!” 

Senku's gaze fell to his clenched hands in his lap.

Xeno went tight-lipped, his shoulders rising and falling as he reeled back in his temper. He let out a shaky breath. Not that he didn’t have anything else to say, he just didn’t want to go on any further.

After a moment Senku wearily raised his head. Swallowing the lump in his throat, he spoke, “I’m not manipulating or trying to be holier-than-thou or anything like that. I just…” He paused to think of how to say it. Then he met Xeno's cold eyes, a fire in his own. “I like you, Xeno. It’s kinda what you do for people you like.” 

For a long second, Xeno locked him in a tense stare. He almost admired it- Senku’s ability to be so unwavering and indiscriminate in his convictions. This trait certainly was indicative of a high level of bravery. 

Or maybe it was naivety… 

Xeno dipped his head. The most he could give him was a silent surrender. 

Senku released a shaky breath, with it, the tension he’d been bottling up. “I get it, man. I’m not happy either.” 

“I’m aware…” Xeno whispered, tapping his metal claws on his leg.

Crawling a little closer to his mentor, Senku sat by his side, craning his neck to get a look at his face, the red marks from the gag’s strap already beginning to fade. “Are you okay?” he reiterated. This time he wanted an answer.

Raising his head, Xeno flashed a bitter grin. “I’ll live.” He rested his palm against Senku’s back to reassure him, rubbing it softly. The look Senku returned was one of mild confusion. Xeno preferred it- that disheartened look did not suit him. “Why did you come in here anyway?”  

Senku leaned into his touch. “What do you think?” 

“...Did you need me for something?” 

“No, I was checking up on you.” He looked away. “Obviously…”

Xeno nodded. Humming to himself, a tiny smirk broke on his lips. “Hold on, let me quote you- Did you miss me or something?” 

“Heh- Old man, is your hearing already going?” Senku huffed, waving him off. “You were unsupervised, what if you’d run away? I had to make sure you were still here.” 

Xeno nodded slowly. “Ooh, yes of course.” he said sarcastic, though softly. 

“I didn’t miss you.” Senku maintained, crossing his arms stubbornly. “I just wanted to see you…”

Xeno pointed a taunting claw in the air. “Wanting to see someone who is not there is by definition-” 

Senku flustered, “Okay! Shut up already…” He rolled his eyes, a breathy laugh escaping him, “I’ve barely slept the past couple days- I’m delirious.”  

The older man chuckled, mirroring Senku’s stance. He looked up at the ceiling in thought- what Senku was trying to say was right at the tip of his tongue.  “Ahh… So you wanted to sleep with me?” 

Senku’s eyes went wide, his face contorting in disgust. “Eh? Don’t phrase it like that…!” 

“Well, we sleep with each other most nights?” Xeno raised an eyebrow at him, rubbing his chin curiously. “Did you find yourself having trouble falling asleep without my presence?” 

Senku pursed his lips into a semi-pout. Xeno could tell he had gotten it spot on by the redness blooming on his ears. “What? No way. I’ve got work to do tonight, I just stopped by to tuck you in.” He picked at his ear, trying to act casual. 

Xeno yawned with a graceful stretch of his arms. Hand massaging his sore neck, he turned his head towards the entrance of the hut. There were a few things Senku had carried in with him. “You brought blankets and pillows? Aw, you wanted to have a little sleepover with me…?” 

“Shut up- you’re such an asshole.” Moving over on his knees to grab them, he tossed a pillow over his shoulder into the older man’s face. With his back still turned, Senku grumbled, "I'm not staying long…”

Xeno grunted as the pillow made contact. He shook his head, fixing his hair back into place. “Whatever you say…” he chuckled. Taking the pillow in his hands he placed it behind him. “I’ve come to find you’re quite amusing when you get embarrassed, Senku.”

“Yeah- It’s just hilarious, isn’t it?” he deadpanned, dragging the blankets and other pillow over. 

Xeno feigned ignorance, “Oh, so you agree?”

“I hate you.” Senku knocked him in the shoulder with the pillow.

Taking it from his grasp Xeno placed it beside the other one. “Didn’t you just say you liked me?” 

Senku scooched next to him. “I take it back.” With a huff, he tugged the blankets on to his lap.

Xeno’s tongue flicked out to lick his smirking lips. “God, you-” The words caught in his throat and his eyes went wide. “Um.” Xeno coughed awkwardly and turned his shocked face away, running a weary hand through his hair. 

Senku looked at him through the corner of his eye. “...What?”

“Nothing-” Xeno stuttered, pulling the blankets up as well. He smiled, the corners of his lips twitching. “I’m rather exhausted myself.” 

Senku scrunched his nose up. “You’re so weird.” In one swift motion, he lifted the blanket over his shoulders and flopped down onto the pillow. 

“Didn’t you say you were leaving?” 

“Quick twenty minute recharge, then I’m leaving.”

Xeno sighed, “Alright then…” Getting comfortable, Xeno faced his fellow scientist on his side, watching curiously as Senku pulled the blanket up further to hide his face. When he tried to meet his sheepish gaze, he was denied. 

This conjured up a familiar image. Xeno smirked. Yes, of course- that’s what’s going on here…

Xeno took his gloves off promptly and threw them to the side. He slipped an arm under Senku’s neck to hook him into an over the shoulder hug. He pulled him close.

Senku chuckled from Xeno’s chest, “Good. You caught on.” 

Xeno buried his chin into his green locks, stroking the soft hair. “Well of course you wanted to do the same as the other night.” His voice swelled, “I could see it all over your face.”

Senku shifted, his nose brushing against Xeno’s neck. “...I didn’t know how to ask.” he laughed at himself. “Never done this before…” 

“That’s alright.” Xeno moved his hand down. His fingers danced between Senku’s shoulder blades then glided up to brush the wisps at the base of his neck. “This is simply one field you aren’t educated in.” 

“...” Senku pressed his face into the crook of his mentor’s neck. His lips parted- breath hot on his pale skin. “...Think you could teach me?” he murmured, sweet and coy.

Xeno slid his fingers along the ridges of Senku’s spine. Suddenly light-headed, the older scientist let out a heavy sigh, adjusting his leg to settle in between Senku’s. “Mmm… why not? Just tell me what you want to know, sweetheart…” 

“Don’t call me that.” Senku grumbled. Clinging closer, he wrapped his legs around his mentor's thigh. 

Xeno closed his eyes, a wry smirk on his lips. Why did he call him that…? “I didn’t mean to. Not that you aren’t a sweetheart- but- ” he strained. 

“Just shut up, I’m trying to nap…” Senku hugged him, squishing his body even tighter against the older man. “You know how cringey you sound right now?”

A dry chuckle came from the back of Xeno's throat. He tossed his head back against the pillow. “Why do I let you talk to me this way…?” he mused to himself. 

Senku looked up at him, his ruby eyes shining through the dimness of the cramped hut. Taking a deep breath, holding it a few seconds then letting it out all at once, Senku cringed, “Ugh…” 

Their eyes met. “...What is it?”

Senku shook his head shamefully. “I can't believe I’m gonna do this.” 

“Do what…?” Xeno asked with eyes half-lidded. He couldn’t help but notice a sense of dread developing deep in his gut.

No- not dread. It was something else. 

Something familiar. It certainly wasn’t a new sensation. But Xeno just couldn’t pin the term for the life of him. 

It was kind of like- 

Xeno’s eye’s shot wide open. 

…Desire?

Senku squeezed his eyes tight and whined in frustration, “What the hell is wrong with me?” His shaky hand reached up to cup the back of Xeno’s head. 

Then he crashed his lips to his mentor’s- smacking together loud and teeth knocking despite it being just a chaste peck.

Xeno squirmed out of the kiss in a fluster, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “Ooh- absolutely not…! Senku, what are you doing?” Though what came out his mouth was ‘no,’ his head nodded ‘yes.’ Dabbing sweat from his brow with his sleeve, Xeno stuttered, “You’re a horrible kisser! Besides, I’m-”

“Shut up, old man…” Senku grabbed his face again and clumsily resumed the kiss. 

Xeno’s eyes rolled back a bassy groan crawling from his chest. Shutting his eyes tight- he fought the urge to desperately- but despite his better judgment, he escalated the kiss. Pushing the blanket away, his fervent hands slid down to hold the young man’s slim waist- thin enough that he could almost completely envelop it. 

He fit in his hands perfectly. Xeno couldn’t deny it was dreadfully titillating. 

Jerking his knee up to Senku’s crotch, their lips separated once more. “Tell me to shut up one more time…” Xeno groaned, a wild look in his dark eyes. 

Shock flashed across Senku’s features for a moment and he gazed down hesitantly. Seeing the fabric of his skirt riding up ever-so-slightly as Xeno’s leg encroached, he masked his apprehension well with a cocky grin. “Heh- I’m not gonna now that you told me to.”

With desperation Xeno reunited their lips, pressing down onto the smaller man. The sounds of their sloppy kiss filling the hut as it grew more and more passionate. Holding Senku’s shoulders flat against the pillow, Xeno reached down and glided his hand up his slender leg, from his smooth calf over his bent knee to his supple thigh. 

Still being kissed, Senku opened his eyes wide, frantically trying to see what Xeno was doing.  

Taking the skirt up, soft, flushed skin exposed to the dry air. Curious fingers traveled onward, briefly cupping his small butt then further on to his boney hip. 

Hooking his fingers in the waistband of Senku’s undergarments, Xeno purred into his mouth, “I could’ve sworn I remember you not wearing anything underneath this?”

“Eh? Why do you remember that?” Senku stuttered, trying to contain the shaking in his legs. 

Xeno dotted kisses along his cheek, ending at his ear. He whispered hotly into it, “How could I forget? It’s quite the scandalous fun-fact about you.” Idly playing with the waistband, he laughed slickly, “What’s made you change your mind?”

“Heh- We were riding bikes today. Didn’t wanna be flashing everyone…” 

Xeno whispered into his neck, “And why don’t you most days…? Nice airflow?” 

Looking away sheepishly, Senku conceded, “Yeah, pretty much.” 

“How dirty…” 

“Um!” Senku swiped to clutch Xeno’s wrist as he tried to pull the primitive undergarments down. “Can I keep it on…?” 

Xeno brought his head back up. He nodded. “Sorry. Of course.” he said with a contrite smile. “Slap me across the face if I do something you don’t like, okay?” Xeno suggested as he brought his head back down to rest his forehead on the pillow over Senku’s shoulder.

Instead, he slipped his hand under the waistband and took an authoritative hold onto Senku’s bare hip beneath it, giving it a playful squeeze. 

Senku felt a shiver roll over him, eyes pinching shut. He gasped, “Hah- Shit… What are you doing?”

“Something we shouldn’t do.” Xeno then began rocking him gently against his thigh. Dipping down, he pressed his lips to Senku’s jaw, lightly nipping his way down his neck. Mumbling against hot skin, “Something we- really- shouldn’t do…” 

A shaky sigh came from Senku’s parted lips. Hands slipping behind his mentor’s head, light hair entangled in his sturdy fingers. “I know that…” he murmured, bucking into Xeno’s knee unconsciously, protruding hip bone slipping and sliding against the older man’s firm palm. 

Xeno buried his face in Senku’s neck, kissing, licking, biting up and down the length. “Mmh, I’m sorry I yelled at you.” he cooed as he kissed down his windpipe. “I’ll make it up to you…”

“Nhgh-” Senku’s head fell back, his hand slipping against Xeno’s forearm as he desperately tried to get a grip on something. “No, it’s… Mmmph- Fine! You don’t h-have to…!” He moaned, barely getting the words out. 

Mind hazy, Xeno blocked the world out around him. Thrusting his own awakening erection against Senku’s quivering leg, he merely felt the slim, shuddering, frame beneath him. That heat between their bodies- from their sighs, their kisses, their friction. The pleasured sensations, the yearning throbs contained by his clothing. Lust boiling slowly but surely…

“Mmm, St- Senku…” Xeno took a firm hold on Senku’s undergarments. Groaning through gritted teeth, “Uhg- I needed this!” Using the fabric as a handle, he tugged, rubbing and grinding Senku’s hips roughly up and down against his knee. 

Senku panted, “Mnn. W-wait- Hahh…” Hectic hands grasped at anything in reach, pink lips rambled a protest, “Ngh no- I-I can’t… Ple-ase stop…!” 

Xeno froze once he heard the word. Pulled out of his own hazy lust-filled mind, he jerked his head up to see what was wrong. 

But when he did, he was suddenly entrapped by the luscious sight before him.

“Nnhgn.. No!” Senku’s face burned red, eyes squeezed shut, jaw clenched. Then a whine broke from the back of his throat as his mouth fell open- as if in disbelief it was possible to feel so pleasurable.

Xeno stared in awe. He blinked, not believing what he was seeing. “Are you…?!” 

Senku’s rosy eyes, cloudy and wet, squinted open. His shoulders trembled as he humped helplessly, desperately riding his mentor’s knee. “Mmn- Mmph…!” He bit his lip in a poor attempt to quiet himself. 

Xeno’s mouth hung open, the only thing he could do was hold onto Senku as he shuddered. And the only thing he could think was- damn did that look like it felt good…

Senku was left shaking, desperately catching his breath as his quick orgasm subsided.

Appreciating the sight a moment longer, Xeno saved the mental image. “That was fast…!” he blurted.

Senku’s eyes snapped open in horror. “WHAT THE HELL?!” 

Suddenly taken by the shoulders and shaken violently, Xeno sputtered, his pompadour coming loose, “Pph- What?”

Breaking out of his embarrassment fueled outburst, Senku clawed out of the entanglement and sprang to sit, curling up in a feeble ball. “S-sorry! I’m sorry!” He buried his face in his hands, groaning, “It’s just- Shit- This is a lot to take in…” 

Xeno sat up dizzy, rubbing his temples to soothe his rattled brain. “It’s fine. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about?” He tilted his head. “You simply must not have masturbated in a while.”

“It’s not about that, idiot!" Senku chucked a pillow at him. 

Taking the blow, Xeno flustered, “Well you’ve been busy- of course you haven’t had any time- You’re young, I assume you do it often?” Another pillow came flying at him. Xeno managed to narrowly avoid it. Waving his hands frantically, he stuttered a little faster, “Which is most likely why this even happened! I mean- sometimes you so happen to brush against something just the right way and all of a sudden-” 

“Please… stop talking…!” Senku gave up. Plugging his ears, he hid his burning face in his knees. 

“Ah- I-” He coughed. “I apologize.” Xeno gave up as well, shaking his head wearily. Well, he’s done it. He’s completely and utterly mortified him. If he didn’t somehow recover from this, Senku is sure to go shut himself in somewhere and never come out. 

Shuffling over to his mentee cautiously, Xeno offered softly, “Um… Here,” He retrieved a handkerchief from his slacks pocket and held it out to him. “I suppose you don’t want my help in this matter.” 

“...Thanks.” Senku mumbled, taking it gingerly. He shooed away the other man and reached under his tunic. 

With a strained chuckle, Xeno slipped back. “I’ll just go… finish myself-”

“Don’t even think about it!” Senku snapped over his shoulder.

Xeno frowned, shoulder slumping. 

“I don’t know what I was thinking.” Senku shook his head, talking to himself as he finished up. “I wasn’t thinking…! My brain’s completely left the planet!” 

Back resting against the far wall, Xeno tapped his fingers restlessly against the floor. “If you don’t want it to mean anything, then it doesn't.” he assured him.

Senku let his tunic skirt fall back in place. “Uh huh- It was nothing.” 

“A mistake if anything.” 

“It won’t happen again.” Senku turned back to him and sat down cross legged onto the bedding, folding his arms bashfully. “Can we just… move on like that didn’t happen…?” he mumbled.

Xeno crossed his arms as well. “I was about to suggest the same.” 

Senku sighed in exasperation and fell back down onto the pillow. “Good, we got that settled...” He stared up at the roof for a few seconds before wearily closing his tired eyes. 

…

After a long moment of silence, Xeno broke it, “...Did you… still want to sleep here?” 

One ruby eye peaked open. Senku answered with a curt nod- as if it was obvious. 

A smile fought onto Xeno’s lips.  Senku was certainly one of a kind…

Moving to his side, the older man offered his hand courteously. “How about you take off your coat first?” 

Senku smirked back and flopped his arms down to his sides. “Oh? This one? The one you made for me?” 

A small sneer came to him. “...I knew that kid-”

“Hey, Suika didn’t say anything about you.” Senku rose to sit. “I figured it out myself.” 

Xeno shook his head with a heavy sigh. Avoiding his eyes, he explained himself, “I simply wanted to make something to pass the time.” He reached out and slipped his hands over Senku’s shoulders, gently sliding the moto jacket from his thin frame. “It was the girl who came up with the idea to give it to you, I had no clue your birthday was coming up…” 

Senku squinted, painfully aware of just how close they were to each other. “You’re such a sap…” Cherry eyes darted down. Senku flinched forward, second-guessed himself, pulled back. “I hate celebrating it, but everyone always insists. Now you too, old man?” he murmured, idly staring at his hands in his lap.

The older man caught this subtle intention and he raised a teasing eyebrow. “...Did you just try to kiss me, Senku?” 

He laughed softly at himself. “I guess I did… yeah?”

“Aren’t you usually quite bold? You always do whatever you want.” Xeno folded the jacket neatly and placed it off to the side. 

Senku puffed his cheeks faintly. “I figured I’d be nice and not put you through my awful kissing again. Heh.” 

“Oh, well- Yes I did say that, didn’t I?” Xeno admitted, scratching his cheek as he put the words together in his head. “But, I have more experience than you. Perhaps my perception is a tad skewed?”  Xeno bit his lip. A shadow of a thought cast over the back of his mind, threatening to break into the light of his conscious thought. 

Why was he… entertaining this…?

Senku hummed, seemingly unsure of what he wanted. But after a moment of silent consideration his nerve came back and a smile tugged at his lips. He looked up at Xeno, ruby eyes warn like the embers of a gentle fire- almost vulnerable. “Could you… maybe give me a lesson, old man?” 

Now, with the haze of arousal clearing from his mind, the choice was in Xeno’s hands. Did he want to… continue? 

He knew better- oh how he knew better… But there was something incredibly thrilling about this side of Senku. It intrigued him terribly. 

Senku; flirting with the opposition…

Doing something he wasn’t supposed to do.

The corner of Xeno’s mouth twitched into a grin. “I… suppose I could teach you a few things…” He pointed a slender finger in the air- ready to deliver his lesson. “It’s important to be comfortable first and foremost. Lay back down.” 

“...Got it.” Senku situated himself down onto the pillow. Xeno placed his hands on either side of him, looming over. This elicited a giddy little smirk from the young man.

“How about…” Xeno lowered to lean over Senku’s chest and cupped the sides of his neck. His face just centimeters away, he drawled, “You give me another demonstration of your skills and I’ll offer critique from there.” 

He could feel Senku’s pulse flutter in his palms. Eager, skinny arms wrapped around him and fingers fidgeted with the folds of his black coat. Closing the distance Senku’s lips danced amateurly. Smooshing his nose flat against his teacher’s, breathing heavy and wheezing as he inhaled through his nostrils.

With an amused hum Xeno pulled away. “Alright then, that wasn’t so bad… but it still needs improvement.” He took Senku’s chin in between his thumb and forefinger and tilted his head slightly. “First of all, you can’t come at it straight ahead. You need to make room for our noses, okay? Like this.” 

He leaned in and gave Senku a peck- this time their noses fit into place as they should. The younger man sighed and after a second longer, reluctantly retracted, his eyes hazy and cheeks pink. 

Xeno praised him just above a whisper, “Good… Much better, Senku.” 

Senku’s breath hitched. “...Anything else?” 

“Now we need to work on the position of your lips.” His thumb flicked up from Senku’s chin to toy with his bottom lip. “I’m not exactly sure what you're doing but for some reason you’re making the kiss very wet.”

“From licking my lips maybe…?” 

In consideration, Xeno tilted his head to the right… then to the left when he finally figured it out. “No- I think you may be opening your mouth too much.” He pressed his thumb flat against the Senku’s lips. “Here. Kiss so I can see.” 

Senku looked up at his mentor, cherry eyes trained on him as he squished his lips against the pad of Xeno finger, leaving it with a soft smooch. 

“Mmm, good boy… Now I see what you’re doing.”  Xeno bent his thumb, flipping Senku’s lip down to expose his bottom teeth. “You shouldn’t flare them like that when doing such a small kiss.”

“Oh… Okay…” Senku breathed his words, unable to properly articulate. 

Pressing his thumb against Senku lips again, Xeno instructed him huskily, “Keep your lips tight and controlled like this,” He pursed his own lips to demonstrate. “Try it again, sweetheart.” 

“Mm hmm…” Senku did exactly what he was shown, puckering his lips together and pressing softly against the appendage. His eyes shut faintly, continuing to kiss it for just a little longer. 

“Very good job.” Xeno cooed with a soft chuckle. “You seem to be enjoying practicing on my thumb, but do you think you’re ready to try the real thing?”

“Yeah. Think so…” Senku sighed, lips parting to slightly envelope the tip of Xeno’s finger. 

Xeno dragged his thumb down, playfully flicking Senku’s pouty lip before he lifted off. His slender fingers moved with a feather touch and brushed his bangs away behind his ear. Then he cupped Senku’s face in his palms, squishing his flushed cheeks and pulled him close. But before the distance was closed for good his student tilted his head- exactly how he had been taught. 

Then Senku kissed him. He kept his lips tight and moved with his mentor astutely, a shaky exhale escaping his nose. 

“Perfect…” Xeno praised into his mouth, then he deepened the kiss- opening wider, ramping it up. It was passionate yet precise. Senku fumbled with the change, but Xeno didn’t relent. He personally found a sink or swim approach to be quite effective in such situations.

Lips parted momentarily, “...You’ve got it. Stay in control…” Xeno coached. 

Senku listened well. With just a little more concentration, he managed to match Xeno’s movements and their lips fell into sync. “Hmph…” Senku sighed as he relaxed into the kiss. Hands stilled and his grip slipped from his mentor’s sides. 

The two men’s mouths slid together leisurely- absorbed in the tender connection for many minutes. Xeno hummed deep from his chest, gliding his long fingers through Senku’s hair, petting him from his misted hairline to those delightful fluffy green ends. 

He’d say Senku’s passed the test. 

Drifting from his lips, Xeno dotted gentle pecks all the way up Senku’s jaw until he reached the crook of his ear. There he gave a hearty smooch to the sensitive area and continued on to trail kisses all over his soft, warm cheeks. Xeno wished to worship every inch of Senku’s sweet face, it was such a shame he couldn’t do it forever. He pecked the tip of his nose, the bridge, the space between his eyebrows. Then, to finish it off, he planted one preciously right onto his forehead. 

When he pulled back, Xeno observed the man before him- blushy cheeks, bitten lips, shut eyes, his breathing peaceful and sighing. Senku had fallen asleep. 

How cute.

A warmth filled Xeno’s chest. He could recognize himself in Senku. In the past, he had always been bold in every respect, but shied away when it came to any sort of expression of tender feelings. Rationality did not play a part in such things that was for certain. That simple fact made it hard to navigate, to familiarize himself with it before he was thrown into the deep end. 

That was the problem- feelings can be so unpredictable, but there was a science to intimacy.  

Xeno used to think he could live without all of that and he probably still would if it wasn’t for-

…for Stan…

Notes:

We have reached the turning point- the point of no return. They finally kissed! But wow, what a complicated situation our favorite scientists just got themselves in. Things only get messier from here so get excited!

Thank you for all the comments and kudos <3

(And I'd like to put here that I've made a twitter account- I'll be posting art there and maybe talking about writing on there as well. It's @chillylove030 if you're interested.)

Chapter 8: How to Fill the Silence

The sun peeked just over the horizon, a pink hue beginning to infect the sky. A sharp gust blew over the desert and displaced Xeno’s prim hair. Pursing his lips, he cooled his green tea as he watched the bonfire- its flames whipping in the breeze. 

Hot tendrils waved and thrashed. Biting, consuming and devouring the oxygen the wind served to it. Fire is a fascinatingly poetic element. It’s something that can’t be held, something that can only hurt. It kills, but without it many would die without it's warmth.

Fire isn't evil, nor good. It isn't even neutral. Fire's only will is to satisfy its own desire.   

Left to its own devices, it will never know hunger. But when contained, the flames eternal gluttony leads to its ultimate demise. 

“Xeno-sama.” 

The scientist brought his gaze from the fire to Francois, who was bowing before him. “Yes? What is it.” 

“Is the tea satisfactory?” 

Xeno hadn’t touched it yet- aside from when he’d neglected to let it cool and burnt his tongue. “Uh, yes it is. I’m just not much of a tea person.” 

“Is there anything else you’d prefer that I can get for you?” the butler asked.

Xeno’s eyes darted away. “No, it’s fine. I should broaden my palate anyhow.” He took a polite sip. The chef nodded and turned promptly to resume preparing breakfast. Xeno hurriedly pointed a claw out. “Ah- wait. Can I ask you something?” 

Francois turned back, hands folded patiently. “Yes?” 

He pressed his lips tight, considering if this was really something he needed an answer to. Xeno supposed he’d ask anyway- for conversation's sake. “That suffix ‘sama’... Why do you use that for me? Forgive me if I’m mistaken, but I get the impression that you’re older than me?” 

“As a guest, you out-rank me.” Francois stated matter-of-factly. 

Puzzled and a little perturbed, Xeno tilted his head. “But, I’m not a guest? I’m a hostage.” 

The butler smiled, “What are hostages but guests who cannot leave?” Once again, Francois turned to get off back to work.

Xeno looked down briefly at his reflection in his tea. “Why don't you speak with me in English?” he blurted, bouncing his restless leg, his foot thumping against the dirt.

Francois laid out a clean cloth onto the tabletop and replied in English, “I will when it is only the two of us, if that is your preference, Master Xeno.” 

Xeno scrunched his nose, flicking his chin dismissively. “...Master? Would that really be the equivalent translation? I think ‘Sir’ would be more apt.” Suddenly he stilled his fidgeting and shook his head. “No- It doesn't matter. Don’t call me either of those.”

The butler was as accommodating as ever, “What would you prefer-” 

Xeno brushed off the blonde with a handwave. “Just go back to what you were doing before. I should be practicing Japanese anyway…” 

“As you wish, Xeno-sama.” Francois bowed, then retrieved a basket of vegetables from under the table, placing it onto the surface. “I have been working in Japan for many years and so my language skills are quite tuned for Japanese.”

Raising his tea to his mouth with both hands, Xeno took a loud sip, mumbling into the cup, “Right. You were that rich kid’s servant in the old world. He was one of the heirs of Nanami corp, I was told.” 

Nodding, the chief quietly laid various fruits and cutlery out.

Clinking his claws against the porcelain, Xeno wouldn’t allow silence to fall. He quickly filled the gap in conversation, “Working so personally in the private lives of the family of a powerful conglomerate- you must’ve been privy to a lot of dirty secrets and scandals, yes?” 

“I don’t pry into my employers.” Francois precisely diced some fruits, the knife's sharp knocks on the cutting board filling the early morning atmosphere.

Xeno nodded to himself, he liked the sound of that. “So, you’ve never told a secret pertaining to your superiors? Not even once?” 

“It’s simply not professional.” 

“And you are quite the professional…” Xeno leaned back, snappily crossing one leg over the other. He furrowed his brows. “There’s something I have on my mind at the moment. If I told you a story would you lend an ear without… gossiping about it?” 

Francois placed the cutting knife down gently. Looking up at him with sincerity. “If you wish, I will, Xeno-sama.” 

“Perfect. I’ll just get right into it.” Xeno took another sip of tea to moisten his throat, then he got right into it, “Now, this happened the winter Stanley returned from his seven month deployment- his first time seeing combat. I won’t give you much context but I will tell you this; he had moved in with me into my parents house- they were off at their second home in Florida for the winter so it was just us.

I had come to find out in the couple of weeks he’d been living with me that he was a man of routine much like myself. Usually he would get up a few hours before me right at the crack of dawn. But this particular morning as I got ready for work, Stanley was still in bed…” 

…

In front of the closet mirror Xeno buttoned his black dress shirt, idly gazing at Stan in its reflection. With his cheek squished against the pillow, his blond hair was just out of regulation- having grown out a small bit; handsomely ruffled from his sleep. 

His back bare, muscles flexing as he breathed peacefully- once again he had taken his shirt off in the middle of the night. No matter how frigid the bedroom was kept, his night sweats were persistent. 

It felt like it had come out of the blue in the moment, but looking back there were some signs that Stanley had not returned as much the same as he had professed. 

Stan wouldn’t speak of it and neither would Xeno, but it was apparent Stan was having frequent nightmares. On multiple occasions already, he had been awoken by him jolting or thrashing in his sleep. Mumbling or once shouting total nonsense. 

It didn’t scare Xeno though, this was only typical of a soldier who had just returned from war. In due time, Stan’s subconscious would adjust back to normal life and these troublesome things would stop. 

Stan was a rational man and continuing to function as if he was still in peril while there was no danger to be found was plainly irrational. 

It will pass. 

Now, what tie should he wear today? 

To his neck, Xeno held up a silky navy blue tie with a subtle herringbone pattern, then a cornflower and ivory plaid one. “Hmm…” He flipped between the two. The navy felt too dark, the cornflower and ivory felt too light. 

“Do that purple one.” 

Turning to the source of the groggy voice, Xeno grinned. “I wear that one too much- I’d like to change it up.”

Stan puffed as he re-adjusted his position. “If it’s your favorite, then why don't'cha just wear it? Nobody’s gonna care.” 

“I care.” Xeno grabbed another necktie from the top drawer of the dresser- a black and dark gray hounds tooth pattern. “How about this?” 

“You look good in anything.” Stan mumbled, burying his face in the pillow.

Xeno popped his collar. “This one will do.” The scientist padded over to the bed, putting on the article expertly. Xeno tidied up the knot as he sat, bringing his hand down to tousle Stan’s golden frays. The rays of morning sun beaming in through the window, making his amber eyes glisten in their light. “Are you still tired? I can go finish up in bathroom, so you can get back to-” 

“No,” was his curt answer. Stan shifted on the lumpy pillow. Fully opening his tired eyes now, he lifted his head. His attention caught by the frosty window overlooking the front yard, the grass dusted in white. “Shit, look. It snowed out.” 

“Yes, I noticed. I better leave before the roads fill up.” Xeno said softly, gliding his hand to rest on Stan’s back. He chuckled cynically, “I swear- less than an inch of snow and everyone’s IQ drops below freezing as well.” 

Stan rose from the pillow, observing the dull landscape with pinpoint pupils. Owl-like, he stared for a silent moment, his gaze tracked a passing car apathetically. 

“...What is it, Stan?” 

Sharp eyes snapped back to him, pupils dilating back to normal. “Nothing. I was just looking at it?” Stan said plainly.

Xeno’s mouth pinched tight. Stan was always so sharp and focused, totally calm and collected. Now sometimes he’d get too focused, too calm-  he’d go numb. 

But those times were only fleeting. 

Stan leaned back casually, a sneer on his rosy lips. “Here we are talking about the weather, and neckties, and the morning commute like a couple of boring old fucks.” he scoffed, stretching his athletic arms above his head. 

“Welcome back to civilian life, Stan. Fighting for my life on icy roads is as exciting as it gets.” Giving the blond a quick pat on the shoulder, Xeno stood and grabbed his coat off the floor from the accumulating pile of questionably clean clothing. Shrugging it on, he patted for the keys in the pocket. 

Stan fidgeted. “I’ll drive you to work today.” he blurted. 

Sliding his wallet into his slacks, Xeno readied to leave. “You’re not even dressed, why?” 

Stanley lurched for a shirt from the laundry pile and put it on swiftly. “Because of the roads.” 

“...You do know I know how to drive, right?” 

“Yeah you do. But everyone else is total ass at it- you said it yourself.” He huffed as he pulled on some jeans over top of his shorts. 

Growing impatient, Xeno jingled the keys in his pocket. “If someone swerves into my car it’s not going to make a difference who’s driving…” 

Stan laced his shoes with haste. “I’m quicker to spot things- I can avoid it all together.” He stood from the bed, fully dressed and ready.

Xeno rolled his eyes and conceded, “Fine then.” He tossed him the keys- the blond caught it snappily. 

Down the wooden staircase, loafers steadily clicking mixed with sneakers pattering swift as Stan rushed ahead to get the door. Chuckling as he passed through the threshold onto the porch, Xeno teased, “Ooh, I certainly did miss the princess treatment while you were gone.” 

Stan smirked, “Happy to be at your service.” He bowed, only a tiny bit sarcastic. 

…

“Now, that sounds like a sweet favor, yes? However, after that instance, Stan wouldn’t let me drive myself anywhere. I didn’t fight him on it because he enjoyed doing little things for me. At the time, being my chauffeur was simply just another service he wanted to provide.” 

Xeno sighed, swirling his tea around in his hand. “Stanley and I were never very sociable people. The extent of our social lives was just each other. We had always been together, but at least when we were children, we’d part once the streetlights came on. Now we were practically… inseparable.

That is, except for while I was at work. But even then he’d call me while I was away. At first I didn’t mind him checking up on me every once in a while. But as time went on, it became more frequent. He couldn’t go an hour let alone a whole workday without checking my pulse.

I told him it was starting to interfere. That I couldn’t keep pulling myself away from work to talk to him. I compromised and said he could call me once a day on my lunch break. And he did that… for about a week. Then he went right back to what he was doing before.”

With a small sip of his drink, Xeno’s gaze fell to the dirt beneath his shoes. “It didn’t take long for me to get sick of it.” his voice lowered, as if he didn’t want to hear himself speak those words. “The thing was… Stanley’s always been quite intuitive about my feelings. Sometimes he’d know I was upset before I even did. He must have known it was bothering me. It only made him worry more.”

Bringing his head back up, he tapped a claw on the cup, the sound refocusing his train of thought. “One evening, I had been invited out by my coworkers to get drinks. I had accidentally let it slip that I had recently turned twenty-one. Usually it would be a cold day in hell when I'd ever accept any sort of invitation like that and I didn’t even like to drink, but in truth…

I just wanted to get away from him. For one night.”

…

Stan, splayed out on the bed, poked his head up from the pillow. “You’re wearing a tie to the bar?” 

“What am I supposed to wear?” Xeno put down the plain red necktie he was considering and exchanged it for a maroon one.

Watching him from the mirror, Stan raised an eyebrow. “Something casual. Y’know, normal clothes…?” 

Xeno put the maroon tie back as well. “A tie can be casual.” He sighed- nothing was looking right. It wasn’t like he cared about looking nice to impress his co-workers or anyone really. He simply liked to always look his best for himself. 

And he didn’t quite appreciate Stan’s input at the moment. 

Stan sat up, swinging his legs off the side of the bed. “How about the purple one?” He pointed to it, hanging from the doorknob- silky deep purple with an ornate swirl pattern. 

Through the reflection, Xeno looked at him strangely. “That’s probably the least casual tie I own, Stan.” he grumbled.  

“Okay but…” Stan walked up behind him. Grabbing onto his waist, he buried his nose in the crook of his neck. “Purple looks good on you.” He gave him a quick peck on his pale skin. 

Keeping his gaze straight ahead, Xeno observed Stan's form wrapped around him in the mirror- finding he felt nothing in particular for the image. 

“Perhaps I forget the tie and wear it unbuttoned…” Xeno thought aloud to himself.

Stan looked up to meet his dim eyes in the mirror and hummed in agreement. Without a word, he slid his strong hands up over Xeno’s torso, brushing sensually over his chest to undo the top three buttons for him. 

Taking him in warmly once he was finished, a gentle smile broke on his pink lips. “Mm, yeah. That looks good.” Stan hugged him closer, pressing his chest to his back. “What should I wear, you think?” 

“Exactly what you have on right now.” Xeno pulled out of his embrace. “You’re not coming.”

Stan’s fingers lingered on Xeno’s hips as he slipped away, his arms falling along with his smile. He sputtered, “I just thought- I’m driving you, I might as well-”

“I’ll be driving myself, Stan.” Xeno strided over to his desk and bent down, scooping up a black leather belt from the floor. 

“But you need someone to drive you home…?” 

In a huff, Xeno looped the belt through his black-washed jeans. His head down, he kept his speech precise, “I won’t be having any alcohol, I assure you.” 

Stan’s jaw clenched as he swallowed dryly. Voice crackling as his words stuck to his throat, “...You charge your phone?” 

“No?” Xeno pulled the belt tight, the metal buckle chinking harshly in the heavy atmosphere. 

Trembling hands retreated into his pocket. “Well, I was calling you today- it was going straight to voicemail.” Stan took a light step towards him. “...I thought it died?” 

“Oh. No it didn’t.” Xeno snatched his phone from the dresser and shoved it deep into his jeans. “I turned it off.” 

His shoulders tense and breathing shallow, Stan croaked, “Well- why?” He watched in silent dread as Xeno swiped his coat from the back of his office chair. 

Xeno threw on his coat snapily. “I don’t know. I was in a meeting or something…” He sneered at him, “What do you think?”

Stan stared in silence at him for a tense moment. He’d gone pale. Desperately trying to hide his panic behind stoic eyes. “...Are you mad at me?”

Xeno snipped at him, “Figure it out, Stan.” Of course he was mad. And needing to spell out something so obvious was irritating him even more. “Do you use that pretty head of yours, or it's just for show?” he hissed.

The façade slipped away. Xeno could almost see that calm, collected mask of his shatter to pieces. Staring at him with wide, confused eyes, Stan didn’t say anything further. 

Confused? What could possibly be so hard to understand about this? 

“You really think you’re entitled to all of my time…?” Xeno stepped up to him. Deciding to explain for him- clearly he wasn’t getting it. “Am I not allowed to have a moment without you breathing down my neck? It never occurred to you that I might not enjoy you incessantly calling me?”

Stan’s jaw stiffened. Bringing his chin up, he squinted as he attempted to get his nerve back. “You don’t have’ta pick up…” 

“But when I don’t, you call me even more- begging me to reassure you…!” Xeno turned away and began to pace. He flicked his hand at him. Ranting now, his voice rose in anger, “You make me feel guilty every time I try to! Don’t play dumb- pretending like you're giving me any choice-”

“Alright, blame your own bullshit on me…” Stan gritted his teeth, “What did I do wrong? I’m not allowed to love you or something?”

Xeno stopped in place, his head whipping around. “You’re not loving me, Stanley- you’re smothering me.”

 Stan clicked his teeth and jerked his head away. “And you couldn’t just tell me to stop?” With a grunt, he crossed his arms across his chest.

“I have told you to stop- you don’t listen!” Xeno’s scowl broke, twisting into a bitter sneer. His voice fell, “...Why don’t you listen to me anymore, Stan?”

Not able to meet Xeno’s questioning eyes, Stan squeezed his eyes shut. “I’m not doing it on purpose.” 

“I don’t care if you are or not. You’re being completely irrational…!”

“I know…” 

Trudging up to him, Xeno’s voice began to rise again, “If you already know, then why do you insist on-”
Suddenly, Stan’s face contorted in anguish before he dipped his head down. His voice broke, coming out strained and sputtered, “I don’t know.” Then he shivered, like a cold wind pierced through him. A guttural cry brust from the back of his throat, “God, what the fuck is wrong with me!?” 

Xeno flinched. He had never heard anything like it before, certainly not from Stan. Not one man on this whole Earth was capable of hurting Stanley enough to elicit such a cry. None could even get close to attempt to. That’s what Xeno always believed, at least.  

But he was wrong. 

There was one man who could bring such misery to Stan. 

…How could he have been wrong…?

Xeno tensed. Turning on his heel, he went for the door. He told himself he was leaving for Stan’s sake- that he didn’t deserve to waste his time with absolute scum such as himself.

But in truth, he was just running away. 

“N-no!” Stan lurched after him, grasping onto him desperately. He wrapped Xeno in arms as tight as he could. “Fuck- Don’t leave… Please don’t leave…” he begged. 

Xeno went limp- helpless in his embrace. His eyes fell closed in pensive regret. With a shaky sigh of overwhelm falling from his lips, he reached one arm up to hold the quivering man clinging to him.

How could leaving him be so easy yet so unimaginably hard at the same time?

Xeno leaned back to rest against the door, letting Stan rest against him. He sighed into his hair, “It’s okay, Stan…” 

For a few seemingly unending minutes, Stan sobbed against him. 

But no tears fell from Xeno’s own misty eyes. 

Eventually he went still in Xeno’s arms and Stan’s whimpers subsided. Faintly, he began planting soft pecks along Xeno’s pale neck, traveling his way up to kiss the shell of his ear. 

Xeno hummed, his head falling back.

“Please… Please stay with me tonight.” Stan whined into his ear. 

Xeno slid his hand down, stroking gentle circles onto Stan’s lower back. “You’ve got me, beautiful.” he whispered, pulling his waist close with his other hand, he brought their lips together tenderly.

Parting for just a moment, Stan sighed, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry about all of this, baby.” He sniffled. As he leaned back in, Chuckled a weak apology, “Shit- I know how much you hate being called that. Sorry-”

Xeno paid no mind. “Hmm? You’re groveling, Stan.” Bringing his hands up, he gently pushed Stan forward. “So inelegant.” he said, a smirk in his voice.

The soldier let himself be guided to the bed. Or perhaps it hadn’t quite registered in his blurry mind that he was moving. Stan mumbled into the kiss, voice practically inaudible, “Yeah, it is…” 

Laying the whimpering blond down, Xeno straddled his lap. “So, Stan…” He dragged his splayed fingers down his lover’s muscular chest. “Tell me about all the fun you had with those men while you were away…”

Stan gazed up at him, distant and hazy. “Hm…?” 

“Remember? I said you could do whatever you wanted- with whoever you wanted- while I wasn’t around to… satisfy you.” Xeno purred with a smirk, planting a quick kiss on the bridge of his nose. “I want to hear about it.” 

“Oh.” His lips parted in confusion. “...I thought you were just saying that.” 

Xeno sat back, his hands idly playing with Stan’s shirt. “Really? Ahh, I should’ve been more clear.” He sighed wistfully, “You missed out on all that excitement…” he grinned.

Stan offered a weak smile. “Privacy doesn’t really exist in the military anyway. I guess- I did hear some rumors about things happening in the Porta-Johns, but I ain’t ever been that desperate. Besides… ” He shook his head. “No one’s as good as you.”

“Yes, of course…” Xeno bent back down, kissing him briskly on the lips. Hips rocking, hands continuing to prod. His voice dipped low, “But it’s fun to imagine a scenario in which you would be so desperate…” 

Stan chuckled wearily, “You and your dirty fantasies.” He let Xeno hike his shirt up, muttering to himself, “How many times did you jack it to the thought of me being the resident barrack bunny…” 

“Could you blame me?” Xeno’s boney hands groped at his chest. “The thought of you putting that throat to work to support your fellow countrymen- men who fought alongside you so pent up from months away from their own lovers-” 

…

“Xeno-sama…!” Francois' face burned bright red. “P-Pardon me but- is this appropriate conversation?!”

“Ah- I didn’t need to mention that last part. I suppose I got a bit carried away.” Xeno pulled at his shirt collar. “Basically I didn’t end up going out that night.” He placed his empty teacup aside and ran a hand through his hair. 

Rushing over to retrieve the discarded dish, the butler asked, “Was that the end of your story?” 

“Yes. It’s getting late anyway or- early I suppose.” The sun was beginning to rise now, its white rays beaming over the horizon. Xeno snapily turned to Francois. “Any comments?”

“Not unless you want me to share.” 

“Good.” He smirked. “I was just testing you.” 

“No need. I won't tell a soul, Xeno-sama.” Francois wiped the cup dutifully with a wet rag and returned it to the rest of the kitchen supplies. “If you don’t mind me asking, what spurred you to reminisce on this particular event now?” 

Xeno drummed his fingers against his thigh as he put the words together. “I tell Stan I can’t live without him. That if we were ever separated I would be terribly forlorn but,” Xeno turned to the fire, its orange glow shining in his eyes. “A month apart now- yes I do miss him- but I feel as if not nearly as much as I should…” 

Francois began laying out bowls onto the surface of the table, each one producing a pleasant ring as it was placed. “Could I offer some words of advice, Xeno-sama?”

Xeno nodded. He was curious to know what Francois, who seemingly was more devoted to career than they would ever be to a person, could offer about relationships. The butler may be good at a lot of things- well pretty much everything- but he didn’t expect much. 

Francois gestured to two bowls on the table- both a little less than half-full. “In a relationship each partner has their own beliefs, aspirations, and desires. They are made up of everything that has happened in their lives, good and bad…” Taking a spoon from the first bowl, food was scooped from it into the second one. “A partner can enrich your life, bring love and companionship. But a partner is not a conduit to provide what is missing from oneself.”

The blonde quickly ceased and waved a finger disapprovingly. Instead, the spoon was brought over to the pot, and from that, the second bowl was filled. ”They uplift their own partner to achieve their potential without draining themselves of their own potential in the process. It is imperative that the other does the same for them.” Using the spoon from the second bowl, the first was also filled from the pot. “Still, you give a piece of your own life to put into theirs.” Francois exchanged some scoops between both bowls. 

“Give or take too much…” Suddenly, the chef lifted the first bowl and dumped it into the second, filling it to the brim. Spinning the dish around to show Xeno the inside- it was cleared out. “The bowl will be empty and there will be nothing left to eat.” Francois warned.

Xeno clicked his teeth and suppressed an eye roll- he was correct in his assumption. 

Curtly crossing his legs, he swung his foot in irritation. “Well your little metaphor was cute and all, but nothing I didn’t already know.” He brought his hand up to pinch his brow, “Those issues were resolved a long time ago- Stanley isn’t like that anymore.”

Francois gave a small nod. “My mistake then.” Lifting the bowl up, it was offered out to Xeno. 

With a deep sigh, Xeno rose from his seat and took it without a word. He turned to leave, but before he did, he glanced over his shoulder and the chef resumed preparing the meal. “Thank you.” he murmured, padding off to be by himself.

Soon enough, purple and orange streaks splayed over the sky as day broke. One by one everyone woke up and congregated near the fire for breakfast. Xeno per usual distanced himself away from the crew, now by his lonesome at the boulder off near the bikes. Leaning on it with his elbows he looked over at them as he took the last few bites of his meal, sluggishly bringing the spoon to and from his mouth. 

It was a dish he’d never had before so he didn’t quite know what to call. It was good at the very least. But that was not the most pressing matter he had on his mind. There was a certain person missing from the crowd…

It was fine though, Xeno didn’t wish to speak with him anyway. To be honest with himself he didn’t even know what he would say.

What Xeno did know- he has nobody to talk to now.

He took a deep breath, a dreadful silence falling upon him. No noise to bury his thoughts in. Nothing to shut up the flurry of worries and regrets whirling in his mind…

…

Last night… It wasn’t his fault.

That whole situation might as well not even have happened because he wasn’t the one who wanted it- that was Senku. Xeno never had any intention to do such a thing. 

Clacking his claws against the bowl in his hands, the noise wasn’t enough to quiet his mind.

Though, he didn’t exactly try all that hard to stop Senku-

No- that doesn’t mean anything…!

Senku had a little crush on him, that's all. Next time he sees him, Xeno will let him down gently. Just… it would’ve been cruel to reject him in the moment, especially when he had mustered up all that courage to make a move. Xeno remembered what it was like back then, when he confessed how he felt to Stan.

Stan-

No, it’s really not that big of a deal!

All he did was kiss Senku. Maybe that would’ve been a serious matter back in middle school but they’re both grown men! It’s hardly anything to fuss about. It’s not like they had sex. 

But he certainly would have-

“Nngh-” Xeno brought his hand up to rub his temple, squeezing his eyes shut tight. 

Sex was only a science. Science doesn’t care about emotions- it has no influence on it.

Wearily he sighed, “If only I had just been given some time to myself, then I wouldn’t’ve…” Xeno cut himself off with a grimace.

…Or maybe he was just a terrible person… 

An awful, irredeemably evil person. 

Now that was one notion he couldn’t simply shoo away. There was no running away from that fact. It was irrefutable. 

The cold truth was that Senku was just a warm body to him last night.  Xeno gritted his teeth. Stomach churning- he was disgusted with himself. He’s no better than an animal…!

A man like Senku didn’t deserve to be treated so flippantly!

But really, why did he care anyway? If Xeno had only used Senku- seen him like an object- these thoughts about how he was unworthy of such treatment would never have crossed his mind, right…?

So… why…?

“Ah! Xeno!” A heavy hand slammed down on his shoulder with a powerful force. Ryusui flashed him a toothy grin. “Ready to get going? You’ll be riding with me again.” 

A strained groan escaped him, “Uh-” Xeno steadied his breathing, pulling himself out of his head. “...Yes?” 

Ryusui gave a hearty chuckle. “We have a few days of travel ahead of us.” His grip loosened. “I believe it will be a good bonding opportunity.” 

Pulling out of his grasp, Xeno whipped around, sneering in confusion. “Bonding?” He sputtered, “What are you talking about?”

“Hah! Well, Xeno I must admit, in the past I disliked you.” Ryusui closed his eyes and nodded to himself. “I’m sure you understand why, correct?” 

Xeno looked down. “I…do.” 

Putting his hand up to his chin, Ryusui took a good look at the enemy scientist before him. “But it’s obvious Senku’s fond of you a great deal.” 

Xeno felt the back of his neck heat up, his hands flexed stiffly down at his sides. That was apparent, it was no secret- but why bring it up now of all times? 

Wait… Senku wouldn’t have told anyone, right…? 

No. He knew what sort of repercussions such a thing would have. 

Exuding confidence, Ryusui widened his stance. He slid the brim of his hat between his fingers. “And Senku is my friend. I want to get a glimpse at just what he sees in you.” He thrust his hand out- offering a handshake. “Can we put our differences aside and speak with each other as men instead of enemies?”

Xeno looked from Ryusui’s outstretched hand to his daring face. He couldn’t help but feel suspicious. Ryusui had to have some kind of motive. Even if it wasn’t malicious, nobody just does something for the sake of doing it. Did he genuinely want understanding for Senku’s sake, or was he playing it up?  

The scientist tilted his head, he needed more information before making any sort of agreement, he wasn’t so dumb enough to do so. “Have you spoken with Senku today?” 

“Yes, I have.” Ryusui said without a hint of deceit. His brawny hand continued to float in between them both, his gaze unwavering.

Leaning back against the rock, Xeno crossed one ankle over the other with grace. “And did he tell you to do this- to get all amicable with me?” he spoke with his hand, wrist flipping about.

“No. He asked me to temporarily be your companion in his absence- seeing as Tsukasa is out of commission.” 

“Ah yes, the ‘Senku told me to’ excuse.” With an air of haughtiness, Xeno threaded his arms together. “That one’s already been tried.” 

Arching a thick eyebrow, Ryusui smirked. “If that’s the case then why did the pretense that Senku wanted something satisfy your suspicions the first time?” 

“It didn’t,” Xeno scoffed. “I was just as aware I was being extracted for information then as I am now.” 

Ryusui lifted his chin high. “Then lie to me, Xeno, if that is what you wish.” He was prepared to keep his hand out until either Xeno shook it- or his arm fell off. His wine colored eyes, delightfully rich in conviction as he proclaimed, “Give me nothing! Because that is exactly what I want from you- Nothing!” 

Xeno’s lips twitched, brow furrowed deeply. His eyes darted around, trying to find any hint of deceit on the face of the man in front of him. Never had any of Senku’s friends looked at him without a twinge of disdain, spoken without fear. Those words… that earnest declaration.

Nobody’s not a liar. That said, some are less inclined than others. 

He looked up to the cotton clouds in the pale sky, a grin broke out onto his lips. Ryusui’s display of sincerity was truly elegant…! 

Xeno closed his eyes to hide the emotion shining through. “I suppose I can agree on those conditions.” He brought his hand to meet the other man’s, connecting with a clap, they shook firmly.

“Hah hah! Then we have a deal, Xeno.” Pulling his hand away, the blond gave him a stern pat on the back, leading him towards the motorcycle. 

“Though, may I request…” He slipped away from Ryusui’s guiding hand. “Stop touching me.”

“Hah! You sound just like Senku.”

With the blazing sun high above, its heat had no effect as they rode through the wind. Rocks and dirt crunched beneath the bikes wheels. The smell of gas and rubber was all they left in their wake. 

Xeno made another attempt in vain to fix his hair, displaced by the high speed breeze. He quietly chuckled to himself at the comment Ryusui just made. 

With an intimidating man such as Hyoga breathing down his neck, one would presume it would be hard to engage in carefree conversation. Luckily, it seemed like the man was asleep in his seat at the rear- as he was still recovering from his injuries. It would’ve been difficult for him to hear their conversation anyway over the sound of the engines and the wind whipping over them. Xeno and Ryusui practically had to shout directly into each other's ears just to speak.

Ryusui called over his shoulder, “You like video games, Xeno?”

The two had taken to talking over the past few days. It’s not like it was anything that pertained to their conflict, the blond simply liked to chat about any and all things- frivolous conversation. Xeno saw no issue in engaging with him. 

Really, he just wanted someone to talk with, seeing as he and Senku had only so much as exchanged passing glances since that fateful night…

“I played a bit as a teenager. But as I got older, I got busier, so I didn’t have much time or motivation to play much.” 

Xeno had been surprised when he had initially discovered that he and Ryusui had both grown up around the same era. His age displaced by a late revival, Ryusui was technically only five years younger than Xeno, but now he was physically seven years his junior. What an interesting phenomenon…

“Hmm, Really? I could never be so casual about video games!” Of course, Ryusui wasn’t casual about anything for that matter- Xeno had deduced that so far. “Tell me, when did you start?”

Xeno tapped a claw to his chin. “I got my first console for my… 8th birthday, I believe? I remember it had already been out for a year. But because it was released right after my birthday the previous year, I had to wait for the next one.” 

Ryusui laughed, from behind Xeno watched his shoulders shake as he did. “Ha ha! I actually bribed Sony to release the PS3 exactly on my 8th birthday! Would you believe that?” 

“And I thought I was spoiled…” Xeno said under his breath.

The blond smiled to himself, hiding his teeth. “Yes it was greedy, but I didn’t do it because I only wanted it for myself…” 

Xeno gazed off to the side, watching the landscape blur past them. He paid no mind to Ryusui’s comment. “Honestly, I don’t know why my parents got me it, it's not like I was begging for one.” He shrugged. “I think they just wanted to buy me something expensive just for the sake of it.”

“What sort of games did you like to play?” Ryusui asked, his boisterous voice easily pierced through the gusting wind. “I personally like arcade style or RPG games.”

Humming to himself Xeno conjured up those memories. “Well, the console kinda just sat by my TV for a few years. I didn’t really touch it…” Once it started to come back to him, he shifted back, gazing up at the clouds in the picturesque blue sky. “But when I befriended Stanley, well- he played it more than I ever did. I used to joke that he was only friends with me because of it.” Xeno smiled to himself. “Stan liked anything that had ‘cool guys shooting guns’ as he put it. So I’d buy those and sometimes I’d play with him. I wasn’t very good though, Stan always outmatched me.”

Ryusui brought a hand up to his chin. “So you’ve known Stanley since you were children? That makes sense. You’d have to be quite close to someone to be willing to kill for them.”

Xeno’s reminiscent smirk faded from his lips. He shouldn’t have brought Stan up anyway…

Glancing behind him after the pause in conversation went on too long. Ryusui asked the sulking man behind him, “How did you two become friends? From what little I know of Stanley, it seems you two are quite the unlikely pair, am I wrong?” 

Xeno huffed, a sour look on his face, “You already know I won’t divulge such information.” 

Ryusui hummed in acknowledgement. “I had to ask, it would be a shame if I didn’t try… Stanley’s quite the mysterious man. I want to know more about him. Not to use that information in bad faith, but because I want him.” 

“...You what?” Xeno sneered.

“A man so confident in his abilities, so unwaveringly loyal and supportive, ready to fight to the bitter end for his friend’s safe return…” Ryusui let go of the handlebar, reaching his hand high above his head he let out a crisp snap. “Of course I desire him!” 

Xeno dipped his head, his eyes fallen in shadow. Hands trembled and clenched, claws sinking into Ryusui’s sides. “Stan will shoot you dead before you even come close to him, I’ll make sure of it-” 

The scowling scientist flicked his head back up- met with a blank stare. The corner of Ryusui’s mouth curled subtly, he turned back to watch the path ahead. “I see…” He let a breathy laugh fall from his lips, but didn’t speak any further. 

Xeno closed his scornful eyes, expelling his frustrations with a deep sigh. He had been baited again. He loosened his grip on the other man. The only person he could be mad at was himself. 

“Would you tell me this then,” How about Xeno change the subject? “Are you close with Senku?” 

“Hmph!” Ryusui gave a quick nod. “I’m great friends with all that I can be, but out of everyone Senku is my best. I believe he would say the same of me if he were to be so forthcoming with his feelings, hah hah!”

Xeno looked away, accidentally catching a glance at his fellow scientist from his position at the front of the line. He didn’t mean to just- Senku was dressed in bright red, it’s eye-catching. “It’s peculiar how someone as blunt as Senku finds it hard to discuss something as simple as where he stands with you.” He exhaled a laugh.

Ryusui smiled back at him. “He prefers expressing things through actions rather than words. But, he will eventually tell you how he feels about you when he’s ready.” 

Raising an eyebrow, Xeno clarified, “Hmm? No, I wasn't referring to myself. Senku told me quite plainly what he thinks of me.” 

“What did he say?” 

Xeno sealed his lips shut. Well, no Senku and him didn’t really have much of a chat about feelings, did they? Other than-

‘I like you, Xeno.’ 

He heard it clear as day in his mind- as if Senku had appeared beside him like a ghost and whispered it directly into his ear. Such simple words that could mean nothing.

That could mean a whole lot of things… 

Ryusui hummed to himself, his smile could be heard in his voice, ”You must have the same philosophy as him.”

Xeno stared curiously at the back of his head.  “...And what would that be?” 

Despite noticing the bikes ahead slowing down, Ryusui didn’t let off the gas. “Senku believes things like that should stay between the two people they pertain to, no one else.” He weaved his way to the front of the line. “He takes the matter very seriously.” 

“He can be surprisingly… “ Xeno’s eyes lingered on Senku as they passed him. “...Soft.” 

Ryusui jerked the handle and stomped down on the brakes. “Surprising?” The bike spun to a stop, a flurry of dust kicking up under its wheels. “Ah well, you are only just getting to know him…!” The rest of the motorcycles followed suit as the crew reached a monumental jagged mountain range- it was apparent some extra preparations were needed to traverse it. 

Bringing his boot to the ground, Ryusui swung his leg over to dismount. Xeno slid from the bike as well, his loafers hitting the dirt with a thud.

Before he left to converse with the crew, Ryusui flashed a grin over his shoulder. His voice dipped in sincerity, “You speak of Stanley the same way you do of Senku. You sound… kinder. It’s clear you’re fond of them both.” With a salute he turned and walked off without another word.

Xeno started with parted lips as Ryusui left him with those words. Wide eyes like blots of ink on a stark page.

His hands began to shake. His heart began to race. 

The thought had been eating its way out from the back of his mind like a parasite. Slowly it infected his psyche, consumed all his thoughts until it keeled over and rotted away inside his brain. If he didn’t do something about it soon he felt he might lose his mind in its entirety. 

Senku; someone he’s only just gotten to know personally. A beautiful man with a brilliant mind, who he fundamentally opposes yet can’t help but feel an affinity for unlike anyone else he’s ever known.

Or Stanley? The man he’s known for most of his life, who’s unwavering in his dedication to him. His first love… 

Why couldn’t he choose? No- Why was it even a choice! Of course he wanted-

…

He wanted to have his cake and eat it too.

Notes:

Xeno is such an interesting character to try to decipher. There's a whole lot of thoughts running through his head that he simply won't allow to be brought to the surface. Feeling guilty about the previous night, he is ruminating about a moment he had with Stan that he still regrets. It's quite revealing, but it's also important to remember that it had happened many years ago. Xeno can understand that he didn't act correctly and his way of dismissing Stan's feelings was not right. But then, there he goes trying to downplay his own part in what had happened the night before with Senku, trying not to think too much about how Stan would feel about it.

Just because he was unfaithful to Stan doesn't mean he loves him any less. But also, just because he is attracted to Senku doesn't mean he has feelings for him... right?

Either way, Xeno can just dismiss all of his terrible thoughts with one blanket statement 'It's because I'm truly evil.' Thinking of things in a black and white way are much simpler.

Chapter 9: How to Weigh the Possibilities

It's been 331,200 seconds since Senku had last spoken to Xeno. 

Not that he’d been counting or anything…

The past few days had followed the same routine, drive all day, camp at night, drive all day, camp at night. But tonight they had hit a roadblock, a pretty massive roadblock actually; The Andes Range. 

There was a ton of exciting things happening in the meantime. Like the team in Corn City getting the Medusa working! And Senku and co. were closing in on the origin point as they were soon approaching the Amazon Rainforest. Once they were in there it would provide a natural barrier protecting them from Stanley. 

“...That’s how we’ll win since their plane can’t attack or land there.” Senku plopped down by the fire, munching on his dinner- armadillo meat cooked to perfection thanks to Francois. Senku considered the taste and shrugged. It was better than lion. 

Looking up at the sky as he listened to his friends chat, this night provided no spectacle to Senku. Sparse stars poked through the haze of gray clouds and the crescent moon only managed to dimly light the land in a sterile glow.

Senku turned to the mountain range, colossal, sharp shadows so far away. In the darkness they moved- a trick of the eye- like they were encircling him. Coming closer and closer but never able to make any distance. 

The night in the stone world was a whole different level than what it used to be. No satellites blinking from space, no distant light polluting the skies from shining cities behind the horizon- like beacons of hope- an escape from the oppressive night. It brought up a feeling of overwhelming emptiness. The whole planet being so dark and silent.

So lonely…

But one day it won't be like that anymore. No. Senku’s gonna bring light to the whole world. There was just so much he needed to do first. 

Eyes feeling heavy, Senku returned his gaze to the crackling fire. It’s warmth and glow like a comforting hug on such a dull night. 

Senku pinched his eyes tight in an attempt to null the pounding behind his lids. Yawning, he stretched his legs out to get some blood flowing. He needed to wake up a bit. Tonight he had some work to do. It was easy work, but still work. Hopefully it won't take too long and Senku can get some rest. Well, rest kinda had a loose definition nowadays…

Feeling himself spacing out, Senku stood up to join the conversation in order to bring himself back down to Earth.

“Humans turning to stone meant a dip in global temps.” Chelsea danced around giddily, showing off her pro-geographer knowledge, much to the crowd’s amazement. “The icy Antarctic sea currents started flowing north.” she explained enthusiastically. 

Senku folded his arms, tapping his toe in the dirt as he pondered. Wait, that sounded like… Oh yeah! Suddenly invigorated, he perked up. Why didn’t he realize that already? 

Senku blurted, “It’s La Niña!!” 

Hold on- he didn’t shout that loud enough to echo, so why did he hear a second voice? 

“...” 

In horror Senku glanced at his fellow scientist out of the corner of his eye. 

Chelsea piped in, her lips curled in a cat-like smile, “Aw, you’re in sync again!” Xeno scowled at her and briskly walked off in the opposite direction. At the same time Senku spun around planting his ass right back down by the campfire. “In sync but not so much besties anymore- sheesh.”

Senku wanted to get back to the way he and Xeno were before- he really wanted to. But he didn’t know how. Yeah, Senku was crazy knowledgeable about a lot of stuff, but he never claimed to know everything. And this was a situation he’d never seen let alone been in. 

The geographer twirled back around and continued with her explanation of how the temperature of the ocean affects the climate of the land. Xeno put on a casual face, adding to the conversation by clarifying the concepts to those that were not getting it. 

Senku propped his elbow on his knee, resting his cheek on his palm as he watched the older scientist wave his hands around, explaining things to Chrome and Taiju. Xeno just couldn’t help himself when an opportunity to educate came up, could he? Senku saw it all over his face that he loved doing it. That stupid smirk he does, that cringey teacher voice…

Bringing his hands up to feel the warmth of the fire, Senku joined back into the conversation he was only half paying attention to, “Cold seawater also means less humidity and less rain.” He smiled, eyes fixed on one person despite addressing the group…

Realizing he was kinda starting like an idiot, Senku quickly turned back to the fire. Dammit, what the hell is he doing? 

He pouted, suppressing a groan. Senku glanced back behind his shoulder and caught Xeno’s eyes. They held each other's gaze for what felt like a minute, but really it was only a few milliseconds. 

The frequency of little looks he’d exchange with Xeno had definitely increased as the time they spent apart grew larger. Senku could tell he felt the same way as him- he could see it when he glanced into those dark eyes. 

He missed him. A ton actually. 

Anyway- Senku turned back around. He needed to get to work. 

Chelsea announced to the crew, “For this freaky mountain crossing route, we gotta play musical chairs!” The bike teams needed to be redone by weight. The brunette turned to the nearest person to her and bluntly asked, “Tell me, Luna. How much do you weigh?” 

Gen thought that was the worst possible thing anyone could ask a woman. 

Kohaku didn’t see the problem. 

Luna looked like she was about to have a heart attack, giving a ridiculously low number in response. 

Senku didn’t get it. Why did some people care so much about that? Weight is just a basic fact so what’s the point in lying about it? That’s why he can’t just take everyone's word for it- he needs hard data.

Craning to look around the fire, Senku addressed Ryusui and Ukyo for their aid in his plan, “Time to make a makeshift scale.” His friends nodded and stood- no hesitation. All three headed for the poor unfortunate bike they were gonna rob.

Moving a gas can out of the way, he gave access for Ukyo and Ryusui to remove the wheels from the back and the two swiftly rolled it out of the way. Ryusui brushed against Senku’s shoulder as he passed, speaking low into his ear, “Do you think this is something Xeno would like to get in on?” 

Senku raised an eyebrow. The mention of his mentor's name bringing a bit of life to his tired eyes. His lips parted to reply-

But Ryusui had already walked away before he could answer. 

Shrugging off the strange interaction, his attention was caught by the conversation continuing on in the background. Senku found himself liking how Chelsea didn’t care about skirting around the subject. She was even more blunt than him- it was impressive. Senku explained to Luna as he walked by, “We gotta balance the bikes by weight.” 

She stuttered an idea to Chelsea. Pink coming to her cheeks, Luna brought her hand up to play with her hair. “I have a feeling, Senku and I being on the same team would work out balance-wise…”

Heading over the back of another bike, Senku closed his eyes and considered the possibility. She was most likely a bit lighter than himself- the third person would need to be pretty heavy. If he fudged the numbers because her preferred combination was ‘close enough’ then things would quickly get out of whack. 

Well say, if there was a combination that put Xeno on the same team as himself. Xeno seemed about average weight so getting only a slightly heavier third could work out…

Chelsea jumped up into Luna’s personal space, bringing her hands up to hold her red face. “Oh, I get it, Senku’s the guy you’re crushing on, Luna!” 

Oh man, he’s starting to sound like Luna, isn’t he?  Hold on- what was that she said?

A… crush?

Senku shook his head, expelling the thought from his mind. He hooked his hands under the spare tire he was trying to lift from where it was secured. His arms began to quake as he pushed up. 

Taiju, spotting his struggle, rushed over to help. “I got you, Senku!” He removed the wheel, lifting it like it was nothing and plopped it on the ground.

Senku huffed a thanks, rolling it away to join the rest of the makeshift scale’s materials. 

Snappily, Senku bustled to get his plan in motion. Getting on his knees, he tied a pole to the tire- this was the pivot. Pushing it up to sit vertically, one end of the pole lowered to the floor, he attached a second tire horizontally to that end. With the weight off balance the other end was stuck in the air, so Senku put his weight on it and got it to the ground. 

“Shit-” It slipped from his grasp and flew back up, nearly smacking him in the face and other… sensitive areas. 

“S-Senku! Are you okay!?” Suika bounced over to his rescue. 

“Yeah…” He stood back up, hand on chest. That was pretty close. “Could you lift the other end up for me?” 

The girl jumped up. “Yeah, I’ll help!” She ran over and Senku pushed his end down to help her get under it. Suika rested it on her shoulders and gave him a thumbs up when she was ready. 

Fixing the tire to the pole, Senku gave a firm tug to the knot. And just like that the scale was complete. 

Brushing his knees off, the scientist stood and swiftly prepped two bags filled with water- each weighing 10 kg each. He figured that should be enough. “How about I weigh you first, Suika? As payment for your help.” Senku proposed as he tied the bag shut. “Get up on one end.” 

“Got it!” Suika hopped up, bursting with excitement as Senku loaded a bag on the other end. When he added the second one suddenly she was being lifted into the air. “Ah! It worked.” She beamed. 

“Is it fun?” The scale wobbled as Suika celebrated, waving her arms about. Not wanting her to fall over, Senku jumped up onto the axle tire to put some weight on it to hopefully add some stability. “It’s pretty much just a janky see-saw.” 

Preoccupied with trying to make the scale bounce, Suika wondered, “Have you told me what that is before or did I forget?” 

“It’s basically a big toy. Though it does have its practical uses.” Senku leaned back, putting weight opposite to Suika, she lifted even higher. Then he rocked forward, and she fell back to the ground with a thud.

“Woah!” Trying her best to hold onto the tire, Suika could barely contain her laughter, “That is fun…!” 

Senku grinned, continuing to shift his weight, lifting the girl up and down. He chuckled warmly, “Maybe I could make you one you can keep some day, what do you think?” 

“Oh, really? That’d be awesome- Ack…!” Suddenly she was startled. With wide eyes, Suika stared just behind Senku.

Quiet footsteps padded up from behind.“...Can I join you, Senku?” asked a baritone voice from the dark. 

Looking over his shoulder Senku made quite the similar expression to Suika, his lips twisted into a weary smirk. “What…? You want a turn on the see-saw, old man?” 

Xeno huffed, folding his arms petulantly. “No. Join you in measuring everyone’s height and weight.”

Senku held his breath, looking up at Xeno. Casually, he slipped from the tire to stand eye-level with his mentor. Senku cleared his throat, confidently crossing his arms over his chest. Now he was ready. “Heh- Sure. That'd be cool.” 

Xeno exhaled a laugh, a devilish smirk spreading on his lips. “Yes- ‘cool’- how astute.” He stepped up to Senku. Though he wasn’t that much taller he still loomed over him, “What do you need me to do, Senku?” 

Hands snapping to hips, Senku jerked his head to force himself to stare into Xeno’s eyes. C’mon- act normal! “You can fill the weights.” He curtly pointed behind his mentor, a large basin of water already prepared there. 

His face impossible to read, Xeno simply nodded and went to do what was asked of him. Senku watched him as he went off. His eyebrows furrowed in befuddlement- he was seriously not sure what to make of this right now. 

Suika frowned and slid off of the scale. “...Even you’re scared of Xeno now…”

“Nah, what makes you think that?” 

Getting next to her friend Suika took a timid hold onto his tunic skirt. She looked up at him with big earnest eyes. “It’s okay, Senku. You don’t have to act tough.”

Senku tilted his head to the side as he considered his feelings. He chuckled quietly, “Not scared just- Nervous. Xeno makes me crazy nervous…” He gave her a quick pat on the head to reassure her. “Can you help me with something else? Get my notebook from my bag so we can get started.” 

 Suika sprung right back up. “Sure thing!” Before she could finish speaking she had already rolled away. Senku tracked the clouds of dust she left in her wake, until she was gone from his sight. Continuing on, his eyes landed on Xeno. 

The older scientist was off to the side of the work area, hunched on a rock he attempted to kindle a fire.

The light from the small fire in the middle of the camp didn’t provide much visibility out here where Senku’d set up. And yeah- being able to see was kinda important. “Nice thinking, old man.” Senku started towards him. 

“I almost have it…” he grunted, bending closer to blow on the kindling. The embers brightened, shining red hot in the darkness. A poised hand flew to his side and between his claws pinched a bundle of dry twigs. With those he prodded the emerging fire until it ignited. Xeno brought the flame up to his face in wonder. In silence he studied the stick as it burned, turning to dust and smoke. Though before it could be fully consumed by the fire, he tossed it into the kindling, setting it alight with a whoosh in an instant. 

“There. How’s that?” Xeno turned to Senku proudly, a smirk on his lips.

Senku plopped down next to him, tossing at his feet a cube-shaped measuring cup. “You’re gonna need this. And I’m gonna need…” His tongue poked out from the corner of his mouth as he dug around in his back pouch. Once he retrieved what he was looking for he triumphantly held it up. “A tape measure!” 

Xeno chuckled, bringing his knees together as he straightened his back, “Am I supposed to be impressed?” 

“Don’t insult my tape measure.” Senku pulled out the tape and let it go, retracting back inside with a crisp snap. “This little guy’s pretty neat.”

“Oh, yes it is. I stole that from you to make that jacket of yours. I was actually surprised by how accurate you managed to make it.” 

Senku shrugged. “As long as I knew how tall I was I could kinda reverse engineer it. Right after reviving I made a new ruler based on my height- 171 cm. That way I knew I hadn’t grown at all since I’d last measured myself.” Stretching his foot over he nudged the measuring cube closer in his fellow scientist’s direction. “And a cube of water 10 cm in each direction is exactly one kilogram. That’s pretty handy to have, right?” 

“Indeed.” Xeno picked it up, examining the craftsmanship. “Did you just make this?” 

“I had Kaseki throw it together earlier.” Senku reached back into his tool belt and pulled the rest of the bags to use for the weights. He tapped the roll against his palm idly and huffed out a laugh, “Heh- Sorry this isn’t all that challenging to the mind- or whatever…”

Xeno hummed softly from beside him, “Oh, that doesn’t matter, Senku…” With a smile he craned to speak into Senku’s ear, his voice as warm as the crackling fire before them, “No matter how trivial, you always manage to enthrall me- that is- in the task…” 

His gaze stuck forward, Senku's lips parted… but he had nothing. Xeno had already said everything that needed to be. 

Approaching the two swiftly came a squeaky shout, “Senku!” Suika returned, bouncing up to him. She handed Senku the pen and notebook he’d asked for. “Here you go!” 

Senku took the materials with a smile, “What took you so long?” 

“Your bag’s a mess! It took me forever to dig through it.” she pouted, glaring up at her friend as he stood. The two made their way back to the work area, the fire’s light now giving off a pleasant amount of light to the surroundings. 

Planting his feet firmly in front of the scale, Senku tapped the pen to his chin. A grin spread on his lips. Putting on a sarcastically stern voice, he guided Suika back to the tire seat, “Alright then, let’s weigh you properly this time. Get up there.” She giggled at him and jumped back up. ”And no messing around…!” he said with a finger wag. Stepping back he watched for the scale to balance out.

Squatting to look at it eye-level, Senku could see Suika was slightly heavier than the two bags, equaling a total of 20 kg. 

Suddenly feeling flingers slide across his shoulder blades, Senku flinched. Xeno dangled a 1 kg bag above his head. “Try this.” He grinned down, his front shrouded in shadow. He waited patiently for his fellow scientist to take it.

Senku stared up, his ruby eyes catching the faint moonlight. Reaching a hand out to grab the weight- Xeno instead placed it into his hand for him. His claws delicately scraping the surface of his knuckles, he left the nerves brushed tingling. 

Senku hissed in a whisper, “You think this is funny, don’t you?” 

Xeno stepped back. Head tilted, a plain pout on his lips. “What’s funny?” he asked innocently. 

Shaking his head, the young man stood and tossed the weight onto the scale. Now it was perfectly balanced. He turned to Suika. “You’re 21 kg, kid.” Pulling the measuring tape from his belt, Senku gestured to the girl to come over to get her height checked. 

Suika stepped in front of him, standing tall as he unrolled the tape. “Is that good?” 

“Huh?” Senku arched an eyebrow at her. “What do you mean is it good? It’s just your weight- it’s not good or bad.” 

Xeno hummed from behind him, “Why are you getting height as well, Senku? It’s not necessary information.” 

Senku placed his hand flat on Suika’s head and noted the number. “Might as well while we’re at it.” He looked at him, his mentor's puzzled expression. “Good to keep track of these things to make sure we’re staying healthy.” Releasing the tape it rolled back up snappily. 

“Oh!” Suika tapped her chin. “Am I healthy?” 

Senku murmured as he jotted in his notes, “119 cm and 21 kg…” He chuckled mischievously, “Yeah, you’re healthy. Just short for your age.” 

“Hey!” Suika stuck her tongue out at him. 

Placing his notebook under his arm, Senku returned a teasing grin. “Could you go find us our next volunteer, Suika?” 

She pumped her fist. “Yeah, I can do that!” Suika spun and skipped off in the direction of the rest of the crew. 

It didn’t take too long to get through everyone. Senku would measure them, then one by one they’d get on the scale. Xeno would load the weights until the scale was balanced and Senku would write in the information, sending them on their way after. It was an efficient system- Xeno and Senku easily fell into a dynamic rhythm. 

By the end of it Senku pretty much forgot all about that awkwardness he had about Xeno. The only part of it that remained in his mind was just the fact that it had occurred in the first place. 

He’d like to be able to keep it that way this time.

Senku smiled, feeling Xeno’s presence return to his side. “All right Luna, you’re good.” he said as he marked down her weight.

Luna hopped off of the scale like it was scalding hot. “Ah- Um- How much…?” she asked nervously, dragging her feet on the way over to the two scientists.

Senku mulled over what he should say. He had a feeling he shouldn’t tell her otherwise she’d obsess over the number. He did have an idea, but man did he not like it. It was ten billion percent sure to work though…

“You’re the… ideal weight…!” Senku flashed a pretty smile, batting his eyelashes at her. “Healthy, I like to see it!” 

Luna stared at him in disbelief. “...Really?!” Then suddenly she ignited into a blush. She gushed, fanning her hand at him, “Oh you’re just saying that…” 

Senku gave her a thumbs up, putting on the sparkle. “Amazing~” 

She gasped and brought her hands up to gaping mouth. Luna squealed, “Oh my gosh…!!” With quivering legs she ran off, unable to face her crush any longer.

“What was that?” Xeno mumbled through a smirk. 

Senku shrugged. “If it works, don’t question it…”

Leaning in, Xeno braced his hand on Senku’s waist. “55 kilograms is what she was so concerned about?” They looked at each other wryly, sharing in their confusion.

Senku turned his attention back to the page and scanned down the list. It was almost completely filled out, save for two. “That just leaves us, Xeno.” He nodded to himself as tapped the pen against the notebook. “Who’s going first-”

The book was suddenly yanked from his hands without warning. 

Xeno put it aside and slipped in front of Senku. “You’ll want to take this off, it’s bulky.” Delicate hands slid down the front of his chest and slowly unlatched the clasps of the moto jacket, each opening with a quiet click. 

“Uh, yeah.” Senku stayed still, letting Xeno slide it off for him. “Thanks…”

Throwing the jacket off to the side onto a nearby rock, Xeno spoke fast as if he was in a rush, though his movements showed he was in no hurry, “You already know how tall you are, but it doesn’t hurt to double check, yes?” He reached down to pluck the measuring tape from Senku’s toolbelt then slid behind him with an air of grace. 

Crouching down with an audible pop from his knees, Xeno placed the lip of the tape measure under his heel. With a finger pointed out to steady, he slowly unrolled the tape. His claw slid up Senku’s bare leg, upward over the contour of his thigh, the bump of his hip and over every ridge of his ribcage. 

Senku shivered, trying not to squirm from the sensitive touch. Cold metal trailed all the way up to scrape up the side of his neck, over the hairs that stood up on the back of it and finally finished its journey at the top of his scalp.

Xeno danced back around and brushed his free hand over Senku’s forehead, moving his hair back to see the number. “171 centimeters- 5’7”. You’ve stayed quite consistent.” He let the tape retract with a tiny smirk on his lips and handed it over. “Here. Do me.”

Senku took a deep breath and composed himself. Xeno’s just gonna move on like he has no idea what he's doing… Chuckling at his own reaction, Senku got behind his mentor and extended the tape measure up his back. “Any guesses?” 

“Six foot even.” he asserted.

Senku squished Xeno’s pompadour flat and craned to see the number. “Yeah you’re six foot… with those heels on.” He grinned, retracting the tape 3 cm. “You're 5’10”, old man.” 

“You punk-” His hair sprung back up as Senku removed his hand.

Walking back around him, Senku snickered, “What? Don’t tell me you care about some nice sounding number?” He gave him a teasing punch to the arm. 

Rolling his eyes, Xeno sighed theatrically, “Humor me, sweetheart…” 

Senku rolled his eyes too. Man was that nick-name cringey. He could almost die from embarrassment just hearing it, let alone being called it. Senku turned away in a weak attempt to hide his flustered expression. 

But if Xeno called him that again then that must mean… He glanced at the older man out of the corner of his eye. “Heh… Stop doing that, it’s gross.” 

Xeno cocked his head. “Doing what?” 

“Don’t play dumb, old man- I know you’re not an idiot.” 

He shrugged, palms to the sky. “I really don’t have any idea what you’re talking about, I assure you.”

Senku crossed his arms and turned his nose up. “And don’t act like I’m an idiot either.” 

Xeno mirrored his stance and leaned in. “Tell me then.” His dark prodding eyes absorbed what little light surrounded them, trapping Senku in with his gaze. “What happened to using your words? I liked that about you…” He purred, the corners of his lips curling into a slick grin.

“You’re flirting with me.” Senku blurted. 

Snapping back, Xeno exclaimed amusedly, “Flirting?” he scoffed, “Now, why would I do that?”

Senku shook his head, green locks tousling in the wind. “Well, it’s either that or you’re plotting something. But I’m trying to give you the benefit of the doubt.” he grumbled. Xeno closed his eyes, nodding to himself. Bringing his hand up to cover his mouth, eyebrows creased as he held back a laugh. Senku’s lips twisted into a pout. “...What’s so funny?” 

With a wave of his hand, a grin spread on Xeno’s face. Eyes darting to the side, the older man leaned in and whispered, “Yes. I was flirting, Senku. Is that okay with you?” 

And just like that Senku’s heart was in his ears and he was spinning. If he had to describe it he’d say it felt like he was gonna throw up but in a… good way? How weird. This strange way that only his mentor could make him feel- Senku wanted to figure it out. 

Experiencing something new, learning all about it, that’s just the kinda thing that got him excited. 

Senku grinned like an idiot, briefly rolling his eyes before they fluttered shut. “I mean…” He let out a breathy laugh. “Just don’t do it in front of anyone, okay?” 

“Naturally. I’m with you on that, sweetheart…” Xeno cooed.

Senku shook his head. Laughing to himself he began walking in the direction of the scale. “Seriously, don’t call me that. You sound like a creep.” 

Xeno followed behind, the train of his coat catching in the wind. “Too late. It’s already stuck, I’m afraid.” 

Senku scoffed, “Ugh. Gross.”  He stopped his pace to face him with a wry smirk, “...Not in front of anyone…” he reiterated. Xeno caught up to him and they continued walking side by side. 

“That’s not fair. You use your pet name for me with reckless disregard.” 

“Huh? What the hell are you talking about, old man?” Senku questioned as he sat onto the tire seat, swaying up and down as the scale adjusted to his weight. 

Xeno blinked down at him, lips pressed in a flat line. “Yes, whatever could I be talking about?” he deadpanned. From the ground he scooped up a few 2 kg bags without putting much thought into it. There was currently 55 kg left there and Senku was just heavier than it. Xeno tossed them casually and watched as the scale evened out. He turned to Senku, looking quite impressed with himself. “61 kg. First try. I’ve gotten pretty good at weighing. Too bad it’s not a very practical ability.” 

Senku pushed off of the seat, clearing it as it flung violently back into the air. “You wanna give another guess? You might have a chance at getting it right this time.” he snickered. 

Shutting his eyes, Xeno held his fingers up to his forehead as he thought. “Well, the last time I weighed myself on a proper scale I was… 63 kg.”

“Really?”

Xeno squinted an eye open. “But I’ve certainly gained weight with the change to a more carnivorous diet in this stone world as well as an increase in general everyday physical activity.” He hummed- the gears were certainly turning. “The healthy range of weight for a 5‘10” male would be 130 lbs to 175 lbs. And my weight gain would certainly be attributed to muscle instead of fat. I’m not leaning towards being either over or underweight- I most likely fall somewhere in the middle. My estimate would be between 68 to 70 kg.”

“Get on. We’ll see if you're right.” 

Xeno shook his head, his face scrunching up as he suspiciously eyed the unsteady contraption in front of him. “I don’t know about that…” 

“What? Are you worried you’re gonna break a hip? Or are you that confident in your answer?” 

“Of course.” He turned to his fellow scientist curtly. “How about 69? Would you agree on that?” 

“...Do you even hear yourself, old man?” Senku mumbled under his breath. He yawned and swiftly turned around. “Sure, let’s go with that.” Leaving the dull shadows of the outskirts of the camp, Senku headed to the comforting glow of the campfire.

Begrudgingly, Xeno followed after. “Shall we divide the teams now?” He called to him.

Looking over his shoulder at his mentor as he came up, the fire brought a pleasant softness to Senku’s features. “Can we do it in the morning?” He stretched his arms high above his head. Then made himself comfortable on the ground, hands fell into his lap, his shoulders slumped.

Xeno shifted in place, his gaze landing just past him. He breathed a heavy sigh. “Are you sleeping out here?” 

 He stared up at him, soft eyes persuading him to join him. “Why not? It’s kinda cozy.”

“...This will only take a few minutes at most.” Xeno stated. He scanned the area and swiped Senku’s notebook from the rock it had been discarded on. Sitting down promptly he flipped it open, humming as he read it over. “Oh yes, the boiler needs to be taken into account as well… It’s 130 kg so there isn’t any option but to place the two lightest people with it.” 

Senku leaned in. “Nah, they all need to add up to roughly 200 kg. If we did Suika and Chelsea it’d be 9 kg short.” He trailed his finger down the list until he came across someone who was a better fit. “Francois is 50 kg. Francois and Suika- they’re a good pair.” 

“So…” Xeno jotted it down onto the opposite page. “Francois, Suika, Boiler… 201 kg total. ” 

Senku scooched even closer, pressing his shoulder to his mentors. A coy smile came to him. “Most of us are pretty light. But we’ve got a few that are pretty heavy. I think we should start with the heaviest and work around them…” 

“Right.” He drummed the pen against the page in thought. “In descending order; Tsukasa, 99 kg, Taiju, 95 kg, Hyoga, 81 kg, Ryusui, 78 kg, and Carlos at 72 kg.”

A harsh gust of wind blew over the mountains, whipping the flames up into a flurry. Senku felt the chilly mountain air waft through and pulled his legs up, hugging his arms to his chest. “Perfect. Five people for the five teams left.” It was definitely colder at such a high altitude, especially at night. The fire crackled quietly, radiating fuzzy heat onto his rosy cheeks. Senku closed his eyes, grin tugging on his lips.

This felt pretty nice. The fire was nice and warm…

And so was Xeno.

Senku curled closer to his mentor, resting his cheek against his shoulder. He felt the low vibration coming from within him as the older man chuckled to himself, “This is elementary level math.” Xeno’s gaze trained on the data in front of him, the pen flew across the page as he divided the teams, calculating the optimal combinations in his mind with ease. “How’s this?” He held the book up to Senku once he was through. 

“Hm. Looks good.”

Xeno exhaled a laugh, “Senku…” he said, a smile in his voice, “You need to open your eyes to read it.”

“Don’t feel like it…” Senku mumbled already half-asleep. 

Trying his best not to disturb him, Xeno stretched to reach over. Retrieving the moto jacket from where it lay nearby, he dusted it out as delicately as he could manage. 

Cherry eyes blinked open, idly entranced by the dancing flames. “...Can you stay out here with me?” 

Draping the article over Senku’s thin frame, Xeno returned his hands to stiffly his sides. A hesitant smile on his thin lips, he answered, “Until you fall asleep.” 

Senku snuggled up to him. Running his palm over his broad chest, his hand slipped beneath Xeno’s dark coat to rest against his heart.“...I just…” With only the thin layer of his ivory dress shirt in the way, Senku’s chilled fingers were warmed by his body heat. “I don’t want you to leave yet.”

From against his chest, Senku could feel Xeno hold his breath. 

Xeno drummed his claws against the dirt, looking off to the shadowy mountains. A minute of silence falling upon him, the Earth seemed to still as he contemplated. “Is that all you want from me?” he asked quietly. “To stay?” 

A slight crease formed between Senku’s brows. Maybe he was just tired, but he didn’t really understand what he meant. “I don’t know what the hell I want.” Soothed by the rise and fall of Xeno’s chest, he felt himself slipping. He stared blurrily as Xeno removed his hand from his heart and threaded their fingers together. He frowned. “...No I do but, I don’t know the right words.” 

“You said it was a mistake-” Xeno blurted. “The other night, that is…” He spoke flat and matter-of-fact, “You said it was nothing.” 

“No, I-” Senku shook his head, cheek nuzzling against his mentor’s chest. “I didn’t want you to get the wrong idea about me…” he trailed off. Senku squeezed Xeno’s hand, his voice falling to a whisper, “I didn’t mean for it to go that far.” 

Lips parted audibly, then closed. Xeno took a sharp breath, throwing his head back to look into the sky- as if the stars would spell out what to say. Shaking his head regretfully, the heavens gave him no answer as he was certain he was looking in the wrong direction. 

“I just… wanna spend time with you.” Senku smiled bittersweet. “...But I don’t know why I do.”

Xeno felt a tightness in his chest, his heart thumping loud from within his ribcage like it was desperately trying to escape. “...Why’s that?”

Bringing Xeno’s gloved hand up to his face, Senku swallowed his hesitation and answered, “Because it’s you, Xeno.” 

He pressed the cold leather against his cheek, hoping that if he held it there for long enough he’d eventually feel the warmth of his skin beneath it. 

Notes:

Xeno seems a bit too- normal- about all this, doesn't he? He really is having a good time with Senku, but he's putting up a front- presenting himself as if he's not going through any inner turmoil about the whole situation.

And Senku- he's...

Well, he has no idea what he's feeling.

Behind the scenes Ruysui and Senku have spoken about Xeno as well as Senku's feeling towards him BUT Senku being himself- has not really been all that clear about exactly what is going on because he isn't quite sure himself. So Ryusui has kinda gone off to figure it out for himself lol. What does he know? He's not telling. I think he'll leave Senku to figure it out on his own.

As always, thanks for all your comments and kudos <3

Chapter 10: How to Find What You’re Searching For

Ryusui revved the bike, its tires spinning violently, kicking up a plume of dirt and dust. It was practically a vertical incline they were trying to go up. “Senku, get up here and drive, I’d be more useful pushing!” he shouted.

“No keep going, It’ll slip if you let off the gas…!” Senku huffed, trying desperately not to let the bike slip from his sweaty grasp. 

Ryusui floored it and the bike lurched forward, but not enough.

Chrome pushed with all he had. “Oh shihhht!!!” 

“Don’t hurt yourself!” Senku yelled from the other side. 

Suddenly the tires caught some stable terrain and the bike flew ahead, leaving Senku and Chrome in the dust. 

Shouting over his shoulder as he steered the bike onto the flat ground atop the cliff, Ryusui beamed, “Hah hah! Look, Senku!” 

With a weary hand, Senku hoisted himself up to get a peek. Sweat falling into his eye, he whipped it away with his sleeve. He could only gasp, unable to get a word in between heavy breaths. 

There it was, stretching past the horizon, acres and acres of forest. Bushy green leaves carpeting the land, slithering rivers weaving between jagged mountains jutting up from the Earth. 

The Amazon Rainforest. 

Chrome vaulted up onto the cliff, his eyes wide and shining as he took in the sight before him. “Yes!” he panted. “Finally our chance to leave them in our tracks!”

Once over the hurdle of the mountains, the bikes glided effortlessly through the shallow rushing rivers of The Amazon and tore over the muddy lands. Miles and miles of trees and vines, exotic animals and plants passed by them. They weren't moving as fast as they had been over the flat desert but they’d made a decent amount of distance by the time they stopped to set up camp. 

Three pairs of rubber boots sloshed through the mud. 

“So, what are we looking for exactly, Senku?” Kohaku asked, putting her hand up to block the afternoon sun as she scanned the surrounding area. 

Senku readjusted his grip on his bag strap with his free hand, the other one holding up his tunic skirt. “Mangos. They grow on trees in large bunches and are typically a reddish orange color.” He grunted, pulling his leg from where it got stuck in the suction of the mud. “Nice and bright- you’d be able to spot it even without your ridiculously good eyesight.” 

Suika stuck her arms out to her side to balance as she stepped. “Have you had them before? Are they tasty?” 

“Ooh yeah they’re good.” Senku grinned. “It’s been awhile since I’ve had them fresh. Never had one straight off the tree though.We wanna grab as much as we can carry to give to Francois.” 

“Yeah! I know Francois’ gonna make something good.!” Suika was already imagining what sorts of new deserts she was going to try. “Any other cool foods out here?” 

“Pretty much any of the tropical fruits we didn’t have access to before; pineapples, bananas, acai…” Senku looked off, listening closely to the soothing sound of the forest- birds chirping, distant cries and croaks. “Probably not right now since we're kinda on a time limit, but we should definitely collect some to preserve for when we get head back overseas.” 

Kohaku turned to look at her two friends over her shoulder. “We could take their seeds and plant them in Japan, then we won’t need to come all the way here for more.” 

Senku picked at his ear. “They’re tropical fruits- they only grow in tropical climates.” 

Kohaku huffed. “Well maybe you should explain what ‘tropical’ means before you start getting all-” 

“Right, you’ve got no reason to know that word.” Wiping the sweat from the back of his neck, Senku nodded an apology and explained, “Tropical climates are basically humid and hot areas near the equator. These plants need lots of sun and water to thrive.” 

The blonde cocked her head quizzically. “So if mangoes can’t grow in Japan, then how have you had fresh ones before?” 

“Some do grow- a species grown in the far south- the miyazaki mango, but they were more of a luxury fruit- grown under heavy human supervision. Not sure how they fared without us.” Senku shrugged. “I never got to try them though.”

Raising an eyebrow, Kohaku asked, “That didn't answer my question. Which one’s have you had then?” 

“Ones grown in places like this. They get imported out across the globe. When I say fresh I mean non-processed." 

“Processed into what?” 

“Juice or pre-cut. Stuff like that.” 

“Pre-cut? You’d have other people cut your fruit for you?” 

Senku put his hand up, a single extended finger telling her to stop. “You’re going on one of your question spirals again, lioness.” 

She grumbled to herself, “Tease me for not knowing enough, then tease me for wanting to know too much…”

Suika huffed, crossing her arms. “Yeah, Senku. That’s so not you! Don’t you want us to learn?” 

“The last time I let it go on we started from sushi to time travel theories.” Senku slumped, causing his oversized pack to begin to slip from his shoulder. “Crap-” He fumbled to save it from falling into the water. Just then his foot caught on a vine hidden beneath the surface.

Whipping her head around from her position up front, Kohaku leaped over to take hold of his arm as he nearly toppled over. She shook her head disapprovingly. “Senku, stop trying to push yourself past your limit- who are you trying to impress?” 

“This is my stuff, I should be the one to carry it.” He shrugged the strap back on.

“Hah! Alright then.” Kohaku let go and set her hands on her hips. 

Senku swayed, the water seemed to be rising- no- he was falling. 

But before the muddy waters swallowed him up, Senku suddenly found himself suspended in the air, held under his arms by no other than the lioness herself. “Put me down!” Senku swung his legs in an attempt to escape. 

Suika covered her mouth to restrain her amused giggles. 

“If you want to carry all that stuff then I guess I’ll just have to carry you!” With a huff, Kohaku began marching through the water, the squirming man in her arms held high. 

Suika straightened out. Putting her hand to her brow and scanning the area. “I’ll scout out for the mangoes, Kohaku! You keep an eye on Senku, make sure he doesn’t escape.” She skipped ahead, puddles splashing under her boots.

With a heavy sigh of defeat, Senku ceased his struggle- much like a lion cub being dragged by the scruff. “I give up, c’mon…” 

Suika stuck an accusatory finger at him. “Don’t listen to him, he’s trying to trick you!” 

“Yeah, Senku. The second I put my guard down, that docile act will drop won't it?” 

Head swiveling every which way to find her target, Suika spotted something that matched the description way up ahead. “O-Over there! I think I see the mangoes!” 

Senku strained to look over his shoulder, Kohaku peeked out from behind him. 

Turning back, Senku looked down at his freakishly strong friend, highly unamused. “We made it. You can’t put me down now.” 

Kohaku returned her own glare. “Admit you couldn’t carry all that stuff and I will.” 

Senku groaned. “I was perfectly capable of carrying this much, I practically made it the whole way here no issue-” 

Stepping out of the water, Kohaku planted her feet firmly on the dirt. “I guess you’re staying in the air then…” 

Suika craned her neck to look all the way up the tall tree. At the top lay bunches upon bunches of juicy looking orange fruits. Without a second thought, she located the nearest low branch and grappled up it. 

Kohaku hadn't noticed the girl making her way up the tree until she was already well up it. Her cat-like grin fell to sudden shock. “Suika! What are you doing up there?!” Releasing her grip to follow after the girl, she dropped Senku down. The scientist landed hard on his behind on the damp forest floor. 

“How else am I going to get them?” Suika called down. Reaching up, she took hold of it and twisted it off of the leaf. “They look so good!” she squeaked in excitement.

Brushing himself off, Senku retrieved his basket and held it out under the tree. “Be careful, okay?” he shouted back. 

“I will!” Dropping the mango down it landed with a thud into the woven basket. “There’s one- more to come!” 

Hopping up the mango tree with swift precision, Kohaku effortlessly cleared a branch of its produce. Senku struggled to catch them, dashing from falling fruit to fruit as they fell upon him. 

In no time at all, the mangoes piled high. Hanging down from a branch, Kohaku swung playfully as she called down to Senku, “Is that enough?” 

Senku yanked the basket up onto his back by its attached straps, a stray mango rolling from the top of the mound. “Should be good.” He smiled up at her. 

Kohaku let go with one hand to hold her skirt in place. “Senku, don’t look. That’s rude…!” 

“You should know already I’m ten billion percent not looking there…” With a roll of his eyes, Senku brought his gaze back to the trunk of the tree anyway. “It’d be worse if I was up there. At least you’re wearing something underneath…” he chuckled. 

“Eww!” Suika shook her head in disgust.

“Uhg, what’s with you men and sharing disgusting things about yourselves…!”

Senku put a finger to his chin and tilted his head cutely as if he was pondering the answer. “It’s funny.” he snickered.

Kohaku sighed in defeat and hopped down the branch below her. Balancing on the beam, she made her way to the base of the tree and took hold of a twig to get down to the next level. “Need help getting down, Suika?” she asked the girl as she passed her. 

Suika gave a thumbs up. “Nope, I got it.” 

From the ground, Senku noticed the land suddenly darken. He glanced up- through the window of the canopy thick rain clouds were accumulating. The Amazon Rainforest typically gets around 1,500 mm to 3,000 mm of rainfall a year so it was no surprise. 

But then again- La Nina. Despite bringing drought conditions outside of The Amazon, it actually brings wetter conditions to the rainforest. “Huh. I didn’t think of that.” 

Kohaku leaped down to the ground with a grunt. “Think of what?” 

He turned to her. “It’s gonna rain a teeny bit more than what I was prepared for.” 

And just like that the sounds of the first of the raindrops hitting the leaves on the tree tops pattered. Then they fell through the canopy splattering on the low-lying plants and dirt. 

“Hah! We finished right on time then.” Kohaku shouted up to Suika. “Let’s head back!”

Suika stood to jump, just one branch to go.

Then with little warning, the clouds released a powerful cascade upon them, the sound of the pelting water defining. 

“Woah!” The bark rapidly became slick, Suika’s rubber boots slipped as she propelled herself from the tree. Turning into more of a fall instead of a hop. 

Squinting as the rain blew over and the fog clouding the forest floor grew dense, Kohaku managed to lock onto Suika and outstretch her hands. “Suika…!” She landed safely into her arms. Holding her there, Kohaku turned to Senku. “Can we get out of this? Is it safe?” 

“This’ll probably cause some flooding but the issue is visibility.” he shouted over the shower. Senku wiped the rain out of his eyes as the downpour intensified, the speed and thickness of the water drops making it difficult to see even one meter in front of him. “We gotta wait this out, there’s no way we can navigate like this.” 

Suika pulled her poncho up to shield herself and Kohaku to little avail. “I-I’ve never seen this much rain before!”

At the base of the mango tree Senku had left his pack. Man, was glad he hadn't decided to leave it at camp. Opening it up, Senku dug around for his hammock. A simple one meant to be hung between two close trees and a tarp covering. “This is what people who camped in the Amazon would sleep in. Keeps you off the ground away from the bugs and the tarp protects from the elements." Pulling it out, he quickly unrolled it. Kohaku put Suika down to help. 

Each taking one strap, they secured it to the two adjacent mango trees. Next out the bag came the rain fly, with clips on either end it easily attached to the straps. “Suika, take the string and tie it to a heavy stick or rock to keep it down.” Senku directed her attention to the long end of the tarp with said rope attached. 

Quickly she scooped the string up into her hands, locating a decent sized log that looked like it could do the trick. Dragging it closer, she expertly tied a knot and adjusted the distance to pull the rain fly taught. 

And with that there was suitable coverage from the downpour. Suika hopped beneath it, shaking herself off, very happy to be out of the rain. 

Senku unrolled the folded up hammock and handed one end to Kohaku and they both brought to the secured straps. Suika stepped back out of the way as the hammock spread. With two clicks, the clips were in place and it was ready. 

“Wow, that was super quick!” Suika cheered, already beginning to clamber in. 

“Supposed to be. I made these in case we didn’t have time to set up the huts at night.”

Ducking under the tarp, Kohaku wrung her ponytail out. She turned to Senku as he entered as well. “Are we all going to fit in there?” 

Senku dragged the freshly picked mangoes and his backpack with him, then lifted the end of his skirt and squeezed the water out of it. “It can fit two- Suika’s tiny so it should be alright.” 

“Hah! Fits two? Who were you planning on sleeping with?” 

Senku scratched his nose. “Xeno.” He was met with silence and judgmental stares. “What? Name someone else who’d bunk with him…” 

“I’m not as weary of him as I was at the start of all this, but I certainly wouldn’t sleep with him.” 

“You sleep with a knife in your hand- that old man wouldn’t stand a chance against a lioness such as yourself.” Senku placed his hands on his hips. “You don’t let your guard down around anyone.” 

Suika piped in, “Yeah she does…!” Her finger waved between herself and her scientist friend. “Us two!”

Kohaku folded her arms and huffed, but she didn’t deny it. 

Joining the girl in the hammock, Senku kept one foot on the ground to keep it steady as Kohaku climbed in as well. Senku leaned back, positioning himself to sit. “It’s a little snug.” he chuckled, watching as Kohaku attempted to do the same next to him, her eyebrows pinched tight as she wobbled, bracing herself on the suspended material. 

Sitting between them, Suika looked back and forth between her two friends. “How long are we gonna have to wait?” 

“Dunno.” Reaching down, Senku plucked a mango from the basket. Extending it out from underneath the tarp to wash it in the downpour. He ran his palm over the slick surface to clean it. He handed that one off to Suika and repeated the process again and gave it to Kohaku. 

He smirked and grabbed one for himself. Tossing it up and down, Senku mulled on its appearance. “These ones are a bit larger than the ones you typically get at the market, but other than that they don’t seem to have changed much.” Washing it off quickly, he brought it to his lips. “Wonder if they taste the same…”

Kohaku brought the fruit to her mouth, the skin cold on her lips. Biting down with little resistance a juicy, tart yet sweet taste landed on her tongue. “Hm! It’s delicious…!” she exclaimed, her mouth full. 

Suika shared in her sentiment, “So tasty!” She smiled, whipping the juice from her chin. 

The moment the flavor hit him, Senku’s face scrunched up. “Sour…” He closed his eyes and considered it. “But kinda in a good way.”

Kohaku nodded, scarfing it down. “Mm, definitely worth the hassle." 

The three of them finished up their fruits in no time, now lounging back in full satisfaction. 

Senku sighed watching as the rain continued to pour relentlessly with no signs of letting up. His feet dangling from the edge of the hammock he kicked them lazily, rocking it gently. 

Suika had taken her helmet off, deciding a nap could help the time pass. She snored softly against Kohaku’s chest as the woman softly soothed her hair. 

His gaze returned to the two girls and Senku smiled. He laughed quietly at his friend's seldom-seen gentle disposition. “She’s a lucky kid.” 

“Hm?” Kohaku brought her attention to him, tilting her head. “Why do you say that?”

“When I was her age I would’ve been pretty stoked to be traveling the world with a ton of friends.” His eyes darted away, wry grin on his lips. “Sans the whole benign hunted down part…” 

Kohaku hummed in agreement, her sapphire eyes falling back to the snoozing Suika. “You’ve mentioned traveling before when you were younger. You didn’t go with friends?” she asked. 

Shaking his head, Senku stopped swinging his legs. “Nah. Just by myself. Once I did try to get the guys from the science club to join me on a trip to the north but-” He slid further down to lay, his dangling feet touching the dirt. “They flaked on me. They all said they’d come, but when it came time to go they all had their own excuses as to why they couldn’t.” 

Kohaku’s eyebrows shot right up. “What? Those jerks…” She was offended on Senku's behalf. “So what’d you do?” 

Senku shrugged. “Nothing. At the time I believed them, but only because I wanted to believe they were actually my friends more… heh-” 

Kohaku’s hand fell from Suika’s head onto her side as the girl rolled over onto her back. “At least you had Taiju and Yuzuriha. And you still have them even after all these years.” 

“Yeah I do. But as rude as it sounds, at the time…” He chuckled,  “I wanted smart friends.” 

“I’m sure they wouldn’t be that mad now, Senku." Kohaku gave him a reassuring smile. "You were still a kid. And in the end your friendship was the one that lasted millennia.” 

Suika rolled over again, this time she latched onto Senku’s arm. He rolled his eyes in mock annoyance and both him and Kohaku shared in a moment silent amusement. 

“I’m surprised I even managed to get them to be my friends. A lot of the time when I was a kid I tended to give people the impression I wanted them to leave me alone.” Senku brought his free hand up to give Suika a pat on the head. His lips spread into a wry smirk. “No matter how much I tried, the words that came out of my mouth were always the exact opposite of what I meant to say…" 

“You’re still like that sometimes.” Kohaku huffed a quiet laugh. Then she smiled at him. “But only sometimes.” she said softly.

“You think so?” Senku shook his head. “I honestly don’t think I’ve gotten any better at that kinda stuff.” The sound of deep thunder rolled over the forest as the rain poured static just outside. 

Kohaku turned to lay on her side, reaching out to put her arm around the sleeping girl though, her arm extended far enough to fit Senku under it as well. “Well at least you’re talking about your feelings now.” She looked up at him with a smile. “Could you imagine yourself having a conversation like this when you were younger. Or even just a year or two ago?” 

Senku’s rosy eyes softened. He closed them, but there was nothing that he could do to contain his grin. He conceded, “Nope.” 

“I’d call that improvement.” 

The storm went on for a little while longer. Senku didn’t mind getting a break to relax with his friends. There haven’t been many opportunities for these quiet moments as of late and there certainly wouldn’t be many in the near future. He wouldn’t say he’d wish it would last forever but… he certainly didn’t mind the time he did get with Kohaku and Suika. 

Eventually the rain lightened up enough to travel and they packed up to make their ways through puddles and fog back to camp. 

The forest basked in misty fog, three familiar figures emerged from the trees into the clearing. Clothes and hair still wet from the rain, Kohaku’s eyes darted with precision onto the relentless mosquitoes encircling her and swatted them swiftly. Suika had retreated into her helmet to escape the bugs and Senku smacked one sucking on the back of his neck, looking worn out and weary.

The crew had been able to save a few logs from the downpour and had started a decently sized campfire. Though the smoke helped a little bit, the moisture in the air was still attracting a massive amount of those bloodsucking nuisances- so they weren't much better off. 

Xeno was sat by the fire. He squeezed his eyes tight as the wind blew the smoke directly into his face. Coughing, he fanned it away and moved out of its noxious path. 

The fumes clearing from his eyes, Xeno opened them to see the new arrivals just as they got settled back in. Senku sat by the flames, sighing as the warmth hit his damp clothing. He closed his heavy eyes and lounged back to let his clothes dry. 

Senku didn’t acknowledge Xeno’s presence beside him- hadn’t so much as shot him a glance. Yet he’d still come right to his side like always. 

Xeno put his hands on his hips, idly watching Senku bask in the fire's heat- the young man’s face content and peaceful. 

Lately things between Senku and him have been… business as usual, really.

The past few days hadn't been all that interesting. The most drama that Xeno was involved in was the crew being cautious of pairing him with the wrong person when they needed to cross a ravine in the mountains. That impressive little ropeway Senku had constructed had a weight limit. And as the math went, he ended up riding with Hyoga- former enemy turned slightly sadistic ally. 

In the end it was Senku’s word that quelled his team's concerns, though it was more of an argument for Hyoga’s innocence than Xeno’s own. 

But of course, Xeno really shouldn't be trusted. That would’ve just been plain irrational if Senku had tried to argue such a thing. And Senku is a rational man. In fact he’s almost rationality personified. 

Almost… 

Over these past few weeks, Senku’s been having terribly irrational feelings. But even then, the young scientist was well aware of just how illogical it was.

‘Because it’s you, Xeno.’ He recalled those words clear as day. 

That’s all that needed to be said really. Xeno knew what that meant with no confusion whatsoever. 

Because of course… Xeno knew himself. 

He turned to his fellow scientist beside him, his frown deepening as he watched Senku squirm to shoo away a mosquito attacking his mid-back. 

Gaze snapping to the dense forest, Xeno started towards it without a second thought. He’d need to be quick if he didn’t want the sun going down on him while he was out there. 

Twigs and leaves crunched beneath his boots as he entered the outskirts. Bringing his clawed hands up to brush away vines and low-lying branches, Xeno’s eyes scanned the forest floor with intense focus. He paid no mind to the other person as he passed him except for a simple greeting. 

“Good evening, Dr. Chrome.” 

Chrome peaked out from behind the tree. “Hey.” Putting his head back down, he considered Xeno must've come out there to use the bathroom as well. 

Xeno hummed to himself, squinting as he took a step off the beaten path. That plant over there- a leafy weed, rounded and splayed tendrils. ”Ah, a plant of the artemisia genius…” He smiled, crouching down low to get a better look. Xeno was certain this was it. 

Chrome put himself away, just then he caught a glance of Xeno breaking off a sample. “HUH!? WAIT- WHY ARE YOU OUT HERE?” 

Glaring daggers over his shoulder, the older scientist scoffed. “I’m foraging, no need to yell.” 

Chrome raised an eyebrow high. “For what? That’s not some poisonous plant, right?” He trotted over to the other man to see what he was up to. 

“No.” Xeno held up the stem, sliding a claw down the leaves. “When burned, this plant emits an unpleasant odor terribly unappealing to various insects. It’s a bug repellant.” 

“Really?” Gasping, Chrome took the plant into his own hands and stared at it in awe. “That’s bad! These bugs were about to drive me crazy.” 

Xeno gathered up a bunch and pulled it out from the roots with a grunt. “Yes, I’ll want a considerable amount in order to last me through this trek.” 

“All for yourself?” 

Xeno ignored him. He stood with a sigh and shoved the bundle into the brunet’s arms. “I actually gathered some other plants of the apiaceae family while we were still in the Andes Range in preparation for the ruthless bugs of The Amazon.” Parting his coat, Xeno pulled a meager bundle of dried flowers from his utility belt. “But, there simply weren't many opportunities I could get to collect since we were on bike most of the day.” 

“Man, I went past a ton of these- I had no idea.” Chrome grinned, leaning in to get a better look before Xeno returned them to his pockets. “It’s crazy how many plants out there you would never think twice about can have those insane hidden abilities just waiting to be discovered!” 

Xeno hummed, “How about you run those back for me, Chrome?” 

He spun around, marching back already. “Right, everyone’s getting bitten up so-” Chrome whipped back around. “HOLD ON, I’M NOT LEAVING YOU OUT HERE ALONE!”

Holding his palms to his ears, Xeno groaned, “Again, no need to yell…” Shaking his head, he lowered his hands back to his sides. “I assure you I won’t go far.” 

“Nope! I’m staying right here with you.” Chrome stamped his foot into the ground. He pointed to himself, full of confidence. “You’ll want my expert explorer skills anyway.” 

Xeno crossed his arms over his chest. “Fine then.” He smirked. “Another useful plant we may be able to find out here is Aloe Vera.” 

“Ay-lo what-a?” 

Sticking a silver claw to the afternoon sky, Xeno explained, “Aloe Vera is a succulent. It has thick angular leaves with ridged edges.” He brushed past the young man and continued his stride deeper into the forest. “Do you think you can find it?” 

Chrome rubbed his chin, head on a swivel. “Yeah. Sounds pretty distinct.” He jogged to catch up to Xeno. “What’s it for?”

“It’s used to treat skin irritation, such as bug bites.” 

“Oh man, you’ve thought of everything, Xeno.” He said, scratching at the bumps on the back of his neck. Neglecting to watch out for low branches in front of him, “Shit-” Chrome smacked straight into a thick, snake-like vine dangling in his path. 

Hearing the meaty thunk of Chrome’s forehead against the bark, and the subsequent moans of pain, Xeno turned around. A smug smirk on his face, he spoke, “Do be careful- I don’t wish to be blamed for your death if something so unfortunate were to occur." He stared at the branch curiously as Chrome tossed it off to the side. Xeno felt like he knew what that plant that was, he just couldn’t place it. The answer was just on the tip of his tongue… Then it came to him- the corner of his lip twitched and twisted into a devilish grin. “Oh my… is that Doliocarpus dentatus?” 

Chrome looked from the branch to Xeno, eyebrows arched high. “Is this another super-science plant?”

Putting his fist to his mouth, Xeno cleared his throat. “Uh, yes… Survivalists would use this root for the fresh water contained inside of it.” Curiously, he stepped up to the plant to look at it closer. “Do you have any sort of blade on you?” 

“Eh? What do you need it for?" Highly confused, Chrome sputtered, "What does it do?"

Xeno simply extended his palm, awaiting for what he’d asked for. 

Chrome huffed, “Tell me what you want it for and I’ll cut it open for you, Xeno.” 

Sighing, he retracted his hand. “It’s a…” He turned away, eyeing up the woody vine. “Stimulant. Yes, sometimes used as an alternative to coffee.” 

“Hmm… coffee.” Chrome rested a hand on his hip. “Senku told me about that. He wants to-” He cut himself off, going tight lipped. 

Xeno silently raised an eyebrow at the young scientist. 

Pulling his blade from his waistband, Chrome chuckled nervously. “I have a bad feeling you're lying."  

“Certainly not."

Chrome huffed, squinting his eyes at the older man as he went to hand the blade over. But then he hesitated. "You're up to something." He said, retracting his hand. "Who let you wander off alone anyway? Wasn’t Tsukasa watching you?” 

Xeno sighed, growing tired of the conversation. “He went off hunting for dinner.” 

“Well, if Senku and Kohaku were back, then you wouldn’t have gotten away so easily.” Chrome crossed his arms over his chest, tapping his boot against the dirt. 

"They did come back. A few minutes ago.” 

“WHAT?!” Chrome shouted, causing Xeno to flinch. A deep knot formed at the older man's brow and he gave a glare that could cut diamonds. Chrome didn’t seem to notice. “How did those two not notice?” 

“Getting eaten alive can be pretty distracting… ” Xeno mumbled. Shaking his head, he was already accepting the fact he wasn't going to be able to shake his enthusiastic and unwelcome companion. 

Chrome let his jaw slack in thought. “...You mean by mosquitoes, not ravenous animals, right?” he asked. 

“I’m not that heartless, Chrome.” Xeno smirked. “I would’ve at least told you if they were dead.” 

“Oh, good.” Chrome deadpanned, falling back to lean against a nearby tree. "So do you wanna head out for that other stuff now?"

Xeno placed the root to the side. “I wonder…” he said sarcastically. Turning on his heel, Xeno continued on deeper into the forest. 

“I was just asking. No reason to be so rude…” Chrome grumbled as he followed behind, reluctant yet secretly excited to be scavenging with a certified science-pro. 

Back at camp, Senku had settled in. Closing his eyes, he relaxed into the campfire’s pleasant heat- his clothes clinging to his skin just a little less now. 

He hummed to himself. Idly fidgeting with the ribbon on his waist, Senku suddenly felt a low grumble from stomach. The scent of sizzling meat, seasoned and seared wafted around him making him insanely hungry. Maybe if he kept his eyes closed- didn’t look at the grand dinner that was to come- he’d be able to stave off the hunger just a little longer…

Then he felt an all too familiar presence beside him. Senku smiled, blinking his tired eyes open to see… 

“Uh? Senku-chan?” Gen cocked his head, deep blue eyes staring wide down at him. “How long have you been napping?” 

The scientist arched his brow. “I wasn’t napping.” 

“Right, right…” Gen nodded to himself, a sweat dripping down his temple. “I suppose the better question would be-” His composure broke. “HOW LONG HAVE YOU HAD YOUR EYES CLOSED!?” 

“Huh? Why?” Senku looked around confused. He felt a pit of dread in his gut as he noticed everyone was staring at him with equally concerned faces. 

And then he noticed. Someone was missing. 

“Senku-chan, you were supposed to be watching him!” he squawked, eyes dizzy with worry. 

Senku scrambled to his feet, hands splayed and sweating at his sides. “What? He was right here?!” His head flicked around, hoping he had just missed him. 

“And Chrome-chan is missing too!” The mentalist warbled. 

“Hey,” Ukyo’s soft voice broke through the panic. “We’re all supposed to be watching Xeno, it’s not Senku’s sole responsibility.” 

“No, it is my job-” 

Just then two sets of footsteps sounded from the forest, coming increasingly closer until their owners appeared from the thick woods. 

Xeno’s eyes widened as everyone's heads suddenly turned to look at him.

Chrome was blissfully unaware, holding a bouquet of leaves so big his face was hidden. He dropped them, a big grin on his face. “Hey guys!” 

A scowl appeared on the older scientist’s face and he wordlessly walked away from the crew's prying eyes. Chrome scrambled to follow behind him. 

Retrieving a bowl near the side of the main fire, Xeno set it down with a sigh. Sprinkling some kindling into it, he plucked a few branches from Chrome’s collection and placed them into a pile. Then he removed the flowers from his belt and laid them down as well. Returning his hand back to the pouch he felt around for something. Out came a tiny matchbox, its contents rattling as he slid it open. 

But then he paused, his eyes lingering on a yellow stain of nicotine residue on the side of the box.

“So, this aloe stuff- how does it help with skin irritation?” Chrome asked, holding up the succulent’s leaf to observe it closely. 

Xeno pulled himself out of his head and struck the match, tossing it into the pile of plants. “The chemical processes or how it’s applied?” 

Chrome tilted his head. “Both.” 

“It contains bradykinase that inhibits the cyclooxygenase pathways and also salicylic acid, acting as an anti-septic and anti-inflammatory. It also has plenty of vitamins- A, C and E- those are antioxidants. So as well as providing relief from pain, reducing swelling and irritation, it will also keep it clean- preventing any infection that could occur.” Xeno prodded the fire with his claw. “By slicing off the thick skin of the plant, its gel can be extracted and applied topically. It can also be eaten, having various health benefits.” 

“I only understood about half of that but- badass…!” Chrome exclaimed. “Tell me more about-”

“Dr. Chrome…” Xeno interjected. “Though I do find your… enthusiasm for science truly elegant, I don’t need any more of your assistance.” 

“Yeah, I know…” The brunet frowned. “Can I watch at least?”

“If you’re quiet.” Xeno mumbled. 

Considering that an invitation, Chrome sauntered up close, letting the bug repellent smoke waft over him. He looked at Xeno from the corner of his eyes, a smirk creeping onto his lips. “Hold on, you’re being kinda… nice today.” 

The older scientist scrunched his nose up. “What are you talking about?”

“You do it in a kinda vague and threatening way- but you're totally being cool!” Chrome exclaimed. 

Xeno scoffed, keeping his attention on tending the fire. “Didn’t I just tell you to be quiet, Dr. Chrome?” 

The young man smirked, turning his chin up. “I’ll stop talking if you admit it.” 

“There is nothing to admit.” 

Chrome pointed an accusatory finger at him. “You totally had fun collecting this stuff with me!” 

“Certainly not.” Xeno maintained.

“You also barely got bit so who’s this stuff really helping, huh?” Chrome pointed his finger out to the crew. “All of us!” 

The older man shrugged. “I have no idea what you’re referring to.” 

“C’mon man… I give up. Just say yes.” Chrome sighed, his posture deflating. “I’ll keep it between us, I promise…" 

The light of the fire reflected in Xeno’s rich black eyes. His gaze shifted up, yet that shine remained as his focus landed on one man and one man only. 

One truly brilliant man. 

But the fire's warmth couldn’t soothe the chill that ran through Xeno- light the darkness that overcame him. 

That one man… who he didn’t have much time left with.

Xeno’s pale lips parted to speak. But he was interrupted by someone coming up to his side. 

Big brown eyes stared curiously up at him. “What’re you burning, Xeno?” Suika asked. 

He glanced at her. Idly poking the fire, Xeno let the corner of his lip curl ever-so-slightly as he explained, “Plants of the Apiaceae family and artemisia genus, to create an insect repelling mist.” He turned his head away. “If I must tag along, I would rather not be bitten…” 

The girl’s eyes lit up. “Oh, thank you!” Suika squeaked. ”That’s super nice!”

Before Xeno could protest her gratitude, Chrome stepped up in between the two, “I know, right?” He looked down at Suika. “By the way, is this food ready yet? I’m starving.” 

Suika jumped up. “Almost! Francois’ about to start serving it.” She took the young scientist from the hand. Chrome let himself be led away back to the campfire., completely forgetting about what he was doing- distracted by dinner. 

Xeno shut his eyes, pinching his brow. He wanted to be left alone to do this by himself in the first place. Suppose he got what he wanted, but he could do without the headache he’s received from the processes. 

Shaking his head, Xeno stood and turned on his heel, taking the Aloe Vera Chrome had collected off with him. 

Sitting down cross-legged, he placed the bundle of leaves to his side and hunched over a clay bowl set in front of him. 

Placing a leaf flat on the damp ground, Xeno ran a claw down the bumpy edges, slicing it smoothly. Then he took it into his hands and wedged his claw between the skin and inner gel. He nudged it gently, separating the layers as precisely as possible. Thin sticky webs stretched to hold them together as the layers came apart with a wet peel. Once the skin was off, he tossed the gelatinous clear gel into the clay bowl. 

He repeated the process, his head down as he listened to the crew chat as they ate. The sounds of laughter and jokes, of sizzling meat and huts being erected filled the jungle. The group of friends and former enemies simply enjoyed each other's company around the crackling fire as the sun began to set and the air began to cool. 

Senku’s voice stood out amidst the chatter, “We’ll be reaching the origin soon, I think we all should be getting pretty excited.” he said. 

Xeno hands froze in the middle of separating the layers.

“And what’s our plan after that?” asked Kohaku. 

Senku took a mouthful of food, speaking in between bites, “Keep heading down the river.” His smirk in his voice, “When we reach the ocean, we make a new boat and get back at sea.” 

Xeno raised his head. Lips light, he kept himself as still as a statue, listening closely. 

Ryusui perked up, jumping to his feet with a snap. “Hah hah! After that it’ll be smooth sailing until we reach our final destination-” 

His throat feeling dreadfully dry, Xeno swallowed hard. Of course he already surmised it was Araxa, but that was only a guess. There was a chance- a microscopically small chance- yet far from impossible…

A chance… that he could be mistaken?

But before Ryusui could give him his conclusion, Senku merely put a finger up to his lips. Then pointed in his mentor’s direction without another word. 

Xeno let out the shaky breath he was holding. Lowering his head, he ran a hand through his hair, now damp with sweat. 

For a brief moment, like a star glimmering through the cloudy night sky, did Xeno wish he was-

“What’re you up to, old man?” 

Xeno’s head shot up- thrust from his own mind.  In the deafening hurricane of his own thoughts Xeno hadn’t heard those light steps walking his direction. There was Senku, smiling as bright as the setting sun, in his outstretched hand a plate of food for him to have.

The older man pulled his dirty gloves off. Trying to stop his hand’s shaking as best he could, he took it. “I’m making aloe gel.” he said, setting his food down beside him, not so hungry at the moment.

Senku huffed a laugh, “Well, yeah I can tell…” Scratching at the bites littering the back of his neck, he asked, “You get chewed up as bad as me?” 

Xeno lowered his gaze, a soft smile coming to him. “Senku…” He cupped the bowl into his hands. Slowly he rose, meeting Senku’s dazzling ruby eyes. “It’s for you.” he whispered, handing it to him.

“Eh?” Senku’s smirk faltered just a second before breaking out in a grin. He took it into his hands, his smile seemingly brighter. “I mean- it’s super useful. I didn’t even think of looking for aloe.” 

“Hmm. I suppose I’m always thinking a few steps ahead…” Xeno hummed, folding his hands behind his back. 

“So…” He looked down at the bowl. “...Am I allowed to share?” 

“If any’s left over feel free to give it to whoever you’d like.” Xeno placed his bare hand over Senku’s, nudging the pot closer to him. “But I would like you to treat yourself first.” he said, looking at Senku with palpable adoration. If the younger man had been looking at him, the look certainly would’ve made him squirm under its heat. 

“You’re feeling generous tonight, huh?” Senku’s eyes darted back up briefly as he turned away, a half-smile on his lips. “But that’s not really how I do things around here. This goes to everyone else first-” He started to leave.

Xeno grabbed his shoulder, keeping him right there. “Senku,” He leaned in, speaking deep and sternly into his ear, “If you don’t use that on yourself first- I will not hesitate to hold you down and forcefully put it on for you.” 

His ear only centimeters from Senku, Xeno could hear him audibly gulp. 

The young scientist opened his mouth with a shaky breath, seeming at a loss for words. And after a beat, he did manage to find them, “Heh- alright, I get it…” he practically breathed out the words. “But, that thing about doing it for me? It is mostly on my back so… I might need you, old man.”

Xeno pointed with his eyes into the direction of their soon to be shared hut. “Shall we?” 

“Just…” He looked up at him- a tinge of hesitation in his eyes. “Don’t be weird about it, okay?” 

With a nod Xeno placed his hand on Senku’s back and guided him over. “Of course… Whatever you want.”

With the pot in one hand, Senku climbed the ladder with the other. With steady hands he was able to keep the aloe from spilling as he hoisted himself in. His hands wobbly as he scaled the short distance, Xeno pulled himself in after the young man.

Senku kicked his shoes off, leaving them at the entrance. Xeno did the same, pulling his legs up to sit crisscross once done. Senku let the flap lower to shut out the chaotic sounds and sights of the outside. Then he turned to Xeno. “Take your coat off.” he said.

A flash of offence crossed Xeno’s face at Senku’s seeming demand. “What for?” 

“You’ve been hiking through the Amazon in a black trench coat all day and this is kind of a confined space…” Senku chuckled mischievously. He could’ve sworn he saw a hint of embarrassment flush his mentor’s cheeks for a split-second. 

Xeno sputtered, “I do not smell bad, Senku.” 

“Not ‘bad’ just…” He held back a laugh- it came out more of a cough. “Definitely a smell.” 

Already pulling off his jacket, Xeno grumbled, “You little brat…” 

Senku shrugged off his annoyance. Turning to put his back to Xeno he set the clay bowl down next to him and began unbuttoning his tunic.

Tossing his coat at the entrance with his shoes, Xeno rolled his white dress shirt’s sleeves up and scooched over to sit behind the younger man. He slipped his free hand up to Senku’s neck and pulled back the collar. There were a few sparse dots, swollen and scratched, but nothing that a bit of aloe couldn’t soothe. Reaching around to slather some aloe onto his fingers, he said, “Ooh, that’s not too bad-” 

Senku pulled his top down all the way, fully revealing his bare back.

No… It was pretty bad.

“Uh-” Xeno resisted the urge to express his shock aloud, not wanting to worry him. He bit his lip, eyebrows twisting to knot as he commiserated. 

Poor thing… 

  It was so dense it looked more like a rash rather than hundreds of mosquito bites, but that’s certainly what he was seeing. Xeno was sure that if a blind person ran their hand on it they’d probably be able to make out a few words in braille by sheer coincidence. 

“I wasn’t kidding when I said they can bite through clothes…” Senku grumbled, hands fidgeting as he fought with all he had not to itch. “I have a ton on my ass too. They kept flying up there and getting trapped.” he chuckled.

“Would you like me to put aloe on there too?” Xeno asked genuinely.

“I’d call you a pervert, but I’m ten billion percent sure there’d be nothing arousing about it.” 

Xeno sighed quietly from behind him, “I didn’t mean it like that…” He brought his hand down to slick between Senku’s shoulder blades, coating the irritated skin in the gel.  

“Ngh-” Senku tensed at the wet and cold sensation, arching his back away. “Warn me next time?” he strained.

Xeno mumbled a brief apology, rubbing circles of soothing gel along the flat of his back, pushing through the unpleasant bumpy texture gliding underneath his palm. Hearing that quiet relieved sigh fall from Senku’s lips made it just a bit easier to deal with.

The first glob of aloe all used up, Xeno took another scoop into his hand and rubbed his hands together. He paused, hovering over Senku’s shoulders as he notified him, “Doing your shoulders now, okay?” 

Senku nodded, a quiet sound of content emitting from the back of his throat as Xeno’s soft hands came down, kneading the aloe into his sore and bitten nape. Then his hands slipped up the sides of his neck in unison, fingers tickling over his windpipe briefly before falling back down the length. He glided over Senku’s boney frame and down to his biceps. Xeno dug his fingers into the lean definition, pulsing and groping with enough force to loosen up the tension, yet precise and delicate so as to not hurt. 

It was becoming more of a back massage than a topical application, but Senku didn’t seem to mind judging by how he softened beneath Xeno’s tender touch. 

Xeno leaned in closer, his nose brushing against the shell of Senku’s  ear. “How’s that feeling, sweetheart?” he husked, bringing his hands up to rub circles with his thumbs into the young man’s shoulder blades. 

Senku’s breath hitched at the utterance of his unsolicited pet name. But his shock was short lived as he seemed to melt from the heat of Xeno’s voice on his neck. “It’s nice…” he hummed, eyes fluttering shut.

Xeno laughed deeply, feeling Senku’s shoulders tense and flex underneath his hands as he reacted to his writhing fingers. “I’m going to move down to your lower back, is that alright?” he whispered. 

Senku feebly nodded. 

Xeno tilted his head, sly grin in his voice, “What was that, Senku?” 

He nodded again, this time a little stronger. 

“Good boy.” Xeno praised, letting go to apply more aloe to his hands. “I was just making sure…” He floated to rest his palms feather-light on Senku’s slides, letting the young scientist adjust to the temperature for a moment. 

Then, Xeno dragged his firm grip down, slicking the sticky substance down Senku’s waist, trailing tantalizingly slow all the way to embrace his thin hips. Squeezing him firmly, splaying his fingers to spread the gel, the tips of his fingers accidentally slipped just under the edge of Senku’s waistband. 

“Hmck-” Senku suddenly flinched, hands snapping to Xeno’s. 

“What is it?” Xeno asked.

“Sorry- I just…” His grip tightened on Xeno’s slender hands, their fingers locking. “I didn’t like how that felt. It wasn’t bad- I just didn’t like it.” Senku strained. 

“That’s fine. Don't apologize." Xeno lifted his hands off, Senku still holding on tight. “Are you okay?” he asked, a twinge of concern in his tone. 

Senku chuckled wearily, “I’m alright- what do you sound so worried for?” He turned to look over his shoulder, the lightest pink dusting his cheekbones. “This was really nice, old man. But I think I’m all good…” Ruby eyes averted, unconsciously trained onto his mentor's thin lips. 

Xeno looked at Senku tenderly, it came through in his voice, “Well, I’m happy I could help, sweetheart…”

Senku felt himself inch closer to those lips as he watched them speak more than he listened. “How about we lay down? I’m getting kinda tired.”

“It is late, isn’t it?” Xeno slowly pulled back, Senku’s hands slipping from his reluctantly. Xeno scooched over to the side to make room for the young man to lay. Retrieving a rolled up sleeping bag already stored there at the far wall, Xeno busied himself with unfurling it.

His lips forming into the slightest pout, Senku took the invitation to rest. With a sleepy sigh he nuzzled into place on the sleeping mat, his eyes falling closed. He waited for Xeno to join him or maybe for the blanket to be placed over him, but the older man stayed right in place. Made no noise, no movement. If he wasn’t pressed so close to Senku perhaps he could believe he’d disappeared the moment his vision left him. 

But just then, Senku felt a touch. 

Then another. 

Xeno’s finger trailed down Senku’s lean stomach, moving from point to point with seeming randomness. 

Senku looked down, lips parting to ask what he was doing, but there was no need once his rosy gaze adjusted to the dark.

The only light in the hut was what was peaking through from the bonfire just outside, Xeno’s face shrouded in shadow, his head angled just so Senku couldn’t make out his expression. Like a shadow puppet, Xeno’s hand came up splayed, pitch black against the illuminated canvas. Then floated back down to his torso. 

Long, delicate fingers danced elegantly to and from faded shrapnel scars. Tracing the tough, damaged skin with the pad of his finger, stroking it with tender care. 

These stark scars; a stark reminder of the not-so distant past. 

His fingers fluttered off. Limp and curled, crushed by the realization of being unable to heal with just the touch of his finger tips. 

Then, without a word or so much as a sigh, Xeno bowed.

Senku flinched as his mentor's lips met his skin, so cold yet tender as they pressed against a ghostly, star-shaped scar on his breastbone. 

Senku shuttered a shaky breath, letting his head fall back and eyes fall closed as Xeno drifted down, kissing in the valley between his tummy and his hipbone. Another just above his bellybutton, pale lips contouring to lean muscle, trailing light pecks all the way up his protruding ribcage.

Then Xeno’s quivering lips fell to Senku’s heart, giving it extra care as he felt it flutter beneath them. How close it was to never being able to do such a thing again…

And then he did it all over again. 

Then again… 

From scar to scar he kissed. Through his pressed lips he spoke the quietest of apologies. A silent confession of guilt for every wound he had irreparably stained Senku's body with. 

And for all the future ones he’d give.

Notes:

I did an absurd amount of research on the amazon to compensate for the fact that it was just skimmed through it. This place has so much cool science shit and they hardly touch it? Lol I hope you found this educational- though I'm sure my info is not 100% accurate XP.

Senku, Suika and Kohaku together is super cute and Chrome and Xeno is just really amusing. I love writing moments when the main pair are talking with others and still the conversation still ends up leading back (or relating) to the other lol. And also it gives insight on how those two act around others compares to how they interact with each other...

ALSO THIS IS IMPORTANT- I'm changing the upload schedule to every other Friday due to being busy with college so if you come back next week and there's not a new chapter don't freak out!!!

As always, thank you guys so much for all the comments and kudos <3