Chapter Text
After months worth of work, that included planning, structuring, developing the whole infrastructure in this stone world around the object and reinventing lots of other things in the process… They've finally done it.
The Kingdom of Science has built the first real ship in more than 3700 years. They've finished Perseus! Seeing this ship lying on the shore, still waiting to be put into water which they’ll do in a couple of days, was 10 billion percent worth every hardship they overcame.
Of course, there’s still quite some things they must finish for the interior and all that, so it’s not yet officially ready to sail, but that wasn’t really the point. Many already started celebrating, finally resting after all the time spent working, while Senku simply couldn’t make himself relax with them.
There is another thing he has to do.
Ever since his talk with Gen… The one about superpowers. In that very moment Senku concluded that he had to make a change, to work on himself and overall tendencies in his own Kingdom. A leader has a lot of influence on the image his people have of the future and does have a lot of say in what their approach should be.
And Senku had made quite some efforts to get accustomed to the thought.
Way before that, Kaseki’s pure enthusiasm helped the Kingdom a lot (and that’s an understatement), especially in the early stages. Since then Senku has made quite a lot of tools to help others do all the same work as the old man can, but he also just lets him do whatever the man himself deems necessary in his crafts now though. He can’t just prohibit the use of his power now, especially if it makes the job done way better than any adhesive material and whatever else they have.
He started the path by actually ordering those like Taiju, Magma and Nikki, people with strengthening powers, to do things such as construction work or gardening. He never outright did that before. Don’t get him wrong, manual labour was always exploited, but not superpowers like they are now.
He also depetrified Ryusui. And it was definitely not purely just for the man’s skills, no. His magnetic field feeling was also a very huge deal in the decision of depetrificating the man. Senku just couldn’t possibly ignore the man the instant he heard Minami add that last part. They need a human-gps in their team! And, turns out, his character wasn't too much of a hassle to deal with, especially with having Gen skillfully use all the desire against the rich boy, so the decision was 10 billion percent a risk worth taking.
All of this he did isn’t nearly enough though. His people need Senku to be comfortable enough around superpowers to the point it’s not at all a bother in an urgent moment, so for him to not be having a moment of conflicting thoughts when it’s a life or death situation. That will surely be hard to reach, even with Senku’s limited psychological knowledge he knows that.
And so, there is a thing Senku can do that might get him closer to that point. The thought he contemplated for quite some while now. Starting to work out these feelings of his with the person he's most comfortable with, the one he loves (even if he isn’t doing anything about that, but is accustomed to by now), the one he trusts and one who has way more necessary knowledge… It’d be good enough of a step forward.
Senku wanted to approach Gen on that matter.
He has heard something about Gen helping others here and there, supposedly with his power. Not that he caught exactly what this power was. It really has something to do with love, so maybe he can see people’s connections or compatibility? Or drives, passion, talents… That might be even better. Hopefully nothing too hard to use though.
And, since the man was actively giving some working advice to others, he probably actually has a power despite what Senku originally thought, and is comfortable enough to use it.
Maybe that’ll help the man on his path?
He needed an excuse to try this method though.
Gladly, he has more than enough little tasks laying around, with needing to add finishing touches to Perseus. So, Senku just took a list with the names of every member of their Kingdom and thought that deciding on a team would suit as an important enough of a task to disguise the real reason Senku’s there.
That’s what he thought of, when approaching Gen’s hut. Just a couple of minutes worth of walking and he was right at the doorstep (well, figuratively speaking).
A small structure with a large window on the opposite side of the entrance he was standing at. Instead of the door, Gen just had a curtain blocking him from the outside. That definitely isn't a home suitable for winter, but good enough for the current weather.
Not that Senku shows that all too much, but sometimes he stresses on certain things. And, very rarely, quite a lot so! And… It was definitely one of these moments.
The boy took a sharp breath in and then one way slower right out.
It’ll be fine. That’s Gen you’re going to. If anything, he should worry about you doing stupid stuff, like what you have planned. Senku braced himself, coming in.
The man doesn’t have a door, so the young chief just knocked on one of the walls.
“Kinda ointless-pay to knock if you had already entered, don’t you think so, Senku-chan? ~” Gen was standing by the window with his back turned to Senku, but still instantly recognised the steps, it seems. The man turned back and faced him, smiling.
“Yeah, well, too bad then, cause I’m already here.” Senku simply shrugged at that, like always not acknowledging any of the emotions stirring inside.
He came further in, and, seeing there wasn’t really that much furniture, the man chose a corner of the bed as his seat. The two were now facing each other.
It was the perfect view too.
Just like they two did back in the Ishigami village, Gen was obviously stargazing right before Senku intruded. Seeing a man he has strong feelings for looking this beautiful in the dark of the night, having just the light of stars and moon (the other things he loved dearly) shining on the almost porcelain skin, hair being a bit messy after a long day, clothes rather wrinkled by now too, suggesting at how he should probably take some of it of, since he was already home and that late at the evening.
Senku would like to spend the whole night just admiring the picture right in front of him, but Gen's words pulled him out of the stun.
“So- Have you just come here to see me, or…” Gen made some hand gesture that Senku isn’t really sure on how to interpret.
“Oh, yeah.” That reminded the younger man of the purpose of why he’s here. “That's the full list of our people. I want your help with choosing the ones for the crew, given you probably know these stuff way better than me.” He opened the thing in question, busing himself with scanning all the names. He can’t trust himself not to get distracted again if his hands or eyes would be free for that.
“What gave you that impression? I mean, I am flattered, and I do know how to read people, but am no way close to Ryusui’s level of management, nor do I know the least of things he might need these people for. You should probably go to him, I bet he’s making the list already anyway. Besides, knowing people's connections and special skills is kinda Minami-chan's thing, so really, I’m not even going with you.” Gen humbly questioned, coming closer to the bed. As if he really thought so. That statement (especially the last one) threw Senku off a bit.
The man carefully sat near Senku on the bed, also eyeing the list.
“Well, as you said yourself, you’re very good at reading people. And you surely know them all better than Ryusui too. You might be able to point out someone we haven’t even thought of, who could’ve made a great addition to the team. Besides, you are going with us. Period.” Senku pointed out, bullshiting up his reasoning on the spot. Gen seemed to buy it though, but also the mentalist has done similar before, so that wasn’t a lie. “And, well, there is another reason for it too, I guess…”
He hesitated for a second, remembering the original plan.
“I’ve heard you were helping people lately- With your power?” Damn Senku surely didn’t sound all that calm. “Giving some sort of advice and whatnot. I don’t know what about, but since you were comfortable these times… Maybe you can somehow help me in this situation too? If I’m correct, I’d rather trust you than Minami with this.” He finally asked, emphasizing just how important Gen’s opinion really is for him.
That was probably an unlucky wording, or something else in his words that made Gen react like that, but the man seemed very confused.
“Oh, uh- Yeah, of course, I would be more than glad to help you, Senku-chan~ What do you need my help with?” Gen smiled, looking really concerned with something, even if he tried to hide it.
Senku gave him an equally confused look in return. Did he mess up the wording this much? Or was this some sort of hint for Senku to go and try his luck somewhere else?
“Well, I still don’t really know what your power is, if you even actually have any… But the problem hasn't changed since a minute ago..?” He tried and gestured at the list in his hand, not knowing what’s up with the mentalist.
It took the other man a second to process, and right after he burst out laughing, obviously just not able to contain it inside.
Senku didn’t know what he did for Gen to have such a reaction. What’s so funny? Was something wrong with him or the mentalis t in a growing fit?
He did stop at one moment though, as if finally realising where he was.
“Um- Did I say something wrong?” Senku tried, feeling very out of place suddenly.
“No. That- I-” Gen was obviously at a loss for words. Wow, Senku didn’t know that could happen to the man like- Ever. He coughed in his fist and collected himself rather fast though. “No, it’s entirely on me, sorry. So, to simplify it all, you want to know what my superpower is and how I could help you with it?”
“Yeah, pretty much.” Senku nodded, not knowing if they really should continue now, after whatever that was…
“I’m afraid my power won’t really be too much of a use for you, Senku-chan~” Gen bitterly smiled, narrowing his brows, mimicking a sad expression.
“Really?”
“Yeah, well… Last I checked, my power hasn’t changed since the last time I talked about it in your presence.” The man copied Senku’s wording and was now smiling a bit more amusingly.
“What? You mean that bullshit about love? I thought you were lying for dramatism or something. Don’t tell me you’ve made me go through this whole moral dilemma while actually not having any abilities like the rest of us normal people?” Senku was almost offended.
He could’ve guessed Gen could easily fake having an ability with his mentalism skills and knowledge in psychology!
“No, I did not lie, neither did I in my books, if you’d actually bothered to read them.” Gen sighed, placing a hand at his face. As if it was Senku who was the one to cause trouble in this conversation! “You’re a fellow modern man, so I think you’ll get me if I phrase it the usual way: I can see soulmate bonds, or, as it’s also sometimes called in the media, ‘red strings’.” He finally revealed, closely looking at Senku’s reaction.
And it was rather slow to follow. Countless cogs started to take place in his understanding of such a complex and mysterious person as Gen, puzzles finally clicking right into the place.
So that’s what “seeing love” means, huh? That’s probably how the man got his career originally too. Seeing connections other people have with one another must be both beneficial and bothersome, if he can’t turn it off like Chrome can’t with his nightvision.
That explains why the topic of soulmates mattered to Gen that much too, if the man thinks that is what his strings mean.
“Oh.” He finally mouthed, looking down on the list, still processing. “Yeah, it probably won’t do much for this task…” That’s definitely not the right task he picked for the matter. So, the paper wasn’t needed anymore. “But- Huh.” He stared directly at cringing(?) Gen now. “So that's what you meant by seeing love, huh? How did you know about Ruri all that time ago though? ‘Chrome’s feelings for her’ part I get, but Kohaku’s? How?” Now was the time for questions, Senku guessed. He remembered the details of the conversation they had on the first night Gen spent in the Kingdom of Science. Something he gave little to no attention to at the moment, but what turns out to actually be very important to him now.
“Well, just as I said then, it is still true now. Platonic love is love too. Love for family members, friends… I can see these too.” Gen started his explanation.
And Senku was all ears on it. He wasn’t at all interested back then, but it’s all his interest as of now. Maybe it’ll also give him a deeper grasp of what Gen himself thinks on the topic. That’d help Senku himself decide on what to do with his own feelings.
“Even if the strings I see are called the ‘red strings’,” Gen said, while rubbing his ring finger for some reason. Wait, aren’t these strings depicted being connected on these fingers usually? “They all actually are very different in colour - each representing its own specific kind of a bond the two individuals have. With red being the romantic colour, blue being the colour of friends, and green being the family one. Every other shade and hue of strings are a mix of those, meaning the duality of bonds, having either or both of these attributes.”
That explanation was interesting to say the least.
And also opened up Senku’s eyes on a horrifying possibility. What if-
What if Gen has someone else he’s very close to, that is connected to him by this red string?
First things first though, Senku’s a scientist, so he really wanted to clarify some technical bits.
“A very strange selection of base colours… There's a huge jump between red and the other two bonds.” He pointed out, and that made the other man think about something.
“Now that I come to think about it, you're absolutely right. Japanese culture doesn't even have that significant of a difference between friends and family colours… Well, kinda suits, with how people rarely think about platonic love at all, I guess?” He said in the end. “And, at least partially platonic soulmates are actually way more common, as far as I've noticed. Even though soulmates are rare in itself. So unfair to leave them out in this sort of media that depicts soulmates!” Mentalist shook his head, clearly being very invested in the topic.
Oh, so is this bond of his platonic?
“Yeah, well, that’s so unscientific anyway…” Senku shrugged it off, finally coming to the important topic. “So… Do you have a ‘soulmate’?” He put air quotes on the word, trying to look unbothered.
He said he didn't believe in soulmates before, and it hasn't changed now either, that he knows that’s Gen’s power. This single power can’t dictate the lives of everyone else, right? It just shows what’s already there, or at least makes Gen believe that’s so.
“Yes, I do.” Gen smiled dearly (maybe a bit too dearly for Senku’s liking), rubbing the ring finger yet again, watching somewhere non specific in this room. “ Our string is purple, making our bond supposedly both platonic and romantic.” Gen said, looking rather saddened. And-
Senku’s fist clenched, mouth shut and head looked down, avoiding eye contact.
Is that what jealousy is, huh?
But also… Dreadful sorrowness.
He’s supposed to be happy for Gen though, right? And unbothered too. That wasn’t any of Senku’s business after all.
“Oh.” Senku expressed, trying to recollect himself as best as he could, still not looking in the direction of the mentalist's eyes.
He directed all the willpower to the next question. One he’s rather embarrassed over. He literally asks the person he loves to tell him any connections of his own.
“And, um- Do I- Have a string or something?” He swallowed right in the middle, still finally finishing the question anyway.
He didn’t get an answer for a couple of seconds. Right when it started to get worrying, Gen said something.
“You know, this soulmate of mine…” The man took a pause.
Why was he back on this subject now? There was no reason to rub that right into Senku’s face-
“It’s actually you, Senku.” Gen blurted out.
The world stopped.
Although- No. The world didn’t stop - Senku did. The world continued moving, like it always does, and did so very, very fast.
He was confused at first.
There is no way he has heard Gen right, is there? Are they s-
They share the bond? This purple string Gen told him about this affectionately and fondly?
He just had to clarify. To see if Gen-
Once Senku turned to face his subject of attraction he felt worse (or better, in a way?). Gen looked at him with such worry and anticipation… And looked gorgeous doing so too!
Senku couldn’t bear the eye contact and immediately hid his face away, feeling the upcoming burn in the cheeks, creeping up to the very ears.
Why is it happening- Like that? Right now? Senku didn’t come here for that! Although-
It was a step forward in another problem of his, right?
If Gen knows that they share a bond, and that it’s purple, that means it’s a mix of romantic and platonic connection. And so-
No, Senku just had to clarify now.
“Are you oka-” A worried voice checked in on Senku, which he interrupted.
“So… You know?” He stood up and asked, eyes darting around from Gen’s face (just for the exact amount of time needed to process his reaction) to literally anything else.
“Know what?” The other man returned the question, also standing up.
Did he seriously want Senku to say it himself-
You know what? Fuck it, it was right about time for him to do something about these stupid feelings of his.
“Well… Remember how you said you ‘more than a little, liked me even before our meeting’?” The young scientist noticed Gen flushing too. Does that mean- The reaction gave him enough of a boost to continue. To drop the big bomb. “Well- I, kinda, have grown soft for you too.” Senku finally confessed.
“You- What? Since when???” The mentalist finally lost all his cool, looking very cute now, that his expression is messed up and is no way under the man’s control, as opposed to how collected he usually is. Senku loves genuine emotions on his mentalist’s face.
“Um- To be precise, probably since that very day? You literally gifted me an entire observatory. I can’t imagine how I could not have finally developed the feelings by then…” The man admitted, rubbing his cheek.
“Then- Why did you go out of your way and gave me this whole lecture about soulmates? Why didn’t you just tell me this? ” Gen accused him, blaming Senku for all the possible crimes he did.
It’s not his fault he wanted to be safe in case the feelings weren’t true!
“To be fair, I didn't quite understand what I was feeling that night yet. And, well, I still don’t really believe in that fate crap, you know? I like you and am telling you all this because it’s my own decision. ” Senku took the question seriously nonetheless. Besides, that’s his real thoughts.
Gen probably couldn’t decide on the reaction, so he just stepped closer, reaching for Senku’s hands. The scientist didn’t object, of course. Being held closely and delicately like that, by the no less gentle man was so fluttering and panic inducing, that Senku might as well have fainted right there and then. Since when has the simple touch been so powerful? Are these even supposed to be so good?
The man started rubbing Senku’s ring finger at some moment. That led the latter feeling overjoyed at how he has been included in a meaningful habit of Gen (especially since now knowing what exactly it meant for the man).
“Well, nothing really changed since then for me either.” Gen finally said, Senku saw the softest smile that the man ever gave him yet. “I really do like you. Love even, if I dare to say so. And… I don’t need that stupid thread to tell me so.” On cue, he reached for something.
Once the mentalist took the invisible thing into his hand, Senku felt something itching on his finger, right where Gen had just been rubbing him on.
And-
Senku couldn’t help but gasp, seeing Gen holding indeed a purple string that was dancing around them.
“You can see it?” Gen asked, wide eyed.
It was so… Weird.
“Yes, it’s-” Senku took a deep breath and heard that Gen copied him. “It’s rather cringe. Are we really going around all day with that?” He eyed the other man.
Gen couldn't resist a laugh. And Senku joined in on it too.
The whole thing seemed so surreal. Too good and strange too, almost fake.
The two were laughing so hard, they collapsed back on Gen's bed, now sending funny glances at each other.
“It really catches the eye. And you live with seeing these all the time on a daily basis?” Senku asked, sitting back up.
“Yeah, well, we don’t have that many soulmates here, unlike back into the modern world.” Gen shrugged, though kinda admitting it. “Besides, our string was much duller just a moment ago.”
“Oh, so talking feelings out might help with strengthening the bond?” Senku hummed, noting it in his mind.
“You think?!” The mentalist was almost furious, though Senku ignored that part. It's not his fault that talking feelings out is so difficult.
He sat back up too, hesitating to ask something.
“So.. Is it really mutual? I mean-” The man he loved asked, sounding too pathetic and self-deprecating for Senku to bear even one more second.
“Yes, mentalist, you’re not sleeping or anything, it really is indeed happening. I really fell in love with the most unfortunate candidate for this.” Senku sighed, interrupting him.
“Hey! Why am I the most unfortunate one?” Gen yelped.
“You always ask these awkward questions I don’t want to answer. You know all too well what's on my mind. Even I don't always know, or at least want to know what I feel!” He sighed yet again, this time being maybe a bit too dramatic himself, he has to admit here.
“Well, sorry for trying to show you some healthy treating mechanisms I guess?” Gen smiled at him.
“See? That’s what I mean!” Senku explained, sending the two into a laughing fit yet again.
This time they were no more than quiet chuckles - the two didn’t want to cause a disturbance and wake up those who already headed off for today, or gather unwanted attention to themselves, since that'd be way too awkward to explain in the moment. And Senku had no energy nor wish to do that.
They did lean closer to each other. It felt so right and natural. Senku never thought he’d feel that way towards anyone. With Gen though, anything is possible, he thinks.
Those pretty lips of his looked so inviting too…
“Can I?” Senku took the initiative in his hands, and, after getting a nod from the mentalist, instantly shortened all the very little distance that was left between them
The two kissed for the very first time.
Senku never done that before, but Gen, now seeming a tad more enthusiastic after the first step has already been done for him, seemed experienced enough. The other man made sure Senku’s experience was a very good and pleasant one.
Well, one perk of kissing a live-action celebrity, huh?
It was…
Yeah, that’s the best feeling in the world, totally incomprehensible and inexpressible, at least not for Senku, who has so many troubles with registering his feelings already.
Now he gets all those who claim love is worth living for.
He’s very glad he’s able to experience this feeling at last.
The two switched their location just a bit. They were now standing by the window, stargazing, which is their thing.
“So what are we now?” Gen finally asked the dreaded question.
Senku was very afraid of it before, but now… He’d actually be fine with whatever, he thinks.
“I don’t really know.” Senku shrugged, after scrubbing his head for a bit.
“We found something you don’t know? How exhilarating! ” The man mimicked his favourite saying. “We surely need more testing!”
It was Senku who had to give in to Gen’s kiss this time, and he did so most willingly. It was a way shorter kiss, but no less pleasant.
“I don’t think we should rush this though. Doesn’t feel right.” Senku expressed, after a short moment of silence where the two were looking at each other with loving eyes.
He doesn’t want to lose whatever the two have, and rushing too much too soon might lead exactly to that.
“It's partly because of why I didn't confront you before, wanting to take it slowly, for us to have the time to adjust. Apart from being busy as hell, of course, and being new to having romantic attraction.” The man confessed. “I, of course, wasn’t sure about your feelings either, so dealing with that seemed rather unproductive, until I got an idea you might feel the same. So after learning you, supposedly, already knew, I felt the timing was appropriate enough.” He dropped all the secrets now.
Well, he still needs Gen’s help with that superpower matter, but it can wait, actually.
“Yeah, you’re probably right.” After a couple moments of thought, mentalist sided with his decision. “I personally spent the better half of the last two-ish years suppressing these feelings for you, so I get that.” He also confessed, rubbing his cheek, looking at the string on his finger. That’s so weird that Senku can see it.
“Cringe.” Senku couldn’t help but express. His mentalist will get better at reading Senku’s true feelings, he’ll make sure of it now. “Kinda stupid of you.”
“Yeah, pretty much~” Gen said, smiling. “So… Not a couple?”
“Yeah, going straight into couple-mode just feels odd. I don’t wanna get into a relationship faster than big oaf, and I’m also new to the whole romance stuff, as I just said. I’m really not sure what my approach is here yet.” Senku nodded, referencing Taiju.
“Ha, yeah, fair.” Gen almost also referenced something. Maybe something to do with soulmates? Senku bets those two (being Taiju and Yuzuriha) also share a bond. “So… How about QPR?” Mentalist offered.
“What’s that?” Senku never heard of it.
“Queer-Platonic Relationship. Like something in between platonic and romantic. Kinda suits, with the nature of our bond, don’t you think so?” Gen waved the hand with his part of the string, showing it wobble. “In short, we just won’t specify what we are and roll with it. Just do whatever we feel like doing. Maybe even leave everyone else to guess for themselves. It’s not really their business anyway, right?” He shrugged.
And- Huh.
That seems even too good and easy.
Senku was so worried before, and then he learned there’s something that’ll perfectly suit them, really?
“Yeah, okay, seems cool.” Senku was very quick to agree. “And when everything settles into something more normal…” He started. Maybe…
Maybe by then he’ll be able to give Gen more.
No, scratch that. He definitely will!
“Yeah, then you’ll be able to properly ask me to become your boyfriend or something, if your feelings are still there by then.” His lover grinned at him.
“What- Why me? ” Senku quickly turned his head to look at Gen too.
Like… Yeah, sure, it’s fine, he could probably do that, but why so certain?
“Well, you kinda owe me one now for miscommunicating all those months ago.” The mentalist’s grin grew wider, the eyes thinned. That sight was so pleasing, that Senku almost gave in.
“Well I ain’t doing that without a proper contest or something.” He insisted on doing things the right way.
“Let’s flip a coin..?” Gen suggested seemingly almost absent mindedly.
“That- Could work, actually.” Senku was sent deep into thinking mode.
On the early morning of the 10th of September, Senku was standing before the officially finished ship.
The beach is yet rather deserted of people, since they all were just in the process of gathering up to finally put Perseus in water. Senku himself is the chief, so, of course, he has to be here early.
On the peripheral vision, he noticed how a vivid purple string appeared out of thin air. Damn, he’s so excited (and getting used to feeling it by now, with spending better parts of the last couple of days with the thing) that he didn’t notice the thread brushing on his finger. Their bond activating for Senku’s sight symbolized just one thing - Gen just came here, very close to him.
Senku turned around to meet his lover, the two smiled at each other and stood next to one another.
Gen has been exploring his newfound ability to share the ability to see one’s bonds to its’ owners, and Senku has been right by his side for this. Actually, being actively involved in something so special and personal, especially concerning a superpower, helped him in the process of overcoming personal struggles way more than any other way Senku could’ve possibly come up with by himself would’ve.
And so, in the same way they’ve been doing in all those days since getting together, the two were standing there by one another, waiting for others, just casually holding hands and enjoying every moment of it. Some bits of the very purple string that was tying the two together intertwined between their palms and fingers, almost knotting into itself, and the rest of the string happily danced around the couple.
They didn’t care for what others thought, sending slightly confused and surprised glances at the men. Whatever the two had was very special, no matter in what shape, way or form it is.
And Senku wouldn’t want anything more out of a relationship than what Gen is.