Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Gen could get used to this new day-to-day. Summer shines bright over Japan, stiflingly hot as always, but it brings a familiar, reassuring feeling. It implies he is there, in a country he could truly call 'home', if it wasn't for still living at Ryusui's.

Working remotely is, just as Senku said, far more accessible than it was two years ago. The fact that he has already built diplomatic and political relationships during those years of travel helps tremendously, too. Maintaining long-distance contact and leveraging it is much simpler than forging it through a screen. Not that it’s impossible, but one doesn’t just improvise being a mentalist— and in that arena, Gen knows he fares pretty well.

Compromises are sometimes necessary, but he is ready to accept them. If he has to be honest, it’s a small price to pay compared to what he was still willing to do just a few months ago. His scheduled trip at the end of the week is fast approaching, but he knows he’ll be back in Japan in the blink of an eye; before Xeno can even get used to his presence again.

And when he gets back, Gen will take the necessary steps regarding his living situation. Because he knows that despite the undeniable comfort of staying at Ryusui’s place, he can’t live there forever. First of all, because even if they don’t specially see each other every day, staying at Ryusui’s isn’t the same as living with the Kingdom of Science. And second, he realizes now that he knows he’ll be able to be in Japan much more often, he wants his 'home' to come back to everyday.

In the end, he never accepted Senku’s offer, even after realizing he had meant it. He just dodged it, and they never spoke of it again. Because Gen is a liar but, even more, he's a coward. He wouldn't risk it all, and he's not sure what to hope for, living under Senku's roof.

He still remembers the warmth of Senku's body against his, the pulse of his heartbeat beneath the skin of his neck, the hold of his arms around his back. He's a magician, but of the realistic kind, and he's way too afraid that if he ever were to experience that again, he wouldn't be able to live without it. And that would spell disaster, because Senku has stated that he is, against all odds, open to the idea of marriage. So when that happens—who knows how soon—he would just have to move out of his house. If he gets used to taking too much, he will never be able to give it back.

To prevent these kinds of thoughts from crowding his mind too often, he keeps himself busy however he can. When he isn't caught up in video conferences, which seem to multiply with each passing day, Gen continues to visit his friends and lend a hand here and there. He never thought he’d be the type to never rest; he still remembers all those times he hid from Senku back in the stone world to avoid being drafted for all sorts of chores, and everyone he manipulated into working in his place. Today, he’s the one showing up on his own to help out at Taiju and Yuzuriha’s shop.

"Isn't Senku supposed to drop by?" Ruri asks, peeking into the back room after ringing up a customer.

Gen stiffens, then turns toward her, looking interested. Beside him, Yuzuriha is gathering a few skeins of yarn, a sign she’s about to get back to sewing.

"He shouldn't be long, I think."

"Why is Senku-chan dropping by?" Gen inquires politely, too curious not to ask.

"Taiju asked him if he could look at my new sewing machine," Yuzuriha explains. "It kept stalling, so he said he’ll have a look on it. He was supposed to bring it back tonight..."

"Knowing Senku, it probably wouldn't take him long," Ruri smiles.

Focused on preparing a massive clothing order, Gen makes sure to fold each item carefully while listening to them talk, wincing at the sheer size of the order; both what he’s just finished and the mountain that still awaits him.

The shop’s front door chimes, announcing a new customer, and Ruri slips away to return to the front so she doesn't leave Mirai all alone there. While he tries not to be too self-conscious, Gen can't ignore Yuzuriha’s gaze, which he feels lingering on him for a few seconds— a few seconds too long to be accidental.

"Something’s wrong, Yuzuriha-chan?" he regrets asking when he sees her putting the skeins of yarn down on the back room table.

"I was wondering if you finally managed to talk with Senku about what we discussed last time." Her smile is soft, and Gen hates the heat rising in his cheeks.

"Oh? You and me? I’m sorry to say, but I don't remember what you’re referring to."

"I’m pretty sure you do," she laughs. "But it’s okay, you obviously don’t have to tell me everything. I’m just happy for you that you’re able to stay here in Japan longer, since that’s what you wanted."

Gen knows he’s not fooling anyone, especially with how he can feel his face soften. But it’s Yuzuriha he’s talking to, and somehow he thinks that he can take a leaf out of her book and play the honesty card.

"Thank you, Yuzuriha-chan," he says slowly. "You were right, Senku-chan understood. I’m glad I told him how I felt." He’s a bit embarrassed at the thought that it’s in Senku’s arms that he confessed his feelings, but it is something that’s only his to know.

The back room’s exterior door opens, and while Yuzuriha keeps her face still, caught up in their conversation, Gen can tell from the smile she’s fighting back that Taiju just returned from his latest delivery. He appears a few seconds later, with his usual cheerful expression, which always brightens even more whenever Yuzuriha is in the room. She waits until he greets her before turning back to Gen, clearly not ready to drop the subject just yet.

"You know, Gen, I think Senku is glad you’re staying a bit longer."

"It’s convenient for him, yeah. He gets extra labor at least two or three days a week that way…" Gen sighs, though he isn't sure he hates that fact as much as he wants them to think so.

"Oh, you guys are talking about Senku?" Taiju asks, joining in. "I’ve noticed he’s been in a great mood since our wedding, Yuzuriha! Do you think it’s because he’s happy for us?"

Gen’s hands freeze over the clothing item he is folding, and he has to suppress the urge to look at them. A soft laugh escapes Yuzuriha, gentle in the quiet of the room, and he thanks Senku for building an air conditioning system here considering how hot it's becoming.

"You think so?" Yuzuriha asks politely, but something in her tone carries a hint that is more teasing than curious. "Who knows? It’s true that Senku is more sentimental than he lets on, after all."

Her words hold a thousand questions, and surely just as many answers. Gen curses, just as much as he treasures, the hope blooming in his chest.

"We can just ask him, he’s right here!" Taiju exclaims, gesturing with both hands toward the short hallway he just came through.

"Erisously-say?!" Gen chokes.

"Well, yeah, I picked him up before coming here. I figured it’d be easier, since he doesn't have a license!"

Another reason to prove to Senku that getting his driver's license should probably start becoming a priority.

"Hey, Big Oaf, won't you help me?!" Senku’s voice rings out, distant enough to indicate he’s waiting outside, and Taiju almost jumps to the ceiling.

"Ah! I was so excited to see you again, Yuzuriha, that I forgot him outside and left him carrying everything!"

Yuzuriha’s flushed face, combined with the mental image he gets of a stranded Senku waiting outside—his arms loaded with gear he’s already struggling to carry—is too much for Gen. He bursts out laughing just as Taiju vanishes, only to return a few moments later carrying a massive cardboard box with an imposing sewing machine resting on top. It looks weightless in his arms, yet the flushed, sweating and contorted with effort face of Senku following behind confirms that it’s nothing but an illusion. Gen’s laughter flares up all over again at the sight of him.

"Hey, Mentalist, what’s so funny?" It's obvious he doesn't expect an answer, but teasing him is somewhere at the top of Gen’s favorite things to do.

"And here I thought your moon training helped you grow some muscles?" he says, his voice dripping with exaggerated disbelief, as if he’s genuinely shocked. He pretends to be too invested in folding clothes, as he's almost done with this huge command he's preparing, to look up as he continues, "Maybe it was too long ago?"

"You fraud mentalist, stop your crap."

"Senku!" Taiju interrupts. "You know, we were saying that you seemed to be in a good mood since our wedding!"

The way Senku is taken aback is almost endearing. He freezes for a second, before arching a brow and giving Taiju his best deadpan look. "What the fuck are you saying?"

They argue, and somehow Gen feels like this is the most normal thing that could happen. They are just here, together, as if time had never passed. Ruri and Mirai are just in the next room, but he wishes everyone else was there, in this shop. He deeply, fondly, hopes they could just gather one more time— or even more.

He knows he's a bit too much of a romantic, and that's why he never brought it up.

The conversation around him intensifies, then shifts. Senku starts talking about the details of Yuzuriha’s sewing machine and the now-resolved issue just as Gen finally finishes folding the last clothing item. He doesn't regret offering his help, but he has to admit he never imagined he’d spend so much time on it. His legs feeling numb, he stands up to stretch like a cat, when a familiar voice catches his attention from the front shop.

"They’re in the back room," Ruri only has time to point out before Ryusui’s familiar silhouette steps through the doorway, François right on his heels.

"Oh! Gen! I see that you're still here," Ryusui says, snapping his fingers. "Right, that's why I saw one of my cars in the parking lot!" he adds, unbothered by the idea.

"What are you doing here, Ryusui-chan?"

"Hm? I came to pick up my order, of course!"

"Your order?"

Gen doesn't even have time to react that François has already picked up the order he just spent over an hour folding. They carry it as if the pile of clothes doesn't weigh a ton. The gears turn in his mind. "It was yours?!"

"Of course!"

'Of course,' yeah. He should have seen it coming. Who, other than Ryusui, could order such a quantity of clothes, after all? Gen isn't sure the man will even have enough time to sort through them and wear them all, but it would be a lie to say it didn't match his insatiable greed.

"You know you could have asked me to bring it back with me tonight, Ryusui-chan, since you knew I was stopping by here. It would have saved you the trip."

"I could have, yes! But I needed it before tonight."

"You needed all those clothes for tonight?" Senku asks flatly, with genuine confusion.

"Of course! I need beautiful and brand new clothes for my date tonight."

A collective gasp echoes through the room, except for François, who remains calm as usual. Even Mirai, who just joined them, can't hide her astonishment.

"Wait—Actually, I don't think we should be surprised, considering it's you we're talking about, Ryusui-chan," Gen realizes. "So, who's that lucky person?" There’s a deliberately exaggerated, singsong tone to his voice, but it's not like Gen expected Ryusui to be embarrassed anyway. He remains completely unfazed, just as he has always been whenever he has proclaimed his desire for anyone, and for years now.

"Ukyo, of course," he says like it's obvious. "He finally considered giving me a chance, so I needed a proper wardrobe!"

Silence falls for a brief second before the excitement rushes back. Ruri clasps her hands in front of her chest, a smile on her lips, in a gesture that clearly shows she’s happy for him, and Yuzuriha wears the same expression. Taiju looks confused, his gaze darting from one face to another, but caught up in the infectious enthusiasm, he lets himself go along with it, too. As for Senku, he looks completely unfazed by the news.

Gen, on the other hand, needs a bit more time than the others. "Erisously-say?!" He's at a loss for words. "But... He absolutely didn't say anything about that when I saw him yesterday! We had dinner together, and he didn't mention anything at all!"

"Gen, you had a date with Ukyo?" Ryusui's question is completely earnest, and Gen thinks that's the reason why he doesn't know how to process everything. He's trying his best to avoid Senku's gaze.

"Obviously not, it wasn't a date at all," he sighs, throwing his hands up in the air in exasperation. "We just had dinner! As friends!"

"I see! Then that's a shame Ukyo didn't mention it," Ryusui admits, but he doesn't really seem to bother. Ukyo is not one to talk about these kind of things anyway.

"How is it that the one who's the most surprised here is the mentalist?" Senku asks defiantly, sharp as ever with his provocation.

It's not like he hasn't seen anything coming. Chrome and Suika had somehow implied that Ryusui had taken a liking to Ukyo lately when they were discussing gossips at Taiju and Yuzuriha's wedding. But he had absolutely no idea Ukyo would actually accept his advances. He is happy for them, of course, and he can only hope everything goes well, even if it is just one first date. Still, as a mentalist, there is absolutely no way he could accept being the only one who didn’t see it coming.

Oh, he truly hates having been away for so long.

What else has he missed?

Will he come back from his week-long trip to America scheduled next week, only to learn that two more of their friends are engaged?

Now that he thinks about it, he seems to recall hearing François mention that Chelsea visited Sai recently. Would he be wrong for thinking that they might be next? Maybe he would— definitely.

And what about Senku?

Even if he tries his best not to think about it, he can't forget that Senku admitted that he'll eventually be open to marriage. Gen can push it to the back of his mind for a while, but he knows reality will catch up with him one day.

He risks a glance towards Senku, who’s not paying him attention anymore, talking with Ryusui. He might sense his gaze because he turns his head slightly toward him, before going back to Ryusui after Gen gives him a smile.

"By the way, Gen!" Ryusui exclaims, completely turning to him. "When are you leaving?"

Every head snaps in his direction, but Gen has no intention of showing that he’s caught off guard by the question. "At the end of this week, Ryusui-chan. You’ll get your car back, don’t worry," he says lightly, gesturing with his right hand and a smile on his lips.

There’s a wave of surprise at his words, and Gen is almost certain that the loudest voice to rise isn't Taiju’s, but Yuzuriha’s. Suddenly, he’s no longer sure what information he actually gave them, or if he even mentioned his trip at all. The silent questions he sees in Yuzuriha’s eyes confirm it, and his mind flashes back to their conversation from a few minutes ago.

"Oh? Did I not tell you about it?" he tries casually.

"Not at all, no," Ruri breathes softly, a tinge of sadness in her voice.

Gen is starting to see the misunderstanding taking shape. The only one who obviously doesn't seem surprised is Senku, since they've discussed this trip several times. He feels his hands tingle a bit at the memory of Senku's body against his own, at the echo of his own voice when he admitted that he didn't want to leave again. And that memory fills him with an adrenaline he has no desire to let fade right now.

"Are you going to organize something before you leave?" Ryusui asks, and his voice, usually booming and fueled by the desires he never represses, grows more compassionate. Despite his personality, Ryusui has always known how to read between the lines when necessary.

Gen pictures Ishigami Village, the observatory. Those nights spent all together, around a campfire anywhere in the world, or on a ship. Would he be wrong to want to hold onto it just one more time?

He’s often claimed he was a sentimentalist. Time to be honest and act like one.

"I don’t really know," he replies, letting his voice drag out exaggeratedly before twisting his face into an embarrassed pout. "I was thinking about Ishigami Village, and then about everyone..."

"Did you want to organize something there?"

Suppressing a smile is easy. Gen has spent his entire life mastering his facial expressions.

"It’s just… I wouldn’t want to bother anyone. And it’s a bit late now, so everyone must already have plans..."

Hesitantly, he observes each of the faces looking at him one by one. Yuzuriha and Ruri are the two most empathetic ones, their eyes showing it without restraint. Beyond that, it’s mostly sadness he sees in Mirai, to the point where he could almost feel guilty. Taiju looks somewhat overwhelmed by the situation, but he gets the vibe nonetheless. And Ryusui seems deep in thought, as if he’s sincerely considering what he could do. Gen doesn't know if Ryusui realizes that the direction of this conversation is entirely up to him, but if he does, he doesn't seem bothered by it.

Next to him, Senku watches him with knitted brows, but says nothing.

"We can organize that for you, Gen! It'll be our farewell gift!" Taiju exclaims, making no effort to hide his emotion.

"Eally-ray?!" Gen does his best to look moved to tears, but he has to suppress a slight twitch when he notices Yuzuriha keeping her eyes fixed on Senku— he doesn't understand what that implies. No one seems to see right through his act, and even though he hates being the center of attention when it’s against his will, he has to admit he might actually get caught up in the game since this is so easy and funny.

"I’ll take care of it, then! François will help us, it’s going to be great!" Ryusui exclaims, and François approves with a polite, reserved bow, still managing to maintain their professionalism despite the huge package they're still holding.

Ryusui vanishes without a trace, the same way he had arrived—energetically—after simply wishing everyone a good evening and throwing a quick 'see you tonight if we run into each other' to Gen. The tension hanging in the room is full of unspoken words and an empathy that has no reason to be there, but no one is really supposed to know that.

Except for Senku, who's staring at him with wide eyes.

The moment is strange, because no one needs to say a word for the girls to head back into the shop, dragging a rather confused Taiju along with them. In the blink of an eye, only Senku is left standing beside him, still staring as if Gen had just proven mathematically that, yes, the Earth used to have rings.

"Mentalist, what the fuck."

Gen winces before turning toward him, armed with the most innocent smile he can muster.

"What is it, Senku-chan?"

"You’re aware they’re going to know you lied when they see you back in less than two weeks, right?"

"Eh? Who are you accusing of lying?" he pretends to be offended but he can feel that he’s grinning.

"You, you professional liar. Not that I ever doubted it, but you really lie the same way you breathe."

"But I didn’t lie. Every word I said was true," he smiles softly, because somehow it comes more naturally than just teasing him. He means it; every word was true. Senku seems a bit surprised, judging by the way he frowns, and Gen knows him too well not to guess he's replaying their conversation in his head.

"But you—"

"Ryusui-chan asked me when I was leaving, and I'm really leaving at the end of the week."

"And the part about the village?"

"You're hurting my feelings, Senku-chan. I told you I'm a sentimentalist, I like this kind of thing," he knows Senku can read through the lightness of his words and that's everything he needs. And it's obvious he does, considering how his face softens.

"You're a real attention whore," Senku sighs, but there's a laugh mixed with it. "Ryusui's going to be unbearable and it's really going to be something big. Way too big, especially for someone who's coming back to annoy the shit out of us only one week later."

"Aw, don't say it like this, Senku-chan, I'm pretty sure you missed me annoying you, those past two years." Where he expects Senku to brush the idea aside while pointing out that it's gross, he simply looks away instead. There's a slight flush in his cheeks, so faint that Gen wonders if he's just hallucinating it.

"Yeah, I did," he says seriously, his voice low and yet it feels like it's filling the room.

Time stops for a quick second. When their gazes meet again, there's no embarrassment anymore in Senku's face. Whatever blush might have been there has vanished, leaving not even a ghost of it behind on his sharp features. Unfortunately, Gen doesn't need to keep seeing it to feel the heat rushing to his own face; the words still echoing in his ears are more than enough.

Yeah, I did. 

It's not that deep, Gen knows it. He missed Senku during these two years, but he also missed his friends. But for Senku to admit it, it means so much more. Because Senku is a man of action, not words. Every single one of his decisions, his small gestures, and the choices he makes under the guise of pragmatism are what show his affection.

The playing cards he made for him—back when the priority was supposed to be building a ship—are for example a constant reminder of that.

But Gen is better with words than him, even if lately he’s spent more time torturing himself with his own thoughts than anything else. "I missed you too, Senku-chan," he confesses, even though it weighs so little compared to what he's really feeling.

"Gross," Senku smiles.

The past few days have been so packed with preparations that Gen was somewhat forced to brush aside the event Ryusui, or more like François, is in charge of. Meetings have been piling up regarding this trip and everything it entails, whether with Xeno or their various other contacts.

It was only when he arrived at Ishigami Village with François, Ryusui, and Ukyo that he truly began to realize the sheer scale of his lie, and what he’d left behind. Granted, it wasn't a lie per se, as he’d made sure to point out to Senku, but it changes nothing about the fact that everyone remains convinced he’s leaving to roam the world for months, if not years, when he’ll actually be back the very next week.

Against all odds, Senku hasn't said a word to anyone— no doubt he prefers to let him deal with the trouble he’s brought upon himself.

Fortunately, Ryusui doesn't seem to have gone completely overboard. The place still looks frozen in time, as they choose to stay near the observatory and the old laboratory. It remains faithful to what it once was, though with that encroaching nature that signals no one lives here anymore. And if you overlook the tarpaulin-covered trailer waiting a bit further away, whose contents he doesn't know, and the massive catering area set up on the ground right in front of them... then everything looks relatively normal.

Clearly, he’s been reined in by someone, and Gen wouldn't be surprised to learn it was none other than Ukyo— he still fully intends to tease them and dig into the details of their new relationship.

"What’s in that trailer, Ryusui-chan?" he asks while François, pragmatic as always, is already heading off to the kitchen setup.

"Oh, it’s for sleeping! We figured not everyone would necessarily be able to go home after the meal, depending on the time and how much alcohol everyone’s had! So Yuzuriha helped us get some mattresses ready!"

"It won't be as comfortable as a good bed or even a futon, that's for sure..." Yuzuriha chimes in with a smile, having overheard her name. "But I think it might be enough for one night."

"But just how many did you prepare for it to take up a whole trailer?!" Gen gasps.

They are quite a few of them, sure, but certainly not enough to fill a whole trailer with mattresses. No doubt this is where Ryusui’s greed extends. With a sigh, Gen doesn't bother to argue and turns to observe the gathered crowd.

The few greetings he received dried up over the minutes following his arrival, and Gen realizes that this is no longer just an event supposedly organized to wish him goodbye. Not that he minds, though. To be honest, it’s actually what he prefers; it allows him to stay out of the spotlight. Because no matter how much Senku tells him that he’s kind of an attention whore, he thinks it’s more complex than that.

The atmosphere takes them all back a few years; one only has to look at the overlapping smiling faces everyone wear to realize it. And he knows it: he wasn’t the only one feeling melancholic, missing the old days.

"What’s with the creepy smile, Mentalist?" a familiar voice rises from his left. Gen turns in his direction without showing a single emotion, his movement slow and calculated, only to find himself facing a Senku whose face is split by a slightly mocking smirk.

"Am I not allowed to be happy to be here?"

"When do you plan on telling them they’re here for nothing?"

His tone is surprisingly more amused than reproachful. Gen avoids pointing out to him that he made the trip too, despite knowing the truth.

"You're being harsh, Senku-chan. They could also just be gathering because they adore me, right?"

"Take whichever version suits you, it won't change the fact that you'll have to tell them at some point during the night. We're not together in this, Mentalist."

Gen pouts, because that's honestly only what's left for him to do after seeing Senku's bright and teasing smile, before the scientist goes over to where Chrome and Suika are.

Ukyo comes over to keep him company, a glass of wine in hand, no doubt unaware that by taking such a step toward him, he’s exposing himself to an interrogation he might not appreciate. Gen has been waiting to grill him ever since he learned about his date, without having had the chance yet.

"Did you prepare a speech for us?" Ukyo asks with amusement, but the gentle tone of his voice carries a characteristic empathy.

"Aw, I don't know, Ukyo-chan," Gen sings. "Did you prepare everything you have to tell me about Ryusui-chan?" He’s proud to see his friend’s cheeks turn bright red.

"Are you sure you want to talk about this right now?" Ukyo tries, his embarrassment all the more obvious.

"Positive, yes. You’ve got to know I was a bit disappointed to be the last one to find out, Ukyo-chan. It’s as if I’m no longer worth your confessions after we've been separated for two years?" Gen declares more than he asks, his voice tinged with despair, both hands resting on his heart in an exaggeratedly theatrical gesture.

"We've never had that kind of relationship, Gen," Ukyo has a small laugh before he turns toward all their friends, who are starting to set up a cozy area to eat. "It's not like I was gonna come to you and tell you that Ryusui had asked me out. For the third time."

"Third?!"

"Yeah, honestly I don't know," Ukyo sighs with a certain tenderness.

"Ryusui-chan was really desperate," Gen comments. "And so? How was the date?"

"It was fun. Who knows, I might get used to it."

"I figured as much, seeing that you made the trip with us."

Gen lets his gaze wander through the crowd until he finds Ryusui, who has dragged Senku away from his discussion with Chrome to talk about a topic they can't hear from here, but one that seems to highly interest the scientist. The second he spends just watching Senku is surely too long, considering the heavy stare he feels Ukyo is fixing on him.

"I'm happy for you, Ukyo-chan," he adds with honesty, his voice devoid of all sarcasm, of any joking.

"Thank you, Gen. I hope you find what you deserve, too," Ukyo smiles, and Gen doesn't miss the quick glance he steals toward Senku. He then walks away without another word to join them, leaving Gen alone— not that it really bothers him.

Everyone is starting to sit down a bit further away, on the massive picnic blanket brought along for the occasion. If the cherry blossoms were in bloom, the atmosphere could have felt like doing a Hanami viewing with a big, precious family. But it's not spring; the summer heat crushes them. Its warmth differs from the kind Tokyo used to trap back when the city still existed. It’s no longer held in by buildings and concrete, but the characteristic humidity is still there. Nature's cycles have changed over more than three thousand seven hundred years, but in the end, they are still very much in Japan. So, even if visually all that's missing is a campfire for the illusion to be perfect, he'll do without it. Right now, he’s not sure he could stand in front of one without feeling like he's melting, even with the night settling in with the gentleness of a cloud.

During his brief daydreaming, everyone has already taken a seat. Gen approaches, and Senku must hear him because, sitting between Ukyo and Kohaku, he turns halfway in his direction. Without making a big deal out of the gesture, whether on purpose or not, he shifts slightly closer to Kohaku to clear a spot between himself and Ukyo.

The intention is natural, almost obvious; they've always been used to being close to each other, after all. Sometimes without even realizing it, just because they would unconsciously find each other even in a room full of people, and sometimes because they were actively looking for one another. As if the other's presence could serve as an essential anchor.

So, Gen sits down in the space made for him without questioning it any further. Even if they don't speak, the simple fact of knowing Senku is right beside him is enough.

"So, Gen! Ready for your departure tomorrow?" Ryusui asks. Even though he isn’t far, just on the other side of Ukyo, his voice carries enough to catch everyone's attention. Every head snaps in his direction almost in unison, and Gen can feel the trap closing in on him. Beside him, Senku lets out a soft chuckle.

"Of course, duty calls," Gen replies lightly.

"Where are you heading first?" Kohaku asks, leaning in his direction until she’s invading Senku’s personal space, though he doesn't seem to mind.

"To the United States. Xeno-chan has an important meeting and they need me to smooth things over. You know how he is," Gen answers, his tone meant to be amused.

"You're starting to get used to him," Chrome replies just as he shifts to welcome the full plate François serves him. A few chuckles rise, testament to the reputation Xeno leaves in his wake, but they know he's definitely unbothered by it.

"And after that?" Ryusui asks, and there is nothing but genuine curiosity in his question.

Gen blinks. "After that?"

"Where are you going after that important meeting?"

The laughter that rises and echoes into the night belongs to Senku, mocking but genuine, and loud in a way it rarely is. Despite the total lack of compassion leaking from his reaction, Gen can't help but feel a certain amusement at seeing him like this. Across from them, the faces twist into obvious perplexity, highlighted by the night-time lighting set up for the occasion.

"You’re not helping me here, Senku-chan," Gen whispers with a sulky pout, even though he knows his voice can be heard.

"Not planning to," Senku smirks. "Don’t forget that you got into this all by yourself."

It’s only mentally that Gen winces, making sure not to let any unnecessary emotion show through. Across from them, curiosity is taking up more and more space among their friends, and he understands that now is the time for the truth to come out.

"After that important meeting, I'm coming back to Japan," he says lightly, as if it were obvious and he didn't understand where the question was coming from.

A clamor of amazement rises at these words, and Gen contents himself with an innocent smile directed at them. He thinks he can discern Taiju’s surprise, Nikki’s lack of understanding, and even Minami's astonishment. In the distance, he even spots Kaseki and Joel debating the matter.

Even if he regrets his little theatrics, Gen is a performer above all else.

"Ha? Didn't I tell you?" he feigns deep thought with exaggeration.

"I’m afraid not, indeed!" Ryusui cuts in, his voice booming, though he doesn't really seem bothered.

"Really? I was convinced I’d mentioned it, though..."

Yuzuriha’s gaze, which he catches for a brief second, stings him slightly in his lie.

"But how long are you leaving for, then?" Ukyo questions.

"Uh... a week? Six days to be precise."

A silence falls over the gathering. This is the moment François chooses to step up to him and set down his plate, and it’s with a quick glance that Gen notices Senku, to his left, has indeed already been served.

The small laugh Ukyo lets out sounds like a general surrender, and despite the few remarks flying around, mostly in the form of questions, the topic quickly dies down. Because in the end, everyone is aware of the reality of this evening: it was never any less of an excuse to all gather and spend time together than it was a farewell party.

If he were truly leaving, perhaps Gen would take offense. He will never know.

"Mentalist," Senku calls his name while the various conversations resume around them. The hand he extends in his direction holds one of his handmade colas.

"Aw, Senku-chan, is this my farewell gift?" Gen teases as he grabs it.

"You’d better make sure that meeting goes well, we're counting on you," Senku dodges the question, digging a pinky into his ear.

Gen nods before opening the bottle, which he hastily brings to his lips. The liquid is cold, just right to contrast with the night-time warmth of this summer evening— and familiar enough to move him to tears if he didn't have an image to maintain. After all these years, he doesn't even know what the cola he used to drink tasted like anymore, the one he thought he could never live without. At first Senku's was primitive, devoid of all those additives found in the twenty-first century, but over time he improved his recipe. Today, it is by far the one Gen prefers.

"Hey, slow down, don't empty the bottle all at once," Senku drops, caught off guard judging by the surprise in his voice.

"Thank you, Senku-chan."

Setting the bottle down in front of him, Gen focuses on the meal that’s just been served to him. He's done with his plate when Ukyo’s voice calls out. "By the way Gen, are you going back to Ryusui's place when you return?" he asks conversationally, and Ryusui turns his head toward them upon hearing his name.

"Aw, don't worry Ukyo-chan, I'm not stealing your man."

The bright red spreading across the archer’s cheeks is worth everything in the world.

"That's not what I— I was just being curious."

"I’d like to know the answer too, though," Ryusui adds without addressing the comment, but a slight smile tugs at his lips after he steals a quick glance in Ukyo’s direction. "Anyway, you’re always welcome Gen, of course!"

"Will I still be able to borrow one of your cars?" Gen jokes, and Ryusui doesn't seem to know whether to take it seriously or as the joke it's supposed to be. Gen lets out a soft, amused breath before continuing more earnestly. "I don't think I'll go back to Ryusui-chan's place. Or at least, not for long. Only if I have no other choice... I’m going to stay in Japan more from now on, even if I'll still travel a bit. So... I'd like to have my own 'home' to come back to every day."

That's probably the most honest leaf he's unfolded since he was in Senku's arms a few weeks ago, and he's proud he managed to say it.

"Ha! It’s about time you stopped living like a stray cat, Gen!"

Pivoting toward Kohaku at her voice, Gen is almost surprised to see that Senku is turned toward him, clearly paying close attention to the conversation even though he isn’t taking part in it.

"What's with that image you have of me, Kohaku-chan?" Gen defends himself without much conviction, and she only laughs as a response.

Under the stare Senku is throwing his way—clearly not interested in being subtle—Gen thinks back to the offer to live at his place that he had turned down. He wonders what could possibly be brewing inside that highly developed brain of his right now. But Senku says nothing, eventually shifting his attention back to their friends across from them, so Gen is forced to do the same.

The chatter flows, and soon the night stretches on. Alcoholic drinks multiply for some, and by a certain hour, they can consider themselves lucky that there are no neighbors around.

"Chrome, Ruri, do you know when you’re getting married?" Nikki’s question isn’t necessarily asked in a loud voice, but the topic itself is enough to catch everyone's attention. The general hubbub of different conversations blending together dies down, and all heads turn toward Chrome, who looks more confused than embarrassed. In drastic contrast, Ruri’s face beside him has gained two shades of red.

"Huh?" Chrome blinks in surprise. "Well, no, we haven't talked about it again since I asked her."

The sudden silence is heavy, and only the sounds of the night fill the void for a few seconds.

"Not at all?" Nikki asks, astonished.

"Well, no. What for? We said when our project is finished, and—"

"What an idiot," Ginro cuts him off, and coming from him, it seems to weigh heavily in Chrome’s eyes.

"I couldn’t have said it better myself," Nikki adds with a sigh of exasperation.

"Wh—Hey! Can I know what I even said this time?"

"Sorry Chrome-chan, but you’re really not defensible on this one. Even less so if you don't even realize it!"

Even the darkness can't hide the obvious embarrassment on Ruri’s face, as she doesn't dare utter a single word. Even though everyone here knows them and knows how patient she is, Gen realizes that nudging Chrome a little bit isn't a bad thing. They all seem to agree on the matter.

"Maybe Ruri deserves better, actually," Kohaku feigns deep thought, despite a certain amusement leaking into her sentence. "Even Senku would take his marriage more seriously, which is saying something."

"What do I have to do with this?"

A few chuckles echo his perplexity, Gen’s among them.

"It's Senku we're talking about," Minami says. "As if he’d ever get married."

"Ha? What's with that image you all have of me, seriously?"

Even though he remains as unbothered as always, Gen knows him well enough to see that Senku would prefer any other topic of conversation. He can tell by the almost imperceptible twitch of his brow, by the soft click of his tongue he lets escape, so faint that surely only his two neighbors and Ukyo could hear it.

Nothing out of the ordinary; it wasn't as if Senku had ever shown any interest in those things. Yet Gen can't help but wonder to what extent he had thought through his words back at Taiju and Yuzuriha’s wedding, when he told him that he might consider it someday.

"You know you can't marry science, right?" Chrome points out, having suddenly shifted to the side of the ones doing the teasing rather than the one being teased.

"Nor even one of your inventions," Kohaku adds.

"In case you haven't noticed, they aren't real people."

"And not Why-man either," Minami completes, seeing him ready to open his mouth to retort. "Even if it might be a little closer to something alive."

Amusement spreads even further through their little group, Ryusui’s and Ginro’s laughter louder than the others, and Gen lets himself get carried away by the atmosphere. Even though he’s dying to add fuel to the fire, because it's always funny to tease others, he abstains for once.

"Nonsense," Senku sighs, but there is something unsteady in his voice. The world freezes for a moment, conversations die out, and every head pivots back in his direction.

Gen is in the front row to see the discomfort on his face but, above all, what looks like blushing. It’s a far cry from what Ruri looked like a few minutes earlier; it’s so subtle you could easily miss it. But the embarrassment is obvious, and clearly uncontrollable.

It’s a delicate sight— endearing in a way, but bitter in another. It reminds him that Senku had admitted he had missed him for two years with a similar expression, and then carries the fact that it’s not about him, here.

"Senku... What's with that reaction?" Ryusui asks, always capable of saying out loud what everyone else is wondering in silence.

"Do you actually have someone in mind?" Minami questions without judgment, but rather out of genuine curiosity. "For real?"

"Senku, you didn't even tell me about it!" Taiju exclaims, but despite his outburst, it doesn't seem to be the slightest reproach in his words, only confusion. Beside him, Yuzuriha only stands with a silent smile, her eyes fixed on their scientist friend. They slide toward Gen for a second, and he wonders if she is capable of piercing through his emotions.

Of course she understood. Not that Gen thought of himself as particularly transparent with his feelings for Senku, but Yuzuriha’s approaches over the past few weeks are clear evidence that she knows, despite her discretion.

"Why does it even matter?" Senku retorts, digging a pinky into his ear.

"Because it's you we're talking about, Senku! Everyone here is interested!"

Murmurs of approval rise, and everyone is surprised to see even Kinro nod in agreement. Gen is torn between a curiosity similar to the others, a desire to twist the knife and tease Senku even further, and the need to disappear from this conversation so he doesn't have to hear more of it.

"So, Senku?" Minami pipes up again, and one could tell by her enthusiasm that she regrets not having her camera with her. "Do you have someone you'd consider marrying?"

"...I do. Why would it be so weird?"

If Gen weren't already sitting down, he would undoubtedly have felt the ground slide out from under his feet. He is no longer sure he’s following the rest of the conversation, his mind too anchored on the confession— meant to sound detached, yet carrying a weight he feels like he can bear on his own shoulders.

He had understood that Senku was open to the idea of getting married, in the more or less near future. Over the weeks, months even, he had been forced to accept the idea. Learning that there was actually a specific person those thoughts were turning toward makes him feel almost sick to his stomach.

For a split second, he thinks of Luna, before quickly changing his mind. Even if Senku gave the impression of liking and esteeming her, he had never been receptive to the feelings she made no secret of. Through the muffled blur of the conversation, he spots Kohaku leaning toward Senku, an index finger pointed in his direction, and the ghost of that characteristic smirk on Senku's lips. He wants to know what they’re talking about, but their natural closeness suddenly bothers him, whereas he had never paid it any attention until now.

He wants to hear what they’re saying, but his mind no longer processes the information. It’s as if he were suddenly standing several meters away.

Bringing his hands together inside his sleeves, he searches for a reaction to adopt, a way to anchor himself back to the discussion before his absence in it starts to look abnormal.

"Is she here with us?" he finally manages to ask, with the first and completely stupid question that pops into his head.

There's a switch in Senku's expression as he turns his head toward him. There are too many questions dancing in his red eyes for Gen to sort through, to separate them from one another. Senku looks genuinely confused, in a way that's painfully hopeful for Gen. He swallows, almost ready to take the question back and brush it off.

"What?" Senku says slowly, as if daring him to ask again.

"I was asking if—"

"Yeah, I heard. What the fuck?"

"Huh?" Gen is taken aback, but he can't help the hope that's lingering in his chest. He feels the heat rising to his ears as Senku doesn't take his eyes off him for a single second. It borders on pure provocation at this point.

The questions that filled Senku’s gaze just moments ago soften into something else. It’s much gentler, almost compassionate, and he gives in with a sigh before turning back toward the others. Gen snaps back to the realization that they aren't, indeed, alone.

"Anyway, I'm not answering anything else guys, leave it be. Go mess with Chrome, it's way funnier."

Despite a few protests, as much from Chrome as from those who hoped to learn more, the discussion dies down on those words. Gen can still feel the blush lingering on his face, so unpleasant that he feels like everyone can see it in the darkness pierced by lamplights. Fortunately, no one is paying attention to him.

No one, except for Senku, who turns his head toward him.

Gen seizes the very first opportunity to save face, completely unwilling to remain as much of an open book as he knows he is right now.

"What was that, Senku-chan?"

"Think twice before you speak next time, shitty Mentalist."

Hard to be more explicit in telling him he screwed up. Even so, Senku doesn't look angry, or even defensive. On the opposite, his eyes still hold something soft, almost compassionate. In them, Gen sees years of relationship, of plans made together, of ups and downs; sometimes failures, but mostly victories. So full of ambition and kindness; they had been by his side for so long now.

Senku adds nothing, and Gen doesn't ask for anything either. He needs his brain to think about something else for now. And Ukyo's glances, which he can feel heavy on him, don't help at all.

The night stretches on, the conversations now far away from Senku’s hypothetical wedding, and fatigue is starting to take its toll on everyone. Yuzuriha has fallen asleep, her head resting against Taiju’s shoulder, and Kirisame is slowly starting to nod off too— it’s only a matter of minutes before she topples onto Kinro. Magma and Yō have launched into a debate kept alive solely by the alcohol they’ve consumed. In the distance, Gen spots François preparing the sleeping arrangements, which is a welcome sight.

"I'm heading to the observatory," Senku announces, standing up. "You're coming, Mentalist."

It isn’t really a question. Gen gets confirmation of that when Senku grabs his haori to drag him along, and Gen follows more out of reflex than any actual need. Even so, he doesn't protest.

"Oh, I'm coming too!" Chrome exclaims behind them, the intensity of his voice indicating he just bolted to his feet. "Hey, what are you doing?"

Gen risks a glance over his shoulder, something Senku clearly doesn't deem relevant to do himself. Chrome is facing Kohaku, who is blocking his path, her arms crossed sternly over her chest.

"Where do you think you're going?" she demands.

"Well, with Senku and Gen to the observ—"

"They don't need you, idiot."

Against all expectations, Senku lets out a faint chuckle before finally releasing the fabric he’d kept clenched in his fist. Even though he’s no longer being dragged by force, Gen follows him instinctively, despite a perplexity he makes no effort to hide.

When they reach the second floor, the room is exactly as they left it a few weeks earlier. Gen only notices that the smell of dust is slightly more present, though the fact that the futon has moved a bit and that a few more books have been added indicates that Senku keeps coming up here, just perhaps less often.

"So, what about your driver's license, Senku-chan? Any progress?" he asks in a singsong, teasing voice.

The look Senku gives him in response shows he won't fall for it, despite a smile tugging at his lips.

"Do you think that if I pass it I could ask Ryusui for a car, too?"

"Hmm, not so sure..." Gen pretends to ponder excessively. "I fear I might be his favorite. After Ukyo-chan, of course."

"Right, sure," Senku sighs, letting out an amused breath. He walks further into the room to approach the telescope in a gesture clearly dictated by habit. Gen follows him in silence, his hands hidden in his sleeves, and eventually sits right on the floor while Senku makes the necessary adjustments to the otherwise primitive object.

"Are you planning on sleeping here tonight?" Gen asks innocently, after a glance toward the futon.

"No idea. I'll see."

They stay like that for a few moments, in a silence that is comfortable at first, filled only with Senku's little noises and exclamations and the distant, muffled voices of their friends drifting up to them. Senku also talks to himself, more in choppy murmurs than actual sentences, to the point where Gen eventually catches himself wondering what he's even doing here.

Even though he tries not to get carried away, his heart is beating faster than usual.

He has no idea how many time has slipped by when he finally opens his mouth, having reached the end of his patience.

"So... You found someone you’d like to marry, Senku-chan?" He feels dumb. Words are not coming the way he'd like them to, despite usually having them under perfect control.

He thinks back to Senku’s incredulity when he asked if that person was there with them. The raw incomprehension on his features, bordering on disappointment.

He's so full of hope it hurts.

And then he thinks of Kohaku, and the way she naturally stands close to Senku, invading his personal space as she would with anyone else without ceremony, but how Senku doesn't seem to mind it at all.

He no longer knows what to think, and even if he would rather have avoided the subject forever, Gen realizes he needs to lance the boil once and for all.

"So that's where we're going?" Senku replies in a calm voice, without turning to face him.

"Is it Kohaku-chan?"

This time, Senku turns around, almost too quickly for the gesture not to betray his emotions. The lighting is dim up here. It’s mostly the rays of a full moon and thousands of stars bathing the inside of the observatory, despite the faint glow of the site lights outside, a little further away. But Gen doesn't need to see Senku’s face clearly to guess his frown.

"Ha? Seriously, Mentalist? Wait, I don’t even think I could keep calling you like that, actually."

Gen feels the blood rush to his cheeks, so much so that he knows that despite the darkness, Senku can easily see his blushing face. It’s all the more obvious when Senku takes a step toward him and stops right in front of him, towering over him.

"Are you not getting it on purpose?" It sounds like a genuinely confused question.

"I'm not sure," Gen answers by instinct, and it really isn't a lie.

“I really thought you’d get the hint without needing me to say it out loud, you know. I’ve seen you doing a better job than this as a mentalist."

It’s not a confession per se, but it tastes like one. Gen feels his heart hammering against his rib cage, and he no longer knows if he’s supposed to stand up to be at Senku’s level or not; but Senku beats him to it by crouching down.

“Senku-chan—“ He has no idea what he wants to say, but he suddenly fears that if his mouth stays open, he’ll just burst out I love you.

But Senku is faster.

"You are the one I would consider marrying. No one else.”

Time stops. Gen feels as if he’s suspended there for seconds that seem infinite, the words echoing in his mind as if nothing else had ever mattered.

In front of him, Senku keeps his face neutral, despite his gaze fluttering around the room, but the facade crumbles with every second Gen remains silent.

“Hey, say something.”

His flushed cheekbones are captivating, so close to him because of his still-crouched position. Gen would want to always see them this way, and even closer. The hand he reaches toward Senku’s face is almost unconscious, but Senku doesn't pull away from the contact when it rests against his skin, cupping his cheek.

"Since...” Gen starts, his throat dry. “Since when have you been feeling this way?”

“Huh?” Senku looks thoughtful. His cheek is hot against Gen’s palm. "I don't know, quite a long time, I guess. It’s not like I ever tried to keep these feelings a secret."

"Ha?!” Gen almost jumps in surprise, and he regrets the impulsiveness when he realizes that in it, he pulled his hand away. He is also terrified by the thought that his voice, poorly contained, might have carried outside, so he continues more softly, “It’s not like you’ve ever shown them either, you know!”

"Yeah, I guess you’re right." Senku laughs softly. “We just had so much to do, and I don't know… Somehow I just assumed you’d always be there. And then one day, you weren’t."

The confession weighs heavy, both on Senku’s face and in Gen’s heart. If the moment weren't so serious, Gen would probably have taken the opportunity to remind him that he had left at his own request.

"I... also assumed I would always be there. By your side."

"I guess you not being by my side is what made me realize I was in love with you."

"In lo—" Gen chokes before he can bring himself to repeat it. The heat in his face is becoming truly uncomfortable, to the point where he needs to look away. His face is burning.

Senku is still Senku, but Gen has no idea how he can say something like that with such a calm expression.

“Those are brave words,” he whispers, but he can’t help the smile that makes its way to his lips.

“Looks like one of us has to be and it’s not gonna be you, so yeah.”

He’s right.

Gen has spent so many years running away, showing bravery only when it suited him, but never when it truly mattered. It was easier to pretend he could be bought for a bottle of cola rather than admit he had already made his choice before even meeting Senku. Easier to say he was acting in the name of the Kingdom of Science than to admit he would do anything just for him.

Easier to pretend he had ruined everything by leaving for two years and that it was too late now, rather than align his steps with the ones Senku had been taking in his direction for the past four months.

I love you so much I might go insane, the words burn in his throat. “I wanna hug you," he says instead.

And kiss you. Devour you.

Senku is still crouching in front of him, as patient as someone who spent over three thousand seven hundred years counting the seconds can be. He doesn't flinch at the request, but his face doesn't lose any of the softness he has given him since the beginning of their conversation.

With a quick wave of his hand, he motions for him to come closer. It’s almost a request rather than mere permission, and Gen doesn't hesitate for a second. He practically throws himself forward, falling on his knees, his arms wrapping around the scientist’s neck as if desperately searching for an anchor. Senku has to catch himself with one hand on the floor to keep from toppling over backward.

Gen doesn't care.

The warmth of Senku’s body spreads against him in a sensation that is almost familiar. A shiver runs down his spine when he feels Senku’s arms wrap around him to return the embrace, a hand sliding down to the small of his back.

I guess you not being by my side is what made me realize I was in love with you.

What made me realize I was in love with you.

In love with you.

Gen tightens his grip even further, to the point where it becomes almost desperate. Senku smells like summer, the humid suffocating heat of Japan, and the dust of the observatory. His red cape, however, carries the faint scent of laundry detergent. Gen remembers holding it so tightly against himself when Senku was on the moon; it had wiped away all his doubts, his joys, and so many of his tears. Today, Senku is back, he is with them, with him, and he is holding him at least as tightly as Gen is.

Soon, it's barely enough.

How many years has Gen spent suffocating his feelings, convincing himself that Senku wasn't interested in this kind of relationship and that they would never be mutual? It has become such a part of himself that he no longer knows how to contain everything rushing inside him.

They stay like this for long seconds, maybe even minutes— he has no idea. Outside, their friends' voices are growing fewer and less enthusiastic; no doubt some of them have already gone to sleep. It is almost reluctantly that Gen finally pulls back slightly. His hands slide slowly as he withdraws, coming to rest on Senku’s shoulders, while he feels Senku's clasped behind his waist.

Their faces are so close that Gen can closely observe every detail, every texture of his skin, and every tiny mole. The strand of hair falling over his face splitting in two, and even starting to divide into three. The glow of his incandescent irises, burning with something new and intimidating enough to make him blush. And right above them, the missing scars; the ones he had grown so used to that not seeing them anymore makes it feel as though something is wrong. Senku might feel better without them, just as Gen himself doesn't regret his own, yet somehow, he liked them. To the point where he almost misses them.

His right hand leaves Senku’s shoulder to reach for his forehead, his thumb gently caressing the now-smooth skin.

"What?" Senku asks, sounding doubtful.

"I kinda miss those scars."

"Oh, I forgot about them. Who cares?"

Gen lets out a soft laugh. "Ain't I supposed to be the professional liar?"

"Actually, you lost that right."

"Eh? Why? When?"

"When you failed as a mentalist and asked me if I wanted to marry Kohaku. Seriously? Kohaku?"

Their proximity is such that Gen feels Senku’s breath against his face. The moment is so intimate, so surreal, and so close to the hopes he would never have dared to utter aloud, that Gen lets himself be overwhelmed by emotion. A laugh escapes him, and he knows he wouldn't have had it in him earlier in the evening.

"I was trying not to get my hopes up, you know."

"Yeah, but you just embarrassed yourself."

Senku rolls his eyes, but it hides a certain amusement. It's still dark outside, and the silvery glow the sky casts over his face makes him look majestic. Gen feels his lips part slightly at the sight, and suddenly there's a shift in the air. Senku waits patiently, just as he's been doing since they arrived here. Just as he does for everything he undertakes.

He was the first to speak of love and marriage. Gen only caught the hands he held out to him. This time, it’s up to him to take the first step, he is well aware; Senku won't take this initiative.

They are still facing each other in postures he wouldn't qualify as comfortable, but he doesn't care. The hand Gen had left tracing Senku’s absent scars slides behind his head, to the base of his weird yet fascinating hair, and the shiver Senku fails to suppress under his fingers is the final push he needed.

There is already barely any distance between their lips when Gen bridges the gap.

The first clash is raw, almost desperate, and the heat of Senku’s mouth against his own burns. He feels Senku’s hand pressing into his lower back in response, a perhaps unconscious need to pull him closer, and he doesn't need to be told twice. The first kiss is slow, however, as if to allow them to explore each other with restraint. It feels completely natural— like coming home after a long, long journey, and Gen has finally found where he belongs.

Gen is the first to tilt his head to deepen it, and warmth flushes his entire face as Senku hums into the kiss. Catching a gasp is harder than he thought it would be, especially once he realizes that the only sound breaking the silence of the night are their shared kisses, as their friends' voices have completely faded.

One of Senku’s hands slides down slowly to rest on his hip, while the other firmly grips the fabric of his haori against his spine. A million goosebumps ripple across Gen's skin at this simple touch, and he suddenly becomes hyper-aware of his own hands. He wraps both arms around Senku’s neck, elbows resting on his shoulders, his fingers sliding between the scientist's strands of hair.

He isn’t sure if Senku has ever kissed anyone before, or if he's just annoyingly good at everything he undertakes— a genius unlike any other.

But he loves him. He loves him so much he fears he might actually get lost in the kisses, trying to convey through them these feelings and everything he's kept to himself for so long.

Gen stops. He catches the groan Senku lets out against his mouth, but his mind goes blank.

Had he actually said it out loud?

It was so obvious he loved him this much that he hadn't paid attention, but now he isn't even sure he answered Senku's confession.

"What?" Senku asks in a whisper, his lips frozen but so close they still brush against his.

But Gen doesn't give him time to doubt a single thing. He leans in to kiss him again. "I like you," he breathes against his lips, pulling back just enough to catch his breath before pressing his mouth to Senku's once more.

He feels stupid, yet Senku answers this poor excuse for a confession by tilting his head just a bit more to deepen the kiss even further, as if he could genuinely be satisfied with words that don't even begin to reflect how Gen feels.

"No, wait, I mean that I love you," Gen corrects himself in a breath between kisses— a breath that mingles with Senku’s own, warm and intoxicating.

"Oh yeah?" Senku whispers, his tone teasing. "I think I could've guessed."

Gen is no longer sure he ever truly managed to live this long without this. Maybe he was just surviving.

"I might be desperately in love with you," Gen adds, because that's the closest thing to what he actually feels.

The synchrony of their lips naturally gives way to their mouths parting against each other, and it's only when they run completely out of air that they separate; eyes burning, lips on fire. Only now does Gen realize how numb his legs have gone from sitting on his heels for way too long, and Senku can't be doing much better. Yet they both stay right there, so close their noses brush, their lips still hovering, their breathing syncing as one.

"Your heart rate is statistically absurd, Mentalist."

Gen knows it without needing to be told, as he can feel his pulse thumping against his temples, yet Senku's provocation rolls right off him. He lets out a soft laugh.

"Aw, you mean you're any better, Senku-chan?" One of his hands that was still tangled in Senku's hair, gripping it as if his life depended on it, slides until it rests on his chest, right where Senku's heart is pounding like crazy. It suddenly feels as though the sound is filling the entire room, and it's so soothing Gen could fall asleep right here. "I can see you're not."

Gen lets himself drop slightly toward the floor to escape that terrible position, before slowly falling backward. The hand he keeps behind Senku's head forces him to tilt along with him, though it requires no effort at all for him to follow. With his left hand still pressed against Senku's chest, Gen wonders if he doesn't feel his heartbeat quicken even more as Senku ends up completely over him, both hands resting on the ground on either side of Gen's face.

"There's a futon in the room and you choose to do this on the floor?"

But despite the complaint, Senku leans in to kiss him again, and in a way, it’s softer, slower. Gen wonders if it’s possible to melt under a kiss.

Senku’s left hand shifts slightly, tracing through Gen's hair to stroke the white streak. A shiver runs through him, escaping as an involuntary groan— one he instantly regrets when he feels Senku’s amused smile against his mouth. He’s just about to deepen the kiss himself, frustrated by how much time Senku is taking to do it, when the scientist pulls back a few inches.

The sudden cold against his lips and face is unpleasant, despite the summer heat.

"Hey," Senku starts, hesitant at first, before his voice grows firmer. "Can I still ask why the fuck you didn't take my offer for a place to stay? You refused it twice. Not like I want to jump to conclusions, but I think if we're able to do... this," he says, gesturing toward the room and then between the two of them, "then I can assume you were already 'desperately in love' with me back then."

Gen feels his face flush hearing his own words. Despite Senku's teasing tone, his eyes are soft, though no less eager for an answer. A sigh escapes Gen's lips.

“I was just afraid,” he admits reluctantly. “I don’t mind being alone when I’m at Ryusui’s and he isn’t there. That happened a lot, actually. But being at your place, without you there? That sounded terrifying, because it would have just reminded me that I wasn’t a priority. Not to mention you told me you’d consider getting married, so I figured I’d have to move out at some point anyway.”

It’s terrifying to feel his rawest emotions laid bare like this. These thoughts, which had haunted his mind for months without ever being fully phrased, carried a weight that now feels so trivial, so insignificant.

Against all odds, Senku deadpans.

“Why do you always overthink everything, seriously? For a mentalist, you’re really hopeless.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right,” Gen laughs softly. He isn’t as scared as he used to be.

“I told you I’d consider getting married because I was talking about you. I genuinely thought you’d get the hint, you know.”

"I get it, Senku-chan. Please stop bringing up how bad I was at this.” He’s so embarrassed he could die. Not even Senku’s weight on top of him, reminding him that they’re in love with each other—because, yes, that's what they are—can make the shame go away.

“And what about what you told me?” Senku asks. Gen loves the way his voice is so low, yet so close he can hear it perfectly.

“Eh? What did I say?”

“You promised me we’d go into Hell together, don’t you remember? Sounds like a proposal to me," Senku declares, his voice teasing.

Of course he remembers. Even though it was years ago, he can still clearly picture the day they put their plan in motion to win over Tsukasa’s empire. Gen isn’t sure it was that deep back when he said it. Now, he almost wishes it had been, even if it wouldn’t have changed a thing between them.

“Aw, I kinda forgot you had such a good memory. Now I’m really embarrassed.”

Senku snorts, far from convinced. His lips are so close Gen doesn't even know how he manages to resist them. Despite the urge to capture them again, he settles for brushing them with his index finger.

“Are you… are you really considering it? Like, do you actually want it?” he asks slowly, not knowing why he’s almost afraid of the answer.

“You know me, don’t you? It’s not like I’ve ever particularly cared about this kind of thing. Marriage and all that.” Senku pauses, a clear sign he’s searching for the right sentences. His face twists uncomfortably, proving once again that words aren't his strong suit, but Gen waits patiently for him to continue. “I don’t really care what marriage is supposed to be. I just want you by my side, and if that means 'forever' or whatever, then so be it. Stay with me, Gen. I want you. Only you."

For a moment, the confession is so heavy that Gen is left speechlessly frozen. Emotion surges through him with such intensity that he could easily burst into tears. Never in his life could he have imagined Senku capable of saying words so tender, so romantic— and yet, it’s so entirely him. Gen could scream that he wants nothing more than to be with him forever, but his throat is too dry for him to let out a single word. His heart is pounding so loudly he just knows Senku can hear it, considering how close they are.

Both of his hands slip once again around the back of Senku's neck.

"You're really Senku-chan?"

"And you're really annoying, you know that?"

"I've been told, yeah."

Once again, Senku lets out a soft laugh before leaning down toward him. Even though Gen hoped he’d kiss him again, he knows Senku won't risk it without an answer from him first. Instead, Senku relaxes his posture, shifting until he’s sitting back on Gen's thighs and resting his forehead against his chest. Sitting like this, his hair gently brushes against Gen’s face.

"Would that mean I’d have to live at your place?" Gen asks in a whisper. There’s teasing in his voice, but it’s mingled with something that sounds a lot like hope.

"You wouldn't have to do anything. It’s not an obligation. Only if you want to. But it's true that if I know you're home... I’d probably spend fewer nights at the lab."

The hands Gen keeps around Senku tighten their grip, pulling him even closer against his chest. He wishes he could see his face.

"Well, science will always be my top priority, obviously. I can't lie to you about that."

"Of course, and I'd never expect to come before science. Never."

Senku sits up almost abruptly, just to look him in the eyes. Those hot red eyes are somehow consuming him, and Gen almost fears he’ll burn.

"Come live with me," Senku declares. It's not really a question, but it's not really an order either. It's a request straight from the heart, painfully full of hope.

"Okay, I will," Gen smiles soflty. "I'm actually pretty interested in that 'forever' you mentioned, if I'm honest."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah. But be careful, I've been told I can be really annoying, so you'll have to deal with it."

Senku's snort fills the room, light and easy. Gen is so close to him that he can feel the burst of air right against his face.

"I might get used to it. Maybe I already am."

Gen can tell that if his hands weren't busy supporting his weight over him, this is the exact kind of moment where Senku would be shoving a pinky in his ear to feign indifference.

They stay like that, watching each other for a few seconds, the ghosts of their smiles still lingering on their faces. Gen is the first to surrender. The light pressure he exerts with his arms behind Senku's neck nudges him to lean in and break the last few inches separating their mouths, and Senku needs no more convincing.

When their lips press against each other again, the kiss carries a different feeling altogether. It’s rougher, faster. Gen doesn't really know which of them is driving this sudden pace, but he suspects he’s responsible without even realizing it. His hands first clutch at Senku's back before sliding up to cup his jaw. It's almost not enough, and they leave Senku's face to find his hands, resting on the wooden floor of the observatory. Senku takes them without hesitation, with an ease that borders on instinct, and their fingers entwine, gripping so tightly their knuckles turn white. Hot tongue against his, Gen is really starting to lose himself in the kiss when Senku pulls back, just enough to speak.

“Hey, slow down. I’m not going anywhere,” he says, his voice compassionate, almost guilty. “And neither are you.”

"Except I am, in fact. Tomorrow evening. More like this evening, even. Did you forget?"

Judging by the way Senku collapses completely onto him, Gen guesses that Senku had indeed forgotten that detail, at least for the last few minutes they shared. He stays like this for a few seconds while Gen starts rubbing the back of his hand with his thumb.

"The sun's already starting to come up," Senku explains, without even needing to look outside. Gen realizes that’s why his eyes had felt so much more accustomed to the dim light.

Senku sits up, releasing him from his hold, and settles on the floor right beside him. Even though Gen instantly misses his warmth and proximity, he knows he'll stay by his side.

"You need to get some sleep, or you're gonna look like hell when you land in the States."

"Ean-may, Senku-chan."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Go to sleep."

He sounds heartless, but he's smiling. And he's still smiling when he gets up, walks over to the futon, and lies down on it. He's also still smiling when he shifts to the edge and gestures for Gen to join him, despite the tight squeeze of the single futon.

Gen needs no convincing to follow.

That 'forever' waiting for him suddenly feels very enticing.

The sun is already high when Gen starts to open his eyes. As far as he knows, it could be seven in the morning or noon, considering how early the sun gets up in Japan during summer. He needs a few seconds to realize he’s not at Ryusui’s place and can’t just draw the curtains.

But it’s a thousand times better than being at Ryusui’s.

Lying on his side, he spots Senku the second his eyes adjust, his head resting right against Senku's shoulder. Their legs are tangled together, but it’s Senku's hand that catches Gen's attention, resting on his chest with his own. Gen notices that he is already awake, mindlessly tracing over Gen's fingers. Maybe he’s just waiting for Gen to wake up so he can get out of bed.

That’s his first thought, before he realizes that it’s mostly his ring finger Senku is touching— examining, even. Gen watches him for a few seconds, lulled by the rough texture of Senku's fingers against his own skin.

The moment is so precious he wonders for a second if he’s dreaming. But everything is real, and he clearly remembers their conversation from last night, along with every kiss they shared.

“Are you… measuring my ring finger?” he finally asks, both teasingly and doubtfully.

Senku is taken aback by his voice, having clearly neither heard nor seen him wake up. He lets go of Gen's finger, though he doesn't pull his hand away entirely.

“You could’ve mentioned you were awake. I’ve been waiting for you to wake up so I could get up.”

“Don’t dodge the question, Senku-chan.”

“Ha?”

The way he looks uncomfortable is endearing. Gen takes advantage of his hand resting flat against Senku's stomach again to trace soft patterns over his skin, even through the fabric separating his fingertips from the bare flesh underneath. Senku’s face twists in a look that feels almost like surrender.

"I thought you'd like this kind of thing," he admits, even if the subject clearly makes him uneasy. 

Gen smiles. "Would I?"

"You're always claiming to be a sentimentalist and a romantic. I'm not, not really, but I can... see the appeal."

“The simple fact that you’re measuring my finger, and everything that implies, shows that you might be more of a romantic than you think.”

Oh, how Gen longs to be back in the middle of the night, kissing him until he's sick with it.

Instead, he pulls himself up into a sitting position. He doesn’t want to push his luck; they’ll have plenty of time for that from now on.

“Time to get up,” he declares, and Senku mimics him, sitting up to face him.

The futon was hardly wide enough, but it kept them from sleeping directly on the floor. And if Gen is being honest, he didn’t need much space anyway, considering he spent most of the night half-sprawled across Senku.

"What time is it?" he asks, realizing he has no idea.

"Almost eight."

"Eh?! The night was so short..."

"You'll sleep on the plane, don't be so dramatic."

"Senku-chan, I know you're used to only sleeping a few hours a night, but you know that's not normal."

But Senku doesn't seem to care much. He brushes the comment off with a shrug and, instead of answering, pinches Gen's cheeks together with one hand. Without giving Gen time to process, he presses his lips against his in a quick, firm kiss, then pulls back, a smirk on his face.

Even though it’s just a simple peck—laughable compared to the ones they shared during the night—Gen can feel the blush rushing to his face, yet he can’t help but smile.

“I wouldn’t have pictured you as the craving-kisses type.”

“Oh, shut up.”

The embarrassment visible on Senku's face is what allows Gen to regain a bit of his composure. Senku snatches his cape off the floor beside the futon with a swift movement before pushing himself all the way up.

"Let’s go, everyone else is awake. I could hear them talking outside before Sleeping Beauty here finally emerged.”

“Eh, me?”

“Who else, Mentalist?”

Senku tosses him his haori, which he’d taken off right before going to bed, then heads toward the observatory door. With a faint smile playing on his lips, Gen follows him, slipping into the garment as he goes.

When they step outside, a few of their friends are already gathered, sitting on the cloth they’d used the night before as they eat breakfast. François is already busy serving and preparing extra portions, and Gen can’t help but wonder how any of them survived for months without them until their depetrification.

Yuzuriha is the first to spot them as they walk over, offering a gentle wave and a soft smile.

“Everybody's awake already?” Gen asks, taking a seat beside Kohaku. Senku sits down to his right without a word.

"Let’s just say it’s hard to sleep in when the sun comes up this early. Not all of us were lucky enough to sleep inside the observatory!" Chrome replies, pointing an accusing finger at them.

For reasons he’d rather not analyze, Gen prays the subtle warmth creeping into his cheeks isn’t visible enough for them to see it.

"The sun hits the observatory too, you moron. It's literally open so we can see the sky."

Nobody risks contradicting Senku by pointing out that it's hardly the same thing, so the subject dies right there. 

Opposite him, Gen catches Ukyo’s lingering gaze, shining with something that looks suspiciously like empathy. He isn't quite sure where it's coming from, until his friend speaks up. “Gen... you look like hell,” he notes, with what almost sounds like impressive surprise.

"I know, right? But apparently I'm being dramatic and I can just sleep on the plane," Gen retorts, throwing a glare at Senku, who completely ignores him.

Ukyo raises an eyebrow, blinks, then looks at Senku. He seems hesitant, as if wanting to ask what the matter is but doesn't quite dare so. So he doesn't push it, instead joining in on Ryusui and Minami’s conversation. If Gen picked up the thread correctly, they’re discussing an upcoming interview for the Ryusui Conglomerate.

François steps forward to set down two full trays in front of them, each neatly arranged with a bowl of soup, a bowl of rice, and an omelet. Even though he’s far from starving, Gen feels a sudden pit in his stomach at the sight of the appetizing food.

"So, Senku, how was the sky last night?" Kohaku asks, and Gen wonders if that smile on her face is on purpose or not.

Senku waits until he’s done chewing his rice before answering, without batting an eye, "Heavy atmospheric moisture. The water vapor was scattering the stars like crazy, but since we don't have light pollution anymore in this world's New Tokyo, we could still make out the Summer Triangle clearly. And the Moon’s albedo was bright enough to burn our retinas."

Kohaku blinks, visibly unsure of what she’s supposed to respond to that, and chooses to say nothing at all.

"We're getting married, by the way," Senku adds casually, shoving a piece of omelet into his mouth.

The bite of rice Gen had just taken suddenly feels ten times its actual size, getting stuck in his throat as he breaks into a coughing fit. Every single head snaps in their direction. A heavy silence settles over the entire area, broken only by Gen’s hacking coughs— as François quickly steps in to hand him a glass of water.

For a second, it's as if everyone is trying to figure out if they actually heard what they thought they heard. Under their stares, Gen is painfully aware of how red his face must be, and he feels almost grateful to blame it on the fact that he's still half-choking, even if he doubts anyone is actually fooled. Confusion quickly replaces the initial shock, and a sudden wave of surprised outbursts erupts from the group.

"You and who?" Ginro asks, his voice cutting through the noise and earning him a collective wave of exasperated groans.

"Are you dumb, Ginro?"

"What? Why?! He said 'we' but he didn't—"

"With Gen, of course!" Senku cuts him off, throwing his hands up in disbelief.

Gen manages a faint smile despite the flush burning his cheeks. Senku, on the other hand, doesn't look bothered in the slightest, which Gen could almost take offense to. But then he thinks back to last night, to seeing Senku's face flushed and twisted with emotions he never would have expected to find there. Being the sole witness to that side of him makes it feel all the more precious, so much so that he doesn't mind seeing him act so deadpan now.

He’d rather keep that memory all to himself anyway.

“I mean… it kinda makes sense,” Nikki says, her tone a mix of lingering surprise and realization.

Gen is mortified when he sees Ukyo discreetly hand a bill to Ryusui, his lips twisted in annoyance. He decides right then and there to avert his eyes and pretend for the rest of his life that he saw absolutely nothing.

“So you weren’t kidding…” Minami realizes.

“If I’m honest, I didn’t expect it to be this fast,” Ukyo admits with a sigh, though a faint smile tugs at his lips. Gen remembers his words from the night before, when he had wished for him to find what he deserved, too.

“Well, I’m not surprised at all!” Ryusui cuts in, snapping his fingers dramatically. “This is Senku we’re talking about!”

“Yeah, exactly,” Kohaku says, crossing her arms over her chest. “This is Senku we’re talking about, which is precisely what makes the whole thing mind-boggling.”

But Gen tunes them out as they continue to argue back and forth, targeting Senku, who surprisingly enough, actually fires back. In the distance, Gen catches Yuzuriha’s gaze. It’s soft, radiating genuine happiness. She gives him a subtle thumbs-up, and as he returns her smile, he can’t help but wonder just how much she’d managed to read into their feelings for each other all along. Beside her, Taiju is already on the verge of tears, and it’s only a matter of time before he throws his arms around Senku’s neck in an overwhelming burst of emotion.

“Quit acting like some of you knew, y’all were acting shocked when I mentioned it yesterday. I’m not even sure you deserve an invitation,” Senku says, though his tone is more teasing banter than actual exasperation.

“Oh, that’s cause some of us kind of figured it out after you two left,” Chrome explains, completely unbothered by the threat.

“Don’t act like you were part of it, Chrome. You were completely clueless,” Kohaku deadpans. From her expression, anyone could tell that if it weren’t for her sister, she’d have hit him on the back of the head.

Chrome winces, unable to come up with a single excuse.

Yuzuriha’s voice, ringing out clearer and sweeter than the rest, cuts right through the commotion caused by the news. "Congratulations, Senku, Gen.”

That is apparently all Taiju needed to drop his last remaining inhibitions. He leaps to his feet. Senku barely has time to push himself up in a desperate—and futile—effort to dodge before Taiju throws his arms around him. Senku falls backward under the weight, and Gen can’t hold back a sudden burst of laughter.

“Senku! Congratulations!!” Taiju shouts, and he’s already sobbing.

“Hey, get off me, you big oaf!”

Even if Senku fights him off out of pride and pure habit, it's obvious he’s moved by the affection. Gen has always been able to read him better than anyone, which is precisely why he feels so silly for missing Senku's feelings for so long.

As if everyone had only just realized they forgot the obvious, congratulations begin to pour in from all around. The moment suddenly feels real, so heartwarming, and Gen is even surprised to catch the shimmering warmth in Ukyo’s eyes as he looks back at him.

As Senku has already told him, he knows he can have a bit of an attention-seeking side, though it’s usually tied to his manipulation games. In moments like this, where he’s forced to wear his heart on his sleeve in public, he’d much rather not be the center of interest.

But falling in love with Senku exposes him to a lot of things, and he’s well aware of it. Because Senku is a genius, and the world needs to see him, to know him. And Gen is more than ready to face all of it for his sake.

Around them, the questions start erupting again, the main one on everyone's lips being when the wedding is going to take place. But neither of them knows, and honestly, it doesn't even matter.

Amidst the sudden uproar and collective excitement, Senku’s voice cuts through, louder than the rest:

“Kaseki! Get ready ‘cause I’m gonna need you!”

Gen laughs; it’s unfiltered and real. Then, for just a heartbeat, his eyes fall to his left ring finger— the very one Senku had been holding between his fingers just a few minutes ago.

He has definitely found his home.