Chapter Text
“Senku,” Kohaku said from the door of the lab, “I got those plants you wanted.” She set her basket of plants down with a sigh. “Tell you what, though, all that walking really wore me out.” She stretched and added, as casually as possible, “I could really use a break.”
His eyes flicked up her hers, then away. “Well, if the lioness is tired, it must be time to call it a day.”
Ginro cheered and ran out of the lab immediately. Kinro followed him at a much more sedate pace. Chrome trailed after them, wondering out loud what was for dinner.
Senku turned to Kohaku. “Can you take those up to the hut?”
Kohaku nodded and grabbed the basket again, smiling at Suika and Kaseki as they passed her on their way out. She followed Senku out of the lab and carefully balanced the basket as she climbed up to the hut.
Once they were both up the ladder and well inside, Senku smirked at her. “Miss me?”
She scoffed. “You wish.” She looked out the door to be sure that no one could see them, then moved to hug him from behind, nuzzling her face between his shoulder blades. “I was so glad I didn’t have to look at your stupid face all day.”
He snickered, then patted her hands. She gave him a final squeeze and let go, then knelt down to help him sort plants into the lower baskets.
They made quick work of all the plants. Senku paused as he picked up the final flower. “I didn’t ask for tsubaki,” he said with a raised eyebrow.
She smiled and grabbed his hand, pulling it towards her and pressing a little kiss to the tiny red blossom. “It reminded me of your eyes.” Then she stood and walked towards the door, ready to join the others for dinner.
She glanced over her shoulder before jumping down. Senku was holding the flower just under his nose, a breath away from his lips, and the thought that he might kiss the little flower in the same place she had made her turn as red as the flower itself. She quickly jumped down and practically ran to dinner.
“Is Senku okay?” Chrome asked as she joined them, his face already stuffed with fish.
“Yeah, of course,” she said. “He’s perfect.”