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“Gen, what are you doing? I know you're there.” Senku spoke low and quietly, his legs criss-crossed below himself. He was sitting in his little wooden observatory, right in front of his beloved telescope that he loved more than he let on. His hands rested idly on it, feeling the makeshift grooves and intricate work along it, as he turned his head towards the back of the room. He attempted to make out Gen’s silhouette through the darkness.
“Oh, ummer-bay. You caught me.” Gen’s voice always had that silky warmness to it, and Senku noticed that now more than ever. It plagued him more than he'd like to admit.
“What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be resting? It's midnight.” Upon Gen’s lone presence being confirmed, he put his attention back on his makeshift telescope, peering into it as he held conversation. The stars seemed to be the only thing that enamored him so much. Or, well, used to be the only thing. . .
“I couldn't sleep. Besides, do you really know that it's midnight without a clock? It could be–”
“It's 12:04am.” Senku interrupted upon the playful challenge suggested by the mentalist.
“Of course you would know that. I won't even question how,” Gen slyly approached while verbally jesting at Senku, his steps careful and quiet against the creaking wood. While Senku’s eyes remained on the stars, most of his attention was diverted to Gen.
“So, why come here? Why not take a walk?” Senku exhaled and casually swiveled his body towards Gen, who had already sat down in a similar position to Senku’s in front of him.
“Oh, so you don't want me here? How cold of you, Senku.” The teasing grin plastered on Gen's face was evident as he spoke, and Senku's eyes adjusted to the darkness enough to be able to make it out. The moonlight peered into the room, hitting Gen's face and emphasizing his soft and pale features along with his traces of petrification.
“Just don't know why you're here, of all places.” Senku softly chuckled, his left hand raising to meet his ear, picking at it. A nasty habit he unfortunately picked up from his adoptive dad. Gen's eye contact never faltered, but his contemplative expression suggested he was at a loss for words. The distant creaking of crickets and sounds of the forest found themselves inside the observatory, making the silence calming.
“Because you're my friend, Senku,” Gen sighed, his confident voice growing fainter, “And, I mean, it's not like you're asleep either.” Soft laughter graced Gen’s lips, and it made Senku smile as well. Senku parted his mouth to speak, but Gen filled the silence before he got a chance to. “You've shown me the beauty of science and all that it can do. It's unbelievable. I mean, hell, you were able to make me a Cola in this primitive stone world,” Gen's tone was unlike himself—he was known for being confident and self-assured in his usually manipulative words, but he only spoke gently and sincerely to Senku on this night. “You're pretty amazing, aren't you?” Gen’s expression softened as his smile became one of pure fondness towards the genius in front of him.
“Gen,” Senku felt frozen and warm at the same time, despite the breeze entering the observatory. His hands lay in his lap, and his ears felt a new kind of warmness, one he wasn't familiar with—and one he didn't care to explain with science. Senku’s eyes found their way to the harsh wooden floor, the warmth of his ears spreading to his face. For once in his genius life, he didn’t know what to do. But, he knew deep down that he wanted Gen to keep talking to him. To keep talking all night, or all week, or even for the rest of his life. He would be content with that.
Senku’s rampant thoughts were seized by the lone motion of Gen’s hand making contact with his own. He had reached his arm out and grasped for Senku’s, turning it so their palms were oh-so gently touching. Gen's fingers danced along Senku's cold hands. Senku felt the warmth emanating from Gen’s soft hand, and noticed the warmth they both shared on their increasingly embarrassed faces. Though no words were said, the observatory became an environment filled with trust.
Gen’s gaze was one of longing and tenderness, and it made Senku feel only calm. Their fingers soon became gently intertwined, Senku reaching out for Gen’s face with his other idle hand. His hand was met with warmness once again, and on both sides as Gen rested his other hand against it. He leaned into Senku’s touch like it was all he was ever made for.
“You’re staring, Senku.” Gen’s devious grin made its return as he decided to tease the other in this tender moment. However, Senku’s love-filled expression failed to falter. His continuous sincere gaze was all that Gen was met with, and he didn’t really mind that.
Senku took a deep inhale, his eyes never leaving Gen’s. “Can I,” Senku’s voice was soft and emotion-ridden, the most that Gen had ever heard from him, “Kiss you?” Senku’s hand subtly trembled against Gen’s cheek.
Gen’s grin only widened, his face gaining increasingly more heat. He didn’t expect Senku to be bold at all when it came to this.
“You don’t ever have to ask that again.” He squeezed Senku’s hand that trembled against his cheek. Gen removed his own hand and instead placed it onto the floor to give himself balance in leaning closer to Senku’s figure. He stilled only a few inches from Senku’s face. They noticed each other’s warm breaths as their eyelids started to droop to a close, awaiting the tender contact. Senku’s hand slowly found itself resting gently on the back of Gen’s neck, his fingers noticing each grove of his delicate spine that lies just beneath the surface. Gen’s other hand made its way to feel Senku’s clothed back, slightly grasping it for support. They basked in each other’s presence, savoring every point of contact being tenderly and carefully made.
Gen, after a deep breath, let his face finally connect with Senku’s. It was gentle. Their grasp on each other tightened through the quick touch. But, their mouths separated almost as quickly as they began, and their eyes fluttered back open. Soft breaths were shared between them, and their features were brushed with a particular adorning red hue. However, Gen was pushed forward once more with careful force from Senku’s hand that still absentmindedly felt along Gen’s neck. Their lips met once again, and not for such a brief moment this time. They wallowed in each other's affectionate touch. Gen adjusted his balance and leaned in further, their bodies just barely apart. They softly rocked back and forth, taking in how their lips seemed to fit each other’s perfectly. The kiss turned into nothing more, as Gen swayed his face to brush his lips along Senku’s warm cheeks and nose. He plastered him with gentle little deliberate love pecks. It made Senku feel at home, and he let out a fond, pleased breath as both his arms moved to Gen’s back. Gen moved away briefly, but not before resting his head onto Senku’s chest. His heartbeat became known to Gen, and he smiled at hearing its soft, rhythmic thumps. A sound he wouldn't mind hearing for the rest of eternity.
They embraced on the floor, soaking up each other's company. They indulged in meaningless conversations as the moon continued to hang above them, never forgetting how much they've positively influenced each other throughout their time spent together. I Love You ’s didn't need to be said, because they each already knew they both shared that sentiment already. They knew that much before this, anyway.