Chapter Text
Saitama glared at the warehouse and the giant octopus monster crawling out of it. He had been hunting the stray creatures for a while and just now found the location they were coming from. A particularly vicious kick was enough to clear the way, the thought of losing his favorite show making the hero slightly more violent.
He inspected the building, which seemed to have been populated not long ago. There were papers and other objects strewn everywhere, and he could hear growling coming from a open door to his right. Yep, no way I'm gonna make it in time. The hero sighed in defeat, heading towards the noises.
It was a stairwell leading downwards, the path poorly lit and slippery with unidentifiable goo. A giant bat monster dropped from the ceiling with a shriek and Saitama easily knocked it away. Maybe I should get some of those things that record shows automatically? I have no idea how they work though.
Peering around the room he saw several metal doors, most of them busted open. So someone was keeping monsters as pets again? This was some common fad among rich people lately and it was giving heroes a mighty headache. They needed some better non-lethal hobbies, for sure.
There was a loud thumping noise coming from one of the cells in the back. Saitama was about to walk over to it to finish this whole thing already when a low sob caught his attention. It came from the door right next to him. He could hear a low voice but not exactly what it said.
The hero unceremoniously ripped the door open to see a young blond man sitting on the ground wearing only a long, thin white shirt. He blinked confusedly when he saw it wasn't a normal person: his arms and legs were made of metal and his eyes held only black. The look of distress in his face was clear though, and the hero squatted next to him. “Are you okay? What are you doing here?”
The blond perked up at his voice, pointing at two black discs pressed on each side of his head. He opened his mouth but no sound came out of it, but his expression and the black oily tears running down his face were enough. “Get these out?”
Saitama carefully touched the one on the right, feeling a slight electric discharge. The kid made a pained face and he wondered if he was doing the right thing, but then the blond nodded and the hero felt confident again. He pulled both discs at the same time in one swift movement.
The robot, or whatever it was, gasped as if breathing for the first time. His eyes blinked rapidly, then lit up with golden irises and Saitama found himself mesmerized for a second. But just a second. “Sir?” Despite the way he looked, his voice seemed very much human.
All of Saitama's several questions were interrupted when the door at the end of the corridor burst open, a large wolf like monster dashing out of it snapping its many mouths. “Uh oh.” He picked the blond up, who was actually much taller than he looked when he was slumped on the ground, and dashed for the stairs. There was no telling what kind of other creatures were trapped there, getting the robot to safety was more important.
He was out on the street before he put the blond down, suddenly very aware he was only wearing that shirt. Sure he was a robot, but he looked human enough to make him feel slightly criminal. “Are you okay?” Metallic fingers clung to his uniform like a lifeline, and he tried to pry them off with no luck.
“Sir... Thank you so much...”
There was a loud explosion behind him and he turned to see a pack of heroes in suits entering the warehouse. He was glad to have that one problem out of his hand. But this other one... He eyed the blond kid who seemed to be terrified out of his mind.
He sighed, pulling off his cloak and wrapping the robot with it. “Listen kid, I have to go. Are you gonna be okay until the Association sends someone?”
And that's when the blond started crying, shivering and wailing. Saitama had never tasted defeat so bitterly before.
~~ ~~~
“Here you go.” Saitama had brought the robot to a nearby park, sitting him in a bench and handing him a hot drink. He wasn't completely sure if that would help but he had to do something.
The blonde sniffed, his face dirty with black smudges. He gingerly picked up the can and opened it, sipping it with enthusiasm. “Thank you, sir.” He murmured in a low voice.
The hero sat next to him. “It's Saitama, I'm not old enough to be 'sir'. Now can you tell me what you were doing there, robot boy?” He desperately wanted to ask if there was some place he could drop him off, but by now he was sure that would trigger more crying.
“I am an android, Saitama.” The blond corrected. “I was... I was stolen. They activated me and didn't give me a master, this makes me assume they were planning on selling me. I was put in that room and forced to use the sensorial suppressors.”
“Those black discs?”
“Yes. They somewhat mute all my senses and it is a... disorienting experience. I'm sorry for my earlier behavior, Saitama. I was very distressed.” Golden eyes shyly met his, and Saitama coughed. Yes, the blond surely did look like a completely different... android than what he was a few minutes ago.
“Alright, no sweat. What's your name?”
“I do not have a name.”
Saitama pondered about it, the few robots he had met all had names. He eyed the man as he sipped his drink and noticed a white smudge on his neck. He inched closer, trying to read it. “Genos?”
The blonde whipped his head, staring Saitama with wide golden eyes. “My name?”
“I think so?” He was confused by the reaction, and then even more confused as Genos broke into a wide, warm smile.
“Genos... I have a name...” He whispered to himself, full of awe. “Thank you, Master!”
“Eh...?”
~~ ~~~
After an argument about honorifics that lasted way more than he'd like, Saitama shuffled his feet back home with a very giddy Genos behind him. He simply had no more energy to fight it.
He took off his uniform, putting some pajama pants instead. The android inspected his small apartment with interest, still clutching the cape around himself and an empty can of tea. “You can throw that can away, you know.” He said, walking into the kitchen in search of food.
“But it was the first thing Master gave me, Master.” Saitama frowned at the reverent tone of his voice.
“Well, just put it down somewhere. You can grab some clothes from the closet over there.”
“Yes, Master.”
Saitama sighed. He really had to learn how to stand up for himself, he was going to get conned one day for sure. Or maybe he already had.
~~ ~~~
After fumbling with the clothes for a bit Genos joined him in the small kitchen, watching intently as Saitama prepared some simple noodles. “Can you eat, Genos?”
“Yes, Master. However it is not a necessity.”
Saitama hummed in response. He was glad, having the android quietly watch him eat would've been uncomfortable to say the least.
“Is there any way I can assist you, Master?”
“Yeah, prepare the table, will you?” Saitama pointed at one of the cupboards, quietly wondering if getting called 'Master' was ever going to stop creeping him out.
They ate in silence and Genos offered to wash the dishes. Saitama complied, and maybe this wouldn't be so bad. Having someone to eat was comforting, and the android could do the chores, and...
A loud crash pulled him out of his thoughts. He got up from the table, peering into the kitchen to see various pieces of a bowl scattered around the ground. Genos looked absolutely horrified. “I'm so sorry, Master. I'll fix this immediately.”
Oh man. He waved the worried android off. “No, I'll clean it, just stay in the living room.” It took just a moment to wipe the ground and wash the dishes, but he still had to deal with the very upset android in the other room.
“It's okay, really. It was just a bowl.” It was actually the only one out of his three bowls that wasn't cracked, but that didn't seem very cheerful.
“I'm so sorry Master, I only have my basic functions installed. I'll need time to learn other tasks...” He still looked the perfect picture of misery.
“Oh, and what do you do?” Maybe doing something he's good at can cheer him up?
The android straightened itself. “I am a model GE-1102 sex android, Master. My specifications inc--Are you alright, Master? Do you feel ill? Master?”