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"G-Genos..." Genos looked up from his notes, meeting Saitamas gaze.
"Yes, Sensei?" He asked, a little concerned by the way Saitamas face was pinched. "Are you okay?"
"Y-Yeah!" He stammered. "I just wanted- well I mean- I just wanna-" He paused and took in a large breath before speaking again. "I think I like you..." Genos froze up at the abrupt statement before a small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
"I like you too, Sensei." He smiled happily. "If I didn't that I wouldn't be your disciple." He said plainly, the sweet smile still on his lips.
"N-no Genos," This was becoming harder than Saitama expected. He wanted to just spit it out and get it over with, but now being forced to explain was making his face red. "I LIKE you..."
Genos' face scrunched in confusion. "Yes, Sensei... I like you as well? If we didn't like each other, this wouldn't be a pleasant living situation..." Saitama dragged his hands down his now burning face and groaned in frustration. How was Genos not getting this?? He was being so obvious! and he knows for a fact that Genos isn't stupid! But before Saitama could say anything else, Genos was standing and walking into the kitchen, presumably to start dinner so, Saitama stood and followed him in.
"What I MEAN is, I like you being here... with me... together. Look, It's been a while since I've felt anything like this and even longer since I actually admitted it and I wouldn't be able to handle myself if you ever left so-" He quieted in his sudden realization that he was probably embarrassing himself, so he looked up slowly to try and read Genos' expression when he realized THE DAMN BRAT NEVER EVEN STOPPED PREPARING DINNER TO LISTEN TO HIM!
"If you're worried about me leaving, you may rest easy knowing I wont be going anywhere until I reach your level of power and skill, Sensei." He said still preparing the vegetables, never once turning around to look at Saitama.
"God damn it, Genos that's not it, Saitama raised his voice slightly in frustration, irritated at Genos' lack of understanding. "I!" He breathed out in a big sigh, letting his shoulders relax. He grabbed the cyborg with only enough force to turn him around properly. Hands resting on his shoulders.
"S-sensei?" Genos gasped. "A-are you sure you are oka-" before he finished his question, Saitama had his lips firmly planted on Genos' own. Taking a moment to marvel at how soft they were before Saitama slowly pulled away, avoiding eye contact.
"I... I couldn't think of any other way to make you understand..." Saitama mumbled. "S-sorry." He said finally detaching his hands from Genos' shoulder and took a quick step back from the cyborgs personal space. After a few unbelievably quiet seconds Saitama finally gained the courage to look at Genos, blush filling Genos cybernetic cheeks all the way up to his ears.
"O-oh." Was all Genos could mumble through the foggy haze that was clouding his brain.
"S-so...?" Saitama peeped.
"Well," In short, he didn't believe him. He must be in love with the admiration and kindness that Genos threw at him around every corner. It had to be, right? I mean, look at him. He was a cyborg. No one could be attracted to that. Genos accepted that a long time ago. "I don't believe that you are actually in love with me, Sensei. He said with a firm nod.
"...O-oh... Wait, wha-?"
"I believe you are in love with the indication that someone acts kindly to you and treats you well... Not me." He said trying to keep his words calm and collected.
"No, Genos-"
"Saitama, please..." A sad smile plastered on his face. "Go sit down... dinner will be done soon." He said quickly turning back around to keep his mind busy.
Saitama didn't argue. He wandered into the living area too deep in thought to do anything but sit at his respective place at the table. Was he? Was he only in love with the fact that Genos was the only one that was nice to him? No. There's no way. Not when every touch sent his heart racing, or when every genuine smile made him feel complete. he was sure of it. He loved Genos... Even if he couldn't say those PARTICULAR words out loud. and just as he settled on the thought, Genos came in setting two plates of food onto the table and settling in place. the air still heavy in silence while they ate. Eventually, Saitama spoke up.
"Genos..."
"Saitama, please. You don't have to say anymore... I already figured it out..."
"No." Saitama said so firmly yet so soft. "You have no Idea..."
"Saitama."
"I don't think you understand the way you make me feel... When we touch... When you smile... When you're broken or sad and the only think I can think to do is pick you up and keep you safe... it's almost like I'm not empty anymore..." Saitama, quickly wiped away the small smile that had formed on his face and replaced it with a more serious look. "Look, Genos. I'm not saying you have to reciprocate my feelings. I just want you to know that it's not just that you're nice to me Genos... It's YOU."
"NO IT'S NOT!" Genos was surprised by his own booming voice. "It cant be..." Saitama felt tight pain in his chest as Genos continued. "because when I think of you... you just... you're perfect... and you deserve someone soft and beautiful and...
"human..." Genos finally spat out.
"and I'm not... I'm just... I-I'm just a metal DISASTER... And you DESERVE better." The familiar feeling of tears were singing the edges of Genos' eyes, but he holds them back.
"G-genos..."
"I'll leave tomorrow... I think I've overstayed my welcome..." But before Genos have the chance to stand and leave, he feels a familiar pair of hands cupping his cheeks and he can no longer hold back the flow of tears.
"Genos... I love every single part of you." Saitama wipes the tears with his thumbs and chuckles. "If anything... you're the most human part of my life." Genos is leaning into Saitamas touch, feeling the warmth sink into his cheeks. "I love YOU, Genos." Saitama pulled Genos into his embrace. Rubbing his back until the shaking shoulders and quiet sobs subside. And even longer after that.
"Sensei..."
"Mhm?"
"I'm sorry..." Genos nuzzled in closer. "I pushed away your feelings for selfish reasons..."
"No. Don't you dare apologize... This is important. YOU are important." Saitama held him closer yet. "And I'll be damned if I'm gonna sit here and let you believe that you aren't the most beautiful damn person in the WORLD to me!" He pulled Genos away just far enough to place small soft kisses onto Genos just about anywhere he could reach. Starting with his lips, his cheeks, and even placing one on each of Genos' eyelids when Genos closed them.
"You're beautiful, Genos. Do you hear me? So, so, beautiful." Saitama picked up Genos' hands and lightly placed a kiss on each knuckle, then palm, ending with a kiss on each wrist before pulling Genos into another barrage of kisses on his neck and chin. "I need to hear you say it." Saitama looked at the suddenly bashful Genos, who slowly nodded. With lightly parted lips, Genos drew Saitama in until their foreheads were gently pressed together.
"I'm beautiful..." Genos said quietly.
They sit like that for a while. Just sitting and enjoying each others heat, the meal having long been forgotten.
"Hey." Saitama opens his eyes and leans away. "Lets go to bed. We can deal with everything else tomorrow."
"I'd like that." Genos said, with the most calmed smile Saitama has EVER seen on the kids face. So, they get up, hand in hand, and move to the futon, squeezing in, wrapping each other in long limbs. Genos listening to Saitama's heart beat, and Saitama listening to Genos' cyborg equivalent to one.
And with that, they slept.