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– I’m telling you, anatomical particularities have very little to do with these things! It is much more personal and psychological. I would know ;- said Gen with a knowingly suggestive smirk that made Senku’s face do a metaphorical spin cycle, awkwardness and scientific stubbornness fighting for dominance.
This was not a topic he was planning to talk about. Ideally, ever. Senku could feel his face flush with embarrassment while he tried not to lose the thread of the conversation. It was just a remark on his part, an acknowledgement of the simple fact that it was quite normal for people to experience pleasant sensations from pressure, especially in areas more densely saturated with nerve endings. Just because it was not something he had ever considered as desirable for himself did not, thank you very much, mean that he forgot the principles of biology and human anatomy.
And now this. To continue this topic was to subject himself to a very queasy and unpleasant time. But to drop it explicitly, especially with how excited Gen jumped on this topic, would mean to hurt Gen’s feelings, something that he definitely did not want to be doing under any circumstances. Well, except maybe some high-stakes circumstances, or if the alternative was death or bodily harm. But not in a simple dialog after what was overall a great and exhilarating interaction!
– Hey Senku ;- Gen’s tone fell suddenly as his expression shifted to one of sombre contemplation -; are you ertain-cay you are okay with this?
Seeing the confusion on Senku’s face Gen quickly added, explaining:
– You know, I need to know that you are on board. Not just with how you see it, but with how I do too.
– Of course I do, Mentalist ;- replied Senku with a well practised ‘mischievous grin #5’. Now this he definitely found easier. The closer they were to a yes/no questions the less explicit in his explanations he could be -; if not just for the faces you make then just because I do not mind. I have tested my reaction thoroughly and this is something that I can do with you without any problem.
– Okay, after this sentence I definitely have to ask. Are you two still talking about the same thing? ;- introjected Tsukasa with a look of complete bafflement on his face -; I thought we were just about to discuss how to not let our Scientist get so touch-starved next time?
The good thing about biological instruments, Senku thought, is that, unlike computers or mechanisms, they tend to have unbreachable limits in their minor functionality. This meant that he could not possibly get any more awkward and flustered at the moment. His psychological state being rather stable in recent months would prevent the former, while the peak saturation levels of his facial capillaries would make the latter highly improbable. Although he contemplated for just a second, that suddenly starting to bleed from his face would be an excellent reason not to continue this conversation.
– No dear, we were not just talking about the ouching-tay. ;- said Gen, with resolution of a man jumping in front of a bullet. -; I have asked Senku to hmm… Do some less usual stuff?
– Unusual? In what way? ;- the genuine interest in Tsukasa’s voice was mixed equally with the continuing lack of comprehension -; I think you mentioned that Senku tied you for comfort that one time, does that have to do something with it?
While Tsukasa was talking Gen has managed to visibly go through slight frustration, horror and surprise, settling at the end on something suspiciously similar to amusement.
– Yes, well. Not only that, but yes. Hm… Actually ;- replied Gen -; Tsukasa you do know what kink is, right? I mean you were busy with your world-fixing thoughts, but this I think should be just common knowledge.
– Ah, well. ;- said Tsukasa, slowly joining Senku in the ranks of red-coloured outdoor lamps -; I know that I never wanted to do anything like that. Is it a specific style of having sex or something? Like a technique or an advanced manoeuvre?
After a moment of maybe the deepest silence since the dawn of the Era of Science, Gen started uncontrollably chuckling and then outright laughing.
– A manoeuvre! A manoeuvre!!! ;- Gen squeezed out, trying and failing to regain control over his lungs -; Yes!.. Senku would you. Would you say you out-manoeuvred me? Is it a... Is it a tactical victory?
Hearing this even Senku started chuckling a bit, visibly trying to hold himself back for Tsukasa’s sake but not managing the hilarity of the moment when coupled with the lifting of the pressure he’d felt for the last few minutes.
– Absolutely, Gen, you have been outflanked. My strategy paid dividends and now your troops are at my mercy ;- Senku proclaimed with the most serious face he could manage which, to be perfectly honest, was pretty far from anything actually resembling seriousness.
– Sorry, no, I think you misunderstood it at some point ;- continued Gen after getting a hold of himself. After all, he was painfully aware that if he did not explain what was happening quickly enough, the emotional context could shift from lighthearted to one of perceived mockery. And while Tsukasa would not be the one to feel any kind of insecurity about not knowing something, Gen could not allow him to feel even for a moment like he was not a part of the group, like he was not loved. -; The funny part of course was your generalissimus-speak, but what kink is is actually just unusual intimate actions that people find… pleasing.
Here Gen stumbled again for a moment. Of course he knew all the theory, he knew it since the days when he was just starting to learn psychology. His curious nature was enough to go down a rabbit hole of reading after a few mentions of “deviations” in old psychological texts. Oh, how fondly he remembered getting that arsenal of concepts and ideas that could be thoughtfully and ruthlessly applied to an unprepared mind of an opponent. He felt safe then, for an entire month, just from the feeling that he found something with which he could stump anyone who might wish to hurt him. Definitely, at least, for long enough to get away.
– It doesn’t have to be sexual. And you know Senku and I, you can imagine we wouldn’t be into doing… stuff. Especially Senku ;- Gen continued, explaining, noticing how Senku’s posture relaxed just a bit after he explicitly said that -; But this is more than regular touching, at least for me so I was getting worried.
– Ahha! I think this time I have won the psychology game! ;- suddenly exclaimed Senku with an absolutely devious grin on his face -; Do you see it? Mmm, Mentalist? Do you see the psychology checkmate?
– What? ;- said Tsukasa and Gen in unison, sharing an amused look after
– You’ve got worried because this is a different category, but then you yourself confirm that it doesn’t necessarily fall into the other… stuff… that you mentioned. So it is not any more of an issue than any other… thing… ;- Senku lost the sentence a bit, feeling that his previous exhilaration could not fully carry him through saying this. Nevertheless, he continued -; ...than any previous experiment. Therefore the delineation that you have adopted in your methodology is arbitrary and does not hold any scientific value. And I wouldn’t want it to stop.
The last thing was said so quickly and in such a small voice that Gen thought for a moment that it was some kind of auditory mirage or hallucination. Still he just had to know, this all of a sudden felt like maybe the most important thing in the universe.
– You wouldn’t? Regardless of my ethodology-may? ;- Gen half whispered
Senku decided that this was entirely unfair and unconscionable. Making him repeat such a thing after he said it with such effort to let his partner, his friend, know that he didn’t have to worry. That maybe just theoretically they were enjoying a thing together. After all, enjoying things together with your partner was very normal. Definitively, even though he could not remember any research papers on the practical application of affection, the colloquial understanding was such that it was utterly and completely normal. Not even worth talking about. And definitely not requiring anybody to say any kind of thing twice.
He managed a nod regardless, fighting with his stiffened spine. It would be a shame to have spent all of that effort and then not have it reach its goal. Yes, Senku thought, soothing himself after the cascade of emotions, that would simply not be energy efficient, wasteful even.
Gen’s eyes brightened the same moment he saw Senku nod in confirmation. As if a tint was removed from his sight, as if someone had dusted off his whole being. Things were good, things are good and, most importantly, they probably will continue being so.
– Great. Okay. So, having this resolved ;- Gen said with a sigh of relief looking in Tsukasa’s direction -; Tsukasa…
– No. ;- replied Tsukasa with a force that seemingly surprised himself -; Sorry, Gen, I don’t mean to be harsh. But for myself, for some reason it feels wrong. Maybe in the same way other… things feel wrong. I will think on that myself however. But thank you for including me in the consideration.
– Yes, of course. No other way ;- said Gen seriously, looking in the eyes of the man he loved -; Never will be.