Work Text:
Ryusui exhaled deeply as he locked Luna in the brig.
His hands shook slightly as he made his way back onto the deck. He had heard Senku’s blood chilling exclamation to kill Xeno before he’d dragged Luna to the brig. He’d never heard Senku sound truly angry before. It was out of character. It was terrifying.
By the time he’d arrived back on deck, he was greeted by many solemn faces. Senku and Yuzuriha still by Taiju’s cooling corpse.
Francois came up to him and solemnly declared, “I will handle burial preparations. I have already requested that Lurtz and Dimi assist me in the preparation process. Master Senkuu and Mistress Yuzuriha should not aid in this process. I will need to clean the body and stitch up the imperfections.”
Ryusui didn’t fail to notice the slight breaking in Francois’ voice.
He nodded and Francois inclined their head briefly. He needed to go to Senku and Yuzuriha. He knew that he wouldn’t really be able to comfort them in any way that they needed, but he was their captain. Their friend.
It was his responsibility to help pick up the fragmented pieces of their hearts that Taiju’s murderer had left behind.
~~~~~~
Ukyo paused as he received an incoming transmission.
He gasped.
At his gasp, all conversation of the others around him ceased.
His voice wavered as he recounted, “Taiju’s dead. He was shot in the chest. We’re under orders to stick with the mission at all costs. Do whatever it takes.”
He bit his lip before his eyes met Hyoga’s and he said, “Even if that means killing…”
Ukyo’s jaw tensed.
First blood had been spilled by the enemy.
He knew more would be spilled.
He hoped that he would be able to stomach it.
~~~~~~
Ryusui stood with Senku over the large table they had plane schematics laid over the center console.
They both had no doubt that the Americans were still planning something else, and Senku wasn’t going to rest until they’d paid for what they’d done.
Things had been quiet in the few days since Taiju’s death, but they all knew that could change at any second.
Senku had drawn an excellent schematic of the plane as it was, but now he was making modifications.
Ryusui grimaced.
He began, “You’re adding weapons to the plane? Do we even have the materials necessary for that?”
Senku looked up at Ryusui. Fire in his eyes as he said, “We have all the materials necessary. I know many ways to build the necessary components for weapons but had no motivation to do so until now.”
Ryusui’s mouth formed a grim line before he continued, “So the added gun turrets will be for going on the defensive.”
Senku’s brow furrowed before saying, “Or the offensive if need be.”
Ryusui’s eyes widened slightly.
He sighed before shaking his head slightly and moving around the table and placing his hand on Senku’s shoulder before saying, “I know it hurts, Senku, but don’t lose yourself in your grief.”
Senku’s eyes shot up to meet his as a snarl formed on his face. The fiery anger in his eyes melted slightly as they met Ryusui’s softened and caring expression and understanding eyes.”
Senku looked away as his breath hitched slightly.
He didn’t verbally respond.
He simply went back to focusing on the schematics.
Ryusui removed his hand and went towards the exit as he said, “I’m going to go check on the rest of the crew, but I’ll be back to discuss the schematics in a while. “
Senku didn’t acknowledge him.
Ryusui stood in the entrance watching Senku scritch away on the schematics for a brief minute before frowning and leaving.
He needed help to get Senku out of his grief filled haze.
Anger like that would lead to nothing but more sorrow, especially if Senku continued working until he was dead on his feet.
Ryusui hoped that Senku would come back to himself soon.
Anger simply didn’t look desirable in Senku's eyes at all.
He knew not if there would ever be a way to completely rid those crimson eyes of that burning pool of anger.
He was going to do his damnedest to try.