Archive of Our Own

For three relentless days, a raging storm hammered across the open ocean. The crew of the Perseus barely had time to breathe, let alone rest. Between tying down sails, securing ropes, bailing water, and scrambling to keep supplies from crashing into each other and turning the lower deck into a disaster zone, they were running themselves ragged.

Then, finally, the clouds parted. The sky cracked open to let golden sunlight pour down in gentle shafts. The sea settled, tranquil once more. The tight, coiled tension that had gripped every chest on board slowly unraveled with each passing moment.

And when the Great Post-Storm Cleanup— arguably more exhausting than the storm itself— came to an end, the entire crew lifted their heads, faces tilted to the salt-laced breeze, and exhaled in near-perfect unison.

That night, the ship’s deck transformed into a stage for celebration beneath a sky dusted with stars. François's bar was in full swing, serving up fiercely brewed beer and homemade liquor so pungent its scent floated through the air like a spell.

Laughter rang out wild and uninhibited as the crew sang pop songs from over three thousand years ago at the top of their lungs, banging cups and pots like makeshift drums. Even the most serious faces were eventually drawn into the rhythm, feet tapping, shoulders swaying.

Senku was no exception— though he was usually more at home among chemicals and blueprints than people, even he had to admit defeat to the night’s infectious cheer. He brought a stack of paper and pencils to a quiet corner of the deck, settling cross-legged on the wooden floor near the rail, not too far from the bar.

Instead of clinking beer mugs like everyone else, Senku sipped quietly on a cup of green tea mixed with goat’s milk, letting the fragrant steam warm his calloused hands— still stiff from a long day’s work.

A large sheet of paper was spread across his lap— a rough sketch of a new, more efficient freshwater distillation system, still in its earliest conceptual stage. He drew a line here, added a note there, muttering under his breath.

“Vacuum system or electric… which would be more efficient...?”

A sudden burst of laughter from the direction of the bar momentarily broke his concentration. But Senku didn’t look up— didn’t even flinch— until—

A familiar voice, high-pitched and unmistakably dramatic, floated through the night air, carried on a salt-sweet breeze straight to his ears.

“François-chaaan~!!”

That distinctively tipsy, singsong shriek— half slurred, half gleeful— pierced through the background noise like a beacon.

Senku finally looked up from the diagrams in his lap.

…And the sight before him nearly made Senku spit out his drink. Instead, he grabbed his cup of green tea and downed it in one go like it was hard liquor.

There was Gen— face flushed bright red, giggling to himself, grinning like a kitten that had completely lost its mind.

“François-chaaan~ I love your spicy cola more than anything in the world~! Come live with meee~!”

He sang the words in a syrupy-sweet tone, shamelessly rubbing his cheek against François’s hand as the latter calmly handed him a fresh glass of cola. François responded with their usual deadpan stare and a faint, polite smile.

“My apologies, Gen-sama. I’m afraid I can’t do that. I have an important duty here— taking care of Ryusui-sama.”

“Awww~ what a shame~”

Gen pouted dramatically, flopping across the bar counter like a soggy cat in a stage play.

Asagiri Gen was completely drunk.

No speculation needed. The man’s usually immaculate face was beet red, his eyes half-lidded, and every few seconds he let out a giggle, as if he were having a private chat with some invisible friend.

“What even is that.” Senku snorted, laughter bursting out of him before he could stop it.

Gen hardly ever drank— no, scratch that. Gen usually didn’t even go near alcohol. Whatever possessed him tonight must’ve been one hell of a mood.

“He got forced to drink by Yo and Magma,” came a voice beside him. Senku turned to look.

Ukyo was leaning casually against the ship’s mast nearby, shaking his head with a resigned sigh.

“Those two were getting along a little too well tonight. Started a drinking contest and ended up dragging everyone into it. I tried to stop them, but I was too late.”

Senku touched his chin thoughtfully, brows twitching slightly as if running mental calculations on some absurd scientific equation— then he shrugged and let out a low chuckle.

“It’s fine. Honestly, watching this is kind of hilarious.”

He said that just as Gen, now wobbling unsteadily on his feet, staggered toward Kohaku with a dazed grin and slurred.

“You look amazing tonight, Kohaku-chan… Please marry me~”

Kohaku crossed her arms, laughing softly at the drunken mess in front of her.

“If you keep saying things like that, someone’s going to get their heart broken, you know?”

The request barely lasted four seconds before Kohaku flicked her fingers sharply against Gen’s chest, sending him stumbling back several steps.

It wasn’t often that Senku got to see Gen in this chaotic, drunk mess of a version. Just watching him was entertaining enough. And to be honest, he couldn’t help but laugh.

Ukyo shook his head slightly, clearly losing patience with the spectacle.

“I think I’d better take him downstairs to sleep it off.” He muttered.

The cheerful noise from the crew near the bar grew louder again. This time, there were voices singing, the rhythm of clapping hands, mixed with the sound of some strange, makeshift instrument, likely created on the spot by Chrome, who was clearly all in with the drinking session.

Ukyo walked over to Gen, intending to take the swaying, stumbling man back below deck to rest peacefully. But his plan fell apart the moment Gen grabbed his arm, holding on tight.

“Ukyo-chan~ Let’s dance together~!”

“Wait, Gen, I’m not—”

Before he could finish, the magician of the Kingdom of Science spun around, pressing close and dragging Ukyo into a completely chaotic dance step. No rhythm. No pattern. Just pure emotion guiding them as Gen giggled, his laughter mixing with the improvised music around them, like they were waltzing in the heart of Paris.

Ukyo forced a smile, hesitating for a moment, but didn’t push him away. It was as if he was giving in to Gen’s drunkenness and the illogical rhythm of the night.

He danced along with the sway of the intoxicated man, barely keeping up. In the end, he raised an eyebrow, feeling awkward when Gen leaned his head on his shoulder like they were in some emotional French romance movie.

“How many shots did they force-feed you, anyway...” Ukyo muttered, watching the wet cat clinging to his arm without letting go.

Senku twirled the pencil in his hand, observing the scene before him. A half-smile spread across his face, a mix of exasperation and amusement, as he left a comment.

“Like a kindergartner hopped up on soda mixed with booze.”

Gen’s laugh still bubbled cheerfully, merging with the sound of the waves against the ship’s hull.

“Ukyo-chan~ You’re such a great dancer~!”

“Yeah, that’s only because you keep stepping on my foot, making me move like this…”

The improvised music hadn’t even stopped yet when Gen turned and noticed something… or more precisely, someone.

Tsukasa had just arrived and was sitting alone at the bar, quietly sipping his drink. His long, wavy hair fluttered gently in the sea breeze. His expression was calm, his eyes fixed on the ice-free drink in his hand, as though deep in thought.

The moment Gen spotted his new target, he immediately detached himself from Ukyo, like a little bird finding shelter in a storm.

“Tsukasa-chan~”

The drunk magician staggered forward, darting straight toward Tsukasa like an arrow, arms wide open, aiming to throw himself into a big hug.

But before he could reach his mark, Gen tripped over his own feet and landed squarely in Tsukasa’s lap with a soft, muffled thud.

“Huh...?” Gen looked down at himself in confusion, then up at the wild beast of a man who gave him a smile in return.

“Hey, Gen.”

“Tsukasa-chan, you’re so warm...” Gen mumbled, his arms still spread wide, clutching Tsukasa’s shirt tightly. His eyes were closed as he murmured.

“You’re like a soft blanket on a deck. I want to sleep right here.”

Gen giggled, snuggling closer, rubbing his cheek against Tsukasa’s broad chest without a care.

Tsukasa lowered his gaze to the troublesome figure sprawled across his lap, his eyes softening in the same way they would if he were looking at Mirai, his little sister. A slight smile tugged at his lips.

“Gen… You’re drunk, you know.”

“Huh… I’m not drunk at all! Tsukasa-chan~ I would’ve told you. If I hadn’t met Senku-chan back then, I’d still be with you now~ Don’t leave me, Tsukasa-chan~”

Gen's voice was sweet and playful, a soft, tipsy whine as he clung to the long-haired man.

Meanwhile, Senku, who overheard from his perch near the bar, froze. His scarlet eyes widened, and his neck stiffened, turning almost to stone.

“Hmph…”

A dry chuckle escaped the scientist’s lips, his smile tight and humorless. He tossed aside the blueprint for the distiller with a bit more force than necessary.

He could hear Tsukasa’s voice, smooth and calm. “I’ll take you to bed, Gen. Come with me.”

The handsome man with long hair gently patted the back of the drunkard, as if soothing a five-year-old sister. He carefully helped Gen to his feet, supporting him as he slowly tried to stand.

But just then, the sound of heavy footsteps stomping across the wooden deck broke the moment.

Ryusui appeared on the ship’s deck with a dazzling smile, as if he were carrying his own personal sun, and announced loudly for the entire crew to hear.

"Hey everyone! I’m back! Just finished checking everything, and I’m proud to report that the Perseus is running at a full 100% after the storm!"

The deck erupted in cheers.

Gen immediately lifted his head.

"Huh... Ryusui-chan~!"

He quickly let go of Tsukasa and stumbled like a drunken cat toward his new target in an instant, slurring playfully as he threw his arms around Ryusui’s shoulder with far too much familiarity.

"My dear Ryusui-chan~ Next time, let’s team up for a poker game again! I’ll help you beat Senku-chan for sure~!"

A soft crack sounded from the pencil Senku was gripping too tightly.

Ryusui's face was bright with a cheerful smile as he laughed merrily.

"Oh, I love your determination. I enjoy having you on my team. And I'm always ready to welcome you."

A dark mist began to rise from Senku, swirling in a trail as he stood abruptly. Without ceremony, he strode over and grabbed Gen’s wrist, pulling him back forcefully.

"Enough, mentalist! You drunkard, go get some rest!"

Gen turned to look at the scientist, his face a mix of surprise and confusion, though his eyes still sparkled with a sweet smile.

"Aww~ Senku, don't pull me~ I’m not—"

Ryusui cleared his throat and spoke flatly, his expression serious as he addressed the scientist.

"He has the right to choose who he wants to be with— or if he wants to be with anyone at all."

Senku bared his teeth in a grin. "If I leave him here, this guy will get drunk and wreak havoc all over the ship. I’ll drag him off to sleep myself."

Gen started clinging to Senku's arm, his eyes sparkling. “Oh~ Things are getting pretty romantic now, huh? You wanna dance with me, Senku-chan~?”

"...Shut up, you're making things so chaotic when you're drunk!"

Senku clenched his jaw, then yanked Gen’s wrist, pulling him down the deck stairs toward the lower decks. The sounds of their footsteps and soft bickering gradually faded away, blending with the nighttime sea breeze.

On the deck, only silence remained... followed by a relieved sigh from the one who'd been disturbed by Gen's antics. Ryusui's quiet laugh echoed softly, while François offered a polite smile.

**

The lab in the lower deck of the ship was quiet, the only sound being the gentle, rhythmic hum of the Perseus’s main engine vibrating softly beneath the steel floor.

While the engine ran smoothly without a hitch, the state of mind of the scientist with the spiky hair was the complete opposite.

He was about to lose his patience.

Senku dragged the completely drunk Gen down from the deck, his expression stoic, though his mind was simmering with frustration. If he’d let it go any longer, Gen would have ended up sitting on Ryusui's lap or worse, sweet-talking his way through the entire ship with his flirty nonsense.

At first, he planned on just throwing him into the bedroom and calling it a day, but the drunkard was squirming around, mumbling nonsense, and refusing to sit still.

"Fine, then." Senku muttered. "Let’s talk in the lab. I’ll separate the molecules of your drunkenness for you!"

Of course, it was just a sarcastic threat, typical of Senku.

In reality, he only wanted a quiet place where he could get Gen to settle down. And the lab was the only spot on the ship where no one would bother them at this hour.

"Drink up, the water will help sober you up." Senku said, handing a bottle to the man who had been dragged to sit in the middle of the room.

Gen took the bottle, making a face like he was being forced to swallow hydrochloric acid instead of water.

"But this water is so bland~ You should mix in some syrup or something. It’d be so much easier to drink…”

“Quit complaining. Just drink it, it’s only water." Senku sighed heavily.

Reluctantly, Gen took a couple of sips before pouting slightly, losing all traces of the tough-guy persona he usually had when playing mind games, the one that had gotten the Kingdom of Science out of trouble countless times. Senku slumped down to sit beside him on the floor, leaning against the counter in the lab, exhausted.

He glanced at Gen, then up at the ceiling, rubbing his spiky hair.

"With everyone else, you're all clingy and sweet… But with me? You couldn’t care less."

Senku muttered softly to himself, as if complaining, not expecting Gen to hear.

But the drunken man turned his face toward him with a sweet, dreamy smile that could have made Senku think… if Gen were holding a bouquet, he’d be ready to drag Senku to the altar right there in the lab.

“What’s this~ Senku-chan, are you trying to marry me too~?”

Senku flinched.

“As if!”

The words came out instantly, no filter, but Senku's face betrayed him completely— the way his neck flushed a pale red, like someone had cranked up his internal thermostat without permission.

Before Senku could fully react to Gen’s ridiculous, drunken teasing, Gen suddenly threw himself at him again— this time more seriously. Gen’s long arms wrapped tightly around Senku’s neck, like a clingy bat plushie that had unexpectedly switched into cuddle mode.

“Hey! Gen— seriously? You’re practically sitting in my lap and now you’re clinging to my neck?!”

“Mmh~ But you’re all warm and squishy, Senku-chan…”

Gen mumbled, voice syrupy and muffled, his face buried right against Senku’s shoulder.

“And besides... I really like your voice when you talk about science. It’s... soooo soothing~ I would sleep so well.”

“You—!”

Senku’s eyes widened, then he let out a long, weary sigh.

“Are you complimenting me or insulting me right now…”

His tone was dry, utterly resigned. One arm held Gen steady to keep him from flopping backward, while the other attempted, with mild frustration and zero success, to pry the man’s forehead away from the crook of his neck.

But it seemed like the concept of personal space was entirely lost on the drunk man currently clinging to him.

Gen’s lips moved just slightly, his voice barely above a whisper— soft and dreamy, like someone mumbling in their sleep. But the words that slipped out hit Senku square in the chest like a sucker punch— no warning, no permission, straight to the heart.

“Senku-chan~ You know... if you weren’t so damn smart... I probably would’ve tried to woo you a long time ago~”

Three full seconds of silence.

Senku’s brain blue-screened.

“...What.”

The word came out low— way lower than usual. Even Senku frowned a little at the unfamiliar rasp in his voice.

He glanced down at Gen, who was now smiling softly, eyes half-lidded, still latched onto him like he hadn’t just casually dropped a romantic nuke. As if he’d just said ‘Nice weather today, huh?’ while snuggling into his shoulder like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Gen looked like he was on the verge of falling asleep. And maybe Senku would’ve let him— if not for that one, stupid, dangerous sentence echoing like a landmine in his brain.

“Wait, wait, wait— what did you just say? Run that by me again.”

Senku’s voice cracked with urgency as he half-raised a hand like he was about to hit the subtitles button on Gen’s face.

Gen let out a soft chuckle, the kind that slips out when he's teetering between sleep and wakefulness.

“Kidding~ Don’t overthink it, okay~? You’re just too smart and cute, Senku-chan… Who’d even have the guts to make the first move~?”

“Smart and cute shouldn’t even be in the same sentence— wait, why does it sound like you are making a move on me?!”

“Because I am making a move on you, Senku-chan~”

That last line hit without a filter— no teasing lilt, no sleepy mumble. Just deadpan honesty, dropped like a weight in still water.

Senku’s brain— normally a well-oiled machine running at the speed of light— momentarily stalled.

Before he could even start to process it, Gen leaned in, slow and deliberate… Closer…

Closer still, until Senku could see the soft flutter of those long lashes, the kind of blink that looked almost like an invitation.

Too close— way too close!!

“Gen, are you—”

The words came out lower than intended, surprise thick in Senku’s voice. He swallowed hard, eyes fluttering just slightly, bracing himself for what felt suspiciously like the start of something very not safe for work.

Gen’s lips brushed past the tip of Senku’s nose for a fleeting second…

and then— Thud.

Gen’s body slumped forward, collapsing against Senku’s shoulder like a puppet whose strings had been cut. Like a bat plushie whose battery had died mid-cuddle.

Gen was… asleep.

Completely out cold. Not a shred of awareness left to spare for the chaotic storm he'd just left swirling in one stunned scientist’s head.

There was no kiss. No dramatic, sweeping romantic climax.

Just the soft, steady sound of snoring from the same man who, moments ago, had been flirting with the scientist like it was his full-time job.

Senku sat frozen for a long moment before slowly bringing a hand up to rub at his temple.

This was his current situation— sitting on the cold lab floor… with a completely passed-out Gen draped over him like a weighted blanket made of bad decisions.

“…Why the hell did I even bring you in here?”

Senku muttered to himself with the weariness of a man questioning every life choice that led to this moment. He couldn’t even move— Gen had gone fully limp, deadweight pressing against him like he owned the place. And he was sleeping too peacefully, far more so than the actual owner of the room.

Senku tried shifting his position slightly… No good.

Yeah… if he got up now, Gen would probably just slide off and hit the floor face-first. He was stuck. Probably for a while, judging by how deep into dreamland Gen had drifted.

In the end, all Senku could do was lean back against the cold metal counter of the lab, resigned.

Outside, the hum of the Perseus’s engines rumbled softly beneath them, underscored by the faint laughter and music drifting in from the deck above— an odd contrast to the stillness down here.

And in the midst of it all, Senku sat quietly, arms full of sleeping Gen, wondering how this ridiculous mess had become his life.

Gen’s face, mere inches away, was the picture of serenity. His long lashes brushed against his cheeks, his breathing soft and even— like he’d never been anything but sweet and harmless his entire life.

Senku’s lips curled into a wide, devious grin as he gazed down at the sleeping beauty sprawled across him.

“Don’t think I’ll forget what you said tonight, you mentalist. The moment you sober up tomorrow morning, you’re paying for it…”

He let one shoulder and both legs go numb with time, gradually becoming a mattress, a pillow, and a warm blanket all in one— for the hopeless romantic slumped over him. Eventually, Senku gave in too, drifting off into sleep right there with him.

**

The next morning, lazy rays of sunlight filtered in through the ventilation slats of the Perseus, casting soft streaks of gold across the lab. The steady hum of the engine murmured on in the background, tireless and unbothered, as if it had never once gone to sleep.

Creak…

The lab door opened with a soft squeak. François stepped inside with careful grace, eyes scanning the room for the two missing parties who had mysteriously vanished the night before.

“Senku-sama? Gen-sama? Has anyone seen them since last ni—"

François's words cut off mid-sentence, as if someone had pressed mute on a remote. Their eyes locked onto the scene before them, and for a moment, they simply… stared.

Senku was slumped against the lab counter, fast asleep in a way that suggested his battery had finally run out. His silver hair was a tousled mess, half-shielding his face.

And then there was the other one— the troublesome magician from last night— curled up in Senku’s lap. His head was resting against the scientist’s shoulder, arms and flushed cheeks burrowed into the collar of Senku’s coat, like a cat nuzzling into warmth on a cold night.

And yes— he was still asleep.

Deeply asleep. With the faintest, blissful smile playing on his lips as he mumbled softly in his dreams.

"...My sweet Senku-chan..."

François blinked once— slowly— then took a silent step back, expression as calm and unreadable as ever. With the utmost care, they reached out and gently closed the lab door, as if handling a sleeping baby or a fragile secret.

"I didn’t see a thing… Time to get breakfast ready." They murmured to themself as they walked away.

Though, in the back of François's mind, a quiet thought lingered—

…Should I go ahead and set their seats together at the dining table today?