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Gen was acting suspiciously clingy.
To begin with, Senku and Gen were already close. When they were the only modern people during the war against Tsukasa, they alone related to one another and developed a bond. Their friendship even grew deeper after that point. Besides Taiju and Yuzuriha, Senku would go as far as thinking of Gen as one of his new closest friends.
But when Gen returned from Xeno's grasp, with them kidnapping Xeno in the process, Gen would be around Senku's vicinity no matter which way he turned.
Senku ignored it at first, but strange, apparent things started to happen between them.
The simplest one was Gen following Senku everywhere. Even if he wasn't always beside him—it was close—Gen would always be in the same area as him. Their new ship was small, yes, but being a few feet from the same person was statistically unlikely, unless it was intentional.
Gen also talked more ambiguously.
When Senku was about to enter the room to have a private chat with Xeno, Gen showed up, as expected. Not to come in with him, but to stop Senku for a moment.
Gen stood next to Senku as if in a hurry. Surprised, Senku threw a confused expression. Gen softly cautioned, "Senku-chan. Xeno... If our dear guest does something even a ittle-lay bit strange, get out of the room. Or scream. Or have someone accompany you. Or–"
"Gen." Senku cut him off, "You're worrying too much. Xeno's tied up. And he's not stupid enough to do anything to me, knowing he's alone."
Yet, Gen knew this.
"That's true." Gen replied, "But he could manipulate you...."
Gen was trying to act calm, but his intonation was different. As if he were truly restless behind his mask.
"He was my pen pal before, so I know how he works. I'll see through all his tricks easily," Senku laughed playfully. Gen smiled at that. Whether it was because of the banter or simply because Senku laughed, he wouldn't know. "Besides, I've learned enough of your psychology tricks to see through him, if he did."
Gen suddenly felt warmed at that, and was reassured. He took a subtle exhale of relief.
Senku lightly patted Gen's shoulder. "I'll be fine, Mentalist."
Gen's lip twitched at that while holding his smile. Senku then let go, went in the room, and stayed there for hours probably playing chess with the enemy.
Of course, Gen was playing 4D chess too. He suggested that Francois brew some tea for everyone and bring some to Senku and Xeno. He wanted to know what was happening inside by letting someone else do it for him.
When Chrome entered and also stayed for a long time without a word, Gen became more restless. His mask was flawless, though (or so he thought). Eventually, Kaseki entered with an Earth diorama and shortly left, which indicated everything was fine. Gen took another sigh of relief.
But the weirdness didn't stop.
Pro-tip: If the words "HELL" magically float in the sky, danger is most likely expected. Obviously, Gen took that seriously.
A handful of them went to inspect the area. What's surprising is that Gen came along. He didn't even want to go on the voyage in the first place, and now he wanted to investigate a creepy-looking sign in the middle of the night?
Not just that, Gen was clearly blocking Senku as he defensively walked in front of him. He still maintained his natural calm composure and had his arms inside his sleeves, but his shoulders looked a little uptight. Gen also gave consistent anxious glances towards Senku every so often, which ended up bothering Senku. Gen smiled every time he looked as he pretended to only look around, but Senku saw right through it.
Come daytime, they returned to the friendly greeting and assumed the same position and stance. It turned out to be a group of kites as they found out a person stuck up the trees, put them up to spell "HELP" instead. It was funny in hindsight, aside from Chelsea's backstory that actually sounded like hell.
In the end, Gen retreated and went to the back. When Senku looked at him, Gen started avoiding his eyes. Senku was almost at his limit by then. But what really made him decide to confront him was that night in the mobile lab.
Gen entered while holding a plate of tea for him and Chrome (and occasionally Kaseki, but he wasn't here this time). This wasn't unusual, as he was doing this every single night now.
"Your stress relievers are here~" Gen greeted, "Ah! Chrome-chan already snoozed off. Hard at work as always, you two."
Senku was admittedly tired, but he would never confess that to Gen. Being in the whole transcontinental ocean chase with an ex-ranked soldier made Senku work himself until he literally passed out, sometimes. He didn't mind that; he needed to take all the precautions necessary.
So Senku only murmured an agreement in response while he focused on his work. He could've confronted Gen right now, but Chrome was still in the room and could wake up any time and eavesdrop.
Gen set the tray down next to a paper with a list of names:
Tentative Pairings:
- Ryusui, Xeno, Hyoga
- Francois, Chrome, Tsukasa
- Carlos, Luna, Max
- Taiju, Kaseki
- Ukyo, Kohaku, Suika
- Gen, Senku, Chelsea
Senku noticed Gen's eyes trace the words, and covered the paper with his hand. He said with a strained voice, "You don't have to bring tea every night for us. We have to ration our supplies."
Gen grabbed one cup and replied, "If anything, you're the one barely eating and hydrating yourself." Gen walked to a nearby chair. "Time check?"
"...12:30."
"We're up before sunrise tomorrow, aren't we? Come sit, Senku-chan. You look seconds away from falling asleep." Gen beckoned the to vacant space next to him.
Senku didn't like how easily Gen ordered him around sometimes. He slowly sat down and tried to relax. He was right, though. He needed this. Senku took the cup from Gen's hands and drank half of it.
"New formula?"
"Mhm," Gen used a softer voice, "Let's just say I snatched some ingredients back at Xeno's and had Francois prepare them."
"Sly as always." Senku rested his head on Gen's shoulder. This was a new form of physical affection for the two. Once, Senku even slept on Gen's lap, as per Gen's suggestion that it relieves stress. It did. Neither of them really talked about it. This progression sort of just happened. They were still trying to get used to it. One thing's for sure: they both found it comfortable.
Gen relaxed his head against Senku's as well while they both took slow breaths. Senku was ready to fall asleep right then and there, until Gen spoke up again.
"Do you remember when it was just us two modern guys in Ishigami village?" Gen said gently, almost inaudibly, "This reminded me of those times. Chrome even slept first before we did. We would just talk away about science or reminisce about the past or discuss utter nonsense until we passed out. Those nights were somehow peaceful. It all just seemed safer back then." He sounded so vulnerable, even.
What brought this up?, Senku was too tired to ask. Gen was right again, about him being seconds to sleep. If only he could keep talking with him, though.
"Sorry for my rambling, Senku-chan. I just... missed it." Gen lightly giggled to himself.
I missed you, too.
• •
Senku remembered the whole conversation. Even the way Gen's body radiated warmth when he leaned his body to his. What stuck in his mind was the suddenness of the topic. They were rarely sentimental. Something was definitely up with him. So he was resolute on confronting Gen. Senku planned to bring the topic up when it was just the two of them. But in such a small vessel and with a whole crew on board, there was almost no time for it. He just observed the Mentalist's behavior while finding the opportunity to talk to him. It was all the same with Gen practically escorting him everywhere.
The chance finally appeared when they set camp for one night as they collected rubber. When all the tasks of the day were finished, Senku deliberately went a safe distance away from the ship. He was still at the shore collecting water samples. But also to finally catch his certain satellite.
Three.
He heard the crunching of the sand.
Two.
A figure made himself obvious near Senku.
One.
"Senku-chan! I was wondering where you went." Gen said sweetly behind him.
"Need something, Mentalist?"
"The others have set camp for the night, you should rest too~" Gen answered sweetly, "Don't you think you've been working too hard? I get it, you're our resident scientist and all. But as the resident mentalist, it's my role to stop you all from passing out from exhaustion."
"I appreciate all the hard work," Senku sealed the sample and put it in his belt. He bluntly asked, "But why are you only doing all this for me?"
Gen's smile faltered a bit, "Whatever do you mean?"
"The way you've been acting recently. You thought I wouldn't notice?" He clarified, even though he knew Gen was already on the same page, "Always beside me, cautioning me from Xeno, acting like a frontline soldier before we found Chelsea, and that night in the lab. Now you went off to find me again. I don't understand why you're paranoid. I'm fine, Gen. I don't need you to follow me around like a puppy." Senku didn't mean harm by it. But he did mean it.
Senku knew Gen was pushed into a wall now. And he was aware Gen knew that too. It was pointless to avoid the topic any further. Even if he did, Senku was never one to give up.
The waves of the Pacific Ocean were loud as they collided with the shore that the two stood upon. The sand seeped through their worn-out footwear. And the wind was harsh and cold. The two held their gazes, one probed and the other stayed indifferent.
Gen frowned. The half-moon illuminated his backside, which partially concealed his face. He went silent for a moment before lowering his head saying faintly, "You didn't tell me."
That's not what he thought he'd say. Senku raised a brow, "What?"
"You didn't tell me you got shot!" Gen yelled with a load of hurt.
Senku was taken aback. That's what this was about? Senku defended, "There was no reason—"
"No, Senku, you got injured, and you were at death's doorstep, and you didn't tell me! What if it was more serious... What if there was irreversible damage to your body... What if you actually..." Gen's voice cracked. His head was still facing the ground, covering his expression.
Suddenly, a tear fell off.
Senku's eyes widened. He didn't expect Gen to break this easily. It was the first time he'd ever seen Gen cry. Well, the other was still refusing to look at Senku, so he couldn't see properly. But Senku panicked. This was exactly the opposite of what he wanted to happen.
"Shit, Gen, I–"
"When Kohaku told me what happened, my heart ripped itself in half again. Because it already did when I was apart from you when... I felt it, Senku..." Gen finally looked at him angrily with tear-filled eyes. "I felt it in my soul when you were shot! Or at least that something happened to you!" His voice was still raised and shaky. He sounded pained beyond words. Senku took shallow breaths as he took all he said in. Gen exclaimed, "And... I understand that it's hard to talk about. Or that there's no time. Or that it doesn't matter now. But it matters to me! I mean, you got shot IN THE CHEST! If you're asking why I'm constantly checking on you, it's because I could barely sleep! I needed to check if you were okay. I just... I wish you could have at least told me." Gen looked away again. He took a very deep and unstable breath. He said very softly, almost a whisper, "I thought we were friends."
Senku froze. For a second, he didn't know what to do. He did, but he wasn't used to doing it, so he hesitated. He scratched his head, then approached the other.
Finally, he closed the distance between them.
It was pretty much, sort of, a hug. It wasn't too tight nor too soft, as if it were half-hearted. It was firm and pure; an answer in itself to assure Gen that, yes, of course, they were friends. And he was willing to do this because he knew Gen secretly liked this sort of physical thing and was comforted by it. But the hug was also somehow awkward because this was a rare occasion. He stood very straight. His arms surrounded Gen's like they were limp. His sweaty cheek grazed Gen's. And neither said a word.
But Gen started crying even more. His tears dripped and soaked into Senku's clothing. He didn't care. He didn't move. He waited. Eventually, Gen hugged him back.
Senku sighed after a while, "You don't know how glad I am to have met you. Not just because of you being useful and all that. You are, but it's more than that. Remember what you said in the lab? I missed those times too, when it was just the two of us. I... I sometimes wish I had known you earlier. So, don't talk like that. Idiot."
Gen complained as he tightened his grip around Senku, "You can't even compliment me properly, Senku-chan?!"
They both chuckled at that. Yet, Gen was still upset, which was understandable.
"Stupid! Stupid Senku-chan!" Gen weakly hit Senku's back, "I wish I could have taken that bullet for you. I would do it in less than a heartbeat, if it meant you'd be safe."
Senku inhaled sharply, "That's too much, isn't it? But if I were honest, I would do it for you, too. I don't know what I would do without you." He interlocked his fingers to squeeze Gen a bit more.
"Then, why'd you hide this from me?"
Senku thought carefully. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you. You're right. I didn't think it mattered anymore. But I also didn't bring it up because I thought this would happen. It would've just hurt you."
Gen collected himself for a second. He loosened his grip and positioned his arms more comfortably before replying, "Do you know now that you still hurt me by not telling me?"
"Yes."
"Will you now tell me every serious thing that happened to you, when you're ready?"
"Yes."
"And, will you now be extra careful in the future?"
"I try to be careful, but avoiding all harm in the name of science is ten billion percent impossible. In this context, this was all I could do to defend myself against the bullet."
Gen lightly kicked Senku's ankle.
"But yes, I'll try."
Gen sniffed, "Stupid scientist."
Senku scoffed, "Emotional mentalist."
"Hey, don't dismiss my feelings."
"I'm just talking generally."
"Now you're just insulting me, again."
"Playful banter's part of the best friendship pack."
Gen laughed at that. A full, hearty laugh. Senku felt more at ease. That's what he was waiting for.
Senku was completely aware that using the word friend was personally not ideal as it did not describe them best. Gen and he had been having this magnetic force that was pulling them through a boundary that surpasses friendship. They've been hovering across that line, but neither one actually stepping foot on the other side. Senku was also aware there was a growing feeling that resonated with both of them. What that feeling was, Senku would name at a later time. And if Gen had already accepted this feeling, the other would address it long in the future, too.
They would deal with it when everything had finally become at peace.
But with their growing emotions came the intimate additions. Opening up personal stories now and then. Having a shared rest time. Tensions when sleeping in the same tent. And those ephemeral, warm touches. That was why Gen wasn't too surprised about Senku hugging him. And why Senku decided to initiate it.
Neither of them was used to this extent of physical affection yet, especially with how long their bodies were pressed together. But somehow, they both were perfectly fine with it. They both didn't want to let go. If this would change their so-called-friendship, then so be it. None of them would say a thing about it.
So, they stood in a comfortable hugging position without breaking the quiet. There were only the sounds of the waves now calmly crashing onto the shore, the rustling of the nearby trees, and a slow breeze combing their hair. As well as Senku and Gen enjoying each other's physical presence. After some time, Senku spoke quietly.
"Hey, Mentalist."
"What is it, Senku-chan?"
"What I said earlier about not needing you to follow me around like a puppy," Senku smiled and closed his eyes, "I take it back. You can do that all you want."