Work Text:
The morning after your night with Senku in the fire flies felt different.
Not because the sky was brighter or because the birds chirped louder—though it did feel that way—but because of the way Senku kept brushing his fingers against yours whenever he walked by.
Casually.
Lightly.
Like he wasn't even thinking about it.
Except he absolutely was.
You caught him stealing glances at you throughout the morning while you helped prep materials outside the lab. Every time you looked back, he shifted his eyes to a beaker or a stack of notes like the world's least subtle scientist.
It wasn't long before someone noticed.
Unfortunately, that someone... was Kohaku.
You were carrying a basket of herbs toward the lab when Kohaku intercepted you, landing in front of you with all the grace of a jungle cat and none of the subtlety.
"So," she said, pressing her face closer than necessary, "you and Senku."
You blinked. "W-What about us?"
Her eyes narrowed, analyzing you with the intensity of someone about to interrogate a criminal—or in this case, a romantic suspect.
"You're acting strange."
"I'm... carrying herbs."
"Suspiciously," she said.
"How does one carry herbs suspiciously?"
"When they're trying to hide something."
You sighed. "I'm not hiding anything."
Kohaku leaned even closer, so close you could see her eyelashes flutter. "Then why were you smiling at Senku earlier like this—"
She paused, then recreated a smile so soft and lovey-dovey that you nearly choked.
"I— I don't smile like that!"
"Actually, you do," she said flatly. "And Senku almost dropped the pot he was holding."
Heat rushed to your cheeks. "He did not—"
"He did," Chrome's voice chimed in behind you.
You groaned. When did he get here?
Chrome nodded rapidly, eyes wide with the guilty excitement of someone who was definitely going to tell someone else about this.
"He totally did! It slipped right out of his hand. If I hadn't caught it—"
"You didn't catch it," Kohaku corrected. "It shattered."
Chrome wilted. "Well... I caught the bottom piece."
Kohaku pointed at you dramatically. "Something is going on."
You tried to walk away.
Kohaku stepped in front of you again.
Chrome stepped behind you.
You were trapped.
Fantastic.
Thankfully—or maybe not thankfully—Senku called from the lab doorway.
"(Y/N)! Bring those herbs over here before Chrome eats them by mistake!"
"I wasn't going to eat them," Chrome protested.
"Yes you were," Senku shot back.
Chrome... did not deny it.
You moved quickly, escaping Kohaku's suspicious gaze. Senku waited until you were beside him, then quietly closed the lab door behind you, shutting the others out.
"You okay?" he asked.
You pressed your palms to your burning cheeks. "Kohaku is suspicious."
He scoffed. "Of course she is. That woman could detect a lie from a mile away."
You looked up at him. "Senku... it doesn't bother you?"
"That she's suspicious?" He shrugged. "Not even slightly."
"What about the others finding out?"
Senku leaned back against the table, arms crossed loosely but expression open.
"Let's be honest," he said. "I'm not exactly subtle."
"No," you agreed, laughing. "You're really not."
He reached out and tugged gently at the hem of your sleeve—an almost shy gesture despite the smug tone he'd used.
"I don't care if they notice," he said softly. "I care if you care."
"I don't mind," you said, stepping closer. "It's just... new."
Senku's smile softened into something warmer, quieter.
"Yeah. It is."
He leaned down and pressed a quick kiss to your temple—far more tender than he'd probably anticipated, because when he pulled away, even he looked a little surprised.
"Okay," he said gruffly, clearing his throat. "Back to work. Before Chrome barges in and starts taking notes like he's discovered a new species."
He barged in five minutes later.
With a notebook.
And a charcoal stick.
And the brightest, most chaotic grin you'd ever seen.
"CHROME," Senku barked, voice cracking like a whip.
"What?" Chrome said innocently. "I'm performing observational science!"
"No," Senku snapped, "you're acting like a nosy grandmother."
Chrome deflated. "But I thought—"
"Out."
"But—"
"OUT."
Chrome backed out of the lab like a scolded puppy, eyes still peeking through the door cracks before Kohaku dragged him away by the collar.
By midday, rumors were floating around the village like pollen.
'Senku and (Y/N) were acting strange.'
'Senku wasn't yelling at Chrome as much.'
'Senku let (Y/N) borrow his tools.'
'(Y/N) smiled at Senku in a way she didn't smile at others.'
'Senku's hair was extra fluffy today. '
Which in hindsight didn't really mean all that much. Just that he showered.
And then Gen walked over. Which meant trouble.
Gen appeared beside you with that sly, foxlike grin of his. "My, my, my. Someone's looking radiant today."
You groaned. "Please don't."
"Don't what? Point out what the entire village already knows?"
"They don't—"
"They do," Gen assured you. "Trust me. Humanity may be in its primal age, but gossip? Gossip is eternal."
Your face heated. "Gen—"
He leaned closer. "So? Was it a kiss?"
You choked. "GEN!"
"Ahh—so it was!"
You buried your face in your hands while Gen clapped his hands in delight.
"No it wasn't! We just... it's new Gen. Like last night new!" You whispered.
"I'm thrilled!" he said. "This is such good material for psychological observation!"
Before you could respond, a shadow fell across the ground.
Senku.
Looking... unimpressed.
And very done with Gen.
"Beat it, magician."
Gen pouted dramatically. "How rude. I come bearing curiosity and joy and—"
Senku took one step toward him.
Gen fled.
"Unbelievable," Senku muttered.
You nudged him lightly. "He's just teasing."
"He's going to 'tease' himself off a cliff one of these days."
You laughed, and Senku's eyes softened as he watched you.
"Come on," he said quietly. "Let's walk. Before the whole village lines up to interrogate us."
The air was cool beside the water, sunlight flickering across the surface. Senku walked with his hands behind his head, relaxed in a way most people never got to see.
You walked beside him, close enough that your hands brushed occasionally—never fully touching and never fully apart.
Finally, Senku broke the silence.
"So," he said, "how do you feel about the entire village deciding to act like a committee investigating us?"
You laughed. "Honestly? It's kind of funny."
Senku smirked. "Ten billion percent hilarious. And ten billion percent annoying."
You nudged him with your knee. "They're just curious."
He gave you a sidelong glance. "Can't blame them. I did go from 'love is illogical and irrelevant' to midnight walks with someone in, what—forty-eight hours?"
You flushed. "Are you regretting it?"
Senku stopped walking.
Completely stopped.
Then turned fully toward you, red eyes bright and intense.
"Not even point one percent," he said.
Your breath hitched.
He moved closer, lifting a hand to tuck a stray lock of hair behind your ear.
"And you don't need to ask," he murmured. "If I ever regret something, you'll know instantly. I'm terrible at hiding things."
"That's true," you admitted.
He smirked. "See? Science."
You laughed softly.
But he wasn't finished.
"You make things easier," Senku said quietly. "Not harder. You being around doesn't distract me. It... stabilizes things."
Your heart swelled. "Senku..."
He leaned forward, wrapping his hands around your waist...
"Hey! Guys!" Suika yelled.
You both jerked back as Suika raced toward you, waving her hands frantically.
"Senkuu! (Y/N)!! Kohaku said to tell you that something is happening in the village!"
Senku sighed. "Is Chrome on fire again?"
Suika shook her head. "No! Everyone is gathered because—they said—they said—"
She paused dramatically, then whispered:
"They said you two are dating."
You covered your face with both hands.
Senku pinched the bridge of his nose. "You've gotta be kidding me."
Suika leaned closer. "Is it true?"
You peeked between your fingers. Senku looked down at you with a raised brow, silently asking your permission before answering.
You nodded.
He turned back to Suika.
"Yes," he said plainly.
Suika squealed so loudly a flock of birds took off from the trees.
"You are! You're dating! I have to go tell everyone!"
"No—Suika—no—!" you called, but she was already gone.
Senku sighed again. "Welp. No going back now."
You groaned. "They're going to swarm us."
"They're already swarming," Senku corrected, pointing behind you.
You turned.
Half the village was approaching.
At full speed.
Once they reached you, it was chaos.
Congrats from some.
Shock from others.
Questions.
Teasing.
Chrome crying for no reason.
Kohaku folded her arms triumphantly. "Knew it."
Gen leaned on a tree. "Called it."
Kinro frowned. "Is this... efficient?"
Ruri smiled warmly. "I'm happy for both of you."
Suika bounced in circles around your legs. "They're dating! They're dating! They're dating!"
Senku sighed heavily and muttered beneath his breath, "This is why scientists shouldn't interact with society."
You squeezed his hand.
He glanced down at your intertwined fingers—and something in his expression shifted.
Even with the chaos around you, even with the teasing and the astonished looks...
He didn't let go.
Not once.
You and Senku finally escaped to the quiet edge of camp, away from prying eyes and gossip.
He stretched his arms over his head with a groan. "If one more person asks me when the wedding is, I'm leaving civilization again."
You laughed. "They're excited."
"They're nosy."
"They care."
Senku shot you a sideways look. "You're enjoying this way too much."
"Maybe," you teased. "A little."
He stepped closer, looping an arm around your waist and pulling you in until you were flush against him.
"You know," he murmured, "there's one upside to everyone knowing."
"What's that?"
He lowered his forehead to yours.
"I don't have to pretend anymore."
He looked in your eyes.
"Let them talk. I don't care."
Brushing a thumb along your cheek, eyes glowing with something soft and unmistakably yours.
"As long as I have you."