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"You're distracted."
Was the words that fell into his lap from the man behind him.
The hand holding the pencil paused in the middle of it's journey. Senku Ishigami's eyes glazed across the tenth rocket schematic he and the now uneasy ally/past mentor had been working on.
Dr. Xeno Houston Wingfield aka Dr. X was standing behind him, and had been observing Senku till now, pointing out the way the boy was holding himself.
Leaning further into the stone in front of him, pressing his palm harder against the surface, Senku smirked. "This is our most important project yet. I can't afford a distraction."
Taking a step forward a little to the side, Xeno quickly listed out the facts of Senku's physicality, pointing out the obvious. "Clammy hands, slouched posture, wandering eyes. Your mind is distracted."
"I'm overfocused." Senku bluffed smoothly, writing some notes by the side of the rocket piece he just sketched.
Xeno didn't buy it one bit, shaking his head. "No. If you were, there would be determination set in your eyes."
The boy genius slowly stopped writing, turning his head slightly away from the heavy gaze of his former mentor.
Whingfelid gave a humph, crossing his arms. "The fact that you're avoiding my call to attention settles it. You're just a human being... Mulling over matters of the heart."
That froze Senku right in his stance. He was read as clear as a highway sign at night. Having it be Xeno though, he grimaced trying to avoid this talk specifically with the mentor. "It's nothing for you to get concerned over, doctor."
"You know where this leads. You know the consequences."
Standing straight, Senku sighed; he knew this all too well. The same old talk. The same justifications Senku himself had also repeated in his brain.
Xeno closed his eyes, speaking factually. "It's a distraction. It always has been. You need to nip this in the bud immediately. Suffocate it. It needs to stay deep down and away from thought."
The younger scientist almost poingiantly said no out loud, but reigned himself in, clenching his teeth as his face scrunched up.
He didn't need to be told this again. He knew. He had decisively set it aside the moment he first awoke from petrification. He hadn't planned it. But now that it was here (and had been building for a while now)...
He knew better.
Senku looked back at the blueprints scattered across the area, some posted up on the pillar in the middle of the top of this monument, tense. "You don't think I tried that? Been doing that? It's not helped like you think it has doctor."
Pushing himself away from the makeshift "table" of stone, he turned to Xeno, posture straight.
"This experiment has failed. Bottling it up, pushing it down, burying it alive- It's only made it worse!"
Crossing his own arms, he briefly glanced to the side, rolling his eyes. "Besides, denying it is what stupid people would do."
Senku learned long ago that love and logic can not fight each other. Nor can science explain it when it's real. When it's true. The only thing he could measure was common sense. The only way was to let logic work with it. Let his heart be honest, and let logic see the truth.
That's when Dr X realized, this wasn't simply just a frivolous crush that would pass or fade. The kid had made up his mind. Xeno let his arms fall to his sides, a glimmer of realization crossing his irises. "....You really believe you-"
Senku interrupted, shrugging with a skewed smirk, simultaneously admitting defeat yet making his sound stance quite clear. "The only logical course of action is to follow through with it. Pull off the band-aid now, or let it continue to fester inside? You said it yourself, a scientist needs no distractions, especially in times like this. There's only one way to put it to rest."
A subtly surprised Xeno watched Senku turn, taking a step away before his blunt voice stopped the boy in his tracks.
"So why haven't you?"
Senku's eyebrows lifted a tad, turning his head to the other scientist.
Xeno continued, now having changed his place of discourse, understanding the gravity of the younger's feelings. "I see you two are close. You trust her with certainty. But still, with everything you said, you're still letting it cloud your judgement. You haven't even spoken to her about it in any shape or form yet have you?"
Senku took a breath, then sighed. He held up his hand to stare at it.
".. I'm only human Dr.Xeno. Even we scientists have critical flaws. There's no denying that." He could admit when he's failed.
But then, for any good scientist, failure motivates the drive to get it right.
Strolling across the temple like ruins, Senku stopped in front of some stairs, looking to the camp they set up. He thought back to treasure island. "I'm ten billion percent sure she feels the same."
Xeno gestured a hand, almost letting his composure slip into exasperation. "Then why risk anything at all? Surely this will cause more distractions. More problems."
Senku chuckled with a smirk. Out of force of habit, a finger went to pick his ear. He turned his head to face his expression to the former mentor. "I've learned transparency is often required among friends & allies. And I've finally come to the conclusion that disclosing how I feel won't lead to any negative outcomes we couldn't handle."
"We?"
Senku waved him off, clearly not talking to him. And now with this talk, Senku was more certain than ever. "Like I said, it's none of your concern. Now if you excuse me, I have a test to run." Walking away from the area with a stride.
But first, to settle something else.
The cloth door flickered open, a figure standing in the American girl's doorway.
"Luna?"
Looking up from the medical book she was writing, she saw Senku standing there with his usual serious expression on his face. She beamed, cooing his name. "Oh! Hi senkuu~" She stood up quickly, placing the papers down. "What brings you here to my tent?"
"We need to talk." He said simply, briefly glancing side to side.
Luna waved a hand, gesturing him inside. "Well then talk, I'm all ears."
Senku gestured his head back, motioning out the door. Signaling to her to follow, he turned. "Follow me." Luna attentively followed after, trusting him.
Walking to stand near the outskirts of camp, next to the jungle line before the clearing, Luna came up next to Senku, hands curled down behind her back. "So what's so important to my boyfriend that he has to briefly pull us away from camp?"
"I'd wish you'd stop calling me that.." He sighed under his breath. Unfortunately Luna seemed to have heard it or at least some part of it.
She tilted her head in confusion. "Pardon?"
He turned to her, cutting to the chase. "I said, I want you to stop calling me your boyfriend."
Luna blinked, slightly fearing but knowing what he might say next. "But, you are aren't you? You said yes when I asked you."
Senku put a finger in his ear, speaking bluntly. "You know the only reason I agreed was so you could finish patching me up."
Luna's heart sank.
Her hands fell to her sides, glancing down to her feet. "... But, I thought you liked me.."
Senku sighed; he tried to make his logical response as painless as possible for her, maintaining eye contact to her dampening expression. "I'm sorry Luna, but I never had any romantic feelings towards you. This was only a practical arrangement." He maintained honesty. "And I'm not entirely a fan of politically driven arrangements like these."
And with that, Luna's imaginary scenario fully broke. She knew it was coming. So when the tears started trickling down her face, she tried to rub them away with the back of her hands. Sniffling betrayed her.
Once again Senku sighed. A logical emotional response from her sure, but still illogical knowing the facts. He held back a deprecating chuckle, tilting his head back slightly but still serious. "Jeez, don't start crying on me. You knew I had no interest in this "relationship.""
After a handful of seconds of crying, Senku didn't expect to hear a defeated chuckle from the purple haired girl. It was still covered by a blanket of sadness, but Luna had seemingly confirmed something else unrelated to her feelings. She rubbed a palm against her right eye, smiling a little despite herself. "I suppose I had an inkling. It still hurts like hell though."
Placing her hands back to her sides, she blew out a breath, wistful. "I-I guess that I thought I could change your mind, before you could get to the inevitable."
He shrugged, a little thankful she didn't have a meltdown. "It wasn't going to happen Luna. I hope you understand that."
She just nodded. She did understand. Remaining tears still shining in her eyes, they both let a moment of silence pass. Before Senku could take a step away though, Luna was chuckling again. A more genuine grin spreading on her lips. Her fingers fidgeted together as she spoke, suddenly so certain, purposely meeting his sight. "I should've known we wouldn't have worked anyway. Because, I quickly realized your heart was already taken by a certain someone."
Senku's ruby eyes widened a little, before he started to chuckle himself, running a hand through his hair as he glanced away. "Heh, that obvious huh?"
Luna's hurt but happy smile stayed, folding her hands together in front of her. "Not to most. But to the helpless romantic," she turned so they stood side by side. "Your admiration & adoration for each other is truly something special. Even all the logic in the world agrees with it."
For the first time that evening, Senku found the smallest upturn on his lips. He dryly chortled a smidge as the two began walking back to camp. "I wouldn't go that far. Though... It is the most logical outcome due to proximity & chemistry."
Luna couldn't contest the truth. " I won't deny that; You two do have excellent chemistry together. She's a lucky girl."
Senku's little laugh turned into a cough, hiding a tinge of embarrassment.
Finally making it back to the outside ring of camp, Senku abruptly haulted his steps, taking one more glance to Luna. He nodded once. She nodded once back, lightly tapping his arm in assurance; she wasn't going anywhere. She was here to stay with the kingdom of science no matter what.
Watching him walk away, she couldn't help but still feel a little sad. However, she wasn't heartbroken. He was in good hands. That she knew for sure. She genuinely smiled to him.
"Go get her tiger."
She could be found crouching on a large boulder in a corner of the camp, staring up to the now night sky. One hand in front of her, the other off to the side, ready to pounce into action.
"Yo lioness!"
"Still not a lioness!" The annoyed tone in her response was par for the course at this point, so it was no surprise Senku found Kohaku smiling at his greeting regardless of how she felt about the nickname.
Senku smirked, coming to stand next to the boulder eyeing her. "Each time you refute it the more true it gets."
She turned to make a face at him and he just gave a playful tsk back. He joined her in stargazing for a bit. She relaxed her posture and sat down on the rock, legs stretched out and hands settled on the cold stone underneath her. The silence between them was comfortable, familiar. Easy.
Kohaku broke the silence, with a still quiet awe. "So.. we're really going to space?"
Senku confidently showed a grin, arms crossed against his chest. "Oh yeah. One of humanity's greatest achievements yet. Get excited."
Kohaku shared that puffed enthusiasm, glancing over to him. "Oh I am. Anything you put your mind to is enough for me to get excited."
Their sights set back onto the blackened sky, and for another solitary moment they just enjoyed their company.
All the while Senku was staring at the moon, thinking about their future confrontation with Why-Man... And exactly how to go about telling Kohaku his feelings. He figured the best way was to be blunt; easier said than done.
As he was lost deep in thought, Kohaku's eyes drifted to Senku; his stance relaxed yet rigid, his expression focused and eyes swimming with thought.
There was just something so alluring about him lost in thought. She grinned softly, also wondering what was on his mind. Suddenly she remembered something she had observed the other night.
Senku took an inhale through his nose, but before he could speak Kohaku's inquired voice brought him back to neutral.
"Do you got a moment?"
He turned his head to see her turned to him. She was starting to stand as he responded casually. "Sure."
She hopped off the rock, landing firmly in place next to him, looking a little excited. "I have something I want to show you."
He gave a soft invisible grin, gesturing a hand to her. "Well then, lead the way."
As the two were making their way through thick bushes and large leaves, Kohaku was explaining. "Originally I was going to show you this at home, because we have the same insect there. However, I thought you would find a difference with these ones."
Kohaku cleared the foliage first as Senku quirked a brow, following her footsteps. "Oh?"
Finally setting foot in the small clearing, his eyes landed upon little, small buzzing lights. Moving around daintily, making room for a speck of moonlight to shimmer down onto them.
As he stood straight, Senku started to smile at the sight.
"Fireflies."
Kohaku was a few feet away, standing in the middle of the clearing with the curious insects. She blinked, but smiled back. "So that's what they're called."
Looking over to her, he couldn't deny the thought that crossed his mind; she looked perfect in this light. Shaking it off, he took another look around at the abundance of them, replying to her interested tone. "Or lightning bugs, whichever name you prefer." He took a few steps forward to her, holding out a hand to the little bugs, now getting a better look at them. "These ones in particular are Photinus pyralis, aka the common eastern firefly. The most common type found in North America."
The grin on his lips was unmistakable as he soaked in the sight around the two, crouching to the ground while turning his head up to the all-natural flickering light show. "I've seen one or two fireflies before, but never a full colony... Of any species type for that matter."
Her heart grew warm and comfortably heavy watching him practically glow alongside the fireflies. Kohaku's smile grew small, holding her hands by her sides. She thought out loud. "I'm glad then."
He eyed her briefly. "Hm?"
She continued, glancing around at the bugs of light before decisively setting her eyes on Senku again. "Glad I could show you something you haven't seen before." Her hands went to hold themselves behind her back, adoration dancing across her eyes. "You've done so much for us, you know. I don't know how we could ever repay you in full."
Senku held out his index finger, watching a firefly daintily come to rest briefly upon it. "Keep chasing science. Keep learning. That's all I can ask."
He took a moment, watching the bug fly off before pushing on his knees to stand straight, speaking with eyes closed and a slight smirk. "Though, you've already done so much for me yourself."
Kohaku blinked. "Really?"
Senku turned to her, gesturing a hand and giving a more sincere expression. "Of course. You're the first to volunteer if I need any extra helpers. You're not afraid to get your hands dirty if you need to. You're curious, determined, confident. Your skillset keeps the kingdom of science secure and safe. Missions have more security when you tag along. Heh, I wouldn't have taken you along this worldwide gathering expedition if I didn't think I needed you."
Needed...
An unforeseen flush was teasing her ears at the unexpected praise. She gulped, glancing down to the ground, hands clenching tighter together. "Oh... I'm.. glad to know you think so highly of me." She really did. It teased her unspoken thoughts.
His hand fell to his side, confident in his assertion. "Never let anyone tell you you're not."
And with that, he quickly realized that, essentially, he had subtly conveyed part of his feelings about her with that affirmation. Senku witnessed her expression visibly change, pink lines brushing across her cheeks. She figured it out.
He didn't think about taking it back, however the two were left in a somewhat awkward atmosphere, Kohaku getting uncharacteristically shy and Senku unsure about what to do or say next. As he was processing that though, he heard Kohaku sigh (almost in defeat?..) and watched her start to walk over and past him as she spoke. "We should probably get back to camp..."
At this point Senku realized he was blowing it. He really was just going to fail like that? His brain ran through simulations, hoping to spare some time to reply. Though, his heart and the voice in the back of his head said there wasn't time. In spite of his own volition, his body acted on its own spinning around and a hand shooting out to catch her wrist. His mouth opening without a sentence structured out, just calling her name. "Kohaku-"
They froze.
Acting on instinct? Kohaku couldn't believe Senku would do that. She turned around slowly, surprise filling her irises. Her heartbeat grew, as she observed the same surprise worn on the scientist's face.
"Senku?..."
Well crap. He was screwed now. There was a million equations that were rushing through his head, but now? Still. Empty. Nothing. Like he was holding his own conscious hostage. He wanted to speak, to explain himself, to get this out simply and logically. But for the first time in his life, his own human nature betrayed him. Logic was failing, just when he learned that logic and love could work together. Just how was he-?
Simply.
Make it clear, simple, to the point. Something that would convey his feelings in the most direct way possible.
That's when he felt it. His heart beat, pushing him forward. Like a decisive nod.
He took a step towards her, quickly and without warning, closing the gap between them and sealing her lips against his- a simple, careful kiss.
Kohaku felt her whole body set ablaze by the unexpected kiss, absolutely floored. This was the last thing she expected of him- And dang it she wanted to stop being shocked and enjoy it! She began pressing back against his lips. But, before she could fall into it and fully close her eyes, Senku pulled away, having seemingly held his breath and was just now taking in a long inhale and a shaky exhale.
Welp, if he wasn't screwed before, he was definitely past the point of no return now. He hadn't expected this development, but what good of a scientist would he be if he didn't just take it and continue on to see what this new experiment would yield in its results?
He stared at her with honest eyes, the hand that held her wrist now sliding down to hold her hand properly. He spoke bluntly, aware of her emotions running high. His ruby irises shining with the upmost sincerity. "I shouldn't keep this bottled up any longer than I need to. But I need to make sure I hear it from you first; Do you have feelings for me?" He was sure of her answer; but needed to hear her say it.
Kohaku's eyes shined with emotion. She couldn't help but launch herself onto him with a big & warm hug, arms wrapping around his back. He wasn't expecting it, but didn't tense up when it happened. He waited patiently for her response.
Finally, she spoke aloud, grinning softly into his shoulder. The thought she had kept quiet spilling out into the air. "...Yes. I love you Senku. I do. I really do." A happy relieved tear found its way into her eyes, tightening her grip on him slightly. She looked up to him, admitting her denial with a chuckle. "I've kind of been dancing around it ever since we left treasure island. I just wasn't sure if you ever felt this way."
His gaze met hers, those beautiful blue eyes, and he was overcome with honesty. His arms moved just enough to take ahold of her, hands carefully going around her waist. "The feeling is mutual Kohaku."
She sifted through surprise at his returning touch, an earnest grin drawing up his lips. "Damn it all, I do feel the same. I figured I should express it before it got any more troublesome."
She smiled bashfully back at the shine in his eyes, and rested her head against his chest, still reveling in the careful, gentle touch he was offering to her. Like she was going to shatter into glass fragments if he held her wrong. Or rather, he would shatter.
"And I'm guessing you talked with Luna?" She smirked against him.
Not that it was neither of their major concern, but making sure Luna knew directly there was nothing with her and Senku was a point.
He could've nodded, leaning his head down, almost for his chin to touch her shoulder. "We got it squared away."
He refused to call it butterflies in his stomach, suddenly acutely aware of Kohaku's presence in his arms, her weight being pressed against his firm and present stature. He felt like he was going to melt. He could name all these reactions by their scientific processes, all the names. All the chemicals going off in his body.
His hold became more solid, more certain. The fireflies around them buzzed softly, the moon glowing its soft and reflective glow on the area.
Kohaku spoke up, gazing past his shoulder, voice teasing. "So, that was you being logical?"
He also had to laugh at his instincts. "It does sound paradoxical doesn't it? If I kept this in, pushed it aside, it would have created unnecessary turmoil. And I figured you felt the same so why hide it?"
Playfully she pulled away slightly, but not out of the embrace, sliding her hands back over him to push against his chest. "You could have told me a lot sooner you know!"
Senku shrugged, tilting his head with admittance and his hand temporarily leaving her side to place a finger in his ear again. "It took me a little bit to realize it, then get over myself."
Kohaku started to smirk, exhaling a chuckle, leaning into him with elated mirth. "The great man of science being bested by the forces of human emotion."
He smirked back, bringing his free hand back to her waist, tightening his grip just slightly and pulling her closer. He was sure of this. "Happens to the best of us lioness."
She tilted her head upwards, eyelids falling. "Still not a lion.." He tilted his head down to meet her, and their lips met; this time with equal intent.
He was being so gentle, kissing her slowly & sensually, Kohaku reveling in his somehow soft lips, pushing back against him a little harder. It was angelic.
It was almost like he was waiting for her to press a little more into it, because he pressed back harder, molding her form against him perfectly, head tilted to the side slightly as the heat was rising. Her arms wrapped around him again, a hand snaking up his neck, making home of his hair.
Their mouths moved together, opening up and sultry exchanging passionate kiss after kiss, breathing getting heavy, feathered, lip smacking getting louder, more frequent.
He was swimming in dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin. She, was drowning in it, driven by adrenaline. Her hands were moving.
She pushed her tounge into his mouth, to which elicited a strong pleasurable muffled groan from him, and he swore he could hear her smirk. He caught a breath, her breath, and dared to touch his tounge to hers, something she wasn't expecting, making her heave a groan back. But that only fueled the huntress in her.
They were in a full blown make out session for a good bit, french kisses sloppy yet precise, passion fueled and unapologetically theirs.
He could feel her hand sliding down his side, then his waist, then his hip- And he chuckled in-between breaths, jokingly speaking up when she wasn't attacking his mouth. "Easy there lioness, we wouldn't want an unplanned parenthood to derail the rebuilding of modern technology."
A gasp left her, breaking away from the make-out sesh and her hand falling from his side. She was visibly flushed, both with elation, embarrassment, and offensiveness.
"Senku Ishigami!"
Senku started laughing hysterically, unable to contain his mirth from her exasperated response, cheeks also an unmistakable deep yet vibrant red. Kohaku tore away from the embrace, only making Senku laugh harder, having to hold his stomach to himself.
Kohaku shouted at him, throwing her arms up in the air. "You're worse then Ginro!"
That broke through his hysterics, his laughter slowing down but still chortling at the totally wrong comparison. "Ha! We all know that's factually incorrect on all accounts!"
Eventually though she started to laugh alongside him, in spite of her previous outburst.
The laughter hushed, and Kohaku admitted defeat, though still lightly teasing. "Perhaps you're correct. Just didn't expect game from the scientist immune to love."
Senku quirked a brow, grin falling flat. ""game?""
"Taju taught me the term." Kohaku shrugged.
Senku gave a sigh, rolling his eyes at his best friend's behavior, but still smiling fondly. "Typical."
They now stood in a comfortable silence, the fireflies starting to hush and move into the jungle. The two stared into each other's eyes, still a little high on love. Kohaku took steps forward back to him, and Senku gave her a chaste kiss in return, bookmarking this moment. Experiment successful.
After departing he started walking back the way they came, Kohaku following as she spoke. "So, heading back to camp now?"
He brushed past the branches and bushes, seemingly back to his normal self. "That's probably the most logical decision. Wouldn't want them wondering where we wandered off to."
When they finally got back to the rock they met at, Kohaku found a mischievous grin drawing up her lips, drawing her hands behind her back, coming up to walk beside him. "Then again, most everyone's probably asleep by now."
A light smirk was returned by Senku, raising an eyebrow and crossing his arms. "Are you teasing me?"
"A little bit." She chuckled silently.
He blew out an amused breath, teasing her back. "What, you weren't satisfied with what you've been given?"
She put a finger up to her chin, slowing her pace. "Well maybe I need further testing..."
He slowed alongside her, breathing a sigh through his nose and turning to face her. "You're impossible."
She pointed a finger to him, specifically towards his heart. "And you love it."
He held back a chuckle, unfolding his arms. He took a step towards her, cupping her chin with his palm, fingers brushing her cheek.
"That I do."
No use arguing with her there.
And the two shared one last slow, long, special kiss under the shining moonlight.
Pulling away from each other Senku turned, staring into camp. He gestured his head forward, glancing to Kohaku. "Now get some sleep. I need you to be in full working order tomorrow you hear?"
Kohaku nodded back taking a few steps forward, turning to face him. "Of course chief. Ready to provide for the kingdom of science." She eyed the scientist up and down, pointing nonchalantly to him. "But, uh, take some of your own advice yeah?"
Senku shook his head, putting a hand up. "No worries Kohaku. I'll sleep soundly tonight."
She turned, starting to walk away when Senku shouted to her. "With equations, mathematics, and rockets on the brain!"
She playfully blew out a mentally exhausted breath, waving a backhand to him.
He gave an expected humph watching her walk away, placing his hands on his hips. He was ready to set this long running experiment into motion. No matter the outcome. He was getting excited at the prospect. If this time yielded such successful results, it was expected to repeat.
A grin was skewed as his heart beat and his brain agreed.
Damn he felt good.
The next evening as the two greatest scientists were finishing up drafting the parts and steps to create their rocket, Senku suddenly spoke out loud.
"You know what Dr.Xeno? You were right."
Xeno looked up briefly to the younger as he spoke, finishing a sketch. "I could've let it be. I could've held my tounge and continue on without it."
Standing up straight, Senku took the sketch with him, meeting his past mentor's sight. "But then, I thought, would anything really change if her and I got together? And guess what? That answer is a sound and unshakable no. That's how much I trust this. Trust us. Trust her. We'll still have the same dynamic, same banter. Maybe a flirtatious comment or two, a sensual touch here or there. A night or another where we both slink off to be alone. But that's it. Nothing life-shattering would change. Nothing enough to unbalance the formula."
The older scientist watched Senku pin up the sketch against the column. He spoke out, standing as well. "What about the future? What do you see with her? Any changes? Anything.. big?"
Senku scoffed at Xeno's prodding. Rolling his eyes, he glanced to the scientist. "Starting a family here is obviously something that logically can and should wait as long as it needs to."
The doctor pushed it forward, gesturing a hand. "Do you ponder it? Starting one?"
Senku sternly shook his head, turning around and walking a few steps away from their blueprints. "Not at the moment, nor in the foreseeable future, no. Definitely not. No solidified marriage yet ether."
He turned slowly, standing next to the former NASA scientist, staring up at the blueprints taped all over the tall pillar. He crossed his arms, a smug smile ghosting his lips. "However.. if I ever get the downtime in the future.. when we get to a point that's stable.. marriage just might be suggested to the table."
Dr. Xeno let out an amused breath through his nose. "So it is true what they say. You really are a softie."
Senku just shrugged, excited to show these rocket plans to everyone else at the camp.
"Have to be. Even just a little bit, in this stone cold world."