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Gen’s eyes followed Senku as he stepped away from the telescope. He watched him as he stretched his arms and back before trudging closer and sitting down beside Gen. He sighed deeply and raised a hand to massage at his temple.
“Is something bothering our antastic-fay scientist leader?” Gen drawled.
Prying into other people's business by prodding and poking at them for answers wasn't out of character for Gen. Yet today he was feeling somewhat benevolent. If Senku didn't take the generous invitation to talk about what was so obviously bothering him he might just let it go this time. Gen knew that Senku wasn’t one to talk about emotions and such very often. Reading and understanding people was his specialty after all.
Not that it'd take a genius mentalist like himself to notice that something was wrong.
Senku didn’t look at Gen, “Nah, I'm just tired”.
Senku was usually not too shabby at bluffing on a surface level, his blunt nature making it hard for the untrained eye to tell when he was deliberately withholding information. For the most part he was honest about his thoughts. This was not one of those times.
The mentalist hummed in acknowledgment but didn’t push it further. A comfortable silence fell between them.
Gen suddenly felt very nostalgic as he looked up at the stars. He felt the man next to him shift and inch closer, which was unusual for him to say the least. Not unwelcome though.
His eyes glanced over the scientist’s figure. Under his ruby red eyes were eyebags and his skin looked dry as hell. Probably from the cold, Gen figured. His hands twitched involuntarily and his eyelids were heavy as he drowsily swayed from side to side.
Gen lightly tapped Senku’s forehead to get his attention. The action didn’t seem to gain a reaction from the other though. If anything, his slow and sluggish movements became more obvious. It also served to support Gen’s theory further. Senku was tired. To a degree that he was seeking out physical contact if the head that just settled against his shoulder was anything to go by.
Gen chuckled, finally breaking the silence between them. “Senku-chan~” he sang with a voice barely above a whisper, “It’s more comfortable if you rest here.” Gen nudged the other and patted the empty space on his lap.
Senku didn’t answer him verbally. He only glared at him for approximately five seconds as if he was judging Gen before he gave in and curled up on the floor, now with his head placed in the mentalist’s lap.
Only five seconds and no snarky remarks? Gen wondered absently. Senku truly was becoming soft. Or just really sleepy. Or both.
Gen began carefully carding his slender fingers through the green hair and Senku closed his eyes with a content sigh. Gen’s other hand pressed against the floor next to him.
“Y’know, if you ever feel like talking about any of those things-”
“No thanks.” Senku cut him off.
Gen gave him a look of exasperation, even though the other stubbornly kept his eyes closed. He moved the hand from his hair, poking and pinching his cheek instead. Senku swatted at him a few times and grumbled unintelligibly.
“But it’s not good for your health to bottle everything up. You know that.”
Senku opened his eyes to meet his gaze but didn’t answer him. He looked down at his own hands and started rubbing circles into the knuckle of his left thumb. He breathed in heavily and sighed once more.
“You’re right. But I just…”
“I know, dear Senku.” Gen gave him the brightest smile he could manage. Then he moved his hand from the floor to gently rest it on top of the scientist’s fidgeting ones that were laying on his stomach, “I only wanted to remind you that you have the option.”
Senku huffed and closed his eyes again yet he didn’t move his hands away. He didn’t try to hide the tiny smile that was creeping onto his lips either once Gen resumed caressing his hair, relaxing into the touch.
They stayed like that for long enough that one of Gen’s legs had begun to fall asleep but the mentalist found that he didn’t mind. Actually, he didn’t want to risk shattering this fragile moment by moving. Personal comfort be damned.
God, look what this man was doing to him! His reputation as the world’s shallowest man was in great peril.
Although this level of physical intimacy wasn't normal between them they had their moments of mutual understanding like this. They never spoke about it afterwards. Sometimes they just needed to exist and it just so happened that it was more comfortable like this. At least that's what Gen told himself.
Gen’s eyes observed Senku's slender and frail figure, breathing steadily in his lap. The small breaths that he let out created a fleeting misty cloud in the cold winter air.
Just when Gen thought that Senku was asleep, the latter opened his eyes and spoke up with a hoarse voice.
“Did you know that stars don’t twinkle?”
Gen looked down at the scientist and followed his line of sight to the starry night sky. He didn’t stop moving his hands as he responded. “They don’t?”
Senku shifted his head a bit, still looking up at the night sky. “No, the thing we see as twinkling is actually just the light from the stars deflecting slightly when passing through the Earth's atmosphere.” He started explaining while pointing up to the stars. Gen could swear he saw a sparkle in the crimson eyes as he explained. The fact that he was the one Senku decided to show this side of himself to, made him feel special somehow.
“When the light gets to your eyes every deflection causes it to change the color and intensity just enough for us to notice the difference.”
Senku paused for a bit longer than usual.
“If you’re above the Earth’s atmosphere, say the International Space Station, the stars don’t twinkle.” He finished his thought.
The mention of the ISS made something in Gen’s stomach sink but he didn’t let it show. “Ah, I see! Even I can understand that explanation.”
Gen studied Senku’s face for any indication of sadness but was relieved when he didn’t find anything. Although Senku never told him or anyone for that matter, Gen knew that he missed his father.
He could feel the admiration and affection that seeped from his intentionally cold words, when he spoke of his old man. He could tell when he was putting on a face to hide his emotions.
It wasn’t that Gen could judge as he did the same thing himself regularly, but when it came to Senku he couldn’t help but feel terribly worried when he saw it happen again and again.
“I guess you’ll be seeing it for yourself one day then. When you go to space.” Gen supplied.
“Yeah, I guess.” He felt Senku shrug.
“Wait, but then if stars don’t actually twinkle… isn’t the song “twinkle twinkle little star” incorrect?”
Senku was taken aback by the unexpected question for about three seconds. He let out a low snicker.
“Nah, I mean you still see the twinkle. It’s just that the stars don’t actually pulsate the light.” Senku stopped his sentence midway and let out a yawn before finishing his thought, “So who cares.”
“Hmmm~” Gen hummed, amused. “I see…”
Senku, who was already curled up as close to Gen as this position allowed him, let out a warm breath that ghosted over one of Gen's hands. He shut his eyes and let sleep wash over him.
Gen moved the hand from his hair to lightly brush over the other's forehead and cheek. So light that it was sure to tickle a bit. Senku didn't seem to mind though. An idea crossed the mentalist’s mind and he smiled to himself as he began singing.
Twinkle twinkle little star.
He noticed the slight twitch of Senku’s head when he realized what was going on, although the scientist tried to pretend to be asleep.
How I wonder what you are.
Gen felt a little heavier and more sleepy. It seems he was getting drowsy as well. Maybe it was from Senku’s infectious yawn earlier. Just the thought of it made him force down an incoming yawn of his own.
Up above the world so high.
Like a diamond in the sky.
Gen cringed at the thought his mind unhelpfully supplied him with after singing that particular line. To me, you're like my star. He quickly recovered and continued singing.
Twinkle twinkle little star.
How I wonder what you are.
He kept singing until he didn't remember any more of the lyrics and started humming instead. After a while of this he was certain the scientist had fallen asleep.
Gen was about to get up and go to sleep when he heard someone climbing the ladder to the observatory. He looked over his shoulder with curiosity and his blue eyes met brown ones.
“Hey Gen! What are you doing up here-”
Chrome who just entered the observatory was quickly cut off by Gen, shushing him furiously, gesturing to his lap and the sleeping scientist. The other looked closer and made an ‘o’ shape with his mouth, getting the message.
Now whispering Chrome continued. “That's why you're here this late...” He pointed to the mentalist’s lap.
“He was tired.” Gen shrugged. “So tired that he quit using the telescope without writing anything down.” He exaggerated his words a little and laced them with a sense of urgency.
“Wow. He must have been really out of it.” Chrome actually looked surprised.
“Exactly.” Gen agreed and as if to prove his point further, he softly brushed through the scientist’s hair with his fingers.
Chrome looked attentively at the two and seemed to think about something. He turned around and went towards the way he came.
“Are you not going to sleep here?” Gen asked confusedly, looking at Chrome who was already well on his way to climb down the ladder.
“Ah, n-no it's not that. I just suddenly… d-didn't feel tired?” Chrome said more like a question than anything, a faint blush creeping across his cheeks. He didn't sound convincing in the slightest. “Anyway… uhm I'll leave you two alone. Get some rest.”
Chrome seemed to regain a bit of his composure trying his best to sound calm and cool.
He hurriedly descended the ladder leaving the two of them in total silence.
Gen chuckled quietly and brought a hand up to cover his mouth. “What was that about? Eriously-say…” he wondered out loud with a hushed whisper. He tentatively threaded his fingers through the green hair locks, to not accidentally hurt the other.
When Gen looked down at Senku, lying peacefully like this, he couldn't help but think that the other reminded him of a cat. Actually, Senku’s personality could easily be described with some cat-like traits. Like how he sometimes preferred to work alone, or how he was wary of others and didn't get close to a lot of people.
Senku was only close with a few people in the Kingdom of Science, not that Gen was any different.
The resemblance was only more obvious when Gen thought about the scientist's concentrated expression when he was thinking or measuring. The way he would then absent-mindedly stick his tongue out slightly, not unlike a cat, when he was calculating complex equations.
With this newfound realization in mind Gen’s mind ran ten billion miles an hour, imagining how Senku would look with cat ears or how he would purr as he petted his hair like this. How would cat ears even work with the scientist's non-conventional hairstyle??!
His face grew warmer and he shook his head violently to whisk away those thoughts. It was getting a little too weird and creepy for him, considering the man in question was asleep. Right in his lap. Quietly breathing in and out with a relaxed expression.
“Shut up, mentalist.”
Gen squawked loudly, a funny noise that he would normally be embarrassed about if his heart wasn’t so busy jumping out of his chest. “Wha- Senku-chan?? You’re awake?!?” he shrieked trying his best to sound like his soul hadn’t just evaporated from his body, sadly his lack of breath gave it the distinct impression of a wheeze.
“Hard not to wake up with Chrome barging in like that. Besides, I can hear you thinking too loudly. So stop it.” Senku helpfully clarified.
“D- I was not!” Gen stammered indignantly.
And some people claimed this man didn’t have social awareness. He could apparently be awfully perceptive when he wanted to be.
Wait, wait, wait. He didn’t say any of that out loud did he? Oh crap. He wouldn’t mind Senku hearing him say that at other times. He might’ve even playfully teased Senku about his cat-like tendencies on purpose and watch him glare at him with an empty stare of disappointment or if he was especially lucky get a glimpse of his flustered reaction.
He’d notice how his ears would turn slightly red and how he’d avoid eye contact, ignoring him to perfection. Ahh what a blissful sight that would’ve been. But now of all times. Not now. Not while he was in his lap. While Gen was literally petting him. His hand stilled as if deliberating whether it was morally acceptable for him to continue the action.
“Ughh, you’re doing it again. Just-”
Before Gen realized what had happened his back was pressed against the floor. Senku was hovering dangerously on top of him. Gen heard his heavy sigh next to his ear, felt the puff of hot air against his cheek. He was frozen in place.
“Just shut up. Sleep.” Senku’s tone left no room for arguments.
He felt the weight of Senku’s body laying down, pressing against his own. His ear against his chest. He was warm. Like a heavy heated blanket on a cold winter night.
After a moment of stupor Gen breathed in heavily against his hair and wound his arms around the scientist. It smelled like the flowery shampoo that had become very popular in the village after they had reinvented some nicer-smelling variants.
This was the soap Senku still used, it seemed. It was very calming to Gen. He had always loved flowers after all. If he asked Senku to make a new one for him, would he?
Despite knowing that Senku likely wasn’t letting him go anytime soon, he started squirming around a bit. Senku, noticing his restlessness, grumbled out a noise of complaint and moved his head to be able to glare at Gen.
“Spit it out.” Senku mumbled.
Gen deliberated for a moment.
“W-well, it’s just- uhm…” he scratched at his cheek bashfully. “I can’t fall asleep if I’m laying on my back.”
Senku groaned loudly and despite not seeming entirely convinced, lifted himself up. In a swift motion they smoothly swapped their positions so that it was now Gen who had his head pressed against Senku’s chest, resting on top of him.
“Better?” Senku asked with a softer tone than earlier.
Gen only nodded against him in answer.
He shifted around, closing the distance between his face and the inviting, warm crook of Senku’s neck. His cold nose grazed lightly against the scientist’s skin, and Gen didn’t miss the quiet intake of breath that followed.
He felt lanky, yet comforting arms wrap around him, just like Gen had done for Senku a moment ago. The arms gave a quick squeeze, perhaps in response to Gen’s movements.
Nuzzling closer, Gen once again breathed in, this time detecting a faint earthy scent. One that belonged only to Senku. It was a comforting smell, a scent that made him feel like he’d fall asleep almost immediately. It made him feel safe.
Enjoying this scent was only possible like this, face comfortably smudged against Senku’s neck. He wanted to stay like this forever. Whether or not Senku had seen through the little white lie he'd told to reach his goal, he couldn’t care less at this moment. The results had been very favorable in the end after all.
If he was braver and more awake than he felt right now, he might’ve left a light press of his lips against the other’s neck. Maybe if he was feeling especially bold, he’d even kiss along his collarbone.
He’d drink up every sound and savor any shiver or movement Senku would make. Then he’d pepper a few more against the soft skin as he moved up towards his ear, the space where his jaw met his neck, his cheek.
Gen’s lips would brush against his flushed ear as he whispered into it. Hot breath, warm skin, tingly sensations. Gen knew that it was selfish of him to want to do all those things. Yet he still couldn’t help but hold onto this desire within him, hoping that he could one day fulfill them.
Now was not the time though. Just this comforting proximity and warmth was fine he decided as he felt his eyelids growing heavier. Maybe they would talk about this tomorrow or maybe they wouldn’t. Actually they most likely wouldn’t. But that was also fine. He’d enjoy this moment while it lasted.
That was enough.
“Sweet dreams, Senku-chan~”
“Mn. Good night, mentalist.”