Chapter Text
3700 years ago, before the world had come to an end and everyone had turned to stone, Ukyo remembered reading an article online, albeit from an unlicensed website, but nonetheless whoever wrote it clearly put thought behind the idea.
He regarded it as feathery fluff at the time, untruthful but it was a nice sentiment, the idea of a ‘soulmate bond’ once you had met the right person. A tugging within you, telling you to hold them close, stay with them. There wasn't any evidence behind it other than brash claims from couples, yet for some strange reason he felt that pull.
Or at least a pull similar to what was described. Too similar. That strange pull that was only described in what seemed a myth.
The Kingdom of Science was slowly expanding in numbers, especially after joining with the Empire of Might after Tsukasa’s defeat. Day by day Ukyo watched as more people where revived from the stone using the carefully crafted revival fluid.
70% alcohol and 30% nitric acid.
Ishigami Senku had spent months studying and searching until he had it and Ukyo had greatly respected Senku, he knew that Senku wanted to revive everyone and bring back the old world with science.
Unfortunately for the Kingdom, Homura had destroyed the miracle cave at the end of the battle, so supply was limited. He smiled anyways, he was a man of peace, a pacifist and seeing people be brought back, alive, warmed Ukyo’s heart.
“We're building a ship!” Senku announced with a grin that screamed ‘get excited’, his usual phrase in which he didn't have to vocalise this time.
“A ship? Eriously-say?” Gen’s mouth had dropped open.
“The source of the petri-beam is the other side of the world, we're going to need a way to get there,” he chuckled.
Again, Senku never ceased to amaze anyone with his ridiculous projects that somehow always ended up being completed, normally involving a lot of manual back-breaking labour but either way, a complete project that didn't seem possible in this stone world. It was rather insane, especially in a new world, devoid of all human technological advancements.
Senku's ship design he proposed at the design contest proved to be… rather large. It would take a while before they actually sailed anywhere but Ukyo, nonetheless, looked forward to it. He tipped a hand to his yellow hat, as a show of support towards Senku.
The scientist had brought back working cell-phones in a world where he started from nothing. It was insane to Ukyo how someone could have that much persistence and that's why he respected Senku to such a high level.
After running over some of the finer details, most of the village seemed pretty excited to get this project started, Ukyo included.
The initial announcement of the grand ship had passed and most the villagers had strayed off to go back to helping out however they can around the temporary camp. Ukyo and a few others however had hovered to stay behind, knowing Senku wasn't fully done explaining the further details.
“If we're building a ship we're going to need a captain.” Senku thought aloud.
A sharp, pained sigh came from behind him, Minami. A news reporter, another revived person from the old world.
“I may know where you can find a guy with crazy sailing skills and knowledge. I had a few connections in the old world.” Senku looked up. Minami paused, putting a hand to her head like she was suppressing a headache.
“But he's got an insufferable personality. Tsukasa would hate him.” she groaned at the thought.
“If the guys got the skill, we might aswell recruit him. We need all the help we can get here in the Kingdom of Science.” Senku grinned.
Now that lead to Ukyo, Senku, Gen, Nikki and Minami standing in front of this statue. Nanami Ryuusui, a man brought up in a rich family who desired everything.
“Are you sure about this?” Minami sighed. Senku nodded and without a second thought, Senku popped the cap off the makeshift bottle of revival fluid and poured it on the statue. Within moments, cracks formed and the statue became animated. A click of the fingers and a laugh erupted from the man.
That's when Ukyo felt it.
A tug.
Not too noticeable but it was definitely there. He straightened up, shoulders tense.
“To what do I owe the pleasure?” Ryuusui was loud. Not in a bad way but in a way as he could walk into a room and make his presence very… known. He was very charismatic in the way he moved and spoke, Ukyo could tell.
His eyes widened, just a little bit, for a few split seconds, before he regained composure. Was this tug…?
Did Ryuusui feel this too?
Ukyo shook the thought out of his head. He had always seen himself more in the introverted side of things. There's no way Ryuusui would be his ‘soulmate’. A loud, boisterous guy with a quieter, more introverted Ukyo. It didn't help how he had enhanced hearing, it only made Ryuusui’s voice even louder.
The word soulmate lingered longer than he liked in his mind.
Soulmate.
A small twist in his chest.
“...and this is Ukyo.”. Pleasantries had been exchanged and although he had been lost in thought for the majority of it, he still found himself shaking Ryuusui’s hand. He had a strong grip, proof that many years of experience had gone into his duties as a sailor. He had that grin on his face and his brown eyes, glittering with eagerness and compassion to meet new people.
He wasn't bad looking. He had this certain charm to him that Ukyo found slightly startling.
Senku briefly explained to Ryuusui that they needed an experienced sailor and he was more than happy to agree.
“Thank you guys for saving me, I can tell something has happened that's caused civilization to collapse. Sailor’s instinct.” he laughed again, winking.
Something tells me Ryuusui doesn't feel the bond.
Maybe it's because he was just depetrified? Or maybe Ukyo was imagining it. Either way he forced it down, it didn't matter. He plastered a small smile on his face as he kept up with the rest of the group chatting and flaunting about. The tug still pulling him in whatever direction he found the sailor to be.
Back at the temporary encampment everyone was bustling, excitement sparking around with the new project. Of course, a ship was a foreign concept to the natives of Ishigami Village, descendants of the I.S.S. crew. After the petrification the crew had come to Earth and founded the village, Ishigami Byakuya being one of those astronauts.
3700 years ago huh? Ukyo smiled, humanity prevails.
Senku, Ryuusui and Chrome had gone to fetch some paper so they could add Ryuusui's ideas to the schematics of the ship, Kohaku looked like she had just come back from the forest, scouting the surrounding areas and Gen had found himself, yet again, entertaining the children. He was showing some ‘magic tricks’ to Mirai and Suika who were dumbfoundedly amazed at whatever he showed them.
Ukyo felt the edges of his mouth quip up, the camp had a warm and inviting tone. Everyone had something to keep them busy with.
He found himself starting towards the forest, for some quiet. His increased hearing proved to be quite irritating, hearing everyone speaking was quite irritating and distracting for him.
He found a fairly tall tree, oak. One foot above the other he briskly made his way up, he was still close enough to the camp to watch people work but far enough away to just enjoy the sounds of nature, the peace.
Lack of human civilization made this world a whole lot more manageable for his hearing, the constant thrum of the city’s background noise 3700 years ago always being a disturbance for Ukyo.
This was nice, him observing without getting in the way of those actually working. He sighed and let himself slink into a more comfortable position in the dip of the branch he was balanced on.
All was calm, all was quiet until..
“Hey!” a booming voice from below.
His eyes shot open and he bolted upright, startled by the sudden noise. Did he happen drift off and miss the footsteps of the approaching person?
“Ukyo!”
He turned over to peer at the holder of the booming voice.
“Taiju?” He called down.
“Senku wants to speak with you!” Taiju shouted to a volume which Ukyo did not know was possible. But then again, this was Taiju.
“Okay, I'll be down soon,” he chuckled. He saw the brown haired boy smile and hold a big thumbs up before turning around and jogging back to the camp.
What could Senku possibly want?
-
“Senku?” Ukyo's head popped round the corner of the entrance to the makeshift lab. He half expected Ryuusui to still be here but it was just Chrome and Senku.
“Ukyo, come here, I need your ideas for the sonar and communication systems.” Senku was hunched over some papers, pen tapping his temple. Ukyo had been a sonar operator for the military before the world met its end all those years ago.
Chrome was busy sorting out some papers for the boat schematics. The two scientists were clearly hard at work.
“Sure, happy to help.” he responded, made sure to make his tone sound light.
“I know a bit about sonar systems but I thought I'd ask the man himself.” Senku grinned.
Deep into the conversation about what they deemed necessary about the sonar setup and communications system, that same tug pulled at Ukyo. He swallowed hard, trying to ignore it. Senku must've noticed because he shot him a questioning glance but he didn't press.
It felt more persistent this time. Was Ryuusui nearby? He trained his ears to try to pick up his voice in his surroundings but there was too much talking from the other villagers to choose a select sound to focus on.
Ukyo sighed.
He kept the conversation up with Senku, this was important. If he really wanted to, he could talk to Ryuusui later.
The sky was slowly starting to turn shades of orange and pink, evening was creeping in. Campfires were slowly being lit around the camp as people gathered to converse about their days, a simple tradition held by the villagers Ukyo and many of the modern folk had found comforting.
He found himself being pulled towards where Ryuusui sat round the dancing flames.
The campfire had a couple of logs Taiju and other members of the ‘Gorilla team’ hauled in to make the camp feel cozier, he sat down, a few seats away from Ryuusui, Kohaku and Gen between them. The tug in his chest told him he should be closer but Ukyo suppressed it, instead he observed the conversation happening before him, occasionally vocalising his own thoughts on the passing topics and sharing smiles.
“So, how's your first day so far Ryuusui?” a soft spoken voice asked from across the fire, Yuzuriha.
“It must've been a big change,” she related, Ukyo heard from Nikki that when she had awoken, her Senku and Taiju where forced to flee from Tsukasa, the ruler of the Empire of Might.
Most people had forgiven Tsukasa for what he has done in the past but for some reason Ukyo couldn't. He had watched Shishiou Tsukasa kill so many before him, drive fear into those he deemed threats for his vision of the new world. He doesn't think he could ever fully forgive Tsukasa.
Ryuusui nods, he had this gleam to his eyes.
“Certainly was! I've met some people with talents and skills I could only dream of,” he grinned widely before dropping his voice a little, “I desire each and every one of those.” He sounded wistful.
Ukyo found himself laughing at the last bit along with the rest. This guy was surely something. He respected and praised talent and the work behind gaining it but he sure as hell was greedy.
Being in a conversation with Ryuusui was easy, he kept it going with such ease. It was addictive to talk to the man with strong opinions and so much to say.
“I love all women” he paused, “and men! I love everyone, I desire them all.” He had that playful grin smeared on his face.
He found himself watching Ryuusui more closely than he should've, laughing a little longer than necessary but he didn't care. He admired the man who was so open about what he wanted, Ryuusui was definitely a lot but Ukyo could tell he truly cares about what he believes in.
He had never considered himself the romantic type, he doesn't even remember how he stumbled on that sappy article on soulmates yet here he was, Saionji Ukyo, admiring Ryuusui. He sighed softly, smiling to himself.
Ukyo felt a small nudge on his left side. Gen. Alarm struck Ukyo temporarily before smoothing it over. He met the mentalist's eyes which held a smug knowing look. Ukyo rolled his eyes and suppressed a laugh.
Of course he could pick this stuff up.
He realised it was being painfully obvious though looking back. Gen smirked at him, all too knowing.
“I think me and my good friend Ukyo need to have a chat,” Gen announced to the group with that sly lilt to his voice. He glared at Gen. He saw Yuzuriha pass Taiju a questioning look before going back to their conversation.
Gen had pulled Ukyo over behind the lab, out of earshot to everyone else. However he could still hear the conversation happening at the fire, his hearing was both a blessing and a curse.
“What could this possibly be mentalist?” Ukyo chuckled, knowing what was about to hit him.
“So Ryuusui huh~?” Gen smirked slyly.
He shook his head, crossing his arms “No, it's not that.” he muttered mainly to himself.
“There's something unusual about him,” Ukyo met Gen's piercing glare as he studied him. He raised an eyebrow. The teasing had mainly left his face.
“Unusual.” Gen echoed.
Ukyo nodded.
How could he say this without sounding insane?
“There's this… tug, y'know?” He kept his tone even and calm as he tried to explain without sounding insane. Gen's eyes widened.
“Like the soulmate bond?” he gasped, a small smile creeping its way on his face.
Gen had read it too?
“Yeah, like that one article.”
“What could our dear Ukyo possibly be doing reading some sappy love article?” Gen teased. He felt his face go warm.
“I didn't think of you to be super romantic~?”
“I don't remember the specifics, all I know is I read it.” he responded in that same tone he used for most interactions, recovering from his flush.
Gen hummed in response “I see,”. he paused. “Well it seems our dear Ukyo isn't alone in this.”
He shot a questioning look at Gen. The bi-colour haired man made an exaggerated movement to show none other than himself. He found himself laughing.
“So who are you eternally tied to?” Ukyo grinned. The mentalist let out a loud, dramatic sigh.
“Unfortunately someone who deems romance as illogical.” he gestures towards where Senku hovered near Chrome and Kaseki, plotting who knows what.
Gen let out a dramatic sigh and drew a hand to his head, feigning lovesick, “Our dear Senku-Chan however, does not feel the bond.” he batted his eyelashes sadly.
Ouch, that must be rough being paired with the one guy who doesn't have ‘one millimeter’ of interest for romance.
Ukyo hummed sympathetically at the dramatic display in front of him. Once a showman, always a showman.
“Anyways my dear Ukyo, if you ever need some… assistance with sweet Ryuusui, I'd be more than happy to help offer my services~!” Gen has switched back to his normal, sly self.
“I'm sure I could easily woo him to be head over heels for you~!”.
“Woo him? Seriously?” he found laughing a little too much.
He had to admit, it was a tempting offer, but Ukyo didn't think it was right to find a shortcut with something like this.
“No thanks, I'm good. Save your skills for the scientist, you'll need them.” He smirked as he waved Gen off.
“Meanie you are Ukyo,” he could hear Gen pout from behind him. He chuckled as he wandered back to the campfire, back to Ryuusui.
-
The next few days proved to be busy around the Kingdom. With the exciting project of a ship, they needed a ship yard. This resulted in the Kingdom being split up, some sent back to the village to care for those who stayed behind during the war and the rest at the camp which would soon become a shipyard.
Ukyo had found himself staying at the camp with the four other ‘generals’. He still doesn't know why or how he managed to be grouped with them.
Senku, the scientist and brains behind almost everything they did around here.
Ryuusui, a sailor who could man the eventual ship across the seas.
Gen, the mentalist who was scarily easy to read you and your exact intentions given the scenario.
Chrome, although from a primitive world he learned how to use science thanks to his mentor and has a great natural feel for land exploration.
Ukyo however didn't think he was as impressive as these guys, they all worked hard to achieve their respect. He feared one of the only reasons he gained respect was because he was one of Tsukasa's generals back in the Empire. He shook the thought off and continued to help set up more tents around the camp. These would soon be eventual huts but for now, tents were okay.
“Ukyo,” someone called from behind him. His chest tugged.
Ryuusui?
He turned around to meet the man waving him over. He set down the carefully woven fabrics he was working with in a pile.
He heard that in the short while Ryuusui had been revived he already made claims for the future oil fields they would need and started his own currency, Drago.
“Hey, what's up?” he asked politely as he walked over to Ryuusui, vaguely nervous of what his intentions could be. He could see the guy had a massive grin spread on his face.
“I want to be friends with you.” he declared. Ukyo raised his brow.
“Why?” he asked, skeptical of his intentions.
Was this all Ryuusui wanted him over for?
“Well I'll be manning the ship and you'll be helping out with comms and sonar, it makes sense really!” he laughed like it was obvious. He thought about this.
Ukyo could see Gen eyeing the conversation in his peripheral vision. He knew Gen was urging him to say yes, but could Ukyo do friends with Ryuusui, having this tug in his chest every time he was near him? Ukyo shook his head “we still talk, we don't need to be friends.” and chuckled lightly.
A pang in his chest, maybe that wasn't the right decision.
He watched Ryuusui's face falter briefly before determination seeped in.
“It’d be better if we were still friends, no?”
Ukyo sighed, Ryuusui wasn't the type of man to give up on his desires, he had known this fact as Minami had warned them and he had seen for himself. Eyes burned into him to his right, he could feel Gen watching still.
“I guess it couldn't hurt.” Ukyo admitted defeat. His shoulders sagged a little, hopefully not too noticeable.
This would be hard.
Ryuusui's grin came back full force. “Alright, well see you later Ukyo, the duties of a sailor call me!” he watched as Ryuusui gave a salute towards him and bounded off.