Work Text:
"I can't fall here." A young woman groaned as she pushed her legs to keep walking, doing her best to skip steps. The much troubled path ahead filled with rocks, pebbles and holes made her take short breaths. Preparing to jump in quick succession without looking, making precise steps.
She didn't have an idea for how long she was running for. The light from the sunlight barely slipped through the leaves of the trees, allowing her to see the path to take. If she could take a break, just to catch her break it would have been great.
However the steps that approached behind her wouldn't give her the chance. She only caught a glimpse of what was behind, something akin to a beast much larger than her with claws that scratched the ground every step it took. If those were to graze her skin, she wouldn't know what to do.
Upon reaching the fork she took the smaller path, covered in bushes as it would be difficult for such a large beast to simply follow through. What she didn't take into account was that her long black hair would get caught in the branches and bushes, forcing her to pull herself from them.
"No!" She muttered to herself, scared to death that she was stuck. Continuing to struggle, she eventually managed to get out of the bushes stumbling on her feet.
She took a look at the satchel, from there a small face pouted their small cheeks in what was the beginning of an alarm. The child in her arms, felt the fall and couldn't help but cry out loud. She was sure it didn't affect them, yet it was scary for the little one to feel the impact.
"Don't worry. You are fine...sh" She hushed, rocking the child in her arms as she stood up and carried on along the path. Whether she was tired or had the energy to continue her escape she couldn't take the chance, not after the little one had alerted everyone of their location in the vicinity.
Taking a step forward, she lost her balance only to find herself on a hill. Pebbles falling hitting a pond of water much below. A fall from that place could be a gamble, one that risked both their lives. She attempted to return where she was coming from only to hear the familiar growls getting louder.
Hearing the beast inch closer, she had a decision to make. One she couldn't regret, she placed a kiss on the top of the child's head and tucked them into the satchel so their face was barely showing. In a moment she took a step back letting herself fall to the pond, her arms holding the child tightly as she braced herself for the impact of the water.
__
Senku wasn't one to go on expeditions, he had others to delegate the task to and despite that he wanted to take this route by himself. Maybe for the sake of sightseeing whatever it was at this side of the village. If he found interesting details about the area he could organize an expedition were it necessary.
Following the path outside Ishigami village, it directed to a river one that seemed to have endless flow. Even a few fish could be spotted within the clear waters. Not necessarily strange to spot a new river not marked in their map, as their world had changed over the course of centuries; however this one didn't reach that far before.
Steps approached from behind, and he heard soft snickers from the one following him. He didn't need to turn around, yet he still did in order to face that one guy. Gen, who's hands submerged into his sleeves and a smile drew on his face.
"I thought we were going on a walk together?" Gen was the first to speak, tilting his head to the side. His eyes wandered for a bit before they landed on Senku.
"Not exactly. You said you wanted something new and exciting to see." A smirk raised on Senku's face as he folded his arms. The plan wasn't to take a walk along the river with Gen, at least not at the time.
"Senku-chan, I'm pretty sure that was you."
"Could have"
They continued to walk along the path, when it eventually guided them to a cascade that met a pond just below. The noise from the water was enough to make them stick to each other.
Then it happened, something or someone fell on the pond. Creating a big splash that covered anyone close by.
Gen and Senku, glanced at each other unable to move. They had no idea what had fallen into the water and if their instincts told them to flee they wouldn't hesitate. Cause these two certainly didn't stand a chance...
They were expecting to see anything resurface on the water, in order to make their call. Bubbles and waves still didn't calm down. Showing that there was something in the water. Paying close attention, a young woman seem to be battling her way to the surface.
As she struggled the duo made their way to the water, in an exaggerated effort to drag her along the shore. Not cut out for this type of mission yet they couldn't simply let her there.
They looked at each other, as they pictured the next prudent step would be to give her CPR to help her clear her airways. Out of the two, Gen took action. Noticing a cloth that was wrapped around her, he found the young child who was trying to cough the water.
"Senku...there's a baby." Gen took the baby into his arms, as his distress look became more apparent. Senku remained uncharacteristically quiet, only offering his arms to take the baby. What was he supposed to do? He stared at the child, giving relatively strong pats as they kept coughing water.
"Gen, what-" Senku cut himself off when he noticed that Gen started to help the woman. Sealing her lips, to give her air. Doing chest compressions to the best of his ability, following an imaginary rhythm of his own. Low murmurs followed along as Gen gave her the air he could once again and repeated the compressions.
After a couple of repetitions, the woman finally coughed water to her side and took a deep breath. She turned to her side, and muttered something that the two of them couldn't understand. Making them wonder if she even spoke Japanese. The one thing they catched was "baby", to which Gen simply pointed towards Senku.
Startled by the action, Senku eyes the woman and she only gives him a smile in return before passing out on the ground. Leaving them both concerned about what to do. As far as they were aware they had done what they could in that instance.
__
"We found her, just outside the lake of Ishigami village." Said Gen.
Senku was still in a state of shock, as to how they were able to bring both the woman and the baby all the way to the village. Their strength was comparable to that of the younger kids in the village, who might be stronger than then even and yet they returned within the same day although completely exhausted.
The person in charge of checking their vitals, didn't spare a single moment besides focusing on both the woman and the child. Once those were obtained they turned around facing the duo, "She seems to be breathing, whoever performed CPR helped."
Gen who currently was seated next to Senku, stayed at the edge of the seat almost as his nerves didn't settle. He stood holding a blanket over himself that kept him warm, "What about the child? Are they ok?"
"Yes, he is doing great." The doctor explained, Eyes open and everything. "We should keep him under observation for the time being, though."
Senku wrapped his arm around Gen, bringing him close to an embrace. As a way to let him know his efforts were appreciated even if they still didn't know where these people came from.
Feeling relieved over helping out, they consider the options of this new development. Wondering if a new expedition was due, whether to find other people or the creature that chased the woman all the way over here.
As the weeks pass, the child is getting better by the day waking up and playing with everyone that was near him. Opening his eyes, to show a striking different red color eyes. Ones rare in the Ishigami village.
Meanwhile the doctor shows her findings about the woman, and how she got an injury on her back. A wound that needed stitches but also made her lose a lot of blood and with it her strength.
__
"How are they doing?"
"The child is surprisingly good...in fact we might be having trouble to keep attending him while we watch his mother and other patients."
In the doctor's arms, the child opened and closed their little hands in the air. As if ready to grab anything that got in his way or looking for a new someone to carry him.
"If only we found someone to take care of him for a while. We need to ask around. Oh..." The child extended his hands until he reached Senku's clothes. "Would you carry him?"
"Eh?" Senku's eyes widened to that request, merely curious about the state of the newcomers who had him in a difficult spot. He didn't have any emotions against children besides being inexperienced. He took the child in his arms, the little one grabbing hold of the strand of hair in front of Senku's face.
The doctor being quick held the child's hand for a moment, this action making the child let go of the hair. However a new interest rose in his eyes as he grabbed Senku's collar flaps, moving it from left to right. Perhaps unable to understand why it folded that way and the person simply allowed him to do so. "This is what I was talking about. They are too curious to stay still..."
The door to the infirmary rolled open as a pair walked in, those being Gen and Ruri in tow. Gen smiled while Ruri waved at the doctor, but got immediately distracted when she spotted the child in Senku's arms.
"Aw! I thought you said children were difficult?"
"They are..." Senku forced a smile only for a moment. Knowing what she was pointing at but letting go of that discussion.
Ruri smiles as if she won, "Yeah but for you I mean."
Senku narrowed his eyes, not wanting to respond to her remarks. He only took hold of him now, cause he was asked to. For him this much was fine, as long as the child stayed still.
Her child however, the one named Shirai, who was close to his 2 years couldn't stay still for a single moment. Wanting to be carried every other moment, no matter who the person was. She didn't mind if it was Gen at least he did humor her.
When Senku approached, the girl certainly changed her attitude for the worse, turning to be more unruly and making sour faces to the point of crying. Almost like starting her own revolt cause Senku was nearby. It didn't help that Ruri would have to hold her, otherwise Shirai would not let go of Senku.
"Well, Senku-chan maybe needs practice." Gen chuckled concealing an obvious smirk with his sleeve. He knew when to push.
Ruri clapped her hands together, "Should I bring Shirai over more often? I know it is not evident but she really enjoys Senku."
Senku felt his expression twitch at that, "I can hardly imagine."
Children that young were troublesome, most didn't get body language, sarcasm and...you apparently couldn't reject them. Which made sense for Shirai to turn that way when he didn't want anything to do with.
Holding the child in his arms, Senku made eye contact with Gen as if asking for help. This usually worked wonders for him, as they didn't need to speak to get their message through and still understand. Senku somehow didn't fully get how they were so in sync.
As in cue Gen stepped between their convo, "Um...we appreciate your offer but we rather take your comments over practice."
"Oh absolutely! I get it, you guys are keeping him?"
"Well, we need to talk about that..." Stepping to the side, Gen exchanges looks with Senku.
"Yes."
"..."
The child in Senku's arms giggled, unknowingly of the current situation.
"Why do you suddenly want to keep the child?" Gen opened his eyes confused. "Wait, no. Are we keeping a child?!"
"It should be temporary..." Senku stopped his thought process for a moment. He realized that all of this was too sudden for Gen to take in. Sure, at the beginning they were joking about it as they were anyway looking for him everyday.
Now taking that into account, it seem obvious. The next step in their plan as they took responsibility for bringing the child to this place, trying to save it from an unfortunate fate.
Certainly talking about it wasn't just throwing ideas onto the table and hoping for yes or no. They needed to discuss the plan, reasons and how to deal with it whether it be short or long term. For that they didn't quite know.
Senku could play the card that this played at his heartstrings...if only that were actually the case and he hadn't rejected help from Ruri minutes ago. Looking deep into it, why was he bent on keeping this one? He slowly raised the child, staring at his red eyes. Similar to his own.
What were his own circumstances in the old world? He didn't know much about them, not that he asked anyway. One moment his biological dad left and the next he was with Byakuya.
"Senku-chan, I get that this" Gen pointed between the two of them. "Is new to you and also makes you feel that we can accomplish everything and anything. And that's great! I really love that...there are just some things we can't take on a whim."
Sensing that Gen tried to soften his words, Senku unknowingly showed a sad smile over his face. He got closer to Gen, "Would you hold him?" and managed to pass the child over.
"I get what you are saying, Gen." He folded his arms looking distant for a moment. "I can't help but be curious about this kid, they look completely different from everyone else."
"That can't be all there's to it?" Gen carefully held one of the child's hands.
"No, that woman might not wake up." Senku eyed the child. "I don't know the first thing of taking care of others..."
"I see, can we still give it more thought? I'm not particularly confident in myself." Gen patted the child's back.
Senku continued to poke, "But I want to keep him?"
"That's not a good argument though."
"Should we do some research first?" Senku took the child this time.
Gen let out a sigh of visible tiredness catching to him, "I'm already tired but I will see to it. We will retake this discussion later."
"Of course." Senku returns the child to the infirmary where he was being taken care of before following Gen outside.
As Ruri watches them, she turns to the child, "You are going to have two dads soon."
Senku and Gen, catch up to each other at the observatory. Their go to spot for peace and quiet. Nobody should bother them here. An adequate time to take a rest for the day. While Gen tries to nap. Senku is still thinking about the child.
__
Five days later, Gen comes up to Senku to finish their discussion. "I have done the research and pondered about it. Although the process could have easily been a 5 minute Google search, 15 at most." He let out a sigh, "I thought about this carefully and I hope you have to."
"Do you want to start then?" Senku turned to face him.
Taking a piece of parchment with scribbles on it, Gen began after clearing his throat. "Yes, first is to find where he is going to stay, like a place of his own within our space. "
Senku was impressed at the research paper that Gen pulled. From his point he could see half the parchment filled with notes. Words like, babies needs, wants and what he assumed were descriptions. In quite legible strokes too. As if there was meticulous care put behind the matter.
So Senku tried to cover a smile peeking the corners of his lips by turning his head to the side. "Hm... That can be done, we don't stay at the observatory everyday and there's the chance of expanding."
"Fair point. What about the food? We don't exactly know his age." Gen narrowed his eyes, moving to the side to have Senku face him.
"W-we can..." Senku cleared his throat, "We can ask at the infirmary, he should be able to eat soft foods. Things like rice porridge, noodles, and puree." He started counting with his fingers. Visible beads of sweat rolled down his forehead.
While some types of foods they knew from the old world couldn't be exactly replicated, the classics were still possible. These that had sustained others in the old world at some point in time. Easy enough. Senku was certain that at least he wouldn't fail at feeding the child and keeping them well fed.
Heck, if he took the time he could find a way to acquire natto!
Gen stepped closer as he rolled the parchment. "How about cleaning, changing, bath...?" He pointed at Senku with the parchment.
All valid questions and important points to discuss.
"We will figure it out." Senku's tone became serious and he faced Gen directly.
"Are we dividing the work?"
The one question that needed to be asked more than all of them, while the others were important to discuss the possibilities of the child, the worries lied elsewhere. As Senku wasn't planning to have this child in his care alone, he wanted to do this task together with Gen...
Senku opened his eyes almost speechless, "Uh...Gen." He extended his hand grabbing unto Gen's. "If we are doing this, we are doing this together. I won't be able to do it on my own and you also have other things in mind, so I definitely won't push this on you."
"Senku..." Gen brought their foreheads together.
"I want this bond with you, this to be my guide." Senku closed his eyes, cheeks turning red. Words he never pictured saying now came off his mouth as if nothing. Like he truly had been hypnotized by the mentalist. It didn't matter how stupid he thought it was, if Gen needed to hear it then it wasn't unreasonable.
"That sounds so cheesy." Gen mumbled as he found his way to hold one of Senku's hands in his grasp. Now his cheeks were colored pink as well.
Senku leaned in, brushing his lips over Gen's cheek. His whole face was blushing. "I don't want to ruin this. Not over someone else."
Gen turned slightly, meeting Senku's lips, "What's the plan then? Can I hear your ideas?"
"We can take turns."
"What if one of us becomes overwhelmed? Stressed or anxious?" Gen played with his fingers.
Senku's ears also started to turn red. "Y-you are really thinking about this."
"Will I get something for doing my assignment on time?" Gen grabbed one of Senku's hands and placed it next to his cheek.
"A passing grade. What do you want?" Senku replied in a low voice.
"Anything is fine, surprise me."
Senku held Gen's hand tighter, brought it closer and layed a kiss over it.
This made Senku's heart run for a moment, a momentarily excitement.
He used to think it was absurd to invade someone's space like this but only started to realize little by little how comfortable it was. When it wasn't just anyone but Gen the one he shared with.
Wondering how it could develop while they helped the child. At first he had no clue what their friends went through having to raise one of their own. Could that child really change them? Deliberations like this truly worked to keep him awake.
No wonder Gen took it seriously.
"I want to experience this warmth again from a different point. Share it with you and explore more about it."
Gen stared speechless, his eyes trying to read Senku. "You want to know more?"
__
"It needs to be warmer..."
To no ones surprise after the woman's passing, Senku and the child got along. From the moment he showed up that little one couldn't help but giggle. Somehow able to thrive despite the bare knowledge Senku had on this subject.
This made it a tough choice for Gen, always trying to watch from the sidelines, finding himself in the middle of the two trying to teach Senku to be more gentle.
Occasionally setting the little one to tears due to minor inconveniences, like forgetting to warm up his bottle, not holding him long enough, not allowing him nap times. Kids were too complex...everything bothered them.
When he was about to admit defeat and remove himself from that equation, Gen patted his shoulder. "It could be worse. Except is you."
"Gen, I could kiss you." The cables finally connected, from those tiny mistakes he was going to find tools to improve not only the experience but also to make things easier.
"In front of the kid?!" Gen covered his mouth with his long sleeves, eyes locked onto Senku's.
They closed the distance for a moment, Senku held the child over his right side and Gen grabbed hold onto his left shoulder. Giving him a soft peck.
"As I figured...is still awkward."
Senku showed a slight pout, "But this is our way. Also I finally have an idea in mind."
"You have been getting quite creative with the kid around..." Said Gen.
"It's just a heater this time."
At times when they are too tired, they will cuddle to sleep holding the child close in a bundle. This way, securing them from whatever happened.
Senku rose from his sleep during the night, when the child woke up crying. He would scoop him with his arms, snuggling the little one and whisper "Let's go to sleep." As soon as it hit morning, he heated the bottle to feed.
The others surprisingly didn't take the news all that heavy, nor with a whole lot of excitement.
Some of them only expected the pair to take care of the child as part of an experiment or whatever science project Senku came up with. Surely he planned out things in advance.
A genius that could easily rebuild a civilization by his intellect and resilience couldn't be set back by a kid.
Children were difficult though.
There's no manual or guides for them. And each one was an individual meaning not every trick or mother's advice worked.
This one challenge, woke a new interest in him. Knowing more about life. The fragile ones that needed to depend on their guardians.
Why a child? Not even he knew the real answer.
In the past he heard about a peculiar term, baby fever.
A symptom or feeling described by those who wished to start a family or simply wanted to hold a child close at all times. Specifically taking care of them, seeing their giggles being the reason they thrive and experience life once again from a tiny bundle of joy.
However in most cases it could be irrational, when there really was no way to have children or even when other children were present. Similar to cuteness aggression. Where you wanted them for being cute.
While woman were usually the ones to confirm experiencing these men weren't exempt from the concept and experiences of wanting kids either.
Could this be the cause?
__
"What's his name?" Ruri asked, looking at the child ever so gleaming eyes as he extended his arms to her. She quickly took hold of him, letting his legs hang freely which caused a giggle.
"I don't think he can answer for himself yet..." Gen dropped his expression for a moment. As he stated the child could murmur random sounds not forming any coherent words yet, at least not ones they could understand. If anything they figured his age to be the cause, at most 1 year.
Not long after Ruri's eyes formed into crescent moons as she smiled, "Then you guys get the chance to bless him. Give him a new name!" Catching her own excitement she corrected, "A recovering case..."
"Bestowing a new fate then?"
"Fate..." Senku repeatedly stared at the child, who couldn't help but laugh at the serious expression he wore on his face. As if it was trying to change his emotions.
"A name that would suit him would be-"
"Shion" Said both Gen and Senku, speaking in unison. They stole glances at each other, never failing to impress one another with how on point and similar they were.
Gen shyly fixed the strand of hair behind his ear, facing Senku his cheeks slowly tinted red. "I recall a few of the stars from the old world." He probably meant that the only reason to be reminded of the astral bodies above was the scientist.
While others in the past filled their mouths talking and admiring the constellations up in the sky, only a very few were invested in the subject. For Gen out of those, Senku had been the one. Still enjoying the surprise he gave him.
Staring up at the night sky now wasn't the same as the many years before, this time the visual obstructions and light contamination couldn't battle the splendor of the stars. They were able to shine so brightly with no true rival up there, even if their axes had shifted and new ones had shown their face, there was enough space for each of them. One of the winning points of the stone world, the night sky.
Pertaining to that child's name, Shion, did sound pleasing to the ears and the child in question happened to pay undivided attention to Gen once he said it. Similar to that of a calling.
__
"Yuzuriha, you have a new model." Said Ruri.
"New model? But you already bought Shirai, over?" Yuzuriha focused on adding more pins to the cloth she was currently working on. Adjusting the fit precisely against the visible marks over it. She placed a pen over the table and turned to look at Ruri. "Who is it?"
Previously Yuzuriha took the metrics from Ruri's child to make sure her new set of clothes could fit the little girl properly. This being the third occasion she made a set of clothes, as the child had another growth spurt.
Still she enjoyed making such cute small sized outfits. Her favorites received modifications whenever possible to avoid descarting much clothes and waste of material but there was always space for something new.
"Senku's and Gen's child!" Ruri said.
Gen stopped on his track, barely hearing what she said over the curtains that served as the doors to Yuzuriha's place. They added a pretty stylish look but didn't filter much of the noise. To his surprise Senku lifted the curtain and walked in, a smirk appearing on his face.
"I don't believe science is that advanced."
She glanced at Senku, narrowing her eyes in question. "Did you adopt from someone?"
"More or less..." Said Senku with that confident tone.
A quick look at the child made her doubt his words, the black hair and red eyes made her think for a moment that maybe just maybe it was her friend's child. Noticing her lack of response, Senku continued. "Want one of your own?"
"Funny." Yuzuriha let out a sigh, returning her attention to her piece. "And no. What is it you need for him?"
"A set of clothes will be nice. This guy is having a growth spur."
Gen made some faces at Shion and tickled him.
"From what I heard you guys weren't sure at first but the kid even looks alike." Yuzuriha grabbed one of the strings she used to measure. "Hold him still." Carefully checking Shion over.
"The mentalist was able to read him well."
At that both Shion and Gen turned around, almost an identical pout on their faces. For two different reasons.
"We should be able to understand our child."
"Is about to be summer soon so I will make a set with breathable material and a cozy pair for the cold nights." Yuzuriha noted down details of their order and glanced back at Senku then at Gen.
"Why are you guys quiet? Embarrassed all of a sudden?"
"No, we got it. Anything would be appreciated."
Yuzuriha gave him a look but continued taking notes. "How many pairs does he currently have?"
Gen counted and replied, "Possibly only two that fit him well."
"I thought four would be nice but I'm definitely going to make eight pairs. Kids that young need to change constantly and acclimate to this weather." Yuzuriha noted.
A few quick steps approached, followed by two figures rushing into the space.
"Shirai, no running." Said Chrome.
Both of them raised their view, looking directly at Senku.
"I thought Shirai was an exact copy of Ruri but she takes after Chrome. They are both focused on..." Gen looked to his side giving Senku a complicated look.
Shirai, defying what her father said, continued, rushing to Senku to hold onto him. She seem to desperately want something.
To this Senku still was holding onto Shion, he dreaded the thought of holding Shirai with his arms. Complying with one of her little requests started to turn complicated.
Toddlers weren't particularly light. For someone like Senku, to hold her was quite the feat. Since the girl wouldn't let go for at least an hour or so.
"Shirai, you are bothering Senku." Chrome called out to her, now crouching to get closer.
The little one took a single look back but refused to let go.
Shion, who stayed attentive at the situation, glanced back and forth between Chrome and Shirai. Unknowingly throwing himself backwards. As if testing the gravity.
One thing all the people in the room started to understand was that toddlers were restless and full of energy. There was never a dull moment with them.
Gen stepped closer, his hand supporting Shion's back and the other patting Senku's shoulder. "Let's set him down. I will entertain them this time."
With both toddlers, now close. Gen diverted their attention, showing them a flower.
A smile drew on Senku's lips, of course. There was a magician and that was time to put on a show.
The only reason the kids paid attention to Senku were the detailed explanations and the one to immediately follow up with a response. Gen, almost always had something to say. Expressing his sentiments openly for him and the machinations Senku came up with.
At some point, when they were taking care of Shirai this took place.
"Why is there a bird in a cage?" Senku pulled a piece of cloth from the top of a box.
The chirping of the bird made it challenging to work focused on the current project. Before releasing them, he inquired the reason for them to be there.
Gen peeked inside the hut, "Oh that. I've been trying to tame one." He played with his hair. "You see, it is part of a magic trick. Shirai's birthday is coming up so I thought it would be a decent diversion."
The day of her birthday, the girl woke up unruly not wanting to follow what her parents told her.
Senku and Gen would visit just before lunch.
To alleviate her mood, Gen chatted with her showing her various flowers. The kind that even had fragrant scent. Sweet and delicate.
He showed a white flower first, then closed his hand to hide it from her view.
In a moment a bird appeared in his hand, carefully shifting his head to the side to stare at Shirai and those around him. This trick of birds coming out of thin air by magicians certainly was a classic that everyone could appreciate. Which helped improve Shirai's mood that day.
Attempting to play a trick with the same bird as last time, Gen let the bird go from his sleeve and this one quickly flew towards the children. Standing in front of them and giving a loud chirp.
At this Shirai smiled, perhaps in her little head she thought the animal was speaking to her. Keeping her at ease.
Contrary to what Gen expected, Shion on the other hand felt terrified.
Taking a look around, Shion reached out his arms towards Senku. Crawling in his direction. As if unable to look at the bird.
When Gen made eye contact with Senku, he found out the cause for the kid's fright. As if it had been unusual for the little ones to react poorly without any previous input. They didn't know the world. What could they fear?
His own expression was that nervous.
"Papa" Shion cried.
As the little one uttered those words everyone in the room went quiet, either pretending not to notice or silently crying over his cuteness.
What a situation this child had gotten Senku into. Even though the same could be said about him, for having Shion interact with so many people at once. No wonder he got overstimulated so quickly.
As though speaking with his eyes, he eyed Gen and then stepped outside.
Rocking Shion in his arms, trying to comfort him somehow. That's what parents are supposed to do when you cry, no?
Shion continued to cry, tears running down his cheeks. As if he was wronged.
In response Senku mumbled some soft words. "You are fine, is ok."
"Senku, is Shion-" Gen stopped on his tracks when he saw the scene before his eyes.
Considering the bumps in the road, it took a relatively short time for Senku to figure out what to do.
As he came into view for both of them, Gen smiled, this one reaching his eyes and even a hint of pink showing on his cheeks. "And here I was worried when you guys are doing perfectly well."
Senku's expression went blank, he actually handled the situation. Earning the child's first word in the process. Somehow that didn't mean perfect in his book though.
"Definitely not jealous that he called out for you... Can I say I'm impressed and proud?"
His vision blurred hearing that. What was this?
When he said he wanted to take care of a kid, Gen prepared more out of the two and he managed to handle most things with those details.
Closing the distance into an embrace, Gen placed a kiss on Shion's forehead. Then when it came to Senku he stared at his eyes, through those he could see the many emotions flowing through that usually like him hid beneath.
Kissing his cheek he wiped away his tears.
"You are also doing great."