Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

A cool wind blew over the land, hollow and wide. 

That morning had been brisk, dew covered and bright. As noon came around, the barren land was filled with smiles, tears and hugs. Reunion rang joy through the once empty fort as the first of sixteen doses of revival fluid brought Kohaku back from the stone.

“Oh Kohaku… I’m about the same age as you now.” Tears already began to well in Suika’s eyes. “I guess I can’t ask for a hug anymore, can I?”

Senku sat at the base of the tower in the center of Fort Medusa, his gaze fallen to the dirt below his dangling feet. Entwining his hand with its other, a hidden smile tugged at his lips as Suika wailed into Kohaku's shoulder like a baby when she hugged her anyway. 

Even after all this time she was still just a kid. 

Seventeen now actually, almost eighteen. Senku couldn’t believe just how fast she’d caught up to him. It felt like no time at all since he was that age himself. 

Weirdly enough, right now he felt like a proud dad. Not the being proud of her part that was out of the ordinary- Suika had absolutely done something worthy of it- more so the paternal emotions swelling in his heart. Maybe that’s why Byakuya was always pushing him towards greater things. Seeing someone you care about achieve something incredible was a ridiculously good feeling.

Suika and Kohaku continued to embrace, the latter gently petting her- perhaps not by blood- yet still all the same, sister’s back and even shedding some tears of her own. 

Senku closed his eyes, shaking his head to himself. He felt he was intruding on their moment, figuring he should probably give them some time alone. Jumping down from his perch on the platform, Senku slipped away unnoticed by the two. Walking around the back of the tower, the sounds of their voices faded out, replaced with the echoes of his own footsteps. 

While they were distracted, he might as well get started. 

Sixteen doses of revival fluid for sixteen people… 

Senku had lied, actually. Lied about how many people he planned to revive.

Just past the central tower along the outer wall stood a lonesome statue. Not propped with either his allies or enemies- but in a category all of its own. Senku’d been pretending he hadn’t noticed it there the past two weeks. 

So, for the first time, he stood in front of it and gazed up into its gray eyes. 

The sun cast behind and blocked its form in shadow, a halo of white illuminating the statue's outline. With hard stone arms confidently crossed over its chest and that same handsome smile, those kind eyes that had looked over him all these years- he was just as Senku had left him.

Reaching up, Senku flicked a speck of moss from his cheek. His fingers lingered just a moment. 

As his hand fell back to his side, so did ruby eyes to the dirt below. 

This was a ten billion percent selfish decision on his part. They needed a rocket specialist anyway- he at least had that to justify himself. Yeah, maybe they could just go find another one and revive them instead but… 

Senku wanted Xeno. No one else would do. 

He wasn’t thinking with his head, he knew that full well. He could tell by the way his heart swelled at the prospect of seeing the man before him in the flesh once again. But Senku knew that once he brought Xeno back things weren’t going to be smooth. None of what was to come was gonna be easy- not one bit. 

Senku could tell already that having Xeno around was gonna be a total pain in the ass. 

But he couldn’t deny it… that challenge got him excited. 

So, flashing a smirk at his petrified mentor- or… maybe he was a little more than just that now, Senku turned and wandered off to the lab. 

He had a seventeenth dose to make. 

…

A few hours later, when the sun sat hot in the sky, that wind that had sung solemnly to Senku and Suika the past two weeks fell away. Finally, the hills echoed with the sound of voices and cheers.

Today was the day. The big revival reunion party.

A smile on his lips, Senku walked atop the stone wall and one by one he poured down miracle fluid atop his friends. It was hard to keep himself contained. It was so ridiculously sappy and sweet, Senku was worried his teeth may rot and fall out of his mouth. But he didn’t mind one bit. 

He swirled the last two doses in his hands as he carefully stepped from stone brick to brick. When he reached his next patient, ready to administer his remedy to their stony aliment, Senku pulled the cork out with a satisfying pop. 

Dose number fifteen dribbled down onto his friend, Tsukasa, and soon the stone cracked and gave way to life. 

Hopping down to greet him, Senku waited for that freshly revived jet-lag to clear. Perhaps ‘jet-lag’ wasn’t the right way to put it, more like, ‘Oh crap! There’s light again? Sounds? Woah, this is a whole lot to get used to after seven years without it!’ But, Tsukasa didn’t really get that, did he? Senku remembered way back then, when he first revived him, Tsukasa was already assessing the situation before he’d even fully de-shelled. 

Tsukasa cocked his head and stepped away from the wall. His eyes squinted in preoccupied thought as he looked off at the rest of the revived crew. 

“Senku," he said. 

Senku’s casual smirk fell. Was there something Tsukasa was picking up on that he wasn't? “Hm?” he hummed in question. 

“How’s Hyoga?” Tsukasa asked. 

Senku’s eyebrow twitched up. “Oh.” Tsukasa had just noticed that he was missing from the group is all. He lifted up the little glass jar labeled number sixteen. “I’m about to use the last dose of revival fluid on him.” 

He turned both his and Tsukasa’s attention behind towards the man in question. Senku swished the vial around as he trotted on over. Boosting himself up with a rock to reach the man’s head, he dumped the contents out all at once. 

And with that, everyone was back. 

Cheers erupted, and everyone crowded around Hyoga. Maybe they expected him to have some kinda speech prepared as the last one to wake up. Hyoga didn’t seem all too bothered by the attention. Though, reading in-between the lines he did seem a little overwhelmed as he took it all in. 

Chelsea cheered his name, thrusting her arms into the air. “Out with it, Hyoga! Don’t you have a line for moments like this?” 

Suika pointed to herself, confused. “A thank-you? Aw, I don’t need that…”

“No! Not that!” Chelsea squawked, prodding Hyoga playfully. “His usual line.” 

Looking around the crowd, Senku, as well as everyone else, didn't really know what she was going on about. 

Hyoga sighed heavily.

“...Yes, you did a proper job, indeed.” 

Chelsea erupted into another round of applause that was quite infectious. Soon everyone else was joining in as well. Hell, even Hyoga let out a chuckle.

Bashfully, Suika looked away. She didn’t need any praise or well-dones. Just having her friends back was enough. 

Senku smiled at her from the crowd. He still couldn’t believe how much she’s grown. She’d barely even reached his chest last time he saw her. Well, she was still short now, actually. But it wasn’t just her looks, her whole demeanor had matured. Suppose that’s just what happens when you’re living on your own. Senku’s lonesome months were nothing in comparison to Suika’s four years…

Chelsea calmed her excitement and smoothed out her leaf dress. “Hey-” She pouted, flicking her chin between Senku, Kohaku and Suika. “Why are we all buck-naked except for you guys?! Where’s our clothes?!” 

Suika giggled, “Well, Senku and Kohaku were just the ones I planned to revive first is all… And I’m not exactly the best hunter so I only just barely scraped up enough fabric for them.” 

Chelsea slapped her hands together. “First things first we all need some clothes. Like seriously, what kinda freaky party would this be with us all naked?!” 

“...A party?” Francois, from the back of the group placed a dainty hand on their chin and bowed, “Then a feast is in order, yes?” 

Ryusui grinned wide, letting off a crisp snap. “Hah hah! Francois’ eager to cook for us after these seven long years!” 

Tsukasa glanced at Hyoga. “Shall we go out and bring back some skins and meat? I could do for some exercise. How about you?” he suggested. 

Hyoga nodded and without a word, the two warriors set out. 

…

The rest of the day went by pleasantly. Lounging back against the stone wall, Senku entertained himself by watching all his friends catch up. Everyone congregated into their own groups, simply enjoying each other's company again, really. 

When night fell and the moon was high, everyone was clothed. Then the irresistible scent of whatever Francois was cooking up wafted through the air along with sounds of chatter as everyone gathered around the bonfire circle. 

When Senku walked up to the congregation, he heard his name called out, “Senku! Senkuuu!” Chrome waved his arm high in the air. “C’mon, sit with us!” 

Gen smirked in Senku’s direction from his place on the ground beside Chrome. 

The crackling fire cast its soothing warmth and light over the smiling crew, beckoning Senku to come closer. He put his hands on his hips- cheeks aching from how much he’d been smiling all day. “Ah, alright. If I have to…” he said with incredible sarcasm as he started his way on over. 

Smoothing out his skirt, Senku took a seat between his friends and the moment he settled into place- a clay cup filled to the brim with red wine and a plate stacked high with kebabs as an appetizer was thrust in front of him by Francois. 

Senku picked up his cup and swirled the juice around, watching the deep-red stir around in it. The alcohol was needed for the revival fluid obviously, but… it just so happens there was a ton left over. Senku thought, what a coincidence! They might as well not let it go to waste…

Hopefully there was enough. The last time they celebrated a victory- the capture of Xeno- they’d run out far too quickly. That was mostly due to their hasty escape more than anything, only having as much alcohol they could pack into the mobile lab. Senku hadn’t had nearly enough to feel the effects of it one millimeter. 

Tonight though… he wanted to enjoy it. 

Ryusui stepped up to the front of the circle, catching everyone's attention with a snap that echoed through the fort. 

He started with a confident chuckle, “Starting tomorrow we resume our journey to revive our people in the U.S, Japan, Treasure Island, and well- everyone all over the world!” He grinned big, looking out at his crew. “But tonight…” Ryusui thrust his wine high up at the sky for a toast. 

“We feast! To victory…!” 

The crew erupted into cheers, their cups raised in unison.

“To victory,” Senku murmured through a smirk. Holding his cup lazily into the air, he then brought it to his lips and took a long sip. 

Beside him, Chrome downed his drink- well, he made an attempt to. He sputtered, yanking his cup away from his cringing lips. “Uhg! This is bad!” He stuck his tongue out at the offensive flavor. 

“Heh~ Oopsie.” Senku tilted his head cutely. “I only made the alcohol to use for the revival fluid. I didn’t put much thought into the flavor…” 

Gen strained a smile to hide his souring to the taste. “Efficient to a fault. That’s our Senku-chan…” 

As everyone got to drinking and eating- spirits were high. Friendly chatter and laughter filled the night atmosphere. After dinner was served, Francois got to topping off everyone's drinks and it wasn't long until the alcohol was taking its effects on the crew. 

Luna was already trying to attach herself to Senku in a drunken bout of sudden affection. Senku politely declined, but Carlos and Max were happy to offer to take his place as her human teddy-bear. And then Ginro babbled a tale of how he had fought Stanley Snyder face to face- conveniently leaving out the details of how Stanley got away if he had supposedly defeated him. 

Leaning back against his free hand, Senku sat cross legged. Chin turned up towards the night sky, his attention was caught by the twinkling stars up above. Maybe it was the booze talking but, it looked particularly amazing tonight. The stars seemed to shine just a bit brighter and the clouds swirled blue beneath the moon's light.

“So, Senku-chan,” Gen said, turning to his friend. “I have to ask- how are you doing after all this?”

Senku smirked, bringing his attention back down to Earth. Putting his cup to his lips for a small sip before answering, his speech was loose and laidback, body language drifting like his sentences, “I mean, we went through a hell of a lot of shit, but in the end,” He looked out at the circle, gesturing to them with his cup. "We're together again and the conflicts settled. So, yeah. I’m feeling good.” 

Tipping back the rest of his wine, Senku extended his hand to ask for more and in turn, Francois rushed to refill it. Once he had it, Senku took a gulp of his freshly poured drink. 

Chrome stared, bug-eyed and beat red as he watched Senku finish his cup in almost one breath. “Shit, Senku! How much have you had already!?” 

A snicker escaping him, Senku shrugged and lowered his cup. “I’m doing just fine, man.” He watched Chrome sway in place, catching himself when he lost his balance- all while sitting down. “Maybe we should be focusing more on how much you’ve had, actually,” Senku chuckled. 

Sticking his nose up, Chrome didn’t respond. He watched on in awe as Senku got yet another cup filled. Chrome quickly lifted up his own, but hesitated, eyes darting from it to his friend. But he had to keep going! Chrome wasn’t gonna let Senku out-drink him…!

His full cup cradled in his hands, Gen flashed a patient smile to Senku. “It’s nice to finally have a moment to be able to relax after so many months of non-stop work, isn’t it?” 

“Sure is,” Senku mumbled into his cup. “Not like you did much work yourself though, mentalist.” 

Gen shook his head in mock annoyance. “Hmm well, I’m caught up on some much needed sleep after seven years in the stone,” he said. “Maybe… I finally have the energy for it?”

The three chuckled- like hell that would ever happen. 

Gen raised his drink to his lips, but didn’t take a sip, sighing, “I wanted to try staying conscious this time around, but it seems I fell asleep almost instantly…” 

“Oh me too!” Chrome jumped into the conversation- literally. “Man, and I really thought I was gonna be able to do it. I was so ready for it too!” he whined. 

“I suppose, since we were already unconscious before the beam hit, we didn’t stand a chance? Did we?” Gen tilted his head, eyes-closed and grinning tight. “But Senku-chan, you must've been awake when you were petrified in order to have kept track of the time, right?”

Senku’s gaze wavering as he looked between his two friends. Fingers drumming against his clay cup, a conversational smile stayed plastered on his lips like it’d been molded there. 

Chrome and Gen… 

He could still hear the sound. Distant and far away. Gunshots, like loose bits rattling around in the back of his vast mind. It echoed. 

But they couldn’t’ve…

Senku finished up his drink swiftly. 

“Yeah. I was.” he said curtly. Looking down into his cup, Senku swirled the last drops of red around.

Ruby eyes glanced up to the circle. Plates were cleared, cups empty and spilt. A warm wind breezed through and disturbed the bonfire, crackling under the sounds of relaxed conversation. Distant crickets sang from the forest, chirping a hushed song to calm their troubled souls. 

Senku looked back to Gen when he felt his friend’s eyes on him. 

Putting his own cup down onto the floor, Gen folded his hands into his robe. “But I imagine even if you didn't, you’d manage to come up with some crazy way of figuring it out, right?” Gen hummed, “Like, counting the rings of a tree or… something like that…?” 

Senku’s lips pulled up for a moment, a silent laugh puffing from his nose. “That would be ridiculously inaccurate…” 

But obviously Gen knew that… 

…Senku wasn’t going to be able to hide it, would he? 

There was something bothering him. What that was exactly- Senku wasn’t so sure yet. It was like a sneeze that just wouldn’t come out. He’d prefer not to, yet felt unsatisfied when he didn’t.

Gen was trying to redirect the conversation. Get his mind off of it- whatever it was…

The crickets seemed to chirp louder as the wind settled. The slightest pensive wrinkle formed between Senku’s brows. Just something didn’t feel right. Something was… 

Off…

“-Oh! Senku…” Chrome perked up, taking a brief moment to gulp down the rest of his drink. He pointed a finger at Senku- or tried to. He was a few degrees off. “I just noticed your cracks are still there even though you were petrified and revived.”

“Hm?”

Senku reached up and traced the crevice with his finger. The skin was hard against the pad of his index, cold too. Chrome was right. Senku hadn’t considered that they could be gone, he was just so used to them being there by that point. 

Knee deep in wine and Chrome’s observational skills were still impressive as ever. 

Senku smiled, but his eyes were weary. “Yeah, I guess the erosion got preserved-”

“-Senku-chan.” 

He turned at the sudden sound of his name. Gen shifted to meet his eye. 

“Tsukasa-chan seems to have taken a stroll to the waterwheel shed by himself…” Gen murmured. 

That same unease Senku felt, of course Gen had noticed that too in Tsukasa. So when he’d returned from hunting, Gen had done some hunting of his own for information. Tsukasa didn’t make it easy though, not that he wasn’t willing to say what was on his mind, just…

He wanted Senku to be the first to hear it. 

Putting down his cup to his side, Senku didn’t know what to expect, but he could read between the lines of what Gen’s words meant. Go see Tsukasa and he may be able to help him scratch that itch in the back of his mind. He could help him figure out the full image. 

Senku stood. Turning back before he went, he finally let his plastered smile slip away. 

He’d avoided talking about it that day. This was meant to be a celebration- fun and light-hearted. But there was only so long until Senku had to address it. 

It was a secret everyone knew, exchanged only in the smallest of looks. 

None of them had come back from that battle exactly the same as they were before. 

They’d changed. 

…

Tsukasa gathered his thoughts, streaks of white moonlight reflecting on his face as it danced across the surface of the water. 

His gaze remained fixed on the river even as Senku joined him by the shore. There was no need for greeting. What both men were feeling was so palpable, words would be redundant. 

“My apologies, Senku. I wish this could’ve waited until after…” He paused and shook his head. Eyes falling closed he dipped his chin. “-No, I should’ve told you this as soon as possible.” 

“Is it about Hyoga?” Senku blurted. 

He knew that reaction Tsukasa had when he revived him was suspicious. Yeah, he and Hyoga were friends, but why would that be the first thing he asks about after seven years petrified?

Tsukasa looked up from the water, but still his eyes did not meet his friend’s. He merely hummed in confirmation. “Given that he was unconscious, Hyoga himself would have no way of knowing…” 

Senku braced himself. What next came out of Tsukasa’s mouth did not surprise him. 

“...That back there, he was deceased.” He left out a quiet sigh, the weight of that information lifting off of him, a relief. “Enough time had passed to be sure that my eyes did not deceive me…”

In silence, Senku was entranced by the movement of the shimmering water, as was the man beside him. The stream sang a quiet chime as it flowed through the still night. 

Hyoga… was dead.  

Hyoga was dead

Senku repeated it in his mind until he understood. The thought echoed for miles. Moving so fast, he found it hard to grasp.

That feeling was familiar. People Senku knew, cared about… they’d died long ago, he was so distant from it…

Call it passing. The end. The long sleep- it didn't matter how nicely people would put it. To him, death was death. Just plain and simple. It was the absence of life, of thoughts, of pain or pleasure. 

Death was heavy, crushing all beneath its slow, overwhelming mass. But death had only half its weight when he had seen the man who was supposed to be moving about- speaking, drinking… 

Alive. 

When Senku died, it happened in an instant. He felt nothing falling into the empty void that was the brief afterlife he’d experienced. Now Senku also knew how dying felt. A recent lesson of his, actually. The exhaustion and the fear. His mind fading. The suffocating weight of the inevitable…

Then, like a flash, a flicker of light so fast- a thought fizzled into Senku’s consciousness. 

Someone else had gone through that… because of him.

Senku’s lips twisted into a nervous smirk, a layer of sweat beginning to dot his forehead. He scoffed a restrained chuckle. “Is that right…” This information- it made his spine crawl with nerves. He didn’t like the sound of it one millimeter. “Heh- Your testimony is as good as gold, Tsukasa…” 

While at the same time, Hyoga had been saved because of Senku's and the other’s efforts to get the Medusa fixed… Hyoga was brought back from the dead- like some kinda zombie. The thing was, this wasn’t like the movie kind of resurrection. There was no magic or curses or anything like that involved. Hyoga had simply been restored, good as new, an effect the petrification was known to have.

This was something… scientific. 

Senku just hadn’t put it all together yet.

The petrification had been proven to have the capability to heal fatal wounds. Both him and Tsuaka were living proof of that. In the case of Senku himself, in his gut he knew he had died, but unfortunately, Taiju and Yuzuriha were far too panicked to take notes on exactly what state Senku had been in. He himself didn’t remember anything. 

Yeah, he was most likely dead for a brief time, but he just as likely could’ve simply been unconscious and paralyzed and that’s what the petrification had healed. Senku figured it was best not to jump to conclusions on something with such serious ramifications.

Either way, if it could heal the body back to its original, uninjured state, it wasn’t a stretch to say that it would heal death itself. 

“Ever since you snapped my neck and I put you into cold sleep, I’ve been tossing around a hypothesis…” Senku held his breath, he let it out all at once. “Now we’ve inadvertently confirmed it with this unplanned death-defying experiment…” 

Tsukasa suddenly looked up from the water, his eyes flashing with realization. “Petrification can even nullify death…” he murmured. 

Turning to his friend, Tsukasa looked quite pale under the moonlight. “Why-man’s Dr. Stone, it’s… a scientific taboo not meant to be in our hands. A tool to revive the dead.” Tsukasa paused to wet his dry lips. “...Our forbidden fruit,” he whispered as if it was a secret too scandalous to utter too loud. 

A temptation too sweet to taste.

A poison, bitter, yet irresistible. 

“Which means, at this very moment- humanity, all of us…” Tsukasa said gravely. The two locked eyes, captured in a look so wide and dripping with dread. “Are now immortal.” 

Senku’s skin began to heat up, like a looming hot shadow had cast above him. He was trembling within. Feeling something so intensely- so repressed and deep. 

They’ve harnessed the power of immortality unknowingly. What was he to do about this information? What was he to do with it? 

Ignore it was his instinctual reaction. Don’t fall for the temptation. Being able to do whatever he wanted to and always walk away unscathed every time, it was too good to be true. It wasn’t right. It was-

…It was exactly what he’d just done.

They had all lived… thanks to the petrification’s ability. Hyoga would’ve died for good without it… Senku would surely have died himself too. And who knows who else…?

And Senku couldn’t exactly say in full honesty that he wouldn’t do it again if he had to- 

“-HOLY SHIT!” Chrome leaped from the bushes with a holler. 

Senku nearly jumped out of his skin, about ready to run for cover. He held his heart, willing for it to calm. He wanted to laugh at himself- he’s never gotten scared like that before? 

Ridiculous… 

Chrome had heard the whole thing. “Are you serious!?” His impassioned shouts echoed through the hills. He pumped his fist, a fire burned in his eyes. “That’s so bad!” 

Ideas of what could be done with that power- how they could use it to keep Kaseki around longer had danced around his mind as he eavesdropped. Chrome’s opinion on this Why-man guy had certainly turned around. But still, the question of why or who this mysterious force that was trying to petrify them remained. 

“There’s only one way we’re gonna be able to get those answers,” Senku said. “And all it's gonna take is a journey to the moon.” 

Chrome stumbled over to his friend. Hearing about all this had sobered him up just a bit, but he was still a little uneasy on his feet. “You say that like it’s nothing!” His hand snapped to rub his chin. “Well, now that I think about it, it probably is for you…” 

Senku huffed a laugh, arms threading tight across his chest. “Oh no. It's gonna be an absurdly long, pain in the ass process to get there.” 

Chrome frowned slightly. He was hyped to finally confront Why-man face to face, he didn’t want to wait any longer…!

“But…” Senku drawled, stepping past his friends to start up the hill. “I do have a little thing prepared that may help everything go just a teeny bit quicker.” He snickered to himself as he disappeared from sight over the crest of the hill. 

Chrome and Tsukasa shot confused looks at each other. Neither of them had any idea what Senku had up his sleeve. 

This new discovery; it was just as exciting as it was terrifying. A blessing and a curse. Revival and destruction. Light and dark.

The duality of science. 

Senku might just know a certain someone who would absolutely want to know about this. Someone who he’s been dying to talk to. 

And now as he stood in front of him, his friends at his back, Senku could not hold back his excitement. 

“It ain’t so much about muscles or weapons anymore…” Senku let his hands fall to his sides, one clutching the now empty seventeenth dose of revival fluid, the other squeezed in anticipation. “The rules of this world have changed ten billion percent…!” 

Cracks slithered and spiderwebbed through the surface. Layers of stone fell away, shattering to fragments of rock piled on the gravel floor. Beneath dark gray emerged pale white skin and hair- gleaming elegantly under the moon light. 

Xeno’s eyes fluttered shut. And he took his first breath in the world of the future. He savored it. 

With an air of calm, Xeno blinked. Dark, round eyes slowly scanned the surroundings in front of them with an almost innocent curiosity. Until falling down to those patient and keen ruby eyes that looked up with such want at him. 

Swallowing his nerves, Senku leaned in with soft eyes, a smile too shy to show. 

The world around went still as Senku fell into the expanse of that dark gaze he hadn’t known the extent of how much he’d missed. After nothing but darkness for the past seven years, Senku thought he knew it well. The black of his subconscious was cold, it was desolate and void. But Xeno’s dark was like a summer night. A cozy nook to hide within.

Senku felt so small looking up at him. Just the same, he felt so safe beneath Xeno’s shadow. He had been nervous thinking of his mentor’s arrival. But Senku was also filled with so much anticipation. Everything good in life comes with a little risk to boot- that’s what makes it so exciting. 

“Good morning, old man.” Senku's smile finally broke through. He spoke his words softly, only meant to be heard by their recipient. “You miss me? You better be ready to actually get some work done. No more lounging around and mooching off of us.”

Xeno’s jaw twitched to clench for only a moment. Then gently, he returned that smile back to him. His lips pulled up, dimples and smile lines following suit. And his eyes squinted, they shined so bright under the moon. 

That look was enough of an answer in itself. 

Senku reached into his belt pouch, pulling out a petrification device. He pinched the little piece of future tech with his index and thumb, holding it up between his mentor and he. “See this little guy?” Senku turned it and the moonlight refracted off of its shiny silver surface. He grinned. “What if I told you our Dr. Stone’s elixir of light can even cure death? Would that get you excited?”  

“Ah-” With parted lips, Xeno’s disbelieving eyes were fixed on the object in question. “Surely you don’t mean what I think you do…” 

He didn’t need to say a word for Senku to know how he felt, it was written all over his face.

Eyes wide and starry and swimming with wonder, at that moment- Xeno was a kid again. That kid he’d always been, staring up into space and dreaming of being up there with those stars he could never get enough of. 

And Senku in that moment… for once he found a view he enjoyed more than the stars. 

…

That night, the moon was enormous and full- as bright and large as the future.

But hidden away in the dark, out away from the warm glow of the celebration, Xeno stood. His arms propped against the rock wall, he stared out into the forest shrouded in shadow. He had not moved for some time.

Tsukasa and Chrome had gone, the former to bed, the latter back to the party. Senku had left him alone.  

Xeno found he disliked being alone greatly. When he was alone his mind kept him quite unwelcome company. But perhaps some things, some emotions were only meant to come out in secret. 

He was… melancholic- Xeno had surmised that much. Yes, he was initially invigorated by the news he had been woken up with. Talks of immortality, of going to the moon. Though now, the excitement had died down and a sobering sentiment flowed through him. 

Everything had worked out in the end. 

The wind blew and Xeno closed his eyes against it, suppressing the shiver it elicited as it chilled his bare skin. Just as fast as the wind passed by, warmth spread through his chest. Not the prideful kind- more like the hot raging blaze of a furnace. 

It wasn’t right…

Xeno shouldn’t be here looking out at the world… He should be serving his time- punished for what he had done! All of his crimes, his wrong-doings… his sins have not been wiped away just yet.

The actions he had taken under the pretense that the world would return to the corrupt system it was before were misguided, yes. He knew that now after Senku’s words to him and the seven long years he had to mull over them in his subconscious.

But his reasons for doing the things he did were not purely just for his ‘righteous’ goals… No, they were selfish aspirations. Nothing but a grandiose grab for power. An utterly inexcusable display of vile hubris. And Xeno could not pretend that with his loss of power he’d also lost his ego. Because even his desire for punishment was self-serving. It was to make himself feel better- no one else.

Why had forgiveness come so easily for Senku… when Xeno still could not forgive himself?

It wasn’t only logic that swayed Senku’s feelings about him. Senku was not thinking rationally about the situation. If he was, surely he would realize he could not just forgive Xeno- just like that- and expect to have his decision respected by his people…?

Though it may be to Senku- what Xeno had done… it was not simply water under the bridge. 

“-Hey, old man.” Senku greeted as he returned back from the huts, a jug of wine with two stacked cups cradled in his arm and a pair of sack shoes in his free hand.

“I know they’re not really your style, but it’s what we got.” he said, tossing the shoes down at his mentor’s feet. “I’ll get you something to wear as soon as I can, but at least you can walk around fine for now.”

Xeno didn’t look at his mentee or his gifts. He stayed as still as he was, his bottom lip pulled up into an scowl. 

Cocking his head at the older man’s aloofness, Senku decided it was best to not comment on it. He moved next to him to stand at the wall, placing the jug down atop it. Going to pull the stop, he hesitated, hand frozen in place. “For the time being maybe some booze can warm you up?” he offered with a little laugh. “A drink to celebrate the official launch of our moon mission plan- just between the two of us.” Senku lips twitched to smile, but faltered. 

A bird took flight from the canopy of the trees, Xeno tracked it with apathy. He gave Senku not a word or a glance.

 “...Xeno?” Senku frowned, discontent beginning to swell within his chest.

Dark eyes darted to shoot a brooding glare. “Senku,” he threw back. 

Senku’s hand slipped down to his side. Unconsciously, fingers began tapping away nervously on his thigh. “...You doing alright?” he asked.

Finally Xeno turned to face him, his movement stilted and formal. The light had left his eyes. 

He looked past his mentee to the warm glow of the congregation, the distant chatter and laughter was carried by the wind throughout the fortress. He shifted his gaze down to the gravel beneath his bare feet, answering with his silence.

Senku could see quite plainly how Xeno felt, or so the thought. 

He took a step closer. Senku nudged his way into Xeno’s space- wanting so deeply to cast those troublesome thoughts of Xeno’s away. 

Senku spoke, a tender croak to his voice, “Hey, I forgive you, y’know…” He glanced away and smirked shyly. “If it wasn’t obvious enough…” 

Xeno shook his head to himself, presumably responding to a thought within his own head. 

“C’mon, I’m getting déjà vu here.” Senku prodded, trying to lighten the heavy mood. “Things have changed, Xeno. We're not fighting each other anymore.” He paused, searching for a reaction- anything to show he was getting through Xeno’s blockade. 

When he didn’t respond, Senku’s smirk weakened just a hair. “Seriously, we’re all friends now, aren’t we?”  

The older man sucked in a sharp breath. Senku flinched at the sound. 

Xeno pushed himself from the wall with a heavy sigh, eyes as hard as obsidian. Sights set straight ahead, he brushed past Senku. 

He took a step forward, hesitated the next. Then stopped moving all together. “Friends?” Xeno spat. The moonlight blotted his shadowy eyes when he glanced back. “...I am not your friend. I’m not whatever you think I am, Senku, to the rest of your people. I am the man who ordered for their deaths.” 

Senku sighed, murmuring, “Again with the déjà vu…” 

Xeno narrowed his eyes at him. “You seem to not be taking this matter seriously. But I implore you to- if you have even half the brain to do so.” In a huff, he whipped back around and trudged away towards the hill that led to the waterwheel shed. 

“Xeno-” Senku called, scooping up his things to chase.  

…

When he came over the top of the hill, Senku had expected his mentor to be harder to find. 

Yet there he was. 

Xeno had sat down at the shore. Bending his knee up, he dipped his foot into the stream. Prodding at the sole of his foot, a faint mist of red drifted through the water from where he touched.

He must’ve stepped on a sharp rock in the mists of his exit, Senku figured. He groaned faintly to himself. Xeno calls him stubborn then goes and does things like this? 

His footsteps thumped softly against the grass as he made his way down the decline. The older man’s shoulders stiffened when the empty space beside him filled. But other than that, he made no attempt to acknowledge Senku’s presence and continued to clean his wound. 

Senku sat on his knees, discarding his things to the spot between the two. He stayed quiet, watching his mentor gingerly, as if he were hunting a deer and at the slightest sound it would flee. 

Glancing at the shoes, shadows cut across Xeno’s downturned face. He winced faintly and resumed his focus, finishing up rinsing his cut before pulling his foot out of the water. 

A drop of hot red blood fell from it. Just a single drop. It dissipated into the black river. 

Without even a moment's hesitation, Senku slipped to kneel in front of Xeno. 

“Hm…?”

Senku took the end of his cape into his right hand and pinched his mentor’s ankle in the left, heel coming to rest in the bowl of his palm. Dark eyes stared back with curiosity, but shown no resistance. 

Then Senku, with loving and placid strokes, wiped the injured area. Taking care to be thorough, yet soft. When he was satisfied, Senku let his cape fall back down, a dark spot left on it- remnants of dirt and blood intertwined with the deep red color of the fabric.

Ruby eyes stayed down, the softest smile on his lips. 

Xeno frowned, his gaze trained on the stain. Slowly he pulled from his grasp, giving the young man a strange look that wasn’t of discontent or scorn. He simply didn’t understand why he had done such a thing… 

While Xeno slipped on the primitive shoes, Senku returned to his side, lips sealed. 

Basked in the moonlight and watching the flow of water, they listened close to the quiet symphony of nocturnal life, sitting together in a calm silence.  

With a gentle exhale, Xeno began, “...It doesn’t matter if you forgive me, Senku.” He turned to his mentee, his eyes stayed averted. “Waving away all of the harm I’ve done to your people and… to you… It’s not smart…”

Squinting his eyes faintly, Senku leaned back and entwining his fingers in the soft grass. He sighed playfully, “Is that true…?” Their eyes met. “...Seriously, old man- whose reputation are you really trying to save here? Mine or yours?” he asked, a small curl to his lips.

That impish gleam in Senku’s ruby eyes, that cheeky little grin… The hard edges of Xeno’s glare softened at the sight. 

Xeno sealed his lips tight and looked back out at the water. The premise on the face of it- forgiving a man who had ordered for his death- it was nonsensical to most. To Senku, in his own mind, his reasoning for doing so was completely coherent. But Senku must understand that not everyone thinks the same way he does. Not everyone can so easily connect the dots in his logic. 

Such a stubborn boy… he wanted things done how he wanted and wouldn’t settle for less. The only way he’d have it was getting Xeno to join him- no punishment, only forgiveness. Senku didn’t care for the way people may think of him if he were to do such a thing. 

Xeno did, however. 

He turned to his mentee. “...I’ll work with you, as you wish, Senku. But… ” Xeno started, his voice low. “Tell your people that I’m working under you to repent for the terrible travesties I’ve committed.”

Senku opened his mouth to protest. Xeno didn’t let him, raising a finger to silence. 

“Tell them that we are simply two opposing factions coming together for a shared cause, nothing more.” 

Brows knitted in a strained plea, dark eyes shined with desperation. “Say that at even the slightest hint that I may betray you, I will be imprisoned. Let them think my freedom is on the line and assure them it is beneficial to me in that way to never hurt you again.” Xeno gulped, the slightest tremor in his voice, “Tell them that, Senku.” 

Nobody could know the true reason why Senku had taken such a liking to Xeno. Why he had given him such grace without any hesitation…

If Senku confessed to this… closer relationship- yes, perhaps some would take it as proof enough for Xeno’s trustworthiness. Though to some others, rightfully so, it would be incredibly questionable. It wouldn’t be hard to figure out that these feelings had started during their active conflict. Emotions like this can be so illogical- persuasive and intense, warping the mind in ways that could lead to suspicion in Senku’s ability to discern a threat in Xeno. That’s how it would be seen- surely. 

Perhaps Xeno hadn’t shown Senku the whole of his tender self, but of what amount he had revealed to him was completely honest. Senku was not some gullible child who would fall easily for a nice act. He was merely an optimist. Senku wanted to see the good in people and so he sought it out. In Xeno’s case, he dug it out of him. 

That good Senku saw in Xeno is what he forgave. 

Though, at the present time, it was only Senku who saw it. Not even Xeno did. To the outside world Xeno was still nothing but a villain. 

But, that burden of doubt and distrust that would have inevitably come to Senku were he to not be strategical with his handling of his former enemy… Xeno would gladly take that weight onto his shoulders in exchange for Senku’s prosperity. 

Xeno let his mask fall away and allowed for the first time, for Senku to see him truly plead. “Let me do this for you. Please, Senku… ” he implored. “Let me play my part as I always have.” 

As Senku stared into those begging eyes, as always, he fell into their abyss so easily. 

Even though Senku knew there was no need for one, maybe it was smart to have some kinda deal. For formalities sake, if anything. It would just be his and Xeno’s little secret that it was all just for show. 

Because Senku had a feeling- no- a hope… that Xeno's desperation to make sure his acceptance into the Kingdom of Science went smoothly wasn’t just about getting humanity to the moon again. That it was something more.

But maybe Senku was just outta his mind. Xeno tended to have that effect on him…

“If I agree to doing a deal with you…” Senku started slowly, reaching beside him. He offered up the jug of wine. “Will you have a drink with me, old man?” Grinning at him, toothy and wide- Senku put on an effortless charm, one that Xeno just couldn’t say no to. 

With a sigh, Xeno gave in. “Yes, fine. I will, Senku…” He always seemed to find himself giving into Senku so easily. Perhaps that face of his was far too persuasive.  

Xeno offered his hand for a shake, to seal in their agreement. And those beautiful ruby eyes flickered down and that grin held strong. Senku eagerly took Xeno’s hand and shook it firmly. It was quite plain to tell that when their grasps slid from each other’s once it was over- neither truly was ready to let go just yet. 

“I apologize in advance if I…” Xeno bit his lip as Senku poured him a glass of juicy red wine. “...Make a fool of myself. I’m not much of a drinker.” 

Handing over the cup, Senku snorted, “Can’t become more of a fool than you already are.” 

…

The time went by along with the wine much too fast. The two scientists busied themselves in conversion about rocketry, as that was the big topic of the current moment. 

After explaining some specifics about the process that Senku wasn’t so well versed in, Xeno stood up, like a professor at the front of a classroom. Carving a few equations and crude diagrams in the dirt shore with a long stick, in Xeno’s other hand, a cup of wine which he’d been periodically moistening his throat with. His lecture went on quite a while, naturally that required a few refills. 

Soon Xeno’s penmanship grew more illegible and his scrawls became scribblier. When his mind became much too foggy for his lesson to go on, Xeno sat back down beside his student with a groan, discarding his empty cup off to his side. 

“Oh my…” Xeno put a balmy hand to his forehead and shook his head. “I really should be headed to bed…” 

Xeno attempted to stand again, placing both hands flat on the ground he willed the rest of his body to get up. 

But it seemed that once he was down, he was down. 

Senku’s eyes shot wide open as the older man started tipping. “Oh-” He jumped up, taking a firm hold on his mentor’s shoulders to stabilize him. “Okay, old man. You really are drunk.” 

Moaning in frustration, Xeno let his knees fall back down. “Yes… indeed I am. What an astute observation, Senku…” He looked at Senku, an almost childish pout on his lips. “How are you fine? You’re so small…” 

“Tolerance to alcohol isn’t just about size. Can be genetic too.”

Xeno shakily lowered himself back down to the grass to sit. “But your father was a lightweight?” 

Senku scoffed, “...Genes don’t usually get passed down through adoption, genius." 

Brows furrowed, Xeno processed what Senku said. “...You’re adopted?” he finally slurred, snorting a laugh of disbelief. 

A grin spread on Senku’s face. His hand still resting on Xeno’s shoulder, he gripped him a little firmer. “Yeah- Byakuya never mentioned that?”  

“No, no…” Xeno shook his head. “Actually- he talked about you like he’d given birth to you himself…!” He scoffed a laugh, scratching the side of his face, he was starting to feel a little numb. Well, no- very numb. “Not that I spoke to him much personally, but in passing conversations I was always hearing, ‘My son- this’ and ‘My son- that.” Xeno said, nodding to himself. “You most certainly were his favorite subject, Senku.”

Senku returned his mentor’s smile. Snickering to himself, he leaned back, lazily sliding his hand down Xeno’s bare spine as he lowered onto the soft Earth. It surprised him just how flushed and soft Xeno’s skin felt. His fingers lingered in the dimples of Xeno's back before retracting into his lap. Senku mumbled, “Heh… my old man still manages to embarrass me even when he’s gone…” 

Xeno looked down at him over his shoulder, the moonlight backing him. “Byakuya was just proud of you, Senku,” he said softly, “I see why he would be. You are… quite impressive…” 

He took a moment to pause, pursing his lips in thought. Vision blurring and fuzzy, Xeno took in the sight of Senku in the grass, his hair splayed and his pleased face looking back up at him as if he could see it with total clarity. Xeno softened in his drunkenness. Expression unhindered by the strict control he typically held it under, his eyes gleamed. 

Then Xeno spoke again- a mutter, really- a ghost of a thought not meant to escape his pale lips, “...So truly… elegant…” 

His hand resting on his stomach, Senku could feel it flip- or maybe that was just his breath hitching. There was that warm and fuzzy feeling spreading all over him again. That one that only Xeno could give him. It made his limbs tingle, his chest warm, his head so light and elated…

How long had it been since he’d last felt this way…? 

Senku scrunched his nose, sticking his tongue out playfully. Xeno hasn't said anything that cringey in a long time. Must be the alcohol. 

To be honest… Senku almost missed it. Almost. 

“So…” Senku quickly shifted to change the subject. “How’d you know my dad was a lightweight? You never drank with him, did you?” 

The older man flapped his hand around drunkenly to dismiss the notion. “No, no- I almost did. He invited me to, but no. I only… heard about what happened afterwards the next Monday at work.” 

Senku snickered behind his palm. He could only imagine Byakuya had made an absolute fool of himself. “I bet you regret not going, huh? I wouldn't have missed seeing my dad be a drunk idiot for the world.” 

Xeno closed his eyes. “Something… came up that night, was all.”  With a light yawn and leaned back to lay on the grass shoulder to shoulder with Senku- the wine was catching up with him. 

Senku flopped his head to the side to face his mentor, hand falling from his mouth to reveal his warm smile. “So… what was it? Why didn't you go?” he asked. 

Xeno shrugged, a strained grin beginning to spread on his lips as he opened his eyes and met Senku’s. “It's nothing. For one, I don't drink at all anyway. Not because I don’t handle alcohol well, but-” he flicked his hand at himself. “-That much is obvious, yes?” 

“Heh- Yeah, a little bit.” Senku nudged him with his elbow.

Still smiling, Senku just couldn’t get himself to look away from those dark eyes. How they squinted with amusement, shined in the moon’s light. The creases on the corners of his eyes and the lines tugging at his lips… Senku fought the urge to reach up and trace them with his finger. 

Maybe he really was glad to have this weird old man back by his side. And he kinda missed that stupid smile of his too. Been a while since he’d seen it and now he was being spoiled with the sight of it today. 

“Why don’t you drink? What's the reason?” Senku asked, just to fill the silence, though he didn’t mind it all that much. 

“Hm? What’s with all these questions, Senku?” 

“Just…” Senku shrugged. “I wanna talk to you. Like- what normal people do when they hang out?” 

They shared a smile for a moment before Xeno turned his gaze up to the starry sky. Bringing his hands up to rub his tired eyes, he sighed with a shake of his head, shoulders slumping as he did. His eyes fell closed and he fell silent. 

Senku watched on, patiently waiting for him to say. Though, something about that reaction told him he was reluctant to. Suppose Senku didn’t really consider that it could be a bit of a personal question. He opened his mouth to let Xeno know he didn't need to tell him, but that’s when he began… 

“Mostly to set an example- or perhaps, could even call it being a good role model.” Xeno sat up, palms slipping from his face. With parted lips he gazed out at the water, murmuring, "Stanley already had a bad smoking habit, he… didn’t need a drinking problem as well…” 

Xeno’s jaw stiffened, eyes focusing in the drifting movement of the river. 

…Stanley. His name echoed in Xeno’s mind. 

Why had he not thought of him this whole night? He hadn’t stopped to consider what Senku had in store for the soldier. But surely, if Senku had revived him, then he must be willing to grant the same mercy upon Stan…

Right?

Xeno turned his gaze down to the dirt shore. “Senku,” he called his name, restrained. Asking softly, “...What are your plans with Stanley?”

Senku’s smile faded away with little notice.

He sat up now as well, blinking at the hunched form of his mentor. Not a word slipping from his tightly pressed lips for a beat. His hesitancy to answer was not out of a lack of an answer, no- Xeno could sense that in how heavy the air settled around the two scientists the moment the question was asked. It was a reluctance to tell the truth. 

But of course Senku was going to tell him anyway… He always told things as they were, no matter how hard it was…

“...We're gonna keep him safe,” Senku said. 

His words sunk into Xeno’s core like lead. 

…Keep him safe. 

And by that he surely meant… Keep Stanley’s statue safe. Ensure that Stanley stays in one piece so he can serve out his life sentence in the stone properly. Imprisoned for Xeno’s crimes. In immortal, unending, perpetuity.

“...You’re not going to…?” Xeno murmured, voice hardly above a whisper. The rest of his thought blew away in the wind.

When the breeze settled, Senku answered his unfinished question- a simple and cold, “No.” 

Xeno’s lips twisted at the word.

“One day, maybe. Sure.” Senku added- nothing but a feeble attempt to soften the blow. “But for right now…” He shook his head. 

Above all, his top priority in this aftermath was to not reinforce his friends' already solid beliefs that Xeno was pure evil. Senku really did forgive him, wholeheartedly. And he wanted his friends to as well. Xeno had proven himself to be capable of listening to reason, he could be cooperated with.

But Stanley… He didn’t forgive Stanley.

What knew about Stanley… he was violent, vengeful. Plain and simple, the man had tried to kill them all. He’d even succeeded for some. It just wasn’t safe to revive him yet and especially after all Senku went through- all his friends went through- just to get him in the stone in the first place…?

He just couldn’t do it. Senku couldn’t do the ‘kind’ thing this time. He had to make the logical choice. 

The thing was, he liked Xeno. And Xeno liked Stanley. Therefore, Senku was willing to hear Xeno’s case out on his friend. He was open to forgiving him one day, obviously. But that day wasn’t today. Or tomorrow. Or even the day after that. 

Xeno echoed Senku’s words back, “Yes…” he hissed bitterly. “One day.” Nodding to himself, he placed his head in his palms, running hands through his hair to bury his fingers deep in silvery locks. 

Pensive, Senku’s eyes stayed trained on his silent mentor. 

Yet, still after everything… guilt twisted in his chest. How happy Senku had been that day to be brought back together with all of his friends. He couldn’t even begin to imagine the pain it must’ve brought Xeno to be told he wouldn’t be getting his own reunion…

Sucking in a sharp breath, Xeno snapped his fingers to his lips, caged, he spoke through the bars, “I suppose the stakes of our deal have been raised. It’s not just my freedom on the line now, is it?”

Senku held a hesitant hand out, stopping short half way to reaching his mentor. Ultimately, he returned it to his lap. 

Yeah, he trusted Xeno not to hurt him again, but that didn’t change the fact that he had still hurt him in the first place. Didn’t change the fact that Xeno was still someone who so easily suggested lying in order to solve a problem… 

Xeno had his forgiveness, but he didn’t have his full and complete trust yet. He didn't know if what Xeno were to say about Stanley could be believed. 

Senku was starting to get better at being able to spot when Xeno wasn’t telling him the truth, and he got this sense- just the hint of one- that Xeno was still hiding something from him right now. 

That he was hiding something about Stanley…

“You’ve never been guilty to me, Xeno. I guess I never could put my finger on why I felt that way…” Senku said, shaking his head. “I think I figured it out though…” 

Balling his hand up in his other, Senku ran his thumb over his knuckles to sooth himself. It was ten billion percent obvious, yet he’d never put two and two together. “You never directly ordered Stanley to kill us in order to rescue you. You never had the chance to…” 

His words lingered in the still night air.

“-Stanley only did what he thought it would take,” Xeno blurted a broken whisper. “With my own previous orders for lethal force in our past encounters, Stanley decided that that was what was required for this mission. He acted based on what he thought I would’ve chosen-”

“-Xeno.”

Xeno turned at the snap of his name and their gazes locked. Cherry eyes scolded him so gently with their glare, 'Stop blaming yourself' that look in Senku's eyes said. 

But the guilt was deep-seated into Xeno's core. No amount of scrubbing would ever bring it out, he felt. 

Severing their eye-contact after a few longs seconds, Senku looked out at the river. The moonlight caught the ripples just right and gleamed bright to blind him. Closing his eyes, Senku bowed his head. 

Only a shaky breath fell from him before Senku spoke again, “...Did you really want me to die?” he asked, slowly looking back up to Xeno. “‘Cause… I don’t think you did.”

Xeno pressed his lips thin, his brows knotting in a furrow. He took a deep breath, reeling in his courage. And when he felt he had enough, he turned to face Senku, eyes round and trembling with regret. 

Like a wave, the urge to hold that face looking so wearily up to him came over him. But Xeno held himself back. 

It truly hit him right then and there; he never wanted to see pain or sadness or fear of any kind ever cross those features again. Such a face, it almost made Xeno forget his sin. He wondered how he could have ever wanted a world without those charming ruby eyes gazing up him.

A world without Senku…

“I truly didn’t think there was any other way…” Xeno breathed. "I was afraid." 

Senku’s lips squirmed in restraint, his throat flexing as he gulped. He quickly looked away, his eyes shining as they caught the light reflecting off the river. Then Senku murmured, his words heard by none other than himself, “So, you still can’t say it…”

Closing his eyes, Senku swiped his hand across his forehead and he shook his head, chuckling cynically, “I guess it doesn’t matter anymore, that's behind us now. We're all alive thanks to the petri-beam coming in and saving our asses at the eleventh hour…”

Xeno clenched his jaw. In his dark eyes, a mixture of shock yet all the same no surprise at all. “...The science of the future.” His gaze slipped away. “All turned to stone, all saved…”

But of course Xeno knew this already. He had already seen everyone he’d directly ordered for execution alive with his very own eyes all sitting by the bonfire mere hours ago. The people that Stanley had killed for him in the midst of battle during their brief reunion.

There were so many victims of Xeno and Stanley’s war, with no bodies to show the proof. 

Stanley was imprisoned for Xeno. Stanley will take all of his blame as well. Because all it would take for Senku to lock Xeno away and never let him out was to admit that he had played a part in his people’s murders. That Stan did not act all alone. 

Yes- Xeno, he… undeniably- regret be damned- this was a statement of fact…!

He was culpable in this crime. 

Then suddenly, he took in a shaky breath through his nose, his shoulders rising to tense. It dawned on him that he had no urge to confess. No sense of justice pushing him to do what was right. He felt only one thing at that moment. So powerful and total…

Disgust. 

For this self-preservation of his that he prioritized above all. 

And for himself… 

“Senku… If you wouldn’t mind, could I be alone for a minute?” Xeno muttered. “Just so I can think about this. You head back- I’ll…” He attempted to swallow down the bitter repulsion he felt rising in the back of his throat. “I’ll join you later.”

“...Xeno, I-” 

“-I’d like to have a moment to collect my thoughts alone, Senku,” Xeno restated, a spike of urgency undercoating his words. “If you’d please allow me to.”

His lips pressed as tight as his chest felt, Senku stared at his mentor. The water glistened with the moon and the trees danced in the wind, but Xeno- Xeno was still. 

Senku wanted to give him what he’d asked. He wanted to give him everything he could… Hell, he even wanted to give him the world. The world that he would make just for him.  

“...Okay,” Senku finally whispered. He rose to stand, his eyes never leaving Xeno. Hands clenched tight at his sides, he mumbled, “...We’ll talk about it more in the morning then, yeah?” Turning away, Senku took his first step up the hill. But then he stopped. And he held his breath. “‘Night, Xeno…” he said, letting it out. 

He waited, but there was no reply. 

…

Senku laid down in his dark and lonely hut, first setting a second sleeping bag aside beside him, folded neatly for Xeno when he was ready. He closed his eyes and watched the static behind his eyelids. Then he opened his eyes and stared into the black of the inside of the hut. Either way it was all dark. 

There was still so much to process about what had happened seven years ago- those seven years that felt like yesterday in the minds of everyone who had gone through it. Once again, as it always seemed to happen, there wasn’t time to get it all done in a day. It would have to happen one step at a time. And each one of those steps would hurt like hell, opening up fresh wounds still so tender over and over again…

Wide- eyed, Senku stared into the darkness. He felt the cool of the floor beneath him, the breeze that crept its way in between the wall’s wooden boards. 

He flinched at the thought of the pain. 

…So tired of hurting, he squeezed his eyes shut.

Senku wanted to bandage it all up. 

And make it just… go away…