Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

This had to be his boss’s stupidest idea ever.
So stupid.
SUPER STUPID.

Asagiri Gen was seated in his boss’s boss office next to the freak-haired science nerd—*****.

Ugh. Even **thinking** about him made Gen’s skin crawl.
Why did he of all people have to pretend to be Gen’s husband to infiltrate some villain’s shady organization?

-<-

Gen had just turned in the report from his latest mission.
It had been easy—at least for him. He was the organization's top agent, after all. Stealing precious artifacts behind impossible security, getting close to targets without being detected, even jumping from a flying jet while being shot at?
Child’s play for the infamous Asagiri Gen.

So, he wasn’t surprised when he was assigned a new task only three days later.

He made his way into the tech room to meet up with his best friend since middle school, ready to spill every detail of his mission.
Technically, Gen wasn’t allowed to say much, but **Ukyo** was the one person Gen trusted with his darkest secrets. So he never hesitated to tell him everything.

He threw open Ukyo’s office door—dramatically, of course.
“You won't believe the story I have for you today, Ukyo—”

Gen stopped mid-sentence, his face twisting into a scowl.

Ukyo and ***** were deep in conversation, hunched over an iPad displaying some chart.
Mister I-Can-Recite-the-Wikipedia-Page-for-Astronomy-Faster-Than-You-Can-Say-My-Full-Name.

This guy never got the hint. Not when Gen insulted him. Not when he ignored him.
Never.

“Hey, Gen,” Ukyo said, not looking up. “Just let me finish showing ***** this chart and then you can spill the details.”

Gen grumbled as he slumped into the chair across from Ukyo.

Usually, Gen sat next to him—that chair was practically his. It didn’t have a name on it, but anyone who knew them knew that seat was Gen’s.
And yet here this guy was, just sitting in it like it was no big deal.

Freak-haired.
Nerd.
Cocky bitch.
Space geek.

Gen had hundreds of nicknames for him.

Why did his hair even stick up like that? Probably to hide the size of his massive head.
And even if Gen did call him big-headed, the guy would probably thank him and go on some rant about how “the size of your brain doesn’t determine intelligence.”

“GEN. You there?” Ukyo yelled, snapping Gen out of his thoughts.

Gen flinched. “Yeah, I’m here. No need to yell.”

He looked over at the now-empty seat next to Ukyo.
Finally.

Gen walked over and dropped into his usual chair, launching into the story of his latest mission.
Ukyo was a great listener—Gen never had to slow down or repeat himself. One of his favorite things about Ukyo.
Something that ***** could definitely learn—if he ever took the hint when Gen tried to avoid him.

Gen was seriously considering filing a restraining order.

-^-

“—and then he wanted me to strip for him,” Gen mumbled through a mouthful of sandwich.

One of the best perks of being a spy here?
The food.

The cafeteria was pristine, well-kept, and always had smooth jazz playing in the background.
And the chef? None other than Francois, one of the best cooks in the world. They could take the simplest ingredients and turn them into a five-star meal.

If it hadn’t been for the CEO’s connections, the cafeteria wouldn’t be half as lively as it always was during lunch.

Gen and Ukyo sat at a table in the middle of the room—kinda like in the movie Mean Girls
Gen was popular and highly respected. Naturally, he got the best seats.

As they chatted, their boss walked up to the table.

Maki Fujimoto.

Her name didn’t even come close to capturing how terrifying she could be.
Before her promotion, she had been more skilled than Gen. She only retired from fieldwork after losing hearing in her left ear during a mission. She had planned to resign—until the CEO offered her a leadership position.
She took it. And even if she wasn’t as active in the field, Gen never disobeyed her.

“Hello, boys,” Maki greeted.

“Hey, Maki. Thought you didn’t come down here ‘cause of the noise?” Ukyo asked.

Maki sat down next to Gen. “Normally, I don’t. But my room flooded after the storm, and I usually eat with Kohaku, but she’s out on a mission. Speaking of missions…”
She slid a folder across the table.

Gen opened it and began reading.

“I know you usually work alone,” Maki said, “but he’s been needing help. His social skills suck, so I paired you up.”

There was a nervous edge to her voice.

Gen turned the page.

He froze.

Then slammed the folder shut.
He glared at Maki.

“YOU PAIRED ME UP WITH ISHIGAMI SENKU?!”

-^-

“Mr. Nanami, is there any way I can do this on my own—or pair him with someone else?” Gen asked, exasperated.

The CEO, Ryusui Nanami, looked up from his desk, glanced between Gen and Senku, and calmly placed the paper down.

“You don’t have to be formal, Gen. Call me Ryusui. And no. Even if I could reassign Senku, I wouldn’t. You’re our best agent, and Senku has a connection to the target that’s too valuable to ignore. Plus, he’s one of the smartest cards in our deck.”

Ryusui stood and walked over to a board with a photo pinned to it.

Xeno Houston Wingfield.
One of Nanami Corps’ biggest enemies.

Xeno and his husband, Stanley, had been trying to take the company down for over a decade.
Back before Gen had even joined, they were close to being exposed—but were saved by Maki. Her skills had become legend.

Gen looked up to her. He wanted to prove himself just like she did—preferably without a weird-haired scientist breathing down his neck.

“Why can’t I team up with Dr. Chelsea? Isn’t she already close to Xeno?” Gen asked.

Senku, sitting off to the side, let a lock of hair fall across his face—a rare strand that actually behaved like normal hair. He was holding back a comment. Gen could tell.

“Got something snarky to say, smartass?” Gen snapped.

He leaned back in his chair and crossed his legs.

Senku stood and walked over to the board.

“Yes, actually,” he replied calmly. “Even if you were paired with her, it wouldn’t help. We’ve had almost no contact with her lately, except when she visits to see ‘friends.’ It’s best it stays that way—to avoid tipping off Xeno too early.”

Gen sighed and walked over as well.

“Fine. But I want a one-month break after this,” he said.

Ryusui grabbed his hand and gave it a firm shake.
“Ha Ha! Of course, Gen. A promise is a promise.”

Out of the corner of his eye, Gen saw Senku offering his hand for a handshake too.
Did he seriously not get it?

Gen ignored it and walked out.

Senku followed.

Before he could say anything, Gen shoved him against the wall, just out of view of Ryusui’s office.

“This is MY mission. So you follow MY rules,” Gen said, his voice deadly serious.

“Rule 1: We are strictly partners. Don’t try to push it past that.
Rule 2: This is a teaching mission. If I say something wrong, *you* fix it.
Rule 3: If you ever cross me, I won’t hesitate to kill you and blame it on Xeno.
Am I clear?”

Senku swallowed hard, a drop of sweat running down his cheek.
“Yes, sir.”

Gen stepped back and turned.

“Come over early tomorrow. We need to prep for the mission. I’ll explain the details then.”

Senku watched Gen disappear around the corner.

How am I supposed to survive this mission… when we have to pretend to be married… and I have an actual crush on him?

Senku sighed and turned in the opposite direction.

I REALLY hope my luck doesn’t run out too fast.

Chapter Text

When he was waiting outside for his sister, Kohaku, Senku still had war flashbacks to when they were six, and Kohaku got a pair of plastic toy swords for Christmas.

--War Flashback--

“Senku, SENKU!” six-year-old Kohaku yelled directly into his ear.

“Don’t scream so loud, Kohaku,” Senku groaned, sitting up in bed and clutching his ears. Kohaku and her eight-year-old sister Ruri—hands over her ears as well—were standing by his bedside.

Kohaku wandered over to Senku’s desk, where one of his rocket test models sat—one he was planning to launch with Taiju once they got back to Japan.

“If you don’t wake up, I’m gonna tell Byakuya you bought parts for your rocket without permission,” Kohaku teased, snatching up Byakuya’s credit card that had been left unattended on the desk.

I seriously need to get Byakuya and Lillian to put a lock on my door, Senku thought as he sprang out of bed, lunging for the card and snatching it from her hand.

“Fine—but I get to eat two cinnamon buns for breakfast,” he huffed, shoving the card into his desk drawer before sprinting down the hall.

Kohaku chased after him, yelling something unintelligible. Meanwhile, Ruri quietly walked over to the drawer, retrieved the card, and slipped it into her pajama pocket.

Can’t have Byakuya going crazy looking for his card again, she thought, exiting the room and gently shutting the door.

-^-

Since Lillian had lived in America before marrying Byakuya, the family often traveled there during school breaks. Most of the time, though, Senku, Ruri, Kohaku, and Byakuya lived in Japan—where most of their friends were. Because of that, they barely got to see Lillian, especially with her being a world-famous singer. Keeping their identity as her children a secret from the paparazzi was already difficult.

So when they did visit America, Lillian went all out for the holidays—especially Christmas.

The moment the kids entered the kitchen, the smell of Lillian’s famous pancakes hit them. Byakuya was already seated at the table, drooling at the scent. Senku took the seat beside him, and Kohaku sat next to Senku.

“Byakuya, you’re so childish. It’s just pancakes,” Senku muttered, rolling his eyes.

Byakuya quickly wiped the drool and tried to sit up straighter, which made Kohaku, Ruri, and Lillian all giggle.

Lillian brought over their plates and set them down on the island counter: golden, fluffy pancakes drizzled with syrup and whipped cream, topped with chocolate drizzle. On the side were eggs, fruit, and bacon.

Sliding into the seat beside Byakuya, she grinned as he wrapped an arm around her waist and dramatically placed a hand over his heart.

“Dig in, kids!” she said cheerfully.

The three kids—and Byakuya—grabbed their forks and began eating happily.

-^-

Kohaku tore into her gift from Santa right next to Senku, who was doing the same. Wrapping paper flew through the air as Kohaku raised her present triumphantly.

“Toy swords! Yes! Just what I asked for. Thank you, Santa!” she shouted with joy.

Senku looked at the cardboard box in front of him, then bolted to the kitchen to grab a key. He raced back to the living room and dragged the key across the tape before flipping open the flaps. Inside was a single folded piece of paper:

Turn around.

Senku blinked. There’s nothing behind me, he thought as he started to turn back.

Suddenly, a cloth was tied around his eyes.

-^-

After a brief struggle involving flailing arms and Byakuya getting accidentally hit in the crotch, Senku was carried to another room. The blindfold was removed, and he blinked rapidly to adjust to the light.

His eyes widened.

He sprinted across the room to the telescope propped in front of the big window—the telescope he had been begging Lillian and Byakuya for over two years.

As he eagerly examined its features, Kohaku wandered up behind him.

“Aren’t you gonna look through it?” she asked.

Senku rolled his eyes. “It’s bad to look through it right now—I could blind my eyes from the sun,” he said, clearly annoyed.

He ran over to Lillian and Byakuya and hugged them both. “Thank you.”

“You should be thanking Santa, not me,” Byakuya said, patting Senku’s head with a smile.

“Santa isn’t real, Byakuya,” Senku replied, stepping back and crossing his arms. “It’s impossible to deliver presents to every child in one night. And if he did exist, he wouldn’t be fat. With all that climbing, sneaking into homes, and chimney jumping, he’d be closer to the size of a fourteen-year-old. And even then—”

Senku went on a twenty-minute rant about the logistical impossibility of Santa Claus.

While everyone else was distracted, Kohaku began poking Senku’s telescope with her plastic swords. Eventually, she put too much force into one of her swings.

The telescope tipped forward, smacked against the open window, teetered—and then—

CRASH.

“NOOOOOOO!” Senku screamed, racing to the window just in time to see the telescope crash into pieces on the ground below.

Lillian and Byakuya rushed over. Senku was crouched on the floor, devastated.

Kohaku stared down at the wreckage. “...My bad,” she muttered, slowly backing away—only for Senku to launch himself at her as the two began wrestling on the floor.

--War Flashback Ending--

A shiver ran down Senku’s spine. To this day, he still kept Kohaku out of arm’s reach of any of his telescopes.

The only part that was really made up for the telescope… was when Lillian announced they were getting a new sibling.

Footsteps approached quickly, and Kohaku practically tackled him from behind, ruffling his hair.

“Usually I’m the one waiting for you! OH! Can we get McDonald’s? I’m SOOOOO HUNGRY, I could totally go for a burger right now!” she said as they walked toward the car.

“Fine. But only because I don’t feel like cooking tonight. But you’re paying for your food,” Senku muttered.

Kohaku grinned when she noticed the faint smile on her brother’s face.

“Did you finally get close to Gen?” she teased with a smirk.

Senku blushed and looked away. “No. But… we got assigned a mission together.”

Kohaku pulled him into a side hug. “Oooo, what’s the mission?”

Senku wriggled out of her grasp and got into the driver’s seat. Once inside, Kohaku sat properly—clearly trying to pry more info out of him.

Senku closed the door and started the car. “We have to head to America… and pretend to be a married couple.”

Kohaku grabbed Senku’s face and pressed their foreheads together. “You have to WHAT?!!” she yelled.

Senku quickly covered her mouth and shoved her back into her seat. “The car is on, idiot. I don’t wanna crash.”

He pulled out of the parking space and swiped his keycard to access the elevator ramp, which began lifting them up.

“I don’t think it’s gonna get weird,” Senku added calmly. “He pinned me to a wall and threatened me.”

“You never know, Senku. He might be secretly telling you one of his kinks,” Kohaku teased as she slumped down in her seat and propped her legs up on the dash.

“Ew, Kohaku. And I highly doubt that was even close to what you’re thinking. He hates me with a passion,” Senku said as he drove down the dirt road toward the paved highway.

“My girlfriend threatens me all the time, and look where we are now—fucking every—”

“That wasn’t an invitation to tell me what you freaks do alone,” Senku cut her off. He did not want to know what turned the two of them on.

-^-

Senku unlocked the door to his apartment. After dropping Kohaku off, he’d picked up some groceries.

He remembered when he first got his driver’s license—how he had to drive Kohaku and Suika everywhere. He missed when Suika would sing along to Lillian’s songs in the backseat.

After Senku and Kohaku moved out, Byakuya took Suika and moved to America. At first, Suika hadn’t wanted to go—but over time, she accepted it. They still traveled there during the holidays. The tradition never changed.

Senku smiled faintly as he put the groceries away.

He couldn’t wait to see his parents and Suika again.

Chapter Text

“Two months?!” Gen and Senku shouted in unison, their voices echoing in the studio.

They had arrived early at the Corps headquarters because their flight to America was scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Right now, they were in Yuzuriha’s studio—their designated stylist. After all, you couldn’t be a spy without a proper disguise. Sitting side-by-side, they squinted at a Google form Yuzuriha had created for long-term missions, where the sleek spy suits wouldn’t cut it. This assignment required a wardrobe that would help them blend in—especially for Gen.

“The party’s in two months,” Maki explained, looking over her tablet. She spoke as if the timeframe wasn’t completely insane. “You need to be in Xeno’s inner circle before then. If you’ve only known him for a week, he’ll smell something fishy. He’ll have his guard up—way too risky.”

Gen groaned quietly, tossing his head back against the seat. Two months? That felt like a lifetime. He glanced at Senku as he slid the iPad over to Yuzuriha, finished with the form. Gen handed his over next.

“Ms. Fujimoto, I can’t do that,” Senku said flatly. “My stepmom will know something’s up if I don’t show up for December.”

Gen leaned back with a smirk. “What’s so important that missing Christmas will screw with the mission? It’s not like she’s Lillian Weinberg or something.”

There was a beat of silence.

“She kinda is…” Senku muttered softly—so soft that Gen almost didn't catch it.

Gen turned his head slowly, squinting in disbelief. “If you’re trying to impress me, it’s not working.”

“I’m not joking,” Senku replied, his face serious.

“It’s true,” Maki chimed in, not bothering to look up. “Remember when I was hesitant about hiring Senku because of his family?”

Gen gawked at her. “I thought you were joking!”

“Yeah, I thought it was a joke too when I ran his background check,” came Ukyo's voice from the doorway.

Gen turned just in time to see Ukyo stepping in, placing a bag on the ground in front of them and tossing a set of car keys in Gen's direction. Senku picked up the bag; Gen snatched the keys without hesitation.

“I can use your car?” Gen raised an eyebrow, a cocky grin forming as he spun the keys around his finger. “I thought I was banned from driving it since I almost got us killed?”

“That was back when I actually went on missions with you—and you kinda sucked,” Ukyo replied, arms crossing over his chest.

“Excuse you,” Gen said, gasping dramatically, “I am an excellent driver. Unless you’re insulting Maki’s teaching skills?”

“If anyone’s bad at driving, it’s you, Ukyo,” Maki cut in with a smirk.

Gen watched their banter with ease, then glanced sideways at Senku, who sat quietly, observing them. Huh. He really doesn’t know how to jump into conversations, huh? Gen filed that thought away for later.

Yuzuriha popped her head out from a door in the back of the studio and waved them toward her.

“I’ve got everything picked out!” she said excitedly, opening the door as Senku and Gen stood.

Once the door shut behind them, Yuzuriha clapped her hands together and gestured to the clothes racks. “Alright! Senku, your outfits are on the left. Gen, yours are on the right.”

Gen strode to his side of the room, opening the dressing door.

He raised an eyebrow at the lineup of options. “Let’s see what I’ll be wearing this time,” he muttered, beginning to change.

-^-

Gen stepped out of the changing room at the same time as Senku.

Yuzuriha jumped up with excitement, inspecting their outfits. “Sooo, how was it? Do I need to make any changes?”

Both of them shook their heads.

“Nope. Perfect as always, Yuzuriha,” Gen said smoothly, giving her a wink.

“All good,” Senku added.

Maki stood, brushing off her coat. “Alright. Let’s get you both geared up with the tech.”

-^-

The elevator dropped them down into the Corps’ massive workshop.

“Ho ho! You guys ready for your equipment?” Kaseki yelled, hopping up from his workbench.

Gen spotted Chrome nearby, fiddling with a circuit panel. The younger guy looked up and grinned.

“Senku, I didn’t know you were going on a mission!”

“Yeah, well… I didn’t really have a choice,” Senku replied, scratching the back of his neck. He walked over to check out Chrome’s setup. “What are you working on?”

Chrome placed his tools down and proudly held up his work. “Gen asked me to improve some features in his suit. I’m doing that now. Oh! Gen, do you wanna try it on?”

Gen, who had been whispering to Ukyo about the hotel setup in America, turned toward them.

“Absolutely,” he said with a sly grin, walking over to pick up the suit. “Especially the stuff I requested. Can’t wait to test out that camo function.”

With that, he disappeared into the changing closet—probably built just for moments like this.

Alright, Gen thought as he examined the suit in his hands. Let’s see what kind of magic you cooked up this time, Chrome.

Chapter Text

Gen stepped out of the changing closet, and it was hard not to stare. The suit clung to his body in a way that made it look like a second skin, displaying every curve and contour with a hexagon-patterned, metallic sheen. The high collar rose to his chin, almost like armor, though Senku wondered if it was meant to hide a distraction rather than conceal his identity.

Thank goodness Gen didn’t turn around; Senku could feel heat creeping up his neck just from the sight of him from behind. Gen usually favored oversized hoodies and baggy jackets that obscured his figure, so this was a revelation that nearly took Senku's breath away. How had he forgotten just how attractive Gen truly was?

That damn waist always gets me…

-<-

When Yuzuriha first pitched the job to Senku—one that wouldn't exploit his family, particularly Lillian—he never imagined it would involve being poked with a strange device, knocked out cold, and strapped to a table. For a moment, he thought he’d been arrested. But then the door creaked open, and everything changed.

A man sauntered in, his black hair tousled with uneven bangs, one strand falling casually past his cheek. His sharp, lazy eyes resembled a cat’s—confident, knowing he wouldn’t have to work hard for attention. Instead of taking a chair, he perched on the table, inches from Senku's face, leaving him utterly flustered.

Senku’s brain short-circuited. The curve of that body was criminally smooth. If his hands weren't chained, they'd have moved on instinct. And that waist? God, it was sculpted like a weapon. By the time the man starting asking questions, Senku was lost deep in his thoughts. Halfway through, the man caught him staring.

“It’s rude to stare,” he remarked flatly.

Senku's face turned crimson. He tried to look away, but the man shifted into several provocative poses during the interview, each one more distracting than the last. Senku fought against dying of embarrassment—and possibly lust. When the stranger leaned in close, whispering, “You've got a bit of drool on your chin,” Senku’s world went black yet again as a stinging sensation at his neck sent him into unconsciousness.

-^-

Two weeks later, he received an email. Congratulations. You’ve been hired. Report to this address at 6 AM sharp.

When he arrived, it felt like a joke—a vast empty field staring back at him. But just as he began to doubt, something knocked him out cold again.

This time, he awoke to a cheerful man grinning and offering a handshake. “Welcome to Nanami Corps.”

Senku was convinced he had been kidnapped again, but soon the details unraveled. They needed an undercover operation, and the bizarre “interview” process was part of building trust. At least he still had the mark from the metal rod's sting—it reminded him he was not dead.

The shock faded as he learned his sister was already working there. With her involvement, it no longer felt like a trap. The work was fascinating and intimidating, far better than what he would have done working for Xeno.

A year prior, he had passed up an offer at JAXXA to stay closer to home and be with Suika. At that time, his friends were limited to Taiju and Yuzuriha. But the new job—the person connected to it—hadn't been a waste. All roads led to this mission.

->-

Senku snapped back to reality, shocked to find he was once again staring at Gen's backside. Obviously caught off-guard, he didn’t notice the drool until Gen cleared his throat with a pointed sound.

“Are you going to stop drooling, or do I need to ask you to wait outside?” Gen raised an eyebrow, trying to mask irritation.

Senku quickly wiped his chin with his sleeve. “N-no, I just zoned out… on… your ass?” He stammered.

A full thirty seconds of painfully awkward silence followed. Then, Gen turned away, calling Chrome over to assist with adjusting the settings on the suit. The move was likely an effort to avoid throttling Senku right there on the spot.

Senku did his best to look elsewhere, but it was proving impossible. The suit's utility belt clung tightly around Gen's hips, lined with slim pouches, and another strap hugged his thigh. It did things to Senku’s mind that he desperately wished it wouldn't.

How the hell is this "incognito" when every part of Gen is absurdly attractive? he lamented internally. I need Yuzuriha to find him a damn trench coat or something. Anything baggy. This is going to ruin my focus.

-^-

Once they loaded the private jet—arranged by Ryusui—with their gear and suitcases, Gen beamed with excitement while settling into the plush leather seats.

“God, I haven’t been on this jet in forever,” Gen sighed, stretching his arms above his head, his grin practically contagious.

Senku tried to maintain focus sitting across from him as Gen moved, fabric pulling and hugging in all the right places. After Gen had undergone his fitted transformation, Senku was offered a suit as well, but he declined instantly. It was as if Gen knew how bad it could get.

“I was expecting a boat," Senku initiated, hoping to spark conversation. "Ryusui has a whole fleet of them.”

Gen popped open a soda from the compartment in front of him. “Yeah, but all of those boats literally have his name on them in giant gold letters. If we showed up on one of those, Xeno wouldn’t even wait for us to dock before blowing us out of the water.”

Senku raised an eyebrow. “And this jet is... safer?”

“This jet is registered under a friend of Ryusui’s—some tech billionaire who thinks Ryusui is using it for a honeymoon with a sugar baby,” Gen said casually, taking a sip of his drink.

Senku blinked. “Honeymoon?”

Gen smirked. “You’d be surprised what people assume when you don’t correct them. Either way, Xeno has no reason to look twice at this flight path.”

Leaning back in his seat, Senku crossed his arms. “And I’m guessing we’re flying into a private airstrip?”

“Bingo.” Gen grinned. He lowered his voice conspiratorially. “Once we land, we have thirty-six hours to get you ready for the interview. After you secure the job, you have to enter Xeno’s personal circle, get invitations to the gala, and then BAM, we’re set!”

Senku hummed, his mind working through the details. “And the other half?”

Gen’s eyes sparkled. “A distraction I’ve been planning for weeks. Trust me. It’s flashy, it’s ridiculous, and it involves three pounds of glitter and a live peacock.”

Senku stared, genuinely puzzled. “...Of course, it does.”

Gen's smile was all teeth and secrets. “Welcome to the mission, darling.”

-^-^-

They had packed casual clothes to change into before landing—nothing flashy, just enough to blend into a mid-morning crowd in Southern California.

Emerging first from the jet’s rear cabin, Gen was dressed down in a simple lavender hoodie rolled at the sleeves, dark jeans, and sneakers. The hoodie dipped slightly at the neck, teasing at a glimpse of his collarbone. His hair was casually pulled back into a half-tie, and the theatrical elegance he so often embodied was replaced by something more grounded. Something real.

Senku looked up from where he was checking his comm gear, and heat flooded his face.

Goddammit.

Gen wasn't even trying. The hoodie clung just enough to suggest the curve of his waist, and those jeans—hell, those jeans molded to his hips perfectly. It threw Senku's already overstimulated brain for a loop, sending thoughts scattering.

Shifting in his seat, he desperately tried to focus on anything but Gen's ridiculous attractiveness. Rocket fuel formulas, orbital math, carbon nanotubes—anything. But his mind refused to cooperate, the low hum of the cabin not helping as heat pooled in his gut.

Not now, he thought, frustrated. This is not the time to pop a boner over your partner.

“Hey, genius,” Gen called, zipping his duffel bag. “You’re up. We land in ten.”

Senku shot up and bolted toward the back to change.

~-^-~

When he returned, Gen was sipping from a water bottle, scrolling through his phone until he glanced up.

Senku wore a loose-fit maroon t-shirt layered under a light jacket, paired with black tapered joggers and clean sneakers. His hair was tied back in a ponytail, and he’d ditched the lab goggles. It wasn’t fancy. It wouldn’t win any fashion awards. Yet something about it—maybe it was the softness of the color or the defined sharpness of his jaw—hit Gen like a ton of bricks.

Hard.

Gen's mouth went dry as his gaze swept down before he could stop himself, catching the curve of Senku's hip where the shirt clung. Something fluttered painfully in his chest.

No, he drilled into himself, jaw tense. You’re supposed to hate this guy.

It was easier when Senku was smug, impossible, or completely emotionally constipated. But right now—all of this softened vulnerability—Gen grew frustrated with how attractive it was. How reckless it would be to say something foolish.

Senku raised an eyebrow at him. “What?”

Gen snapped back to attention. “Nothing. You’re... passable.”

Senku quirked an eyebrow. “You sure? You looked like you were having a moment.”

Gen rolled his eyes and grabbed his bag. “Please. You look like someone’s overachieving cousin. We’ll blend in just fine.”

Senku smirked, unconvinced. “Uh-huh.”

As they stepped off the jet into the mild morning air, the warm sun broke through the slight haze. A black SUV idled just beyond the tarmac fence, engine humming low.

While they crossed the tarmac, Gen glanced sideways before quickly looking away again. His heart raced, and he hated that it did.

Tomorrow, Senku would be sitting face-to-face with Stanley Snyder—a man they both swore to avoid at all costs.

Gen couldn’t afford to be distracted.

Especially not by someone he wasn’t supposed to care about.

~-^-~

After tipping their driver, they were given the key by the landlord along with an hour-long rundown of the rules that they were certain they would break within the hour.

After bidding goodbye, the door closed behind them.

“That guy repeated himself at least three times. I was so close to shooting him with a tranquilizer,” Gen murmured, sounding exasperated.

“It’s probably because the tenants don’t listen or care. And being young, he probably didn’t want to contemplate our inappropriate noises and his single life,” Senku replied.

“Yeah, and he kept looking at me weird. It’s a burden being this handsome,” Gen said dramatically, pressing a hand to his chest.

“Dramatic as always,” Senku rolled his eyes, though his tone lacked any venom. As the elevator door opened, he went to grab the key he had pocketed, but panic struck when he realized it was missing.

A look of panic illuminated his expression as he began rifling through his pockets again.

When Senku glanced over at Gen, he noticed the man had already walked up to a door and was unlocking it with a key.

“What... how did you do that?” Senku asked, speeding up to catch up with Gen.

“Can you keep a secret?” Gen offered playfully.

“Uh, yeah?” Senku responded, eyebrows knitting together in confusion.

Gen winked. “Well, so can I.”

Stunned, Senku hadn’t even realized Gen had already walked into the apartment, leaving him standing outside, mouth agape.

"Wait—Gen!" He hurried inside, already anticipating the chaos bound to follow.

Chapter Text

“Why did you decide to reconsider working here?” Gen asked as he sat in one of the sofa chairs in the living room.

“I wanted to work originally closer to my hometown, but after some thinking I thought the US would have more options available than Japan,” Senku responded.

Gen stood up, “Bingo! Now you’re getting the hang of it.” He placed down a large packet and raised his arms. “Now to work on your social skills.”

Senku sat back in the large L-shaped sofa, “Fuck, can’t I just, you know, go there?” Senku asked, wiping his hand over his face.

“Sorry, but your social skills are terrible, and I can’t save you.” Gen rolled his eyes as he went into the kitchen. He opened the fridge and looked inside. “Perfect. Your first lesson will be at the grocery store!” Gen grabbed a can of cola and slammed the fridge door.

“Fuuuucccckkkk,” Senku groaned in annoyance.

---

Gen and Senku found themselves in the parking lot a grocery store.

“Sen-ku, if you don't get in there and find the guy, we're gonna be screwed,” Gen said, trying to push Senku out of his seat.

“You can’t make me,” Senku said, gripping the dashboard and headrest of his seat.

“Well, if you aren’t gonna move, I'll use force,” Gen said, withdrawing a stick of eyeliner from the compartment in the middle of the car.

As soon as Senku let go of the dash and headrest, he was shocked with the pretend eyeliner and fell out of the car.

Gen capped the eyeliner, huffed in victory before pulling the door on Senku's side and locking it.

Senku got up, tried to open the door, and looked to see Gen resting his head on his palm with a smirk.

Senku flipped him off and stomped into the store.

---

It wasn’t just a simple trip. An information broker was meeting with an underground group that had important files that went missing a couple of days ago, and they contained information about Gen. If it fell into the wrong hands, it would be a disaster for Gen, and especially disastrous for the Nanami Corps.

Having an earpiece in his ear with someone crunching chips made it harder for Senku to focus.

“Could you stop eating or move away from the mic?” Senku said, clearly annoyed as he looked around.

“When you stop acting like you’re looking for something, maybe,” Gen responded.

Senku stopped. “I’m looking around just fine.”

Gen looked over at the second monitor. “Senku, you need to act casual!” His voice crackled through the earpiece as Senku wandered through the bright aisles of the grocery store. Gen, parked in his 2025 EV6 outside, was monitoring both Senku’s movements and the store’s security cameras on two tablets.

“Casual? Right,” Senku replied, his eyes darting around the store as if he were on a secret mission.

“What does that even mean?”

Gen leaned forward, tapping on the tablet displaying the security feed. “Stop looking like you’re scanning for trouble. Pick up something—anything! Just look like you’re shopping and not searching for a missing person. You’re making me nervous just watching you.”

Senku grabbed a random box of frozen waffles from a nearby freezer section and held it up like a trophy. “Like this?”

“Better, but you look like you’ve never seen food before. Pretend you’re trying to decide between maple or blueberry,” Gen quipped, suppressing a laugh.

“This is so stupid,” Senku muttered, trying to adopt an air of indecision as he examined the box.

“Just focus! You’ve shopped before!” Gen checked the feed, noticing a couple approaching Senku. “And remember, keep an eye out for the guy with the briefcase. He should be around.”

Senku swallowed hard and adjusted his stance, forcing a smile that felt more like a grimace. “Why can’t I just go in and grab what we need? This feels ridiculous.”

“Because you need to blend in! If you just rush in, you’ll raise suspicions,” Gen replied, a mix of frustration and amusement in his tone. “Act natural. And whatever you do, don’t look like you’re being fed instructions through an earpiece!”

“I won’t, I won’t,” Senku replied, rolling his eyes again. He moved down the aisle, pretending to compare products. “How can I concentrate with you crunching away on those chips?”

Through the earpiece, Gen chuckled but quickly shifted back to serious. “Okay, look, the main entrance is under camera surveillance. Just keep moving casually toward the produce section. I’m tracking a guy in a suit coming from the left side of the store. He fits the description. Make sure he doesn’t see you looking too hard.”

“Got it,” Senku groaned, subtly glancing over his shoulder. “How do I look? Am I blending in yet?”

“Depends. Are you looking like you have an unending love for frozen waffles?” Gen responded cheekily. “Just act like a regular shopper and keep your eyes peeled. You’ve got this.”

Senku took a deep breath, trying to settle his nerves. “Right. Just a normal guy out here—shopping and, you know, not on a mission. This is fun.”

Gen couldn’t hide his laughter this time. “You’re doing great! Just keep moving, and I’ll guide you if anything goes sideways.”

Reluctantly smiling, Senku strolled deeper into the store, trying to maintain his composure. Maybe he could pull this off after all—if Gen would just stop making him laugh.

He picked the blueberry box and continued down the aisle. As he reached the end, he saw a man in a black suit walk into the bathroom.

“That’s him, Senku! Go!” Gen practically yelled. Senku placed the frozen waffles down and headed toward the bathroom door. He placed a small device on the door—it could pick up human voices within a 400 ft radius, regardless of wall thickness.

“You weren’t followed, correct?” Man 1 asked.
“No,” Man 2 replied.
Senku heard the sound of a briefcase opening.
“Are you sure that’s 500k?” Man 2 asked.
“Yeah, I counted three times,” Man 1 responded.

The two exchanged briefcases.

“Senku, place the lock-shaped device where the lock is. It will keep them locked in,” Gen instructed while rummaging sounds came over the line.

“Gen, what are you doing?” Senku whispered urgently.

“Like you can take on those guys,” Senku could practically imagine the annoyed eye roll Gen was giving.

“And you’re gonna take the briefcase, they’ll know it’s you by the picture, and all the info will be confirmed,” Senku said, trying to keep his voice steady despite the nerves.

“Senku, no one knows my real voice, and they won’t be able to tell anybody anyway,” Gen said nonchalantly as he exited the car and locked the doors.

“What do you mean—” Senku started, but smacked a hand over his mouth as he heard the door trying to open.

“What the hell?” Man 1 said.
“Did you lock the door?” Man 1 asked.
“No,” Man 2 answered.
Man 1 continued to try to open the door.

Three loud bangs rang through the door. “Whoever is on the other side, you better open this damn door before I kick it down myself and strangle you!” Man 1 yelled angrily.

Senku practically ran to the other side of the hallway. “Gen, they know I’m here!”

“Don’t worry! I’m in the vents! I’m almost to the bathroom,” Gen said, providing quiet reassurance.

“Senku, I need you to go to the back of the store. There should be a dark gray car outside. Get in the front passenger seat and make sure you’re not visible,” Gen instructed.

“Why? What about the other car?” Senku asked, confusion plain on his face.

“It’s gonna blow up in ten minutes,” Gen said way too calmly.

“What?!?!?” Senku’s eyes widened.

“Don’t worry, it’s not gonna hurt anyone, I think,” Gen replied, his tone casual.

“You think? Gen, if that car—”

“GO, Senku, unless you want to get yourself killed!” Gen demanded right before there was a loud noise of something dropping with a thud.

Senku heard the two men and the sounds of punches but couldn’t stay to listen.

He exited the front and ran around the building; the car with the same description was near the exit. Senku got in and sunk down in the seat.

He heard the sound of a door slamming open and spotted Gen running with two briefcases in his hands. He opened the door, shoved the briefcases into Senku's hands, who quickly pushed them in front of his seat. Gen pulled down his hoodie and removed the covering from his mouth. Gen started the car and sped out of the back onto the road.

As Senku sank deeper into the passenger seat, adrenaline coursed through him, quickening his pulse. “Gen, are you sure we’re going to be okay?” His voice trembled slightly as he glanced nervously in the rearview mirror. The sounds of angry voices and revving engines echoed ominously behind them.

“Trust me, Senku. We’ll lose them,” Gen replied, his grip firm on the gear stick. His eyes focused intensely on the road ahead. “Just keep your eyes peeled and be ready to move. I know a way to shake them off.”

“Here? In the city?” Senku took a deep breath, trying to quell his rising panic. “I thought we were at least getting out into the suburbs before this turned into an action movie!”

Gen smirked, excitement igniting in his eyes. “Can’t have it too easy, can we? Hold on!” He pressed the clutch, shifting down as he veered onto a narrow side street, tires screeching against the pavement.

Behind them, dark sedans barreled through traffic, their drivers relentless. “Gen, they’re right on our tail!” Senku shouted, fear creeping into his voice as he heard the engines draw closer.

“Not for long!” Gen's confidence was palpable as he downshifted again, the engine growling fiercely. He skillfully navigated through the chaos of cars, dodging a delivery truck that honked in protest. “We just have to find the right moment.”

Senku’s heart raced as the men in black drew closer, their intentions clear. “I swear, if we end up on the evening news, I’ll never let you live this down!”

“Just focus!” Gen snapped, a grin splitting his face as he spotted an opening. Up ahead, a train was passing by, and an idea sparked in his mind. “Keep an eye on the backseat; we might have to take a leap here!”

“What do you mean—” Senku didn’t finish before Gen slammed the clutch and revved the engine, kicking the speed up.

“Just trust me!” Gen hollered, adrenaline pumping through him. As they approached the train, he accelerated even harder. “Hold on tight!”

Senku gripped the dashboard, wide-eyed as they barreled toward the train. “Are you serious?!”

The moment they hit the ramp—a mound of dirt created by a construction site—they soared through the air. Time seemed to freeze as the car flew over the train below. Senku’s stomach dropped, a thrilling mix of terror and exhilaration coursing through him as he instinctively braced against the seat.

“Is this really happening?” Senku gasped, heart thundering as they landed with a heavy thud on the other side of the train. Just barely keeping control, Gen expertly navigated back onto the road.

Behind them, the pursuing sedans skidded, their drivers clearly unprepared for the leap. “We did it! We actually jumped a train!” Senku exclaimed, shaking his head in disbelief, laughter bubbling up despite the panic still gripping his chest.

Gen laughed, a wild, electric sound. “Welcome to my world! Now let’s keep it going!” He downshifted again, pushing the engine to its limits as they raced through side streets, weaving in and out of traffic.

The dark sedans momentarily caught off guard, but Senku could see them regaining momentum in the rearview mirror. “They’re coming back!” he warned, his voice high with anxiety.

“Just a little more!” Gen shouted, gripping the wheel with fierce determination as they approached a series of tight turns. “Stay low and lean in!”

With each turn, the car’s body leaned dangerously, tires screeching against the asphalt as Senku's heart raced. He felt the pull of gravity, eyes darting between the rearview and the road ahead. “This was not on the agenda today!”

“Adrenaline junkie, remember?” Gen teased, the thrill of the chase evident in his playful tone. “We’re getting to the good part!”

Not wanting to think about what that might mean, Senku focused on the road. In the distance, he spotted an intersection looming ahead, a chance to veer off and take a different route. “Gen—”

“Got it!” Gen cut him off sharply, shifting to the right at the last moment. The car slid through the turn, and he pressed the gas to pull ahead.

“We can’t keep this up forever!” Senku yelled, glancing nervously at the speeding sedans which were now ominously close.

“Almost there!” Gen called back, focus unwavering. He downshifted, needing extra power as they approached a set of train tracks. “Let’s see how well they can jump!”

“Are you crazy? We’ve already jumped over a train!” Senku protested, but Gen drove toward the tracks, hitting the gas.

“Watch and learn!” Gen shouted before shifting into a higher gear and barreling down the street.

Suddenly, without hesitation, Gen aimed for the tracks ahead. “We’re going over!” he called out.

Senku closed his eyes tight, bracing for impact as the car launched into the air once more. They soared over the tracks, the world below vanishing for a moment. Senku felt weightless, floating in a bizarre mix of thrill and terror.

The car landed hard, jarring Senku in his seat, but they were back on solid ground and Gen didn’t let off the gas. “Just a little more,” he encouraged as they tore through an industrial district, giving the pursuing cars a chance to recover—at least for now.

Through the rearview mirror, Senku saw their pursuers fumble as they navigated the sudden obstacle of the train tracks, but he knew it wouldn’t be long before they regained momentum. “Gen, we need to get somewhere safe. Fast!”

“Almost there!” Gen shouted, eyes locked on the road ahead. He shifted gears expertly, his hands fluid on the stick as he executed each move flawlessly. The thrill of steering a stick-shift seemed to amplify his instincts, his laughter escaping as they bounced over bumps in the road.

As they turned a corner, Gen spotted a warehouse with a large parking lot. “That’ll do!” He veered sharply, heading straight for it.

“Are you sure?” Senku asked, eyes wide as they approached. “What if they follow us?”

“Don’t worry. We’ll lose them in there.” He shoved the gear into a lower one and slowed the car, coasting into the lot. With a flick of his wrist, he turned off the engine, and they were engulfed in sudden silence—a stark contrast to the chaos they just escaped.

Senku looked around, breaths heaving as he tried to calm down. “What now?”

“Now we wait,” Gen said, a triumphant grin spreading on his face. “They’ll never suspect us hiding in plain sight.”

Senku couldn't help but return the smile, the thrill of survival flooding through him. “You’re out of your mind, you know that?”

“All part of the job!” Gen laughed heartily, the sound echoing off the warehouse walls. “Just another day in our adventure, right?”

Senku relaxed for a moment, chuckling as he took in the wildness of their escape. “Just try to keep the stunts to a minimum next time, okay?”

Gen shrugged, feigning innocence. “Where’s the fun in that?”

Senku couldn’t help but smile, the thrill of survival still buzzing through his veins. They were safe—barely. Tucked away inside a forgotten corner of the warehouse, the scent of smoke and engine oil lingering in the air. But it wasn’t the chase that had his pulse spiking now; it was Gen.

Standing just feet away, he was catching his breath, hands on his hips, clad in the skin-tight, custom-fit infiltration suit Yuzuriha had designed. Jet-black with silver seams, the material hugged every curve of him like it had been painted on—every line of his waist, his legs, and his chest. It shimmered faintly in the low light, tracing the rhythm of each inhale.

Senku stared.

“I told you this thing was ridiculous,” Gen said with a huff, tugging at the collar. “I feel like a damn supervillain.”

“You’re hot,” Senku blurted.

Gen blinked. “I’m—what?”

Senku’s eyes widened. Too late. The words were already out there, echoing in the high rafters. “I mean—objectively. Statistically. Hot. As in body temperature. Elevated due to exertion.”

Gen raised a brow, but that wasn't what caught Senku’s attention. It was the slow, creeping flush rising on Gen’s face.

“Sexy, too,” Senku added under his breath, a curse more than a compliment, as if his brain had short-circuited.

“Senku,” Gen said, his voice a little unsteady.

Senku looked away, rubbing the back of his neck. “Blame the suit. And physics.”

But Gen’s hand dropped from his hip, fingers curling nervously at his side as his gaze softened. “You really think that?”

Senku dared a glance. The blush was still there, vivid against Gen’s skin. He wasn’t smirking, wasn’t teasing—just standing there, flushed and a little breathless.

“...Yeah,” Senku admitted finally. “I do.”

A beat passed.

Then Gen cleared his throat, straightened his posture, and turned slightly to the side. “Well. Good to know it’s doing its job.”

“Which part?” Senku muttered.

“The part where it distracts you,” Gen shot back with a wink—still blushing furiously as he walked past.

Senku stared at the spot where he’d been, muttering to himself, “This just got way harder.”