Constant Variable (Senku x Reader)

10: A Flimsy Alliance

The bright light lasted for a few more seconds before it completely burned out and the surrounding area was plunged into darkness once more, the twinkling stars in the night sky being the only source of light

You glanced up towards where Senku sat alone on the roof of the science shed, Chrome having disappeared into said wooden shed. Deciding that your green-haired friend could use the company, you made your way up the ladder and settled next to the teen.

Sensing your presence, the scientist turned to face you and raised a brow in question. "What are you doing up here?"

The corners of your lips were curled into a playful grin as you spread your arms wide open and replied, "You look so lonely, sitting up here all by yourself. So, here I am!"

Giggles fell from your lips when Senku responded with a deadpan stare, looking very unimpressed. Although, the small, upwards of his lips, which went unnoticed by you, told a different story.

The peaceful quiet from before returned as the two of you sat in comfortable silence, enjoying each other's company. A fond smile painted your lips as you watched Kohaku laugh at something that Suika said, her blonde hair glowing in the firelight.

A small, contented sigh left your lips which drew Senku's attention and when you saw the questioning look on his face, you explained yourself. "I was thinking about how if we hadn't met Kohaku back in the forest on that fateful day, we won't have met Chrome or Suika or, as a matter of fact, the village and be where we are today."

For a heartbeat or two, the green-haired scientist remained silent as he turned his attention back to said group of people with a contemplative look before saying, "I was born buck-naked and alone on this primitive earth. A year and four months later, I've finally made it."

Your heart ached at his words, thinking how lonely he must have felt during the first three months when you were still locked away in your stone prison.

Glancing down at the copper wires in his hand, Senku went on. "To the essential power of science...To electricity." His fingers curled tightly around them as he lifted his gaze to meet yours and for the first time ever since you had known the teen, his lips were stretched into the widest grin of victory; the corners of his eyes crinkling with unbridled joy. "This is it. I'm off to a good start."

(E/C) eyes widened in awe, your breath stolen by the beauty of the scientist's rare smile; your heart thundered and the fluttering of a thousand butterflies' wings in your stomach at the sudden love that crashed over your entire being like a tidal wave.

Seeing this, you were brought back to that fateful day where you fell in love with Senku for the first time when you witnessed the same genuine smile – while not as big as now – painting his lips, just the barest hint of an upwards curl in both corners of his mouth after succeeding in an experiment that had been giving the teen a hard time for many days on end.

And in this very moment, it felt exactly like then as you fell for Senku all over again for the umpteenth time.

Time skipped

The science shed was doused in a warm light by the few candles littering around the room, their flames casting dancing shadows against the walls as the four of you – Chrome, Kohaku Senku and you – caught Suika up to the current situation at hand.

"So, you see, Suika, this man called Tsukasa is the one behind Senku's murder," Kohaku explained in a firm tone.

Meanwhile, the person in question rubbed the back of his neck and let out a sheepish chuckle, "Though I'm not dead."