#sgweek17

It was really too bad. Saitama had been so excited to gush about the amazing deals and savings he’d been able to achieve with the combination of a flash sale and the new coupon strategy they’d put together the few days prior. With a bit of organization and no small amount of recycle bin diving he’d managed to acquire enough coupons to achieve 86% savings at the register. He couldn’t contain a small grin at the memory of the teenage cashier’s face as his total fell to a mere 500 yen.

But he knew that when Genos was in one of these moods it was pointless to try to bring him out of it for at least a few hours. All that would come from that was clipped ‘yes sensei/no sensei’ answers and an even grumpier cyborg. He might even into another ranting fit…

The older hero shuddered, remembering the nightmare he was forced to deal with after pretty mask or whatever had called a mandatory meeting only to reprimand the S-Class for their lack of public involvement. As expected only five or six others besides Genos had actually shown up so the brunt of the tirade, only strengthened by the irritation of having been ignored, had been focused on his disciple, him being one of the most popular heroes other than the blue haired man.

Genos had come stomping into the apartment just as Saitama had finished dinner, slamming the door shut so hard the other hero was sure he’d be replacing it and most of the frame the next day. He sulked for the longest time, and Saitama, trying to be the attentive and loving boyfriend, decided to ask him what was bothering him as they sat down to eat. It turned out to be a big mistake, as Genos went from sad teen to full blown rant mode in less than five seconds. He didn’t allow Saitama to get a word in, even going as far as to talk with his mouth full, something he almost constantly reprimanded Saitama for, then choking on his food, which only made him even angrier.

It would have been kind of funny if not for the fact that Genos had momentarily lost control of his strength and put a sizable dent in the table on his side. It had later spread into a full-blown crack when Saitama set it down a bit too hard when moving it so he could roll the futons out for the night.

Genos of course, apologized for his behavior the next morning once he’d calmed down, tearfully offering to pay for a replacement table, which Saitama said no to initially, but decided to relent on and let Genos pay half in the end when it became clear that Genos was not going to forgive himself otherwise.

After speaking to Genos about what had happened Saitama began to understand what, considering Genos’ past, his general hotheaded disposition, and his propensity to be overwhelmed by and give into his emotions, should have been obvious. His disciple did not handle stress well, and was prone to meltdowns and fits of rage. Apparently, his doctor had been working with him since the beginning of his transformation, teaching him techniques to manage his anger. Deep breathing exercises, positive imagery, writing in his notebooks, and communication. Most were utter failures, so in the end Genos settled on simply removing himself from situations. Alone time was the only thing that could take the fire out of him if an all-out fight wasn’t a possibility. And while he was doing much better than when he was fifteen and full to the brim with rage over the deaths of his family, he still had bad days, usually over little things that no one else would think twice about, which would always lead to regret and tears after it was all over.

So, Saitama did his best to give Genos space when he was in one of his moods and make everything go as smooth as possible with the public and at home until Genos was calm and came to him, dropped down into his lap for attention and told Saitama what was wrong in the quiet voice he adopted when the older hero played with his hair or drew invisible patterns on the sensitive silicone of his neck.

It was a good thing that there was a place to rent movies right down the street. They could have a nice, quiet night in. Saitama had even gotten an amazing deal on Genos’ favorite brand of oiled sardines. Genos usually was the one to cook when those were involved, Saitama could hardly stand the smell, but he could probably do some sort of rice bowl with them…dip them in a good sauce with some vegetables…that could take care of the overpowering flavor for his share…

“Hey Genos! Let’s head home after we get a movie or two, I’m kinda tired and we have frozen stuff to put away.” Saitama told the cyborg when he was close enough, careful to keep his voice down in case a group of Genos’ more obnoxious fans happened to be nearby.

“Yes, sensei.” He responded simply, as expected.

They ended up picking out one movie each. Saitama grabbed a newly released sci-fi/horror film that King had recommended. He wasn’t much of a sci-fi fan but the other hero had said the special effects were great and it was actually pretty scary even if the characters could have had more depth. Plus, the main villain was a huge, one eyed alien and it sort of reminded him of that denominator of the universe guy he’d fought a while back. It had been a pretty good fight, at least as good as they got now that he was so strong…maybe the movie would be just as good. He was willing to give it a shot.

Genos grabbed some kind of romantic comedy that Saitama suspected he did not even look at before picking out, as he was already checked out and waiting by the time Saitama had turned to go to the counter. Oh well, they could watch his movie first, then Genos’, so he could fall asleep and not miss anything interesting.

The walk home was quiet, filled with only the sounds of other people’s chatter and later the sounds of the empty city. Reaching the apartment gave no reprieve. They put the groceries away in silence, then Genos left the kitchen to give him space to cook, clomping over to the table to complete his notes for the day.

There must have been a good deal on his mind because he seemed to lose track of time, only looking up when Saitama nudged him with one socked foot so he would take his plate.

Despite everything, at the sight of the meal Saitama prepared Genos smiled. It was small, but Saitama allowed himself to take pride in it. Genos didn’t smile for just anyone after all, and especially not on days like this.

“Sensei, I did not know you knew how to prepare these sardines…I did not even think you liked them…”

“I looked up a recipe that kinda sounded like what you make.” Saitama responded, his mouth already full of sardine and vegetables that he surprisingly didn’t mind the taste of, that he almost could say he liked if he was honest.

Genos must have thought the same because his face became instantly lighter after his first bite.

“This is actually very good…Sensei is amazing, as always.” He said with full cheeks.

“Better that yours?” Saitama asked teasingly, at which Genos smiled again.

“Sorry sensei, but not quite. That recipe is Kuseno’s, an old family recipe that he was kind enough to share with me while I lived with him during my recovery. Nothing quiet beats those kind of recipe’s…”

“Yeah I guess you’re right. Food never really tastes as good as it did when I used to live with my parents…well, at least what I make. Everything you make is amazing.”

Genos’ fans kicked on at that, an obvious ‘vrrr’ sounding through the small space. “I-I’m glad you like it sensei.”

Even after months of dating he still couldn’t handle the subtlest of compliments, he was so cute. Saitama reached his free hand across the table to take Genos’ mechanical one, squeezing slightly as the cyborgs fans kicked up a notch and the seams in his arms flared their signature bright orange. A second later he squeezed back, and they went back to their meals with the sour mood lifted.

After they finished the dishes and kitchen clean up Genos laid out the futons while Saitama got the movie going, both of them deciding to forgo snacks since they just ate.

They settled down, Genos letting out a content sigh as he laid back against Saitama’s chest and the other man’s arms wrapped around his waist securely as the movie got going. The peace did not last long though. The movie turned out to be just as scary, if not even more so, than King had said.

Both of them were up from their sprawled-out positions after the first twenty minutes, and as it neared its climax and the alien king’s shapeshifter minion devoured one of the last heroes in a burst of blood and disintegrating flesh and the other struggled to get back into the ship as their oxygen ran out Saitama was forced to turn it off and flick on the lights, as Genos was clung to him tightly, face buried in his chest. He really wanted to see the end, but he knew he’d have to wait until he was alone, for Genos’ sake.

“You okay down there?” he asked, patting the cyborgs head gently.

“I do not like this movie sensei. It is very disturbing.”

“Yeah I’ll say. That looks way too real to be okay. I mean, did you see its face? I saw the real one they killed outside of the City A spaceship on TV, that thing didn’t look nearly as scary as the movie one. That’s messed up. And the alien kings’ moving teeth?? I used to have nightmares about stuff like that when I was a kid. No thanks.”

Genos shuddered in his arms. “I did not like the vacuum and decompression parts…the way the red-haired woman asphyxiated in her suit. Sensei was in space…that could have happened to him…”

“Well I won’t be going back to space any time soon, so no need to worry about that, alright Genos? As long as you don’t get your brain bugged by parasites like the commander guy we’re good.”

“Can we go to bed?” Genos asked, tugging him under the comforter. “I don’t feel like watching another movie.”

“Yeah, sure…me neither. I don’t think anything could get that out of my head anyway.”

Predictably they shared a futon that night, Genos clinging tightly to him as he activated his sleep mode.

*****

The next day Genos seemed to be back to normal. Saitama awoke to the smell of breakfast and Genos humming to himself in the kitchen.

They ate together as usual, discussing the plans for the day. Genos was positive he was going to get a call about a tree monster that Metal Bat and Atomic Samurai had cornered on the beach at the edge of City Y, but couldn’t quite take down. He told Saitama he would have left earlier, but most S Class heroes were very uppity about others intruding on their kills. And he wanted to make breakfast as an apology for being moody the day before.

“Hey, don’t worry about it. You’re allowed to be upset about things. That’s completely normal. Better than never getting mad in my opinion.”

“I am not sure about that sensei, but I’ll take your word for it.”

“So, I hope you don’t mind me asking, but what happened anyway? Did one of your fans say something gross to you again? Because we don’t have to go to sales in such crowded areas if it keeps happening.”

Genos’ fans blasted to life suddenly and he looked away, unable to meet Saitama’s gaze, which only served to intrigue the other hero more. “Come on, what was it? Was it that bad? Ah…you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to if it was…”

“N-no nothing like that, I just…Its stupid now that I think back…It’s embarrassing that I got so upset…”

Saitama was on the edge of his seat. “Well???”

“I…Well…I-I failed at shopping sensei!” the cyborg finally stuttered out, steam bursting from his vents. “I was only able to achieve 48% savings because I was unprepared and disorganized and forgot and envelope of coupons at the bottom of the cart and it was too late for the cashier to add them in. It was a rookie mistake…but it just proves that I am still not strong enough to run errands for you sensei! I apologize…”

Saitama could do nothing but pat the cyborgs leg reassuringly while his eyes nearly rolled up into his head.

But as of a few weeks ago, he was given a new and unique perspective from which to consider what all he saw and something quite interesting had surfaced, something he didn’t quite understand. At least until now.

At first, he thought Saitama was simply kind and humble. He never asked for thanks for his heroic deeds, never hesitated to give others credit, even where it wasn’t due or even deserved. He never stuck around for the press to interview no matter how high profile the monster even though doing so would probably boost his rank immensely. He never sought attention of any kind other than a simple thank you every now and then even though he seemed slightly irritated that no one knew who he was for all that he had done. To Genos it seemed like the mark of a true hero.

Later, once he’d lived with the man for a while and had more fully integrated himself into Saitama’s everyday life he came to a second conclusion. That on top of being a great and humble hero, Saitama was also shy.

He was undeniably a bit awkward. Like Genos he sometimes didn’t react quite right in social situations. Making jokes when it was inappropriate, being unintentionally rude to people that really meant no harm, and not always recognizing other’s feelings, which was something Genos had experienced first hand many time over. The man never really knew how to respond to criticism, and more importantly praise.

He sometimes froze up for a fraction of a second when someone would recognize him in one of the local markets and thank him profusely for saving their home or their children or their stand of whatever product they were selling. He would stutter out a no problem and, if they were persistent, even lie about some sort of obligation so he could get himself out of the situation. More importantly, he got quite flustered when Genos attempted to share his thoughts on him. There were days where the cyborg could hardly contain himself. He wanted to tell the world how amazing his sensei was, and more often than not he took every opportunity that was presented to him to do so. Especially if it was to the man himself. He wanted more than anything for Saitama to know how he felt, to see himself the way his disciple saw him. But every time Genos attempted anything Saitama would become quite flustered. He’d brush the cyborg off with little waves of his hand, saying how he didn’t need to ‘butter him up’ or anything like that. That he was just a normal guy. That he didn’t need it. But later….

Later, once he wasn’t right in the middle of it, of whatever situation had caused him to get worked up in the first place he’d tell Genos how nice it was that people were starting to recognize him and even be kind to him through all the hate and slander. How grateful he was to have Genos with him, supporting him and being his friend. In those moments, he often looked genuinely happy.

It was also in the wake of one of those rare good days that Genos finally confessed his feelings.

He received the same reaction, though very much amplified. Saitama hadn’t even been able to stay in the apartment and he didn’t come home for hours. So long that night fell and Genos had long ago begun to worry that maybe he wouldn't be coming back.

But he did.

Around midnight he walked through the door and Genos, no matter how much he wanted to wrap the man in his arms and apologize for burdening him with his feelings, stayed completely still, seated at the table where he’d been sketching to past the time.

Saitama said he’d ‘done a lot of thinking’ and had realized he felt the same. He just hadn’t been able to take notice of it. He’d always just figured he was straight, so it never really registered.

“It’s okay sensei, I read online when I was younger that this type of progression is completely normal along with many others. Some people find it harder to accept alternative identities than others. I will wait as long as sensei needs to feel comfortable!”

That was six weeks ago.

Genos was still waiting, though Saitama was now comfortable being closer, holding hands, even in public, cuddling, they had even kissed a few times. But nothing else. And that was fine.

But he had been watching. And now that he had the opportunity, now that he was closer with Saitama and he didn’t shake the thoughts from his head every time they popped up for fear of being lewd and disrespectful, he wondered…

As Saitama took off to the store, to hit a sale he very conveniently forgot about while they were out earlier, Genos pulled out a visibly no different, but very special notebook and began to detail the day’s experiment. It was nearly enough to conclude, that along with humility and shyness…

~Praise Kink???~ he wrote at the bottom of the page in red pen instead of pencil. Just one of many others he’d decided to speak with Saitama about once they reached that point in their relationship.

Smiling to himself he closed the notebook and shelved it in the center of his section of the bookcase. Saitama never touched his things without his permission, there was nothing to fear.

He really hoped this one was accurate. He could already see them together. He couldn't wait to make Saitama happy.

He could go into battle and for once not have to worry about whether he won or lost. Of course, he wanted to win, to show Saitama that he was learning, that he was powerful, but the underlying pressure was gone. With Saitama waiting on the sidelines he was reassured that if he were to fail no one would be hurt because of it. His sensei would step in, defeat whatever the day’s monster was in one punch before it could target his disabled body or worse, civilians.

It gave him space. Space to learn, space to have off days, not be at his best, to make mistakes. Something so essentially human and something he’d denied himself for a long time in his quest for power.

If his communication capabilities were damaged, he did not have to wait for hours for his doctor’s drones to find him and bring him back to the lab for repairs. Saitama would be there. He would scoop him up and cradle him against his chest, grumbling about how he needed to be more careful, about the importance of defense because “What if one day I'm not here?”.

Genos was normally too tired, his core too drained to pay attention. Instead he would lay his head against his hero’s chest. Listen to the rhythmic beating of the man’s heart and his slow, steady breathing and be lulled to sleep until they reached the lab, where he would receive the very same lecture from Kuseno. Saitama nodding in be background the entire time. But Genos didn’t worry. He knew he was getting stronger. And not once was Saitama not there to catch him when he fell.

He did not like to say it was more important, but deep down he knew that he valued his time at home with Saitama just as much, if not more than his time on the battlefield. There was a kind of peace in their apartment. A quiet and tranquility he’d never thought he’d experience again. At home, he felt safe. Comfortable. Knowing Saitama was never more than a few feet away. Knowing that if anything were to happen he would be protected. It was okay for him to turn off his more robust sensors and long distance proximity alarms, to close out his HUD and relax his senses to something closer to a normal person’s level, and he could do so without an ounce of anxiety.

“See Genos? Sometimes it’s nice to just kick back and relax. No need to be so serious all the time. You’ll look like your doctor in no time if you keep that up!” Saitama would say. There was normally a variation of the same lame joke every time. Ridiculous of course because as a cyborg Genos could very well look the same for the rest of his life if he pleased.

Saitama always forgot though. No matter how many times he reiterated the fact. To Saitama the metal made no difference. He was always just Genos. Genos who had a really cool body and who needed to be careful on the wood floors sometimes, but still just Genos.

And it was okay when Genos accidently stepped on his sensei’s toes in their tiny kitchen as he went to switch off the rice cooker or grab a clean knife. He would panic at first. Take hold of the man on instinct to ensure he didn’t put any unnecessary weight on the injury, only for Saitama to wave him off a second later.

“Its fine Genos. Just be more careful next time alright?” he would say with one of his small, silly smiles before heading to the table with his food.

He was able to fall asleep during the horrendous movies Saitama picked out for them to watch on Friday nights. Dose off without realizing it and end up on Saitama’s shoulder. Sometimes, when it had been a particularly long day and he was unwilling to move he would feel himself lifted from the ground as if he were weightless by those powerful arms. Saitama was not subtle or graceful, his movements were almost always enough to wake the cyborg, but Genos would keep his eyes closed. He would stay still for as long as he could manage listening to the older man grumble and swear as he tried to unroll the futons with his feet, having neglected to do so before having picked Genos up, but being too stubborn to set him down.

Inevitably Genos would be unable to contain his giggles. Saitama’s voice was always so adorably sleepy and nasally so late at night, it made his stomach curl with the most perfect warmth.

“Oi, Genos! You brat! You could have said something! You know I can't tell when you’re faking it…sometimes I think you just like to laugh at me struggling!” he would pout as he gave up on Genos' futon and just threw them both down into his own, allowing the cyborgs real motives to go right over his head.

Saitama would pull Genos so close that he might as well be on top of the other man and wrap both his old, worn red heart blanket and Genos' own soft blue blanket around them despite Genos producing enough heat that they didn’t technically need either even on the chilliest winter nights.

“It’s a comfort thing! Come on Genos! You can't just sleep without a blanket. What about the weight? I just don’t get people who only sleep with one…”

Saitama would never admit being sensitive to the cold, but Genos always let it go, too overwhelmed by the fact that this wonderful man was strong enough to hold him in such a way. To not only be unbothered by the harsh edges or weight of his body, but to be completely oblivious…

Each time it happened Genos would savor it. Even though he knew he would be allowed the same experience once night fell again, or maybe even sooner if they caught a break from hero work and there were no sales for them to attend. It often kept him up, threw off his sleep schedule and forcing him to sleep in the next day.

A real tragedy, but a price I’ll happily pay. He’d think with a drowsy smile cuddling closer.  

If the strongest man in the world could sleep until noon, then there was no reason Genos couldn't do the same.