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— Xeno, I love you.
Xeno stopped halfway the path of his hand to put his coffee vase on his mouth with a face of shock, trying his best to not choke with the sip he had just drank, before failing obstreperously. He coughed loudly and even Stanley had to pat him on the back for reacting once again.
The oh-so-elegant Dr. Xeno didn't finish to recompuse himself when he looked back to his childhood best friend, only to find a gaze so bright and a faint smile which meant he was serious about what he said, producing him to keep his astonished expression and now appearing a soft pink blush on his cheeks he couldn't hold that much, looking like he was doing a grimace. Self-aware of his reaction, instinctively, he coughed once more with a fist covering his mouth and cleared his throat to place himself on earth again.
He looked away, in front of him, avoiding direct eye-contact with the man sat down next to him on the park bench where they always went after Stanley visited him at NASA Johnson Space Center facilities.
Finally, he closed his eyes and breathed loudly.
— Ah Stan... Such a way of saying what you feel aloud.
— You know how I'm, I avoid overthinking the matter like you do, just being direct.
— Right... — he first chuckled, for then glancing at him sideways. — Why saying it at this time?
— I'm leaving in a week to keep with my special advanced training, so I wanted to tell you before we don't see each other again in some time. Didn't feel like having a better chance before than now.
Xeno looked back to the floor, starting to notice again that sadness sensation on his chest which had always appeared, yet recently acknowledged by the scientist, when Stanley was leaving to a militar camp base to keep learning his profession.
— Stan, you say it when you are leaving behind this scientist who drives you crazy — he started to say —, when if you had said it sooner my answer wouldn't have changed, I do have the same feelings for you.
Days ago in the Kingdom of Science, Stanley was once again brought back to fulfill the role as the pilot of the recent rocket the kids built so they could go to the moon and complete their mission of defeating their common enemy, Whyman. It surprised him when he was brought back after all he had done, however, they seemed like if they really wanted their help despite his past actions; not that he cared badly about it either, he just pointed out that point. What mainly caught his attention after being revived was seeing Xeno again all fine, even being now an important piece alongside the leader scientist he once shot who belonged to the kingdom which used to be their rivals.
Catching sight of Xeno's happiness and well-being was the real relief for Stanley. He didn't care about having to get used to the new people who surrounded him and wanted to become friends, as long as Xeno was enjoying too. His place was wherever he was, so he would accustom to it just like the soldier he was taught to be didn't complain with the missions he was given.
Hanging out with the science kids wasn't that unpleasant though, rather funny. They always cheered up while doing his own astronaut training, surprising when he did a perfect performance when he dove in water with clothes on, or didn't miss not even a shot when practicing aiming with firearms, expecting no less from what used to be a soldier from USA special units before the world came back to the stone age, and the loyal commander of Xeno's kingdom before they officially joined the growing Kingdom of Science. Some of them still feared him, especially the ones who were the original allies of the group, like the cowardice boy he later recognized as Ginro, not letting go and forgetting easily what he did. He couldn't blame them really, after all, his aim was to kill them in South America just so he could safely recover Xeno after they captured him. Even so, others didn't hold grudges at all and befriended him, openly welcoming him like one of them. Many of those were the ones he shot or threatened back in the past, not sure if he left them traumas because of it, but who didn't see to complain about him being now there, growing comfortable with his presence.
One evening Stanley was strolling around with one of the cigars Xeno made him on hand, smoking without having to annoy anyone in the outdoors of the Treasure Island, the paradise isle that belongs the Japanese kingdom where the rocket was going to take off to the moon. Almost all preparations for its launch were ready. The building were Xeno and crew would control the mission and the service structure which will hold the rocket in some weeks could be seen from the distance, standing out the most because of their height and structure obviously created by humans, being the contrast of the natural landscape he was touring beneath his eyes. It kind of made him recall his multiple visits to NASA facilities where he would see again Xeno, usually greeting him with open arms before they hugged strongly, especially after they finally made out their minds to date.
He was heading the Kingdom of Science workplace huts, where the scientists and some other people of the team were probably, making their own jobs for preparing the rocket launch.
Indeed, they were there, as usual these days. Tsukasa watching over everywhere as he always did, like their personal bodyguard, Sai on his computer calculating trajectories and perhaps programming one or two videogames at the same time, Kaseki crafting something else of the electronic components the rocket has into, Chelsea likely talking with Ryusui about the next territories they should visit for more useful resources (what a great man Ryusui is by the way, he was brought back thanks to him... He gave up his own seat on the rocket because he thought he was a better option), François offering tea to the people around, Yuzuriha still making the final details for the suits they were going to use and Kohaku helping her with what she could, Ukyo getting close to the four scientists reunited to inform them about improvements the communication systems could have, Xeno between the group and already giving his lecture regarding the topic, about how they will know where the rocket is by using the Doppler effect...
Aw man, how much he missed listening to his discourses again. He would never admit it, for that reason he shut him up every time he could for teasing him, but when he was petrified he would remember especially those, where Xeno's eyes would shine, voice full of excitement, moving playfully his hands as he talked... It did make him feel always accompanied, and even if he didn't show to pay much attention to it, it always made him happy seeing him happy.
It was natural he would fix his eyes on him, admiring him from afar now that he was busy. However, this certain scientist felt this gaze on him and also turned to look the source, only to bow his head a little and smile, his own way of saying hello to the person who had just arrived, only being that way with him, just to focus once again in what he was doing.
He diverted his stare from him, looking to the other scientists: Chrome and Suika seemed to be concentrated on Xeno's words, while the leader scientist who obviously knew already about the topic pretended to be focused, but he didn't trick anyone, at least not Stanley, he noticed how his eyes shifted to another centre of attention, maybe doing it unconsciously. He followed the look, only to find a lavender overcoat at its final point. He was nearby accompanying Kaseki with moral support as the old person enjoyed, but worst of all, it looked like the man with the lavender overcoat on did the same thing like the other scientist.
Gen, the man who fooled his traps back in America, who pretended to be an ally of them but who was obviously a mere spy in enemy territory, who affirmed to be a shallow opportunist as hell but couldn't abandon his teammates, even risking selflessly himself for them, lying about who was the leader scientist to protect the real one, was now a person he got along with from the Kingdom of Science, being close friends. He was smart and used his knowledge of psychology to his favor, but also for unraveling the causes of someone's behavior, either for strategy or personal interest, but seemed to be total clueless about what was happening between him and the scientist...
He disappointingly sighed for himself. "Why it is always like that?"
— For how long has it been? — He got near as he took another drag of his cigarette with one arm on his hips.
— How long has been what, Stanley-chan? — Gen turned his face to look at the upcoming man, arms folded under his long sleeves, a usual habit of his.
— You know what I'm referring to.
If this had been a cartoon show, a question mark would have got out of Gen's head when he tilted it with a confused expression, but it wasn't. He wasn't getting the point Stanley wanted to touch.
He exhaled exasperated, forming a cloud of smoke.
— If it wasn't because Xeno told me there wasn't anything of that between you and him, I would have bet you were a couple or something like that.
— Xeno-chan and Stanley-chan had been gossiping around us!? How ean-may of you both~ — Gen pretended to be offended.
— Is not the first time someone falls in love with a crazy scientist...
That seemed to startle Gen, who looked away as his cheeks flushed a little with a soft pink, meaning he had been discovered.
— How long had been for you then? — he asked still in his sheepishness, shrugging slightly his shoulders.
— I realized I was in love with him at the age of 17 after 6 years of friendship, and then I confessed to him when we were 21. So in overall, 13 years with those eyes for him, obviously, without counting the time in stone.
— At least the majority of them you knew it wasn't unrequited — Gen looked to the floor with a faint sadness, but then looked up to him, tilting his head with a fresh airily smile, as if trying to hide something —. I've been gazing him with adoration for almost 7 years, since the moment we met and even before.
Stanley looked at him with understanding while he got rid of the finished cigar's butt. — I know your situation is more difficult, but haven't you said anything?
Gen chuckled coldly. — I did once, on his birthday, not sure if I meant exactly that when I told him I was fond of him.
— What did he say? — Stanley wasn't someone who used to interfere with other people's lives, but he felt like if same story was repeating in the body of two other people.
— He was grossed with my words, but smiled I guess. We didn't touch the topic again later, we don't have time for that.
— Yet he didn't reject you, did he? — The soldier crossed his arms, holding himself of getting out that fast another cigarette. — I said I know your situation is more difficult, but don't let your hopes down that easily. Try when you feel things calmed down a bit, perhaps when the rocket mission is over.
Gen observed him surprised, like if he was listening to the purpose of living from a divine being.
— Plus, next time try being more obvious, scientists may be geniuses but very dumb when it comes up these things, so don't you dare being ambiguos with your words unless you feel like wanting to doubt about your relationship, and that isn't funny.
— But he doesn't look at me with the same eyes as I do! He looks at me like any other friend of his, nothing love related! — If they haven't been in a place surrounded by people, taking more into account that person was within reach, Gen would have raised his voice and made a more dramatic expression if lifting his hands wasn't enough like he was doing now. He changed all his expression again, staring back to the floor, talking softly — I'm just his right-hand man, that's all...
— And then is affirmed you are the best mentalist alive, perceiving everything... Haven't you noticed? Haven't you seen how every time he is asked for explaining something in a big crowd he looks where you are and talks like if he was doing it with you? Or how he gets close and doesn't avoid you invading his personal space? Or his smile when you are around? You say he doesn't look at you with the same eyes, but have you stopped to see how they shine or are inherently directed to you? What do you think it is the reason I'm giving you all this pep talk? Because I saw there was nothing?
The other man still avoided eye contact with the soldier, and instead looked to the table the scientists were gathered, to the leader scientist Senku.
— You are disillusioned right now, which is valid, but I can tell you I passed a similar experience, I felt like you when I detected those things. Xeno and Senku are alike too, and I know Xeno isn't very open with his feelings like Senku... still it doesn't mean they don't feel them; they are still humans, crazy and awesome humans. And that's part of them, right? Ultimately, we fell in love with them for how incredible they are... You are in love with Senku for how astonishing he is.
Gen nodded, humming a soft agreement — mhm~...
— So try again, after the moon mission if you feel good that way, but it may turn out better than you expect. And I'm sure that scientist will tell you your love is reciprocated in the same manner.
— And if not? — he glanced at him with dubious eyes.
— Science never lies, but if something... here we are boy.
Trying to show the hidden kindness of himself, just used to specific people, he raised his arm and stroked his hair for a few seconds, messing up with it playfully. That seemed like it had a positive effect, it made Gen giggle a little bit before complaining about his hairstyle.
— Thanks Stanley.
— Is nothing — and he pulled out another cigarette from his box.
Over a not-so-long distance, the scientists were sat down around a table full of papers and pencil that seemed to become shorter every time one of them used them. A couple of minutes ago the Chrome and Suika, went for a moment to check with Sai some simulations taking into account the variables they were having in their own calculations and share the new information to other scientists around the world, leaving Xeno and Senku alone engrossed in their own blueprints. However, in a moment Senku stopped his near speed of sound writing to estimate something mentally, without needing to think about it his eyes looked straight to where the man with the lavender overcoat was, talking lively with Stanley, the whatever he was pulling as his dramatic reactions or giggles overflowing the atmosphere with a funny air, making Senku automatically smile...
— If you are being disturbed thinking about Mr. Gen's safety around Stan, I remember you he is a soldier, not a reckless killer who doesn't need a reason to attack who even made you a promise — Xeno got him out of his thoughts.
— Ah, I know it, Stanley is a man of word, I'm not worried about it nor a millimeter — Senku started to scratch his ear, the old habit of his.
— I was buying you that excuse for justifying all the times you had already looked there — he said as he was revising his own paper sheets, fidgeting with his pencil like if it was a drumstick with his other hand.
Senku scoffed, clearly he didn't go unnoticed by the observant scientist Xeno.
— And you still denied it — Xeno continued with his pencil fidgeting, but now staring at Senku —. When it comes to him logic isn't always in first place, is it? As if you were thinking first about his well-being, as if you were in lov-
— It just slipped out my tongue, no need to make a big fuss out of it — The other interrupted him.
— Senku — the subtle rise in Xeno's voice centered Senku's attention in him —, no one here is judging you.
Both expressions softened a bit, but Senku only closed his eyes slowly and then looked down.
— Is so irrational...
— I would rather call it... amusing, how the brain works under the uncontrollable effect of the same neurotransmitters drugs stimulates us, although in this case it isn't consuming a toxic compound but seeing a person your conscious self didn't even choose.
— Speak for yourself, you felt it even before all this mess of the petrification had started — Senku sounded demanding, now looking away, hiding himself under that nonchalant attitude.
— And when it is all over? When you come back from the moon mission successfully?
— I... would have to think about it... — the youngest of the two said it with unusual diffidence.
Xeno set aside the pencil, leaving it on the table while talking: — I'm aware about those feelings being strange variables, but you can embrace them. Stanley didn't distract me of work, he gave me more reasons to make it better. Ooh, that is pretty fulfilling, making what you have to do with more motivation just because you can bring a smile on that person's face.
— Additionally, I feel like that he is a good complement for you — he turned to see where Stanley and the man in the lavender overcoat, Gen, were talking animatedly, naturally smiling with just seeing Stanley there. Senku surprised with his mentor's sudden smile and then following his gaze, finding at the end once again the man who had been occupying his thoughts without permission, oblivious about the fact he chuckled when he saw him surprising Stanley with an attack of flower petals.
— He doesn't lure you out of the laboratory just because, yet he worries and tries to clear your mind when he sees you are burning out, despite you don't show it physically; he is the first one to cheer you up in any new plan you make, willingly helping you with his own capacities, and that without saying he seems to read your mind before you tell others what you want to do. And if that wasn't enough, I haven't talked about the loyalty he has for you, regardless of the desfavorable outcomes. A very elegant companion indeed.
Senku moved his eyes away of Gen, grunting for himself while looking to the floor. Xeno looked to Senku, noticing part of his ears red. It reminded him so much about his past young self, when he realized what he felt for Stanley because someone gave him a push with a similar talk. Their situations were almost exact, with the only factors changed being the people who were now passing through it and a persistent thought of not being the right time in their actual situation, nevertheless, opening the idea of when this all ends it will be. He would talk about it later with Stan.