Disclaimer: This author does not own One-Punch Man or its associated characters. Please support the official release and merchandise by the creators. No profit was made from this piece.
Anniversary
They both agreed to meet again.
"Damn, it's chilly today." The hero Saitama muttered to himself as he trudged through inches of snow. His words seemed extra loud in this part of Z-city, particularly in the dead of winter. The district had remained mostly abandoned due to the mosquito incident that occurred nearly a year ago. Loose debris and icy cements made the trek a dangerous one but he'd be damned if it stopped him from reaching his destination.
"Finally!" he huffed as he reached his designated spot: a giant chasm that split the earth in two. Wrapping his muffler more securely around himself, Saitama sat on the edge of the inverted cliff. And he waited.
And waited.
He closed his eyes, deeply inhaling the scent of crisp winter that smelled faintly of ash.
Then he heard it.
A crunch of footsteps in snow. Accompanied by the sound of mechanical creaks.
He opened his eyes, lips quirking up in a grin.
"Hey." Saitama greeted.
Familiar golden eyes glowed warmly as Genos returned the smile. Saitama thought his heart might burst with joy. It had been so long.
Saitama scooted slightly. "Haven't seen you in a while. Take a seat."
His disciple wordlessly sat, still smiling.
A shiver of trepidation ran down Saitama's spine at the unusual behavior, but he ignored it. He wanted to enjoy this moment while it lasted. The other man was dressed as Saitama always remembered him; sleeveless tanks and thin jeans.
"Man, aren't you cold? I'm freezing out here." He teased, "Too bad your heaters aren't working, huh?"
The cyborg winced, remorse coloring his features. His mouth opened to respond but before he could, Saitama cut him off.
"Nah, don't be sorry. I'll live." He assured quickly.
The smile returned, relieved.
"I wonder if it'll always be this cold from now on." The hero mused to himself, breathing over his hands to warm up numb fingers. "But we'll get through it. Right, Genos?"
The cyborg nodded. Still smiling contentedly.
"Hey, I know I said to limit to twenty words, but you could at least say something." Saitama joked pathetically.
Genos looked pained—golden eyes filled with regret and longing. Saitama's throat felt tight. It was getting hard to breathe. He closed his eyes.
"I miss you."
The words tumbled from his lips, unbidden but painfully honest.
They were met with perfect silence.
When he opened his eyes again, he was alone. The snowbed was undisturbed—no trace of life aside from his own footprints. Saitama shakily tugged his jacket closer. Useless.
"Hey Genos, it's so cold I think I might die."
Both agreed to meet. But only one arrived.
a/n: it's so cold over here, suffer with me.