Author's note: Hello fellow readers! (And SaiGen shippers) This is my first one punch man fanfiction and my first fanfiction for a while so I've probably gotten a bit rusty. Anyway, I hope you enjoy and maybe leave a review if you want of feedback or constructive criticism. Thanks! :D

Stage One: Admiration is where it starts

Genos was going about his usual business; doing his daily patrol, writing more in his study guides of Saitama (which was on volume 24 and counting), washing the dishes (using his convenient built-in dryer that had made Saitama jealous after doing years of hand-drying dishes) and doing other chores around the apartment, and checking the fan mail sent to the both of them (some if which he incinerated since it was 'unnecessary' hate mail towards his master).

It was a quite day, no monster alerts, no disasters, not even a purse snatching incident; this left the two heroes with very little to do. Genos had already finished the chores - even double-checking just to make sure he hadn't neglected anything- and walked into the living room to see his teacher Saitama flicking through a manga volume with disinterest; most likely because he had read it multiple times already, Genos guessed since he recognized the cover of the book.

The news was on TV but it was more like background noise since there wasn't anything going on in the cities, only fuelling Genos' need to have something to do with the lack of hero duties.

"There isn't much going on these days." Saitama sighed longingly at the TV, almost as if staring at it long enough would make something happen that needed a hero. "Lucky I moved up to B class when I did otherwise I wouldn't have been able to do my weekly quota."

"Yes. It's been much quieter than usual." Agreed Genos.

"I guess it's good and all but it leaves us heroes with nothing to do."

"...Yes."

Saitama stopped and pondered for a bit. He then closed his manga book and set it aside. He got up, stretched his shoulders that gave a satisfying 'pop' and faced Genos with his usual bland, egg-face expression.

"Say, Genos. Since it's a rare day off, is there anything you want to do.?"

"M-me?" Genos stuttered; flattered that his sensei would ask him first. He straightened up before replying. "I believe we should make use of this time to do training. We can never be sure when the cities will be in danger so we must improve ourselves as much as we can since we have time to-"

"No." Saitama interrupted. Better stop him there before he starts on one of his stupidly long monologues again...

Genos was taken aback by his teacher's community. "...'No'?" Genos asked in shock. "Why would you say that, Sensei?"

"The reason why is..." Saitama paused. I can't tell him it's because I can't be arsed...I'll have to come up with something convincing...

He changed his expression to that of a typical anime character about to give an inspirational quote...which was only marginally different due to the fact that he just made this up on the spot just so he didn't disappoint his student. "I agree that training is essential in order to become stronger, but rest is equally important."

Genos' was in awe and bowed a whole ninety degrees im respect towards Saitama. "Those are truly wise words, Sensei; as expected of you. I must write this down at once!" He stood up again and dashed to start a new study guide on Saitama.

Well, he bought it... Saitama thought, though he felt a slight pang of guilt for, what seemed to him as, deceiving the young cyborg into believing he was much wiser than he actually was. I mean, does a typical 'wise guy' wear a hoodie saying 'oppai'* on it? Wouldn't think so.

Upon reflection of his new quote, his guilt subsided as he thought actually, that wasn't complete bull, I kinda agree with that myself.

Removing himself from his thoughts, he walked over to the small table where Genos was hastily scribbling down his 'wise words'.

He gently placed a hand on Genos' shoulder who then turned his head around and looked up at his teacher questionably. "...Sensei?"

"You know Genos," Saitama began. "I've been watching your progress since I made you my disciple." Technically speaking, it's more like when you insisted that I became your teacher...but now is not the time for that. Saitama thought. "You've become much stronger than before."

Sensei has...been watching me? Genos thought. He could hear an irregular whirr in his core at the thought.

"I'm not surprised though." Saitama continued, snapping Genos from his thoughts. Genos looked up to see Saitama smiling down at him proudly. "You've worked so hard to get this far."

Genos shuffled round to face his teacher and once again bowed before him.

"I'm honoured by your praise, Sensei." Genos said.

"However," Saitama continued, causing Genos to lift his head at attention. "I'm worried that you overwork yourself sometimes. While it's good to be enthusiastic and dedicated, damaging yourself by doing too much won't do any good either."

Genos carefully considered his words and slowly nodded, then nodded once more in agreement. "Yes, you are right, Sensei. My only intention was just to become stronger but I did not consider that I may have been going too far." He raised his head to meet Saitama's eyes; a small smile danced across his lips, briefly reminding Saitama that although Genos was part robot, he was still part human. "Thank you, Sensei. I will heed your words and take better care of myself."

Saitama scratched the back of his bald head and walked away slowly with his back to Genos. "Don't mention it, I'm just looking out for you. Isn't that what I should be doing as your teacher?"

Genos was taken aback by his generosity but then smiled. "True."

He went to go back to writing in his study guide but was stopped by Saitama holding him by his wrist. Before he could ask about his teacher's sudden action, Saitama chuckled and said to him "C'mon, you don't need to write everything I say down. Knowing you, you'll probably remember it anyway. Let's go out for a bit on our day off."

"S-sure. Let's go." He allowed himself to be dragged by his teacher out if their apartment.

Once again, he felt that same irregular whirr on his core in upon his teacher's contact. This happened before...what is this? A reaction to something? He questioned.

...I'll have to ask Doctor Stench about it later...

*Just in case you don't know, 'oppai' means 'boobs' in Japanese. The more you know :P