He takes everything back. Emotions are definitely that bad, especially since he can't seem to fucking sleep.
Honestly, he kind of expected it. He may have been able to keep the usual poker face, but that was most likely pure muscle memory. His heart however, it was racing the whole bloody day, and it threatened to pounce right out when he caught a glimpse of the SMS on Genos' phone, about how 'Onee-chan doesn't like the double date idea, but other than that she's quite willing.' God, what has he gotten himself into?
Saitama groaned as he rolled flat on his back. At this rate, he wouldn't get enough sleep, and god forbid if Tatsumaki wants a date when he doesn't have enough sleep. After all, he was only human, and lack of sleep can make him irritable. Or maybe it no longer does. It has, after all, been quite a while since he couldn't fucking sleep.
He sits up, finally giving in to his thirst. He made his way into the kitchen to get a glass of water. Perhaps milk. Actually, definitely milk. This does mean another trip to the toilet, which means an inefficient use of water since he'd have to go again the next morning. Even though he doesn't actually have to pay rent, this does bug him to no end. He sighed before downing a cup of cold milk, and headed to the loos after dropping the cup into the sink.
He probably should have used less force because the instant he stepped out, Genos was there waiting for him. Saitama thought he was perhaps hallucinating, especially since he knows Genos does sleep, but the blonde's eyes were definitely glowing, the resulting glare in his eyes was too uncomfortable to be fake.
"What's up Genos?" he asks, as if not knowing the answer. Genos remains silent, though it's easy to tell from how the kid looked at him that he definitely knew. With that tiny frown, and the look in his eyes, there was no denying it, he was good at reading faces alright. Though, he never really was before... maybe it's just his returning emotions being far too obvious, despite his nonchalant tone.
"Sensei, if you are-" Genos hesitated, once again choosing a different word, "worried about dating Tatsumaki, you shouldn't be."
"Eh? I didn't say anything about that."
Genos' eyebrows furrowed. "Considering how fast your heart was beating when your footsteps were right behind me as I checked Fubuki's text, I daresay you did Sensei."
"Shit." Saitama inwardly cursed. Genos was good alright, too good. "Sorry I peeked at your text dude, it was an accidental glance."
Genos shook his head. "Apologies Sensei, I didn't mean to sound mad about you looking over my shoulder. I'm more worried about your consistently fast heartbeat. Throughout the entire day, I noticed it has not slowed down, even before we went to sleep."
"Oh, that."
"I understand you might not have full control over your emotions Sensei, but I fear a rapidly beating heart can be detrimental to ones health, even-" The teen gulped, "even for one as amazing as you, Sensei."
Saitama's eyes widened in realisation. He slapped his forehead in frustration, realising it was probably the reason Genos woke up - if he was even sleeping at all - Saitama had what most people would consider a life threatening issue.
"Oh my god," he groaned, "I'm sorry I made you worry dude, but I'll be fine."
Genos doesn't let up though, and Saitama could once again see the irises scanning him. The blonde's frown grew, and Saitama had the sudden urge to lock himself in the bathroom. It was a foreign feeling, and one he was sure he didn't like.
"I should be the one apologising Sensei. I intruded on your privacy, and dared to think you were vulnerable. As your disciple, that was unacceptable of me."
"Dude, you're making this into a big deal. I really don't mind. Friends worry over each other after all."
Genos' eyes widen, and his frown all but disappeared. "Really Sensei? You consider me a friend?"
"Eh? Didn't I make that obvious?"
"If Sensei considers me a friend..." Genos considers it for a moment, "then would you mind if we talked about your date?"
"Oh." he so badly wants to finish with 'Shit', but he chose to go with a simple okay.
"Are you sure? You might lose sleep, and I don't want to waste Sensei's precious t-"
"I said okay dude." interrupted Saitama as he pushed past the blonde to get to the living room, Genos following behind.
The two sat down on the opposite ends of the table, Saitama slouched over, and Genos sitting seiza position.
"Alright, go ahead I guess." said Saitama, picking his nose.
"...Sensei, why are you so worried about this development? Most men would be ecstatic about a date, much less a date with Tatsumaki, what with her high-status."
Saitama sighs as he rests his chin on his hand. "Don't get me wrong dude, I am excited about this, hell, probably the most excited I've ever been, but you said it yourself. Tats is held in high regard, and I'm afraid I'll weigh her down. I feel like an ass just thinking about it."
Genos' frown returned. "But Sensei, you are an amazing person, how could you possibly weigh her down?"
The same crap from the talk he had with Tats earlier came flooding into his mind. The cafe, the meteor, the fish dude, all of it. It was infuriating remembering such things, and Genos seemed to pick up on it because the blonde's frown transformed into a scowl.
"Damn it. I should have incinerated them when I had the chance."
This time, it was Saitama's turn to frown. "What did I say about hurting people Genos? Besides I'm more worried about how Tats will be treated.' Saitama looks down to see his fist clenched at the thought of his... girlfriend, being insulted.
Genos' body glows a bit, making the scowling cyborg appear even more menacing than before. "In the end it is still their fault for causing Sensei to worry... no doubt I shall have to punish them." Saitama can't decide if he even wants to know who the blonde is referring to, though he could make a smart enough guess.
"You realise that as a hero, you can't do that right? And I'd have to stop you if you tried."
Genos stopped glowing at that, and he apologised for his behaviour. Saitama could only shake his head with a small smile.
"Well whatever happens, I'll deal with it. You don't gotta worry about it. Besides, don't you have other things to worry about?"
"Of course Saitama Sensei."
Saitama laid himself back, his hands propping him up. "You know, it's kinda funny all of this."
"In what way Sensei?"
A small smile appeared on the baldy's face. "I've never wanted fans when I started off, just thought that it would be nice to have a few recognise the work I do and appreciate it. And now, I somehow managed to get friends out of it..." Saitama's voice trailed off, and his mind seemed to be elsewhere.
"Sensei?"
Saitama promptly collapsed on his back, snoring away. Genos stared in disbelief, before letting out a light sigh. He picked up his sleeping Sensei and plopped him on the baldy's futon before returning to his own.
"Soon Sensei," Genos muttered to himself, "we'll have the world chanting your name. That I am sure of." And with that, Genos fell asleep, satisfied with Saitama's regular heartbeat.
It wasn't very surprising when Tatsumaki called the next day. It was, however, quite surprising when she called Genos, and was doing it with Fubuki's number.
"Oi cybo-" Fubuki interrupted Tatsumaki, her voice muffled in the background, "okay okay, Genos it is. God you two lovesick... anyway, Genos, where the hell is baldy?"
"Eh? Is that Tats?" asked Saitama, his mouth full. "And is she still calling me bald?"
"Saitama Sensei is having breakfast across the table." he replied curtly.
"Put me on speaker."
Genos did as he was told, and held the phone in the middle of the table.
"Damn it Baldy, don't you ever check your damn phone for texts, or are you regretting this already?" she barked, her grating voice a real pain in the cyborg's ears, though Saitama didn't seem affected.
"Oh, sorry T-" Saitama swallowed his mouthful with an audible gulp, "Sorry Tats, my phone ran out of battery and I didn't want to charge it.
There was nothing but Fubuki's giggling from the other side, and Genos could almost feel the petite ESPer's disapproving, probably disbelieving glare.
"You. Fucking. Cheapskate."
"Uh... sorry." Saitama started to stand, "I'll get right on it-"
"Hold on you idiot, I need to speak to you first."
The baldy sat back down, and Genos passed the cell to him, stating that he will find and charge Saitama's phone.
"Okay, first things first, tell Fubuki that you would never agree to a double date."
"What?"
"You heard me very clearly egghead, now do it!" Fubuki's whines of protests could be heard over the speaker, though her voice was still muffled.
"Uh... I would never go for a double date?" said Saitama.
"Ha! There, you have his word Imouto!" yelled Tatsumaki, and this time, a very clear 'That doesn't count!' could be heard.
Blinking, Saitama sighed. Truth be told, he probably wouldn't enjoy a double date either, and he would have just said so if Tatsumaki had told him what this was all about.
"So... anything else Tats?"
"Oh right, we're going on a date, JUST THE TWO OF US, this afternoon, so get yourself something fancy to wear, or else."
Saitama's eyes squinted in annoyance. "Can't I just wear a hoodie? Suits are really uncomfortable and they remind me of when I was job hunting."
Tatsumaki groaned from the other side. "The restaurant we're going to won't allow you in otherwise, so deal with it!"
"But you're, you know, you! Maybe you can get them to make an exception, or maybe we'll just go to a casual place."
"Ugh, are you serious right now?! We're going to go on a date and you want to argue about it?!"
"Well, you only deserve the best, and me in a suit is someone you really don't wanna date, you know what I mean?"
A very loud 'awww' could be heard, and the call was put on hold, presumably because Tatsumaki was chiding Fubuki. What Saitama didn't know was that Tatsumaki was actually trying to avoid being heard by anyone right now, especially since she blushed red at the Baldy's words, and was probably a lot more high pitched than she usually is. And while she had no doubt the egg was far too dense to notice, the cyborg certainly would, and if he decides to tease her about it, she'd risk tearing him apart. Oh, and she was chiding Fubuki.
When the call returned, the ESPer sighed. "Okay, fine." she grunted, "We'll have a casual date and you can wear a fucking hoodie. Just not the red and white one."
"I've got a few, which one?"
"DON'T PLAY DUMB WITH ME!"
Saitama glanced inquisitively at Genos who pulled out his favourite 'oppai' hoodie from the laundry basket. The baldy let out a disappointed 'oh'. That hoodie was one of the first he bought during a sale, back when he earned his first paycheck. It was super fluffy from all the years of washing, and sure the design was what a lot of people would call 'hideous', but he always found it had a certain charm. The humour behind it was a lot more than just 'heheh, breasts', it reminded him to be nonchalant about life, and to not be a massive perv because hey, men have breasts too.
"Okay, not that one, promise." Saitama scratched his temple, "So where should we go?"
"Wha- why don't you have a place in mind! You made me cancel a reservation for a great restaurant because you didn't want to wear a suit and now you're telling me you don't have a plan b?! Stupid bald jerk!"
Saitama could hear both Genos and Fubuki giggling, and though he couldn't do anything about the woman, he glared at his disciple who muttered an apology.
"Sensei, I would recommend a simple meal in perhaps a cafe Tatsumaki wouldn't mind, a walk in a park, followed by a shopping trip, before you finish off with dinner and head home." suggested Genos, and Saitama gave him a small smile.
"Thanks dude, you're a lifesaver."
Tatsumaki only 'hmphed' in response. "Starting to really make me regret this, baldy! Fine, I'll meet you at your place at 12.30pm. Be ready, you stupid octopus!" and with that, the call was ended.
"*sigh*, I deserved that." Saitama handed the phone back to Genos, and finished what was left of breakfast. "How did you come up with that plan on the spot by the way?"
"I found on the internet that this is a good plan for a first date, and I intend on doing the same with Fubuki."
"So it's kinda like a double date but without the whole double couple trouble, right?" Saitama joked, laughing quite stupidly at his own horrible pun.
"Correct, Sensei." was Genos' curt reply. Not even signs of an iota of humour. Tough crowd.
Eventually, or to be more specifically, around 12.20pm, Saitama got himself into a shower, brushed his teeth twice, and was slipped into a hoodie with similar designs to his favourite, though yellow instead of red, and didn't have a design, along with some jeans. A simple outfit for a simple date. Genos even went through the trouble of repeatedly washing and heating the hoodie so it could be comfy. Though it could never match the natural fluff of washing over the years, it was good enough. Unfortunately, it was a bit tight thanks to the constant washing, but it'll do.
At exactly 12.30pm sharp, there was a knocking at the door. Saitama put on his shoes, and took a deep breath, telling himself it will be fine. Genos gave him a thumbs up, and to be honest, relieved him a bit. He was smiling because truth be told, if anyone ever told him he'd end up dating someone like Tatsumaki, he'd probably have punched them in the face for cursing him to be with a tsundere loli. How was he to know there'd be more to her than that? As he opened up the door, he couldn't stop his mouth from opening in shock to what stood before him.
On the other side of the call, Tatsumaki collapsed on the sofa, flinging the phone back to Fubuki, who still was unable to control herself. And who could blame her? Her sister, the great Tornado of Terror, S class Rank 2 and probably most feared women on the planet right after everyone's own mother, was blushing like she got drunk, and was undeniably adorable as fuck! Not that she'd ever admit it of course.
"Onee-chan, you should start getting ready! I could help you with your hair, your makeup and-"
"Forget it Imouto. If he wants a casual date, I'll give him a fucking casual date." Tatsumaki hopped off the cough, and began to make her way to her room.
"Well, if I'm not needed, I'm headed back to my place, that okay with you?"
"Yea sure." The door was slammed shut, and Fubuki giggled. So this was what a flustered Tatsumaki was like? How unoriginal. She expected something more like a shy opposite of her sister's usual self, but all she got was a tsundere. At least, she thinks she's using the term right.
At around 12pm, Tatsumaki was ready. Having bathed in her favourite shampoo, if only so it would help her last the day, tied her hair into a ponytail, and slipped into the outfit Fubuki helped her pick out. She didn't even have to bother with makeup! Yeah, she'd show him, that stupid baldy and his hatred of suits. He wants a casual date, he'll get one! She put on her heels and flew straight to city Z, arriving at 12.28pm.
Before she knocked, she checked again to make sure everything was in place. Of course, even if the baldy wanted a casual date, she still had standards. Besides, Saitama was the one who had fallen for her, so the least she could do was indulge him. Letting out a deep breath, Tatsumaki knocked at the door, 12.30pm sharp. There was some noise, probably Saitama failing to put on shoes, before the door was opened and... goddamn it Tatsumaki wasn't ready for this.
Saitama almost couldn't believe his eyes. Tatsumaki was in a simple hoodie, and a skirt, her hair done up in a ponytail and it looked like she didn't have any makeup on. Yet, Saitama couldn't help but think to himself how bloody adorable she looked. How the hell didn't he notice before? Was it her usual demeanour? The fact he had to keep his eyes off her legs all the time? Or maybe it was just the recent return of his feelings toying with him again. yea, that had to be it.
Tatsumaki on the other hand, was considerably shocked by the man that stood in front of her. For some reason, this hoodie of his wasn't as baggy, and it did one hell of a job showcasing his physique. She couldn't lie, he would put any bodybuilder to shame, and it helped that he wasn't shaped weird like others. Somehow, even his face seemed... handsome? Sure, he had his mouth open like a fish, but... damn, she noticed him being serious before, but in such a calm situation it was... weird.
"So uh... you look nice." Saitama finally pushed himself to say, rubbing his neck.
"Oh, uhm, thanks. You too?" Tatsumaki responded.
The two of them stood there awkwardly for a bit, avoiding eye contact, unsure of how to proceed. One was completely unaware he had to date the cutest girl he'd ever seen and had no idea what to do, the other realising a walking egg had suddenly transformed into a walking marble statue she was going to date. Then of course, Genos came running along, a wallet in his hand.
"Sensei, you forgot your wallet!"
That pulled Saitama out of his thoughts. "Eh? I thought I-" he reached into his pocket to find it completely empty, "oh, thanks Genos. You're a lifesa-what the heck?" The wallet had a fat wad of cash in it, and Saitama was sure he hadn't robbed a bank recently. Had he?
"Sensei, I have decided to assist in your date by providing you with sufficient cash to afford anything you deem worthy of gifting to Tatsumaki." the cyborg beamed, happy for his Sensei.
Tatsumaki coughed awkwardly, getting the attention of Saitama. "If you're done admiring your money, can we go? I have a place in mind."
"Oh, of course." Saitama waved goodbye to Genos, "See ya dude, I'll pay you back when I get my pay."
"No need Sensei!" Genos replied, his pleasant smile turning into a grin as the two walked away.
Little did Saitama know, the blonde had ensured the hoodie would fit tight enough to showcase his Sensei's muscles, and had picked the wallet when the wise man wasn't looking, stuffing it before pulling that act. Of course, this put some guilt on the cyborgs conscience, but to be perfectly fair, he had made sure that the hoodie would remain optimally comfy, and considering the amount his Sensei initially had, it was for the better. Now, it was about time he called Fubuki, she would definitely want to hear the story of how Tatsumaki stared at his Sensei's chest, and turned a little bit red.
Okay, so 3k words is shorter than what I wanted, but I'm still deciding how their date will go, and the choices I have so far will drag the chapter on for a few thousand more words, and a longer delay. Plus, I have maths homework and I'll get detention if I don't finish it, so my apologies.
Anyway, just wanted to let you all know, I've decided not to write smut, though there will still be the before and after, because I think it's kinda cute. Feel free to suggest otherwise, I won't mind. Also, I've decided to start rewriting chapter one, and sooner or later I'll have the new story out. I hope I don't seem cocky, I just want to fix the damn mistakes already, and waiting a lifetime for my writing to improve is gonna kill me whenever I look back at the trash from before.
Also, a story I thought died resurfaced, it's called 'Heroes and Lovers', and is one of the SaiTatsu stories that inspired me, though be warned, there is lemon. It got me thinking, all the dead stories with cool concepts like a real subterranean invasion, more SaiTatsu, even Saibuki stuff, do any of you guys feel like continuing them, or know the authors personally (though I doubt it), because how cool would it be if this part of the site was once again populated.
Anyway, I should get going. I want to thank all of you who have read, reviewed, followed and even favourited the story, and I apologise for the longer waits now. Let's just say the education system in Singapore is as bullshit as America, and if not for the exceptional human beings we call teachers, a lot of us would have gone insane, or worse. This story has been a great way for me to relieve stress, and all of you help in that too. So once again, I thank you all for your kind words, your helpful critique, and much more I'll eventually get around to thanking. Until the next chapter!
Zane Alias: Yosh!
Ander Arias: I'm on your favourites? Brb dying. I'm still debating really, it could go multiple ways. I think there's definitely something to be done with the totally not brain dead civilians. Thank you for your recommendation, I won't be sinning this lifetime.
Elfetrange: Fun, I shall have! I can't wait either, and I hope I don't write this into one of those cliche 'girl falls for sexy man hard' thing, because those stories annoy me. Please tell me if it seems to be going that way. While I wouldn't use the word 'perfect' to describe the writing, I thank you. To be honest, I don't seek perfection, what' the point to life if I attain it? I wish to better myself and hopefully, in time, I can.
Middle Name Redacted: Thanks for the advice. I'm glad you enjoyed this.
Hektols: #FraudCapedBaldy will trend, me thinks. It would be interesting indeed.
Scarletrailgun: Yea, cant wait. As to the kind of date, because of my numerous ideas, I can't promise either romantic or humourous, sorry.
0byZero: He could, but if he uses enough force to generate a shockwave with a freaking flick, it would be way more catastrophic than a light punch to knock someone out, IMO.
My inspirations:
The Bald and The Esper: Fanfiction
The Strongest Hero: Fanfiction
Icebreaker: Fanfiction
An Odd Kind of Love: Fanfiction
Heroes and Lovers: Fanfiction
Threat level: Tornado: Wattpad
There is definitely more to the list, please let me know if you read anything similar! It could be from this here site, ArchiveOfOurOwn or Wattpad. Yes, it unfortunately includes many of the now forgotten stories.
Stories I've been trying to learn from, including the above.
Secter and Tatsumaki: Fanfiction
Love is like a blizzard: Fanfiction
Empty Heart, Meet Aching Heart: Fanfiction
An Odd Kind of Love: Fanfiction
Flight of the Silverbird: Fanfiction
For The Love of a Favour: Fanfiction
Hit me Like a Truck: Fanfiction
Call me home: AO3
The Pain of me and you: AO3
Boundless more I should probably get around to taking notes from.
The names given to the HoE's creations belong to "The Lone Lobster".