"You sure you don't have to help her Genos? I mean, I've bumped into more monsters lately."
Saitama was sitting in the living room in his hero costume after just returning home from a visit to King's, engrossed with a game on of King's PSP which he totally borrowed with permission. Genos meanwhile, was cleaning the dishes, thinking at the same time.
"She assured me she could handle herself, Sensei." Genos replied.
"Meh," Saitama shrugged, "it's your date dude."
"How about you Sensei? When will you and Tatsumaki go out again? Do you require me to think of another-"
"Nah, she'll call when she's free Genos."
While he really had doubts Tatsumaki would, Genos didn't argue. After all, Sensei knew the ESPer better than he. Besides, right now he has to worry about his date with Fubuki. He couldn't help but increase his sensor's range that day, even if it drained a bit more power than usual, even if it would be considered sexist to think a woman needs protecting, especially one with powers even he cannot hope to win against.
"So, you going out again?"
"Yes Sensei." The blond frowned. "I do not think I'll be back in time to prepare dinner, apologies."
"Third date he apologies for and counting." Saitama replied with a small wave. "No worries dude, I feel like having udon anyway." He chuckled. "Besides, you two should spend more time together, maybe catch a movie or something."
"And yet, you wait for your significant other to call." Genos sighed. "Of course Sensei, you are very wise."
As soon as he finished drying the last plate, Genos' sensors picked up movement near their apartment. It was definitely not Fubuki. A monster perhaps? That would certainly explain the speed at which it was moving. Placing the plate where it belonged, Genos removed his apron, and readied himself for combat.
"Sensei, I just remembered there is something I must attend to."
"Eh?" The baldy turned around, "Isn't Fubuki gonna be here soon?"
"Yes Sensei." The thing was getting closer. "If she arrives before I am back, please-"
"Yea yea, I got your back dude." Genos nodded, before exiting the apartment. Whatever the thing was, it was trying to hide. Keyword "trying".
"Whatever you are, you will leave this instant, or you shall be incinerated."
"Ugh, can this day get any better?"
Truthfully, she really thought she could handle herself. But the moment the car stopped outside the gates, she knew this would be more trouble than it was worth. It was fine at first, but the deeper she walked into the abandoned zone, the harder Fubuki had to pinch her nose. She was cursing Genos for not clarifying that by "a giant mess" he meant mounds of rotting monster corpses and not rubble. A few were even charred, though it was probably expected considering the residents of this area.
Come to think of it, wasn't this part of City Z abandoned because of the number of monster sightings? What was she expecting, considering the world's strongest and possibly laziest baldy lived here. Of course he wouldn't clean up after himself. Then again, she thought at least Genos would have burned everything. Maybe she should ask him to.
She thought the area near their apartment would be in a better state than this, but when she neared, there were quite a few spots that looked recently repaired, but there was still damage. Plus, she could already smell something burning. Recently burning too. Maybe Genos was in combat nearby. Thank god they weren't going anywhere fancy today, lord knows how painful the last time he wore a suit was.
By the time Fubuki ended up in front of the apartment door, her hand was actually getting tired from holding her nose that long. Knocking on the door with her free hand, Fubuki once again cursed Genos under her breath. This time for choosing to live in such a place. Maybe she could convince him to move into the new base the association was building. But that would mean getting Saitama to move too, won't it? God that would be troublesome. When no one came to the door, she knocked a bit harder. The sounds of someone stumbling around and a few muttered curses quickly followed, and the door swung open. The ESPer
sighed in relief when the first thing to hit her was the aroma of tea.
"Oh, hey Fubuki. You're kinda early." Saitama greeted as he moved aside. "You want some tea?"
"God, yes." She quickly snagged a cup, taking her own sweet time to savour the aroma. It was a cheap brand as far as she remembered, but good enough.
"Man, you're acting like you haven't drank tea for a long time."
"Considering the assault on my senses earlier, it felt like a long time." Fubuki replied, placing the cup down. "What is Genos doing in combat by the way?"
"Eh? Combat?"
"Unless there is a monster that shoots fire nearby you somehow have yet to kill, the burning smell must have come from Genos. So what's he doing in combat when you're here?
"He... is in combat?" The baldy was sweating now.
"Saitama?" Without another word, he dashed out, leaving Fubuki absolutely confused.
"Why did he seem worried? It's not like Genos can't handle himself. I mean, considering the clips I've watched, he can handle himself just fine. Heck, he gets so into it he sometimes destroys nearby build...ings..." The instant it clicked in her head, an explosion came from outside, and she swore she could feel a slight vibration along with an increase in temperature. Well shit, no wonder Saitama would be worried.
Not sure what to do, she poured herself another cup of tea. Screw it, those two could handle whatever was attacking, no point in wasting any energy. Besides, she needs all the energy she has to control herself when they go on their date again. No offense to Genos, but he really only has two modes. "Cool as hell", and "I didn't know I was dating a dork". One attracts all the fans, the other, in addition to still attracting all the fans, makes it really hard for her to keep her cool. To be fair, anyone would find it hard not to laugh when Demon Cyborg of all people can't react to others properly. You'd think with his fame he had plenty of experience.
And then there was his note taking. Sure she found it slightly adorable that he treats this so seriously, but really? Organised bullet points she could understand but a freaking essay on why she doesn't like a certain food? Not to mention how he was trying so hard to go by the book, his shoulders were tense the whole day. Actually, that might be because he's a cyborg, but it doesn't change the fact he was acting so awkwardly serious. She practically had to beg him to loosen up, that poor guy.
Fubuki sighed. Why was she even thinking so hard about this? It's obvious why he's like this. And yet, she has seen the more casual side of him already. Whenever he's with Saitama, he seems a lot less like a by-the-book cyborg, and more like an actual human being. She was pretty sure he cracked a sinister smirk when on their last date someone bad mouthed the baldy in front of his face. Big mistake because Demon Cyborg sure can make threats. He even seemed slightly pleased with himself when she asked him why he was trying so hard.
Just as she was about to pour herself another cup, Saitama barged in, looking very, very, displeased. Following behind was Genos, looking... like a kicked puppy? No, she's definitely not hallucinating that.
"Do I even want to know what happened?" She asked.
Saitama just plopped down on the floor, picking up a... is that a PSP? He can afford that? "Genos got into a fight with that stalker guy, almost blew up the place."
"Stalker?" Fubuki asked with her eyebrows raised.
"A fool with a redundant name that claims to be Saitama-Sensei's rival." Genos answered. His scowl returned at that, and she could hear the whirring get louder.
"And what's with the kicked puppy look?"
And said kicked puppy returned. "I almost destroyed Sensei's residence in my haste to prove myself. A mistake I will not make again." If she hadn't practised herself all these years, Fubuki might actually have snickered at this.
"Whatever man," Saitama cuts in, once again waving him off, "almost doesn't mean you did. Now hurry up and go on your date."
"But Sensei, I promised to clean u-"
"Don't keep a lady waiting dude."
"I... yes Sensei." Genos turns to look at Fubuki. "Forgive me for making you wait Fubuki."
"It's fine." She assured him as she stood up. "So, where to Genos?"
Before the blond could answer, the apartment door was opened, and the man who entered may or may not have elicited a gasp of surprise from Fubuki.
"Saitama, bro, did you take my PSP?" King walked in, and if he was surprised by Fubuki's presence, he didn't say a thing.
"K-K-King?!" Saitama knows KING? King called him BRO? Fubuki started to tremble a bit. Thankfully, the King Engine seemed relatively silent, so maybe he's not pissed at Saitama for taking his stuff. They might live to see another day after all.
"Uh... yea, sorry dude." Saitama replied, handing the device to the "Strongest Man On Earth".
"It's fine bro." King started fiddling with it.
"I uh... erased your data."
"What?" Oh good lord, they were gonna die alright.
"...Sorry." Saitama rubbed the back of his neck.
"Eh, it's fine. I was gonna do a speed run anyway." Saitama sighed in relief, and Fubuki relaxed a bit. Until King looked her in the eye that is. "So it's true. You and Genos are dating." The King Engine could be heard now, though it was quite soft.
"King-san, the two of us are heading out." Genos took the ESPer's hand, "Could you excuse us?" The terrifying hero nodded, and moved out of the way, allowing the couple to exit the building.
"Damn, Genos is one suave dude, right Saitama bro?" King quipped as he began to set up the console he brought.
"Whaddya mean?"
"He's dating Blizzard of Hell bro."
"So?" Saitama contemplated getting snacks, his dense head not even registering the other's comment.
"So? She's only like, the most sought after heroine in the whole association dude! Oh man, I totally ship them."
Saitama deadpanned. "Dude, you said that about me and Tats. How many ships do you even have?"
"Not enough." King grinned. "Besides, can you blame me? When that video of the carnival incident was uploaded, I could hardly control myself. Tornado of Terror actually defending someone that isn't Silver Fang was thought to be impossible!"
"Dude, chill. We've only just started."
"Oh come on, she must've started falling for you for a while already. Why else would she act like that?"
"Cuz we're friends?" Saitama argued.
"Oh man, 'Blizzard Demon' and 'Caped Terror' are gonna destroy the opposition so hard!" King exclaimed, ignoring Saitama's counter.
"Opposition?"
King practically deflated at that. "Self inserts bro. I got no problem with em but... they just aren't my thing."
"Why?"
"Bro, you wouldn't understand." King switched on the console.
"Of course not, I'm not the guy who has an obsession with fan fiction."
"Hey! You promised not to mention that!" sputtered the blond as he handed Saitama a spare controller.
"Just let the whole world know you're a kinky little shit already King." Saitama smirked.
"I regret making friends with you bro. I really do." King replied with a smile.
"You didn't tell me he knows KING!" Fubuki hollered.
The admiration is her voice was not lost to Genos. "I did not think that Sensei being acquainted with other heroes was a big deal, Fubu-"
"SERIOUSLY?! That's the earth's strongest man he just casually stole a PSP from!"
Genos frowned even further. "Do not remind me of the fact he has stolen Sensei's namesake."
"Did you not hear me? The earth's STRONGEST MAN is friends with Sai, and you insult him?!" Genos didn't have the heart to tell her his scanners say otherwise.
"So Sensei attracts the strong. It doesn't change the fact that Sensei is the strongest."
"I... I don't even want to argue about this." Fubuki concedes, her arms dropping back to the sides. "Where are we even going?"
"Somewhere casual." was Genos' vague reply.
"Not the park again..."
"No. One eco-terrorist monster was enough."
"Don't tell me it's the udon place your Sensei holds so dear."
"No, it isn't."
"Genos, come on, you're killing me here." The blond actually smirks, the bastard. Fubuki slugs his arm in response. "Tell me damn it!"
"Why are you so insistent on knowing where we are headed to?"
"You know damn well why you sly bastard!"
The ass actually looks amused by this. "It was the one time Fubuki."
"The first actual date we go on gets ruined because you didn't tell me we were eating at a place that just so happened to use what I'm allergic to in everything, and you dare tell me it was the one time?!"
"I apologise again and admit my mistake. But trust me, where we're going we won't have such issues."
Fubuki growled. "When I said loosen up I didn't mean turn into Mr Smarty Pants asshole!"
Mr Smarty Pants' smile is gone at that. "Of course. I am sorry."
"Ugh, don't tell me you researched how to act more casually."
The silence that followed was more than enough of an answer. Fubuki shook her head with a small smile. This smart ass was one hell of a dumbass too, wasn't he?
"Just be yourself Genos. Minus the super serious attitude."
"But-"
"I already told you, it's okay to make mistakes. Everyone does. You don't to like that fact, just accept it." Honestly, getting pampered because his mistake caused her to break out into an itch was quite fun.
Genos hung his head for a second, thinking most likely, before he took a deep breath, confidence all over his face. "I will try."
"Dork."
I swear to god if one more story I follow updates, I'm gonna lose my mind over the guilt of not updating. Seriously, who must I find so much shit to make use of my free time.
Anyway, I feel like I should stop apologising because every time I do it just feels more like an excuse than something sincere, but I'm gonna do it until someone stops me. So, sorry for the wait, and the really short length. I just really wanted to get something out, and I figured I'm gonna need more time to think about how the date would go, so I cut this one short.
Honestly, I'm tempted to sprint forward in time to follow the manga chapters, but that wouldn't make sense because character development damn it. Really starting to regret not starting the story after the webcomic right now... Anyway, haven't got much to say here, I have about 3 fandoms to do some reading, and damn are there a lot of stories here and on AO3. See you next chapter.
Lightningblade49: Wait and see.
0byZero: Please clarify through a pm. I'm confused ._.
Hektols: Of course, it just didn't feel right to leave this out or change it. I'll try to keep in mind for the future.
Ander Arias: Next one, I've got an idea.
FanficReader1212: Give me a device to freeze time and I will shoot one out every day!
TheJSm-So many?!: Joking, I read every one, can only reply to latest though. Eh, thanks for the reviews, I'll keep some things in mind. I'm glad you managed to enjoy even the earlier ones. I'll keep trying!
Iynxx: Yes. Voice, face and sound effects included.
Elfetrange: I want to believe a part of Saitama just knows, but we'll see how it goes. I have not thought that far yet. Glad you enjoyed it!
You10: You won't regret reading the manga! Hopefully what I have planned won't disappoint.
Jack Fortune: Believe it or not, it's not hard. It's just that good stories are either gay (and extra cute? le fuck) or abandoned (sad.) or on hiatus. (help me i have no patience) Browse AO3 by kudos or something, there's quite a few.
This end part has gotten longer than youtubers with millions or subscribers, so credits can be found in previous chapters. Sorry!
