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chapter 6: found
Saitama gingerly lowered Genos onto the cold table—his movements slow and careful as if he were afraid of hurting the teen.
The cyborg frowned.
He doesn't understand the bald man's concern— the sensory feedback in his limbs had been disabled long ago. Come to think of it, Genos doesn't understand many things about this man. He doesn't understand why the lines on his enemy's face speak of worry instead of menace; why those dark eyes conveyed distress rather than threat.
None of it made sense.
It doesn't matter! Genos scowled at his own uncertainty. Do not forget your mission!
"It was a mistake to save me." He hisses. "I will eliminate you!"
Saitama raised a brow at him and took a step back, holding up his hands.
"Go ahead." he invites.
Genos immediately raised his blasters—only to find frayed wires occupying the empty space of his arm. Damn! It suddenly strikes him that he is vulnerable and in enemy territory.
"Where am I?" he demanded, "What is this place!?"
"My lab." A new, gruff voice answered. Saitama moved aside to reveal the hunched figure of an aged man in a pristine lab coat. He had calm gray eyes and wore a placating smile. "Worry not, my boy. You are among friends. We have been searching for you."
"Who are you!?" Genos growls with narrowed eyes.
"My name is Kuseno," The old man stated quietly, "We only want to help you, Genos."
"I don't need help from a hero or his allies!" Genos snapped while trying to right himself. It doesn't work—his spine was shattered.
Saitama turned to the old man, "See?"
Dr. Kuseno sighed, "I see what you mean." To Genos he says, "You need repairs. Let me—"
"My Master will take care of them!" As he always had. And always will!, Genos thinks vehemently.
There is a sharp exhale like a scoff.
The cyborg whirled to face Saitama, who is leaning against the opposite wall with crossed arms.
"Your master, huh?" He repeated the term, sounding deceptively calm.
Genos gritted his teeth; how dare this fool show such disrespect towards his Master! "Yes. My Master has always looked after me."
Saitama makes another rude noise and stalked towards the prone teen, his shoulders drawn high in agitation. "Has your master been searching high and low for you for 3 weeks?" He bites out harshly.
Genos opened his mouth to argue, but Saitama doesn't give him the chance.
"Has your master been calling in favors to stop S-Class heroes from hunting you down?"
Gloved hands slam on either side of Genos' head with enough force to rattle the metal operating table. Genos' throat tightened when Saitama leaned down close enough for Genos to catch a glimpse of the swirling emotions that churned behind slate black eyes—emotions held in check only by an iron will.
"Has your master been having nightmares of you being hurt or worse?" the hero whispers softly, but to Genos it sounded like a scream. For some reason the teen is unable to answer—any argument he had was silenced by a single look from the caped hero.
"I don't know what your master's been up to," Saitama continues, gaze hardening. "But I can't wait to find out."
a/n: too intense? ^^;
