Summary: Nightly visits on the pier. The place you’d go to almost every night— when the world is too heavy for you. Maybe he’ll help make it lighter.
Warnings: it’s kinda sad (PART 2 HERE)
Sometimes when the world gets quiet, when the sun is high cast just behind the trees— the air feels lighter. Like mother nature decided to grab the weight and lift it for a few moments. Like maybe, just maybe - you aren't alone.
And sometimes when the moon is high, staring down at you with love and when the air is cool, your heart feels a little more full. When you can breathe easy without the expectations loaded upon you.
And how the world is asleep, and only a lucky few get to see it calm down as it tucks into bed.
That was how you felt right now.
Legs swinging off the pier as the moon shined down on you, the cool air nipping through the hoodie clinging to you. It was mainly silent, save for the waves crashing together and the occasional croak of frogs in the far distance.
"You know you're at risk for hypothermia, right?" The voice isn't familiar, but he sounds young, maybe your age. It's midnight in the city, most of the people around are already tucked deep in bed, you hoped it wasn't a weirdo.
You turn, chin tilting up to meet the red eyes of a boy.
White hair with darkened green tips, styled upwards uniquely. He held a nonchalant expression, but a glint in his eyes gave away his curiosity.
"Hypothermia?" You furrow your brows, wondering if you heard him correctly.
He leans down, nose scrunching. "Yes, hypothermia. Your lips are blue, are you trying to catch a cold?"
You dropped eye contact and turned back toward the vast ocean. "I’ll be fine."
Why did he care? You just wanted to be left alone.
The guy runs a hand through his hair and sighs. "Wanna see something?"
You play with the edge of your hoodie and tilt your head. "See what?" Maybe it was idiotic, but the more adventurous part of you was interested.
It was a few moments later, a little farther down the pier, did you understand what he was referring to. It was an expensive looking telescope pointed up at the sky.
"Today it's the meteor shower, gamma delphinids. It's really rare, only a two percent chance to happen in a year, and it has to be a really clear night."
You didn't really know much about the solar system or meteor showers, but he explained it really well... and based on the excited glint in his eyes this was something he was truly passionate about.
Plus, it seemed like this was something that didn't happen often at all, what's the worst that could happen?
You followed, observing the way he brought the telescope to his eye, making adjustments on the knobs on the side.
"What's your name?" You finally asked.
He paused, pulling back from the telescope. "Ishigami Senku."
You nibbled your bottom lip and introduced yourself.
He waved you off, muttering something about the telescope’s angle being important.
"Look." He gestured forward with a smirk.
The wind gushed making chills rise along your skin, but you nodded. You leaned down till your face rested against the cool metal. Then you closed your other eye.
It took a few blinks for your eyes to adjust, but then you gasped.
A blend of purples and reds glowing, mixing together into something gorgeous. Hundreds or thousands of meteors danced across the sky, colors you didn't even think existed mixing together.
You had no idea how this happened scientifically speaking, but how each one glowed and flew, it was magical. And it made you appreciate the world even more.
"Wow." You mumbled, astonished.
Unbeknownst to you, Senku was smiling softly. He'd always been a fan of showing the world science, disliking how people seemed to ignore it or not appreciate it, but the way your lips parted in awe, shoulders dropping slightly. Well, it made Senku feel more prideful than he'd ever admit.
Senku went on to explain the scientific reason it was happening, going into extreme detail. You eventually sat down, legs swung off the pier as you listened.
It was sort of nice. Nicer than you thought it would be.
He didn't expect you to talk, or even answer for that matter. He was just explaining something he was passionate about.
You didn't mind the company, you decided.
A few days later and you sat in the same place, legs dangling in a way that made everything feel more free. Like the restrictions on life had finally eased up a bit. You played with the string of your hoodie as you stared out at the sea.
You heard his voice before you saw him. Baggy hoodie, sweatpants and tennis shoes. Completely different from the lab you'd seen the last time he was here.
"You come out here a lot."
You didn't bother to answer, simply turning back toward the horizon. Today, Senku didn't say anything.
He sat down beside you, legs following the same soft swinging you were doing.
Senku wasn't someone you'd think could sit and enjoy nature for a bit. He was more of a 'i'm gathering sea water to research how many micro-organisms are in the cup and how they effect - you get the point' type of guy.
You tilted your head toward him.
His white and green hair was styled normally, eyes looking softer than ever before as he gazed out to the sea. It made him look softer, younger.
"You've been stargazing a lot recently, you sure everything's okay?"
It was the third time Byakuya had asked tonight.
Senku rolled his eyes and tugged on a hoodie. "I'm ten billion percent sure, old man." He mumbled.
He pouted. "That's mean Senku!"
Of course Senku wouldn't tell him he'd been leaving every night to see you. He'd get teased relentlessly, and it wasn't like it meant anything.
Well, it didn't originally.
Not till his thoughts turned from being curious about you, really only joining you on the pier to chat about things no one else had interest in. To enjoying when the crease between your eyebrows softened, showing you were relaxed.
He started enjoying it more than he thought when you finally smiled.
Like the world had been especially hard on you, and he wanted to fix it. Try every experiment till one makes you feel better.
"That's the Methuselah star, it's one hundred ninety light-years away. It's nearly as old as the universe itself, which is estimated at 13.8 billion. It's also the oldest star that we have history on." He pointed up towards it.
You didn't answer— you rarely did. Senku didn't mind though, he saw the way your eyes followed where he pointed. How your brows would scrunch together when you didn't understand something he had explained.
I mean, he was pointing at a random star. How were you not supposed to be confused?
He went on to explain the origin behind a different one, and when the back of his knuckles brushed yours, neither of you moved to pull away.
He'd talk about anything and everything, and you'd never ask him to leave. And when Senku began to make a habit of the nightly visits, he knew he was in trouble. He'd never fallen victim to romantic feelings like most other people his age, but now he knew it really wasn't as illogical as he'd spouted before.
Even scientists are wrong sometimes.
"You love science." You had mumbled one day. It was a tact to you- the man had rambled off a dozen subjects and enjoyed doing it. He'd spout words you didn't even know how to pronounce like it was second nature.
Senku turned toward you, lips parted. It was rare for you to speak, and Senku forgot just how endearing your voice could be.
His catch phrase made your lips tilt up almost unnoticeably. "I love nature... I love the world." Your eyes softened as you fiddled with your hoodie string. “The sun, the moon, animals, and plants. Everything."
It was only two words, but it made your eyes widen and your heart picked up just a bit.
He knew. Of course he did. He'd been coming to the pier every night since he'd found you when the meteor shower had happened. But hearing it from him, the way his eyes were solely on you made it feel differently.
Like the sun being shown after a long thunderstorm.
Neither of you said anything after that. And you chose to ignore how close his hand was to yours.
"Why do you come to the pier every night?"
It was one of the first questions Senku had asked you directly. You nibbled your lip for a moment as you thought.
Then, you turned toward him and spoke slowly.
"Because, it makes things a little easier."
Senku wasn't the type of guy to become emotional or really even acknowledge the heaviness in his heart or the exhaustion weighing him down. He wanted to know everything- to go to space.
He never let himself rest because life was too short, and he needed all the time he could get for his goals.
The night pier visits became a place where his shoulders could drop a fraction. Where his mind could breathe. Where his hands didn't have to constantly be moving.
So when he told you he understood, god did he mean it.
Then you asked him the same thing, head tilted in that way that made even Senku want to tell you everything.
He ran a hand through his hair and glanced up at the moon.
"I come to the pier every night because you'll be here." He turned his attention toward you when he spoke his next words. "You're interesting."
He said it with as much confidence and curiosity as a full-fledged scientist. Like it was just another experiment, and maybe it was.
You didn't mind though, your lips twitched up and you laid your chin against your knees. "Sounds boring."
"Nah, it's not boring." He smirked, leaning just a tad closer. "You aren't boring."
Your mouth felt dry as you broke eye contact.
Sometimes even the sun and the moon can't help lift the weight on you. Sometimes even the far away planet and ball of fire aren't the answer to every problem.
But maybe, just maybe the boy on your left was.
Tears flowed freely down your cheeks as you stared ahead. Senku had tried to speak with you, but like almost every other night you were quiet.
That's how Senku had known you. The girl on the pier who barely spoke but listened better than anyone.
The girl always seemed to be alone until he came along.
It was just a fact in his head.
So when he had shown up to the pier like every night for the past month and you were sobbing, red rimmed eyes and trembling hands was Senku truly at a loss for words.
He'd never been someone who could comfort people.
When Taiju was younger and he'd scrape his knee or something stupid, Senku would never wrap an arm around his shoulder. No, he'd clean the wound and explain how it could've been avoided.
Harsh, maybe. But that's how Senku was.
"It's illogical to cry, especially when you haven't told me what happened." He tried that first— obviously he pulled it from his ass. Feelings weren't logical at all.
"You're making your tear glands work harder than normal, you'll get dacryoadenitis," Was the next thing he pulled from his ass. It was extremely unlikely you'd get that from one crying season, but he was at a loss.
He didn't understand why his heart felt so heavy, how your tears staining the sleeve of your hoodie made him want to try every experiment to make it stop.
It was two more scientific facts before he knew that wouldn't work. And it was completely unlike him when his hand slid over your own. He wasn't looking at you, but his thumb traced circles along your knuckles.
He didn't know how to help... but he could show he was here for you.
After the tears dried and the sobs were nothing more than soft huffs of air, Senku didn't ask what had bothered you again. If you wanted to tell him - you could. He also never pulled away his hand. Not till he walked you home that night, giving some half-assed excuse about the crime rate, not like he'd be able to protect you properly anyways given his weak body, but you let him get away with it just this once.
One night Senku had shown up at the pier, your favorite drink in his grasp- just a small thing he got at the gas station on a whim, when he paused.
The pier was empty, only the soft glow of the lights along the rails and the familiar stars lining the sky. He frowned. You were always at the pier. Oversized hoodie, tired eyes and dangling legs, like always.
It was routine. It was everyday.
His mind immediately fell to the worst scenario.
Then, he saw a pair of sneakers. A hoodie and sweatpants stripped beside it. The shoes were very familiar.
Then it clicked. Senku rushed to the edge, grasping the arm rails tightly as he looked down into the water.
Your name shouts from his lips before he can stop it, a rare glimpse of panic in his normally logical calm demeanor. His heart thumped louder than he'd ever admit, every bad thought flashing in his brain.
There you are, barely visible in the water. You're floating on your back, completely soaked.
You're laughing before you can stop it. Loud obnoxious cackles falling from your lips.
And for a moment— for Senku- everything slows.
Your hair is spread out in the salty water, eyes brighter than he'd ever seen them
The smile suited you, he decided.
And maybe it should've looked weird on your lips, how unnatural it was for someone like you - but God did Senku find it mesmerizing.
It's that same feeling he had when he'd seen the moon for the first time through a telescope all those years ago. How his heart filled with an excitement he couldn't contain, and suddenly he was stripping off his hoodie and pants.
Every logical part in his brain was screaming at him.
It's cold. It's dangerous. And a billion other things. But for once, Senku ignored them and jumped off the edge.
He was in the air longer than he expected, cold air nipping at him. And when he hit the water it was like being dumped in an ice bath, sharp liquid stabbing at him. The cold seeped through his bones in a matter of seconds leaving him gasping and shivering.
His head was dunked, sea water biting into him. He panicked, which way was up? God he could've breathe, why the hell did he-
But then, two soft hands gripped his shoulder, grounding him back to the world.
His eyes snapped open as he pushed through to the surface gasping, hair falling to his shoulders. There you were the smile he'd grown to love on your face.
God that was an understatement.
"This is ten billion percent suicide." He choked out, chills running along his skin.
You swam backwards and giggled. "C'mon, Senku." How was he supposed to decline when you said it like that? When your voice echoed off the rocks along the shore and made even a siren singing sound like a child's toy. How his name rolled off your lips sending shivers down his spine that had nothing to do with the temperature.
His brain was calculating just how long you both could stay in the wager without risk of hypothermia-of course he loved the smile you wore, but he'd never risk your life or his own.
"Why'd you jump in?" His voice came out louder than he expected, teeth chattering in between the words.
You swam a little closer, closer than he'd allow from anyone else, and spoke with more confidence than he'd ever seen. "Don't you feel alive?"
You didn't answer his question directly- but did those four words say more than anything else could.
And it was like he'd never be able to figure you out.
It was ten minutes later when you both sat up on the pier, legs dangling toward where you had been swimming prior. Your fingers drummed along the wood absentmindedly.
It was quiet. Senku was sitting closer than normal, fingers brushing yours with the occasional movement. Neither of you pulled away.
Then, unexpectedly, you turned toward him. "You're curious. But, is that it?"
It was blunt, and Senku automatically understood what you meant. He'd told you once that he came to the pier every night to see you because he was curious.
"No." You turned till your knees brushed his side. Till he could smell the perfume on you. Till he could see the flick of another color in your eyes. "What do you say?"
He understood what being at a loss for words meant right then.
He didn't answer immediately, his adams apple bobbing. The pier suddenly felt a little too small for the both of you.
"I-" His ears felt hot. "You aren't like anyone I've ever met."
You titled your head. "Bad?"
He ran his hands through his hair and chuckled. "Not one millimeter."
You gave a lopsided grin and knocked your shoulder into his. "You aren't like anyone l've ever met either."
It wasn't like Senku to get excited or look forward to things that didn't revolve around science.
The man had been obsessed with science for as long as he could remember. Interested in how the world worked, how each thing was made, the scientific process. Yet after that first time he'd met you, he began looking forward to seeing you, deciding to visit the pier he knew you'd be at.
That's what he had told you one evening. The sun was long lowered, dark gray clouds covering most of the bay sky, yet you both sat along the pier as always.
You didn't laugh like the other people did. When he had first made that revelation in the class when he was six, the teacher had dismissed it, told him it's a great dream.
But Senku didn't want it to be a dream. He was going to space. With or without their support.
So why did it feel so good when you didn't question him. You didn't doubt, didn't assume he was bluffing.
You tilted your head. "When?"
His eyes widened a fraction. You asked it like it was the most obvious thing in the world. Then he smirked, running a hand through his hair. "Heh, as soon as possible."
And when you looked at him, all that stared back was admiration. You didn't smile, or cheer him or anything remotely showing you supported him. Not like other people did anyway.
No, the way you looked at him made him swallow thickly and his ears feel hot. It left no room for doubt.
You didn't voice how you felt, yet your support meant more than anyone's and your eyes seemed to give away every emotion in you.
That night Senku understood everything.
God, he was in love with the woman on the pier.
Sometimes when Senku was alone in his room, the lights cut and the blanket pulled to his chin, he thought of you. It was almost always curiosity about what you were doing.
Were you in bed like him, struggling to fall asleep? Or were you eating, watching whatever your favorite show was? Did you even have a favorite show?
Or maybe you walked back to the pier, head deep in thought like always.
He clicked his tongue. No way you walked back to the pier, it was very unlikely considering the time.
And yet Senku found himself tugging on his hoodie and sweatpants.
Senku paused at the front door. It was pouring, rain beating down on the world. There was no way you'd be out there alone, soaking wet.
Knowing how illogical you could be, Senku grabbed his umbrella and began walking. It was just to check, just to make sure.
Twenty minutes later, Senku is shivering, the wind biting into him. The ocean is quiet as he walks along the pier. Tourists are lazed up in bed by the hotels, fishermen wouldn’t even come out during this storm.
And yet there you were— head down, rain dripping from your hair.
Senku clicked his tongue and walked until he was a few feet from you. "You're an idiot." He said loudly over the rain.
Your head snaps up at his voice. He notices your pale lips immediately, eyes looking more dazed than ever. He clenches his jaw without meaning to, squatting down till he’s close enough to see the shivering in your shoulders.
"Come here." It comes out flat, almost bored as he adjusts to sit next to you. Yet he's holding the umbrella over you both, his left shoulder sticking out. He doesn't move it, not even as the rain soaks the sleeve.
"Sorry." You frown. "I didn't know you'd come."
He knows. He didn't know he'd come either.
"Why are you here while it's storming?" He sees your fingers play with the string of your hoodie as you always do when you're nervous.
Finally, you look up till you're looking in his ruby eyes. "Everything felt… too stuffy."
He huffed. God, it sounded just like you. "You know you're gonna get a cold, right?"
You nod. "It's worth it. Don't you think the rain feels good?"
No. He didn't. He thought figuring out difficult equations, trying experiments till something worked, building rockets over and over till one flew felt good.
The rain was cold, wet, and made his clothes stick to his body wrong. Yet he understood what you meant when you said it was worth it.
He wouldn't mind a cold if it meant you’d smile. If it meant you could enjoy the weather you wanted. If it meant you'd be there.
“Nah, it’s illogical to like something that feels uncomfortable.” He said eventually.
You hum. “Guess so.” Your shoulder bumped into his. “But to me, it feels like a hug from mother nature.”
He figured you’d say that. I mean he’d known you for months now, an almost daily walk to the pier just to see you. You seemed brighter most days, eyes holding a little more light. You talked more and laughed more.
The thought made him smile, just the small tilt of his lips. “You and nature.” He huffed, but it held no bite.
Even now, all these months later, he couldn't wrap his head around you. But there was one thing he knew for sure– he was in love with you.
He’d never been someone to love strongly or openly. He didn't have time for things like that. And yet with you, it felt different. Like he could balance it. He found his mouth opening before he could stop himself.
Was now the right time? It didn't matter. Logic wasn't something that could change this. He had to tell you.
“You first.” He swallowed tightly then gestured for you to speak. He’d tell you after, he decided.
“Can I tell you something, Senku?” You had finally said after a moment. The rain calmed down. The clouds were still hazy though, a dull gray covering the vast sky.
It was a few minutes of silence, Senku thought you wouldn’t speak again till your voice came out shaky and tight.
“I’m moving.” You swallowed. “To America, this summer.”
The world paused. And suddenly your red rimmed eyes made sense. The trip to the pier in the storm. It clicked, pieces of a puzzle falling together within seconds.
His Adam's apple bobbed. Senku wasn’t emotional, he wasn't someone who’d throw a goodbye party and cry till his tear glands burst. But he felt his mouth run dry.
“America, huh.” It came out deeper than he meant. He cleared his throat. “Excited?”
You chuckled dryly. “Not really. My dad has a job opportunity, so.” You trailed off.
Senku talked like normal. His voice was tighter, more forced, but his composure never broke, even when it wavered. You’d laugh accordingly, add to the conversation, and yet the tears rimmed in your eyes never fell.
People move houses, change schools, and become new people. He knew this. It was a fact. Logic. An everyday thing.
But god, even that revelation did not ease the unfamiliar ache in his chest. His hand found yours without meaning too, but even once he realized he didn't pull away. You’d scooted closer, till he could smell the perfume on you
Something light, airy– like mother nature herself– with something so distinctly you. You both had gone home later than you meant to that night. Feet dragging along the concrete as he walked you home, neither ready to leave.
And Senku decided he wouldn't tell you about the feelings he harbored deep in his chest… you had other things to worry about. It was illogical. You were moving anyways.
When did it become unquestionable to see you every night? It didn't come abruptly or shockingly. He'd known you would move that summer. That you'd go thousands of miles away and would probably never return.
The goodbye wasn't filled with loud sobs and messy tears. It wasn't hugs and kisses or long speeches. It was quieter. It was the night before, on the wooden pier overlooking the vast ocean sitting closer than friends should.
It was in the silence. In the way your heart dropped when you thought about being away. In the way his hand fell over yours without any words. In the way you leaned your head on his shoulder as if it was always meant to lay there.
It was in the way the ocean seemed to rage, waves crashing against the rocks along the shore as if mother nature was disapproving of what was happening.
Neither of you spoke about it. Maybe it was easier that way— that if neither of you acknowledged these six months of constant visits it would be safer. Less messy. Less emotions. Less hurt.
That night Senku had laid awake, covers tossed to the floor. Were you on the plane already? Were you crying?
Did you love him like he loved you?
He ran a hand down his face. It was useless dwelling on all the things he'd wished he'd done. Like maybe study together or go eat— no. He furrowed his brows. It was pointless to think about it.
You were gone. That's it.
Sometimes when the world gets quiet, when the sun is high cast just behind the trees— the air feels lighter. Like mother nature decided to grab the weight and lift it for a few moments. Like maybe, just maybe— you aren't alone.
And sometimes when the moon is high, staring down at you with love and when the air is cool, your heart feels a little more full. When you can breathe easy without the expectations loaded upon you.
And how the world is asleep, and only a lucky few get to see it calm down as the world tucks into bed.
You realized it wasn't the sun or moon that made those feelings in your body— it was much deeper than that. It was the boy on the pier beside you. It was the warm feeling as his hand brushed yours, and how his eyes seemed to see deeper than you thought possible. It was in the way he had saved your life that day.
It was the way you rested your head against his shoulder as he pointed out certain stars, explaining what they were. It was how he had brought your favorite drink almost every night after you had mentioned it once.
After that, it wasn't the pier or the sun and moon that made everything feel a little easier— it was him.
Even if now the pier visits had ceased, Senku still fumbled with the picture in his pocket, the one you’d taken together and printed out. Both sitting on the pier, you were smiling giving a peace sign as Senku was looking at you rather than the camera.
You were thousands of miles away looking up at the same moon, hoping just maybe one day you'd see his ruby eyes again.
Unbeknownst to you, Senku visited the pier sometimes, just to sit in the same spot you had.
He never mentioned the visits to anyone– no that was something that was just his.
