Me when I finally found the perfect fanfiction that doesn’t mischaracterize characters, has more than 50 chapters, and is well written:

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Me when I finally found the perfect fanfiction that doesn’t mischaracterize characters, has more than 50 chapters, and is well written:
Now we know how Dr. Stone men are in love, how about when their courting/pursuing and to being a husband? 🤭
masterlist
˗ˏˋ꒰ 💭 ꒱ RAE'S NOTE. it took time but here you've it, my dear. i hope you enjoy the read as i've enjoyed writing it (^^).
˗ˏˋ꒰ 💭 ꒱ pairing. senku × gn! reader, gen × gn! reader, tsukasa × gn! reader, xeno × gn! reader, stanley × gn! reader ˗ˏˋ꒰ 💭 ꒱ summary. how they'd flirt with you, plus a brief example of their confessing.
courting headcanons
—Senku Ishigami is in denial (again). He absolutely denies he’s “courting” anyone, yet he’s inventing things that just happen to make your daily life easier. He calls it “optimization,” but his ears go red when you thank him. Not at all subtle.
—Your life is soon filled with more details about science than before. His explanations of scientific concepts come in an oddly intimate manner, with metaphors tailores too your own interests. Then, he decides to make little experiments for just the two of you, such as stargazing sessions where he quietly watches your reactions more than the sky.
—Senku starts to remember everything, and when I say everuything I mean it, you say. Offhand comments become projects. Do you like a certain scent? He’ll recreate it. Say you miss a food? He’ll reverse‑engineer it. If you ask him? It's for the advancement of civilization, 10 billion percent sure.
—His version of a confession is undeniable his in style, indirect but unmistakable. He'll invite you to join a long‑term project, something that will take months or years.
❝Don't make a big deal about it… I want you in my future when we rescue humanity.❞
—Would you believe me if I told you it started as a joke? Gen Asagiri flirted with you as he had done with many others before, but with you, something's different. He starts sizing up your reactions more closely after every interaction. His jokes become gentler, more intimate. His compliments stop being generic and become specific, almost vulnerable.
—Then, he starts bringing you things that seem casual… But that everyone knows is not. A pretty feather, a perfect leaf, a polished stone, all small tokens which he hands you theatrically. And once you turn around with his gift already in your hands, he stares at your back with a tenderness that he doesn't allow himself to show face-to-face.
—Gen can be a showman in public, in a way. But in private, his act tones down, revealing a softer side of him. He likes to sit with you at sunset, when the world turns golden and still. And when the conversation becomes intimate, he looks at you with an expression he doesn't use with anyone else: a mixture of longing, desire, and fear.
—In case it wasn't clear, he's afraid of what he feels. He's insecure about his own feelings because of their profound nature. However, one day he blurted it out as if it were a joke, despite the slight tremor in his voice.
❝You know… I like you more than is strategically sensible.❞
—As I've said before, Tsukasa Shishio shows affection through protection. He doesn't see you as weak, if you're wondering it, yet he doesn't hesitate to position himself between you and any possible threat without making a show of it.
—Tsukasa is an avid listener at that. When you speak, he gives you his full attention, as if your words are something sacred. He doesn't talk much about himself. Nevertheless, it's your trust in him that makes him lower his walls, sharing personal details that no one else knows.
—Another quiet show of his interest comes in the form of small rituals he has started to form with you: He leaves wildflowers where he knows you'll find them, he prepares the best piece of meat without saying a word, he covers you with his coat while you sleep, he watches you tenderly when you think he can't see you. They're not that grandiose, but they're enough to make you warm on the inside.
—Then, one day, the imminent arrived. It was in the way he looked at you, really at you, and admitted wanting to give you a future, one which he's willing to protect with his own life if it meant you would be happy.
❝I want to build a world where you can live without fear.❞
—I hope you're ready, because Xeno Wingfield finds your mind stimulating enough, which translates to a new attraction to debating with you about anything and everything. If he starts seeking you out to debate, to listen to your ideas, to ask your opinion on complex issues… Oh, he’s already halfway gone.
—Similar to Senku, he finds it intimate the prospect of sharing knowledge, especially the one he holds dear. For such, he'll offer to teach you anything you may ask him about, whether it's the intricate works of space, or why his gloves have those metal claws attached.
—Intense emotions aren't Xeno's strength, which seems pretty clear, so he lets them escape through small cracks during your moments together. Funnily enough, if you make him laugh, really laugh, he stares at you as if he doesn't understand what just happened to him.
—When he finally decides to say something, he does so with precision and a deep vulnerability. Despite the firmness present in his voice, his hands trembled just the slightest. For him, admitting his affection is a leap of faith.
❝You have become… Important to me. More than I anticipated.❞
—We're already aware that Stanley Snyder is a man focused on actions; that is, his affection is shown through various actions that demonstrate his attention to you. He fixes things for you, sharpens your tools, stands guard nearby without being asked…
—Those eyes of his will be set on you, whether you're aware of their constant presence or not. He watches you from a distance at first, almost like a soldier assessing a battlefield. Based on what he learns from his curious and respectful observation, he adjusts his behavior accordingly. His attention is constant, silent, and almost devotional in nature.
—His teasing is… He teases you dryly, to be honest. Yet if someone else does it, he shuts them down with a single look. He's the only one with the right to fluster you, and everyone should know that.
—Stanley isn't the most open about himself at first, taking his due time to open up for you. His life comes to your knowledge in fragments: a story from his past, a scar explained, a rare laugh shared. He doesn't talk about himself. Not out of pride, but because he doesn't know how. But with you… Things just slip out.
—And, when he finally gains the courage, his confession comes bluntly, directly, and devastatingly sincere, just like him.
❝I’m yours if you want me. Just say the word.❞
Best Seat In The House! || s. snyder
kinktober day 2! cws: face riding/sitting, hair pulling, interrupted sex, sorry guys I couldn't help myself... and neither could Xeno apparently. let me know if I missed anything! 1.1k words | ao3 link | kinktober masterlist
Stanley thought he was in heaven.
I mean, what other way could he describe the feeling of your pussy suffocating him?
You’d been so mad at him earlier—something about messin’ with those damn brats. Truthfully, he didn’t care. In fact, he’d do it again in a heartbeat if it meant you would continue grinding on his face so nicely.
The way you moved above him, every shift of your hips, each soft, breathy gasp, filled him with an immense sense of pride.
It was hard to concentrate on anything other than the way his tongue moved against you, slow and deliberate, then greedy and insistent, tracing and teasing. The way he would lick and suck at your clit as if it were his last meal.
He was starved—desperate for every inch of you you’d give him. And he was going to drink you in full.
Your hands threaded through his hair before you even realized it, tugging instinctively, nails raking slightly through the strands. The sound he let out—a low, guttural groan—shook through his chest and reverberated straight through you, making your knees tremble and hips ache for more.
Stanley’s hands gripped at your thighs, gently guiding and rocking you back and forth to match the pace he’d set. Sinful, needy moans echoed around Stanley’s head as he lapped at your clit, hungry yet precise, relentless in his attention. Your thighs clenched tightly around his head as you gasped, fingers digging harshly into his hair as you rode his mouth, utterly powerless to the way he had you consumed.
It was easy to lose yourself in the sensation—the ragged gasps, the heat pressing deep into your chest, the intoxicating taste and scent of yourself coating his lips and tongue. Even his own hips moved subtly, pressing upward in time with his mouth, as if every push, every flick, would grant him some fleeting relief from the need he couldn't hide.
“F-fuck... Stan—!” you whimpered, hips stuttering, chest heaving as your breaths came in short, uneven pants.
You didn't expect him to respond—not with his face buried so completely-but he did, and the sound of his low, muffled voice made your knees tremble. His words were thick, wet, vibrating against your most sensitive part, eyes rolling back, mouth parting in a silent moan as he pulled you closer.
“Yes, sweetheart?” He groaned, voice muffled but unmistakable.
“F-feels good—just like that… please Stan,” you cried out, mind scattered.
Stanley had always been good at following orders. It wasn't just a habit—it was part of the job. But it was impossible not to be grateful that the skill didn't vanish the second he stepped into the bedroom. He knew exactly how to read a target, how to find the right angle, the right pressure, the right rhythm at the exact right moment. And right now, every ounce of that precision, every trained reflex and instinct, was focused entirely on you—on how to work you open, on how to pull every broken moan, every shiver, every flicker of surrender from your body.
You were teetering on the edge, nerves aflame, body trembling as you whimpered, “Stanley... please... let me—mmph!” Hips stuttering, chest heaving, mind melting into the sensations.
Ah, seems like you’d forgotten you were the one who was supposed to be calling the shots, not that he’s complaining, he’d gladly take over for you.
Though suddenly, his phone rang. Sharp, insistent, cutting through the haze of pleasure. Your pulse jumped.
“Ignore it,” Stanley murmured, voice low, gruff, keeping his face buried between your thighs, “Focus on me.”
But the phone kept ringing, the caller ID flashing insistently.
“Ngh—b-but its—X-Xeno!” you stammered,
“Tell him to fuck off,” he grumbled, completely unbothered, fingers pressing you harder against him.
“What if it’s important?” you all but whined, voice trembling.
Stanley hummed against you, a low, amused vibration. “Fine,” he growled, “answer it. But I’m not stopping.” His words pressed into you like a challenge, and your knees shook.
Hands shaking, you snatched the phone and put it on speaker. “H-hello,” you whispered, voice barely holding together, every syllable trembling around the moans threatening to escape.
Xeno's voice came through immediately, calm and unflinching. “Why do you sound like that?” Then, not a second later, “Where's Stanley?”
Stanley hummed low and darkly against your body, lips pressing wetly into your core. “Tell him I'm busy,” he murmured, indifferent to your desperate attempt at composure. Every movement of his tongue, every press of his hands, left you shaking, breathless, completely at his mercy.
Just as you were about to answer for him, Stanley gave a particularly mean suck, and you couldn't hide the whine that slipped out.
At that point, you didn't even care if Xeno heard.
“H-he's... a little—preoccupied!” you admitted, voice faltering.
Xeno, calm and precise as always, began to speak, ready to relay the information both you and Stanley needed. But barely five words in, Stanley groaned, frustration and desire twisting together.
With a swift, practiced motion, he lifted you and slid you down so you were straddling his chest instead of his face, pressing you firmly against him. He ripped the phone from your grasp, growling, “Fuck Xe… you really don’t know when to quit, huh?”
“I don’t care about what you and your wife have going on,” Xeno said evenly through the speaker. “This is important. Though knowing the both of you, that probably means nothing. Keep going for all I care.” It was clinical, precise—and entirely unbothered by what was happening on the other end.
Stanley chuckled, low and dark, the sound vibrating through your body from his chest all the same. “You’re only saying that ’cause y’know you want her too,”
Your cheeks flushed as you jabbed him lightly in the chest. “Stan…”
“What? He knows it’s the truth,” Stanley replied with a grin, eyes glinting mischievously.
Xeno didn’t respond immediately. You could hear him clear his throat through the receiver. “That’s beside the point.”
“Anyway, I need you both to—” Xeno began, but he didn't get much further.
Stanley groaned, clearly done with whatever little game the call had been, and muttered, "Yeah, yeah, yeah... got it. Call ya back later," slamming the phone down without another word.
Before you could even catch your breath, his hands were on your thighs, yanking you back up over his face. “Sit back down,” he commanded, tongue flicking to lick a slow, deliberate stripe against your clit.
“I haven’t had my fill yet.”
an: omg wdym I can write for characters other than Senku???? ok jokes aside, I had a lot of fun working on this and I hope it turned out well! my first drst post was a stanley drabble so this brings me back.... @lo1itado11 oh the memories 🥹
how the dr. stone boys fuck
characters ꕤ senku, taiju, tsukasa, chrome, kinro, gen, hyoga, ukyo, ryusui, stanley, xeno
cw ꕤ nsfw!!!!!! minors and ageless dni!!!!!!!!! body worship, begging, gn!reader (i think, i really tried my best), breeding-ish, shibari, biting (m!receiving), edging, overstimulation, riding, missionary, maybe etc im not sure my brain cells are gone
wc ꕤ 1717
SENKU
senku will take the entire night finding out what makes you feel good. he’ll make you cum until you’re spent, and then make you cum more after that. “just one or two more tests, you’re doing so good for me.” he speaks so softly and sweetly to you that you can’t help but keep going for him. he’s a huge liar though, because he won’t stop until he figures out what makes you squirm, or scream. he’ll fully ignore his hard-on, focused only on you and your orgasm(s). before he can pleasure himself, he wants to know where your sensitive spots are. he wants to make you moan his name until you can’t speak. for science. of course. “was it here, or… oh, that’s where it was.” he’ll try everything over and over again until it’s muscle memory. so that next time he fucks you, he can do it right. “next time,” he starts, right by your ear, watching your cum spill out for the nth time, “i’ll be able to hold you right over the edge until you break.”
TAIJU
he goes just so feral for you. he loves you and your body so much that he can’t help himself, he can’t even wait until you get to bed. he obviously waits until you’re in private but as soon as that door closes he’s ripping both of your clothes off, picking you up, and pushing you against the closest wall. you need to have some crazy stamina to handle him. “you’re so pretty, baby, i love feeling you against me.” he groans against you, leaving as many hickeys on your neck as possible. the hickeys aren’t for others to see, they’re more because he just wants you to feel exactly how much he loves you. he wants you to have physical proof of his love.
TSUKASA
if i had to use two words to describe the way this man fucks you it is raw and rough. he wants you to feel his cum deep inside. he’ll only pull out if he’s cum inside you once, and when he pulls out all his cum has to hit your body somewhere. his cum needs to be covering you by the time he’s done. he’ll use you like you’re a fucktoy, and he will treat you the same way. “i can feel you tightening around me. you like being my cumdump that bad, huh?” he loves making you ride him. “a real fucktoy wouldn’t get tired. should i get one?” he touches all your sensitive spots while you’re riding him, getting you even weaker so he can tease you for being tired.
CHROME
chrome fucking you would include a ton of giggling and romance on both ends. he’d kiss you passionately, but, “oh, shit, babe, did i bite your lip?” the two of you laugh it off, and move on. when it gets more serious… hickeys everywhere. he’s proud he’s yours, he wants both of you to be marked from top to bottom. he stretches his neck more than usual the day after, showing everybody your beautiful work. he gets so passionate he’ll be fucking you so fast he doesn’t even notice. he just needs to feel you around him. whenever it slips out (because it happens more than you’d think), he apologizes and goes right back to it. he’ll fuck you past the point of overstimulation. your legs will be shaking by the end of it. he’ll just grin innocently and take care of you as best as he can.
KINRO
he’ll usually let you take more control, whatever makes you happy. but if you give him control, his favorite position is missionary. he loves watching your expressions and he loves seeing your face when you’re moaning. he loves that you can see his. eye contact during orgasm drives this man insane. he teases a bit, just because he likes hearing you whine at him. he won’t make you beg though, he isn’t that cruel. “whenever you’re ready, baby, cum for me.” he speaks so soft and gentle. definitely the talk you through it type. and right after, he’s so sweet, cuddling you, holding you close, and never letting go.
GEN
gen sits you in his lap, back against his chest. he’ll blindfold you, and the first thing you’ll feel is his clothed hard-on against you. the next thing you’ll feel is his breath on your ear. “you feel it, right? how excited i am for you already?” the filthy things that will come out of this man’s mouth will actually not shock you. he’ll drag teasing touches, get your hopes up and then bring them right down. “you’ve been waiting so long for me, i’ll reward you.” but he’ll only touch the inside of your thigh. he’ll get dangerously close, just to remove his hands and go back up to your chest or waist. he’ll chuckle when you start groaning and getting frustrated. “you don’t know what you’re in for.” and you really don’t. when he finally starts touching you, he’ll get you so very close to finishing, and then stop. “i thought this is what you wanted?”
HYOGA
he’ll tie you up, proper shibari style. he’s very good at it, too, you can hardly move. he’ll start very slow. he teases you with gentle touches and soft kisses, making you perfectly needy for him. “you’re so wet down here, it’s embarrassing.” he talks down to you as he fingers you, watching your expressions change. “what? are you gonna cry?” he scoffs. “you’re pathetic. might as well beg me to fuck you.” if you pull at your ties even a little bit, he’ll stop. “how many times do i need to tell you?” he asks when you start whining for him to continue. he only keeps going if you beg. “fine, but do it again, and i’ll leave you alone all tied up. you’ll have to figure out how to cum on your own, because i won’t help you.” you know he’s serious. he takes his time teasing you and opening you up so he can finally fuck you. when he fucks you, he starts hard and fast, and he doesn’t stop until he cums, even if that means you cumming multiple times. he takes very good care of you when you’re done, untying you and pressing kisses wherever you were tied.
UKYO
he loves teasing you. “don’t make a sound,” he’ll say as he fingers you. you can’t hide a single hitch of your breath around this guy’s hearing. he chuckles when he notices you’re holding your breath. “don’t cheat, love.” he smirks at you, driving you insane until you finally let out the smallest moan. a normal person wouldn’t have heard it, but ukyo? he stops everything he’s doing, moving his hands and drawing gentle circles on your thighs. “aw, what happened, love? i thought you weren’t going to fail.” he has you tearing up at your third attempt before he kisses your tears away and says, “alright, i’ll go easy on you.” he gives you exactly what you want, but the catch is that you can’t cum until he does. you’ll be stuck there for an hour or more.
RYUSUI
he takes his timeeeee. he pays all his attention to you. he’ll drag his hands all up and down your body, saying you’re beautiful in between every kiss. “i love this body. i love that it’s mine.” he has you strip slowly for him, making sure you take your time. it gets him so hard. he’ll lay you down and kiss down your body, fingers teasing so close to that one spot you want him to touch. and if you think because he worships you so much that he won’t make you beg you’re mistaken. he wants to hear his sweet thing’s voice saying “please, ryusui” ‘til he’s satisfied. then he’ll do the same thing while he’s fucking you. he’ll start slow, pressing kisses down your chest while saying, “say please, baby, i can’t go faster ‘til you beg for me. it’s hurting me too, y’know. you don’t know how bad i want to fuck you until you can’t walk.” even when you finally say it though, he’ll go, “i need more, baby, just a little more.” when he gets what he wants, just know you’re definitely not walking the next day.
STANLEY
he loves seeing you on your knees sucking him off. it drives him wild. he will cum minutes after you start and impatiently pull you up, sitting on the bed and pulling you on his lap so you can ride him. “gotta stay quiet, xeno’ll kill us if he hears you.” you muffle your moans the only way you know how. you bite down on his shoulder, hard. he holds your waist still on him, staring at you. you stare back, and his lips crash into yours. he’s moving your hips back and forth against him, and moaning into your mouth. you pull away to bite him more, and suddenly he’s changing positions. he pushes you onto the bed in missionary, staying close to you, so it’s easier for you to bite him. he’s the one who can’t keep his moans to himself now. you still get in trouble with xeno, but neither of you care. the bite marks are out for everyone to see the next day.
XENO
xeno wants to know your most sensitive spots. as soon as he finds them, he will abuse them over and over and over again. he’ll have you begging him to stop. “i thought you liked it here?” he’ll question, moving on to an even more sensitive spot. “or was it here?” you protest, so he stops entirely. “so you don’t want me to touch you?” he’ll sit back and make you touch yourself in front of him. “you’re complaining so much, why don’t you show me how it’s done? or are you just being a brat?” it’ll be a while before he actually fucks you, and when he does it’s even worse than before. “why are you complaining now? just ride me, show me how it’s done.” you just want the man to stop teasing you, but he won’t. he’ll make you ride him with no help until you cum, and then edge you until he’s happy with your attitude.
a/n ⋆ i hope this is good i've never posted nsfw ! enjoy!!!!!
m. list
taglist <3 @dodgeryaps @shortcakebaby
Hello! I was wondering if you are familiar with Dr. Stone? Id like to request a fanfic of both Yandere Stanley Snyder and Xeno!
Reader was a military Doctor before the petrification, they were close friends with both Stanley and Xeno. Id say reader is a soft spoken person kind of like, she has this kind face, always has a small smile plastered.
She then secretly ask for a transfer to a different branch of military— aka Japan— due to “minor circumstances”. She noticed how slowly possessive and obsessive the two became towards her. So she asked for a transfer, without telling them, maybe telling the commander to keep her transfer a secret. She had to leave before anything got to drastic between the two.
After petrification, shes been revived by senku, to go on a voyage to america! She already knew it she’d meet them again eventually.
The rest is up to you!
Yandere!Xeno x Fem!Reader x Yandere!Stanley
"Contains different details from the manga. For more, read the manga—it's worth it!"
The room smelled of coffee and gunpowder. It was a scent you had grown used to, one that clung to your uniform and seeped into your skin. The base was quiet at this hour—most soldiers either asleep or out on assignment. But here, it was just the three of you.
Xeno sat at his desk, his fingers turning the pages of some scientific journal you had no doubt he had already read a dozen times over. His sharp eyes flickered to you briefly before returning to his reading. Stanley, meanwhile, lounged on the couch, his rifle resting against the armrest within easy reach.
And then there was you, sitting at the table with your hands wrapped around a warm mug. The conversation had been light for most of the night—memories of past missions, idle jokes—but you could feel the weight in the air.
“Are you tired?”
You caught the way his fingers paused mid-turn on the page and replied with a smile “Just thinking.”
“About what?”
“Nothing important.”
Neither of them seemed convinced.
“You’ve been distracted lately.” Xeno leaned forward slightly, studying you in that way that made you feel like a specimen under his microscope. “It concerns me.”
“I’m fine.”
“You’re hiding something.”
“I think you’re both just overthinking it.”
You knew them too well to believe they would let this go.
You had to leave soon.
----
The wind whipped against your face as you stood on the deck of the ship, the vast ocean stretching endlessly before you.
It had been years since that night, since you left them without a word. You had convinced the commander to keep your transfer classified, ensured that no information about your whereabouts would reach them. You had done everything right.
And yet, the past was impossible to outrun.
“You okay?” A familiar voice pulled you from your thoughts. You turned to see Kohaku.
“Yeah. Just lost in thought.”
She raised an eyebrow but didn’t press. Instead, she glanced out at the sea. “We’ll be in America soon.”
You already knew that. You had known from the moment Senku asked you to join this mission that you would see them again.
You wondered how much of the past still remained in them.
And how much they would make you pay for leaving.
The first time you heard his voice again, it was like a ghost from the past had come back to haunt you.
“Greetings. I take it this is your preferred frequency for communication?”
Even after all these years, you recognized it instantly.
Xeno.
You didn’t react outwardly, keeping your usual smile as if nothing was amiss. But inside, your heart pounded. It was too soon. You had known you would meet them eventually, but not like this. Not with him still unaware of your presence.
And then the situation escalated.
Gen was caught.
You kept up the act, playing along with the crew as they devised a plan. The moment Taiju accepted to play as the "scientist" of their group, you knew where this was heading.
You stayed close to the others as they moved, keeping your presence blended into the background. You could feel it—the moment Stanley took his position. He was out there.
And then, as he peered through the scope, lining up his shot—
He saw you.
For the first time in years, his eyes locked onto yours. His body language shifted, the steadiness of his aim wavering for just a fraction of a second. It was barely noticeable to anyone else.
As the plan unfolded, you kept your expression neutral, your small smile never faltering.
Then, Luna arrived, just as expected.
Whatever will be, will be.
You felt your heart lurch as the bullets tore through Senku, his body jerking under the force. Even though you had prepared for it, the sight still made something tighten in your chest.
Stanley never left a job unfinished. He was already on his way down before the dust even settled, moving with the cold efficiency that made him the military’s best.
Senku wasn't dead. You knew that much. His intelligence was the only thing that kept him breathing, tricking them into thinking they had succeeded. But you also knew he would need help.
You needed to get to him.
Before you could take a step, a strong hand seized your wrist and wrenched you backward, his grip like a shackle that refused to break. You stiffened, instinct screaming at you to resist—but you didn’t. You knew better. So, with a quiet breath, you let him.
It wasn’t compliance. It was strategy.
You could feel the way his grip tightened ever so slightly, like he thought you might disappear again if he let go.
You exhaled slowly, keeping your voice steady as you spoke for the first time.
“Stan.”
He pressed on, yet his fingers tightened—like a man gripping onto a ghost he feared might slip away.
The walk to Xeno’s base was silent, but the weight in the air was suffocating. The moment the doors opened, you were met with the sight of Xeno speaking to Gen.
Shock flickered across Gen's face. Not because he recognized you, but because he understood what your presence here meant. Something had gone horribly wrong for Senku’s team.
Xeno’s reaction was much more subtle, but you didn’t miss it. His eyes widened just a fraction before settling into something unreadable, his lips parting ever so slightly as if he meant to say something but hadn’t yet found the words.
The silence stretched for only a moment before Stanley shoved you further inside, forcing Gen to stumble backward slightly.
“Take him away”
Gen blinked, his eyes darting between you, Stanley, and Xeno, as if piecing together a puzzle far more complex than he’d anticipated. He didn’t resist as he was dragged away, but his parting glance was full of unspoken questions.
And then, it was just the three of you.
The door shut behind Gen, the echo ringing in your ears. Xeno exhaled, placing his gloved hands on the desk in front of him.
“I see,” he murmured. “So it truly is you.”
“It’s been a long time, Xeno.”
Xeno leaned back in his chair, “You left,” he finally said. “No warning. No goodbye.”
Stanley crossed his arms beside you, “Did you really think we wouldn’t find out eventually?”
“It was never about hiding forever.”
“Then what was it about?”
You met his gaze head-on. “I left because you two were becoming dangerous.”
“You were my closest friends,” you continued, “But you both started treating me like something to be possessed. It was only a matter of time before it got worse. So I left before it did.”
Stanley scoffed, “And now you’re with them?”
You nodded. “I made my choice.”
Xeno hummed, shaking his head. “Your choices have always been questionable. But that’s alright.”
You stiffened, just slightly, as Xeno stood up from his seat, stepping toward you with the same calculating grace he always had. Stanley didn’t move, but you could feel the way his gaze bore into you.
“You seem to have forgotten” Xeno murmured, stopping just before you, “It’s our job to educate those who have lost their way.”
“I’m afraid we’ll have to recondition that misguided loyalty of yours.”
Stanley exhaled through his nose, finally speaking.
“You’re not going anywhere this time.”
Life under their watch felt suffocating.
As expected, you were assigned to treat the injured. That part wasn’t unusual; they always respected your medical skills, and Xeno, at least, had the sense to recognize that you were more valuable this way than locked in a cell.
But outside of that?
You were constantly watched.
Everywhere you went, a guard followed. Even within the medical tent, you could feel eyes on you at all times—whether it was one of Stanley’s men stationed near the entrance or Stanley himself, sitting in the corner, pretending to clean his gun while his gaze barely left you.
Before, Xeno and Stanley had been focused on conquering Senku’s group, but now? Now it felt like their primary mission was keeping you from slipping away.
You had tried to sneak out one night, hoping to reach Gen—maybe pass along a message, maybe get some information—but the second you stepped outside, a guard was already there. Stanley’s men were efficient. They didn’t scold or punish you. They simply looked at you, silent and expectant, like they had been waiting for you to return on your own.
You considered some possibilities. Maybe slipping away during battle. The risk is that you'd have to time it perfectly or else they'd catch you trying to run.
Second plan is to feign sickness. If you pretended to be sick or weak, you could manipulate Xeno into keeping you inside with fewer guards. If you were alone, you might find a way out. But he himself is a scientist. He’d check your vitals, run tests. If he caught on, he’d be even more controlling.
You had options. But each one came with a price.
And with Stanley and Xeno watching your every move, failure wasn’t something you could afford.
----
Seated across from Xeno in his study, you kept your usual smile as he questioned you about Senku and his people. You expected this. It was only natural for him to want intelligence on his opponent.
So, you answered. But you only gave him general truths—nothing that could be used against them. Senku was resourceful. Kohaku was strong. Chrome was a fast learner. All things he would eventually figure out on his own, but you knew he wasn’t satisfied.
Stanley, standing off to the side, didn’t bother hiding his displeasure.
But he didn’t interfere.
Because, no matter how much Stanley wanted results, he had his own rules.
He never laid a hand on you.
Not over something like this.
Because you weren’t his enemy.
“Tell me,” he mused, tilting his head slightly. “How have you been?”
The change in topic caught you off guard.
“You left us. And yet, here you are again.” His fingers tapped against the table. “Surely, you must have something to say about all that time apart.”
Deep down, a part of you did miss them.
You missed the conversations with Xeno, the way his mind worked, the long nights spent debating theories over coffee. You missed the quiet moments with Stanley, those rare times when he let his guard down, when it was just the three of you against the world.
The battlefield. The victories. The losses. The camaraderie.
You had been through so much together.
And no matter how much you wanted to deny it, there had been happiness in that time too.
“I’ve been alright,” you finally said. “Things… changed after I left. But I adapted.”
Xeno’s lips curled in amusement. “Adapted? That’s all?”
“That’s what humans do, isn’t it?”
“You didn’t have to.”
You turned your gaze toward him, finding him watching you intently. Like he was watching a traitor.
“I did.”
“And yet, you still ended up back in our hands.”
You weren’t planning to stay.
You couldn't stop thinking about Senku. That young man brought you a sense of comfort, nothing more.
Even as you went about your duties, tending to the wounded, patching up soldiers who had no idea of the weight pressing on your shoulders—you thought of him.
Senku was brilliant. He always had a plan, always worked five steps ahead.
You knew, deep down, that he must have something in place. Some way to turn the situation in his favor.
But doubt still lingered.
Had he survived? Did he have a counter to Stanley’s bullet? Or had fate finally caught up to him?
Then came the morning.
The atmosphere was different.
You noticed it immediately—the way the soldiers moved with more urgency, the way murmurs rippled through the camp.
You were barely given time to process before you overheard the words that sent your heart plummeting:
“Today's the day we get rid of Senku Ishigami.”
You had to do something.
The tunnel plan worked faster than you expected.
One moment, you were scrambling for a way to slow Stanley’s men down, and the next—Chrome and the others had broken through, executing the plan with perfect timing. The tables turned in an instant.
And now, Xeno was their hostage.
That didn’t shake him, of course. But as you walked back with Senku’s group, checking on their injuries and making sure no one was in immediate danger, you noticed something—
Xeno had been watching you.
He saw the way you moved among Senku’s team, the way you smiled more freely, the way your shoulders weren’t weighed down as they had been in his camp.
You were happier.
Even as you checked his vitals, treating him no differently from the others, he said nothing about it. Not yet.
“You seem… comfortable” Xeno mused, watching you from where he was seated. “More than I recall you ever being.”
“I suppose I am.”
“And here I thought our time together had its charms.”
“It did,” you admitted. “But that doesn’t mean I want to go back.”
He was never one to show his emotions outright. But this was different.
It wasn’t frustration over being captured.
It was personal.
And before you could even process why, he spoke again, quieter this time.
“You favor him now.”
“What?”
“Senku.” Xeno’s gaze was sharp, “You favor him.”
You exhaled softly, shaking your head. “It’s not about favor, Xeno. I made my choice.”
“I wonder.” He leaned forward slightly, a knowing glint in his eye. “Does he even realize?”
“What are we talking about?”
You turned to see Senku approaching. He hadn’t been listening, too focused on whatever plan was forming in his mind, his attention entirely devoted to the future.
“Nothing of importance,” he mused, reclining back slightly. “At least, not to you.”
Senku just gave him a look, clearly unimpressed, before turning to you. “We’re moving soon. Think you can help me with some calculations?”
You nodded without hesitation, following him without a second thought.
And behind you, Xeno sat in silence, watching your retreating figure.
His jealousy simmered beneath the surface, unspoken but undeniable.
Because unlike him—
Senku had never needed to try to earn your attention.
----
Stanley finally caught up.
You had known, deep down, that this moment was inevitable. No matter how far Senku’s team got, no matter how many steps ahead they planned, Stanley Snyder was relentless. He was a man who finished his missions, no matter the cost.
And now, he had won.
His men closed in swiftly, surrounding you and the others with a precision that left no room for struggle. Xeno, of course, was the first to be retrieved. It was a swift, effortless transition—one moment he was a captive, and the next, he was back where he belonged, standing by Stanley’s side with that unreadable smirk, as if he had never been caught at all.
But when Stanley’s eyes landed on you, there was something different.
He didn’t ask you to come back.
He expected it.
And in that moment, you knew there was no escaping this—not without bloodshed.
So, you made your choice.
You surrendered.
“If I go back with you,” you said, “stop hurting them. Stop targeting innocent people.”
You couldn’t tell if he was satisfied or frustrated that you were giving in so easily.
“A noble request.”
“You’ll do it,” you said firmly. “Both of you.”
Stanley finally nodded.
“We’ve got what we came for,” he said simply. “No need to waste bullets.”
Relief flooded you, but it was brief.
Because even as Stanley’s men began to pull back, even as you took a step toward them, leaving Senku’s team behind, you knew this wasn’t over.
There was still one thing left.
You turned back to Senku’s group, “Before I go,” you said, “let me treat the injured one last time.”
Stanley didn’t stop you. Neither did Xeno.
Because in the end, for all their control over your life—this was the one thing they never denied you.
So, you moved through the group, checking wounds, patching up what you could, leaving them with what little you had left to give.
And then—
You walked away.
And you didn’t look back.
You didn’t acknowledge Xeno. You didn’t acknowledge Stanley.
They had won. You were here. But that didn’t mean you had to give them the satisfaction of cooperation.
And they knew it.
Which was why they lied to you.
It wasn’t until later that you realized Senku had been taken, smuggled into their hands like some rare commodity.
You stormed to find him, half-expecting to see him restrained or beaten—but instead, you found him seated casually, looking at you like nothing was wrong.
"Ah, figured you'd find out sooner or later." Senku’s voice was as light as ever, as if this was all part of some grand experiment he was running.
“They lied to me.”
“Well, yeah,” he said bluntly. “But hey, don’t take it too hard. Life as a hostage? Not the worst thing in the world. Gives me a good chance to talk to Xeno again.”
“Senku...”
“Relax,” he grinned. “I was planning to get captured anyway.”
Of course he was.
This was Senku.
Still, it didn’t make the bitter taste in your mouth go away.
Soon enough, Stanley’s men came to take him.
You didn’t get a chance to say much more before he was gone, dragged off to wherever they intended to keep him.
Which left you.
And Stanley.
“Come with me.”
You hesitated, but followed. Because even after all this time, even after everything, some part of you still wanted to hear what he had to say.
It was a mess, how your conversation is heading.
"You think you get to be mad? You left. You vanished without a damn word. And now you want to stand there and act like you're the victim?"
"I did what I had to do, Stan."
"And what exactly did that accomplish? Huh? Because from where I’m standing, all it did was make everything worse."
You scoffed, shaking your head. "You started dragging people into this! You shot people, Stanley! Do you even hear yourself?"
"You think this started because of me?" His voice rose. "No. It started the second you walked away."
There it was. The weight of his suffering, compressed into sharp words.
"Stanley…"
But it wasn’t enough.
He saw the way your expression softened, and for some reason, that seemed to push him over the edge.
Because suddenly, he was too close.
Before you could react, his hands grabbed your wrist, pulling you in—
Smack
The slap came before you even thought about it.
Stanley didn’t so much as waver. Your hand throbbed, your breath hitched, but all it did was cast a deeper shadow in his gaze.
"You—"
His fingers curled under your chin, guiding your face to meet his— And then he kissed you, leaving no room for escape.
It was neither tender nor forgiving.
It was fierce, unrelenting—more a sentence than a kiss.
You struggled, but Stanley was stronger. And just as quickly, he bit down. You gasped, the sting of pain snapping you back, but he didn’t pull away.
"That’s for running away."
Then, slowly—he released you.
You stumbled back, your breath uneven, your heart slamming against your ribs.
----
Xeno called for you.
You weren’t sure why, but you went anyway. Maybe it was curiosity, maybe it was exhaustion from your fight with Stanley—either way, your feet carried you toward him before you even processed it.
And when you arrived, you found them. Xeno and Senku.
They were testing something. Their voices wove together in rapid exchanges, debating theories, tweaking results.
For a moment, you forgot the tension.
You had seen this before—Xeno, completely immersed in his work, in the beauty of creation. There was a time when his passion had been purer, when he had built things not for war, but for the sake of discovery itself.
And for the first time in years, you saw glimpses of that man again.
Then his gaze lifted—and met yours.
It was only for a second, but that second was enough.
Because his eyes softened.
Because Senku—smart as always, perceptive as ever— stood up, stretched lazily, and excused himself.
The silence settled between you like an old companion.
“You always had a habit of watching in silence.”
“I assume Stanley has already had his… discussion with you.”
You touched your lower lip out of instinct. Still, you didn’t reply.
“I must say, I didn’t expect to feel jealous of Senku. You look at him differently, you know. There’s a fondness there—one you used to reserve for me.”
“That’s not—”
“Not true?” He hummed. “Perhaps. Or perhaps, without realizing it, you’ve found yourself drawn to something you once admired in me. A scientist who dreams.”
You frowned, looking away. “I admired the man you used to be.”
“Then allow me to ask—if I were to return to that man… would you return to me?”
You walked away, he was always careful choosing his own words. You need to get some air, away from the mess you've got yourself in.
----
The moment you heard the news, everything else faded.
Stanley had been shot.
It was a life-or-death situation—one that immediately demanded your attention. And not just yours. Xeno and Senku, despite their clashing ideals, were both drawn into it.
You barely processed the rush of activity, the hurried movements of people scrambling to stabilize him.
All you knew—all that mattered—was that he had survived. Barely.
By some stroke of sheer luck, the bullet had missed anything vital. But the damage was still severe. His body had taken too much, and now, he lay there—unconscious.
And you refused to leave his side.
Days passed.
You tended to his wounds, carefully monitoring every breath, every shift in his condition.
When his fever spiked, you were there to cool him down. When his breathing faltered, you were there to steady him.
It was exhausting. But you never wavered.
Because no matter what had happened between you, no matter the choices he made, the sins he bore—
Stanley Snyder was still your Stanley.
And you couldn’t bear to lose him.
The moment Stanley’s eyes cracked open, you felt it.
A sharp intake of breath—his first real one in days. His fingers twitched slightly, then tightened into a weak fist.
Your heart nearly stopped.
“…Stan?” Your voice was hoarse from exhaustion, but the relief in it was undeniable.
His gaze, unfocused at first, slowly sharpened. He blinked sluggishly, taking in his surroundings—then, finally, you.
“…You look like shit”
You let out a breathless laugh, something between amusement and sheer relief. “And you nearly died.”
Stanley only grunted, shifting slightly before wincing at the pain. His body was still weak, but the fact that he was alive, awake— that was enough for now.
Your exhaustion crashed down all at once. The worry, the sleepless nights, the weight of it all—it finally caught up to you.
You barely managed to mumble, “Welcome back,” before your body gave out.
You slumped forward, too drained to keep yourself upright.
Before you could hit the edge of the bed, a hand caught you.
Not Stanley’s.
Xeno.
“You two are absolute idiots who should never be left unsupervised.”
Stanley let out a weak chuckle. “Takes one to know one.”
Xeno pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’m surrounded by fools.”
But he still made sure you were comfortable, still adjusted your position so you wouldn’t wake up with a sore neck.
And despite the bickering, despite everything—
There was relief in his gaze, too.
----
You woke up to a boom.
Your body jolted upright before your brain even caught up. For a split second, panic surged through you—but when no immediate threat followed, you exhaled slowly.
A failed experiment, most likely.
Shaking off the haze of sleep, you made your way to the kitchen area. Your stomach growled—right, you hadn’t eaten properly in days. Tending to Stanley had taken up all your energy, and now that he was stable, your body was demanding food.
You weren’t exactly a chef, but your cooking was… decent enough.
So, you got to work.
The scent of food gradually filled the air.
And like moths to a flame, they came.
First, a few curious glances. Then, casual comments. And before you knew it, half the damn base was hovering nearby, eyes practically shining with anticipation.
“Whoa! This smells amazing!”
“Wait, you can cook? Why haven’t you done this before?!”
You chuckled softly as the compliments rolled in, handing out portions. It had been so long since you sat down like this—surrounded by people, eating together. It was almost enough to make you forget everything else.
Because while you were busy laughing and chatting—
Stanley and Xeno were busy watching.
They sat on either side of you, their presence suffocating yet unnoticed by everyone else.
And every time someone praised your cooking—every time someone so much as smiled at you—
A deathly glare followed.
----
The peaceful moments didn't last for long.
"You’re with me today."
Stanley always volunteered you for tasks that required your presence.
The injured near his post? You had to treat them. Checking the perimeter? You were expected to accompany him. A supply run? Not without him.
"I trust her judgment more than anyone else’s," Stanley had said casually one day. "If someone’s patching up my men, it’ll be her."
You didn’t get a say.
And Xeno?
He ensured that all medical responsibilities fell under him and you.
"Surely, you wouldn’t want an incompetent pair of hands dealing with something so fragile, right?" Xeno murmured, blocking your path with a smile. "Stay here—your presence is necessary."
You soon realized that if someone needed medical treatment, they were denied access unless you were personally dealing with it.
Then came another time when they kept reminding you of the past.
"You used to say we made a good team." Stanley’s voice was casual. "You still believe that, don’t you?"
"That was a long time ago."
"Doesn’t change anything."
"Your past decisions led you here," he mused, "I find it fascinating how fate corrects itself, don’t you?"
"Fate didn’t bring me here"
Xeno simply smiled.
"Then tell me, why do you look at us the way you did back then?"
You had no answer.
Because no matter what you said—they twisted it.
They turned your past into proof that you belonged to them.
And the worst part?
You started doubting yourself.
Aside from using your words against you, they were sure to keep their presence noticeable to you.
Stanley stood too close.
If you tried to move, he was already in your way.
One evening, after being done with work, you tried to leave the room.
Stanley was leaning against the doorway.
"Where are you headed?"
"Somewhere else" you said flatly.
You moved left—he shifted left. You moved right—he blocked your path again.
"You’re not going anywhere. Not without me."
Then came the breaking point.
You had finally snapped.
"I’m not a prisoner, Stanley!" You shoved him away, furious.
You had tried to run.
And when you returned?
Your door was locked.
"You need rest" Xeno had said, unbothered.
One day, a person in the camp needed urgent medical attention.
You rushed to grab the necessary equipment—only to find the cabinets locked.
You turned to Xeno.
"You should have come to me first"
"This isn’t a game, Xeno—someone could die!"
He simply smiled.
"Then let’s not waste any time." His fingers tapped the counter, "Ask me properly."
You felt sick.
They had made sure that no matter what happened—
You had to rely on them.
-----
The night carried an unsettling weight, pressing against your skin like an unspoken omen. Stanley’s gaze had always been sharp, always observant—but tonight, it clung to you with a purpose, a silent expectancy that made the air feel tighter.
You forced yourself to stay calm, playing along with the meal as if nothing was out of place. You ate in silence, seated between Xeno and Stanley, their presence a constant, suffocating weight on either side of you. The moment you reached for your cup, Stanley's hand overlapped yours.
His fingers, rough from years of handling firearms, lightly curled over yours.
You didn’t look at him, keeping your face blank as you slowly pulled your hand away. He let you—but only because he wanted to.
Xeno, on the other hand, was watching your every move.
BOOM
A sudden explosion from outside shook the entire building. The scent of smoke and burning wood filled the air almost instantly. The camp erupted into chaos.
“They’re here.” Xeno’s voice was eerily calm despite the situation. He knew exactly what was happening.
You bolted to your feet. Soldiers rushed past the windows, panicked voices calling out orders as another loud blast sent debris flying.
This was it.
Your heart pounded as you caught a glimpse of Gen and Chrome through the smoke—Senku in the middle of them, alive. He was grinning, even after everything. You almost laughed—of course he was.
Gen’s eyes met yours, and for a brief second, relief washed over you. But before you could take a step forward—
Again, Stanley's hand clamped around your wrist.
You barely had time to react before he yanked you back, spinning you around to face him.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“They’re getting away. I have to—”
“You have to stay.”
His grip tightened just enough to bruise.
Xeno was watching, standing just a few steps away. He didn’t interfere—he didn’t need to.
You were never meant to leave.
Outside, you heard shouts of victory. Chrome and Gen had escaped with Senku.
They were gone. They’d done it. But… you were still here.
Stanley let out a slow exhale, his grip still locked around you, before his other hand rose to cup your cheek..
“You’re thinking too much,” he muttered, his thumb ghosting over your jaw. “It’s over now.”
You jerked your head away, trying to shove him off, but he didn’t budge. Instead, he leaned in, his breath hot against your ear.
“You don’t belong with them.”
And then—Xeno stepped forward.
He sighed, shaking his head. “Honestly, you two are troublesome.”
“This was never your fight, Xeno.”
“No, perhaps not. But you are.”
He reached forward, brushing a lock of hair from your face.
You slapped his hand away. “I’ll never belong to you.”
“Tell me…Y/N,” He tilted his head, “Where else do you belong?”
Senku was free.
But you?
You were still theirs.
Diner Girl [Stanley & Xeno x Reader]
In which the childhood friend of Stanley and Xeno settled for a simple life, and they're not going to let her waste her talents.
Reader is ── Female | Diner Server Story is ── Romantic | 2.1k words | Part One
Warnings ── N/A Parts ── Part Two | Part Three | Part Four | Epilogue | Director's Cut
A photo of a short boy with white hair and goggles on his head, a taller blond boy with a lollipop in his mouth, and a girl between them showing off a big smile that was missing a few baby teeth was the first of many. Next was their kindergarten ceremony, each growing a tad taller, followed by their middle school graduation, each in cute mock-graduation gowns and caps and each distinct in style.
The last time you achieved something in unison was your highschool graduation photo, Xeno with his hand on your lower back and Stanley with his arm over your shoulder, sandwiching you between them, each showing off your certificates.
Every picture after that was for the individual: Stanley’s promotion ceremonies and returning home celebrations and Xeno’s many graduations from bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate programs, along with his post-project awards. You three were always in each photo, celebrating Xeno and Stan’s brightest moments, but none seemed to focus on you.
Stanley swiped through the photos on his phone while Xeno stirred milk and sweetener into his coffee, watching the other reminisce.
They’d come all this way, to a dingy little diner off Route 66 built sometime in the 60’s and last renovated in the 80’s, just to see you. Since they hadn’t warned you ahead that they’d be visiting, you weren’t able to get the day off, and you were still fuming about that as you returned to the table with two plates.
The full works breakfast was placed in front of Stanley, and a breakfast sandwich with homefries was slammed front of the smirking scientist across from him.
“Ouch, gentle darling!” Xeno teased, though he’d visibly jumped at the slam and tried to play it off.
“I’ll do damn well as I please, Doctor Wingfield.” You rolled your eyes, turning to look at Stanley. He was chewing on a toothpick, only removing it to begin eating. You expected something snarky from him, but this time he remained silent, and you wouldn’t be surprised if it were because he was still upset that you had missed the last Marine Corps Ball.
In your defence, you couldn’t exactly fly to the east coast and take all that time off work when you wanted; it was costly!
Seeing as they didn’t need anything else, you dismissed yourself to check on your other tables. As always, you could see Xeno doing most of the talking while Stanley observed. Only, Stanley seemed to observe more than just his friend but everyone else present, especially you. Anytime your back was turned, you could feel his dark eyes staring you down, likely judgementally.
The other servers had come to recognize Xeno and Stanley and knew to seat them in your section whenever they stopped by—no matter how much you insisted they not.
When all your other tables were paid and cleared, you took the chance to pull off your apron and push your way next to Stanley for a quick break.
"My co-workers are offering to cover the closing hour for me if you want me to leave early." Stanley allowed you to pick one of the fruits from his plate and pop it in your mouth, having left the berries he knew you liked untouched.
“Unfortunately we’re here on business.” Stanley glanced at you while he spoke, feeling the same guilty pang he always did when you seemed sad.
“We’re passing through on our way to test my new engine cooling system; we booked a field out here to get it away from people.” Small, old towns hugged Route 66, and between them were vast uninhabited areas of sand and dried-up plants, perfect for testing things that may just explode.
You gave a half-hearted smile, partway glad to see them and partway sad it wouldn’t be for longer. With Stanley climbing up the ranks and Xeno being so well-regarded at NASA, it seemed as though they could do anything they wanted when they wanted, and you were still answering to the same diner owner that hired you a handful of years prior.
Not that you hadn’t chosen this path; it wasn’t as if you were godawful in school or lacked dreams. The other two were just…rare. You were an exceptional student, but they were inhuman.
“That’s nice. I’m glad you’re already in the testing phase.” You meant to share your words with enthusiasm, but they came out rather plain as you mindlessly stirred the coffee in your mug. Your eyes were lost in the swirling liquid, your mind busy considering how impressive Xeno’s projects always were.
Why did they always make a point to see you? You never had anything fun to share.
The silence stretched while you lifted the mug to your lips, taking in the watered-down coffee you were used to tasting. Although everything you did felt mediocre, you were motivated by a specific goal.
You’d been saving as much of your pay as possible to help fund a degree in archival studies, not including paying off the student debt you already had. You had managed to complete a bachelor's in two and a half years already, but you still needed a master's and doctorate to be considered in a genuine archive.
“Still foolishly rejecting our offer?” Xeno had both elbows on the laminate table, resting his chin on the back of his hands. It only took meeting eyes for a moment for you to look back down at your hands, fingers drumming along the sides of the warm mug between them.
“I can’t let you guys do all the work for me. I was super close anyways—just one more year and then I can apply to the UT master's program.” Your words were both reassurance for them and yourself.
“You said that last time.” Stanley added unhelpfully.
“I know! I know… Just, some unexpected expenses and all.” It felt like you had the worst luck; after saving up just barely enough to quit, your car broke down, and it was completely unfixable. You had to bike to work for a week before you could go out to buy a new one, and it practically halved your savings.
Stanley only scoffed, raising a hand to rest on your head. He ruffled your hair, earning a playful slap to get him to stop.
“Best I get back to work. Thank you guys for stopping to see me, really. Oh! Don’t pay. I’m taking your bill.” It was a small gesture, but you got a discount anyways, and you wanted to treat them somehow. Xeno nodded along, standing to put his coat back on while Stanley reached for his matches.
To leave you here, in the middle of nowhere, as if you weren't the single most important thing to either of them, felt wrong. But your wishes took priority.
As you moved to put your apron back on, Stanley stopped you by taking the straps. Albeit a tad tighter than you usually made it, he tied it snug around your waist with a bow, careful enough to make sure it looked even before seeing himself off. Xeno gave a quick snicker at his companion's antics and opened his arms to offer a hug. Of course, you accepted, and he held you until you parted of your own volition.
“Good luck with your project, Xeno. Even if you don’t need it.”
“I’m always better off with your luck than without it. Until next time!”
Just like that the diner seemed to quiet down, no longer filled with their banter or the sheer force of their presence. It was dipping into the afternoon, anyhow, and your morning shift was nearly over.
Your coworker hailed you over to the main counter by the till, offering you a billfold.
“What’s this?” You took it in your hands, looking up at her with a confused glance.
“Your little admirers paid while you were in the kitchen and told me not to tell you.” You opened it to reveal cash that was well over quadruple the cost of the bill itself.
You slammed it back shut, jogging to the door to catch the perpetrators only to see their car was already taking off down the empty road, stirring up dust behind it and leaving you cursing under your breath. They were always one step ahead of you, and you hated that you’d become predictable enough for them to get away with whatever they liked.
“I can’t believe you’re still dragging those boys for a ride, they’re totally whipped for you.”
“Yeah, you’re better than me! The muscles on that military man…”
“Not to mention how smart the scientist is!”
“I bet they’re both loaded.”
The two servers you’d gotten relatively close with bickered behind you as you processed the payment, putting the overly generous tip in your apron pocket with a dramatic sigh.
“They aren’t ‘whipped’ for me. They’re just being nice because they feel bad that their childhood friend didn’t make it big like them.” At least, that was what you assured yourself with to keep all the ridiculous, childlike, crushing thoughts away. You’d all grown up together; of course they would try to make you feel better.
“Whatever you say, girl.”
It had been a week since you saw those two.
Xeno had updated you by email on how it went, including images and attachments of the project paper. You had parsed it, though most of the technical jargon was lost on you. It seemed things had gone well, since it was marked as ‘approved.’
Today was one of your days off, and it was about time you checked the mailbox you’d neglected during the last handful of workdays. Not that it needed to be checked daily. Most of the mail you got was from Stanley while he was deployed or the NASA aerospace engineering newsletter Xeno sent (fully annotated on what he had a hand in) to you every month. This time there were a few flyers, though most peculiar was a legal-sized envelope with no return address.
‘Huh.’
Using your finger to rip the folded edge open, you found a handful of papers held together with a paperclip, underneath which was a NASA business card for the one and only Dr. Xeno Houston Wingfield. The top paper caught your eye: an acceptance letter to the School of Information master's program at the University of Texas.
Your grip on the papers tightened, flipping through the ones behind it: your course schedule and upcoming meetings with your supposed advisor at the university, a co-lease agreement to an apartment awaiting your signature, confirmation of a moving company arriving two weeks from now, and a letter of sponsorship evidence from Xeno himself.
The papers fell from your shaky grip onto the kitchen counter below, your hand coming to your mouth, which hung open.
It wasn’t long before you pulled yourself from the shock, grabbing your phone and dialling Xeno’s cell. It only rang once before the hum of his workshop came to life through your speaker. It was always noisy wherever he worked.
“What the hell is this, Xeno?”
“You may have to elaborate on what ‘this’ means, dear.”
“You know damn well what I’m talking about! How do you even apply on someone’s behalf? This is insane!” You could hear him stifle a laugh, as well as distinguish that he was walking away from all the noise, which abruptly cut at the sound of a door closing.
“Don’t worry about how. Just worry about packing.” Xeno clicked his tongue, and though you couldn’t see it, you could tell he had a mischievous smile on his face. “And how about thanking us while you’re at it?”
You were stunned to silence on the other end, fidgeting with one of the flyers on the counter while your eyes scanned your run-down apartment. There wasn’t a ton to pack, but still. To have this sprung on you out of nowhere… It felt just like the days in school when you’d get pushed into one of his experiments; you could never predict what came next.
A sigh broke from your lips.
“Of course I’m thankful, Xeno. I don’t know where to begin thanking you.”
Your eyes watered against your will. While your expression couldn’t be seen through the call, Xeno still picked up on the quiver in your voice, which only boosted his ego.
“Sorry, did you say ‘thanking us’ earlier?”
“Who do you think you’re moving in with? Stanley went through all the trouble of getting relocated to Austin so you wouldn’t be alone.”
“Hah!” You snickered at the joke, though his end was silent.
“Wait, seriously?”
Authors Note | Im leaving this pretty open ended because I think there good enough potential for a part two,,, if well received! Ofc Stanley would abuse his rank to move close to readers school,,,, so he can live with her,,,,no ulterior motives!
Now available on ao3!
Tap Out
StanXeno x Reader
A/n: I can be nice or whatev... I was inspired by this TikTok
Quick fact from someone who doesn’t know anything about the military: A military tap out is a ceremony or tradition where recruits line up and cannot move or speak until a family member, friend (anyone really) walks up and taps them out.
Imagine Stanley, who left for the military on bad terms with his family. He stands silently, jaw clenched, watching all the other recruits around him get tapped out—crying into the arms of their loved ones. He doesn’t think anybody would come and tap him out, expecting an instructor to take pity on him and release him from the torturous stance of isolation. Everyone around him is moving, and he’s the only one left standing completely still.
“Ah, there he is!” Despite the commotion around him, Stanley hears Xeno’s voice clearly, followed by your laughter. It wasn’t an issue for him to stand completely; he’s done it numerous times during boot camp, but when both of you stand before him, he suddenly struggles to stay still. His knees feel shaky, and the stoic, emotionless expression begins to crack.
“Long time no see, Stan.”
Months without seeing either of you—some things never change. You’re still so easily distracted by Xeno, and Xeno, who begins to ramble—lost in his own words—forgets to tap him out. It’s not till minutes later, when someone beside you whispers, reminding you Stanley hasn’t been tapped yet, that you eventually release Stanley from his chains.
Stanley playfully smacks the back of Xeno’s head and ruffles your hair, “Idiots.”
OLD MAN YAOI (kinda?? Idk if it counts as old 😭)



