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Gen was the first person to approach him about it. It was late, and Senku was sat off to a corner, writing out plans with the little light the moon provided. Gen sat down next to him, a gentle hand placed on Senku's back.
"About Dr. Xeno..." Gen smiled, leaning in close. His tone was hushed, quiet compared to the chirps and groans of frogs and bugs in the forest. Senku made a grunt in response, not bothering to look up from his work. "He's been spending time around Stanley's statue."
"We have a guard on him, don't we?" Senku spared him a glance, Gen's soft, worried smile barely visible.
"Yes but... I'm not terribly concerned about him trying to revive Stanley."
"If you want someone to talk to him than do it yourself."
"I'm afraid my words won't do much. You know him much better than I do."
Senku sighed heavily, setting his makeshift pencil down. He faced Gen, so he could firmly frown at him. "Managing people's emotions is your thing."
"I manipulate people's emotions."
"So? Manipulate him out of his depression."
Gen let out a quiet laugh, nudging him. "Just go talk to him."
Senku groaned, running a hand through his hair. "Fine."
"Thank you." Gen stood back up, giving Senku a pat on the back before heading back to the small campfire where the rest of the group sat.
Senku found Xeno sitting next to Stanley's statue, Kohaku a few feet away. He dismissed her silently, sitting down next to Xeno.
"Are you so concerned that I am up to no good that the king himself had to come and check on me?" Xeno chuckled, looking over at him.
"Gen said you're depressed."
Xeno exhaled heavily, staring down at the floor. "That is his opinion. Why do you concern yourself with the feelings of a prisoner?" Senku was silent for a moment, looking up at the statue. Stanley stood proud, smiling softly with a cigarette in his lips. Despite the rain and wind that had persisted over the while they sat in the forest, the cigarette was perfectly untouched.
"Where'd you get tobacco?" Senku spoke up, leaning back on his hands.
"It's not tobacco. Just some wrapped foliage, you can ask that girl to confirm if you so care."
"Just curious. You never talked much about him."
Xeno huffed out a laugh. "My personal life isn't very relevant in rocket science discussions."
"He's a solider?"
Xeno was silent for a long moment, taking a second to observe Senku. He was relaxed, gaze pointed up at the sky, seemingly paying no mind to Xeno. "Yes. I could never manage to pry him from the claws of the government. He's a good shot and quick on his feet, and they loved that about him."
"Couldn't he just leave?"
"No, it's far more complicated than that. If he was released from active duty then he could come home, we just had to wait for that."
They sat in silence for a long moment, observing the stars above them. The sky was partially cloaked by clouds, making the sky look like a watercolor painting.
"What is he to you?" Senku asked, voice quieter.
"He's—" Xeno's breath hitched, and he hastily covered his face with his hand, exhaling shakily. "My husband." Senku nodded, standing up and brushing the dirt off of his hands.
"Alright," He shuffled through the bags on his waist, pulling out a small bottle of liquid. "Let's revive him."
Xeno blinked, wiping his eyes and staring up at Senku. "What?"
"Stanley—I'm reviving him." Senku said matter-of-factly, uncapping the bottle.
"No, I—" Xeno shook his head, "Senku, he's your leverage against me."
"Don't need it." He dumped the bottle over Stanley's head, tucking the empty bottle back into it's pouch. "Just make sure he doesn't shoot anybody." Senku turned his back to them, heading back towards the main group.
"Senku—" Xeno stood up, frantically looking back at him. "... Thank you."
Senku only waved.