party time

[scrap_metal]

"Telling an introvert to go to a party is like telling a saint to go to Hell."

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[scrap_metal]

[ The HA meeting was going on for far too long today. The usual 1-2 hour spectacle of boredom lasted for nearly 4 hours today. Knowing that he's already late, Genos decided to do quick shopping swoop without caring much for sales and promotions. He was already late, no reason to make it worse.

And he broke the news upon returning in his usual way. ]

Sensei! Hero Association PR management decided to hold an invite-only party. Presence of S-class heroes is mandatory, many from the other classes are going to receive an invitation.

[ He said that casually as he started to unpack the groceries. Yes, he has an ulterior motive. ]

[heroforhobby]

[Saitama had spent all those hours laying on the floor half-dressed and reading comics, but checking the news once in awhile. Especially after he realized Genos was out longer than expected and he wanted to make sure he wasn't out fighting an unexpected monster attack and didn't need Saitama's help.

That guy tended to get busted up far too easily...

But once he hears the door open and sees Genos whole and not smoking or with any other signs of damage he just remains on the floor like he hadn't been slightly bothered for the past couple of hours.

Before he could even give Genos a "welcome home", Genos is rambling at him.]

Oh? [Still lounging against his futon, he scratches his belly with visible disinterest.] Sucks to be you, then. But maybe you'll have fun.

[scrap_metal]

From what I understood, true purpose of the party is what they called "networking". [ Which still seems dumb to Genos. Meet people, chat with them, and maybe use them for something in the future. Or, more likely, do a favor for them in the future, in case of heroes. Still, presence on the party itself would give anyone boost in recognition. And there is someone deserving it like no one else ]

We are expected [ no, the word was "allowed" but it's a detail ] to come with accompanying person. I'd like you to go with me, sensei.

[ Because inviting your teacher to a party is completely normal, right? And also totally to do while stuffing food into the fridge ]

[heroforhobby]

[He can't see Genos from his position, but he sits up and cranes his neck up like that would allow him to see him through the kitchen window. It does not. But maybe Genos can sense him trying to look at him with confused, narrowed eyes.]

Why? If they wanted me there they'd've invited me.

[Plus, you should be inviting a girl or someone you fancy or something, Genos. But that seems extra rude to point out, even for Saitama.]

[scrap_metal]

I'm correcting that grave omission.

[ Ulterior motives aide, who else could he invite, really? You need only one hand to count "important people in Genos life". You need only two fingers for that, to be exact ]

[heroforhobby]

[His expression goes from confusion to something that said, "Right, of course, this is Genos I'm talking to, after all." Standing, he ambles over to the window, leaning on it, partially just to talk to Genos more face-to-face, but mostly to see what he bought for food. He better have bought the food on sale.]

You know you don't gotta do things like that. I don't care if they want me there or not, so don't put yourself out.

[scrap_metal]

Regardless of that, I'd still want you to go with me. [ Genos is relentless and is not going to take a "no" for an answer.

Most of the food is already neatly stored in the fridge, and he's already folding the plastic bag, to hide it in the shelf. So it can later be reused as garbage bag. He sets water to boil and gets two cups out. Making a tea for both of them by default. ]

So make sure to reserve Friday evening.

[heroforhobby]

[He sweats a little, hearing the finality in Genos' tone.]

Hey, hey . . . Don't go making decisions like that for others. It's not like I got anything to wear for it, anyway.

[A HA networking party for PR probably wasn't a place to wear his costume or his oppai shirt, let's be real here. All his old, cheap business attire was long gone, too.]

[scrap_metal]

Standard issue, high quality suits are to be issued from Association to those participating.

[ I'm sorry, did you think you're going to have to sign yourself for this? Your disciple already put you on your list. It was decided from the very start. ]

They will use the measurements gathered during exams, and ranks-up, however they're not exactly custom-tailored. If anything doesn't fit well, we'll have to either see a tailor, or go shopping.

[heroforhobby]

I...! Well...! Fine.

[He slumps against the window, his stubbornness about it evaporating as Genos counters his excuses. He even glowers a little petulantly.]

You win. But there better be food there.

[scrap_metal]

[ Yes, he succeeded! And oh water is boiling, so he finishes making the tea. Genos stern expression lightens up at that little win. ]

Of course there will be! Food and drinking bar is going to be available, free of charge.

[ He leaves the kitchenette and places Saitama's cup on the small table. ]

I'm truly glad you decided to accompany me, sensei. [ More like was manipulated into it ]

[heroforhobby]

[He sits at the side of the table where Genos put the cup, mumbling his thanks for the tea. He picks it up and holds it to his face, letting it cool before sipping.]

Don't be so smug about it. [He admonishes. Even if Genos wasn't sounding smug, he knows. He knows he's feeling accomplished.] It's not like I have a choice.

[He takes a sip of the tea, knowing full well he DID have a choice. If he fought back hard enough Genos would leave him be. But . . . it seemed important to Genos for some reason, so he would go with only minimal complaining.]

[scrap_metal]

[ The matter is settled, and the topic doesn't return, until few days later.

When they're returning from a bigger battle, still covered in slimey goo from head to toe. Genos suffered minor damage, but if anything is irreparable, it's his clothes, not his body. Though he will surely need some maintenance soon. ]

A package! [ There's the usual mail drone hovering near entrance to Saitama's building, but it's not fanmail day. That means the package will probably include the suits. Genoos carefully tries to pick it up, but he only gets the slime all over it. What a perfect timing. ]

Dance thread

[heroforhobby]

[The way up to the roof was all locked up, but locks fortunately mean nothing to Saitama. Especially when pulling along a tipsy cyborg that you're afraid if you let go of their arm they would blast off back to a party and beat up some sassy heroes.

Once the door is forced open, he forces it back shut (now no one would be able to open it, even with a key, oops), and leads Genos to the center of the roof. He turns to him, face blank, so it's hard to tell if he's disappointed or upset or none of those things.]

How you feeling?

[scrap_metal]

[ Genos face is mix of many emotions. He goes from angry, to ashamed to determined. ]

They had no right to talk about you like this. [ But he gets it, he does. don't cause a scene, Saitama doesn't mind etc. Only in his mind, Saitama should mind. He is a hero and deserves much more praise then some of these glory hogs.

That's hardly an answer to the actual question though, and Genos steps are a bit wobbly ]

[heroforhobby]

He-hey...

[He sees the wobble and reaches out to put an arm around his shoulders to steady him. He finally gives half a smile, showing he isn't angry or anything.]

Let's sit down. I think tonight has taught us a lot. [He guides Genos to sit down cross-legged with him on the roof's floor.] Well...one thing: you can't drink.

[scrap_metal]

[ Genos follows and sits down. The roof isn't the cleanest of places, but hey, sitting will do him good. They can still hear the music coming from down there, mainly thanks to the part of glass roof near them. ]

I did not expect it to go through my filters so easily. [ generally only needed nutrients should get absorbed. That's the theory. ]

[heroforhobby]

Neither did I. Live and learn.

[He pants Genos on the knee, before leaning back, propping himself up on his arms behind his back. He looks up at the stars, quite except for the classical music. Saitama didn't care about music for the most part, this leant to the atmosphere of being out in the night, stars and moon above, warm glow from the skylights.]

[scrap_metal]

[ Genos is used to sitting seiza style, it almost feels weird sitting cross-legged just like Saitama. He looks at him taking cues, and follows his example of propping himself up on his arms behind back. ]

It turned out to be quite a pleasant evening, regardless of all the incidents.

[ Nope, not feeling guilty at all from inviting Saitama here. Maybe there is something right about misery liking company. He's not a party person but presence of his sensei made this experience bearable. Even if he almost hit a random A-class with a nearby cake stand And speaking of cakes... ]

Here, I acquired some pralines, before we left. [ He hands Saitama a small bag full of neatly packed little chocolates ]

[heroforhobby]

[The copying is kinda cute... But, really, Genos needs to learn at some point Saitama likes him just as he is.]

Yeah, wasn't too bad, I guess. Only casualty was a flower. [He lowers his head to give a half-smirk to Genos.

He perks up at the reveal of treats, and he leans forward eagerly, taking the fancy little bag. Look like the HA had them specially made just to hold pralines. What a waste.]

Nice! Thanks! But lookit this bag, all fancy for no reason. It's like talking on and on when you can get to the point in a sentence, don't you think?

[He stuffs one in his mouth and holds out the bag to Genos, inviting him to have some, too.]

[scrap_metal]

Everything about this party was fancy. Why wouldn't they go as far to order a chocolates packed with their logo. [ Because promotion, that's why. Genos gets random one, and eats it. He tilts his head trying to guess what he got, without looking at the list on the package ]

Orange and cinnamon. Interesting combination. [ He takes another one, unpacks it but since he accidentally noticed what it is - marzipan and almond - he opts for offering it to Saitama instead ] Can you guess what it is, sensei?

[heroforhobby]

[Saitama doesn't deign to answer that ridiculous rhetorical question. He doesn't get what's so bad about getting things in plain boxes tied in string. Plus, his mouth is tied up by a lot of caramel.

He swallows and looks at the chocolate Genos is holding and squints at it like he can xray vision it.]

Mint.

[He guesses then leans forward to take a bite out of half of it while Genos is still holding it. He chews thoughtfully.]

Hmmm, nope. Almond.

[scrap_metal]

Correct! [ There really isn't much to make Saitama's drunk disciple happy. But now he's left with the half of chocolate, and he still holds it for Saitama, unsure what else to do with it. ]

[heroforhobby]

[He nods, looking a little smug.]

I have real smart taste buds, Genos. [He points at the remaining half of chocolate.] You gonna finish that? ['Cause he would if not, but it seemed polite to offer some to Genos.]

[scrap_metal]

[ You don't have to tell him twice that, and Genos immediately noms on the chocolate. The lights coming from the beneath change, and now they're getting greenish ambient light, as the music slows down ]

Ah, and in the end I never learned if sensei can dance. [ That wine makes Genos even more forward with voicing his thoughts then he usually is ]