What is Joy? [SaiGenos]

Smile

Shopping. Out of all the things he could be doing right now, he was shopping. It felt almost like a lost cause, as truly he had no reason to be here. Genos started off his newfound life in search for the mad cyborg, not 50% off eggs. 

But things were changing. He couldn't help but think about it as he browsed the isle, the reason he was here today. The original cause was to defeat the one that had destroyed his family, his life. It had been that way for a while, too. Genos could easily recall going day to day, defeating monsters and abominations left and right just so he could hope he was on the right track to greater strength, and information on the whereabouts of the mad cyborg. But today, his purpose was something else.

Picking up groceries.

Saitama had some work to do, or so he said. He insisted that Genos did not tag along, and then made the suggestion that he could go to the store for him. Of course he would immediately accept, that impulse to please kicking in. Saitama then commented on how he needed to form more of an opinion, as he could have said no and stayed at home. But truly, it was better to go out. He had time to think, and didn't have to sit idly without anything to do. Maybe it just felt better to have a purpose. Even if said purpose was ever changing, morphing to other things, at least there was one. At the moment it was to get groceries, later it would be to train. Then it would be another search for the mad cyborg.

And still, something was missing. Genos clawed relentlessly at his thoughts and still couldn't find what. Evaluating every little flaw in his mind didn't help, nor did the constant criticism he gave himself for forced 'improvements'.

Was it a person? He knew that homesickness was a thing. He knew that he could miss people, he could miss things and pets as well. It might just be the loss of his family hitting him again, as it did that now and then. The sight of a little girl that reminded him of his sister, the low croon of crickets at night as he lay in silence, thinking of how things were before he had this mechanical body. But it was so much stranger than a feeling of homesickness. Longing, almost. It ached, almost to the point of him being concerned. But what made that even worse, was the person who made him feel that way. 

Saitama. 

Last time he checked, it was not okay to feel this way over his teacher. Just the thought made his head spin, his stomach fluttering. He had sketched it out multiple times, too. Not his feelings, but the person he felt this for. His sketchbook had multiple drawings of him, each of which being carefully drawn to be as detailed as possible. Saitama hunched over the table as he ate, elbow on the table and his cheek in his hand. A perspective shot of Saitama as he stood atop a small pile of rubble, fist raised before his face as he contemplated the fact that he had just defeated yet another foe in a single punch. The expression was captured perfectly, a look of both disappointment, along with the disbelief that he just couldn't let a fight last even if he tried. Yet another page would consist of Saitama looking over his shoulder, brow raised as he cast a questioning look towards some unknown force. It was likely from Genos's view as well. Now that he was thinking about those drawings, he couldn't help but realize his one flaw. 

He couldn't get a drawing of Saitama smiling. His teacher didn't smile much, and it would complete the sketches that he had so far. But how could he get him to smile long enough to draw him? And of course, provided the fact that he didn't want to be weird. But at the same time, a forced smile just wouldn't do. He had to get Saitama smiling for real, and keep him happy long enough to get that drawing.

"Sir? You're holding up the line."

Genos hadn't realized that he was holding up the line until now, a glance over his shoulder being all he needed before giving a mumbled apology. Gods he was a mess! He quickly paid for the items that he purchased, hooking the multiple bags on one arm and holding the boxes in the other as he walked out. The murmurs of amazement and looks of awe were ignored, as it was only normal being an S class hero. They were probably confused with why he was at the store like that, neglecting to think about how heroes were just normal people that fought for the sake of humanity sometimes. They weren't above life rules, like paying rent and buying food. What a surprise. 

He had to think. How could he possibly get Saitama to smile? Not just a short one in which he would hide with his hand and turn away, not one that was followed by a look of pity. A legitimate smile, perhaps one that followed a laugh. A happy laugh, as if he told a joke that was good enough to topple some jolly old man. Not that Saitama was a strict guy, but it sounded a little hard to make him laugh like that. This wouldn't be easy.