The Painter's Blood

Duplicate

The Count looked much different than Genos had imagined. He had a plain expression and his robes were loose around his shoulders. Also, he was noticeably bald.
Genos bowed, deciding not to speak until he was spoken to. He jumped and stood straight again when the Count cleared his throat.
"You don't have to be so formal." The Count said, then propped his head up on a hand. "So, you paint?"
Genos thought for a moment. "Well... It isn't actually painting..."
"What do you mean?" The Count asked, leaning forward curiously.
Genos looked at the green haired woman nervously, then back at the Count. He wasn't sure how much influence she would have on such an important man, but it still made him nervous. The Count suddenly looked very interested.
"Tornado, can you go see if Mumen is finished in the stables?" The Count asked. The green haired woman, Tornado, huffed and crossed her arms, her face turning red.
"Why do I have to-?!" She groaned in frustration and stomped away.
"Y-you didn't have to!" Genos said quickly, only to have the Count wave him off.
"Don't worry about it. Tornado is just overreacting." He turned to sit sideways on his throne. "This chair is really uncomfortable, you know. Can you hurry up and show me what you can do so I can get up?"
Genos nodded quickly and spread his fingers. "Would you like me to make anything in particular?"
"Um... Paint a dangerous animal. How about a piranha?"
Genos nodded and moved his hands, trying to concentrate on what he was making instead of the Count's awed face. He used red and yellow paint, trying to make his creation look as dangerous as possible. When he was finished he admired his work.
The piranha swam through the air and snapped it's jaws a few times, but its movements were lazy and disinterested. The Count muttered something under his breath, then reached out and touched the piranha's side. He flinched when it turned suddenly, then furrowed his brows as it nudged his hand, smearing paint on it. He hummed in thought. "Why doesn't it act like a piranha?"
"Because it isn't." Genos said. "It's just a painting, and like all paintings, it conveys the emotions of the painter. I didn't paint with the intent to harm."
The Count was absolutely fascinated. "How long do your paintings normally... Um, last?"
"I'm not sure." Genos shrugged, then smiled. "The only time I've ever seen one stop is under intense heat."
The Count stared at the fish for a while, jumping when Genos cleared his throat. Genos raised a synthetic eyebrow. "Is everything okay?"
"Just thinking." The Count responded, a bit too quickly. "It happens a lot, so don't worry."
Genos just nodded, deciding not to bother with it. He was completely caught off guard by the Count's next question.
"You're hired. When can you move your things in?"

The doctor was thrilled when Genos told him the news. He was obviously proud of how far Genos had come, but he insisted that Genos go alone.
"I'm just an old man. I don't want to get in the way." The doctor waved Genos' protests off and gestured to Genos' things. "I'll be fine."
"But..." He tried to think of a good enough reason for the doctor to change his mind. "What if I need repairs?"
"Then you know where to find me." The doctor reassured.
Genos was about to protest, then thought better of it. "Okay. I'll get my things then."
He put his things in a bag, then walked to the door. He turned in the doorway and waved at the doctor. "Please be careful."
The doctor smiled at him and waved back. "You too Genos."
Genos stepped outside and took a deep breath. He had never been alone before, as far as he could remember. He made his way back to the palace slowly, his thoughts weighing down on him more than they ever had.

The Count was an odd man, Genos thought. There were a lot of rumours about how he came to power, but no one was really sure. He was a pretty bland guy, and Genos had been certain that he had a bland name to go along. He was wrong though. He rather liked the Count's actual name, and figured he would use it from now on. Well, in his head at least.
Saitama. It was simple enough, yet there was something about it that appealed to him. He followed Saitama around for the rest of the day, getting familiar with his new living quarters.
"And that's the end of the tour." Saitama said, then turned to him. "Any questions?"
Genos took a deep breath. "Where will I be sleeping? When do I start working? What is it that I'll be doing exactly? Why do you need my help? Wh-"
"Enough!" Saitama shouted suddenly. "Geez, at least wait for my answer! And don't ask so many questions at once like that, I mean, seriously!"
"O-oh. I'm sorry boss." Genos said, bowing a bit in embarrassment.
Saitama gritted his teeth. "And don't call me that. It's just a simple job."
"But you hired me, right?" Genos said, then tilted his head. "Wouldn't that make you my boss?"
"You're a smart-ass." Saitama said flatly. Then, he gestured to a full length mirror that was hung upon the wall. "This is your job."
Genos was silent for a moment, unsure of what to say. He was sure that if he asked another question that Saitama's head would erupt like a volcano. "... Please explain."
"I want you to paint me." Saitama said, then looked over at Genos. "Do you think you can do it?"
"In exact detail?" Genos asked, then closed his mouth tightly.
Saitama turned red, then took a deep, calming breath. "More or less. Any other questions, ask someone else."
Genos nodded. "Yes master."
Saitama turned back to him quickly, his face even redder. "Don't call me that either!"
"Then wha-"
"No more questions. It's just Saitama." He said quickly, cutting Genos off. He turned and walked away, leaving Genos to wonder why his face had been so red.

Genos groaned in frustration. To paint Saitama accurately, he needed said man to be present. Since his paintings were more or less living things on their own, he needed to concentrate on the rise and fall of Saitama's chest as he breathed, the frequency of which he blinked. Saitama didn't quite like letting Genos stare at him for so long, and Genos did do quite a bit of staring. He had to get the proportions right; the height, the width of the shoulders, chest, hips. He had to keep in mind each curve of Saitama's body, as well as the way his body moved when he walked, sat down, ran; even the way he looked when he was tense or at ease. If the Count wanted a perfect duplicate, Genos wanted to make sure he got one. He didn't ask why Saitama needed a painted double, although it was mostly because he didn't want to invoke the wrath of the other.
His first attempt was a failure. The way the finished creation stood was all wrong; it slouched into it's clothes, it's head facing the ground shyly. It's eyes were overly expressive, and it had a worried frown on it's lips. Genos sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
"I'm sorry mas- um, Saitama. I guess I was too nervous about how it would turn out."
Saitama ignored him, walking around the duplicate to see it from all angles. He hummed in satisfaction. "It's not perfect, but this is the first time you've tried a person, right? Does it talk?"
Genos shook his head. "My creations don't make normal sounds. It can maybe hum or make a hissing noise."
The duplicate opened it's mouth, a bubble expanding between it's lips and popping quickly. Red swirled onto it's cheeks and it looked down at it's feet, as if apologetic. Saitama grinned at 'himself'. "It is kinda cute. You were that shy about it?"
Genos nodded and averted his eyes. "I've never had anyone to impress."
Saitama nodded. "I know how you feel." He ran a finger across the duplicate's cheek, a smear of red and peach coating his fingertip. "We'll have to work around the smearing..."
The duplicate turned away, it's face even redder. Genos frowned as a thought suddenly occurred to him.
"I didn't want to ask another question, but... What will you do with all of the failed duplicates?"
Saitama paused, then shrugged. "Guess I'll just let them loose in the palace garden. May as well."
"But that will cause confusion!" Genos said, alarmed.
"Nah." Saitama said, waving Genos off. "It'll cause excitement."

'Saitama really is a strange guy...' Genos thought. He lay on his borrowed bed in his borrowed bedroom, the sun an afterthought on the horizon. He wanted to sleep.

He did not know how.

//1503 words! Did it take long enough to update or what?! But seriously, sorry for the wait. Does anyone have any theories? I'd love to hear them!
//until next time, stay tuned and stay safe!