Together - A Senku Ishigami Love Story (Dr.Stone)

Chapter 24

Chrome watched with a smile stretched across his lips as Suika and chalk chased after one another, the young girls' loud joyful laughter echoing through the valley as they followed the pathway that wound up the mountain. Although he could already feel the dull ache in the back of his calves from the steep incline, he was determined to make it through this without appearing out of breath, he was walking with a child and a casualty, if he couldn't keep up now, Senku would never let him live it down. His dark eyes stole a glance to Tachi who walked beside him in silence, she looked a little less than content in his own eyes, her shoulders slumped and her normally bright eyes heavily lidded. Senku's words about support rang in his mind and in that moment it was apparent why the scientist had deemed such a thing necessary. Chrome had met Tachi huddled in a wooden cage, her arm torn open and verging on infection, he had been with her when she threw herself from a cliff and almost drowned, when she had oh so casually popped her shoulder back into place, and when she had ventured out in the vast void in search of her lost comrades... yet through everything she had smirked and laughed with him, she carried an energy of determination, of positivity and hope, it shone through in her words, in her actions and most of all in her eyes. Yet it wasn't there, no matter how long he stared at her he couldn't catch so much as a glimpse of it, and that feeling of security that she carried, that her presence meant everything was going to be just fine, it was lost, sucked deep into the abyssal darkness of her pupil. He found a frown tugging at his lips, worry knitting his brow together. He couldn't stand seeing her this way.

"So how are you doing?"

His question sounded awkward and unsure, as though he wasn't sure why he was asking it, and in the back of his mind he cursed himself for it. He needed to sound confident, she had to know that she could depend on his confidence if her own had faltered. Tachi turned her head to answer him, her stoic features twisting into curiosity when she saw his own anxious expression.

"Like I said, it's just some broken ribs, I'll be fine."

Silence fell between them again and Chrome pursed his lips. She didn't sound fine...

"I...I'm sorry about the bout. I promised I would help you save Ruri, and see your village in capable hands..."

Chrome's shoulders sulked, his nose scrunching slightly at her words. Although it would have been beneficial to them to have her participate, her health and wellbeing came first. He wouldn't risk losing her, they would make up the shortfall elsewhere, and although Senku and Chrome certainly didn't add up to anything close to 1 Tachi when it came to dexterity and strength, they would manage. He gave her a weak smile, placing his hand onto her shoulder and giving it a soft squeeze.

"Hey we're still going to win this."

She nodded, Chrome's smile falling when her own demeanour seemed to sadden further at his statement.

"I know."

She spoke quietly, Chrome able to feel the sadness rolling off of her in waves. He sucked in a deep breath, allowing his hand to fall off of her shoulder delicately.

"This is about more than the Grand Bout huh?"

Tachi glanced ahead to Suika to ensure she was still in sight, able to see the young girl dodging in and out from hiding spots to surprise her four legged companion. 

"No I-"

"Cut it out Tachi."

He narrowed his eyes at her sternly, folding his arms across his chest before his expression softened a little, a heavy sigh falling through his lips.

"I'm your friend, I care about you and I want to help you out, but I can't do that if you won't talk to me."

He stopped walking, settling both of his hands onto her shoulders, forcing her to face him as he gave her another melancholy smile, his dark eyes brimming with concern and affection as they stared into her pale green orbs.