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kateluvs-sweet · 5 months ago

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y'all i cant with this(┬┬﹏┬┬)😭😭💀

A priori (Ishigami Senkū x Reader x Gen Asagiri)

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[ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ], ᴡᴀɴᴛɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ɢᴇᴛ ʀɪᴅ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴅɪꜱᴇᴀꜱᴇ, ᴅᴇᴄɪᴅᴇꜱ ᴛᴏ ᴇɴᴛᴇʀ ɪɴᴛᴏ ᴀ ꜰᴀᴠᴏʀᴀʙʟᴇ ᴍᴀʀʀɪᴀɢᴇ ᴡɪᴛʜ ꜱᴇɴᴋᴜ̄. ʜᴏᴡᴇᴠᴇʀ, ᴏᴠᴇʀ ᴛɪᴍᴇ, ᴛʜᴇ ᴘʀᴇᴛᴇɴᴅ ʀᴇʟᴀᴛɪᴏɴꜱʜɪᴘ ɪꜱ ɴᴏ ʟᴏɴɢᴇʀ ᴇɴᴏᴜɢʜ ꜰᴏʀ ʜᴇʀ. ꜰᴏʀᴛᴜɴᴀᴛᴇʟʏ, ɢᴇɴ ᴄᴏᴍᴇꜱ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴇꜱᴄᴜᴇ. ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ꜰᴇᴇʟɪɴɢꜱ, ʙᴏᴛʜ ꜰᴜʟꜰɪʟʟᴇᴅ ᴀɴᴅ ᴜɴʀᴇǫᴜɪᴛᴇᴅ. ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰᴀᴄᴛ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴍᴇɴᴛᴀʟɪꜱᴛꜱ ᴅᴏɴ'ᴛ ᴄʀʏ ᴀɴᴅ ꜱᴄɪᴇɴᴛɪꜱᴛꜱ ᴄᴀɴ'ᴛ ᴇxᴘʀᴇꜱꜱ ᴇᴍᴏᴛɪᴏɴꜱ. ᴀɴᴅ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴏɴᴄᴇᴘᴛ ᴏꜰ ᴀ ᴘʀɪᴏʀɪ. ʙᴇᴄᴀᴜꜱᴇ ʟᴏᴠᴇ ɪꜱ ᴀ ᴘʀɪᴍᴀʀʏ ꜰᴇᴇʟɪɴɢ ᴀɴᴅ ɪꜱ ɴᴏᴛ ꜱᴜʙᴊᴇᴄᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴘʀᴏᴏꜰ…

[Reader] watched patiently as Senkū signed his name to the marriage contract with a flourish. He smiled as if he had just struck a great deal. In fact, that was partly what it must have been like for him. He had been given a troop of highly trained warriors. Exactly what he needed to try to oppose Tsukasa. In return, he had to take her as his wife. After she had heard the story of his quick divorce from Ruri, she had been certain that the same thing would happen to her. Once the boy had used her warriors for his own purposes, he would abandon her. For now, however, he was forced to endure her company.

The girl glanced at the tiny bouquet of wildflowers she had hastily gathered. A few poppies, cornflowers and bluebells. Nothing special. They were the only thing that distinguished her appearance from her everyday one. This was not how she had imagined a wedding. In fact, she had never even expected to experience such a ceremony. In the village, she could only watch the ceremonies from a distance. She was not allowed to approach for fear of bringing bad luck. Couples dressed in beautiful clothes, stood before statues of gods and swore their love for each other. What always caught her attention were their gazes. Sparks of emotion danced in them. The way they delicately held hands. As if the whole world could disappear because they had each other. She sighed quietly. She knew she would never experience the same and yet, her heart was squeezed with regret.

She shifted her gaze to her stained legs. She hated her illness. Her curse would end now. That's what Ishigami had said. She couldn't quite believe it. Over the years, many shamans had visited her but none of them had been able to cure her. They had performed rituals, made her drink potions and prayed. Her father had wasted his fortune on them. It had all come to nothing. The villagers considered the chief's daughter impure. They didn't want to go near her. They were afraid they might get infected or bring the curse upon themselves. No matter how hard [Reader] tried not to listen to their words, they always tormented her. And when her father also began to give her a wide berth, she had believed them completely. She had brought shame to him, so he had been happy to get rid of her when the opportunity arose. Senkū ruled the village. So it was no disgrace to her honour to give him daughter in marriage. In this way, he saved his reputation and got rid of the problem. The teenager did not blame him. She felt sorry but who would want her? Such an opportunity would probably not come again.

— Follow me. — Her husband followed the sandy path toward the Kingdom of Science.

She still couldn't get used to the idea that the boy in front of her would now be her other half. She probably wouldn't be able to call him that out loud. They weren't connected by feelings but by mutual benefits. The vision of a life together seemed unrealistic to her. However, she was certain that it wouldn't look like what she had known so far. Over the past few days, she had seen how much this world was different from hers. Interestingly, it didn't seem worse to her at all. All the conveniences that were called inventions made everyday activities easier. In addition, the way people thought was different. They were open to discussion and listened to each other and women played an active part in it. She had never thought that it would be possible anywhere. In her home, it was never allowed.

She looked at the boy walking in front of her. He had had such an impact on this place. She wondered if he could have changed hers as much if he had come to her father's village. Because the works of science were one thing but human hearts were another. His green hair was lost against the treetops. He wasn't very tall. Slightly bony. He certainly didn't look like a warrior and yet he had challenged a man much stronger than himself and didn't seem scared at all. He walked briskly. She toddled after him at a safe distance.

When they reached the tall hut, she instinctively reached up to her neck. She took a tiny tin bell in her hand. She was about to ring it when she noticed Ishigami watching her closely.

— You don’t have to do this anymore. — He gently stopped her hand.

The touch was strange. New. Alien but pleasant nonetheless. It radiated warmth. Could you miss something you didn't remember? Long, thin fingers pulled at the strap with the bell. For years, no one had dared to break that barrier. Everyone knew it was bad to be around impure people like her. No one had even tried to get that close. How brave must he have been? Or how stupid? Did he really believe in his own abilities that much?

It was strange to think that she would never hear the bell again. She had been taught since she was a child to announce her arrival. That way, anyone could move away from her in time.

Red irises studied her inquisitively. She could almost see the boy calculating something in his mind. He seemed determined as he gestured for her to enter the small room.

It must have been some kind of workshop, although the boy had called it a laboratory. The word sounded foreign. Baskets of minerals, rocks and strange powders were stuffed in the corners. Bottles and jars filled with colourful substances stood on makeshift shelves. Several plants were being dried under the roof. The smell was strange. It was a bit like being inside some wild cave. There were also a lot of objects in the room that [Reader] had never seen before. She leaned over some of them carefully. However, she was careful not to touch them. She knew that this habit would not be broken so easily either.

— You can take the batteries in your hand. They don't bite — Senkū laughed. — You'll learn how to make them tomorrow, so you can familiarize yourself with them now — he added.

She hesitantly picked up something like a tiny, round box. She shook it experimentally. Something rattled slightly inside.

— What are these…— the teenager stuttered slightly — batteries?

— They allow you to generate energy. I'll tell you more later, if you want. — The boy sensed the question approaching. It was not the right time. Daylight was the time to work. He didn't mind elaborating on the subject later that evening, though. Knowledge was open to anyone who was curious. It was the only way he could hope to rebuild the world before petrification.

He rummaged among the jars and pulled one out. He dropped some of the gray goo on a leaf, then handed it to the girl.

— Rub this on the spots. In about a week they'll stop itching. Then you should feel a general improvement and eventually they'll disappear completely.

He had seen the disbelief on her face when she had taken the medicine but he had a feeling that it would be all the more satisfying to see her face when she woke up one day and found that her symptoms had gone. He was no doctor but he knew enough. He was going to help anyone he could.

— Thank you — she mumbled.

He felt that the Kingdom of Science would soon have another member.

[Reader] sighed quietly. She patiently wound the wires, ignoring her wounded fingers. She tried to focus on the task at hand but her thoughts were running away. She knew exactly what, or rather who, was causing it. Ishigami Senkū was on her mind more and more often. The more she tried to ignore him, the more she remembered.

— [Reader]-chaaan! — The sound of Gen's voice made her want to get up and leave.

The mentalist loved to annoy her. The saccharine tone of his voice alone made her want to punch him in the head. The man had no concept of personal space. He didn't seem to understand that she wasn't yet fully accustomed to human touch after years of avoiding it. More likely, though, that he simply chose to ignore it. After all, in his line of work, getting to know a person was essential. He had to know.

He sat down on the grass next to the girl. He put his arm around her. She shrugged his hand off. This happened a few more times before she gave up. There was no point in fighting him. She knew he was only doing it to see her irritated reaction, so she didn't want to give him the satisfaction.

— What’s that sad look on your lovely face? — Asagiri asked, leaning over her.

She looked his way, raising an eyebrow.

— I have no idea what you’re talking about — the teenager lied as she returned to her work.

— How silly of you [Reader]-chan, you know I know people better than they know themselves. You've had your head in the clouds for a while now. What exactly is going on?

She cursed him in her mind. He was too good at reading others. He could read feelings and emotions. How could she hide anything from him? Especially when he poked his nose into other people's business at every opportunity.

She decided not to answer. She braided the wires in silence. She hoped he would go away but as usual, nothing went her way.

— Is this about our dear Senkū-chan? — The mentalist’s lips stretched into a smirk.

He resembled a sly fox. His blue eyes shone with a dangerous light.

The teenager pricked her finger. She put it in her mouth to stop the bleeding. He knew he had her. Trapping words was his specialty. If he was a fox, she was a rabbit. And she had just become his dinner. There was no way she could lie. He wouldn't believe her after the way her own body had betrayed her.

— Am I right? Trouble in paradise? — Gen asked in a melodious tone. He must have been incredibly proud of himself.

The girl put her work aside. She stared at the laboratory looming in the distance.

— Yes, it's about him. Happy? — She didn't know where all this anger had come from. Maybe she was more frustrated than she had realized.

— But why be so negative right away? Inhale and exhale — the boy demonstrated, taking in a breath and then releasing it theatrically.

She didn't feel like it but she followed his advice. She had discovered some time ago that this strange method really worked. A moment later, her anger subsided. She was surprised to see that the mentalist's expression had changed. She rarely saw his sincere expression. Usually he played some role. At worst, he was clowning around like he had just done. Now, however, he was staring at her with an inscrutable seriousness.

— What's the problem? I can help you. — Gen moved closer enough so that their shoulders touched.

This time, the touch wasn't intrusive. The warmth of his body was soothing. It let her know that someone was nearby. And he was going to listen to her. As a cold wind blew, Asagiri wrapped his purple cloak around her. She hadn't thought he was capable of such empathy. Until now, she had thought that he used his abilities only for his own benefit. She was wrong.

She hesitated for a while longer. The silence was filled only by the rustling in the treetops. Gen did not rush her. He waited patiently.

— I'm in love. — She pulled her knees together and rested her chin on them. — But he doesn't notice me at all. He's always busy with work. I've tried to change that but I can't.

[Reader] couldn’t see the nostalgia in Gen’s eyes. She didn’t see the subtle way he softened for a moment, tightening his grip on the piece of his coat. She couldn’t read his thoughts. That selfish flash that if he were in HIS place, he’d do anything to make her feel important. But mentalists weren’t in the habit of crying, they were in the habit of giving advice. So he swallowed his quiet disappointment and did what had to be done.

— With all respect, people in the stone world are not so different from those in my time. How to Get a Man's Attention? or Asagiri Gen's Guide, Special Edition, just for you. — He raised a finger as if he was advertising a book.

A small smile answered him. It confirmed that he was doing the right thing. Only her happiness could bring him joy. Even if it meant helping her get back together with his rival.

— The first tip is eye contact — he said, looking deeply into her eyes.

He was back to his clownish self. She didn't see anything funny in what he did but he seemed to be having fun. He gently took her face in his hands and didn't blink. She felt small under his gaze. Somewhere in the ocean of blue, she tried to read if this was all really just a game.

— I already tried — she stated firmly, removing his hands from his face.

[Reader] stared hard at her husband. She tried to meet his gaze but he was still supervising the creation of inventions. He seemed not to notice the furtive glances thrown his way. Red eyes sparkled like two rubies. She wanted him to be so fascinated by her, even for a moment.

Why did she love this man? At times she wondered if it made any sense at all. She kept wondering if he was even interested in her. At first he was just a means to an end. She benefited from the marriage contract. He helped her get better. Later he became a kind of teacher. He patiently explained the intricacies of the world beyond her reach. New, better rules of life. They seemed too good to be true but every day he proved that they could become reality. Then he turned into a friend. A man with whom she shared her fears. In return, he transferred his worries to her. He didn't show everything but he opened up more than he did to others. And that made her think that maybe in the chaos of his mind she stood out enough to be more. Was she judging the situation correctly? It was rattling in her head at every turn.

He sat down next to her. She handed him a still steaming bowl of ramen. He looked hungry and accepted it gratefully. The broth smelled delicious. He drank the warm, yellow liquid straight from the bowl. Only then did he start the rest of the dish. She watched him the whole time, trying to find answers to the questions that troubled her.

— Do I have something on my face? — Senkū asked over his soup.

She shook her head.

— You’re squinting — he said. — Wait here. — He walked away toward the lab.

The girl felt slightly embarrassed. Was she really doing this unconsciously?

The boy returned a moment later and handed her a pair of framed lenses. She knew they were glasses. Just like the ones Kinrō wore. She put them on. Her vision blurred instead of cleared. She didn't need them. They only made things worse.

— I made an extra pair. They should help. — With that he walked away.

She took the contraption off the tip of her nose. She knew she couldn't wear them but she didn't have the heart to give them back. They were a gift. She was going to keep them.

— Yes, that sounds like our Senkū-chan. — Gen's expression was unreadable. — But women also have something else... — He paused dramatically. — Beauty.

He didn't fail to point at her. She blushed, trying to hide her reddening cheeks. He just laughed.

— That’s already happened too — she muttered.

Suika happily jumped around [Reader]. She made fancy braids, decorating them with flowers. She smiled from ear to ear. At the same time, she was weaving a wreath that was supposed to be the crowning touch to her hairstyle. Meanwhile, Ruri was putting raspberry juice on her friend's lips. They were shining pinkish-red. The sweet taste meant that most of the fruit in the basket was eaten. The priestess lent the girl a dress. The light material flowed down past her knee. Kohaku rolled her eyes theatrically. She sat down under a tree, cleaning her blades. She didn't like such games but it was nice to spend time with her friends.

— Done! — said the little girl.

[Reader] looked at herself in the water. She had never considered herself particularly beautiful. In fact, until recently, she hadn't even considered it at all. After all, she had been given a wide berth because of her illness. But now, she was starting to pay more attention to her appearance. She had to admit, her friends had outdone themselves. She really liked the reflection she saw in the stream. She smiled as they led her back to the village.

But she was really curious what the village chief thought about it. Ishigami briskly commanded Kaseki. When they heard the clatter of feet, they turned their heads.

— Ho, ho, ho! — thundered the old man, stroking his long beard.

Senkū looked at the group for a moment. But he stared at [Reader] the longest.

Had she finally succeeded?

— Take off your dress — the scientist said calmly.

— I didn't know that there was such a beast slumbering within our Senkū-chan! — Asagiri seemed genuinely interested in the story.

The woman he spoke to, gave him a look of pity. She could already feel that he would be joking about this situation for weeks to come.

Kohaku swung with all her might. The blow wasn't strong but it was strong enough to make the boy groan.

— For what, gorilla? — the teenager mumbled, rubbing the lump on his head.

— Oh, you pervert! — The warrior was preparing for a second blow.

— Don't hit me anymore! You have bad associations with all this. — He turned around. — [Reader], take off your dress. You'll be working with coal soon. It'll be black by evening — he explained.

The girl looked down. Another failure. Her husband might be smart but he didn't see certain things. She could beautify herself until the end of the world. It would all be for nothing. It didn't concern him.

— I’m sure you looked good, my dear — Gen said. — If your charm didn’t work, I have a secret weapon.

[Reader] was expecting anything. Some invention or magic spell. But she wasn't prepared for the words that fell from the mentalist's mouth.

— Long ago, before petrification, scientists discovered that the key to building a relationship was conversation. I don't think anything has changed in that regard. — He smiled enigmatically.

He stood up to leave. However, he left the yukata on the girl's shoulders. When she wanted to return it, he refused. He said that it looked better on her than he did. He would return it another time.

— But… coversation? Is that enough? — [Reader] seemed uncertain.

— You may not see it but if there's anyone Senkū loves, besides his father, it's you. — He turned around.

He was glad he didn't have to look her in the eye. He bit his lip, trying to stay silent. It was so hard not to tell her everything. Not to lose the burden. To swallow the lump in his throat. To try to sound cheerful. Gen was used to it but this time it hurt so much. He had never thought he would fall in love with anyone. And certainly not with someone from the stone world. And yet... it happened.

— Can we talk? — [Reader] asked.

— Now? — The scientist ran a hand through his hair. — I still have to count a few things.

She could see his fatigue. The plan to attack Tsukasa's army was coming closer. There was no time to rest now. Especially for him. The dark circles under his eyes and dirty clothes showed how busy he was. Besides, they practically passed each other all the time.

— It'll only take a moment. I'll help you with your observations — the girl offered, picking up a notebook and a piece of charcoal.

They sat down in front of the telescope. The teenager drew a table and Senkū dictated columns of numbers and descriptions. They saw the world completely differently. For him, the view stretching out over the cottage was different. It was the arrangement of planets, gas balls moving in invisible orbits and dark matter. For her, they were tiny, glowing dots on a navy blue background. Beautiful, until recently incredibly mysterious. A place where ancient gods went to sleep. She secretly hoped that someone had made a mistake and she would one day join her ancestors up above.

She glanced to the side. The glow of the full moon illuminated his pale face. She knew that one day she would miss it.

— I wanted to let you know not to worry about breaking the contract. I'll leave after the attack but my people will stay with you — [Reader] blurted out.

Ishigami slowly pulled away from the telescope. He gave her his full attention.

— Are you going to leave? — he asked, as if he didn't believe his wife's words.

She nodded.

— If this is what you really want… I won’t stop you but… why? — His question hung in the air.

She could lie. Avoid the subject. Blow him off. But she remembered the look on Gen's face as he walked away. She promised herself she would take his advice.

— I fell in love with you, Senkū — she said. It was the one thing she was absolutely certain of. — It hurts me to know that what we have isn't real. I've tried to get your attention all this time but it's all been in vain. So I've come to the conclusion that you don't feel the same way — she finished quietly.

— Kukuku! — The boy flicked her right on the forehead.

— Ouch! What was that for? — She grabbed the sore spot.

— For being a fool. — He laughed but quickly sobered. — Why didn’t you say anything? — His gaze seemed different than usual. The way he looked at her was unusual. Like something inside him had softened. — [Reader], you know I’m not the best at expressing emotions. I thought what we had was enough for you. That you knew I…— He cut off.

She looked at him hopefully.

— In philosophy there is the concept of a priori — the boy began.

This caught her completely off guard but she let him continue. He took her hand. His touch was cool. The cabin wasn't heated and he'd only just come back inside. Long fingers gently stroked her palm.

— It comes from Latin. It means something primal and beyond proof and that's how I feel. I can't explain it logically but I love you. Ten million percent. — He lifted her hand and kissed it. — That's why I hope you'll stay. I can't promise I'll have a lot of time for you. I'll try to find more but I still want to rebuild the world.

She knew his dream was important. She never wanted him to give it up. She, too, wanted to see the civilization known only in stories. Even if it will cost them precious time. One day, they would stand in that reality together and then they would have plenty of free time to spend.

— Of course I’ll stay! — She hugged him so tightly that they fell onto the wooden floor.

Their laughter echoed off the crooked walls of the cottage.

Gen wrapped himself tightly in the purple material. [Reader] had returned the yukata to him that evening. She had said she would take his advice. Asagiri couldn’t gather his thoughts, so he went for a walk. Pebbles crunched under his feet as he followed the path. In the darkness of the night, he saw the faint light of a candle. Two black silhouettes reflected against the material. A soft laugh reached the mentalist’s ears. He would know that voice anywhere. He could hear joy. So they got toghether... Gen shook his head. He knew it would be like this. A tear rolled down his cheek. He quickly wiped it away with the back of his hand. Tomorrow he would come to congratulate them. With a funny smile, like always. But tonight, for a little while longer, he wanted his emotions to evaporate in salty drops carried away by the cool wind.

#ishigami senku x reader #gen asagiri x reader #dr stone x reader

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