Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Gen was famous for his art of trickery. Turning doves into a flaming ball of fire within his hands, making things disappear and reappear with a simple flick of his wrist. His transformation tricks were always a crowd favourite, never did he think the joke would be on him.

His whole body began to itch all over.
He looked down at his hands, finding the pads of his fingers turn a soft pink. Gen was never one to grow body hair as he had always liked the sleeked groomed look but as he looked at his arms he could see fur poke out of his tailored suit. He could feel his body get smaller, and smaller. Soon he was reduced to all fours groaning in agony.

His nails turned into claws as he dug them into the carpet. His screams morphed into pained yowls. His teeth ached and were shaped into fangs. The pain was unbearable, he felt like his head was going to split open.

And then, all at once, it stopped.

He stumbled across the apartment, looking for a mirror or reflective surface he could see himself in. All the doors were shut and the handles were out of reach.

Slightly irritated Gen leaped onto the window sill. It was nice outside, the sun was looking down at the bustling city. Gen squinted his eyes against the glare, his worst fear was true.
He had turned into a cat.

He took note of the half-black half-white pattern he has. His tail flicking behind him. His ears pressed to his head. A pair of grey eyes stared back at him.

‘How the hell did this happen?’

His thoughts were racing with all the possibilities that lead to this disaster.

A magic trick that went wrong? Pissed off a cat god? Somehow died and got reincarnated as a cat?

All them sounded absurd but none of them explained his predicament.

Deciding not to think too much about it
Gen stretched out his new body before laying down on the window sill, his back pressed against the glass.

He decided to wait until someone came looking for him.

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Who knows how many hours have passed when Gen’s ears perk up at the sound of the keys outside the door. He leaped off his sleeping spot and went to greet whoever was coming in through the door.

It was the Scientist himself.

He looks exhausted, carrying several bags with him, including the ones under his eyes. Wreaking of coffee grounds and his favourite energy drink. His usual gravity defying hair was kept in a low bun that looked like it was falling out.

He must have pulled an all nighter back at the lab again. For a such a young genius he can be pretty stupid sometimes, neglecting his health.

Gen trotted up to him, meowing insistently.

“Huh? When did Gen get a cat?” Senku pushed Gen aside with his foot so he could enter the apartment. Setting his bags down on the floor, blueprints and files scattered across the floor. Senku takes one look back before shrugging and continues to walk to the kitchen.

‘You jerk! Pick that up! This isn’t your apartment to trash’ Gen meows loudly, clearly upset.

Senku sticks his pinky in his ear as he looks down at the cat in irritation. “Shut up will ya? You’re giving me a headache.” Senku opens the fridge to see if there’s anything worth eating. After a few seconds of contemplating he closes the fridge without taking anything.

Senku turns around to see the cat sitting on the counter glaring at him accusingly.

“What the hell is your problem?” Senku asks with very little interest. The cat give a low growl that didn’t sound at all threatening, not taking its grey eyes off him.
“You sure look a whole lot like Gen, but that might just be the hair.” He waved dismissively.

Gen ears perk up as he gets an idea. Maybe he can get Senku to connect the dots. He just needs to figure out how…

Senku notices something purple out of the corner of his eye. He walks over to the pile of clothes on the floor. Noticing the purple suit and tie gathered on the floor.

“It isn’t like Gen to just leave something lying around.” Senku mutters to himself, bending down and picking up the clothes to inspect them. Finding several places torn open on the suit. “Strange”

He looks through the pockets and sleeves of the suit, trying to find a clue. He pulls out a comically long rainbow scarf that continues to go on, a bouquet of flowers (fake, probably) and a deck of cards.

Gen takes this as an opportunity to get his attention. He hops down from the marble counter and swats at his hands holding the deck of cards. Senku drops the deck and watches as the cards spill over the floor.

‘Sorry Senku-chan, but it was necessary’

Gen sifted through the cards using his nose, trying to find a specific one.

“Damn cat!” Senku rubbed his hand that the cat had swatted at, finding a shallow scratch, barely bleeding.

Not bothering to continue the one-sided beef with a cat Senku stands up and saunters into Gen’s bedroom.
Gen follows close behind at his heels. With what looked like a piece of paper in his mouth.

“What do you have in your mouth?” Senku kneels down and extends his hand, still keeping his distance from the stingy cat.

Gen dropped the card at his feet. Licking his chops, looking smug. The Joker card.

The card symbolized Gen to a tea. The prankster, the wild card, it might not be used in every card game but when you can it comes in handy. There were always two jokers in every deck, the only true pairs. Just like Gen and Senku. A couple of Jokers.

It might be a bit of a stretch but Gen hopes he might catch on.

Picking the card up Senku could see the two puncture holes where the cats fangs had pierced it. “Why did you give me this?” Senku tapped the edge of the card on the cats snout.

Gen scrunched his nose in return. He looked up at him with those piercing grey eyes and started meowing insistently.

“Ugh! Quit it already!” Senku got up and covered his ears in annoyance, continuing his journey to the bathroom.

Gen followed him not letting up. ‘It’s me Senku-chan! Why can’t you see that? It’s your favourite mentalist stuck in a cats body! Senku-chaaaaaaan!”

Senku looks back at the cat, a scowl of irritation on his face. One he makes a lot towards Gen when he bothers him with his constant chatter.

For someone so smart he sure was dense sometimes.

Gen gave up for now and continued to follow behind him with the soft patter of his paws, tail raised behind him like a flag.

Senku closed the bathroom door after Gen entered along with him. Turning around to draw a bath.

Gen jumped onto the counter, careful not the knock over any of his expensive bottles. One can not look their best naturally after all.
When he looked back at Senku he could see his bare back as he was getting undressed. Gen has seen him naked many times before, but as a cat it felt different and invasive. He looked away as to give him some privacy.

“You might be a stingy cat but at least you have some manners, huh?” Gen felt calloused fingers scratch his ears from behind. Leaning into the the touch, wanting more. Then something inside him started to vibrate.
Was he…purring?
Was he giving into his cat instincts so easily already?

But right now it seemed unimportant. He continued to nuzzle his head into his palm, seeking out more contact from the one person he adored the most.

He was unexpectedly picked up from under his armpits, if cats even have armpits, and was set down on the closed toilet lid.

“I’m sure you won’t want to join me since cats typically hate water.” Senku settled into the warm water that rose up to his chest.

Although Gen was in desperate need of a bath after last nights performance, he would much rather do it when he becomes human again.

The warm and comfortable atmosphere surrounding him made him feel sleepy. Struggling to keep his eyes open he rested his head against the toilet lid, drifting into a light slumber.

When he woke again after a few restful minutes he looked over at the bathtub to find Senku’s head slowly submerging underwater. He apparently fell asleep too.

Without a second to lose Gen jumped to the edge of the bath and started to nudge his head with his paw. Meowing with all his might hoping to wake him up with the noise.

His mouth was underwater, thank god he breathes through his nose when he sleeps. Gen’s movements became more panicked, pacing back forth on what to do.

Well, he did have one idea but Senku sure wouldn’t like him if went through with it. With Senku sinking fast he decided it was his best option. Without another second to lose Gen leaped onto his head and dug his nails into his scalp.

Senku was startled awake and screeching in pain. Sitting up abruptly and leaning forward to cough up the little water he swallowed he flung Gen right into the water.

Gen started thrashing around as his fur became soaked and heavy, pulling him down into the water.
He yowled as he try to grab onto anything he could dig his claws into. Unfortunately the first thing he grabbed was Senku’s arm, tearing it open as he clung to him for dear life.

Senku hissed in pain but made no move to remove him. Helping the poor pathetic kitty that fell into the water out of the tub, setting him on the towels he arranged for himself for when he got out. “Wait there for a sec.”

Gen shivered as his fur clung to his body. He could hear Senku drain the tub and get out, but he wasn’t too focused on what was going on around him. Hunched over himself with his tail wrapped around his cold wet body, he let out a pitiful cry. Today was the worst day of his life!

“Aren’t you being a tad overdramatic?” Senku scooped him up in a new fresh towel. Rubbing his face and drying off his body. He made sure to dry off his paws individually. His only complaint was that Senku tugged too hard on his tail when he dried him off. Otherwise it was a blissful experience.

Once dried he was carried and set down on the bed. Senku quickly turned around and went back to the bathroom. When Gen looked at Senku’s retreating figure he could see him holding his arm protectively. Concerned Gen followed him back to the bathroom. Senku was till naked and wet, not bothering to dry off. He held his arm under the tap and lightly dabbed it with toilet paper that was within reach. A roll of bandages and some cotton were placed bedside the sink.

Gen leaped onto the counter to see what this was all about. Looking into the sink to see Senku’s arm bleeding from a clean scratch. His heart dropped.

He was the cause of this. The cause of Senku’s pain. He felt sick just looking at the blood draining from the sink. He could see Senku’s brows furrowed in pain and concentration.

‘Senku-chan please forgive me! It was an accident I swear! You know I would never hurt you, right? Senku you have to believe me. I didn’t mean to. I’m…I’m sorry, so very sorry.’

Gen’s ears flattened in submission and started rubbing his head into his side, wanting forgiveness.

Senku looked down at him. Gen was anticipating what was to come next, yelling, screaming, telling him to get lost and never return, no matter what it was Gen knew he would deserve it. Lowering his head, unable to look at him in the eyes, afraid of what he’ll see.

He then felt a gentle weight on his head, a palm. It suddenly scruffed his head from side to side. Gen looked up at Senku to see the usual stoic ruby irises soften so sweetly that Gen thought his teeth would rot.

“Why the long face? You saved me from drowning earlier.” Senku stroked under his chin, eliciting a soft purr from Gen.
“I was being careless. I was neglecting sleep back at the lab then decided to have a relaxing bath without any way to keep myself awake.” Senku explained like he would with any of his science experiments. “If it weren’t for you I would have for surely drowned…heh, just imagine that, a renowned scientist from NASA drowned in a bathtub. I would surely be the laughing stock of all scientists.” Senku chuckled to himself as he continued to pet Gen’s head absentmindedly.

Senku finished covering his arm in bandages before wrapping a towel loosely around his waist. Taking Gen with him back to the bedroom to get dressed.

Half a day has passed and Gen still hasn’t gotten Senku to connect the dots. Even if it meant he might get kicked out of his apartment, Gen was going to do whatever it takes to get Senku to realize Gen is a cat before it’s too late.

Chapter Text

Gen had tried everything to get Senku’s attention.

He sat on the tv remote until it broadcasted one of his shows, the very one he did last night. He then went and sat in front of the tv hoping Senku would make the connection then.

Instead, Senku grumbled and switched back to the channel he was on previously.

Gen had tried to perform one of his magic tricks, but that proved difficult in a cats body. And had earned himself a smack on the butt for destroying the flower display. ‘I was only trying make them disappear’ Gen grumbled as he tried to get the flower stems out of his paws.

He had even made the effort to write his name with a pen. All that came out were incoherent squiggles left on the page. And another smack on the butt because apparently he used one of Senku’s notes as a writing piece.

‘How was I supposed to know?’ Gen grumbled as he trotted away with a sore ass.

It seemed that Gen was only succeeding in pissing Senku off more then getting him to figure the conundrum he was is.

He felt his stomach growl, it had been a few hours since he had eaten anything. Gen didn’t own any suitable cat food and the fridge handle was out of reach. He was also curious as to whether his stomach was human or if all of him was cat.

He would hate to eat that atrocity in a can they dare to call cat food. It looked like someone had eaten it prior before spitting it back up into a tin container.

“You’re hungry too huh?” He heard a voice from above. If he hadn’t been turned into a cat he would have assumed a god was talking to him. He looked up to find Senku towering over him.

He was picked up as if he weighed nothing and was placed on the counter. No wonder cats like high places, you can see everything around you compared to when you’re only a foot off the ground.

Senku sifted through some of the pantries, picking a few items up to see what it contained only to put it back.

While Senku was looking for something to eat Gen decided to pass the time with grooming himself. When Senku had dried him off earlier it left some patches of his hair sticking out like a sore thumb. He was hesitant to use his tongue since he wasn’t used to the feeling.

He started with a small lick to his paw. Then gradually became more comfortable and moved up to his arm. He licked his paws again to get behind his ears. Gen groomed his sides with ease and felt cleaner by the end of it.

Except for one spot. Between his legs.

It would feel so wrong to clean there with his tongue. He would just have to wait until he transformed back…

If he ever did.

‘Screw it’

Gen looked back at Senku to make sure he was occupied so he wouldn’t have to watch this humiliating moment.

Gen bent his body in half and raised one leg up high to gain better access. He licked himself clean with efficiency, not wanting to go back if he missed a spot.

It was the most degrading thing he has ever done to himself and wishes to take it to his grave.

Once he was finished he came to realization that there was nothing there. And by nothing he means his jewels, he was smooth down there.

He…was a female cat!

Not only had he changed into a cat he also changed genders as well.

‘How could this have happened?! I thought that when was turned into a cat I still had my dignity, but that’s gone as well.’

Gen got up from his self-cleaning position only to find Senku looking at him. A smug smirk on that stupidly intelligent face.

“I thought you having a dunk in the bath was enough to clean you.” Senku said as he spread out some condiments he got from the fridge onto the counter.

‘Bastard! How much did you see!’ Gen glared at him, not amused.

Senku didn’t seem to notice his scowl and continued to fish out the ingredients needed for a simple sandwich. His arms were full of everything he needed, ham, cheese, lettuce, pickles along with the condiments he got out earlier.

Gen licked his lips at the display he set down on the counter beside him.

When Senku went to find the bread Gen, giving into his instincts and playful nature, took the ham and ran.

“Hey!…cat! Get back here!” Senku took off after him, chasing him around the apartment.

Gen didn’t let up, evading him at every corner and sharp turn. Hopping over the tables and leaping over furniture, he had Senku running in circles.

He scaled the counter with the help of open drawers that Senku forgot to close and hopped onto the fridge before hiding on top of the cupboards out of reach.

“Bastard! Get your ass down here now!” Senku fumed, clearly not pleased that a cat had outsmarted him.

Gen was paying him no attention as he was biting and chewing into the plastic that held his prize inside. He heard some shuffling and furniture being pushed around before he saw the top of Senku’s head appearing over the cupboards. Probably standing to his full height with the help of a chair.

“Give it back!” He demanded as he went to reach for the ham. Grabbing one end he started pulling before realizing the cat wasn’t going to give up so easily. Both having a firm grip on the ham.

“How about this? If you let go I’ll share my food with you? Sound fair?” Senku tried to negotiate as a last resort but that landed more in Gen’s expertise.

The cat seemed to think it was a fair trade and slowly released its teeth from the dripping meat bag. He saw as the tired scientist also took him by the scruff of the neck and pulled him out along with the ham from atop the cupboards.

“Pull a stunt like that again and I’ll test Schrödinger's theory out on you.” Senku warned with a scowl.

Gen couldn’t tell if that was an empty threat or not, either way he was getting a free meal out of this. Maybe being a cat wasn’t so bad after all.

Chapter Text

Senku’s POV

It wasn’t like Gen to ignore his messages.
He would normally respond right away, unless of course he was doing one of his shows. Gen told Senku he had finished his last show of the week yesterday and was taking the day off to relax.

Senku tried to recall if anything suspicious was going on the last time he saw Gen.

Yesterday, at the lab Gen had decided to drop by for a quick visit. His usual charming smile on his face, he knew it was fake but nothing out of the ordinary. He was in the middle of a huge breakthrough with his apprentice Chrome.

They were making a genetic modification serum. It alters one’s DNA just by coming in contact with it. Gen had appeared just as the Scientist had ordered Chrome to find a suitable container to place the serum so that it wouldn’t contaminate anyone.

Gen had given him a kiss and a quick hello to everyone before leaving. That was the last time he saw him.

He checked his phone again, with false hope of seeing a text from him.

He looked back down at the cat that had somehow earned itself half of Senku’s sand-which. “I really shouldn’t be feeding you human food…” He says through a mouthful.

The cat paid him no mind and continued to eat like it had been starved for a week.

The cat really did resemble Gen. The black and white pattern that split down its back. Cold dark grey eyes with a flicker of intelligence behind them. It’s mannerisms too. The cat intentionally avoided anything to do with exercise, wanting to be constantly picked up and pampered.

Only Gen could find such a high maintenance cat.

The thought of Gen reminded Senku to check his phone again. Still nothing.

He took a final bite of his sandwich before he starts to clean up, Gen wouldn’t appreciate the mess.He will have to start asking his friends and colleagues if they know anything about Gen’s whereabouts in the morning.

A gnawing feeling digs its way into his chest. His head was starting to throb from all this stress.

He puts all the sandwich meat and cheese back into the fridge, putting the tab on the bread bag. Wiping down the counter he hears a soft meow coming from the other side, unable to see the source of the noise.

He walks around the corner to see the other half of his sandwich gone and the cat looking up at him clearly expecting more.

“I put all the stuff away already.” Senku says with a shrug. Crossing his arms and leaning back against the counter.

The cat, not pleased, trots up to him and begins to rub his body between his legs affectionately.

“Nice try, you already suckered me into give you half of my meal it’s not going to work a second time.” Senku picks up the cat and brings it with him to the bedroom.

The cat meows sadly, not at all happy with the denial of more food.

“Sorry but I’m not having Gen come home to his fur-ball gaining twenty pounds overnight.” Senku sets the cat down near the foot of the bed. He begins to undress down to his underwear. Normally he sleeps with nothing on, but since he has an unexpected guest sleeping with him he thought that wouldn’t be the smartest thing to do.

The cat was turned away from him again. Strange. It did the same thing when he was getting in the tub. Cats aren’t normally this perceptive, nor this polite.

“Hey…cat.” He really needs to name this thing. The cat only turned its head. Looking at him with those beautiful grey eyes. Senku patted the spot beside him, inviting the feline to lay with him. The cat had to lift its small feet higher than usual to get by the fluffy blanket, having to hop a little just to get there.

Cute. Senku thought as he got under the covers, the blanket resting at his chest. He decided to check his phone one last time before putting it face down on the nightstand beside him.

The cat curled up under his neck, purring softly.

Usually Senku had a hard time falling asleep without Gen by his side. But whether it was the late nights he spent at the lab or the company of a small fur-ball, he fell into a deep sleep right away. A warm presence still noticeable pressing into the side of his neck.