Applause erupted in the crowd as Genos yet again saved a group of people from a Tiger Level monster. The people cried out in joy and exclaimed their thanks to the good-looking hero.

"That was incredible!"

"Thank you so much!"

"Who is that?"

"He's an S Class hero right?"

"No way, that can't be!"

"He looks like a robot, maybe he's one of Metal Knight's inventions?"

"Is he?"

"Probably."

"Well, it's amazing!"

Genos sighed heavily. He was used to the citizen's reactions of him but this one in particular was becoming a trend around the city. He knew that his metal body and abilities could've thrown off some of them and in the end, he couldn't change their thought processes. He didn't try to explain himself though, at the expense of not causing a fuss.

But it didn't mean that the words didn't have some kind of effect on him.

Genos was actually on his way to meet you so you guys could go get something to eat then relax at your apartment before all this. He just happened to find some trouble on his way to you. He dismissed himself from the crowds and began walking off in your direction.

That's when the phone in his pocket vibrated. He took it out and saw that you had texted him.

(y/n): Genos? Where are you?

Genos: I'm on my way

(y/n): You said that 30 minutes ago

Genos: I'm sorry, I'll get there soon, ran into some monsters

You sighed sadly. Genos had been getting increasingly busy as the months progressed. Monsters had been ravaging the city a lot more than they used to. You knew that it was Genos's job to protect the citizens, but you couldn't help but feel upset by how little time you got to spend with him. Your guys' daily hang outs had become weekly, then soon turned into every two weeks; it was enough to make you worry about him even more than you usually did.

With a small hint of sorrow, you replied.

(y/n): It's alright, just please get here soon

Genos's phone once again buzzed and he looked at your answer with concern. He was confused as to what you were feeling at this second. He knew that there was a lot he could have done wrong but nothing specific came to mind. Genos always tried his best to keep you happy since your smile was what made him happy. However, there were times when even his scrupulous searches came up with no results from you.

He was nearing the restaurant you two had picked when a little boy ran across his view, directly into the street. He was chasing after his ball that kept rolling away as his feet accidently kicked the ball further. Genos spotted the speeding car seconds before it came close to crashing into the little boy. Without hesitance, he bolted towards the little boy and gathered him up into his arms as he skidded both of them across the pavement. The screech of the brakes alerted everyone in the surroundings causing people to shriek in horror and surprise.

The man in the car had halted in the middle of the road and stumbled out. His eyes were wide as he looked over to Genos and the little boy. "Oh my god, is he okay!?" The man exclaimed. "I'm so sorry! I didn't see him!"

Genos glanced down to the boy shivering in his arms. "Are you alright?"

The boy nodded shakily. "Y-yeah..."

Genos set him on the sidewalk. "Be more careful next time, stay out of the streets," He patted his head.

The boy smiled slightly and nodded again. "I-I will! Thank you, Mr.!" He then picked up his ball and jogged off into a much safer area.

The other man sighed. "I'm so sorry, I hope you aren't going to rat me out to the police," He scratched his head nervously.

Genos waved him off. "Just please try to be more focused in your driving, sir."

"R-really? Thank you so much!" The man shook Genos's hand and kept muttering his thanks. Soon after, the guy got back in his car and drove off.

The bystanders were still loitering around whispering things to one another. Genos's excellent hearing was able to pick up most of what was being said.

"What happened!?"

"A child was almost run over."

"Oh my gosh, is he alright!?"

"Yes, that robot hero saved him."

"Wow, how incredible..."

"But he let that guy get away!"

"If he were a true hero, he would've turned him into the authorities....or at least gotten some justice for that poor boy."

"Right? Some hero this robot is...."

Genos's jaw tightened on those last words. He was about to turn around and call out the person who had said it when he heard a familiar voice call his name.

"Genos!" You yelled as you ran toward him with worry. "What's going on? What happened?"

"Nothing, just some business" He mumbled and gently pushed you in the direction of the restaurant. "Let's just go."

"But Genos—"

"Please, can we just go?" He asked exasperated.

You looked at him for a moment before slowly nodding. "Y-yeah, okay...."

You allowed him to lead you inside and took a seat across from him at booth. He seemed bothered by something but you didn't want to address the subject in fear of provoking some kind of negative emotion. You decided to let him calm down a bit before you asked him anything.

In your guys's silence, the waiter came by to take your order. "Hello and welcome, what can I get you today?"

You weren't paying much attention to what you wanted so you just got the first thing you found. Your mind was still running in circles over what wrong with Genos. It was strange to see him so quiet and serious, even for him. You were scared if it had something to do with you, but you couldn't think of anything that would upset him.

After the guy took your order, he turned to Genos hesitantly. "Um, sir, I don't mean to be rude but do you eat as well?"

You heard a deep, growling sigh from Genos that surprised you greatly. His golden eyes flashed up dangerously at the waiter. You were pretty sure you heard the guy shriek a little.

"Yes," Genos hissed.

"R-right, sorry! I'm s-so sorry!!" The waiter trembled. "And you would like?"

Genos stated his order while the guy jotted it down nervously. Without anymore need to be there, he practically dashed out of there.

You glanced over to Genos. "Hey, what's wrong? Please don't push me away."

He remained silent and said nothing.

You sat there taking in his stubbornness and debating whether to further poke at the subject or to just drop it. You were obviously not getting anywhere right now so it made you lose confidence in confronting him. But you didn't want him to deal with whatever it was alone. You wanted to be there for him through thick and thin. However, his pride was getting in the way of that...

Just as you had made up your mind to talk to him, you reached over the table to touch his hand. But Genos had already abruptly stood up.

"Genos--?"

He didn't heed your words and stormed out of the restaurant. You were left wide eyes and shocked while other customers looked at you strangely. You saw them whispering to each other and exhaled softly.

You got up from your seat and ran after Genos. You didn't realize how long you had stayed inside until you found that there was no trace of Genos. It felt like seconds ago he had just stomped out. Either that or he had used his boosters to propel him out of there.

In any case, your mind went to the next best thing it could do. Guess.

Where was somewhere Genos would go? There wasn't really a specific spot that he called his hideaway or anything, nowhere that he usually liked to go to. The only place you could come up with was Saitama's and Genos's apartment. It might've seemed dumb at the time but it was the best you could do. And if it turned out that Genos wasn't there, you could always ask Saitama if he had seen him or if he could text him.

Being the transportation-less person that you were, you were forced to jog over to Saitama's house. It was a long run with many breaks in between but you finally ended up at your location. With heavy breaths, you hastily knocked on the door.

Saitama opened up to find you with your hands on your knees heaving in gulps of air. "Is.....Genos.....here....?" You gasped.

"Uh....yeah....Are you alright?" Saitama asked.

"I will be, I just need to see Genos," You said shakily.

"Sure, come on in," Saitama stepped aside and let you enter. "You want some water or something?"

"Not now," You waved him off. "Where is he?"

"He's in his room." (A/N: So I don't know if anybody's noticed this but I've been rearranging Saitama's apartment for a while now to fit the fanfic so if it seems off, it is intentional. Besides, Saitama could use a little more space in his house XD)

You made your way over to Genos's door (you knew where it was having been to their home before) knocked lightly.

There was no response.

"Genos," You whispered. "It's me. Please.....let me in..."

Silence......

"Genos, let me help you.....please, tell me what's wrong."

You leaned your head against the door and spoke a little louder. "If there's something bothering you I want to know. I want to be here for you."

Suddenly, the lock on the door clicked and a miracle happened. Genos actually answered.

He looked a lot sadder than you had seen him before. He wore a mask of calm that hid an emotional storm of desolation. "Hey," Genos said in a steady voice. "What's going on?"

You furrowed your eyebrows slightly. "Can I come in?"

"Sure."

You walked hesitantly into his room and were confronted with the perfect neatness of his room. You had to give him props, you would never be able to pull that off.

Genos closed the door behind him as you took a seat on his bed. "What did you want to say?" Genos asked.

"I want you to tell me what's wrong," You urged. "You're worrying me, I want to help you."

"There's nothing wrong."

"Bullshit."

Genos glanced at you oddly. You were never one to curse unless something genuinely upset you.

That's when he got a good look at you. You were nearly on the brink of tears.

"Bullshit," You repeated. "There's obviously something wrong. Don't lie to me. You're only hurting me more."

Genos grit his teeth guiltily. He broke your gaze by turning away. "I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. I just didn't want you to get caught up in my problems."

"I'm not getting 'caught up in your problems', I'm here to help you through them," You remarked softly. "So tell me, what is it?"

He sighed and sat down beside you. "(y/n)....when you first met me, what did you think?"

"Think of what?" You questioned.

"Of me in general," Genos continued. "What was your first reaction?"

You thought quietly for a moment. The first time you met Genos was when you were signing up at the Hero Association. The board was so impressed by your scores that they automatically ranked you last place at S Class level. However, fearing that they may having been a little too reluctant, they assigned Genos to record and track your abilities, movements, and overall damage that you created per fight. During that time, you two grew pretty close. Even after the board of directors made you an official S Class, Genos hadn't stopped seeing you. And that's how you both ended up together.

But aside from that, you couldn't think of anything strange. You thought he was incredible handsome when you first saw him. Those determined eyes and that thick blond hair was enough to make you melt. You remembered being a bit nervous around him but you soon got over that after you guys eventually started talking.

"Well," You began. "I thought that you were a person who believed in justice, someone who was honorable and kind. I could tell that you had a deep respect for people and that you weren't one who was a hero for the fame and fortune like some of the other heroes I had seen. I.....really admire you," You smiled gently up at him.

He didn't make eye contact with you. "(y/n), would you say I'm.....human?"

You were stunned by his words. "Of course, why wouldn't you be?"

"Because....I....I feel like I'm not," He leaned on his elbows and covered his face with his hands. "Other don't see me the way you do, they don't think I'm human. And I feel like they may be right. I'm not like other humans, I have different mechanisms to communicate sensations and circumstances. I know I will never be human again because my surgery is irreversible, but, just once, I'd like to feel like others do. I can't believe I took all my humanity for granted and threw it away like nothing."

Your heart felt heavy in your chest and you couldn't contain the tears that were now spilling down your cheeks. "This was what you didn't want to tell me? How could you keep something this big from me!?" You cried, taking a hold of his face in your hands. "Don't you ever think yourself any less than human. You are one of the kindest and bravest souls I have ever met, I don't care what anyone else says. And you shouldn't either. Do you know why? Because you worrying about this proves that you are human. You care, so much. That's what it means to be human."

By now, even Genos was shedding a few lost drops of oil from his eyes. "I love you, Genos, and I fell in love with you because of your sense of emotion. It's one of the many things I love about you," You said, wiping away the stray tears. "And you've said that you love me right? How can something inhuman feel that emotion? You're human, no matter how you look, dress, act, you're still the same person as you were before your operation. As long as you can feel the beat of your emotions, nothing will change that."

Genos pulled you into his chest and wrapped his arms around you tightly. "Thank you," He sobbed into your shoulder. "Thank you so much."

You smiled softly and delicately ran you fingers through his hair. "Of course. I'll always be here for you, Genos," Your lips trembled as more salty tears cascaded down. "I love you."

"I love you, so much."

So this one shot was actually inspired by something that happened recently to me. I was trying to get a friend of mine into the One Punch Man fandom and I was telling her about Genos and my mega crush on him. As I was talking she asked if Genos was a robot to which I replied no that that was just the way he looked since most of his body is mechanical. She pointed out however that Genos had a core that powered him though (like a robot). I explained to her that he still had a human brain which technically made him a cyborg (Half human, half mechanical), without it all his actions would be purely based on codes that would be programmed into him. We were at this for quite some time and I finally came to the conclusion that people really think that Genos is a robot.

He's not.

He may have all these metal parts but in the end he still has the emotions any other person has. Robots can't feel that. I told my friend he may have a 'robotic heart' (hardy har har), but he still has the mind of a human. He makes mistakes, he feels happiness, he can get excited, he can get angry, HE CAN FEEL. 

Here are the specific definitions of these terms:

Robot- a mechanical or virtual artificial agent, usually an electro-mechanical machine that is guided by a computer program or electronic circuitry.

Cyborg- a fictional or hypothetical person whose physical abilities are extended beyond normal human limitations by mechanical elements built into the body.

Here it makes it more obvious which category Genos fall in.

I've seen so many posts on Tumblr and  other social media that joke about the robot stuff and it is funny but I never thought that they actually believed it. It may or may not be possible that this is correct but it is what I have seen. (Also the part where Genos cries oil tears has been confirmed in an OPM article)

So what I'm getting at is that we should break the stereotype. I know it seems like a really trivial thing for me to be talking about but I honestly feel for the character. It genuinely makes me sad to see all this dehumanizing that is bringing him down. I don't know, I just  felt the need to say this. I hope I can get your support on it.

Thank you for reading :)