#the convenience store and Serizawa

[spicykellybear]

Me going to draw Serizawa

[bittybeanie]

Finally an account that does mob psycho! I appreciate your service! Could you write a scenario about going to the mall with Serizawa? Just looking at the cute stores, buying Seri some new clothes, maybe reader is looking for a fancy dress, maybe they stop by a lingerie store idk 👀 anything would be lovely!

happy to be of service!! this was such a cute idea i couldn't decide what angle i wanted to take, so here are two lil connected snippets! basically, you're both trying to find fancy clothes to wear to an event together- please enjoy!

also on ao3!

(update: this fic has art by the incredible @butterysalt! newly featured in the header, you can find just the art on their page here! go show them so much love!)

"Oh, you can handle it! This is barely anything. Besides, having your hands go numb from too many bags is an essential part of the mall shopping experience. I promise this is so authentic and neccessary." Against your words, you hold out a couple fingers to grab the handles of his bags. He lets go and sighs gratefully, rubbing his hands together to get feeling back into his fingers. You start to lean as you realize the bags were much heavier than you first thought, and you have to do some quick shuffling to avoid toppling over into him.

"I know you said it was easy to get distracted, but I guess I wasn't expecting…"

"Yeah, sorry. I just wanna make sure I don't forget anything we actually came here for."

"I get it. I really don't mind." He smiles that smile at you, the one that always makes your face light up and your heart sing and your worries and doubts and regrets sound like dull buzzing of the past underneath the loud simmer of your affection for him, and he points at a set of chairs in the nearby walkway. "This is my first time having to get so dressed up. I'm learning a lot."

"Well, it's not like I'm a pro at it either. You've seen what I wear to the office sometimes." He laughs and nods, and he tugs gently on your arm to steer you away from bumping into somebody. When your shoulder brushes against his arm, you take advantage of it to lean your head against him before leading him across the stream of people toward the chairs. You set your bags down and roll your wrists, looking around for a map. "I didn't think it would take quite this long to find something good, though."

"I promise, I don't mind." He taps the top of your head with one finger. You hum, so he leans down and presses a kiss in the spot he just tapped. As he stands back up, you lock your arms around his neck and pull him into a proper kiss, albeit one that's much too quick for your liking. You are in public, though, and having him spontaneously combust just wouldn't do, so you'll have to settle for his nervous laughter and wobbly smile for now. "Especially if I get more of those."

"So you're saying you wouldn't mind even if we stopped at every single store, right?"

"Well…"

"Ooh, and what about that one? Something for you, perhaps?" You nudge his side and point your elbow toward the lingerie store just behind you. He barely glances before snapping his head in the opposite direction. When his hand comes up to rub at the back of his neck, you're honestly not sure if his discomfort is emotional or physical.

"I… don't think I'm their target audience." You catch even yourself off guard by how loudly you laugh. You slap a hand over your mouth, clearing your throat in an attempt to disguise your remaining giggles.

"Well, I admit that would be pretty fun to see." You take a mental screenshot of the way his cheeks light up, filing that information away to use later. "But I meant for you. Like… as a present?"

"But you… Oh! I-I-I see! You don't need- I mean I don't need- it's not- we, um. That is-"

"Hey, baby." You tap a finger over his lips, and he stops talking just long enough to nod. "I'm just teasing." His smile is still lopsided and his cheeks are still warm, but his shoulders creep away from his ears when you kiss him, and you think you might just melt from how endearing it is. You pull away to slip the bags back over your arm, laughing when he jerks forward to snatch some away from you. "We should focus on what we came for, anyway. But, if you change your mind, let me know."

He shifts all his bags to one hand and reaches for you with the other, rolling his eyes as he pulls you toward the second floor.

+

You'd be lying if you said you weren't worn down by now. You'd started off hopeful and excited, but one store after another had been a disappointment, and if this one didn't meet your standards you were probably going to have to go home with nothing helpful to show for the hours you'd spent. Serizawa was doing his best to remain cheerful, but you could tell it was getting to him, too. You believed him - and agreed - when he said he was just happy to spend the time with you, but it was way more people than he was used to being around, and you could see the pinch at the ends of his smile and feel the way his hand twitched in yours when the volume swelled. You wanted to get him home.

"Let's make this the last one."

He didn't have the energy to fight you, just nodding and squeezing your hand.

You wander around, scanning the rows of clothing as you make your way down the main aisles.

"Should we just go home? I might just be tired, but I don't see anything good." He hums, low in the back of his throat, so you nod, turning to head for the door. Your arm jerks as you feel resistance, and you look back to find him staring off into the distance.

"Wait." He points to a mannequin in the back corner, then to another a couple racks over. "What about those?"

"Holy shit." They're clearly separate outfits given their distance apart, but everything about them looks like they were made to go together - from the color, to the fabric, to the pattern of how the stitching on the sides is tailored. "Katsuya."

"Hmm?"

"You're a fashion genius."

"I am?"

You don't have time to see his pleased expression before he's stumbling to follow behind you, practically running as you pull him along. You set your bags down to rummage through the racks, and he picks them up just in time to catch the clothes you haphazardly chuck at him.

"Sorry! Stay there!"

"R-right!" He straightens, standing awkwardly still as he waits for you to sprint over to the other rack and find the right size of everything for the other outfit. You sling everything over your shoulder and take the clothes back from him, looping your hand into the crook of his elbow to drag him to the fitting room.

You push the door open for him before slipping in behind him to lock it. He looks a little shell-shocked as he sets the bags down in the corner, and you drop the clothes onto the bench to reach for him. You slide your hands up both sides of his face and pull him down to press a gentle kiss to the tip of his nose.

"Sorry. I got very excited."

"I noticed." He tilts his head to kiss you fully, and your fingers slide back into his hair. "It was cute."

You click your tongue, ruffling his hair as you pull away to hide your flustered state. "Oh, stop flattering me and put these on." You pick his set of clothes out of the pile, wrinkled as all hell by now, and hold them out in one hand as your sift through your own clothes with the other.

"Okay." He gently takes the clothes, a huge smile plastered across his face, and you can't resist the urge to kiss him one more time.

Ordinarily, you would take every chance you had to tease him in a situation like this, but both of you are so tired that you strip without much pretense, throwing your clothes in a pile by the door like it's your hamper back at home. He laughs when you trip trying to take your shoe off and lets you scramble to catch his shoulder, but otherwise keeps his eyes politely in the other direction. It's not until both of you have stopped moving that you look over at each other, and you take a sharp breath in as you survey him.

"Damn." You reach up to straighten his tie, smoothing your hand down his chest as your gaze makes its way down his figure. "You clean up nice, Serizawa."

He's too busy staring at you to respond. You'll take that as a good sign.

"Here, let's see…" You put your hands on his hips to spin him toward the mirror, and he seems to blink himself back to awareness as you take your place beside him. He holds his arm out to let you wrap your elbow around it, and he smiles when you lean against him. "What do you think? Do we look good, or what?"

"Yeah." His voice is breathy, and it makes your own breathing catch in your throat. He pulls his arm out of your grasp and reaches around behind you, resting his hand on your hip to pull you against him again. He presses his nose into your neck, kissing you as soon as you lean toward him, before straightening to rest his chin on your head. You can feel him surveying you more than you can see it, and your temperature shoots up when his hand tightens on your hip.

"Hey…"

"Mhm?"

"Can we go back to that...?"

You blink, looking up at his face in the mirror.

"You said to tell you if I changed my mind, so..."

You bury your face in his chest and let out a breathy chuckle. "Tell you what." You pull yourself away from his side to lay your original clothes out. "When we get home, we can do some online shopping instead." You don't miss the way his gaze hovers as you pull the fabric over your head - just high enough over your shoulder that he could say he wasn't looking if pressed, but close enough that you both know he's staring. "That way we can both be flustered in peace. Deal?" He slips a finger into the knot of his tie and jerks his hand out. It comes easily undone, one end fluttering across his wrist to drape down his arm as he swallows thickly.

"Deal."

[mulletstanleys]

if he isn't home the exact time they're expecting him whenever he goes out, they go on a searching spree panicked. they'll phone out anyone he knows, ekubo would scatter around seasoning city keeping an eye out for him, and will overthink about what scenarios did reigen put himself through this time

God how do Serizawa, Ekubo and Yoshioka deal with the fact that their boyfriend cam and would willingly throw himself in front of a bus for the people he cares about. Reigen's kind nature is so endearing, but his habit of self-sacrifice must have them waking up in the dead of night, desperately clutching around their bed to make sure he's still there.

[palant1r]

re: serizawas umbrella

so. my dad and i just went to japan for two weeks. landed in tokyo on a rainy day and our luggage was delayed, so dad didnt have his raincoat. and a very nice janitor just. gave him an umbrella.

a clear one, like the one that toichiro gave serizawa.

and this was, of course, very nice of him. but as we discovered...gang, it's not like in america, where an umbrella is A Purchase. umbrellas, ESPECIALLY those clear ones, are like 4 bucks tops and sold at every other convenience store in tokyo.

i think this cultural context adds a great extra layer to the exchange, allowing us to interpret the gift properly: its some shit toichiro probably bought 20 minutes prior at a 7/11 with a 500 yen coin

[phantompages]

I really really enjoy ageswap AUs and would love to take a crack at one myself honestly. It's fun seeing different ideas and takes on things, and I like seeing kid Reigen being a little shit. So I keep thinking about how Serizawa in canon is essentially what Shigeo would be like had he not had Reigen to help him out as a kid, and so in an ageswap au I can see Shigeo ending up a hikikomori, never leaving his room/apartment for anything other than perhaps the barest necessities.

Perhaps one time on a short, midnight run to the local 24/7 convenience store to stock up on food for the next few weeks, Shigeo sees something, just close enough to notice the movement out of the corner of his eye. Some kid with a mop of blond hair turned a dull silver in the pale moonlight and luminescent street lamps lurking around alleyways armed with a bag of salt, saying something about melting evil spirits.

It's an odd sight, but it's none of his business. He wasn't expecting anyone out at this hour, which is why he went out for food at this time, so he moves to leave, just go back home and not go out for the next long, long while.

And then an actual evil spirit shows up, making Shigeo's hair stand on end from the sudden burst of spiritual energy, and the kid makes a startled noise that catches his attention. There's not a lick of psychic energy in that kid, and there's a rather nasty spirit looming over him. It's not like Shigeo can just leave him be, the table salt the kid is violently throwing isn't even doing anything. He could get hurt.

The spirit ends up exorcized, perhaps a bit more explosively than Shigeo would have liked but it's been a long time since he used his powers. Of course this catches the kid's attention, and when said kid turns around to notice this haggard looking man in pajamas at 1 AM with convenience store bags and standing near the entrance to a sketchy alleyway the kid decides that clearly the best course of action is to run directly up to him and start chattering about "Did you do that?! Are you a psychic?!" Shigeo tries making a run for it but this is a man who barely leaves his apartment and hasn't exercised since he was like 13 or 14 for PE classes so the kid catches up embarrassingly quickly.

The kid enthusiastically introduces himself as Reigen Arataka; Rising Star of the Psychic World and soon to be Greatest Psychic of the 21st Century. The kid, Reigen, goes on and on about how he was looking around for an evil spirit he's heard about from classmates at Salt Middle and from gossiping housewives he's passed by, and obviously since spirits are more active at night it's a great idea to go looking then.

And since Shigeo's a psychic, that means he has to teach this kid how to use psychic powers. Obviously.

Shigeo is not thrilled at the idea. Using his powers right then was a one time deal and he's not going to use them ever again because he'll explode and hurt everyone and-

But Reigen's not going to take no for an answer, he gives Shigeo a card for a sketchy looking business called Spirits & Such, run by one Kurata Tome. Reigen says that's where he's working after school and on weekends, and that he'll be taking Shigeo there the next day. Somehow, Reigen manages to get Shigeo's name and address from him before prancing off into the night like it's a totally normal thing for a what, 13?? year old to be doing. Shigeo goes home for the night, that was way too much interaction for him for the next decade. And it's not like that kid will actually remember this and show up at his apartment, right?

Shigeo wakes up to insistent rings of the doorbell some time in the afternoon, and he's content to just not answer but damn that is loud and persistent and just wont stop ringing so he begrudgingly cracks the door open to find Reigen in all his like 5'1" glory ready to drag Shigeo out of his apartment and to Spirits & Such, calling him Shishou all the while.

So it turns out this Kurata person recognizes his name as that kid who refused to join her Telepathy Club in Middle School, which is awkward. Shigeo's not quite sure how he got here, getting a job and a makeover even (Kurata insisted she cut his hair rather than let Reigen handle the scissors) but Reigen's persistent enough that he finds himself falling more into a routine working at S&S, and it's... it's nice, actually. He's finding his anxieties quelling and himself relaxing more, and talking with Kurata and Reigen isn't all that bad. He's getting himself back on his feet. Reigen is impressive with how he speaks with customers and a part of Shigeo wishes he could do that, wishes he could speak so clearly and understand people so easily. He's working on it, bit by bit.

And then he finds himself questioning his life choices because of a spirit haunting an all-girl's high school, shutting down a cult and gaining a sentient fart cloud as a companion, running into a TV celebrity who happens to also be an esper, and a whole lot of other things go down that leaves Shigeo's head spinning.

[hongherbac]

[Serizawa centric] The Humanity of S&S - Chapter 3

Read it on AO3

Chapter: 3/6

Fandom: モブサイコ100 | Mob Psycho 100 Rating: General Audiences

Non-Romantic Relationships: Seirizawa Katsuya & Reigen Arataka & Dimple

Summary: Serizawa got a frustrating phone call, and his power didn't like that.

CW: emotional blackmail

Chapter 3

"Hey, Serizawa, don't you think that's a little bit too much?"

Reigen's voice brought him back to reality. The evil spirits had long since been destroyed to ashes under his power, leaving only the original possessed wardrobe, which was gradually burning black from the center, and even began to smoke due to the psychic powers.

Serizawa quickly withdrew his hand, "Right, right, sorry! I was distracted!"

The client came back from outside, "Why are you apologizing? How's the exorcism going? Is everything okay?"

"Oh, no problem at all! The evil spirits have been completely eliminated." Reigen greeted the client with a big smile, "It's just that, after all, the evil spirits are the embodiments of the dead with lingering grudges. Even though they need to be purified and eliminated for the sake of the living, we still have to pay them some respect. You see, this scorch mark is evidence of the spirit's ascension."

"I see. Thank you very much."

Reigen and Serizawa were on their way back to the city. As usual, Reigen had asked the client for travel expenses, but in the end, they either walked or took the bus. They had a lot of time anyway, but their income was inversely proportional to it. In addition, Reigen had always complained that his physical fitness couldn't keep up with Mob. He said that he should exercise more during the day, while going straight to the ramen store after work. As a result, only these little bits of stingy transportation time could dig this  lazy, pre-middle-aged guy out of his chair.

"Serizawa, what's troubling you?" Reigen said casually with his hands in his pockets.

Serizawa was startled. But it's Reigen-san after all. Of course Reigen can see right through him. Serizawa had barely slept last night and had nightmares after he finally fell asleep. Now, there were still dark circles under his eyes.

"Reigen-san… what should I do when I start to doubt myself?"

"Why are you suddenly thinking of such a heavy question?"

"Um, for example," Serizawa struggled, "when answering multiple choice questions, there are always two options left, right? Say, I've already chosen the answer B, but when I go back and check, I start to feel uncertain, and I can't help thinking that I should have chosen the other one."

"Huh?"

Reigen was expecting some kind of bigger problem, not something as trivial as a pop quiz. Being so concerned about exams and grades, surely Serizawa was still just a junior high school student inside. It might seem trivial from an adult's perspective, but it was indeed the main focus of student life, and also an important source of confidence.

"Ah… I understand. That happens sometimes. And if I later realize that I made the wrong choice, I would feel so regretful and think that I should have chosen the other one."

"Yes! Besides, if I keep hesitating, time will just keep passing. I've already wasted a lot of time. It's scary to think that I might spend it on the wrong options again."

"Uh-huh. Time constraints can be very stressful."

"What would you do if it were you, Reigen-san?"

"Well, I've never really cared much about such things." Reigen scratched his head, "It doesn't really matter. It's just a small part of life. Even if you get it wrong this time, you'll learn from it next time, right? Your diligence, and the effort you've put in, won't be shaken by this. In any case, I won't look down on you for that."

"That's very wise, Reigen-san."

"No big deal." Reigen tried to play it cool, "Let's stop by a convenience store before we get back to the office. I'll buy you a snack. No more than 200 yen."

They passed by one. Reigen told Serizawa to go in first, as he needed to withdraw some money across the street because ATMs in convenience stores charged a service fee.

A cool breeze came from the refrigerated shelves. Serizawa relaxed. Every time he talked to Reigen-san, even if it was just for a few words, he felt relieved and his thoughts became much clearer. He felt a little guilty for his doubts and thoughts of quitting his job, as if the wavering had not only affected him, but also offended Reigen.

He browsed the shelves, each product beautifully packaged, all designed to attract customers. To others, they looked ordinary, but Serizawa liked them. It was amazing how many colors there were in the world.

Bzzz… Bzzz…

The cell phone in his pocket vibrated, and he took it out. It's Mom.

"Hi, Mom?"

"Katsuya, I heard you turned down the job offered by President Ito?"

Serizawa was so shocked that he almost dropped the phone. He felt as if his stomach had suddenly been hollowed out. He quickly asked, "How did you know about this?"

"Ito-san just called the house. His voice sounds so young, but he acts very mature. I wish you'd learn more from him."

"How did he get our house number?… No, forget it. What did he say?"

"You should be grateful. He said a lot of nice things about you, and he wanted to invite you to his company. But you didn't accept it! What were you thinking? It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet such an outstanding person who appreciates you so much."

"But, Mom, I'm really happy with my current job…"

"Katsuya, you are still such a stubborn child, just like always." A heavy sigh came from the other end of the line, "Mommy had never understood what you're doing… You say exorcism? How am I going to tell people about this? I can't even hold my head up outside. You should grow up. Stop thinking only of your own feelings. You have to look at the bigger picture."

"No, it's not just about the feeling! I'm not losing control of my abilities now. I can use my power to help others, and I'm doing something meaningful. My boss and co-workers were very kind, and they care about me."

"… You mean, that scary ability?"

Serizawa felt dizzy.

"Since you can control it, it's better to hide that dangerous thing."

"Mom, stop."

Clatter. Clatter.

"What do you mean, 'stop'? I'm saying it for your own good. Do you know how hard it is for Mommy? After your father left, and you became like that, I've had to handle everything at home alone. I've even thought of taking you with me."

"…"

"Then we met Suzuki-san. What a wonderful man, who took you out of your room, and taught you how to return to society. But just a few years later, you said, ‘I've made a mistake, I'm quitting,’ and started doing those strange things instead. It's all because your father was away, and I was too busy making money to teach you well. How else could I have raised such an ungrateful child?"

"It's not like that! You got it all wrong… Please leave me alone."

Clatter. Clatter.

"Why are you so mean to me?" The woman's voice sobbed slightly, "How could I possibly leave you alone? You're my son. Of course I want you to be happy. But you're always like this. Other people's children are taking responsibility for their parents. I don't want you to be like a normal person, but at least don't let me worry about you all the time, okay?

Serizawa was about to retort, but he swallowed his words when he heard his mother sobbing.

"Just go work for President Ito, alright? Mommy won't hurt you." Bzzz. "Let's quit your job today. It's work time. Your boss should be around. Give him your cell phone, and let Mommy talk for you-" Bzzz. “Katsuya, are you interfering with the signal? Mommy I…home…can you hear me…ahh…emd…“

Snapped. Serizawa closed the phone, his heart pounding wildly as he felt the blood rushing to his head.

-Bang!

The muffled sound of something falling made him look up, only to realize that all the items in the store were shrouded in a faint purple light, trembling uneasily and violently on the shelves, almost being shaken off the ground. It was the overflowing emotions that unconsciously activated his psychic power.

Serizawa hastily reached out his hand, trying to retrieve the energy. However, his hand was shaking. The energy is turbulent.

Don't shake. Control it, before you get everyone into trouble. He gripped the wrist with his right hand. Clatter, clatter, clatter. Things shook even more violently. Packages of potato chips fell to the ground, then floated back up. Other items also floated up slowly, and the rebar groaned as it was dented by a powerful force. Please, stop. Widening his eyes, almost panicked, he tried even harder to contain the whirlwind of energy, but it felt as if the power had a mind of its own, slipping through his fingers like a flood, hissing to be released. He knew what would happen next. A familiar sight that had long been absent. It was going to be bad. People would get hurt. They would scream, cry out in fear. So,he can't let that happen. He MUST control it.

He couldn't. Serizawa was almost exhausted, but  it seemed as if he had forgotten how to use his powers, like he was falling into a deep, black hole. On the contrary, the purple energy kept pouring out, on the verge of exploding. He was desperate, screaming helplessly inside. Please, stop.

Please, somebody stop me.

Whoosh-bang. With the sound of the umbrella opening, he felt a shadow rise above him, blocking out the blinding pale daylight and most of his vision. The world suddenly became a small place. The umbrella wrapped around him. It felt small, dark, bare, but simple.

Suddenly he could see nothing but the smooth, grayish-white fabric of the umbrella, and the expressionless face of Reigen.

Things fell back to the floor. Shelves creaked with relief, and lights wobbled. In the distance, there were some rapid footsteps and frightened gasps from the clerk. But under the protection of the umbrella, those sounds felt very far away.

"Are you all right, Serizawa?"

Reigen held an umbrella for both of them which he had taken from a bucket a few seconds before. His voice showed no emotion.

"Reigen-san, I…"

"I know. No need to explain now. Did you get hurt?"

"No."

"Good. Everyone is fine. It's just a few things falling off. Don't worry."

"Okay. I'm really, really sorry…"

"As I said, no need to explain now." Reigen gestured for them to head outside. As they passed the counter, Reigen put some bills and coins on the table, covering the cost of the umbrella.

They stepped out of the convenience store. The sun was shining, but it was cool under the umbrella. Cars were rumbling, and the crowds were milling. Muffled conversations blended into an indistinguishable white noise. Nothing was affected by the commotion in the store. Serizawa had always concentrated with a furrowed brow, giving his all. He must be facing some very difficult problems that even his psychic powers couldn't handle… No, at times like this, his strong power might be a burden instead.

Reigen had never seen him look so miserable. Even when he encountered the most powerful evil spirits, even when he was confronted with the uncontrollable and simply unbeatable Mob, Serizawa had always concentrated with furrowed brows, and gave his all. He must be encountering some very difficult trouble that even couldn't be handled with psychic powers… No, at times like these, his strong power might be a burden instead.

People couldn't hear when they were overwhelmed by emotions. Reigen patted Serizawa on the shoulder, told him to leave work early and get some rest. Serizawa replied in a low voice, took the umbrella from Reigen and walked away in a daze.

"We should have a chat tomorrow." Reigen muttered to himself.

Serizawa returned to his humble apartment. He inserted the gray umbrella into the bucket, right next to the old transparent umbrella he had been using for years.

He didn't turn on the light, and the curtains had been drawn for years. Though it was not yet night, the room was dim. Instead, he turned on the game console and picked up the well-worn controller. The screen lit up, with rough pixelated graphics flashing intermittently.

Game after game. Virtual characters never grew tired, but the person playing in reality did. Barely sleeping last night, Serizawa hunched over in front of the TV, feeling his body getting heavier and heavier, his eyes sore, his concentration breaking sporadically, and the mistakes becoming more and more frequent. The clock seemed to be moving very slowly, but when he looked back, it suddenly jumped a long way forward. He unwrapped a carton of drinks he had bought earlier, absentmindedly realized that he had forgotten to buy the snack. He also forgot to buy dinner. Even forgot to go to night school.

Serizawa rubbed his eyes, trying to refocus. It was not that he cared so much about the score of the game, but it filled his mind with those sound and light effects.

The night was getting late. The already unlit room did not seem to get any darker. The clock showed two-thirty. He really should go to bed - especially if he wanted to be able to go to work tomorrow. But a resistance overcame his reasoning. He started the next game again. And then the next. And then the next. It seemed that if he stopped to sleep, tomorrow would come right away.

Tomorrow. Tomorrow he would have to get out of his room, head to the office, and explain to Reigen-san about his loss of control and the early departure. He would have to call his mother and apologize for hanging up so rudely in the heat of the moment. He would also run into Ito-san at the night school, who would surely ask him about his considered decision.

Took a deep breath. He could do it. He had been helped by so many people, and he had come so far. He couldn't go back anymore.

He should leave his umbrella in his room, and walk out the door with just his briefcase. He could no longer rely on others, but had to face the world on his own, maturely and independently. A world that is so wide, so sprawling, without any boundaries.

He could do it.

He HAD to do it.

… Just one more game.

[arabaka]

*₊˚💬୧ imagine being in a poly relationship with serizawa and reigen and being sick. before heading to work in the AM, reigen makes YOU hot tea and serizawa wipes the sweat from your face with a warm towel. you tell them to stay away, that you don't want to get them sick but they're insistent, giving you kisses despite your weak protesting. they go to work, texting you in the group chat throughout the day. the kids are out for the break so mob and ritsu take some soup to you in the afternoon, provide a fresh towel and new bedding before taking off. you cozy up and end up falling asleep, only waking up in the evening to reigen rustling through a plastic bag; he and seri stopped by the convenience store after work to make sure you had everything you need. they help you shower, get you to bed. you fall asleep together and wow shocker they get sick too

I'M SICK SO THIS DOESN'T MAKE SENSE I JUST WANT THEM TO TAKE CARE OF ME

[espectres]

@reclusedesper SENT: 

i don't know how to be anything more than this.

THE OFFICE IS STILL AN UNFAMILIAR SPACE, yet he ended up there at the brim of his day for some reason, huddled on the couch with his knees hugged close between his loose arms. Kaa-chan left for a meeting out of town, and it appears everyone else is as busy as her, except for good old Serizawa. Shou finds interest in the floor as the other esper continues talking, but he can't find himself quite engaged in the conversation, feeling all hazy and heavy in the flooding orange lights of sunset and the shadows of his and Serizawa's shapes on the grounds. But he tries to listen carefully, despite himself.

❝ But you can learn, right? ❞ He looks up to study the man, sadness and hope and determination layering each others in every curse upon his features, in the dull -very present- shine to his eyes, and the small childish frown to his lips. It puzzled him, scared him, made his heart stutter in weaknesses he could never fathom. The idea of people like Serizawa and himself becoming helpless in the face of change and new strange hardships like nothing they've ever seen. 

❝ Isn't that why you're working here? Why you take night classes and do homework? Doesn't any of it teach you how to ... ❞ How to become something, how to wake up in the morning without feeling like you don't belong in "your room", how to play truth or dare or daruma-san, how to greet neighbors in the convenient stores. Shou doesn't know, really, he doesn't know shit and he has fully accepted that fact, but if there is anything he wouldn't accept, it's that all the things Serizawa has been doing are for nothing. It just can't be, there must be something out there for him, he has come so far and Shou refused to think of it as helpless. 

He turns back to admire the shadows, long and weird and barely visible as night creeped in and claimed all the light. And Shou remembers he hasn't gotten a deep night's slumber ever since this same time two days ago,  when he's woken up from a groggy terrible four hours evening nap. ❝ You're just nervous, you're always like that. ❞ He yawns, small tears of exhaustion collecting at the corners of his eyes. He wonders what's beckoning him to sleep, maybe it's the desire to help Serizawa to relax, or the comforting feeling of the familiar aura, engulfing him in waves and waves of strange nostalgia and yearning for times he wouldn't even like to remember.

But the feeling is there regardless, and he doesn't fight how nice it feels to close his eyelids, but he fights to finish his sentences before his head lulls to the side, dangerously weighing on his neck before it finds safety against the side of the man's arm. ❝ You're gonna learn... and you'll teach me as well... that sounds nice ... ❞

[vernalloy]

[ID: Serizawa Katsuya from Mob Psycho 100 edited in front of a Wawa (convenience store). End ID]

[fullonfandomindulgence]

feel like ppl arent considering all the possible permutations of ageswap. put mob and reigen both in middle school. theyre vaguely codependent best friends and also stupid. make mob and reigen both 28 and sad. reigen is a private eye and mob works at a chain convenience store since its the only kind of work he can get. i swear this is not a ship thing, i just feel like it would be interesting to see ageswap reigen interact with canon mob and vice versa. tho i guess we already kinda have these dynamics in tome-mob and reigen-serizawa. THIS IS NOT A SHIP THING

[makeusfreefromthisfandom]

^ creds to @attackonfics for the edit 😽

A/n: in honor of hitting 1k, I’ll be doing a weekend getaway series! This post will serve as the masterlist, and basically I want you to send me your selfship/favorite character (any fandom) + your ideal vacation (if you don’t send this I’ll just pick myself :b). I’ll then make you a mini moodboard + a mini blurb to go with it <3

[CLOSED]

Free!

✈︎ makoto tachibana—the beach

✈︎ rin matsuoka—sunset watching

✈︎ rin matsuoka—picnic dates

✈︎ seijuro mikoshiba—secluded beach resort

✈︎ sousuka yamazaki—amusement park

✈︎ kisumi shigino—rainy nights on the countryside

✈︎ asahi shiina—ski resort

✈︎ natsuya kirishima—convenience store runs

✈︎ nao serizawa—walks in the garden

✈︎ kaede kinjou—cable chair lifts

Haikyuu!!

✈︎ hinata shoyo—water skiing

✈︎ sugawara kōshi—hiking

✈︎ oikawa tooru—disneyland

✈︎ miya osamu—building rooftop

✈︎ suna rintarō—amusement park

✈︎ kita shinsuke—sunset drives

BNHA

✈︎ kirishima eijiro—night in the big apple

JJK

✈︎ gojo satoru—ice skating

AOT

✈︎ eren jaegar—midnight swims

*other fandoms are welcome as well*

[glassonlyrecycle]

Pepsi Coke Part 2

mini fic, serirei, so it continues!

For those who missed it here's Part 1!

----

Serizawa: that kitten is adorable! I love how he is strapped in safe and sound 💖

Serizawa: I can't believe someone just left him out! he's so cute!

Tome: softie 🙄

Ritsu: did u even make it to the store?? u still owe me a soda

Ritsu: and dont even think abt getting generic

Reigen had completely forgotten about the store and was getting ready to drive his new boy home when he read Ritsu's text. The smile had faded from his face. He sighed.

Reigen opened the car door, ready to head into the shop, when a thought hit him. He couldn't just leave the poor guy there! Who knows how long the kitten had spent alone already, surely he didn't need more time stranded and alone. But pets weren't allowed in the convenience store...

Reigen's phone buzzed as he pulled off his jacket.

Very carefully, Reigen unlatched the passenger seat belt and lifted the kitten into his waiting coat. The cat mewed at the vibration of Reigen's phone.

"Ah! I'm sorry if that scared you." Reigen pulled the phone from the jacket in his arms, rearranging the jacket to seem like there totally wasn't a tiny but very calm kitten within the folds (beacuse there most definitely wasn't!!). He checked his phone.

Tome: u should name him ET!!

Ritsu: name him pepsi

"Pepsi?? Coca-cola is better..." he muttered, putting his phone in his back pocket.

Strolling in as casually as he could manage (key word: manage), Reigen grabbed one of the small shopping carts and made a beeline for the closest aisle.

As soon as he was behind the safety of the rows of chips and fake cheese dip, Reigen gingerly placed the coat-and-kitten package in the top of the cart. Folding back a bit of fabric, Reigen saw the kitty poke his head out just a bit.

"This'll just take a minute, don't worry," he whispered.

The store was quite warm (or perhaps it was more him; he was smuggling in a small animal after all). Reigen rolled up his sleeves.

Alright, he thought, just have to grab a soda, a jug of milk, some crackers maybe... Wait they have Chex Mix??

Reigen piled Chex Mix into the lower basket of the cart. It had been a hard week, and frankly he deserved as much Chex Mix as his wallet would allow!

He wondered through the aisles, looking for the candy section, when his phone buzzed again.

Serizawa: Pepsi is a cute name 🥤

(Okay so maybe Coca-cola wasn't better than Pepsi. Whatever!)

Serizawa: and while you're at the store pick up some cat food and litter! I can drop by and help set things up 🌼

Cat food? Litter? Reigen hadn't thought about that when he had picked up the kitten. Come to think of it, he'd need toys and treats and a little bed and lots of attention and probably shots and... He looked down at the little face in the cart. The kitty looked back up at him with the biggest, most sweetest and gentle eyes he had ever seen. A drop of sweat ran down his cheek. The kitten's name was Pepsi Coke.

"Oh no."

----

some more ideas with the group chat courtesy of @bluejayfeathers 🌈💖

read Part 3 here!

[enpr-ss]

MOB THOUGHTS EATING ME ALIVE:

yes yes we all make fun of how Ritsu thinks about his brother all the time but so does Mob. It's the convenience store where he bought candies with Ritsu, hence all the rage directed at the looters.

Ritsu kinda like Ember's Zuko. He hates being wrong, but he hates being right even more.

love that Mob understands the concept of specialization and comparative advantage. He would understand microeconomics so well

Teru would rather people know he's an esper and have to fight off more adults than reveal the baldness

10 whips, but yeah decreasing marginal utility

Don't overthink psychic powers, that's where most espers plateau

Teru has sensory range too huh?

Headcanon: Teru learned waterboarding from paying attention to the US handling of "enhanced interrogation tactics" and also he spends a lot of time online because he lives on his own rip

the PM didn't try to take the kid with him… scum. deserved what he got

in the same manner, the Mental Antenna team was willing to beat up two 10-year olds… dude.

ONE COMPLETELY FORGOT ABOUT THE SHIRATORI BROTHERS AND THEN EXPOSED HIMSELF TO EVERYONE…. KING

All the different names that people refer to Mob: Mob, Nii-san, Shigeo, Shige, Shigeo-kun (Serizawa), Kageyama-kun, White T Poison

Man Mogamiland really had such a profound impact on Mob… he's using the same tactics that worked (he minori'ed Serizawa). And of course the lack of people on his side => Mogamiland

Mob really just uno reversed / no u 'd Serizawa huh

Shou: ha guess my plan did work Mob: you set fire to my home? Shou: sorry but you see, my dad Mob: understandable have a nice day

ah yes Shou setting fire to houses and faking their deaths is equivalent to Ritsu beating up bullies and ostracizing delinquents… Mob don’t you ever change

Touichirou's like Shou this is why I don't tell you things

THE GAG OF MOB JUST SLAMMING DIMPLE TO THE FLOOR. ONE YOU NATIONAL TREASURE. FUNNIEST MAN ALIVE.

TOUICHIROU JUST PUNTED DIMPLE OUT OF THE TOWER. SHOU'S WATCHING THIS LIKE WHAT. RITSU + REIGEN + GANG JUST SAW THAT. THIS IS THE ONLY VALID THING THAT TOUICHIROU'S EVER DONE

Now time for some raw quotes:

"If a person wants to move on with his life, he needs to trust other people. If he cannot, then he cannot accomplish anything." Mob was talking about having faith in others' capability to change for the better, but it also applies to him. Can he change? He has to trust in other's perception of himself, of his power usage, otherwise he would end up hurting others again. Else he's just trapped in his trauma. Who's watching over him, to make sure he's not going to go on a rampage like Ritsu's so worried about (and correct to do so?)

"Everyone lacks something. People making up for others' deficiencies is what makes this world go round" - Episode 12, Season 2 (shut up I know it's from the anime)

"Comprehending is different from sympathizing"

"Some people only learn through pain" OH MY GOD MOB

"If no one else taught you about it, then I will." GET 'EM MOB

Mob is getting more controlled and cold as Touichirou loses more control and gets erratic and feels emotions

What's scarier than dying? Losing everyone else

I love the realistic progression of Mob's thoughts. An explosion? An explosion…??!! Is he gonna explode..? OH SHIT HE'S GONNA EXPLODE

Just because Mob hates you doesn't mean he will treat you different because he has class and morals damnit.

The power of heart? nah man, it's the power of broccoli.

At the start of his World Domination, right after the announcement, when everyone's cheering him on, Touichirou is thinking: where is his son, why wasn't he there to support him on? :(

More Suzuki Touichirou / Claw thoughts (unorganized because I gave up lol)

Suzuki promised money and power. 100M Yen (to Joseph) isn't much. Going to assume USD.

Touichirou is mostly in Japan? Or was he scouting for a long time? Shou seems to be based in Japan ("when are you coming back to Japan?") and his dad too.

Cults founded in the past 20 years are part of Claw as funding. Also other powerful people are sponsors hoping to secure a spot in the new world order?

Did Claw fill the power gap after Mogami?

10 foreign mercenaries willing to go with Claw. In the entire world. What is this statistic.

48 YEARS OLD??!! HE STARTED WHEN HE WAS 28?

Touichirou began the official announcement even before his son thought he would (because Shou thought they would be done by then)

Interestingly, the 7th division doesn't know much about the Super 5. Seems like Touichirou really was personally recruiting

TOUICHIROU IS INCREDIBLY SENTIMENTAL AND SILLY IN HIS MOTIVATIONS, EVEN IF HIS METHODS ARE LOGICAL AND RUTHLESS.

Consider: Omurice, hometown, not killing / scarring Shou, conquering the world just to win an argument with his wife

TONKOTSU CITY?!?!?!

Touichirou jokes around and is joked with (kinda) with the Super 5. He's emotionally honest and communicative with them. Informal too. Probably because he doesn't care about their opinion of him.

Shibata isn't an idiot (ish)

Shou rebelled and ran away from home multiple times to avoid attending meetings LOL. And Touichirou just let him, because he eventually came back and life went on. Touichirou probably thought this was just more of the same.

No wonder Shou thinks his dad is cringe, imagine hearing this sort of advice sincerely from his dad for YEARS. Bet his mom heard it from Shou secondhand and was like don't listen to your dad that's some middle school mindset. I know you don't know what middle school is but trust your mother on this. He wasn't like that when I married him but that is why I left.

Touichirou does neglect Shou but wasn't straight up abusing him… until he does rip

And Shou hits right back (verbally I mean), and like dang. Kid has a point there.

Touichirou can do all 5 elements (wind fire ice lightning earth [aka telekinesis])

Even Serizawa knows about Shou's rebelliousness

TIME FOR SOME DISCIPLINE

Well at least Touichirou did his research on espers and governments. Even if he's bad at it

Touichirou is willing to engage and talk to Shou… honestly better than even my parents.

Touichirou wanted the area evacuated to not escalate things that quickly and to prevent infiltration

Did Touichirou force everyone to dress nicely for his bland welcoming parties…

Shou never wins verbally with Touichirou.. ouch.

Was Touichirou a pacifist before? Dude really thought he could conquer the world and get his wife back… basically area man doesn't want to admit he lost the 5-year argument with his wife

Obviously we know why Touichirou flashback-ed to when his wife left. But why did he think about the cat / gentle moment?

The utter "what." of Touichirou's face when Shou casually goes yeah I see mom regularly LOL. Angst DENIED.

[katyatalks]

MP100 OVA Drama CD Track 2 - Episode 1: Serizawa’s Preparation - English Translation

The MP100 OVA Drama CD, titled “The first spirits and such company trip; The other side of a journey that mends the heart and heals the soul and such” comes with the blu-ray/DVD, and is officially described as a compilation of 1) conversations from the day before the OVA itself & 2) exchanges that aren’t depicted in the OVA. More info here!

Here’s the translation of the second track, “Episode 1: Serizawa’s Preparation”!

Characters: Serizawa, Serizawa’s Mother

You can listen to this track from the masterlist!

-

NARRATOR

This first story is from the night before the trip.

[SFX: clutter from Serizawa going through his suitcase]

SERIZAWA

Right, let’s see here… I’ve packed cold medicine, sinus medication, an antidiarrheal agent, and if that’s too effective then laxatives… ah, I should also prepare anti-travel sickness medicine, stomach medicine, vitamin supplements and band-aids…

Then… hand towels, tissues, a tooth brush set, cotton ear-cleaning buds, nail clippers, beard-trimming scissors, an air cushion, earplugs, scissors, a stapler, sellotape... And if worse comes to worse and I tear my clothes, a needle and thread… actually, I should just prepare a sewing kit…

Ah - I may as well bring a tool set, screwdriver, those kinds of things…

[SFX: keys in door]

SERIZAWA

W-who’s there?! A.. A b-burglar!?

[SFX: Door opens]

SERIZAWA’S MOTHER

Katsuya!

SERIZAWA

What... mum!?

SERIZAWA’S MOTHER

Seriously, Katsuya, what are you doing? Raising that screwdriver over your head like that.

SERIZAWA

B-b-because you suddenly came in without warning!! If you were going to come over, you should’ve called or emailed or-

SERIZAWA’S MOTHER

Sorry, sorry. I have a duplicate key, so I thought why not!

SERIZAWA

...At least ring the doorbell. I’m not used to this yet, and I’m really occupied right now! I already told you, no? Tomorrow I’m going on a trip...

SERIZAWA’S MOTHER

That trip you’re going on with those people at your company, right? Ah, when I think about how you used to be, Katsuya, a hikikomori all locked up in your room… I’m so proud of you!

SERIZAWA

But I’ve already worked for somewhere else since then?

SERIZAWA’S MOTHER

Well, yes, but the place you used to work was rather shady, wasn’t it? I don’t really understand what that company was all about…

SERIZAWA

Well that’s… uh…

SERIZAWA’S MOTHER

But I’m so relieved that you’ve found somewhere else to work! It’s a consultation office, right? Even though you hated counsellors so much… to think you yourself will be consulting others now, you’re truly making the most of your experiences! So, what kind of place is it? This consultation office?

SERIZAWA

Ah! This is the home page…

SERIZAWA’S MOTHER

Hmm… “Spirits & Such Consultation Office”...

[BGM begins]

“Reigen Arataka, the rising star of the spiritual world, who defeated the Dragger... You, reading this, if you are plagued by spirits or a curse; please come to our consultation office. Here is the full list of available courses, no hidden fees, and a discount for repeat customers…”

Is this place… really okay?

SERIZAWA

Huh? What is it?

SERIZAWA’S MOTHER

“What is it?” Well, it’s a little shady, isn’t it? “A discount for repeat customers”...

SERIZAWA

There’s no need to worry! Reigen-san is a respectable person. Also, my senpai, Kageyama-kun, is reliable. So, in order to live up to what is expected of me, I have to properly prepare myself!

SERIZAWA’S MOTHER

Well… then you’ve been blessed, haven’t you? Give thanks that you’re able to go on this company trip.

SERIZAWA

S-should I? Then, I should buy a present or… ah, I don’t remember if there’s a confectionary around here, or - oh, but it’s probably closed by now… But speaking of, I think the convenience store sells assortment packs filled with cookies and rice crackers… I always used to think “Who even buys stuff like that?” but it’s for moments like this, isn’t it…

[SFX: stands up] Ah, okay, I’m gonna go buy one straight awa-!

SERIZAWA’S MOTHER

Ah, I’m sorry, I’m sorry! Katsuya… I know I said “give thanks” but you probably don’t have to go that far…!

SERIZAWA

Really…? Well, thinking more about it, it’s probably strange to give a present before a company trip… and my suitcase is already stuffed… If I don’t go to the bath and sleep now it’ll reflect badly on me tomorrow - actually, mum, why are you here?

SERIZAWA’S MOTHER

Well, I thought I’d come give you this!

SERIZAWA

Ah… what’s this book? Hmm? “How to have a good relationship with your boss”?? But… the trip is tomorrow?!

SERIZAWA’S MOTHER

Well, when I heard you quit your previous job, I thought that perhaps you weren’t able to get along well with the people you worked with? Katsuya, you were a hikikomori for so long, so when you told me that you’re going on this trip, I thought maybe you could read this book and see how it goes?

SERIZAWA

[SFX: flips page] What is this… “How to walk behind your boss”...? “When in a taxi with your boss…” Huh?? I have to remember all of this?!

SERIZAWA’S MOTHER

Listen, Japan is one of those countries that’s strict on things like manners and rules! There’s no disadvantage to remembering all of this.

SERIZAWA

(sounding defeated) T-thank you, mum… I’m… alright now…

SERIZAWA’S MOTHER

Is that so? Well, I’ll go home now. Have fun on your trip!

[SFX: footsteps]

SERIZAWA

(sounding defeated) Yes… I’ll do that…

[SFX: Door opening, closing]

[BGM ends]

SERIZAWA

AAAH! This is AWFUL! What do I do!? If I don’t remember all of this then - wait, it’s just one book, I can do this - … but wait, clearly this isn’t the only thing that’ll make me a fully-fledged member of society… Umm….

(Sounding out what he’s typing on a keyboard)

“The etiquette… of a fully-fledged member of society...” And-

[BGM begins]

What’s this? “A compilation of the base minimum knowledge a fully-fledged member of society should have,” “30 pieces of business etiquette it would be embarrassing to not know”, “50 things fully-fledged members of society should do that a surprising amount don’t”....? You can’t be serious…? There’s… this much? 

I can’t sleep, I have to copy this all down…!

[SFX: hasty writing with pen]

NARRATOR

Eventually, morning came. Serizawa did not get a wink of sleep.

--

Track 1 (Intro) is here! 

Track 3 (Episode 2: Going Shopping) is here!

Track 4 (Episode 3: Onsen) is here!

Track 5 (Episode 4: Dimple & The Local Spirit) is here!

Track 6 (Episode 5: Reigen’s Will) is here!

Track 7 (Episode 6: Ritsu Can’t Sleep) is here!

Track 8 (Episode 7: Breakfast) is here!

Track 9 (Outro) is here!

Crossposted on twitter here!

[nyndelion]

共感 - empathy -

MP100; Serizawa & Reigen centric fanfic

SFW, general audiences, no pairings, AU

Wordcount: 2058

AO3 link

“Reigen-san… Why don’t you relax and take a break for a bit?”

The blonde looked up from his laptop to the man sitting across the room, feeling his facial muscles stiff and tired, especially around his eyes. “You don’t know how much I literally can Not do that right now without my business to collapse before my very eyes, Serizawa” Even as exhausted as he looked – and sounded -, he still conveyed his words dramatically, punctuating every other expression with his usual wild gestures, achieving to make Serizawa’s mouth corners lift slightly. “This is serious business, after that quite problematic case we had this week, I really got to work my ass off so we don’t get sued, and also I am late with taxes, which is the last thing we need after all that” He returned his eyes to his laptop screen. “Doing taxes correctly could be the sole difference between a running, successful business and a sinking one”.

Serizawa stayed silent, but kept looking at his boss. Reigen’s face was being illuminated by the computer screen, adding a creepier and sick looking glow to it, intensifying by the minute as the sun started to set outside, darkening the already closed Spirits & Such office, where the two men kept working on different kinds of paperwork. He looked down to his hands, fidgeting absentmindedly; Serizawa knew he couldn’t really help his boss with what troubled him right now, given he was extremely inexperienced in all this ‘serious intimidating adult stuff’, as he prefers calling it, and suggested Reigen to take a break in the first place as it was the only thing that he came up with after at least 20 minutes of being the only witness to the greatly unpleasant vibes he was letting swarm all around the office.

The truth no one else knew yet is, after his first encounter with Shigeo Kageyama at the stairs of that building in the center of Seasoning City two and a half months ago, Serizawa got a new power off of Shigeo’s display of empathy towards him when he returned the ball of energy that was tossed at him by accident, resulting in Serizawa to be able to sense other people’s most intense emotions, even if they weren’t ESPers themselves. He was able to sense, and even sometimes clearly see how that intense emotional energy spread in the ambient, and how it interacted with the energy of animals, plants, minerals, and other people.

He had to admit that a couple of weeks after gaining this new ability, and after getting used to it and recognizing the similarities in the more usual emotions and the way different people used to release the analogous energy, it was very useful in everyday life. He could prevent himself from interacting with angry strangers that might lash out on him simply because he wanted to know where the soup aisle was in the convenience store, or be more mindful and kind if interacting with someone that was trying really hard not to let out an especially dreadful sad energy. So yeah, for someone that struggled reading new circumstances and that tends to overanalyze everyday social situations to the verge of anxious breakdowns, it was a very useful tool at trying to be more independent and navigate casual human relationships more confidently.

However, these new ‘empathy powers’ could be perplexing in other circumstances, such as interacting with someone every day. And even more perplexing if that someone was, well… Reigen.

Serizawa wasn’t complaining, not at all, but he also couldn’t really lie to himself about this. If social relationships and being able to ‘read the mood’ successfully were a mystery to him back then in grade school, and even more after being a hikikomori for so long, existing around Reigen and being able to sense his many fluctuating, often contradictory and usually intense emotions without enough verbal correlation that served as an explanation or context for such sudden changes made their time together at the office – that is, while not doing any exorcism job- a hell of a ride for him, as a certified anxious overanalyzer he was.

So, even is this has been a rather calm day at the office and he could finally get some school assignments done before going home, at some point of the evening the dreadful energy emanating from the self-proclaimed Greatest Psychic of the 21st Century started to distract him from his task, and also to slightly upset him. He could sense stress, fear, a little bit of anger, and something else there he couldn’t really place, that he didn’t sense before he tried to talk Reigen into taking a break. It was something bittersweet that seemed almost out of place in the mix, but that was surely filtering all the energy and spreading in every direction, circulating viciously as if made out of thick smoke, hovering the plants that Reigen kept there and tried to take care of, slowly infecting their faint pale green auras.

Serizawa decided he needed to do something, even if it was a small gesture. Now Reigen had started to stamp his feet rhythmically, adding more frustration to the emotional soup, in pumps that mixed extremely well with the prevailing anger, enhancing it. He thought he better change his strategy; he had already tried talking to convince Reigen he needed a break, and he had been around long enough to realize insistence didn’t work well with him, given he could easily turn the tables around in any kind of debate. So he stood up and went to the kitchen.

He started by boiling some water, and reaching out to the assorted tea box from the counter cabinet. He then saw the dark brown box that was hidden behind the other, more colorful one, and remembered the time Reigen told him to keep it a secret from the teenagers that used to frequent the office a couple of days every week, since it was his preferred dark chocolate he kept for special occasions, such as when he had an unusual sweet tooth day. Serizawa connected the dots and realized that the ‘sweet tooth days’ were those when Reigen released more of what seemed sad energy all of a sudden, which perplexed Serizawa because he didn’t have almost anything to work out the reasons that could have triggered those sad emotions waves. He could only guess it seemed to be something unpleasant he saw on his computer.

Suddenly, he thought… maybe that out of place emotion he sensed that beamed from Reigen after he told him to go take a break was sadness? No, it was clearly something else, but it was quite similar. Maybe it was a complex emotion that had sadness into its mix.

By now, the water he put in the electric kettle had finished boiling, so he took the box that was hiding at the end of the counter and proceeded to make some chamomile and honey tea for his boss. He realized the chocolate box was halfway eaten already, and doubted if it was ok to bring it to him all of a sudden, without him asking to… But then he sensed another frustrated / anxious / angry / bittersweet unplaced emotion wave reaching him and he knew it was the right thing to do right now. Didn’t Reigen tell him more than once to trust his inner voice more and make decisions by himself in order to learn how to be a fully functional, contributing member to society? Maybe this was a good way to practice.

After taking the tea mug and the chocolate box in his hands, Serizawa stood in the kitchen for some seconds before going out to the main office room, breathing deeply through his nose a couple of times to relax and think about the exact words he was going to say. This was another technique his boss taught him, originally to be used before talking to customers, and he has been using it to any other occasion that seemed to get him nervous, since now that he didn’t have his umbrella he realized he needed all the help he could get to get a hang of how unpredictable and chaotic adult life could be.

Finally, he could gather himself enough to come out of the kitchen and approach Reigen’s desk determinately. He didn’t seem to realize he was heading to his desk until he was handing him the mug and the chocolate box. New –and old- emotions were now pumping from him, adding to the soup… Surprise, confusion, that bittersweet emotion again. No anger though; good to go, then.

“Hey, Reigen-san, I thought I should bring you something to help you, and given I couldn’t really help directly with the task you were working on, I figured that maybe I could help with the relaxing part a bit… I hope that’s ok” He turned his eyes away from Reigen’s, not being able to maintain eye contact for much longer as he realized the other man’s gaze was getting more intense. He sensed the surprise to give itself way further into the atmosphere, tuning down the more intense stressful emotions, but also giving more space to the bittersweet emotion to intensify. It was a little different than before, though…

“Ah, Serizawa! Did you suddenly become a telepath?” Reigen’s tone of voice and teasing attitude was very off tune with what his emotional energy gave off, as usual. Serizawa got stiff after the last part. “Hey, that was a joke! Everyone knows telepathy is a bunch of bullcrap, remember you don’t have to take everything so seriously” Reigen finally took the mug and chocolate box from his employee’s hands, letting out more of that weird bittersweet emotion as he put the chocolate box in his desk and proceeded to open it. Now that Serizawa was getting more familiarized with this emotion, he could sense it was morphing to something… warmer? “Y’know, I guess it’s time for a well-deserved break… Hmm?” He screened rapidly at Serizawa, “You didn’t make some tea for yourself? Aren’t you taking a break too? It won’t contribute to a good break atmosphere if you just keep stressing over your homework” he stated, matter-of-factly.

“Yes, sir!” Serizawa went back to the kitchen and prepared himself some green tea with mint. When he stepped back in the office he could sense how the energy changed drastically, now everything was tinted with a warm kind of drowsiness, an energy that surely was fainter than the last stress emotion soup they were being affected by, but that was effective enough to almost wipe it out completely, only a vague sense of nervousness and that bittersweet morphed feeling fluttering around. Also now there was a calming classical music video Reigen was playing on his computer, while sitting on one of the armchairs, across the coffee table Serizawa was using as a desk. He was sitting with his legs crossed, fully supporting his back in the armchair, while taking one chocolate square from the open chocolate box that now was placed in the middle of the coffee table. It seemed he was taking this break very seriously.

Serizawa sat across Reigen in the other armchair. The later coughed a couple of times before talking in a nonchalant way, as if sharing a random thought “I just remembered, I read the other day a quote from this very successful businesswoman on FriendBook, that it’s important to remember any time you apparently are getting stuck into a problem that seemed unsolvable to not let it fool you, no problem in life is unsolvable. You just need to take a break, do something that helps you clear your mind, and look at it in another perspective. Y’know Serizawa, that could really help you in your studies if you find yourself in a seemingly dead end. Remember this advice next time you feel like you need to take a break, and let me now, ok? I’ll try to do the same”.

“Yes, that seems very reasonable” Serizawa held his mug with both hands, staring down at his tea with a soft smile in his mouth, feeling the much calmer atmosphere that surrounded his boss, and realizing the new warm feeling that emanated from him could be placed as gratitude. His new Reigen-convincing technique was officially a hit.

[grandmasterreigen]

For the prompts, how about 72, "You deserve so much better.”? And congrats again on passing the exam!!!

@creativeoutlook​​

THANK YOU SO MUCH GUYS <3 I ended up combining these two prompts because they worked super well together and ended up with a 1.5k monster drabble. I hope you enjoy it!! 

For the dialogue prompts “You deserve so much better” and “I got you a present.” 

--

When Teru wakes up early in the morning on April 13th, the apartment is silent and dark.

Like it always is.

He should be used to it. It shouldn’t bother him anymore. Most days he can pretend it doesn’t, that everything’s fine, that he’s fine, and most days he can even convince himself that it’s true.

But today’s his birthday, and the loneliness of facing another day alone weighs him down into his mattress with leaden limbs and a growing pressure behind his eyelids.

It’s mornings like this that he lets himself dwell, just for a few minutes, on what he used to have. To waking up on his birthday to smiling faces and whispered congratulations, to an extra special breakfast and the promise of yakiniku after school, to a day of happiness instead of isolation.

He almost skips school. He knows no one will even remember it’s his birthday anyway, and why should they? He’s fifteen now, way too old to care so much about something so stupid.  It shouldn’t bother him. He’s Hanazawa Teruki. He’s a straight-A student with awesome fashion sense and enough maturity to hold a part-time job on the side. How many of his peers could claim the same? Almost none of them, that’s who.

He forces himself out of bed and doesn’t bother making breakfast at all. He’ll pick up a sweet bun of some sort at a convenience store instead, maybe a coffee with extra cream. Some cake on the way home. He’d normally make it himself, but, well.

He doesn’t really have the energy to bother today.

 --

 The apartment is as cold and empty as Teru’d left it, and for once he doesn’t care enough to put away his schoolbag. He leaves it on the ground, his uniform in a heap next to it instead of carefully hung in the closet, and sets the slice of cake he’d picked up at a bakery on the table.

He checks his phone for what has to be the hundredth time so far. Nothing. Of course. He shouldn’t feel so hurt by this – what did he expect, really? It’s not like his parents had remembered the year before, either.

Sorry we forgot! Happy belated birthday!

Not even a phone call. Just a six-word text two days late.

Teru almost turns off his phone entirely. He’s just riling himself up with all this pointless anticipation. Instead he compromises, setting it on the table within easy reaching distance while he queues up an old home video on his laptop.

The cake is stunning. White cream with meticulously crafted yellow and pink flowers, perfectly baked and spongy. It tastes like ash.

When his ringtone suddenly breaks the silence, Teru knocks what’s left of the cake to the ground in his haste to grab the phone. He fumbles, almost swipes in the wrong direction and breathlessly says, “Hello?” without even checking the caller ID.

“Oh, hey, Teru! It’s Reigen,” the caller says cheerily, and for the first time in his life Teru can’t stand the sound of his voice. Why him? Why did it have to be him? He knows he’s being unreasonable, unfair. He really looks up to Reigen, and normally getting calls from him is the highlight of his day.

But Reigen’s not the one Teru was hoping would be on the other end of the line.

“…able to help me out with an exorcism job today? Shouldn’t take long, but Mob was busy and couldn’t make it… Hello? Teru? Are you there?”

“I’ll be over in fifteen minutes,” Teru says, and he hangs up before Reigen can respond. It’s a little petty, but whatever. It’s his birthday, he can be petty for once if he wants to be.

 --

 The office is dark when Teru walks up, and he regrets hanging up on Reigen now. He was probably supposed to meet Reigen at another location, and now he’s letting him down. All that pettiness Teru was holding onto washes away with a wave of regret. What if Reigen doesn’t call him again after this because he thinks Teru’s unreliable? Teru was acting like a kid. He’s fifteen, he should be able to control himself better. He’s still reprimanding himself as he tests the office door.

It’s unlocked.

Reigen never leaves the office unlocked when he’s out, but the lights were off. The world narrows down around him, and he pushes open the door, dread and apprehension lodging in his throat as he peers into the office ready to employ defensive measures at any moment –

“Surprise!” an assortment of voices yell, and power is already sparking at Teru’s fingertips by the time what he’s seeing registers.

Shigeo and Ritsu are standing behind Reigen’s desk where they’d been hiding. They’re both smiling with so much enthusiasm, Shigeo’s lack of reservation so refreshing and bright. Shou is lounging on the couch, grinning widely and holding what looks like an explosion of wrapping paper. Tome lets loose a party popper, sending a spray of rainbow confetti.

“Happy birthday!” she yells with a dramatic spin, snapping something off the couch and dumping it onto Teru’s head. He reaches up in a daze, touching the smooth plastic of a party hat.

Reigen and Serizawa are here too. They’re standing off to the side, both smiling at him with matching proud expressions.

“Happy birthday, Teru,” Reigen says. He holds up a box impeccably wrapped in bright paper. “I got you a present.” Teru can see tiny white scuff marks on the paper where the tape had been removed more than once, indicating a less-than-perfect start to the wrapping process. It’s just a little bit wrinkled where the paper has been refolded.

It must have taken ages to get right.

“We all did!” Shou chips in, launching himself over the back of the couch with a much more… creatively wrapped box. Teru just stares dumbly at it until Shou practically forces it into his hands. “Come on, dude, take it. It’s for you. You’d better like it.”

Outwardly, Teru recovers quickly, even as he reels internally. “You guys didn’t have to go to all this trouble,” he says, and he means it. The more he looks around, the more he realizes just how much work went into all of this. The entire office is done up with streamers, a lopsided banner hanging over the window that declares Happy Birthday Teru in painstakingly handwritten letters. There’s a homemade cake on the coffee table, unevenly cut strawberries set in a mostly-circular pattern in the frosting. It’s listing slightly to one side. It looks like the best cake Teru’s ever seen.

This was all for him. They spent all this time for him.

Teru’s phone is a deadweight in his pocket. He’s spent all day with his hand hovering near it, just in case one of his parents actually bothered to call. He’s been waiting for so long for any sign of love from them without anything, not even a text.

He slips a hand into his pocket and holds in the power button to shut it down.

 --

 It’s dark outside by the time everyone goes home. Shigeo and Ritsu are the first to go, followed closely by Shou and Tome when Reigen not-so-subtly reminds her of the curfew her parents set. Serizawa’d left to get a pack of trash bags, Reigen’s meager stock having been almost immediately depleted.  

“Did you have a good time?” Reigen asks as he wipes a glob of frosting off the table. Teru waves a finger and confetti flies up from the ground, spiraling neatly into the trashcan. His spare hand absently fingers the soft material of the bright green sweatshirt Reigen had gotten him. It has a big decal of a dog across the front, and if Teru’s being honest it’s not quite his style.

It’s too warm out to be wearing it, but he doesn’t really care. He doesn’t ever want to take it off.

“Yeah,” Teru says. It’s quiet now that almost everyone’s gone, and he chews the inside of his mouth nervously. “You really didn’t need to do all of this. I didn’t mean to put you all out like this.”

Reigen stares at him, almost incredulously. It melts away almost immediately into one of understanding, and he offers an only partially convincing smile. “You were alone, though, right?”

Teru freezes, and he searches Reigen’s expression for any sign of pity. He can feel the defensiveness already rising up, emotions still raw from the earlier hours of the day. “I’m used to it. It doesn’t bother me,” he says.

Reigen isn’t smiling, but he’s not pitying, either. He reaches over and pulls Teru into a loose hug, giving Teru plenty of time to back away first. Teru doesn’t resist.

“You deserve so much better,” Reigen murmurs into Teru’s hair. He tightens his hold, and after a few seconds Teru reaches up and hugs him back, fingers curling into the fabric of Reigen’s shirt.

Teru knows he’ll never stop wishing it was his parents here with him, telling him that he mattered. But he’s got Reigen, and Shigeo, and all the others, and for now that’s enough.