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Reigen hit refresh. Hit it again. And again.
The numbers didn't change.
He was officially broke. He couldn't pay the rent on his apartment, the office and pay his employees.
Something would have to go.
Dropping the last box of his meager possessions in the office closet, Reigen brushed his hands together and unrolled his shirt sleeves, throwing his jacket back on and straightening the lapels with a quick tug before slouching at his desk to tap away on his phone at his latest game addiction, waiting for Serizawa come in. This could work. It's not like it would be forever. When things were a little better he could always find a new apartment.
It ended up being a good day with quite a few clients. Reigen had his hands full with massages and editing images while Serizawa ended up melting a few low level spirits. When the man reached for the expense reports however Reigen slipped them neatly from his fingers.
“Ah, I’ve got those today, Serizawa.” He tapped them on the desk. “Don't you have a test to study for?”
“But-”
“Go ahead,” Reigen shrugged, “Mob will be here soon if anyone else comes.” He hoped for a few more but it seemed his luck had run out and he finished the afternoon running numbers that never seemed to add up to enough, watching his two employees help each other study. Leaning on one palm he couldn't help but stare fondly. This was worth a month or two of sleeping in his office.
Bathing in the small bathroom sink quickly lost what little appeal it’d held. Looking in the mirror, ignoring the darkening shadows under his eyes, he ran a hand through his disheveled hair. Reigen knew he was clean enough but promised himself the first thing he would do when he got a new apartment would be to use up all the hot water. He found himself daydreaming about it when things were slow, and they were slow. At this rate he wouldn't be able to pay himself anything. But that was okay. A few nights of instant ramen never hurt anybody.
He kept the heat low to reduce the electric bill. He didn't know how low until Serizawa remarked on it.
“Is everything all right?” He cupped Reigen’s shoulder in a warm hand, jarring him out of the financial paperwork he was pondering and he forgot the question, flustered by the proximity, the touch.
“Eh?” It lacked his usual charm, he’d be the first to admit.
“You’ve been keeping it pretty cold in here.”
“Have I?” Reigen leaned on one elbow, slipping out of his reach so he could think, the picture of nonchalance.
“Are you having money troubles again?” He looked concerned, “things have been slow.”
“You know I’m always trying to save where I can.” He stood, buttoning his jacket to occupy his cold fingers, gripping the lapels to stop himself from doing something else, wishing Serizawa would reach out again. “But no, everything is fine.” His hands moved in the air, accentuating his words as he moved fluidly towards the electric kettle. “Things will pick up, they always do. Tea?”
Curse his poor luck. He checked around the laundromat once more but it was definitely gone and Reigen sighed, pressing the heel of one hand into his forehead. At least it hadn't been any of his clothes, just his only comforter. If he’d lost his suits he wouldn't have any way to hide what was going on with him and he really couldn't afford to buy a new one. As it was, he'd used up his remaining money on laundry that was way overdue. He slept poorly that night under his jacket, so cold he briefly considered turning up the heat. But he couldn't afford it.
Next week brought a rush of business and Reigen cheered internally. After parceling out the pay and setting aside money for the rent, he declared they were going out for ramen. Mob and Serizawa both had test scores up on the office fridge and they hadn't had time (or funds) to celebrate. As soon as the taste of real food registered on his tongue he groaned. This had been a good idea, maybe not financially, but for his moral. Laying down the cash he stood, stretching, satiated for the first time in a while, patting Mob on the head once and congratulating him again before the kid headed home. He turned to head back to the office out of habit but noticed Serizawa was watching him closely and Reigen’s heart hammered behind the bars of his ribs. He swallowed hard, trying without much success to get his pulse under control. The other man furrowed his brow.
“You're not going to catch the train?” Ah. He’d almost given himself away.
“I have some things to finish up.” A thumb tossed casually over his shoulder. “You go on home, I’ll see you tomorrow.” He kept his face carefully neutral, a hint of a smile, which he hoped was enough to placate the man staring him down. Serizawa did not seem convinced and Reigen laughed, natural, light, as if privy to a joke only he knew (it might’ve been himself). “You worry too much. ” He clapped a confident hand on his shoulder. “You’ve worked hard, you must be tired. Go home.” The esper searched his face.
“Thank you for dinner, Reigen.” He waved it off, already heading back to the office, ignoring the eyes burning into his back.
“No, no, I’m fine. Go on to class.” Reigen coughed into his elbow, regretting his words as each one grated on his sore throat. “Without Mob here, I’ll close up early and head home.”
“Why don't I wait for you?” Reigen thanked the flush in his face for hiding the warmth traveling up his neck. “You seem pretty sick, I should walk with you.” The conman gesticulated dismissively.
“Mah, it's just a cold.” Suddenly there was so little space between them he could feel his body heat and Serizawa was reaching out, settling a broad palm on his hot forehead. Reigen was suddenly lightheaded, and it wasn't from the fever.
“At last take some medicine?”
“A’ah.” Turning away he covered the stutter with another cough. “I will.” The lie tripped off his tongue with ease and guilt flowered in his chest. He didn't want to lie to this man anymore. He wanted, well he didn't know what he wanted, but it wasn't this. Touched by the care, he offered him a soft smile and stepped away from his hand. “Have a good night Serizawa.”
The next morning he didn't feel much better, sore in his back with a crick in his neck from sleeping curled up so tight on the couch. He’d barely gotten up in time to make himself presentable and unlock the door. He had to be more careful, he knew Serizawa was starting to become suspicious. Scrubbing a hand over his face he debated whether he could afford cold medicine or if the tea he kept there would be enough. He settled on tea, it would soothe his throat anyway and warm his hands.
But things were picking up. They’d had a job this afternoon, a pretty big one, the kind that resulted in just a little bit of property damage and despite the discomfort of his cold, Reigen’s steps were light.
“You both did really well today,” he muffled a cough behind his closed fist as they approached a familiar intersection, “why don't you take off early?”
“Are you closing, Shishou?” Mob gave him a curious once over, clearly not pleased with what he saw, and Reigen pushed a hand through his hair, nodding, ignoring a pang of something as Serizawa did not seem convinced. “That’s good, you should go home too.”
“I will, Mob.”
Technically, not a lie. But it felt like one, and guilt followed him all the way to the office couch.
“Working late again?” Serizawa sounded worried. “You’ll never get over this if you don't rest.” Reigen massaged his temples, a headache had taken up residence behind his eyes and he wished for the hundredth time that day that he had any painkillers.
“Just one more night, then I promise, I’ll take it easy all weekend.” And he would, he planned to reward himself for a good couple weeks of decent work by turning up the heat and basking in it. Might even spring for some medicine if the numbers shook out. Reigen busied himself with the papers on his desk, hoping he'd bluffed his way successfully past Serizawa again. It was becoming harder, the man wasn't stupid, far from it.
“Okay,” slowly, he didn't really believe him, “you’d better be better by Monday or I’ll start floating you to the train myself.” Reigen held up his hands in mock surrender, laughing, but once the man had gone he laid his cheek on the cool surface of the desk. He really felt awful, hot one moment and freezing the next. He toed his shoes off where he sat. Maybe he would lay down for a few minutes, just until the room stopped moving without his blessing, and then tally up his finances. Reigen stood up, bracing himself with both arms as the dizziness increased tenfold, but it wasn't enough to keep him on his feet and he sank down next to his desk, leaning on the smooth side.
“L’jus’, stay here.” He muttered to himself, eyes falling shut against the spinning. “Jus’ a minute.”
Serizawa knew something was up, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. Reigen had been acting shifty, shiftier than usual he amended, for the last few months. It used to be that most nights they would take the train as far as Serizawa’s stop together, but now it seemed as though the man was working late every evening or letting them go early. As he walked steadily to the station he could admit he was worried, Reigen had a bad cold he just couldn't seem to shake, he'd looked terrible today.
“He's probably not taking care of himself.” Stopping, he weighed his options, shifting his bag from one shoulder to the other. He didn't want to be seen as overbearing, but- “I should stop by, see if he needs anything.” Serizawa figured he didn't have any medicine, at least he'd never seen him take any, and picked some up on the way to Reigen's apartment.
Empty.
It was vacant. And everything made a little more sense.
“Reigen?” The door to the office wasn't locked and he let himself in, frowning when it looked like no one was there. He stepped forward, calling out again, louder this time, and set his bag on the desk. Only then did he see one socked foot behind it. His heart leapt into his throat as he all but jumped around the furniture, relief and worry strangling him by turns as he knelt beside him. It was freezing in here and as Serizawa pulled Reigen’s pliant body away from the desk he wrapped him up in his own suit jacket before leaning him on his bent knees and placing one hand on his chest. He could feel heat there, more than was healthy, and pressed his forehead against his auburn fringe, wincing in sympathy at the fever.
“...Hey.” Reigen’s bleary, unfocused eyes, ringed with dark shadow and confused in his pale face, blinked into his own, hands too still in his lap.
“Hey yourself.” Serizawa flickered between worry and frustration, Reigen would have been alone like this all weekend if he hadn't listened to his instincts. Settling eventually on worry he decided right now was probably not the best time for the conversation they were going to have. “I’m taking you home.”
“Am home…” the man sighed, eyes fluttering shut.
“My home. But first you're going to take some medicine.”
“Don’ hav’any… C’n’ ‘fford it…” The matter of fact admission was enough to solidify the worry in Serizawa’s chest.
“I have some, come on, up we go.” Reigen was so unsteady he would have toppled over if it weren't for the esper holding him up, but they managed to make it to the couch and Serizawa let him lay there until he had a glass of water and a dose in hand, helping him sit up and down both. “Okay. I’m going to help you.” He slipped Reigen’s shoes back on.
“M’fine.”
“Mhm, I know. But I’m going to help you anyway.”
On the train Reigen slept heavily against him, fever lower thanks to the pills, but he was still strung out, exhausted, probably from keeping all this to himself for so long. Serizawa ran a hand through his hair, fondness he didn't quite know how to handle thrumming all through him.
At the door to his apartment he struggled with the lock while holding Reigen upright, relying on his powers to do most of the holding, the man was barely awake, quiet in a way Serizawa had never seen before, but he managed, and they stumbled inside. He wrestled him into one of his own sleepshirts, helping him with the belt when his fingers fumbled at the clasp, frowning at the weight he'd clearly lost. Reigen was on the thin side already, he couldn't afford to lose many pounds. By the end of it all he was panting with effort, sweat beading in his hairline, and Serizawa tucked him into bed, settling beside him to keep watch, unable to resist carding his fingers through Reigen’s hair one more time.
Reigen woke slowly, he was warm and comfortable, his face pressed against something soft, content to just drift for a minute. As awareness trickled slowly in he realized he wasn't on his office couch and that he had his arm wrapped around someone. His nose was buried in their side.
“Be calm,” he reasoned with himself in his head, “just because you don't remember how you got here doesn't mean anything.” He must’ve tensed because seconds later there was a hand moving over his skin, testing his temperature, and a voice he recognized speaking above him.
“The sleep did you good.” Reigen almost threw himself off the bed with the force of removing his arm from around Serizawa’s waist. “You should take more medicine though, and eat breakfast.” He was propped up on pillows, doing schoolwork in his pajamas. Looking down, plucking his collar with two fingers, Reigen noticed he was in oversized sleepwear himself. He was swimming in it, suddenly self conscious and oh so hot in the face. “Is your fever up?”
“I.” Reigen snapped his mouth shut with a click, hands and expression talking for him until he could figure out what he wanted to say. Turned out it was nothing good. “I don't remember how we got here.” His employee slipped out of bed and padded into the small kitchen, Reigen could hear water running, and he returned with a glass and blister package in hand.
“You were pretty sick last night,” he passed them over. “I’m not surprised. Take that.” He ordered when Reigen just sat there, holding both in numb hands.
“Oh, ah! Yes.” Serizawa laughed gently, heart filling up, near to bursting. Having him here was enough to fill his stomach with butterflies and it took everything he had not to cup his face in his palms and do something foolish. Reigen stood to take the glass back to the kitchen. “Thank you. For the medicine. And the sleep.” Serizawa could tell he was working himself back into a carefully constructed persona and he followed him, eyes on the thin shoulder blades moving under his shirt. “You see,” expressive hands already dancing, “I’ve just been working so late these days, with business practically booming and all.” Placing the cup in the sink he turned, honest gratitude in his face. “Thank you, Serizawa.” He shoved a hand through his bangs. “I really do feel better.”
“I’m glad.” He stepped forward. “We should talk about the business,” he started, carefully, navigating this new arena.
“Ah, nothing I can't handle.” Serizawa recognized the moment the man closed off. He wished they could just be honest with each other, that Reigen trusted him enough to ask for help when he needed it, that he could support him.
“I think you should tell me what's going on.” Gently, pleading just slightly.
“Nothing’s going on.” Eyes hard, chin up, a challenge as he swam in clothes whole sizes too big for him, and he rose to meet it.
“I know!” Serizawa gripped his arms to drive the point home. “I went to your old apartment, I know it's vacant. I know you’ve been living at the office.” Reigen looked up at him, posturing gone, eyes wide with uncertainty, something he'd never seen on this man's face before. His mouth gaped before he grit his teeth and shrank in on himself, closing eyes still lined with bruises so dark they were almost black. Serizawa felt guilty, Reigen was still sick and to spring this on him now-
“You're right.” The quietest he’d ever heard him.
“Why didn't you tell us?”
“Because I can do this.” He didn't pull away. “Or I thought I could,” he looked up, meeting his gaze, slightly manic, “and I can, I’m close!”
“How close?” Reigen looked away. “Okay.” Serizawa took a chance and wrapped him up in his arms, pulling him close, feeling tentative fingers clutch the fabric of his pajamas. “Let's eat breakfast,” he sighed, running a hand up his back. “We don't have to figure things out right now.”
“I should get going.” He avoided saying where, they both knew, why make it more embarrassing than it already was, and reached for his suit but didn't pick it up, unwilling to give up the comfort of Serizawa’s clothes so soon.
“I want you to stay.” Reigen’s heart leapt into his throat, the man didn't understand how much he wanted to take him up on that offer, how easy it would be for him to stay. But that wasn't right. He didn't want to take advantage of this man's kindness any more than he already had.
I can't do that, Serizawa.” he couldn't keep the regret out of his voice and the other man didn't miss it, taking this chance to step into his space, turn the conman toward him, settle a hand against the side of his neck to run his thumb over his jaw. Reigen's pulse was hammering under his palm.
“Please,” so softly, unwilling to break the way those dark eyes stared up into his own. “Let me help you.” They stood there, barely breathing, until Reigen let his forehead fall into Serizawa’s broad chest, something like relief in the set of his shoulders and he couldn't help it. Pressing a kiss into his hair Serizawa drew his face upwards, gauging his reaction, not missing the flush scattered over his cheeks, and feeling suddenly like he was taking advantage of him. Reigen for his part felt overwarm, punchy, edging on disbelief as he leaned up, capturing Serizawa’s lips with his own and closing his eyes.
It was chaste, slow, perfect.
The only thing going right in his world.