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Water sluiced down Reigen’s neck, shoulders, and back as he stood with his head bowed under the spray, watching droplets drip hypnotically off his clean bangs. It had been so long since he'd had a proper shower and he was completely blissed out, luxuriating in the heat, the smell, the feeling of it beating down on him like a hard warm rain. Something so simple and it felt like he was being given a fresh start. After he'd recovered some from the embarrassment of being discovered living in the office he’d worked up enough courage to ask Serizawa if he could shower. He’d joked that he just might use up all the hot water, and he thought he must've been close; Reigen had no idea how long he'd been in here. Just being able to rinse the sweat of his fever away would have been blessing enough but Serizawa offered him free use of whatever he found in there and Reigen felt thoroughly scrubbed, truly clean for the first time in months.
Reluctantly he turned off the spray, drying himself with the fluffiest towel he’d ever seen in his life, dimly mesmerized by the texture of it against his skin and proceeded to stumbled out of the shower, legs uncoordinated and trembling, holding a hand to his head, reeling. He’d really overdone it with the hot water but it had just felt so good to wash away the memories of bathing in a sink and the steam made it so easy to breathe. Somehow he got Serizawa’s borrowed clothes back on, falling against the door as he attempted to open it, fumbling with the knob, suddenly faint. It swung open and he tipped forward into Serizawa. Strong hands came up around his shoulders, bracing him and keeping him from hitting the floor. The air of the apartment was significantly cooler and Reigen shivered, curling into the esper, he was just so warm, blinking dazedly into his neck and Serizawa brushed back his damp hair, palming his flushed cheek.
“You're hot.” Reigen giggled into his chest, lightheaded, slipping down, and Serizawa rolled his eyes, hefting him up into his arms, frowning a little at how light he was, how he could feel the bones under his warm skin. “I think you overdid it.” Reigen tangled his fingers in the pajama shirt while he was gently scolded. “You shouldn't shower so long with a fever, it lowers your blood pressure.”
“Mm.” Reigen hummed sleepily in the back of his throat, unable to keep his eyes open.
“You could have slipped.” Serizawa settled him on the bed, tugging the covers up around his chin as he curled loosely onto his side. “Get some sleep,” he turned to go, “I’ll wake you for lunch.” He couldn't afford to miss anymore meals. Reigen gripped his sleeve to get his attention before he could make it too far, pointing vaguely at his face, and Serizawa smiled with fond affection, leaning down to press a sweet kiss to the hot forehead. When he drew back, he was pleased to find the man already restfully asleep.