Chapter Text
Serizawa had gotten significantly better at controlling his powers since leaving Claw and working for the Spirits and Such Consultation Office. Being in full control of his powers was something he had struggled with for most of his life, so he was especially proud that he was finally able to gain a lot more control, and without needing that umbrella. He was especially glad that he could make his mother proud of him because he wasn't living so miserably, he was happy at work, he had made his own friends, and he was using his powers to help people instead of hurting them.
However, it was understandable that he didn't have complete control over the his power. He certainly progressed to a point where losing control of his powers didn't cause a huge mess, or an explosion of energy. He was definitely better about not losing his grip on them when he got anxious or upset. Rather than hide his emotions, Serizawa had learn to react with his emotions. If he felt anger, he knew to clamp down somewhere within him to limit the chance of something flying off somewhere. He learned techniques to calm himself down if he found himself getting anxious. Essentially, Serizawa had progressed to the point that he wasn't losing complete control just because there was a spike in his emotions when he was upset.
However, Serizawa had spent so many years being lonely and miserable, the happiness and joy he was finally experiencing was fairly new to him. He was finding that certain things made him feel different but good emotions. He hadn't realized before that just like how his powers were connected to his anger and rage, and experiencing those emotions caused them to explode, his powers were also connected to his happy emotions, and experiencing happiness also made his powers react.
That's why it had become extremely embarrassing for Serizawa when he realized that he had been slipping up more recently because of his crush on Reigen.
He didn't know if he could call it love exactly, but Serizawa had never felt this way before about a person either. He settled on calling it a crush, in the hopes that it wouldn't grow. He’d never had a crush on anyone, so not only was the concept of feeling that way for someone fairly new to him, but he was learning just what it actually felt like to like someone like this. He didn’t realize how intense a feeling romantic attraction could be, both emotionally and physically.
The problem was that Serizawa found that whenever he thought fondly of Reigen, he got butterflies in his stomach, and apparently, when he got butterflies in his stomach, things… float.
When he was back in his apartment, he let his mind wander to thoughts of Reigen. He had to admit to himself he enjoyed watching books and cups and pictures float slowly around the room. It was interesting to see some physical manifestation of his feelings, even if it was an odd way to represent it. Seeing things float because he felt happy only made him happier.
But of course, the situation couldn't be simple.
For one thing, Serizawa would find himself staring at Reigen when he knew Reigen wasn’t looking. He’d be admiring the things he loved about Reigen’s face when he’d catch something floating out the corner of his eye. It was usually a pen or two, maybe a book. One time, he accidentally made the ash tray right next to Reigen float while Reigen was sitting right there. Thankfully, Reigen never seemed to notice, but Serizawa still scolded himself for being careless. It was also extremely embarrassing because at the very least, if Reigen realized that Serizawa was accidentally making things float, Serizawa would probably seem as incompetent and not in control. If he told Reigen that he wasn't incompetent, he was just in love with him, he was sure that would end up causing even more problems.
Serizawa also found that the giddy, bubbly feelings came when anyone talked fondly of Reigen. Serizawa still remembered one such incident that was horribly embarrassing for him. One day, Reigen had stepped out of the office to run to the shop to buy lunch, having forgotten his at home. Mob had a day off from school and was at the office with Serizawa.
“It’s funny Shishou would forget his lunch, isn’t it, Serizawa?” Mob remarked out of the blue.
Serizawa raised his head from his desk. He had been doing some reading for his class. He looked over at Mob who had a little smile on his face. “Funny?How so?” he asked Mob.
“He’s a kind master with great advice. I’ve learned so much from him, you know…. He knows so much, but then he easily forgets to bring his lunch.”
Serizawa couldn’t help but smile. He could see the humor in that, but each positive thing Mob said about Reigen made Serizawa feel fuzzy inside. And Serizawa adored the way Mob admired Reigen because he could absolutely see why the boy did. It really showed how important Reigen was to-
“Ah, is there a spirit in here?” Mob said suddenly, with a puzzled look on his face. “I don’t sense anything, though.”
“What?” Serizawa looked around.
“That mug, it’s floating.” Mob pointed directly behind Serizawa.
Serizawa turned around to see a mug floating. Oh no, he thought, realizing he was doing it, because of how highly Mob spoke of Reigen.
In a panic, Serizawa jumped out of his seat and grabbed the mug. “I’ll look into this Mob. Don’t worry.”
“I can help exorci-"
“Oh no, no, I’ll handle it! It’s your day off from, from school, so you shouldn’t be working too hard anyway!” Serizawa practically shouted.
Serizawa put on an intense look and stuck his hand out. He felt a bit silly but he moved his hand a bit and claimed to have exorcised the ghost.
“Should we tell Shishou about the ghost?” Mob asked.
“It’s fine, no need to worry him if it was a small spirit like that one. Maybe if another shows up.”
“Ah, okay.” Mob seemed satisfied, or if he wasn't, he didn't push it any further.
After that incident, Serizawa vowed to be more careful with people around, but he found that it was harder than he thought it would be, especially when how he felt for Reigen kept growing stronger. He could no longer call it a crush, it was definitely something more.
He tried to focus when they were with clients (more witnesses to objects floating), but that’d become hard, too. The way Reigen talked, the confidence he had, Serizawa couldn't help but feel admiration for the man. He wanted that confidence, to be more comfortable in his body. He was getting there, for sure, but to be where Reigen was in confidence was his goal. And whenever Serizawa got lost in his own admiration for Reigen, then, well, that’s when the objects started floating again. If (when) a customer pointed it out, Serizawa would just go with “it’s a ghost! I’ll exorcise it!”. Reigen would shout “nice job getting that spirit!" or some variation. Serizawa could only believe that Reigen thought it was real since he hadn't brought it up to him. Serizawa never felt good about lying to Reigen or customers, but he didn't want to lose his job or make Reigen's business lose clients, and if anything, if he ever overcame his fears and told Reigen how he felt, feeling forced to was not how he wanted to express his feelings.
Occasionally, angry clients caused him trouble, too. A man had come in and started to complain to Reigen about the validity of his services. It happened from time to time, a person showed up solely to be negative, but it almost seemed like that man came in only to complain, clearly having never intended to use their exorcism services whatsoever. It was an odd waste of the man's own time and theirs, but then the man started calling Reigen a fraud and a cheat, and Serizawa started to grow irritated. The man carried on and on, up until the moment he called Reigen a pathetic loser leeching off of society, when a sudden sound shot though the room. The sound of broken glass. Everyone looked towards the source of the sound. Pieces of a mug laid on the floor near the wall behind the man. The man freaked out, begging Reigen to exorcise the ghost that was clearly in the room. Serizawa offered to do it, stating that the man was lucky Reigen was even letting him do the exorcism after being insulted like that. He stuck his hand out, made the air blow around the room, and claimed the ghost was exorcised. The man tried to pay, but Serizawa just asked him to not come back.
Serizawa had been putting in a lot of work, especially since the mug incident. He didn't think denying his feelings would help. Instead, he tried to treat it like his other emotions and work with them. He tried to get into a professional mindset before arriving at work, thinking about how he was there to work, and that helped. He tried to remind himself that Reigen was his boss. At least at work. Serizawa indulged himself with thoughts of Reigen when he got home, like a reward for getting through the work day, but at work, Serizawa looked to Reigen as his superior in business. Thankfully, adopting that mindset was working. He didn't see objects floating around the office as much, and he felt that he had control.
However, one day, he was watching Reigen speak to their client, big and boisterous as always, but Serizawa focused on the woman's story instead. She was a young woman whose friend had used Reigen’s services before and highly recommended them. Apparently, there were odd sounds, almost like moaning, coming from the client's closet, but when she opened the door to look inside, nothing was there, and yet the sounds continued. She knew the sounds were coming from inside the closet, since they weren't muffled.
Reigen was leaning towards her, elbows on his desk, clearly interested. Serizawa was interested as well. He was hoping Reigen would take the case. Honestly, Serizawa was really curious as to what was causing the sounds. Though the woman thought it was most likely a spirit, once in a while, Reigen would find a different, less occult cause for one's supposed supernatural problem.
Suddenly, Reigen jumped out of his seat. He had decided to take on the client’s request. Serizawa watched Reigen grab his jacket and head for the door. Just as Serizawa got up and went to grab his own jacket, the client grabbed his elbow to stop him.
“Reigen-san, can I speak with your assistant? Alone? We’ll be right out.”
I wonder what she wants from me… Serizawa thought.
Reigen looked curious, but went ahead to wait for them outside. Serizawa waited for the woman to ask her question, but she seemed nervous.
“What is it, miss?”
The woman blushed and even though she was facing him, she wasn't actually looking at Serizawa.
“Serizawa-san… please…” She took a breath and raised her voice: “Can you tell me if Reigen-san is single?!”
Serizawa’s brain shorted out, and suddenly things got darker. Was he blacking out?
No, most likely not, his vision didn't get any darker, and the woman jumped when it happened. Serizawa quickly gained his senses, realizing the room was actually dark. He looked over at the lamp and sure enough, no light bulb, just glass shattered on the floor.
“Ah, sorry… that was- um…” Serizawa stammered out to the woman, who was visibly shaken. He wondered if he could convince her that it was an omen against asking Reigen out.