Chapter Text
“He likes me, I know it, so why won’t he say anything?” Serizawa was three drinks in and was contemplating a fourth. He ran a hand through his dark hair, mussing it beyond repair. Serizawa was usually somewhat put together but tonight—
The study group was out for some post-midterm celebrating when Honda had broached a forbidden topic. After two years of school together, their little group had some of their quirks hammered out. Certain things were not to be brought up if they wanted to avoid drama: Sanada’s divorce, Kiiba’s former drug addiction, Honda’s new-found Christian faith, and Serizawa’s crush on his boss. It wasn’t that any of them disliked Serizawa’s boss, he had been out with them a few times and he was a pretty good guy; it’s that Serizawa’s feelings were less amusing and more really, really annoying. Especially since it was clear that the guy was getting to the breaking point. There was only so much pining a man and his companions could take.
Sanada, a middle-aged woman who had run off with her old husband at much too young an age, just rolled her eyes. “Because he is your boss,” she pointed out. She was the self-appointed mother hen of the group. “He’s trying to be responsible and considerate of your position, unlike my ex—”
Oh god, Honda had to steer this conversation in another direction right now. “I mean, complaining that your boss has ethics is a little weird,” Kiiba muttered before Honda had to say anything. Okay, it was still a dangerous topic but better than Sanada’s ex.
Serizawa’s eyes narrowed as he considered this. “Ethics, right.” He took another sip of beer, his cheeks gaining a familiar flush. His lips pursed as he seriously considered the matter. “You may be on to something.” He sounded excited.
“Wait, really?” Kiiba said. He was surprised. The others considered him the least social savvy of the group, which was sad considering Serizawa was a former hikikomori.
“He won’t say anything because he’s trying to be good and not put any pressure on me.” He grinned, thinking about his boss’s considerate nature. Serizawa finished his beer and waved to the bartender to get him his fourth. “That’s okay. I might have to do it for him.” This could be bad, very bad.
When the beer arrived, Serizawa took a good long hard look at it.
“You know you don’t actually have to drink that, right?” Honda asked, concerned about his friend’s behavior.
“I know.” Serizawa shoved the beer aside and grabbed a glass of water. Then he gulped half of it down before pulling out his phone. “Reigen-san, I don’t feel so good,” Serizawa whined into the phone with an exaggerated slur. “Can you come help me? I don’t know if I can get home by myself.” The rest of the study group watched this exchange with a fascinated horror. They could vaguely hear a voice on the other end of the line if they strained. Serizawa smiled at the phone, even though the man on the other end couldn’t see it. “Thank you, Reigen-san.”
Serizawa hung up and took another sip of water. He noticed the others staring. “What?”
“What are you doing?” Honda asked. He had never seen this sort of conduct from Serizawa before.
The dark-haired man looked calmer than he had before. “I’m having Arataka take me home,” he said, it was a matter of fact.
Kiiba raised an eyebrow. “So, he’s Arataka now?” It was the first time they had ever heard Serizawa use his boss’s first name outside of when he introduced the blonde during a trivia night.
Serizawa smirked, “By the end of the night he will be.” He took another drink.
Honda wasn’t sure if he was in awe or suddenly terrified at his friend’s deviousness. Serizawa shoved his beer glass toward Sanada. “Do you want some of this? I changed my mind on it.”
Sanada took the offered glass and drank from it. She seemed to be picking up on Serizawa’s wavelength faster than the others. Serizawa gave her a polite smile and took off for the restroom.
“What the heck is going on?” Kiiba asked.
“I have no idea,” Honda replied. Sanada nursed the offered glass of beer. “And why are you drinking his beer?”
The older woman rolled her eyes, she could not believe how slow on the uptake the others were. “To make it look like Seri’s been drinking more than he has.”
“What difference does that make?” Kiiba asked. He never got an answer because Serizawa returned from the restroom. Now not only was his hair in disarray, but so were his clothes. What was the big idea? Sanada gave Serizawa back the half-finished glass with a knowing grin.
About ten minutes later, Serizawa’s boss, Reigen, wandered into the bar. He was dressed in a mishmash of lounge clothes and a jacket. The poor guy had probably been relaxing at home before being called. “Hi.” Reigen gave the study group an awkward wave. He went immediately to the dark-haired man’s side. “Are you ready, Serizawa?”
Serizawa, contrary to his appearance a few minutes ago, had glazed eyes and swayed in his seat like he was having a tough time being upright. He nodded, then cupped the side of his head as if he was in pain. Serizawa pushed himself to his feet, stumbling a little. Reigen reached out to catch him before he fell, his smaller frame nearly collapsing under Serizawa’s weight. Serizawa leaned completely against his boss, making sure as much of his body was pressed against Reigen as possible. The blonde audibly gulped.
Honda was amazed. What a faker!
“I’ll take it from here,” Reigen muttered, voice muffled against Serizawa’s broad form. He twisted around, bringing his arm up so he could help Serizawa limp out of the bar.
Serizawa turned his head, breathing directly onto Reigen’s neck. “You’re always so kind to me,” he said. The blush started on Reigen’s neck and crawled right up into his hairline. He tried to give his compatriot a friendly pat, but it was obvious the big man’s words had affected him. They went out into the night together, Reigen trying his hardest to keep Serizawa vertical.
Honda glanced over at Sanada. She gave him a knowing side-eye.
Boy, that Reigen guy was doomed.