Work Text:
“My study group is going to a bar tonight to celebrate finals being over,” Serizawa said, “do you want to come?”
Reigen sat up straight in his chair, the pencil falling from his upper lip. He caught it; his reflexes too quick to let it clatter onto the desk. The invitation was a kind one but he would have to decline. “Unfortunately,” he said, “I can’t tonight.”
“Oh.” Serizawa looked positively crestfallen.
The reaction seemed a little much to Reigen. “I’m visiting my parents, Serizawa,” Reigen said, closing his laptop, “it’s not like I’m going on a hot date.” If he was then he could back out of seeing his parents. “Sorry, Mom, got a date on Christmas Eve” would probably get him a fat envelope in the mail with a “don’t screw this up” card tucked inside.
“Oh.” The visible relief on Serizawa’s face was almost comical. It was the sort of look that made Reigen wonder. They had only worked together a few months and yeah, Serizawa was a great guy and Reigen definitely wanted to get to know him better but sometimes he did these weird things—
The front door opened. Office hours were nearly over, who could that even—
“Shishou, I know it’s not my usual day,” Mob was babbling, bundled up in a winter coat, flanked by his brother and Teru. “But I wanted to see you before the break.”
That was sweet. Ritsu had his usual look of polite disinterest plastered on his face and Teru was staring at his phone so it was obvious that they were only here for Mob. Still, it was nice to be thought of.
“Any plans for the break, Mob?” Reigen asked.
“Not really,” Mob admitted. “I have a lot of school work to catch up on—”
“They’ve assigned work over break?” Reigen asked. That sucked. He remembered his own school breaks rather fondly, having that tainted with homework sounded awful.
Serizawa nodded in sympathy. “I have an essay due when we get back in January.”
Ugh, Reigen was glad that phase of his life was over. They all continued chatting about nothing as Serizawa and Reigen packed up the office for the night. The conversation grew louder and louder, the office filling with a feeling of comradery that Reigen rather liked.
Teru’s voice, small and weak, cut through the merriment, “My parents aren’t coming.”
“What?” Reigen was surprised, it had been all the blonde had talked about on the last few visits. He had seen the plane ticket confirmations himself. The sheer amount of activities that Teru and his parents had organized were staggering. “Did something happen at work?”
“They’re stuck in Seoul,” Teru said, his face a blank mask. “There’s a storm, no planes are going in or out.”
Four ESPers, three of which were the most powerful in the world, were gathered in one place. Yet, even they were still helpless before Nature. There was nothing any of them could do.
“Do they know how long the storm is going to last?” Ritsu asked.
“No,” Teru said, shaking his head. “They might be in the airport all night.”
All night, all of Christmas Eve night, a night Teru had been planning for weeks. Mob placed his hand on Teru’s shoulder but it would not be enough to mend a broken heart.
Reigen sighed, he knew that he would get an earful later, but some things were more important than his own personal peace. “I could stay with you until your parents get in,” Reigen offered. He was not looking forward to that phone call with his mother.
Teru finally glanced up from his phone. “You don’t have to—”
“Yeah,” Reigen was not going to let the kid squirm out of it, “I know I don’t have to.” He threw on his coat and grasped his laptop bag. “Come on,” he started pushing Teru out the door, “if we dawdle, we won’t get the good snacks.”
“We’ll come too,” Mob added.
Reigen blinked in amazement. “Aren’t your parents expecting you?”
“Yes, but I don’t think they’ll mind,” Mob said. He was already taking out his phone.
The kid was always full of surprises. Speaking of surprises, Reigen felt a solid presence brush his shoulder. Oh, Serizawa. He hoped that the older man wouldn’t be offended that he had turned down his invitation. “I’m sorry Serizawa,’ he murmured under his breath.
“It’s okay,” Serizawa said, his voice was soft, “I think it’s very kind of you.”
Despite the big guy being so awkward he sometimes said the most amazing things. “It’s not a big deal,” Reigen insisted.
“I think it is.” Oh, Serizawa could sound forceful when he wanted to. It sent a shiver down Reigen’s spine at the taller man’s gentle insistence. “I’ll see you on the 26th,” Serizawa said, his words a promise not just an empty farewell, and they parted ways.
Reigen led the kids to the nearest konbini where everyone went a little overboard with snacks. It was funny watching them pick out the things they liked, seeing how tastes differed. Reigen’s eye twitched a little at the final bill but he told himself that the gratitude on Teru’s face was worth it.
They spent the entire night playing games and watching bad specials on TV. There was one anime in particular that was just the worst. The debate Reigen and Ritsu had over its cultural merit was one for the ages. Teru’s laughter rang through the apartment as they ranted at each other.
It was long after midnight when Reigen awoke to find Teru slumped against him with Mob and Ritsu passed out on the floor. There was a minor clatter at the apartment door.
His legs were asleep, so Reigen couldn’t quite get up. He turned his head to find a couple standing there, quietly watching the proceedings. “Hanazawa-san, I presume?” Reigen whispered.
“You must be Reigen-sensei,” Teru’s father said.
Reigen winced at the title. Did Teru really call him that in the messages to his own parents? “I see you made it in.”
“The storm was terrible,” Teru’s mother said, “but at least we’re here now.”
Yes they were. Reigen shifted to allow Teru’s father room to scoop up the child. “I’ll wake the boys and we can let you take over,” Reigen said.
“The trains aren’t running,” Teru’s mother said. “We’ll lay down some futons; stay until the morning.”
Reigen had been prepared for the taxi fare. “I can get a—”
“Stay, it’s the least we can do,” Teru’s mother said. Reigen knew better than to try to turn down their hospitality.
The boy’s father stepped out from his son’s bedroom. He looked exhausted; the unforeseen layover must have done a number on them too. “Knowing that there’s someone back home we can trust if Teru needs help, it’s been a huge relief. I still have time on this job before we can come home.”
Reigen wanted to ask how much time but thought better of it. He helped them set up some futons and settled Ritsu and Mob before Reigen turned in himself. Just before drifting off to sleep, he checked his phone. Five messages from mother.
He had explained things in a terse text earlier than evening and it seemed that she had accepted the excuse. The last message though was the kicker.
Mom: I hope you’re half as responsible with your own kids someday.
Reigen tsked under his breath. His own kids, not likely. He flipped his phone closed and slipped it back into his jacket pocket. Later that morning he would play the dutiful son, but for now, he was just very, very tired.