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The streetlights are already on by the time they finish the job. Mob is tired, his feet feel heavy, and his eyes keep wanting to close, but Master Reigen says they're almost back to the office. The spirit wasn't even that strong, but Mob had to focus really hard because it kept hiding in different places, and that always makes him really sleepy.
Master Reigen is walking next to him, talking about something that Mob doesn't really know about, but his voice is nice to listen to.
"...and that's why you should always- are you listening to me?"
He nods because he doesn't want Master Reigen to think he's being disrespectful, he's just too tired to follow all the words in the right way.
Then, he shakes his head because lying is wrong and bad. "I'm sorry, Master."
Master Reigen sighs. "It's fine, you're tired, aren't you?"
He nods. He's so tired. He wonders if it's too late for him to take a nap in the office, just for a few minutes. He could sit on the couch and-
He's falling, his hands hurt against the floor as he tries to catch himself. His knee hits hard, everything is just surprise and sharp pain and it hurts. He blinks, and his eyes are wet.
"Ow." It's a very tiny sound, but he can't find the rest of the words, and his eyes keep burning.
"Mob!" Master Reigen voice sounds worried, he helps him sit up with no hesitation. "Are you okay?"
Mob tries to nod, because he should be okay. It's just a scrape. He's had worse before, especially when his powers get out of control. But his knee really hurts, and he's so tired, and it's dark, he still has to walk so much, and somehow that makes everything feel bigger and scarier than it should.
"I-" his voice comes out all weird. "It hurts..."
Master Reigen crouches down in front of him. "Let me take a look at that knee, okay?"
Mob nods, sniffling a little.
"Hmm," Master Reigen says, in his special voice that means he's thinking about important things. "It's not too bad, but we should clean it up." Then he pulls a tissue and a band-aid from his pocket. He always has tissues and band-aids and things like that.
Master Reigen is really gentle when he cleans the scrape, but it still stings. Mob tries not to make any sounds because he doesn't want to be a bother about it.
"Hey, it's okay to cry if it hurts," Master Reigen says softly, like he can read Mob's mind (maybe he can, Mob isn't sure what all of Master's powers are yet). "Being tired makes everything feel worse, doesn't it?"
Mob nods again, and a tear runs down his cheek. He wipes it away quickly with his sleeve.
"You know what?" Master Reigen says, smoothing the band-aid over Mob's knee. "I know a special technique for making scrapes feel better. Would you like me to try it?"
Mob's eyes widen a little. He didn't know there were spiritual techniques for scrapes. "Yes, please," he whispers.
Master Reigen leans down and very gently kisses Mob's bandaged knee.
"There. That's a special spiritual healing technique. Very powerful stuff."
Mob stares at his knee in wonder. It does feel a little better, like the hurt has gotten smaller and far away. He's never seen Master Reigen use this technique before: it must be really special. "Thank you, Master," he says, and his voice isn't as wobbly anymore.
His master is so amazing, knowing all these special techniques. Mob really wants to be like him someday, but right now, he's just glad Master is here to help when things hurt.
"Can you stand?" Master Reigen asks, holding out his hand.
Mob takes it, letting his master pull him up. His knee still stings a little when he puts weight on it, but the special technique really did help. He doesn't feel like crying anymore.
"Up we go," Master Reigen says, picking him up.
Mob blinks. It's been a while since someone carried him. "You don't have to," he says quickly, even though being carried feels nice and safe.
"Nonsense," Master Reigen says. "You're tired, and that knee needs time for the special technique to work properly. Besides, we're almost there."
He hesitates, then carefully wraps his arms around master Reigen's neck.
"Is this okay?" he asks, because he doesn't want to be too heavy or make Master Reigen's neck hurt.
"Perfect," he says, and his voice has that warm sound that makes Mob feel like everything is going to be alright. "Just try not to fall asleep on me, okay? We still need to get you home after we stop at the office."
"Mm," Mob agrees, but it's hard to keep his eyes open.
Sometimes, Mob wonders if master ever gets scared or sad or hurt. He must not, because he's so powerful and smart. Mob wants to ask, but his mouth feels too heavy to form the words.
Master Reigen is humming something under his breath. He doesn't recognize the song, but it's nice.
The office isn't far now, Mob can see the familiar shape of the building ahead. His knee barely hurts anymore. Maybe the special technique is more strong because Master Reigen is carrying him? That would make sense. Master knows so much about spiritual energy and powers.
"Still awake up there?" Master Reigen asks, shifting Mob a little higher.
"Mm-hmm," Mob says, even though his eyes keep trying to close. "Master?"
"Yeah?"
"Thank you for helping with my knee. And for carrying me. And for teaching me about powers. And-" he has to stop because he's really, really tired.
He can feel master's laughter, he's laughing softly. "You're welcome, kid. For all of it."
the whole world feels just a little bit safer.