Chapter Text
Teru sipped his drink lightly, staring outside the window as he watched passerby's walk from left to right.
A lengthy winter break has been given to them, something that Teru is greatly thankful for since all the stress was starting to get to him. With all the deadlines scheduled within the same weeks, he felt like his hair would fall out for the second time.
Not that it was a problem for him. He'd just get another wig, preferably one that didn't reach for the stars too much.
He shook the thought off and sighed, fully aware at how early in the morning it was to think about his mistakes. He's gotten used to getting up early to finish any last-minute prompts and assignments, so he couldn't control the hours he would awake. Thankfully, there was a café near his apartment that was open for twenty-four hours; the ones that would give good hot chocolate and play good music too.
The past days have been calm and needed no use for his psychic abilities. Though he couldn't help but use them at times where he would be too lazy, like cleaning up the room or cooking his own dinner; it was just out of his habit.
He jumps in shock when he hears feels his phone vibrate under his palm, the low rumble jarring him awake from whatever day dream he was having. The blonde taps the screen lit, blinking in surprise to find a message from Ritsu. 'I just wanted to ask you…' The preview read, causing him to frown in confusion.
Since when did they exchange numbers?
Teru mentally shrugs, swiping to read the message in its entirety.
'I just wanted to ask you about brother's notebooks. He seems to have left them there the last time he visited.'
"Ah, that's right." Teru mumbles, remembering the stack of colorful binders on his desk. He'd have to ask Mob how he was able to carry such heavy supplies. He replies instantly, knowing that Ritsu wasn't really a patient person.
'Yes. Would you like me to bring them there?'
'That would be appreciated; especially by my brother.'
He tried not to take the response too literally; unfortunately, his rationality got cut off by his beating heart. Typing hastily unto the keypad, he changes the subject abruptly.
'Are you still both in the same apartment?'
'No. I took up one of my own in the neighboring city. My school is closer there. Plus, brother needs the independency and privacy.'
He swears he can read the arrogance in Ritsu's words; it caused a light blush to appear on Teru's cheeks. Even though he was serious most of the time, his words were laced with innuendoes more often than not.
Ritsu's caught on to his little crush on Mob faster than he'd expected. And despite the initial possessiveness, the younger eventually let him be and even teased him to an extent, while wearing his stoic mask like always.
He can see why he and a certain red head got along.
Teru typed up a quick reply, hitting the send button immediately. He wondered if his fluster was obvious even through text.
'I see.'
He feels like he should at least provoke him a little in retaliation.
'How's Shou?'
Ritsu's reply was fast.
'He burned my homework. He's doing it for me.'
Teru stops a laugh from bubbling up his throat, before he could type up a witty reply, a picture was sent his way.
It featured Ritsu's smiling face taking up half of the screen, holding up a peace sign as Shou sat in the background, visibly grumbling at the grueling task the other set out for him to do. Teru blinked as he saw the redhead, flicking his keypad visible before typing a reply.
'Shou wears glasses?'
'Only recently. He said his vision was getting a little blurry.'
'Right. Why are you two up so early in the morning?'
'My class usually starts at five in the morning, Shou spent the night here.'
He raises a brow, not bothering to point out exactly why Shou spent the night over at Ritsu's.
'Isn't it winter break?'
'I had a lot to catch up on. I was absent for a few days and missed a few important classes.'
Teru smiled empathetically, he's been there. Actually, he's still in the same position.
'Hm. Well, say my condolences to Suzuki.'
'I think he’ll be just fine without them. Say hello to my brother for me.'
Well, Shou was a little shit anyway.
'Of course.'
'I'm sure you have your own unique hello anyway. Please take caution in leaving lasting marks.'
Teru beamed at his screen.
They were both little shits.
Teru breathed out, eyeing the little puff of visible breath that appeared as he did so.
He's only been to Mob's apartment two times, so his memory of the place is rather hazy. But as far as he can remember, the place was spacious since Ritsu lived with him before. It looked pretty clean and classy too, something that Teru hasn't bothered to apply to his apartment -- renovations were a pain when you had a lot of school work to put first.
Before he knew it, he's in front of Mob's door.
The blonde clears his throat, knocking soundly at the door right after. "Mob? It's Teru. I have your binders."
He could hear Mob's muffled 'Wait a second!' from behind the door. He shifted the books under his arm, before suddenly remembering that he was an esper. He sighed at his lack foresight and proceeded to let them float in the air at the same time that Mob swung the door open calmly.
"Ah."
"Oh."
Mob stared up at his floating binders, before looking down at Teru with small smile.
"Come in, Hanazawa."
Teru nodded idly, slightly distracted and accidentally drops the binders down to the ground.
"Shit."
Mob catches it with his telekinesis and Teru suppresses the blush in his cheeks.
"You really need to lighten up your load." Teru commented as Mob rearranged his bag and slipped in his notes. Mob hummed in reply, zipping his bag up. "It's not that heavy, I got used to it eventually." He says, pushing his bag away and moving to stack his papers. Teru snorts, handing him some of Mob's research papers he took a peek on. "That's probably because of the fitness club."
Mob glanced at him, his expression innocent and hopeful. "Do you think so? I haven't stopped my daily regimens…" The blonde hid his blush, still not used to Mob smiling more than before. "I just hope you're not forcing yourself." He mutters, watching Mob slide the papers on the coffee table in front of them.
"Of course. Master tells me not to push myself too much."
"Ah, speaking of him, how's he doing?"
"He has Serizawa to help him now, but I occasionally get called on." Mob smiles wistfully as he sits back on the couch calmly. "Sometimes he visits too. Serizawa's cooking is really tasty." He says, watching as Teru crosses his legs and arms.
"So Serizawa's a housewife, huh?"
"It looks like the other way around, but I suppose that's the case."
Teru hesitates to ask, wondering if Mob was finally able to read moods. "Um. How so?"
"Master seems mellower than usual when with him."
"Ah." Teru lamely mutters, wondering what will happen to his little infatuation if Mob was able to read the atmosphere now. "With Serizawa cooking, won't you assume that he's the wife?" Teru felt weird, feeling like he shouldn’t be debating this with Mob.
For heaven's sake, they were talking about Reigen's ambiguous relationship with a, previously hit man psychic.
"There are people called house husbands." Mob says, his voice chipper and happy. "I'm sure that's what Serizawa is taking role of."
Teru nods, uncrossing and re-crossing his legs.
"Right."
They stay in silence, Mob flicking his eyes over to the show on TV as Teru contemplated whether he was done here or not.
He decides that he can't stay here for more than a minute without freaking out, so he stands up slowly, catching Mob's eye as he does. "Um, well, I guess that's that." He turned to smile warmly at Mob. "It was nice seeing you again." Mob looks mildly shocked, standing up in suite.
"Already?" He questions, his expression morphed into panic. Teru feels guilty as Mob shifts in place, "I could've offered you something to eat…" Mob mumbles, peering down at Teru. "I mean you're my guest…"
Teru wanted to stay, but he'll probably just cause more trouble if he did. So he swallows and looks up at Mob with his warmest smile in hopes of reassuring him. "It's fine Mob. I'm pretty busy myself--"
"It's winter break." Mob whispers.
Teru flinches, feeling a quick sense of déjà vu. "Well," He scratches his head, looking to the side, suddenly remembering the train schedules from earlier. "I need to catch the train. I don't want to bother you by spending the night here."
Unlike Shou, he had manners.
"Ah? Is it the last one passing by for today?"
"Yeah. Your apartment is kind of far from mine." Teru smiles apologetically, missing Mob's slight frown.
"Oh."
The blonde flicks his gaze to and fro, not wanting to cause Mob's deflated attitude. He reaches to put a hand on Mob's shoulder, aware of how awkward it was as he did. With Mob's growth spurt, he stood a little taller than him, something that he's rather disappointed by.
"I'll talk to you as often as I can." He pauses. "Through the phone."
Mob's smile slowly returns as he nods in understanding.
Teru walked out of Mob's apartment in a daze, nearly hitting a wall as he turned.
He's spending a quiet time alone in bed, reading a magazine he'd bought when a shrill ring from his phone interrupted him rudely.
He reminded himself to reset it back to vibrate.
When he picks it up, unknowingly ignoring the caller ID, he's surprised to hear Shou's voice.
"Oh, hey dude."
"Suz--Shou?" He asks, confused. How and when did he get their numbers? Did Mob register them there when he gave him his?
"Ritsu wants to talk to you." The redhead's playful voice floats through the speakers. "He seems kind of pissed~"
"What. What did I do?" He deadpans. There's shuffling from the other line, he hears Shou snicker before Ritsu's grave voice is finally heard clear.
"Please explain why brother is sulking."
Teru's reply is immediate.
"I have insurance."
Shou's laughter grows louder.
Ritsu's cup slams down on the table.
"You denied his kindness?"
Shou seemed amused as he played with the pillows from the couch, tossing it up and down. "Hey now, you're going to break the table."
Teru sighed, setting his own cup down gently. "I didn't know he'd be that bummed out." He stared down at his drink, before flicking his gaze up to the angry Ritsu. "I was just thinking rationally."
"Probably out of denial too." Shou whistles. Teru sends a few pillows flying his way, causing the redhead to squawk and laugh at the onslaught of fluff covering him.
Ritsu heaves a deep breath, "Teru, I know you're inept in handling feelings--"
"--I had like, three girlfriends." Teru snaps.
"--that you broke up with thrice." Ritsu fires back.
Shou's voice is heard, muffled by the ton of pillows covering him, "Damn babe!"
The blonde groans, leaning back. "Okay. I may have panicked." He remembers Mob's smile as he waved goodbye, frowning. "I mean, it's only natural for me to act like this around someone I'm attached to--" He watches as Ritsu raises a brow. He coughs.
"--that I haven't been in contact with for months." He adds hastily, aware of the two's amusement.
Shou snorts, finally freed from the prison of pillows he made. "Weak."
"Don't even." Ritsu counters. "You were a blushing mess too."
Shou pouts, a pink tint on his cheeks and suddenly Teru doesn't feel as bad as he should.
He stares at his landline.
"Do I have to?"
"You know very well that my brother won't call by himself." Ritsu states, Shou helping himself to a piece of cake from his fridge. The redhead replies with a grin.
"We'll be watching TV." He says, dragging Ritsu by the arm merrily.
Teru's left to dial Mob's number.
"Hello? Hanazawa?" Mob's soft voice calls out.
"Um, hey. How are you?"
"I'm fine. Thank you for asking."
There was silence.
"So, what are you doing now?"
Teru hears the sudden prickling of oil on a pan, guessing that Mob was probably preparing dinner.
"I'm trying out a recipe Serizawa gave me."
"Ohh, really? What is it?" And with that prompt, Mob goes on to enthusiastically explain the dish he was preparing. It was surprising and at the same time scary, just how they'd lapse into comfortable conversations despite the tension.
He hears a thud from the hallway, near from where he's standing. He guesses it's Ritsu and Shou eavesdropping, he doesn't mind, their conversation wasn't really secretive anyway.
He decides to end the call anyway.
Mob stops him.
"Hanazawa." Mob says, making Teru pause in mid-sentence. The blonde blinks, caught unawares. "Um, yeah?"
"Will you come over again?'
"Come over…?"
He shouldn't have said it out loud. He can already feel Ritsu's gaze behind his back.
"S-Sure."