Work Text:
It's a particularly cloudy day in spring when Teru finally finds the time to read the manga Kageyama-kun has lent him weeks ago. If he's honest the action-packed premise of the book doesn't pique his interest much but he is looking forward to the opportunity to hang out with its rightful owner when he gets to return it.
The moment he opens the manga a small cardboard card slowly floats to the ground, landing on Teru's carpet. It's a bright and gaudy thing, even compared to the superhero themed comic book from which pages it fell.
He picks up the card and turns it once between his middle and index finger. Spirits And Such is typed out in a wobbly font, with a slightly more stoic seeming Consultation Office printed underneath it. The other side is blank.
Teru knows that Kageyama-kun works part-time at that place and it's probable he thoughtlessly used this business card to mark an especially impressive fight scene.
His afternoon manga reading plans are quickly abandoned in favor of finding out about Kageyama-kun's place of employment. The card containing neither an address nor a phone number or e-mail throws him for a loop at first but some shallow googling leads to a badly designated website. Teru squints at his laptop screen where an oversized, slightly pixelated jpg of Reigen Arataka grins back at him.
There must be less awkward ways for a psychic this powerful to earn a living, Teru thinks but then decides not to question Kageyama-kun's master.
He scrolls quickly through various offers of exorcism courses. (Three ghosts exorcised for the price of two!) and methodically tries each of the few links scattered across the page. Most are broken but one leads him to a blown up blurry picture of Kageyama-kun. The text underneath it reads Employee of the Month but the photo is bad enough that it makes the boy in question look more like a ghost captured on film. Teru smiles fondly before clicking the return button.
The article that finally catches his attention is an enthusiastic sales pitch on palm reading. The website promises "at least 30% accuracy on both negative and positive predictions for only 1500¥!" which seems like a bad investment at best, but he finds himself clicking the showy Registration button anyway.
His phone rings barely 2 hours later with a text confirming his appointment.
----
Reigen strokes along the crease running up from his wrist to the base of his middle finger.
"Your line of fate is close to the one of success." He grins encouragingly. "Guess that means you're meant for greatness!"
The old Teru may have enjoyed this confirmation of the twisted worldview he had (if he ever decided that palm reading was anything more than complete buffoonery only commoners practiced) but right now Reigen's words seem mocking and he wonders how much Kageyama-kun has told his master about their first meeting.
He looks to the ground. The linoleum covered floor of the Spirits And Such office has definitely seen better days but at least the murky brown color is unoffending.
Almost an hour has passed with Reigen tracing various lines in weird shapes on Teru's right hand and prattling on about chiromancy. Teru wishes he'd just call it palm reading because the whole set-up is starting to look uncomfortably esoteric. There are absolutely no traces of psychic energy surrounding the man.
Reigen seems to sense Teru's disappointment, because the next moment he dramatically lets go of his hand and explains "Obviously the right one only shows us how you present yourself to the world." He grabs Teru's left hand. "Now this here is where we'll uncover your heart's deepest desires."
"Maybe don't go for my darkest and deepest desires, Reigen-san." jokes Teru but the man just waves him off with much unneeded flourish.
Teru is uncomfortably aware that his left palm feels damp but Kageyama-kun's master is probably not the type to judge someone over a little perspiration so he carefully uncurls his fingers.
"Huh." Reigen leans closer but the motion makes his own shadow fall over Teru's left hand, effectively restricting a clear view. He tugs the appendage higher, into a position facing the ceiling lamp. The yellowish light it provides is barely enough to make out details. Must be an energy-saving bulb.
"I've never seen anyone with a mole on the palm before...that's pretty rare. Could be good luck, or bad luck. It's never that clear-cut with these sort of things."
Teru blinks. "I wasn't born with it, if that helps. Just noticed it was there one day." It's not like it's unnatural for new moles to form in the span of a lifetime, but he figures it might make an important difference in palm reading. He became aware of it around the time he first met Kageyama-kun, but he doesn't mention that.
Reigen nods sagely. "I see. Moles interrupting the life line may form when we go through dramatic changes or if something traumatic happens to us. But if you can't remember when it formed it's hard to say for sure."
"I'm sorry I'm not of better help Reigen-san." says Teru and hopes his smile doesn't come out too forced.
So maybe that whole divination thing is not a complete fraud after all, at least if you're a powerful psychic. He wonders briefly if it's something he could learn.
"Actually Reigen-san, I came here for advice on a specific question." Teru's free hand twitches but he keeps the one in Reigen's grasp perfectly still.
"This is a little embarrassing actually. It's - that is, I need advice on a relationship issue." He lets his eyes roam over the office in an awkward attempt to avoid eye contact. They linger on the small reception desk Kageyama-kun would usually occupy. Teru sighs.
"Well, it's complicated."
"It usually is at your age. Don't worry about it making sense, the answer is quite literally in the palm of your hand!" asserts Reigen.
Teru feels like he should want to roll his eyes at the man's self-satisfied delivery of generic fortune cookie counsel but it actually feels good having an adult advice him.
Suddenly it seems less scary to talk about the thoughts that have been eating at him for months.
"I've become acquainted with someone who seems to fit me perfectly. But I..." he doesn't know how to say it without tipping Reigen off as to who exactly his mystery crush is. "I ruined it. It's like I tore apart the red string of fate that connected us with my own bare hands. And I'd like to repair it now - if at all possible."
Reigen scratches thoughtfully at his chin. It's pretty late in the evening by now but there's not even a hint of 5 o'clock shadow on his jaw. In the dim light he looks young enough to be a well-meaning older brother - if it weren't for the fact that he was being paid for this consultation on the more or less supernatural.
"If you want to fix the relationship you'll have to start with fixing how you feel about it. You say you ruined it but it also seems you still talk to your - can I say soulmate? Or is that too embarrassing? It's just because you got all deep with the fate imagery."
Teru nods tersely for the man to go on.
"Good." Reigen continues "So you still talk. That means all doors are open for you! But the relationship is not going anywhere if you fixate on the guilt you feel."
He leans forward and puts his hands on Teru's shoulders. His pink tie is slowly swaying back and forth between them but Reigen's expression is unexpectedly serious.
"The problem for people with this type of special ability is that your- I mean our emotions have too much power. If you obsess too much over one thing or the other...all the energy might manifest in an actual curse."
Teru recoils. "I'd know if I had cursed myself!" He's unhappy with this claim but it does make sense, in a way.
"Just take care of yourself, kid. Try to channel some positive energy is what I always say!"
Reigen stands up, suddenly back to his cheerful persona. He reaches out a hand and states "That'd be 2000¥, the extra fee for going into specifics. Please don't forget to recommend us to your friends and family!"
It's only when he is on his way home that Teru realizes Reigen didn't even bother to look at his palm for the last bit of advice.
---
The next morning Teru wakes up early at dawn. He tries to sit up but finds his whole body aching like he ran a marathon. It's still mostly dark outside and yesterday's events seem far away and strangely surreal in hindsight. Did he really....?
It's not a school day so he decides to forego his regular bowl of cereal and make proper breakfast. Only a few minutes later he's standing in front of the stove staring down at three eggs sizzling in the smallest pan he owns while sipping on a hot cup of tea.
It's his favorite mug, the baby blue one with the little sunflowers his mother brought him for another test aced.
He almost lets it drop when he hears a shrill sound coming from the nightstand next to his bed.
Putting the cup away in a safer position he hurries to grab his phone. Nobody really calls him anymore since he broke it off with the girls he used to go out with and he feels uncharacteristically nervous about picking up.
A groggy voice greets him "Good morning, Hanazawa-kun. I'm sorry for the unexpected call- shishou said I should call you as soon as I can and uh- I also got your number from him."
"Kageyama-kun?" Teru asks. He can tell it's the boy's voice, although it sounds rough with sleep, but he can't imagine a reason for Mob to call him.
"Ah...yes, it's me. I'm sorry for calling so early but shishou said I shouldn't make you wait." There's an apologetic tone in Kageyama-kun's voice but mostly he sounds like he'd rather be still in bed.
"Wait- wait for what?"
"Eh...didn't he tell you beforehand?" Teru can hear Kageyama-kun fidget even through the phone. "It's for your exorcism."
Teru chokes. "Kageyama-kun?"
"I was wondering too, since you should be able to exorcise ghosts yourself easily but shishou says it's more a symbolic one only I can help you with. So...if it's fine, can I come over?"
Teru nods and then realizes Kageyama-kun can't see him. "Sure..." he adds weakly. He doesn't really hear what the boy answers but he shakes himself out of it when he smells something burning.
Kageyama-kun arrives exactly 1 hour later at Teru's door. He's wearing his green hoodie with the puppy print and looks uncharacteristically nervous. Teru wants to calm him down but he's not feeling too composed himself either right now so he just invites Mob in.
"So, I'm cursed." he says "Symbolically that is." He has remembered Reigen's little speech about ESPers accidentally cursing themselves but in broad daylight the theory seems to make far less sense.
Teru walks further into his apartment. "Excuse me, do you want tea?"
"No, thank you. And that's what shishou told me." Kageyama-kun follows him into the kitchen and sniffs carefully. He looks around.
"I burned some eggs this morning."
Kageyama-kun nods emphatically. "Maybe that's part of the curse."
Finally Teru cracks a smile. "I guess. So, you're supposed to relieve me of whatever dark powers are ruining my life, huh. Sounds good to me, Kageyama-kun. I know you are very reliable."
It's weird, sure, but he won't say no to spending time with the guy he likes especially when that guy is shooting him a tentative but sweet smile.
"Shishou has suggested going to the Kifune shrine that's a two hour ride outside of Spice City and..." he takes out a slightly deformed straw doll out of the deep pocket of his hoodie "...nailing this to a sacred tree. It's important to use iron nails but I have brought some. And also...." he looks nervously around the room until Teru prompts him to continue. "You have to cut a bit of hair and attach it to the doll."
Teru shakes his head in disbelief. "Anything else?"
Kageyama-kun straightens. "It has to happen between 2 and 2:30 am."
"OK." Teru sighs. This might turn out less romantic than he initially envisioned (and he curses Reigen a little) but he's not going to disappoint Kageyama-kun by declining his generous help. "Thank you for helping me. So...wanna watch some TV before we have to set off? I'll make you breakfast."
---
Teru and Mob take the last daytime train in the direction of Cinnamon City so they won't have to loiter in the small village in which the shrine is located. It's a little before midnight and Teru worries concerned passengers might question why two middle school aged boys are out and about in the dark of night. The train however is mostly empty and the few commuters strewn throughout their compartment look too tired to care.
Kageyama-kun sits down close to the doors and Teru follows, situating himself across from him. "Do your parents know you won't be coming home until the morning?" he asks. They haven't talked about tonight's undertaking when wasting time at Teru's place but now that it is actually happening Teru realizes there are many unanswered variables he hasn't considered.
Kageyama-kun nods "I told them I'm sleeping over at a friend's place."
Teru is slightly taken aback at the bold-faced lie and he opens his mouth to question the boy in front of him further when Kageyama-kun adds "Can I actually? Sleep over after we are done. I don't want to intrude but..."
"Definitely! Don't even worry about it, Kageyama-kun. I can lend you pajamas too."
"Thank you." Mob bows his head.
They spend the rest of the mostly in silence. The constant movements of the train start lulling Teru to sleep but he doesn't close his eyes and instead keeps them on his friend. Kageyama-kun is staring intently out of the window but when Teru checks to see what's so fascinating only dark panes greet him.
Black shapes pass by too quickly to make out anything specific.
Soon he's slipping in and out of a restless doze.
A warm hand slightly shakes his shoulder. "Hanazawa-kun? Hanazawa-kun..."
Apparently he has fallen asleep after all. Teru feels bad for making Kageyama-kun endure the long train ride alone but the weird tiredness after yesterday's palm reading session still hasn't faded completely.
He's starting to think Reigen-san might have been the one to put an actual curse on him but quickly banishes the uncouth speculation along with the remaining grogginess with a shake of his head. "Are we almost there?"
"It's the next station." Kageyama-kun looks slightly concerned "Are you feeling well?"
Teru closes his eyes again and nods affirmatively. "Sure. I just get really tired on long train rides." It's a lie but he doesn't want Kageyama-kun to worry when he has to concentrate on the curse lifting process.
He's almost back to sleep when their stop is announced. "Next stop Juniper Village." says a mechanical sounding female voice. Please take care when exiting the train. Thank you for using JR railways today."
Turns out the Juniper Village station consists of two badly lit platforms and not much else. There's a soda machine at the far end and what looks like a cubicle so they start walking towards that. "I always thought Spice City was a backwater town but compared to this we live in a cultural metropolis, huh." Teru jokes.
The cabin is occupied by a thin man wearing the pale blue uniform of the region's train company. He shoots them an irritated look out of bloodshot eyes. "Trying to run away from home? I won't sell you tickets, so don't even think-"
Teru musters a winning smile "We are visiting relatives but unfortunately got lost on the way. They're probably waiting for us at the famous Kifune shrine located in this wonderful city. We were told it's a famous landmark and-"
"The abandoned temple?" the man's expression changes abruptly from simple irritation into distrust. "What'd two little kids do at an empty shrine? You planning to vandalize the place?"
"Oh." Kageyama-kun murmurs unhelpfully.
Teru supplies "Actually, we were only passing by. Thank you for your time!" and tugs Kageyama-kun, who is still standing limply in front of the small inquiry office cabin, away by the sleeve.
"It's an abandoned temple?" he demands firmly. Mob shrugs.
"Shishou didn't mention that, but he might have just not known. We only need the special sacred trees there though. It shouldn't make a difference."
"Alright. You're right. At least this way we won't cause any domestic disturbances while trespassing." Teru's still feeling unsure about the whole thing but Kageyama-kun shoots him a small smile.
"Maybe we can use a navigation app to find the temple? The signal in this town is probably crap but I'm sure if I float up..." Teru suggests while fishing out his cellphone but his companion shakes his head.
"I think I can sense the location. A lot of ghosts seem to be gathered there." Mob starts walking purposefully in the direction opposite from where Teru is looking. He swallows dryly. It's good to see Kageyama-kun prove himself to be indeed very reliable concerning the supernatural but it's also slightly disconcerting. Sometimes he forgets how aligned with the other-worldly the most powerful psychic of Spice City is.
Mob is marching towards the forest lining the street they were walking along and enters the woods without hesitation. Teru hurries after him.
It's completely dark save for the pale moonlight filtering through the dense treetops. The forest would be completely silent if it weren't for them trying to pave their way towards an unknown location.
There's a beaten path in the soil and Kageyama-kun's feet sink a little into the ground with every step but his stride is certain. He's covering a remarkable amount of distance in a short time. Teru's rarely seen him so determined and he finds himself having trouble keeping up with jumping over groves and trying to avoid branches.
"Uh, Kageyama-kun..."
The boy stops abruptly once he hears his name, almost like he's waking up from a daze. "Hanazawa-kun...are you alright?"
Teru doesn't feel very alright just about now but he waves him off. Since when are Kageyama-kun's athletic abilities surpassing his? The tiredness that has been plaguing him the whole day is back with a vengeance.
"I'm fine... but can we take it a bit slower? I have a little trouble keeping up." As is usual with his rival, he realizes.
Kageyama-kun looks back at him with dark bottomless seeming eyes. "The spirit energy that is gathering at the shrine is spiking rapidly. The best time for the ritual must be soon...maybe I can carry you, Hanazawa-kun?"
That's unexpected but Teru can't find a good reason to say no so he nods. At first he feels Kageyama-kun's psychic energy surround him, making him lighter and lighter until he's almost floating. Then his companion easily picks him up.
---
They arrive at the abandoned shrine at exactly 1:38 am. Teru makes sure to check his phone as soon as Kageyama-kun sets him down. The warmth that has accumulated while he was being carried evaporates quickly and leaves him shivering.
The building in front of them has definitely seen better days but it's still imposing from up close. The dark looming presence makes Teru want to hold his breath as to not to disturb the spirits who play between the pillars holding up the rooftop but Kageyama-kun doesn't seem to feel the same reverence.
"We need to find the sacred trees. Shishou said they would be scattered all around the temple but I..." he wrings his hands nervously "...have forgotten how to recognize them."
Teru blinks, then laughs. He was worried Kageyama-kun would stay in the composed persona he seems to specifically adopt for dealing with supernatural problems. The uncertain but gentle Kageyama is the one he usually gets to see when they hang out as friends and Teru's glad to get a glimpse of him right now.
"The trees are probably marked in some way. If we split up we should be able to search the area quickly." Teru suggests.
Kageyama-kun looks him up and down with unsure eyes. "I'd rather we don't split up."
Teru concurs easily because he actually didn't want to either, but after his little display of weakness earlier he wasn't about to voice that directly. He wonders if Kageyama-kun is learning to read him better or if he really just looks as worn as he feels.
"That's fine by me. It wouldn't be good if we lost each other anyway."
Teru smiles softly at Kageyama-kun who mirrors his expression. They stand like that for a moment before Mob looks away and whispers "It would be bad if I lost you." It makes Teru's cheeks feel uncomfortably warm.
Then they start searching.
The premise of the shrine is filled with various noises. It's jarring, especially compared to the eerily muted forest they just walked through. Teru can make out crickets and the sounds of numerous other critters. There's a constant rustling wherever they look.
A few time Teru catches himself nervously glancing behind them despite himself, but no one is there.
"The ghosts are talking about you. They say...uh, that you're pretty." Kageyama-kun takes his hand in a protective motion and Teru's heart rate picks up. He's feeling hot all over now but manages to mutter "Well, say thank you to them for me."
Kageyama shakes his head. "It's no good to talk to this type of spirits."
Teru swears he can hear someone sigh in protest but he decides it must be a delusion caused by the sudden onset of his fever.
He hopes they find one of the trees soon because the closer the clock comes to striking 2 am the worse he's starting to feel. Kageyama-kun tugs at his hand.
"Do you see that?" He points to a little clearing where an inconspicuous tree is partly hidden behind a low stone railing. Even from the distance the white O painted on its tree trunk is distinctly visible. Kageyama-kun picks up his pace a bit. "I remember now. You're supposed to nail the doll in the middle of the ring. That way the tree will absorb the curse."
Teru doesn't have the energy to do much more than nod. He wonders if Kageyama-kun really believes in this whole esoteric curse lifting thing. Maybe he would believe it too, if he could sense and talk to all kinds of creepy spirits but right now he just wants to be back in his bed.
They are finally at the destination of their little world trip and Teru leans against the tree. He's feeling so so tired.
Suddenly Kageyama-kun is right in his field of vision. "We're almost done, Hanazawa-kun...don't worry. Can you- can you cut off a strand of your hair?" He's suddenly holding scissors up to Teru's face. Where did he...
Teru's close to ask Kageyama to do it for him but then he remembers their initial meeting and decides that now's definitely not the right moment for a trip down memory lane. He weakly lifts his right arm and Kageyama presses the small scissors into his hand.
He lets his own hand linger over Teru's for a moment, then abruptly lets go.
Snip.
Teru is sure he has cut off more than the needed few centimeters but can't bring himself to care right now. Already Kageyama-kun has caught the fallen strand with his telekinesis and is tying it neatly around the little straw doll. A bead of sweat rolls down his forehead and Teru wonders if Kageyama-kun isn't feeling too great either. The night is really cold.
"I'll nail the doll to the tree now, Hanazawa-kun....it takes 5 hits. For every hit I make you have to confess something that has been bothering you." Teru gapes at Mob. He's suddenly feeling a bit clearer.
"You didn't mention that before."
Kageyama-kun shrugs nervously. "Shishou said I should wait with telling you until we're doing the ritual. I'm sorry."
Teru tries to push himself away from the tree but his legs barely support him "Can't you give me a bit more time?" he asks nervously.
Kageyama-kun uncharacteristically denies him by withdrawing a long iron nail wrapped in a thick piece of cloth from his (apparently really deep) pocket. "We have to do it now. It's almost 2 am."
There's no hammer to punch the nail in but he knows telekinesis will do, easily.
"OK." he groans. "Ready when you are."
Kageyama-kuns psychic powers amplify drastically for a second and then focus with pin-point accuracy on the nail. It floats right above the doll's chest and then plunges straight through it in one go.
"I'm really unhappy with my physics grade lately!" Teru shouts out and immediately feels embarrassed.
Kageyama-kun spares him a surprised glance but otherwise keeps concentrating at the task at hand.
Teru tries again.
"I still feel guilty for hurting you, Kageyama-kun."
Bang.
"I think about it every day!"
Bang.
"I don't think I can ever make it up to you..."
Bang.
"...but I really want to try because I- I have a crush on you!"
Kageyama's surprised "Wha-" is drowned out by the cracking sound the tree makes when the final hit is administered to the nail. He's gaping in an undignified way at Teru, who himself is clutching at the tree they just destroyed in a graceless way.
Most surprisingly Teru realizes that he's already feeling better. His fever has immediately gone down and he could stand up tall easily again, if it weren't for the crushing shame of his confession weighing him down. The small straw doll is hanging from the tree with the nail rammed as deep into it as it would go. The flat head of the nail is indenting its chest area. He's staring at it to avoid eye contact with Kageyama-kun who doesn't seem to have the same problem.
He's looking imploringly at Teru. "Do you really...?"
"This isn't really how I wanted to confess, but-"
"You really really like me?"
Teru's ready to sink into the ground and straight to hell when Kageyama-kun suddenly steps towards him and strokes his fringe away from his face. It's slightly damp with sweat and he cringes, humiliated. "Look, I'm sorry for pushing this on-"
He doesn't get to end that sentence because Kageyama-kun's lips are suddenly on his and he's pulling Teru closer by the shoulders. Kageyama's lips are chapped but the contact still sends an electric current up Teru's spine. His legs give away but Kageyama catches him.
"I like you too." he says like it's the most natural thing. There's blush high on his cheeks and it gives his otherwise pallid complexion a pleasantly warm tone.
"You could have probably lifted at least 5 curses from me if you had said that earlier, Kageyama-kun." The exhaustion is finally catching up with Teru, but it's the good kind that makes his muscles feel loose and his thoughts soft and slow. He rests his head on Kageyama's shoulder.
"If you carry me back home I'll definitely take you out on the best date of your life tomorrow." He mumbles into the fluffy material of Mob's hoodie and closes his eyes.
He doesn't see Kageyama-kun's smile but can hear it in the way he says "It's a promise."