Work Text:
Mob had just finished his workout routine with the Body Improvement Club for the day. He had already caught his breath and changed back into his uniform, but he still felt tired and sore. However, regardless of how many times he passed out or collapsed from exhaustion, he knew it would all be worth it in the end when he got his muscles. Being sore meant that it was working.
He waved goodbye to his fellow club members and started walking back towards his house. Then, he happened to pass by his master, Reigen.
"Hey, Mob! How're you doing?" Reigen greeted him.
"I'm walking home, master," said Mob.
"From that 'Body Improvement' whatever you've been up to lately, huh?"
"Yes, master," Mob replied, still walking.
"You tired?" Reigen asked.
Mob was tired. His legs hurt with every step, and he would've much rather been sitting down than walking, but he had to get home.
"I guess..." he said.
Reigen smiled and gestured towards himself, "How about I give you a lift, then? It's on me," he said proudly. Mob didn't quite understand.
"You don't have a car with you..." Mob said quietly. Reigen made a weird little face and quickly repositioned himself in front of Mob, walking backwards so he wouldn't get run into.
"No, I mean I'll carry you!" said Reigen, "Like this," and posed his torso and arms in a vague mimicry of giving someone a piggyback ride. Anyone else in Mob's place would've thought Reigen looked ridiculous, right then.
Mob stopped walking and blinked, "That's not necessary, master. I can walk."
Reigen put his hands on his hips, "What? Didn't you say you were tired?" Mob was tired...
"Yes..."
"I insist! It won't come out of your paycheck, I promise. Even you deserve a little rest, every now and then. Come on," Reigen said, crouching down to a level where he'd be easier to climb onto.
Mob sighed internally.
"Alright," Mob said.
"There we go! It's not every day that someone gets an opportunity like this from the world's greatest psychic!"
"You're very generous, master," said Mob as he walked around Reigen and placed his arms over his shoulders.
"That's right, I am. Don't mention it," Reigen said, "And up!" Reigen steadily rose to stand after getting a good grip on Mob's legs and making sure he was positioned safely, then started walking.
It wasn't bad at all. Mob was truly relieved to rest his legs after all of the running he'd done that day, and he was getting an interesting new view of his typical going-home route from his current altitude. It felt nice. Mob wasn't at all hard for Reigen to carry. The kid was light, like a box of cereal. Reigen figured he himself probably wouldn't even break a sweat, and was already congratulating himself on being a kind 'master' to his 'student.' This was turning out to be a very pleasant walk.
Then something caught one of Reigen's feet. It could've been a tree root, a crack in the sidewalk, a sleeping dog-- Reigen would never know, he hadn't been looking. He felt himself pitch forwards, and fully grasped his situation in horrifying detail.
Shit!! Reigen thought, I screwed up!! I go and give the kid a friendly little ride, and this happens! Good God! What did I do to deserve this?!
Time seemed to move in slow motion as the ground got closer and closer. This was it. He was falling. Without a doubt, he was going to hit that sidewalk. And poor, naive, misguided Mob would be dragged down with him. Why did fate have to be so cruel?
And what would happen when they hit the ground? Oh, Reigen could only imagine. What if the kid fucking explodes on impact?? he thought, Can that happen?? He's always surprising me, that Mob. It's not an impossibility. What if he's unharmed, but hates me for it? He could hear it crystal clear: 'What's wrong with you, master? What kind of master are you at all? You really are a fake, a real psychic wouldn't have dropped me like that. Goodbye forever.' Unbelievable dread mixed with terror at the thought of every outcome. Please, no!
Closer and closer the earth came, rising to meet him. This is it!! I'm gonna hit it!! Here it comes!! Reigen, unable to take it any more, released a high pitched scream as he fell.
Limbs flying in every possible direction, Reigen collided face-first with the pavement. He could feel every tiny pebble, every fleck of dirt dig into cheeks, lips, and forehead as gravity mercilessly ground his body into the concrete.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUAAUUAUAUURRGHHHHHHHHH!!"
And just like that, the moment was over. It was all over. The world was silent as renowned psychic Arataka Reigen's body lay dashed upon the barren path.
And there was Mob, floating in midair above the scene of the crime, face deadpan, not a scratch on him.
"Master."
Reigen didn't respond. He had nothing to say. He couldn't move. He couldn't even look up.
Eventually, Mob left, and the sky grew dark.
Reigen decided to just sleep where he'd fallen, that night.