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He knows his ceiling a lot better than he ever thought he would (not that he ever thought it. But, if he ever had, he wouldn’t have thought he’d know it this well). Its...different. Or, it’s the same as it has been since he was much, much younger, but it’s different than the ceiling he found himself staring at for the six months that didn’t actually happen. That fact in and of itself - the uniqueness of the ceiling that couldn’t be recreated in that world of unreality - is a calming sight to Shigeo as he lies awake on his futon late into the night. Or, early in the morning. He’s too tired to care about the details of it, he just knows that 3:37 is not a time he should be awake at, especially with the commitment of school looming in too few hours.
The shape on the ceiling that he decides to look at is kind of like a dog, but with a few extra limbs, sits unchanging as he stares at it. It’s his favorite shape to look at - sometimes he thinks that there’s a face there, but that doesn’t exist in reality, not here - and finding it allows his muscles to relax, even when he didn’t know he was tense.
He takes a deep, barely shaky breath, and lets it out slowly, letting his gaze fall from the ceiling to his desk. Color bursts to life around a pencil as it is lifted - another indicator that this world is the real one - and then he lowers it back into place. He closes his eyes - there is a soft glow he can see through his eyelids, from the streetlamps outside his house, so it’s not truly dark - and focuses.
His brother’s aura thrums in the room next to his, a steady presence. It wavers, swirling as his brother shifts in his sleep, fluctuating just so as his brother breathes. Shigeo just tries to match the breathing, banishing any thoughts of nightmares from his mind as he does so. If he focuses enough, he thinks he can feel slivers of his brothers aura settling into the house, strengthening its psychic presence.
He had noticed the house’s energy - put in place by Shigeo, and later Ritsu, by simply living there - changing, shifting from a deep purple presence to be bluer, different from his own aura but much more soothing. Even when his brother is away from the house, Shigeo can feel the residual aura and keep calm.
His eyes open once more, and he shifts until he is sitting up, his blankets falling onto his lap. A hand comes up to rub at his eyes as the other is held out, his phone unplugging and floating into it.
He knows when trying to fall back asleep is a futile effort.
Shigeo already has his eyes glued to the ground as he exits school, ready to walk home and maybe take a nap when he gets there. Or stare at his math homework until it all blurs together (unless his brother has time to help him through it).
He isn’t expecting a startling “Kageyama-kun!” from behind as he passes through the school gates. His shoulders shoot up to his ears as he looks up, fingers tightening around the handles of his messenger bag.
It’s Hanazawa, although he should have known; who else would it be? No one else really talks to him once school or club is out, and Hanazawa is the only one who would wait at the gates to do so.
“Oh, hello Hanazawa-kun. Why are you here?” Shigeo is able to meet his friend’s gaze for just a second before his eyes wander elsewhere. Eye contact is much too difficult, even with a friend. He is still able to see Hanazawa’s face fall slightly, arms that were raised in greeting falling back to his sides.
“We were going to hang out? Or, I thought that’s what the plans were.” Hanazawa’s face is scrunched up a bit, as he stares at Shigeo. He reaches a hand up to scrub at his eyes, self-consciously, as if to rub away the dark circles underneath them. “Unless, of course, you have other plans? Or just want to reschedule?”
Shigeo waves his hand “No, I just forgot we had plans today, sorry. I would still like to hang out.” Hanazawa smiles, although it looks a bit different than his usual smiles. Shigeo doesn’t really want to spend the energy figuring out why.
“Alright then! Shall we?” Hanazawa jerks his head in the direction of his apartment, and Shigeo falls into step next to him. His gaze shifts back to the pavement before they reach the corner of the street. The duration of the walk, Shigeo hums in response as Hanazawa talks about the new video game he’s going to be playing. He mentions it’s also multiplayer, and that Shigeo can join him if he wants to, but Shigeo declines, saying he’d rather just watch his friend play.
They have fallen silent by the time they reach the door to Hanazawa’s apartment, but it’s a pleasant silence, one without expectations, and for that, Shigeo is glad. He doesn’t think he could bring himself to actively participate in a conversation right now, not with how tired he is. He’s been feeling more and more exhausted as they walked, Hanazawa’s aura soft and comforting.
Once, he nearly suggested rescheduling because he would not be much fun to be around, but they were nearly at Hanazawa’s place and he didn’t want to inconvenience his friend like that.
Hanazawa pulls out his keys, unlocks the door, and holds it open for Shigeo to go through first. He does so with a quiet ‘thank you’, taking off his shoes just inside the door.
“You can go ahead and make yourself comfortable like usual, I’m just gonna grab some snacks and I’ll be right there.” Hanazawa says as he goes to rummage through some cupboards. Shigeo nods, then lets himself into the bedroom area of the apartment.
The apartment wasn’t really big enough for a separate living room area, so whenever they hang out at Hanazawa’s place, they end up sitting on his bed playing video games, maybe at the kitchen table if they’re having a study session.
Shigeo sets his bag on the floor, against the foot of the bed, and sits himself down atop the covers cross-legged, letting out a big yawn. Hanazawa strides into the room no more than a minute later, arms stacked with snacks of all sorts. A yellow glow surrounds the items currently cluttering the table, shoving them further back so there’s room to drop the food. If any food is needed, they usually just use telekinesis to float it over to them so the area around them isn’t too crowded.
He makes his way over to the TV to check that everything is connected correctly before popping in the new game, grabbing the controller, and - finally- joining Shigeo on the bed. It bounces a bit as his friend jumps onto it, jostling Shigeo in the process. Hanazawa scoots back until his back is against the wall, and Shigeo follows suit.
“I already have a save game, but I can always make a new one if you want to see the opening.” Hanazawa offers, but Shigeo waves it off.
“No, you don’t have to do that. You can just play from where you left off and explain anything that needs it.” It probably wouldn’t be worth it either, to start over. Shigeo’s been having a hard time focusing all day, and he wouldn’t want Hanazawa to reset his progress for him when he’s not sure he’d be able to follow it properly.
“Ah, ok Kageyama-kun." He flashes Shigeo a smile, and he feels himself relax just a fraction. Hanazawa’s focus turns to the screen as the game loads, navigating the start menu to get to his save file. Shigeo just. Closes his eyes for a moment. He can feel Hanazawa’s aura, strong and bright beside him, swirling like a whirlpool in his excitement.
The whole apartment gently hums with his residual power, actually, and Shigeo wonders - not for the first time - how long Hanazawa has actually lived here, and why. Shigeo’s never really had any reason or drive to ask him, and Hanazawa has never really offered any details himself, so Shigeo’s left to simply wondering.
The wisps of yellow aura spread out, almost like vines or roots, but softer somehow. The whole atmosphere of the apartment, and of his friend next to him, is soft and warm and safe.
---
Teruki’s character in the game takes a whole five steps before something pushes on his shoulder. He turns, wondering why Kageyama may want his attention, but he catches his words before they leave his throat.
Kageyama’s eyes are closed, his breathing even, and his head propped up against Teruki’s shoulder. He’s a bit surprised - yeah, Kageyama looked really tired, but he didn’t think his friend was this tired. He chews his lower lip, watching his sleeping friend. Why was he so tired? Was school just that hard? Does it have something to do with his powers? Or is it something else?
A large crash from the TV startles him, and he barely stops himself from jolting in surprise - he succeeds, only his tensing muscles giving away his panic - as his character is attacked by monsters. Kageyama sleeps on, luckily, as Teruki pauses the game and floats the remote over to turn the TV down.
He looks down at Kageyama once more before deciding there’s not much else to do but play video games, like he had been planning to do. He just wishes they weren’t sitting on the only blanket so he could drape it over Kageyama so he’d be more comfortable sleeping.
In lieu of a blanket, Teruki manages to quiety open his closet with his powers and retrieve a few sweaters to cover Kageyama up just a bit. Not perfect, but it’s enough, Teruki thinks, as his friend snuggles up under the fabric a little more, pressed slightly more against Teruki’s side. He scrubs at his warm face as he makes himself look back at the game.
---
When Shigeo blearily opens his eyes, he’s greeted with the white expanse of a ceiling. It swims a bit as he slowly regains consciousness, but moments later, his eyes and vision snap, one open and the other into clarity. He frantically scans the ceiling, finding no hint of the many-limbed dog, but also no sign of any faces.
A pressure on his shoulder makes his breath catch (he hadn’t realized it had been so quick and short until now) and his whole body tense. A head of blond hair, a smiling face, slide into view from his left.
“Damn, Kageyama-kun, am I really so boring that I put you to sleep?” Before the apology that already started to form can leave Shigeo, Hanazawa continues, “It’s ok, you looked like you really needed the nap.” Shigeo turns his head to the right, noticing the dark TV.
“You aren’t playing your game.” Shigeo’s voice comes out small, lilts of sorrow and unspoken apologies lurking under the words spoken. Out of the corner of his vision, he sees a hand wave around, holding a phone.
“I did, for a while.” Hanazawa waves the phone slightly, as if to explain what he’s been doing in the meantime. This doesn’t stop Shigeo from feeling bad. His shoulder is tapped again, as if Hanazawa is trying to comfort him, and he notices the arm slung across his shoulders, and the makeshift blanket made of sweaters.
He’s not sure when he started using Hanazawa’s lap as a pillow, but then again, he’s not sure when he last slept so soundly. As Shigeo shifts, preparing to sit up, Hanazawa lifts his arm and shifts it back to his side (he moves it jerkily, as if he had forgotten his arm was there in the first place). Threads of his aura lag behind, slowly unraveling from around Shigeo’s torso before returning to the correct esper.
With the faux warmth of the aura leaving, he feels more awake, and he sits up with a stretch and a yawn, one of the sweaters falling onto his legs. He slides himself back so he’s sitting next to Hanazawa once again, shoulder to shoulder.
“Sorry,” Shigeo can’t help but say, “for falling asleep. You were really excited to show me your game and I didn’t even see it.”
“That’s alright. I could play some more, if you want to see it.” Hanazawa offers. Shigeo thinks for a bit, then nods.
“I’d like that.”
It almost becomes a routine, of sorts. Shigeo would come over to Hanazawa’s, they’d sit together on the bed, and Shigeo would fall asleep to the soothing thrum of his friend’s aura, no matter how hard he tries to stay awake. Which usually wasn't that hard, because he knew the measly amount of sleep he has been getting in the night is not enough. Plus, when he was asleep with another esper’s aura so strong and so close to him, he never had any of the nightmares that plagued him at night
He still apologizes, every time after he wakes up, and every time, Hanazawa brushes it off. Half the time, he even prepares for their nap-based-hangouts by making a nest of soft things on his bed and napping alongside his tired friend. He told Shigeo it’s nice; he likes being able to hang out with a friend and nap with a friend and just be himself.
Once, when Shigeo was drifting between sleeping and waking, he felt Hanazawa brush the bangs from his forehead and heard him muttering to himself about how cute Shigeo looked when he was asleep, but Shigeo fell asleep again before he could think too much about that.
Shigeo’s birthday is on a Tuesday, and Reigen gives him the day off work for it. He doesn’t expect much from today, only the usual - his parents make him one of his favorite foods (or they go out to eat it, depending on how tired or busy they are) - a handful of presents from his family. Reigen already told him happy birthday over the phone when he told him to not come in today, and the Body Improvement Club all bellowed out a 'happy birthday', followed by a rushed chorus of ‘happy birthday’s from the Telepathy club.
He spots Hanazawa’s blond hair before he passes through the school gates, and he shifts his bag into his other hand. Hanazawa hasn’t noticed him yet - he’s on his phone - so Shigeo approaches him, noticing that his friend has his other hand behind his back. Shigeo stops next to him with a small greeting.
Hanazawa looks up with a grin, launching into conversation “Hello, Kageyama-kun! I don’t have much free time today, but I really wanted to get this to you.” He brings his hidden hand out. It’s holding a present, wrapped in a bright yellow, patterned paper, and with a blue and white polkadot ribbon tied around it.
Shigeo doesn’t realize that he’s just been staring at it until Hanazawa moves it closer to him, so he can take it. Shigeo does, then looks up at his friend. “Thank you, Hanazawa-kun. You really didn’t need to-”
“It’s nothing really.” Hanazawa waves it off, “I wanted to get you something! I wish I had more time today to spend with you, but maybe another day?” He doesn’t really give Shigeo time to respond to that (which is ok; Shigeo likes to make plans over text so he can remember them easier), “Anyways, I really have to get going now! But tell me if you like the present next time we hang out, ok?”
Shigeo nods, then watches as Hanazawa fast walks away. Even though he’s actively watching his friend leave, it almost feels like he’s still nearby? Which is odd, to put it lightly. Shigeo spares the present a glance before he sets off for home.
His parents greet him when he enters the house, and he makes his way to his room. He sets down his bag before focusing on the present. Taking a seat at his desk, he carefully undoes the ribbon, letting it fall to the floor as he looks for the tape holding the wrapping together.
The paper is removed with minimal tearing, and what sits in his lap is a blanket. Although, it’s not just simply a blanket, as Shigeo had come to realize as he walked home. He could feel the aura it contained, Hanazawa's aura, leaking out through the wrapping, and he wonders how Hanazawa did it. He would have to ask him when he saw him next.
The blanket lays folded up on his futon in the corner as he does his homework, then has dinner, and the rest of his normal Tuesday routine. However, they did end up going to a nearby ramen place for his birthday dinner.
As he gets ready for bed, he looks at the blanket once more. It’s aura is still as strong as earlier. After getting into pajamas, he sets the blanket aside and spreads out his futon, getting under the covers of it. After a beat, he floats it over, feeling the softness of it between his fingers.
He sits there for a few moments more before wrapping it around his shoulders and settling down to sleep.
He focuses on the way Hanazawa’s residual aura seeps from the blanket to envelop him, and falls asleep with its aura swirling amongst his own.
It’s the best night sleep he’s had in a long, long while.
---
Teruki is pulling on his uniform when his phone goes off. At first he assumes it’s a text (from who, he doesn’t know. It’s not the notification noise he set for Kageyama’s texts, so he doesn’t care to check right now) but then he realizes it’s a ringtone, alerting him to a call. He throws the jacket onto his bed as he unplugs his phone and floats it over to himself, checking the caller id.
It is Kageyama, it turns out. Teruki just never bothered to set the calling tone for him since he’s never the one to initiate phone calls. He quickly answers his phone before it can go to voicemail.
“Hello, Kageyama-kun.” He’s grinning, even though no one can see him. There’s no response back. A pocket dial…?
There’s a noise on the other end of the phone, that sounded suspiciously like a sniffle and his muscles go tense. He couldn’t have heard that right.
“Kageyama-kun?” He repeats, unable to keep out the hint of worry from his voice. Something is mumbled, and no matter how hard he strains his hearing he can’t decipher it.
He worries at his lip with his teeth, and runs a hand through his hair before finally steeling himself to say “Shigeo-kun? Are you ok? I can’t understand you. Do you need me to come over or…”
He trails off just in time to catch a soft, “Thank you” from his phone’s speaker. There’s a small noise that takes him far too long to place - it’s laughter, actual laughter from Kageyama! - and he allows himself to collapse onto his bed.
Kageyama takes a deep breath. “Th-thank you, Hanazawa-kun. It- uh, the blanket.” He goes silent for a bit, and Teruki waits, knowing that Kageyama is probably trying to say more words but is instead floundering to actually get them out.
“It helped a lot. Thank you.” Kageyama laughs a little bit (again, Teruki feels his heart flutter at the sound. God, he wishes he could hear it in person, but he honestly just feels lucky to hear it at all.), and Teruki joins in.
“Like I said, it’s nothing!” He can’t wipe the stupid grin off his face.
“How’d you do it? Get it to keep your aura like this?” Kageyama asks with a steadier voice, and Teruki isn’t sure if he’s imagining the happy tone to Kageyama’s voice, or if that’s actually a thing that’s happening right now.
“Well, I kind of got the idea from those Claw guys, where they could strengthen items to be stronger by just being with it for a while? So I wondered what would happen if I were to focus my aura onto a blanket. Would it get softer, or somehow more battle worthy? I wasn’t sure, so I did an experiment where I just absolutely soaked it with my aura for a while,” a few months, he does not say, “and it started to keep my aura in it. I…” He’s rambling now, Kageyama probably doesn’t want that much detail.
He moves his phone to his other ear, “I thought it might come in handy. With uh, sleeping and all.” He picks off a few stray bits of fluff from his clothes, suddenly feeling a little sheepish.
There’s rustling on the other end, then a small noise, before Kageyama mutters a small affirmation, and another thanks.
“I’m glad you liked it.” He’s more than glad, actually. He notices the time and alerts Kageyama, and they both say hurried goodbyes and hang up so they can get ready for school on time.
Teruki is still smiling as he walks to school, trying to commit the sound of Kageyama’s laugh to his memory.
---
100% Appreciation.