I love stories where Reigen meets Serizawa's mom. Small snippet below!
It was impossible for Reigen to not be nervous. His hands were sweaty and stiff around the bouquet of flowers, and it felt like he was walking awkwardly, as if his legs weren’t working correctly, but he was trying his best not to show it.
He clearly wasn’t hiding it well enough because Katsuya laughed at him. “It’s going to be alright, you don’t need to be so nervous.”
“But I do! First impressions mean everything.” He even tried to dress in his best casual clothes. A sweater and a nice pair of jeans. Jeans! What was he thinking? They’re too casual, he has to appear like a functioning adult that can take things seriously.
“I already told my mom all about you. She’s really excited to meet you.” He put a hand on Reigen’s back in an attempt to comfort him. “I’m really excited for you to meet her.”
Reigen took a deep breath, letting out a long sigh. “Right. Right. It’s not that big of a deal. Everything’s going to be alright.” Except he’s meeting his boyfriend’s mother. A really big part of his life. Reigen has never met any of his partner's parents before, he’s never gotten that far in a relationship, though there haven't been many. What if he fucks up? What if he embarrasses himself somehow? What if Katsuya realizes this is all a mistake?
“It’ll be more than alright,” Katsuya told him, looking at him with loving eyes. “It’ll be perfect.”
Reigen smiled. It was terrifying, but not all that hard to believe when it comes from Katsuya. Any moment with him is perfect. He nodded as Katsuya led him down the street and to a house.
It wasn’t all that big, but it was a very nice house from the outside. All the houses in the neighborhood had brick walls with iron gates, though it wasn’t that tall. It was a one story house with some small flower bushes in front of it.
Katsuya opened the gate and guided Reigen in. He was planning things to say in his head, how to properly greet her and introduce himself, when the door opened before they even got to it.
A woman, much smaller than Reigen expected and a little plump, was behind it. She was smiling wide and came out to greet them. “Oh I was just so excited I couldn’t wait!” she began, rushing over.
She held her hands out to Katsuya, who leaned down to hug her. She grabbed his face and kissed his cheek. “I hope you’ve been well.” She turned to Reigen, still wearing that bright smile. “I’m so happy to finally meet you! Katsuya has told me all about you.”
“Really?” Reigen asked, even though he already knew that. Katsuya just told him that, and he told him before all this was even planned. “I’m happy to meet you too. I uh, brought you flowers.” He held them out to her.
“Oh you shouldn’t have!” She took them from him. “So sweet. Well come! Come inside, the food is almost ready.”
She led the way, taking off her crocs at the genkan before continuing in the house. Reigen couldn’t help but find the similarities between her and Katsuya. They both had the same nose and eyes, they had similar styles of casual clothes including the crocs, and they both had a comfortable energy.
He took off his shoes just as Katsuya did. Then Katsuya grabbed his hand, lacing their fingers together, and Reigen hoped his hands weren’t obviously sweaty.
They followed his mother to the kitchen. There was a rice maker, a pot, and a tupperware with foil wrapped on top of it.
Serizawa-san opened a bottom cabinet on the edge of the counter, pulling out a clear vase. She set the flowers down as she filled the vase with water before unwrapping the flowers and snipping the bottoms off. Then she placed them in the vase, arranging them to look nice and fixing their petals.
“There,” she said proudly. “Now, how was the ride over? I hope it wasn’t too long.”
“No, not at all,” Katsuya answered. Reigen was a little grateful, since they had to go to the next town over, they took a train. Reigen was still a little nervous getting on trains, but the fear has gotten easier. Especially with Katsuya there.
“Good, good, I’m glad. Next time I’ll have to visit you. I’ll bring some cookies. Have you been eating well?”
“Yes mom. In fact, Reigen has taught me some recipes!” Katusya put his hand on Reigen’s lower back, making him feel like he was being shown off.
“Really? Ah, I’m so happy.” She took Reigen’s hands. “I’m so thankful for you, taking care of my boy. He speaks so highly of you.”
Reigen felt his face warm up. “Ah, really? He speaks a lot about you too, Serizawa-san. A lot of good things.”
She laughed a little, Reigen realized that her laugh was similar to Katsuya’s. Quiet, but full of joy. “Please, there’s no need to be formal, call me Kinza.”
“A-alright, Kinza.” That felt weird. She’s so welcoming and bright, it would never go this well if Katsuya was meeting his parents. Then again they’re still hoping that he’s just in a phase and he’ll settle down with a woman.
The rice cooker went off with a jingle, starting to release pressure. Kinza turned around to silence it, grabbing bowls. “Sounds like it’s ready! I hope you like tonkatsu and curry. Katsuya told me you like pork.”
Reigen smiled, glancing at Katsuya. “I do, I’m excited to taste your food.”
She started scooping the rice into the bowls. “If you like it I can give you the recipe. The curry was Katsuya’s favorite growing up.”
“Please do.” Katsuya was a bit of a picky eater, but he always tried anything Reigen would make. Having a favorite food of his would make things easier for him.
“Katsuya, can you help set everything up?”
“Of course.” He pulled out a drawer, grabbing chopsticks and spoons. Then he grabbed a few empty cups before heading to the dining room.
“Is there anything I can do to help?” Reigen asked, feeling awkward just standing there.
Kinza poured curry onto the side of the bowls. “You can help carry the bowls to the kotatsu once I’m done. I need to get the water as well. Is there anything else you would like to drink?”
“Water is fine, thank you.”
“Alright then.” She opened the tinfoil on the tupperware, pulling out strips of tonkatsu. It all looked delicious, and Reigen couldn’t wait to try it. She handed him two bowls. “Here we go.”
“It smells really good!”
She chuckled, opening the fridge and pulling out a water container. “Thank you, I hope you enjoy it!”
After Kinza grabbed her bowl, she led Reigen to the dining room where Katsuya was finishing setting up. She took her place at the small table, and Katsuya and Reigen sat across from her.
“So, tell me about yourself, Reigen,” she asked, starting the conversation. Oh god, that was such a horrible question he hated to answer.
“Uh, I’m not really sure what to say. I’m not sure how much Katsuya has told you.”
“It doesn’t matter, I want to hear it from you.”
“Well, I run a spirit consultation office with Katsuya. I plan on becoming the greatest psychic Japan has ever seen, I really just want to help people with all sorts of problems.” Katsuya has done some great work there, he’s made a lot of people happy.”
“That makes me so happy to hear! I know he hated his powers for the longest time, so I’m glad that he found a good use for them. So, how did you two meet?”
“Mom!” Katsuya complained, starting to pout a bit.
“What? You refuse to tell me. Is it really an embarrassing story?”
Reigen laughed a little. “It’s a little embarrassing, for me at least,” he admitted. It was sorta a half truth, he completely underestimated Suzuki. Plus it took the pressure off his boyfriend. He’s admitted he has yet to tell Kinza about Claw. “Let’s just say, Katsuya saved my life. I knew I had to hire him the moment I met him. I should have known I would have fallen for him.” Katsuya’s face burned brightly, but he was smiling as he looked away. That was a win in Reigen’s book.
“Aw, so sweet. Maybe one day I’ll get more details. But I’m happy to hear it’s a positive story. A good relationship has to start well.”
“First impressions are everything.” Reigen sent a glance at Katsuya. He rolled his eyes.
“Arataka is obsessed with being professional,” he said. “He’s taught me a lot. I really feel like I’m in control of my powers these days.”
“I’m so happy to hear! How do you normally use them?”
“I mostly use them at work, it’s nothing much.”
“Don’t be so humble,” Reigen told him, nudging him with his elbow. “You should see him work. It’s amazing how he uses his powers to exorcise evil spirits! They can’t even touch him.”
“Sounds exciting!”
Reigen nodded. “Last week he took on a spirit the size of a house! It was nothing but a paper monster to him. He should be proud of his strength and control.”
“Well there are things you do that I can’t. Arataka is a master at physical exorcisms. When someone has a spirit on their shoulder that’s hurting them, he uses massage like techniques to help them. No one leaves the office unsatisfied thanks to him.”
“You’re a big part of that too. I would be struggling without you.”
“I didn’t say I wasn’t.”
Kinza laughed again, “You two are just adorable. Katsuya, you better take good care of this one, Reigen is a keeper.”
Reigen felt his face warm up. Katsuya put a hand on his shoulder. “I know, I think so too.” He gave him a warm smile.
Reigen returned the smile, starting to feel more comfortable as they settled in. He should have known not to be nervous. Katsuya and Kinza were wonderful people.
I’ve been practicing and learning how to use the keyframes in clip studio unfortunately only 24 frames, still made it work! Here’s the gifs I did from official art 🙏
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the
Organization for Transformative Works
Serirei Week: Day Five Sleep
Summary: Reigen was not the type of man who cried often. He was quick to joke, slow to anger. A bright man who kept his emotions locked up. The only proof Serizawa had that he did cry were the dried tear streaks after Mob’s explosion. But that was changing quickly.
i know im a day late, i was camping and had to speed through this. i don’t know if i like the end result but i’m tired of looking at this and need to finish todays prompt </3
