In Plain Sight
This is a drabble going out to @cinensis as a thank you for his continued support. Sorry it took so long, and hope it is much enjoyed!
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It starts with a kiss.
It’s still early on. Serizawa has become bolder, his fingers cupping Reigen’s cheeks without him even having to put them there. He had been keeping count of their kisses, but he’s lost track now. Because Reigen likes kissing, and he tends to pull Serizawa in when they pass each other in the halls of the office, when Serizawa gets ready to leave for the day, even when he’s just too close for too long.
This time, he’s walked him home after dinner. Serizawa has no idea how to ask Reigen if he can come in. Part of him wants more, or even the possibility of more, but even after a few weeks of dating, the end of the night is just that: the end.
Reigen opens his mouth a little, and Serizawa can feel his tongue. It’s touching his, and, encouraged, Serizawa moves his palms down to Reigen’s shoulders, to his chest.
He squeezes.
When Reigen pulls back with a gasp, his eyes are wide, but not in a particularly pleased way. He looks the way Serizawa does when he is on the verge of panic, and Serizawa is going to say something, but then...the moment ends. Reigen flicks his hair back, yanks Serizawa back in and kisses his forehead. “See ya at work, Seri,” he says, and Serizawa doesn’t even get the chance to say goodnight before the door is opened and closed, leaving him alone with the pinching, terrible awful that is thinking he has done something wrong.
Then, it’s a photo.
Reigen has tasked him with the work of going through boxes of old papers to be filed or thrown away, and at the bottom of one of the oldest and dustiest is a paperclip with several old photos. Most of them are people that Serizawa doesn’t recognize, but then he comes to one that stands out. A blonde girl with shoulder-length hair is smiling at the camera, holding a small chocolate heart, and she looks...so familiar.
“Reigen-san?”
Reigen doesn’t glance up from the magazine he is flipping through. “Hmm?”
“Do you have any siblings?”
“Nope. Only child. Why?”
Serizawa holds up the photos. “I found these while going through one of these boxes. She looked like she might be related to you. Are these family photos?”
That gets Reigen’s attention. He puts the magazine down and gets up, narrowing his eyes at the photo. He’s silent, pensive, glaring at the photo for a moment until he drops it into the discard pile. “Don’t know how that got in there. Nothing important.”
Serizawa swallows and doesn’t say anything until it’s time for lunch.
Finally, it’s an accident.
Serizawa makes Reigen tea. It’s hot, of course, and he warns him of such, but Reigen doesn’t listen. This time, though, a stack of papers on his desk serves to not only keep him from putting the cup down as he burns his mouth but also causes it to slip, spilling onto his shirt. His face contorts with pain as he staggers to standing, quickly removing his jacket to start unbuttoning the shirt.
“Arataka!” Serizawa cries out, his psychic power suddenly flaring in a bright rush. It clears off the desk entirely, papers flying, small items scattering to the floor. The cup and any remaining drops of tea that hadn’t already soaked into the dress shirt are flung into the wall, shattering.
They stare at one another.
“I’m so sorry,” Serizawa blurts, running to the bathroom. He soaks a rag in cold water before returning, and he is at Reigen’s side, pressing the compact against the red, swelling flesh.
Reigen seems to blink as the shock wears off, and his gaze wavers slightly. He puts his hands to Serizawa’s wrists. “It’s...it’s fine, Seri. It’s not your fault.”
Maybe it’s the movement of his arms, or maybe it’s because Serizawa is so close to him, but that’s the moment he sees the scarring on his chest. Twin marks on each pect. And it’s like a swarm of dust has been cleared between Serizawa’s ears.
“I’m the one who should be sorry,” Reigen whispers.
He looks up, and Serizawa knows that Reigen has seen him staring. Everything in his face is tight, compact, pained. Worried.
For maybe the first time since their relationship began, Serizawa takes a step and presses his lips to Reigen’s. They have shared other kisses, but Serizawa has never initiated one in the office. He makes it count, soft and still and tender.
“You never have to apologize to me,” he said finally, resting his forehead against Reigen’s. His mouth is dry, but he pushes on. “I love all of you. Even your impatience when it comes to tea, and your...fastidiousness about the office files…”
Reigen laughs softly at that.
“And I love everything about you that I don’t know yet. Nothing changes that. Nothing will change that.”
Reigen is silent until he pushes his head into Serizawa’s shoulder and lets out a long, deep breath.
Two nights later, when Serizawa walks him home, he invites him inside.