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Reigen and Serizawa sat themselves at a booth in a new bar that opened up downtown. One of Serizawa’s friends recommended it. Apparently you could order your drinks from the table through a built-in tablet.
The tablet could even send a drink to a neighbouring table if you were ‘feeling flirty’, not that Serizawa had any intention to flirt. Still, the thought crossed Serizawa’s mind as he looked towards Reigen. He would never act on those thoughts but they stayed neatly tucked away in the daydream folder of his brain.
He had enough self control to keep his thoughts on how Reigen looked to himself.
Reigen looked great in his jeans and black shirt with a couple buttons loosened. His hair was slicked into a side part that just made his brown eyes more enticing to look into.
Serizawa felt a little silly wearing his Hawaiian shirt, buttons firmly buttoned. He’s gone out drinking with Reigen a couple times but they always went in their suits after work so the more casual attire was a little new.
Despite having gone to bars before Serizawa didn’t have any idea what was and wasn’t fashionable for this type of outing. He tried asking his friends from night class but they kept giving suggestions for what to wear on a date instead.
Despite how much Serizawa wanted it to be, this outing was not a date.
Even if the way Reigen spoke left Serizawa with a pleasant kind of anxiety he wasn’t aware existed, they were just friends.
Reigen leaned closer and so did a scent of lingering incense. “So, what’cha wanna order? I’ll pay.”
“Oh thank you! Uhh-” Serizawa looked at the screen. There were so many options. He looked back at Reigen as if the man could predict the perfect drink for him.
Oh no. That was a mistake.
Reigen was looking directly at him with a patient smile. Serizawa felt a warm rush up his face. He quickly returned to the menu, a yellow drink caught his eye. He tapped the screen, “Number three sounds good,” he forced out as calmly as he could.
Reigen took the tablet away then squinted at it. “Great pick Serizawa. That’s normally my go to drink. I’d get the same but I want to get another favourite of mine,“ Reigen stared at the screen for a moment as his finger swiped then hesitated just above.
All Serizawa could offer for assistance was an “are you-” before Reigen spoke again.
“Don’t worry Serizawa, I got this, I’m no stranger to technology.”
Serizawa watched as Reigen’s eyes jumped across the screen. Reigen was clearly lying about knowing what he was doing. He did that sort of thing a lot. His lies were never malicious but it felt like they came from a place of fear that people would reject him over the truth.
It made Serizawa uneasy.
The lies were unnecessary. So many people cherish Reigen because they can see through his lies and see the person underneath. However, Serizawa may be biassed in his judgement.
Reigen loudly tapped the screen an obscene amount of times, “annnd done. Our drinks should be here shortly! Soooo, Serizawa, anything new going on?”
Truthfully, the newest thing going on for Serizawa was the new friends he made at night class and a realisation that he liked his boss in a way the business etiquette books forbid.
Luckily, feelings aren’t tangible.
They lack consequence unless acted on.
Serizawa wasn’t ready to face the consequences just yet.
He told Reigen about his classes earning a small bout of praise. From there they began chatting about some of their more chaotic cases. Reigen’s hands were flying as he retold the story of facing a possessed squid at an aquarium as if Serizawa wasn’t there to exorcize the thing.
Regardless, Serizawa listened to each word and laughed at the exaggeration of the experience.
Reigen described the squid as some great kraken lunging towards him with incredible force when in reality the possessed squid was a tiny baby that refused to let go of Reigen’s arm. Hardly malicious by any means.
Suddenly a woman dropped off a large set of drinks at the table. “Here you go.”
Serizawa and Reigen gave each other a look. He didn’t recall ordering so many drinks. Reigen seemed to be in agreement with how wide his eyes went as the woman left before he could say anything.
“Reigen, did you mean to order this many drinks?”
“Of course! I wouldn’t order this many without reason! You say that like we can’t handle our alcohol.”
It was most definitely a mistake. They only planned to go out for one drink tonight and he was well aware of how low both their tolerances were.
There was no reason to dwell on it, they just need to remember to pace themselves and Serizawa will try to reimburse Reigen later.
They both drank in unison.
The yellow drink was painfully sour but bearable and nicely lemony. Reigen grimaced after a sip of his pink drink leading to a not so subtle effort to trade. It was fun watching him state his case like he was making a serious business proposition.
Serizawa was sold the moment Reigen said his drink was sweeter. (Plus he couldn’t bear to see Reigen suffer through a drink he obviously didn’t like.)
The pair were much happier after the swap. They both resumed their chatter about anything and everything. Serizawa didn’t mind what they were talking about; he was just happy to be spending time together.
He watched as Reigen’s gestures became more relaxed, like he was no longer putting on an act to seem more put together than he felt. Soon after, Reigen’s face flushed rather cutely from the alcohol.
However, Serizawa would never say that out loud.
Reigen tilted his head, “huh? You were mumbling. What’s cute?”
A static feeling beneath Serizawa’s skin spiked, nearly knocking over the remaining drinks on the table. The room suddenly felt warmer. Did he really just say that out loud?
Reigen jumped in his seat, “Hey! I paid good money for those!” He yelled.
Serizawa apologised then the topic was dropped as quickly as it came up. They continued chatting between drinks but Serizawa made an effort not to let anything else slip.
He had enough self control to keep his thoughts to himself… or at least… he hoped so.
Reigen was his friend and he can’t jeopardise that by making how he feels known (even if by accident).
There was no way to know the reaction it would bring.
Would a confession lead to them parting ways? There was no way such a declaration wouldn’t ruin what they have now in the present.
Even if by some miracle Reigen did return his feelings, what would that mean for their relationship? Would they continue as they are? Chatting and working together so comfortably or would Serizawa’s fear of meeting an invisible expectation and messing up leave him immobilised? Stuck second guessing his every decision…
Would he even have the courage to reach out and hold the other man’s hand? Would he hesitate just a hair away leaving his desire intangible?
He simply didn’t know.
The uncertainty felt too overwhelming. It left him with too much to think about.
Everything seemed to get more hazy as the night went on. It was probably a mix of fatigue and alcohol. Serizawa’s worries soon felt far in the distance, just beyond reach.
It took some time but Serizawa managed to convince Reigen it was time to go home. They both left the bar with various degrees of stumbling. The slightly cooler air was a nice contrast to the scorching summer heat that plagued the day.
Reigen kept rambling as they made their way to a taxi rank only to interrupt himself mid sentence. He squinted before grabbing Serizawa’s arm for support.“ Youuuu look so much like my friend.”
Serizawa blushed at the sudden contact, “Which friend?” He asked while trying to tamp down the static feeling beneath his skin.
“You wouldn’t know him. His name is Serizawa, he’s a great guy, you should meet him.” The orange street lights almost made Reigen’s face appear more red, truly an odd trick of the light.
Serizawa let out a warm chuckle. Did Reigen really forget what he looked like? Or was his eyesight that poor?
Reigen let go, almost stumbling straight to the floor in the process, then glared angrily. He stopped walking altogether. “What’s so funnny ? Got something against my friend ? I’m the greatest psychic of the … the… greatest psychic! So don’t make fun of my good friend.”
Serizawa was a little concerned but touched that Reigen was seemingly willing to threaten someone over his honour (even the threat was entirely empty on account of a lack of psychic powers).
“Sorry, I’m laughing because I am Serizawa.”
Reigen swayed then raised an eyebrow unconvinced.
It seems like Serizawa needed another approach if they were both going to make it home. “Ok, I’m not making fun of your friend.” Serizawa smiled warmly when the word 'friend' left his mouth. It was nice to acknowledge that Reigen saw him as more than a business partner.
Maybe their relationship was stronger than he thought.
Reigen smiled. He followed after Serizawa. “Good because I think I …” he mumbled slightly, “But don’t tell him I said that.”
Everything felt a little fuzzy for a moment, he couldn’t catch what Reigen just said. He frowned slightly. What wasn’t he supposed to tell himself?
“Huh? Could you repeat that?” Was all he could muster.
Reigen remained silent before pointing excitedly at the taxi rank. The previous subject was promptly dropped. They opted to share a taxi to save money. They both huddled in. The only sound was the hum of the car and tire against the road.
Reigen leaned his head against the car window. The passing street lights temporarily lit up his features before disappearing into the darkness of night. His eyes were half open and his hair was messied in a way that Serizawa found endearing.
For some unknown reason Serizawa was feeling brave enough to tell Reigen how he felt. Maybe their friendship was strong enough to overcome the potential fall out and if not…
Well, that worry felt distant.
He was willing to make his feelings tangible to the outside world.
His mouth didn’t seem to want to cooperate though, “Reigen I think I…I lov…lo-” he couldn’t get the word out. He wrung his hands together before trying again, “I care about you so much. I just… I want us to be honest with each other.”
Serizawa scrunched his eyes waiting for a response. Was Reigen going to be mad that he overstepped his place as a friend? Maybe they weren’t as close as he thought and his inexperience was warped his perception of-
A loud snore broke out.
Serizawa looked over.
Reigen was fast asleep.
It seems Serizawa avoided any consequences for acting on his feelings. Somehow that hurt more than any doomsday scenario he could come up with.
—Alternate ending because why not—
It’s been two hours since they ordered drinks.
Reigen tried to get the attention of a woman carrying a mountain of empty glasses before they disappeared into the void of the staff only area. “Excuse me, I know things are hectic but our drinks still haven’t showed?”
The young woman seemed startled at having been interrupted but recovered quickly with a mild smile before asking “Can I see the receipt?”
“Oh yes, here” Reigen showed her the tablet with the order receipt in clear view.
Her smile became more forced. A twitch. “Sir… you ordered to table number three… this is table number nine. Before you ask, no, we do not offer refunds”
“Reigen, was this because you didn’t know how to use the tablet?” Serizawa attempted to ask despite already knowing the answer.
“O-ofcourse not! This was intentional! I was simply testing your… patience and you passed. Congratulations Serizawa!”
The woman just stared at Reigen like she was questioning the life choices that led to this moment before going back to returning empty glasses.
Reigen’s face went bright red and wet with a layer of sweat, it looked like someone tipped a bucket of water on him. “ Wow Serizawa! Look at the time we should really be getting home now.” Reigen squeaked out while performing a nonchalant arm stretch that turned into an obviously fake yawn.
“Seems so,” Serizawa replied. It seems the only thing catastrophic Reigen’s lies led to was a night of loitering at a bar they won’t have the courage to show their faces in again.
At Least the company was nice.