Chapter Text
With a tense grunt, Shigeo places the last of the boxes down on the apartment floor, heaving out a heavy breath as he wipes a bead of sweat from his brow. Adrenaline leaks out of his feet, his legs suddenly feeling like jello, and he leans into the wall. “Last one.”
Bright yellow energy dances through the doorway as Teru walks in, his phone floating next to his head. A gentle strumming of guitars echoes from the phone’s speaker as he sets a box down next to Shigeo’s. He turns to him with a grin, flicking his wrist to close and lock the door. “Last one,” he repeats.
Shigeo chuckles and a comfortable quiet falls upon them. He glances around the apartment, full of piled up boxes, misplaced furniture, and blank walls. His new home.
…No, not just his. He glances over, drinking in his boyfriend’s appearance – sweaty hair, disheveled clothes, pit stains and all – and it warms his whole body. He reaches over and gently squeezes Teru’s hand. Their new home. This is the start of their future together. A future filled with dreams, hopes… and uncertainty.
“So…” Teru starts, breaking the silence, his brows knitting together and his mouth stretching into a strained grin. “I’m starving! Where, uh… Where did we put the silverware?”
A weight hits Shigeo’s gut as he looks around hesitantly. “Uh…”
They both share a glance before breaking out into giggles.
“Takeout?”
Shigeo quickly nods. “Takeout.”
Teru untangles their fingers, scooting boxes away so he can make a small path to their floor couch. The apartment is small, a simple one bedroom, so their living room was already going to be cozy, so with the extra boxes, it’s a bit claustrophobic.
Shigeo heaves himself off of the wall, legs still a bit shaky from walking up all those flights of stairs. He pulls out his phone. “Delivery?”
“Yeah, let’s do pork tonkatsu! That will travel well.” Teru moves a few more boxes to the side and off their kotatsu.
Shigeo nods, quickly pulling up the app and handing it to Teru to make his picks. He shuffles around him before sitting down heavily on their floor sofa. It was a purchase Teru made right before they moved in – a small floor sofa and a square kotatsu table. Shigeo didn’t have a kotatsu or use one much with his parents, but he always enjoyed curling up under it at his grandma Tome’s house.
He sinks into the comfy material, sighing in relief. Everything had gone perfectly.
Shigeo was so happy to have Teru’s expertise when they finally decided to make the big change. Teru knew what they would need, how they could save money, what steps they should take, all planned out across multiple checklists and spreadsheets and documents. It made what could have been months of headache and sleepless nights into a breeze.
It took saving up during their first two years of university to be able to afford the move-in costs and the new furniture, but it was worth it. Everything fell into place from the moment they started to look for an apartment to now, as they sit among their life treasures.
“Hey,” Shigeo snaps his head up, knocked back to the present as Teru waves his phone in front of him. “Your turn.”
Shigeo takes back the phone and puts his order in as Teru sits down next to him, snuggling in close to his side.
“Sorry for the sweaty cuddle,” Teru mutters into his shoulder.
Shigeo’s whole chest swells with love. “You look great to me.
Teru responds with a giggle and a teasing poke. “I probably smell so bad. I’ll need a long shower after this. But first,” he throws his arms into the air dramatically, “FOOD!”
Shigeo chuckles, finishing his picks and clicking send. “We have 30 minutes before it gets here.”
Teru grins and moves in closer with a glint in his eye as he gracefully winds an arm around Shigeo’s shoulder. He tilts his head to the side, blond hair drifting across his face with a silent question.
Ohhh, Shigeo knows that look. He loves that look.
He quickly leans forward, answering with a kiss. Teru eagerly presses back, arms tightening and dragging their bodies closer.
Loving Teru is easy. He is beautiful, cunning, and so smart. Kissing Teru is easy, his lips smooth like the outside of ripe fruit.
Moving in with Teru…
Is easy.
They are knee deep in unpacking, trying to get as many things in their proper place as possible before classes start. Shelves need to be built, tables put together – it’s a lot, but Shigeo feels like they have made good progress by the time they come back to it after lunch.
As they tear into a new mountain of boxes in the corner, Teru floats one from the top across the room. “Hey, Shige, I think this is yours. Feels like books.”
Shigeo reaches out with his own energy, purple encircling the cardboard and he turns to place it down in a corner. He is currently working on unpacking his winter clothes and wants to get through those before starting on another box. “I think it’s my old manga from when I was a kid. I’ll unpack them later.”
He turns back towards his boyfriend, only to snort in surprise as Teru is halfway into a large box, his butt hanging out the top. Teru’s head snaps up at the sound, an unserious glare on his face. “Hey, you! Stop staring!”
Shigeo picks his way across the room, peering in. Ah, clothes. Makes sense why it is so large.
Teru pulls out a bright maroon blouse with yellow frills on the shoulders. “Ohhh, I was wondering where you went!” He shakes the garment: “This one was always fun, I love how it moves when I walk.”
A hum and a nod. “What else do you have in there?”
Teru eagerly digs in and starts pulling out the clothes - many outfits Shigeo has seen, and some new ones. Teru folds them into piles, indicating where they will go in the closet. As they work through the box, the sun slowly moves across their living room, both engrossed in the activity, until Teru’s stomach cuts them off.
“Ah, shoot, we barely made a dent cuz I got distracted by my clothes,” Teru mutters.
Shigeo kisses him on the cheek, and Teru lets out a high pitched snort, making Shigeo’s heart soar. “We still have a few more days before the semester starts.”
“Yeah! Oh, make sure to unpack your manga books, by the way. You moved them over against the wall.”
Shigeo nods, before he shifts through the maze towards the kitchen, hoping they have some easy food for dinner.
The next day, the unpacking continues. Organizing items, getting distracted by others. As the boxes dwindle, Shigeo moves his manga box near the genkan. Teru asked him to put them away, and he doesn’t want to forget. Right in the entryway means he will see it until he gets to it. It’s what he has always done, even at home.
“Shige, your phone is ringing!”
Oh, he barely heard it over the shuffling of cardboard and furniture. Shigeo quickly floats his phone to his hands with his powers and a smile spreads over his face. “Oh, it’s my Mom – hi, Mom!” He hovers over the boxes blocking the hallway to get to the bedroom. “Yeah, just unpacking. How’s Dad? Is he lonely yet?”
“Oh, you know, he says he isn’t, but he is. Ritsu left to live away before you did, so we really are empty nesters now! How is unpacking going?”
He gently closes the bedroom door, muffling the sounds of Teru shuffling around in the living room. “Good. Teru has already unpacked so much, he’s so experienced.”
It’s nice to talk to his mom again - leaving home was bittersweet. But his heart was ready to take this next step in life, even as he knew he was leaving something behind.
They chat for a little bit, until Shigeo hears a thump and a swear come from the living room.
“Oh, I think Teru dropped something. I should help him out.”
“Go be a helpful boyfriend!”
“Ha, I will. Love you.”
“Love you too, Shige.”
He hangs up and quickly walks out. “Teru, you okay?”
“Yeah… Just tripped over a box. I’ll move it so it’s out of the way,” Teru mumbles, nursing his ankle.
Shigeo nods, maneuvering his way back through the fray.
What was he about to work on before his Mom called…
Oh! The kitchen. Teru said he couldn’t find the box with the bowls and plates earlier. Shigeo can help find that!
Shigeo kicks open their front door, letting out a long sigh. All he wants to do is to collapse on his bed and sleep for a week.
They are around a month into the semester, with the first round of exams on the horizon. His Introduction to Psychology for Children study group had run late thanks to all the material they had to review, and by the time they finished it was already 8 PM.
He sluggishly closes the door and takes off his shoes, dropping his backpack along the wall in the hallway. After a yawn and a stretch, he realizes…
The apartment is dark.
Shigeo flicks on the lights. “I’m home,” he greets, but no one responds.
A hint of concern tickles his brain but he ignores it, walking to their kitchen to pull open the fridge and take out some leftovers for a late dinner. He told Teru he would be late coming home, but Teru never said he would be out. Maybe he got stuck at a study group too.
It would have been nice to know about it, though…
He quickly warms up the food Teru made a few days ago, sitting down on their couch and tucking into his dinner. A pleased hum escapes him as he chews – Teru really has a way with cooking that Shigeo long wished to emulate. Perhaps he could try cooking something for him one of these days.
An hour passes.
Shigeo is curled up under their kotatsu, engrossed in the new manga he had bought earlier that week. He glances up from it, tapping his phone screen. No new messages from Teru… He could send a message asking where he is…
He shakes his head. Teru can take care of himself, and he should be back any minute now.
Another hour passes.
The manga is finished, lying forgotten on the table as Shigeo leans down against it, yawning. He should take a shower and brush his teeth. Still no message or call from Teru.
Then one more hour.
At 11 PM on the dot, Shigeo is nearly passed out on the sofa as the door squeaks open. He jolts at the sound as a jingle of keys follows, alongside a slurred “I’m home…”
“Welcome home,” Shigeo replies as he rubs his eyes. “Where… Where were you?”
“Ah,” Teru groans as he slides off his boots. “Sorry for being so late, Shige. A bunch of the study group folks wanted to get some drinks, and one thing led to another.”
16%
Shigeo hums, glancing down. “Hmm. Okay. Glad you’re home.”
“They are great, but I am in desperate need of some Shigeo time!” Teru nearly trips over his shoes as he rushes to remove them, before dancing into their living room. He throws himself into Shigeo’s chest with an oomph, then gives him a quick kiss on the lips. Shigeo can’t help but chuckle at the theatrics.
Teru turns his head towards the table, humming as he picks up the book. “Ohhhh, what are you reading? Is it something from your older stash?”
“No, I bought this volume yesterday, it’s new.”
18%
Shigeo shifts and presses at Teru’s arms. “Anyway… I’m heading to bed.”
Teru seems startled and drops the manga on the table. “Oh! Yeah, of course, you’re probably tired. Thanks for waiting up for me,” another kiss on the lips. “I'll just take a shower and join you soon. Goodnight.”
Shigeo can’t help the warmth that spreads through his body, fighting away the mild annoyance he had earlier, and he kisses Teru back with a smile. “Goodnight.”
Where are the spices…
Sometimes, it feels like Shigeo is a stranger in his own kitchen. Teru was the one that organized it and, though his arrangements do make sense, sometimes he feels like they also… don’t.
His Mom always kept bowls and plates near the sink, but here they are near the fridge. And Ritsu always made sure to keep the silverware organized by type and size inside their designed drawer, but Teru instead put the forks and knives and spoons each in separate drawers of their own.
Like an uncomfortable fabric on a shirt, Shigeo just never feels settled. It’s not bad, just… off. Even after two months of living here, he still feels like he isn’t quite used to it yet.
Finally, Shigeo opens the drawer beside the stove and finds the salt and pepper. He always forgets they are here, but that’s okay. He takes them out and sets them on the counter. A quick rechecking of the recipe shows he needs at least two pans and a whisk, so he takes those out as well.
Mouth already salivating, he starts to pull out the other ingredients. Leftover rice, chicken, frozen peas, eggs and the all important ketchup. All the ingredients needed to make his Mom’s omurice.
He has a copy of her old recipe she gave him when he moved out, with scrawled out notes in the corner and all. It is a bit hard to follow, but he has seen her make it a bunch of times. Her eggs always end up a little firm, and some could say overcooked even, but Shigeo likes them that way.
Shigeo starts to crack the eggs into a bowl as Teru walks in behind him, peering over his shoulder. “Oh! Whatcha making?” Teru asks.
“Omurice,” he says, as he starts to whisk the eggs before setting them aside. He turns on the stove but Teru doesn’t move, eyeing the eggs.
“Do you not strain them?”
Strain the eggs? His Mom never did that. “No. Why would I?”
Teru moves over and starts whisking the eggs of his own accord. “You need to whisk them more to get the clumps out. Also, straining helps you get really thin eggs so they cook more evenly.”
Shigeo doesn’t answer, continuing on his way. He needs to make the fried rice anyway. He doesn't want to strain the eggs.
He grabs an onion and starts to cut it, then Teru inches into his space again. “Oh, let me help! I can cut faster than you.”
Shigeo blinks before handing off the knife. “...Go ahead.”
Teru quickly slides in, effortlessly cutting up the onions before sliding them into a bowl with a triumphant: “Done!”
Shigeo takes back the cutting board and is about to put the chicken on it when Teru quickly grabs it and rinses it off. “Gotta get off the onion flavor.”
They are all going into the same spot, though… Ah, well. Teru probably knows best anyway.
“Oh, use the bigger knife, it’s better for cutting chicken.”
Shigeo frowns and holds back a sigh, but follows the advice anyway. To his surprise, Teru is right. The bigger knife is better for this. He quickly cuts the meat, setting it aside before turning and jolting as Teru is still there, standing and watching.
Okay, that is a little close for comfort in their very tiny kitchen.
He grabs the oil and goes to add the onions when Teru stops him. “Do the chicken first so you get some of the crispy bits! It will make the whole Omurice taste better.”
His Mom always cooked the onion first. But he could try this way.
Shigeo tosses in the chicken, letting it cook for a bit before adding his onions, then the frozen peas and then the rice. He quickly stirs the mix before letting it sit as he goes to prepare the omelette. Teru shifts around him to continue stirring the rice.
“Ah, thanks, Teru.”
Teru leans into his shoulder and gives it a small kiss. “Of course! I know you’re still getting used to the smaller kitchen.”
Shigeo pours in his eggs, doing a few swirls with his chopsticks before letting it sit.
“Uh… Shige, you're making omurice, right?”
Shigeo is confused. “Yes?”
“If you don’t keep mixing, the bottom will get brown and could overcook. You want it to still be a bit liquidly – here, I can help.”
Shigeo opens his mouth to protest but Teru is already leaning in, taking the chopsticks. His wrist quickly mixes the eggs, pulling the mixture in from the sides, before he folds it inward, effortlessly tossing the egg into the air and flipping it.
A blink of red eyes and Shigeo’s frown deepens. This isn’t how his mom makes it. She just cooked the egg mixture and flipped it before laying it over rice. The egg is sometimes a little brown, but it is…
The omurice from home.
Teru floats out a plate and scoops the rice onto it, forming it into a perfect oval. As he goes to put the egg on top, Shigeo stops him. “Wait, it’s still runny.”
Teru laughs. “Yeah, duh, that’s how omurice is supposed to be!”
“No, I want it more done. I don’t like runny eggs.”
25%
Teru is silent as he stares down at the pan and then looks at the plate. “I… guess you can cook it for a bit longer. It’s gonna taste worse though.”
“No, that's how I like it,” Shigeo pushes.
Teru sighs dramatically and places the pan back on the stove. “Fine, fine.” He walks out of the kitchen back into the living room.
Shigeo sighs and continues to let his egg cook before draping it over his rice, drizzling it with ketchup. He walks into their living room and sits down next to Teru, tucking himself under the kotatsu.
Teru is leaning over the table, one of his science books open as he scribbles down notes.
Shigeo eyes him before he takes a bite and hums happily. “I like it.”
“I guess…” Teru mutters, scribbling on the paper.
28%
Shigeo slides the plate towards his boyfriend. “Would you like to try some…?”
Blue eyes glance over before Teru wordlessly picks up the spoon and takes a bite. Suddenly, his eyes sparkle and he reaches for another. “Okay, maybe that isn’t so bad.”
Shigeo nods, bumping their shoulders. “I appreciate the help though.”
“Yeah. Next time you can make it the proper way!”
Shigeo only nods, taking back his lunch.
“Oh, dang, the towels are dirty.”
39%
Shigeo glances up from his manga. It’s a Sunday afternoon, one of the few days where they don’t have any standing obligations, and both are allowed to sleep in late and do as they please. Shigeo was enjoying some time catching up on a manga series and he thought Teru was going to sketch, but that doesn’t seem to be the case as his boyfriend stands in the middle of their living room, hands on hips.
Shigeo blinks, unsure on how to respond. “Oh.”
A nod. “Yep. They should be cleaned.”
Shigeo glances down, then up and around. Teru’s observation makes sense, but he isn’t sure what he wants. “Do you want–?”
“No, no, I can handle it!” Teru quickly cuts him off. “Besides, last time you used too much bleach and it stained the towels.”
Shigeo takes a long breath, pushing the comment aside. “You didn’t tell me how much I needed to put in,” he retorts with a bit of edge.
52%
Teru crosses his arms, his gaze flickering towards the hallway closet before coming back to Shigeo. “It says right there on the bottle! 4 oz for a medium size load! And you put it into the bleach spot. Easy.”
How much is a ‘medium sized load’, though? The bottle doesn’t say that. It’s not as easy as Teru is making it seem, but…
Shigeo lets it go. It’s easier that way. Even if it worms something uncomfortable under his skin. He can’t win an argument against Teru, it’s too much work. Just like when Teru stepped in to cook, or clean, or decide what to buy at the grocery store.
It’s been easier to just let Teru do it.
Teru shrugs again and smiles. “But it’s fine, I’ve been washing towels for years living on my own, it’s just something I had to learn. We probably should wash the sheets soon too. Also I need to do the weekly grocery shopping. And plan dinner for tonight.”
Shigeo hums, going back to reading his manga. Seems like Teru has everything handled. No use stepping in if he is going to do it wrong anyway. “I’ll be happy with whatever you make.”
Teru floats the towels from their spots around the apartment, and the only response is a vibration from his aura.
It feels sticky .
65%
Shigeo opens the fridge and hums, glancing around. There isn’t much to eat, and Teru didn’t say when he would be home – which happens a lot.
He closes the fridge, irritation prickling his chest. At first Shigeo didn’t mind it, but lately it feels like his evenings keep being disrupted every time Teru stays out late without letting him know.
And today there isn’t any food ready to eat. Teru has done most of the cooking since they moved in, and every time Shigeo tried to cook so far, Teru just stepped in and did it anyway, so he stopped trying. Which means he now doesn't know what they have on hand to make anything easy.
Shigeo is hungry. A bit lonely. And a touch annoyed. Not a great combo.
He decides to make some ramen. It’s the easiest thing he can do with what they have, and it doesn’t require a lot of mental energy.
He is nearly done eating his meal when he hears keys jingle and the door opens, Teru walking through and the smell of takeout wafting in with him. “Hey, Shige! I got takeout!”
Shigeo freezes, his excited greeting dying on his lips. “Oh, I… I already ate.”
Discomfort colors his chest. He would have much rather saved room for takeout, but he was nearly full.
Teru pouts. “Aw, and I got your favorite! Shoot, wish you waited for me.”
“You didn’t say you would be home late,” Shigeo replies, taking his dish to the sink and placing it in before walking back, while Teru puts down the items on their kotatsu before letting out a loud groan.
“Ugh, we have to take out the trash. You didn’t notice it was full?”
75%
A jolt of confusion slams into Shigeo’s chest and shame swirls in his gut. “It looks fine to me,” he mutters.
Teru is still turned away from him, the energy around his shoulders zapping off like the edges of the sun, before it settles back into Teru’s signature bright and soft aura. “It’s okay!” He turns, smiling, but his powers stick to the edges of Shigeo’s fingertips. Like dried glue.
And his smile doesn’t meet his eyes.
Shigeo bites his lip. “Do you need–”
“No! I still have my coat on. Let meee~,” he uses his powers to gather the trash bags and puts them by the door as he quickly slides his shoes back on, “do it!”
Before Shigeo can say another word the door closes, leaving him standing in tense silence.
The tension holds when Teru comes back. When he eats the takeout, and Shigeo only has a few bites. When they go to bed. When Shigeo lays on his side and can’t seem to get comfortable.
When yellow aura sticks to the ceiling like resin.
Living with Teru is…
85%
“Hey Shige, which one do you like more?”
A heavy groan and Shigeo looks up from his studying material, papers spread out across the table, glancing between the two outfits.
“Um. The green one, I think?”
“Same! It makes me think of spring, and it’s been so gloomy now that we are in the dead of winter. Speaking of, I know spring is still a few months away, but I was thinking of doing some early spring cleaning of my old outfits! You should do the same, ya know… Yeah, spring cleaning. Maybe see if we have anything left to unpack?”
Left to unpack? They got to it all, there hasn’t been a box in the living room in ages. And whatever was in their bedroom closet, they already took care of. Shigeo isn’t sure what Teru is talking about, but he supposes he can look and see if he has some old clothes to donate.
87%
Before Shigeo can ask for any clarity, however, Teru trots forward, kneeling to give him a quick kiss on the cheek, and Shigeo can’t help the smile that spreads on his face.
Even when getting interrupted, Teru is still so cute.
“Anyway, thanks, Shige! I’m heading out to class soon. Also, remember, trash day is today. Oh! And I’ll probably get drinks again, this is that same study group that always goes out. Gotta make connections, ya know!”
Shigeo nods. “I’ll make sure to take it out, thank you for the reminder.”
Teru spins off, running to their room to get ready before he is flying out the door. Shigeo stares at it before trying to go back to studying.
…and getting nowhere.
A groan and he faceplants on the table. He was in the zone too, and now he has to backtrack to it. Maybe he should find another place to study tomorrow. His test is on Thursday, and it’s a huge part of his grade.
Teru is often out whenever Shigeo has to study, but when he is home, he pops over to ask Shigeo a question every 10 minutes. Usually something random, like just now, and sometimes something important. But each interruption leaves Shigeo frustrated. He has to reread the chapter, redo his paragraph, switch his mental context back to his studying. He usually just sighs and gives up altogether.
Perhaps Shigeo should study somewhere else. But where?
…Maybe he can go back to see Reigen? He hasn’t seen his old mentor since they moved around 3 months ago, and he always liked studying at Spirits and Such.
The office is still Shigeo's safe space, even after all these years. It is calming to stay there – the white noise of clients and Reigen shuffling around the office helps him focus. Normally, that type of chatter would be distracting, but it calms him for some reason. The scent of oil and incense, the stale cigarette smoke (Reigen swore he’d never smoke anymore, but Shigeo knows he sometimes still does), and the worn carpet that has mysterious stains across it are all what makes the office the perfect home away from home.
Shigeo nods to himself, pulling out his phone and sending a text to Reigen. Hi, Reigen, I was thinking of taking a day trip to Seasoning. I have a big test coming and need a good place to study. Can I come by?
He places his phone down and is about to stand up when it buzzes.
Spirits and Such is always open for you. Come by anytime, Mob.
Shigeo smiles and starts to write out a text to Teru explaining his plan for tomorrow, when a notification pops up from Ritsu. Oh, he can answer that quickly.
He stands as he reads Ritsu’s question – it is something related to getting a present for their Mom for her birthday. They are going to combine their funds to get something extra nice while taking advantage of the New Year’s sales, and he wants Shigeo’s opinion on a few options. Shigeo paces the apartment while he looks at all the links, before picking his favorite.
…What was he going to do next? Shoot, he lost his train of thought.
Shigeo’s eyes scan around the apartment before landing on the trashcan and his whole body jolts. “Trash!” He says outloud. He nearly forgot, even though Teru just left. It’s trash day. He needs to do it now before he gets distracted again.
As he is gathering the bags to take outside, excitement shifts in his chest. The office is about an hour by train, but the ride would be good for him. Give him some space to just sit and think.
That night, Shigeo heads to bed early, wanting to get up in the morning for a trip to the gym. Teru already let him know he would be home late (Shigeo was surprised he mentioned it, but there is a first time for everything, he supposes), and also that they would probably miss one another in the morning because he had class.
Shigeo barely remembers Teru crawling into bed and giving him a sleepy kiss, before they both passed out.
The next day, Shigeo gets to Spirits and Such around 3 PM and plops down on the familiar couch. A few hours go by, along with a handful of clients – and one exorcism, it is the least Shigeo can do. Reigen picks up some takeout and they enjoy an easy meal together, with Dimple popping in to say hi.
They chat and catch up and before he knows it, it is 7 PM. Shigeo stands up and gathers his things, a relaxed smile on his face. He got just the right amount of studying done, and chatting with Dimple and Reigen helped calm his nerves about the test. He is ready to head home, curl up next to his boyfriend and get a good night’s rest.
He bids Reigen farewell and tells him not to work too late – to which Reigen all but shoos him out the door – then starts to walk to the train station.
Shigeo pulls out his phone as he walks into the station, only to realize it had died during his study session. He hums and pockets it again. Not a problem. He texted Teru yesterday that he would be heading to Spirits and Such to study today, after all. He is sure he did right after he texted Ritsu back.
Right as he gets to the stairs leading up to the train, he hears the jingle of the door closing bells. He pushes his powers into his feet, darting up the stairs and sliding into the car just as the doors close behind him. Shigeo heaves a large sigh of relief, walking to sit down in an empty seat.
Shigeo soon gets home, taking the steps two at a time to get to their apartment, very ready for one of Teru’s signature body and aura combo warm hugs. He slides in the key, opening the door, an “I’m home” about to escape his lips–
–when the words fizzle out on his tongue.
Teru’s aura fills the apartment to the brim, frantic and sparking like electric arcs. Shigeo slowly closes the door and takes off his shoes, ready to ask a question when Teru barrels into the entryway, hair disheveled and eyes frantic.
“Where were you?” Teru snaps, making Shigeo wince at the tone. “I texted you three hours ago and you never responded!”
95%
Shigeo slowly walks out of the genkan before pulling out his phone to show the blank screen. “Sorry… my phone died.”
Teru sighs, loud and dramatic. “Are you serious? Ugh, Shigeo, you need to pay more attention to these things! You should have thought ahead to bring your phone charger!”
GET A CLUE
A knife plows into Shigeo’s chest and his breath catches in his throat. It’s not what Teru said, but those words still ring like a shrill bell in his head even after all these years.
Shigeo breathes in through his nose, slowly letting it out through his mouth. Trying to soften his powers that are stirring under his skin.
“I forgot that Reigen has a different phone than mine… I forgot to bring my charger,” Shigeo mutters, angling his body away.
Teru sputters, hands falling limp at his sides. “W-wait, you went all the way to Seasoning?! What the – Why the hell didn’t you tell me?”
98%
Icy shame fills Shigeo’s lungs, and he tries to check his phone before remembering it is dead. Panic rises like steam, his hands shaking. “I… I thought I did.” He was so sure he had written the text, he was going to send it, he wrote it! He…
Oh…
Teru sneers and the shame in Shigeo’s chest quickly melts into anger. “Am I not important enough for you to remember to tell me? I need to know these things, Shige.”
“It was an honest mistake, Teru.” Shigeo finally starts walking towards their bedroom, his powers building in his chest, but he knows how to keep them level. He has no idea why Teru is suddenly so angry, but that is a problem for later. His test is tomorrow, so he needs to get to bed and rest.
But before Shigeo gets away, he does have enough energy to retort dryly, “Besides, you rarely tell me when you’re going to be out late.”
100%
Yellow explodes around them, and Shigeo spins around, eyes wide as the room fills with sharp lightning. Violent undercurrents of sickly, slimy green energy, emotions rolling around in waves as the furniture lifts around them, the walls shaking as the smell of burnt hair fills the room.
These aren't Shigeo’s powers…
They are Teru’s.
Teru is the one losing control.
Shigeo has never seen Teru lose control of his powers.
“We’re not done talking,” Teru snaps, walking forward as his aura pulls his hair out of his ponytail, blond hair dancing wildly around his face.
“Teru, I–”
“You can’t just not tell me when you will go a whole CITY away, Shigeo. You didn’t come home, you didn’t answer your phone – how do you think that made me feel?”
“It was a mis–” Shigeo tries to answer, but Teru bulldozes through him.
“You expect me to do so much, but you haven’t taken on any responsibility since we moved in! I always have to take care of things and remember things. Do you know how tiring that is? To have to constantly explain how to clean things, cook things, take care of rent, all on top of my school work? I am tired , Shigeo,” Teru cries, hands flinging down to his sides. “You can’t even wash towels without my help! You never pay attention, you’re so OBLIVIOUS !!”
Shigeo’s feet cement to the floor as the barrage of insults continue to be thrown his way. His chest hurts, his heart hurts, his muscles and limbs tighten with wound up anger and frustration, but he can’t move. His powers pulse under his skin, but everything is shutting down. His voice, his hearing, his vision. All going dark. He can’t speak, only staring blankly as Teru rages on.
Teru walks forward and aggressively opens the closet door in the hallway, the one they use for coats and other miscellaneous things. “You said you would unpack that box when we moved in, and yet it has sat here. Untouched. FOR MONTHS. When are you going to do it? You could have done it any weekend by now! With how much you read manga, I’d expect you to remember it!”
Box… ?
That’s where his old manga went. Shigeo was going to put it away, and he put it in front of the genkan so he wouldn’t forget and then…
And then… his mom called.
And Teru tripped over a box and said he was putting it away…
The pieces fall into place and Shigeo stares hard at the floor, the electricity making his hair stand on end. He had no idea – Teru never told him he moved it. He didn’t know!
Teru presses the palms of his hands into his eyes, heaving out a twisted sigh. “I have to know when you’re coming back, you – you need to tell me those things. I can’t…” his voice shifts to something quiet and heavy and it sinks a rock into Shigeo’s stomach. “I can’t come home to an empty apartment and not know where you are.”
The conversation keeps jumping and Shigeo is scrambling to catch up as his body gets colder and colder. Energy is twisting in his veins, pins and needles running up and down his arms. He has to hold it in, he can’t, he can’t let it out – but Teru is making it so hard.
Why is he saying all of this – Shigeo is so confused. It’s like he was just shoved into deep waters and he is gasping for air. It doesn’t make sense where this came from. Teru’s anger scorches the ceiling, it circles his feet, it sinks fish hooks into his elbows. It's unbearable, and…
He doesn’t understand.
HE DOESN’T UNDERSTAND.
“...You stay out late all the time and don’t tell me, I don’t understand why you’re so mad,” Shigeo mutters.
Yellow energy sharpens to knives and Shigeo battles with himself to not throw up a barrier, purple shimmering along his fingertips.
“Oh, I see, so that makes it okay for you to do it?” Teru sneers, blue eyes sharp and flashing yellow on the edges. “HA! Wow, way to be passive aggressive, Kageyama .”
Hearing his last name sends a sword into Shigeo’s chest. He heaves in a breath. “Stop…”
“Stop what? Finally being OPEN about my feelings like you and everyone else in this fucking world wants me to be? You all keep telling me I don’t ‘express myself enough’ so, here I am!” He grins and it makes Shigeo’s chest squeeze. “There we go, world, all my shitiness is back out into the open! Expressing myself is so great, huh!?”
Shigeo has no idea how to follow this. This outburst, this anger, this…
Teru continues with a cold laugh. “Aren’t I just great? I haven’t changed, have I? And this is what my therapist and Reigen and you and everyone wants me to do: be honest. And look where it gets me?”
Shigeo is close to breaking, the seams pulling taught. He can’t, he can’t, he can’t . “Teru, please, enough.”
“What? Oh now I need to be quiet?!” Teru snaps, letting out another laugh that leaves a thin sheet of sweat on Shigeo’s skin. “God, pick a lane , what do you want me to do? Be open, be honest, be quiet – I can’t do it all!”
Seams pull and stretch and it’s going to break, he is going to break. Everything is going to break.
The floor under his feet cracks and Shigeo’s energy explodes around him, shoving Teru back, but it is easily blocked by a yellow barrier. Shigeo’s eyes are hot, scratchy and before he can even try to hold it back, a sob rips from his throat as hot tears stream down his face. He chokes, trying to keep them in but they aren’t stopping. He is cracked open, a jar full of emotions that won’t stop leaking.
No… No, he’s done.
He doesn't want to be here anymore.
He’s done.
He focuses on his safe space, a space where he knows he can get all this energy out, and pushes towards it. His body flickers before he teleports and the last thing he sees are wild, scared blue eyes.