Work Text:
Mob was staring down at the comic book he had been reading now openly placed on his small desk.
His right hand tapped on the desk nervously.
Silently sucking in a breath, Mob spoke.
“Shishō.”
But Reigen didn’t respond. Mob waited for a moment, usually adults didn’t respond right away.
He took a quick glance up at Reigen. Who is still on his laptop. He’ll just say it again.
“..Shishō.”
Reigen heard him this time, taking a quick glance over at his student, but returned to the computer.
“Yes, Mob. is there something you need?”
He answered, but wasn’t looking at Mob.
He’s busy playing free games. it’s adult stuff. He’s still paying attention, though.
Mob blinked from the comic book to stare at Reigen. He took a while to respond, Reigen thinks he’s giving him the silent treatment.
“I have thoughts of hurting you with my powers Shishō.” Mob needed to get this off his chest.
Even if he didn’t feel like talking about it anymore.
Reigen stopped typing as his eyes looked over at Mob, head following after.
His eyes slightly widened. He looked more tense, in a way.
Mob didn’t miss it. He hates not knowing if it’s in fear, or surprise.
"I can, but I wouldn’t.” Came Mobs response To Reigen rather quickly, correcting his words.
People shouldn’t use their powers on others. Yet here he is imagining it.
Reigens face scrunched up, possibly in worry before taking on a more nervous look.
He stared at Mob for a while before turning his attention to the old office chair he’s using.
adjusting it so he could fully face Mob.
Mobs eyes sharpen, just a little bit.
His left hand is twitchy.
Something he does not ignore; He is very aware of it.
They both sit in a moment of Awkward silence. It feels as though if the room had an aura, even Reigen would be able to sense it.
This silence means one is left with his thoughts and the other is left with trying to figure out a way to turn this into a life lesson.
Reigen let’s out a thoughtful hum that breaks the silence. Bringing Mob back to the real world.
Its a quick change, But the thoughts were still there. What is Shishō going to do and how is he going to feel? These are the thoughts circling in Mobs head.
Mob was expecting him to be scared, angry or maybe even sad at what he admitted,
Mainly scared. But Shigeo is expecting Reigen to kick him out.
But of course, Reigen isn’t either of these things.
Mob was just slightly surprised when Reigen was as calm as ever.
He doesn’t know why he expected anything else from his Shishō.
Reigen's eyes are soft and understanding.
If Mob were to look harder, would he find fear and resentment?
Shishō has always been good at lying, Hasn’t he?
He wouldn’t show Mob if he was scared. He’d hide it just like everything else does.
Reigen is patient.
He waits for Mob to focus before talking.
Its important to let kids think, after all.
Mob is focuses back on Reigen with a blink. The man thinks its okay to talk now.
So, he does.
“It's normal for people to think of that kinda stuff, ya’know?” Reigen uses his hand gestures to talk. He doesn’t know what he’s doing, does he?
Mob continued his stare, Reigen felt an unpleasant chill go down his spine.
He forced himself not to shiver.
It isn’t cold in the office.
Even if Reigen were to feel a little scared, he has an act to uphold.
And he isn’t going to let some thoughts stop him from it. Mob is looking at him for advice and help, so that’s exactly what he’ll do.
Be a source of inspiration and advice.
Reigen let out a light chuckle at this, but nothing is funny. “I think of stuff like that as well. A lot of people do.”
He crossed his arms in thought. Deciding how he should continue this whole thing.
Mob, Shigeo, is staring.
“You remember that terrorist-Claw guy, right? Tichuro.. or something.”
Mob nods, but doesn’t say anything.
Reigen knew he wanted him to continue. But not really.
Well continue he did, slightly confident.
But not really.
“I did get pretty mad when he was fighting(beating) you.
Its somewhat embarrassing to admit but I do still picture myself kicking his ass; successfully.”
Did he leave out a few things? Possibly.
A quick image of Reigen shooting Toichiro successfully, leaves Mobs head as quickly as it appeared.
He didn’t want to admit it, but that would’ve been funny to see. Not really, though.
Mob pushes the smile he felt coming up down, and waits for Reigen to continue.
But the office is silent again.
Its silent because Reigen started feeling embarrassed, nervous and somewhat nostalgic.
For one, he had admitted to thinking about kicking some terrorist’s ass that had actually kicked his ass—almost killed him.
And on the other hand.
His student is staring at him(But it is staring too.)
Staring the same way as before.
Big eyes staring at him.
His chest hurt a little.
All he ever sees are those same big eyes staring back at him, for such stupid reasons and stupid advice. All for such a stupid, lying man.
It’s stupid that he needed to look somewhere else.
The left of him, a wall where Mobs flower drawing would be hypothetically tapped up. He never got that drawing from the old office recovered; Its ash now.
And he drew it for you.
Mob is silent. He is waiting. But neither of them says anything.
The silence isn't welcoming to them both.
Not in the slightest.
A warm blanket that becomes too warm.
Reigen has to welcome the unwanted feeling of cold sweat mixed with the increasing heat in his clothes linger on his skin.
Mob is waiting. Reigen Is nervous and he’s curious.
Its not everyday his student would open up like this on his own.
Reigen took a quick glance at Mob
“Is there a reason you brought this up?”
He returns to staring at the wall.
Its not that he doesn’t want Mob to open up, he’s just wondering.
It could be he’s just jealous the kids growing up better than he ever has.
Mob blinked. His face, still the same empty expression he always had on.
His eyes hesitantly looked down on his left hand. An open palm.
If he stared long enough, he could still see the blood on it.
Does he know why he thinks what he does? Yes, he does.
He’s always been good at being ‘brutally honest.’
“it. Mainly happens when you call me. Especially if out of the blue.”
Reigen stayed quiet, listening.
Mobs eyes stayed on his palm.
“I think, it’s just annoyance and brain tricks. Because I wouldn’t hurt you, or anyone.” On purpose.
Mob closed his hand into a fist and looked up at Reigens side view.
The man had a hand on his mouth.
Hopefully in thought.
“I just wanted to share. If that’s okay with you.”
Having two people afraid of him would be something else, now wouldn’t it?
Yes. it would.
Reigen let’s out a silent sigh.
“Of course I’m okay with it. You’re opening up, and that’s a good thing.”
Reigen turns to fully look at Mob. Hands being placed onto his desk.
He hesitates for a moment.
Mob doesn’t take that well.
“I’m not scared of you, Mob. Those thoughts happen to everyone.
You’re a good kid, I know you wouldn’t hurt anyone on purpose or without cause.”
Does he?
Mobs eyes widened, they become brighter. Reigen is smiling at him, firmly.
But he is lying.
Mob slowly blinks down at his desk, welcomed by an open manga. Hands finding way to his pants, wiping the sweat off.
Mob's bangs hide eyes as they return to the darkness once again.
He is filled with guilt and foreboding.
Reigen sits there, unknowing to it all.
“What if.”
Mob stops himself for a moment, but continues. His hands begin gripping black pants tightly.
“My powers were to explode and hurt someone, people. This entire city.
If I were to lose myself and become full of power. Hurt someone by my choice. Kill something.
What would happen?”
Would you be there to stop me and tell me its okay? Or would you run away like everyone else?
Aren’t I only here for money?
Mob is staring holes into the manga; his bangs cover his eyes; he doesn’t seem to mind the way his hands are gripping his pants in a death hold.
Reigen hasn’t said anything, smile dropped. he looks mad, but he isn’t angry. He is disappointed.
Surprised Mob is talking this much, Happy that he’s opening up.
But still disappointed. It’s a little complex.
How could his student think so little of himself?
“Mob.” Reigens voice was stern, Mob lifted is head to stare at him.
is he getting ready for one of his talks all filled with lies?
Reigen crossed him arms over his chest.
“I want you to listen to me, and I want you to listen hard. Okay?”
There is no room for arguing. Mob nods at this, Hands letting go.
He’s going to have marks on his thighs for the entire day.
“You’re a good kid and my student. Like your powers, not every knife isn’t going to cut someone once in a while, but even when it does, you continue to use it. Accidents will and do happen. Your knife may be sharp, but your not intentionally using it to harm yourself or others.”
Reigens face softens.
Mobs face was staring expectantly.
“Have you forgotten how much you’ve grown? Your powers helped many people, and you’ve gotten better at controlling them. The explosion from your fight with that terrorist guy healed, it didn’t destroy.”
Reigen looks down at his desk, immediately speaking up again.
“And, even if you were to loose control—”
He looked back up at Mob, smiling confidentially “—I’ll be there to stop you. I won’t let anything happen.”
Even if it meant dying for you. I’ll always be there.
Mob stays silent and his mouth trembles.
“But it won’t happen, because you’re a good kid.” Reigen isn’t as tense as he was before, He looks more relaxed. And is still smiling.
Mob stares at him for just a moment. And smiles back. His face looks relieved.
“Thank you, Shishō.”
Reigen lightly nodded, turning back to his computer. Game still on and the smile still on his face.
Mob picks up the comic book, a few pages from where he was before. But he doesn’t mind. Small smile on his face.
Its hard to read though, His masters’ words replayed in his head the rest of the day. And he doesn’t mind.
Mob believes in Reigen. He’s always been there for him, hasn’t he? The fight with claw and all.
Why would it be different just because its him at the center?
Mob has met a lot of people because of his powers, even if most of them were from fights. He’s saved the city and helped many people. All because he has powers.
Why would he destroy it all? Yes, broken things here n’ there. but accidents are apart of life, no?
And Reigen has always been there with him.
Reigen is a liar, not a coward. He would always be there for Mob; and Mob believes in that.
But Shigeo does not.
And The thought Is pushed to the back of Mobs head.