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A part of Reigen knew that this day would come, knowing it in his bones and heart that Mob would confess. He had known it in the way that Mob would track him with dark eyes filled with want and hunger. Yet despite this, Reigen still finds himself surprised at the gall and audacity that Mob has to come to the office with such confidence, clutching a bouquet of flowers—tuberoses, pink camellias and roses he notes.
“I love you, Shishou. Please be mine.”
Reigen finds that the rejection slips past his lips easily, not a sliver of regret passing through his mind, “I can’t accept this, Mob… you know that. I-it’s not appropriate. You’re just a kid and—I don’t feel for you like that.”
“Okay.”
Reigen’s mouth clicks shut—the rest of his rejection and rationale caught in his throat at Mob’s abrupt words—at his easy acceptance of Reigen’s answer. He isn’t sure how to feel about this, a part of him is relieved to not have to have this battle with Mob. But another part is uneasy, suspicious of Mob and his quick acceptance.
“Well…” Reigen says, clapping his hands together and pushing away from his desk. A petty side of him, one that wanted to ensure that this was nipped in the bud can't help but be harsh. “Now that that’s over with, want to go get ramen?”
“Of course,” Mob hums, dark eyes never leaving him and Reigen can’t help but gaze back in concern, a part of him is waiting for the second shoe to drop. Because Reigen knows Mob—has known him since he was a child and he knows how Mob is when he sets his sights on something or someone.
“Okay, help me close up and we can head out,” Reigen says, not waiting for Mob’s response as he starts to clean up for the day.
The time passes by quickly in silence and neither of them speak as they start the short walk to the ramen shop. He wonders if he should say something, ask Mob if he was okay or if it was better to let Mob lick his wounds in silence. After all, Reigen thinks, settling onto the stool and puts his order in—it probably wasn't easy being rejected by both of your crushes. But still, a part of him is concerned and Reigen knows that he had a job to play here as an adult and Mob’s Shishou.
“Mob,” at his name Mob glances up from his ramen bowl, sending Reigen a questioning look. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, why wouldn’t I be?” Mob says, confusion settling in his eyes that search Reigen’s face.
“Ah—well, I just wanted to check in. I know it can be hard… uhm, confessing and not having things go how you expected.”
“Things are going exactly as I expected,” Mob murmurs, watching Reigen with half-lidded eyes and there's something blaring in the back of Reigen’s mind as he took in the slivers of amusement sparking in Mob’s gaze.
“Is that so?” Reigen mutters, taking a moment to slurp at his ramen and to give himself a chance to think of his next response to Mob’s vague answer. “So, you expected this? For me to reject you then?”
“Yes.”
“Hm—Ah, well I have to commend you for the confidence,” Reigen says, his chopsticks clanking against his bowl while he redirects his focus to Mob, whose gaze flickers from his lips and back to his eyes. He can’t help the flush that settles over his features at the ravenous look on Mob’s face and his eyes skitter away from Mob’s heavy stare, “But I just need to make sure you understand why this can’t happen—why this is inappropriate.”
At Mob’s silence he glances up to find Mob’s focus still on him and Reigen finds himself reaching up to tug at his tie and collar—suddenly feeling anxiety settle in his gut.
“Uhm—it’s okay and totally normal to have crushes. I just need you to know that not all adults or people will be… kind about it,” he shifts in his seat, discomfort washing over him as Mob’s eyes settle on his now exposed collarbone.
A part of Reigen wonders if Mob was even listening as he continues, “Some adults can take advantage of that… ah—your feelings and Mob, that’s not okay. You’re still just a kid and it wouldn’t be right for an adult to accept your confession.”
At Mob’s hum of agreement, he pushes forward, “This—Ah, what you’re feeling is just a crush. You’ll get over it—I promise. There are so many people that you’ll meet out there and well… people your own age.”
Reigen pauses for a moment, waiting for Mob to say something, anything and he wonders if it would have been better for him to remain silent. But he knows that he has to say this and have this discussion with Mob lest he redirect his focus elsewhere—to another adult that may not be virtuous like Reigen.
“Do you get what I’m saying?”
“Hm… of course,” Mob states, pushing his empty ramen bowl aside and the relief that had been beginning to settle over Reigen is snuffed out as Mob reaches for him. Reigen startles, attempting to pull his hand that was tapping at the table to his chest—but Mob is faster and his grip is tight when he grabs at Reigen’s hand.
“Mob!"
“Reigen-Shishou,” Mob whispers reverently, gaze dark, tugging Reigen’s hand closer—his large hands eclipsing Reigen’s while he tightens his hold. “I do understand. But, I love you and none of that matters when we’re destined to be together.”
Wincing at the tight grip Mob has on his hand he attempts to free it from Mob's grasp, the concern that had been waning reigniting once more. “Mob! This isn’t funny—let go.”
“I wasn't joking.”
“Mob!” Reigen grunts, finally pulling his hand free and clutching it close to his chest—rubbing at it knowing that it would surely bruise while he gapes at Mob in shock. “This isn’t—”
“Appropriate,” Mob finishes, his gaze heavy as it slowly slides down from Reigen’s eyes to his lips and collarbone before settling on his hand, before glancing back up again—a smirk tugging at his lips. “I know.”
He can only stare back at Mob, at the sheer audacity as the boy Reigen thought he once knew so well speaks. “But this is what I want—what I’ve decided on.”
This couldn't be happening, Reigen muses, how had this conversation devolved to this—to Mob pushing and overstepping his boundaries. He’s surprised and a part of him feels trickles of betrayal settle in his heart, to have Mob treat him and speak to him like this—like an object to be taken.
“No,” Reigen croaks, shaking his head in denial and it feels like he has ash on his tongue when all Mob does is eye him with longing—and with what Reigen now recognizes as amusement and hunger. “I said no, Mob.”
“I know.”
“What—do I need to teach you about consent?” Reigen snaps back, hand aching while he reaches for his wallet. He's ready to pay and run to the safety of his home and away from this conversation—this nightmare and Mob.
“No.”
“Then you should know better! This isn’t—” he huffs, trembling hands throwing down cash on the table and starts to tug his jacket back on. “This isn’t a joke! I’m serious. This isn’t funny at all.”
“I would never joke about this.”
“Just—stop. Stop.”
“Shishou.”
“No! This conversation needs to end here and now. This is so beyond inappropriate!” Reigen lurches out of his seat, uncaring of the stares he's getting from the other patrons—his focus on Mob who continues to gaze at him with laughter dancing in his eyes.
“Reigen-Shishou.”
Reigen doesn't pause in his steps when he rushes out the door, intent on leaving and going home to pretend this never happened. Hoping that Mob would act like this never occurred, that he never confessed and that he never placed these bruises on his hands. That Mob never spoke or ogled him with such a disregard for Reigen’s wants or needs.
He’s pulled out of his thoughts by a large hand that clutches at his wrist and pulls him back into a broad chest. A familiar warmth that towers over him and Reigen pushes himself away, only to find his attempt halted as Mob’s grasp on his wrist tightens.
“Let go, Mob!”
“Shishou, please listen to me.”
“No! This conversation is over, I said no—don’t you know what no means?” Reigen can recognize that his voice sounds hysterical to his own ears as he attempts to pull free from Mob’s unrelenting grip. “Let me go!”
“No."
In the back of his mind, while he struggles to get out of Mob’s hold, Reigen dully notes, that he is now seeing the hard-earned results from all of Mob’s workouts—but not in the way that he had ever expected or wanted. “Let. Go.”
“No. Not until you listen to me.”
“Go on then. Whatever you have to say better be good—for you to think you can treat me like this.”
“I’m sorry,” Mob murmurs, releasing his grip on Reigen’s wrist and to his ears, Mob doesn’t sound apologetic at all. If anything Mob sounded pleased. “I just—I didn’t want this to end off like this.”
“You should have thought about that before you decided to confess,” Reigen grunts out, rubbing his sore wrist and stepping away from Mob in a pathetic attempt to create distance. “And before you decided that getting handsy was the best choice here—”
“Shishou,” his jaw clicks shut at Mob’s huff of laughter, at the way his eyes crinkle when he gazes down at him with a smile painted across his face. “I didn’t want to end it off by making you think I wasn’t serious about this—about you.”
“What—Mob… have you been listening at all?”
“I am. I always listen to you,” Mob murmurs, lips quirking and eyes dark when he cuts the distance between them with long strides. Reigen finds that his attempts to stumble away are halted by the wall behind him.
“Don’t—”
His words stay caught in his throat when a hand slams down against the wall beside his head and Mob is suddenly looming over him. “I listen… but you never seem to hear me.”
“Stop,” Reigen rasps, hands coming up to push against Mob’s chest, who doesn't waver or move in the slightest despite his efforts. “This isn’t like you—”
“It is. Shishou just hasn’t been paying attention,” Mob croons, breath warm against his ear that has Reigen flinching away. “Shishou is paying attention now though, isn’t he?”
He can’t seem to find himself able to string any words together, anything to get Mob to stop and step away or a way to find out how things led to this. Reigen finds his mind racing, trying and attempting to find any signs or indications of this—of Mob’s concerning behaviour that he missed or ignored. He knows that there were signs, ones that started as nothing more than a seed before blooming into a garden.
Signs that he willingly and naively chose to ignore, disregarding Mob’s ever-growing hungry stares and Dimple's warnings. He had thought that he could deal with this when the time came—reject Mob and give him kind advice as his Shishou before pretending that it never happened. Reigen knows he was wrong now, as he takes in Mob towering over him, leering at him with ravenous eyes filled with want and adoration.
“Mob,” he rasps out, unable to escape from Mob’s grasp and neither being able to talk his was out of this situation. “Please.”
“I love you,” Mob whispers, leaning down and brushing his lips against the scar on his temple. “I won’t give up, you’ll agree and accept my love eventually.”
Shaking his head in denial, Reigen presses himself further into the wall behind him and ducks his head down and away from Mob’s lips. “This isn’t right. I said no! Yo-you’re just a kid—”
“I know you love me too.”
“Not like this! Never like this!.”
“Hm,” Mob hums, brushing his lips against Reigen’s temple one last time before pulling away. “You’ll understand eventually.”
“Don’t—” Reigen starts, indignation and concern frothing in his lungs.“This is just a crush, you’ll get over it. You can’t do this—”
“I can,” Mob says, his dark eyes flickering down Reigen’s body and back to hold his gaze when he turns away,"and I will."
“Mob!” he yelps, caught between chasing after Mob or running home with his tail tucked between his legs.
“Goodnight, Reigen-Shishou.”
“Mob!” Reigen shouts, concern and despair clutching at his heart—because Reigen knows Mob and deep down inside he knows how this will end for him.
─────────
Reigen really hadn't expected his day to start like this—with Mob’s parents seated across from him at the office, tea steaming on the coffee table between them. But he should have known that this would happen when dealing with someone like Mob.
With Mob's lack of social awareness it wouldn't be a shock to find out that he had gone ahead and blurted out to his parents that he was in love with his Shishou. Reigen could only imagine how enraged and concerned the Kageyama’s must feel. The thought of Reigen, the man they trusted their son with, potentially having less than virtuous intentions.
“So,” Reigen starts, clearing his throat and reaching over to grab his tea. An attempt to keep his hands busy while his mind flutters with concern and anxiety. “What can I help you with? Uhm—is everything okay with Mob?”
He dully watches as the Kageyama’s exchange a glance, some type of silent communication passing between them before Mob’s mother turns to glance at him. “Reigen-san… ah—well, we’re not quite sure how to go about discussing this with you…”
“It’s alright. You can take your time.”
“It is about Shigeo,” of course, what else did Reigen expect, he muses, subtly glancing at the door. Expecting police officers or Ritsu to burst through with the promise of death. “Ah—he’s… he has said some concerning things to his father and I.”
“Aha… concerning things like…” Reigen inquires, throat parched and he resists the urge to loosen his tie, suddenly feeling like he was being choked.
“Mm,” Mob’s mother hums, her eyes flickering from Reigen and back to her husband. “Ah… well—Hm how do I say this…”
At her waffling Mob’s father leans forward, one hand going to press against his wife’s back, “Shigeo has said some concerning things about you—or well… regarding you.”
“Oh,” he croaks, face paling and this week could not get any worse for him, could it? “I never—I swear I never—”
“Reigen-san, we don’t—” Mob’s father starts, hands going up and expression panicked.
“This isn’t—” Mob’s mother says as both Kageyama’s talk over one another.
Reigen isn’t sure what expression had settled on his face for both Kageyama’s to stop mid-sentence and for Mob’s mother to reach across the coffee table to lay her hand over where his own quivers as it grasps at his teacup.
“Reigen-san,” Mob’s mother murmurs, gently pulling the teacup out his grasp and setting it to the side before returning to hold his hand. “We’re not here to accuse you of anything. It’s… it’s not you that we’re worried about.”
She bites her lip, her hand tightening minutely over his and her eyes dart over to her husband, the man gazing silently at Reigen.
“It’s Shigeo’s behaviour that has us concerned,” Mob’s father declares, eyebrows furrowed and lips pulled into a grimace.
“What?” Reigen gawks at the two, suddenly unsure as to where the conversation was heading. He had expected for them to lash out and accuse him of harming or harbouring ill intentions towards Mob.
But for the two of them to look at him with such concern and to come to the office to speak about Mob’s behaviour makes worry simmer in Reigen's gut. It had him thinking back to Mob’s recent confession and of the blatant disregard for Reigen’s consent, needs or wants—of the way Mob had leered at him and grabbed him.
“He's told us about his feelings for you,” Mob’s mother announces, gazing intently at Reigen and he feels like a rock has settled in his stomach. Bile threatening to claw its way out of his throat as she continues. “And of his intentions to pursue you.”
“I-I swear I never did anything—would do anything—”
“We both know that you would never hurt him,” Mob’s father says, stare intent. “But, Shigeo has been showing some concerning behaviour regarding you and well—we’re concerned for your safety.”
“My safety?”
“Ah yes, uhm, Shigeo… he—well it’s new to us too, but he seems quite…”
“Obsessed,” Mob’s mother continues, lips pursed and her thumb rubs gentle circles on the back of Reigen’s hand. “We’ve spoken to him—Ritsu has spoken to him. but he doesn’t seem to be listening.”
Mob’s father shuffles closer, his elbows coming to rest on his knees at he swipes a hand over his mouth. “We think that it may be best for him to stop coming around the office for awhile.”
“Uhm—”
“At least until this… passes—until Shigeo moves on,” Mob’s mother adds on, sending him a tight smile and Reigen can only nod back in agreement.
“Yes, of course. It’s probably for the best,” Reigen rasps back and a part of him, the one fearful of the Mob that loomed over him and left the marks on his wrist, cannot help but agree.
Reigen hopes that this would stop Mob and redirect his focus. That the Mob that Reigen once knew would come back—the one that was kind, gentle and sweet, who would have never spoken to or grabbed at Reigen in such a manner.
─────────
Reigen thought things would get better, that time away from him would let Mob move on from this misguided crush. But once again he shouldn't be surprised, knowing how Mob is—for him to continue to pursue him. The trickles of fear that settled in his lungs like rain on skin since the day of Mob’s confession had continued to grow in his gut with every chance meeting he's had with Mob since speaking with his parents. Running into Mob everywhere he goes, from the convenience store to the park by Reigen’s house.
“This isn’t normal,” Reigen groans, eyeing the bouquet of flowers left on his desk by Mob. Who had simply smiled at Reigen’s attempts to return them before he left the office with the promise to return tomorrow. “I’m being serious—this is freaking me out.”
“I don’t get why you’re so surprised by this. Shigeo’s been pretty obvious,” Dimple says, watching Reigen pace around the office. “I did warn you.”
“You’re not helping, Dimple! Don’t you think I don’t already know that?”
“Hmph—so screw me for trying to help you out huh?” Dimple grouses, eyeing Reigen’s increasingly frantic pacing with concern.
“Ugh—listen, I’m sorry. Okay?” Reigen huffs, pinching the bridge of his nose and dropping into his chair. “I just… I don’t know what to do. Do I just keep ignoring this and hope it goes away?”
“Ignoring this was what got you into this problem in the first place.”
“So, what… I just keep telling Mob no? That didn’t work out so well last time,” he mutters, pressing his palms against his eyes in attempt to ease the pounding in his head.
“Reigen—"
“Did no one teach Mob about consent? That no means no!” he knows that he sounds hysterical as his voice pitches and cracks.
But Reigen can only groan into his hands, elbows on his knees as he slouched over—regret, despair and fear throbbing through his blood. A part of him feels guilty and ashamed about the fear that has settled in his lungs and heart after his last interaction with Mob. His nerves are shot and his patience fraying with each new courting attempt from Mob that does nothing more than increase his anxiety.
Memories of Mob’s aggressiveness making his hair stand on end. A glance at his hand and wrist, painted purple and green and Reigen's reminded all too quickly about another reason for his fear—his inability to escape from Mob, with or without his powers.
“Listen—I don’t know what to say. I know—surprising,” Dimple says, shrugging at the agitated look Reigen sends his way. “But the kid, he's… he gets weird when you’re involved.”
“Ha—of course. Weird how?”
“You’re really asking me that?”
“Humour me.”
“The kid looks like he wants to eat you alive or wear your skin as a suit. He’s totally obsessed with you Reigen—it’s not cute at all.”
Truly how did Reigen get himself into this and he can admit to himself that he should have taken more action in regards to shutting down Mob’s behaviour from the start. But for Mob to even view him this way—he had no idea what caused it, knowing who he was as a person. “Hah… I can’t believe this—this is actually happening, isn’t it?"
“Afraid so.”
“This has to be a nightmare—I can’t… I don’t understand…”
“I think everyone but you has been aware of this… thing that he has for you,” Dimple mutters, a grimace overtaking his face. “Trust me. Everyone and their mother has spoken to Shigeo about this already. Hell, I’ve told the kid to cool it—he just doesn’t listen.”
“So, what? I just roll-over and…” he starts, voice trailing off at the sudden reminder of the way that Mob had all but devoured him with his eye and hands—his gaze searing when he leered at Reigen.
“I’m not saying that. You just need to be firmer with him,” even to Reigen’s ears Dimple sounds unsure and hesitant.
“I’m screwed—hah…”
“Sorry, I’ll try to talk to him again. But I think you might be out of luck here.”
“Thanks for trying I guess…”
“Hey—the kid is scary when it comes to you. Shige-chan might really exorcise me if I bring this up again.”
Was this not how things always ended for Reigen? His luck running out like the sand in a broken hourglass—but he knows that he can’t give up here. Knows that Mob will get over it and it was up to him to be the adult—his Shishou and redirect Mob’s feelings towards healthier options.
─────────
“Shishou.”
“Absolutely not,” Reigen declares, pushing the gift-wrapped box back into Mob’s arms. “Take this back. I don’t want it—I don’t need it.”
“I bought it for you.”
“No. I don’t want it.”
Mob simply tilts his head to the side, his dark eyes roving over Reigen's body. The ever-familiar twinkle of amusement settling in Mob's gaze when he brings his eyes back up to hold Reigen's glare—his lips quirking ever-so slightly. He finds himself starting to fear and dislike that familiar look that begins to settle of his ex-disciple's face.
“Of course. My apologies,” Mob says and Reigen feels his shoulders droop with relief that is short lived as Mob continues. “I’ll make sure to get you something else more suited to your tastes next time.”
“What—that’s not the issue here!”
Mob simply hums, his gaze flickering to where Dimple phases through the floor as an unfamiliar look settles on his face before he redirects his attention back to Reigen.
“Okay.”
“No! This is not okay, are you being serious right now?”
“I’m always serious when it comes to you, Shishou. Didn’t I already tell you that?”
Reigen wants to pull his hair out in frustration at the familiar conversation that plays before him once again—Mob consistently ignoring or rebuffing his concerns and boundaries.
“Mob,” he pleads, wincing as his voice cracks and Mob’s eyes glide over to settle on his lips once again. “This is so inappropriate—this isn’t right.”
The response he gets back is one he was ready for, one he had expected as Mob simply hums and leans back with his hands shoved in his pockets.
“Please,” Reigen croaks out, betrayal and hurt searing through him at the hunger that settles over Mob’s face—at the way his lips split into a small smile at Reigen’s begging.
“Shishou,” Mob murmurs, leaning into Reigen’s space and forcing him to press himself back against his desk. “I already told you, didn’t I? That I won’t give up—that you’ll accept my love.”
“No—”
“I did.”
“Mob, No—”
“Shishou never listens,” Mob muses, hands slipping out of his pockets to cage Reigen between his arms and the desk. “Listen to me now… I’ll only say this once.”
“Stop—”
“Shishou.”
“You can’t—”
“Reigen-Shishou.”
“This isn’t you—”
Reigen’s mouth clicks shut as a hand comes up to cup his jaw and he can only gape up at Mob—who stares down at him with fathomless eyes filled with love, want and the ever-present amusement.
“Right now, I’m letting you get used to the idea—the reality of our love and future together,” Mob whispers, his breath warm against Reigen’s face. “I’m letting you enjoy the time that you have left until I’m ready to come get you—take you and for us to start our life together.”
“What,” Reigen croaks out, his hand coming to grip at Mob’s hand that clutches at his face—attempting and failing to loosen Mob’s hold. “No—”
“Yes.”
Just as suddenly Mob is stepping back and out of his space, pulling his school bag up his shoulder as he turns towards the office door without a second glance at Reigen.
“Please take care, I have to return home early today to study for my entrance exams.”
“Mob!”
He can only stare dumbly at the door shutting behind Mob, jaw clenched and feeling heart throb with betrayal. A glance to the side and Reigen watches Dimple phase back into the room once again.
“Thanks for the help Dimple.”
“What? I told you that Shigeo gets all—,” and Dimple waves his hand in the air, as if to describe Mob’s behaviour regarding Reigen. “I’m being serious. After the last time I told him to knock it off, I swear the kid was really going to do it—I saw my life flash before my eyes and everything.”
“You’re already dead.”
─────────
“Ritsu.”
“Reigen-san.”
“To what do I owe the pleasure?” Reigen grouses, his eye darting from his laptop to Ritsu and to the empty space behind him—relief settling in his stomach at the realization that Ritsu was by himself.
“We need to talk about Nii-san.”
“Of course,” Reigen finds his eyes rolling unbidden and a huff of agitation leaving him. “What’s he done now—or what hasn’t he done.”
“I’m only saying this for Nii-san’s sake,” Ritsu grunts, arms crossed and fixing Reigen with a glare from across his desk. “But you need to say no to him. No matter what Nii-san says.”
Had Reigen not been doing that this entire time? What else did they all expect him to do, Reigen reflects, irritation coursing through him.
“I am—seriously! What else do you want me to do?”
“Tell him no.”
“I did!”
“Try harder then you fraud!”
“I am!” he finds himself startling along with Ritsu at his sudden outburst, frustration and exasperation coating his every word as his voice cracks. “I am.”
Reigen drops his head into his hands, elbows over his knees as he slouches down in his seat as exhaustion pulls at his core. “I am. I promise. I’m not—this isn’t what I want.”
“I know,” Ritsu murmurs after a moment and Reigen can hear him shuffle—a glance up and he finds that Ritsu is back at the office door. “As much as it pains me to admit it—this isn’t your fault.”
“Ritsu…”
“I’m being serious. For your sake it’s best that you stay away from Nii-san,” Ritsu advises, his eyes skittering from Mob’s desk to hold Reigen’s gaze. “He’s not one to stop when he’s set his sights on something.”
─────────
A part of Reigen wonders at what point would it be valid for him to call the police or get a restraining order without getting himself arrested—despite not engaging with Mob.
“You look beautiful in your sleep,” Mob murmurs, Reigen can feel the warmth of his body pressed against his side as he blinks the sleep out of his eyes. “It looked like you were having a nice dream.”
“Mob,” he whispers feebly, exhaustion and fear pulling at his heart. “W-what are you doing here?”
“Hm… I just missed you.”
“You saw me today at the train station… and convenience store… and on my walk home—”
Reigen’s mouth clicks shut at Mob’s muffled laughter and indignation sears through him. “It’s not funny!”
“I know. Sorry, Shishou—it’s just that you look so cute when you’re upset.”
What was Reigen supposed to say to that? What new boundary could he attempt to set up—what can he say to rebuff Mob once more knowing that it would do nothing. Knowing that he cannot stop Mob and so instead Reigen says nothing, turning over to face the wall and away from Mob.
“Please don't be upset.”
“Whatever… it’s not like you’ll listen to me.”
“I always listen to you Shishou,” Mob whispers, his arms settling around Reigen and pulling him back against a firm chest. Reigen can only tense up, knowing that he was trapped and all too aware of Mob’s strength—and his own inability to free himself from his hold.
“Just… just go to sleep.”
Reigen hopes and wishes upon every shooting star to fall asleep and awake to a world where everything was back to normal. Where Mob would no longer leer, grab or touch him—no longer whispering his intentions and promises against Reigen’s lips or staring at him with eyes filled with want, desire and never-ending amusement.
─────────
All things considered this was a halfhearted attempt on Reigen’s part, who already knew that no amount of distance—even being countries away would stop Mob. Who Reigen watches make his way towards him, pushing through a crowd of tourists huddled together as they attempt to take photos of the Eiffel Tower.
“Mob,” Reigen says in resignation, shoulders drooping while he leans back in his seat to pinch the bridge of his nose. “Why are you here?”
“If you wanted to see Paris, we could have gone together.”
“That… that isn’t the point?”
“Hm, it is romantic though, isn’t it?” Mob whispers against his ear and Reigen can’t even find it in himself to flinch anymore at the all too familiar warmth that brushes against the side of his face.
“Although I think I liked Italy a bit more.”
“Whatever,” he huffs out, crossing his arms over his chest as Mob pushes his seat flush against Reigen’s before throwing an arm over the back and pulling Reigen to his side.
“Are there any other places Shishou would like to visit after this?”
“No.”
─────────
If nothing else Reigen can say that being adaptable was always a strong point of his, so he adapts to Mob’s new and concerning behaviour. The hope that this crush—this love and obsession would slowly extinguish on its own over time as Mob grew older and more mature. But once again Reigen was foolish to have tricked himself into believing that Mob would give up and Reigen truly should have listened to Mob.
“No. Absolutely not.”
“Shishou.”
“No way! Are you kidding me right now?”
“I’m not—”
“This has gone on long enough! Seriously, grow-up!” Reigen's throwing his hands up hysterically as his voice cracks, pushing himself to his feet and slamming his hands down on his desk.
“This isn’t funny anymore.”
“I’m not joking, I already told you before—you’ve known that I would come get you. That this would happen—”
“No—”
“So why are you surprised now?”
“Because I said no! Don’t you know what no means?!”He throws that ring that had been presented to him back at Mob, who catches it effortlessly as amusement tugs at his lips. “You’re not a kid anymore—you’re a grown man and you need to start acting like it!”
“I am. That’s why I’ve come to get you. I told you I would come once I was ready—I’m settled in my career and I’ve found a home for us.”
“What. This is too much—I can’t deal with this right now,” he skitters around his desk, giving wide berth to Mob, making his way towards the door—knowing and understanding how this would end. “I’m not—this isn’t—”
“Reigen-Shishou,” Mob whispers against his ear, his arms suddenly wrapping around Reigen’s waist as he’s pulled into an all too familiar chest. “Enough. I’ve let you play and have your fun long enough. It’s time for you to come home.”
“No—”
“Yes.”
“No—!” Reigen pleads breathlessly, struggling against unmovable arms as tears blur his vision—knowing that he was caught.
That this was it and that he would become nothing more than a bird with its wings clipped—no torn and shredded. His blood pooling around him as the collar and noose tightens around his neck. Mob hums, his chest rumbling against Reigen’s when he slowly begins to rock them side-to-side. Reigen can only sob harder and claw at the arms around him.
“Please! Please, Mob!”
“Shh— It’s okay.”
“No! Mob! Please don’t do this to me!”
“I’m not doing anything that you don’t already want,” Mob murmurs against his hair, leaning down to press a kiss to the scar on Reigen’s temple. “You’ll understand eventually.”
“Please…”
Mob hums, tightening his arms around Reigen, a familiar warmth that once brought Reigen so much peace and relief—but now only causes terror and despair to burn through him.
“I’ll run away,” he keens breathlessly, a wet sob passing his heaving lips while he sags against Mob. His forehead dropping on Mob’s shoulder as Mob lets out a huff of laughter against his hair.
"There's nowhere in this universe that you can hide from me, Reigen-Shishou. I'll always find you.”
Reigen knows that and had known it as he had watched in awe, fear and despair as Mob’s love—his obsession and love for him bloomed over the past decade.
“Please, Mob…”
“It’s okay,” Mob croons, his lips leave a searing path from Reigen’s throat to his jaw. “I’ll take care of you. I promised, didn’t I?”
Reigen can only whimper brokenly as his sob is swallowed by Mob, because Reigen knows that this was it. The end to his story and that no matter how much he runs or how far he goes, Mob will always find him.
Has always found him and will continue to find him, treating this as nothing more than a game. Letting Reigen escape only to capture him again, amusement and love shining in his eyes eternally as he once again drags Reigen back home—to that cage that Mob has created for him.
“Please… Shigeo.”
“Mm, my name sounds so sweet on your lips,” Mob whisper reverently, biting Reigen’s lips red while he tugs at his clothes and buttons clatter to the floor. “Please say it again.”
“Shigeo—”
“Shishou,” Mob groans into his neck, biting marks and bruises across his throat while he slides Reigen’s pants off with his powers.
“Please—"
“Mine,” Mob grunts out as the world blurs around them and Reigen finds himself being pushed onto a bed. Distantly, he realizes that Mob had taken him elsewhere, to that home that Mob had found for them, Reigen hysterically thinks.
This was to be his prison, his cage and home that Reigen knows he will forever be trapped in. Treated as nothing more than a pretty doll for Mob to use and have as he pleased. He finds resignation and grief settling into his heart—his soul was shattering and breaking as he stared up at Mob looming over him, his once so gentle and ever-so kind disciple.
As a rough hand pushes his legs against his chest and another presses a slick finger against his entrance, Reigen knows that this was his fault. For not listening to Mob, for not believing him and for not doing more to prevent this. All too quickly he feels Mob’s fingers leave him and he whimpers, broken and high-pitched, bringing his hands up to push against Mob’s broad chest. Realizing what was about to come and knowing that things would be truly irreversible if he was unable to stop Mob now.
“Mob! Stop—”
“No,” Mob croons as he brushes his lips against Reigen’s jaw. “Call me Shigeo, please”
Pain lights up every nerve in his body, Reigen feels like he’s burning up from the inside out, a broken keen leaving his bitten red lips while he clawed at Mob’s shoulders.
“Shigeo—Stop! Don't! Plea—Ah!” he doesn’t get a chance to speak as Mob begins to rut into him roughly, a sob and gasp leaving Reigen’s lip with each pound of Mob’s hips. His pleas and wails falling from his lips unbidden like a waterfall on deaf ears.
“No! No, no, no—”
“Hah, Shishou…”
“Don’t! Please! Mob—Shigeo!”
“Shishou—Ah,” Mob grunts, hips thrusting erratically as his hand reaches down to grab at Reigen’s cock just as Reigen feels betrayal wash over him at the way his hips jerk up into Mob’s hands.
“Hah—No! Don’t!” Reigen moans brokenly, hands digging into Mob’s back at each twist of Mob’s wrist and thrust of his hips.
“Mine. Mine, mine, mine—”
“Hah—No! D-don’t do this to me—Ah!” to Reigen’s ears he sounded so broken, but so wanton as he moaned and whimpered under Mob—who takes him apart as Reigen pounds his fists across his unmovable chest.
“You’re mine—Arataka,” Mob groans out, swallowing Reigen’s wail as his back arches and his legs tremble. He sobs quietly as warmth fills him, Mob’s thrust slowing down when he begins to slowly grind against him.
“Mine.”
Reigen says nothing, staring through bleary eyes at the ceiling, feeling Mob’s hands place a ring—his noose and collar around his finger. Weeping when he feels familiar hands once again grip at his hips and Mob’s teeth scrape against his neck. Reigen knows that Mob has won, that the hunter has caught the deer that he has been tracking ever-so carefully. Cutting it open and taking it apart to place it in a home, a pretty decoration and a trophy—evidence and proof of the hunter’s victory.