Age Angst - Tumblr Posts
Reigen is feeling insecure and Mob tries his best to soothe away his fears (college au)
ReiMob Drabbles, Ch2
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Reigen is old. He knows that now, has known it since he turned 30, and remembers it every time Mob is close. Every time he holds the younger male, feels how smooth his skin is, sees that there are no white hairs or wrinkles on him, touches the muscle he's been building since his middle school days, and it scares him.
His boyfriend is ten years his junior, and he has nothing to offer the growing man.
His phone flashes and the name Mob lights up, a picture of a smiling Mob staring back at him. He clenches his jaw and lets it vibrate two more times before it displays two missed calls. An amused chuckle startles Reigen and he quickly flips his phone so the screen can't be seen. Ekubo is peering down at him. Damn, he'd forgotten to close his office door!
"Soooo, ignoring the brat now are we?"
Reigen forces a smile as he slides his phone to the side, far away from Ekubo (he wasn't going to make that mistake again), "Of course not..."
It's a bit painful to smile and he feels his face twitch. He clears his throat and turns back to his desk, pretending to arrange papers. He clicks the mouse to his computer rapidly and wishes the screen would turn on quickly just this once. Ekubo straightens out, raising a brow at the obvious lie.
"You know," Ekubo begins and enters Reigen's office without permission. He ignores the hey from the blonde, "I saw him with that girl, what's her name? Tsubomi? They were at the gate."
Reigen freezes as Ekubo hits one of his greatest doubts. Tsubomi, Mob's first crush and the girl he'd been pining after for more than he's known the guy! She was the reason he'd started working out in middle school and, he grips the papers in his hand, she could also give Mob so much compared to him. They were close in age, she could give him a family, she was smart and had a bright future, and he'd seen the interest. He'd seen the way she would talk with Mob, casually touch his shoulder, and sit next to him during group projects.
And...they looked good...next to each other.
"Oh look there they are," Ekubo exclaimed and whistled, "Didn't know Shigeo was such a lady's man. You know, I saw that the alien otaku was dragging him around the other day too."
"Kurata," he replied automatically. His computer was finally on and he could put in the grades for the essays he'd just finished grading. He was quickly going through the pile but then paused when he got to Mob's paper. It was a pretty hefty length compared to what Mob normally turned in (bare minimum) and he'd even done a great job at the introduction. He typed in an 87 into his computer and then felt the paper snatched away.
His brow twitched as Ekubo sat on top of his desk, "Did Shige actually write this?!" He was flipping through the pages quickly, skimming and muttering (he never writes anything this detailed for my class and he actually knows what this word means?!) and Reigen couldn't do this anymore.
He blankly stared at Ekubo, "Why are you here?"
Ekubo stopped reading Mob's essay and shrugged exaggeratedly, a smile on his face but Reigen knew better, "Can't I come visit a friend? We haven't talked in a while."
Before Reigen could answer, his phone started vibrating again. He ignored it and Ekubo smirked, "Aren't you going to get that?"
Typing echoed alongside the phone, "No."
"What if it's important?"
"I doubt it."
Two more rings and it went silent. Ekubo sighed and crossed his arms, "It looks like you're almost done there, how about we go out for a couple drinks, my treat!"
Reigen slowed his typing. That actually sounded like a good idea. He'd been stressing out over a lot of things lately and it would be good to let loose since the school week was technically over for him. And while Ekubo liked to wreak havoc, Reigen also trusted him as his drinking partner. Not to mention that the taller man hardly ever offered to treat him.
"It's decided then!" Ekubo grinned as he slammed Mob's essay on the desk and got up. He grabbed Reigen's arm and tried pulling him out of his chair.
"H-hey, wait! I still need to finish putting the grades in!"
"You can do that at home, pack up so we can go, I'm starving! Where do you want to go?"
That's when Reigen's office door was slammed open (when had it been closed?) and Mob stood there, phone in hand and his eyes glaring at Ekubo, then moving to where he was holding Reigen.
"Oh hey Shigeo," Ekubo couldn't help how his grin widened, "fancy seeing you here. I thought you'd left already."
Mob didn't answer for a few seconds, "I need to talk with Professor Reigen."
"Uh, actually Mob-" Not good, not good! "-my office hours are over for today," Reigen couldn't even look at his boyfriend, "Why don't we talk later? Or send me an email if it's really important." He grabbed his bag, stuffing the essays in there, shut off his computer, and grabbed his suit jacket-
"Arataka," Reigen paused and finally looked over at Mob. His jaw was set, his hand was gripping his phone, and it didn't look like he'd be moving from his doorway anytime soon if his stance had anything to say about it. But what really got him was the use of his given name. Mob hardly ever called him Arataka, especially not in front of school staff (even though it was Ekubo).
Mob was determined. He sighed, setting his stuff down, "Alright, come in. Maybe next time Ekubo."
Ekubo grinned and whispered, "I look forward to it," before walking out and leaving the two of them alone.
Mob closed the door and locked it. They were quiet for what felt like forever and Reigen was starting to sweat under Mob's gaze. He pulled at his tie, hoping to get some fresh air.
"Why are you avoiding me?" Mob's voice was soft, curious, and slightly hurt. Reigen winced. That hadn't been his intention. He'd only wanted a bit of time to sort out his thoughts...
"I'm...not avoiding you," except he was and he couldn't even look up at Mob and at least try to fake it. Warm fingers touched his chin, brought his gaze up, and he felt exposed. Mob always had a way of looking at him that left him wondering if all his secrets and insecurities had been read. His other hand moved to twine their fingers together and Reigen felt like such a coward.
"Did I do something wrong?" Mob bit his lip, "Am I not important anymore?"
Reigen's eyes widened and he squeezed the hand in his, "NO! I mean yes, I mean...Arghhh! Look you didn't do anything okay? Today's just been...it's been hard." Not a lie but not the complete truth. Reigen scowled, "And where did you even get this 'not important' idea from?"
Mob's eyes shifted to the door and Reigen felt like such an idiot! "O-oh, that was because Ekubo was being a pest!...And I didn’t know it was you..." Another lie. He was the only person who really called Reigen. His call and text history was filled with just him.
Mob nodded, and something in the sincerity and relief he saw in Mob's expression pushed him. He let go of Mob's hand and hugged him tightly, burying his face into his chest. Mob hesitated for a second before hugging him back, a frown in his voice, "Reigen, what's wrong?"
"Tell me you love me," he whispered, voice half muffled by Mob's sweater, "please Mob."
Mob hugged him tighter and nuzzled his neck, "I love you," he pressed a kiss to his ear.
"I love you," a kiss to his cheek. He noticed Reigen was crying.
He peppered kisses on his face whispering Only you and I love you and don't cry and beautiful
That last one made Reigen laugh, "Now that one's a lie."
Mob kissed his lips and shook his head, "I don't tell lies."
"Mob, I'm a mess right now, I don't even think I look good, damn, where is the tissue at," Reigen looked around on his desk. He tried to move away from Mob but he wouldn't let go, "Mob, I need to clean my face."
Mob reached into his pocket and grabbed some napkins.
"Oh thanks, let me..." but Mob moved them away from Reigen, "Mob?"
"Let me," he whispered. He let go of Reigen and pulled a couple sheets from the bag, placed them on Reigen's nose and wiped away the snot. He balled up the napkin and grabbed a couple more. This time he squeezed Reigen's nose two times and Reigen shook his head, his face heating up, "No Mob."
Mob smiled and squeezed his nose, insisting. He even pulled it a bit, "Ok, ok, just let go!"
Reigen blew his nose into the tissue and Mob carefully took care of him. He cleaned his tears with another tissue and threw them into the wastebasket next to Reigen's desk. Then he hugged Reigen again and the older man couldn't help how warm and wanted he felt.
"I was serious," Mob spoke up as his hands moved against Reigen's back.
"About?" Reigen slipped his hands under Mob's sweater and just relished the feel of their skin connecting.
"I love you and only you so please stop worrying."
"Who said I was worrying?"
Mob took a step back and Reigen looked up, "You haven't been sleeping properly."
Reigen chuckled and moved to rub his eyes as if that alone would make the wrinkles he was sure were there go away, "Well, if my students actually paid attention in class things would be different."
"I pay attention."
Reigen lifted an eyebrow, "I'm pretty sure you just said you didn't lie."
Pink dusted Mob's cheeks, "I pay attention to what's important."
Reigen laughed and shook his head, "I'll let it slide this time, and as much as I love being held by you, we do need to leave. Or at least I do, I'm hungry."
"Did you want to go eat?" Mob invited as he let Reigen gather his things again.
"I was actually going to head home and then knock out," he was sure there had been some leftovers and he was too tired now to go out. Not to mention he probably still looked a mess. He briefly wondered if he still had any beer. He was serious about letting loose.
His hand was captured again, "Can I come too? I've missed you."
Reigen looked over at Mob, at their hands, and chuckled. He wanted to cry all over again and hit himself because how could he have doubted Mob? Simple and honest Mob who never did anything he didn't want, who left him snacks in his mailbox, sent him pictures of things he found interesting when they were apart, and held him when he needed it the most.
"Yeah Shigeo, I really need you today."
A/N:
For this story, I decided to pick a 'word of the day' from dictionary.com and roll with it (though in the end it turned into something not even related to that word lol). Also thanks so much for the kudos guys T_T 50 for one chapter and like 10 of them came in while I was finishing the draft today! Hope you guys like this one too
He tries to keep his tone light, to make it seem like he doesn’t care, but his voice gets softer when he says the word ‘serious’, and then he needs to clear his throat because why does it feel like he’s choking all of a sudden?! (ReiMobRei, MP100)
In Need of a Trim
Read full on Ao3
tags: age angst, canon age gap, insecure 50yo reigen, kisses, haircuts, grey hairs, comfort, dates, rated E but this PV is sfw
note: this is a rewrite of another fic i wrote called "a grey hair a day" so if you read that one already, this one has more scenes, specifically from reigens pov in the hopes of a more balanced dynamic (idk if i succeeded tho ;o;)
p.s: i told myself i would submit an mp100 prompt for this bang i joined and I FORGOT *cries* maybe i'll update the drabbles fic i have, i kind of want to write something for them, lmk if you have any ideas~
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Reigen is almost 50 years old when Mob realizes that he’s been dying his hair regularly. He’s not sure how he missed it, thinking back on it now. The signs are obvious: Reigen coming home with a different set of clothes (the job got a bit messy, that’s all) and how unnaturally glossy his hair looked sometimes (oh you know, I’ve been trying out this new product, it’s supposed to make you GLOW ). But his biggest clue should have been Reigen’s age
Ritsu is younger than Mob and he’s been showing grey hairs since he turned 30. Ritsu, as usual, never fails to make a pointed remark toward Reigen at Mob’s observation
“Ritsu,” Mob admonishes him. Ritsu had come to visit Seasoning City (he’d moved out years ago) for their parents’ birthdays and had made plans to have dinner with him. They were now at a restaurant near Reigen’s office (yes, they were still doing Spirit Consulting and yes, Ritsu was still slightly bitter about that)
Ritsu rolls his eyes, “Fine. Fine. I’m sorry, but really? Even Mom, who used all those anti-aging products, got grey hairs before she hit 50.”
“But I’ve never seen him with any grey hairs,” he counters.
Ritsu, who had been about to take another bite of his hamburger, pauses. He shrugs a second later, “He probably dyes it. I can’t think of another explanation.”
He digs in and chews, thinking, and then nods, his mouth still slightly occupied, “Pro’ly w’ried.”
Mob frowns, genuinely confused, “Worried? About what?”
Ritsu smiles at him, “You really are still the same when it comes to some things. Fine! I’ll help. It’s his age, Shigeo. His partner is 14 years younger than him! He’s probably worried about how that looks to others.”
He sends one of those looks at Mob and Mob decides to ignore it. He’s focused on this revelation. Yes, he’s conscious that Reigen and he have a rather hefty age gap and many people have expressed their disapproval throughout their lives, but this had been something the two talked about before.
He thought that Reigen had understood that age was something Mob didn’t care about, but as he continues to talk with Ritsu, he realizes that perhaps he hadn’t been as reassuring as he could have been. He’d need to try harder, and the first step was to see if Reigen was truly dying his hair
.
.
.
He’s not exactly sure how to bring up the subject. If Ritsu is right and Reigen IS dying his hair (Mob is realizing the possibility of this being true has now shot up to 99%) because he’s worried, should he just march into their home and announce, Reigen, I don’t care if you have grey hairs, I think they’re beautiful?
Reigen would surely call him a liar and he’d partially be one. After all, he’d never actually seen these alleged grey hairs (but Mob knows he’d love them because they were Reigen’s grey hairs, so no, he wouldn’t really be lying)
.
.
.
Reigen realizes something is wrong with Mob immediately. He hasn’t been officially together with Mob for nearly a decade for nothing! His usual modus operandi is to let Mob come to him, to let him sort out his thoughts and feelings, which is why he doesn’t say anything.
He doesn’t say anything when he feels Mob’s stare all day as he’s trying to convince a pair of teenagers that him being old is actually a good thing, It’s the young swindlers you need to be wary of! I have wisdom beyond my years! Besides, he coughs, we’ve been doing this for longer than you tweens have been alive. We’re experts! Right Mob?
Mob misses his cue and Reigen nearly swats the little twerp who mutters, He doesn’t look like he’s all there either…
Luckily, he does come back to his senses when it’s time to do the job, which somehow ends up with Reigen falling into a ditch and ruining his trademark suit. It’s been a while since that’s happened and Mob apologizes so much that Reigen decides to show him that yes, he’s more than forgiven, and no, it’s not your job to stop my every fall, it’s ok, besides, we finished the job quickly, you did really well
As they lay in bed, Reigen the big spoon this time, he can’t help but wonder if this has something to do with him and that’s why (a week after Reigen noticed) Mob hasn’t said anything
.
.
.
It most definitely is related to Reigen.
Reigen really hates to bring up his age as an explanation for everything (he’s come to realize that this is an “old-man” trait), but in this case, he’s sure becaus e he’s no spring chicken. But also, Mob is a little too fixated on him, touching his hair and face at random moments with no mind to their setting, petting him , watching him when he thinks Reigen isn’t paying attention, staring him down when Reigen decides to make eye contact, his mind silently screaming tell me what’s wrong! This is your chance! But no.
It’s honestly starting to get a bit unnerving and since he doesn’t want to live the rest of his unmarried married life with a quiet, potentially too contemplative, and getting creepier by the week Mob (he’s not even sure how he survived a month of this already!), he decides to ask for some help
He’s at the station with a disgruntled Ritsu on the line. He’s tight-lipped.
“You do realize my allegiance is with my brother and that I hate you, right?”
The sound of the train leaving echoes in the space, making Ritsu nearly inaudible but Reigen has heard this line so many times, his brain fills in the words he misses. And, like always, he replies, “Don’t you get tired of lying? I know you don’t actually hate me. Besides,” he counters, “I don’t want you to spill, I just…need a hint. Is it…serious?”
He tries to keep his tone light, to make it seem like he doesn’t care, but his voice gets softer when he says the word ‘serious’, and then he needs to clear his throat because why does it feel like he’s choking all of a sudden?!
A little voice, the traitorous one that sounds like his parents, whispers in his ear, feeding his fear of losing Mob. He’s probably tired of you and is trying to run you off, what did you expect, at your age
“Aren’t you with my brother now? Just ask him.” Except that they’re not together and that’s the reason he called Ritsu.
“It’s been a busy season so we split up to cover more ground.” Mob hadn’t wanted them to, saying it could be dangerous, but Reigen had a thing for weeding out most of the non-spirits-related cases and had taken on those jobs
Ritsu sighs dramatically, “Fine!”
And Reigen should be happy at the admittance but he knows Ritsu so he’s sure he’s not getting what he wants. Ritsu is only compromising, but that doesn’t stop him from smiling, or his heart from hammering in his chest, worried and anxious. He’s sure he paints an interesting picture. He’s already paid his fair but he’s standing in an alcove in the middle of the station, his suit tattered at the back, mud on his knees and calves, and a few scratches on his hands
He’s probably sweating a lot too. He can feel it
“It’s not what you’re imagining! That’s all I’m giving away!” he yells and then mutters a not-so-quiet, you two are equally hopeless! before the line goes dead
.
.
.
Reigen makes it back home before Mob, which surprises him. He’s moving on autopilot: removing his clothes (ruined), washing off the grime and smell of angry cats from his hair (it’s getting long again), and then soaking his tired bones (why is he so tired?). It’s when he’s sitting in the tub (for how long, he’s not even sure) that he snaps back to reality. He yells out, “How do you even know what I’m imagining?!”
Yelling helps him relax and then he starts laughing at how ridiculous this all is. At how ridiculous he’s being
He shakes his head, “At least he didn’t say not to call back this time.” Not that Reigen ever listens to that demand
Mob comes home right when Reigen is dry, but still only wrapped in a towel, debating whether to try and save his suit pants or just throw them away.
(They decide to try and save them together)
.
.
.
Mob finally says something three months later. It’s summer, the heat is unbearable even at night, and Reigen is upset about how long his hair is. He’s fresh out of the shower, wearing his loose and comfy pajamas and Mob beckons him over to the couch.
He uses his powers to turn on the light so that it isn’t just the light from the TV bouncing on the walls. Reigen sits next to him and Mob maneuvers them so that Reigen is between his legs. He uses the towel around Reigen’s neck to start drying his hair
“What’s wrong?” he asks. Reigen bumps his back a few times and groans when Mob applies a bit more pressure with his powers.
“My hair is getting too long and the place I usually go to just closed!” he complains, “The owner retired and the girl that works there decided to open up her own place elsewhere. I’m happy for her. They pay better in the big city, but now I’ll have to find a new place.”
Mob touches the ends of Reigen’s damp hair and smiles, “It is getting a little long.”
Reigen leans back, further into Mob, which makes drying his hair more difficult, but Mob doesn’t mind. He puts his arms around his waist and breathes in the smell of Reigen’s shampoo.
“I wonder if Tome can recommend something. She’s always going to salons with her wife.” Reigen’s voice is less directed at Mob and more just him talking to himself.
“I can cut it for you,” Mob suggests. He’s not even sure why he says it. He’s never cut hair before.
Reigen turns to him and raises his brow, “Don’t tell me you’re secretly a professional barber?”
Mob kisses Reigen’s crow’s feet and smiles, “No, but I’m sure I can learn. For you.”
Reigen contemplates, “I don’t know…”
Mob has him sit up so he can finish drying his hair. Once it feels dry enough, he sends the towel to the back of one of the kitchen chairs and runs his hands through Reigen’s hair. He smooths it down and as he’s running his fingers through the hairs covering his ears (definitely needs a trim), he sees them. Little grey hairs sticking out, barely visible, and only the roots
Mob leans down to kiss his hair, right behind his ear, and whispers, “Beautiful.”
.
.
.
Mob’s staring stops but the hair touching (somehow) intensifies and Reigen realizes what this is all really about.
They’ve always had a routine before bed, which consists of Mob helping Reigen dry his hair and Reigen (usually) giving him a massage (he’s only gotten better after all these years of practice). But now Mob wants to comb his hair, especially on days when Reigen wakes up with bedhead. Since it’s easier (and feels nicer) than pulling out mirror after mirror to try and see the back of his head, Reigen agrees to Mob’s insistence
But not always! I can’t have you pampering me every day. Think of it as a treat. And when Mob’s face lights up, Reigen realizes it’ll be a treat for them both
It doesn’t stop there. Mob also makes sure Reigen sees that he’s serious about his hair-cutting proposition. They’re in the office, Mob at the computer, looking up hair-cutting tutorials and they’re all (un)surprisingly for short hairstyles like his.
Reigen hovers behind Mob’s chair.
They’d been so busy for the last few months but this week things had finally started to slow down. Today almost seemed like an anomaly. They’d had no scheduled clients (potentially suspicious) but also no walk-ins either. He’d briefly considered closing early but with age also came this need to do something, to be useful . He couldn’t just close up for no reason
“You’re serious about this,” he says after Mob clicks on a new video.
“I’m always serious about you, about us,” Mob replies without a second thought.
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