Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

One question, and all you have to do is answer. If the question is invasive, then you can refuse to answer, too. But most of the questions can’t be that bad.

“Damn,” Itadori curses. “I actually don’t know what to ask first.”

“And here you were, saying you want to start,” Megumi scoffs.

Itadori jabs a finger at Megumi, but he dodges. “Hey! I wanted to start because I knew you wouldn’t know how to either.”

He’s not wrong. Megumi had no clue what to ask Itadori. Even if there were some obvious ones, he didn’t want those to be the first ones he asked. 

Megumi wanted to start light. Simple questions to break the ice. He was hoping that Itadori was thinking the same thing.

“What’s your favorite movie?” Itadori asked. 

Megumi stared at Itadori, confused. Due to the obvious fact that Megumi wasn’t much of a movie watcher, and didn’t have one. He was more of the type to read a book about a movie, then watch the actual movie. Finding them more interesting and enjoyable than the movie.

A movie always seemed to make a spectacular and well-written book into something adequate to the work of a toddler. So yes, Megumi didn’t have a favorite movie. But he definitely had a couple of books he could name.

“I don’t have any,” Megumi responded.

“Really?!” Itadori sounded taken aback. Like Megumi was crazy, “How do you not have a favorite movie?”

“I don’t know? I’m more into books than movies, I guess.” Megumi grabs his shoulder and squeezes it, feeling a bit anxious. 

Was that the wrong thing to say? No. There can’t be a wrong thing said when Itadori’s around. 

Itadori hums and rubs his chin like he’s thinking really hard about what this means. “Okay, I got it. What’s your favorite book?” 

Megumi looks away for a moment, wanting to focus on his answer rather than the boy so keen on staring at him. He’s got a lot of faves, but only a couple have ever really stood out to him.

“My favorite books are probably No Longer Human, or The Body Keeps the Score. They both dive into very deep topics, but they’re written beautifully.” Megumi lets go of his shoulder and returns his gaze to Itadori. 

Itadori is practically beaming at Megumi, for no reason in particular. He’s just giving Megumi the most precious and bright smile he’s ever seen. It almost doesn’t feel real how happy Itadori gets from the smallest things—especially when they have to do with Megumi. 

“I love that,” Itadori says. “Okay, your turn to ask me a question.”

Megumi bites his lip, actually not ready to be put in the spot. He didn’t have a question. At least not an appropriate one for his first question.

He looked around the room, searching for something that could spark an idea in his head. But he was coming up with blank lines. Nothing. 

It didn’t come to him until he panned his eyes over a small orange plushie.

“What’s your favorite animal?” Megumi asked.

Itadori's cheesy grin grows even more giddy. He leans back onto his pillows and grabs the tiger plush behind him. Holding it up to his face, he gave Megumi a toothy grin.

“Tigers!” He shouted, excitedly, biting his tongue through his smile. “They’re so cute and so cool.” 

Megumi figured, but he wanted to ask anyway, just so he had some kind of question. It wasn’t on purpose, but the way Itadori reacted was something he wanted to see, and he’s happy he did. A slight blush spots his cheeks, and the corners of his lips quirk up.

“Okay, my turn,” Itadori sang the last part. He kept the tiger plushie in his lap, holding it closely. “What was your fondest memory in your childhood?”

The question flips something inside of Megumi. It pierces a piece of his heart and sends shivers down his back. 

It’s not a difficult question. But for Megumi, it is.

He’s had a difficult childhood to say the least, from his mom dying when he was only two or three, and then his father—who wouldn’t really refer to him as that, though—walking out on them because he couldn’t handle his own grief. 

Obviously, you can’t forget the time when it was just Megumi and Tsumiki for almost a year, alone. Then, it was given to a younger man and his boyfriend, who were definitely too young to take care of two kids. 

It was messy. But there were definitely some fond memories in his brain. If only he could recall them.

Megumi takes a deep breath and holds it for a while. He can’t say he doesn’t know, because that would be sad. And if he’s still trying not to make Itadori worry about him, then he needs to come up with something.

“I guess, when my sister and I were really young, I think it was for my birthday, she got me this little cake, and a few toys. It wasn’t a lot, but I was grateful nonetheless. The toys weren’t something I really wanted, either, but we ended up playing with them that night after we finished the cake. Being in almost complete silence, and just playing with some silly toys with my sister, is probably my favorite childhood memory.” Megumi finishes his little story and finally looks up at Itadori.

He looks so interested in Megumi’s answer. It’s a little jarring at first, but Megumi makes sure his face doesn’t show his surprise. When Itadori realizes Megumi has finished talking, he cracks a toothy grin at Megumi, who averts his gaze to something else.

“That’s really sweet, Fushi. I hope I can meet your sister one day,” he says, his tone light and soft. 

Me too. Is what Megumi wants to say back. But he knows he can’t. So he buries that idea in his mind. He offers a smile and a nod instead.

“You know what I just realized? I don’t know your birthday,” Itadori says.

Megumi didn’t think that would surprise him, but he also doesn’t know Itadori’s birthday. This whole time, they’ve been hanging out and considering each other as friends; they didn’t know one of the most important details about the other.

“I don’t know yours, either,” Megumi admits.

“Well, there, our next questions for each other,” Itadori exclaims. 

Easy question to ask, and thankful for it, too. Megumi didn’t know what to ask before, so he’s glad this came up.

“Okay, when’s your birthday?”

“March 20. When’s your birthday, Fushi?”

“December 22.”

Megumi was going to remember that, no matter what. He’d make sure to do something special for him. If they were still friends by then. Megumi really hopes that they are.

Now it’s Megumi’s turn to ask a question. And he’s left unprepared with nothing to ask. He’ll just ask another obvious one.

“What’s your favorite movie?” Megumi asks.

Itadori lights up at the question, and Megumi realizes he just unleashed a side of Itadori he didn’t know about. He then proceeds to go on a tangent for around five minutes about a movie franchise, Human Earthworm. 

It sounds horribly cheesy, something Megumi has no desire to ever watch. But Itadori insists that they watch it together one day. And when Itadori is pleading like that, puppy dog eyes and a slight whine to his voice, how can Megumi say no? He complies, saying they can watch it together another time.

They ask each other more questions and answer, never declining to answer. Megumi learns that Itadori really wants to do film as a career, and if that doesn’t work out, he wants to be a firefighter so he can help people. He finds out just how much Itadori cares to help and save people. Only warming his heart and making him fall deeper in love with Itadori.

Itadori isn’t a picky eater and will eat absolutely anything. His grandfather was a firefighter, and that’s the reason he wouldn’t mind being one too. Megumi holds onto the was, deciding to ask about that later—if he gets the balls to. 

Itadori finds out that Megumi is a picky eater, which he already knew, but he got his confirmation. He also learns that Megumi doesn’t really have a planned future, only finding out that he wants to do something with animals or literature, like his sister. He used to own a pet rabbit and a frog at one point in his life, but they passed. 

Shiro wasn’t the only dog that Megumi had. He had a black dog named Kuro, too. But she was older when he was already a kid, so you know, she passed away. While Shiro was a puppy when Megumi was a kid.

Megumi finally gets the answer to what songs and bands Itadori has been liking, which Itadori knows what that means. The playlist he asked Megumi to make, which now feels like it was ages ago, can actually be made. Itadori also learns some more of Megumi’s favorite bands and songs, and tells Megumi that he’ll listen to them soon. 

At one point, Itadori asks Megumi to sit next to him, saying he feels like they’re too far apart. Megumi then asks if that’s one of his questions, to which Itadori replies with It’s not your turn to ask questions. And without saying anything, Megumi crawls over Itadori’s side and lies down next to Itadori. He watches him the whole time.

They don’t move closer to the point of any physical contact. But there’s this lingering sensation sparking between them. As if they want to reach out for the other, but can’t bring themselves to. So they continue to ask questions and answer.

Itadori asks why Megumi’s given name is a girl's name, but he makes sure to specify that he’s not asking in a mean way. 

“I promise I’m not trying to be an asshole. I’m genuinely curious,” Itadori said.

So they’re going down this road now. The road wasn’t a bad one, just bumpy and riddled with potholes. It opened up even more of his life. And all it was was a question about the origin of his name. It really shouldn’t be that deep, but it is.

Megumi bites his tongue and looks away from Itadori. He wants to avoid the question without making Itadori think it’s because of him. Because it has more to do with Megumi and his past. The fact that he’s not ready to share all of that yet.

But maybe it won’t lead to that conversation. The one where Itadori starts to ask about the presence of his parents. If it does, he should be able to handle it. He doesn’t have to go deep into the history. Just enough to give Itadori an idea, and not make himself feel sick

He can take the chance.

“My parents, mainly my dad, wanted to name me that. I don’t really know why, though.” Megumi says slowly, unable to say it any faster or clearer.

Itadori listens intently, letting the words settle in his brain before he responds. He waits a while after Megumi finishes, making sure that he’s actually done talking.

“Okay, and Megumi means blessing. Right?” Itadori comments.

It startles Megumi at first. Itadori knows the meaning behind his name and how he said his given name. It makes him blush, and butterflies swarm in his stomach. Itadori says Megumi’s name sounds so right. Like he’s meant to say it, and only ever use that name to refer to him—unless it’s Fushi, he can call Megumi by that name forever.

“Yeah, it does. Which I think is a weird name to call me due to the circumstances of my life,” Megumi says, not really thinking before he speaks.

“Hmm, okay.” Is all Itadori replies with. 

Did Megumi say too much? Bore him with his sappy, sad life. 

“Your turn,” Itadori exclaims, a bit more chipper than before. 

Great, Megumi doesn’t know what to ask. He thinks back to the questions Itadori gave as an example, and one sticks out like a sore thumb. But it still doesn’t feel right.

Why don’t you live with your parents?

Not now, at least.

“What’s your favorite color?” Megumi decides to ask another simple question.

“Orange. Okay, my turn. What happened to your parents?” Itadori answers quickly, delivering a new question to be answered. Megumi barely catches his favorite color and almost totally misses his question.

Now it’s led to that conversation.

“What?” He questions.

“Sorry, I might have said that really fast. What happened to your parents?” Itadori repeats.

“I heard you. It threw me off guard, is all,” Megumi clarifies, reaching up to brush his hair out of his face. It felt like it was clinging too much to his skin.

Okay, this was the time he took a step forward and didn’t look back. No regret, just answer the question. If he wants to be closer to Itadori, these things need to be shared.

Megumi took a deep breath in like he was about to confess his deepest darkest secret, his biggest sin. “My mom died when I was really young. I barely remember her. And my dad ditched us after, not really being able to handle a life without her.” Megumi said slowly, his voice a bit broken in the beginning. 

There was a weight lifted off his shoulder after he shared that with Itadori. Was sharing these kinds of deep secrets with Itadori actually a good idea? Was there really a benefit?

The fact that Megumi’s been keeping, and planned to keep more, from Itadori might have some kind of play in it. So maybe the fact that he decided to share something made that invisible wall—the wall between them blocking them off from being fully close to the other—disappear. 

Itadori only looked at him. Taking too long to let the silence soak up the space. Normally, Megumi appreciated the small moment of quiet after something like this. But this time it felt suffocating, consuming, and destroying everything around them. 

Megumi could feel his eyes on him. They felt as if they were dripping their sorrows or empathy onto Megumi’s skin. He hated it. At least, he hated it when it was other people. But with Itadori, at this exact moment, he didn’t really have a definite answer for how he felt. 

Itadori ended up scooting closer to Megumi, their arms slightly brushing against each other, which sent sparks through Megumi’s arm. 

Finally, Itadori spoke up after letting the silence sit for too long. “I’m really sorry to hear about that, Fushi.”

The nickname. God, the fucking nickname. Megumi was never going to get over it. He was forever going to be fighting his heart from popping out of his chest. Or his face from giving everything away when it spiked a deep red. 

Never stop calling me that, please.

“It’s okay. I’m totally over him now,” Megumi semi-lied. Because there’s still a part of him that’s not over everything.

It takes the form of a small child. Still yearning and waiting for his mom and dad to come back. To feel like he’s still loved by someone he can call mom and dad, and be known as mom and dad. To not feel like it’s his fault. 

That part of him feels like it will never be fixed.

The pained cries of a child who misses something they never really had, or ever got to experience.

What would his life be like if his mom had never died? His dad would have stayed, Gojo would have never come into their lives, and Megumi would still be this way. The outcome of his childhood wasn’t the reason for his music or clothing interests. That was just him, and he liked that about himself.

“It’s your turn to ask a question,” Itadori comments.

Megumi nods, but he doesn’t really know what to ask. He does, though. It shines bright like an LED sign. 

“Why don’t you live with your parents?” Megumi asks, a little worried that Itadori might take it the wrong way and be offended.

But he isn’t. Instead, he answers rather quickly and with a lot more energy. 

“They both died in some freak accident when I was like one,” he says, rather chipper.

Megumi’s so taken aback by his answer, and especially his tone when saying something so serious. Should Megumi give his condolences or try to joke with him—since he’s got a smile plastered onto his face? He’ll go with the first option just to be safe.

“I’m really sorry to hear about that, Itadori,” Megumi responds. 

“Pfft, don’t be. I’m over it because it happened when I was so young I barely remember it. Anyway, I had my grandpa, and he was like the only parental figure I needed.” Itadori reassured, still smiling.

Megumi offers a half smile, really it’s just him rolling his lips into a thin line, and slightly twisting the corners up. But it comes off like a smile, so it works.

Itadori pipes up when he realizes it’s his turn to ask a question. “Oh, okay, I got one. If you lost your parents at a young age, who took care of you?”

It’s an easy answer. At least, it totally should be.

Tsumiki. That’s the answer to who took care of me. But how would Itadori react to hearing that Megumi’s sister, who was also very young at the time, was taking care of both of them a long time before Gojo arrived? Then, how would he explain Gojo?

The good thing is that Itadori doesn’t seem like the type to judge. But Megumi will continue to worry and shield his life away from him for his safety, only letting small things out.

If Itadori wants to know more, that's his responsibility to make that move. He has to ask for it. Because Megumi won’t share that without Itadori asking.

“My sister, Tsumiki, took care of both of us for most of the time,” Megumi replied slowly again, still not looking at Itadori. 

There’s an energy coming off of Itadori. It’s hard to decipher, but there’s a sense of worry dripping from him. An invisible string seems to wrap around Megumi’s index finger. There’s a slight tug from where Itadori sits next to him, but he keeps his hand glued to his side.

“Okay, I want to ask something else, but it’s not my turn.” Itadori scoots closer to Megumi; the feeling of their fingers about to touch is very evident, but not quite there. 

It’s like when you go to touch something, but you stop just a couple of centimeters before making contact. You can sense that it’s there, but you won’t make the move.

“Why do you live with your uncle instead of your grandpa? You sounded very happy talking about how he was like a parent to you.” Megumi asks.

He can hear the slight change in Itadori’s breathing. It’s subtle and very easy to miss. But Megumi catches it almost instantly. 

Now Megumi’s scared he said the wrong thing. He pushed too far for something painful. Itadori did say that any question is fine, especially for him.

Itadori takes a deep breath in, holds it, but lets it out as he speaks. “He passed away a year and a half ago. Around the end of Sophomore year, I think.” He says it airily and slowly. He takes another breath to finish what he’s talking about. “My uncle was the only family member still alive to take care of me. And he lived close to the school, too, so he was given custody of me.”

Oh.

Megumi doesn’t know what he expected. Of course, his grandpa passed away. Why else would he be living with a different family member? Now Megumi feels like an asshole for bringing back the memories of a, probably, healing wound. The blood is most likely spilling out again.

He doesn’t know what to say to make this okay, to comfort Itadori, or to apologize for asking such an insensitive question. What does one do in this situation?

His hand trails over to the rough, calloused, and cracked hand close to him. Slipping his fingers under to touch Itadori’s palm. When he’s happy with where his hand is under Itadori’s, Megumi closes his hand around Itadori’s and squeezes. He waits for Itadori to squeeze back, but moves his hand instead. 

Itadori keeps hold of Megumi’s hand as he moves them. Then, he intertwines their fingers, his fingers between Megumi’s and vice versa. He finally squeezes Megumi’s hand back.

“I’m really sorry to hear about that. That’s the worst outcome of loving someone.” Megumi offers some kind of response instead of just being completely silent.

“Yeah, and then having to learn how to live in a world without them. Knowing only the world that they inhabited. It was difficult, but look at me,” He turned his head to Megumi—finally peeling his eyes away from the wall and looking at Itadori—and gave a wide smile. “I’m fine.” 

Megumi can see it, though. The slight hint of wetting to Itadori’s waterline, a slight quiver to his grin, and his eyes. He had them closed when he smiled at Megumi, but when he opened them, there was something there. A pain that has yet to be resolved and healed. Untouched and broken. Desperately wanting help to be fixed, yet never getting any. 

Because why? Because he’s Yuji Itadori. He’s strong, and there’s nothing that could ever bring him down. If he gets pushed down, he’s expected to get right back up, dust his pants off, and keep going. Never having the time to emotionally recover from something as difficult as losing your only parent. 

Even if it was just his grandpa, he had an important relationship with Itadori. And losing that must have made Itadori lose himself.

Megumi wants to say something, or even do something. But he can’t. He doesn’t know how to take that pain that Itadori harbors and diminish it for all his life. Not yet, at least. So he refuses to give up.

“It’s your turn to ask a question,” Megumi says, keeping his eyes now glued to their interlocked hands.

Itadori hums, like he really doesn’t know what to ask. But he does, so his thinking doesn’t take long. 

“How did Tsumiki do it alone?” He asks.

And there it is. The opening that introduces Itadori to Megumi’s other guardians. Maybe he can do it without naming anyone. Not like Itadori would know who Geto was unless he was besties with Gojo, since Gojo doesn’t go around telling people about his late husband.

“Well, she didn’t do it all alone. Only for the first year or two after my parents were out of the picture.” Megumi pauses, not wanting to mess up his words. “My dad had this friend from college, who was looking for a kid or two to adopt with his husband. And he just kind of handed us over without dealing with any legal work.”

Itadori hummed, amused and slightly confused. “So your dad just fully dipped, and then handed you both to some randos?” 

“Pretty much, yeah.”

“Wow.” Itadori pauses to look away and cup his mouth with his free hand. “Just wow. What an asshole.”

“Tell me about it,” Megumi scoffs.

“Here, I thought my friend Junpei’s dad was bad. He just left to get milk. Like actually left to get milk and then never returned,” Itadori added.

Itadori didn’t seem to care about names or anything to identify these people, which Megumi was grateful for. A little confused, but he figured that even if Itadori did ask, he wouldn’t know who they were. The answer was all he wanted.

Megumi’s turn. This one will be lighter than the other. 

“What was your favorite memory with your grandpa?”

Hopefully, Itadori will take it that way, at least.

Itadori laughs to himself, giving Megumi’s hand a little squeeze. His laugh comes out airy and relieved, about whatever his brain is sharing with him.

“I’d say when we went on our first road trip together, we stopped at this rest spot with a park. There were different animal statues around a playset, and I refused to leave. I was having so much fun playing there, even though my grandpa kept yelling at me to get back in the car.” Itadori pauses for just a moment, and Megumi watches his eyes soften. He notices the slight shift in his demeanor, how he relaxes but also grows a little bit sad, again. 

“After a while, he gave up and just let me play for another hour, even joining in for a bit. But playing for that long in the blazing sun can’t be good for a young kid, so I got a really bad heat stroke. My grandpa got me ice cream before we went to the hospital, though.” Itadori finishes.

Megumi, again, doesn’t really know what to say. But he knows that he’s happy he asked that question. It seemed to remind Itadori of something extremely special and memorable to him, and there was that sparkle in his eye. 

“That’s really sweet, Itadori. And it seems like you haven’t changed much,” Megumi added.

Itadori turned to him and scoffed. “What do you mean by that?” 

Megumi giggled a little, trying to cover it before Itadori notices, but failing. 

They both continue to stare at each other. In the silence of Itadori’s room, the only thing being heard is the forgotten movie and the vents rustling before spewing hot air through the slits. So it isn’t exactly silent, but the way they stare at each other makes the world around them dissolve into nothing. It’s just the two of them on the bed, holding hands, and breathing the same air.

Megumi’s chest rises as his eyes drink in the forest brown irises in front of him. He wonders if Itadori is doing the same. The way his eyes soften as they burn into Megumi’s, and his mouth opens just a bit, Megumi is sure that Itadori is doing the same. 

Lost in the others' eyes. And not quite ready to say anything to grab the other out. It’s peaceful. Just being here and taking the other in with their own sight. 

Megumi wishes he could take out Itadori’s eyes and see how he views Megumi. Would it be the same way Megumi views Itadori?

The sun had set an hour ago, and now the moonlight left Itadori’s eyes darker than before. With no sun to ignite them, they were still beautiful. Breathtaking. Everything about Itadori is breathtaking. 

Megumi could go on for hours, write pages upon pages, or create an art piece to explain Itadori’s appearance, but it would never be enough. There would always be something missing or something that needs to be captured. Because there’s so much to Yuji Itadori that it would never be long enough, or big enough. 

It would go on for hours or years, just from trying to capture every thought he has in one spot. But there will be more and more. A never-ending rush of feelings, thoughts, and emotions.

If Megumi had the courage right now, he’d do more than stare into those dusty brown eyes and heart-shaped pupils. He wants so much more without seeming selfish. But he also wants to be greedier. 

Maybe another day will come when those strings pull them closer, and nothing stops them this time. When that time comes, Megumi will be greedy, and he won’t back away.

Itadori breaks this little staring contest they have by coughing and turning away. His face was a bright red, and his hand was a bit sweatier than before. But he didn’t retreat his hand from Megumi’s hold.

“How long have we been playing this little game?” Itadori asked.

Megumi shifted up to grab his phone from his pocket. It was around eight, almost nine, and they had been playing for almost an hour and a half. There felt like so much more needed to be asked, but it also felt like Itadori was asking so they could stop.

“Not that long,” Megumi responds.

Itadori hums and turns back to Megumi. “Do you want to continue playing?” He asks.

“I mean, sure.”

Itadori smiles, and his facial expression changes to be more focused and serious, probably thinking of what to ask. When he’s done thinking of whatever question to ask, he perks up with excitement. “Okay, am I like your first friend?”

Megumi sucks his lips into a thin line and chews on his piercings again. No, Itadori was not his first friend. It’s just the fact of how sad that question sounds, with or without context. He knows Itadori doesn’t mean anything evil, but it still stings.

“No, obviously,” Megumi spits out. “I had this one friend in middle school. But she ended up moving away, and we kind of lost touch.”

“Hey, I wasn’t trying to ask in a mean way. I’ve just never seen you with any kind of friend since freshman year,” Itadori pointed out.

Ouch. Megumi sighed, because Itadori wasn’t wrong, but he didn’t need the reminder.

Megumi rolls his eyes, “Am I your first friend?” Megumi asks in a mocking tone.

“W-what?” Itadori stutters. “I have a friend from middle school, but we’re still friends.” 

“Well, good for you,” Megumi huffs out.

He’s not actually angry at Itadori, but he’s getting irritated. Why did he agree to continue this little game? And how did he forget that he doesn’t need to answer these questions?

“Do you want to be friends with your old friend again?” Itadori asks. 

He doesn’t sound angry, even though he should be, because Megumi’s being dramatic over this. Right?

Megumi had asked himself that question many times before. And each time, he's been met with an unclear answer. Their fallout wasn’t too messy, but it wasn’t just forgetting to text each other. It was more than that. 

But Nobara was his first best friend. He values her for that. For not treating Megumi like a used tissue, full of blood and tears. 

She cared for him, even when he was starting habits that were hard to break, and she was there for him when the tears seemed to be endless and ugly. Nobara was there when Megumi blamed himself for everything wrong in his life—his parents leaving him, then his living conditions, and more. From the beginning of his eating disorder, she witnessed it. But it still ended with them no longer talking.

Why? Because Megumi didn’t know how to listen. Because he didn’t want the help that he so desperately needed. The hand reaching out to him, trying to stop him from going down a deep hole that would only lead to misery and death. Because Megumi was stupid enough to believe the voices telling him that Nobara was only going to make his life worse.

At least that’s what Megumi told himself. Even if that was the worst thing to think about with their fallout.

The answer, though. 

“Yes,” Megumi muttered. 

Because at the end of the day, when the fog cleared from Megumi’s mind and vision, Nobara was good. She was good to him, and Megumi missed her presence.

Itadori hummed and gave a reassuring squeeze to Megumi’s hand. He rested his head on Megumi’s shoulder, his breathing fanning against Megumi’s cheek.

Megumi’s no longer upset with Itadori, because how could he when he’s laying his head on his shoulder and scooting closer to him. And the sudden memories of Nobara and him made him forget about his annoyance with Itadori.

“How are you and your friend still friends?” Megumi asks, his voice breaking a bit.

“Well, we still have a lot of the same interests, even if we’ve grown up. And no matter how hard he tries, I’m a talker and won’t stop talking to him.” Itadori exclaimed.

Megumi nods and slowly tilts his head to rest on Itadori’s. He smiles at what Itadori said. Because he’s happy to hear that Itadori and his friend worked out better than him and Nobara.

His eyes start to feel heavy, and a yawn manages to escape his lips. But he nuzzles into Itadori’s hair and forces his eyes to stay open. Even with the comforting smell and heat radiating off of Itadori, making him more tired.

“So, why aren’t you and your childhood friend friends anymore?” Itadori asked, a little hesitant.

Megumi knew that Itadori would ask. But the question still startles him when he hears it. Because he really doesn’t know what to say. The truth seems too raw, too soon. 

He can just make something up, and it can still be semi-true.

“Stopped sharing a lot of the same interests, and I wasn’t doing too well, mentally. So we parted ways, and it was definitely my doing more than hers,” Megumi said, his tone full of sorrow.

Itadori hummed, “You two didn’t just lose contact due to distance, I’m guessing. Well, that really sucks.” 

Megumi nods and continues to chew on his lip, biting off pieces of skin to swallow. “Yeah, I feel horrible for letting it happen.”

“But you said you weren’t doing very well, so she must have understood,” Itadori commented.

He’s not wrong on that part. Nobara was probably very understanding, even if she was heartbroken to see someone she cares about push her away for their mental health. Megumi can’t recall how she reacted. Everything around that time was a blur. Especially the happy moments of their relationship.

Megumi was so close to drowning at that part of his life—though the real waves wouldn’t crash into him until Sophomore year—it’s all he can remember. Who knew 8th grade could be so devastating and destructive?

“It’s your turn, Fushi,” Itadori said, breaking Megumi away from his brain.

“Do you actually like the friends you have now?” Megumi asked.

Itadori tapped his chin and hummed. “I mean, some of them, yes. But a lot of them are so fake.”

Megumi nods into Itadori’s hair, taking a small breath to get a whiff of his shampoo. It was subtle, but still just as comforting as ever.

“Okay, umm, my turn,” Itadori sounded unsure. That scared Megumi for whatever question he was brewing inside his head. It couldn’t be that bad, though.

“When did this whole eating habit thing start?” Itadori asked slowly, unsure if this was okay to ask.

It’s not like it wasn’t that bad. He had witnessed the worst relapse that Megumi’s ever had. It felt like he was obligated to know about what was going on inside Megumi's head.

But just thinking about telling Itadori made Megumi’s stomach twist into knots, and his head started to spin. A bead of sweat rolled down his forehead and landed in Itadori’s hair. 

He didn’t realize at first how fast his breathing had gotten, or the way his body began to shake and heat up. They weren’t under the covers, but it still felt like Megumi was suffocating under the thick blankets. 

Megumi tried to shift over the covers, as if he was under them, kicking his legs, and sitting up to try and breathe, taking his head off of Itadori’s. He needed to say something. Anything so that Itadori wouldn’t have to worry about him right now.

The way Itadori’s hand keeps hold of Megumi’s says more than words could. It grounds him, telling him that he’s still there, and everything's okay.

“I’m so, so, sorry, Fushi. ” Itadori apologized, his tone fast and scared, but still serious enough that Megumi knew he wasn’t joking.

Megumi shakes his head rapidly, and coughs out the air blocking his throat. “I’m okay. I just—” He pauses to take another deep breath in, coughing on his own air again. “I want to tell you, I really do. Just not yet. Not now.”

Itadori sits up now, aligning himself next to Megumi. Their hands are still connected. Their fingers intertwined.

“Please,” Megumi muttered, sorrowful. A strong feeling of earnestness in his tone. He needed this like his life depended on it.

Itadori doesn’t say anything. He lets go of Megumi’s hand, and the empty space feels sinful at first. Then he reaches out and grabs Megumi’s shoulder. Itadori squeezes Megumi before turning to him and pulling him into his chest.

Megumi’s face presses into Itadori’s chest, scrunching his shirt up. Hesitant at first to make any other moves, but then remembering who Itadori is—he’s safe and okay to be this level of intimate with. He wraps his arms around Itadori’s waist and pulls them closer together.

The placement of Megumi’s ear is right over Itadori’s heart, and that rhythmic thump seems to calm Megumi completely down. The knot in his stomach untwists into a flurry of butterflies. Everything else fades away, and it feels like he’s back to normal. They’re back to normal. Back to feeling each other’s bodies, and sharing a short moment to just exist with the other.

It started to feel like moments like these were becoming important for Megumi. As if they did this to calm the others down, or maybe just Megumi. 

Hopefully, but also not really hoping for that, Megumi can comfort Itadori this way one day. But Megumi doesn’t really want to see Itadori in pain.

“I’m sorry I asked that. Do you still want to play?” Itadori apologized.

Megumi didn’t want to stop playing because he got his feelings hurt—though, that’s not really what he’d call it, but he doesn’t want to make it seem more serious than it is. That seems unfair to Itadori and to Megumi if he still wants to learn about Itadori.

“We can still play, and I’m sorry I reacted that way,” Megumi responded, slightly lifting his head so he isn’t muffled, but not enough so he could look at Itadori. He knew that if he looked at Itadori from this angle, his face would turn a bright red and his heart would start racing.

“No. Don’t apologize for being upset. I asked a rather sensitive question, and I should have expected you to react that way.” Itadori exclaimed and rubbed circles into Megumi’s back as he spoke.

Megumi took a deep breath in again, taking in his surroundings through scent and touch. He tightened his grip on Itadori’s shirt and started trailing up his back. As he breathed out, his body relaxed, and he started to pull away from Itadori. Never taking his hands off of him, though, just trailing down to new spots.

“Okay,” Megumi said, unsure if there was anything else he could say. He just wanted to go back the way it was before he overacted.

So they continued this little game of questions and answers. Acting as if nothing happened. There was no more question asked about Megumi’s eating habits, because if he believed enough, it wasn’t that serious.

Itadori lies back down, his head resting on the backboard. Megumi followed his body, resting himself onto Itadori’s chest. He draped his arm over Itadori’s stomach and hooked his leg around the other boy's.

With his head over Itadori’s heart again, and their chests rising and falling together, he could fall asleep. It was so cozy and peaceful, just the small talk between them.

Megumi asked about the shirts Itadori always wears. Which only turned into another five-minute rant about his favorite superhero movies. 

He learned that Itadori’s favorite superhero is Spider-Man, and that the movies and comics are a must-read/watch. There goes another hangout idea for them, binge-watching every Spider-Man movie, then reading Itadori’s favorite comics. Which he pointed out on a shelf, even offering to let Megumi borrow some.

Megumi also learned that Itadori’s uncle does some sketchy stuff for his job. That’s why he’ll just disappear from the house for days, maybe even weeks. Itadori doesn’t really know what he’s doing, but he also doesn’t care because it doesn’t involve him at all. 

Itadori’s natural hair is pink—Megumi refused to believe it when he asked, and then accused Itadori of lying. To which Itadori then grabbed his phone, scrolled through his camera roll, and showed Megumi a photo of him as a baby. And Itadori was not only the cutest baby ever, but also had the chubbiest cheeks Megumi’s ever seen. His hair was also pink, so Megumi was proved wrong.

Megumi learned that he doesn’t really care for hoodies, but he only wears them because it’s easy. Finding out that he doesn’t really care to have a style, and that he just wants to wear things that show what he’s into, hence the superhero shirts.

Itadori learns that Megumi’s hair is naturally spiky. And how he got a lot of his piercings. Megumi vaguely explains how his snakebites, septum, and industrial piercing were like a gift or reward, like good job rewards. While one of his nose piercings and most of his other ear piercings were done by himself with a needle and a dream. He didn’t specify what they were a reward for. How was he supposed to explain that they were for him to eat or stay clean for a certain amount of time?

Itadori mentioned how he’d love to get his ears pierced, but his uncle would kill him if he saw him like that. But Megumi promised he’d pierce them one day.

Learning that Megumi used to live in a trashy apartment that was falling apart. The first band he listened to that got him into emo music and style was Linkin Park.

They continued popping simple questions and answering them smoothly. Reaching some kind of flow state.

Soon enough, Megumi’s eyes grew heavy once again, and he was finding it hard to keep them open. His breathing became slower, a yawn escaping his lips a couple of times. He was dozing off, and almost every question or answer he gave was pure mumblings.

At one point, Itadori poked his shoulder, “Fushiguro? You awake?”

Megumi jolted up, lifting his head a bit to look around. He nodded, “Mhm, I’m awake.”

“Then what did I just ask?” Itadori asked.

Shit. Megumi has no idea what he asked because he was falling asleep. Either he tells the truth, or tries to act really smooth and lies.

“You asked my favorite thing about school,” Megumi answered confidently.

Itadori lets out a snicker and brings a hand up to Megumi’s face, brushing the hair out of his eyes. 

“No, I was answering your question about, what I ate for morning last night.” Itadori laughs out, smiling at Megumi like an idiot.

Megumi’s face turns a bright red from embarrassment. He can’t believe he asked Itadori a stupid question. 

He groaned and smooshed his face into Itadori’s chest. “Shut up,” he spat out.

Itadori continued to laugh, not letting Megumi have the peace of mind after making such a silly mistake. 

“I think it’s time to stop playing this little game,” Itadori said. “It’s getting late anyway, and you should probably get going soon. You know, so your sister doesn’t have to worry.”

Fuck, Megumi forgot that he had to go home, and that he couldn’t just stay here. That meant leaving this warmth, this peaceful moment, and Itadori. A part of him really didn’t want to go. 

“What if I stay?” Megumi suggested.

Itadori shrugged, “If that’s what you want to do, then by all means, stay. I’d be over the moon if you stayed. But I don’t want you to feel forced to just because it would make me happy.”

Megumi thought about it, now that Itadori was fine with it, too. He could stay. He was able to. All he had to do was let Tsumiki or Gojo know. Without mentioning Itadori, though.

A hotel. He’ll just say he’s staying at a hotel tonight because it’s late, and he doesn’t want to ride the train this late at night. He didn’t want to do that now, though, not as he rested his head onto Itadori’s chest. Itadori would have had something to say about Megumi walking home at night, too.

Megumi shifted closer to Itadori and felt his jeans scratch his skin. It was uncomfortable, and he couldn’t and won’t sleep in these clothes.

“Do you have a change of clothes?” Megumi asked.

Itadori practically shot up, scaring Megumi as he was still lying on him. He apologized and started pulling away from Megumi, breaking their connection. Slipping out of the covers and sprinting to his dresser, where he pulled out a pair of pajama pants and a hoodie.

Megumi sat up now, watching Itadori. He made sure his eyes didn’t leave the pink-haired idiot, or that he left the bed. Itadori’s warmth still simmered there even with him gone. So Megumi was trying to soak it up before he’d have to get up, although he’d return to the source of that heat soon.

If there was one thing Megumi had learned from cuddling Itadori, it was that he was a big heater. So the problem was if Megumi were to wear a hoodie while Itadori wrapped himself around Megumi, he’d most likely overheat. Even with the cooler weather, Itadori would end up heating Megumi up to the point of feeling like he’s swimming in his own sweat.

Now, yes, Megumi wasn't sure about Itadori wrapping himself around him. But the chances were high. Especially when Itadori looked so excited to find clothes for Megumi to change into, and for Megumi to sleep over.

“I’ll take the hoodie. But do you have a shirt in case I get hot?” Megumi said as Itadori held out the clothes.

Itadori nodded and turned back to his dresser. He pulled out a bright red T-shirt that had, in big letters, Spider-Man, and said superhero was in the middle, hitting one of his iconic poses. 

The shirt was huge. Like, even too big for Itadori. 

It’s not like Megumi was extremely thin and petite—he was quite the opposite, actually, with his height and somewhat defined physique. Even though Megumi struggled with his eating, he made sure he’d get some kind of physical activity, but on his own terms.

The shirt would work, though. He reached out for the clothes, and Itadori practically sprinted to give them to him. Then Itadori just stood there, staring at Megumi. Megumi gave him a questioning look and shifted his eyes to the door.

When Itadori finally got the hint to get out of the room so Megumi could change, he cracked an apologetic smile and ran out of his room. Megumi waited till it felt right to change. It’s not like he thought Itadori would do something creepy, but it was more like he didn’t want him to see his body.

He swiftly slipped off his clothes, happy to be free from his supposed to be concert outfit, and pulled on the clothes Itadori gave him. The pants were a little too big for him, too, so he made sure to tie the string tight. And the shirt’s neck hole was so wide that it looked like an off-the-shoulder.

A part of Megumi wanted to find another shirt to wear, because his collarbone and almost his entire shoulder were peaking out. But Megumi didn’t want to go digging through Itadori’s dresser or closet, and he already gave him this shirt. So Megumi slipped the hoodie on as well and prayed that Itadori wouldn’t heat him too much.

Megumi called out to Itadori, letting him know that he could come back in. But there was silence. Not a single peep from the loudest person Megumi knows. He decides to go out of Itadori’s room to look for him.

He cracks the door open, and there is no Itadori in sight. But Megumi can hear rustling coming from the kitchen. 

Unsurprisingly, Itadori was in the kitchen cleaning up and making it look like no one ever touched it. He didn’t hear Megumi walk in, too wrapped up in his own head and cleaning. 

Megumi watched as he wiped down plates, the counters, and returned dishes to their respective spots. It’s kind of nice just watching him move with ease and a clear objective. He finishes with the dishes, and he still hasn’t noticed Megumi standing by the kitchen.

He figures he should announce his presence because there was no way Itadori would notice him. 

“Itadori?”

Itadori jumps and turns around to look at Megumi. He definitely didn’t know he was there, and he totally got scared. Megumi would have to apologize later.

“Jesus, Fushiguro. You scared the shit out of me,” Itadori huffed.

“Sorry,” Megumi said, though he didn’t sound very sorry. “I finished getting dressed and called for you to come back in. But you weren’t there.”

“Oh yeah, sorry,” Itadori paused for a moment, just to stare at Megumi for a bit, to take in him wearing his clothes. “Um, I wanted to clean up a bit more. Just in case, you know.”

Megumi didn’t know why he would want to clean up a bit more. There was definitely a valid reason as to why, but Megumi didn’t feel like thinking about it. Not when he’s so tired, and all he wants to do is drag Itadori back to bed and pass out with him in his arms.

“Hmm, okay. Can we go to bed?” Megumi asked, a little impatient now. 

Itadori giggled, “Yes, let me just finish this last thing. Okay?”

Megumi grumbled, “Okay. Just hurry up, I’m tired.”

“Yes, my needy husband.” Itadori quipped.

“Shut up,” Megumi shouted from the hallway.

He collapsed onto Itadori’s bed, his head sinking into the pillows. The blankets were soft, and the mattress was memory foam, so he sank into it. Megumi groaned and dragged his hands over his face.

Itadori didn’t take long to return to his room, and when he returned, he stuck his tongue out at Megumi. He started digging through his dresser and pulled out a pair of sleep shorts and a graphic tee.

Without what seemed to be a second thought, Itadori started pulling his shirt off. In front of Megumi.

The black-haired boy sat up and gasped. His face heated up and was now a bright red. “What are you doing?” He asked rather quickly.

Itadori turned to him. His shirt was already pulled over his head and was now on his arms. His entire upper half was out for all to see, well, only Megumi.

Megumi had never seen Itadori shirtless before, and he didn’t think he ever would. But right in front of him is a toned, muscular man who looks utterly confused. Megumi’s eyes scan over him. From his broad shoulders, to his exposed chest, and his abs—because of course, Itadori would have abs. To his v-line, and then Megumi has to stop his mind from going to places he normally wouldn't go.

He’s liked Itadori for his personality and character for as long as this little crush has been going on. Because he never thought his body would be all that. And sure, he’s seen the way certain shirt sleeves hug his biceps, or how sharp his jawline is.

Now that Itadori was standing in front of him, his shirt rolled off his body, and in his arms, Megumi was now sure about one thing. He’s undeniably in love with Itadori and has never needed someone more than he does right now.

But instead of listening to the little devil on his shoulder telling him to dive in, he swallows his thoughts and continues to stare at Itadori like he’s an idiot. A hot idiot, though.

“What?” Itadori stutters out and fully removes his shirt. He tosses it onto his big bean bag. “I’m just changing.”

“Yeah, but why do you have to do it in front of me?” Megumi questioned.

Itadori squinted at Megumi, then widened his eyes and brought a hand to his mouth. His face changed into a bright pink, “I’m sorry, Fushi. I’m so used to doing that in my room.”

“Did you forget I was here, or what?”

“No. I knew you were there,” Itadori said.

Okay, maybe he was being a major idiot and messing with Megumi. He does that a lot, so Megumi shouldn’t be surprised.

“If you knew I was here, why’d you start stripping in front of me?” Megumi asked again.

“Oh, please,” Itadori paused to giggle. “Don’t act like you didn’t enjoy that sight just a little bit.”

Megumi gawked at him. Utterly surprised by his sudden boldness. And also a little intrigued by it.

He grabbed the pillow he was lying on before and chucked it at Itadori’s face. “Shut up. I’m going to the bathroom while you finish getting dressed,” he scoffed.

Stupid Itadori. Always saying the right thing, but also the wrong thing at the same time. He’s a flirt and knows exactly how to make Megumi’s heart rate rise.

The fluorescent light from the bathroom flickers as Megumi flips the switch. It continues to flicker as he does his business and washes his hands. 

Before he leaves the bathroom, he looks at himself in the mirror. There’s this refined feeling coming off of him. It’s weird to see himself looking so, he doesn’t know what word to use, happy. So pleased to be here with Itadori tonight.

He’s never seen himself so joyous and peaceful.

When he emerges from the bathroom, he can hear a movie playing from Itadori’s room. There’s only a subtle hint of an orange light emerging from Itadori’s room, too.

Itadori isn’t in his bed when Megumi walks back in, but he’s fully changed into his pajamas. But he’s grabbing Megumi’s bag and hiding it in the closet. 

“What are you doing with my bag?” Megumi asks sternly.

Itadori turns to meet Megumi’s scowling face. He cracks a smile, “I should have asked before, but I’m hiding it in case my uncle comes home. I don’t want him to see your bag and get the wrong idea.”

“Was that why you wanted to clean up the kitchen a bit more?” Megumi wondered.

Itadori nodded, closing his closet now and walking over to his bedside table. “It’s more for you than me. My uncle doesn’t care who you are; he’ll treat anyone however he wants to,” he replies.

Megumi hums, no longer upset at Itadori for touching his stuff. Not like he was going to find anything incriminating or worrying. 

He walks over to Itadori’s side, who’s on his phone looking at someone’s location—his uncle’s location. Itadori lets out a sigh of relief and turns his phone off. Megumi’s phone is also on the side table, but he doesn’t think he needs to do anything with it, so he leaves it there.

Itadori turns around to face Megumi, his facial expression lightens the moment his eyes meet the familiar green. He leans into Megumi and wraps his arms around him. Without warning or hesitation, he just falls and melts into Megumi’s touch.

Megumi hugs Itadori back, and every thought he has disappears. It’s all Yuji Itadori now. It feels like it always has been him.

They pull away from each other, and like clockwork, a yawn escapes Megumi’s lips.

“Okay, let’s go to bed,” Itadori giggles.

Megumi grumbles and pulls the covers over so he can get under them. The sheets are soft cotton similar to Itadori’s pillows. He could melt and sleep for hours.

It doesn’t take long for Itadori to climb under the covers too, already snuggling closer to Megumi. They wrap their arms around each other. Itadori presses his face close to Megumi’s chest.

For a while, they stay like that. Just snuggling into the other and breathing each other’s scent in. Megumi almost falls asleep, but wakes up to Itadori moving.

He’s pulling his face away and turning over to grab his phone. Typing out something quick before tossing his phone on the table. When he turns back to Megumi, his face is full of worry, contrasting with Itadori’s expression of annoyance.

“What was that about?” Megumi questions.

“It was just Todo being a dick,” Itadori complained.

Megumi hums and urges Itadori to come back to him. And he does, obviously.

“Thank you for tonight,” Itadori says before burrowing his face into Megumi’s chest.

“What? I feel like I should be the one thanking you,” Megumi insisted.

“Hmm? Why, though?” Itadori questioned.

“Well, I haven’t hung out with someone like this in forever. Even though we’ve hung out many times before. I’ve never spent a holiday with a friend,” Megumi said.

Itadori slipped one leg through the gap of Megumi’s, and lifted the other leg enough to rest onto Megumi’s leg and hip. And to perfect their sleep position for the night, Itadori wrapped his arm around Megumi’s waist. He gave him a tight squeeze before nuzzling his face back into Megumi’s chest.

It was perfect. Megumi absolutely adored the way Itadori clung to him. And in return, Megumi wrapped his arm around Itadori’s shoulder and pulled himself closer to Itadori’s head. Breathing in his shampoo, and the slight tickle of his pink hair on his face was perfect.

“You’re welcome, Fushi. But you saved me from being surrounded by a bunch of drunk people for five hours.” Itadori mumbled out, since his mouth was buried in Megumi’s shirt.

“I’m glad I could save you from that. I don’t regret choosing to spend my Halloween with you,” Megumi responded, lifting his head so he could be heard, though.

Itadori mumbles something about Megumi—all he heard was you—but he can’t hear him because his mouth is still covered. Megumi doesn’t have enough energy to ask him to repeat it. His eyes start to fight, staying open, and his body begins to relax fully. 

The movie Itadori put on while Megumi was in the bathroom fills the silence like white noise. It’s another trashy horror film with cheap SFX makeup and cringey jump scares. Even if Megumi wasn’t snuggled up with Itadori, he’d have fallen asleep five minutes into the film.

Itadori’s breathing eventually reaches a relaxed pace, signifying that he’s fallen asleep. When Megumi's sure that Itadori is asleep, his body fully relaxes, and not even five minutes later, he’s out. 

As his thoughts fade into nothing, there’s one thing left before he’s fully out. The feeling of forgetting to do something quite important.

—

When the morning comes, Megumi isn’t woken up by the sun shining through the blinds. Instead, he’s woken up by his body being squished against another body. 

He thinks he’s the first one to wake up in the morning. By the way, their positions have completely switched roles. Megumi is the one squished into Itadori’s chest now.

But he feels like a stuffed animal with the way Itadori’s holding him. Like when a kid is afraid after a nightmare, and to try and fight the fear coursing through their body, they squeeze their plush for dear life. That’s how it feels to be held by Itadori right now.

It’s even hard to move, and Megumi hadn’t noticed how stiff Itadori’s body felt. Just trying to wiggle out of his grip felt like he’d break a bone or two.

Megumi tilted his head up to catch a glimpse of Itadori’s face, but even that was proving difficult. He tried to wiggle up so his face wouldn’t be smothered against Itadori’s chest. But again, his grip was too strong, and there was no way Megumi could move.

Obviously, Itadori wasn’t asleep if he had enough strength to keep Megumi from moving.

“Itadori?” He mumbled out, but a hand quickly slapped over his mouth.

Megumi’s eyes shot up to Itadori’s, and he was finally met with those brown eyes he adores more than anything. But there was something different about them. A kind of fear you only see in a child’s face.

He wanted to say something. Ask what was going on and why Itadori was so scared. But the answer seemed to have perfect timing.

A raspy cough came from outside of Itadori’s room, followed by heavy footsteps. With the sudden noise, Itadori squeezed closer to Megumi. To the point that every part of Megumi’s body was pressed into Itadori’s.

It wasn’t unpleasant, just a strange thing to wake up to. And a nerve-racking experience for both of them.

For Megumi, it was because he had no idea what was going on. Why was Itadori breathing heavily? Why was he squeezing Megumi so hard that it felt like they would morph into one? What had Itadori so scared for his and Megumi’s well-being?

For Itadori, it was being drawn to a blank. There was a reason Itadori was so scared right now. It had to do with his uncle, and not wanting him to see Megumi.

It finally hits Megumi. The one thing Itadori said about his uncle, and if Megumi ever met him. 

My uncle would kill you if he saw you.

At the time, Megumi was upset at Itadori for saying that, taking it as an insult. But after learning a bit more about him, he knew why his uncle would kill him if he saw him. So Megumi scrunched closer to Itadori, trying to hide himself better.

The footsteps grew closer to the room, and soon enough, the door was being pushed open. Megumi felt Itadori flinch the moment the person entered the room.

In a raspy voice, it asked, “Are you still being lazy, brat?”

Itadori didn’t say anything. He kept his hand over Megumi’s mouth.

“Pretending to be asleep, I see. Fine, I'll play along,” The man spoke. “You better not have had anyone home while I was gone. I’ll beat the living shit out of you if I find out you had some faggot over.”

The words stung to hear, and it pained Megumi more to know that they were meant for Itadori. They were cruel and disgusting to say to anyone.

“Still asleep? Okay, I’ll just let you sleep your life away,” he grumbled and walked away. “If you died in your sleep, I’d be the happiest man ever.” 

The man slammed the door shut, shaking the walls and causing a figure to fall from one of Itadori’s shelves. Itadori flinched and squeezed Megumi closer to his body—even though he was as close as he could be. He removed his hand from Megumi’s mouth and let him breathe again.

Itadori’s grip lightened, and Megumi was now able to move freely if he wanted to. But he didn’t want to right now. Not when Itadori was so visibly vulnerable and frightened.

When Megumi hoped he’d get to comfort Itadori one day, he didn’t mean the next morning. He wasn’t complaining, though. He’d never complain about anything that had to do with Itadori.

As Itadori’s breathing stayed ragged and broken, Megumi did his best to comfort him. He rubbed his back and whispered words of affirmation. All while still hiding in Itadori’s chest in case that man comes back. 

A while later, Itadori manages to fall back to sleep. But Megumi’s wide awake now. All he can focus on is every noise he hears outside. A thud, another cough, and some random rambling.

At one point, Megumi hears the familiar sound of the front door opening and closing, and assumes that Itadori’s uncle has left. He doesn’t want to use his name or even refer to him as Itadori’s uncle because of how different they are.

It’s not even a small difference, like different habits or looks, no, it's a huge character value. While Itadori seems to value and respect everyone, no matter who, he always finds something to appreciate. His uncle couldn’t seem to care about anyone else but himself, and he’d treat them like garbage because that’s just how he viewed them.

Though Megumi couldn’t fall back to sleep, he did get comfortable in Itadori’s hold. The way his arms loosely wrapped around Megumi’s body, and their legs tangled with each other.

But there was something heavy in Megumi’s mind that kept him awake. Something he felt like he was forgetting. Multiple times, he wanted to grab his phone from the side table and check it, to see if it had the answer for what he was forgetting. However, there was no way he’d break away from this connection.

It was so soothing and perfect. It truly felt like this is how they were meant to spend the mornings—with each other, and holding the other close. Taking the other’s scent in and letting it bleed into their own.

If Megumi made it past graduation, he’d tell Itadori his feelings. He’d hope that he felt the same way, and that they could make something like this a regular occurrence.

Megumi would want to, and wants to right now, to take Itadori away from his uncle. You could really tell who raised him. Even though Megumi never met Itadori’s grandfather, he could tell he raised him because if it were his uncle, Itadori would be a completely different person. That’s something Megumi is happy about. Knowing that Itadori was someone raised right, and is continuing to do the right thing.

The thought of Itadori meeting Tsumiki and Gojo now doesn’t seem that bad. Mainly because it seems like anyone is better than that thing Itadori calls his uncle. But also because they would let Itadori into the house with open arms and hearts. They would show him love and support.

Maybe it’s time that Megumi gets over his little fear and pride and lets Itadori meet Tsumiki or Gojo. At this point, nothing that bad could happen. And he’s starting to think that Tsumiki’s catching on that Megumi hangs out with Itadori, or at least that he cares about him.

Megumi bets that Tsumiki doesn’t believe his little lie about staying at a hotel last night, and that she knows the truth.

All of a sudden, a feeling of fear hits Megumi in the stomach. Megumi never texted Tsumiki or Gojo last night. He got so wrapped up in falling asleep, cuddled close to Itadori, that he forgot the most important thing he needed to do before falling asleep.

Oh no.

Megumi was screwed. His sister had probably called the cops, reporting him as missing, and sending out over 100 missing posters around the city. She was probably still on the phone with the cops, demanding they find her baby brother now.

Oh god, how was he supposed to explain this to her, and how was he supposed to apologize.

The first thing Megumi needed to do was check his phone, all while making sure Itadori stays asleep. Megumi learned that Itadori is either a heavy or light sleeper. But he also hasn’t slept with him enough to prove either.

Megumi picks up Itadori’s arm off of him, and leans over to grab his phone off the side table. The moment he touches it, it lights up and shows every missed call and unanswered text. There are around 20 texts from Gojo, and seven missed calls. While Tsumiki called him 16 times and texted him 34 times.

His face went cold as he swiped through the notifications. Every voicemail from Tsumiki was heartbreaking to listen to. She sounded horrified and upset. Her voice was broken, and she kept mumbling and repeating herself.

Megumi felt horrible for making her worry so much. He needed to call her now and explain himself. But Itadori was still sleeping heavily next to him.

What was more important for Megumi right now, though? Call his sister, explain to her, and stop her from worrying so much about him. Or let Itadori sleep and try not to wake him up. It seemed pretty obvious what he needed to do.

Megumi lies back down next to Itadori, resting his back on the backboard and pillows. He opened the texts from Tsumiki, and the latest one was from an hour ago; all it said was: Please be safe, Megumi <3. His heart clenched at the sight, and urged him to click faster on the call button.

It rang once, twice, and after the third ring, Tsumiki’s voice broke through.

“Megumi? Megumi, oh my god. Where are you? I’ve been worried sick over you all night. Please tell me you’re somewhere safe.” Tsumiki pleaded and cried—her voice breaking every once in a while.

Megumi didn’t know what to say. He was at a loss for words. The way she sounded frightened him, and he could feel tears threatening to spill from his eyes. But not when the only thing Tsumiki needs right now is to hear her little brother.

“Megumi? Please answer me?” Tsumiki begged.

“I’m okay. Tsumiki, I’m safe,” Megumi finally answered.

A small gasp broke through the silence, followed by a couple of sniffles, and Tsumiki calling for Gojo. Her voice sounded more relieved now, and she wasn’t mumbling anymore.

“Jesus, Megumi. Where the hell are you?” Gojo asked sternly, and Tsumiki clearly gave the phone to him the moment he walked into wherever she was.

Megumi looked over at Itadori, his eyes still closed and drool escaping a slit in his mouth. “I’m at,” he pauses, not knowing what to refer to Itadori as. A friend was probably the obvious choice, but it still felt like they were so much more than that. But to be easy, he’ll refer to him as that, even if he wants to call him more. “A friend’s house. I’m with a friend.”

“What? Who?” Gojo questioned.

Megumi could hear Gojo explaining what Megumi said to Tsumiki. She sounded just as confused.

“Uhh, I don’t know if you guys want to know,” Megumi replied.

“Megumi, that’s now the biggest thing we need to know,” Gojo declares. “So, we want you home now, and bring this friend over.”

Shit. Megumi dug himself into this hole. Since he completely forgot his original plan to say he was going to spend the night at a hotel. He brought his hand up to the bridge of his nose, squeezing and scrunching his eyes shut. How did he mess up this badly?

Megumi thinks back to the events that happened not long ago. Itadori’s uncle came into his room and said those disgusting things to Itadori. And all of a sudden, Gojo and Tsumiki finding out about and meeting Itadori doesn’t seem that bad.

If that’s how Itadori’s uncle, Sukuna, reacts to Itadori having a friend over, then Itadori meeting Gojo and Tsumiki would be a freeing feeling. Tsumiki and Gojo would be more than just happy to meet Itadori. They would practically treat him like another son or brother the moment he entered the house, at least Tsumiki would. Gojo might be a little apprehensive about Itadori’s intentions with Megumi.

But anything would be better than Sukuna. And if that had to be Itadori meeting Tsumiki and Gojo, then Megumi was willing to do it.

Even if it hurt to go back on past declarations, that would be selfish of him. To deny Itadori a chance of meeting a place he could call safe just felt wrong. 

Megumi was also tired of lying to Tsumiki about what he was doing. It reminded him too much of the past. When he had to lie about how much he ate and what he was doing in the bathroom.

“Megumi? Are you listening to me?” Gojo asked, his voice breaking Megumi’s train of thought.

He clicks back into the conversation he’s having, “Yeah, sorry. Fine. I’ll bring him with me, and I’ll be home soon.”

“No, we want you home now,” Tsumiki chimed in.

Megumi looked back over to the sleeping man next to him, who was still knocked out, snoring slightly. He looked so peaceful that Megumi just wanted to crawl back into his arms and fall asleep with him. He just wanted to hold Itadori again and breathe in his scent.

“Well, he’s still asleep. So I can’t leave now if you want him to be with me,” Megumi added.

He could hear Tsumiki humming in response, and some light discussion between the two about what they should do.

Gojo spoke up, “Okay, fine. Let your friend sleep, and then come home.”

“I will, geez,” Megumi groaned.

“Hey! Don’t give me attitude when you didn’t come home last night, and had your sister and me scared and worried. It was a miracle to just convince your sister not to call the cops fifty times,” Gojo said with a stern tone.

Gojo was right. Megumi had royally screwed up, and he needed to apologize for what he had done.

“You’re right. I’m sorry, Gojo. I’m sorry, Tsumiki. I’ll be home soon,” Megumi apologized.

“It’s okay, but also not, Megumi. Just please keep us in the loop more,” Tsumiki said, her tone was a lot softer and warmer than Gojo’s. Because it was Tsumiki, and she knew not to be so cold with Megumi.

God, Megumi loved her so much. He’d have to come up with a better apology when he gets home.

“Okay, we’ll let you go so you can try to get your friend up, or whatever,” Tsumiki said.

Megumi hummed in response, “Okay, thank you. I love you.”

“Love you too, Megumi,” Tsumiki and Gojo said at the same time.

Then the phone call ended, and Megumi was met with silence again. He placed his phone back on the side table, leaning over the man next to him. He did try to wake Itadori up by not moving slowly or quietly, but he was out like a light.

Megumi decided to lie back down, facing Itadori. His hand was next to his face, just begging for Megumi to grab and hold it. He places his hand on the back of Itadori’s hand and squeezes. 

His eyes wander and land on Itadori’s face. The sun is now shining through the blinds and landing on his face.

Itadori looked warm and gorgeous. It brightens his hair and skin, all while making him look even more handsome. The way the sun blends with his hair makes it look like the sunrise is right there. The freckles dotted around his face stand out against his skin. The one by his eye so perfect and there. 

He was practically glowing.

Megumi began to burn this image into his memory. Taking every small detail in just so he can think back on it, and remember how beautiful Itadori is. How his hair looks falling over his forehead, the way he sleeps with his mouth slightly open, and how soft his lips look.

He was trying not to stare at his lips, but he wasn’t gonna stop his wandering eyes. Itadori’s facial features were so captivating when relaxed. His slight puffy cheeks, but still a strong jaw line and face shape. The way his eyelashes don’t reach his skin when his eyes are closed, but there’s a slight tint of pink to them, proving more that his natural hair is pink.

Itadori is the sun. Every gorgeous thing from the sun to the summer and fall is compiled into Yuji Itadori as a whole. From his looks, all the way to his sense of mortality.

But he’s still a mystery to Megumi. He’ll continue to be unsure about the darkness that he faces. Because Itadori will always put on a bright smile and a chipper attitude just to hide the pain he feels.

Megumi hopes that Itadori will find the courage to spill those feelings. But Megumi needs to be able to talk about his own problems and feelings. He can’t ask for the first one without giving anything in return.

He squeezes Itadori’s hand and calls out his name, attempting to wake him up. His face doesn’t falter in any way, but he squeezes Megumi’s hand back. Megumi knows that they need to get back to his house soon so that Tsumiki or Gojo doesn’t call out a search team. But the way Itadori slept was so comforting, and it made Megumi feel like he was being pulled into a spell where he’d fall asleep with him.

Megumi shook his head of the thoughts about just getting to hug Itadori while falling asleep. He really did want to cherish this moment. Finally being the one there for Itadori after something bad.

But they needed to get up. As sad as it was, it wasn’t something they could push off.

He poked Itadori with his other hand, “Itadori? Wake up,” he whispered.

When Itadori didn’t answer, Megumi poked him again and repeated himself, this time louder. Still no response, Megumi grabbed his shoulder and shook him while calling his name out. Finally getting him to wake up with a gasp.

Itadori blinked multiple times and bit and lipped his lips. He sprang up to look around the room, no longer dark or inhabited by an evil human. When he looked back at Megumi, he looked absolutely wrecked and stupid. His hair was a mess, his cheeks were rosy red, and a line of saliva was running from his lips to his chin. Even in that state, all Megumi wanted to do was kiss him till their lips were red and wet.

Megumi shook his head again, ridding his brain of those thoughts, and sat up with Itadori. He needed to organize his mind so he could explain to Itadori the situation. The plan and the fact that Itadori gets to meet Tsumiki and Gojo earlier than he wanted.

It’s okay. 

It’ll be fine. 

Megumi can do this.

“I need to go home,” Megumi started.

“Huh?” Itadori questioned.

“I need to go home now, Itadori,” he repeated, a little eager to move more than sit here and explain.

“Oh, okay. You texted your sister last night, right?”

“No.”

“What?”

Megumi bit his lip and looked away from Itadori. He couldn’t look at him and admit his own mistake while those brown eyes were burning into his skin.

“I sort of forgot to, last night,” Megumi reached up to grab his shoulder as he admitted. “So you need to come with me to my house.”

“Oh shit.” Itadori blurted out. “Do you want me to take you home, and then stop a block away so it’s just you going up to the house?”

Megumi sighed, “Not exactly.”

“What do you mean, not exactly?” Itadori tilted his head to the side like a lost dog.

“I need you to come up to the house with me,” he paused to take a deep breath in, preparing for how Itadori would react. “And then meet Tsumiki and my other guardian.”

Itadori’s eyes widened, and his jaw dropped. Then he started squinting at Megumi, examining him, rubbing his chin, and so on.

“Are you the real Fushiguro?” He asked, “My Fushi would never tell me I’m meeting his family.”

“Yes, I’m the real Fushiguro, and it wasn’t really decided by me,” Megumi said.

“Who decided it other than you?”

“My sister and guardian.”

Itadori hums while he shakes his head. “Did you really make them that upset about not coming home?”

Megumi groans and runs a hand through his hair. “Obviously. Because I didn’t come home at all last night, and scared the shit out of them.”

“Mmm, yeah, that all checks out then. Damn, okay, let me get changed,” Itadori says while finally pulling the covers off and stepping out of bed.

Megumi stays in the bed for a while, watching Itadori as he swiftly grabs a hoodie and a pair of jeans. He looks over to Megumi, holding the clothes, and giving him this look.

“What?” Megumi asks.

“Do you want me to leave to change, or stay here?” 

Megumi looks at Itadori, confused. Like, what do you think my answer is? But Megumi can’t bring himself to tell Itadori to leave.

“I’ll just close my eyes, and you can change here,” is all Megumi can say. A little ashamed of his response, but a response is a response.

Itadori gives a toothy grin and a thumbs-up. He waits for Megumi to close his eyes or cover them, and then starts to change. Thankfully, he’s quick with it, so they don’t have to do this embarrassing thing for too long.

“What are you going to do about clothes?” Itadori asks, getting Megumi to look back at him.

Megumi didn’t think about that. He doesn’t really feel like putting on those concert clothes again. But he also doesn’t want Tsumiki and Gojo to see him in Itadori’s clothes and get the wrong idea. Then again, Megumi doesn’t want to take Itadori’s clothes off because they smell like him and feel really comfortable.

“I’ll just stay in these,” Megumi replies.

Itadori gives him a look that says, you sure? And Megumi just nods his head and gets out of bed. He looks back to make sure he didn’t leave anything behind.

He takes a good look at Itadori in a pair of bleach-washed jeans, with holes at the knees, and cuffed at the ankle. His hoodie is a plain red one with no stains or tears. Something about it makes Megumi think he’s trying to impress or look good for Tsumiki and Gojo.

“Are you trying to look good to meet my family?” Megumi asked.

Itadori looked taken aback. “No. Why would I need to do that?” he stammered, not really sounding believable.

Megumi just rolled his lips into a thin line and shook his head. He looked at Itadori’s disheveled hair and cracked a little smirk.

“Okay, maybe I’m trying to look somewhat good to meet your family,” Itadori admits. “Is that so bad?” he whines.

“No. I’d rather you look presentable and decent than like you just woke up.” Megumi stated.

Itadori let out a quick laugh and hunched his head over in disbelief. “Then why’d you make it sound like I was doing the worst thing ever?”

“Just to mess with you,” Megumi answered. “And if you want to look better, I’d fix your hair.”

“What’s wrong with my bed head? Huh?” Itadori spat out, not actually sounding annoyed.

“Nothing. Just the fact that I don’t need my sister or guardian getting any wrong ideas,” Megumi mentions.

“Like what?” Itadori scoffs, but he lets a giggle escape, too.

Megumi looks at him like he’s questioning everything about this guy, and why he still wants to kiss him silly. He sighs and walks past Itadori to leave his room—really walking around like this is his second home.

“Wait, Fushi?” Itadori stops Megumi from opening the door.

He turns back to him, and he looks scared again. Like how he looked in the morning when his uncle was there. Megumi catches on to what he’s worried about.

“I heard him leave, and I haven’t heard a noise since then. I would know, I kind of didn’t fall back to sleep. We’re safe,” Megumi reassures.

Itadori lets out a sigh of relief, grabbing his chest, too. He opens the door for Megumi and walks out first. Megumi follows him to the bathroom, but stops just before walking in.

He only turns the light on and keeps the door open, clearly listening to Megumi about his messy hair. He doesn’t do much with it, just makes it look tame and not like he just woke up. Megumi stands outside the bathroom, using his instincts on how his hair should look, not wanting to go into the bathroom with Itadori in case he’s not allowed.

Itadori pops his head out of the bathroom to look at Megumi trying to fix his hair without a mirror. He laughs and returns to the bathroom. Megumi scoffs and looks into the bathroom to see a space next to Itadori. It’s the perfect amount of space for another person to stand there and fix themselves.

So Megumi goes into the bathroom with Itadori to fix his hair, and thankfully, it’s not as bad as it normally is. 

They finish up and leave the bathroom. Itadori walks towards the kitchen, and Megumi returns to the room to grab his bag and clothes.

When he walks into the kitchen, Itadori has his shoes already on and is waiting for Megumi to put his on. Megumi notices that he left his shoes by the door, instead of hiding them like his bag. He looks up at Itadori to check if he’s worried, but his facial expression is neutral. He doesn’t look scared or worried, just ready to go and get Megumi home. Megumi takes that as his sign not to be worried either.

He gets his shoes on and gives Itadori the look that they can go now.

“Coolio. You got everything?” Itadori asks.

“Yeah. I should, and if I don’t, then we’ll see each other again. So just give it to me then,” Megumi replies with a little smirk.

A blush spreads onto Itadori’s cheeks. “So you’re saying we’ll hang out again.”

“Who said we weren’t?” Megumi questioned.

“I just assumed,” Itadori says as he pulls the door open and lets Megumi walk out first before he locks it. “You’re not the biggest fan of hanging out with me, because of what others will think.”

Megumi sighed and grabbed his shoulder. But Itadori wasn’t wrong. All he said was the truth, but when Megumi hears it coming from someone else, it only makes him feel worse for doing it.

“I mean, do you blame me? People are cruel,” Megumi mentioned.

“You’re right. Especially to you, for some reason,” Itadori adds.

Again, another true statement from Itadori about Megumi. Another sad one to think about, though.

“Yeah,” is all Megumi can think of to say.

They walk in silence as they exit the apartment building. The sun hits them right, and Megumi shields his eyes from the rays. They start walking, Megumi leading the way, even though Itadori knows where his house is already.

“You’re kind of like a vampire, Fushi,” Itadori comments.

“How am I like a vampire?” Megumi questions.

“Let’s see: you hate the sun, you wear all black, and you’re destined to be eternally pretty,” Itadori says with a smile.

Megumi’s heart skips a beat, and his face flushes pink. He pretends to scratch his face to cover it, but his ears probably gave him away—he tucked his hair behind his ear.

“Jesus, you’re such an idiot.”

Itadori scoffs, “How am I an idiot?”

“Your points on how I’m a vampire are stupid,” Megumi declares.

“No, they’re not.”

“Really? I hate the sun, and wearing black means I’m a vampire?”

“Mhmm. And that you're pretty,” Itadori repeated.

Megumi sucks in a huge amount of air and holds it before he looks at Itadori. Because he needs a moment to breathe before he looks at whatever face he’s making.

Itadori isn’t looking at him, though. But that doesn’t stop him from wearing that shit-eating grin, and a blush on his cheeks, too. Instead of looking at Megumi, he’s busy watching the world around them. 

It’s the day after Halloween, and the world is coming back to life after its night-long festivities. From the confetti on the ground from some parade, or jack-o-lanterns still sitting on people’s porches. The crisp air pushes around leaves or candy wrappers. A slight breeze pushes the scent of cinnamon and pumpkin spice from a nearby coffee shop. It all ties together into the perfect blend of a day after Halloween.

And god damn does Itadori look breathtaking in this dark morning light.

The clouds cover most of the sun's rays, but the light that breaks out is still enough to brighten the beauty of Itadori. If it’s enough for Megumi to shield his eyes away, it’s enough to add to Itadori’s glow.

Thinking about it more, Itadori truly is like the sun. He blinds Megumi with everything about him. From his beauty to his personality, Megumi shields his eyes from a smile so sweet and a mouth so flirtatious.

Megumi hadn’t said anything to his comment, but nothing seemed appropriate enough to say. Only punching him in the arm and telling him to shut up seemed fitting—even if it was a couple of minutes after he said it.

Itadori winced in pain, exaggerating it. “Ow! What’d I do?”

Megumi only grumbled and walked faster. He pulled his phone out and sent another apology text to Tsumiki about only texting her now that they were on their way. She replied quickly with an: Okay! Thanks for updating us, Megumi <3 Can’t wait to meet this totally mysterious guy ;).

He didn’t even think of the possibility that Tsumiki and Gojo already knew who it was, even though that’s pretty obvious to think about. Because Megumi never told them it was a guy, either. They definitely knew who it was, and knowing them, they were probably scheming some plan to get back at Megumi.

Not like he was sneaky with who Itadori was. Well, he was in the beginning. But then he got lazy and blinded by the happiness he felt when he was with Itadori. That’s how it was supposed to feel. Maybe this is how it was always meant to be.

Megumi was meant to break out of this self-imposed box that he created to protect himself and meet his opposite side. Find his other half to feel whole. To fully express himself and his feelings. 

He wasn’t meant for a destructive life that only gave him pain and suffering—no one was, though. Megumi was meant for so much more, and he felt like he could finally see any opportunity for it inside of Itadori.

His eyes shifted back to Itadori’s face, and then to his hand. It swayed as they walked, and it was so close to Megumi’s. The weather, the energy around them, and this overwhelming feeling of admiration for Itadori were pulling the strings for their hands to connect. It seemed like the perfect moment. 

But they were out in the open. Walking on a public street where anyone could see them. That started to lessen the chance of Megumi making a move.

Itadori looks over to Megumi, catching his beaming eyes on his. He shoots him a smile and glances down at Megumi’s hand, then back to his face.

He’s reading Megumi. Figuring out what’s going on inside that brain, and what’s troubling him.

Without a warning or saying anything, Itadori reaches down and grabs Megumi’s hand. He doesn’t intertwine his fingers through Megumi’s, though. And he waits for Megumi to relax in his hold before he gives him a reassuring squeeze.

“What are you thinking about?” Itadori asks.

Megumi hums, “Nothing too interesting. Just thinking.”

“Well, I hope you're not worried about me meeting your sister or guardian,” he gives another squeeze. “It’ll be fine. What’s the worst that could happen?”

The worst that could happen is the constant pestering from Tsumiki and Gojo about Itadori, and how Megumi should invite him over. Which is completely different from the worst thing that could happen if Sukuna met Megumi.

“Them being annoying about it, or not liking you,” Megumi answers.

“I mean, you like me, right?” Itadori tilts his head to catch Megumi’s eyes.

Megumi’s eyes widen, and his face flushes, and he jerks his head away from being seen by Itadori. Obviously, Itadori doesn’t mean that kind of like. But Megumi can’t help being a little caught off guard by that question. Especially since his brain was running laps around how much he wanted to kiss Itadori, and how he still does.

“I guess,” Megumi mutters.

“You guess?” Itadori shouts. “Fushi, what do you mean you guess?”

Megumi looks back at Itadori to see his absolutely—adorable—shocked expression. His eyes are wide, and he’s pouting his lips like a puppy. Megumi could be bold enough, he wants to so badly that it feels like he’ll die. But questions need to be answered right now.

“I don’t want to say it,” Megumi said.

“But I want to hear you say it,” Itadori pleaded. “I think I might die if I don’t.”

Maybe Itadori’s a mind reader? Or something like that, Megumi thinks.

“Ughhh, fine. I like you,” more than just a friend, though, “so they shouldn’t have a problem with you.”

With Itadori’s free hand, he does a quick fist bump, and Yes! Megumi blushes a bit at his excitement.

“Yesss, I knew you had it in you,” Itadori says with a laugh.

“Shut up,” Megumi spits. “We’re almost to my house.”

Itadori lets go of Megumi’s hand and gives him this look. Like he thinks that’s what Megumi wanted, but he only misses the connection more the moment he loses it.

They’re about three houses away, and Megumi can already feel the heat rising to his forehead and the sweat on his hands. Earlier, he was upset that Itadori let go of his hand, but now he’s grateful.

The house looks daunting as they approach the front door. Megumi can already feel the stares from the window, because of course, they would be watching. A lump appears in his throat, and all he wants to do right now is run away and hide. Dig a hole right here in the ground and never come back up.

Megumi turns back to look at Itadori, who gives him another reassuring smile, and then back to the door. He raises his hand to knock, in case it’s locked, and he doesn't want to check. Before his hand can even make contact with the door, it swings open.

He isn’t given the chance to look at who opens it, only being pulled into a tight hug the moment the door opens. The scent is familiar, and so is the touch.

Tsumiki squeezes him close and lets out a sigh of relief that she’s probably been holding since last night. Megumi hugs her back, rubbing his hand on her back. He looks up to catch Gojo’s glare.

Gojo scowled at Megumi, his arms crossed, shooting a confused glance at his new clothes, too. He only tones his expression down when he looks behind Megumi to meet Itadori’s eyes. Megumi can only imagine the surprise on Itadori’s face to see their physics teacher at Megumi’s house.

“I’m sorry, Tsumiki,” Megumi finally speaks up.

Tsumiki pulls away to look at Megumi, bringing a hand up to hold his face. She brushes any hair that threatens to cover his face, and Megumi relaxes into the familiar touch.

Her expression is soft, and there’s a slight residual of tears around her eyes. She twists her lips into a thin-lined smile and pulls Megumi back into another hug.

“Never, and I mean never, scare me like this again,” she exclaims.

“I won’t,” Megumi reassures. “I promise.”

She lets go of Megumi and walks backwards into the house, leaving space for him to walk back in. He kicks his shoes off and looks to Itadori, who’s still standing outside the doorway, unsure if he’s allowed to come in.

“Oh, yeah, your friend,” Tsumiki says cheerfully. She reaches out for Itadori’s hand and pulls him through the door. “Come in.”

She guides him to the nearby couch and sits next to him. “Do you want anything? A snack or a drink? If you have to go to the bathroom, Megumi can show you where it is.”

“No, it’s okay, I know where it is. I’ve been here before,” Itadori blurts.

Megumi feels the ice-cold glare run down his spine as he’s closing the door. He sighs and tries not to express his annoyance at Itadori announcing that Megumi had brought him to the house before he met Tsumiki or Gojo. He turns around to glare at Itadori before he meets Gojo’s eyes.

“Oh, have you now?” Gojo seethed. “And we’re just finding this out now.”

Tsumiki gives him a look that he needs to calm down. This isn’t the point of bringing Itadori here.

She turns back to Itadori and gives him a genuine smile. “It’s nice to finally meet you,” she pauses, and looks at Megumi.

“Itadori,” He answers for her.

“Oh, yes, Itadori. It’s nice to finally meet my baby brother’s friend.”

“Of course, yes. Umm, it’s great to finally meet his sister, and, uh, Gojo,” he says Gojo’s name uncertainly. Somehow forgetting everything he’s learned about Megumi and his family.

“I’m his dad,” Gojo says.

Megumi shoots daggers out of his eyes at Gojo and scoffs. “No, you’re not.”

Itadori looks at Megumi, then back to Gojo, and repeats a couple of times. He’s clearly trying to see if there’s some kind of similarity between them.

“I mean, I kind of see the resemblance,” Itadori admits.

“Itadori, do not feed into this,” Megumi hisses.

Gojo’s entire demeanor changes from trying to act tough and scary toward Itadori to bubbly and airy. His scowl shifts to a wide grin.

“Thank you, Itadori. This kid has been denying that for years,” Gojo exclaims, moving over to sit next to Itadori on the couch, leaving Megumi to stand and watch as they pester Itadori.

Itadori only laughs and nods. He looks over at Megumi, offering a smile, and trying to wipe that frown off his face. Megumi keeps his frown and rolls his eyes.

“So, tell us more about yourself, Itadori?” Tsumiki suggests.

“Okay. Wait, Fushi hasn’t told you anything about me?” Itadori asks, rather puzzled.

“No,” Gojo says, “all we really know is that he has a big fat—”

“Enough!” Megumi interrupts before Gojo can finish his sentence. “Let Itadori talk about himself, I’m gonna go throw my bag into my room.”

Gojo and Tsumiki both say okay and then start bombarding Itadori with questions about himself. From his hobbies, to whether he does any sports, his future, and his intentions with Megumi. To which Megumi didn’t hear his answer because he was already in his room.

He tossed his bag on the floor and found Shiro on his bed, asleep. She was probably waiting for Megumi to return last night. He knelt down to kiss her head and run his hand through her fur. Shiro then sniffed the air and opened her eyes, wagging her tail the moment she saw Megumi and licking his face.

He needed to take this hoodie off because his nerves had made him all sweaty and hot. Pulling the hoodie off felt nice, now finally getting to feel the cool air of his room. But also remember the shirt he had on, and just how big it was on him.

Megumi pulled the shirt off, draping it over his bed with the hoodie. He walked over to his closet and started flipping through the hangers of clothes until he found a shirt. Deciding to grab a shirt from this little hanging shelf thing in his closet instead.

Since Megumi wasn’t paying attention to his surroundings, he didn’t hear the footsteps approaching his room.

“Fushi, I’m gonna go home now,” Itadori said as he walked into Megumi’s room.

Megumi freezes, not even pulling the shirt over his head yet, still holding it. He slowly turns to look at Itadori, finding his eyes nowhere near his face. But his face is as red as a tomato, redder than the shirt he let Megumi borrow.

Megumi could feel Itadori’s eyes on his skin, scanning his chest, his arms, and stomach. He’s never felt this exposed before. If Megumi were to let anyone look at his body, it’d be Itadori, but not for a long time, not in this situation.

“Fuck, Itadori, a warning before you came in would’ve been nice,” Megumi yelled, holding the shirt up to cover his torso.

“Sorry, I’m so sorry, Fushiguro. I thought you were just dropping your bag off,” Itadori exclaimed and turned around to stop looking at Megumi.

“I mean, I was, but I also needed to take that hoodie off before I overheated,” Megumi explained.

Now that Itadori wasn’t looking at him, he put the shirt on and walked over to Itadori. He punched him in the arm and scoffed. “Just knock before you come in next time.”

Itadori turns back to Megumi, his eyes softening the moment they meet Megumi’s. “So there’s going to be a next time for me to be here?”

“I’m assuming Gojo and Tsumiki didn’t hate you if you're standing here,” Megumi queries.

“I mean, yeah. Tsumiki was so nice, she even invited me over for dinner one night. And I’m still not over the fact that our physics teacher is your dad,” Itadori replies.

“Okay, Gojo’s not my dad; he’s my guardian, so drop that.”

“Eh, tomato, tamoto? What’s the difference? He acts like your dad enough to be your dad,” Itadori states.

Megumi groans, “I hate you.”

“No, you don’t. You said you liked me earlier. Remember?” He mused. “I’m never gonna forget that till the day I die.”

“Jesus, go home, Itadori,” Megumi insisted. “I’ll give you your clothes back when I see you again.”

Itadori cracked a cheeky smile at Megumi and opened his arms out for him. Megumi peeked out of the door into the hallway to see if Tsumiki or Gojo were there, and when he didn’t see them, he hugged Itadori.

“Thank you for walking me home,” Megumi uttered.

“No, thank you for letting me meet your family,” Itadori added.

They stayed like that for a while, Megumi trying to take in Itadori’s scent so he wouldn't forget it. Itadori squeezes and rubs his back, resting his head in the crook of Megumi’s neck. 

This simple embrace doesn’t feel like it’s just another hug. It’s a goodbye, but I’ll see you again, and you'd better.

Megumi pulls away from Itadori, not wanting to, but knowing that he needs to. He smiles at him, and Itadori smiles back at him.

“Let me walk you out,” Megumi decides, already walking out of his room and towards the door.

Itadori follows suit and makes sure to stay close to him. Gojo is in the living room flipping through a magazine, while Tsumiki is in the kitchen preparing lunch.

“Leaving so soon, Itadori?” Tsumiki calls out.

“Yeah, I need to get home,” Itadori responds.

Megumi can see it in Itadori’s eyes, the hesitation to go back. He wishes he could let him stay here, but he knows he can’t. Itadori will only deflect the idea of him being scared to go home.

He reaches for Itadori’s hand, right where Tsumiki and Gojo can’t see, and gives another reassuring squeeze. Itadori glances over at him and smiles softly.

“He’ll be back,” Gojo declares.

Megumi rolls his eyes and lets out a huff of air. “Who knows. I might get bored of him,” Megumi jokes.

Itadori’s soft gaze changes to a pout. He kicks Megumi’s leg, “Hey, I’m never boring.”

Megumi hums in response and nods. He lets go of Itadori’s hand and reaches to open the door. Itadori walks out, but stops to turn back to Megumi, expecting him to say something else.

Megumi leans forward to be closer to his ear, “I’ll text you, and get home safe,” he whispers. 

Itadori gives a thumbs up and finally turns to walk away. Megumi watches him until he disappears behind a tree, and now he’s gone. He shuts the door and stays there for a while.

Megumi thinks back to yesterday and how much fun he had. Getting to talk to Itadori, eat with him, watch movies, and fall asleep with him again, had him feeling this kind of warmth. It felt so nice, doing something that Itadori likes to do, and just getting to spend time with him.

His chest swelled with this feeling, a feeling he only ever felt with Itadori. A feeling that he only wants to feel with Itadori. No one else could live up to being the same person as Itadori.

He needed him, and only him.

Megumi let go of the doorknob and turned around to finally hear what Tsumiki and Gojo really needed to tell him.

Gojo was the first to speak up, since Tsumiki was still focused on cooking in the kitchen.

“Yeah, Itadori likes you like that.”

“What?!”