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His first impression of Megumi had been, “what a rude kid.” He had been walking back to the dorms, arms full of groceries (his punishment for losing against Maki again) when he had bumped into a kid. Though the boy looked younger and smaller than him, his glare surprised him.
"Watch where you’re going.”
“Wha-”
“Megumi! Don’t start fights you can’t win!” Gojo said, as he quickly approached them.
“He made me drop my book.”
“Well, perhaps you should stop reading while you walk, and didn’t I tell you to wait for me in my office?”
The boy only scrowled harder. So this was Fushiguro Megumi, thought Yuta. Maki had described him as a “gloomy little shit” and he was starting to agree with her. All he knew was that Megumi was a middle schooler, a Zenin who somehow had given up on that legacy and had been raised by Gojo Satoru. Well, that last part probably explained the bad personality.
“Megumi, this is Yuta, the 1st year I’ve told you about.” The boy's eyes widened for a second before going back to his blasé look. “Yuta, this is Megumi, he’ll join you guys in a year.”
“I hope you can get along.” Gojo added. “Actually, my Megumi here has become quite the delinquent, it’d be nice if he could be more like you.”
If possible, the boy frowned ever deeper. “I wonder whose fault it is that I became like that. And aren’t you supposed to meet Ieiri-san?”
“Right, right, Megumi-chan, I’ll go first. Yuta take care of him, okay? This is my future precious student after all.”
“I don’t need to be looked after.” said the boy but it was obvious he was fighting off a smile. Oh, thought Yuta, even him can be cute.
“I’m sorry for your book, I wasn’t watching where I was going,” he said, picking it up.
“No, it’s my fault, I just wanted to leave before seeing Gojo-san.” Despite his words, it was clear the boy was attached to the older man.
“Want to go grab a bite? It’d be better than to wait alone for him to come back.”
Megumi looked up, surprised. “Sure.”
Yuta smiled, he wouldn’t mind making an effort to get to know the boy. After all, someone loved by his teacher and his friends couldn’t be so awful.
Months passed and Yuta had the chance to spend more and more time with Megumi. Though the boy was still in middle school, he spent a lot of time in the college - be it for training or because he was suspended due to the numerous fights he was getting into. It had become usual for him to eat with the rest of the 1st years.
“Man, that guy is so annoying! What’s your type, what’s your type! It pisses me off how strong he is.”
“Maki you’re scary, when you’re jealous.” Panda said.
“Who is she talking about?” Megumi asked while Panda avoided the punch launched at his face.
“Todo. A Kyoto student. Crazy strong but kind of weird.”
“So, what did you answer?”
“Pretty people.”
“Seriously?”
“Well, what’s wrong with that?”
“I was expecting something deeper.” Megumi said, making him laugh.
“What’s your type then, Megumi?”
The boy flushed. “I don’t know about that.”
For some reason he hadn’t understood then, Yuta felt the need to insist. “Come on, give me something, if mine was so lame! You must like someone, right? A girl at school?”
“I don’t have time to think about things like that with Gojo-sensei training me all the time.”
Right. Gojo-sensei.
“Someone from our school, then? A sorcerer?”
“If I have to say it”, the boy sighed deeply, “I guess I like good people.” Well that kept Gojo out of the equation.
Maki and Panda shared a glance before laughing, “Megumi sure is a good boy, right?”
“Salmon.” agreed Inukami.
“Shut up.”
“Guys, stop teasing him”, Yuta said but they had gone back to fighting. He patted Megumi’s head and added more quietly, to make sure only he heard, “That’s a great answer Megumi, you deserve to be with someone like that.”
Megumi smiled a little before looking down on his lunch again , which only made Yuta grin harder. It’d be nice if I could be someone good like that, he thought. It’d be nice if he only loved me.
Out of all the second years, Yuta was fairly certain to be Megumi’s favourite, and he took a certain pride out of that fact. He was sure as well that Megumi had no interest in anyone in his school. Within Megumi’s heart, he held a special space, only rivaled by Megumi’s older sister. Though, he had no issue with that. He had only met Tsumiki a couple of times, but she was a kind and gentle person who clearly loved her brother dearly. The person he was most suspicious of was their teacher.
It was stupid of course. In less than a year, Gojo would become Megumi’s teacher as well. And before that, he had been Megumi’s guardian. There was love there of course, but it wasn’t the type Yuta should have to worry about.
Yet, he couldn’t help but envy the strength of their bond. He had no connection to Megumi outside the sorcerer world, after all. If Megumi were to decide not to join the college, he would lose him. Those worrying thoughts were still on his mind when he noticed Megumi fidgeting as he entered a room. Gojo-sensei’s. Without hesitating, he followed him.
“Megumi?” The boy jumped at the sound of his name. “What are you doing there?”
Megumi turned his head before sighing in relief. “Oh, it’s just you. Have you seen Goju-sensei?”
Right.
“No? You’re looking for him?” As he came closer to the boy he realised that it probably wasn’t the case. Even in the darkness of the room, Yuta could distinguish the bruise on the boy’s cheek. “You got into a fight again.”
Megumi scrowled lightly. “It’s fine, it was barely a fight anyway. But Gojo-sensei is annoying and I don’t want him to lecture me again.”
‘You mean, you don’t want to disappoint him, right?’ He thought bitterly. Though Megumi was much more open to Yuta’s affections than anyone else’s, it appeared that no one’s opinion mattered more to him than Gojo’s.
“Can I keep you company? I’m supposed to go over and train with Maki and I’m not very excited at the idea of getting my ass kicked.”
“Sure, we can’t stay long, though. I came here because I forgot my book. I’m pretty sure he’s still getting yelled at by Nanami but he could come back soon.”
“You spend a lot of time in his office, huh?”
Megumi looked surprised. “Well, I have to wait for him somewhere.”
“You could wait with me.” Ah, he said it again. Though Megumi only appeared more confused.
“I don’t want to bother you, senpai”, he added more shyly, “and I like his office, it’s quiet.”
He wondered what they talked about, when it was just the two of them. If Gojo teased him more in private just to see his cheeks flushed, if Megumi was more open, more smiling. Gojo was his family, and had been for nearly a decade. Of course, he’d be more comfortable with him than a boy he had only known for months. But that logic didn’t make this ugly feeling disappear.
“Megumi!” a voice stopped his thoughts. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
“Shit.” the boy in question muttered.
In three long steps, their teacher arrived, crouching down at his pupil’s eyes level. Pinching Megumi’s cheek, he sighed, “what did I tell you? No more fights! I swear this kid-”
“It wasn’t even a fight!”
“Oh yeah? Then why did you lose?”
“I didn’t lose!”
“So you won the fight?”
“Of course I- Oh, come on.”
Gojo only smiled. Even someone who wouldn’t know them as much as Yuta did would notice the simple intimacy in which they discussed.
“You should follow Yuta's exemple! He listens to what I say, at least!” The teacher complained as Megumi rolled his eyes. “Alright, and your punishment will be… Megumi has to come eat sweets with me!”
“What? No way I’m eating those disgusting things you like.”
“It’s a punishment Megumi, a punishment, you don’t get to choose!”
The boy frowned but didn’t resist as their teacher launched an arm around him. Despite the blindfold, Yuta could feel his eyes on him. “Wanna come with us, Yuta?”
He knows, he thought, he knows how I look at him. Is he jealous? Trying to prove a point? Though deep down, he knew there was nothing to prove - no matter how close him and Megumi became, no matter how much the boy cared about him, there was a spot in the boy’s heart only dedicated to Gojo. Be it romantically or not, he doubted he could win that fight.
“It’s fine,” He said, “I have to go see Maki anyway. Please don’t tease him too much, sensei.”
Gojo laughed as he nuzzled Megumi’s hair. “That’s why I’m here.”
But Yuta had never been the type to easily give up and the more time he spent with Megumi, the less he felt ready to give him up. And then, Tsumiki fell asleep. At first, when he heard the news, he had been sincerely worried about the boy, rushing to the hospital where Megumi was sitting next to her, emotionless. Silently, he had squeezed his shoulder, I’m here, he had thought, I’m always going to be here. Minutes passed until the boy suddenly broke down, sobs shaking his body as Yuta held him close. He took him back to the dorms, and for the first time he fell with his love in his arms.
After all, there had been no one else for Megumi to turn to. Gojo had left, probably to try and fix the situation. During that time, Megumi had barely left the hospital. He would refuse to eat, anxiously watching his phone, waiting for a call that never came. When Gojo had come home a couple of days later, Megumi had already stopped crying. Whatever hope crashed upon his return, he refused to let it out. For the first time, the strongest man in the world had failed him.
That night, Gojo took Megumi home. Yuta had no idea what they talked about as neither his teacher or Megumi ever alluded to this conversation. Though, when morning came, things had seemed to return to the way they were. Whether Megumi had never truly blamed their teacher for his sister’s fate or if he had forgiven him, he would never know.
Still, Yuta couldn’t help but think that, perhaps for the first time, Megumi had seen the cracks in Gojo. A man who had been unable to protect his own family. And with time, he hoped those cracks would only grow, keeping them apart. It didn’t seem so hopeless now to take Gojo’s place in Megumi’s heart, to become his most important one. At least, he had thought so before meeting Itadori Yuji.
He hadn’t been opposed to the idea of leaving for Africa. Despite how he arrived into this world, Yuta loved being a sorcerer and he loved the idea of travelling to understand better both this world and his abilities. Of course, he would miss his friends and Megumi, but they would keep in touch. He wasn’t worried. Megumi wouldn’t forget him. On the contrary, perhaps his absence would make the boy realise how much he missed him, how much he cared for him. Maybe he would cry? Well, Megumi hardly cried, but he would definitely be upset, right?
After all, he would only be gone for a couple of months. Sure, he wouldn’t meet the second first year who was supposed to join Megumi, but there was no way someone could take his place in such a short period of time.
He hadn’t been worried at all until Gojo explained everything that happened in those months he was missing, how Itadori Yuji had become Sukuna’s vessel, how said curse had murdered him before bringing back to life. How great it was that the now three 1st years were so close. A team. He had come home immediately.
He had previously heard of Nobara Kugisaki from Maki’s texts and the girl lived to her reputation. Strong, ambitious, she only got better day after day. Though she seemed close to Megumi as well, there was no reason for him to be upset. He had noticed the same gleam in her eyes when she would look at Maki. And he was glad that his friend had someone who could express so much love for her.
Itadori Yuji was also a good person. Yuta knew that because that’s what every single person who ever spent time with him ever seemed to think so. He knew that because, himself, could admit that spending time with the boy was enjoyable. Despite the particular situation he was in, the boy was joyful and hopeful. An amazing friend and a great ally to have. If he had no issue admitting those things to himself, he still couldn’t stop hating the man.
Those ugly feelings he had felt towards Gojo - that he now realised were jealousy - had only grown stronger. Because with Gojo, he could excuse their closeness with the time they had spent together. Gojo was Megumi’s guardian, nothing more. But Itadori? That was different.
There was a bond between them that Yuta couldn’t seem to reach. The respect and admiration he knew Megumi felt for him always kept him for giving too much away. Yet, with that 1st year, there was a deep understanding between them as well as strong feelings of trust and affectation.
His Megumi who had never cared much about his future in this world, now would look forward to training. He seemed more focused, and somehow happier. He accepted Itadori touch so easily, even though he had taken weeks to do so with Yuta.
Itadori was bound to be executed but so had Yuta. It was too late now to hope to cut the roots of their relationship. He would lose Megumi to that boy. Would it be so easy? For him to lose to that vessel? He hadn’t been gone for that long and yet someone was still trying to take away Megumi for him. Why was it that he always lost the people he cared about? If love was truly a curse, then perhaps pain was the only possible outcome.
But the depth of his feelings had once created one of the strongest being in the world. He was sure he loved Megumi much more than he had loved Rika. And contrary to that time, Yuta wasn’t a boy anymore. He was a sorcerer - one that would become as strong if not stronger than Gojo Satorou. He wouldn’t lose Megumi. He’d make sure of that.
Though, it wasn’t like he could just kill the vessel. First of all, he wasn’t entirely sure he would win against Sukuna. And even if he managed to murder him, Megumi would probably never forgive him. Plus, he would have to face Gojo’s wrath. And despite his jealousy, he truly believed that Itadori Yuji could do great things for their world. He would have to stay alive.
The main issue was that contrary to Gojo Satoru, Itadori corresponded perfectly to Megumi’s type. A great person with compassion. He couldn’t show the boy’s true colors if those would only make Megumi fall deeper for him. Those annoying thoughts kept him awake at night, leading him to the kitchen to find something to eat. To his surprise, someone was already occupying that place.
Even if the man had his back facing him, Yuta immediately recognized him. No one had such messy hair.
“Coffee at 3am? That’s a lot even for you.”
Megumi flinched and turned. “This is tea actually.” His smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. On the contrary, the faint light of the kitchen lightened up the bags under them. He looked completely exhausted.
“What’s wrong?”
“Same thing as you, I guess, getting hungry?”
“Megumi.”
The boy sighed. “It’s nothing, I swear - I just. I just have trouble sleeping.”
“You get nightmares?” Yuta asked.
Megumi looked the other way, clearly embarrassed.
“It’s nothing to be ashamed of, you know? Considering what you’ve been through, it’s completely normal. Did you tell Gojo-sensei?”
“No. I don’t want him to think - well, you know.”
Pride rushed to Yuta’s inside. He was the one Megumi would confine in, not their teacher who he thought wouldn’t care, not those new friends of his. Once more, he was the only worthy of that trust.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
Megumi fidgeted with the handle of his cup. He hadn’t realised as he had entered the kitchen, but it was rather cold.
“Come on.” he said, grabbing Megumi’s hand. “Let’s go to my room.”
Wordlessly he followed him. Once inside, Yuta sat him down on his bed, putting the cover over pale shoulders.
“You know you can tell me anything.”
“I know it’s dumb but I’ve been getting those… dreams. He, well, he died in front of me. Itadori. Sukuna killed him in front of him, and now he’s back and of course I’m glad because he’s my friend but I just- I’m scared. That something like that would happen again.”
If Megumi had been more awake, if he had been more careful, perhaps he would have noticed the way Yuta’s grip turned firmer on his tight. Despite the darkness of the room, Yuta searched for the younger boy’s eyes.
“I’m sorry you had to go through this, Megumi. I wish I had been there.”
Megumi shook his head. “It wasn’t your fault and anyway, I’m happy you’re here now.”
“Yeah? You missed me?” He asked teasingly.
“Of course I did.” Megumi said, rolling his eyes. “You’re my friend.”
Yuta snuggled back into the boy’s neck in response, pressing a soft kiss near his jawline. Anyone else would realise that those touches were anything but friendly. But Megumi craved affection so much without even realizing and would accept any form given - so Yuta would love him, over and over, so that he would never need anyone else again.
He hadn’t realized how fast he had fallen for the boy or why but it didn’t really matter. Megumi made him happy and he was sure he’d be good for him. And now, his darling had just given him the perfect excuse to rip off that bond with the vessel. It’d hurt him of course, that much was inevitable. Once again, Yuta would be there to kiss the pain away.
“You must be so angry.”
“Obviously, I’ll make Sukuna pay for-”
“ I meant at Itadori.”
“What? Why would I be mad at him?”
“Well, he lied to you, right? He let you grief and cry over him while he was having fun, training. That must have hurt.”
Megumi pushed him back to look him in the eyes, visibly confused.
“It’s not like that, he didn’t have a choice-”
“Because Gojo-sensei asked him to?”
“Well, yeah and-”
Yuta cut him off again, “that’s kind of a cheap excuse, isn’t it? When you care for someone, you don’t hurt them like that.”
Megumi's eyes widened, before looking down. Part of him felt bad for playing with the boy’s insecurities, but this was strictly necessary. All he wanted was for Megumi to realise how neither Itadori or Gojo deserved his affection and devotion. And the only way for Megumi to understand and move on was to show him the truth.
“To be honest, I’m angry about that, too. I might not know Itadori well, but I can’t believe Gojo-sensei would hurt you, like that. Even though he's known you for years.”
He could see Megumi fighting back against his tears, not wanting to appear so pathetic. Yuta kissed him again, below his eyes. “It’s okay.” he whispered. “You’re allowed to be upset. You didn’t deserve to be hurt like that.”
“It wasn’t their fault..”
“But they told others right? Nanami and Ijichi. Why would they keep you out in the dark like that? I’m sure that if you had been in Itadori’s place, you wouldn’t have accepted that.”
He drew circles in the 1st year back as Megumi tears fell down his shirt. “I know I’ll never hurt you like that.” He added quietly.
“I don’t- it was just safer that way.”
“Not to trust you? Megumi, please don’t tell me you blame yourself?”
“No, well I-”
“You’re worth so much more than that. Than them. I wish you could see it too.”
Megumi was shaking in his arms, but he wouldn’t let go. For a while, he held him in silence when suddenly, Megumi whispered, “I’m so tired of feeling like this, of always being scared. I wish it’d just go away.”
“I know, baby, I know. But you have me, right? And the others too. Maki would definitively kick their asses if they find out they made you cry.” Megumi laughed a little at that. “Inumaki and Panda as well, I swear they get so protective of you, it’s kinda scary. And the other first year, Nobara, you like her? It’s obvious she cares a lot about you, too.”
Megumi tightened his grip on his shoulder, nuzzling his neck. “Yeah. I’m glad I have them. And you.”
“No matter what, I’ll never leave you.”
“Promise me then.” He drew back to cup Megumi’s face. Even after Tsumiki, the boy hadn’t been so openly needy. Though, he supposed it was the accumulation of losses. First, his mother and his father. Then his sister, and Itadori. It’d be a lot for anybody.
He kissed the boy's forehead. “I promise.”
Waking up next morning with Megumi still cuddled onto him was the best feeling in the world. The boy was still sleeping, and he beamed at the knowledge he had been the one helping him rest. Didn’t that prove what he already knew? They were meant to be together like this, Megumi needed him. And he’d gladly give him everything.
“Yuta-senpai” said Megumi, still half asleep. He blinked in confusion before turning red. “I’m very sorry about last night, I-”
“You don’t need to apologize, I’m glad I was able to help you. You can always come to me when you need to, you know?”
“Yeah, I - thank you, Senpai.” Yuta smiled and kissed him on his bare shoulder. “I probably should go back to my room, though-”
“Stay. Just a little longer.” He could feel Megumi’s flushing cheeks on his skin which only made his grip on the boy strengthen. Though, he clearly wasn’t resisting as he hugged him back. It’d be nice if I could have that every morning, he thought. I’ll do anything to protect this love.
He had been upset at leaving Megumi for the day but it had been worth the light blush on the boy’s cheeks as he had thanked him again. Now he wouldn’t have to worry so much about others taking Megumi away. If he tried hard enough, he’d probably convince the boy to sleep in his room again. Though, if he were too forceful, it’d only push Megumi away. But letting him take the first step could take forever and-
“Fushiguro! I’ve searched everywhere for you! We were gonna train together, remember?”
Yuta turned so fast, his neck could have snapped. He hadn’t noticed Megumi outside nor the vessel approaching him. Though it appeared they hadn’t noticed him either. Had Megumi been avoiding Itadori? He watched in glee as Megumi looked down, clearly uncomfortable. “Yeah sorry, you mind reporting it? I don’t really feel like it.”
Itadori came closer, probably intending to make sure his friend was alright, but Megumi took a step back instinctively. They both looked surprised at his action.
“Fushiguro-”
“Megumi.” Yuta cut him. “Come here.”
There was no mistaking the relief on the dark-haired boy’s face. Ignoring the look of hurt on his friend, Megumi rushed to his side. Yuta smiled at him, reassuringly, before squeezing his neck. Not too tightly of course - just enough to make the vessel understand. Though, that wasn’t probably needed as Itadori glared back at him.
“Sorry, Itadori-kun.” said Yuta “Megumi will train with me today.”
“Oh, alright, I-”
But Yuta was already taking Megumi by the hand away. To his surprise, the boy intertwined their fingers once they were out of sight. “Thanks. It seems all you do is saving me now.”
“You don’t have to thank me for that. I only wanted to spend more time with you.”
Megumi tried to hide his face in his collar as Inumaki would but Yuta knew him well enough to notice the red on his ears. Yes, he’d be the one to love and cherish him this way.
“Can I come over tonight?”
Yuta smiled. Everything would be alright, now.