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Yuji squinted to read the PowerPoint projected on the whiteboard. He leaned forward, his desk creaking, barely heard over the sound of footsteps as more students poured into the classroom. New scents filled his nose.
“Isn’t that Maki?” Nobara whispered, from the desk beside him. “What is she doing here?”
He caught a wisp of her scent. Maki smelled like rosemary and a subtle after smell…maple?
“Her class is supposed to be down the hall.” Nobara gestured, slender fingers blacking out a few words.
Yuji couldn’t help but notice, “Your hands are so small!” He placed his hand next to hers. “Look, Megumi!”
Megumi tapped his pen against his notebook and glanced upwards.
“Your hands are small compared to Megumi’s!” Nobara pulled Yuji’s hand over. “See.”
Yuji stared at the three of their hands stacked ontop of each other. His own locked tight in the middle, all comfy. “Heh, you’re right! It’s like a sandwich.” He felt a smile spread on his face.
“Told ya!” Nobara squeezed Yuji’s hand.
Yuji squeezed Megumi’s hand, “From Nobara.”
“Would you both just!” Megumi’s pen started to form sloppy strokes across the page. “I need my hand to write.”
“You have another one.”
“That can’t do anything worth shit.”
“Maki is walking over!” Nobara gasped.
“Here you go again.” Yuji mumbled, “About to ditch us for Maki.”
“Maki is smart, pretty, older and mature.” Nobara drew her hand aside. “If y'all took the time out to talk with her, you’d understand.” She pulled out her lipstick and clicked open her pocket mirror.
“Hey, Megumi.” Maki waved.
Nobara’s lipstick trailed southwards off the corner of her mouth. She quickly brought her hand to cover the mistake.
“Hi, Nobara!” Maki leaned against Nobara’s desk. “Like my new haircut?” She flipped her short bang to the side, a light smile on her face.
“It's so cute!”
“And you? You must be Yuji Itadori.” Maki must have noticed Megumi’s hand under his own. “What do you think of my haircut?”
“It’s pretty. But, uh.” Yuji didn’t know Maki very well. He only heard about her or saw her walking down the hall. “Nice to meet you!”
“Megumi and Nobara talk about you a lot. I almost forgot we never had a proper introduction.”
Yuji shared a glance with Nobara. How did Megumi know Maki?
“Running your mouth because of an alright haircut.” Megumi scribbled more notes. “You must be bored out of your mind.”
“Pff…al-alright? You must need glasses!” Nobara shouted.
“Here. A pair you can borrow, little cousin.” Maki pulled off her glasses.
Cousin? Yuji darted his eyes between the two. Inhale. Never had Megumi mentioned having a cousin that went to school here. Exhale. Again…There was that faint maple smell. He knew it was familiar.
“Everyone to their seats!” Gojo announced from the front of the classroom. The projector’s light illuminating his overly eager expression. “I’m sure y’all already noticed the surprise!”
Maki pushed the purple colored frames back on her face. Nobara stared at Maki walking away. Yuji stared, too. How come Megumi didn’t tell him about her?
“Sorry about that, Megumi.” Nobara slumped in her seat. “When I’m around her, I say stupid things.”
“Understandable.” Megumi stopped writing for a few seconds. “Sometimes when it’s Yuji, I tend to do the same thing.”
Nobara blushed. She wiped the lipstick from the corner of her mouth. “Ah, fuck. I probably look like a hot mess right now.”
“You look alright.” Megumi said.
“Today, we have a few second year students because their teacher is out sick. With them in our class, the number of students is finally even.” Gojo wrote the number on the white board. “Which means everyone gets to be parents!”
Yuji rested his cheek in his palm. He noticed a box near Gojo’s feet. It was full of toy dolls, the big head ones, wrapped in a blanket.
“This project focuses on family planning.” Gojo swapped out the marker for a doll. "It operates like a real baby! It cries at infrequent intervals and you have to feed it, change it, anything to make the crying stop. If you act violently towards your baby..."
Was Gojo looking at Sukuna?
"... It will die, shut off, and you'll fail. No second chances! It also has a camera inside if you're wondering."
Gojo was definitely looking at Sukuna.
“Bro. That fucking piece of shit.” Sukuna grumbled.
"You'll be taking one home for the weekend.” Gojo grinned at the class. “Now each of you choose a partner!”
“That means, I can be partners with Maki!” Nobara’s face lit up.
“Yep.” Megumi mumbled, “Two alright people with their alright baby.”
“WOULD YOU CUT THAT OUT!”
“Haha!” Yuji laughed, “Megumi is trying to say you’re both cute together in the best way he can.”
Nobara threw up a peace sign and headed towards Maki’s desk.
The class broke out into disarray, everyone moving around and talking. Conversations varying on and off the project topic. Yuji scooted closer to Megumi’s desk. All the scents were getting more overwhelming.
“So.”
“So?”
Megumi dropped the pen. He flipped his hand to interweave their fingers together. “Us.”
Brown sugar. Maple syrup. Yuji tried to ignore how enticing Megumi’s scent became. “You’re gonna have to ask me.”
“Wanna…you.” Megumi took a shaky breath. He released it with a squeeze to Yuji’s hand. “Want to be the mother of my child?”
Butterflies kicked up, his stomach churned. Ah, this was just a project he shouldn’t be getting so…
“You told me to ask!”
“I didn’t know you were gonna ask that!” It was amazing how long they’ve been dating but somehow Megumi still managed to trip over his words. Yuji was the only one who could make ever-so-serious Megumi, a shy stuttering mess.
“Stupid omega.” Megumi grunted, avoiding eye contact. “Making me say stupid things.” He tried to pull his hand away.
Yuji clung tightly to it and moved back into Megumi’s view. “Alpha.” He brought Megumi’s hand to feel the heat radiating from his cheeks. “I’ll do it.”
Megumi thumbed the apple of Yuji’s cheek, rubbing his scent deeper into his skin. “If you partnered with anyone else, you would have gotten someone killed.”
“Ooo~scary alpha.”
“I’m talking about how your big brothers would have killed them. Sukuna has been eyeballing me.” Megumi gestured behind him.
Yuji turned to his twin brother. Of course, Sukuna wouldn’t want him to partner up with anyone else.
“Once you’ve found your co-parent, one person needs to choose your baby.” Gojo gestured to the box full of dolls. “You’ll have to write a paper about this experience.”
A baby girl wrapped in a pink blanket with a cute hat on her head. Yuji held her close to his chest, while trying to navigate the dangerous school halls. Everyone pushing and shoving and the random groups of people just standing there.
Crap! And the lack of wet floor signs.
He jumped over a puddle.
A flurry of laughter filled his ears. Near him was a group of students—with Sukuna, the main leader—They were probably making fun of him. An omega who couldn’t even hold a baby properly.
Yuji picked up his pace. Someone yanked his arm.
“Megumi didn’t want to be partners with you or what?”
Huh? Yuji spun around, his reflection in another body stared at him. Sukuna….wasn’t joking, he actually sounded angry?
“Why the fuck did he leave you alone with the baby?”
Yuji didn’t think much about it. This was his and Megumi’s baby. Obviously he was going to take care of her.
“Make him take the baby home at least.” Sukuna said.
“Sukuna,” Yuji tried to gather his thoughts. “WHERE IS YOUR BABY?”
“In my locker. I’m not carrying around something that's the equivalent of a Barbie doll.”
“You can’t put a baby in a locker!”
“The dumb baby wouldn’t stop crying.” Sukuna scoffed. “So I figured it must have to go to sleep. And everyone sleeps in dark quiet places, so I locked it away.”
The world drew backwards, his perspective shifted, his shoulder bumped against another. His body became partially encased in warmth.
“Stay away from my omega and our child.” Megumi hugged around Yuji’s shoulder, observing Sukuna with narrowed eyes, pupils almost vacant. Sharp fangs bared—a threat. “Cause, obviously you’re the crazy uncle.”
“He was my little brother before he was your omega.” Sukuna shrugged, a small smirk curling his lips. “Besides, I was just giving him some parenting advice.”
Yuji slipped his fingers between Megumi’s. Calm. Don’t throw any punches. A heavy sigh hit his forehead, as Megumi slowly focused his tension on their hand-holding.
“It’s loud at our house. So other than the sleeping thing, it will be easier to leave it here.”
“You sick fuck. I bet Gojo sensei has shut down your baby already.”
“If he did it's only because he had it out for me anyway!” Sukuna shoved his hands in his pockets and stormed away.
The purpose of their entire interaction fled Yuji’s brain at the concerned expression Megumi gave him.
“Why are you holding our baby like that?” Megumi let go of Yuji’s hand. He took the baby. “You have to support the baby's head, like this.”
An unfamiliar feeling drenched him. He couldn't describe how it felt….just not quite right. Shivers crawled through his body, his arms jolted, hands finding a way to beg for what was lost.
“You don’t trust me, either?”
“No. It’s just…” Yuji wanted. There wasn’t anything beyond that. “I want to do my best to prepare for the real deal!”
“If that’s the case, put your books in your locker. You can’t carry everything at once.”
“Carrying all these books is nothing to me.”
“Yeah. Now.” Megumi grabbed his phone, his thumbs typing just as quick as the words left his mouth. “When you get older you’ll develop back problems.”
Wasn’t anything Yuji could do about it. On the day they were supposed to buy a locker, Sukuna had stolen his money. Vrr. His phone vibrated with a message.
Megumi: #980 34-12-59
Shivers exited through Yuji’s skipped heart beats, “What is?” He knew. His brain was just lagging a few seconds behind his heart.
Megumi shifted his sight upwards, blinking at Yuji, before turning his back and disappearing into the crowd of students.
“Totally one of the ultimate signs of trust!” Nobara swung her backpack on. The end of school bell rang. “Next thing ya know Megumi will be giving you his social media password.”
“I already have it, technically?” Yuji tapped on his phone screen, switching Instagram accounts. “One time he signed in using my phone and never signed out.”
“No way!” Nobara peeked over Yuji’s shoulder. They walked out the classroom to join the sea of students in the hall. “He trusts you to look through his DMs?”
Trust. Yuji guessed, they did have a lot of that. But wasn’t it weird Megumi trusted him for stuff like this and not enough to talk about his family?
“Does he have your password?” Nobara asked.
Yuji changed accounts. He opened his direct messages and gave Nobara his phone. “Look at what Megumi just sent to this person trying to flirt with me.”
You’ll never have what we have 🍞 📥 ♨️ So mind ur business.
“Never pinned Megumi as the devoted husband with kids type.” Nobara nudged his side. “But this message and the way he’s treating this project is kinda changing my mind.”
Yuji stepped past a row of lockers: 968. 969. 970. 971. He mentally counted. “Devoted? He doesn’t trust me with information about his family.”
“Are you still upset over that?”
“Am I not supposed to be?” Yuji snapped. “I mean he acts so secretive! Is he from a family of weirdos?”
“Not weirder than your family.”
“Then why doesn’t he tell me about them!”
The baby in Nobara’s arms started crying.
“Aw!” Nobara handed Yuji his phone. “This is all your fault, the yelling upset the baby.”
Yuji noticed Megumi at his…their locker? It was weird thinking like that.
Nobara waved at Megumi. “Where’s your cousin? The baby is having a meltdown.”
“Which one?”
“YOU HAVE MORE THAN ONE COUSIN WHO GOES HERE?” Yuji shouted.
“Yuji!” Nobara held the crying baby to his ears.
“Ack! Sorry!”
“Maki has a twin sister.” Megumi returned his focus to their locker.
“Alpha.” Yuji tapped Megumi’s shoulder. “Let me hold the baby now.” He dropped his stuff to the floor.
Megumi placed her in Yuji’s arms.
She really was like a real baby. Tiny. Delicate. Yuji sniffed—strawberry, maple. She smelled like the both of them. “Has she done anything yet?”
“Nope.”
“Do you think we got a defective one?”
“Maybe.”
“I was joking.” Yuji said.
Megumi grabbed Yuji’s stuff from the floor and arranged it in their locker.
“You’re such a good baby, aren’t you?” Yuji poked at the baby’s cheek. “You don’t even cry over loud noises.”
“Such a shame. She is already used to your loud mouth.” Nobara chided.
“I’m not that loud!”
“You keep thinking that. I’m going to track down Maki.” Nobara took her leave.
Yuji swallowed hard, trying to focus on controlling his volume. “I’ll make mini fruit tarts as a thank you gift for sharing your locker. Favorite fruit! Go!”
“Strawberries, probably.”
“Because I smell like strawberries?”
“I’ve always liked strawberries since I was a kid.” Megumi moved their textbooks side by side. “But…you smell nice.” His voice dropped, any more timid and it would have gotten washed up in the chaos.
Yuji felt the corners of his mouth twitch. “It’s like I was born to make you happy, alpha.”
“You say stupid things!” Megumi slammed their locker shut. His balled up fist and arm rested against the cool metal as his head cocked to the side, “You were born to live your own life and I’m lucky you’re sharing it with me. Especially for this project.” He huffed, his scent filled with pride. “Bring our baby to my house tomorrow.”
Our baby. Yuji really liked how Megumi repeatedly claimed that.
Home sweet home. Home with all of his big brothers. Sweet with the smell of cake and hot pot. The table was adored with plates, glasses, and eating utensils.
“And so I passed. Crazy because I studied only an hour before the test.” Kechizu motioned to the soy sauce.
“Well, at least you remembered you had a test.” Eso passed it over to him.
“I guess.” Kechizu drowned his rice in sauce, till it looked like soup.
“Sukuna and Yuji, anything interesting happened at your school?” Choso always led the dinner conversations. Always overly interested in his little brother’s lives.
Maybe that’s why Yuji was hyper aware when people were watching, judging him. Eyes. All the time—eyes.
Yuji had grown accustomed, it made him feel special growing up. Choso never hesitated to remind them how smart and talented they were. Whenever they got awards, he’d frame and hang them in the hallway.
“Yuji and Megumi have a baby.” Sukuna shoveled food into his mouth.
Smack. Smack. The loud sound of chewing filled the abrupt silence. The dinner table seemed so much bigger. Smack. The distance between his brothers seemed so much larger. Smack.
Choso’s cheerful expression congealed into stress. He face palmed and sighed.
“For real?” Kechizu dumped his soupy rice on Yuji’s plate. “You need to eat more then, little brother!”
“Whoa, now.” Eso grabbed Kechisu’s wrist. “All that sodium isn’t good for anyone.”
“Are you sure this is something you want, little brother?” Choso spoke sluggishly, as if his brain couldn’t properly process this information.
“I don’t think I have a choice.” Yuji dragged food around his plate.
“Yes, you do.”
“But now I’ll be able to see Megumi more often.” This was the time to bring it up. Casually, slip it in. “I actually kind of think this is a good thing! He invited me over to his house!”
“To his...how?” Choso lowered the hand from over his eyes, giving Yuji a look that made his stomach lurch. “Do his parents know?”
“Uh, I imagine we’re going to tell his dad and sister tomorrow.”
There was something broken and worrying in Choso’s eyes.
Yuji didn’t understand what it was. “Are you mad at me?”
“No.” Choso took a sharp breath. His head tilted towards the ceiling. “I’m just disappointed.” He seemed to be talking directly to God.
“I don’t...I...I…” Yuji struggled to find words. “I don’t have to go over to his house, I guess. I can handle this by myself.”
“Megumi helped make this happen. He has to take responsibility too.” Choso said. ”Can I talk to him?”
“I can try to Facetime him.” Yuji pulled his phone from his pocket. “He might be at work.”
The phone rang twice before there was an answer.
“Hello?” Megumi’s face was barely seen on the screen.
“Choso wants to talk with you.” Yuji flipped his phone camera to show his brothers all sitting around the table.
“I’m at work, breaking down boxes right now. Can it wait?”
“Ask him.” Choso cleared his throat. “If he could have waited until mating.”
Yuji flipped the camera on his own face. “Did you hear him?”
“Shitty connection.” The screen blacked out, then returned a few seconds later. “What did he say?”
“I—” A high pitched cry cut him off.
“What is that?” Eso asked.
“Our baby!” Yuji handed his phone to Choso. “Wait a sec!” He followed the crying till it grew unbearable.
The baby was having a fit on his bed, screaming like the earth had opened up and swallowed her whole.
He stopped near his bed and reached into his backpack. There was a baby bottle, three changes of diapers, and a little cute blanket that came with the doll. Maybe it was time to use one of those things. He placed all the items on his nightstand.
“Shh.” He lifted the baby up. “It’s okay. I’m here now.”
The baby cried even more.
“Are you hungry, little one?” Yuji picked up the bottle. “Let’s go eat with your uncles.” He carried her out of the room.
“That’s not a real baby!” Kechizu complained as soon as Yuji stepped into view.
“She is Megumi’s and I’s baby.” Yuji placed the bottle to the baby’s lips. She produced a gargling and suckling sound. “Part of a project from Gojo Sensei’s class.”
Choso chugged his entire glass of alcohol. “More.” He held out his cup. “Don’t stop refilling it.”
“See, you were worried about nothing.” Eso poured him another glass.
“Megumi invited me over for the weekend so we can take care of her together.” Yuji lowered the bottle. The baby started whining again. “Did you talk to him about that?”
Eso poured Choso another round, using his elbow to slide Yuji’s phone across the table. “I don’t see a problem with it.”
“Megumi, did ya hear that? I can come over to your house tomorrow!”
“As long as his dad will be there.”
“Megumi, is your dad going to be there?”
An audible breath of weariness came from the other end, “Yuji, I need to talk to you alone.”
“Okay.”
Kechizu held his hands out. “I wanna see how real she is!”
“Sure. Just don’t let Sukuna touch. He’s the bad uncle.” Yuji gave Kechizu the baby and her bottle. She seemed to cry even harder. “Try to feed her.”
He walked towards his bedroom. The connection broke, then improved, then broke again. It finally settled with a mix of blurry images.
“Can you tell your big brothers to stop asking me about my family? It’s annoying.”
“It’s not that easy! You know how they are!” Yuji was also interested. When an alpha and omega mate, their families are supposed to come together and form a pack. “You need to talk more about yourself anyway.”
“My life isn’t interesting. My family sure as hell isn’t either.”
“I don’t get all the secrecy! Are you from a family of assassins or—“ The connection improved enough for Yuji to view Megumi’s face.
“I just don’t like them.” Megumi’s expression was void of any bitter emotions that might have backed up such a claim. “I don’t. I don’t want others to know about them. Fuck most of them. They don’t want anything to do with me…whatever. I don’t want to be related to them.”
But…they’re your family? Yuji let the sentence die on his tongue.
“They’re lying assholes. Not Maki, but everyone else. There’s nothing for us.”
Nothing—such a bleak, clean cut word.
“My big sister and my dad.” The screen shook. “They're the only two people on earth who ever gave a fuck about me.”
“I give a fuck about you.” Yuji said. “And our baby started crying for the first time. She won’t stop and I’m pretty sure it’s because she misses you!”
BA—The rampage of cardboard destruction halted.
“Not gonna say something stupid.” Megumi seemed to be holding back a grin.
“Really? I didn’t rope you in?”
Megumi tapped his nose. “No strawberry scent. Your stupidity can’t transfer to me.”
“My stupidity? Look at the camera. See the stupid look on your face!” Yuji took a screenshot. “I’ll send it to you.”
“Chill.”
“Gonna make it my lock screen. So when people see it, I can be like, yeah that’s my alpha.”
“Don’t!” Megumi choked out a laugh.
“Too late.” Yuji heard a camera click. His phone vibrated with a notification: Megumi took a screenshot. “Don’t copy me!”
“Hey,” Another voice cut in. “I don’t hear any boxes being crushed over there!”
Megumi groaned and combed his fingers through his hair, “See ya tomorrow, Yuji. Hug our little one extra tight for me. Maybe she’ll stop crying.”
“Megumi’s house is the next one coming up.” Yuji stared out the car window at the unfamiliar passing sights. The GPS was on the same set of directions: Go straight. Somehow a straight shot had turned into a snail ride of low-fi hip hop and constant nervous eye contact from Choso.
“You sure you’ll be okay around so many alphas?” This was the 20th time Choso asked.
“I’m around you guys all the time.”
“This is different.”
“I packed everything for the baby and I, so if anything happens, I’ll be prepared.” Yuji even sent Megumi a text message, already.
“Don't be afraid to call me if you need to come home early.”
“Big brother, you worry too much!”
The car stopped. “It’s not called worrying. It’s called being safe.” Choso reached into the backseat, his knuckles catching Yuji’s chin. Up. Up. His scent sank into his skin. “Now listen—”
“I know. Don’t do anything you wouldn’t do, at my age.” Yuji hopped out of the car. He swung on his duffel bag and gathered the rest of his stuff.
“No.” Choso’s brow furrowed. “I wasn’t going to say that. I’m trying to get you NOT to do the same fucked up stuff I did.”
“Okay, I promise!”
“You’re not even remotely paying attention to what I’m saying.”
Yuji picked the baby up and closed the car door. He flashed his big brother a smile, “We’ll be fine.” He moved the baby’s arm to wave bye-bye.
Choso nodded stiffly. The car slowly drove off.
Yuji followed a pathway to the entrance. An old welcome mat and pretty potted flowers rested near the door. Wild out of control barking seemed to be coming from inside. Shadows passed through the stained glass windows twice, before the knob twisted.
“Get back! Get!” The door swung open to reveal Megumi and two huskies eagerly trying to slip outside. “Figured the car pulling up was you.” He grabbed a few of Yuji’s things. “Come in.”
Yuji stepped inside, and the dogs immediately pounced. His fingers traveled through their fluffy fur. Wet tongues glided over him as eager tails wagged back and forth.
“No licking the baby. No!” Megumi locked the door shut.
The two huskies pant, lowering on all fours. Their tongues hanging out their mouths as they seemed to eyeball the baby in Yuji’s arms.
“Good boys!” Megumi praised. He patted both the huskies. “Lead.”
They entered the living room. Television blasting loudly as a fist pounded on the coffee table. “What the fuck y’all!” The fist stopped in mid-air, a body shot up from the couch. Back muscles bulged and shoulders squared. “Goddamn! Goddamn!”
The tv announcer blared from the speakers, “And to repeat the winning lottery numbers are 24, 33, 86, 67, 90.”
A pissed off scent—unmistakable alpha—mixed in with the smell of smoke and maple.
“Dad! I just told you to put a shirt on!”
The alpha threw his head back, a cigarette hung from his lips. “After this show goes off.” His eyes, just as blue as Megumi’s, glazed over him. “Hey. I remember you.”
“Hi, Mr. Fushiguro.” Yuji barely squeezed the words out as his chest tightened.
“Call me, Toji.”
“Get rid of the cigarette.” Megumi said. “This baby has a camera in it. We might lose points because you’re smoking around her.”
“No big deal. It’s just a few points.” Toji settled back down, the couch groaning under his weight. His eyes returned to the tv screen, as his fist noticeably continued to crush the golden ticket in his hand.
The huskies beckoned at his legs. They rubbed and huffed for attention.
Yuji looked around, the house layout wasn’t much different than his own. But the walls were bare of any family pictures or awards. Plain. Off-white. Paint chipped and little holes as if something had been torn down.
Megumi dropped the duffel bag. “Yuji, let me get you something to drink.” He shot his father a look. “Also you can sit on the couch.”
Toji blew out a cloud of smoke and scooted to the side.
Yuji sat next to his bag. Strange. He felt dizzy, his brain all soupy. He planned for this day—when he’d finally meet Megumi’s family, tell them how much he cherished him.
“Okay how much is she paying you?” Toji asked.
“Huh?” It was supposed to be just like the plan. He’d bow his head and beg for their blessing, while promising to be the best omega possible.
“One thing my son and I have in common is that we don’t like to repeat ourselves.”
Yuji unzipped the duffel bag. He placed an elegantly wrapped plastic bag with a cute little bow on the coffee table.
Toji tilted his head. His vacant expression was less reassuring than when he was being intimidating.
“FRUIT TARTS ARE FOR MEGUMI! I WANT TO THANK HIM! AND YOU CAN HAVE SOME TOO BECAUSE…” Yuji clenched his teeth, his pits got sweaty. He must have gotten overly nervous and started shouting. “You helped create someone I really—”
Toji opened his mouth. A water bottle landed a few inches away from his scrunched up, confused face.
“Don’t act like I can’t hear you.” Megumi launched another water bottle across the room. “Tsumiki would never bribe anyone. Unlike you, she’s nice.”
Yuji ducked his head. The baby let out a whine. The dogs started barking.
“Nice?” Toji caught the water and scoffed. “Everyone wants something from somebody.”
The baby whined again.
“Shh.” Yuji hushed her.
“WAAAH! WAAH!" The baby screamed and moved her little limbs.
Toji pointed the remote at the screen. The volume climbed higher.
“S-sorry!” Yuji bounced the baby in his lap.
“Don’t apologize. Shut her up. Check her diaper or something.”
“I just did.”
“She is probably crying because you’re smoking!” Megumi shouted.
“Nah. That can’t be it.” Toji quickly dismissed the idea. “Maybe she needs to burp?”
“Trying that.” Yuji rubbed soothing circles on her back. “I dunno, what else babies want.”
“Oh.” Toji used the TV remote to scratch his head. “I know what used to work with Megumi.”
“Hmm?”
“Son, get over here and sing your loud mouthed brat a song!” Toji yelled.
“What the f—” Megumi must have bit his tongue in mid shout. “I’m not singing!”
Toji turned expectantly at Yuji. The television channel accidently changed to a HDMI output. Wii music blasted through the speakers.
One dog let out a surprised bark. The other took off running around the couch.
The baby went silent.
“Hope I didn’t lose my show.” Toji aimed the remote at the screen.
“NO!” Megumi ran into the living with two cups of fruit punch. He blocked the signal. “The TV stays. It’s a compromise. No shirt, no channel change.”
They spent two hours creating Wii characters, before searching the song on YouTube. It played over and over, non-stop on loop. They even muted the volume on Mario Kart, until the baby fell asleep.
“Out of all teachers, only Gojo sensei would program our baby to enjoy this crap.” Megumi munched on a fruit tart, the controller almost falling from his hands.
“Maybe we should include a statement about this in our paper.” Yuji mashed the buttons a bit harder. “How to put the baby to sleep using Wii music.”
“No. He’ll make that smile like he did something because he kno—HEY!” Megumi complained, as his character got passed.
“I play this game with my big brothers all the time.” Yuji said. “Don’t feel too bad.”
“What’s wrong son, can’t beat your old man?” Toji was practically blocking the entirety of the screen.
Ring. Ring. Ring.
“Dad, your phone.” Megumi cranked his neck over.
Ring.
“Excuses are for losers. I taught you better than that.”
Ring. Ring.
“You’re losing to Yuji, too. And he’s holding a baby in his lap.” Megumi stole a glance at the caller ID. “It’s my mom. Move.”
Toji grunted, backing away from the screen. He grabbed his phone from the sofa. “Yes?”
“Is that a damn video game?” A woman’s voice rang out, “What happened to that part time job you were talking about!”
Toji quickly turned the call off speaker. “I’m here right now. I’m on break.” He put down the controller and sucked the sticky fruit juices from his fingers. “Why would I lie to you?” He exited the living room.
Yuji felt eyes land on him. He glanced up to see Megumi.
“My dad and I kinda ate them all.” Megumi munched on another fruit tart. “Are you going to have some?”
“They were your gift.”
Megumi held the bag towards him.
Yuji took one tart and nibbled. Vanilla. Cream cheese. On top he used sugar glazed strawberries and kiwi.
Megumi’s hard facial features seemed to soften as Yuji sucked the filling. “Glaahh,” He cleared his throat, “Glad you baked them. They’re delicious.”
The front door opened and closed. “Hello!” Heels clicked against the hardwood. “I’m home!”
That smell…Again? Yuji felt his stomach tighten as much as his chest. He choked down the rest of the desert.
“Sis!” Megumi paused the game. “Yuji came over and brought mini fruit tarts.” He placed the controller to the side.
“You invited your boyfriend over with the house looking a mess?” Tsumiki rubbed one of the dogs. The smile on her face grew overly sweet.
“Dad didn’t say I couldn’t.”
“I’m the only one then.” Tsumiki walked into the kitchen, the two huskies trailed behind. “The only one in this house with eyes, since nobody else can see the dishes.” The sound of running water filled the air. “It’s fine. I guess nobody cares how we’re gonna eat dinner tonight.”
“Pizza?” Megumi suggested. “It comes in a box.”
“If you wanted that, you should have texted me before I drove all the way back home.”
“We can get it delivered.”
Dishes slammed in the sink. “Yuji, you’re the guest. What do you want?”
Yuji fidgeted with his hoodie drawstrings. “I’m fine with whatever.”
“No need to be shy.” Tsumiki pointed a soapy finger in their direction. “Megumi, bring me those cups.”
Megumi grabbed the empty glasses from the coffee table. Yuji’s legs seemed to have a mind of their own, desperate for more maple. That scent, the sole reason why he followed, like an ant attracted to a piece of cake.
“I’m not trying to be mean, ya know? I just know you can be better than this.” Tsumiki shook her head, “Better than him.”
Megumi grunted. He placed the cups with the rest of the dirty dishes.
“Maybe you can get Megumi in line, Yuji.” Tsumiki winked. “Sometimes he puts on this bad boy act.” She scrubbed the plate in her hand extra hard. “BUT...It’s okay. If I was cursed in a coma, I bet he’d miss me.”
“Would ya stop talking like that?” Megumi swung open the fridge door. “I haven’t gotten in a fight for two weeks.”
“Really?” Tsumiki’s smile became genuine. Her apple and maple scent flared with excitement. “That’s my little brother! Maybe we should order pizza to celebrate!”
Megumi closed the fridge with a smug expression.
More. Suffocatingly, rich—Maple. The smell was everywhere. His body felt so hot. Yuji took an almost drunken step, “Your family smells like maple.”
“Dad scent marks us.” Megumi said, with a shrug.
Yuji stepped closer, chest to chest. His lips suddenly felt sticky and dry, and he needed something plush and wet to remedy the problem.
Megumi stared at the stretch of Yuji’s neck. He grazed his tongue over his bottom lip, “Your older brother Choso scents you, too. It’s just something that usually happens in a pack.”
Yuji never considered how Choso rubbed his scent on him and his brothers. He always figured it was an alpha comfort thing. “Choso really loves us. He says scenting is to keep us safe.”
“It is in a way.” Megumi lowered his nose close to the curve, his fangs tickling Yuji’s collar bone. “Sometimes I feel like he does it to out scent me.”
“I can ask him.”
“Don’t.”
“I want to smell like you, too!”
Megumi lifted his head. His lips remained in a firm line.
“You want me to smell like you for longer. That’s why it bothers you, right? I get it.” Yuji liked it when he smelled like Megumi. A funny feeling always bubbled up inside—just like now. Maple and alpha and maple and alpha and…
“Do you feel okay?”
Yuji wasn’t sure if he was nodding or shaking. The ground disappeared from below his feet and his head lolled against Megumi’s shoulder. “I can walk by myself.” He babbled, weakly tugging as Megumi scooped him up. “Alpha, I can!”
“Normally, you run laps around me.” Megumi walked steadily, gently carrying Yuji bridal style through the house.
“I’m carrying our baby!”
“Yeah, that’s why you need to lay down.”
“No!” Yuji pouted, noticing Megumi’s veins bulge as strong arms coddled him closer.
“So you don’t fall, hurt yourself and our baby.” Megumi nuzzled the top of Yuji’s head.
Yuji melted against Megumi’s frame. Being held felt nice: Megumi’s warmth, his heartbeat, all the little possessive growls from his chest.
“Take better care of yourself, omega.” Megumi growled.
“Yes, alpha.”
Megumi kicked open a door and carried him inside.
Yuji darted his eyes around. Was this Megumi’s room? It kind of looked how he expected, clothes neatly tucked away, a sloppy nightstand, and the bed was—
Soft.
Megumi dropped him into the pile of covers. Yuji carefully laid on his back, so the baby didn't get squished. He flopped around, one of his legs bumped something hard.
“Nice room. But uhh…” Yuji did a quick double take, his mind surfacing heated fantasies. “Why do you have a box of condoms on your bed?”
“DAD! THE DOOR TO MY ROOM IS CLOSED FOR A REASON!”
A deep chuckle echoed through the house. “Heh, I’m just making sure you kids have safe fun.”
“Yuji really just came over for our project!”
The chuckle grew into wild laughter.
Megumi fumbled the box, like a hot potato. “My dad is...I really don’t know what’s wrong with him.” His eyes went everywhere but Yuji’s face, as if him not seeing it made the blush on his own unnoticeable. “I’ll...ge-get rid of these.” He quickly left the room.
Yuji buried his face into a pillow. It was almost like Megumi’s embarrassment was contagious. He wiggled his toes, messed with the blankets. Alpha. He untucked the cover, silky sheets curled up around him. Almost like Megumi was spooning him.
Vrr. Vrrrrrr. His phone vibrated out of control. He pulled it from his pocket to see a spam of messages.
Choso: YUJI! What are you doing right now? WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
Sukuna: Yeah. Send pic.
Eso: He is probs just eating dinner.
Kechizu: (; Owo)>?
Choso: I feel something is not right.
All he did was sit on the bed! Yuji slid to the floor. His phone vibrated again.
Choso: Might have been a false alarm, feels better now. :) Still let us know ur ok.
Yuji: I’m ok🥴y.
Okay. Alpha was here. He was okay. He dropped his phone. Okay. Okay. Everything was maple-y and okay.
“Hey, Alp—” He peeked out the door to see Megumi talking to his father down the hall. He could barely make out their conversation.
“Can you not ruin this for me? You’re really pushing it.”
“Hey, watch it.” Toji leered, his eyebrows raised. “Is that any way to talk to your old man?”
“Tch.” Megumi mumbled something like an apology, “Yuji doesn’t feel good, so I have to watch him and the baby.”
“It’s just a toy doll, rip the batteries out if you can’t handle two things at once.”
“I can’t do that. We’ll fail.”
“One bad grade isn’t the end of the world. Why are you being so serious about this?”
“Because this has to do with Yuji.” Megumi inhaled sharply, “This is Yuji’s grade too. He's super serious about this. And I’m super serious about him! He is one of the few people in my life that I—” He exhaled, his shoulders slumping, eyes glued to his feet. “Just be cool around him, please?”
“My house,” Toji knocked his knuckles against the wall. “I can do whatever the fuck I want to the people inside.”
“This is why mom keeps saying she’ll come back, but never does!”
Yuji quickly closed the door. He climbed into Megumi’s bed, his scent rubbing into the fabric. He fixed the covers beside him, fluffed up and flipped a few pillows. For alpha.
Loud crying jolted Yuji awake. Their baby! Someone was trying to take their baby! He snarled, peering into the darkness. Unknown blobs molded and took the form of shapes.
Megumi hovered above him. “I really am happy you chose me to be your alpha.” He closed the gap between them and whispered, “You never let go of our baby.”
Yuji stirred, his forehead gently bumped against Megumi’s. Time seemed to stay still for a minute. Mellowness. Just Megumi and him and the product of their affection.
“She needs to be changed. Can I do it?” Megumi asked.
Yuji nodded, loosening his grip. He scanned the room: the duffel bag, an open box with a half eaten pizza, empty cans of soda. “Were you awake watching us the whole time?”
No answer.
The crying sounded a bit more distant.
His eyelids were heavy. Each little sound made them snap open. His brain wired, awaiting for the scent of his love to return.
The door creaked open, a slender silhouette appeared on the wall. “I came to say good night.” Tsumiki said, softly.
“Megumi left to change the baby.”
“What is the pizza box doing in here?” Tsumiki asked.
“Hungry.” Yuji picked up a slice of pizza. “I brought it in here.”
Tsumiki blinked rapidly. She probably knew that was a lie, but Yuji didn’t want Megumi to get in trouble because of him.
Yuji bit into the slice. “I’ll be sure to clean up the mess.” He spoke between chews, “Soda cans, too.”
“Seriously, how did my little brother luck out with an omega like you?” Tsumiki chuckled, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
“What is that supposed to mean?” Megumi stepped past his sister. He set the baby on the bed.
Yuji shoved the rest of the pizza into his mouth. He mustered a grin with two cheeks full of food.
“Good night.” Tsumiki sang out. “Love you.”
“That didn’t answer my question.” Megumi said.
“Love you.” Tsumiki repeated. She rocked the door back and forth on its hinges, as if awaiting for the proper response.
Megumi dragged his feet over. He reached out to grab the door. “Night. Thanks for the pizza. Love you.”
“You never tell me that.” Toji walked up behind Tsumiki. He held a hand over his heart, bunching up his shirt fabric. “Kinda hurts.”
So...He finally put a shirt on? A way too tight shirt, that had his muscles bulging out of it.
“Damn. When you know you know.” Megumi tried to close the door.
Toji jammed his body between the doorframe. He smiled, almost somewhat amusing and endearing. “Good night. My two precious children.”
“Night, dad.” Tsumiki gave her father a hug.
Toji kissed the top of her head. He glanced at Megumi, reaching out to ruffle his hair. Subtly his scent mixed with their own unique ones.
“Okay. Night!” Megumi swatted him away.
“My bad,” Toji threw his hands up innocently. “I promise not to embarrass you anymore today.”
Yuji looked at the alarm clock on the dresser. There was only one minute left before it was a new day.
Toji walked down the hall, laughing like he just told the best joke in the world. The two huskies ran into the room, settling at the foot of Megumi’s bed. Tsumiki smiled and closed the door with a soft click.
“Somehow, every night this happens.” Megumi made his way over to the bed, a yawn escaping him.
“Sleep now.” Yuji hugged Megumi. “The baby and I are fine.”
“You sure? Smelling so many alphas, triggered your pre-heat.”
“Out of everyone, I mainly smelled you.” Yuji coaxed Megumi into the special spot he made for him. “It made my brain stupid.”
They eyeballed each other. A collective burst of laughter filled the room. The baby gurgled, in unison. Both dogs lift their heads, tails raised and wagging.
Laughter dissipated into comfortable silence, their bodies side by side, sharing heat from the other’s skin. Megumi occasionally passed Yuji a slice of pizza; the dogs watched with big ol’eyes and whimpered until Yuji finally caved and tossed the crust over. Each time the baby stirred awake and cried, one of them rolled over to rock her back to sleep.
“She’s so sensitive.” Yuji fixed the little hat on their baby’s head. “Why do babies cry so much?”
“Maybe because they hate it here.” Megumi said.
“Let’s try scenting her. Kinda like why your dad does, it might keep her calm.”
Megumi mumbled something.
“I can’t hear you.”
Megumi inched his volume to a whisper, “Not why.”
“Bu—“
“The reason why my dad scents us, is because I ran away before.” Megumi shifted his feet over. “When my mom left, my dad ripped all the family pictures from the walls. Tsumiki was sad everyday. The place didn’t feel like home, I just wanted to find that feeling again.”
“Did you find it?” Yuji felt Megumi’s toes tickle his foot. “What, I’m serious!”
“She returned me to my dad.” Megumi stopped wiggling his toes. His voice grew colder than usual, “Lied to us.”
Truth telling only served the purpose of maintaining trust. After too many lies that trust was broken. Lying was beyond trust, it was an investment beneficiary for the future.
Yuji stared at their feet touching. “If even one person who I love left me…I’d be sad.”
Megumi fell quiet.
“That’s why, I want our families to form a pack!” Yuji pointed between them. “Your dad and big sister! My big brothers! We can take care of each other!”
“Scenting doesn’t last forever like mating marks do. That’s why it’s mostly done between packs because relationships like those can be easily broken.”
“Do it, then!” Yuji lowered the covers, exposing the curve of his neck. “Mate with me.”
Something animalistic flashed in Megumi’s eyes, his claws dug into the bed sheets, his tongue wet his lips. Fangs peeked through the slight snarl curve of his mouth, “Not funny, omega.”
“Right, here.” Yuji tapped a spot. “Everyone will be able to see, I’m yours.” He smiled invitingly, the idea made his pulse race. “Forever.”
Forever Megumi’s, till death did them apart. His future. His life. His euphoria.
Teeth sank into Yuji’s neck. Pain. Pain. Pleasure, bolted through his bones. So good. So fucking…He heard Megumi slurp.
Their mating bond snapped into place. Heart pumping adoration instead of blood through his veins. His sense of self fading as his omega accepted the claim. His alpha—Megumi. Every place Megumi dragged his mouth was left tingly and toasty.
“Almost done?’ Yuji groaned, more kisses pressed against his skin.
“It’s. Not. Me.” Megumi spoke through gritted teeth, his discomfort reflected in each word. “It’s not. I just can’t.” More growls and mewls came from his throat. “Can’t help it because you’re delicious and sweet like a…”
“Strawberry!”
Megumi growled again, his pupils expanding. “In…In…In…” He nudged Yuji’s legs apart.
“Mmm-huh?” Yuji hummed.
“In between.” Megumi slipped between Yuji’s thighs. A pleased sound—purring. He nuzzled a slobbery kiss on the mating mark adoring Yuji’s neck, “Home.”
Yuji lifted Megumi’s head and kissed his lips. When they moved in together, he was going to greet Megumi everyday like this.
“How many extra pairs of feet are we gonna have running around?”
“Dunno. We would probably have twins.” Yuji felt his shirt ride up, cold yet familiar hands palm at his sides. They slid over his toned stomach, touching a spot that made him squirm and squeeze his thighs around Megumi. “Because Sukuna and I are twins and you said Maki has a—“ His breath caught in throat, “Twin.”
Megumi caressed the area around Yuji’s bellybutton. “I’ll love anyone who comes out of here.” His purring grew louder, “My spunk.”
No doubt in Yuji’s mind—the stomach aches, the cramps, and nausea—he’d go through it all for Megumi. For that small smile lingering on his face, full of satisfaction and happiness.
“I’m going to work extra hard. Save money. Hopefully after we graduate, there will be enough saved up for us to rent a nice apartment together.”
“Anything will be fine.” Yuji flexed his thighs, cuddling Megumi closer.
“No. I’m not going to have us living in a fucking dump. It would be unsafe for you and our babies.” Megumi wrapped his arms around Yuji. He seemed to lose focus in his thoughts, “If anything this project has taught me that.”
“Not you adding a learning experience to the paper.”
“Gojo sensei did one thing right, I guess. As long as the paper is double spaced we’ll bullshit the rest, all that happily ever after stuff.”
“Yeah.” Yuji could picture their happily ever after together: them snuggling like this every night, after a long day of work and taking turns getting their babies to sleep. Just laying together and being stupid with each other. “I have some ideas.”