Archive of Our Own

Inumaki didn't think he could stand it anymore. He was almost in physical pain, voice aching to cry out, yell, do something. This situation was getting intolerable.

He tapped his fingers impatiently against the desk as he watched Itadori and Megumi in front of him. Megumi was leaning on the edge of his desk, arms crossed over his chest but a small blush dusting his cheeks as Itadori chatted to him. Itadori was the loudest out of the first years apart from Nobara, who had once screamed at Inumaki when he stole her leftover Mochi so hard he swore he had gone deaf for a few minutes after. He missed Yuuta and his thoughtful, intelligent conversation every single day.

'I swear, it takes me so long to get my hair like this and you just wake up like that?' He laughed, shaking his head. 'That's bullshit.'

Megumi frowned, 'Why would I lie, idiot?'

'You just can't wake up that pretty naturally Fushi.' Itadori beamed. It was a smile that hurt everyone's eyes when they saw it, like looking into the sun. 'That's not possible. You have no idea how ugly I look in the mornings, the universe can't be this unfair!'

Fushiguro blushed harder, and for a moment Inumaki held his breath. Itadori looked at Megumi for a moment, but seemed to completely miss it. Inumaki almost wacked his forehead into the desk in frustration.

'You look okay all the time.' Fushiguro mumbled, not meeting his eyes.

'Thanks for the lie, but Nobara already has a file of mugshots of me and trust me none of them are flattering.' He shuddered, 'Sometimes she flaunts them to remind me that I'll be single forever.'

'Unlikely.' Fushiguro scoffed. 'If I had to choose you or Nobara it would definitely be you.' Megumi's brain slowly caught up with what he said, and hastily he added, 'If I have to, I mean.'

'Or what? You die? I guess I'll take the compliment anyway.' Itadori said with a teasing grin.

'No, not die.' Fushiguro couldn't hide the smile which crept onto his face. 'Something less severe. Like having to babysit Todo on one of his missions.'

Itadori laughed. 'Well usually that job goes to me, so it really is your turn.'

'Maki would probably be a better choice. He hates me.'

'I still don't know why.' Itadori said with a confused frown. 'You're my favourite person here. How could he not like you?'

And oh god, Fushiguro was blushing again. Inumaki's temper was running out. If one of them didn't confess their love in the next few minutes, he was going to lose it.

'It doesn't matter to me anyway.' Fushiguro said after a long silence. 'Nobara is gonna be so mad when I tell her I'm your favourite.'

Itadori's eyes widened. 'No please, she'll kill me!'

'Not my problem.'

'Seriously! I'll wake up with two nails drilled into my skull!'

'Maybe not. She did let you be idiot A not idiot B, so you're definitely still her favourite.'

Itadori sighed in mock resignation. 'Fine. Let you're best friend die then. I'll haunt you from beyond the grave.'

Megumi narrowed his eyes, 'Well I guess that true. You never have been very good at dying have you?'

'That was one time!' Itadori winced, guilt clear in his features. 'I promise, next time I die, it'll be for real.'

Fushiguro's smile faltered. 'Yeah… try not to though.'

Itadori's smile was softer this time. 'Sure.'

Then without warning he ran towards the door with a mischievous glint in his eye. 'Race you to Nobara's room!'

But before he got to the door Fushiguro grabbed his wrist, pulling him back and throwing him aside. He made a break for the door but Itadori kicked his legs out from under him, sending him tumbling to the floor. Fushigiro tried to escape but Itadori was already on top of him, laughing as Fushiguro pushed one hand into his cheek trying to force him to move.

Inumaki was finished. He had run out of patience. He had officially reached his limit.

He walked carefully around the two of them as they continued to fight. Then, just as he was about to leave, he turned and unzipped the top of his jacket.

He felt his cursed technique rise up in his throat. 'Just kiss.'

As he walked away he heard the room go quiet. Then a few moments later he heard two people screaming his name.

He ran down the corridor with a wide and relieved grin. He had done what had to be done.

***

One minute Fushiguro was pushing at Itadori's cheek as he tried to wrench his hand away, the next minute his hand was caressing his jaw in his palm. Then it happened.

He felt himself moving against his will, pulling Itadori down by the collar. But that wasn't the most surprising. What shocked him was how eager Itadori was to follow.

Their lips met, and the rush they had felt as they were pulled together by Inumaki's words dissipated completely. It was softer than he imagined considering how ruthless and fiery Itadori was in a fight, when his movement flew like blades through the air. It was as if he was handling something so precious that he didn't want to risk breaking it in any capacity.

Fushiguro closed his eyes, kissing him back as a tingling warmth filled his chest. Eventually he looked up at Itadori in a daze. His eyes widened when he saw his shocked, pale face.

'Fushiguro?' He whispered, voice weak and full of fear. Fushiguro moved slightly and Itadori leaped off him and onto the floor.

' I am so so sorry.' He said, completely flustered. 'That wasn't me it was-'

'Inumaki, I know.' Fushiguro ignored the feeling settling in his stomach. It felt vaguely like anger, but much more like disappointment. He thought of those gentle calloused hands. The ones which would never treasure him like that again.

'Inumaki!' They both yelled, getting off the floor to chase him down the corridor, trying to forget what it felt like to be held in a way neither of them had been before.

***
Itadori couldn't stop thinking. This had never been a problem before, Nobara would say it was because he had no brain cells left.

But it wasn't that, normally he could forget about something embarrassing pretty quickly after it happened. He tended not to hang onto negative emotions.

He had learnt first hand the damage they could do if they were dwelled on. Like Fushiguro's face when Sukuna held Itadori's dripping heart in his hands. As if he would give himself to Sukuna right then, have himself ripped apart, as long as he could also obliterate his grief in the process.

But what had been worse than that were the confused feelings he was having right now. The way Fushiguro had blushed beneath him, eyes fluttering open with dark eyelashes silhouetted against pale cheeks.

His throat tightened. He couldn't think about something like that, not when he was Fushiguro. Itadori had always hesitated before crushing on anyone, not wanting to admire them physically in any way before he was fully convinced he was ready to love them. Nobara accused him of being a hopeless romantic, and once again, he could almost feel her voice in his saying 'you idiot, just ask him out.'

There was another voice interfering too. 'You have Megumi right there in front of you and you did nothing? Coward.' Came Sukuna's voice from his cheek soon after the incident.

'Shut up. This isn't about you.' Itadori snapped.

'I can tell you what I would have done with him-' came that deep voice soon after, appearing on the back of his hand.

'Fuck off, when was the last time you were even in a relationship? You've been a pile of crusty fingers for centuries, stop pretending like you know everything.'

Sukuna growled, 'You really are an insolent brat aren't you, disrespecting my reputation-'

'Again, all I can hear is someone who hasn't got laid since two centuries ago. Get the fuck back in your domain and go cry about it to someone else.'

'Without me you wouldn't even know him brat!' He snarled now from the back of his right hand. 'At least share.'

'Megumi's not an object, stop treating him like one.' Itadori was surprised by how much anger and spite rose up in his voice. He was usually well tempered enough with Sukuna, knowing that meme references and incessant puns were enough for Sukuna to get so fed up with him that he stopped all attempts at converting him to evil.

'Oh really? So you only like him for his god awful personality?' Sukuna drawled, 'So you don't think he looks good? You don't ever stop to stare at his-'

'That's enough!' Itadori slapped the back of his hand, heart racing at the mixture of guilt and fear that he felt as he realized the truth of Sukuna's words. He did find him attractive; it was undeniable. But he had assumed that everyone did. How could they not?

Surprisingly, Sukuna had gone into a sulk, and the rest of the day was more peaceful than usual.

But that didn't stop the thoughts swilling in his mind. Of what it would be like to date Megumi, to be able to touch his soft cheeks whenever he wanted and pull him into a kiss as one had glides through his silky hair.

But he couldn't. Not yet. Not when the feelings he was having right now he had only ever had for girls. Megumi was nothing like his usual type. He was grumpy, short tempered, dark haired with skin so delicate he couldn't get his soft touch out of his mind. He was no Jenifer Lawrence, maybe even the exact opposite, and it was giving him too much to think about.

So of course, he went to the one person who gave good advice but who unfortunately never wanted to give it.

'I have things to do kid, what do you want now?' Said Nanami, walking down the front steps of the school.

'Just wait one second!' He said, running after him. 'I have something really important.'

That made him stop. He sighed, running one hand through his platinum gold hair that shined dully where it was slicked back against his head.

'I guess I did have this coming.' He said, walking over to the bottom of the stone steps and sitting down, long legs stretched out.

Itadori was surprised, but supposed that Nanami just had a kind of sixth sense for any kind of disturbance in the school. Maybe it was because of his constant need for order, from the pressed lines of his beige suit to the way he basically organised all of the documents scattered in Gojo's office that he refused to sort.

Itadori sat down next to him. 'Thanks, I just really need to talk this out.'

Nanami just nodded. ' I know a lot has happened that did not get discussed. What happened on our first mission together-'

'Oh no it's not that!' Itadori said, waving his hands in front of him. 'Nah, I don't talk about that. I just kind of ignore it, I don't think I can physically cry anymore anyway.'

Nanami seemed visibly disturbed, his stoic face shifting as one eyebrow lifted. 'That sounds unhealthy.'

'Probably!' Itadori said with a nervous chuckle. 'But no. Its something different.

He could see Nanami's urge to leave as he looked towards the path away from the school. Perhaps it was a bit manipulative, but Itadori knew secretly from Gojo that he was Nanami's favourite.

He knew he still felt guilty for all that had happened with Junpei on that first mission and became almost a father figure to Itadori after that, almost out of guilt. He had even helped Itadori with his homework on several occasions and had once packed him a fresh bread sandwich for a longer trip away, threatening him never to mention it to anyone else. Itadori knew he could trust him.

'I uhh..' he stumbled over his world, playing with a loose threads on his sleeve.

'Spit it out, I haven't got all day.'

'I think I like boys!' Itadori blurted out. Nanami just blinked, eyes impassive and cold as always. Then he stood up and marched down the path, shaking his head dissaprovingly.

'Wait!' Itadori called, hovering behind him as he walked. 'Come back! Why are you leaving?'

'I'm not paid to deal with this.' Came Nanami's blunt reply. 'I have things to do.'

Itadori stopped then, cringing internally. He had thought of it before, but perhaps Nanami wasn't comfortable with that idea in the first place. He hoped that was a lie, but Nanami was so guarded that there was always the possibility of some hidden emotion behind those tinted glasses. Perhaps Homophobia was one of them.

'Sorry sir, I didn't mean to weird you out.' He muttered, trying not to sound as defeated as he felt. 'You don't have to talk to me anymore if that makes you uncomfortable-'

'Itadori, what in God's name are you talking about?' Came the exasperated reply as he spun in his heels to face him.

'It's just that if-'

'No. Stop talking.' He sighed, putting down his briefcase and gesturing for Itadori to go back to the stone steps where they say down. He did as he was told.

'The only thing I am uncomfortable with is teenagers. Trust me, your sexuality has nothing to do with my disdain.'

'Oh good!' Itadori beamed, 'I thought you were-'

'Itadori, I have dated both men and women. I can't believe you didn't know that, it's not as if I try to hide it.'

'What?' Itadori yelled in surprise, 'So you're…'

'Bisexual, yes.' He replied, walking over to the steps and gesturing for him to sit down next to him, resting his leather briefcase on the ground. 'A label you might want to try out too, if you feel ready.'

'Bisexual.' Itadori said, trying the world out for the first time. 'That's the flag with the pink, blue and purple right? Nice colours.'

'You shouldn't choose a sexuality based on a colour scheme.' Nanami warned. 'I just thought since you discussed an interest in both men and women you might find it useful.'

Itadori scrunched his nose, pulling a face at him. 'Stop making it sound like a business proposition.'

'Would you rather have asked Gojo?'

'Should I?'

'Absolutely not.' Nanami said without pause. 'Unless you want a role model for a bisexual disaster. I unfortunately witnessed too many of his teenage dramas and crushes to ever want to be involved in something like that again. He once was so heartbroken over a boy he went missing for a week.'

'Really? Was he okay?'

'He came back with the head of a Special Grade Curse.' Nanami rubbed his slim fingers against his temples, closing his eyes. 'Sometimes I truly believe heartbreak is what got him to become such a powerful sorcerer.'

'Sounds like a handful.' Itadori grinned. 'At least he's stayed true to himself.'

'I wish he wouldn't.'

'But… I can't say my day has been any less chaotic.' Itadori said, playing with his hands in his lap and trying to ignore the hot flush of his cheeks and neck.

'What happened?'

'Well, you know Inumaki? The cursed speech user?'

'Of course.' He scoffed. 'He's the only student I can tolerate.'

Itadori rolled his eyes. 'That's because he can't talk.'

'Maybe.'

'Anyway!' Itadori continued. 'He… he told me and Megumi to… we…'

'Kissed.'

Itadori was caught off guard by the bluntness of his tone and almost slid down the steps.

'Don't look so surprised.' Nanami smirked. 'I've noticed how angry he gets when you two flirt. It was bound to happen.'

'We don't flirt!'

Nanami mumbled something under his breath that Itadori barely heard. 'Sure, and Gojo's not in love with Geto.'

'What?'

'Nothing.' Nanami said, shaking his head in disappointment. 'Fine. I'll pretend for your sake that you don't flirt.'

Itadori pouted, crossing his arms and huddling against the stone wall. 'We don't.'

'You compliment him incessantly. It's almost sickening.'

'It's not my fault.' He said, throwing his hands into the air in frustration. 'He's the prettiest man I've ever met, but he's also strong and reliable at the same time which is two for one. And his laugh is so soft you can barely hear it but it makes me so happy because I want to be the only one who makes him laugh like that you know? And he's so cute with his Shinigami, he treats them like pets because he loves animals, and I bought him this plushie once because it looked like one of his toads…'

He stopped rubbing the palms of his hands into his eyes. 'Oh god, I'm in way deeper than I expected.'

'Obviously.' Nanami said. 'But why not ask him on a date? Like a normal kid your age.'

'Because I don’t want to hurt him.' Came the reply, clear and normal as if it was obvious. Nanami didn't look so convinced.

'Because of Sukuna?'

'Nah, Sukuna loves him. Must be because we share a brain now.'

Nanami's eyebrow raised even higher, but he didn't say anything. Just waited for him to talk. That was something he liked about Nanami, he always gave you time to work out what words you really wanted to say before making assumptions.

'I'm gonna die.' He said with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. 'And when I do, I don’t want it to be worse for him than it already is.'

Nanami was silent. Itadori noticed how his hands gripped the stone steps, the tips of his fingers turning white. His face was otherwise unreadable.

Eventually he said, 'That is true. I'm sorry I didn't consider it.'

'It's okay!' He said cheerfully, 'Sometimes I do too.'

'First of all, I won't let that happen.' Nanami said, clearing his throat.

'What, my execution?'

Nanami's harsh, chestnut eyes met his own. 'Yes. While I'm still alive, I won't let them murder you. That is a promise.'

Itadori was speechless. Nobody and ever even wanted to talk about his eventually end, let alone call it a murder, as if his life were not a mere exchange for the greater good. His heart glowed, even if it was a little sadly, with a new warmth and appreciation for this man who was so confident that his life would continue in a way he knew was impossible. Hope had never felt so tangible to him since before his Grandpa died.

'So… should I ask him then?'

For the first time in a while, he saw the edges of Nanami's lips curl up into a smile. It made him look younger somehow, softening the harsh lines of his face from a life of gruelling paperwork and violence.

'If that's what you want.' His smile widened slightly. 'I've never met someone with such a short sexuality crisis.'

'Well, I realized I might not have time to think about those kinds of things too much.' He shrugged. 'All I know is I want to kiss him again, I'll work out the rest later.'

***

Fushiguro was in crisis. There was no denying it. If his brain could be depicted in an image, it would most certainly be on fire.

'Concentrate, you moron!' Maki yelled for the fifth time as she winded him with her staff, sending him flying to the ground.

He gave up, lying on the dirt with his arms and legs splayed out and staring at the sky. Eventually Maki's disapproving face popped into his line of vision.

'What's up with you today?'

Fushiguro didn't say anything. If he had been in crisis for the last few weeks, that today his brain was in total meltdown. All he could think about was the softness of Itadori's lips against his own, the way he would look if next time he caught sight of him in the corridor he grabbed him by the collar and kissed him again, just to feel that electrifying feeling spin through his body again.

'How can you stop thinking about something when it's all that's in your brain?' He asked wearily to nobody in particular.

'Is this about Itadori again?'

Fushiguro covered his face with his hands. He had admitted to Maki about his crush on Itadori after they had met up soon after Itadori's death. It hadn't been intentional. Those few days had been a blur of exhaustion and hollow grief that he barely remembered. All he could recall was tears rolling down his cheeks as Maki awkwardly comforted him. Before he could stop himself, the words had been released, 'I loved him Maki, I loved him.'

Now that love had been brought into the present tense again, he had no idea what to do with it.

At first, all Itadori had done was inspire him. A boy without any power who was determined to force the world to bend to his will if it meant his friends could have a just death, even if it meant dealing with the King of Curses. But it had evolved after he died. He began to miss his light touches, his twinkling laughter, even his smell in a way that was no longer platonic.

He had hugged one of his hoodies at night as he cried silently in shuddering waves of grief wanting nothing more than to nuzzle his face into that soft pink hair. He thought that would go with the shock and anger at his sudden return without warning to Jujitsu High. It hadn't.

'Get over yourself and stop being so dramatic.' Maki complained, prodding her foot into his side.

'I'm not being dramatic.' He grumbled.

'Look at yourself, of course you are.'

'Salmon.' came a sly voice behind him. Fushiguro immediately left up, staff in hand as he snarled at Inumaki. Inumaki just batted his eyelashes innocently at him like a silver haired angel.

'I swear if you come a step closer you'll regret it.' Fushiguro growled at him. Inumaki looked unaffected.

'Woah, woah.' Said Panda where he was training a nearby. 'Slow down, what did Inumaki do to you?'

'He… he made me…' Fushiguro struggled to get any words out, making Inumaki's satisfied smirk only widen.

Maki was growing impatient. 'Go on, spit it out.'

'He forced me to kiss Itadori with his Cursed Speech!' He said finally.

There was a beat of silence as Fushiguro's blush grew so violently red it was almost alarming. He had always had a problem with blushing, especially when Itadori was involved apparently. It was one of the only times that such a strong emotion was revealed onto his face seeing as expressing himself wasn't one of his talents. He thought of how Itadori could laugh as easily and as freely as a passing breeze whereas all he did was clog up the conversation with awkward silences.

'Inumaki wouldn't do that.' Panda said, turning around just as Inumaki gave Fushiguro a sly glare over the top of his jacket, following him after a moment across the track.

'Yeah, just admit you think Itadori's hot.' Maki said, punching him in the shoulder. He barely flinched, very used to being the butt of their aggressive affection almost as if he was the little brother of this strange, makeshift family.

'Roe.' Inumaki added with a considerable and urgent nod.

'She's right.' Panda shrugged. 'We can all see it. You literally have his face as the lock screen of your phone.'

Maki maneuvered Fushiguro away from Panda before he could physically fist fight him with an iron grip on his shoulder.

'Inumaki's a little shit, and I will get you back for that.' He mumbled as he was dragged away.

'Sure. But you can barely concentrate.' Maki teased. 'Must be too busy thinking about Itadori's tongue in your mouth.'

Fushiguro felt himself turn bright red. He scowled at her. 'Are you still thinking about when you pinned Nobara down in training yesterday?'

Maki grimaced, clamping a hand over his mouth. 'Shut up about that.'

Fushiguro just bit her palm and she flinched back with a look of disgust. 'Save the biting for Itadori.' She mocked.

'Save the sarcasm for Nobara, she's the only one who can tolerate it.'

'You are on thin ice.'

'Oh I know.' He replied, his face deadpanned. 'The only reason I'm not dead is because it would make Yuuta sad.'

'True.' Maki replied nonchalantly. 'He's been through enough. Just be happy he exists.'

'I am.' He looked at Maki more seriously now. 'But watch out for Toge alright? If he's coming for me he's definitely on his way to mess with you.'

Maki shuddered, 'Yeah I know. He has an evil little look in his eyes today. I don't know if I like it.'

That's when Fushiguro heard something even worse than Inumaki's silent, stealthy footsteps behind them.

'Megumi chan~' Gojo called out, wrapping an arm around his neck until he was practically in a choke hold.

'Why are you here?' He said, trying desperately to pull away before the rest of them noticed. Maki was already laughing as Gojo ruffled his hair.

'I heard through the grapevine that someone has a crush!'

Megumi's eyes were blown wide as he struggled harder to get away. Maki was full on cackling now.

'It's okay, I guessed anyway! It was actually Panda who told me, I guess he got the information from someone else?'

Now both Panda and Inumaki were looking at him with matching evil grins. Of course they were working together, he was stupid for not thinking of that before. They really were an unstoppable team when they wanted to be.

'Finally, you're first crush!' Gojo said wistfully. To think some people thought of him as a shining hero and not the drama hungry teenager that he acted like would always astonishing for Megumi. 'I thought the day would never come!'

Before long he was being pulled away from the group who waved him goodbye teasingly.

'Tell me everything!' Gojo continued, 'When did you know? Who is it? Why was I not told directly?'

'Because you make a huge deal out of nothing.'

Megumi remembered when he came out as Pansexual a few months before. Gojo had been so elated that he insisted on taking the whole school on a class trip to a pride march seeing as there were now less straight students than LGBTQ ones. He had talked about it for weeks, and Megumi wished he had never told him in the first place.

'This is a big deal!' He insisted. 'You have to ask him out.'

'Wait.' Megumi stopped, eyeing Gojo with suspicion. 'How did you know it was a guy?'

Gojo looked at him in confusion. 'Well it's obviously Yuuji right?'

Fushiguro's blush only intensified.

'It is, isn't it?!' Gojo burst out laughing. 'You two would be so cute together!'

'I don't care if they're cute.' Maki complained. 'As long as they stop flirting, it's getting obnoxious.'

'Yeah, make it stop!' Panda implored, stopping his fight with Inumaki as both of them agreed with her. 'It's making us all feel too single!'

'For the last time, we don't flirt!'

'For real?' Gojo said, glancing at him over the top of his shaded glasses. 'I thought you were doing it deliberately.'

At this point Fushiguro decided he had had enough, storming off across the field.

'Megumi wait!' Gojo called, running to catch up with him. His lanky legs gave him all the grace of a new born giraffe, and the embarrassment of just watching him was painful in itself.

He grabbed Fushiguro's shoulder but he abruptly shook him off. 'Megumi? What's up?'

Once they were further away from the rest of the group, Fushiguro spun around to face him. 'Can you stop making fun of me for one moment?'

Gojo blinked down at him, startled by the sudden outburst. 'Does us poking fun at your crush really bother you that much. You know we all 100% support it.'

'It's not that.' Fushiguro grumbled. 'I just don't want to think about it.'

'Why?'

Fushiguro scowled and shook his head. 'You wouldn't get it.'

'This isn't the time to be so edgy.' Gojo said, the twinkling playfulness of his voice back again after the shock of the confrontation.
'Just spit it out. I don't want to be woken up again at 2am because you're having a breakdown from bottling all of your emotions.'

Megumi looked down to hide his embarrassment. 'That was only once. Maybe twice.'

'It was three times actually. I counted.' His voice became more serious. 'Is it because of his execution?'

'Of course. But not just that he'll die. It's more than that.'

'Oh I get it!' Gojo said, snapping his fingers as if he had solved a particularly difficult riddle. He really needed to work at his people skills.

'Try me.'

'You don't want to waste his time.' Gojo continued. 'You don't think you're worthy enough to match him or give him a happy and fulfilling relationship if it really does turn out that he doesn't have much time left.'

Fushiguro was silent for a moment before saying 'How the hell did you know that?

'I'm just too smart.' He said, flicking his imaginary hair behind his back in a way that made Fushiguro cringe with embarrassment. The truth was, Fushiguro frequently forgot how high Gojo's emotional intelligence was I order for him to navigate the hidden rules and societal conflicts between the biggest names in the Jujitsu world.

Instead Fushiguro just stopped, taking a seat on the grass in defeat. Gojo was soon laid out next to him.

Fushiguro didn't hesitate, he just told him the truth. He knew Gojo wouldn't leave him alone until he told him anyway, and he had a knack for knowing when he was lying.

'When he died… I knew that I had lost something about my future that before I had been certain of, even if I never said it.' He breathed deeply, trying to calm himself as he remembered Yuuji's body slumping to the ground like a sack of flour, all his beautiful energy and life sulked out in a dark pool of blood.

'I know now that it was because I had gotten used to the idea of Yuuji in my life. Now… I think I want to stick with him forever. Or for as long long as he might have.' His heart dropped to the pit of his stomach as he remembered Itadori's eventual execution, he closed his eyes, hands shaking where they were clenched into fists.

'But I don't want to make him unhappy. He's so bright and full of life that I'll never be able to match.' Itadori would have found better words now for what he was feeling. He should be able to rip his soul in two and let it be dissected by those he loved in a way that Fushiguro with his guarded emotions would never do.

'Maybe he likes that about you.' Gojo reassured him. 'He is your friend after all.'

'But it's different when you're together.' He said, picking at the grass between two fingers to distract himself from the sinking feeling in his stomach. 'He might feel like he has to put up with me then when he doesn't want to.'

'Go for it.' Gojo said in a tone with a hint of grief in it now that he almost didn't recognise. 'Because trust me, he can slip away at any moment just like you saw before. Take what time you have. It doesn't matter if it works or not, you love him. Not doing anything at all will just destroy the relationship that you already have with him.'

Fushiguro almost laughed in surprise, eyes opening. 'I think that's the most serious thing you've ever said to me.'

'Because it matters.' He said with a gentle smile. 'And because even though I act like a prick sometimes, I want you to be happier than I was. Isn't that what a carer is meant to do, even if you do have to live in constant danger as a Sorcerer? You deserve this at least.'

Fushiguro smiled back, 'Okay. I will.'

'Good.' He said with a sigh of relief. 'I was worried I was going to have to lock both of you in a spare classroom until you make out.'

Fushiguro groaned, running a hand through his hair. 'Why are you like this?'

Gojo smirked but behind it he saw a glimpse of rare and fragile insecurity lingering behind his tinted glasses. 'Would you rather I was different?'

'No.' Megumi replied, knowing he was going to regret this later. 'No, I don't think I do.'

'Awww, thanks Megumi!'

'Shut up.'

***

'Okay, let's try that again.'

Nobara held up a picture of Megumi that looked as though it had been printed out from her phone. He had no idea how she managed to do it so fast, considering he had only asked to meet an hour ago when he had explained the situation over the phone. They had been practicing his confession to Megumi again and again in a stupid and seemingly eternal exercise that Itadori had been forced into after being verbally attacked by Nobara when he tried to leave, calling him a coward. He would face an angry Curse over angry Nobara any day.

It was a picture of Fushiguro with one of his rare smiles, a shaft of pale sunlight turning a patch of his black hair to a glowing ebony colour. His cheekbones had caught a shadow, accentuating the sharp planes of his face.

Itadori couldn't help a goofy smile slip onto his features as he found himself mesmerised by the photo.

'Hey? Itadori?' Nobara waved a hand over his face. 'Oh no, I think Fushi has fucking broken you. Not that you were functional before.'

'Just give me a second!' He snapped out of his thoughts and looked at the picture again.

'Just say it!' She yelled at him, reaching out to flick his forehead.

'Ow!' He cried out, 'Fine!'

He looked back at the picture, taking a deep breath. 'Megumi… I didn't push you away before because I was uncomfortable kissing you. I… have a crush on you and I just want you to know that I care about you a lot. You don't have to give an answer. Feel no pressure to reply.'

He looked at Nobara for reassurance of his performance. She nodded her head eagerly, eyes sparkling, 'And then you sweep him off his feet and pull him into a kiss!'

'I'm not doing that.'

Nobara groaned, rolling her eyes. 'Oh come on. We need some proper romance in this school for once, at least make it interesting.'

'Well, you could just ask Maki to sweep you off your feet.' Itadori pointed out.

Nobara sighed, resting her face on her hands. 'I wish. She's strong enough to do it as well. Have you seen her arms? Honestly, I have to stop myself from drooling when we train.'

'She is very strong.' Itadori nodded respectfully.

'It's just bad luck both of us had to fall for antisocial, emotionless idiots isn't it?' She sighed. 'It's not easy.

'Fushi has emotions!' Itadori argued, feeling loyalty springing up in his cheat. 'Have you ever seen him laugh? He sounds so cute and happy, I just want to hug him forever.'

'Cringe.' Nobara scoffed. 'You sound so soppy.'

Itadori looked at her judgmentally. 'So are you telling me you don't feel the same about Maki?

'I never said I was exempt from being cringe. All feelings are just gross.'

'That's probably not helping you get a girlfriend.'

She scowled at him. 'I have no idea why I bother with you.'

'Because now I'm your best friend. You can't get rid of me, that's biphobic now.' He smirked, grabbing a pillow and hitting her in the shoulder with it. She caught it mid swing, wrenching it out of his arms and using it to bat him on the head.

'I'm glad at least you seemed to have worked it all out. Your sexuality I mean.'

'Well, Fushiguro made it kind of hard to ignore.'

'Honestly, I think you might be Megumi-sexual. That's one thing I'll never understand.' She said with a grimace.

'Yeah but you think all boys are gross.' He said, dodging another one of her pillow attacks.

'No.' She corrected, 'Just the ones I know.'

'Don't lump me in with Todo!'

'You're just as annoying.' She persisted. 'And you're as obsessed with Fushiguro as he is with Takeda-chan.'

He didn't even try to deny it. 'I know.' He sighed wistfully. 'I don't understand how I didn't realize earlier.'

'Too busy running for your life most likely.'

'Was Maki your first crush too?' He asked. He had wondered before, but had never found the time to ask her.

She shook her head, 'Girls are too pretty for me not to have a crush on them. But Maki was my first serious crush, yeah.'

'Girls are pretty.' Itadori agreed as he reclined back on the bed, lost in his thoughts. 'I just never thought about boys like that until I met Fushi. Well, not seriously.'

'Oh? So you were attracted to boys?'

'Well, it's the kind of thing you just ignore for another day isn't it?' Nobara hummed in agreement. 'You just expect it to go away. I was obsessed with Andrew Garfield for a while, but I just assumed I wanted to be him not we with him.'

'Wow, you're type really is broad.' Nobara scoffed, looking down at the picture of Fushiguro still on the bed.

'I know, I get that now, cut me some slack! This morning I thought I was straight.'

'You were never straight Yuuji.'

'Obviously.' He sighed, exasperated. 'But Fushi is different. I've never wanted to actually date someone so much since I met him. I would always imagine what it would be like to be his boyfriend, you know, show him what a good date is like since he's never been on one. I thought it was just some stupid daydream.'

It had started with little glances. Him noticing the seemingly insignificant details of Fushiguro as if he was a finely carved statue that required close attention to be fully appreciated. The way he moved so gracefully in a fight, how slim and delicate his fingers were despite being able to project so much power at the same time, the pronounced cupid's bow of his lips. He couldn't remember when he didn't admire him, or a time when he had ever felt personally jealous about what he saw. It was much more about admiration and awestruck wonder that such a boy could exist.

'Well in fairness, I never thought I wanted to date someone seriously until I met Maki too, so I can't even make fun of you for that.'

'Yeah, I get that.' Itadori replied. 'It's weird.'

'You can say that again.' Nobara said with a sharp laugh, flopping down beside him on the bed so they were both staring at the ceiling.

Itadori held up his hand, pinkie finger extended. 'Promise me you'll at least think about talking to Maki if this goes well for me.'

Nobara sighed and rolled her eyes, but promised anyway linking their fingers for a moment. 'Fine. But this means you're not allowed to mess this up. Remember what we practiced.'

'I will, I promise!'

***

'Hey.' Itadori mumbled, edging around Fushiguro who had stood over by the stove making something in a glass bowl. Fushiguro greeted him without turning around.

He tried not to feel his throat and chest tighten as he was completely ignored. Maybe this was for the best. A silent awkwardness was always easier to deal with than simmering rage that was bound to explode at any moment, scorching words telling Itadori to never get near him again.

'I can hear you worrying from here.' Fushiguro complained, still not looking at him.

'No, I'm fine!' Itadori said without smiling, his hands clenched at his sides as he pushed tears from his eyes.

'Okay.' He hesitated, 'If you're fine then you can help me make dinner. I need to know how you flavour those meatballs you're so good at making.'

Itadori shuffled closer, directing Fushiguro from a distance as he grabbed herbs and spices from the cupboards and put them into the mixture he watched the back of his head, the soft black hair tousled into their usual spikes that he had come to associate with safety and maybe even love. It hurt deep in his chest to remember that, so instead he looked down at the floor.

'Itadori stop mumbling.' Fushiguro complained. 'I can barely hear you. If you're not going to speak up just come and grab them yourself.'

Idatori didn't respond, only moved beside Fushiguro and tried not to concentrate on the way their shoulders lightly brushed together.

'Just add some ginger and then salt and pepper and you're good. That's all.'

'Are you sure?'

'Yep that's all of it.'

Fushiguro began to scoop parts of the mixture out of the bowl and shape them unevenly with his hands.

'Stop, that's not how you make them.' Itadori huffed.

'And? As long as you get food it's none of your business.' Fushiguro snapped back, a little more harshly than usual.

Itadori was about to argue back until he caught a glimpse of how much his hands shook as he tried to form the mixture, clearly barely concentrating on what he was making. Thoughts drenched him like ice cold water, making him silent with fear. What if Fushiguro was so uncomfortable around him because he was scared? What if he thought that Itadori was going to take advantage of him, or worse Sukuna?

He shuffled a respectful distance away so somewhere where he could still see the bowl.

'You're doing it all wrong.' Itadori said gently, plucking an apron from the door of a cupboard and trying to tie the cord around his waist haphazardly.

He felt calloused hands closed around his own, making his breath hitched in his throat.

'Let me help.' Fushiguro said in a low voice edged with amusement. He was gone almost as quickly as he appeared, turning back to the mixture and leaving a small bow on Itadori's apron.

Itadori forced himself to move, picking up more of the ginger.

'Stop. I'll do that. You always put too much.' Fushiguro said, not looking up from the recipe book. Itadori couldn't have been more frustrated at his sharp tone if he hadn't been distracted by the way his sleeves were rolled up, revealing pale but strong forearms.

Instead he reached for the salt. 'Well I know you haven't flavoured it properly. You never season it at the end.'

'My seasoning is just fine.' He retorted, his tone edged with competition.

'Fine.' Itadori shoved him gently out of the way, lightly enough so Fushiguro wouldn't actually have a reason to scold him. He split the mixture into two bowls as Fushiguro looked on disapprovingly. It was too late for Itadori to back down

'You do that bowl and we'll see in the end who makes the best mixture.'

Fushiguro smirked, and for a moment it was as if the events of the day hadn't happened at all. 'Alright. Have fun losing.'

'This is my recipe!'

'Yeah, but I've made it more times than you.'

Itadori looked at him, confused. 'When?'

Fushiguro didn't meet his eyes. 'When you were dead.

'Oh…'

They fell silent, quickly distracting themselves with the task at hand to disguise the ache that Itadori felt when he thought of Fushiguro, all alone, making his recipe as he grieved. But that didn't matter now. What mattered is that they now had the chance to make them together again. Itadori shook his head, trying to concentrate and perhaps convince himself that what he felt wasn't guilt, weighing heavily on his mind.

They spent ten minutes preparing, each of them fighting childishly over spices, or trying to add something to the other's mixture whilst their backs were turned.

When Itadori loomed menacingly over Fushiguro's bowl with another pinch of salt his hand was suddenly smacked away before he poured it into the other mixture.

'Stop!' Megumi said firmly, with a subtle glint of humour in his voice that most people would miss. 'That's cheating! Now it'll be too salty, just like I said.'

'Matches your personality.' Itadori mumbled with a small grin as he tried to reach over and add some more.

Fushiguro caught him, grabbing his wrists and pushing him away with a laugh that echoed around the kitchen, not his usual silent smirks or concealed grins. Itadori realized how much he loved making him laugh like that.

The Fushiguro stopped, a smile still overwhelming his feelings as if he was giddy with happiness. He brought both of Itadori's hands and put them flat on his chest.

Feeling the hard muscle there, Itadori was immediately flustered. 'Fushi? What are you doing?'

'Can you feel my heart?' He said softly.

'No? Should I? Are you ill or something? You would tell me if you had a heart attack right?''

Fushiguro laughed again. 'No, you idiot. That's the point.' He took a deep breath, his chest swelling and then resting again beneath his hand. 'Before I was so nervous about talking to you that I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I guess this calmed me down.'

'Why?' Itadori felt his own heart racing now. Had he done something wrong? Did Fushiguro not want to be around him anymore?

Fushiguro just stopped, sighing. His face turned more stoic and serious in an instance. 'Look… do you remember when we came back from that mission? The one a few weeks ago when I got beat up pretty bad?'

'Yeah! You were in bad shape.' The memories were not fond ones. The way that Fushiguro had been dripping with blood that had spilled from the corners of his bloody, triumphant smile. The way that he had been stuck in bed for hours, Itadori sat next to him, wondering whether he was going to wake up.

'Yeah. And you looked after me.'

'Of course. I always do.'

Fushiguro flushed, cheeks tinting pink. 'And you know how I was really worked up. The nurse threatened to get a therapist to talk to me if I didn't calm down?'

'Where is this going?' Itadori asked, head tilted to the side in complete confusion.

'Just let me finish, idiot.' Fushiguro demanded. 'It's true. I was stressed. But it was partially because of you.'

Itadori's heart sank again, and Fushiguro must have seen it in his expression. 'No wait!' He rubbed his face into his palms. 'Not like that!'

'Then why?' Itadori pleaded, supposed to feel tears gathering at the corners of his eyes in case this was goodbye. In case this was Fushiguro's way of ending their friendship.

'Because I would wake up to the sound of your voice!' Fushiguro continued, frantically raking his fingers through his hair. 'And because you would sometimes brush my hair away from my eyes or help me to check on my wounds and every time you did I wondered if that was the last time you'd ever touch me like that again.'

'If you don't want me to be near you after what happened I won't.' Itadori said, making his way to the door before the tears cloud trail down their cheeks. 'I'm sorry-'

'No you don't get it!' Fushiguro said, more exasperated with himself than Itadori had ever seen him. His hands clenched and then relaxed at his sides. 'It was hard for me to put up with because…'

Fushiguro hesitated. Then he took a long and shaking breath. 'Because I like you.'

Itadori stood completely still, mouth practically handing open in shock. 'What do you mean?'

Fushiguro continued, but he saw his shoulders tense with nerves as his eyes trailed across the floor. 'God, do I have to spell it out for you? I have a crush on you. I know you're strai-'

He was stopped as Itadori lunged himself at him, wrapping his arms around his waist and burying his face into the crook of his neck.

Megumi pushed him away, a fine pink blush back on his face in a way that Itadori would never get tired of. His eyes were wide when he said, 'You… feel the same?'

'Of course dumbass!' He said, bellowing with ecstatic laughter. 'I Thought you were gonna say you hated me, don't ever scare me like that again!'

'But you're straight.' Fushiguro said, bewildered.

'Nope.' He shook his head, picking Megumi up where he stood into a bridal carry and twirling them both around the kitchen. Despite his protests he saw Megumi smile wider than he had ever seen before. He settled him down back by the stove. 'Sorry, I'm just really exited. This morning I was in the closet and now I have a boyfriend. I think I'm dreaming right now.'

Fushiguro just looked back at him in complete shock at such a sudden show of affection.

'Sorry was that too much? Say something Fushi!'

Fushiguro snapped out of his thoughts to shake his head. 'No, it's not that. I just think I'm the one that's dreaming.'

'Why? How did both of us not catch on that I was literally obsessed with you? Are we both just stupid?'

'Apparently.' He agreed, wrapping his hands around Itadori's waist now as if they belonged there. 'But I just thought you were uncomfortable, you know, after what Inumaki did.'

'Actually it was the opposite.' He said, leaning forward so that their foreheads lightly touched. Fushiguro closed his eyes with a smile still playing on his face. 'Something never felt more right.'

Fushiguro scoffed, 'You're so cheesy.'

'That's exactly what Nobara said.'

'You told Nobara?' He said with a groan. 'She's going to be so annoying when she finds out we are…'

'Boyfriends?' Itadori suggested.

Fushiguro responded by nuzzling deeper into the hug, hiding his face in Itadori's chest. His whole skin seems to buzz with silent electricity at the impact. 'You really went headfirst into this didn't you?'

Itadori hesitated, 'Do you want that?'

'Depends.' Fushiguro's face fell for a moment. 'You know, if you need longer to figure this out, you can. I know it took me a while.'

Itadori just reached up and ran his hand through Fushiguro's hair. He felt Fushiguro go completely still, then melt into his touch as he closed his eyes. Itadori almost exploded with warmth and comfort. Itadori decided that he had not experienced enough gentle touches in his life, and if he could he would fix that entirely for as long as it took. 'Fushi, I'm not going to change my mind about you.'

Fushiguro winced. 'You might. I'm not the easiest person to… you know…'

'Fall for?' Itadori filled in, laughing as Fushiguro only grew more flustered. 'What makes you think I'm any different?'

'That's true I guess.'

'Hey! You weren't supposed to agree!'

Fushiguro giggled, a sound Itadori was sure he had never heard him make before to anyone else. 'Just promise me you won't leave again.'

Itadori burrowed his face into his hair, hugging him closer to his chest. 'I promise.'

Fushiguro breathed a sigh of relief. 'Good.'

'But can I, like, go to class? Or am I eternally tied to you now?'

Fushiguro just mumbled something unintelligible and tightened his embrace, face still pressed against his chest.

'I'm guessing that's a no.' Itadori laughed, 'Can I eat? Can I sleep? Do I have to take you to bed with me?'

Fushiguro jumped at that, pulling away to hit him on the shoulder. Itadori soon realized his mistake. 'Wait no! Not like that! I didn't mean… I mean not that I don't want to-'

That only earned him another slap from Fushiguro. He pouted, 'Stop, I'm trying my best, okay?'

'Just stop talking.' Fushiguro said, exasperated.

'You love me really.'

Fushiguro hesitated, looking at him directly as if he physically struggled to get any words off his chest. His eyebrows pressed adorably together as he remained speechless, then gave up.

Then he looked up, eyes hopeful and full of new vulnerability as he asked, 'Are you ever going to shut up and kiss me?'

'Wait,' Itadori said with a teasing grin, 'Is this for the first or second time?'

Fushiguro just rolled his eyes and pressed his lips to Itadori's again. The kiss deepened, and before long both of them forgot they were even in school, simply enjoying each other's warmth and the gentle care of the embrace.

***

Inumaki video called Yuuta every night from wherever he was in the world. His phone was full of pictures of deserts, markets, sunburnt Yuuta's meeting a whole host of international friends. He wished every time that he could reach through the screen just once and join him, and be able to be part of those conversations that Yuuta always managed to include him in despite the fact that he couldn't speak.

He saw Yuuta set up the phone on the side of his bed as he grinned at him, something so rare compared to his usual timid smile. It immediately got rid of his bad mood.

'Hey Toge!' He said, using JSL sign language at the same time that they had both begun to learn to help Inumaki communicate more effectively, even though technically Yuuta didn't need to learn it. He had insisted, saying that if Inumaki had to do it, so would he. He ignored the way it made his heart swell with happiness.

'Hey, where are you now?' Toge signed back to him.

'In in…' He paused, the cute creases appearing between his brows that meant he was thinking. Then his face lit up as he remembered the words in sign language. 'Kenya! It's really fun actually, the food is amazing.'

Inumaki looked at the deep purple under his eyes with concern. 'Are you making sure you get enough water?' He asked, 'Remember to put on sunscreen again as well, you'll end up with skin cancer like that. And wear a hat. You don't want sunstroke.'

'Slow down!' Yuuta laughed, moving his hair out of his eyes. It had grown longer since he was in Japan. Inumaki thought it suited him.

'I'm alright, I promise! Unless you want me to ship you out here to take care of me?'

Inumaki did actually wish he could do that, a little more desperately that perhaps he should. Instead, he let his gaze soften as he memorised every inch of Yuuta's face as if to get him through the hours where they wouldn't talk to each other.

'I miss you.' He signed.

Yuuta smiled. 'I know. Me too.' He sighed back. 'Next time we can go together!'

Inumaki laughed at his sudden enthusiasm. 'Maybe. But do we have to leave as soon as we come back?'

'Why?' Yuuta replied.

'I want to spend time with you when we're not running around fighting, or exploring the world.'

'We will!' For a moment Yuuta looked so certain that Inumaki felt himself blush another idea that Yuuta could give up seeing the world for him, even if that's not what Inumaki meant. He didn't want him to loose his new hope that for the first time in a while had shifted the weight of his depression especially after losing Rika for good, and the trauma that still lingered from their years together that was another Curse altogether.

Inumaki raised his hands to say something, but was stopped by the sound of Yuuta's phone. His eyes shifted to the screen, and Inumaki realized how much missed being able to revive his kind and fleeting glances as he talked.

No. That was pushing it. He sounded like Itadori. He pushed the thought from his mind, but couldn't help but let his eyes trail along Yuuta's strong, pale arms as he lifted the phone to his ear. Had he always looked like that?

'Hey, do you know a guy with pink hair?' He said.

Inumaki froze. Then he nodded.

A smile began to appear at the corner of Yuuta's lips. 'He just messaged me. I have no idea how he got my number. '

'Don't open that!' He signed, but Yuuta wasn't looking at him. He saw him open the message, and then he burst out laughing.

Inumaki waved a hand in front of the camera. Eventually Yuuta noticed and looked up. 'It's a picture of… well… when we're you going to tell me about all the pictures in your room?'

He held up the screen, and Inumaki almost ended the call out of pure embarrassment. In one corner was a smirking Itadori with a tuft of Fushiguro's hair giving him away behind him. In the background was a wall of Inumaki's room where he had a sprawling display of photos. Regrettably, most of those were snaps of him and Yuuta. Sometimes Yuuta on his own. Mostly Yuuta. He was going to die of embarrassment.

Underneath Itadori had written a caption. 'Tell Inumaki that this is revenge.'

'I didn't realize you printed those!' He smiled, looking up at Inumaki through dark eyelashes. When had he learnt how to tease? Where was the shy boy who had barely been able to speak, let alone flirt? But Then he remembered how ill he looked with the shadows under his eyes an even deeper purple.

He remembered the way every glance was empty and hollow like a China doll with nothing but air inside its fragile shell. He liked this Yuuta better. He loved to see how far he had come, and how many days he got to enjoy of a future he never thought he would have.

'I thought they looked pretty there.' Inumaki said. It was true. Yuuta had become more and more pretty since the day he met him. If pretty could even truly explain it.

Yuuta tilted his head to the side in a way that Inumaki tried not to find adorable. 'You think I'm pretty?'

Inumaki pulled up the collar of his jacket, hiding his whole face behind it, only making Yuuta's grin widen.

'It's okay…' then he stopped, using sign language instead, 'You're beautiful too.'

Inumaki's eyes widened. Yuuta's pale skin blushed as they both giggled as if they were just school children who hadn't seen each other's blood splattered across parents, or hadn't looked into each other's eyes and wondered if that was the last time they would ever see each other. He felt drunk on that feeling, as all the other old wounds from their past seemed to fade away.

'Can you stay up for a bit?' Yuuta blurted out. 'I miss you.'

'Yeah.' Inumaki said. 'I miss you too.'

Maybe Itadori and Fushiguro were useful for something because Inumaki talked through the night until he fell softly to sleep, the sound of Yuuta's laugh echoing through his dreams.