Chapter Text
For a while now, Gojo felt something was off. Very, very off. Not that it necessarily meant a bad thing, but Gojo just felt something sinister behind the sudden change of heart that belonged to his aloof student Megumi. Gojo didn't want to call his usual withdrawal from everyone something good, but it surely felt more natural than having his preciously cold student huddled with other pack mates in front of their shared TV, joining in on the cuddle pile he wasn't really fond of, making Yuuji and Nobara both occasionally send him confused glances from time to time.
Not that the young omega hated physical interactions, but he was still figuring out his place under the sun. He may be an omega with rough edges, but Gojo loved him nevertheless. Having people in his personal space was usually a big deal as he wasn't used to physical interactions with others, even after many, many years of being pampered by Gojo. And for most of the time he would be very much unresponsive to other pack mates' affections, be it cuddling or just relaxing together. To outsiders, it would seem like he was sulking but Gojo knew better. Megumi was shy as much as the teen wouldn't like to admit.
He was a giver in interactions rather than a receiver, so being on the receiving end was often strange to him. Whenever he sensed someone's sadness, the least he would do was sit beside a person and offer himself as a shoulder to cry on. On some occasions, he'd even offer words of comfort even if he was not too good at voicing it.
However, seeing him sprawled on the sofa with Yuuji and Nobara had him worried. He'd understand if something bad had happened and he didn't want to abandon his friends' side. But he knew that wasn't the case because of the grin on his face. It just seemed odd, not something you'd see on a person trying to comfort someone. Nor the one being comforted if that was the case. Because even if the expression read pure bliss, Gojo's senses tingled and they suspected something sinister behind his student's recent behavior. He seemed intoxicated.
At first, he suspected the fault was on the scent blockers all omegas in their group used and that perhaps Megumi was growing agitated with them. But that proved to be not the case as his annoyed and irritated behavior persisted even after they were changed. He would randomly snap at everyone in his range. Even go as far as to start a clash with Yuuji, who was just at the wrong place at the wrong time while Megumi was digging for a late night meal around the household. Yuuji just wanted something for himself, but Megumi in his eyes seemed feral and rascal so he just excused himself and rushed out once the omega uncharacteristically growled at him.
Even if Megumi was closed off, he rarely growled around his pack mates. He used to before, but ceased doing so long ago. Therefore seeing him growl at Yuuji, the kind and lovable alpha, rose some caution in the pack.
There was even a situation where Megumi almost attacked Gojo out of blue. They were alone on the living room's couch and both seemed to be in a good mood. However, when Gojo attempted to place his arm around Megumi for a moment of bonding, the younger whipped his head and almost bit Gojo's neck.
Gojo leapt off the sofa in shock because omegas only bit if they were being threatened. Never in the years that they spent together had Gojo witnessed his student, or any other omegas around, bite anyone in self-defense. Therefore, witnessing such an action from an omega as calm as Megumi made uneasiness settle in the pit of his stomach.
The alpha leaned his cheek on his palm as he watched the trio cuddling from afar. The docile behavior was suspicious enough to make Nobara and even Yuuji send suspicious gazes at their black-haired teammate. His pleasant pheromones had filled up the room so much that it made Gojo gag like he was choking on perfume. The new scent blockers weren't doing much, or perhaps Megumi was refusing to use them. Nobara scrunched her nose before getting away from the omega and leaving the room with a grimace, which Gojo would laugh at if not for how odd the situation was.
Yuuji didn't leave though, which made Megumi his arms wrap around him and like an octopus would. The pink-haired boy fidgeted uncomfortably, but his tension wasn't noticed by Megumi.
Gojo couldn't bare himself to stand the sight anymore.
"Yuuji" he called out, making the young alpha turn towards him curiously. Gojo beckoned him over as he headed towards the door "Come with me"
Megumi turned around to glare at Gojo, obviously displeased at Yuuji leaving but then just turned towards the TV with his scent turning sour like rotten grapes.
Once Yuuji arrived, Gojo gestured him to lean forward and offer his ear:
"Yuuji-kun, what's wrong with Megumi?"
"I don't know Gojo-sensei" Yuuji answered, looking down in concern "It's not that I dislike him being like this, but it just doesn't seem right"
"Has something happened recently that caused this type of behavior?"
"Hmm, nothing out of usual... but I've seen Fushiguro recently being really close with this one guy from his school"
Gojo's eyebrows furrowed: "Why would that be so unusual?"
"Because Fushiguro hated him just weeks ago" Yuuji stated "The guy often tried to court him with flowers and sweets and he made both Kugisaki and I cringe at how desperate he was. Seriously, he was just Megumi-kun this and Megumi-kun that" the tone seemed to have a tint of jealousy, but the older man paid no intention to it.
Because after hearing those words, Gojo felt alarms in his head blaring for the safety and well-being of his student.
"Wait! Do you think he might be responsible for why Fushiguro acts this way!?" Yuuji exclaimed in shock. Gojo nodded without a pause.
Gojo couldn't really force himself to close his eyes even if he was in the comforting presence of his mate. Concern was nibbling on every fiber of his being, making his skin turn cold. How long had it been since he, or anyone else for that matter, spent some quality time with Megumi? Gojo had no idea about how his precious student was doing at school. He couldn't even remember when was the last time he asked Megumi how was he. The lack of interaction with the boy made him feel as if he wasn't invested enough about his life and maybe that was the reason for Megumi's withdrawal towards him.
Yuuji was not much different. He was rolling on his bed, blankets already discarded somewhere on the ground with only a single pillow remaining on the bed sheets. Megumi was just two doors away, yet to Yuuji it seemed like an endless distance. He could barely recall the last time he visited the young omega's room. It was probably during Megumi's last heat, but he worried that because of how distanced they've become, Megumi wouldn't let him in this time. Nor him, nor Nobara, nor anyone.
He wanted to be affectionate with Megumi and have the other be affectionate back, with both exchanging soft gazes and sweet words. But not if such innocent acts concealed a much more sinister secret.
That night, they went to their beds with one thing in mind.
They had to talk to Fushiguro's classmate the very next day.