Chapter Text
With the winter break reaching its conclusion, Yuuji Itadori had returned to his second home, his fraternity. He couldn’t lie to himself, he did miss his college friends, but it was nice to enjoy some time at home with family over Christmas. In his own opinion, Yuuji found this year’s Christmas far too quiet for his liking – It contrasted his outgoing nature to the point he became almost bored. His brother had suggested that it would be good for him to finally wind down and relax, however he never felt more tense in his life. Forbidden from doing anything strenuous for three weeks, Yuuji found himself chomping at the bit to get back to boxing or to the gym at least.
But now he was back, back to his own adult life. He can move around freely, spend as much of his time exercising as he damn well pleased… Well in between his classes, part-time job and social life. How he missed his social life. Yuuji’s social media only bummed him out more over the break. He knew he was free to join his friends at their parties if he wanted to, but he had promised to stay with his family during the weeks he was home, even if he did have major ‘fomo’. There was one moment when he found himself dressed and ready to leave, on New Year’s. His frat mate, Todo, had invited him out for the night. Originally, Yuuji jumped at the opportunity, practically diving into some clothes for a night out on New Year’s Eve but, when he remembered his uncle had gotten a case of beer in for him and his brothers, Yuuji’s mind was quickly changed.
Even now as he unpacks his bags in his room again, he regrets not going out as Todo babbles to him about how great that night was. How they met so many cool new people from other majors and studies, who coincidentally also go to the university as them. Todo talks himself in circles as Yuuji kicks himself internally for not going but, when Todo mentions a new semester party, Yuuji can barely contain himself.
“No way! I’m so there!” He exclaims as Todo spills more details into his already full brain. It doesn’t matter to Yuuji where the party is or who’s going - He’ll just follow his friends. Todo mentions that Maki has a huge crush on the one of the girls from their New Year’s party, and that she and a couple of her friends will also be there tonight. Yuuji notes that his job is to play wingman.
“Dude, everyone missed you at the last few… I missed you too!” Todo adds onto his ramble. Yuuji had hoped he missed him – they were best friends after all. Hell, he missed partying with Todo too. “Who else is gonna shotgun a beer with me in ten seconds?”
“No one!” Yuuji grins and extends his hand. Todo takes his hand, and they hug. “So, do you need my wingmanship too tonight or am I just helping Maki out?”
Todo hesitates for a moment and shakes his head. “I’m not even sure Maki wants you helping out, but no bro, I’m good.”
Yuuji laughs and returns to his bags, taking things out nearly three or four at a time. The semi-ok folded clothes were beginning to not look like folded clothes anymore, rather just a messy pile of stuff Yuuji brought with him. Now he had to dig through them and find something to wear. He’d think of something closer to the time. For now, he was grabbing something to eat with Todo.
Leaving petite messes of bags, clothes and toiletries across their respective beds, Todo and Yuuji left to get some breakfast in their common area. Yuuji had settled for a more continental breakfast, grabbing a croissant that was out probably a day too long, a banana, an orange and some cold pancakes that had been left out. He didn’t even want to deal with their uncooperative microwave on the first day back, so his pancakes would remain cold. He spread some chocolate on them and happily sat at the nearby table. Todo sat in front of him and resumed the same rambling he was doing previously. Yuuji focused mainly on the food before him, half listening to the same stories from earlier. Todo then stood up from the table and greeted Panda, another friend of theirs. Well, more Todo’s friend than Yuuji’s, Yuuji never even asked what his real name was. He just learned that he was Panda and that was enough for the pair to also become friends.
While Todo occupied himself with Panda, Yuuji finished up his food and decided to head back up to finish putting his things away. He stood up and moved towards the stairs, not before waving to Panda, who in return, asked if Yuuji was going out with them later. He wrapped up their quick conversation with a smile and headed upstairs.
He wasn’t really sure when or how he fell asleep, but he did. He was violently shaken awake by his best friend, who was also accompanied by Maki. One of Yuuji’s eyes felt abnormally crusty, so he concluded he must have had a really good nap. He smiled at the two as he stretched his arms out above his head as he sat up. “Hey guys!”
“We’re late enough. Get up, get changed. Let’s go.” Maki quipped at him. It took Yuuji a moment to remember why Maki would be so annoyed about not attending a party, but it clicked again in his head. The girl! Maki attempted to rush him from her stance in the doorway using her hands, a sign for him to get a move on. “Come on, Itadori, we’re waiting on you!”
“Oh! Sorry...” Yuuji moved himself to place his feet to the ground and stand. Yuuji is quick to discard his current t-shirt without any warning and replaces it with a white one that he left out for himself to wear. It’s oversized, but those muscles he’s been working have really filled it out. Maybe he should go up a size. Before his brain can even begin to go wandering, he hears Todo clear his throat and it snaps him back to reality. He glances at the trousers he left out for himself; blue ripped skinny jeans… really? He doesn’t even remember packing those. He sighs and rushes to rummage through his closet, much to Maki’s clear disliking.
She vocalises her frustration as Yuuji searches through his trousers in his closet. “What you have is fine, will you just come on!”
He does feel bad making them wait on him, but it dissipates as soon as he finds a pair of black cargo pants hidden at the bottom of his pants pile. The pair eyeing him quickly turn away as Yuuji changes pants. Yuuji grabs his cleanest pair of white trainers, pulls a grey hoodie over his head and after a quick fix of his hair in the mirror, he’s ready to go. Maki breathes a sigh of relief as they finally leave the boys’ room.
Todo leads them to another fraternity about a 15-minute walk from theirs. From outside, Yuuji could tell immediately that they were late, had Maki not made it very known to him since the moment they left the house. The music was unbelievably loud and there were already congregations of people on the yard. Yuuji took one look at Maki and could tell she was already eyeing up some people outside, probably trying to find the girl Todo had been talking about. The three of them walked inside and that party scent hit Yuuji well and good. The alcohol, perfumes and sweat. This is what university is for. The place was crowded, from entryway to back door, people covering every ounce of space in the building.
“She’s short…” Maki spoke up, moving closer to Yuuji’s ear. He could barely hear over the music regardless of how close she came to him. Although Maki spoke to him, she was distracted, typing away on her phone. Probably to this mysterious girl. “Short brown hair… she’s with a friend. You deal with them.”
Yuuji nodded. Maki took Yuuji by the hand and walked the pair of them through the crowds. They lost Todo at the front door, but Yuuji had expected that to happen anyway. They’ll see each other later when they’re both hammered. Yuuji kept looking for the girl as they squished through everyone, until his eyes settled on a girl, fitting the brief description. She was sat on a stool by the breakfast bar, standing beside her leaning against it, was a dark-haired guy. The conversation seemed pleasant enough, so Yuuji concluded that they were friends. He tapped Maki on the shoulder and pointed across. He leaned into her for her to hear him. “Is that her?”
Maki nodded and readjusted herself she grabbed Yuuji’s arm this time and pulled him in the direction of the pair by the breakfast bar. The girl perked up and smiled. “Maki!”
She had jumped off the stool and rushed towards her, arms extended, while her friend only seemed to look in their direction. The short girl released Maki from the hug and turned her attention towards Yuuji. “And you! You’re Itadori, right?”
Yuuji smiled sheepishly at her and nodded his head. “That’s me! It’s nice to meet y-”
“Yeah whatever- you’re here for him, just keep him entertained.”
Yuuji’s smile dropped into a confused expression. He looked to Maki for a further explanation but instead she took the other girl's hand and began to weave through the groups of people again. That girl’s friend however, seemed less shocked and more annoyed than anything. Yuuji turned his focus to the guy he was now left with. He’s about the same height as Yuuji, although thinner. In his right hand he holds a glass, that he’s tapping the side of. Whatever spirit he’s got has barely been touched. The expression on his face tells Yuuji this is not the first time this guy’s been left in this type of situation.
Then it crosses Yuuji’s mind. What actually is this situation?
Maki knows Yuuji swings both ways and again judging by this guy's face and that girl’s words. Is this meant to be a… thing? A thing when you both talk a lot, hit off and get together? A relationship? Yuuji’s not sure if he wants a relationship with someone right now, but then again, this guy is definitely not bad. Yuuji does have thing for dark hair, and the man before him does have that at the very least, although quite unruly, but it works for him. What he’s wearing is casual, which Yuuji can get behind. Black sweatpants and a plain black t-shirt, very simple. Yuuji realises he can’t gauge anything about his personality, until his eyes fall on a chain around his neck, attached to it is a silver bar. Unfortunately for Yuuji, it’s plain again. He mentally sighs and prepares to say something. As Yuuji opens his mouth to speak, from somewhere behind him someone bumps into him. On a normal day when Yuuji’s not using his brain to its full capability, an elbow to the back is nothing but breeze, but now while lost in thought – something that’s quite new – he trips forward. Fortunately, for both of them, Yuuji manages to catch himself right before he topples onto the person before him.
Now he notices how angular his face is. He’s pretty. Even with that confused and concerned expression. His eyelashes are long and when he blinks, they flutter. His nose curves to the perfect tip, matched by his jaw which seems to come to point. Yuuji almost envies how clear his bone structure is. Not to mention how clear his skin is… it’s so unfair Yuuji could punch him. He finds that his eyebrows are neat, unlike a lot of guys Yuuji’s chatted up before. This is definitely someone who takes care of themselves. His eyes are green, Yuuji notes, so very green and he’s so lost in whatever emerald jewel has been shoved in this guy's eyes.
Yuuji realises he’s staring. He bites back whatever awe-stricken gaze sat on his face and smiles, standing up right.
“Yuuji Itadori-” He extends his hand to the stranger. “You are...?”
It’s as if the stranger doesn’t want to talk to him. Yuuji can’t really understand why. Most people want to talk to him, most people make the effort, but this guy just still seems uncomfortable. It’s a bleak few seconds of Yuuji holding his hand out to nothing before the stranger finally gives in and reluctantly puts his hand in Yuuji’s. “Megumi Fushiguro.”
Megumi.
Yuuji likes that name. Yuuji wouldn’t have named him that, but it fits him. For a moment he doesn’t shake their hands together like he would anyone else. Their palms are touching, Megumi’s hands are soft, his fingers feel delicate. His skin reminds Yuuji of a doll, like porcelain. Yuuji thinks his own callused hands might ruin the others. He glances down briefly, his own hand almost swallows Megumi’s. His fingers much thicker and his hand is all around wider. He wonders if Megumi can feel the blood rushing in his hands as they touch. Yuuji has to remind himself that they just met, he can’t possibly like someone from just meeting them.
But he does like Megumi. Megumi is very pretty.
He shakes their hands together, Megumi seeming a little too placid in the act. He releases their hands and returns to grinning at him. “Nice to meet you! So… what brings you here? No offence but you don’t look like you want to be here.”
Between his words he notices how Megumi leaned an ear closer. Yuuji would be lying if he said his heart didn’t skip a few beats during their prolonged eye contact. Yuuji might actually have gained a favourite colour from this outing.
“I don’t.” Megumi replies leaning a little bit closer into Yuuji now. He knows it’s so Megumi doesn’t have to shout over the music, but it just feels… different to Yuuji and he can’t explain why. He watches as Megumi’s eyes drop down to the glass before him, he swirls it around a little, the clinking to the sides of it. “Nobara dragged me with her.”
Yuuji watches as Megumi lifts the glass to his lips and takes a sip, the taste must be bitter, his nose twitches as he swallows, and his eyelashes drag his eyes to close as he allows himself to react to the taste.
“What’re you drinking?” Yuuji asks, watching a Megumi puts the glass upon a place mat on the countertop.
“Nothing now.” The glass is still half full, he hasn’t finished the drink yet. Yuuji half laughs, the drink must’ve been bad, maybe too strong for him. Yuuji watches the corners of his mouth tug his lips to smile. It’s small, he wouldn’t have seen it had he blinked. It dropped off of Megumi’s face as soon as it arrived, and Yuuji missed it instantly. His voice brings Yuuji back to reality. “It’s a vodka sprite if you’re really wondering.”
Yuuji debates his next move. He is aware of his feelings, he’s attracted to Megumi, from his appearance at the very least for now. Todo and Panda said that Yuuji is a major flirt at most of their parties, it wouldn’t hurt anyone to stick it on Megumi. Even then he might not take it as flirting. He doesn’t even know if Megumi swings that way either, but the worse that can happen is that they become friends, and luckily Yuuji would be happy with just that.
“You drink beer?” He asks, internally his whole body is begging Megumi to say yes, but in return he receives a shrug from him. That’s enough. “Come grab one with me.”
It’s a statement rather than a question, but Yuuji won’t pull on his arm until he has an answer. Something out there in the universe wants this to work out for Yuuji, he just knows it when Megumi nods and uses that same small smirk. Yuuji laps it up like he’s dog in the sun and Megumi is water. Yuuji has never wanted to hold someone’s hand more in his whole life. To feel that cold, delicate hand once more against his own. Instead, he vouches to nod in the direction they’ll be walking in.
Yuuji turns to walk when he feels a weight on wrist. He doesn’t say anything, it’s harmless and he knows it. Instead, he shakes his wrist, until that weight now reveals itself as Megumi’s hand, latched in his own. The heat of the room must have gotten to him, his face feels so flushed. He keeps a grip on Megumi’s hand and walks him to where he can see Todo on a table drinking out of a can. Megumi doesn’t attempt to wriggle out of his hand at all. And Yuuji thanks something in his head. He thinks of thanking that girl – Nobara? He can’t remember too well – she was the one who had conspired with Maki to get him here. Maybe it’s more her he should thank instead of some deity. He reminds himself that he doesn’t need to think like this right now, he needs to review his feelings before anything else. Yuuji Itadori has never gotten this flustered over holding someone’s hand before and he has most definitely never admired someone’s face to that extent either. He wonders if Megumi is thinking the same about him. He silently hopes that the coldness of his porcelain hand will fade into the nervous sweat like feeling Yuuji’s own hands seem to be emitting. He also hopes that Megumi isn’t grossed out by how clammy Yuuji’s hand is.
He spots the cooler of beer, and he spots a lot of his frat-bros around it. He’s not embarrassed to be seen with a guy, Yuuji is proud of his identity, but he is embarrassed about how red and flustered he is. He feels a wriggle in his hand, Megumi had let go. Yuuji glances at him, trying to swallow the flush on his skin with a smile. Megumi’s face doesn’t get the opportunity to change from the stoic look before they’re interrupted. Todo stumbles over, making Yuuji concerned with how much he’s drank, considering they haven’t been there that long at all. To Yuuji’s surprise, Todo doesn’t drape across him or the both of them, instead he tugs Megumi into the world’s most uncomfortable looking embrace. The words Todo speaks sound like nothing but a garbled mess of his voice, and he hears a nervous laugh from Megumi.
Yuuji feels weirdly protective of him. He wants to punch Todo for making Megumi feel nervous or weirded out. He’s known Megumi not much longer than an hour now, yet he’s known Todo nearly his whole life. Yuuji watches those fragile hands push against Todo with some good strength and Yuuji begins to wonder how they feel so small and delicate yet can push a man like Todo with enough power and force to cause him to go upright and stumble. Yuuji is behind his best friend quickly though, he catches him before he can stumble backwards and possibly break something.
Todo smiles and laughs, extending a hand to Megumi, which is brutally ignored.
“I know you.” He babbles, making Yuuji confused. Megumi just nods, which adds to Yuuji’s confusion about the whole situation.
“That you do.” Megumi replies to Todo. It’s at this moment that Todo seems to come alive once again, Yuuji’s half grip on his shoulder is forcibly released as Todo moves forward yet again. He watches as Todo curls an unbelievably large arm around Megumi. Todo pulls Megumi a little further into where he and the other frat-boys had been drinking. Yuuji’s heart almost sinks to the bottom pit of his stomach as Megumi is dragged away from him. He bends down and grabs a beer from the cooler, he glances up to see that Megumi is eyeing him. Yuuji smiles, guessing that his expression means that he wants help to get away from this. Yuuji cracks open his can of cheap beer and drinks as much of it as he can, just over half. He wants to get a little buzz out of this party at the very least.
Yuuji pulls another can out and carries it over. He briefly remembers that he hasn’t eaten since the morning, and he can feel the alcohol in his system already rushing to alter his choices. When he finally reaches where Todo dragged Megumi off to, he notices Todo’s arm is still draped across his shoulders, hanging more loosely now. Yuuji isn’t sure how they know each other, Todo introduces Megumi to all of his friends, yet Yuuji has never even heard of Megumi before tonight. Perhaps he is one of the new ones from the party on New Year’s Eve, but even at that Todo never mentioned his name. And now, Todo seems to be introducing Megumi to everyone. Well not everyone, but everyone in their group. It grates on Yuuji that there is a clear discomfort about Megumi, and nobody seems to be minding that or perhaps they’re too drunk to see how tense his shoulders are and how often he shifts his weight from foot to foot. He can see Megumi rubbing the back of his right hand with his left, he knows now that he must be nervous or something of the sort, and in Yuuji’s growingly intoxicated brain he decides that Megumi would be much more comfortable with him.
He doesn’t waste a second when he’s close to them. He wraps his arm around Megumi’s waist and tugs him towards Yuuji’s own form. Todo’s arm falls away quickly, but he hates the look Megumi gives him. He looks annoyed, maybe he wanted to be there and Yuuji read the room wrong. Megumi’s eyes scan down to his hands, and he leans into Yuuji’s ear. Yuuji could almost swear he’s trying something on him with the way he speaks, but it’s just his voice, the exact same as how he spoke earlier. Just quieter and softer in his ear.
“Did you forget mine?” Oh. His drink. Yuuji looks at the can in his left hand, the one he’s been drinking from. He goes to lift his right hand from its position on Megumi’s waist, but as he does, he meets the same force that Todo did not too long ago, making his hand return to its place. He’s not sure when he drank all of his own or when he opened the other one too, but it seems to have happened and it explains the happy buzz in his head.
Yuuji nods, turning to face him. They’re so close. Megumi’s head is practically on his shoulder. Their evened height is even more apparent now. Megumi smiles at him. Not the one from before, this one is nice and it’s warm. Yuuji doesn’t want him to speak again, he wants him to hold that face and stay put, while he goes and gets him a drink. He doesn’t want to lose this moment. “I’ll get it for you.”
He whispers something back, but Yuuji can’t tell what he said, nor does he really care. He wants him to smile like that again, and he desperately wants to be the reason why. He’s never moved to get someone else’s drink so fast. He doesn’t know why he feels this way but he’s rolling with it, Megumi is so pretty, and he can’t stop his brain from constantly reminding him of that fact. He returns to his side as soon as he has a drink for him. Megumi had lost that smile while he waited on him, watching Inumaki arm wrestle Todo, and win.
Yuuji snakes his arm around Megumi again, and Megumi doesn’t seem to mind at all. Yuuji hands him the can and he cracks it open. They’re content in their position, with Yuuji occasionally jumping in and joining in on the conversation with his boys. Yuuji explains their inside jokes to Megumi, who nods along. It feels like no time is passing for Yuuji, he’s enjoying himself drinking and messing around with his friends and with Megumi, who surprised Yuuji by joining in on an arm wrestle with Panda. Yuuji was even more surprised when Todo declared that his bet was for Megumi to win. Yuuji had glanced between them both – It was clear that Panda looked physically stronger, but once Yuuta had released their hands, there was some resistance before Panda’s hand was forced to hit the wooden table beneath them. Yuuji was dumbfounded. They were all a good few drinks deep, maybe the drinks had weakened Panda he supposed. Megumi had returned to Yuuji after grabbing them both another drink. Megumi’s phone had been buzzing quite a bit since he rejoined him, and after an eye roll, he pulled it out.
Yuuji wasn’t one to spy on what someone was messaging but he couldn’t help himself with Megumi. He leaned into him, and other man turned his phone to him, showing messages from Nobara asking him to come find her and that she really needed him now. He sighed and typed a reply to meet him outside, to Yuuji’s dismay. He put his phone away, and Yuuji felt fingers run along the back of his head, he couldn’t help the way his hands wandered back onto Megumi’s waist after that.
“I’ll be back soon, Yuuji.” The latter nodded. He adored the way Megumi said his name. It was like silk in his brain. He could feel Megumi’s grip tightening on his hair. The alcohol must have gotten to Yuuji, but he finally did what he had wanted to do all night. He leaned forward and caught Megumi’s lips in a kiss. It was short lived, but sweet. Megumi’s one free hand moved to his shoulder, the other still firmly had held onto the top of his can. “Mind this for me.”
So, he did. He drank his own drink and held onto Megumi’s. He watched as Megumi squished through the crowds of people, eventually running into Nobara in the main hall, which Yuuji was grateful he had a good view of. She looked upset, immediately running to him and practically falling onto him. Megumi hugged her and guided her outside. Yuuji felt jealous of her for getting his attention. He couldn’t even remind himself of when they met, his drunken brain couldn’t care less about that detail.
He chatted with his friends while waiting on him to come back, but Yuuji feared the worst, that they had left together. He sat himself on the sofa, talking with a few friends and couple strangers as they moved around the room. He still held onto Megumi’s drink even after a near hour had passed. He suddenly found a weight around his shoulders and when he caught a glimpse of his favourite porcelain hands he smiled and turned to meet green eyes and long lashes.
“There you are baby.” The words left his mouth before he could think about them, he was just so relieved to see Megumi, who at the name, smiled and kissed his cheek. He turned his body a little more on the sofa, looking up at Megumi who now was sat on the back of it, by his side was Nobara, who had clearly been crying. Her face was sad and red from tears, her mascara had run down her cheeks and been smudged, and half rubbed off. Clearly Megumi had tried to help there and been of little use, but Yuuji reminds himself he probably wouldn’t have been any better. She sniffles and gives her sad puppy eyes to Megumi, who sighs and opens his arm to her. Her head drops into his neck, and he smiles at Yuuji.
And Yuuji is unbelievably jealous.
“I’m walking her home…” He starts and Yuuji is already slightly disappointed, but he keeps listening to every word Megumi speaks. “You wanna come with?”
Yuuji nods so vigorously he thinks his head might fall off. He holds a finger up, as Megumi quietly grabs Nobara by the hand and walks her to the door. Yuuji rushes to say goodbye to his friends, tells them he’ll see them later. They all whoop and cheer about how Yuuji is “getting some” tonight, but that’s not even on Yuuji’s mind. He wants to go with him, talk more to him, get his number and anything else is a bonus.
Yuuji rushes off, pushing through people until he gets outside. His eyes scanned across the people on the grass. Luckily the pair hadn’t gotten that far, Yuuji spotted them hand in hand walking relatively slowly. He jogged to catch up, and he relished in the smile Megumi gave him.
Nobara continued to talk to them through her sniffles and sobs, but Megumi finally interrupted her. “Tell Yuuji what happened.”
And she did, dropping Megumi’s hand and diving between where Yuuji had been walking closely to Megumi. She latched onto his arm and sobbed into his hoodie. “And she just didn’t even care like at least pretend to be interested! I never want to see Maki again!”
He caught a glimpse at Megumi, who was holding in his laughter. Yuuji did his best to comfort Nobara, but she just wasn’t having it. Until it finally went quiet, the cold seemed to get to her, and she straightened up. “At least you had a good night, Fushiguro. You normally beg to go home by now.”
The mentioned blushed, he didn’t say anything in return, he took one of Nobara’s loosely hanging hands and gripped it in his own, Yuuji mirrored him on the other side. She stumbled a lot, Yuuji wondered if this is why she brings Megumi along to nights like this. He can safely say he knows one thing about Megumi now, he really cares about his friends.
They walked to the entrance of her dormitory, where she began to exclaim that nobody wanted boys in there, so they weren’t allowed in. Megumi seemed unfazed, probably another regular occurrence for him, but he shrugged and replied; “Text me when you get in.”
They watched Nobara stumble down the small corridor to the lift, she waved goodbye to the both of them and Megumi waited for her to be completely out of sight before motioning to Yuuji to continue on with him.
So Yuuji followed.
The cold breeze must have gotten to Megumi as he shuddered. Almost instantly Yuuji’s own hoodie was over his head and given to Megumi, who at first rejected it.
“No, I’m fine Yuuji, really.”
“Come on, you look cold.”
“I’m always cold.”
“Ok but-”
“I don’t want you to get cold.” It felt significant to Yuuji, even if it was so mundane. Megumi did care about him enough to not want him to be cold, in Yuuji’s mind it was enough to be significant.
“Just wear it for me please. I’m still warm! See!” He pushed his palm against Megumi’s ice-cold cheek. He knew his hands were warm, there was enough alcohol in him to keep him warm. And Yuuji could’ve sworn Megumi leaned into his touch. Megumi sighed and took the hoodie from his hands. He pulled it over his head, and Yuuji really noticed how different their bodies were. Yuuji often buys his hoodies to fit, but it hung loosely around Megumi’s waist and shoulders. It was cute, Yuuji loved it.
He really did love it.
“Happy now?” Megumi quipped; the hood still sat on his head.
“Very.” Yuuji replied, closing their distance again, pulling the hood off of Megumi’s head and kissing him. This time longer than the first, there was no audience this time. He was happy that Megumi reciprocated, He could feel his free hand attaching to Megumi’s.
They walked on, Yuuji allowing himself to be led by the hand. The streets they walked on were quiet, it was late after all. Yuuji’s stomach growled, and he hoped his bank account would have enough in it to support him getting a late-night snack on his walk home once Megumi’s safely at his own residence. Speaking of home… where was he? Yuuji’s never been down these streets before, they hadn’t even passed his fraternity with Nobara. He can see some signs that point to where their university is but there is no familiarity in this area. Megumi seems confident in the area however, comfortably ignoring the signs they pass.
Yuuji trusts him blindly.
“I heard that.”
Yuuji jumps. He had been so lost in thought he had barely acknowledged his starving body. Well, starving is definitely an overstatement. He was hungry. Very hungry. “Oh sorry. I’m fine though I’ll grab something on-”
“There’s a takeout just a little further. We can grab something there.” Yuuji has never been so happy someone interrupted him. Yuuji squeezes his hand and pulls him a little closer.
Yuuji gets an idea. He pulls his phone out, he has to savour some of the memory, in case of them never speaking again. He turns to his camera and looking in it at himself first and then at Megumi, who seems a little camera shy, clearly trying to look anywhere else but where Yuuji wants him to.
“Come on baby, I need some evidence that I met the prettiest boy ever.” The remainder of sober Yuuji wants to smack his drunk self for allowing those words to leave his mouth.
Thankfully, Megumi is most definitely drunk too, because he smiles at Yuuji and leans into him close enough for Yuuji to snap a photo. Yuuji receives a backhanded slap on the arm for the photo, it doesn’t hurt whatsoever, and it was a worthy price to pay for capturing that smile.
They talk a little as they walk on, Yuuji babbling on about college and how excited he is for the new term, while Megumi nods along. Yuuji learns they go to the same college too, just in two different majors.
“So, you’re a good cook then?”
“Ha... well, I’ve been told I am.” Yuuji replies, in his eyes he can see the neon outline of a sign. A late-night takeout! Yuuji beams at the sight of it. “You never mentioned what you do?”
“Well, I want to go into being a veterinarian so-”
“That checks out.”
Megumi gives Yuuji a curious look, egging him on further, so he continues on. “You just give me that vibe.”
“What vibe?” Megumi laughs, and Yuuji swears that this noise was made by angels.
“That: oh, I’m really smart and care about animals, vibe.”
“Oh, come on Yuuji-” Megumi rolls his eyes at him as they finally approach the door of the takeout. “Is that all you’ve learned about me?”
“You’re not exactly an open book, babe.” Yuuji pushes the door open and lets Megumi walk in before him. Yuuji said what he truly does believe, Megumi is far from an open book. He’s a book that someone else had before him and dropped superglue on and now the cover is stuck to the pages, and it refuses to even budge open.
But by God, does Yuuji love a challenge.
And Megumi is just that. A very pretty challenge. Megumi breaks his train of thought with a question, asking him what he’s going to to order. It’s at that moment Yuuji checks his bank balance. It’s low… it’s very low. He hasn’t been at his part-time job in three weeks, yet all of his subscriptions continued to come out of his account- not to mention his christmas presents too. The single digit number is painful for him to look at, and it seems Megumi looked too, as when Yuuji meets his face again, it’s soft.
“I’ve got it, don’t worry.” Yuuji had found a saint at the party. He was oddly embarrassed he couldn’t pay for Megumi though, but he let it pass him. They ordered their Chinese takeout and Megumi paid without really listening to the cashier. They thanked her and walked out, brown paper bags of food in hand. They continued down the street, no longer hand in hand, which to his own surprise, Yuuji was upset about.
“Is your dorm much further?” Yuuji asks, taking another piece of salt and chilli fried chicken from the bag and quickly popping it in his mouth. It’s extremely hot, with it being freshly made, but Yuuji’s drunken body saves him from feeling a lot of the burn on his tongue. Yuuji glances over at Megumi, who is using a fork to eat his food. Yuuji wonders if he should’ve taken one too. Hopefully Megumi won’t mind holding his hand again even if it is a little greasy.
“I don’t live in a dorm. I have an apartment.” Megumi replies. Yuuji hasn’t met anyone who lives alone in college. It must be a shared apartment. He can’t help but stare as Megumi shakes a pepper off of his chicken, looking almost disgusted at it. It seems Megumi noticed Yuuji’s staring, and he gestures his bag of food to him. “Look. I asked her to not put any peppers in it. I have never seen this many peppers in my life.”
Yuuji laughs, almost choking on the food he had in his mouth. He puts it in the back of his head that Megumi hates peppers, if he ever gets to cook for him that will come in handy. Yuuji decides to press further about this apartment conversation. “Do you have roommates?”
“No.” His reply is so short, so fast and Yuuji is stunned. How can someone afford an apartment alone in college? “Don’t get any ideas, I’m not looking for any either.”
“I wasn’t thinking that! I’m just curious.” Yuuji replies and Megumi hums at his response. Yuuji finishes his food, with Megumi not far behind him. They throw out their empty bags and Yuuji extends his hand to Megumi’s again, which is brutally ignored. Yuuji’s confused, he wriggles his fingers and flicks his eyes down to his hand. Megumi walks on. “What’s wrong?”
“You just ate with your hand.”
“I have another!”
Megumi stops in his tracks and glances over his shoulder at Yuuji. Yuuji has his left hand raised up in defence, as if trying to prove its cleanliness. His brother has told him countless times that he has puppy eyes, he does his best to use them to sway Megumi’s decision, however when he witnesses Megumi’s eye roll and then watches him walk on, he begins to doubt his older brother.
Yuuji jogs to catch up with him, ultimately deciding to wrap his left arm around Megumi’s shoulder. Megumi sighs and looks to him and Yuuji pulls his puppy eyes again. This time it seems to work, as Megumi leaves him alone.
They walk for another couple of minutes until they reach what Yuuji can only describe as a really nice apartment complex. The white light illuminates the dark street they stand on and Yuuji notices through the glass doors the pristine white tiled floor, along with the viable wooden feature wall with a plaque spelling out the complex’s name. Yuuji can’t even picture himself walking in there, but he is. His arm still around Megumi, who hasn’t asked him to leave him. Yuuji steps into the lift with Megumi too, the latter seeming to forget all about Yuuji’s apparent filthy hand as he laces their fingers together again. He watches Megumi press the elevator button for floor six, and Yuuji notes the number. The doors close and Yuuji is taken by surprise as lips attack his own, he can’t help but smile into the kiss. He can definitely taste the Chinese food off of him, but Yuuji’s not bothered in the slightest, knowing that Megumi can most definitely taste it off of him too.
The elevator reaches floor six quicker than he would’ve liked. The doors opening announcement ruins their mood relatively quickly. They come apart so suddenly, but their hands stay intertwined. Megumi leads Yuuji down a corridor with several other doors. 607. He’ll try to remember that. Megumi fumbles with the key at the lock, but eventually gets it in and the door opens with no sound, something Yuuji is not used to. His frat room door creaks even when it’s not moving.
Megumi flicks the light switch as they enter. Yuuji can’t stop himself from making an awestricken face as he enters. The apartment is so clean, yet lived in. The floor is a standard wooden floor, the walls a simple grey. The kitchen, dining area and living room are all one, separated by a breakfast bar. The sofa is black, with white cushions and blankets planted across it. It looks so comfortable. There’s a small step up that leads down a small corridor with two more doors, which Yuuji assumes to be where his bedroom and bathroom are located.
He looks to Megumi, who’s already beckoning him with a finger up the small step. He guesses his friends were right after all, he would be getting some tonight.