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In and out. That was how Gojo had described the mission over the phone, as he stated that Fushiguro needed him for a different mission to upgrade him from a grade 3 to a grade 2 sorcerer. Nanami was not opposed to taking over the mission if it meant that Gojo was doing his fucking job for once. Fushiguro was coming along well, in Nanami’s opinion. He was a well-rounded Alpha, surprising considering the Omega that raised him. Satoru hardly had a responsible bone in his body and took a vacation for ten months of the year.
But to know that the young Alpha was going to be acknowledged for his growing strength was something to celebrate. Nanami may suggest something to Itadori and see if they can convince the rest of the students to put on a small get-together to wish Fushiguro well on his coming missions. (Plus, the nice pay upgrade.) Nanami would get this mission finished and get onto the party suggestion. Ensuring that he would tell Satoru at the last minute so that he didn’t invite more people than necessary.
For this mission, it was a grade 1 and located in an abandoned house on the fringes of Tokyo. In the reports, the grade 1 was said to be making Alpha’s go feral and for Omega’s to go into a dangerous protective mode. Nanami kept a mask with him as the reports said it was a gas-like substance that started the change in instinct.
With Gojo’s infinity, he can understand why the other Omega had likely been given the mission in the first place. His infinity would have kept the gas away from him, and he wouldn’t need to worry about his mask getting knocked off at all. Nanami looked around the home again. There hadn’t been any sign of a curse yet, but Nanami could feel its presence around. There was something there.
Nanami gripped his cleaver harshly and turned another corner. He noticed then the shadow that had just turned the next corner, and Nanami ran down the hall. The house was styled in the traditional sense, modeled from the Heian Era, but had modern changes here and there, but the home had been abandoned after the couple had been murdered within. The perfect grounds for a strong curse to arise. Another shadow.
The Omega stopped mid-stride and glanced over. It was the figment of a… Young pup. They were cowering in the corner, arms wrapped around themselves, whines high pitched, and crying out. Nanami felt his instincts light up in response. Clicks and chuffs come out without his permission. The pup didn’t look up at him; it was likely a memory. Something that Nanami’s subconscious didn’t understand.
He glanced back at the other corner where he’d seen the first figure disappear around, and he sighed. His body didn’t want to abandon the pup, but he had to. Resolving himself, he started, stepping hard, but put one in front of the other as Nanami tried to find the grade 1 curse.
When he rounded the corner, he was greeted with a flash of claws that tried to take his mask off along with the front portion of his face. He could hear Gojo’s mocking voice if he came back with deep gashes across his face. “How will you get any knots with those things across your face?” Nanami growled at the curse and looked for his position. It was blatant, and he brought the cleaver down, and the curse cried out in gratuitous pain. The creature hissed but didn’t dissipate as Nanami had hoped.
Another hiss sounded to his right, and Nanami blocked off a projectile of a – Glass cup- and leaped back. There were two. Nanami felt a trickle of sweat starts down the back of his neck. This was not good; the reports only mentioned one… They hiss in unison, and other newcomers leaped this time, but Nanami did the same as he had before. This one seemed a bit more agile as it was able to dodge his attack, but as Nanami readied to attack again, the cries of a pup in distress rose through the corridors.
Nanami felt his whole body lock up. His eyes hunted for the source, but he knew that he needed to focus. He needed to get these two handled, then the pup. He could save the pup. He- Nanami was shocked out of his instincts as he felt claws close to his face once more. The grade 1 curses seemed to be even more frenzied than before. Nanami could only guess it was due to the pup’s cries.
He tried to put the pup’s cries out the back of his mind as he reeled back and away from the claws. However, it was at a cost, as his movement put him in the perfect spot for the claws to snag his mask. Now, with his mouth and nose exposed, Nanami felt a haze come over him. There was nothing else the grade 1 curses could do to stop Nanami from letting loose. His instinct was to protect the pup at all costs, and he took them down swiftly after he inhaled the gas.
They dissipated quickly, and the cries of the pup stopped This likely meant that the pup’s memory was tied to the curses, it would seem. Nanami took in a breath of fresh air as he stepped away from the house. He hoped that a new family could live there, one without those curses present. New memories. New happiness to take over the bad.
His car was waiting for him, and Nanami all but collapsed into the back seat as the Window drove him back to campus. Though it had taken him some time to be convinced, Nanami had willingly allowed himself to be hired as staff to the Tokyo School, as Gojo tended to get called away more often than not. He wasn’t going to complain. The students seemed to appreciate the even head that Nanami kept on, and the lack of non-consensual touching was also likely appreciated. The number of students that came to his office just to be away from Gojo was almost alarming until Nanami finally talked to the other, and things improved from there.
Nanami would admit that it was nice to know that the students saw him as someone safe. They knew he was in their corner and willing to listen if they needed an ear and willing to give advice when asked for it. When it came to Itadori, however, the young Alpha would constantly be “bothering” him. When he wasn’t on his own missions, he was around the Omega almost constantly. It wasn’t Gojo bad, and Nanami didn’t have the heart to ever turn the Alpha away when he looked rougher than usual after bouts of nightmares.
Gojo complained that Nanami had stolen the one student who didn’t mind his hugs, but Nanami failed to see this as an issue. Itadori was still so willing to give physical affection to the man whenever he found them. He didn’t see what he was complaining about.
Thinking about Itadori brought a soft purr to his chest, one that hummed into the open air and calmed him down from whatever irritation the thought of Gojo brought. He and Itadori had grown closer in Nanami’s time as a teacher. There was no lust there, but Nanami felt a kindred need like Gojo to take care of the boy. When they had first met, Itadori had yet to present at fifteen, though Nanami could tell that the boy was going to be an Alpha. He had the muscle for it, and the protective instincts were almost a given. There was also the fact that Itadori fought with Sukuna, like all Alpha’s, who had something to prove.
When the boy, who had smelled like a pup, had walked into his apartment and let out the saddest scent he’d ever smelled, Nanami felt his inner Omega just melt. He had tried to keep it strictly professional, but after the boy had nearly died at the hands of Mahito, he couldn’t keep him at arm’s length, and so he allowed himself to mentally think of the young Alpha as his own. However, Itadori had no idea of this. He couldn’t let him know, as he had been certain at the time that the young pup had latched onto Gojo as a parental figure.
It wasn’t that surprising. Gojo had done it before, taken in a young pup, and built that bond. But Nanami tried to subtly try to care for the boy as he could. Pack bonds weren’t put in place, but the scents were there. Nanami renewed them when he could and without Itadori noticing.
When they arrived at the school, Nanami groaned, getting out of the car. The Window wished him well and took off in the car, likely to go and pick up the next Sorcerer for their mission. Taking the steps slowly, Nanami felt the dregs of the sun that heated his exposed skin. He loosened his tie just enough that he didn’t feel like he was choking and wandered into the staff building. He would write up his report and go get changed. He felt disgusting, even with it being just midmorning. He’d left early that morning to get to the house at its most active, 4 am. It had taken about two hours total for him to find the damned things and another hour to get rid of them. It was close to the end of the breakfast hour, so Nanami felt he could get a good start on his report before he went to class.
There was a part of him that wondered if Fushiguro was close to finished with his mission. He pulled out his phone to text Gojo when he saw a message from Itadori. It was a picture of his breakfast; he’d had Tamago Kake Gohan. There was a smiley face made with some red sauce on his rice. Nanami smiled and gave a small purr before replying.
Kento: A good breakfast will keep you awake for the day.
Yuji: **THANKS, NANAMIN! I thought it was too cute not to share!**
Yuji: ** Are you back?**
Kento: Yes, writing up my report. I’ll see you in class.
Putting his phone away, Nanami sat at his desk. It was about ten minutes later that he remembered why he’d pulled out his phone in the first place. He sent off a quick message to Gojo, who he expected to text him back while he was likely teaching. The man was inconvenient like that.
The room was hot. Nanami didn’t understand why, but his windows were open to the morning sun, and he didn’t want to lose the natural light. He’d live with the temperature if it meant that he could finish his report and not have to worry about it later. Just a little while later, he had his report sent off to Yaga. Taking off his tie completely, Nanami went off to his quarters, where he could finally shower and get fully prepped for class.
The shower was good, and his muscles screamed as he rotated around to get the kinks out that he could. When he finally felt like he was lost again, Nanami got out of the shower and got dressed. From there, he grabbed his teaching material and made his way to the classroom. Surprisingly, as Nanami was walking down the hall, his phone buzzed with a new message from Gojo.
Satoru: Nanami-chan! Megumi did great! We’ll be back soon after we finish Breakfast!
Kento: I hope Breakfast means without loads of sugar.
Satoru: Boo! No fun! Megumi picked, so it’s boring! Hope you’re happy! :P
Nanami knew he liked Fushiguro for a good reason. With a small smile, Nanami entered the classroom, but he coughed just slightly and loosened his tie a few moments later. Hot. Nanami glanced around the room and opened a window to let in some air. “Nanami-sensei?” The Omega nearly jumped at Nobara’s voice that was suddenly behind him.
“N-Nobara-san, good morning.” Nanami readjusted his glasses and wiped away his forehead. Perhaps he should go and grab some water before class officially starts. He checked, and he had his wallet handy. He nearly sighed in relief. “I was going to go grab a refreshment before class, is there anything that you need?”
Nobara seemed to be “spacing out” but pulled herself back in quickly. “Huh? Oh, uh… Tea.” Nodding, Nanami started for the vending machines. Though he didn’t usually get drinks for students, he at times would ask if he was planning on bringing his drink. He knew the drinks the other two would like and grabbed those as well. He stared at the banana milk for a little while before walking away and back towards the classroom.
He’d get it later.
Nanami pulled out his handkerchief and dabbed at his forehead again. He would need to check that he had his summer wear out if he was feeling this stifling. As he got closer to the classroom, Nanami was almost a little shocked to hear the enthusiastic voice of Gojo as he approached. “Megumi-chan was so good! When you two go on your grade 2 missions, I bet you’ll do just as great!” Nanami didn’t doubt it, though he already knew that he would request to be the one to observe Itadori’s. The boy tended to stay focused better if Gojo wasn’t there. However, the higher-ups may request he and Gojo attend simply because of their unprecedented fear of Sukuna.
Opening the classroom door, Nanami wandered in. “Nanamin-Sensei!” The Omega wanted to smile at the obvious excitement in the young alpha’s voice, but he kept his stoic face and walked in further.
So. Fucking. Hot.
“Nanami-chan! Did you grab me anything?” Nanami raised his eyes to look at his fellow Omega, about to tell him that he had enough money to buy more than enough banana milk for himself when his brain just… Flicked off.
Nanami felt his gaze narrow in on Gojo, and his lips rose enough to show his Omega fangs as a clear warning to the other. “N-Nanami-chan?” Gojo’s voice faltered just enough that Nanami took a step forward, the drinks falling from his arms as he put himself between the other Omega and the pup behind him.
Slow and deep growls escaped his throat as Nanami’s hand twitched for the cleaver he kept on his back. “Nanamin?” If it were possible, Nanami thought his ears twitched when he heard his pup’s voice. Also, slightly fearful.
This Omega bitch was scaring his pup.
Nanami felt his growl go even deeper. “Get. AWAY.” Though it sounded clear to Nanami, there was a slight twinge to his words that was put in, a way to tell the other Omega not to get any closer. To just walk away. To leave him with his pup and to go.
No need to fight.
No need for bloodshed.
The other Omega put up his hands, but one hand went to the blindfold that covered his eyes. The bright blue of his eyes stared at Nanami, but the other twitched his hand closer to his weapon. “Go.” The Omega made some gestures, and others moved around him, but Nanami didn’t care about them. He put his arm out when his pup acted to follow but whined when pulled back behind Nanami.
His pup must stay.
This seemed to surprise the other Omega, who had his blindfold off completely. “I’m going, Nanami. We won’t hurt Yuji-kun.” Nanami’s eyes narrowed as the other Omega started to back away. He watched them leave, and when the door closed, Nanami turned to look at his pup and sighed in relief. Though there were still residuals of fear in his pup’s scent, it was starting to go away as they were left alone.
Finally.
“Nanamin? Are you okay?” Nanami didn’t say anything; he just knelt and started to scent the pup as best he could. His wrists and neck were the hot spots, and Nanami curled his head over the top of the others so that no one would fail to know who cared for this young boy.
“Brat?”
“I don’t know! He isn’t responding…” The pup’s hands were clenched into Nanami’s dress shirt and didn’t seem to want to let go. “Nanamin?” He sighed and brought the young Alpha pup into his lap to hold onto. What if the other Omega came back? Nanami stiffened slightly at the thought. He glanced up to the room’s door, where the Omega had disappeared before, and turned them away so that Nanami was closest.
Glancing around, Nanami took note of all the windows, chuffing at all the spots where someone could enter. This was not a good den. They would need to relocate. “Nanami, can we go? I think Yaga-sensei would protect us from Gojo-sensei.”
“Brat, I don’t think that would help.” Nanami had to agree with the other voice. Yaga? Another rival that would only want to harm his pup. No. They would get to his den. Putting his hand on the back of the boy’s neck, he scruffed the pup so that he could be more easily carried as they traveled.
There was slight resistance from the pup; it’s to be expected. He was growing, but Nanami didn’t want to risk it. “Nanamin?!” But in the few seconds it took, the scruffing did its job. The boy was loose-limbed and was practically jelly in his arms as he gathered up the pup and crawled to the door.
He cracked it just slightly to allow the smell from the hall to get through. The scents of the earlier Beta, Alpha, and Omega were present but were not fresh. With this in mind, it told Nanami that they were alone there. Looking to the windows, Nanami made sure no one saw them leave as he got them to the hall.
His den wouldn’t be far. It was enclosed, one entry point, and easier for him to guard. His nest was there, and his pup could relax with no worry. As they were nearing his den, Nanami stopped and pulled them into another hallway. In front of his den’s entrance was the Omega. He nearly growled but kept himself in check; he couldn’t risk letting the other know he was there. Glancing at his pup, he gave a small sigh. The boy was staring at him in the corner of his eyes. The red and gold were an odd combination, but Nanami didn’t judge.
How was he going to go forward from here?
Nanami bit his bottom lip til he was sure blood was starting to run down his chin. “Stay.” Determined, Nanami put his pup there by the wall. There wasn’t anything around to cover him, so Nanami threw his suit jacket over top of him to mask his scent as much as possible. Secured, Nanami rose to his feet and pulled his cleaver from his back holder.
Around the corner, the other Omega was on his feet already. “Nanami, let’s get Yuji-kun to his dorm room, yeah? He’ll be most comfortable there. We can get you to Shoko while he hides there.” Nanami growled at the other’s suggestion and saw his 7:3 ratio point. Taking his chance, he sliced his cleaver down.
Though it didn’t hit, the other Omega took it for the obvious threat that it was. He hadn’t wanted to come to blows with the other, Nanami could smell his obvious power difference. It was no excuse for him not to try. “What is wrong with you?” The Omega muttered under his breath as he seemed to send out something towards Nanami.
There was a force, and Nanami slammed his cleaver into the floor to keep from being knocked back. This seemed to be enough of a shock for the Omega to let his guard down, and Nanami struck again. No contact again, but Nanami did see him blip out of the way instead.
His voice came from behind him. “Yuji-kun? Are you okay?” Nanami yowled when he heard the soft whimper of his pup and kicked behind him, sending the other Omega far down the hall. There was a crash elsewhere, but Nanami didn’t take the chance. He gathered his pup together and sprinted for his den.
“Nanami, wait!” He didn’t listen for the other Omega further and slammed the door shut and locked it securely. Gathering his pup again, he took off for the other door. It was a tighter squeeze, and he had to go first and pull his pup in after him. But once in the den, Nanami hid the entrance and felt, for the first time, relief. Put his pup in the nest, he nuzzled the boy’s head with a purr. They were safe.
Nanami could guard him here.
His pup was safe.
“Do you think he just wants to cuddle?” He heard his pup whisper a few minutes later as the scruff started to wear off.
“This is an Omega response to danger, Brat. I’m guessing something from that mission he was on is affecting him. Saw your other Sensei as a threat and responded in instinct. Likely knew he was a big threat and didn’t want to get you hurt in the resulting fight.” Nanami purred harder, hoping that it would coax his pup into sleeping.
He needs energy.
In case he needed to run.
“I didn’t know he thought of me as his pup,” the boy relaxed into Nanami’s chest, just under his chin. Nanami put a protective arm over him, curling as much as he could around the pup.
“It’s obvious he does. He scents you regularly enough.” Nanami rubbed his hand up and down the boy’s back, even more content with the responding chuff.
Nanami woke with his eyes cemented shut from the crust. He groaned just slightly, rubbing his face against his blanket in hopes of getting rid of the tired sensation. He was warm but not overly hot. The content feeling in his chest was a wonder to him as he pulled his bedding closer to him.
When the pillow he’d been hugging made a small chirp noise, Nanami’s eyes flew open. In his arms was Yuji Itadori, sleeping and also seemed rather content. Confused was only half of what Nanami was feeling.
THIS IS HIGHLY INAPPROPRIATE!
He wanted to scramble out of the nest, to put some distance, but he also didn’t want to wake Itadori. The boy didn’t need to feel embarrassed like this. Perhaps it was a nightmare that brought him here. He didn’t want to deny thy young Alpha a form of comfort with the burden Sukuna had brought of him.
Frustrated by indecision, Nanami just watched the boy for a little while. “Are you going to threaten to rip out my throat again, Nanami-chan? Or are you ok?” Nanami’s eyes flew to the other Omega sitting next to the door. He was curled up just slightly, trying to look non-threatening.
“Gojo-san?” Nanami whispered, feeling himself pull Yuji just a bit closer. Something inside of his was screaming that Gojo might try to take the Alpha pup away from him.
“Oh good, you aren’t crazed anymore. Yaga will be relieved,” Gojo stretched back out, curling his fingers, “And the other students. You gave quite the scare growling like you were.” Growling? Though he didn’t mean to, Nanami’s head tilted just enough to the side to indicate his confusion. “You don’t remember?”
He shook his head.
“When you returned from getting drinks for the students, you flipped out. Got all defensive of Yuji-kun and told me with your scent that I was not to get a centimeter closer.” Gojo rubbed the back of his head, “I tried to confront you before you came here, but you kicked me down the hallway. I didn’t recover fast enough. You know how to seal yourself away in here pretty good.”
Nanami blinked, “Yes, it’s a… My den.”
The other blinked, or he thought Gojo did, and the rise of blush on his face was enough to know. “D-den..?” Gojo’s head swiveled around to take in more of the surroundings. “I… Sorry, Nanami… I didn’t know.”
“It’s fine…” Nanami found himself unconsciously rubbing Itadori’s back again. He thought about stopping, but he decided it didn’t matter, “You didn’t know, and I’ll likely have to move it now after what has occurred. I’m sure Yaga wants to tear me a “new” one.”
Gojo’s hands flippantly moved as he went back to his curled position. “Yaga was more worried than anything. You are usually the pinnacle of a professional. He mentioned you lost your mask in your report and would have you get checked out by Shoko when everything went down.” He shrugged as if to say, ‘What can you do?’
“I suppose… I should have. With the curses dealt with, I had figured I would not be affected any longer.” Nanami sighed and again buried his nose into Itadori’s hair. It was comforting, having the boy safe and so close. His purr was starting up again, Gojo in the room be damned. His pup was safe.
Pup.
No, he couldn’t think like that anymore. Itadori was his student; he couldn’t continue this inappropriate behavior with Gojo so present… In fact… “I’m surprised that you are so okay with this,” Nanami murmured, pulling his face away to look at the other Omega.
There was a soft look on Gojo’s face that Nanami couldn’t pin down, but he didn’t have all his cylinders working at the moment. “Okay, with what?”
“Don’t you see Itadori as your pup?”
“Itadori never formed a bond; he felt it wasn’t… I think Yuju-kun was scared to get close to someone again.” Gojo admitted, pulling a lollipop from his pocket and unwrapping it. “I told him I formed these types of bonds with parentless students to keep them from feeling too lonely, but he soldiered on. But I thought you might have had trouble with how you responded and all that. I assume you haven’t formed a familial bond with him?”
Nanami shook his head, “I would have offered if I had known you hadn’t… But if he would not even accept, perhaps it’s best-”
“Ask him.” Nanami and Gojo both stiffened. Just below Itadori’s eye was a red one. It glared at Nanami with what he was determined to call mild amusement. “The Brat will be over the moon.”
“Why are you so okay with this?” Gojo asked though the skeptical tone was there under the surface. Tread carefully.
“The brat is insufferable, and I can respect an Omega willing to go against the strongest sorcerer of this age just to keep his pup alive. Any Alpha would be able to see that this Omega is worthy.” Nanami felt a faint blush come over his cheeks. Though it was flattering, Nanami didn’t like the implication. “The brat sees you as a parental figure already. Just form the bond and know I’ll allow only you to be so close to the brat.”
With that, Sukuna retreated away, eye disappearing along with the odd mouth beneath. Silence was held between them for a moment until there was a soft groan from the Alpha pup between Nanami’s arms. A soft yawn escaped the pup as he rubbed at his eyes. “Nanamin?” He blinked slowly, then sat up straighter. “Nanamin?! Are you okay?!”
Nanami sat up then himself and shuffled just a little ways away to see the boy better. Gojo was watching them from near the den entrance, but if he moved, he thought Yuji would immediately notice him. So Nanami didn’t even look at him. “Yes, Itadori-kun. I’m alright now.”
The grin that overcame Yuji’s face was beaming. “I’m glad. I was worried when you wouldn’t talk to me. I thought it was a curse that would make you all crazy again.” Yuji turned in the bed to look at Gojo, who was surprised. “Gojo-sensei, I saw Nanamin kick you away, are you okay?”
With a soft chuckle, Gojo rose to his feet. “Yeah, I’m okay, Yuji-kun. I’m going to grab Shoko to check on Nanami. Keep an eye on him till I’m back, yeah?” Without time to respond, the other Omega was out of the den and left the two of them alone together.
“I’m sorry, Itadori-kun, I was affected by a cursed technique. I should not have dragged you here like I had.” Yuji’s head turned about, but the boy didn’t seem all that upset. In fact, there was a certain guarded nature now to him that Nanami hadn’t noticed before.
“It’s okay, Nanamin. I was a little surprised when you scruffed me, but other than that, I probably would have just followed you here anyway to keep you safe.” Nanami did not grin. It was not the sweetest gesture his son student had said to him.
Nanami stiffened suddenly. “I… I scruffed you?”
“Yes...?”
His brain went completely blank. “You let me scruff you?”
Yuji looked even more confused. “Should I not have?”
“Dams generally do scruffing to their pups. Someone who is not your family shouldn’t be able to scruff you.” Blush came over the boy’s face as he tried to hide himself away, though it was rather difficult as they had been covered by Nanami’s suit jacket that was now further away. So, he threw his face into the Den’s cushion and whined. “I’m assuming that you see me as a parental figure?”
“Nanamin! Stooooooooop, this is embarrassing!” Nanami chuckled and wrestled the boy out of the cushion. Though there were protests on the younger’s end, he didn’t seem too upset when Nanami held him to his chest. When he was finally settled, Nanami allowed himself to purr. The vibrations did a good job of allowing the boy to relax and melt into his embrace.
When it had been a little time, just soaking in each other, Nanami spoke up. “I suppose this whole incident exposed that I see you as my pup as well… Perhaps this was fate showing us we no longer have to be alone.” A small puppyish chirp replied.
When Shoko popped in about twenty minutes, she was greeted by the scent of a content Omega and a sleepy Alpha pup. She didn’t say a word, and when Yaga talked to Nanami the next day, there was paperwork to become Yuji’s legal guardian alongside his report.