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“Stay.”
“You know I can’t.”
Despite saying this, the boy unconsciously pulled the girl closer to him.
This was their typical Sunday night. The couple basking in each other’s warmth in the space of her bed, with the long-forgotten Netflix show playing on her laptop by their feet.
Outside their quiet nook, they can hear the faint sound of cicadas in their orchestra and gentle breezes rattling the windows occasionally. The Summer nights are getting chillier, which signals a new season is coming soon…and a new reason to cuddle up together.
The street lamps outside illuminated the large window with a warm glow, bringing more color into the room. Nobara insisted on turning off the lights to create a better ambiance for their neglected movie of the night. The golden light, mixed with the subtle shadows and the moving lights from below, made his girlfriend look like a breathing work of art.
Megumi couldn’t think of anything better to do on his Sunday night.
After eating dinner with Yuji and treating their kouhais to ice cream, the couple headed to Nobara's room to spend some alone time together before another week of missions, which gave them little to no time to be alone together. In fact, as soon as Monday starts, Megumi will be whisked away to a solo mission.
“Then five more minutes won’t hurt.”
The boy agrees easily. If given the choice, Megumi would stay forever. However, he has a Shinkansen ride to Hakata at 6 in the morning that he can’t be late for.
With her hand under his shirt, her fingertips brushed along his skin, drawing circles on his back. Soft movements invited his eyes to close, her breathing lulled him to a drowsy state, and her voice, without the usual snark, whispered sweet nothings.
Words would fail him, but his actions would speak for him. He reciprocated by kissing her forehead, kissing her hand that he held close to him, and kissing that sweet spot on her neck that he loved so much.
It was warm, it was tender, it was everything he didn’t know he needed.
Their lives were chaos. Always trying to navigate somewhere, always trying to live another day. It’s absurd how they and their colleagues had a hand in saving the whole planet before they even graduated. They should’ve been at the club, as people their age would say. Instead, they were thrown around, pushed to their limits, and convinced themselves to soldier on as fate toyed with their lives.
Yet in this space, they found a semblance of peace. In this bubble, he found the rest he needed.
Whenever life gets tough, he finds himself thinking about shared moments with Nobara一the good and the bad一for the sake of his sanity, and he thinks it’s all worth it. Because at the end of the day, he can have moments like this with her.
Unfortunately, it was Nobara who told him time’s up. He didn’t even realize that the clock had already moved ahead by 10 minutes. She reluctantly sat up and opened her arms towards Megumi. With a sigh, he allowed Nobara to pull him out of the bed before calling him a ‘big baby.’
Moving towards the door, Megumi asked her about the shikigami he left her with, “You have Datto* with you, right?”
“Mashumaro is safe in his box.”
The rabbit shikigami was meant to be Nobara’s emotional support animal to cope with her nightmares whenever Megumi is away from campus, but its role has evolved since then. Nobara has used the company of the shikigami almost every night that Megumi is on a mission, solely because she misses him. It would be an assurance that Megumi was still alive and kicking somewhere out there.
“Don’t you think the name is unnecessary?” Megumi raises his brow playfully.
“Don’t care, it’s mine.”
“Technically mine, but okay.”
Mashumaro is keeping its new name, then.
“Hey,” Nobara called out to him while he was putting on his shoes by her entryway. He looks back at her after, ready to leave by the door.
Instead of saying anything, the girl grabbed him by the shoulders and tiptoed to bring herself higher. Without the need for instructions, Megumi stepped closer and reached for her waist to steady her. Lips naturally found each other, and eyes fluttered close, while the arms used for stability earlier turned to embraces that won’t let go.
The more they indulged, the more they didn’t want to stop. Slow and deep, the couple took their time to relish the moment as silent promises and yearning pleas were shared.
Promises of caution, hopes for safety, and expressions of how much they will miss each other in the days to come.
After some time that felt too short for the couple, Megumi rested his forehead against Nobara’s while his hands cradled her head.
“Stay safe and come back, okay?” she smiled, “And bring me back something.”
He rolled his eyes at that, but had a warm smile playing on his face. “I’ll be back soon. Good night.”
With one last kiss on her forehead, he finally closed her door and found himself walking alone to his own dorm room. The feeling of unease crept its way up in him due to not being sure when he’d see her again in person.
Emptiness was a feeling he was all too familiar with, but with the past months with Nobara, it became something unbearable. It was a suffocating thing that only being by her side could cure.
He hates to go. This is the worst part whenever he parts ways with her for the night.
Why would I go to some stupid curse when I have a girlfriend here, all warm and soft? He knows why; he just wanted to complain. A rare occurrence.
Sometimes, he surprises himself. The Fushiguro Megumi he knew back then would be caught dead having these intrusive thoughts.
As soon as he got to his room, he checked his duffel bag for the third time that day to make sure he hadn’t forgotten anything for the mission. Long-distance missions can be very unpredictable, and it’s hard to determine when he’ll be back, so he’s got to be prepared for anything.
Once that was settled, he went to his dresser to change into his sleepwear. As he brings his shirt over his head, he suddenly catches a familiar scent.
A soft, natural fragrance lingered on the fabric. Vivid imagery appeared in his imagination: fresh roses, a warm spring breeze, invigorating spices—undeniably Nobara.
How is it possible that I miss her already, he internally groaned as he dragged his hair out of his face.
Looking around一he feels awfully silly doing this in his own room一to make sure he’s alone, he sits on his bed and brings his shirt to his face.
With one sharp inhale, the delicate scent hits his senses again. It is intoxicating, vibrant, and effortlessly inviting—uniquely Nobara.
He claims he’s not a creep, but he can’t help it when his girlfriend is so… delectable.
He berates himself for even thinking of that word.
With shaking eyes, he figured another sniff wouldn’t hurt. Another deep inhale, and a sigh escapes his lips. He breathed in another, and he blushed uncontrollably.
As the scent drowns his senses, he thinks about his girlfriend. Feisty and sweet. Strong and Compassionate. Beautiful inside and out. She truly was everything he desired and then some.
As his eyes fluttered close, he envisioned Nobara perched on his lap, gazing back at him. The thrill of having her right where he wants her makes his blood flow faster, and his breathing gets heavier.
He gently runs his fingers over her smooth skin and well-defined muscles, after which his nose trails the same path, sending shivers across her body. His hands would continue to roam her body, leaving no curve unappreciated as he tried his best to give her the praise she deserved. Her sweet laughter would ring in his ears, and she would bring him closer to her chest. Then he would immerse himself again in the scent of her.
Megumi always liked the smell of Nobara. Not even because of her carefully curated scent collection sitting on her vanity, but because her natural scent always drew him in.
It appeals to him most when she would give him a tight hug after a particularly long day, when she rests beside him after training, or when the room would smell like her, mixed with his own scent, after a period of heated lovemaking.
It was pleasant and familiar, calming in its own way. It was proof that Kugisaki Nobara was alive and well and that someone in this world was willing to love him, baggage included.
His thoughts are filled with her. He can not—will not—deny this to anyone.
It was so easy for him to be wrapped around her finger. She gave him a chance to be himself around her, and she would show sides of her that only he could ever witness.
Taking his last deep breath on his shirt, he finally opened his eyes. After some time, his hands flew to his hair and roughly ruffled it out of frustration.
This is not the time for this! I need to sleep ASAP.
If he can’t sleep now, he will definitely have a terrible time tomorrow. His frustration only grew by the second. The man was now at a crossroads, thinking of what he should do with his dilemma.
Looking at his shirt and then at his clock, he steeled his resolve as he made a decision.
— —
“When you said you’d be back, I didn’t expect this soon.”
As soon as she opened the door, Nobara donned a smirk on her face.
“Shut up, let’s go to bed.”
The girl wanted to protest, thinking this might not be the best option if he wanted to catch his call time, but before she could say anything, Megumi snatched her up and carried her in his arms as he made his way to her bed.
Nobara chuckled softly, "I expected you to have better self-control than this, Fu-shi-gu-ro-san,” she whispered into his ear as her boyfriend settled her into her side of the bed. “You do realize it’s tougher for you to get up when we sleep together, right?”
“I have set five alarms that will ring every five minutes if I hit the snooze button or if I don’t wake up,” Megumi readily explained as he placed himself beside her under the blanket, “Plus, I sent a message to Nitta-san to come knock at your door if I’m not at the carport by 5:30.”
“If your alarms somehow wake me up instead of you, know that I’m kicking you off the bed to force you awake. This is your warning.”
As the couple settled into comfortable positions, soft sighs and murmurs of goodnights were heard. Breathing in the sweet scent of her, he was assured of one thing.
She’s right here, she’s close by. All is well.
“Nobara,” Megumi spoke softly.
His girlfriend hummed back with her eyes already closed.
“Would you like to move in together?”
The girl opened her eyes wide and looked at him to see if he was joking. Sensing there wasn’t any humor in his demeanor, it only took her a couple of seconds to respond loudly and enthusiastically, “YES!!”
She laughed一oh it was music to his ears一and peppered his face with kisses. He could only gently laugh helplessly against the attack.
“When should we do it?”
“As soon as I get back,” Megumi answered seriously.
“Woah. Slow down there, lover boy. That’s impossible. I was thinking something along the lines of ‘immediately after graduation’ or something,” Nobara laughed and patted his chest. “We still need to house hunt.”
“There’s no need. I already have one.”
“...”
“...”
“Explain.”
“Gojo-sensei gave me an apartment as a gift for graduating Middle School…” Nobara continued to stare at him with a skeptical look. “I promised to pay him back once I started using it.”
“He gave you a bachelor pad just for graduating.”
“He said it was an investment, and it would come in handy someday.”
“Bet he meant it was for booty calls.”
Embarrassed because it was probably partially true, Megumi covered his face with the blanket and mumbled his next words, “Is it too much to ask to fall asleep and wake up next to you everyday?”
They both blushed at the thought. He knew that she wanted that as well. It would explain the clingy mornings and nights together, the meals spent in conversation, and how his and her things were getting mixed up in the others’ dressers. Yet, the most compelling evidence was how every goodbye felt more and more like a death sentence.
After a few moments, Megumi finally emerged from under the blanket and saw that Nobara was lost in thought. The way her eyebrows tensed and how she bit her lower lip troubled him. Unconsciously, he reached out to hold her face and caressed his thumb under her eye as if to soothe her worries.
“You know it won’t be easy as students. We have to pay bills.”
“I know.” Megumi moves his hand from her face to hold her hand under the blanket. “I can cover the bills easily, don’t worry.”
Having earned their way to Grade 1 sorcerers, both Megumi and Nobara are being paid a hefty amount to risk their lives fighting curses.
“I know you can, but heck no. I can cover my own share and help you pay back Gojo-sensei. Consider yourself blessed. I’m reallocating shopping money for this.”
“Thanks,” Megumi smiled at the offer. “What else troubles you?”
“We’re inevitably gonna fight.”
“Wouldn’t have it any other way with you.” It’s unavoidable for any couple, especially for two stubborn people, but they always make it work in the end.
“And what about that idiot?”
“Itadori will be fine. He’ll be understanding. We’ll still keep in touch and keep doing missions together. It’s pretty near campus, too. He can crash whenever.”
Still not convinced, Nobara finally answered. “I’m not saying no, alright? Let’s just put a pin on it first, and let’s move in after graduation.”
“That’s… too long.” Megumi brought his brows together as he thought about the agonizing wait.
Nobara found the confused puppy look he gave too adorable; she wished she had her phone right now to take a picture. “Hey. Remember self-control?”
Megumi hugged her body and tucked his head under her chin. “I think I’m done with self-control.”
The unspoken words were loud and clear, and Nobara felt pride swell up in her as she smiled warmly and combed her fingers through his messy hair.
He’s trying to own up for his claim to a life worth living.
All his life, he stood at the side and put himself second to a society that took advantage of his talents, to a world that couldn’t acknowledge his sacrifices. But to her, he can admit that everything is becoming too much, and he would like to stop and slow down.
He wants to build his own safe haven with her. Free from the world of curses, and free for them to just be together.
“Fine, you big baby. When we’re both 18 and considered adults. We can slowly pack our things and buy furniture or appliances before then.”
The emphasis on “both” is unnecessary since it was meant solely for him. She had already turned 18 the month before. Though he supposes four months is a reasonable compromise compared to the original seven months until graduation.
At times like this, he could count on Nobara to be the voice of reason. She does have a point. Jujutsu High won’t allow students enrolled in its institution, much less underaged ones, to move in together with someone of the opposite sex. Contrary to popular belief, within their small circle of sorcerers, Jujutsu High is still a prestigious school with traditional values.
“The day my birthday comes, we’re moving out immediately .”
The night continued to go deeper, and the couple finally settled down from planning their eventual move. Nobara, with her back towards him, pulled his arm over her waist so that she could hold his hand.
“Good night, love you.”
After he made sure Nobara was fast asleep, he finally allowed himself to drift off to sleep as well.
Sleep was never elusive whenever they were together. With their limbs tangled around each other and the steady beating of their hearts, it was safe and serene. Especially with the knowledge that Nobara has someone she can return to, and Megumi has someone he can call home.
He finally closed his eyes, but not before breathing in her comforting scent once more.
“Thank you. I love you.”