Chapter Text
"You know, I think that's the first time I heard you laugh."
The cool air brushes through his hair and against his neck that peeks out from his thick long-sleeved shirt. The chill has him scooting closer to the available source of warmth next to him on the bench. It's a homey kind of comfort. He isn't sure when it started, but the need for touch clawed at his chest. He yearned for it. Their shoulders touching is enough for him for now. Just as long as he knew the other was there.
"What are you talking about?"
Yuji hums, shifting his weight. "When... when you read that letter... you laughed." There's that slight hesitation. Maybe Yuji isn't sure if it was okay to allude to that time. Megumi knew that. "It sounded nice."
That is a first for Megumi. Laughing and someone complimenting on it. A minor thing really. Yet, somehow it left him with an aching chest and warm cheeks. Maybe because it's Yuji. It's always been Yuji since Megumi recognized how good he is.
Yuji who made living seem worth it with his bright smiles and kind words.
Yuji who didn't give up on him even through the times it seemed hopeless.
Yuji who sacrificed parts of himself to save Megumi.
It sometimes felt unreal to have someone like him in his life. Could be a dream. One never he wanted to wake up from.
"Did it? It's just a laugh."
Yuji nudges him. "Yeah, but it was a nice one. You should laugh more."
Sometimes, when neither could sleep, they found themselves on a bench outside their dormitory. The nighttime atmosphere is soothing. The kind of chill that relaxes one to let their nerves settle. With everything that has happened this year, it's moments like this that both Yuji and Megumi cherish every second of. It is all the more better when they weren't alone. Being confined to a room without company and not being able to sleep is an agitation. Megumi may not like to be around a lot of people, but he still longed for a companion sometimes just as much as the sociable Yuji did.
"If I find something amusing, then I will laugh. For now, you're not even going to hear a chuckle out of me again." Megumi taunts, resisting back a smile when he hears Yuji whine and feels him hug his arm. Stay there. Stay there.
"Fushiguro! Party pooper!"
"Well, there hasn't been much to laugh about, has there?"
"No, but that doesn't mean there isn't anything or there won't be." Yuji rests his head on Megumi's shoulder and huffs. Megumi doesn't see his face, but he just knew Yuji's nose is scrunched in thought. "I'll do my best to make you laugh more, okay?"
"Really now?"
"Yeah. I'll make it a promise."
"Careful. You know how dangerous a promise can be between sorcerers."
Yuji sits up and turns so he faces Megumi more. He grabs his hand and locks his own pinky, the one he still had, with Megumi's. "It's not a promise between sorcerers. It's a promise between us. Just you and me. From now on, I'll make you laugh and smile every chance I get, okay?"
It's a childish ambition. But one Megumi can't find himself to mock or dismiss. Yuji means it. He always does.
Besides, there's nothing wrong with a little joy, is there? Maybe laughing and smiling more could do him some good. Could do them all some good.
"No need to promise that."
"Okay."
Megumi takes his pinky from Yuji's. He doesn't drop his hand though, instead keeping it in his. He rubs the back of Yuji's hand with his thumb and hums. It has faintly thin scars here and there. Distinctively around his knuckles. "Hm. Are you serious about that?" When he looks from his hand to Yuji's hand, with the help of a nearby lantern and the moon's glow, he sees Yuji's nose and cheeks had reddened. From the chill of the night or from Megumi's touch, he isn't too sure.
"I am."
"You are something else, you know that?"
"You like me though."
Megumi leans forward, as does Yuji. Their foreheads touch with their bangs scratching at their skin.
"I do."
"That's the first time I heard you tell me that."
"It's not a lie."
"I know." He squeezes his hand. "I like you, too."
Sleep comes smoothly that night, just as it has every time after they spent night together. Seemingly promising every time.