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Megumi was carding his fingers through Yuji's hair as he laid down on his side across Megumi's lap. A blanket had been placed over him to cover Yuji with some extra warmth. All their windows had been shut closed and Yuji cuddled closer into Megumi, leaching off of his warmth too. It was on the tail end of winter which caused a lot of Yuji's pain to flare up; Megumi had spent the morning trying to soothe the aches.
Pain wasn't something Yuji was at all new to and he'd spent years being doted on and cared for by Sukuna. It's just that there was something different about the one he was going to marry, spending his morning here making sure Yuji felt even just a little bit better. Unconcerned about doing any of his other plans if it meant he could stay by his side just a little longer. Yuji was smiling as he thought about it, curled up as he was.
But he couldn't help but let out a sigh, "I still feel bad, though."
While lying on his side, Yuji had his phone out in front of him, and he was scrolling in one of his photo albums. The bar down the bottom showcasing a whole selection of photos Choso had sent over a little while ago. He'd put so much thought and care in all of his actions, painstakingly offering up as much money as he could to make Yuji's (and by extension Megumi's) wedding as perfect as it possibly could be.
"You've already talked it over with him. He doesn't want you to feel guilty about it, that would just make him feel bad."
Everyone had been so very excited at the prospect of a wedding. No matter who it was, from Gojo to Yuki to Shoko to even the trusted underlings guarding the main estate belonging to Gojo. They had all had such grand ideas for the wedding. None of them wanted to skimp on anything, the cost wouldn't matter as long as it would make for a memorable and incredibly night; they thought that was what's most important.
Unsurprisingly, it had been none other than Sukuna who stepped forward and shut it all down. Only then did people realized that their enthusiasm severely overshadowed Yuji's reluctance. He had tried to smile at all their suggestions and had received the full collection of suggestions Choso had screenshotted. Looked through them all with care and attention. Spending his time feeling utterly loved and completely cared for.
Sukuna could recognize though, that this sort of grand wedding wasn't what Yuji wanted. Even Megumi had managed to get swept up in it all but for Megumi, it was more the idea of not wanting to hold back his desperate need to give Yuji anything that could make him happy. In the massive whirlwind of it all, Yuji had finally admitted that he wanted something small, intimate and simple to Sukuna who in turn informed everyone else.
When Megumi took a step back, secretly, he let out a massive sigh of relief. Focused on Yuji, he hadn't really admitted to anyone other than himself that he didn't want a big or grand, expensive wedding. Pulled in so many directions by their well-meaning but enthusiastic friends and family. It took the two of them sitting down and talking it over just between the both of them to realize they shared the same thoughts.
Now Yuji was looking through all of those photos again and sighing. He wished he could make it a grand occasion so that all his friends and family could have a chance to enjoy themselves. Putting his phone away and rolling over until he was facing Megumi. Yuji hugged himself closer to Megumi, curling up tight and nuzzling into Megumi's stomach. Megumi's hand stayed suspended in the air until Yuji settled.
Then he brought it back down to pet at Yuji's hair again then brought it to rest on Yuji's shoulder. Aside from their quiet conversation, the rest of their home was silent. Outside, there was the sounds of trees rustling with the find blowing through their leaves and car horns honking. A lot of their days were now spent like this, with a sense of ease and calm that they'd never had much of while growing up.
"Come on, you know they're still having fun with everything. Gojo said they had to go to five different stores to compare the fairy lights only for Choso to go back with the first ones."
The messages had come across utterly but fondly exhausted when Megumi received them. Gojo had been brought to shop alongside Choso for a few of the more subtle but necessary decorations. He had been excited to be brought along only to realize Choso was scarily particular. By the halfway point, he was basically feeling his tears drop onto the keyboard as he messaged out a clear s.o.s to Megumi.
Everyone walking around outside had on thick coats to block out the cold winds, a swirl of snow burst around the streets. It was nearing the end of the cold season, but the weather seemed to be holding on until the very end. Megumi could feel it as Yuji was nodding his head along, listening to what Megumi is saying. So, Megumi just kept talking while Yuji silently listened along; carefully hidden away against Megumi.
"Shoko sent me photos while she was out doing the taste testing, if you want to see your brother."
This at least, finally perked Yuji up a little and he sat up just enough for Megumi to get his phone out. Holding out the phone for Yuji to inspect, scrolling through it carefully. On top of his pain, he's managed to fall easily ill in his weakened state and had currently lost his ability to taste well. It was therefore up to Shoko and Sukuna to go in their place. Sukuna knew Yuji's tastes well enough, and Shoko was very decisive.
Unlike Choso who was stressing over all the little details down to the very last, the pair who were taste testing the food were over and done with some speed. Yuji just seemed pleased to see the photos, some of them were downward angles of Shoko showing off a piece that she was eating. She was testing out a set of new acrylic nails to see what type she wanted to go with for the wedding, and they caught Yuji's eye.
Humming, Yuji nodded his head, pleased with their efforts before settling in, "Sorry, you could've been eating good food today too."
"We'll be eating as much as we want of it at the wedding so there's nothing to stress about. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else right now."
At some point Yuji managed to fall asleep, and Megumi was left to scroll through his phone by himself. Eyes half lidded as he paid only half of his attention to any of the videos he scrolled through. The wind as it blew outside continued to build up before it finally settled. Mid-day had passed quite easily, and Yuji had only squirmed a few times. Calming down and becoming restful in the next moment, lashes fluttering.
With how they'd both worked to warm Yuji up; his cheeks were flushed and rosy by the time Yuji was woken up. Eyes bleary and unfocused for a moment as he sat himself up. Rubbing at his eyes like a small child, Megumi was staring towards the front door as a key unlocked the door. In the next moment, the front door was pushed open to reveal an excited Gojo who appeared different to how his messages had come across.
Choso was trailing in after him, his gaze was searching as he sought out Yuji first. Gojo was coming in bearing drinks and a small selection of more healthy snacks. It was Choso's appearance that led to Yuji being handed over so Megumi could be sent to the kitchen to make sure Gojo doesn't burn anything down trying his best to prepare a light meal for everyone. The chill coming off Choso made Yuji pout.
Their days passed in much the same manner, finally allowed the freedom of safety and security. Sukuna would drop by whenever he had the time, and Megumi had sat aside as he watched the two of them as they talked. Brothers catching up as of it's been 5 months since they last saw each other and not three days. Seeing it always made Megumi smile though, it was nice to see them interact so warmly.
Tsumiki had tentatively come out of hospital but had gone back in for some regular check-ups. Megumi tended to make his leave whenever Sukuna was over to spend some time with Yuji. Though it was perfectly fine to spend time with each others families, they also appreciated the opportunitiy to have more one on one time with their loved ones. There was always another chance to spend time together.
"Look at that smile." Tsumiki's hands were folded on top of the book Shoko had brought over for her last time she's visited, "You look so happy."
An embarassed flush managed to spread across Megumi's face despite everything, "I am happy."
Voice soft and more than a little warm, it made Tsumiki tear up all over again just to see Megumi like this. A little worried that he would make his sister cry, Megumi all but rushed to find another topic to talk about. They spoke while the nurses came in to complete a couple of things around them before they left again. The room was an expensive and personal one, something Gojo had obviously had a hand in selecting.
"I know he said he's happily spend the money to have an in-house doctor to come over whenever I need. There's just something comforting about being in the hospital though."
Having spent so much time in hospitals, many people would get sick of them though it wasn't as if Tsumiki loved being here. She had just come to appreciate the gentle and attentive care offered. Both the safety and security she felt by being here, surrounded by people who knew what they were doing. Megumi made his peace with it even though hospitals made his stomach turn with worry, smiling as best as he could.
With a softer voice and a gentle touch of his hand on her wrist, Megumi said, "As long as you're healthy and well, that's all that matters to me."
"Of course!" Her smile was contagious, and her voice was firm with conviction, " I have to be in my best condition for your wedding. Ah, I can't wait! You'll look so precious, I'm tearing up just thinking about it."
"Don't cry-,"
Their peaceful days continued on much in the same manner. When Yuji was up and physically capable, he was donating all of his time and energy into helping children in need. Organizing ways to help young and older adults adjust and recover from their circumstances. Meeting people and doing his best to communicate with them, his desire to grow and learn helped Yuji adjust to the different needs of different people.
Megumi, of course, had a more relaxed position in his current occupation. Gojo was still unwilling to completely bring him into the group with full honours and ceremony, but Megumi had come to terms with that. He appreciated the flexibility Gojo offered him and him alone. Those expectations he placed on others became lax and non-existent when it came to him; allowing him to come and go as he pleased.
It also meant he was put in dangerous situations with a lower frequency, although it didn't mean he was never injured. While it was a little embarassing to admit, these moments did make Megumi a little happy. Being nursed and looked after by Yuji who would have a small pout on his face, his hands steady as he tended to Megumi. He could always get checked out elsewhere, but he always returned to Yuji to be looked at.
Knowing that despite any complaints or pouting that came from it, Yuji appreciated the opportunity to confirm that Megumi is okay with his own hands. Other than these situations though, their days were mostly calm as they continued on. The weather began to burn hotter outside. Now, as the months continued to fly by them, suddenly the wedding was before them. Time had flown by at such a disorientating speed.
Their wedding was happening somewhere a little isolated and out of the way. In these sorts of places, cabins had been set up as temporary accommodation for the people who'd travelled to visit. Their guests were hardly an extensive list of people but there were quite a few beds to fill. Aside from those people, two main cabins had been set up. One was for Megumi and all of his loved ones, while Yuji had the other cabin.
Neither of them were at all aiming to be particularly traditional but Yuji had seemed a little excited at the prospect of building up the suspense. Though he had looked like a sad puppy when they'd first hard to separate. The idea was exciting, but it had seemed like the reality wasn't as fun now that it'd come about. Still, Yuji sucked it up and endured it as he followed after his own.
"I love you." Had been the words Yuji left him with, sparing a handful of glances back before finally walking into the cabin.
Giving Yuji his softest smile, Megumi had said back, "I love you, too."
Having to spend an evening apart seemed like nothing, however, they were still being entertained by the others to keep their minds off of each other. A board game had been set up, and champagne had been opened at some point. There were confetti and streamers strewn about which some poor person would have to clean up. They hadn't had anything like a bachelors' party, so this was fulfilling the role of that event.
Megumi had been dragged in for a few games before he finally escaped, able to take a breather off to the side. Appearing at his side like magic, Gojo had been able to escape from Maki's machinations. She had been trying to swindle Gojo out of his money and he's only now escaped. There was a fond smile on his face as he looked out over everyone, but he settled into a far calmer expression before he looked at Megumi.
"How are you holding up?"
"You're asking if I still want to go through with this?"
Seeing Megumi's cautious defensiveness, Gojo couldn't help but soften a bit, "If you have doubts then sure but that's not what I meant. This is a big deal and you're still so young, you're only a baby really. I just want to know that you're feeling okay."
Gojo had been one of the most outwardly and openly enthusiastic people, all of the preparations were met with high energy. In this moment though, he looked oddly tired. Not that it had exhausted him but more so in the way that he suddenly looked his age, and he looked like he'd experienced as much harshness in life as he had. This was someone who's experienced so much and had wanted nothing but the best for others.
Though he didn't know how to ask it well, he wanted to make sure Megumi was doing okay in the face of these milestones. Moments that would shape his future going forward for better and for worse. He had looked out and provided for Megumi for so long. His concern was genuine, and Megumi could feel his care and love as he extended it to him. Not wanting to bring the mood down but still taking this moment.
"Yuji makes me happy. There's no one I'd rather spend my life with. We didn't have to get married; I spoke about it with Yuji in the past. Relationships come in all shapes and sizes, different for everyone. I never really considered I'd have this option but now that I do, I really want to see it through and not give up on this happiness."
"All different shapes and sizes, huh? You're very-,"
But he couldn't find the words, his gaze straying and catching sight of Geto as he spoke with Tsumiki. His eyes changed and softened considerably. It was a different look to the one be gave others, like Yuji or Megumi himself. Megumi had grown up watching their unique dynamic, he never felt pressured to fit into some sort of default relationship. Gojo made him believe that it was up to him to decide.
Though that's not to say Megumi doesn't recognize that these two have been chasing each other around for so many years by now. But it didn't lessen their feelings just because they didn't have a label or an expected dynamic. Megumi didn't know how to say anything more on the topic, so he just allowed himself a moment to stare at the two of them.
"Thank you, for taking care of me."
Having gotten a little lost in thought, his eyes widened as he registered Megumi's words. Looking back over at Megumi to see the expression he was wearing on his face. Gojo had held back from tearing up for so long, deciding that if he cried during the wedding nobody would notice. But with a suspiciously wet laugh, he suddenly had no way of containing his feelings; shining eyes catching Megumi's gaze.
"What are you thanking me for. I didn't do anything. You've got yourself to thank for all of this."
Shaking his head in exacerbation, "If I didn't have you, if we didn't have you, none of this would've happened. It's all thanks to you and your meddling."
Over at the side, Tsumiki seemed to catch sight of the emotional moment and made her way over. Bringing those two boys together in a hug. Geto hung back just a few steps, but he was dragged in by a stray hand, who it belonged to though, no one could see. After they spoke for a little while longer, Mai suggested bringing up the mood. Not wanting to just spend the entire evening crying, they all gathered themselves.
In the other cabin, the situation had more or less happened in reverse. Nobara had not even been able to suggest bringing out any alcohol before Yuji was bursting into tears. Shoko was rubbing his back as he laid against Sukuna's chest, sobbing out thank you's and gratitude. Sukuna had been busy leading up to the wedding, so all these feelings had bottled up inside Yuji, until they finally burst forth and bubbled over.
Sukuna hadn't cried but he had been a little rougher sounding when he spoke to Yuji to calm him down. It took a while, but he was settled eventually. Yuji felt embarrassed but he only had this opportunity because of all the efforts Sukuna had put in. He wanted to dedicate all his happiness to Sukuna as a thank you. It just never felt enough, and he always worried about seemingly like he wasn't thinking of Sukuna when he achieved milestones.
"This is your life now, you don't have to thank me over every little thing. You were the one who worked for this, be kinder to yourself."
"'Kuna-," Yuji's lip wobbled and his eyes watered as more tears threatened to overflow past his lashes.
Wiping at his tears with his thumb as he lowered himself to stare up at Yuji, Choso added, "It's a happy occasion, don't cry anymore. We want to see you happy; that's the best way to repay everyone."
Staring at Choso with his glossy, teary eyes and understanding on his face, Yuji did his best to settle himself. Nodding his head in understanding, heart heavy with emotion but accepting the comforting and grounding hug his brothers gave him. As it got later, some people had gone to bed but the celebrations for those who remained were to be enjoyable and lighthearted.
Ozawa had helped set things up in the cabin and Nobara was finally able to get things started. The mood was able to build up from there and laughted floated around the room. It was pleasantly warm, and the atmosphere was light and very enjoyable. The wedding tomorrow was something to look forward to, a happy occasion to celebrate. Shoko messaged Geto to check in on the situation over there.
There was no shortage of terrible and very traumatic life experiences between all the people around them. Living to see two young people getting married, even for the younger people like Nobara and friends, it was heartwarming to see. It felt hopeful to see people so in love that they wanted to spend their lives together. They had seen how their eyes shined when they saw each other, the soft expressions and the smiles.
When the wedding arrived the following day, with all the combined efforts of everyone they loved. There was so much to be seen despite how lowkey it was when compared to the original plans. Pretty fairy lights were hung about, and chairs had been set up. It wasn't a church wedding so a lot of the setting up came from their own efforts. All so that Yuji and Megumi could walk out to a completed and beautiful sight.
Truly, they had as much of a hand in their own destiny as those who cared for them. It was their own choices that ended up bringing them together and having them stick to each other. They grew and learnt together, and it had brought both Yuji and Megumi to this place in their life. Neither one of them could imagine what life would have been like if anything else had changed; this was just the ideal future.
Such a beautiful temperature blew around them and kept everyone in a good mood. Faces glowing with pleasure as the smiles on their face refused to disappear. All the gasps of surprise at their arrivals, outfits beautiful and tailored to them perfectly. It was undeniably an unforgettable day, that would change their lives. Hope blossomed and bloomed around them, making all the guests emotional and overjoyed.
Quite a few of the children Yuji had helped had come as well. The past and the future came together, sparking something full of wonder and hope. There was nothing they couldn't do if they tried, wishing for some brighter future. Hearts warm and love so apparent in the atmosphere. The mood at the wedding had such a beautiful quality to it. No one had ever been to an event nearly as lovely as this one, it was one of a kind.
Once more, Yuji leaned forward a little and whispered, "I love you."
"I love you, too."
Megumi's eyes were shining with such life. Yuji had given him a new outlook on life, and he had become the person he was with Yuji's help. Growing healthy and happy at his side, Yuji had been blessed to be around Megumi, and it showed clearly. Two people who couldn't be more in move with one another. There was so much that could be said, but it was just so easy to get lost in the feelings of it all.
"I do."
"I do."