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Tsumiki took on the role of a big sister when she was 5 and Megumi was still a toddler. When their parents left them, Tsumiki took care of her brother, fed him, bathed him, and walked him to school until he turned 6 years old. Megumi never expressed his gratitude in words but in actions which Tsumiki was quite young to understand how much they meant. Though she never once complained. Just continued taking care of her brother while trying to survive. It wasn't easy but life had never been easy on them since they were born. The siblings barely managed to scrape by with the meagre income that Toji Fushiguro had left hidden under the mattress and other places. No electricity or clean water, no heater or warm baths, no new clothes or shoes, and no healthy vegetables and fruits. That was their life until Saturo Gojo - an eccentric, white-haired man who spoke too much, laughed too loudly- entered their life unannounced on a random Thursday and took them in.
It has been approximately 10 months since their life took a 180° turn. From living in a cold, barely lit, 2 story house to living in a modest 3 BHK apartment with aesthetic lights, a separate kitchen, a spacious living room, and a clean bathroom filled with toiletries, medicines, first-aid kit and towels for guests. Tsumiki has broken down once, in front of Saturo, expressing her gratitude towards the young adult. Saturo had, ofcourse, politely told the girl that it was her right to live a comfortable life and if he has the ability and the resources to preserve their youth then ofcourse he'll do just that. Tsumiki has hugged him. Saturo hugged back, albeit hesitantly, feeling emotions he couldn't quite comprehend.
Megumi, however, barely acknowledged Saturo. It wasn't unknown that the boy rarely ever interacted with anyone that wasn't Tsumiki, even then his interactions with his sister were quite short. He wasn't much of a social butterfly, unlike his sister. But that wasn't a problem for Gojo. He can talk enough for two and not get bored. He has the ability to entertain himself. He tries to provide the siblings with everything the need and tries to make himself more present in their life so that they do no think that he's just like Toji Fushiguro- that bastard. But sometimes, even he, The SATURO GOJO, falls ill and needs care and affection from his loved ones. Though there aren't many people on that list, the no.1 having defected not too long ago (however to him, it's feels like forever), Gojo had expected anyone but Megumi to be the one who'll make it to his list.
It is when he falls sick, does Gojo realise that Megumi, his little sea urchin of a child, knows how to love and that he loves fiercely.
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Gojo was having a miserable day. Not that he didn't have miserable days everyday but today, especially, was more miserable than other days. It all started with an earth-shaking sneeze he let out first thing in the morning. The sneeze was so loud, it literally woke the kids up from their deep slumber. (No. He doesn't like to think about that). Anyways, Gojo didn't pay any heed to that monstrous sneeze and went on with his day which was full of grueling missions, meetings, paperwork - ugh paperwork, he loathes paperwork - and returning back home at (hopefully) 2 O' clock in the morning to get some much needed sleep even if it was for 3 hours before he had to wake up to get the kids ready for school.
Having a running nose, burning and red-rimmed eyes was NOT on his to-do list. But here he is now, wiping off his dripping sinuses with his sleeves (yes, he's gross like that, you are too). He has a terrible headache, and using his techniques and RCT together are not exactly relieving for his aching body.
He was in the middle of exorcising a particularly nasty grade two curse, which was proving to be quite difficult with an aching body and blurry vision but he had to go on and exorcise it as quickly as he can so that he can move on to his next missions. He also has a meeting with Yaga in the evening, something about the school curriculum and the upcoming first years. So, yes, his schedule was quite tight and it did not leave any gaps for rest or even a 10-minutes nap. After using three back to back blues, the curse was ripped apart - finally- and Saturo took a step back,chest heaving, vision going dark for a moment before he blinked his eyes and his vision cleared somewhat.
"Onto the next missions, I go", he thought out loud and sighed. He can never catch a break, can he?
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After exorcising five more grade one/two curses, he finally went to Jujutsu High school for his meeting with Yaga. The meeting was set to be at 8 pm but Yaga had some urgent paperwork to be done, so it postponed it to 10 pm. However, this delay does not mean rest for Gojo, instead he has to complete his mission reports. So, he gets started on them.
By now, he was sure he was running a fever and that too extremely high, any lower wouldn't have affected him to the point he could barely manage to stand. He just wanted to get over with this meeting and hit the sack back at the Fushiguro's apartment.
But when has the universe ever been by his side? It was 1 a.m. The meeting had stretched on for three long excruciating hours before he was released and finally free to go home, of course not without more paperwork being added to the already growing pile of unfinished ones.
Whatever.. I'll do it after I feel better.
He thought and went home with Ijichi driving the car as he was in no state to teleport.
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Megumi was used to being woken up by the annoyingly loud voice of Saturo early in the morning, at 8 a.m. to be precise. So, it came as a surprise when the seven-years old was woken up by the gentle whispers of his sister instead of that idiot who claims himself to be Megumi's and Tsumiki's guardian. Tsumiki saw the confusion on her brother's face and said,
"Saturo's sleeping on the couch. I think he's tired since he hasn't even taken off his shoes."
Her eyes showing genuine concern.
"No, he's just lazy." Megumi deadpanned.
"Hey! Don't talk about him like that. He's older than us." Tsumiki chided him for his disrespect towards the elder. Megumi simply rolled his eyes and started with his morning routine.
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When he came out of his room, fully dressed in uniform, ready for school, he saw Saturo still lying face -down on the couch. Tsumiki had already walked to the school because of her dancing class starting at 8.30 a.m.
–Huh! Something's wrong. That idiot doesn't sleep this late on a school day. – Megumi wondered.
As Megumi went closer to the sleeping male, he saw Saturo's sweat-slicked forehead and shallow breaths coming out of his mouth. He had a frown between his eyebrows and it seemed like he was in pain. The little boy touched his forehead gently to assess his guardian's temperature, something Saturo had done to both him and Tsumiki before, when they both were down with fever. He flinched and quickly retreated his hand, panic climbing his brain as he searched for Saturo's phone to call Ieiri Shoko.
(Megumi saw his password, one day, while his guardian wasn't paying attention)
He found it on the carpet along with Saturo's jacket. He quickly picked it up and dialed Shoko's number.
"Hello, Saturo? Why are you calling me this early in the morning?", came Shoko-san's groggy morning voice.
"Shoko-san it's me, Megumi. Saturo's sick and I think he has a very high fever. He's still sleeping even though it's a school day and he never does that.", answered Megumi, his tone laced with barely restrained panic.
"Okay, okay! Calm down, Megumi. I'm heading towards your house and I'll be there in 25 minutes max. Ok?" Shoko replied, now fully conscious and getting up from her bed, grabbing her medical supplies along with the car keys to head towards the kids' apartment
"Ok. Please come soon, Shoko-san", Megumi pleaded, worry laced in his tone.
Shoko reassured him that she'll be there ASAP and their conversation ended.
After cutting the call, Megumi quickly went to the bathroom, pulled out a towel from one of the drawers, drenched it with water and hurried back towards Saturo. He placed the dripping cloth on Saturo's forehead, imitating what his guardian had done when he was down with fever a few months ago. He hoped it'll help Saturo a little, although he forgot to squeeze out the excess water. But hey! It's the thought that counts.
Saturo flinched upon feeling sudden coolness on his forehead. He opened his eyes and sat up, the cloth falling down on his lap. He was disoriented for a moment before settling his eyes on the wide-eyed Megumi.
"Megs, why aren't you at the school yet? What time is it?", Gojo said groggily as he reached for his phone and checked the time.
8.55 am.
Megumi's school starts at 9.00 am. He has to hurry to be on time. He went to get up but quickly sat back down as a sudden wave of dizziness hit him along with concerning churning of his stomach. He breathed in and tried to calm down his rapid heartbeat.
"I am not going today because I don't wanna." , Megumi said with a blank face.
"Why? You're all dressed up. It'll be a waste of efforts.", Gojo asked while frowning.
– Who in their right minds would not go to school after getting all ready?– Gojo thought. (Me, i would do anything to skip school)
"I don't care. I just don't wanna, is that a problem?" Megumi asked, his tone challenging.
Now, Gojo isn't someone who liked school too much, so, he definitely doesn't mind if his kid, no, ward refuses to go to school. So he simply shook his head said,
"No, of course not. Who goes to school anyways?" Gojo tried to joke but Megumi just stared.
Just then the door opened and Shoko let herself in, shoving the key, which Gojo has given in case of emergencies, to the Fushiguro's house in her pocket. Gojo was confused. He hadn't call Shoko then why would she be here? At 9 in the morning? Usually by this time she's still sleeping or atleast attempting to wake up from her sleep. His confusion was cleared the moment Shoko came close, touched his forehead and frowned.
"You have a very high fever.", she stated.
"No, I don't."
Ofcourse, Saturo tried to fight her. But she was not in the mood for his bullshit.
"Shut up and go lay down in your bedroom. Don't even try to fight me on anything otherwise I'll not think twice before hitting and cursing you in front of a child. Now, Go!", Shoko ordered sternly. Her no-bullshit-tolerance mask on.
Gojo maybe an idiot but he's not that big of an idiot to fight Shoko when she's like that. He stood up reluctantly and went over to his bedroom. His aching body sighed in relief when he finally laid down on the soft mattress. The short walk from the couch to the room had proven to be quite a tedious task as he was dizzy and his vision was blurry. But he somehow made it to his destination before passing out.
Megumi had quietly followed him to his room and stood at the edge of the bed staring at Saturo. He was worried about his guardian. He hoped he wasn't going to leave him and Tsumiki alone like their parents. He didn't voice his concerns out loud but simply went to his room, grabbed his black wolf plushie, the one Saturo had bought for him so that Tsumiki can visualise how his Divine Dogs look, and his comfort blanket ( the one he cannot sleep without), and headed back to Saturo's room. Shoko was preparing some tea and broth in the kitchen to feed Saturo before giving any medicines.
Megumi gently draped his small dinosaur themed blanket over Saturo, hoping it would provide him some warmth as Saturo was lying over his own quilt. He placed the wolf plushie beside his head and patted it twice. As he did that he got an idea and quickly ran off to his room and locked it from inside.
Shoko, who heard the lock click, frowned but didn't give it much of a thought, figuring that the kid didn't want to be near a sick person in fear of catching germs. The tea was finally brewed and the broth was cooked so she proceeded to place them in a tray and headed to Saturo's room.
When she saw the green blanket draped over Saturo, she stilled in her tracks. She then saw the plushie and the corners of her lips tugged up in a small smile full of fondness. She knew it was Megumi's work as Tsumiki has gone to her dance classes she has at 8.30 a.m. every morning, leaving Megumi as the only possible culprit. She chuckled quietly and moved towards the bed and placed the tray down the bedside table before gently waking her friend up.
"Saturo, get up and have some broth and tea."
No reply. Just a groan.
"Saturo, if you don't get up this instant, I swear I'll hide all your sweet and sugary snacks you stock up at the school", saying this Shoko smirked. She knew it'll do the trick and she was proven right when Saturo was glaring at her with his hooded eyes the next moment.
"Do. Not. Touch. My. Babies.", Saturo said while glaring at his "friend" (more like enemy) or at least tried to as his voice was still sleep-lidded.
"Good boy. Finish this broth and tea because I know you haven't had anything since yesterday. Am I right, Saturo?", Shoko questioned with narrowed eyes.
He didn't meet her eyes and that was all the answers she needed. She knows that her friend is the strongest sorcerer in Japan and is needed everywhere but he's a human first. He deserves to get some well deserved rest whenever he wants to. If only those higher-ups didn't exist....
But that was a thought for another day. Right now, she needed to focus on her friend, the only one she has left now.
As Saturo went to sit up, the blanket crumbled at his lap and he stared down at it in bewilderment.
–What was Megumi's blanket doing here?????? He's gonna killl me. That's his favourite blanket but who brought it here??? Maybe Miki did by mistake. Hmm... That's possible.– reasoned Gojo.
He smiled fondly at the blanket remembering his sweet little girl. She's an angel and his angel specifically.
"Where are the kids?", he asked while taking the tray Shoko handed to him and placing it on his lap.
"Tsumiki's gone to her classes and Megumi's in his room, doing something super secret since he has locked the door and all." Shoko replied while pulling out a thermometer and some medicines from her medical kit.
– Tsumiki's not home then, it means.– Gojo glanced down at the blanket on his lap and his heart filled with overflowing emotions. For the first time since he took the kids in, Megumi had done something for Saturo to acknowledge him. He didn't know why but his eyes filled with tears and he brought the blanket to his chest and hugged it, after keeping the tray aside.
It may seem as a small, irrelevant gesture to others but to Saturo, it meant the world. Megumi, who didn't show his emotions as often as kids his age should, went as far as draping his favourite blanket over someone he barely acknowledges. After Suguru's deflection, Nanami's withdrawal from Jujutsu society following Haibara's death and Shoko's addiction to cigarettes, Saturo has felt insufficient. The people he has always considered as his friends, didn't feel comfortable enough to share their pains and feelings with him and resorted to other lesser options instead of coming to him. He would've listened. He's aware that he talks too much but when the time calls, he can patiently lend an ear as well but it seems like he has failed to show his friends that he can be a reliable friend and a good listener and that's why they have all left him alone at the end.
But this small gesture by his emotionally repressed child, made him feel seen, cared for and most importantly, loved. When his eyes landed on the black wolf plushie, it's like the dam broke free and tears flooded down his eyes. He hugged that plushie ,too, tightly to his chest and let out heavy sobs. The plushie and the blanket weren't enough, he wanted to hug Megumi now but held himself back as he didn't want his son to catch on his germs. So, he simply cried his heart out because being loved by Megumi was the greatest honour he could ever hope for. Because that meant he was becoming someone Megumi thought was worth his love and affection. Except Tsumiki, there wasn't anyone before who could get past the child's defenses he has built I er the years he has been alone, but Saturo has managed to do that just by being his usual self.
Shoko was initially suprised at the outburst but she understood her friend's emotions and went out to give her friend some privacy.
She smiled fondly at Megumi's closed bedroom door.
–So the kid does care, huh?– She thought. br /> .
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Megumi had once watched a movie where the child gave his sick mother a get well soon card which made her feel better and she recovered quickly. So he decided he would draw one for Saturo too as he didn't want his guardian to be sick. (It's not because he cared or anything. Huh! That's ridiculous. He just didn't wanna get infected from his germs. Yes that's it.)
He quickly tore a blank page from his art book, took out his crayons and pencil and started with his get-well-soon-idiot card.
He has locked his room so that nobody can see what he's doing. He plans on sneaking into Saturo's room when he's sleeping and place the card under his pillow so that Saturo cannot see it but hopes that the card will do it's work.
It took him nearly two hours to carefully complete his card, and by that time Shoko had gone back after informing him that she has given Saturo medicines and he's sleeping right now. He has drawn some figures (3 to be exact and they definitely weren't Tsumiki, him and Gojo), some candies, some glitters and a note that read -
Dear Universe,
I hope Saturo get well soon so he can go back to his annoying self. I don't want him to leave Tsumiki and me alone. She will be sad then . She deserves to be happy and Saturo makes her happy. So please heal him soon.
Please don't take him away from us. We love him very much. <3
Satisfied with his creation, he unlocked the door and went over to Saturo's room. He has expected the male of be asleep and was proven right (although he didn't know that Saturo was just resting his eyes after taking his medicines). He quietly approached his bed, lifted the edge of the pillow under Saturo's head and before he can place his card underneath it, a hand suddenly grabbed his wrist. Megumi froze, his eyes widened, his heartbeat rapid.
"Now now, what is my sea urchin sneaking under my pillow without my knowledge,hmm?", Saturo asked with a teasing glint in his eyes.
Megumi quickly pulled his hand back and hid the card behind his back, not wanting to continue with his plan seeing as Saturo was back to his usual annoying form.
"Nothing." Megumi answered.
"It doesn't seem like nothing. You're hiding something behind your back, aren't ya, little gremlin?", Saturo inquired, raising an eyebrow.
"I'm not. You're being stupid. Maybe the sickness has finally destroyed the last remaining brain cells you had.",Megumi snarled, rolling his eyes.
Gojo laughed. His heart full of fondness knowing his son was trying to hide something behind his back but was not being very subtle with it. He's a kid after all.
His kid.
Yes,his.
People can go argue for all he cares. See if he gives a fuck.
He learnt over the bed and picked the boy up by his armpits and settled him into his lap sideways so that the was facing Saturo while sitting in his left thigh. Megumi protested, that was a given, but with the tight clutch the elder had on him and the fact that he was so worried about the elder, Megumi gave up and laid his head on Saturo's chest, listening to his heartbeat and reassuring himself that's he's here. With him. He didn't leave.
"Did you drape this blanket over me and kept this plushie beside my pillow, Gumi?", Gojo asked softly, he fond eyes on the boy on his lap.
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because." I was worried about you left unsaid.
"Because what, Megs?"
"Because nothing." The boy frowned. Why was Satoru being so insistent over a blanket anyways?
Saturo sighed but didn't push, not wanting the boy to close himself off.
"Thankyou, Megumi", he said earnestly.
"Why?" The boy asked confused.
"For caring for me as well as calling Shoko to check up on me. You didn't have to do that. I would've been fine. It was just a little fever nothing some hours of sleep couldn't solve. But you did anyways, so, thankyou, Gumi bear.", his guardian confessed.
Although Megumi wanted to be mad at Saturo for calling him Gumi bear, he had more important matters to address first,like-
"You didn't even take your shoes off before sleeping, how would you have handled yourself, idiot?", the seven years old deadpanned.
Saturo was speechless and embarassed. That was a weakness in the moment and won't happen ever again, he'll make sure of that. For now, he cleared his throat and said,
"Anyways, what were you hiding under my bed, you sneaky child?", with narrowed eyes, he asked.
Megumi knew he couldn't hide it forever so he let out a big sigh and handed over the card to Saturo. The elder was shocked at receiving a card but took it nonetheless and carefully examined it.
He saw the drawings of candies and gummy bears he usually keeps in the fridge, some clouds filled with glitter and a tiny "From - Fushiguro Megumi" scribbled at the bottom right corner of the front page. He opened the folded-in-half card and came across a note written in childish handwriting, undoubtedly Megumi's. Tsumiki's handwriting was far better than Megumi because of the practice books she got in her classes which Megumi has yet to recieve in the upcoming years.
He read the note.
For a moment all he could focus on was that note. The last line kept repeating in his head.
We love him so much.
We love him so much.
We love him so much.
Saturo was feeling a myriad of emotions and couldn't hold back a sob. He looked down at Megumi - a blessing, HIS blessing - and hugged him to chest, pampering kisses all over his head. Megumi was frozen and shocked but didn't tell Saturo to stop because nobody has ever kissed him on the head before and it felt good to be pampered in them, even though it came from the most annoying guy he has ever met. He wouldn't want anyone else though.
As Saturo kept on crying and kissing the boy's head, he said," I love you too, megs. Very much. I love Tsumiki too. I love you two more than anyone and anything in this world and nothing can change that. You kiddos are my heart and soul and I'll die protecting you. I promise to never leave you. I love you so much. Thankyou, thankyou , thankyou so much for coming into my life, giving me a family, making breakfast for me, draping your favourite blanket over me, keeping your plushie beside me and for this card. I can't thank you two enough. I love you guys so much."
Megumi felt tears build up in his eyes and he too started crying, silent tears rolling down his chubby cheeks.
"Please don't leave us ever , Saturo. Don't leave me. Please."
"I won't,bub. Never. I promise you." Saturo reassured his son while wiping both of their faces. He pressed a kiss on his forehead and put his head back of his shoulder to help the boy calm down. After a while, both of them had managed to reign in their emotions and Saturo felt Megumi get heavier on his chest indicating that he's asleep .
Saturo smiled down at him and laid himself down on the mattress with Megumi by his side, his head on his chest. A peaceful expression gracing the boy's face.
Saturo, in that moment, knew that nothing could ever come close to the love he feels for his children and no one, absolutely no one can take them away from him, he'll make sure of that.
With that thought in mind he drifted off into a peaceful slumber.
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December 24, 2019
"You promised, Saturo."
A now 16-years old Megumi said, kneeling in front of his adoptive father's grave.
"I hope wherever you are, you are finally resting in peace. Thankyou for everything you've done for me. I love you and will always do. I hope you're in a better place now and looking after me from there. You'll forever be my father and Tsumiki,my sister and I promise that I'll do something good with my life like you two have always wanted. I love you guys."
"Babe, are you done?", came his boyfriend,Yuji Itadori's voice.
He smiled and looked one last time at the grave and said,
"I promise I'll be happy. I hope you are too. Goodbye, dad. Please be my father again in the next life."
He bowed once, turned back around and walked towards his present and future.