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Megumi stumbled into the first-year's dormitory, intent on one thing and one thing only—crashing hard. What should have been a simple mission had quickly turned into a complete mess, all thanks to that stupid curse and its ability to multiply like rabbits. The second Megumi thought he finally had it under control, more of those little shits popped up, giving him the constant runaround.
Six hours—that's how long he spent chasing that thing around the forest, using both Totality and Nue to scout out and exercise them. The entire ordeal was exhausting, and thanks to the constant use of cursed energy, Megumi had a splitting headache. Thankfully, Ijichi noticed his sour mood and kept quiet the entire ride back, giving Megumi time to rest his eyes. Unfortunately, Ijichi wasn't the only one who noticed.
"You look like shit," Nobara said from where she sat at the kitchen table, crossing her arms. "I thought that curse was supposed to be a grade-three. What happened?"
"Not in the mood," Megumi grumbled, sounding like he'd swallowed a handful of gravel. "Going to bed, don't bother me."
"Whatever you say."
"Wait!" Yuji, who'd been sitting across from Nobara, frowned as he jumped up and quickly fetched Megumi a glass of water. "At least drink something first."
Megumi had the mind to argue, but was far too tired to actually go through with it. He knew Yuji was only looking out for him, so Megumi silently took the offered glass and drank about half—enough to satisfy his throat and Yuji. Handing the glass back, Megumi muttered out a quiet thanks before shuffling down the hall to his dorm room. He glanced longingly at the bed before making a beeline for his desk. Knowing how some missions could be, Megumi kept a bottle of Eve in one of the drawers.
After downing a couple of pills, Megumi kicked off his shoes and tossed his jacket onto the back of his desk chair, barely paying it any mind as it slid right off and onto the floor. I'll hang it up later, Megumi thought as he crawled into bed. In the short time it took him to get into bed, the headache had grown into a full-blown migraine, the entire left side of his head throbbing intensely.
Burying his face in his pillow, Megumi tried to ignore the faint shuffling outside his door. If Yuji and Nobara knew what was best for them, they'd leave him the hell alone. Thankfully, they didn't attempt to barge in, and within a few minutes, Megumi was out like a light.
- - -
Cracking his eyes open, Megumi struggled to catch his bearings as his eyes roamed aimlessly around the room. Something had woken him up from a deep slumber, but there didn't appear to be anything amiss, at least, not anything Megumi could see. It was almost three in the morning—Yuji and Nobara should have been in bed hours ago, making either of them unlikely. The throbbing pain in his head was gone, replaced by an uncomfortable pressure. Megumi was ready to go back to sleep when he heard it.
An insistent scratching in his left ear.
Instinctively, Megumi slapped his ear, hissing in pain as he jolted up in bed. Surprisingly, the scratching had stopped…well, for a few seconds, anyway. It gradually started up again, hesitantly at first, before returning with vigor. Scowling, Megumi dragged himself out of bed. As quietly as he could, Megumi crept down the hallway to the bathroom. With nothing cradling his head, the pressure grew almost tenfold, causing discomfort in his left ear. Megumi tried everything he could to check if there was anything stuck in his ear—a bug or something—but came up empty-handed every time.
He knew he wasn't imagining the sound, yet…it didn't actually feel like anything was scratching at his inner ear. That would cause some pain…right? It made enough sense for Megumi to write it off as some annoying symptom of his migraine. Tsumiki had once complained that her ears were ringing during a particularly bad headache. Yeah, that had to be it. Which meant Megumi's only option was to go back to sleep and hope the migraine was gone by the time he woke up.
Stepping out of the bathroom, he didn't notice Yuji standing just outside the door until it was too late, Megumi running face-first into him. Megumi cursed under his breath as he stumbled back, his eyes struggling to adjust to the dark. He knew Yuji was standing in front of him, could make out his silhouette, but couldn't really see his face.
"Sorry!" Yuji quickly apologized, despite Megumi having been the one running into him. "Was just waiting for the bathroom!"
"All yours."
Megumi moved to step around Yuji, but was stopped by Yuji grabbing his wrist.
"Hey, uh, Fushiguro, are you okay? You look really pale—like a ghost." Despite being unable to see his expression, Megumi could hear how worried Yuji was and knew exactly what kind of face he'd be making. "Maybe you should go see Ieiri-san, and—"
"'m fine," Megumi muttered as he pulled his wrist free. "It's just a migraine."
"If you say so…"
Megumi felt Yuji's eyes trailing him the entire way back to his dorm room. As much as having a migraine sucked, Megumi knew it would be a waste of time bothering Ieiri about it. She could heal physical wounds, but things like illnesses and migraines were out of her scope. The best she'd be able to do was give him more pain meds and send him off to bed. Megumi didn't need to waste either of their time.
Popping a few more pills in his mouth, Megumi swallowed them dry, wincing as they struggled to go down. He set the bottle of painkillers down on the nightstand before curling back up underneath the covers. As he lay there trying to fall back asleep, Megumi heard Yuji's footsteps stop right outside his room. Things were quiet for a few minutes before his footsteps resumed, Megumi barely making out the muffled click of Yuji's door shutting.
Closing his eyes, Megumi frowned as the scratching in his ear continued, the pillow doing nothing to muffle the sound. There was now a faint tickle deep in his ear, the pressure expanding and causing Megumi's eyes to water. Desperate for some comfort, Megumi did something he hadn't done since he was a child. Clasping his hands together, Megumi summoned a few of his rabbit shikigami, just enough to act as a living, fluffy blanket.
The rabbit shikigami huddled as close as they could, their little bodies radiating warmth. Megumi reached out and pulled one flush against his chest, burying his face in its soft fur. To Megumi's pleasant surprise, the scratching stopped altogether, the pressure gradually lessening into something more manageable. The painkillers must have finally been helping. Letting out a soft sigh, Megumi snuggled deeper into his pile of rabbits, their twitching noses and quiet purring lulling him to sleep.
- - -
The next time Megumi opened his eyes, his shikigami were gone, leaving him all alone. The sun was shining brightly through his window, doing little to warm his shivering body. The pressure in his skull was gone, or rather, Megumi couldn't feel it anymore. The entire left side of his head was numb, aside from a faint tingly sensation in his left ear. It was…disorienting, but not half as bad as the pressure. Megumi just had to be careful as he dragged himself out of bed, the room tilting as he stumbled over to his door.
Shuffling slowly down the hall, Megumi eventually reached the kitchen where he froze, unsure of what exactly it was he planned on doing. His eyes roamed around the room until they fell on the sink. Water. That's right, Megumi's throat was dry to the point that swallowing felt like sandpaper. Megumi grabbed a glass off the counter, ignoring how it shook violently in his hand as he filled it with tap water. It made drinking difficult, but somehow he managed to down half the glass before calling it quits.
Megumi debated whether he should try eating something for half a second before promptly shutting down the idea. He vaguely recalled the last time he tried eating something while dealing with a migraine. It didn't end well, and Megumi really didn't fancy the idea of spending the next few hours stuck in the bathroom. Megumi was exhausted, and all he wanted to do was get back to bed. That's all he needed—just a little more rest, and he'd be fine…
A sudden, high-pitched ding startled Megumi half to death. It took him an embarrassingly long time to realize it was the sound of his phone getting an alert. Megumi had completely forgotten to take it out of his pocket before going to bed. Pulling his phone out, Megumi squinted at the screen. He'd gotten two new texts from Gojo.
Gojo | Guess who finished his mission early!
Gojo | Hint: your favorite sensei!
Blinking slowly, Megumi stared at the text for a few minutes. Gojo completing his missions early was nothing new. The higher-ups often overestimated how much time it would take Gojo to wipe out high-grade curses, inadvertently giving Gojo extra time to enjoy the sights and goodies that wherever he'd been sent had to offer. Why Gojo felt the need to bother him about that was a mystery, and before Megumi could formulate a response, another series of texts came in.
Gojo | I should be back around noon.
Gojo | Lunch?
Gojo | My treat!
Megumi | K
Gojo | Wow, a capital K! Really feeling the enthusiasm!
Gojo | Everything okay?
Megumi hesitated before replying, figuring it best not to worry Gojo for nothing. If he just got a few more hours of sleep, Megumi was sure he'd be right as rain by the time Gojo got back.
Megumi | Fine, just a little tired.
Megumi | See you at noon.
Gojo | Get some rest, kiddo.
Like Megumi planned on doing anything else. Even something as simple as texting proved mentally draining, with Megumi's brain essentially running on fumes. Pocketing his phone, Megumi shuffled his way back to his dorm room, where he promptly downed a few more pills before flopping onto the bed. He didn't even bother with the covers as his grip on his consciousness was already slipping away. Just a few more hours…then he and Gojo would go out for lunch, and everything would be fine…
- - -
Satoru | Train just arrived in Tokyo!
Satoru | Hope you're hungry. I'm starving!
Satoru | You up yet, kiddo?
Satoru | Megumi??
Gojo frowned as he pocketed his phone. He'd only just arrived back at Jujutsu Tech and still hadn't heard back from Megumi. He knew the kid had been assigned to a mission recently, but based on the initial reports Ijichi had sent him, that should have been quick and easy for someone with Megumi's skills. One of his last texts from Megumi mentioned being tired…surely he must have over-exhausted his cursed energy somehow. It wouldn't be the first time.
When he was still a kid learning to control his energy, Megumi used to exhaust himself with how often and how long he kept his divine dogs summoned. Eventually, Megumi got to the point where he could keep them out without any worry, but before that, well…good luck trying to convince a six-year-old that he couldn't have two free dogs whenever he wanted. Sometimes, Gojo questioned just how much influence his technique had on his love for animals, or whether it was truly all Megumi.
Questions for another time, Gojo thought as he made his way to the first-year's dormitory.
Thanks to his six eyes, Gojo was able to spot Megumi's cursed energy with ease. It was right where he'd expect it to be—Megumi's dorm room. So the kid was still sleeping. Gojo tried not to worry too much. Maybe Megumi hadn't slept well the night before and was trying to catch up on missed sleep. God knows how many times Gojo has pretty much passed out mid-paperwork. At least Megumi tried to get a full night's sleep when possible.
Reaching the dormitory, Gojo strolled on in, contemplating the best way to wake Megumi up, when he spotted something that made him freeze. Droplets of blood stained the floorboards, trailing through the kitchen and down the hallway toward the dorm rooms. Eyes following the trail straight to Megumi's door, Gojo tugged off his blindfold. He doesn't know how he missed it the first time, but hidden inside Megumi's energy was a darker splotch of cursed energy.
A cursed spirit.
Gojo made it to Megumi's room in a few quick strides, forgoing the pleasantries of knocking first and rushing inside. The strong, metallic smell of blood instantly assaulted his nose. At first glance, Megumi looked okay—albeit a little pale—like he was just taking a little cat nap, but knowing what he was looking for, it wasn't hard for Gojo to spot the blood staining Megumi's pillow. A lot of blood—some of it dried and flaking.
"Shit!"
Gojo rushed to Megumi's side, not hesitating for a second as he grabbed Megumi and rolled him onto his back. Fresh blood was steadily leaking out of the kid's left ear. Reality hit Gojo like a freight train. The curse was inside Megumi's ear canal, having latched on and burrowed its way inside. With Gojo's cursed energy now swirling around the air, the curse began to squirm.
Megumi's entire face scrunched up in pain as his eyes fluttered open about halfway. His usually bright green eyes were glazed over, and it took Megumi a frighteningly long time to even notice Gojo despite staring straight at him.
"Gojo-sensei, what—"
Grabbing both sides of Megumi's head, Gojo tilted the kid's head sideways to get a clear look at what he was dealing with. They were hard to see even with his six eyes, but they were there—little wispy tendrils that receded further into Megumi's ear canal the moment Gojo's fingers got anywhere near them. Shit, that wasn't good. There was no way for Gojo to exorcise the curse without seriously hurting Megumi.
He had to think fast. The curse was already nestled in pretty deep, having caused significant damage. There was only one way to evict the little fucker—only one person who could do it.
Without wasting any more time, Gojo scooped Megumi up bridal style and rushed out of the dormitory. That Megumi didn't even attempt to fight him spoke volumes about how serious a situation it was. Any other day, and Megumi would have killed Gojo if he didn't die of embarrassment first. In that moment, however, Megumi didn't make a peep as he leaned into Gojo, struggling to keep his eyes open.
Gojo made it to the infirmary in record time, immediately seeking out Shoko's cursed energy. With an armful of Megumi, Gojo unceremoniously kicked the door in, sending it swinging into a nearby desk. A whole bunch of shit was sent flying to the ground, but Gojo paid them no mind as he rushed Megumi to the nearest bed. In the short time it took them to get there, Megumi had lost consciousness. The curse's energy was fluctuating sporadically—likely panicking.
Shoko, who'd been going over some paperwork, jumped out of her seat the moment Gojo kicked open the door. She looked about ready to kill him before she spotted Megumi. The moment she did, it was like a switch had been hit.
"What happened?" she asked, rushing to Megumi's side. "I thought he got back from his mission yesterday?"
Yesterday? A shiver ran down Gojo's spine. This curse has been living inside Megumi's ear since yesterday?
"Satoru!"
Right, Gojo couldn't afford to get sidetracked and didn't beat around the bush as he explained, "A curse made itself at home in Megumi's ear. It's wedged itself in there pretty far—I can't even touch the little shit, let alone grab and pull it out."
"That's not good," Shoko muttered as she moved to a nearby cabinet. Gojo watched anxiously as she pulled out a pair of long, surgical tweezers and a scalpel. "We have to work quickly, before it catches on to what we're doing and goes past his eardrum."
"What about Reverse Cursed Technique? I thought—"
"That only works if I can physically touch the curse. You said it yourself; that isn't an option, so—" Shoko handed Gojo the tweezers. "—our only option is to go in and forcibly pull that bastard out. A quick cut behind the ear will grant us access to where it's hiding. Once I make the cut, you'll only have a few seconds to grab it. Miss, and we're fucked, got it?"
Gojo's only response was an affronted scoff. He wouldn't miss.
Following Shoko's lead, Gojo helped her roll Megumi onto his right side, thankful that Megumi was out cold. Megumi was a tough kid, and Gojo had no doubts that he'd have been able to handle what was about to happen. That, of course, didn't make it any easier for Gojo to see his kid in pain. If they had had time, Gojo would have preferred to knock him out completely—ensure he wouldn't wake up mid-operation—but time wasn't exactly on their side. Not when Gojo could see the curse's energy growing more erratic by the second.
Shoko gave him a look—it was now or never.
In one swift motion, Shoko cut into the back of Megumi's ear. Blood dripped down his neck as Shoko pushed his ear forward, forcibly opening the fresh wound as much as she could. Just as Shoko predicted, the curse was already attempting to tear through Megumi's eardrum, a single, beady eye darting toward Gojo as its tendrils writhed and wrapped all around itself. Gojo quickly clamped down on it with the tweezers, ignoring its pained shrieking as he ripped it out. It only got a second more of life before Gojo snuffed it out of existence.
As soon as the curse had been pulled free, Shoko got to work healing Megumi's wounds—the incision as well as whatever damage the curse had caused. Thankfully, the worst of it appeared to be only a few hours old, meaning it hadn't had time to start healing yet. Shoko made no promises, but from what she could see, Megumi's hearing should be fine—maybe some temporary issues, but nothing permanent.
With the curse gone and Shoko doing her job, all Gojo could do now was wait.
- - -
"He may not wake up for a few more hours. You should get some sleep."
Gojo tilted his head in Shoko's direction, his only indication that he was listening. Of course, he had no intention of leaving Megumi's bedside. He'd already sat there for—Gojo glanced up at the clock, sparing it only a second of his time—five hours. He could handle a few more if it meant being there when Megumi finally woke up. Shoko knew arguing with him about it would be a waste of time, and left the two of them alone after reassuring Gojo that Megumi was going to be alright.
Gojo knew that, but it didn't stop the subtle ache in his chest that refused to go away. The last time Gojo saw Megumi's eyes, they were glazed over, barely able to recognize him. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get that image out of his head. He needed to see Megumi awake, his eyes bright and focused, before he could properly settle down.
Mind made up, Gojo sank further into the plush chair he had dragged down from his office while Shoko had been busy moving Megumi into a cleaner room. He also brought a warmer blanket, which was tucked snuggly around Megumi's small frame. Megumi's face was still on the paler side, but getting better. Gojo had taken the time to carefully clean up all the blood, unable to stand the sight of it. Besides, Megumi deserved to wake up clean and safe.
"You're staring..."
Gojo's face broke out into a bright grin. "Get used to it. How are you feeling?"
Megumi turned his head in Gojo's direction. It was like a weight was lifted off Gojo's chest when he locked eyes with Megumi. Those bright green eyes shimmered underneath the fluorescent lights, staring straight into Gojo's. That time, his kid was looking right at him.
"Tired," Megumi grumbled. "I'm sick of being tired..."
Gojo couldn't help the laugh that bubbled out. "Tough luck, kid, but I'm afraid you're gonna have to put up with it a little longer. Your wounds might be healed, but your body still needs time to catch up."
Megumi hummed in response, his eyelids drooping despite his best efforts to stay awake. Gojo could rest easy knowing it was just Megumi's body trying to recoup. That Megumi seemed to understand everything Gojo was saying without trouble was also a good sign.
"No questions?"
"Don't care..."
They both knew that was a lie. A half lie, anyhow. Megumi would want to know what happened later, after he's gotten some proper rest. Gojo may spare him some details, like how they got the curse out. Gojo had his own questions, of course, but most of those could be passed on to Ijichi, who was currently on Gojo's shit list for having left out some pretty vital information the last time they talked. As for the rest, those could wait until later.
"Get some sleep, Megumi." Gojo reached out and ruffled Megumi's hair, smiling when Megumi leaned into it. "I'm not going anywhere."
