Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Sunlight bounces off of the field, illuminating the individual blades of grass as birds chirp into the afternoon sky, and Yuuji inhales the crisp air, his eyes closed as he relishes the warmth of the morning sun on his face.

Opening his eyes, he squints up at the bright blue sky, dotted with wisps of cotton candy like clouds, and rolls onto his shoulder, hoisting himself off the ground as he dusts off his pants. He sighs as he glances around the field one more time, his eyes lingering on the wildflowers and bursts of weeds dotting the landscape.

He closes his eyes again for a moment, taking in the quiet morning when he hears a distant engine revving, getting louder with every passing moment. Turning back, Yuuji looks over at the dirt road that winds down the valley towards the large, expansive estate towards the bottom, and sees a black car speeding down the road, dirt flying off the wheels, creating a cloud of dust behind them.

Yuuji stops and stares as the car flies down the road, taking turns too quickly and skidding around some patches of dirt, before it disappears down the hill.

“Fuckin’ city people.” Yuuji mutters to himself, shaking his head as he takes a last look out at the field before he turns to walk towards the house.

“Yuuji!” He hears a loud whisper from his left as he approaches the house, and sees Kugisaki crouching under a window, waving him over with her finger over her mouth, silencing him.

“What's going on? Did you see that boujee ass car that just tore down the road?” He whispers loudly and she rolls her eyes, punching him lightly.

“Do you not know what,” She aggressively puts her finger back up to her lips, “means? Shut up!”

Yuuji rolls his eyes as he tries to focus on the muffled voices from the room above.

“He’s coming back? Are you serious?”

“Yeah, and he’s bringing the whole lot with him. Fushiguros, Zenins, everyone.”

“How much is he worth nowadays anyway?” Nanami sighs loudly, and Yuuji can picture him rubbing his face in annoyance.

“Somewhere around 100 billion USD or so.” 

Yuuji chokes as Kugisaki elbows him in the ribs, shushing him again as she tilts her ear up towards the window.

“And we’re sure he is with them?”

“Yes, Kento, Gojo will be there, it’s his house!” Haibara laughs and Nanami groans loudly.

“How long has it been now? Ten years?”

“Something like that, yeah.”

“And he’s bringing Fushiguro? You’re sure?”

“Yeah, positive. Unless you know of any other moody, spiky haired kids he’s taken in.”

Nanami sighs loudly, calling out, “Yuuji? Nobara? You can come out now.”

“Dammit,” Kugisaki whispers before popping up with a big smile, leaning her arms on the windowsill as she beams at Nanami, “Hey, Dad!”

“Hi, Dad.” Yuuji says with a large, unconvincing smile as he slowly stands up behind Nobara.

“If you’re going to eavesdrop, stop whispering in the middle of it.” Nanami says sternly while Haibara hides his laugh behind his hand.

“I told you to be quiet,” Kugisaki elbows Yuuji in the stomach before smiling widely at them, “Sorry, guys.”

“Whatever. Just come inside and we’ll talk. And grab Inumaki from his room.”

After dragging Inumaki away from his computer, the three of them sat in their kitchen with cups of tea as Nanami rubs his forehead, pacing around the room as Haibara looks over at him, amused.

“You’re being dramatic, Kento, he’s not that bad.”

“Who the hell is this mystery Gojo guy? And why is it so bad that he’s coming to town?” Yuuji asks, looking back and forth between his dads.

“Because he’s the bane of my existence.” Nanami replies simply as Haibara rolls his eyes, leaning on his elbows on the counter.

“We went to high school with him. He’s now some high powered executive with more connections than God and even more money.”

“Well, damn, why didn’t you marry him?” Kugisaki snorts and Haibara opens his mouth to speak before Nanami interrupts him.

“Because he’s annoying.” Nanami grumbles, picking his head up and glaring at Haibara.

“He’s got a very large personality, let’s leave it at that.”

“And who are these other people coming with him?”

“Zenin’s. One of the most powerful old money families in Japan, they own real estate in over 70 countries, including most of Europe. They’ve got two girls coming with them, twins. Mai and Maki.”

“What about the other ones? F-something?” Yuuji pipes up, and Nanami glances at Haibara for a moment before looking back at them.

“Fushiguros. Adopted children of Gojo’s.” Nanami says simply, bringing his tea up to his lips to take a long sip as Yuuji stares at him.

“…That’s it? No other information to offer?”

“Well, it’s not like you’ll be friends, will you?” 

“Nanami, come on.” Haibara says, his voice firmer than it had been, and Nanami sighs and relents.

“Two kids. Megumi and Tsumiki. They had a…rough upbringing from what I know, and Gojo took them in when Megumi was about 6 and Tsumiki was around 8 or 9.”

“Oh, man.” Yuuji sighs, looking down at his tea and Inumaki agrees, sadly nodding his head next to him.

“Well, it’s not like you’ll be seeing them a lot, so no need to worry.” Nanami says quickly, taking another long sip of tea as Haibara sighs and comes to stand next to him, putting his hand on his shoulder.

“Kento, think about how good it would be for the kids to get to know them,” Haibara pushes back, “You know how much one connection from them could change their lives, our lives. Don’t let how much Gojo annoys you take that from them.”

Nanami stays quiet as Kugisaki, Yuuji and Inumaki dart their eyes between them.

“Plus, when was the last time kids their age were in town?” Haibara adds, glancing at the kids and winking, and Yuuji fights to hide his smile.

“Those Americans. They had those two sons, John and Teddy or something.” Nanami replies simply, sipping his tea.

“Yeah, and they ended up telling us their homeschool teacher, also known as their crazy mom, told them the Earth was flat and we all evolved from lizard people,” Kugisaki rolls her eyes as Yuuji snorts next to them, “I think even Yuuji lost brain cells talking to them.”

“Hey!”

“Come on, Dad. We never get to meet new people that haven’t lived here for generations or aren’t borderline cult-like.” Kugisaki argues, and Nanami sighs before looking over at Haibara, who smiles and nods at him.

“Fine. But only if you’re invited,” Nanami says with a tired sigh, “If I get a phone call about one of you three sneaking into that damn house, I swear to god.”

Yuuji grins at him, his heart a little lighter at the prospect of meeting people outside of his family. He loved Inumaki and Kugisaki to death, and although they had no blood relation, they argued and annoyed and loved each other just as much, but Yuuji was desperate to break out of their mundane routine of just the three of them.

“Think they’ll come to that party tomorrow night?”

“Definitely.” Haibara snorts, and Nanami glares at him.

“Why definitely? Isn’t it just at Yuki and Choso’s?”

“Mhmm.” Haibara hums knowingly into his mug as Nanami shakes his head and mutters, “Enough.”

“Why are you guys being so mysterious?” Kugisaki demands, putting her mug down and crossing her arms.

“Drama just tends to follow Gojo, that’s all. We just want you all to be careful.” Haibara says, glancing at Nanami.

“And don’t turn out like him.” Nanami adds, and Kugisaki rolls her eyes.

“What, rich?”

“No, obnoxious.”

“So Yuuji’s halfway there!” Kugisaki exclaims, and Yuuji opens his mouth to argue before she throws her arm around his shoulder and messes up his hair, “Kidding.”

“You’re so mean to me. You’re never this mean to Inumaki.” Yuuji pouts, and Kugisaki rolls her eyes, messing with his hair again.

“‘Cause he’s cool.” Kugisaki shrugs and Inumaki looks up from his phone and shrugs.

“I’m cooler than you!” He protests and Kugisaki rolls her eyes again and opens her mouth to argue back when Nanami holds up his hand.

“Enough, you two. Look, you guys can go over there. Haibara’s right, it would be beneficial for you guys to have connections outside of town. Not for financial reasons, but you do deserve to meet new people and have a little fun this summer. Even if it’s with…” Nanami inhales and exhales deeply, “Gojo.”

“Thank you, Dad!” Yuuji jumps out and throws his arms around Nanami, who sighs loudly but hugs him back regardless, patting his back once before pulling back and holding his shoulders.

“No funny business over there. I mean it.”

“Funny business? Me?” Yuuji gasps in fake offense, dramatically throwing his hand to his chest, “I would never.”

“There’s a reason I left the city to move out here,” Nanami says seriously, ignoring his theatrics, “And it’s because I didn’t want to be around people like that.”

“People like that?”

“People who value names and money and reputation above all else,” Nanami replies, “That’s not how we raised you.”

“We know, Dad, we’re not going to turn into some snobby elitists from going over a few times,” Yuuji says, “Well, maybe Kugisaki.”

“Hey!”

“I know, just…” Nanami sighs, rubbing his face, “Be careful.” 

Leaning against a column next to Kugisaki, Yuuji watches the string lights twinkle along the wooden walls, highlighting the colorful intricacies of the rich, brown wood. His eyes keep drifting to the door, unsure what he’s even waiting for.

“Yuuji? What do you think?”

“Huh?” He snaps his head back towards them as Kugisaki rolls her eyes.

“Ugh, pay attention,” Kugisaki groans, slapping his arm, “I just asked if you think Inumaki should apply for that game design course we were talking about.”

“Oh, hell yeah!” Yuuji replies, looking at Inumaki, “You’ve been doing that shit since we were little.”

It’s expensive, and I’d have to move to Tokyo, Inumaki signs with a sigh, Plus, Dad’s hopeless with all the computer and website stuff at the barn. 

“So not your job,” Kugisaki rolls her eyes, shaking her head, “Besides, Yuuji will be here.”

Yuuji doesn’t respond, just nods as he takes a sip of his drink and looks out at the party. It wasn’t a huge affair, maybe about a fifty people all squished together in Choso and Yuki’s house, but with floral arrangements from the local gardens, dainty string lights lining the ceilings and music from a neighboring town’s local band, the whole thing turned out much nicer than Yuuji had expected.

Suddenly, a hush falls over the crowd and the room goes quiet. Yuuji strains to see what everyone was looking at, when three, pale, dark haired people enter the room at the far end.

Yuuji leans over to whisper to Kugisaki, “Who are they? Is that—”

“Those are the people Nanami and Haibara were talking about. The girl with the glasses in the front, that’s Zenin Maki. Their family’s, like a massive deal but super traditional, I read about them online after Nanami told us about them,” Kugisaki whispers, nodding her head, “And there’s her twin sister behind her, Mai.”

“And the one with the permanent scowl?” Yuuji asks, craning his neck to catch another glimpse at the dark haired boy at the edge of the room.

“Oh, that’s her cousin or something, Fushiguro Megumi, I think. He’s one of the adopted kid of Gojo Satoru, but his sister doesn’t really make public appearances, so it’s just him. After he takes over the Zenin’s, he’ll own, like, half of Japan and probably more.”

“What, the miserable half?” Yuuji smirks as he grins over at Kugisaki as the three of them make their way through the hushed, parted crowd.

“Dudes worth more than you can even imagine.” Kugisaki replies in a whisper, nudging him but Yuuji’s eyes stick to Megumi.

He was ridiculously good looking, Yuuji couldn’t deny that, he did have eyes. He was tall, slender but still built, and he held himself with subtle confidence, but his pretty face was painted with a bored expression, his eyes practically blank as he glanced around the room, unimpressed.

“Whatever, couldn’t catch me with a snob like him.” Yuuji shakes his head as the three of them walk by. Megumi turns his head slightly as their gazes meet for a moment, his dark green eyes widening before quickly returning to the front of the room.

Yuuji’s eyes follow him as he walks across the floor before looking down and laughing to himself for a moment and he grabs Kugisaki’s arm, “Come on, let’s go find Inumaki. He’s probably hoarding food.”

After dragging Inumaki away from the food table, Yuuji and Kugisaki were leaning against a wall, talking to Nanami and Inumaki when Haibara comes practically skipping up to them.

“Kento, come on, we have to introduce the kids!”

“We can wait until the next one of these things.” Nanami replies simply, avoiding Haibara’s pleading smile as he tugs on his sleeve.

“Come on, we haven’t seen Gojo in years, maybe he’s changed!” Nanami looks at him with a blank stare as Haibara rolls his eyes, “Okay, probably not, but come on. It would be so good for the kids to meet him.”

Nanami sighs, shaking his head lightly, “No.”

“What’s so bad about this guy?” Yuuji asks, tilting his head at Nanami, who looks back with another sigh, “Is he like a criminal or something?”

“He is annoying.” Nanami responds simply, before a loud voice comes ringing out through the room.

“Nanamiiiii! Is that you?!” Nanami groans as an arm is thrown around his shoulders and Yuuji looks to see a tall, handsome, white-haired man around Nanami’s age with black sunglasses, grinning beside him.

“Gojo.”

“Is that how you greet an old friend? I’m hurt, Nanami.” Gojo pouts as Nanami shoves his arm off his shoulder and straightens his suit.

“Gojo!”

“Haibara!”

The two men hug each other tightly and laugh as Nanami rolls his eyes and Yuuji, Kugisaki and Inumaki hold back their laughs.

“Gangs all back together, huh?” Gojo says with a grin, his arm now around Haibara and Nanami’s shoulders, “Shoko’s coming up next week, so you guys have got to come by the estate sometime soon.”

“I think I’ll be busy.” Nanami responds quickly, taking a long sip of his drink.

“I didn’t even tell you what day!”

“Busy.”

“Aw, come on!”

“We’d love to come, thank you, sir.” Yuuji chimes in and Gojo finally looks at the three of them, eyeing them up and down with a smile playing on his lips.

“And who are these three? You didn’t tell me you had kids.”

“I’m Itadori Yuuji, sir, it’s nice to meet you.” Yuuji sticks out his hand but Gojo just stares at him for half a second before he shakes his head and brings him in for a hug.

“Ugh! Enough of this ‘sir’ nonsense, kid, just call me Gojo.” He laughs as he pulls back, “And you two?”

Kugisaki and Inumaki introduce themselves and Gojo, Haibara and Nanami start chatting before Gojo freezes, whipping his head around the room. 

“Wait! Where are my kids!” He gasps dramatically, before cupping his hands over his mouth towards the corner of the room, “Maki! Mai! Megumi! Meeegumi! Meeeguuumiii!”

“What do you want, idiot?” A low voice appears next to Yuuji and he jolts as he turns to see the dark haired, grumpy looking boy from before. He doesn’t look over at Yuuji, just glaring at Gojo, who’s smiling widely at him.

“Come meet some people, Megs. Where’s Maki and Mai?” 

“We’re right here, damn.” Two girls come up beside them, one with glasses and one with a bored look on her face, “I’m Mai. This is Maki.” The bored looking one juts her thumb towards the girl next to her, presumably Maki, who just nods at them before they introduce themselves and Inumaki.

“Nice to meet you both! Love your dress.” Kugisaki says quickly, her eyes darting between the two of them, but Yuuji sees her gaze stick to Maki, practically having to tear her eyes away.

“Thanks. It’s an old one,” Mai replies airily, glancing around the room as she wrinkles her nose, “Figured it’d fit the occasion.”

“You’re so right, I thought I saw that one on the rack a few seasons ago.” Kugisaki replies with a smile, tilting her head innocently as Mai scowls at her, but Yuuji sees Maki snort a little into her glass as she takes a sip.

“So!” Gojo interrupts, clapping an annoyed looking Nanami on his shoulder, “What are you guys doing in this tiny little town, huh?”

“We live here, Gojo.” Nanami replies dryly, rolling his eyes.

“Oh, that makes sense, you guys always screamed ‘quaint cottage’ to me,” Gojo sighs, grinning at them as Nanami rolls his eyes again.

“Took this one less convincing to leave the city than I thought, but we love it here.” Haibara responds happily, snaking his hand up Nanami’s back and squeezes his shoulder, and Yuuji notices Nanami relax his grip on his drink slightly.

“Let’s go get a refill, let the kids mingle and such.” Gojo says with a grin, throwing his arms around Nanami and Haibara’s, “Anyone else we know from high school here? No? No? Ah, dammit.”

“So is this, like, your house?” Mai asks, looking around at the crowded room.

“It’s my brother Choso’s actually. He lives here with his fiancé, Yuki.” Yuuji responds, happy to finally have a good contribution to their conversation.

“So you live here… all the time?” Mai asks Kugisaki, who is desperately trying to keep her face neutral as her grip on her drink tightens, and Yuuji forces himself to keep his mouth shut.

“Yeah, we love it,” Kugisaki says simply, smiling through gritted teeth, “Good people. Usually.”

“Hm.” Mai turns away as she looks around the room

“I like it. It’s quiet as fuck out here.” Maki says and Kugisaki smiles as she nods.

“It’s nothing like Tokyo, I’m sure, but it’s nice.” Kugisaki replies, brightening a little bit.

“Tokyo gets old sometimes.”

“Really? How so?”

“Too many men."

Kugisaki snorts, “I feel that. I live with four of them.”

“That is so, so unfortunate. You’ve gotta come by ours to escape.” Maki laughs lightly as she takes a sip of her drink, and Kugisaki visibly sighs before refocusing herself, making Yuuji snort into his cup.

“So how do you guys like living down the valley?” Yuuji tries, feeling extremely out of place.

“Didn’t she just ask us that?” Mai asks snarkily, looking over at him.

“Yeah, he meant the house,” Kugisaki replies, finally glancing over at Mai, and Yuuji thanks her silently, “That’s what we call the estate down there. ‘Cause it’s in the valley.”

“Enlightening.” 

“I like it,” Maki ignores her and turns to Kugisaki, “Good ass library. They’ve got swords and shit.”

“Oh, that’s so cool, wish I was a better reader,” Kugisaki replies casually, before quickly continuing, “I mean, I can read, obviously, I just don’t do it as much as I probably should but—”

“Nah, I get it. I’d rather be outside than read anyway.” Maki interrupts, and Megumi gives her a sideways glance before sighing and taking a sip of his drink.

Yuuji turns to Inumaki to convince him to slink out of this conversation, only to find his previously occupied space empty, and out of the corner of his eye, Yuuji sees him slip behind a column and pull out his phone.

“Traitor.” Yuuji mutters and he breathes in and looks back up at the four of them. Yuuji desperately wanted to leave, but without Inumaki, he was now stuck next to a silent Megumi as Kugisaki tried to talk to Maki while navigating Mai’s backhanded compliments.

“So, Fushiguro, right?” Yuuji tries again cheerfully, glancing over at him as Megumi keeps his bored eyes ahead, “You a dancer at these things?”

“Not unless I’m forced.” Megumi replies dryly, not looking over at him.

“…Right.” Yuuji replies awkwardly, bringing his cup up to take a long sip to distract from his flushed cheeks. He glances over at Megumi’s bored looking expression again before he just rolls his eyes and walks away towards Inumaki, muttering, “Whatever.”

As he walks away, he glances over his shoulder to find Megumi looking at him and he quickly turns forward again.

“Man, that guy is a douche,” Yuuji says, flopping against the column Inumaki is hiding behind next to him, “God forbid a man tries to make conversation at a party!”

He grew up a billionaire, Inumaki signs, shaking his head, What did you expect?

“I don’t know, Gojo seems nice enough.” Yuuji shrugs, picking at the edge of his cup.

This is our home forever, and this is their summer home once a decade . Inumaki signs as he sighs, looking over at the three of them and Kugisaki, They probably think we believe the Earth’s flat.

“I don’t know, Kugisaki and Maki seem to get on pretty well, though. Girls are weird.”

Inumaki nods as Kugisaki catches their eye and waves them back over, her eyes slightly threatening as she nods her head.

I’m staying here. Inumaki signs quickly, glancing over at the large crowd of people surrounding Kugisaki and the rest of them.

“You so owe me.” Yuuji shakes his head as Inumaki smiles innocently at him before slinking back behind the column. 

Yuuji inhales deeply before heading back over to Kugisaki as she glares at him again, the message ‘Get over here now’ clear in her eyes.

“Hey guys, sorry just checking in on Inumaki.” Yuuji says with a smile as he walks up, and Kugisaki exhales a little in relief.

“Who’s that?” Mai asks, glancing over at Inumaki, who has slipped behind his column again.

“Our older brother. These kinds of events aren’t really his thing.” Yuuji shrugs, glancing over his shoulder.

“Oh, was that the weird kid who wouldn’t speak?” Mai asks innocently, a fake smile splayed across her face.

“Watch it.” Yuuji bites out a little more aggressively than he means to, and Mai looks him up and down, before rolling her eyes and downing her drink, but Megumi looks at him curiously.

“Whatever. I’m getting another one. Maki?” She looks expectantly over at Maki, who turns to her and shakes her head, glancing at Kugisaki.

“I’m good here.” She says simply, and Mai scowls further as she glares at Kugisaki, who smiles sweetly back.

“Megumi?” Mai offers, looking over at Megumi and Yuuji, and Megumi sighs loudly, sounding bored.

“Later.” Megumi grumbles at them as he follows her through the hall, and she shoots another glare over her shoulder as she puts her hand on Megumi’s shoulder, pulling him down to whisper something in his ear, and he shoves her hand off.

“Well, then,” Yuuji clears his throat, turning to Maki and Kugisaki with a smile, “Shots anyone?”

Yuuji was now happily tipsy, chatting with Maki and Kugisaki against a column. He felt a little out of place with how well Maki and Kugisaki were hitting it off, desperately trying to find Inumaki to hide away with.

He sighs as he tunes out their conversation, looking out towards the crowded room when suddenly, he feels a presence at his shoulder. He turns to come face to face with dark green eyes and he startles back a little before clearing his throat, pathetically attempting to seem nonchalant.

“Oh, hey.” 

“Hello.” Megumi replies, shifting on his feet as he silently taps his finger against his glass.

“Whiskey?” Yuuji asks, pointing to his drink with his pinky, and Megumi just nods, “Good choice.”

“I guess.” 

“How are you liking the party?” 

“Fine. Good drinks.”

“Whiskey’s probably homemade from Choso,” Yuuji replies quickly, eager to latch onto a topic of conversation he could actually contribute to, “He’s got a whole distillery out back that’s belonged to our family for a while.” 

“He makes it here?” Megumi looks down at his drink, then back up at the room, wrinkling his nose slightly and Yuuji feels a flare of annoyance in his chest.

“Yeah, didn’t hear you complaining before.” 

“That’s…interesting.”

“What a polite response.” Yuuji scoffs, shaking his head slightly, and Megumi looks over, turning towards him finally.

“Would you rather me tell you that it’s country as hell?” Megumi fights back, the airy, composed tone of his voice dropping.

“Better than a pre-programmed response. And by the way, we all know you mean ‘hick’ when you say ‘country.’ You’re not subtle.” Yuuji fires back, and Megumi looks over at him, expression faltering for a moment before he nods once, looking back out at the room.

“Fair enough.”

Yuuji stays silent, irritation still sitting in his chest, before he just can’t help himself, “You know he makes fancy shit too? All aged in old bourbon and wine barrels and stuff. All you rich folk drink it up like water.”

“Good for him.” Megumi replies simply, putting his half full cup down on the table next to them, before crossing his arms, and Yuuji clenches his fists as he breathes in deeply.

“Good talking to you, man.” Yuuji forces out, stepping away from Megumi as he nods shortly.

“Likewise.” 

Yuuji speed walks away from him, counting his breaths as he tries to calm down from Megumi’s backhanded words, when he sees a familiar head of long dark hair across the room by a table of alcohol and exhales a bit more relaxed as he makes his way over.

“Hey, man. Whiskey’s unbelievable tonight. You killed this batch.” Yuuji says loudly and confidently, clapping Choso on the back hard, startling him, as he glares at Megumi across the room, who looks at him and rolls his eyes.

“Yuuji!” Choso breaks into a smile and gives him a big hug, and Yuuji feels his stress and irritation melt away as he hugs him back, giving a small wave to Yuki behind him.

“Hey, bro. Great party.” Yuuji says as they pull away, but Choso keeps his arm around his shoulders as they glance around.

“Remind me to never let her talk me into this again. I’m so stressed out.” Choso responds, exhaling deeply as he shakes his head.

“Baby, relax. You’re fine, you did good.” Yuki laughs as she throws her other arm around Yuuji’s shoulders, sandwiching him between them.

“I still don’t know what an h'orderve is.” Choso says with an honest, pained sigh, and Yuuji and Yuki look at each other before they snort in laughter.

“I think you’re fine, Cho.” Yuuji laughs, shaking his head as he keeps pouting.

“You meet Gojo yet?” Yuki asks, looking out at the room.

“Yeah, he seems nice!” Yuuji replies, peering around to catch a glimpse of white hair across the room messing with spiky black hair by the fireplace,  “Seems a little childish though, doesn't he? How old is he again?”

“Old enough to not act like that,” Yuki rolls her eyes, taking her arm off Yuuji’s shoulders, “He’s fun though.”

“Fun’s a word for it,” Choso snorts, squeezing his arm around Yuuji’s shoulder before letting him go, “You crashing here tonight?”

“Nah, I’m going to go home, going in early to the barn tomorrow.”

“Alright, just let me know if you change your mind, okay?” Choso says, taking a step backwards towards Yuki, “Love you.”

“Love you too, Cho.” Yuuji fights the urge to roll his eyes as Choso beams at him and holds his drink up for a cheers before he turns towards Yuki.

Choso was Yuuji’s half brother, who’d reached out and reconnected with him a few years ago. After a shaky first meeting that ended with Choso in tears and throwing his health insurance card at Yuuji, they’d gotten really close, eventually leading to him and Yuki moving just a few towns over. They started with dinner once a month, which turned into once a week, and quickly turned into Choso being a huge part of his life. Including not leaving any conversation without telling Yuuji he loved him.

Yuki did… something business related that Yuuji didn’t completely understand while Choso had his whiskey company, but the two of them were practically perfect, and Yuuji loved watching them together, seeing them compliment each other in little, seemingly insignificant but meaningful ways.

Yin and yang, perfect compatibility.

He sighs, turning around and grabbing a bottle of whiskey off the table, filling his cup a bit too much as he glances around the room for his family. 

Seeing no one, he exhales in relief and takes a long sip as he heads towards the patio doors, slipping out the door to the backyard. He turns around and jumps as he sees a glimpse of whitish gray hair on a bench to his right.

“Gah! Jesus, Inumaki,” Yuuji huffs out as he moves to slide next to him, wiping off some of his spilled drink off his pants, “Scared the shit out of me.”

Whoops. Inumaki signs, reaching over and handing him a platter of mini hot dogs he stole from inside.

“I’m good, thanks though.” Yuuji snorts, shaking his head.

He exhales deeply again, leaning his head against the outside of the house. After taking a few moments, he looks over at Inumaki playing on his phone, and tilts his head, “What are you doing out here?”

That Mai girl was rude as hell and kept thinking I was deaf, He signs, smiling a little, Her pissing match with Kugisaki got old fast.

“Yeah, I get that.” Yuuji laughs out, “Had to take a break myself.”

Plus, I’ve been eavesdropping, Inumaki nods up to the window above them, cracked open a few inches and the noise from the party spills out around the patio.

Yuuji laughs, shaking his head again as he leans back against the wall, slumping as he takes a long sip of his drink. His eyes are fixed on the landscape in front of him, the darkened grass ahead of him almost irritating him for some reason. His head reeling, he tries to focus on the voices from above, meaningless conversation filling his ears, when suddenly, a familiar one makes him pick his head up.

“Kugisaki’s cool, but what about her brother? I saw you guys talking a bit, think you’d be friends?”

Yuuji tilts his head up as he hears Maki’s voice, his eyes trained ahead of him, angling his ear towards them and listens intently. 

“Tolerable, I guess, but nothing special.” Megumi’s voice is stubbornly neutral, emotion practically absent from his words.

Yuuji’s chest twinges for just a moment before he looks down and scoffs, “Nothing special?”

Inumaki looks at him, and reaches over to shake his shoulder, quickly signing, Don’t sweat it. If he liked you, then you’d actually have to talk to him.

“Yeah, you’re right,” Yuuji laughs, shaking his head, “Don’t want even the miserable half of Tokyo for that dick.”

Inumaki nods at him, glancing up at the window before shaking his head, and he grabs the empty platter of hot dogs, putting it on his lap before he signs, Let’s go steal some more.

“Look, the dating pool here is rough, okay?” Kugisaki whines as Maki laughs at her most recent story of one of the older townspeople proposing a ‘marriage of convenience.’ 

“Unfortunately, most men think poetry is the most beautiful thing a man can do, yet cannot pick good poetry to save their life.” Mai says wrinkling her nose, and Kugisaki tilts her head.

”Tokyo men aren’t good enough either?” She asks, and Mai nods.

”You’ve got no idea. It’s even worse when they write it themselves.” Maki sighs, and Mai shudders, shaking her head.

“I don’t know who decided that poetry is the most romantic gesture in the world, remember that awful poem you got?” Yuuji laughs, shaking his head as he nudges Kugisaki.

“Don’t remind me, he rhymed Nobara with capybara.” Kugisaki shivers as Maki chuckles silently next to her, while Mai rolls her eyes and looks up at the clock.

“Charming.” She says, faking a smile.

“I thought poetry was supposed to encourage romance.” Yuuji looks up as he hears a low voice, as Megumi finally speaks, and their eyes turn to him as he glances around, the tips of his ears turning red as he quickly looks down and sips his drink.

“Sure, but bad poetry, which is most of it, has never been more successful at driving people away.” Yuuji laughs, looking over as Kugisaki nods next to him with a light snort.

“Then what would you suggest? To get someone’s attention?” Yuuji looks back to the quiet, hesitant voice to see Megumi staring at him, dark eyes practically boring holes into his skull.

“Music. Dancing. You can always learn a lot about a person through what music they like,” Yuuji responds, before tilting his head at him, smirking slightly, “Even if your partner is nothing special, you know?”

Megumi eyes widen for half a second as he stares at him and Yuuji gives him an innocent smile, nodding at Mai and Maki before he walks away back towards Nanami, a slight skip in his step from finally getting the last word in.

“Okay, you were right. These people suck.” Yuuji sits on the couch next to Nanami, who narrowly lifts his drink to avoid Yuuji spilling it as he dramatically flops onto the cushions, leaning his head on his shoulder.

“I take it you talked with the Zenin’s and Fushiguro?”

“Yeah, why are they so rude and uptight? Gojo doesn’t seem like that.” Yuuji pouts, crossing his arms.

“Gojo needs to be more uptight.” Nanami scoffs, shaking his head.

“Come on, Dad, what’s their deal?” Yuuji asks, sitting up and glancing over his shoulder at the three dark haired people tucked in the corner.

“Don’t waste your time trying to figure them out. Don’t make them into one of your little projects.

“I’m not!” Yuuji protests, “They’re just new people, of course I’m going to be interested.”

“Mm. 

“What?”

“Their families are just… not people I want around you. Especially you.”

“Why especially me?”

“Because you’re a good kid with good values, Yuuji,” Nanami sighs, “And I don’t want you to surround yourself with families who value money, pride, and status above integrity and kindness. That’s not who you are, who we are. I just don’t want their lifestyle to make you resent ours.”

“I know, Dad,” Yuuji softens his voice slightly, nodding at him, as he feels the guilt pool in his stomach from how vocally excited he’s been at the prospect of their new wealthy neighbors, “I know what I value, and I love our life.” 

Nanami looks over at him, his gaze undecipherable as he glances out at the opulent party ahead of him, “It’s easy to slip into theirs.”

“Good thing I’ve got good balance then, eh?” Yuuji jokes, nudging his shoulder against Nanami’s as he hums in response, taking a sip of his drink.

“Just be careful. All of you.”

“ Daaad . We’ll be fine!” Yuuji protests, trying to fight off his annoyance at how Nanami is treating him like a little kid.

“Just want to make sure.” 

Yuuji rolls his eyes, taking another sip of his drink. Risking another glance over his shoulder, he lets himself look at the three of them, huddled in a corner, barely speaking with bored and displeased looks on their faces. He knew there had to be more, there had to be more lying under the surface of all of them, but he couldn’t help the fact that he wanted to crack Megumi’s fascinating and egotistical brain open like a nut.

Sighing, he glances at the clock on the fireplace mantle and settles in, resolving himself to sitting on this couch, nursing his last, too strong drink, and sneaking glances at Megumi from across the room for the rest of the night.

After getting settled in bed, Yuuji’s mind was racing, full of images from the night, mostly interrupted by startling green eyes and silent looks.

Groaning into his pillow, Yuuji looks up, scrunching his pillow underneath his chest as he looks out the window, moonlight illuminating the room. He lifts his head up a little, and can see the faint glow of the Gojo estate from down the hill, lights still on well into the night.

He sighs, leaning on his palm as he gazes at the faint hue emanating from the grounds. He wanted so desperately to explore that house, explore those families, explore that frustratingly vague expression on Megumi’s face.

He was twenty one, still living with his family, in the same house he grew up in, in the same town, with the same people. He loved it, he continued to convince himself, and it wasn’t hard. The land they lived on was beautiful, almost untouched by the expansion of human greed, with simple houses, simple people and simple lives. He’d already decided he wanted to continue working at the barn with his dad, working with horses, and he never really wanted to do anything else, but he still ached to experience something new. 

He loved Kugisaki and Inumaki, and they had more fun than most people in town combined, but lately, he’d just felt restless. He liked his family, his home, family dinners, but he’d found himself looking out the window more often, just staring off into space, trying to find something he didn’t know the name of. Like there was an itch he needed to scratch that he just couldn’t find. 

“Psssst. Yuuji. Are you awake?”

He turns to the left, looking at the wonky wood panel in the wall that’s between he and Kugisaki’s room, that reveals a strip of exposed wall connecting their rooms. He scooches closer to the wall, tilting his head towards the gap.

“Yeah. Can’t sleep?”

“Nah. You?”

“Same.”

There’s a few beats of silence as they both lay in the quiet of the night, just faded sounds of the night breezing through the windows.

“Tonight was weird, right?”

“Yeah, kind of.”

“What was with that Fushiguro guy? I really could not get a read on him.”

“Yeah,” Yuuji laughs, thinking back to Megumi’s eyes on him, “I couldn’t either. Called me nothing special though.”

“He did what? ” Kugisaki exclaims loudly as Yuuji shushes her, and she drops her voice, “He called you nothing special? To your face? Why didn’t you let me hit him?”

“Inumaki and I overheard him and Maki talking about us,” Yuuji replies, before he takes a second, adding, “But Maki said you were cool.”

“She did?” Kugisaki’s voice brightens and Yuuji can’t help but smile to himself.

“Yeah.” Yuuji replies, snorting quietly as he hears a muffled squeal from next to him.

“Cool, that’s cool.” Kugisaki replies, trying to sound casual as her voice cracks.

Silence falls over them for a few minutes, as Yuuji’s mind continues to race.

“Sorry about that Fushiguro guy. Sounds like a dick.”

“Yeah, really can’t get a good read on him,” Yuuji replies, tilting his head as he thinks it over, “Bet I could crack him though.”

“You always say that.” Kugisaki snorts, and Yuuji turns his head away from the wall, sighing slightly as he lets the disappointment finally settle in his chest.

“Doesn’t matter. I doubt I’ll ever really see or talk to him again anyway,” He stares at the ceiling, thinking back to Megumi’s eyes on his, how intensely he looked at him even if it was just for a few moments, and how he hated how badly he wanted that gaze on him again.

“Never say never, Yuu.”

“Yeah.”

Silence falls again, and Yuuji still cannot get Megumi’s eyes out of his head, the dark, almost forest green color invading his mind every time he shuts his eyes.

He couldn’t lie to himself that he was a little disappointed. He thought these new people might be able to help, give him something new to focus on, but now all he can focus on was Megumi’s scowl and how unfortunate it looked on someone so handsome. 

Yuuji sighs loudly, rubbing his eyes as he stares at the ceiling, listening to the faint sound of his clock ticking on the wall and the soft coos of morning doves.

“...You really think she liked me?” Yuuji hears an uncharacteristically insecure voice from Kugisaki’s wall, and he turns towards it, rolling his eyes.

“She barely took her eyes off you but barely even remembered my name.”

He hears Kugisaki giggle lightly and rustle as she shifts closer to the wall.

“So you think I might have a real chance?”

“I think you’re crazy if you think otherwise.”

“You should never call a lady crazy, Yuuji.”

“Yeah,” Yuuji snorts, shaking his head, “Like you’re a lady.”

There’s a bang on the wall near Yuuji’s head, making him flinch, before Kugisaki chuckles, “Shut up. Night, idiot.”

“Night, dummy.” Yuuji laughs to himself as he sighs deeply, pulling his covers up to his chin as he rolls over away from the wall, glancing out the window at the moon peeking through the grey clouds. His gaze drops to their backyard, back towards the drop in the earth that trailed down the hill to Gojo’s estate. 

He stares at it for a few moments, imagining what Megumi, Mai and Maki’s debrief of the night might sound like down the hill, under soft chandelier light and silk sheets, before he sighs again and rolls back towards the wall.

“Yuuji! Yuuji! YUUJI!”

“Oh my god, stop yelling so loud! What do you want ?!” 

“Mai just texted me!” Kugisaki yells, shoving in between Inumaki and Yuuji’s shoulder on the couch, knocking Inumaki to the side as she thrusts her phone towards them. 

“What?” Yuuji sits up from the couch, giving Inumaki his hand to help him up as Kugisaki almost launches herself over the couch again between them to show them her phone.

“‘Have lunch with me on Friday…’” Yuuji mumbles out and his head shoots up as he finishes reading, “Wait, but Maki won’t even be there?”

“Guess not, it’s at the fancy ass valley estate, though,” Kugisaki jumps over the couch to sit next in between them, “I’ve heard the main house is absolutely insane.”

“Didn’t you guys, like, hate each other?” Yuuji asks, tilting his head and sharing a confused glance with Inumaki, who shrugs.

“I wouldn’t say hate. ” Kugisaki replies airily, looking back at her phone.

You called her a monstrous bitch, Inumaki signs with his eyebrows raised, and Kugisaki just waves him off.

“Well, yeah, but this is a careful girlhood dynamic I’ve gotta maneuver. I’m playing the long game for Maki, and that includes sucking up to her shitty sister.” Kugisaki sighs, looking back down at her phone.

“Is Fushiguro going to be there?” Yuuji asks, trying to sound casual as he busies himself with his hands.

“Ugh, hope not. I still can’t believe he called you ‘nothing special,’” Kugisaki scoffs, before looking over at him seriously, “Give me a reason to hit a man, please. I’ll kick his ass. I will.”

“I know you will, but I’m pretty sure he’s already got a stick up there,” Yuuji laughs half heartedly as he tries to shove off the still lingering feeling of Megumi’s intense eyes on him.

Shove another one up there, Inumaki signs casually, and Kugisaki nods in agreement

“See? He gets it. Don’t let him get to you. Don’t think you want to be judging yourself by his standards anyway.” Kugisaki reassures him, nudging his shoulder with hers.

“Yeah,” Yuuji sighs loudly, slumping back against the couch, “I’m just not used to people not liking me.”

“Okay, well, on that note, my sympathies have officially run out, and Inumaki is better help with clothes,” Kugisaki rolls her eyes as she stands up from the couch, tugging on a whining Inumaki’s arm, and skips down the hall towards the stairs, “We have an outfit to plan!”

Yuuji sighs again, shaking his head before he stands up off the couch, moving towards the window as he looks out across the landscape, eyes drifting towards the hill.

“Nope. Stop thinking about it.” Yuuji tells himself, nodding as he tries to tear his eyes away from the window.

“Yuuji?”

“Hey, Pops.” Yuuji turns and smiles as Haibara comes up next to him, putting his hand on his shoulder.

“How was last night?”

“…Interesting.” Yuuji says carefully, and Haibara chuckles.

“I know your dads got feelings about Gojo and the Zenin’s, but it’s still good, you know? Meeting new people you wouldn’t have been exposed to otherwise, right?” 

“You’re so not subtle,” Yuuji rolls his eyes with a smile as he looks back at him, “You just want one of us to move to the city so you have an excuse to go.” 

“Not true!” Haibara argues, but it falls flat as Yuuji raises his eyebrows, “Okay, fair enough. I love it out here but I did not expect your dad to like it so much. I miss the noise sometimes!”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“Besides,” Haibara sighs, squeezing his shoulder to get Yuuji to look at him, “I know you all love it here but… it’s okay to want more. To have bigger goals than just working at your dad’s barn your whole life.” 

“I like working at the barn. I’m good at it, and it gives me a good way to work with and see the horses.”

“I know,” Haibara responds carefully, nodding, “But we want you to be happy. I just don’t want you to stay in town for me or your dad’s sake, or because you think you can’t do bigger and better things.” 

“Maybe this is my big thing, you know?” Yuuji replies, sighing out as he looks back out the window.

“I hope it’s not.” Haibara says quietly, and Yuuji looks over at him, confused, “I just want you to live life, Yuuji. However you want it.”

“I know, Pops,” Yuuji smiles, leaning his head against his, “Thanks for believing in me.”

“Always, kiddo,” Haibara responds, “So what’d you think of Gojo?”

“I can see why he annoys Dad.” Yuuji laughs 

“He’s a good guy. He can grate on you, but shockingly, out of that whole lot, he’s the one who’s got his head screwed on somewhat straight.”

“Really?”

“In terms of being a decent human being? Yeah, definitely,” Haibara snorts lightly, “He’s the only one of those families that does something good with his money. Opened up a bunch of hospitals all over the globe, has all these programs for troubled kids in rural areas, fundraisers for everything you can even think of. Only reasoning he has is he says he doesn’t deserve the money so he’ll spend it how he sees fit. Makes no sense, it’s his family’s money and will probably never run out.”

“That’s…honorable of him, actually.”

“Yeah, weird guy,” Haibara laughs, “Don’t let them get to you. Sometimes cold people just need someone warm to help them thaw out. Like me and your dad.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah,” Haibara laughs, sighing a little bit at the end, “Should’ve seen him in high school. So closed off and angsty, God you should’ve seen his hair. But I worked my way through. I knew there was somethin’ good under there.”

“Okay, well, don’t think marrying Fushiguro is on the table, Pops.” Yuuji laughs, shaking his head as he looks back out the window down the hill.

“Regardless,” Haibara claps him on the shoulder, shaking him a little, “Sometimes people need a nudge or two. Maybe he does.”

“Positive outlook and all that?” Yuuji smiles as Haibara nods enthusiastically.

“Exactly, son! You got this.” Haibara smiles at him before heading back towards the kitchen. Yuuji sighs again, looking out at the yard as he lets Haibara’s words wash over him.

“A nudge, huh?” Yuuji goes on his tiptoes to see the top of the estate down the hill, sun shining off the roof, “I can nudge.”

Chapter Text

kugi (fav sister)

yuu. you’ve gotta come save me.

me

what happened?!?!?!? u ok?????

kugi (fav sister)

i was about to leave and gojo insisted i stay for the weekend and will not take no for an answer

like got on his knees and begged.

kinda embarrassing for a grown man tbh

me 

holy shit. r u gonna stay?

kugi (fav sister)

only if you come here to back me up!! 

pls!!!

what if they kill me in some weird rich people cult thing??? 

plus maki comes back tonight hehe

i already asked and gojo said yes and i said u were coming so u can’t say no

me 

u owe me so much

kugi (fav sister)

thanks!!!!!! u r the bestest second older brother ever 

Yuuji rolls his eyes and slips his phone back into his pocket as he stands up off the couch, walking down the hall towards Nanami’s office before he knocks.

“Yes?” Yuuji opens the door to see Nanami sitting at his desk with his glasses on, his forehead in his hand as he looks over bills and papers scattered around.

“Hey, Dad.”

“Hey, kid.” Nanami sighs as he sits back, leaning in his chair.

“Everything okay?” Yuuji asks, glancing at the papers Nanami is quickly shoving into a folder.

“Nothing you need to worry about,” Nanami nods, pushing it off to the side, “What’s up?”

“So…Kugisaki just texted me.”

“Gojo won’t let her leave, will he?” Nanami rolls his eyes as Yuuji nods, a little smile playing on his lips. Nanami barely talked about their life back in Tokyo, and even less about their high school days, and there was something nice about hearing his dad talk so casually yet intimately about people Yuuji had never heard whispers of.

“How’d you know?” 

“Lucky guess.”

“Well, she just texted asking if I could come by too and stay for the weekend with her. I guess Gojo said yes already.”

“That’s fine. Make sure she stays out of trouble.”

“Hard ask, Dad.” Yuuji laughs as Nanami huffs, shaking his head.

“That girl’s gonna kill me.” 

“We all know she’s your favorite.” Yuuji smirks, and Nanami shakes his head.

“Nonsense. I love you all equally. Now go away.”

Yuuji chuckles and shakes his head, turning away and he walks towards the door, nerves starting to build in his stomach.

“Yuuji?”

“Yeah?” Yuuji turns back in the doorway as Nanami sits up straighter.

“Have you met Fushiguro yet?”

“Uh, yeah, I have,” Yuuji responds in surprise, leaning his arm against the door as he turns around, “Last night.”

“How does he seem to be doing?” Nanami asks, leaning forward on his elbows.

“Um, fine, I think. He’s kinda grumpy though.” Yuuji responds and Nanami nods to himself, keeping his eyes on his desk.

“Good, good.”

“Do you… Do you know him?” Yuuji asks curiously, tilting his head as Nanami shakes his a bit.

“No.”

“Okay…” Yuuji replies slowly, turning away from Nanami’s desk before he stops, shaking his head as he turns around, “Dad, why do the Fushiguro’s live with Gojo if they’re related to the Zenin’s? Why wouldn’t they live with them?”

Nanami doesn’t respond immediately, just sighing loudly as he looks out the window.

“Like I said, they’re not families I want you around,” Nanami replies simply, but his words are underlined with something Yuuji can’t decipher, “Fushiguro would prefer to stay with Gojo, that’s all I know.”

“Over his own family?” Yuuji asks in disbelief, his chest aching a little at the idea of ever choosing anyone but his family.

“Not everyone’s family is like ours, Yuuji,”  Nanami replies, a little sadly as he looks out the window, “Text me when you get to the estate.”

“Okay, I will. Thanks, Dad,” Yuuji nods, hesitating for a moment in the door, turning back towards him,“Love you.”

“Love you too, son. Have fun. Be nice to the staff.” Nanami responds, keeping his eyes out the window.

Yuuji nods, slipping out the door.

After spending much too long deciding what to bring, Yuuji trudges his way towards the hill, his sneakers squishing in the wet, muddy grass. As he comes upon the dip leading down to the house, he startles back as his eyes fall into the grounds.

He’d always lived by the Gojo estate, but Nanami had never let him go anywhere near it, claiming he had snipers on the roof for any trespassers, which Yuuji figured out was a lie a little too embarrassingly late.

But in front of him was a massive, European style stone mansion, with looming columns donning the front porch, if you could even call something that big a porch. The windows were also enormous, although dwarfed by the sheer size of the house, and Yuuji squinted to try and see inside them. There were balconies carved into the sides of the house, with plants spilling over the sides, creating little pops of color throughout the stone.

“Jesus fuckin’ Christ.” Yuuji mutters, shaking his head as he makes his way down the windy path towards the house. As he walked, he tried to take in every part of the grounds, every freshly manicured blade of grass, every perfectly symmetrical tree, every garden, every koi pond.

He strains his neck a bit to look towards the back of the house, towards the lake he saw glimpses of last night. He could see the top of a canoe, and there was a dock floating about a hundred feet from the shore. He sighs as he looks around again, breathing in the sweet smell of the flowers dotting the garden beds as he approaches the house. Slowly walking up the stairs, his nerves start to build up again and he huffs out a nervous breath.

Inhaling sharply to keep his cool, he raises his hand and knocks on the door, and he can hear the echo from behind the heavy wood, before the door groans open to reveal a tall, skinny man with black hair and glasses.

“Good afternoon, sir. How can I help you?” He asks, eyeing him up and down as he notes his muddy pants.

“Oh, um, I’m Itadori, I’m here for my sister.”

“And your sister is…?”

“Kugisaki,” Yuuji replies cheerfully, and when the attendant just stares at him blankly, he adds, “Brown hair, kinda short, um, a little mean.”

“Oh, yes, of course,” The attendant smiles, but Yuuji can tell it’s forced as he quickly turns away and waves him forward, “Follow me.”

“Oh! Coming!” Yuuji moves to follow him as he glides through the foyer, barely giving Yuuji time to gaze around the room. He looks up, almost squinting as the light catches off the golden chandelier lining the hallway ceiling, bouncing off the enormous paintings of the ocean, the forest, and other natural scenes that lined the walls. 

Although the attendant was quickly moving through the hallway, Yuuji took his time, carefully looking at everything his eyes could find.

As he nears the end of the hallway, he looks to his right as sees a smaller painting at the end of the row and stops. It was in a simple, brown frame, and it showed an outdoor garden with a pond, large Japanese maples shading the sun on the rocks, and in the water, there were two small betta fish, one black, one white, encircling each other. Yuuji stares at it, his eyes fixed on the two before his eyes dart to the bottom of the painting, and he leans to squint and see the messy signature.

“Wait,” Yuuji stands back up, looking over to the attendant still moving towards the next hallway, “Gojo did this?”

“Yes, sir. Master Gojo is very talented,” The attendant responds simply, glancing at the painting for half a second, “Come along.” 

Yuuji looks back at it one more time before he shakes his head, and moves to follow the attendant.

“So what’s your name?”

“My name?” The attendant asks, his eyes looking startled as he looks behind him at Yuuji.

“Yeah,” Yuuji jogs up a little to stand next to him, “I introduced myself but I never got your name.”

“I’m Ijichi. I run the household,” The attendant says shortly as he comes up to a room with large, brown wooden doors and stops. He brings his arm up and gesturing to the door, “Right this way, sir.”

He opens the door with a flourish, revealing a large parlour, with two plush, fancy couches facing each other with a large table at the far end of the room, two chairs on either side, with massive, carved bay windows behind it, showing the lake. 

He tries to hold in his gasp as he takes in the sheer size of the room, but almost immediately, his eyes fall to Megumi, sitting with his knees against his chest in a small chair in the corner, a book in one hand, and coffee sitting next to him, and he looks up to meet Yuuji’s gaze.

His eyes widen and he suddenly closes his book and immediately stands up, making Mai turn around and stare at him in confusion. 

“Um, hi,” Yuuji tries to say casually, nodding at them as they turn to stare at him, and when they don’t say anything, Megumi still standing and staring at him, he adds, “Sorry, Kugisaki texted me and said it was okay I stopped by this weekend.”

They both don’t answer, Mai’s judgmental gaze flicking from Megumi back to Yuuji as she stays silent, almost daring to see how long he’d make a fool of himself in their silence.

“Did you walk here?” Mai finally asks, raising her eyebrows as she looks him up and down, and Yuuji feels ten times smaller under her harsh gaze.

“Uh, yeah,” Yuuji replies, looking down at his muddy shoes, “We’re just over the hill, so.”

Mai looks down at his muddy shoes, then back up at him before she rolls her eyes and looks back at her nails.

“So where is she? My sister?” Yuuji asks awkwardly, desperately wanting to leave as he feels himself shrink further.

“I’ll take you to them.” Megumi says, picking up his book off the table and quickly moving towards the door, not waiting for Yuuji to follow him.

“Oh, okay!” He then turns towards Ijichi, who’s standing against the wall with his head down, “It was nice to meet you, Ijichi, thanks again.”

“No problem, sir.” Ijichi replies, his eyebrows raised in slight surprise, and Yuuji smiles and nods at him before turning towards Mai.

“It was nice to see you again, Mai.” Yuuji attempts to say politely as he scrambles to follow Megumi, walking backwards towards the door. 

“Sure.” She says dryly, not looking at him as she turns to inspect her cuticles.

“Always a delight,” Yuuji mutters as he jogs up beside Megumi, “Hey, man.”

“Hi.”

“Doing good?” Megumi looks over at him, eyeing him up and down before looking back out at the hallway ahead of them.

“Fine.”

“Cool, cool.” Yuuji nods, sticking his hands in his pockets as he looks up, slowing down a little as he turns around and takes in the hallway. There were gilded frames lining the walls, featuring old, faded paintings of people from days past, backed by dark blue, subtly patterned wallpaper. The walls and doorways were carved intricately, with figures of animals and folklore creatures etched into the wooden frames with careful precision and detail.

“Wow.” Yuuji whistles, shaking his head as he gazes all around, trying to take it all in, “This place is insane.”

“It’s a hallway. Keep up.” Yuuji snaps his head to Megumi at the end of the hall, and he quickly moves to follow him, his head on a swivel as he tries to absorb everything around him.

“Coming!”

“You’re going to trip if you don’t pay attention.” 

“How kind of you to care.” 

“Don’t want you to break a hundred year old vase or something.” 

“If I do, would I have to work here to pay it off?” Yuuji jokes, and Megumi looks over at him again, unamused, and Yuuji puts his hands up in defeat, “Jeez, tough crowd.”

“No, you’re just not funny.”

“Screw you, I’m a hoot.” Yuuji replies, and Megumi rolls his eyes as he pushes through a tall, heavy set of ornate doors.

“The fact that you just said ‘I’m a hoot’ tells me everything I need to know.” 

“Yeah, well—” Yuuji stops as the door opens and he looks up. Walking into the room, he was greeted with floor to ceiling windows along the entire back wall that framed the large, sprawling landscape laid out before him. The grounds were immaculate, as he had seen on his walk down, but this allowed him a complete view, the land seemingly going on for miles.

To his left and right were tall bookshelves, scattered with books, small statues, and other trinkets that were probably worth more than Yuuji’s house. As he looks up, he notices the ceiling, painted a dark blue, almost black, with constellations and stars littering the sky, painted in ornate gold

“Wow.” He whispers in awe, his neck aching from staring up for so long.

“Hey.” Yuuji tears his eyes away to see Megumi standing across the room by a bookshelf, pulling out a dark red book, and as he does, a lock clicks and a door opens, revealing itself from the shelves.

“Is that a real hidden bookshelf door?!” Yuuji exclaims excitedly, almost tripping over the couch as he moves towards him, “I thought those were just in movies!”

“Gojo’s got dramatic flair,” Megumi rolls his eyes, nodding his head at the door, “Come on.”

Yuuji grins and heads towards the door, walking through into another room, much smaller than the last, but with large, comfy couches and chairs with a gigantic flat screen TV hung up on one wall, and a large, organized bookshelf sat against the other next to a giant framed world map, and a leather chair with a knitted blanket thrown across it.

Glancing towards the windows, he sees Kugisaki and Maki sat on the cushions that ran along the bottom of the window, Kugisaki talking animatedly with her hands as Maki leaned on her elbow on the windowsill, nodding and listening intently.

As the door behind Megumi shuts, they both look over and Kugisaki breaks into a smile, and mouths, Thank you.

“Hey, guys.” Yuuji says with a smile as Kugisaki waves at him.

“Hey.” Maki greets him, nodding at him as he nods back, and he smiles brightly, trying not to grin too hard at how Kugisaki is looking at Maki.

“This room is sick.” Yuuji laughs, looking around again, eyes tracing along the wooden beams lining the ceiling.

“Megs, be a good host and take him on a tour of the house and the grounds later,” Maki replies, smiling innocently and Megumi scowls at her, “If you think this is cool, you should see the other crazy shit Gojo’s got here.”

“Oh, that’s okay, I don’t want to impose, so —” Yuuji tries but Megumi quickly interrupts him.

“Fine, maybe later.” Megumi concedes quickly, sighing as he moves to the leather chair and sits down, cracking open his book again.

“Yuuji!” Kugisaki waves him over as she looks back at Maki with a smile, “Maki just told me she does Jiu-jitsu.”

“Like Brazilian Jiu-jitsu?” Yuuji asks, turning to Maki, who just shrugs.

“Learned the Japanese style when I was growing up, but Brazilian is much more fun. I go to Rio every few years or so.” 

“Aw, man, that’s sick!” Yuuji replies excitedly, “Nanami used to teach us but we never had a good mat or anything, and then he got too busy as we grew up.”

“You guys are so loud.” Yuuji turns as he sees Megumi standing up and scowling from his chair, grabbing his book.

“Don’t be lame, Megs. You know you loved Brazil, too.”

“You went too?” Yuuji asks, turning fully around as he makes his way across the room.

“Yup. Goodbye.” He replies shortly and with that, he turns towards the door and slips through it again, the lock clicking back into place.

“Buzzkill, he’s just mad I’m better than him,” Maki rolls her eyes, and turns back to Yuuji and Nobara, “I’ll show you our studio.”

Yuuji and Nobara look at each other and grin, before looking back at Maki and they both quickly nod.

After an exhausting afternoon of getting his ass kicked by Maki while Nobara watched with lovesick puppy eyes, they were now sat at the dinner table with Maki, Mai, Gojo, and Megumi. Gojo was his usual self, loud, boisterous, seemingly hell bent on annoying Megumi as much as possible, who just sat there rolling his eyes and snapping comebacks at him when Gojo got too under his skin.

“So! Yuuji,” Gojo starts as he looks over at him, and Yuuji sits up a little straighter, “What do you do to keep yourself busy in this tiny little town?”

“Oh, I work with my Dad at his barn,” Yuuji replies cheerfully, happy to finally be able to contribute, “I pretty much just help him manage stuff, so training, lessons, caretaking, whatever he needs.”

“So you shovel horse shit all day?” Mai asks, raising her eyebrows, and she softly yelps as Maki kicks her in the shin. Yuuji swallows hard, reminding himself to bite his tongue before answering 

“Among many other things,” Yuuji responds with a forced smile, “But I never minded. Builds character, I think.” 

“What was the last thing you cleaned besides your cuticles, Mai?” Yuuji glances over, unable to help the small smile on his face as Megumi speaks up, shooting her a look as she rolls her eyes. Megumi glances over at Yuuji, and nods at him as Yuuji gives him a small smile.

“Yuuji’s really awesome with them,” Kugisaki chimes in, breaking the awkward silence, “I’ve never seen a horse not like him.”

“You’ve gotta come by our stables sometime,” Gojo adds, smirking as Megumi glances up at him for a second, “We’ve got some temperamental ones in there that could use some wrangling.”

“They’re not temperamental, they just don’t like you and they’re good judges of character.” Megumi adds, not looking up from his plate.

“Oh, that is true, horses do not like me very much,” Gojo laughs, “I never had much patience for those spooky things. Megs says I’m too loud.”

“You are too loud.” Megumi deadpans as he pushes his food around on his plate.

“Kept getting bucked off! I mean, what’s with that?” Gojo ignores him and continues, whining and shaking his head, “Why must they hate me? I would be so good!”

“Maybe because you’re just bad at it. You went once this trip, got bucked off, and spent the whole rest of the time pouting because you were too scared to get back on.” Maki shakes her head and Gojo just waves her off with a chuckle.

“Nah, I’m not bad at it, I’m just too busy to get good! Most people can do anything with a bit of practice, that’s what I always say.”

“That’s because you’re usually good at everything.” Mai snarks, and Gojo waves her off too.

“Nonsense! Pushing yourself past self-imposed limitations is the key to growing and getting better in anything,” Gojo shakes his head, glancing at Megumi with a smirk, “Sometimes people just need to be greedier about the things they want in life.”

“Maybe people don’t want to pursue something they can’t guarantee will lead to success.” Megumi pushes back, dropping his chopsticks to his plate.

“Well, then you’re stuck with no road to the things you want if you’re waiting for perfection, Megumi,” Gojo replies with a smile, and the two of them stare at each other for a few moments before Gojo throws his hands up in mock defeat, “Practice pushes and defines potential, that’s all I’m saying!”  

Megumi glares at him, but Gojo just smiles innocently at him, taking another bite of his cake with a grin before he claps his hands together.

“Now, who’s up for charades!” A collective groan goes through the room, “Oh, come on!”

As the night drew on and he had slipped out of another tense conversation between Maki, Kugisaki and Mai, Yuuji found himself wandering the halls with his drink, taking his time as he looked at all of the different artworks and sculptures and artifacts. He spent twenty minutes staring at a gigantic painting of a black cat, with bright green eyes the size of dinner plates, before a glint of silver caught his eye. He cranes his neck down towards the end of the hallway, and the glint appears again, so he moves from the painting down towards it.

As he approaches, Yuuji can’t help but laugh and shake his head as he sees a large, looming suit of traditional samurai armor, patterned with bright orange, dark blue, and yellow fabric and materials intricately made by hand.   

He glances at the small plaque on the wall behind it and snorts, reading 798 C.E., “You gotta be fuckin’ kidding me.”

As he looks at the armor, he spots a small, plain, almost hidden door to the right of it, and he hesitantly opens it to reveal to entrance to a small, ivy and flower covered balcony, with a small stone bench under the curved part of the railing, and lanterns fixed to the columns lining it.

Walking over to the edge of the balcony, he leans his palms on the cool stone, breathing in the cool, summer air, filling his nose with the crisp scent of the trees. He plops down on the bench, leaning on his palm with his elbows on the stone as he stares out at the grounds, sighing.

Suddenly, he hears the door behind him swing open, mutters and grumbles coming through as he turns around to see Megumi in the doorway, head down as he shakes it. Closing the door behind him, he finally looks up and groans loudly as he sees Yuuji.

“Well, hello to you too.” Yuuji grumbles, turning fully away from the railing to look at him.

“Goodbye.”

“Come on, stay! Balcony is big enough for two.” Yuuji tries, hoping he doesn’t sound too desperate as Megumi eyes him up and down.

“And why would I do that?” Megumi responds with a sigh, looking out at the yard.

“To be a kind human being?” Yuuji says with a hopeful smile. Megumi just rolls his eyes again, moving towards the door again, and Yuuji feels irritation suddenly bubble up in his chest

“Come on, man, I’m trying here. If you really don’t want to talk to me then, fine, whatever, but stop being such a dick about it.” Yuuji shoots out, a little more bitterly than he anticipated, and he flops back against the wall, crossing his arms over his chest as he attempts not to pout.

Silence falls over them as Megumi awkwardly stands by the door with his eyes down, Yuuji still on the bench across from him, refusing to look up.

“I can’t just…easily talk to people that I’ve just met.” Megumi says quietly, glancing up at Yuuji for a second, who looks up at him in curiosity.

“Well,” Yuuji pauses, smiling as he brings his drink back up his lips, “Maybe you should take Gojo’s advice and practice.”

Megumi stays quiet for a minute, looking at his feet before he glances over again, “On who?”

“On me.” Yuuji shifts on the bench, making room as he pats the stone next to him and Megumi eyes him warily.

“But we’ve met before.”

“Oh, have some imagination, will you?” Yuuji rolls his eyes, patting the bench again as Megumi reluctantly moves across the balcony and sits down, and Yuuji sticks his hand out towards him, “Hi, I’m Itadori.”

“This is stupid.” Megumi goes to stand up, but Yuuji grabs his arm, tugging him down slightly as Megumi looks down at his hand.

“Come on, man. You might not like me but it looks like Mai and Maki are occupied unless you want to talk to Gojo all night. I’m just trying to be nice.” Yuuji grumbles towards the end, letting his arm go and looking down.

Megumi looks down at him for a moment before he slowly sits back down, “Fine.”

Yuuji tampers down the little flicker of excitement in his chest as he sticks his hand out again, “Itadori Yuuji.”

Megumi glances down at his hand, then back up at his face before he rolls his eyes and shakes his hand, “Fushiguro Megumi.”

“See, now we’ve met twice! Look at us.” Yuuji smiles brightly as Megumi glances over at him before leaning back against the stone wall.

“Yeah, whatever.” Megumi sighs, looking around at the ivy and the lights, “How’d you find this place?”

“Just started walking around. Saw legit samurai armor out there and knew it had to be cool.” Yuuji points to the door he came through as Megumi’s eyes follow and he tilts his head.

“Hm.” Megumi looks around, eyes darting around the balcony as Yuuji looks over at him curiously.

“Have you never been out here?”

“No. I haven’t been back here since I was 12 or 13,” Megumi replies with a sigh, “Place is too damn big to remember where everything is.”

“Not the complaint I would expect,” Yuuji laughs, leaning back against the wall, “I’d kill to have a house like this.”

“Go kill Gojo, you’d be doing us all a favor.” Megumi sighs, closing his eyes and leaning his head back.

“Man, why does everyone hate this guy?”

“Because he’s annoying?” Megumi peeks one eye open, looking at him like he had six heads.

“Annoying isn’t always bad!” Yuuji protests, turning towards him defensively.

“That’s ‘cause you’re annoying.” Megumi replies, raising his eyebrows slightly as Yuuji looks away sheepishly.

“Rude.” Yuuji responds with an eye roll, trying to sound defiant, but he deflates slightly, shifting away from him a bit as he fiddles with his cup, trying to think of something else to say.

Megumi stays silent, glancing over at Yuuji playing with his drink before he shakes his head and sighs.

“Gojo’s… decent,” Megumi relents, looking up at the wall, “He’s a nuisance but he cares.”

“You grew up with him right?” Yuuji asks, shifting towards him again, “So he’s kind of like your dad?”

“No,” Megumi answers sharply, keeping his eyes ahead but his jaw clenches slightly and Yuuji falters back, “He’s not.”

“Oh! Sorry, um, I didn’t mean to assume,” Yuuji stutters out, scrambling to change the subject as words tumble out of his mouth, “Sometimes I forget not everyone is as open to talking about their family situations as me, like I love talking about how my dads adopted me and even though they’re not my biological dads, they might as well be, since I’ve never known a life without Nanami and Haibara and living here and obviously Kugisaki and Inumaki and— but, um, sorry, I’ll just shut up now.” 

Yuuji exhales heavily as he stares ahead of him at the wall, screaming at himself in his head for never knowing when to stop talking. Uncomfortable silence falls between them, Megumi refusing to look at Yuuji as they sit awkwardly on the bench, and Yuuji keeps his eyes ahead, focusing on a single stone in the wall.

“He’s more like… an annoying uncle or older brother.” Yuuji looks over at Megumi, who’s gazing out the window behind them up at the sky and he looks back at Yuuji, his expression calmer than before and Yuuji exhales slightly in relief.

“Yeah, I could see that,” Yuuji agrees, shifting to sit sideways on the bench so he could lean his arm against the windowsill, looking up at the stars, “Seems like a good guy though.”

“You would say that.” Megumi rolls his eyes, slumping his cheek against his palm as he leans his elbow against the windowsill, eyes staying outside.

“Why do you say that?”

“Because you’ve met like 30 people in your life and they all live on the same street.”

“I’ve met more people than that! We do have a car, you know,” Yuuji fights back, “It’s not like we drive a horse and buggy, you know.”

“It’d be more reliable.” Megumi scoffs quietly, under his breath, as he shakes his head.

“What, a horse?” Yuuji laughs and Megumi looks over at him, looking slightly confused.

“Yes.” 

“You’d rather ride a horse than drive a car?”

“Less talking,” Megumi shrugs, taking a sip of his drink, “Horses are loyal.”

“You guys really have horses here?” Yuuji asks, sitting up straighter as he looks over at Megumi, but he startles back a bit as Megumi looks at him, the right side of his face illuminated by the moon, making his eyes almost glow under the pale light.

“Yeah. Stables are around the back of the house.”

“Wow, I thought Gojo was just referring to you when he said temperamental,” Yuuji sighs, tearing his gaze away from Megumi rolling his eyes again to look out on the sprawling, manicured landscape ahead of them, “Nanami used to have one, but she passed away a few years ago. Her name was Daisy.”

“Daisy?” Megumi looks up, and Yuuji nods, but Megumi stares at him for a second or two more before humming, “Good name.” 

“Yeah, she was born in a patch of wild daisies.” Yuuji smiles as he leans back down on his arms, “I miss her.”

“I’m sorry.” Yuuji looks back as Megumi gives him a genuinely apologetic look and nods at him, and Yuuji feels his chest warm faintly.

“Thank you. She was the best.”

They stay silent for a few minutes, looking out over the grass as the moon sits high in the sky, illuminating the landscape of perfectly manicured trees and flowers.

“You can come see ours.” Yuuji looks over as Megumi firmly keeps his eyes outside, but the tips of his ears are red and Yuuji bites back a smile.

“Really?”

“Yeah,” Megumi clears his throat, keeping his eyes outside, “Gojo’s got too many. Poor things should get some company every so often.” 

“Thanks, man. That’s really nice of you.” Yuuji smiles at him as Megumi glances over and rolls his eyes, closing them as he leans against the wall but his blush has traveled and painted his cheeks a light pink.

“Whatever. They’re Gojo’s horses anyway.”

“You don’t have one?” Yuuji asks, folding his arms against the window and leaning his head down as he looks up at Megumi.

“I do.”

“What’s her name?”

“Do you always talk this much?” Megumi opens his eyes and glares over at him.

“Yeah,” Yuuji laughs, shrugging honestly, “Pretty much.”

“Hm.” Megumi hums, keeping his mouth shut 

“Well? What’s her name?” Yuuji presses, and Megumi looks over at him, sighing as he rolls his eyes.

“Her name is Blue.”

“Blue?” Yuuji asks, fighting back a laugh, “Like the color?”

“I named her when I was six, okay? Part of Gojo’s parenting plan. Get a kid, buy him a horse.”

“Why Blue?” Yuuji asks, tilting his head curiously as Megumi sighs.

“She’s this whitish and dark grey speckled blue roan, and her coloring makes her look almost blue when the sun hits her just right. Gojo brought me to see her at around sunset and I said she looked like blue jeans. Less now that she’s older and more dark grey but she’s still got it when the light’s right.”

“That’s adorable, good name,” Yuuji laughs, tilting his head further up towards Megumi, “Hope I’ll meet her.”

“Yeah, well, she’s a little shithead to most people so don’t get your hopes up.” Megumi grumbles, looking down at his cup.

“Nah, I’m a very likable person. Animals love me.” Yuuji grins as Megumi shakes his head in amusement.

“Yeah, okay,” Megumi rolls his eyes as he takes another sip of his drink, glancing around the corridor, “Why are you even out here? Shouldn’t you be inside, drinking champagne and living it up with all the rich folks?”

“I don’t really like champagne, I’m more of a beer guy.” Yuuji smiles up at him as Megumi glances over and shakes his head.

“Of course you are.”

“Just wanted some air, and I like exploring places,” Yuuji replies, picking his head up as he nods towards the doors inside, “Can get stuffy in there sometimes.”

“You’ve got no idea.” Megumi mumbles into his cup, sighing before he looks back out the window. Yuuji picks his head up and glances from Megumi to the doors inside, tilting his head at him as he looks back.

“Why’d you come out here?”

“Needed some air.”

“Well,” Yuuji leans back against the wall, “Welcome to the air, my lord.”

“Don’t call me that,” Megumi rolls his eyes, shifting to lean against the wall on the other side of the window.

“My liege?”

“No.”

“Your Majesty?”

“Even worse.”

“Supreme Leader?”

“So I’m a dictator now?”

“There’s no winning with you,” Yuuji pouts, crossing his arms over his chest and Megumi smiles a little bit, shaking his head, “No fun.”

“I’m not royalty, idiot, just got tossed into a rich family.” Megumi replies, but his tone is tense, practiced.

“Yeah, but aren’t you related to Maki and Mai? So you’re related to the Zenin’s?”

“Technically.”

“Technically?”

“Yes. Technically.” Megumi replies, his voice a little sharper as Yuuji nods, clocking how quickly Megumi’s attitude changed.

“But… you are set to inherit, right?” Yuuji asks carefully, stomach tightening as he sees Megumi’s jaw clench.

“Doesn’t make them my family.” 

Yuuji stays silent, nodding softly to himself, “I get it.”

“How could you possibly get it?” Megumi scoffs, shaking his head with an eye roll as he lifts up his drink, “You have no idea.”

“You think I just wandered up to Nanami and Haibara’s door by myself at the age of three? I know shit families too.” Yuuji snaps a bit, and Megumi looks over at him, eyes widening slightly with his hand stilled.

“I didn’t mean to assume.”

“Well, you know what they say about assumptions.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

“Never asked.” Yuuji replies, looking out the window again and Megumi shifts next to him uncomfortably.

“Shit families isn’t exactly my favorite topic of conversation.” Megumi grumbles, picking at a loose, frayed piece of his jacket.

“Then what is?” Yuuji asks simply, tilting his head.

“What?” Megumi looks up, his eyes widened slightly.

“What do you like to talk about?” Yuuji asks, leaning back, and he shifts his head to look at him, amused by the look of surprise on Megumi’s face.

“I don’t… like talking to people that much. I’m not that good at it.” Megumi says quietly, looking down again.

“You’re good at talking to me,” Yuuji replies, trying to keep his voice upbeat, “When you’re not insulting me.”

“Well, that’s because it’s easy.”

“What, insulting me or talking to me?”

“Both, I guess.”

“Fushiguro,” Yuuji holds his hand to his chest dramatically, “Did you just say something vaguely positive about me?”

“Oh, don’t get used to it.” Megumi scoffs, finally taking a sip of his drink and Yuuji grins and nudges his shoulder.

“You never answered my question, you know.”

“Which one?” Megumi asks, glancing over, “You ask about a million a day.”

“Please, I barely break ten thousand,” Yuuji grins as Megumi rolls his eyes again, “Come on, help me out here, your eyes are gonna fall out if you keep rolling them. What do you like to talk about?”

“I don’t know…” Megumi starts hesitantly, shaking his head slightly as he sighs, “Books, animals, music.”

“Well, I can really only contribute to two of those topics but I can try to give it a go.” Yuuji says simply, and Megumi turns to him, eyebrows furrowed as he looks at him suspiciously.

“Why are you doing this?” 

“Doing what?”

“Talking to me. Trying to be my friend or something.”

“‘Cause you’re interesting, and I don’t get to hang out with a ton of people my age,” Yuuji shrugs as Megumi eyes him up and down, “You’re fun to talk to when you’re not being rude.”

“I’m not rude.”

“I beg to differ.”

“Begging is undignified.”

“Good thing I’m not supposed to be dignified then.” 

Megumi stares at him, face unreadable, but something that resembles amusement and curiosity flashes across it, “You’re weird.”

“Is that a compliment?” Yuuji laughs, turning his head to fully look at him, still leaning against the wall.

“I don’t know yet.” Megumi says, tilting his head against the stone, and Yuuji suddenly feels self conscious under his scrupulous gaze.

“Yet, huh? Well, let me know if you figure it out.” He forces out a laugh, his heartbeat picking up a little as Megumi’s eyes don’t move from his.

“I will,” Megumi responds simply, staring at him for a few more seconds before tearing his eyes away to the landscape ahead of them, “Think it’s gonna rain soon.”

“Yeah?” Yuuji asks, a little surprised by the change in conversation, resting his chin back on his elbows to look out to the sky, “Why do you say that?”

“I can smell it, can’t you?” Megumi asks, casually leaning over to shove away the vines from in front of Yuuji, pushing them open to allow for a better view and for a gentle breeze to flow through. As Megumi moves in front of him, the faint smell of cedarwood and pine from his cologne wafts in his nose, making Yuuji a little lightheaded as he tries to focus himself again.

He picks his head up a little, tilting it curiously as Megumi then moves the vines ahead of him a little more, hesitating before he sits back down. Kneeling on the bench, he inhales deeply, eyes closed for a moment as the sweet summer air flows through.

“Yeah, now I can.” Yuuji replies, staring at him, and Megumi just nods, opening his eyes and he settles his gaze back out of the balcony as he sits back on the bench. 

Megumi doesn’t reply, and Yuuji lets the silence rest, both of them looking out into the night sky.

Much to his disappointment, Yuuji didn’t see much of Megumi the next day. He’d kept his head on a swivel in every room they walked into, peeked his head out the window, even glanced out the balconies to see if he was hidden out there, and nothing.

Yuuji didn’t even like Megumi that much. He was arrogant and condescending and rude, but there was something about him that intrigued him, like the nonchalant and asshole persona he put on was just the layers of himself he’d slapped on over the real thing.

He sighs, flopping back onto the sand as he closes his eyes, letting the sun melt into his body.

“You’re gonna burn.”

“Will not.” 

“Will too.”

“You’re so difficult.” Kugisaki groans, and Yuuji grins as he tilts his head up towards her and Maki on a big cloth blanket.

“She’s right. You’re going to ruin your skin.” Mai says from a nearby lounge chair, tilting her head down to look judgmentally over her sunglasses.

Yuuji flips over onto his stomach, ready to argue back when he catches a glimpse of black hair against the stone wall of the house, up on one of the lower balconies. He squints and sees that it’s Megumi, talking to an older man, who’s waving his hands in the air wildly, seemingly in frustration.

“Who’s Fushiguro talking to up there?” Yuuji asks, craning his neck to get a better glimpse of Megumi and the man. The man looked angry while Megumi just looked bored, which made Yuuji laugh a bit.

“Oh, that’s Naobito. Self proclaimed head of the Zenin’s,” Maki says, pointing to the older man speaking animatedly with his hands, “He’s a condescending, misogynistic, drunken asshole.”

“What a review,” Kugisaki snorts, looking over her shoulder at the two of them again, “Why’s the old geezer look so pissed?”

“Probably yelling at Megumi to throw some sort of event here, make sure the family name stays intact in all corners of Japan or some bullshit like that,” Maki says, glancing up at them again before she stands up, “We should get going. Dinner’s gonna be soon.”

Yuuji looks back over at them, and sees Megumi nod, his shoulders heaving with a sigh, and the old man claps him on the back, grinning as he snakes his arm around his shoulders and leads him towards the patio door, still talking wildly.

Furrowing his eyebrows, Yuuji watches them walk inside, unable to take his eyes off Megumi’s slumped shoulders.

“Yuuji! Come on!” He turns to see Kugisaki waving him over from the grass.

“Coming!” He moves to stand, and he quickly looks back to Megumi, just to see the doorway empty again, and he sighs, throwing his towel over his shoulder as he goes to join the girls.

After a shower and long winded debrief about her day with Maki from Kugisaki, Yuuji was practically bouncing on his toes to talk to Megumi, or even Gojo, to unpack more. He couldn’t help himself, he was just so curious about all of them, their families, and how on earth they worked.

Walking into the dining room, he sees Megumi already sitting at the table with Gojo at the head, cheek slumped into his palm as Gojo chatters away next to him. As they walk in, he glances over and picks his head up off his hand. Eyes darting to the open seat next to him, he glances at Mai, who’s glaring at him, and he quickly goes for the chair next to him at the same time as she does, lightly shoving off her hand as he grips it.

They stare at each other for half a second before Mai rolls her eyes and goes to the opposite side of the table.

“Hey!” Yuuji greets him, smiling widely as Megumi nods at him, putting his drink down.

“Hey,” Megumi replies, eyes following Mai sitting diagonally across from them, next to Kugisaki and Maki, still scowling, and he leans over a bit and mutters, “Thanks.”

“Got you,” He whispers back, eager to keep the conversation going, leaning in to turn and face him, “So how—” 

Suddenly, a loud voice interrupts him, and he fights off his annoyance as a pair of bright blue eyes shine at him.

“So kids! Tell me all about your day.” Gojo exclaims happily, leaning on his elbows as he puts his chin in two palms, “Do anything fun?”

Gojo, after two glasses of wine, was decidedly tipsy.

After a lot of food and even more drinks, the five of them were gorging on chocolate cakes, listening to Gojo ramble stories on with a million different tangents, never really finishing the story he started with.

“Oh, oh! Megumi!” Gojo laughs out, practically giggling, “Remember the first time we came here together?”

Yuuji looks over at Megumi, and his drunken smile falters a little as he looks over at him gripping his fork tightly, his face flushed, “No.”

“No?” Gojo laughs again, pointing his fork at him, “You were so excited! Poor Megs didn’t have the best company growing up, it was just after I took you and Tsumiki in. Remember when you met that random kid at the barn and you swore he was going to be your best friend?”

“No.” Megumi repeats shortly, finally dropping his fork and fully glaring at Gojo, who just smiles innocently and keeps going.

“Oh, I do, you were so excited, who knew little Megs had that much excitement in him!” Gojo chirps happily, tapping his finger to his chin, “What was that kid’s name? Energetic little thing, always running around and tripping over the barn hose.”

Yuuji’s head shoots up as he quickly glances from Gojo to Megumi, whose jaw is clenched so hard Yuuji is sure he’ll crack a tooth. 

Suddenly, he’s flooded with memories of his early days with Nanami and Haibara, them teaching him to brush Daisy, wax her saddle, how to feed her, and how to rewrap the hose against the barn after refilling her water trough so he wouldn’t keep tripping over it. What he had forgotten, though, was the quiet little boy he met one summer, only once for a few minutes, his little hands shoved in his pockets as he peeked around the barn doors.

“Hi! I’m Yuuji!! I haven’t seen you here before, what’s your name?” Yuuji exclaims excitedly, bouncing on his toes as he runs up to the little boy, buzzing at the possibility of another kid his age in town.

“Megumi,”  He replies quietly, still hiding half his face behind the wooden door, but his eyes dart up to the horse stall, “Is she yours?”

“She’s my dad’s! Her name is Daisy,” Yuuji smiles brightly, hands clasped together in front of him as he leans to try and look closer at the half hidden boy, “Do you wanna pet her?”

The boy nods softly and Yuuji bounces up to the stall and whistles terribly until a chestnut brown horse comes trotting over, rubbing her nose into Yuuji’s outstretched hand. He giggles and looks back towards the boy, who’s lurking behind him, “Come on!”

The boy hesitantly walks up beside him, and glances over nervously as Yuuji grabs his hand and brings it up to Daisy’s nose.

“Just rub down her nose, not up. Don’t worry, she’s super friendly.” Yuuji tells him with a confident nod as the boy gulps and nods back as he slowly brings his hand closer, and Daisy leans in and nuzzles her nose into his hand.

The boy’s face lights up as he excitedly looks over at Yuuji, who smiles widely at him as he turns back, stepping a little closer as he softly pets her, whispering, “Hi, Daisy. I’m Megumi. It’s nice to meet you.”

“She likes you.” Yuuji says happily, coming up next to him as he joins, petting her nose alongside his hand, but he lets him take up most of the space.

“She’s so pretty.” The boy says dreamily, his bright green eyes almost glazed over and his smile is plastered to his face as he gently rubs her nose and she whinnies happily, pushing further into his hand, making the boy giggle a little bit and Yuuji beams with pride.

“You can come see her whenever you want! I’m here all the time with my dad.” Yuuji points to the tall, blonde man talking to the stable hand at the other end of the barn.

“Okay.” The boy replies, his cheeks flushing as he keeps his eyes on Daisy, carefully petting his hand on her nose.

“Yuuji! It’s lunchtime, come on!” Nanami calls out, waving him over and Yuuji turns to the boy, who reluctantly drops his hand from Daisy.

“Do you wanna come over for lunch? Maybe Dad will let us ride her later!” Yuuji exclaims excitedly, grabbing both his hands with his and tugging on them. The boy’s eyes widen and he looks down at their hands for a moment and then looks back up, eyes shining.

“Okay.” The boy gives him a shy smile and nods before a loud voice booms across the barn and he flinches.

“Fushiguro Megumi, where the hell are you?! Better not be in that damn barn!” The boy’s eyes widen as he yanks his hands back and scrambles back from the stall and stumbles towards the barn doors.

“I-I have to go.”

“Wait, but—“

“Bye, Daisy,” He interrupts and gives a small wave to Daisy, who huffs loudly, before looking back to Yuuji, who is standing there, looking gutted, and he gives a shakier wave to him, “B-Bye, Yuuji.”

“Bye, Megumi! Come back soon!” He calls after him, trailing behind him a little as the boy bolts out of the barn.

The memory fades and Yuuji slowly looks up at Megumi, whose eyes are fixed on his plate, unmoving, refusing to look up, as Gojo rambles on to the next subject.

Yuuji’s heart is pounding as he stares as Megumi, still refusing to look up, and he tries to control his breathing, tearing his eyes away from Megumi to push his food around on his plate. He tried to half listen to Gojo and Mai argue about something, and he could feel Maki and Kugisaki’s eyes on him, but he just nodded along to the conversation, only speaking up a few times when Kugisaki or Gojo called him out by name. 

As the last plates from dessert were cleared with a flurry of workers politely taking their plates, Yuuji glances over to find Megumi’s seat already empty, and he slumps in his chair. 

He couldn’t believe it. He’d completely forgotten about that day, about how excited he was about the thought of having a new friend, his first friend, just to have to ripped away, but now it was all coming back to him full force. He could still remember the look on Megumi’s face when he first pet Daisy, how ecstatic he’d seemed, how his eyes brightened, and he was so proud to have helped someone be that happy. 

And he couldn’t forget how shy he was, and the flinch that came with the voice yelling his name.

He’d thought about him for ages after that, begging his dad to try and find out about the family he’d come with, if he was just there for the summer, why he never saw him at the barn again. He’d driven him nuts for weeks, to the point that Nanami had to sit him down and say that the little boy probably wasn’t coming back.

He’d thought Megumi looked at him funny when he mentioned Daisy last night, but he’d brushed it off as another one of his judgmental looks. But now, thinking back on it, he still doesn’t even know what it was.

Later, after Kugisaki and Maki kicked him out to watch a movie, he found himself wandering again, slowly sipping on whiskey from an hour ago as he wanders through the halls. He comes across the samurai armor from last night, smiling to himself as he slips out the hidden door again. 

Immediately, he is greeted by the familiar, gentle breeze wafting through the air, and he slinks down to the bench again, bringing his drink up and resting it on the railing, slumping his head against his arms on the stone. He sighs, looking up at the sky as he tries to pick out the constellations, slightly obscured by the grey clouds of night, losing track of time as the seconds turn into minutes.

He hears a creak behind him, twisting his head to see the back of a spiky head of hair, squeezing his way out of the door, seemingly trying to keep quiet. 

Yuuji watches as Megumi slowly closes the door behind him, keeping his eyes on the inside until it softly closes. He breathes out a sigh of relief before turning around and jolting back against the door as he sees Yuuji.

“Jesus Christ, you scared the shit of me.” He pants slightly, clutching his chest and Yuuji chuckles a little bit.

“You know, we’ve gotta stop meeting like this.” Yuuji smiles as Megumi rolls his eyes, turning back towards the door.

“Goodbye.”

“No, wait,” Yuuji stands up, moving towards him and Megumi stops, slowly turning back around with his hand on the doorframe, “Can we talk about this?”

“Talk about what?”

“Come on.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Fushiguro.” 

“What?”

Yuuji inhales sharply, trying to pick his words carefully, desperately trying to understand how to manage the thin line that makes Megumi shut down.

“You… You knew that it was me. From when we were kids,” Yuuji starts hesitantly, “At the barn.”

“No,” Megumi scoffs weakly, shaking his head, “I didn’t.”

“Yes, you did. You recognized Daisy’s name,” Yuuji dips his head to try and see his eyes, and he turns his head away, “Didn’t you?”

Megumi hesitates, glancing up at Yuuji, his eyes looking almost panicked as Yuuji finally gets a good look at him. They dart around, looking anywhere but Yuuji before returning back to his steady gaze and stay there.

“I— okay, fine. I didn’t know if it was actually you until you said her name,” Megumi finally concedes with a deep sigh, “I figured it was just a weird coincidence that two kids with pink hair lived in the same tiny, hundred person town.”

Yuuji stays quiet, but keeps his on him, and when Megumi looks back up at him, he nods his head towards the bench, shifting over to make room. Megumi looks at the bench hesitantly before slowly making his way over and sitting down.

“Is that why you like horses? Animals?” Yuuji asks carefully, desperately trying not to spook Megumi into shutting down, “Because of that?”

“I—” Megumi starts immediately, his tone defensive before he looks up at Yuuji, and his eyes soften slightly, “Yeah, kind of. I’d never seen a horse up close until that day.” 

“Thought you guys have the stables though?”

“We…” Megumi starts, his cheeks turning red as he keeps his head down, “Gojo didn’t just get me Blue randomly. I begged for her after that day. Then the asshole bought nine of them so he had to build stables.”

“Begging’s undignified, huh?” Yuuji smirks as Megumi’s cheeks get redder.

“Shut up.” He grumbles, shoving his shoulder as Yuuji laughs, shaking his head.

“Wow, I can’t believe that was you. I spent the whole rest of that summer looking for you every time I went to the barn. I drove Nanami so crazy, I thought he’d give me back up for adoption.”

“Really?” Megumi’s head finally picks up, eyes wide.

“Yeah. I…” He hesitates, but Megumi’s curious and surprised eyes soften him a bit, “I thought we were gonna be friends.” 

Megumi doesn’t answer at first, and Yuuji could’ve sworn he saw his expression drop as he looks down, playing with his hands as he fiddles with a ring on one of his fingers.

Megumi speaks quietly, still looking down, “We only stayed a week that time. Zenin’s made us leave after that day. Gojo couldn’t stay for the whole time and they wouldn’t let me near the barn.”

“Why not?”

“Said there was nothing but dirty animals in there,” Megumi replies through gritted teeth, jaw clenched as he looks up at the house, “Took me a while to realize they weren’t talking about the horses.”

“Then what were they— oh,” Yuuji stops himself, as he puts it together in his head, following his gaze up at the house, “Yikes.”

“Yeah.” Megumi says bitterly, still glaring at the house.

“Jesus, man, you grew up like that?” Yuuji asks, shaking his head, “No wonder you’re a snob.”

“Excuse me?” 

“Yeah, man. You’re kinda snobby,” Yuuji laughs before he shrugs, bringing his drink back up to his mouth, “But you make a lot more sense hearing this now.”

“Glad you’re fucking pleased,” Megumi replies snarkily, looking down.

“I’m just messing with you, man,” Yuuji laughs, “That’s shitty that you had to live like that.”

“Whatever.”

Silence falls over them again, but less uncomfortable than it had been the night before. Megumi sat with one of his legs up, leaning his head on one folded arm on his knee, looking down and playing with the buttons on his shirt. Yuuji sat with his body draped across the stone, his head resting on his folded arms as he gazes outside, letting his eyes close as he relaxes against the cold stone.

“I’m sorry about Daisy.” Yuuji opens his eyes and looks up as Megumi plays with his fingers in his lap, and he glances up as Yuuji smiles and nods.

“Me too. Thanks.”

Megumi nods back, hesitating as he opens and closes his mouth before looking back up, “Do you want to go see them?”

“Now?” Yuuji asks, glancing out at the night sky before he looks over his shoulder inside.

“Yeah, unless you’d rather get stuck in there all night?” Megumi asks, raising his eyebrows as he nods inside.

“Yeah,” Yuuji smiles and sits up, “Let’s go.”

“Alright, let’s go this way.” Megumi nods towards a hidden back staircase on the far side of the patio, glancing inside before moving quickly, ducking past the large, floor to ceiling windows.

“Why are we being so stealthy?” Yuuji whispers loudly, and Megumi waves him to be quiet as they creep along the side of the house.

“Because I don’t feel like getting a two hour drunken lecture from Naobito later,” Megumi whispers back, “Now shut up.”

“Fair enough,” Yuuji grumbles as Megumi speeds up to the end of the balcony, just past the last window, dropping to a squat as he hides behind a pillar, and Yuuji follows him clumsily, “Did they teach you spy skills in your fancy pants boarding schools?”

“No, but I know how to make a napkin swan.”

Yuuji snorts loudly and Megumi slaps his arm, shushing him, then drags him down the top of the staircase, “Who knew you were funny, Fushi?”

“Don’t call me that. Now will you shut the hell up!?”

“Fine!” Yuuji relents, quickly following him down the stairs, and Megumi nods him around the side of the house through the grass. 

Megumi pauses at the corner of the house, peeling around the corner, and waves him forward to follow him.

“This feels like a bit much.” Yuuji whisper shouts at Megumi ahead of him, and he just waves him off without turning around. 

“You’ve never had a drunk Naobito lecture.” 

Yuuji chuckles to himself as he speeds up a bit, trying to match Megumi’s pace, proving difficult considering his legs were considerably longer than his. 

“So do you ride?” Yuuji asks as the question comes to his mind, and Megumi looks over at him.

“What?” 

“Do you ride?” Yuuji repeats, tilting his head, “Do you ride Blue?”

“Oh, yeah,” Megumi replies, relaxing a bit, “As much as I can with work.”

“Do I even want to know how much your saddle cost?”

“Don’t have one.”

“What?” Yuuji stops, and Megumi slows ahead of him, “You ride bareback? You?”

“Yeah?”

“Seriously? With a horse like Blue?” Yuuji gapes at him.

“She likes it better,” Megumi shrugs, “And I do too. Easier to communicate with her, and she picks up on my cues and body language a lot better too.”

“Damn,” Yuuji grins, starting to walk again and bumps his shoulder as he comes up next to him, “You know, that’s pretty country, Fushiguro.”

“Shut up.” Megumi rolls his eyes, shoving him off, “She refused to wear a saddle at first when she was old enough to ride, so I had to improvise.”

“She must really like you.” Yuuji smiles, sticking his hands in his pockets as he goes on his tip toes to try and see the barn.

“On the good days.” 

“I think you’re being humble, Fushi, which so isn’t like you.” 

“Shut up, don’t make me regret bringing you down here,” Megumi groans as they start down a long, winding dirt path embedded into the earth towards a large, classic red barn, and he glares over at him, “And stop calling me that.”

“Nah, I think it’s stuck.” Yuuji grins, and Megumi rolls his eyes as they approach the barn, and Megumi slides the doors open, securing them on each side before he walks in, nodding Yuuji to follow him.

The barn was well maintained, wide, with five stalls on each side, and hefty wooden beams crossing the ceiling.

“You got a manager or a trainer in here?” Yuuji asks, looking around to see if he could see any evidence of a working, bustling barn he was used to.

“Sometimes,” Megumi replies simply, before he pauses and adds, “Mostly me.”

“Really?” Yuuji asks, turning around to look at him as Megumi hovers by the desk.

“Mhm. They’ve got a that guy comes in and clean everything, but I feed them and stuff.”

“Really?” Yuuji repeats, staring at him, and Megumi huffs and turns to look at him.

“Yes, is that so hard to believe?”

“Only sort of. I’d be happy to help.” Yuuji smiles at him and Megumi turns away from him, moving to lean against the ladder leading up to a loft above the desk.

Yuuji looks around, taking in the familiar sights and sounds of the barn. It was odd, how different everything about the Gojo estate was, yet the barn looked almost exactly the same as his dads. Same smell, same wooden stalls, same haybales scattered, same rafters. He felt more relaxed in here, a little more like he belonged there.

“So where’s Blue?” Yuuji asks, trying not to sound too excited, and Megumi nods at the stall a few doors down from where they stood, and he moves towards it, walking ahead of him.

“Hey, girl,” Megumi comes up to the stall and a speckled nose sticks out, and he strokes down it as Blue moves forward and bumps into his chest, huffing, and he chuckles lightly, “I know, I know, too long.”

Blue whinnies happily, nudging her nose into his shoulder, and he moves to stroke down her cheek, before turning to Yuuji again, “Come here.”

Yuuji slowly steps towards them, and Blue eyes him suspiciously, huffing against Megumi as he comes to stand next to him, and she turns her head over towards his other shoulder, away from him.

“Don’t be rude. Say hello.” Megumi scolds her and she huffs, reluctantly bringing her head back in front of both of them.

“Wow, she really is just like you.” Yuuji grins as Megumi rolls his eyes, and Yuuji inhales sharply before hesitantly bringing his hand up to the side of her face, letting her slowly sniff him, and she pauses for a minute before lowering her head slightly, tilting her head into his hand.

Yuuji looks to Megumi, who just nods, and he shifts his hand to slowly pet down her neck to her shoulder, and he peeks around to inspect her. Her coloring was exactly how Megumi had described her: a dark grey, whitish speckled mix of color, just dark enough to be seen as almost slate blue, and she had darker grey spots dotting her nose and face, with big, wide, dark brown eyes.

“She’s beautiful, man.” Yuuji says to Megumi with a sigh, who’s standing next to him with his arms crossed, eyes flicking between the two of them, “Seriously.”

“Yeah, when she doesn’t like rolling in her own shit.” Megumi scoffs, making Yuuji laugh and Blue huffs again.

“Thanks for bringing me here.” Yuuji looks over at him, giving him a smile as Megumi’s ears turn red.

"Yeah, whatever.” Megumi replies quietly as he turns towards the table pushed up against the wall, reaching for a small speaker thrown onto it.

“Oo, Fushi music time.” Yuuji teases, leaning against the wall, before he sees Megumi reach down and pull out a bottle of whiskey hidden in a hay bale, “Fushi music and drinking time? Hell yeah!”

“You are way too easy to please.” Megumi scoffs, pulling out two hay bales and sliding one across the ground to Yuuji, who grabs it and flips it to sit.

“Maybe you’re just too hard to please, ever think about that?” Yuuji argues back, plopping down with his legs over each side of the haybale, leaning forward on his elbows.

“Having standards isn’t being hard to please.”

“Your standards are the height of Mt. Fuji.”

“Mt. Fuji isn’t even actually that tall.”

“Oh my god,” Yuuji groans, hanging his head between his shoulders, “You’re impossible.”

“We’re drinking in a horse barn, Itadori.”

“And some of my best nights include drinking in a horse barn!” Yuuji argues back, pointing at him.

“That’s unsurprising.” Megumi scoffs, shaking his head as he pulls out his phone, scrolling through his music until he finds something he nods at and presses play.

Slow rock music comes through, and Yuuji smiles to himself, shaking his head, “You know what’s unsurprising? You liking Radiohead.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Megumi turns to him, looking slightly offended.

“Come on, man,” Yuuji laughs, and Megumi rolls his eyes, shrugging as he turns back to uncap the whiskey bottle, “Bet you like the Smiths too.”

“Whatever.” Yuuji grins as he sees the tips of Megumi’s ears turn pink again.

“‘Pablo Honey’ is a great album, so if anything, I respect you a little more,” Yuuji smirks, tilting his head, “Figured you’d listen to Mozart or something.”

“I prefer Debussy.” Megumi replies, leaning over and silently opening his palm for Yuuji’s glass. 

“And there it is,” Yuuji laughs, handing him the glass as he looks around, “So how many you got here?”

“Just four now, few are leased overseas at the moment but coming back soon.” Megumi says, nodding towards the empty stall with the name ‘Luna’ etched into a golden nameplate as he gives them hefty pours into their glasses. 

He turns around and silently hand Yuuji his glass, leaning back against the ladder. Yuuji grins and tilts his glass in their air towards him, “Cheers, man.” 

Megumi rolls his eyes, but pushes his glass lightly against his, clinking them together, “Cheers.”

Taking a sip and letting the warm, smoky flavor warm his throat, Yuuji stands up, wandering towards one of the stalls where he hears some huffing, and comes face to face with a young looking horse with big brown eyes.

“Hey, pretty girl,” Yuuji says softly, bringing his hand up for her to sniff before he pats her neck, “Who’s this?”

“This one’s Cowbell,” Megumi nods into the stall at her coat, “Tsumiki, my sister, named her.”

“Fantastic name.” Yuuji laughs, noting the cow-like pattern splayed across her coat, stroking her nose a few times before a glimpse of brown catches his eye in the next stall over

“And this one?” Yuuji asks with a sigh, coming up to the chestnut brown horse in the stall ahead of him. She had a white splotch on her forehead, and she happily trots over to greet him.

“This is Poppy.”

“Poppy. She’s pretty,” Yuuji smiles, running his hand from her neck down to her shoulder, as Megumi comes up next to them and softly strokes her nose, “Aren’t you, sweet girl?”

“She’s our newest.” Megumi says, smiling down at her a bit as she nuzzles into his hand, and he pats her cheek gently, looking back up at Yuuji.

“Mm,” Yuuji hums, his chest warming a bit, unsure if it’s from the alcohol or the horse or Megumi looking at him, “She looks like Daisy.”

“Yeah?” Megumi says, glancing at him as he nods, he looks back at her and tilts his head, “I guess.”

“Maybe I just look for her.” Yuuji shrugs, shifting his hand up to her nose absentmindedly, and his pinky brushes Megumi’s, and Megumi freezes, dropping his hand quickly to her neck.

Thankfully, a sudden and loud huff catches his attention and he looks across the barn to see Blue whining slightly, stomping her hoof once.

“Big baby.” Megumi rolls his eyes, his hand leaving Poppy as he walks over to the table, reaching under into a burlap sack and he pulls out two apples, setting them on the table. Yuuji watches him as he grabs a pocketknife from the little jar of pens, rulers, screwdrivers and random tools, and he walks up to Blue, cutting up the apple as he does. 

He places the piece of apple in his palm, and Blue happily chops down on it, nuzzling her nose into his hand for just a moment before she nips at the air near his empty hand.

“Dramatic.” Megumi rolls his eyes again, but Yuuji can’t ignore the ghost of a smile on his face as he moves to lean against the wood beside her stall door, continuing to cut up the apple and put it in his palm for her to eat.

“Now that was adorable,” Yuuji grins as Megumi glares over at him, and Blue stops chewing to stare at him and his smile falters, and he throws his hands up, “Sorry, guys. Super manly, bro.”

“Shut up.” Megumi groans, chucking the apple core into the trashcan, and picks up the other one. Yuuji can’t help but watch his hands as he cuts it up for her, long, slender fingers quickly yet delicately cutting into the skin.

“Can I put on a song?” Yuuji asks, and Megumi’s hands still on the knife, and he glances up, eyeing him up and down.

“Fine.” He holds the apple and knife in one hand as he digs around his pockets, tossing his unlocked phone to Yuuji.

He thinks for a minute, before tapping on a song, and music slowly flows through the small speaker.

“Who is this?” Megumi asks, tilting his head towards the sound.

“Gorillaz,” Yuuji replies cheerfully, tossing his phone back, “Called ‘To Binge.’”

“Gorillas?” Megumi asks, eyebrows furrows as Yuuji snorts.

“No, Gorillaz, with a Z,” Yuuji laughs, “They’re like, a blend of alt rock with electronic and hip hop elements, but they’ve also got a cool synth vibe going on, but their albums are all over the place genre wise.”

“Hm,” Megumi replies, tilting his head up to listen for a minute, “Not bad. Kinda 80s.”

“Yeah, exactly, especially on this album,” Yuuji replies, taking a long sip of his whiskey, indulging in the smoky, expensive taste as it warms his throat, “You’d like them.”

“And what makes you say that?” Megumi asks, raising his eyebrows as he finishes cutting up the last slice.

“I know these things.” Yuuji shrugs and Megumi rolls his eyes, throwing the other apple core in the trash before he strokes Blue a few more times, patting her neck before he moves to sit back on his haybale.

“Sure you do.” Megumi responds, shaking his head as he takes a sip of his drink.

“So—” Yuuji starts before Megumi holds his hand up, stopping him.

“Look, I know I brought you down here, but I really need quiet for like, at least ten minutes, okay?”

“Oh, okay. Sorry.” Yuuji coughs, picking up his glass with two hands as he moves to stand up.

“I…I didn’t mean you had to leave.”

“Wouldn’t you rather be alone? Some might call me annoying.” Yuuji smirks a bit as Megumi rolls his eyes, looking down at the ground.

“Your presence isn’t horrible. And the horses seem to like you,” Megumi replies casually, glancing around the barn as he takes another long sip.

“Told you animals like me,” Yuuji teases, squatting back down to sit, and he leans forward on his elbows, “But I’ll be quiet. Pinky promise.”

“Yeah, okay.” Megumi shakes his head, scooching his hay bale against a wall, and he leans his head back, sighing loudly as the next song plays and Yuuji just can’t help himself.

“Is this Passion Pit?” Yuuji asks, turning towards him.

“Yeah, it’s ‘The—”

“‘The Reeling!’ Yuuji exclaims, interrupting him and sitting up straighter, sloshing his drink slightly, “I fuckin’ love this song!” 

“Good ass album.”

“Oh, unbelievable album!” Yuuji says excitedly, brightening as Megumi looks at him intently, smile playing on his lips, “‘Sleepyhead’ gets all the attention when ‘Moth’s Wings’ and ‘The Reeling’ are right there!” 

“The stripped down version of ‘Moth’s Wings’ is great, but ‘Gossamer’ might beat out ‘Manners’ for me.” Megumi replies, interest creeping into his voice as he picks his head up off the wall.

“Oh, you’re crazy, no way, I’ll give you that ‘Where We Belong’ is amazing, but Sleepyhead has held up for so long, they’ve re-released it!” Yuuji laughs, excitement bubbling up inside him again as he opens his mouth to keep going, but he recalls Megumi’s words and tampers it down, inhaling a bit before shaking his head.

“Sorry, sorry just got excited. I’ll be quiet now.” Yuuji breathes out another laugh, and smiles, nodding at him before looking down.

“Oh, yeah. Thanks.” Megumi replies, clearing his throat as he rests his head back on the barn wall, the music bouncing off the walls as they sit, the only sounds between them being the huffs and whinnies of the horses, and the barn cat darting around in the rafters above them.

“Thanks again,” Yuuji says softly, glancing up, “For bringing me here. This was fun.”

“Yeah,” Megumi says, looking up and nodding, “It was.”

Squinting as his head throbs slightly, Yuuji rubs his eyes as he wakes up, yawning loudly, and he turns towards the window, his eyes readjusting to the light as he looks out at the lake towards the back of the house. Light bounced off the water, making it almost glitter under the early morning sun.

Groaning slightly, Yuuji rolls further to pick up his phone, seeing a text from Kugisaki.

kugi (fav sister)

head out after breakfast?

Yuuji glances back out the window, peeking his head up to catch a glimpse of the edge of the barn, before flopping back down and typing a response.

me

sounds good

He reluctantly rolls out of the bed, already missing the warm, feather soft mattress he collapsed into last night. 

Breakfast came and went quickly, with no Gojo present to keep them at the table with long winded, mostly pointless anecdotes and self proclaimed life lessons. Not unusually, Megumi was silent, with Mai and Kugisaki arguing over some book they both read. 

Yuuji couldn’t help but look over at him from time to time, his eyes catching on his long eyelashes each time they passed over him. But every so often, Yuuji could’ve sworn when he looked over, Megumi looked away.

As they got ready to leave, Yuuji awkwardly hung by the door with his hands in his pockets, looking at Kugisaki and Maki say goodbye for ten minutes  

“You guys are always welcome. Livens up the damn place.” Maki smirks, glancing around at the grand entryway, before she looks at Megumi, “Right, Megs?”

“Uh, yeah,” Megumi replies, startled, “Sure.”

“God, you’re both pathetic,” Mai mutters not so quietly under her breath, earning her an elbow in the ribs from Maki, and she flinches and raises her chin up, airily saying, “It was a pleasure.”

“As always, Mai.” Yuuji gives her a fake smile and a nod, and she gives it right back.

“We’ll walk you guys out to the car.” Maki says, tugging Kugisaki’s arm away from Mai.

“Are you both ready?” Ijichi comes around the side of the car after putting their bags in, looking at them expectantly.

“Shotgun!” Kugisaki shouts, bolting for the front seat as Yuuji and Maki chuckle.

“It was good seeing you, Maki.” Yuuji says, still a little unsure how to approach her.

“You too. Keep that one out of trouble.” She nods at Kugisaki in the car, and her gaze stays on her for a few moments before looking back to Yuuji, who just laughs.

“An impossible task but I’ll try,” Yuuji replies with a smile, and he nervously turns to the side towards Megumi, swallowing hard, “Bye, Fushi.”

“Stop calling me that.” Megumi rolls his eyes, but there’s less venom behind them than the first night they met.

“Nah,” Yuuji smiles, moving towards the car as Megumi rolls his eyes, “See you.”

Yuuji reaches for the car door, curling his fingers around the handle before he feels a cool palm fit against the back of his hand, tugging the door open in time with his as he looks up. Forest green eyes meeting his for more than a moment, Megumi opens the door for him, keeping his eyes steady as Yuuji’s hand gently slips out from under his as he moves towards the car. Slowly ducking to get in, Yuuji keeps his eyes on him as Megumi nods and shuts the door. 

Through the window, Yuuji watches him walk away, his hand by his side before he slows his pace a little and looks down at it as he walks. Turning his hand over, stretching out his fingers, almost inspecting, he stares at it for a few moments, then shoves it into his pocket and speeds back up towards the house, not looking back.

“What was that?” Kugisaki asks, turning in her seat as her eyes flick from Yuuji to Megumi walking away.

“I… don’t know.” Yuuji replies honestly, unable to take his eyes off Megumi as he walks back through the front door.

Chapter Text

Yuuji groans dramatically against the window, his forehead pressed to the foggy glass as he stares out at the pouring rain out the open window next to him. He’d had a beautiful plan to go to the lake, let Kugisaki and Maki eventually wander off so he could annoy and pick Megumi’s brain some more.

Until it started raining for a week straight.

With most of his work duties put off until the rain stopped, Yuuji was going slightly stir crazy cooped up inside.

Yuuji looks over at Megumi in the corner in his reading chair, legs tucked under himself with a blanket lazily draped across his lap. He was wearing his glasses, which was a rare and annoyingly adorable sight, and he had his cheek slumped into his palm, heavy lidded eyes moving back and forth across the page.

It had been about three weeks since Yuuji come to the Gojo estate for that first weekend, thanks to Maki claiming to try and piss off Mai as much as possible, but Yuuji had to cover his smile every time he saw Maki following along intently to Kugisaki’s rambles, nodding, her mouth twitching with a smile every few seconds. He knew Kugisaki would never admit just how much she really liked her, but if her muffled giggles through their shared wall meant anything, she was a goner.

Yuuji, on the other hand, still really couldn’t figure out how he felt about Megumi. He’d softened a little, let Yuuji tease him without completely biting his head off, but he still felt like Megumi looked at him with something like suspicion or distrust. Although, he no longer glared at him instinctually, even opening up little by little when Yuuji asked the right questions, prying open the right door with the right key. 

And, everything else aside, and as much as he hated to admit it, god, was he beautiful. 

Deep down, Yuuji knew he shouldn’t like him at all. He represented everything that Yuuji hated: condescension, inadequacy, dumb social hierarchy. He hated how much he wanted to prove himself to him, show him that he wasn’t some poor, dumb kid stuck in a sleepy town.

And Yuuji hated how much he craved that time with him to prove him wrong.

“What are you reading?” Yuuji calls from the other side of the room, and Megumi jolts his head up, elbow slipping off the arm of the chair.

“Huh?” He asks, blinking himself back into focus as Yuuji chuckles at him, plopping his chin in his palm with his elbow against the windowsill.

“Your book,” Yuuji nods at the book now in his lap, “What are you reading?”

“Oh, Franny and Zooey.” He replies, lifting it up a bit to reveal a plain white cover with green lettering. 

“You like it?” 

“I’m rereading it. I don’t read a lot of fiction but it’s one of my favorites.” Megumi replies simply, fiddling with the pages in his hands.

“Why are you rereading it?” Yuuji asks curiously, tilting his head as his eyes dart to the book.

“So many questions.” Megumi groans, leaning his head back against the chair.

“Come on, my amazing plan to go to the lake and rot in the sun all week was ruined!” Yuuji argues, pouting a bit, but then he tilts his head at him curiously, “I’ve never understood rereading stuff, wasn’t the first time enough?”

“Sure, for some books.” 

“Then why are you rereading this one?” Yuuji presses, carefully watching Megumi’s face for any sign of annoyance, but he found none, just his sleepy eyes.

“It’s more of a comfort thing, I guess. I always reread it on rainy days.” Megumi shrugs, picking up his coffee cup and he takes a sip, wrinkling his nose a bit before putting the cold, empty cup back down.

“Why?”

"I don't know, always makes me think."

"Why?"

“You ask questions like a toddler.”

“Why?” Yuuji grins, with a little flicker of victorious pride in his chest as Megumi rolls his eyes, but a smile tugs on his lips as he shifts in the chair, finally closing his book and settling it back on his lap.

“This weather sometimes makes me tired, but it’s always nice to read in, so I like to reread something I know I’ll like, so if I doze off, it’s not the worst thing because I’ve read it a hundred times.” Megumi replies simply, shrugging a little. 

Yuuji nods and glances down at his empty coffee cup, “You want another one?”

“Yeah, rain’s already making me sleepy.” Megumi sighs, shifting in his chair to stand up.

“I can get it.” Yuuji says, quickly standing up before him.

“No, I got it.” Megumi responds, moving his book to the table beside him.

“I really don’t mind, don’t want to put any of your workers out or anything, I—”

“I can get myself a damn cup of coffee. You don’t need to fucking wait on me.” Megumi interrupts, his voice a little sharper than before.

“Calm down, big shot,” Yuuji rolls his eyes playfully, chuckling lightly, “I’m just trying to be nice.”

“It’s fine. I’ll get it.” Megumi replies, no longer as harsh but he still stands quickly, moving the blanket to the chair behind him before he makes his way through the door.

“Okay.” Yuuji relents, plopping back down on the window cushion as he cracks open the window a bit more, feeling the damp, cool air flow through the room. He pushes it open a little wider, enough to cross his arms and lean his chin down them resting on windowsill, gazing out at the grounds before him as he inhales the sweet smell of summer rain.

He’d been here enough that the grandiose nature of everything was no longer as intimidating, but more cozy, if that was possible in a house this big. He’d discovered the little details that screamed Gojo and his dramatics (i.e. the soft serve ice cream machine Yuuji frequented often), and he could even begin to pick out the pieces of the house that were definitely made with Megumi in mind.

He thinks back to last week, when he stumbled across Megumi in a similar position, but hidden in a tiny room, tucked away in an upper corner of the house.

“Fushi? Is that you?”

Megumi looks up from his book, glasses sitting on the tip of his nose, and he quickly pushes them up, “Hey.”

“Hi,” Yuuji says, glancing around the room, but his eyes keep falling back to Megumi and his glasses, framing his own nicely, “Can I come in?”

“Okay,” Megumi looks around the room, and shrugs, “But I don’t have another chair for you.” 

“That’s okay.” Yuuji steps inside, looking around the room for a minute, taking in the books displayed around him, before turning towards Megumi and plopping himself on the ground.

He smiles as he notes a big, black, almost wolf-like dog laid out at the bottom of his chair, and it picks his head up as he sits down. 

“Who’s this?” Yuuji asks cheerfully, leaning back on his palm as he scratches the dog’s ears, who leans into his hand immediately, sitting by Megumi’s chair.

“Kuro,” Megumi replies, and nods his head behind him, “Shiro’s over there.” 

Yuuji turns his head and sees a similar looking, fluffy white dog curled up against one of the walls, fast asleep.

“Black and White?” Yuuji tries to hold back his laugh as Megumi rolls his eyes, cheeks flushing slightly. 

“I named them when I was 7.” 

“You’ve truly got a gift for naming animals.” Yuuji grins, and Megumi rolls his eyes again, picking up and chucking a pillow from his chair at Yuuji, who catches it, and tosses it behind him.

“Shut up. Why’d you come all the way up here, anyway?” Megumi asks as Yuuji smiles down at Kuro rolling over onto his back and he rubs his stomach, glancing up at Megumi.

“Bored,” Yuuji shrugs, as he looks around, “Couldn’t find you so I figured I’d explore. You guys don’t have any forbidden wings, right? Like booby trapped or something?”

“If there were, you wouldn’t be up here.”

“Ha ha.” Yuuji deadpans, bringing his knee up to rest his elbow on, still lightly scratching behind Kuro’s ears, and he takes another closer look around.

The room was circular, seemingly nestled in a turret in the upper corner of the house, and there were large, dark brown bookshelves lining the walls, with stacks of overflowing books spilled out onto the floor in tall, unbalanced piles. In comparison to the rest of the house, the room was an absolute mess, with empty coffee cups littering the shelves, half open notebooks and pens scattered around. On one wall was gigantic, faded map, with tiny little pushpins dotting the paper, some with strings tied around them, leading from one to the next.

At the far end of the room, there was a large, curved window that overlooked the grounds, the horizon of fields and hills dotting the landscape. The view was unbelievable, by far the best in the house. If he peeked his head around, he could even see the stables around the corner of the house, leading out to the large expanse of forest behind it, and Yuuji could’ve sworn he could see the top of his house at the top of the valley from here. 

Nuzzled by the window was a large, comfy, leather chair, an obviously handmade blanket draped across the back, where Megumi sat now with his legs hanging over the arm and Kuro at the base of the chair.

“This place is so cool,” Yuuji says with a sigh, as Kuro rolls back over and curls up with a loud sigh, and Yuuji looks back at Megumi, “Is it yours?”

“Kinda,” Megumi responds, shrugging, “Gojo turned it into this place. Used to be ballgown storage or something.” 

“So you’re hiding in the closet?” Yuuji smirks, and Megumi rolls his eyes, leaning over to smack him in the head with his book.

“Shut up.”

“Sorry, it was too easy,” Yuuji laughs, picking up an empty cup on the coffee table next to him, examining the leftover tea leaves, “You’re kinda messy, Fushi. Didn’t expect that.”

“Shut up,” Megumi repeats, ears turning red, “Staff doesn’t come up here.”

“So this is you cleaning for yourself?”

“Did you just come in here to insult me?”

“No, I came for you to entertain me.” Yuuji grins, and Megumi rolls his eyes, shaking his head.

“Well, I’m not playing, so go annoy someone else if you’re just going to sit here yapping at me.”

“I don’t yap!” Yuuji argues as Megumi raises his eyebrows, “Maybe just a little, but I can be quiet if I want to.”

“Prove it, then.” 

“How?”

“Sit, read, and be quiet.”

“Here?” Yuuji asks, looking around nervously, suddenly feeling self-conscious amongst the shelves, “But isn’t this your place?”

“Yeah, so I do what I want with it,” Megumi shrugs, sitting up to lean back and his eyes flick up and down the shelves on one wall, pointing to it after a few moments, “Grab that bluish green cover over on the third shelf, like six or seven from the left.”

Yuuji hesitantly stands up, walking over to the bookshelf and he pulls out the worn out book, flipping it over to read the title. 

“The Lightning Thief’?” Yuuji reads, before opening the cover and rolling his eyes, “Fushi, this is for kids.”

“That’s insulting.” Megumi scoffs, and Yuuji rolls his eyes again.

“Fushi! I’m not this stupid, come on!” Yuuji argues, his chest aching a bit at the idea that Megumi sincerely did think he was actually dumb enough to only read kids books.

“It’s not about the reading level, it’s about the story,” Megumi shrugs again, before glancing up at Yuuji, who still looked insulted, and he sighs, “It was my favorite series when I was growing up. Sort of still is, I guess.”

“Really?” Yuuji’s voice softens, and he looks back at the book, turning it to see that the spine was cracked and the pages were faded, slightly water logged, making the book thicker than it should be.

“Yeah. Got me into reading as a kid. I think you’d like it. Main character kinda reminds me of you.” 

“What, he’s charming and handsome?” Yuuji jokes and Megumi surprisingly laughs, shaking his head.

“No, he’s an idiot.”

“Ouch,” Yuuji pouts, looking back down at the book before he nods at Megumi, “Fine, I’ll give it a go.”

Yuuji settles down against the pillow behind him, wiggling around slightly to get comfy on the soft carpet underneath him, and brings the book up, opening to the first page.

Soon, the only sounds in the room were Kuro and Shiro’s soft, even breathing as they slept, and the faint sounds of birds chirping out of the cracked window. 

Yuuji starts to read, but his eyes keep glancing up to Megumi above him. His glasses have shifted down his nose again, but his eyes are focused, darting quickly along the page as his mouth twitches every so often, either looking amused, intrigued or melancholic, and Yuuji realizes just how pretty Megumi really is, without the lights and the parties and the drinks. 

He sinks further down into his pillow, bringing the book down to cover his warm cheeks.

His thoughts are interrupted by a soft clink on the windowsill next to him, and he looks down to see a steaming cup, foam on the top with a light dusting of cinnamon.

“Is this for me?” Yuuji tilts his head as he turns around, Megumi taking his seat back in his chair with his own coffee.

“Yeah. Some fancy chai from the last time Gojo went to India they found in the kitchen. Figured you’d like it.” Megumi replies without looking up, grabbing his book again and settling under the blanket.

“I—” Yuuji stops, unsure what to really say as he looks down at the cup again, then back up, and smiles at him, “Thank you.”

“Yeah, whatever.” Megumi grumbles, resuming his position of his chin in his palm as he opens his book again, but Yuuji can’t ignore the red tips of his ears, and he bites back a smile before shifting towards him.

“You know, I finished that book you gave me.” 

“Oh, yeah?” Megumi quickly looks up, closing his book again and sitting up, “Thoughts?”

“It was so good!” Yuuji exclaims, leaning forward on his elbows, “Those plot twists were insane, man. I didn’t know anything about Greek mythology, but those guys are nuts! Eating their kids, trapping people in casinos, kidnapping their family members and pranking them with golden nets, and so, so many affairs.”

“Sounds like you liked it,” Megumi chuckles deeply and genuinely, and Yuuji relishes in the rare sound, “But the real stories are more gnarly.”

“Man, I loved it! I can bring it by next time, but I just can’t believe it left us on that cliffhanger, though.” Yuuji shakes his head, pouting, and Megumi tilts his head, a faint glint in his eyes as he sits up and puts his book down, raising his eyebrows.

“You know it’s a series, right?” Megumi asks, and Yuuji’s eyes widen and he sits up, almost falling off the cushioned bench by the window.

“It is?” He asks, and Megumi nods, “But it didn’t say there was a book two!”

“That’s cuz the second book didn’t exist when I got that first book, dummy.” Megumi rolls his eyes, and Yuuji sticks his tongue out at him, but his chest gets warm as he sees Megumi’s faint smile tugging on the corners of his mouth.

“How many are there?”

“Five in the original series. I have all of them, they’re all upstairs. I can give you the second one.” Megumi replies, and Yuuji tries not to squeal at the prospect of reading another one of Megumi’s books. 

He did really like the book Megumi gave him, he was right, he was a little too similar to the main character, who indeed was an idiot at times, but it still made his heart warm that Megumi thought of him, particularly concerning something he himself clearly loved. 

But really, he liked that the book was Megumi’s. He loved seeing which pages he’d dog eared long ago, the little notes in the margins with clearly marked differences in the age of the handwriting, dried coffee and tea stains, even the little dark chocolate smudge on page forty seven. It was like he was getting a little secret piece of Megumi that no one else knew about, something he could figure out, and he wanted more or more of that piece every day.

“Cool, thanks, man.” Yuuji tries to keep the excitement out of his voice as Megumi nods at him.

“Yeah, no problem.” Megumi replies, shifting in his seat as he gets comfortable, and Yuuji smiles as he settles back against the cushions.

Looking out the window, Yuuji takes a sip of his tea and his eyes widen as he quickly looks back at Megumi.

“Fushiguro."

“Ugh, what?” Megumi picks his head up, sounding annoyed before he startles slightly at Yuuji’s serious expression.

“This,” Yuuji lifts up his cup, nodding down at his tea, “Is this best thing I’ve ever had.”

“It’s tea, Itadori.” Megumi rolls his eyes, but Yuuji shakes his head quickly.

“No, like, I think you’ve just ruined every drink for me forever.” 

“Shut up,” Megumi grumbles, and Yuuji laughs to himself, bringing the cup back up to his lips, “I just added more cinnamon and used decaf so you wouldn’t be bouncing off the damn walls.”

Yuuji’s hand on his cup still before he puts it down and looks back at Megumi.

“Wait, you made this yourself?” Yuuji asks quickly, and Megumi’s cheeks turn pink as he opens his mouth to respond, but suddenly, the door swings open and he snaps it shut, turning around.

Kugisaki comes flying into the room, her back to them as she speaks wildly with her hands, Maki trailing behind her with a small, amused smile on her face, nodding along.

“So then I told her that if anything, she needed to wear more earth tones, and then she told me that I was just telling her to wear more brown and how insulting that was, like, as if I would tell someone to wear shit brown, she just needs a good green to bring out the lighter parts of her eyes! Like this is just fashion science, okay, not my fault she was projecting!”

“Mai just has an uncanny ability to find an insult in everything,” Maki says with an eye roll, plopping down on the couch as she throws her arm around the back and Kugisaki sits next to her, “Trust me, I gave up after about 12 years.”

“It feels personal.” Kugisaki huffs, leaning her head on the back of the couch.

“It’s not.” Maki and Megumi say in unison, and the girls whip their head back at him.

“Oh, hi, Fushi,” Kugisaki says cheerfully, and Megumi scowls at her, “Didn’t see you guys in here.”

“Don’t call me that.” 

“You’re no fun to tease.” Kugisaki pouts, and he rolls his eyes, making Yuuji stifle a snort.

“Fushiguro is not to be laughed at.” Maki shakes her head, smirking at Megumi, who scowls back. 

“Oh? Why’s that?” Kugisaki asks, a mischievous grin on her face.

“Too proud to be teased, Fushi?” Yuuji smirks, tilting his head playfully at him.

“He can’t take a joke and takes things too seriously,” Maki rolls her eyes, and Megumi scoffs from behind her, but keeps his eyes on his book, “Stubbornest man alive.”

“Yuuji might be a close runner up.” Kugisaki replies, grinning over at Yuuji, who rolls his eyes, and Megumi shakes his head.

“I can take a joke. I just think that people should say what they mean,” Megumi says simply, still not looking up, “Being stubborn isn’t bad. I can’t forgive the idiocy of others or their wrongdoings. Once my good opinion is lost, it’s lost forever.” 

Silence fills the room, and Yuuji stares at Megumi, still intently reading his book, oblivious to the stares around him, until Yuuji laughs.

“Well, damn, Fushi,” Yuuji can’t help but smile when Megumi finally looks up at him, “We can’t joke about that now, can we? And that sucks, because I’m always in the mood to laugh.”

“Yeah, we can tell.” 

Yuuji picks his head up to look at the door to see Mai leaning against the doorframe, staring at him, unimpressed.

“Hey, Mai.” He forces out, a fake smile on his face as she ignores him and just sighs as she turns to Megumi.

“Gojo’s looking for you.” She says and Megumi looks up, irritation and confusion on his face.

“Why?”

“I don’t know, I didn’t ask, and I don’t care,” Mai sighs again, sounding bored, “Just sent me as his little carrier pigeon.”

“Whatever, fine,” Megumi rolls his eyes with an annoyed sigh as he stands up and tosses his book on the chair behind him, “Later.”

“Bye, Fushiiii!” Kugisaki grins at him as he passes by them towards the door.

“Stop calling me that.” Megumi says with another eye roll, and Maki lightly laughs to herself, shaking her head.

“Bye, Fushiguro.” Yuuji calls out, straining his neck a bit to see him as he approaches the doorway. His head turns slightly towards Yuuji, and he nods before heading through the door past Mai.

“Maki?” Mai says in an airy tone, judgmental, dark eyes glancing at Kugisaki and Yuuji before returning to Maki, “A word?”

Maki stares at her, and Mai stares back, the two of them locked in a silent argument across the room before Maki relents and sighs loudly, shifting to stand up, “See you guys later.”

“Bye, Maki.” Yuuji and Kugisaki both say, Kugisaki giving her a small wave, but her eyebrows are creased slightly, and Maki shakes her head at her and shrugs a bit, glaring at Mai once before walking out of the room.

Mai watches her leave, the door in the main, larger attached room closing behind her before she turns to them, a smug smile on her face.

“You guys are free to go. I know you must have chores to attend to.” Mai says with a smile, nodding at them before turning out of the room, slamming the door.

Yuuji and Kugisaki look at each other, staying silent for a moment until the door closes and they burst out laughing.

“You finish your chores, Cinderella?” Yuuji wheezes out, clutching his stomach as he laughs against the wall.

“Not sure, pauper boy, have you finished with the printing press?” Kugisaki snorts, flopping onto the couch with a loud laugh, “Honestly, who do they think we are? 18th century pig farmers?”

Yuuji shakes his head, laughter trailing off as he looks out the window at the sprawl of land ahead of them. As he gazes out at the grass and the trees, he suddenly feels very small, very disconnected from himself, like he was putting on someone else’s skin that didn’t quite fit.

“You ever think we shouldn’t be here? Like we’re too far removed from their lives to ever be able to really understand them?” Yuuji asks quietly, keeping his eyes out the window, and Kugisaki shifts her head up to the arm of the couch.

“What do you mean?”

“Like, we can hang out with them and talk and get along, but their lives are going to turn out so much differently than ours. Just feels weird that we probably won’t see them again after this summer, and they’ll be off doing… whatever, I don’t know. I guess I’ve just gotten used to them.” 

“Yuuji,” Kugisaki sits up, and turns towards him, eyes wide, “Are you telling me you like Fushi?”

“What? No!” Yuuji shouts, glancing at the door, and Kugisaki raises her eyebrows, and he lowers his voice and shakes his head, “No, it’s not like that. He’s still a bit insufferable, but he’s getting… better” 

“Then what is it like?”

“I don’t know, it’s just been nice to have someone to talk to,” Yuuji says wistfully out the window, before glancing back to see Kugisaki scowling at him, “Someone I’m not related to.” 

“Fine, offense retracted.” Kugisaki puts up her hand in surrender, and gestures for him to keep going.

“They just… they’re so different from us.” 

“I don’t know about that,” Kugisaki replies, leaning her head back on the arm of the couch, “Maki could be just another girl in town if you didn’t know her family could buy an island. Maybe Fushiguro’s just more inclined towards this life than she is. 

“Yeah, maybe.” Yuuji sighs, not feeling fully convinced as he glances at his phone, the date already moving towards the inevitable fall.

“I think you’ve just gotta get out of your bubble, get out of the barn and try and meet more people.” Kugisaki adds, tilting her back head back to look at him, upside down, hanging off the couch.

“Where, Kugi?” Yuuji huffs, rolling his eyes as he looks out the window, his chest aching slightly for some reason.

“There’s always people coming in and out here for some fancy artisanal cheese or goat's milk or Choso’s whiskey. Spend more time in town. Talk to new people,” She says,  "If Fushi’s still being a bit of a dick, then just don’t force it.”

“Yeah,” Yuuji sighs, pulling his knees up to his chest as he looks back out the window, the mist from the pouring rain dusting his cheeks, “Maybe.”

Unknown Number

hey yuuji!!!!!!! 

this is gojo

wanted to invite you down to the barn tomorrow if you were interested in helping clean/organize/fix it up a bit! nothing glamorous but I never forget an offer to help!

and i pay just as i look. handsomely ;)

Yuuji chuckles, shaking his head before typing his reply.

me

sure thing but u don’t need to pay me!! 8am work?

also don’t use that wink it’s creepy

gojo

sooo early!!!!!!!! but fine ok. i’ll leave the padlock unlocked for you. bring whoever you want.

and you’re getting paid, kid, shut up.

don’t tell nanami tho. he scares me.

and i’m keeping the winky ;)

Yuuji grins as he looks down at his phone, swiping from Gojo’s messages to a new thread.

to: big bro

yo. wanna help clean out a rich dude’s barn?

The sun was hot, beating down on his neck, and Yuuji could feel the sweat dripping down his back as he hauled another haybale off the truck. The rain had finally stopped, replaced by cloudless days where the scorching sun seemed impossible to escape.

“Cho! How many we got left?” Yuuji shouts, grunting as he throws the haybale onto the stack.

“Should be the last two!” He hears Choso’s muffled voice from inside the barn, and he sighs, wiping the sweat off his forehead before jogging back to the truck and grabbing the last one, quickly lugging it over to the stack and drops it with a huff. 

“Yuuji!” He hears Choso shout, his voice lined with something like revulsion and concern.

“Yeah?” Yuuji yells back, taking a long look at the hot, unforgiving sun before he shakes his head and strips off his sweat soaked tank top, throwing it in the back of Choso’s truck.

“Are horses supposed to shit this much?” Choso yells back, Yuuji snorts shaking his head.

“They eat a lot of fiber!” Yuuji yells back with a laugh, shaking his head as he hears Choso groan in disgust.

“Okay, then this stall might take me another minute!” 

Yuuji laughs again, dropping his head as he wonders how he and Choso ended up so different, and he picks his gaze back up, eyes settling on the turnout pens behind the barn, and his brain lights up. Rubbing his temple to try and remember the stall number, Yuuji keeps his eyes on the pens, glancing over his shoulder as he slowly makes his way towards it.

Yuuji peeks around, trying to see if he could see the occasional worker walking around, but the coast was clear. Darting his head in either direction, Yuuji slinks along the backside of the fences, keeping his back firmly along the wood as he creeps towards the middle of the pens.

He counts the stall numbers again, double checking before placing his palms on the fence, hoisting himself over and he jumps down into the dirt. He slowly walks to the side of the half open door leading to the inner part of the stall. He takes a deep breath and knocks on the outer wall of the barn, and whistles a short tune. 

After a moment, he sees a familiar speckled snout pop up out of the top of the open half door, and when Blue sees him, she huffs warily, stepping back.

“Come on, sweet girl, you remember me?” Yuuji says gently, slowly bringing his hand up for her to sniff, and she eyes him, reluctantly dipping her nose towards his hand to smell him. She huffs again and tilts her head, allowing him to pet down the side of her neck, “Hey there.”

Yuuji smiles down at her, stepping forward slowly and he  allows himself to really look at her. She really was beautiful, her breed was rare and valuable, and he’d never seen one up close before. He also knew that blue roans were typically affectionate and gentle, often mirroring their riders, and were incredibly intelligent. The idea of a young Megumi falling in love with her was adorable, and even more adorable that his grumpy nature influenced hers as well. 

“I brought you something,” Yuuji smiles as he pulls out an apple from his pocket, slipping out his pocketknife as well to a happily whinnying Blue, “Yeah, yeah, more exciting than me, I know.”

He shakes his head as he takes a small step away from her, leaning against the side of the barn as he cuts up the apple into small chunks. Putting them in his palm before her, Blue happily chomps down before looking up pleadingly for more, and Yuuji laughs, cutting more in his palm.

“Your owner’s kind of a grump too, you know,” Yuuji says, moving his hand to softly pet down her nose as she eats, and she nuzzles into his hand ever so slightly, almost barely noticeable, “You’ve warmed up to me much better than he has. Maybe I just need to hand feed him apples too, huh?”

Blue pauses, looking up at him for a moment before she just huffs, moving her head down to continue eating the apple. 

“Jeez,” Yuuji scoffs, cutting up another piece and placing in his palm, “You and Fushi really are alike. So judgy.”

“But…” He pauses, stroking down her nose as he looks back up at the house, the last pieces of apple in his palm, “You’re both interesting. Something out of the ordinary.” 

Sighing, he keeps his eyes on the house until he feels something nudge into his empty hand, and he looks back at Blue as she pushes her nose into it again. He chuckles to himself, grabbing the second apple out of his pocket.

“You want more, huh?” Yuuji laughs, pulling out his knife again to cut up more apple, but his eyes land back on the house, and he sighs loudly as he cuts it up.

"Can't help it, Blue. I like to explore people. And he’s just so interesting,” Yuuji sighs, tilting his head back against the barn as he cuts, looking over at a disinterested looking Blue, “Just wanna peel back the layers like an onion."

Blue huffs again, and Yuuji could’ve sworn she was shaking her head, as she chomps away at the last pieces of the apple.

"It's not like l have a crush on him or anything, he’s still kind of condescending and closed off, but dammit, I know there’s something else there." He looks up at the house, sighing as he scans the beautiful stone work detailing the outside. His eyes land on a familiar window, tucked way on a turret on the corner of the house, and he sees a figure in the window, leaning their head against it.

Squinting, he smiles as he sees dark hair smushed up against the glass, and he brings his hand up to wave. Megumi stiffens, picking his head up off the window and immediately disappears, and Yuuji rolls his eyes with a light laugh.

He takes one last look up at the empty window with a sigh before turning to Blue, stroking down her nose, “See what I mean?”

Blue just huffs, nudging her nose at his now empty pockets for more apples, and he chuckles, “Sorry, that’s all I got, girl.”

She huffs again, sounding more irritated as she bumps her nose into his chest, backing up and turning around into her stall.

“That hurts, Blue, it really does,” Yuuji holds his hand to his chest with a pout, shaking his head. Sighing, he moves towards the fence and hops over, dusting off his pants and he tucks the apple cores into his pocket as he moves towards Choso talking to Gojo.

“Yuuji, my man!” Gojo exclaims as he jogs over to the two of them, clapping him on the back as he walks up.

“Hey guys.” Yuuji smiles at them, and Gojo beams at him, keeping his hand on his shoulder.

“Killed it in there, guys. Looks great.” Gojo says cheerfully, turning towards Yuuji, and he glances over his shoulder to see Choso mouthing, Never again.

“Thanks,” Yuuji replies, glancing again over at Choso, “I know Choso’s super busy these days, but I’d love to help out when I can.”

“Perfect!” Gojo exclaims, and Choso breathes a sigh of relief, nodding gratefully at him.

“Gonna go put our stuff back in the truck, you ready after?” Choso looks to Yuuji, and he nods.

“Yeah, good to go.”

“Cool,” Choso nods at him, and sticks his hand out to shake Gojo’s, “Good to see you again, Gojo.”

“Don’t be a stranger, bring Yuki by!” Gojo exclaims happily, before leaning over to Yuuji as Choso turns to grab his bags, “Yuki is the best gossip.”

“I know.” Yuuji whispers back, and Gojo grins down at him, putting an arm around his shoulder as Choso waves and heads towards his truck.

“Knew I liked you, kid,” Gojo says, sighing as he looks up at the barn, “Looks great, horses look happier than they’ve been in ages.”

“They’re beautiful animals, sir.” Yuuji replies, peeking back over to try and see the inside of the stalls.

“Yuuji,” Gojo groans and hangs his head back as Yuuji looks back at him, “Enough with the sir, you make me feel ancient.” 

“Sorry, sorry, force of habit.” Yuuji laughs as Gojo keeps looking out at the barn, shaking his head.

“Man, Megs is gonna be stoked. Always says our barn is ‘run by cretins.’” Gojo says with air quotes as he laughs and Yuuji feels his heart pick up.

“Yeah?” Yuuji looks over at Gojo, who just nods back, and his heartbeat speeds up a bit more, “Cool, cool. Glad he’ll like it.”

“You’re good with ‘em,” Gojo says simply, and Yuuji looks over in confusion, and he continues, “Them. The horses, I mean. You’ve got a real gift.”

“Oh, thanks!” Yuuji brightens, his chest warming with pride, and Gojo nods again, a glint in his eyes.

“Even with Blue.” Gojo says simply, glancing over with a raised eyebrow, and Yuuji gulps hard, his cheeks warming.

“Oh, you saw that?” He says sheepishly, looking down, but Gojo just squeezes his shoulder and drops his arm, turning to face him.

“I see everything,” Gojo says seriously, before cracking into a grin and Yuuji huffs out a laugh, “It’s impressive though, really. Doesn’t show her nicer side to just anybody. Keeps her vulnerable side tucked away for a while.” 

Gojo glances over at him, and nudges his shoulder, a glint in his eyes, “Be patient. She’s a great horse.”

“Yeah,” Yuuji swallows hard, refusing to let his eyes drift back up towards the house, “She really is.”

“Wish she was nicer to me,” Gojo pouts, and Yuuji snorts, shaking his head, and Gojo looks over at him, “You should come by more often. You know, for the horses.” 

“Thanks, Gojo.” Yuuji smiles at him and Gojo smiles back, glancing back at the barn, then he looks up at the house for a few moments before turning back to Yuuji. 

“Course, anytime,” Gojo ruffles his hair, taking a step back, keeping his eyes out on the grass, “So, you see anyone else new in town? Or any old familiar faces maybe?”

“Um, no, not that I’ve noticed,” Yuuji replies, pinching his eyebrows together as Gojo just nods, uncharacteristically gentle, “You looking for someone?”

“No, no, just curious about my fellow townsfolk, been a while since I’ve been back!” Gojo laughs, waving him off as he looks back out towards the grounds, but Yuuji can’t ignore the slight disappointment in his voice.

“I’ll keep an eye out for you.” Yuuji says with a smile and Gojo looks back at him, and his expression softens a bit, and he reaches up and ruffles his hair again.

“Thanks, kid,” He smiles down at him before glancing behind him at Choso’s truck, “You guys should come by for dinner one of these days.”

“Yeah?” Yuuji grins, “That’d be great, thanks, Gojo.”

“Anytime. It’s been nice to have some fresh young faces around,” Gojo replies cheerfully, stepping back, “I have to go deal with boring work stuff, but let me know when you guys are all free, yeah?”

“Yeah, sure.” Yuuji responds with a smile, and Gojo nods at him before fully turning back towards the house.

Yuuji sighs happily, his chest feeling light and airy as he steals another glance up towards the window, before shaking his head with a smile. Grabbing the apple cores and chucking them into the nearby woods, he slaps the back of the truck and jogs towards the passengers seat, “Choso, let’s go!”

“You cannot be serious right now, Yuuji.”

“I am serious!” Yuuji argues back, tugging Inumaki and Kugisaki’s wrists towards the store, “Junpei called and said Human Earthworm 4 is in stock now! I need it for my collection!”

“You need to get over this obsession with those movies,” Kugisaki groans, yanking her arm away, “They’re really not good.”

“You just have no taste,” Yuuji says, sticking his tongue out as he drags them into the store, “It’ll take two minutes, you can even time me.”

“Oh, I will.” Kugisaki replies with an eye roll, glancing up at the store’s sign as they push their way through, bell chiming above them.

“Itadori!”

“Hey, Junpei.” Yuuji replies, waving as he trots over to the counter, 

“Here for Earthworm?” He asks, leaning on his elbows on the countertop.

“You know it.” Yuuji grins as Junpei nods in approval, pointing to the back of the store.

“There’s a display rack of new releases back there,” He responds, laughing lightly, “Don’t think you have to worry about them selling out. I think I’m the only other one who’s picked one up.”

“Because no one else’s taste is as good as ours, my man.” Yuuji grins, nodding as he heads towards the back towards the display.

“Come on, come on.” Yuuji scans the shelf of new, random looking movies before he yelps and rushes towards the end of the shelf, grabbing one of the DVD cases and exhaling in relief. He flips it over, eagerly reading the back when a deep voice interrupts his thoughts.

“Didn’t think I’d ever find anyone else buying these movies.” 

Yuuji looks up to see a tall, attractive man a little older than him, blonde with dark green roots peeking through, and piercings dotting his left ear. Yuuji glances down and sees another copy of the movie he’d been searching for in his hands before looking back up.

“You like the Human Earthworm series too?” Yuuji asks, trying to keep the excitement out of his voice as the man nods.

“Yeah, love bad horror films. Got a thing for crap movies.” He shrugs, and Yuuji deflates a bit, shifting on his feet.

“I mean, I wouldn’t say they’re that crap, the graphics could use some work, but I think it’s part of its charm, and they get better as the years go on.” Yuuji replies, his voice dropping a little.

“Yeah, yeah, no, that’s what I meant,” The man nods quickly, then tilts his head as he keeps his eyes on Yuuji, “You live around here?”

“Yeah, just over the hill of the Gojo estate.” Yuuji replies cheerfully, and he freezes for half a second.

“Really?” He asks quickly, eyes widening ever so slightly, before he seemingly steels himself again. 

“Yeah, always have,” Yuuji replies, choosing to write off his reaction as just like everyone else’s seems to be when they hear Gojo’s name, “What about you?”

“Just in town for some business. Might try to see some family around these parts too.” 

“Oh, nice!” Yuuji smiles, sticking out his hand, and he takes it, shaking once, “I’m Itadori Yuuji, it’s nice to meet you.”

“Zenin Naoya.”

“No fucking way,” Yuuji laughs, shaking his head as Naoya looks at him curiously, “You’re related to Maki and Mai and Fushi?”

“…Fushi? You know them?” Naoya asks, but Yuuji can’t fail to notice how he stiffens slightly, jaw clenching for half a second.

“Yeah, you know, we live just over the hill from Gojo’s and they’re here this summer.” Yuuji says, carefully watching his reaction, but Naoya just smiles back and nods, his face relaxed. 

“Haven’t seen those guys in years,” Naoya replies simply, leaning against the wall next to them, “But enough about them. How about you?”

“Me?”

“Yeah, what’s your story, Pinky?” Naoya smirks as he crosses his arms, and Yuuji feels his cheeks heat up.

“My story?” Yuuji repeats, and Naoya nods, an amused smile on his face, “Um, I’m pretty boring.”

“Oh, I highly doubt that.” Naoya replies, looking him up and down, and Yuuji’s face gets hotter.

“Well,” Yuuji starts, swallowing hard, “Been here my whole life, I work at the barn in town. Live with my dads and siblings outside of town by Gojo’s, like I said. Oh, they’re over there.”

Yuuji turns and gestures towards Kugisaki and Inumaki, who quickly look away and busy themselves looking in the discount racks, “Kugisaki’s on the left and Inumaki’s on the right.”

Naoya nods at them, before turning his eyes back to Yuuji, his eyes almost calculating, analyzing him.

“Let’s get a drink sometime.” He smiles, leaning his head against the wall as he looks him up and down again, but Yuuji’s stomach flips as his dark eyes slowly trace over him, flicking up to his with a small smirk. 

“Yeah?” Yuuji smiles back, and Naoya nods, and Yuuji’s stomach flutters as he quickly tries to respond, “Yeah, we can go to the tavern right in town, I know the bartender.”

“Cool. Next week work?” Naoya asks, reaching into his pocket.

“Yeah, yeah, that works.” Yuuji swallows his nerves, and Naoya silently holds out his hand, and Yuuji looks down and sees his phone.

“Need your number.”

“Oh! Yeah, obviously.” Yuuji laughs nervously, taking the phone as Naoya’s hand lingers on his for a second, and he quickly looks down to hide his pink cheeks as he quickly types in his number and hands it back.

“Cool.” Naoya says, leaning back against the wall, and Yuuji smiles at him as he backs up a bit.

“See you next week?”

“See you next week.” 

Yuuji nods quickly at him as he moves back, bumping into a display case of figurines and he quickly moves to steady it, glancing up at Naoya and laughing awkwardly as he rights it and quickly turns around towards Kugisaki and Inumaki.

“I literally don’t think I could have been more embarrassing.” Yuuji groans, covering his face with his hands and shaking his head. 

“I literally don’t think it matters.” Kugisaki says and he picks his head up and sees her staring at him, dumbfounded, and Yuuji looks between her and Inumaki, both looking stunned.

Yuuji, I think that man wanted to eat you, Inumaki signs seriously, eyes following Naoya as he walks towards the register.

“I haven’t been a witness to that much sexual tension in a long time,” Kugisaki shivers, and Yuuji shoves her shoulder, “Maybe ever.”

“Shut up! It wasn’t like that!” Yuuji hisses, glancing at Naoya behind Kugisaki, just as he turns his head back at them, and Naoya smirks again, nodding before he turns around again.

Does he know that? Inumaki signs with a smirk, shaking his head as Kugisaki snorts next to him.

“You guys are so annoying,” Yuuji groans, hanging his head back as the two of them laugh at him, “Leave me alone.”

“No way.” Kugisaki laughs and Yuuji groans again, shaking his head, before he remembers.

“Oh! And guess what? He’s related to Fushi and Maki.” Yuuji adds, and Kugisaki’s mouth drops open, eyes wide.

“Oh, then I’m definitely gonna get the lowdown from Maki about him,” Kugisaki leans back and looks over at Naoya again, before turning back and smiling at Yuuji, “Thank you for giving me such a good in, Yuu, I owe you for being romantically helpless.”

“I am not!” Yuuji protests, whining slightly, “And I’m not sure what kind of terms they’re on, it didn’t seem like he was too happy that I mentioned that I knew them.”

“Well, we all know that most of that family is fucked,” Kugisaki sighs, and Inumaki nods furiously next to her, “So maybe his crime is being a decent human.”

Just go for the free drinks, Inumaki signs and Kugisaki nods enthusiastically next to him, but Yuuji sighs loudly, shaking his head.

“That feels dirty.” Yuuji replies, and Kugisaki and Inumaki glance over at each other, before looking back at Yuuji, unimpressed.

“You have way too strong of a moral backbone,” Kugisaki groans as Inumaki nods, crossing his arms, “Were you into him?”

“We talked for like two seconds!”

Yeah and your face matched your hair for most of it, Inumaki signs with a grin, and Kugisaki snorts, as Yuuji rolls his eyes, glancing at Naoya walking out the door.

“Doesn’t it seem weird? Going out with someone they’re related to?”

“Who, Maki and Fushi? Why would they care?”

“I-I don’t know,” Yuuji stammers, scrambling to find an answer for the odd feeling churning in his stomach, “I guess they wouldn’t.”

“Unless Maki’s into you, but then I’d just have to commit fratricide.” Kugisaki sighs, casually looking at her nails.

“Yeah, sure, okay.” Yuuji scoffs, rolling his eyes as he glances back at Naoya.

“So? Are you gonna go?” Kugisaki presses as they walk up to the counter, and she takes a lip gloss off the display case, chucking it on top of Yuuji’s movie.

“I don’t know, leave me alone.”

“So who was that guy eye fucking you in aisle 4?” Junpei asks casually as he rings up the movie and the lip gloss, and Kugisaki and Inumaki burst out laughing as Yuuji’s face heats up again. 

“Come on,” Yuuji groans, hanging his head back as he hands him cash, “Not you too.”

“I call it like I see it,” He shrugs, handing him the movie, his change and his receipt, “Never seen him in here before though.”

“I don’t even have his number, he might not even text me.” Yuuji whines slightly, nodding at Junpei as he hands him his change and bag, “Thanks, man.”

“Anytime. You gotta tell me how this whole thing goes.” Junpei replies, smiling, “We still on for that movie next week?”

“Hell yeah,” Yuuji grins back with a wave as the three of them head towards the front of the store, “Bye!”

“Bet you ten bucks he’ll text you by the end of the day.” Kugisaki replies, nudging him with her elbow as they head towards the door.

“Yeah, whatever, sure.” Yuuji replies as they turn down the sidewalk, and he slips his phone out of his pocket as he feels it buzz, almost dropping it when he reads it.

Unknown Number

Hey, Pinky. It’s Naoya. Next Thursday, 9pm?

“I take bet payment in cash, by the way.” Kugisaki smirks as she hooks her chin over his shoulder.

“Shut up.” Yuuji grumbles, shoving her off as his thumbs hover over the keyboard.

me

hey! works great for me, see u then :)

Chapter Text

“So, then Kugisaki felt bad, so she tried to drag me back into the house, but obviously, my shoulder is so out of whack so she’s making it so, so much worse. Nanami thought one of us had died the way we were screaming at each other, but Haibara cried because he said it was the first time we’d acted like real siblings. And that,” Yuuji finishes with a flourish, “Is the story of the first time I dislocated my shoulder.”

“Absolutely thrilling.” Megumi rolls his eyes, taking a sip of his coffee as he continues scratching Shiro’s head next to him.

“It was! I held it over her head for like, ten years. Then I accidentally broke her nose, so I had to give it up.”

“You broke her nose?” 

“It was an accident!” Yuuji protests, feeling his cheeks get hot,  “Me and Inumaki were playing XBox and fighting and she got between us and I accidentally elbowed her in the face.”

Megumi shakes his head, “You guys are idiots.”

“It’s not my fault Inumaki is competitive, he learned that from Nanami.” Yuuji laughs and Megumi shakes his head again.

“You should’ve seen Mai and Maki growing up. Surprised they’re both still alive.” Megumi replies, sighing as he looks up the ceiling.

Yuuji lets the silence rest for a few minutes, working up the courage to speak up again.

“So, there’s a band coming in a week or so to the bar a few towns over,” Yuuji starts, trying not to sound too hopeful, “One of my coworker’s plays in it, sounds like it’ll be cool.”

“Hard pass.”

“What?” Yuuji exclaims as Megumi shrugs, “I didn’t even technically invite you yet!”

“Yeah, I’m good. I’d rather stay here and listen.” Megumi says noncommittally, taking a sip of his coffee, settling further back in his chair. 

He was wearing a heather grey, oversized hoodie, and his chin was nestled comfortably into the hood, head tucked into the corner as he curled up in the wide, leather chair. Yuuji was lounging on the couch, sprawled across with his arms thrown over his head, head tilted against his bicep as he looked over at Megumi. He had a movie playing on the massive TV ahead of him, but his brain was busy, thoughts of Naoya and his scalding eyes, and the weird, churning feeling in his stomach when Megumi entered his mind too.

He didn’t know why it felt so odd to him, just getting drinks with someone in Megumi’s family. The Zenin family seemed huge, with connections and family members in all corners of the globe, so the odds of them knowing each other well were arguably low. Megumi didn’t seem like the type of person to do things he didn’t want to do, without good reason, so it didn’t seem likely that he would go out of his way to participate in anything related to them. 

But he couldn’t deny the feeling in his gut, the one that felt almost suspiciously like guilt, that had been bubbling up every time he snuck time with Megumi after he’d met Naoya. He’d stopped trying to make up any real excuse to come with Kugisaki any time Maki had invited her over, and on rainy days like this, he and Megumi had silently come to a routine. Megumi usually sat in his chair, reading a book, while Yuuji watched a movie, went to explore, or more frequently, just annoyed Megumi into talking to him about whatever topic he was reading about.

He liked this. He liked the routine they fell into, he liked that he could sit in a room with him in almost silence and the hours still rushed by. He liked that Megumi’s dry sense of humor was coming out more, making him laugh from across the room. He liked the stability and balance they’d found, and he found himself craving those moments more and more, and for the first time in his life, he had started to like the rain.

With this new balance he’d come to love, he was nervous, mentioning Naoya to Megumi, worried that it could mess up this delicate comfort they’d both found, but his curiosity got the better of him, and the words slipped out before he could even stop them.

“So you never mentioned you have another cousin in town.”

“Cousin?” Megumi looks over at him, eyebrows pinched in confusion, and Yuuji nods, “What cousin?”

“I met him in town yesterday,” Yuuji replies simply, trying to keep his voice even and steady, “Naoya?”

Megumi’s face is frustratingly blank, except for the slight clench in his jaw as he picks up his coffee.

“Did you.” 

His voice is sharper than Yuuji would’ve expected from his expression, biting and almost bitter, and Yuuji sits up a little bit.

“Um, yeah.”

“That’s… nice.”

Yuuji looks over at him again, eyes scanning up and down his tense body language before he huffs, sits up and turns to face him.

“Why are you being weird?”

“I’m not.”

“Yes, you are,” Yuuji fights back, eyeing him up and down again as he refuses to look over at him, “We were having a nice time and now you’re tense.”

“I am not tense.” 

“Tell that to your face.”

“Then stop looking at me.”

“Fushi!” Yuuji laughs a little, but he’s quickly shut up as Megumi turns to glare at him.

“What?!” He suddenly snaps, harsher than he’d ever heard him, and Yuuji puts his hands up in surrender.

“Okay, okay, sorry,” He relents as Megumi huffs and keeps his eyes down, hand still holding his coffee cup, but his knuckles are white as he grips the handle before setting it down again, “I was just curious when he said he knew you.”

“Oh I’m sure he had lots to say.” Megumi says, half mumbling, half spitting out his words, and Yuuji feels his chest flame with irritation.

“Why are you being such a dick?” He asks harshly and Megumi glares over at him.

“Why are you being nosy?”

“I’m literally just asking a question!”

“And I’m not answering it.”

“Fine!” Yuuji huffs, flopping back against the chair, crossing his arms over his chest as he stares out in front of him.

The room was silent, tension sitting in the air, and Yuuji glances over at Megumi, who’s glaring at the floor, and he tries one more time.

“So does—”

“I am not answering questions about Naoya. He’s a distant cousin and I don’t fucking know him.” Megumi bites out without looking over, keeping his eyes down.

“You are so difficult.” Yuuji groans as Megumi avoids his gaze, leaning over to grab his book off the table next to him.

“Why do you even want to know about him?”

“Cause he asked me for drinks tonight.” 

Megumi’s hands still on the edge of his book as he reaches over, looking up at him with wide eyes, and Yuuji could’ve sworn he saw panic swimming in them.

“He did?”

“Yup.” 

“Are you going to go?” Megumi asks quickly, and Yuuji feels a shameful flicker of pride in his chest as he sees that Megumi looks slightly nervous.

“Why not? I like making friends.”

“Making fr—” Megumi huffs out and pauses, inhaling sharply before he looks back up at Yuuji, his eyes stubbornly unreadable, “Have fun, then.”

“I will.”

“Good.”

Uncomfortable silence falls over them as rain spits against the window, the only noise in the room from the volume of the unwatched movie playing on the wall.

Yuuji looks over at Megumi, his shoulders still tense as he stares at the ground, eyes unmoving, and he feels guilt gnawing at his stomach, and he turns back to him and sighs.

“Fushi, look—”

“I have work to do.” Megumi interrupts, suddenly standing up as his book clatters to the ground and he quickly walks through the room to the door.

“Fushi, come on!” Yuuji shouts after him as Megumi slams the door behind him, rattling the bookshelves. 

He frowns, keeping his eyes on the door for a few minutes longer before he drops his head into hand, sighing, “Dammit.”

Picking his head back up, he looks at Shiro, who's now sitting up, staring at the door, before he looks over at Yuuji, "You still like me, right?"

Yuuji took his time walking into town that night, he couldn’t get Megumi’s hard expression and sharp words out of his mind, despite desperately trying to push him out of his thoughts. As his feet gently hit against the dirt road, he sighs as he pops up onto his toes, peeking over the hill to look down at the gently lit Gojo estate. 

He keeps his head turned and keeps walking, and Yuuji can’t help but try and peek into the upper window of Megumi’s library, with the soft lights illuminating it. He can’t see too well, but he could’ve sworn he saw someone walking back and forth in front of the glass. 

He shakes his head, trying to clear his mind again as he sticks his headphones into his ears to drown out the messy thoughts bouncing around in his brain. Folksy, rhythmic sound flows through, and he inhales and exhales deeply, keeping his eyes closed for a few moments.

After a slower than usual walk, Yuuji finds himself pushing through doors of the bar, inhaling sharply as he quickly looks around for blonde hair. His eyes scan over the room before they settle on Naoya, and he grins as he heads towards the bar. 

“Hey!” Yuuji says brightly, and Naoya gives him a smile, waving him over. 

“Hey,” Naoya replies, sliding him a beer, “Get here okay?”

“I should be asking you that,” Yuuji says, sliding onto the barstool next to him, “How’s town been for you?”

“Boring,” Naoya responds, shaking his head as he takes a sip of his half drunk beer, “Seems like it hasn’t changed that much since the last time I was here.”

“Yeah,” Yuuji laughs a little, “It can get old pretty quick.”

“Tell me about it,” Naoya mutters, then shakes his head a little and looks over, expression brighter, “Anyway, still good to be back. How’ve you been?”

“Good, I’ve been good! Rain has been messing with my work a bit, but nothing too bad.”

“Oh, where do you work again?” 

“My dad’s barn, I work pretty much wherever he needs me.”

“So like, cows and pigs?” Naoya responds, his face faltering a bit.

“No, no, horse barn,” Yuuji corrects quickly, and Naoya nods, “So I look after the horses, help with lessons, stuff like that.” 

“Oh, cool.” Naoya says, his tone annoyingly hard to read.

“So, what do you do?” Yuuji asks, taking a hefty sip of his beer to settle his nerves.

“Boring surveillance shit.”

“Surveillance? Like what?” Yuuji asks curiously, tilting his head.

“If I told you, I’d have to kill you,” Naoya smirks, bumping his shoulder slightly, and he lets his arm lightly settle against his, “Work on drones and stuff.”

“Huh, interesting,” Yuuji lies, tilting his head, “My brother's super into all that computer science stuff, he'd probably love to pick your brain.

"Yeah, sure."

"So you like it? Work?” Yuuji asks, taking another sip of his drink, wrinkling his nose slightly as he tastes the off putting taste of some fancy beer.

“Enough, but I don’t wanna talk about work.” Naoya shakes his head and takes another big sip, “I’m not exactly important there, too lowly to even get noticed in one of my own family’s companies so I don’t want to bore you.”

“It’s not boring!” Yuuji protests as Naoya gives him an unimpressed look, “It’s not like my life is all that thrilling.”

“No? You don’t think so, cowboy?” Naoya smirks, bringing his drink back up again, and Yuuji feels his face get hot.

“Well, no,” Yuuji laughs, rubbing his neck as he picks up his drink, “Not exactly, but I do find some fun things to do around here.”

“Yeah, like hanging out at Gojo’s?” Naoya says, hidden scorn lining his voice, and Yuuji decides to ignore it.

“We’ve got some stuff in town, it may not be the most glamorous but we have a good time. Music, drinking, dancing, all of that.”

“You really should try and go to Tokyo or Kyoto, get out of this place.” Naoya says, looking around the dark bar, and Yuuji’s smile falters a little.

“Not sure I’ll ever get out of this place,” Yuuji replies with a sigh, “I’ll probably end up taking over the barn after my dad retires.”

“That sucks.”

“I mean, not as bad as it may sound,” Yuuji counters, feeling a little defensive, “I’ve always wanted to work with horses, and we’re in the perfect place for it. Quiet, tranquil, relaxed.”

“That’s a word for it.”

“So, why’d you come back then?” Yuuji asks, and Naoya stays quiet for a few moments, eyes fixated on the shelf of bottles ahead of them.

“Works stuff with some routine testing out in some random facility a few miles out,” Naoya shrugs, taking another large sip, “Middle of fuckin’ nowhere out here but close to where I grew up.”

“So, where’s the Zenin estate out here?” Yuuji asks curiously and Naoya stiffens slightly, keeping his hand tightly wrapped around his glass.

“About five miles from Gojo’s place. Much nicer in my opinion,” Naoya replies, shrugging before he looks over at him, “Actually, most of the family will be headed to the estate over the weekend. Fushiguro is throwing a big old thing for them.”

“Really?” Yuuji can’t keep the surprise out of his voice, but he is desperately hoping that the underlying hurt is masked.

“Surprised he didn’t tell you about it,” Naoya raises his eyebrows, “As heir and all.”

His voice is undeniably bitter, and Yuuji is taken back to Megumi’s odd reaction to Naoya’s name, and the irritation in his gut when he had ignored him, and he nods to himself as he thinks, Fuck it.

“So, speaking of, uh, I’m sorry, I just have to ask,” Yuuji starts, nerves settling in his chest, “What’s the deal with you and Fushiguro?”

“What do you mean?” Naoya replies casually, but Yuuji can see his hands grip his glass a little tighter.

“Come on,” Yuuji laughs lightly, trying to break the tension suddenly suffocating in the air, “You didn’t seem too happy I mentioned him, and he wasn’t either, so there’s gotta be a story there.”

“He wasn’t, huh?” Naoya replies, mouth twitching as he brings his drink up to his mouth, “Interesting.”

“So?” Yuuji presses as he doesn’t answer, and Naoya shrugs, taking a large sip before setting his glass back down to speak.

“Megumi spent much of his childhood at my estate, dropped there when Gojo was off doing God knows what. We were friends growing up, he was kind of like my little brother,” Naoya says, his voice even, like he was actively trying to keep himself calm, “But then the family named him heir, and he changed. Acted like I was out to get him, take something from him. I think that’s his issue. He wasn’t born into this life, just lucked into it, so as soon as he got a taste, and he got both the Zenin’s and Gojo, he got greedy, entitled.”

“I—” Yuuji pauses, shaking his head a little as his words sink in, “Are you sure? Fushiguro?”

“He always had it out for me, always, even when we were little,” Naoya scoffs a little, shaking his head, “I always knew he wanted the heir title, even though his connection to the Zenin’s was minimal at best with his father.”

“His father?” Yuuji looks up. Megumi had really never mentioned his parents, or given any indication why he lived with Gojo, or why he still stayed connected to the Zenin’s despite clearly disliking some of their opinions and rules. He’d started to soften, but not to the point that Yuuji really wished he would. He felt a little guilty, and a little sad, hearing Megumi’s story from someone else rather from his own lips.

“Oh, I’m not sure if I should tell you if you don’t know,” Naoya says with a sigh, before glancing over at Yuuji’s curious eyes, and he then quickly turns to him, “Okay, whatever. So he was an addict, basically anything you could think of. Drugs, gambling, women. Sleazy guy, really. Always took whatever he wanted, didn’t care about how it affected others, at least that’s what my dad always said. They always said he left the family out of spite, not some forbidden love bullshit. But it seems like he passed that selfish gene to Fushiguro.”

“What do you mean?” Yuuji asks, his grip tightening on his glass slightly.

“After he took over as heir, he basically told me to get fucked, and I wasn’t welcome in the family. Said I didn’t meet their expectations anymore. Always on about those damn expectations and duty. Gave me some bullshit job in Fukuoka so I’d be out of the way and out of fucking money.”

“Wow, I’m sorry,” Yuuji replies quietly, shaking his head a little, “I wouldn’t have expected that from him.”

“Yeah, well, expect it. He’s a dick.” He spits out, taking another big swig of his drink before snapping at the bartender for another one. As she comes over, Yuuji smiles at her apologetically before turning back towards him.

“So you guys don’t talk at all?” He asks, looking him up and down to see if his expression gives anything else away.

“No, haven’t seen him in years.” 

“Maybe he’s changed?” Yuuji adds unhelpfully, and Naoya looks over at him, unimpressed.

“Don’t be naive. Can’t change people like that.”

“People like that?” Yuuji asks, his voice dropping a little.

“Yeah. People like him. No damn loyalty.”

“Hm.” Yuuji hums, picking his drink back up as he looks down at the bartop, eyes focused on the dark green, condensation stained coasters in front of him.

The rest of the night didn’t last long, with an awkward nod goodbye from Naoya as he walked back towards town. Yuuji was not complaining, he’d had a pit in his stomach for the last hour and couldn’t focus on anything Naoya was saying, his brain muddled and confused. 

As he walked home, he couldn’t get Naoya’s words out of his head. It’s not like he didn’t believe him exactly, Naoya clearly harbored negative feelings towards Megumi, and the feeling was clearly mutual. Something had happened between them, something that neither of them were telling him, and clearly that justified their feelings towards each other, in some way or another.

But despite that, Yuuji still couldn’t wrap his head around it. He’d tried to imagine their conversations, to imagine Megumi abandoning his family, valuing money over character. He knew he’d had some snobby and elitist views, sure, it would be hard to grow up like that and not have some sort of manipulated view of the world. He could be condescending and rude and act superior, but he’d never thought him to be cruel. He had a rough exterior, but he saw how gentle he was with the dogs and Blue, even occasionally, but begrudgingly, accepting Gojo’s excited hair ruffles.

It just didn’t make sense, at least, it didn’t make sense with the Megumi he had been attempting to unpack over the last few weeks. Or maybe, he thought, it didn’t make sense with the Megumi he had constructed in his head. He knew Megumi intrigued him, probably for the exact reason that he was so closed off, that it took effort to get him to open up, and Yuuji could create what he wanted to hear in the silences Megumi gave him.

He sighs as he looks down the road, the faint lights of his house in the distance, but he takes a turn, trudging through the grass towards the field, overlooking the hills and the top of the valley. As he sat under the dark sky, stars littering the blue above, he sighs again, deeply, trying to expel all of the confusing thoughts racing through his mind. He didn’t know why this was messing with his head so much, or why he cared so much about what Megumi was really like when they’d only really met about a month ago, and he’d leave by the end of summer. 

But that feeling, the restlessness that’s been rattling in his bones for the last few years had lessened, had been subtly quenched by even the possibility of someone like Megumi. His mind raced when he thought about him, giving him too many thoughts, too many possibilities, too many questions. 

He huffs, flopping back onto the grass as he looks up at the endlessly vast night sky ahead of him, and he rubs his eyes hard, the stars in his eyes slowly fading back to the bright stars in the sky as he sighs again and sits up. 

He waits there for a few minutes more, letting his eyes lazily trace along the familiar landscape before he hoists himself up, turning his back on the house down the valley as he heads back towards his house. 

Barely in the door for thirty seconds, he hears quick feet running down the stairs and Kugisaki explodes out of the staircase.

“You’re back!”

“I’m back.” He replies, and he can’t even deny the dejected tone in his voice as Kugisaki eyes him curiously as she bounces up to him.

“So?” Kugisaki says, poking his arm, “How’d it go?”

“It went fine, I think.”

“Fine?” She stops, tugging his arm to get him to stop walking towards the kitchen, “Just fine? But you guys seemed like you hit it off so well.”

“I don’t know, it was weird. He was nice, I guess, and we had some stuff in common. But he snapped at the bartender at one point.”

“Oh, immediate no,” Kugisaki gags, sticking her tongue out, but she pauses as she looks him up and down as her tone softens, “Did something else happen?

“I don’t know,” Yuuji rubs his face, sighing, “He just got in my head about Fushiguro and then I couldn’t really pay attention.”

“Fushiguro?” She asks in surprise, “Why were you talking about Fushiguro on a date with another man?”

“Because I can’t keep my big, dumb, fat mouth shut.” He groans, leaning against the wall.

“What’d he say?”

“Said they grew up together and Fushiguro fucked him over with some family business shit. Like, kicked him out of the family.”

“Damn,” Kugisaki replies, eyes widening, “Seriously?”

“Yeah, said he wasn’t living up to their expectations or something.”

“Yeah, well, we’ve known that family’s standards are genuinely fucking insane,” Kugisaki scoffs, shaking her head, “Maki told me they had to run an 8 minute mile by age 8.”

“Yeah, but,” Yuuji shakes his head, “I don’t know, it just doesn’t sound like him.”

“‘Doesn’t sound like him?’ You know he’s snobby.” Kugisaki raises her eyebrows, looking doubtful.

“Yeah,” Yuuji replies hesitantly, his chest feeling tight, “I guess. I don’t know, he just made me feel weird about it.”

“About Fushiguro?

“Yeah,” Yuuji says, glancing out the window, “I don’t know.”

“Well, then, just don’t let it get to you, but don’t forget it either,” Kugisaki says, caution in her words, “I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“Hurt? How would he hurt me?” Yuuji asks, slightly surprised. Kugisaki just stares at him for a few moments before she sighs, shaking her head. 

“Just be careful, okay?”

“Yeah, yeah,” He waves her off, simultaneously trying to push off the pit in his stomach as he climbs the stairs.

“Oh, Maki said they’re throwing something at the Zenin estate this weekend and invited us,” Yuuji feels his stomach twist slightly as he gulps, but he also feels an odd rush of excitement at the idea of seeing Naoya when he was more himself and not as distracted, “Said it was gonna be real fancy pants.” 

“Great.”

“Don’t be such a grump! You get to wear your favorite thing! A tight, stuffy, fancy suit!” Kugisaki shouts up the stairs cheerfully as Yuuji groans, walking into his room and collapsing into his bed.

“Dad! Dad! Daaaaaaad!”

“Stop hollering like that! What could you possibly want, Yuuji?"

“Can you help me with my tie?” Yuuji yells from the top of the stairs, waiting hopefully for the telltale deep sigh and reluctant footsteps coming up the stairs, and he is quickly rewarded.

He pops back into his room, fiddling with his collar in the mirror as Nanami walks in. 

“You’re twenty one, Yuuji, you should know how to tie your own ties at this point.”

“Why would I learn when I can just always ask you?” Yuuji replies with a cheeky smile as Nanami rolls his eyes.

“I don’t understand why you kids want to go to this.” Nanami sighs, shaking his head as he walks up to Yuuji, yanking him slightly by his tie.

“Because we want to make friends, remember?” Yuuji replies as Nanami grumbles under his breath as he fiddles with Yuuji’s pathetic attempt at a knot.

“Yes, but with them?” Nanami shakes his head again, keeping his eyes down, “I don’t trust the Zenin’s with you guys.”

“You don’t trust anyone but Haibara.” Yuuji rolls his eyes and Nanami shrugs, waving him off with one hand.

“Still, I don’t like them,” Nanami sighs, nimble fingers expertly tucking the tie’s fabric into itself, “And I still don’t understand why you want to surround yourself with these kinds of people.”

A flash of green and black crosses his mind as he clears his throat and shakes his head a little, looking up to Nanami’s suspicious gaze.

“They’re not that bad, Dad, really,” Yuuji tries as Nanami sighs loudly again, shaking his head, “And we’re being careful. Not getting attached. All that wisdom you bestow upon us.”

“Mm, you think too highly of people,” Nanami hums, eyeing him again before he straightens out his tie, tugging once before he steps back, “Looks good.”

“Thanks, Dad.” Yuuji smiles, looking down as he gently touches it.

“Of course,” Nanami says, with a small, almost sad sigh as his eyes trail up and down his suit, and he puts his hand on his shoulder, “You look great, son.”

“Thanks,” He breathes out again, turning towards his mirror as Nanami squeezes his shoulder and heads towards the door, “You sure about going? We’ll be fine without you guys, I know these aren’t your favorite people.”

“You’re not the one I’m worried about.” Nanami grumbles as Haibara comes bouncing into the room, singing, “Hellooo, my boys! You talking about me?”

“Hey, Pops,” Yuuji smiles as Haibara comes in and ruffles his hair, and he shoves him off lightly, “Hey, stop. I just made this look presentable.” 

“You guys look so great, I’m so excited! We’ve never been to the Zenin estate!” Haibara exclaims excitedly, beaming.

“There’s a reason for that.” Nanami mutters as Haibara comes around and throws his arm around his shoulder and kisses his cheek happily. 

“Cheer up, grumpy, you look handsome,” Haibara says cheerfully, before looking back to Yuuji, “You do, too, kiddo. Kento’s old suit worked out great.”

“Does my jacket look okay? It’s long enough?” Yuuji turns back to the mirror, fiddling with his sleeves.

“Why are you so stressed, you’ll be fine! Just some snotty rich people. Just enjoy the food and drinks.” Haibara says, waving him off as Nanami grumbles more.  

“Yeah.” Yuuji breathes out, tugging on his sleeves one last time.

“Now, more importantly, how do I look?” Yuuji looks over to see Kugisaki leaning against the door, arms crossed in a red, satin, cowl neck dress with thin straps and an open back.

“Now where the hell did you find something like that, young lady?” Nanami demands, crossing his arms over his chest as she rolls her eyes.

“Relax, Dad, it’s one of Maki’s old ones,” Kugisaki waves him off before gesturing down to her dress again, “But I mean, hello!”

“You look very Zenin appropriate, Kugi.” Yuuji laughs, shaking his head as she beams over at him.

“Thanks! But we need to fix your hair, it’s a damn mess.”

With the sounds of elegant classical music, champagne glasses clinking, and polite, quiet conversation, Yuuji had never felt more out of place.

The house was absolutely massive, probably a little smaller than Gojo’s, but much more intimidating. All of the furniture was dark, with traditional Japanese furnishings, and it almost felt more like a museum than a house.

His eyes trailed across the room, skimming over the dark features of the Zenin family scattered around the large room. All of their eyes reminded him of Mai’s: airy, bored, and judgemental. As weird as his date with Naoya had ended, he felt bad that he’d been so distracted by Megumi that he’d barely actually asked him anything about himself, and his eyes were peeled for those green roots.

Slowly making his way through the rooms, Yuuji sips on his drink as he peeks around the cavernous, dark wood rooms, filled with traditional and expensive looking furniture. He couldn’t imagine growing up here, being a kid within the walls of such a cold house. Everything was almost unbelievably nice, down to the designer tissue boxes, which Yuuji thought was a bit much. Although Gojo’s house was also massive, it felt more like a home, more lived in, despite its infrequent use, than the compound of the Zenin estate.

“Hey,” Yuuji feels someone grab his arm and pull, and he looks to the side to see Kugisaki dragging him off towards a hallway tucked to the side, “Come here.”

“Hey, what’s up?”

“Just wanted to let you know that Naoya’s not here.”

“What? Why?” Yuuji asks, surprised, as he peeks over her shoulder to continue his search for blonde amongst the dark.

“I don’t know, but Maki said apparently he was called back to Fukuoka early this morning, some work stuff he said he couldn’t miss, I guess.”

“Work stuff, huh?” Yuuji asks, looking over at the sea of people as he switches gears and tries to spot the spiky haired thorn in his side.

“Sounded like it, I don’t know, Maki heard it from a cousin of a cousin of a cousin. Apparently, his name is very hush hush around here.” Kugisaki says, waving her hands around dramatically before downing her drink.

“Is it?” Yuuji asks, turning back to her as she nods, glancing to the side as she takes three champagne glasses off the waiter's tray hovering next to them, balancing them with two hands.

“Come on, let’s focus on drinking their rich people booze. I don’t want to focus on how out of reach this whole place is, okay?” Kugisaki huffs and bumps his shoulder and holds up her glass, “Cheers, bros.”

“Bros?” Yuuji asks as he sees something out of the corner of his eye and almost jumps out of his skin as Inumaki stands next to him, “Jesus, fuck, you’ve gotten better at that.” 

Inumaki just shrugs as they take the glasses from Kugisaki, and Yuuji sighs as he pushes his forward, and they clink together before Yuuji takes a sip. 

Sighing after his small taste, he looks up to see Inumaki and Kugisaki have drained their glasses, looking around the room for another waiter.

“Guys, don’t embarrass us tonight, come on.” Yuuji pleads, glancing around at the immaculately dressed, miserable people around them.

“Embarrass us?” Kugisaki gasps as Inumaki puts his hand to his chest dramatically, “How dare you.”

“Nobara.”  Yuuji warns and she scoffs, shaking her head, as she grabs Inumaki’s hand, but he stands firmer than he’d expected, his eyes fixed on a back corner of the room. Yuuji follows his gaze to see him staring at a dark haired man across the room, chatting with Maki as Mai attempts to drag her away. But before he can comment, Kugisaki grabs their arms and pulls them towards the bar. Groaning a little, he glances to the side to see Haibara and Nanami chatting with a large group of people, Nanami tucked towards the back in deep conversation as Haibara chats animatedly.

“Oh, no, my kids are amazing,” Yuuji strains his ears as he hears Haibara’s loud, laughing voice ringing out, “Honestly, they’re the best kids a guy could ask for. Practically perfect in every way.”

Yuuji tries to stop but Kugisaki continues tugging him, and he sighs as he relents and lets himself be dragged towards more drinks.

After finally tearing himself away from Kugisaki and Inumaki’s intense staring at Maki and the mysterious man, Yuuji found himself wandering, once again, through the halls. He was a little more cautious than he was at Gojo’s, only peeking into rooms with doors slightly ajar, but they honestly all looked exactly the same, and he makes his way outside.

He sighs as he slows to inhale the warm, gentle night air, his chest lightening with each breath as he slowly makes his way around the back of the house, and he spots a stone path, leading down a small hill through a thick of trees. 

He pauses, eyeing the path curiously before he nods and turns to walk down it, keeping alert for anyone looking for an excuse to yell at him.

As he approaches the break in the trees, he slows to a stop as he spies Megumi sitting on a stump by a misshapen, poorly constructed fire pit with his head down, staring at the fire.

Yuuji stares at him, debating whether or not he should even try to talk to him, or if salvaging whatever friendship they’d made was even worth it. He’d known him for just over a month, he’d been pretty rude for a good portion of it, and he was gone by the end of the summer, gone to whatever waited for him back in Tokyo.

But, as he stood there, staring at him, sitting there with his shoulders slumped, his mind flashes to just how soft he could be when he talked about something he liked, or how he’d brought Yuuji out to the barn when he said he missed Daisy, or how he’d stammer an apology about how beat up the books he gave him were. 

He couldn’t ignore it, couldn’t ignore the light he was sure he saw in him, despite Naoya’s confusing words.

Yuuji swallows hard and pushes himself further down the path, stones crunching under his feet as he approaches the fire pit, and Megumi turns around.

“Hi.”

“Hey.”

“Can I sit?”

“Do what you want.”

Yuuji awkwardly shuffles to the stump a few away from him, and Megumi continues to look down, and he rotates his glass as he looks at it, slowly swirling a half glass of whiskey.

Megumi doesn’t say anything else as he sits down, and Yuuji lets the silence of the crackling fire sit in the air. Even though he was irritated with him, he couldn’t help but feel nervous as he tried to work up the courage to say something, say anything that let him slide back into his good graces again.

“You know, I finished that second book you gave me,” Yuuji starts quietly, and he sees Megumi’s movements slow with his glass, “It was really good. Had a cool structure, with all the different islands and monsters and stuff.”

Silence falls between them again, the only noise from the fire spitting sparks into the air, and Yuuji sighs a little, turning back towards the fire pit, disappointment sitting in his chest. He hands his head down, tapping his finger against the edge of his glass, trying to distract himself for a few minutes before he’ll just end up leaving.

“Supposed to be like the Odyssey. It follows a lot of the same storylines.”

Yuuji looks up as Megumi speaks, his voice low and quiet, with his eyes still focused on swirling his drink.

“Like the old story?”

“Yeah. Homer.”

“Oh, cool. It was really good, but I think I have an irrational fear of guinea pigs now.”

“Dumbass.”

Silence falls between them again as Yuuji laughs lightly, but picks his head up to look over. Megumi’s face was still blank, but there was something else hidden underneath that persisted, and it pushes him to speak again.

“Look,” Yuuji tries, heart starting to pound a little, “Can I just say something?”

Megumi glances over at him just barely, nods once, and Yuuji takes a deep breath.

“I know your family is complicated, I’m not an idiot,” Megumi glances over at him again with a blank stare, and Yuuji huffs as Megumi turns forward again, “Okay, not a complete idiot. But I know your family situation is, like, completely outside the idea of normalcy, but it just… threw me off, what Naoya said about you. It’s just that he told me—”

“I don’t want to know,” Megumi interrupts quickly, still keeping his gaze ahead of him, and Yuuji looks over at him, eyebrows pinched together in confusion, “You believe him?

“No, I– ugh,” Yuuji sighs in frustration, shaking his head, “That’s why I wanted to talk to you. I wouldn’t just take his word as gospel, I know a story always has two sides. I wouldn’t do that with anything, especially not with the important stuff like this.”

“Important stuff?” Megumi asks, looking over, and Yuuji’s cheeks get hot as he scrambles to answer.

“Yeah, like, uh, like moral importance. One’s character and all that.”

“Hm.” Megumi hums, and he stares back at his drink.

“So?” Yuuji tries, looking back over, “What really happened with you guys? 

“I’m not telling you.”

“What? Why?”

“It’s none of your business.”

“Fushi–”

“I said drop it, Itadori,” Megumi bites, glancing back over at him with a harsh look, “We’re just going to have to agree to disagree on this one.”

Yuuji keeps his mouth shut, tension and unease still sitting uncomfortably in his chest, and just nods, “Fine, okay.”

Quiet falls between them, with Yuuji trying and failing to keep his eyes down, and Megumi was leaning forward on his elbows, staring down into his drink. 

After a few minutes of awkward silence, Megumi sighs loudly, hanging his head, and he speaks quietly, “You wanna go somewhere else?” 

“That depends. Are you done being a dick?” Yuuji asks, raising his eyebrows expectantly as he looks up.

Megumi stares at him for a few moments, squinting slightly before he hangs his head back up at the stars and sighs loudly. He picks his head back up after a bit to look back at him, before standing up with a grumble, “Yes.”

“Then yes,” Yuuji smiles as Megumi rolls his eyes, shoving his shoulder as he bounces up next to him down the forest path, “Lead the way, sir.”

“Don’t call me that.”

“My lord?”

“We are not doing this again.”

“You’re no fun,” Yuuji pouts, shaking his head as Megumi starts walking ahead of him up the path, and he scrambles to follow, “Wait, where are we going?”

“Stop being nosy.”

“You’re kidnapping me, Fushi!” Yuuji argues as Megumi rolls his eyes as they approach the dirt path along the side of the house towards the back, “This is a kidnapping!”

“Shut up. Are you gonna yap this whole time?”

“Well, maybe not if you tell me where we’re going.” 

“Garage.”

“Garage?” Yuuji asks, his voice pitching in surprise, “What garage?”

“Zenin’s garage,” Megumi replies simply, pausing before he adds, “Technically, my garage.”

“Yours?” Yuuji asks as they approach a large, rectangular black building, and Megumi walks up to the large hangar door. He pushes a few buttons into the keypad before the doors whiz to life.

The lights turn on, and Yuuji almost drops his glass.

Ahead of him were about ten, extremely expensive looking, extremely well maintained cars, ranging from low, brightly colored Jaguars and Porsches to fully decked out, blacka Jeeps and Land Rovers, with high, lifted tires and no doors on the driver and passenger’s sides.

Yuuji practically squeaks as Megumi shoves his shoulder forward, pushing him into the brightly lit room, and he approaches a wall of keys, hanging off singular, numbered hooks.

“Fushi—”

“Jeep good?” Megumi asks, not turning around as he grabs a set of keys off the #4 hook, “You seem like a Jeep person.”

“Yeah, but—” Yuuji tries but Megumi ignores him again, walking towards the car, as Yuuji scrambles to put his empty glass down, “Wait!”

“What?” He finally says, barely turning towards him as he walks towards the drivers side.

“Are you okay?”

Megumi stops as he rounds the front of the car towards the drivers side, looking up, “What?”

“Are you okay?” Yuuji repeats, stepping up towards the car as he tilts his head, glancing at Megumi’s tense shoulders, “You seem stressed out or something.”

Megumi just stares at him for a minute, eyes unreadable until he seemingly focuses again and shakes his head.

“I’m fine. Just don’t want to be here.” Megumi says simply, pulling open the car door and he slides in, leaving Yuuji confused and rushing towards the passenger seat before he can leave without him. 

“Are you okay to drive?” Yuuji asks, thinking back to his slow movements with his glass.

“I keep the same drink all night at the Zenin’s.” 

“Oh, why?”

“I want the option to leave.” 

Yuuji just hums in response as Megumi turns the car on, shifting gears and he quickly pulls out of the garage, dust clouds behind them as he pulls out onto the dirt road. 

Megumi’s phone connects to the Bluetooth, and an electronic, almost psychedelic sound comes through the speakers, and Yuuji smiles as he recognizes it.

“MGMT?”

“Huh?” Megumi asks absentmindedly as he shifts gears, glancing over.

“The Youth’, right?” Yuuji asks as Megumi looks over at him again, “This is MGMT?”

“Oh, yeah. It is.” Megumi replies, his voice still feeling far away.

Yuuji just hums again, closing his eyes as he leans his head against the door and the warm breeze hits his face. He peeks open his eyes to watch the landscape roll past them, music loudly playing from the speakers, and Yuuji smiles to himself. He glances over at Megumi, and sees his finger gently tapping the steering wheel to the beat as he drove. 

He smiles to himself as he looks out the window, closing his eyes as he listens to the slow, synth pop, and indulges in the warm summer air on his face, wishing he could bottle this feeling.

And in spite of the weather

We can learn to make it together

The youth are starting to change

Are you starting to change?

Are you together, together, together

“Alright. Out.”

Yuuji opens his eyes as the car comes to a stop, parked behind Gojo’s large estate, tucked behind by the barn.

“Yes, sir,” Yuuji salutes as Megum ignores him, opening his door and hopping out, and he starts to walk towards the back of the house, facing the forest, “Seriously, are you planning to murder me in the woods?”

“You are so dramatic, we’re going in the door.” Megumi rolls his eyes as he pushes through a dark wooden door embedded in the stone, fingertips lingering on the edge door for a moment as Yuuji jogs up and walks through.

“Just about how many staircases do you guys have?” Yuuji asks, looking up at the vast and seemingly endless space leading upstairs.

“Too damn many.” Megumi huffs, skipping one step at a time until he reaches the fourth floor, and pushes through the heavy wooden door, opening up to another staircase.

“Is this a joke?”

“Stop complaining, it’s just right up through here.” Megumi points to a few floors up, and keeps walking. Yuuji shakes his head as he follows, trying to keep up with Megumi’s long strides.

“Are all of your places super hard to find?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

Megumi doesn’t answer, just keeps moving two floors up, and he pushes open a low door as Yuuji ducks his head.

He looks up into a small, warmly lit room, tapestries lining the ceilings and walls, leaving one large window open that overlooks the forest at the back of the house, with a couch just in front of it. On either wall, there were dozens of shelves of records, neatly organized, with small, thin black labels with white lettering on the shelves, marking the different genres and years and certain artists.

He glances around, seeing the largest range of music he’d ever seen, going from Japanese jazz to to English rock to American R&B and soul music, along with sections for bands like Led Zeppelin, Queen, the Who, The Rolling Stones, the Smiths, Weezer, Motley Crüe, along with countless bands that Yuuji didn’t recognize. On one table was a hefty, antique looking cabinet with a beautiful record player sitting on top, and he glances up to see small speakers embedded into the ceiling.

“Wow,” Yuuji sighs as he looks around the room, almost tripping over his feet as he tries to take them all in, “These are all yours?”

“A mix. A lot are mine, some are Gojo’s, some are my parents.” Megumi says casually, inching out an album from the shelf as he fiddles with the plastic covering.

“Really?”

“Yeah, though I got rid of a lot of my dad’s stuff.”

“Oh,” Yuuji says, his voice dropping, as he shrugs his jacket off, hanging it on the arm of the couch, “Was it too hard to keep them?”

“No, he just had shit taste in music.” Megumi says dryly, and Yuuji cracks a smile, laughing a bit, and Megumi hesitates for a second, looking back up, “But my mom’s were good.”

“Yeah?” 

“Mhm.” Megumi responds, looking down again, “Lots of Queen.”

Yuuji just nods, glancing around as he loosens his tie, walking up to a shelf to inspect it closer.

“Did you organize all of this too?” Yuuji says, squinting at one of the labels, “That looks like your handwriting.”

“Uh, yeah, I did.” 

“Wow, Fushi, I mean, this is…” Yuuji laughs to himself, looking back over at Megumi awkwardly hovering against the wall, “I think this is the most impressive thing I’ve ever seen.”

“Yeah, okay.” Megumi scoffs, looking down, “You just saw like seven mil worth of cars.”

“No, I mean it,” Yuuji laughs again, shaking his head a little, “You have first editions of Nat King Cole and Nina Simone and the Supremes. Like, that’s absolutely insane.”

“It’s whatever.”

“Fushi,” Yuuji says, turning towards him, “This is insanely fucking cool. Seriously. Take the damn compliment.”

“Whatever. Thanks.” Megumi grumbles, looking down at the ground as his cheeks turn pink, and Yuuji feels a small, victorious, proud smile creep onto his face.

“So? What you got for me?” Yuuji asks, hopping up on the table next to the record player. 

“I don’t know, look at this place,” Megumi glances around at the wide variety of shelves, “Take your pick.”

“I wanna know what you listen to. What do you play when you’re here?” Yuuji asks, leaning back on the table as he swings his legs.

“Stuff.”

Yuuji stares at him, unimpressed, before his eyes glance down to a black record sleeve sitting on the other side of the table, right near the player. He flicks his eyes up to Megumi before he lunges for it at the same time Megumi does, but Yuuji is half a second quicker, carefully swiping it off the table and holding it above his head as he sits.

Megumi stands under him, just barely between his legs, and he sticks his hand out, palm up, glaring at him, “Give.”

“Nope,” Yuuji looks up at the cover of the album, seeing a familiar triangle prism and rainbow, and he grins down at Megumi, “Pink Floyd, huh?”

“Fuck off,” Megumi steps back, crossing his arms over his chest, “Give it back.”

“It’s a good ass album!” Yuuji says, laughing, “I’m impressed, Fushi! Even though I would assume it may be too mainstream now for your fancy taste.”

“Give it back.”

“Come on, you don’t wanna listen again?” Yuuji asks playfully, keeping the record above his head.

“Give it back, Itadori.” Megumi repeats, but his voice has shifted a little, less irritated and almost a little more panicked, and Yuuji quickly hops off the table, handing it to him as he snatches it out of his hands.

“Sorry,” Yuuji says awkwardly as Megumi fidgets with the sleeve, “I didn’t—”

“No, no, sorry, it’s just—” Megumi stops, his expression looking like his mind was yelling at itself, before he sighs a little and looks down at the record in his hands, “It was one of my mom’s favorite albums. This is hers.”

“Oh,” Yuuji says quietly, as guilt pools in his stomach, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to—”

“It’s fine, you didn’t know. I just don’t want anything to happen to it,” Megumi says quickly, carefully shelving the album back into the wall. Yuuji notes that his shoulders relax a little as he does, and he turns back around, expression steadied again, “Pick what you want.”

“What’s your favorite?”

“What?” Megumi asks, looking a little surprised, and Yuuji turns to him.

“What are your favorite albums? Just play one of those.”

“Okay.” Megumi says hesitantly, looking over at a shelf as his eyes scan the countless records before he pushes off the edge of the couch and walks towards the wall. Grabbing a maroon-ish and cream looking album off a shelf, he walks back over to the record player, slipping the thin, black disc out of its sleeve and carefully places it in the machine.

He clicks a button the side, and gingerly lifts the needle as he places it on the edge, right before the ridges, and there’s some static for a moment. But, as quickly as it came, a drum solo comes through the speakers, and slow, low guitar follows, with deep bass.

“What is this?” Yuuji asks, peeking around as he makes his way to a chair, trying to see the cover.

“Humbug. Arctic Monkeys.” He replies, keeping his eyes on the spinning record ahead of him. Yuuji stares at him for a moment before he shifts his direction and heads towards the large comfy couch. Plopping down, he looks up at Megumi and pats the seat next to him. 

Warily looking back, Megumi’s eyes glance to the empty seat before he pauses for a moment, but then slowly makes his way over, pulling on his tie to loosen it around his neck. He sinks down on the opposite side, leaning his head back against the cushion with a sigh.

If you can summon the strength, tow me

I can't hold down the urgency

You've got to make your descent slowly

And oil up those sticky keys

Yuuji tears his eyes away from him, his eyes lingering on his hands tugging on his loosened tie and the now undone buttons at the top of his shirt. Yuuji inhales sharply and looks away, leaning his head back against the couch as he looks up at the wooden ceiling.

The song was low, and not slow exactly, but the drums and guitar weren’t urgent, and the sounds were almost sinister, mysterious, but the lyrics spoke to feeling stuck, helpless almost, while alone and searching for something you couldn’t name. 

Yuuji knew that feeling all too well.

He looks over to Megumi, about to comment, when he sees his face still upturned towards the ceiling, eyes closed, and he had never seen him look so peaceful. Without his usual little scowl, or the crease between his eyebrows, his skin was smooth, porcelain like, and his jawline was sharp as his head was tilted up, his mouth laid in a firm, but content smile. With his eyes closed, his long eyelashes fanned across his cheeks, shadows cast over his skin, he looked so calm, so at peace, more at home than Yuuji had ever seen him.

He’s so beautiful, He thinks softly, small smile on his lips as he’s unable to tear his eyes away.

He suddenly sits up straighter, finally ripping his gaze away and he slaps his face lightly, shaking his head quickly.

Megumi opens his eyes and turns head against the back of the couch, looking at him in confusion as the next song transitions through the speakers.

“The hell is up with you?”

“Nothing!” Yuuji replies quickly, clearing his throat, “Just got a little distracted for a second.”

“We can switch the album if—”

“No, no,” Yuuji shakes his head quickly, and Megumi looks at him curiously, “I liked that first song. What’s it called?”

“‘My Propeller.’”

“It was cool,” Yuuji pauses, shaking his head a little, “It was almost more about the instrumentals than the lyrics. Those riffs and bass lines were really good.”

“Lead singer always said it was more of a mood than a song. People used to think propeller was a reference to his dick,” Megumi says casually, leaning his head back again as Yuuji snorts in laughter, “But why would a dick spin around like a propeller? And if it didn’t, wouldn’t that metaphor mean he couldn’t get it up? Makes no sense.”

Yuuji laughs again, shaking his head, “You know, you really are funny sometimes, Fushi.”

“Stop sounding so surprised when you say that.”

“It’s always a surprise! You’re so angsty and nonchalant.” Yuuji teases, poking his shoulder as he pushes him off.

“I am not.”

“True, you’re much more chalant than you think.” Yuuji grins and Megumi rolls his eyes, shoving his shoulder a bit.

“Shut up. That’s not even a real word.”

Yuuji laughs, settling back into the couch as he tries to shove off his increasingly confusing thoughts as they next song plays.

I'm unveiling the unexpected 

I, who was earlier reluctant

Was suddenly embarrassed and corrected 

How could such a creature survive in such a habitat?

“What’s this one called?”

“Secret Door.”

“Fitting.”

“Shut up.”

Yuuji leans back again, laughing lightly as he takes a sip of his drink, letting the warmth fill up his chest as he sighs, letting the music overtake his busy brain, as he exhales deeply, “This is really nice.” 

“Sure.”

“Sound less enthusiastic.”

“I can try.” 

Yuuji rolls his eyes as Megumi opens one eye and looks over at him, smile pulling on his lips as he tilts his head back up to the ceiling, “You put something on now.”

“What?”

“Look through and pick something,” Megumi opens his eyes and looks over, “It’s your turn.”

“Why don’t we make this more interesting?” Yuuji asks, sitting up straighter, “You got another bottle hidden up here somewhere?”

“Are you calling me an alcoholic?”

“Are you telling me you don’t have one?” Yuuji smirks, and Megumi scowls back at him. His grin grows as Megumi reluctantly stands up and goes to the small table the record player sat on. Opening the small cabinet door underneath, he squats down and pulls out a bottle of whiskey, about three fourths full.

“Shut up.” Megumi mutters as he unscrews it and Yuuji laughs, throwing the top at Yuuji, which he catches as it bounces off the top off his head.

“Hey, I asked. I’m not judging. Whiskey and Weezer are a good mix.” 

“Whatever, shut up. What's your dumb idea?” 

“Pick an album, guess the song. If you get it wrong, you drink. If you get it right, I drink, and vice versa.”

Megumi stares at him, and tilts his head a little, before glancing around the room for a few moments, and then he turns back to him, “Alright. But start from the beginning of the A or B side. Just speak up when your track comes on, I don’t wanna fuck up and nick them by dropping the needle halfway through.

“Fair enough,” Yuuji tries to tamper down the excited rush in his chest as he smiles and jumps up, “My turn?”

“Go ahead.” Megumi sighs, leaning his elbow on the back of the couch as he slumps his cheek in his palm, looking out at the room

Yuuji scans the shelves, eager to find something he knew well that Megumi would like, when he finds a familiar looking purple album cover.

“Aha!” He exclaims, pulling it out and turning to Megumi, “Knew you’d have it.”

“Tame Impala?” Megumi asks, squinting, before he rolls his eyes, “Come on.”

“I’m trying to align with your weird psychedelic taste,” Yuuji smiles a bit as he glances over at the other wall where Megumi had carefully stuck the earlier record, "Pink Floyd influence makes a lot of sense now."

“Put on something you like.” Megumi shakes his head, pulling out two glasses from underneath the table ahead of them.

“Something I like?”

“Yeah. I want to know what you like.”

“Mm, okay.” Yuuji shrugs off the odd flutter in his stomach as he slips the record back into the shelf, and gazes around, slowly moving to the right as he runs through the alphabet, and smiles as he sees what he’s looking for and pulls it out.

“Two Door Cinema Club?” Megumi asks, tilting his head as he squints.

“Mhm, ‘Beacon.’” Yuuji holds his breath, suddenly feeling anxious under Megumi’s intense eyes, but he just nods and jerks his head towards the record player.

“Okay, cool. Any other rules, captain?” Yuuji asks, gently dropping the record into the machine, and he clicks the small button on the side and it comes spinning to life. 

“Yeah, you can only guess until the name comes up, if at all,” Megumi says, and Yuuji looks over at him, “No use if they tell you the title.” 

“So picky.” Yuuji teases, and Megumi rolls his eyes, settling further back into the couch as he pours himself a glass, a little heftier than a normal pour, but Yuuji keeps his mouth shut as he sees Megumi’s hand shake just a bit. He desperately doesn’t want to bite his tongue, but with how precariously patched up their earlier conversation was, he didn’t want to push it.

He settles for gently and carefully dropping the needle on the outside rim of the record, letting it slowly spin itself into the grooves of the track.

Quick percussion starts off the B side of the record, and Yuuji catches Megumi smiling to himself as he shakes his head a bit, “‘Sleep Alone’, yeah?”

“Yes, but that’s not my pick, overachiever.” Yuuji sticks his tongue out as he plops down on the couch, clutching one of the pillows on his lap.

He sleeps alone

He needs no army where he's headed 'cause he knows

That they're just ghosts

And they can't hurt him if he can't see them, oh

Yuuji sighs and leans his head against the side of the couch, closing his eyes as he tucks his feet under himself. He allows himself to really listen to the music, indulging in the rich, full and warm sounds of the vinyl wafting through the speakers, and he smiles to himself as the song starts to wind down into the outro.

Even if Megumi left at the end of the summer, even if he would never see him again, even if he would have to sadly remind himself that the last few months at the Gojo estate weren’t a dream, he wouldn’t change anything. Megumi was prickly, and Maki was intimidating, and Yuuji wouldn’t have wanted to spend the summer any other way. His stubborn, yearning heart would probably ache for a little, desperately missing the excitement that came with every step towards their house, and he knew he’d have to deal with it one day, just not now.

Everyone is here except for me

And I can feel the world is watching

Who is on their own? I wonder

And who has cast this spell I'm under?

He glances over at Megumi, head still leaned back against the couch, eyes closed. His head nods to the beat ever so slightly, corners of his mouth upturned just a bit, and Yuuji sighs a little again.

“Man, I love this place,” Yuuji breathes out, leaning his head back on the couch as he lets his eyes trace over every inch of the room, “Don’t think I’d ever leave if I was you.”

“Yeah, it’s pretty cool.” Megumi relents, and Yuuji grins over at him.

“Told ya.” 

“Whatever.” Megumi rolls his eyes, crossing his arms over his chest as the song transitions and Yuuji sits up excitedly.

“Okay, okay, this is my pick!” Yuuji exclaims, crossing his legs and settling the pillow in his lap as soft percussion flows through the speaker, slowly building up. Megumi’s eyebrows furrow as the lyrics begin, and Yuuji tries to tamper down his smile. 

Learn to fly, learn to fly

Show the world how you try

But don't let go until you know

Until you know me

'Cause I can see, I can see

All the things arresting me

But I control, I control

“I know this.” Megumi says firmly, eyebrows furrowing more deeply as Yuuji laughs and leans the side of his head against the back of the couch as he looks at him.

“Then what is it?”

“Shut up, I’m thinking.” Megumi huffs, shifting to lean his elbow on the back of the couch as he plops his chin in his hand, looking pouty and annoyed until the chorus hits and his eyes light up.

The city will pull you in

Romantic and drenched in sin, love

You only have but a time

Until this place will swallow you whole

“Settle?” Megumi asks and Yuuji nods quickly as they run through the chorus, and the bridge starts up, and Megumi nods in approval, “I forgot about this song.”

“Yeah, this is one of my favorite albums,” Yuuji replies, peeking over at the spinning vinyl, “I’ll never get tired of it.” 

“Well, drink up, loser.” Megumi nudges his now half full glass towards him with his foot.

“Get your toes away from my whiskey,” Yuuji rolls his eyes playfully as he shoves his foot away, “I just made it too easy.”

“Oh, you want something harder then?” Megumi smirks, his eyes bright under the warm lights around them, and Yuuji quickly picks up his drink and takes a large sip, the whiskey burning down his throat.

“Why not? Challenge me, Fushi.” Yuuji leans back and gestures towards the record player, the warmth from the whiskey firing through his veins. 

Megumi tilts his head, before standing up and moving across the room. Yuuji follows him with his eyes, and he notices that he looks more relaxed than he did earlier, his shoulders looser, lips more tempted towards soft smiles. 

“Alright, fine.” Megumi pulls out a smaller record, seemingly just a single and he walks back with it tucked behind his back.

“You gonna show me?”

“Nah.” Megumi shakes his head, and Yuuji pouts a little, kicking his feet up onto the couch as Megumi stops the record player, replacing the larger vinyl with a smaller disc.

As he places the needle on record, a quick, almost muffled trumpet starts to play, and Yuuji looks up.

Alright, here we go, third take

“Is this Kendrick?” Yuuji gapes at him as low, quick lyrics spit from the speaker and Megumi just shrugs as he moves back towards the couch.

“Move your big ass feet.” Megumi swats at him and Yuuji picks his feet up a bit as Megumi plops back down. Before he can think and stop himself, Yuuji lets his ankle rest back on the edge of Megumi’s knee, his other foot settling back on the ground. He feels him stiffen for a moment before relaxing back on the couch, and Yuuji exhales as he tries not to smile.

“Wouldn’t have pegged you for a rap fan.”

“The man has a Pulitzer, Itadori. He’s a genius.”

“And there it is,” Yuuji laughs, shaking his head as Megumi takes a small sip of his drink, “Consider me pleasantly surprised.”

“My goal in life,” Megumi replies sarcastically, “You’re avoiding your guess. Title’s coming up.”

“But Kendrick has so many songs, he’s been making music for what feels like forever!” Yuuji protests, trying to keep up with the different lyrics but Megumi looking at him has his head a little fuzzy, “And they’re all so good!”

And this is rigor mortis,

And it’s gorgeous when you die

“Dammit!” Yuuji groans loudly, dramatically flopping against the arm of the couch as Megumi chuckles at him, “I knew it, I swear! I used to listen to this on the bus!”

“Mhm, sure.” Megumi rolls his eyes, shaking his head.

“This is no fair, you’ve barely drank all night.” Yuuji whines, looking down at Megumi’s full glass, and Megumi follows his gaze. He feels his eyes flick back to him once before he reaches forward to take the glass and he finishes the rest of his drink, shuddering slightly after he swallows. 

“Fushi, who are you right now?” Yuuji gapes at him and Megumi rolls his eyes, shoving him a little bit.

“I’m in a mood, fucking sue me. Now we’re even.”

“Yeah?” Yuuji smiles, cocking his head to the side as he smiles, “That ‘cause of me?”

“Hell no,” Megumi replies, scoffing lightly, “It’s ‘cause of Pulitzer Prize winner Kendrick Lamar.”

“You’re so mean.” Yuuji pouts, crossing his arms over his chest as Megumi shakes his head in amusement.

“Get over it.” Megumi replies, but his tone has shifted from what it had been from when they’d first met and over the last few weeks, underlined with a teasing tone rather than mean or harsh.

“No, I just gotta beat you now.” Yuuji hops up off the couch, moving towards the shelves as he tries to scan it.

“Still not taking your punishment, Itadori.” Megumi scolds, tsking at him in disapproval.

Yuuji groans as he turns back around and glares at Megumi, who is sitting smugly on the couch as he refills his glass. Rolling his eyes, Yuuji walks back a few paces, and slugs the rest of the whiskey back. He looks down at it before looking back up at Megumi, who’s still looking smug, and waves his empty glass at him.

“All clear?”

“Acceptable.”

Yuuji snorts before turning back to the shelves, shaking his head as his eyes trace over the different, seemingly endless records, before he sees the ‘Y’ section and gets an idea. He squats down to the bottom shelf, quickly flicking through the sleeves until he sees familiar blue and yellow art and he grins to himself as he stands up.

Hugging it gently against him, he turns to Megumi, crossing the room again as he shuts off the record player and cautiously slips the small disc back into its place, replacing it with the B side of the vinyl he slips out of the sleeve.

Flicking the record player back on, he adjusts the needle, and gentle but deliberate percussive beats come through, with soft lyrics in the background.

“You gonna show me?” Yuuji picks his head up as he sees Megumi still looking at him, and he smiles and shakes his head.

“Nah,” He says with a grin as Megumi rolls his eyes, and Yuuji heads back to the couch, “Next song after this is your guess.”

You corner me when I'm down

Down and out again

The only time you ever call me

I'm ready for love

Are you?

“I don’t know if I know this album.” Megumi says with concentrated, furrowed eyebrows, and Yuuji tries not to laugh at how much he looks like a grumpy puppy.

“No? Fushi’s admitting he doesn’t know something?” Yuuji teases, and Megumi ignores him, still looking almost irritated.

“No,” Megumi shakes his head, “Sometimes I buy from bigger collections and they’ll throw in some random ones, or they’re just included in bulk orders.”

“So you’ve never heard this?”

“No.” He huffs, shaking his head again and Yuuji tilts his head, amused.

“Why are you so annoyed?”

“I’m not annoyed,” Yuuji smirks as Megumi glares at him, and he glances behind him at the record player as it transitions into the next song, “I just wish I knew I had it.”

“Is this your Fushiguro way of saying you like it?”

“Shut up.” Megumi grumbles, relenting as he picks up his glass, slugging back the smaller shot of whiskey he’d poured for himself before folding his legs under himself, and folding his arms to rest on the back of the couch. Gently putting his chin on his arms, Megumi closes his eyes as the soft sounds of ukulele fill the room, followed by a gentle harmonica and guitar.

Maybe I'd be better off in Berlin

Or as an artist's muse in London

Drifting from hand to hand

“This your pick? What’s it called?” Megumi asks, his voice soft and muffled a bit against his arms.

“‘Love in the Time of Socialism.’ By a band called Yellow House.” Yuuji replies, leaning his elbow on the arm of the couch, plopping his head in his palm.

“Mm.” Megumi hums, keeping his eyes closed as he tucks his legs further underneath him, his cheek smushing against his arm a little.

Maybe I was destined for philosophy

Leading leftist ideologies at the Paris-Sorbonne

Dreaming up the splendid demise

Of the societies we despise, at Café de Flore

Yuuji smiles as he tilts his head more, allowing himself to stare for a few seconds as the familiar music envelops him, and he closes his eyes. He loved this album, and he loved this song especially, but he really couldn’t deny it any longer, the skip in his heart at seeing Megumi appreciate something he showed him, and his adorably odd reaction of excitement.

But these things lose all their meaning and allure

If you're not there to witness the grandeur

What could take my love away?

The song slowly ends, transitioning softly into the next, a similarly relaxing song and Yuuji feels himself melt further into the couch as he lets himself zone out, just focused on the soft lyrics, gentle drums and guitar easing into the room. Smiling to himself as the song quietly ends, he opens his eyes and looks over as he hears silence from the record player, and he looks to see the needle circling the inside rim of the vinyl.

Glancing back over, he sees Megumi’s head slumped against his arms, eyes closed and his mouth just barely open as he softly breathes in and out, eyelashes fanned across his cheeks. Yuuji stops for a moment, almost startled by how young and soft Megumi looks like when he’s asleep, and oddly, his hand starts to itch as he stares at him, his soft hair plastered to his cheek as he sleeps.

As the thudding in his chest grows, Yuuji cautiously moves, glancing behind him to see a blanket hanging across the back of the couch. Slowly slipping it off, he carefully moves to Megumi, and gently drapes the blanket across him, making sure his feet and shoulders are covered before he stands up. 

As he’s about to turn around, Megumi hums softly, fingers grabbing for the edges of the blanket as he hugs it tighter around himself, nuzzling his head back into his arms with part of the blanket tucked under his cheek.

Yuuji smiles as he looks at him, and for some reason, he felt that this was the reason he was so hesitant about Naoya’s words. Maybe he was being naive and stupid, but he couldn’t imagine the soft, sleepy boy in front of him doing such wicked and cruel things. Not when he looked no more than 14 as he breathed in and out evenly ahead of him, face free from worries and responsibilities as he dreamed. He was just different. And Yuuji liked different.

Forcing himself to move, Yuuji quietly shuts off the record player, shutting the lid after he tucks the record back into its sleeve and moves to tuck it back in its rightful place in the shelves. But he pauses, glancing back at Megumi before he gently places it on top of the closed record player lid, and moves towards the door again.

As he opens the door, Yuuji glances back at Megumi, still fast asleep on the couch, and he leans his head against the doorframe and sighs, smiling a little as he whispers, “Goodnight, Fushi.”

Chapter Text

“Itadori?”

Yuuji looks up from the shelves of movies to see a familiar head of blonde hair next to him, standing at the entrance to the aisle to his right.

“Hey!” Yuuji smiles as Naoya walks up to him, “How are you? I thought you went back to Fukuoka?”

“I did, but I just came to have dinner with my father.” Naoya replies, and Yuuji nods, although he was fairly certain that Naoya had said he barely spoke to his father, but he pushes it out of his mind, “But might end up sticking around here if all works out.” 

“Oh, cool!” Yuuji smiles, but he feels a little tense as he feels Naoya’s eyes on him again, working their way up and down, “Hope it works out for you.”

“Yeah, yeah, me too,” Naoya smiles, and he picks his hand up to touch the movies in Yuuji’s hands, his fingertips brushing his, and he looks up with a smirk, “More crappy horror, huh?”

“What can I say, I have a specific taste.” Yuuji shrugs with a laugh, and Naoya nods, but he keeps eyes on his hand on the movie case, tracing his finger slowly along the top.

“Yeah, you should expand it a bit.” Naoya replies, looking up with a smirk.

“Nah, I know what I like.” Yuuji laughs a little and shakes his head as he hears the bell at the entrance of the store open.

He turns and his stomach drops when he sees a stone-faced Megumi standing in the open doorway, hand still splayed out on the glass door. He stares at them for a few moments, eyes flicking from Naoya to Yuuji, before his gaze settles on Naoya. Yuuji glances over at him, and sees Naoya’s jaw clenches tight as he glares at the door, and Megumi glares right back. 

His eyes then move to Yuuji, holding eye contact with him for a few moments. His eyes aren’t filled with the same anger aimed at Naoya, but more despondent, and he can see him swallow hard as they stare at each other. 

Megumi then just turns around and walks out as he lets the door close, the bell jingling behind him as he goes.

“So, I, uh, take it you two still haven’t spoken?” Yuuji says awkwardly, and Naoya’s head snaps towards him.

“That would be a no,” Naoya replies, and in an instant, his expression shifts from resentment to polished and pleasant, and he smiles, “Sorry if it’s made things weird with you guys.

“No, no, it’s been, uh, okay.” Yuuji replies warily, glancing at the door again, and as he looks back, Naoya’s face has a hint of that same resentment again, and Naoya takes a step back, holding up his movies.

“Alright, well, I should get going, check these out,” Naoya says with a sigh as he backs up towards the registers, “It was good to see you, we should hang out again. I’ll let you know if I end up staying in town.”

“Yeah, yeah, you too.” Yuuji replies, nodding at him with a small smile, and Naoya turns to walk over to Junpei at the counter.

Yuuji breathes out heavily, slinking into an aisle as he clumsily leans against the racks of movies, and he bangs his head against the wooden shelf, muttering to himself, “Shit.” 

He hides in the aisles until he can hear the exit bell, and he quickly moves up towards the counter, peeking over his shoulder to make sure Naoya had actually left before he approaches Junpei, who is laughing at him and shaking his head.

“Just take me out back and shoot me, man.” Yuuji whines as he collapses onto folded arms onto the countertop, flinging his movies and cash across it. 

“Your love life is so entertaining,” Junpei says with a laugh as Yuuji groans loudly, “He’s been coming in a bit, over the last week or so. Bet he was looking for you.”

“Yeah, right.” Yuuji scoffs, still keeping his head buried in his arms.

“Hadn’t seen the other guy in here before though,” Junpei says, and he tilts his head curiously as Yuuji’s ears get red, “Was that that Fushiguro guy you were telling me about?”

“Yeah,” Yuuji replies, still muffled against his arms before he drags his head up as Junpei scans his movie with an eye roll, “And the other one is his cousin slash archenemy.”

“Family archenemies?” Junpei asks, glancing out the door, “What is this, the 1800s?”

“Feels like it,” Yuuji sighs, taking the bag from Junpei, “Don’t think my dowry’s too impressive though.”

Junpei snorts, and leans on his folded arms on the counter and looks up at him.

“You’re telling me that’s the guy you’re ‘just friends’ with?” He click his tongue, and shakes his head, “There was only one emotion on that dude’s face, and it was green as fuck.”

“Shut up, he’s not jealous or anything,” Yuuji shakes his head back quickly, willing himself not to look outside again, “That’s ridiculous.” 

“I don’t know, man,” Junpei glances out the door again, “I wouldn’t count it out.”

“Well, I’m not counting anything anyway,” Yuuji says quickly, standing up as his palms start to sweat, “We’re just friends.”

“Does he know that?” Junpei asks with raised eyebrows, and Yuuji feels his cheeks get hot, “Do you?

“Why do I even come here?” Yuuji groans, shaking his head, “You just make fun of me.”

“You’re not denying it and I’m just tryna get you laid, dude!” Junpei argues in an unconvincing tone of attempted support, “I’m being a bro!”

“Ew,” Yuuji looks at him, scrunching his nose in disgust as he shakes his head again, “Don’t say that again, it sounds weird coming from you.”

“Whatever,” Junpei rolls his eyes, “I’m just saying. And you’ve always liked anime characters with black hair. Remember how much you loved Sasuke?”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever. I just had a big Naruto phase, that’s all. Now butt out,” Yuuji waves him off, pushing off the counter, “See you later.”

“Good luck!” Junpei calls after him, and Yuuji flips him off as he walks away, “Use protection!”

“Fuck off!”

Yuuji paces in front of the couch, eyes glancing out the window towards the dip in the hill in front of him. His phone lies on the couch, waiting for him to make a decision.

He couldn’t have put himself in a worse position to try and get Megumi to come out with them tonight, but he was desperately trying not to let his brain go down the path of expecting disappointment. 

He sighs before he picks his phone back up and opens up to his contacts, scrolling through. He finds what he’s looking for, thumb hovering over the call button until he exhales with a huff and he clicks it, bringing it up to his ear as it rings for a few moments and someone picks it up.

“What do you want?”

“Well, good afternoon to you, too, Fushi,” Yuuji replies in an obnoxiously cheerful voice as Megumi sighs on the other line, “Wake up on the wrong side of the mansion?”

“My original question stands.”

“I just wanted to try again to invite you and Maki out to that band that’s playing tonight, at the bar in town?” Yuuji asks, holding his breath, “I’m sure Kugisaki mentioned it to her.”

“Yeah, she did, but we’ve got a friend here for the next few weeks.”

“Why don’t you bring them?” Yuuji blurts out without a second thought, and there’s silence on the other line for a few moments, and Yuuji slaps his forehead aggressively, trying not to groan at himself.

“You’re not bringing anyone else?” Megumi says, his real question simmering under his words, and Yuuji inhales sharply.

“No, only you guys,” Yuuji replies, and when he’s met with silence, he swallows his pride and adds, “I really want you guys to come.”

He’s met with more silence, and he looks down, his heartbeat slowing down a bit in disappointment as he prepares himself to wave off another one of Megumi’s dismissals as no big deal.

“Alright.”

Yuuji picks his head back up and sits straighter, “Yeah?”

“Yeah, why not.”

Yuuji’s stubborn heart picks up, and he tampers it down to reply, “Okay, cool, awesome, um, it’s at the bar right in town. You can’t miss it, it’s like the only one around.”

“Cool, we’ll meet you there.”

“So you know where it—” Yuuji stops as the line goes dead, and he drops his phone to his lap as he looks his blank home screen, “Well, damn.” 

He stares down at his phone, heart picking up again as Megumi’s deep voice echoes in his head, but he quickly shakes it out of his mind.

“Kugisaki! You home?” He shouts, still staring at his phone, “Kugi!”

“What do you want, Yuuji?”

“Maki and Fushi are in for tonight!” He calls out, and he hears quick footsteps scampering across the floorboards above.

“Yay!” Kugisaki squeaks from upstairs, and he hears her steps coming quickly down the stairs as she practically launches herself across the couch, “Fushi said yes?”

“Barely.”

“Think we can get Inumaki to come out?” Kugisaki asks, folding her hands on the back of the couch as she leans her head down on them, “He hasn’t gone out with us in so long, I miss drunk Toge, he’s such a menace.”

“Yeah, maybe we can wrangle him into it.”

“Ino’s playing, right?” 

“Yeah,” Yuuji replies, double checking his phone to see their messages, “I actually asked him for a favor for tonight.”

“Ooo, what kind?” She nudges his shoulder with a grin and he rolls his eyes.

“Please, we’re just friends, and it’s not for you or me anyway,” Yuuji sticks his tongue out, and she flicks it as he flinches, “Ow! That hurt!”

“You should really act more proper,” Kugisaki shakes her head in mock disappointment, “Fushiguro’s manners have not rubbed off on you at all.”

“Oh, shut up.”

“Wear something good tonight, ‘kay?” She stands up from the couch and shoves his head a little bit.

“Don't tell me what to do.” He attempts to shove her off, but she’s already making her way to the stairs as he flails behind his head.

“Wear that white shirt with the blue stripes that I got you for your birthday! Brings out your eyes!” She calls out as she ascends the stairs.

Yuuji huffs in irritation, reminding himself to take that shirt off his bed and look through his closet again, “Go away!”

“Told you that shirt looks nice on you.”

“Shut up.”

“You did get confirmation that they’re coming, right?”

“I mean, as much confirmation as Fushiguro will give me,” Yuuji shrugs, peeking up on his tiptoes to look at the entrance to the bar, “He’s not exactly one for casual phone call conversations, or casual conversation in general.”

“Is that so?” Kugisaki smirks, and he shoves her a bit, feeling his ears turn red, and she laughs as she leans against the bartop, “You said it, not me.”

That’s my cue to take my position in the corner, Inumaki signs with a sigh, Bye.

“Shut up, that’s not what I meant and you know it,” Yuuji grumbles, clapping Inumaki on the back as he heads away from the bar. As the bartender hands him his drink, he nods with a smile before turning to Kugisaki, “He’s just not very chatty all the time.”

“Understatement of the century,” She snorts, quickly ordering two shots of tequila while she’s got the bartender's attention, and she hands one to Yuuji.

“Where’s my extra lime?” Yuuji whines, pouting a bit.

“Deal with it,” Kugisaki rolls her eyes and lifts up her glass, creating an L with her elbow as she raises her eyebrows at him. Yuuji sighs before he interlocks their arms, and they both swig back the shot, coming back up to chomp down on the line wedged on the edge of their glasses, “Whew, Jesus. I’ll never understand how you like that, but liquid courage, I guess.

Yuuji laughs a little, trying to ignore the part of him that was still thinking about Megumi.

He blinks the thoughts away and clears his throat, looking back up at the entrance when he sees a familiar silhouette, as if he was summoned by Yuuji’s brain, backlit against the neon signs behind them.

“Fushiguro!” Yuuji calls out, and Megumi’s head snaps towards him. He glances behind him to beckon Maki and a familiar looking boy behind her towards them, and Yuuji holds his breath as they approach them.

He peeks over Maki’s shoulder to see a young guy he recognized from the Zenin’s party, the one Inumaki was staring at. He was about their age, with messy black hair and deep blue eyes, and he smiles at them, a kindness in his eyes that's been missing from many of the people Yuuji had met this summer.

“This is Okkotsu Yuuta. Friend of the family.” Megumi introduces bluntly, gesturing to the boy next to him, who waves. 

“Hi guys! Thanks for inviting me out with you all.” Yuuta says, nodding at them with a smile. 

“What a warm introduction, Fushi,” Yuuji teases as Megumi shoots him a look, and he turns to Yuuta, “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Itadori, and this is my sister, Kugisaki. My older brother’s around here somewhere.”

“Hey, man. Hi, Maki.” Kugisaki greets him, but her eyes brighten as she greets her, and Maki comes to stand beside her. Kugisaki smiles as they turn away, whispering and laughing lightly with each other as they walk towards the bar.

“Typical,” Yuuji laughs, swallowing a bit as he turns back and notices how close Megumi and Yuuta’s shoulders were, “So, how do you guys know each other?” 

“I took a year off from school and was teaching abroad with one of Gojo’s nonprofits, and he came out to one of our schools to visit for a while, so Gojo became a sort of mentor to me,” Yuuta explains, and looks to Megumi, “And then Fushiguro and I became friends when he came to teach there too. We actually went to the same college.”

“You taught abroad? Really?” Yuuji asks quickly, and Yuuta holds in his laugh as Megumi turns to him, looking slightly offended.

“Is that so surprising?” Megumi shoots him a look, but both Yuuji and Yuuta just roll their eyes.

“Only because your teaching style would probably include a lot of head whacking.” Yuuji counters and he grins as he can practically see Megumi’s hand twitch from restraining himself from smacking him upside the head.

“You hated teaching and only lasted a month, don’t lie. But your French was pretty good and the little kids loved you for some reason.” Yuuta laughs, shaking his head, and Yuuji feels an ugly little pang of jealousy that Yuuta had gotten his own version of Megumi, maybe different from the one he got. Yuuji tries to reign in his pout at the idea of a French speaking Megumi with a bunch of little kids hanging off of him and more importantly, the fact that he has not seen it. He’d have to ask Yuuta for pictures later. Once he’d scoped him out for Inumaki’s sake, of course.

“Yeah, whatever,” Megumi rolls his eyes as he turns to walk away, “I’m getting a drink.”

Yuuji watches him walk for a moment before inhaling deeply, pushing away his bitter thoughts as he turns back to Yuuta, who’s shaking his head.

“Still a grump. Glad to see nothing has changed,” Yuuta sighs as Megumi walks away towards the bar, before he turns to face Yuuji, “So, Itadori, right? It’s really cool to meet you, Fushiguro’s told me a lot about you.”

“He has?” Yuuji asks, unable to hide the surprise in his voice as it pitches up, and Yuuta laughs a little.

“Well, a lot for him, I suppose,” Yuuta shrugs, “Took him ages to even have a real conversation with me when we were teaching.”

“Yeah, that sounds about right.” Yuuji laughs, thinking back to his scowls the first nights they spent together.

“You work at the barn, right? Some of my kids take lessons over there, they love it,” Yuuta replies, and his face brightens, “Wait, you know little Aya?”

“Oh my god, yeah!” Yuuji exclaims, and Yuuta’s smile widens, “Man, she’s really shy but so smart and too damn cute. She’s been coming for lessons for a little bit now.”

“So you’ve worked there for a while?”

“Yeah, I help run it, it’s actually my dads barn. So, wait, you’re from around here?” Yuuji asks curiously, pleasantly surprised by how easy Yuuta was to talk to in comparison to Megumi the first time they met.

“Yeah, I teach a few towns over, so I’m a little closer to civilization than they are at Gojo’s,” Yuuta replies, and he leans over a little to make sure Megumi’s still at the bar, “But I’m really glad to hear he’s found someone like you out here. Seems like he likes you a lot.”

Yuuji’s heart stops for a moment as he tries to control his face as Yuuta looks at him expectantly. Unlike the other forced discussions he’d had at other parties, Yuuta seemed real and genuine, but there was also a perceptive glint in his eye that made Yuuji a little nervous. 

“Oh, yeah. It’s been really cool getting to know him,” Yuuji attempts to reply casually, feeling like that was the understatement of the century, “I, um, I like him a lot too.” 

“Yeah?” Yuuta asks, a knowing smile growing on his face and Yuuji feels his cheeks get hot.

“Uh, I mean, as in—”

“This bar has the oddest liquor selection I’ve ever seen.” Yuuji breathes a sigh of relief as Megumi comes grumbling up behind him and Yuuta keeps his eyes on him for a moment longer, smiling a little. 

“So I gotta ask, what has our little Megumi been like out in the country, hm?” Yuuta asks, finally taking his eyes off Yuuji as he glances over at Megumi with a smirk, who glares at him.

“Let’s see,” Yuuji leans on his back leg, tapping his finger to his chin as Megumi rolls his eyes and takes a sip of his drink, “Went to a few parties, danced with no one, talked to no one, except occasionally gracing me with his gloomy presence. Quite the social butterfly we’ve got on our hands here.”

“Yeah, sounds like him.” Yuuta smiles, grinning over at Megumi, who rolls his eyes again as he mumbles into his drink.

“Shut up, both of you.”

“Nah.” Yuuji and Yuuta say in unison, before they burst out in laughter and Megumi groans, throwing his head into his hands. 

Yuuji feels a light tug on his shirt from behind, and turns to see that Inumaki has emerged from his usual spot in the back corner, his eyes flitting from him to Yuuta. Yuuji grins and throws his arm around his shoulders to pull him forward.

“And this here is my older brother, Inumaki Toge,” Yuuji nudges him forward a little bit with his shoulder as he brings his arm down, “He doesn’t talk much but he likes to listen.”

Inumaki nervously glances up at him and Yuuji nods, quickly signing, You’re good. I got you.

“Oh, do you know JSL?” Yuuta asks, gently shoving Megumi towards Yuuji, who scoffs in offense as Yuuta steps a little closer and Inumaki nods hesitantly. Yuuta breaks out into a big smile and quickly signs ‘Hello’, “I learned since I started teaching but I haven’t been practicing as much as I should.”

I can help you, Inumaki signs back immediately, his eyes lighting up a little as Yuuji grins into his drink next to him.

“Cool, thanks,” Yuuta smiles at him and glances down at his half empty cup, “Want another one?”

Inumaki nods, quickly slugging the rest of his drink back before handing his empty to Yuuji without looking at him, and Yuuta nods him over towards the bar, and grabs Megumi too. Inumaki finally looks over at Yuuji with wide eyes.

“Go on, have fun, don’t cause trouble.” Yuuji grins as he snorts a bit, shaking his head.

No promises, Inumaki grins before he quickly follows behind Yuuta towards the bar.

“Did I just see Inumaki go off with Yuuta?” Yuuji turns to see Maki and Kugisaki moving back towards them, arms interlocked with drinks in hand as they make their way over from the bar.

“Yes, you did.” Yuuji grins, and Kugisaki laughs loudly, snorting a little bit.

“Oh, this’ll be interesting. I don’t know if Inumaki has flirted a day in his life,” Kugisaki shakes her head, “I hope Yuuta goes easy on him.”

“Don’t tease him,” Yuuji shakes his head at her, “He’s putting himself out there.”

“I’m not wrong!” She rolls her eyes, putting her hands on her hips as Yuuji scoffs a bit.

“At least he’s actually trying!” Yuuji shoots back, raising his eyebrows playfully, and Kugisaki’s eyes get wide before she stomps up to him and starts signing wildly at him.

Don’t you fucking dare. I’ll kill you.

I’m kidding!

Not funny!

It’s a little funny!

Not at all!

Grow a pair!

I’ll cut yours off!

“No secret sign language conversations please,” Maki groans, hanging her head back as she shakes it, “Kugi, let’s go dance.”

Kugisaki scowls at him one last time before she turns to Maki, her eyes softening as she grabs her hand and tugs her towards the dancefloor, music blaring from the speakers by the stage.

Yuuji laughs to himself as he leans back against the wall by their table, watching Inumaki and Yuuta fluster their way through conversations, and he smiles to himself. 

“He should be careful.” Yuuji turns as Megumi comes to stand next to him, watching Yuuta and Inumaki sign to each other at the bar, with Inumaki lightly fixing his fingers as Yuuta nods along, his cheeks slightly flushed.

“Why’s that?”

“Pretty much everyone falls in love with Yuuta. He’s too damn nice. Never seen a man get so many confessions without actually ever dating anyone.” Megumi says flatly, keeping his eyes out in front of him.

“Okay?” Yuuji says hesitantly, looking over at him as he tries to pinpoint where his weird energy was coming from.

“Just saying,” He glances over at Yuuji and shrugs, “He’s a nice guy, but he never says yes.”

“Well, aren’t you just a peach today?” Yuuji grumbles into his drink, leaning back against the wall.

Megumi doesn’t respond, just stays against the wall and takes another long sip of his drink. Yuuji glances over, eyeing him up and down as he sees his tense posture, and he turns to him.

“Seriously, are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” Megumi snaps, and Yuuji narrows his eyes at him, tilting his head slightly.

“You don’t sound fine.”

“Leave me the fuck alone.” Megumi bites out, keeping his eyes out ahead of him.

“Whew, touchy,” He whistles as Megumi glares over at him, and Yuuji nods up to the stage, “Come on, just give them a chance. They’re actually really good.”

“It’s not the fucking music.” Megumi grumbles into his cup, and Yuuji looks over at him, opening his mouth to say something before a loud, high pitched squeal sounds from the speakers. He glances up to see the musicians settling themselves on stage. 

He looks up to see Ino, who gives him a big wave, and he waves back before he turns back to Megumi.

“Come on, let’s go over here,” Yuuji says, tugging on his shirt sleeve towards a wall closer to the stage, “I wanna hear better.”

“Don’t drag me.”

“Stop whining.”

“Stop dragging.”

“Ugh, you’re impossible.” Yuuji lets him go, and Megumi’s hand goes to his sleeve where Yuuji was holding him, smoothing it slightly, but his fingertips linger on it for a moment more before he clears his throat and takes a sip of his drink.

“No, this shirt is just nice.”

“It’s a white shirt.” Yuuji deadpans, and Megumi glares over at him.

“It’s a nice white shirt.” Megumi replies, looking out at the room, and an unimpressed expression flashes across his face for a few moments, and Yuuji frowns, and he turns with a huff towards the stage again.

So, it was clear Megumi was still irritated about earlier. 

They stood in silence for a few songs, Yuuji tapping along to the beat with his fingers on his cup, and Megumi kept his gaze firmly ahead of him.

As the fourth song rolls through, Yuuji picks his head up as a familiar beat starts to flow through the speakers, and he looks up to Megumi.

“You get any new albums recently?” Yuuji tries as heavy bass starts thudding through the speakers, “Maybe of the rap variety?”

“Is this your not-so-subtle way of asking if I listened to Kendrick’s new album?”

“Maybe.” Yuuji replies with a wide smile, mockingly sticking his chin in the air and tilting his head as Megumi rolls his eyes, and nods as he relents.

“Yes, I did.”

“Is it unbelievable on those speakers? You can connect your phone too, right?”

“Anything’s unbelievable on those speakers.” 

“Damn, you hadn’t been snobby in so long,” Yuuji tsks in disappointment, “You were doing so well, Fushi.”

“Stop calling me snobby.” Megumi glares over at him for a second before crossing his arms, loosely holding his drink in one hand.

Yuuji rolls his eyes, opting to take a sip instead of opening his mouth. As he shakes his head, his eyes scan back over at the crowd, but something catches his eye as he almost spits out his drink.

“Holy shit,” He laughs out, scrambling to elbow Megumi in the ribs to get his attention, and he shoves him off with a grumble of curses, but looks over to where Yuuji is staring and his mouth drops open as his hands freeze on Yuuji’s arms, “I’m sorry, what was it that you were saying earlier?”

Yuuji and Megumi look at each other before looking back at Inumaki and Yuuta, half hidden behind a wall at the back of the bar to the left of the stage, tucked behind extra band equipment. Yuuta was pushed up against the wall in the dark, back corner of the room, his hands buried in Inumaki’s hair as they kissed each other wildly, eyes scrunched shut.

“What the fuck!?” Megumi gapes with a somewhat horrified look, before his face breaks into a grin and he starts laughing, really laughing, and he leans his head back against the wall as his eyes scrunches shut. 

Yuuji can’t help but stare at him, almost losing his breath at the wide smile on his face and the crinkles at the corners of his eyes, but he just sighs a little, smiling as he laughs with him, their shoulders resting against each other as their laughter trails off.

“No fucking way,” Megumi laughs out one last time, “I know I said he always says no, but I meant more in a like, ‘I think he might be a monk’ way.” 

Yuuji starts laughing again, falling back against the wall as he lets himself lean against Megumi a little more, but he doesn’t push him off, just shifts his arm to fit more comfortably against Yuuji’s.

“Damn, Inumaki,” Yuuji chuckles deeply, his chest feeling light and happy, and he shakes his head, “Didn’t know he had it in him. Pretty sure he’s been secretly pining for Okkotsu since that Zenin party.”

“Ohhh, shit.” Megumi groans, leaning his head back against the wall as Yuuji looks over at him.

“What?”

“Yuuta asked me about some kid he saw that night, asked if I could find out who he was, but I had no fucking clue who he was talking about.”

“You!” Yuuji gasps, turning towards him as Megumi jolts a little in surprise before he rolls his eyes at Yuuji’s theatrics, “You kept them apart! You homewrecker!”

“Oh, please, that’s not even the correct definition of home wrecking.” Megumi snorts lightly, shaking his head as Yuuji grins and keeps going.

“How devilish of you, Fushi, keeping young love apart. It’s almost Shakespearean.” Yuuji nudges him as Megumi takes a sip of his drink, rolling his eyes again.

“Shut up, will you? Clearly, they’ve got a handle on it."

“A little too handled, if you ask me.” Yuuji laughs as Inumaki and Yuuji hide a little further behind the curtain next to them, and Megumi shakes his head a little as the first notes of the night start to play from the speakers.

The band starts to warm up a bit, tuning their instruments a bit, running through brief riffs and drum lines. Yuuji keeps glancing at Megumi in his peripheral vision.

It starts off with a brief guitar solo, quickly followed by the drums, trailed by the bass, and soon, the music all comes together, and Yuuji can see Megumi’s eyes widen a little out of the corner of his vision.

“Are they playing the Strokes?” Megumi turns to him, and Yuuji grins, bumping his shoulder against his.

“Told you it’d be worth it.” 

Megumi stares at him for a few seconds more before he just nods once and turns back to the stage.

“Hm. It’s one of their most popular songs. Let’s hope they don’t butcher it.”

“You really are impossible,” Yuuji shakes his head with a little whine, patiently waiting for Ino’s lead singer to begin, “Just enjoy things, will you?”

Last night, she said

"Oh, baby, I feel so down

Oh, it turn' me off

When I feel left out"

Yuuji glances over to try and read Megumi’s expression as they play, and he sees him almost instinctively nodding along to the beat ever so slightly, eyes darting around the stage

So I, I turned 'round

"Oh, babe, I don't care no more"

I know this for sure

I'm walkin' out that door

The second chorus approaches the end and Yuuji smiles as he sees Ino walk up to the front of the stage as the bridge climbs. He glances over at Megumi as his solo begins, and his mouth twitches ever so slightly, which Yuuji takes as a win.

They finish up the last bits of the song, feedback echoing a bit as they hold the last few notes out. Applause erupts as the musicians lean down, grabbing their water as the bassist starts to speak.

“Okay, maybe this won’t be so horrendous.” Megumi relents, and Yuuji looks over, nudging him again.

“Was that a positive statement I heard from you, Fushi?” Yuuji grins as Megumi’s smile drops and he rolls his eyes, and Yuuji pokes him in the arm, “Huh? Was it? Are you actually having fun?”

“I take it back.”

“Too late, already heard you.”

“You’re so annoying.”

“Yeah, but you like it.” Yuuji smiles as Megumi rolls his eyes again, but Yuuji’s stomach flips a little as he sees his ears turn red.

“Do not.”

“Do too,” Yuuji grins, flicking his warm ear as Megumi flinches, “I can tell.”

“Shut up, don’t do that.” He shoves him off lightly with a pout, but returns his arm next to Yuuji’s, both pressed together again, and Yuuji quickly takes a sip of his drink. 

He sneaks one last glance at Megumi out of the corner of his eye, trying to memorize the soft, happy look on his face. Quickly, he tries to focus back on the music, trying to tamper down his smile as Megumi’s arm remains firmly against his.

After a decently long set and Maki and Kugisaki coming to join them, the band finally finishes up, thanking the crowd and they end their set, letting the DJ's music flow through the speakers once more.

“Ino killed it tonight!” Kugisaki exclaims, glancing back over at the stage as they clean up the instruments.

“I know, right?” Yuuji replies, “He told me that they’d been rehearsing like crazy. I don’t know how he does it with his work at the barn too.”

“That second vocalist was really good too.” Maki adds, and Kugisaki scowls and grumbles into her cup.

“She is such a bitch.” She mutters under her breath as Maki looks at her, confused.

“What?”

“Kugisaki and Himeko do not exactly get along,” Yuuji laughs, “Something about a haircut.”

“She cut off four inches of my hair in math class, Yuuji!” Kugisaki shouts, throwing her hands up as she spills her drink a little, “A four inch chunk!”

“And then you put Kool Aid in her shampoo! She's blonde!”

“How was I supposed I know she lets her shampoo soak? That's weird as fuck!”

“Okay, that’s enough.” Maki laughs, shaking her head as she pulls Kugisaki back from scowling in Yuuji’s face.

“Hey, uh, I think we’re gonna head out.” Yuuji looks to the side as he hears Yuuta pipes in, saving him from Kugisaki's slaps, and his face is flushed as Inumaki smiles smugly behind him.

“Oh, already, are you? Run into trouble by the band equipment?” Maki asks, raising her eyebrows as Yuuta’s ears turn red too.

“No, I, um, have a video game back at my place that Inumaki said he hadn’t tried yet.” Yuuta explains quickly as his cheeks turn pinker, even under the dim bar lights.

“Oh, something you haven’t tried, huh?” Yuuji asks knowingly to Inumaki, thinking back to how many times he had to de-virus his computer after pirating too many games he couldn’t afford while Inumaki shoots him a glare.

Yes. Now shut up. Inumaki signs from behind Yuuta’s back and Yuuji cracks up in laughter, leaving Yuuta to look back and forth between them confused.

“I’m gonna go talk to Fushiguro and call the car, can’t hear anything in here.” Yuuta says quickly, more to Inumaki than anyone else, before he gives him a smile and walks off towards the exit.

Inumaki watches him walk away before he turns to them.

“We’re gonna go dance to one more song,” Kugisaki says, grabbing Maki’s arm as she smiles wickedly at Inumaki, “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

That narrows it down to about three things , Inumaki signs with an eye roll as Kugisaki sticks her tongue out at him as they walk away, and Inumaki slowly turns back to Yuuji, whose arms are crossed over his chest as he tries to tone down his smile, and fails miserably.

“You sly, sneaky bastard.” Yuuji grins as he claps his shoulder and shakes it and Inumaki just shrugs, still smiling.

Someone in this family needed to grow a pair, He signs, and Yuuji rolls his eyes, shoving his shoulder away a little. Inumaki grins back before he glances over his shoulder as Megumi and Yuuta talk by the bathrooms on the way to the exit, and he turns back to him, Go for it, Yuuji.

I can’t, Yuuji signs back quickly, shaking his head.

Why not? I know you like him, you can’t lie to me. Kugisaki can overlook things, but you know we see right through each other, Inumaki’s face shifts a little, his face almost pouting, I think you should just go for it.

Not tonight, Yuuji shakes his head again, But you have fun.

Oh, I will. Inumaki grins, cheeks flushing a little as he glances over his shoulder again.

Yuuji grins at him before he looks over his own shoulder at Maki and Kugisaki dancing, “Think Maki really likes her?”

Yeah, but I don’t know if she’ll ever do anything about it without real encouragement from Kugi.

“What, you think she’s too scared? Our sister?” Yuuji snorts, shaking his head at the idea that she would be scared of anything.

We are all fools in love, Yuuji, Inumaki signs absentmindedly, glancing over Yuuji’s shoulder again at Kugisaki before looking back, concern still hidden on his face, I worry about her.

Yuuji looks over again at the two of them, smiling and dancing, pretty badly on Kugisaki’s part, but he can’t tear his eyes away from Maki’s permanently soft smile he’s noticed only comes out around Kugisaki. 

As he looks at them, he sees their comfort around each other, but he also sees the hesitation in their movements. One of their hands lingering for a moment before quickly snapping away, a glance that goes on for a few moments too long before finding anywhere but the others face. For a moment, he can see Maki’s hand linger on Kugisaki’s skirt, gently rubbing the fabric between her fingertips before she drops it.

Maybe he’s just a sappy romantic. Maybe he just wants his sister to be happy with the person he knows she loves. Maybe he really does just see what he wants to, especially when it comes to love. But part of him wanted this for her so badly, he couldn’t help but hope.

“You know, you’re quite profound, Inumaki.” Yuuji grins as he looks back over at him, just to find Inumaki staring at Yuuta by the door and he groans.

“Ugh, whatever, have fun, I’ll tell the dads you’re good. And be safe!” Yuuji warns as he pulls him in for a hug, slightly surprising a distracted Inumaki, and he claps his back gently as he pulls away.

Yes, Dad. Inumaki rolls his eyes with a stubborn smile as he waves him off, his face brightening as he sees Yuuta beckoning him over to the exit.

“Go on, go on.” Yuuji rolls his eyes as Inumaki grins at him again and quickly turns around towards the door. 

Yuuji watches them walk out the exit, shaking his head a little as he can’t help the smile on his face. He takes a moment to look over at Kugisaki, beaming as Maki dances next to her, and Yuuji feels his heart burn brighter than it had in a while.

His feelings about Megumi were confusing, something that excited and scared him at the same time. He didn’t know what it was. It was something that tugged at his gut, but it scared him more and more with every day that his heart cranked open further. He knew Megumi was leaving, and he knew couldn’t allow himself to even get used to the idea of him as a constant in his world, given their drastically different expectations in life.

He sighs to himself as he brings his drink up, draining the last sip, and he drops it to his side, dangling from his fingertips.

Suddenly, the weight is lightened as he looks up to green eyes on him as cold fingertips brush his on the cup as he lets it go. 

“Hey,” He sees Megumi beside him, holding both of their empty drinks as he tilts his head at him expectantly, “You ready to go?”

“We’re gonna go up to the roof, but girls only, sorry!” Kugisaki shouts as Maki tugs her hand up the path towards the front door of the house.

They’re left with the fading sounds of the girls snickering at them as they jog up towards the house, arms bumping each other as they walk. Yuuji smiles to himself, and looks over to see Megumi slowly making his way up the path, rubbing the gravel under his toes as he walks.

“Hey, can we go up this way? We can get to your record room that way, yeah?” Yuuji asks as he walks up to him, peeking his head behind Megumi’s shoulder as he sees a garden with a long, winding path that leads up to the side of the house.

Megumi looks over his shoulder and glances up to the house before turning back to Yuuj with a shrug.

“Yeah, sure.” Megumi replies as he turns and starts to head down a break in the small gravel path leading through the garden.

Yuuji follows behind him, but trails a little bit as Megumi walks ahead. Yuuji finds himself staring at him as his back turned to him, just the nape of his neck exposed over the collar of his shirt. He’d never really looked at it before, but it’s not that he gets the chance to look at the back of Megumi’s head that often. He tilts his head, keeping his eyes on the pale sliver of skin above his shirt, tickled by the soft ends of his hair. Yuuji’s hand twitches at his side, and he shoves both of them in his pockets as he forces himself to look down at his feet.

“So, you guys are leaving pretty soon, huh?” Yuuji says, and Megumi just hums ahead of him, nodding a little.

“Yeah. End of the month.”

Yuuji nods, keeping his gaze on down, “Gonna be weird without all of you here.”

“I’m sure it’ll be back to normal in no time.” Megumi shrugs again, and Yuuji looks back down at his feet, trailing along the stone rock path.

“Yeah, yeah, right.” He replies, trying to tamper down the rising ache in his chest.

He looks up to the garden to distract himself, and inhales deeply, breathing in the crisp, sweet smell of the plants and gentle running water around them. As they walked, moss-covered, smooth rocks lined their path, with dark red Japanese maples and Hinoki Cypress trees dotting the gardens with bushes and leafy plants spilling onto the pathways.

“It’s beautiful down here.” Yuuji sighs dreamily as he takes it all in, and Megumi looks over, eyes softening as he looks out at the blooming green gardens.

“Yeah, Gojo always makes sure it’s in good shape,” Megumi shrugs as they cross a small bridge overlooking a bubbling little creek, “Not sure why.”

“It’s unbelievable.” Yuuji sighs again, and Megumi scoffs a little bit.

“You’re pretty easily impressed, you know?”

“No, I think you just have a lot of things that impress me, Fushi.” Yuuji breathes out simply, keeping his eyes out ahead of him. As he looks back, he sees the top of Megumi’s ears burning red as he looks to the other side.

“Yeah, whatever.”

“You’re pretty bad at taking compliments, you know?” Yuuji says in a teasing tone, smiling as he bumps his shoulder.

“Maybe you’re bad at giving them.” Megumi rolls his eyes as Yuuji huffs, shaking his head.

“Am not! I give fantastic compliments.” Yuuji argues back as they reach closer to the house, ducking under a low hanging branch that’s dropped into the path.

“Are too.” Megumi replies, but he glances over at Yuuji with an playful look in his eyes, and his stupid, dumb heart picks up again.

“You’re so mean to me.” Yuuji whines, feeling bold as he leans against him dramatically as Megumi rolls his shoulder to get him off.

“Shut up, idiot,” Megumi chuckles as he gives him a small shove, but Yuuji, not prepared for Megumi’s lingering touch on him, quickly loses his balance, tripping over his shoe and he flails to the side, feet tumbling over a short, stone barrier, “Oh, shit—”

Yuuji is suddenly plunged into coldness, and he scrambles and splashes around in the water to sit upright as panicked fish scatter all around him. He looks up at a wide eyed Megumi standing over him, both hands covering his mouth, very clearly desperately trying not to laugh.

“You pushed me into a koi pond!” Yuuji shouts as Megumi finally loses it and doubles over laughing as Yuuji groans and picks a loose lily pad off his shoulder, “And now you’re laughing at me!”

“I-I’m sorry,” Megumi wheezes out, picking his head up to look at him as his palms rest on his thighs, “I really didn’t mean to.”

“Liar.” Yuuji pouts, sticking his tongue out at him and Megumi laughs once more before he offers his hand out.

“Come on,” Megumi grunts as he helps Yuuji hoist himself out of the water, “Let’s hope you didn’t kill any fish.”

“Oh my god,” Yuuji gasps, looking back at the mangled mess of water plants, “I murdered them with my ass.”

“Yeah, like your ass is that good.” Megumi scoffs, shaking his head and Yuuji shoves him a bit, and he shoves him back, their shoulders bumping.

“Better ass than you, Fushi,” Yuuji grins as he leans to shove his wet hair in Megumi’s face as he groans in disgust and pushes him off again. Megumi rolls his eyes, but there’s an amused smile on his face and they settle walking side by side, their shoulders brushing every few moments, “Tonight was fun, right?”

“Yeah,” Megumi replies, pausing for a moment before he adds, “You were right, that guitarist wasn’t bad.”

“I know right?” Yuuji replies, shaking out the water from his pants as they start to walk again, “He knows more music than just about anyone I know, maybe except for you.”

Megumi just hums in response, nodding a little as he puts his hands in his pockets. Despite his damp clothes, the night was warm, the air smelling sweet and flowery as fireflies danced around the bubbling streams, illuminating the muggy air with faint flashes of yellow and green like lost stars.

“So, you know that guy from work?” Megumi asks, his voice dropping back down a bit to his usual, neutral tone after his rare bout of laughter.

“Yeah! He’s so cool,” Yuuji replies casually, shaking out a loose, slimy reed from his sleeve, “He was the first coworker who was around my age, so we hang out sometimes but he lives a few towns over so he mainly lends me stuff. Music, movies, manga, that stuff.”

“He… lends it to you?” Megumi asks, slowing down for half a second.

“Yeah, always has another waiting for me,” Yuuji replies, and Megumi just nods, keeping his eyes on the stone path leading up to the house. Yuuji glances back at him, but his expression is unreadable. He pouts a little at the reminder of the fleeting time he has to unpack more of Megumi’s expressive yet always confusing faces, “You okay?”

“Huh?” Megumi looks up, looking distracted before he shakes his head a little, “Oh, yeah, fine.”

“Okay.” Yuuji replies quietly as they approach the front porch, and he hangs back as Megumi inputs a code on a fancy keypad, and the door clicks open. 

“I’ll grab you a towel or something.” Megumi says as he pushes the door open, careful not to make too much noise in the echoey halls.

“How kind of you.” Yuuji replies sarcastically as Megumi rolls his eyes, picking a loose piece of wet grass off his shoulder, fingertips lingering for half a second as he dusts it off.

“You have bad balance.” He says bluntly, and Yuuji gasps in offense, poking Megumi in the chest.

“I have fantastic balance, I’ll have you know.”

“Yeah, I’m sure that—” Megumi is interrupted as they hear brisk footsteps entering the front hall.

“Good evening, Mr. Fushig— Oh, my.” They both look up to see Ijichi staring at them, wide eyed as his eyes dart around Yuuji’s clothes and his gross, messy hair plastered to his head.

“Oh, hey, Ijichi. Sorry if we were too loud. You remember Itadori.” Megumi nods at Yuuji, who waves at the annoyed looking Ijichi.

“Hey! Nice to see you again!” Yuuji greets him, and Ijichi glances down to the small pool of water growing on the marble below his feet.

“I’ll fetch you a towel.” He sighs, before turning around, but Megumi interrupts him.

“Don’t worry about it. We got it.” 

“Are you sure, sir?” Ichiji looks Yuuji up and down again, and he looks down at his feet sheepishly.

“Yeah, my fault anyway. Thank you,” Megumi says as he starts to walk backwards towards the stairs, he waves Ichiji off, “Now go to bed already. Don’t let Gojo mess with you so much.”

“Yes, sir.” Ijichi bows a little at them walking away before turning off towards a small hallway to the right, but before they can speak, he returns from the dark hallway with a large, fluffy towel and hands it to Yuuji. He bows again before returning back to the hallway

“Thank you!” Yuuji calls out after him, but he doesn’t turn around as a door shuts quietly behind him.

Megumi sighs and shakes his head, turning to Yuuji, “Gojo barely sleeps and he’s got poor Ijichi running around at all hours. Now come on.”

“Coming!” Yuuji scrambles behind to follow him as he makes his way up the main staircase, careful not to slip on the floors as his toes squished inside his soaked shoes.

They silently make their way up to the third floor, but the quiet is comfortable, and soon, Megumi slows as they reach the middle of the hallway.

“There’s a bathroom with a shower on this floor, second door on the left. It should have more towels and all that stuff,” Megumi nods down the hall, before turning to him. He looks down at Yuuji’s mucky clothes, and his ears turn a little pink, “Do you, uh, want to borrow something?”

“Yeah, do you mind? I’m a little mossy.” Yuuji says with a grin, looking down at his grimy clothes, and Megumi rolls his eyes a little.

“I said it was an accident,” Megumi says, grumbling slightly as he moves towards the nearest staircase, “I’ll be right back.”

Yuuji laughs to himself as he watches him walk away, before sighing deeply. He takes a step back and looks around the hallway, taking in the artwork framing the walls. In a moment of delayed realization, his cheeks get hot as he realizes he's about to wear Megumi’s clothes.

Before he can properly freak out, he hears Megumi’s footsteps coming back down the hallway again, and he turns to see him approaching, sweatpants and a t-shirt folded over his arms with a bag hanging off his fingertips.

“Sorry, but I refuse to wear your underwear, Fushi.” Yuuji teases, crossing his arms as Megumi rolls his eyes and shoves the clothes against his chest.

“Shut up, they’re new,” Megumi grumbles as he keeps his hands on his chest and pushes him backwards towards the bathroom, “Put your clothes in the bag and I’ll get them washed. Now go shower, you smell like shit.”

“And who’s fault is that?” Yuuji tilts his head down at him as Megumi pushes him against the door, sending a little rush of electricity down Yuuji’s spine. But before he can focus on Megumi’s hands on his chest, he steps back and drops his hands.

“Shut up, just go shower. I’ll meet you there, you remember how to get up?”

“Yeah, think so.” Yuuji nods, readjusting the clothes in his arms, “Thanks.”

“Guess I kinda owe you.” Megumi shrugs, turning down the hallway, “You good?”

“Yeah, I’ll be good.” Yuuji smiles and pushes through the door as Megumi nods and turns to make his way down the hallway. 

As the door closes, Yuuji leans against it, smiling to himself a little. He looks down at the clothes in his arms, and he hesitates as a primal part of his brain urges them up closer. In a weak moment, he slowly brings them up and presses his nose to the shirt, inhaling deeply as the fresh scent of laundry, Megumi’s cologne, and familiar pine trees fill his senses. 

Feeling lightheaded, he smiles to himself again as he leans his head against the door, laughing a bit, “Man, I am so, so fucked.”

As he makes his way up the stairs towards Megumi’s record room, he slows as he hears faint, low jazz music flowing under the crack in the door. He pauses for a moment, tilting his head to try and hear the soft, harmonious sounds coming from behind the wood. Absentmindedly, he takes a step towards the door, and the wooden floors creak under his feet. 

Suddenly, the music stops, and he hears rustling from behind the door, so he quickly steps up and knocks.

“It’s open.”

Yuuji inhales deeply before he turns the door handle, and opens it into the warmly lit room.

“Hey.”

Megumi looks up from sitting on the arm of the couch, slouched over with his forearms resting on his thighs and he stands up quickly, “Hey.”

“You showered too?”

“Yeah, smelled like a dingy, small town bar.”

“So do I still smell like small town shit then?” Yuuji asks teasingly, walking up to him by the couch.

Suddenly, his breathing stops as Megumi steps forward and leans in, angling his head at the last minute as he inhales gently, just inches from Yuuji’s neck, lingering for a few seconds before pulling his head back. 

Yuuji swallows hard as their eyes meet again as he leans back, and for a moment, there’s just the silence between them as their eyes stay locked on each other. Megumi, however, breaks it and clears his throat.

“You smell like me.”

“Oh, um, sorry.” Yuuji gets out, barely, as Megumi’s eyes seem a little darker than before for a moment, before he blinks and the bright green is back.

“Don’t apologize,” Megumi shrugs, turning towards the back of the room but Yuuji swears he could see his ears turn pink, “I don’t mind.”

Yuuji’s heart kicks up and he exhales a large breath as Megumi turns to peek out the window. He glances over at the record player, and sees a lone, small singles sleeve sitting by the table.

“What were you just listening to?” 

“Oh, uh, just some old stuff. Harry James and shit.” Megumi replies, rubbing the back of his neck, and Yuuji’s eyes a stray droplet of water drip off of his bangs, slowly forming and falling to the floor below. He shakes his head, refocusing as he walks over to the record player.

“Who’s that?” Yuuji asks, picking up the small record holder and he inspects the cover, and holds it up, “This one?”

“Yeah, he was a trumpet player.” Megumi replies as Yuuji nods and gently slides the disc out, fitting it onto the machine before he flicks it on, and it whirs to life.

“We don’t have to—"

“I want to.” Yuuji interrupts, keeping his eyes down on the record sleeve in his hands as he hears Megumi shift on his feet across the room.

Yuuji carefully settles the needle on the record, and soon soft, percussive music flows through the speaker, sounding slightly crackled from old age, and he smiles to himself as he looks up to Megumi’s seemingly nervous face.

“Can we swap music again?” Yuuji asks with a smile as Megumi settles back on the couch, and looks over at him.

“You want to?”

“Yeah, but no guessing. Just listening.” Yuuji replies, and Megumi nods.

“Sticking with this era?” Megumi asks, tilting his head as it rests on his palm, his elbow leaning against the back of the couch, before he glances over behind the couch.

“Yeah,” Yuuji shrugs, “Might as well.”

“Okay, sure, but you mind if I open the window?” Megumi asks, looking over at the window behind the couch again.

“That thing opens?” Yuuji asks, looking over at the large window that took up most of the wall. 

Megumi nods as he stands up and walks around the couch to unlatch the window. As it swings inside, Megumi reaches for the wall, grabbing a short, thin rope Yuuji hadn’t noticed before, and he tucks the hook onto a circular ring fixed on the window. Letting go, the window stays in place, and their view overlooking the forest comes into his vision, mist settling in the trees as they sway in the night breeze.

“Wow.” Yuuji comes around the back of the couch and peers down, spying a fairly long fall down. But he sits down anyway, and scooches towards the edge, bringing his knees up to settle his elbows on.

He can see the clouds settling over the thick trees, darkened by the night sky and heavy rain within them. Inhaling deeply, he smells the moisture in the air as the wind ripples over the trees, accompanied by the lyrics softly starting to flow through the speakers above him.

Never thought that you would be

Standing here so close to me

“Think it’s gonna rain.”

There’s so much I feel that I should say

“Probably thunderstorms, based on the clouds.” Megumi replies, standing next to him as he looks out at the forest. 

But words can wait

Until some other day

As Megumi inhales deeply, a deep rumble of thunder rolls across the trees, their branches groaning against the warm summer wind and Yuuji looks up.

“Smarty pants.” He sticks his tongue out as Megumi rolls his eyes, shoving his head a little bit from above. Soon, the air is quiet save for the low lyrics streaming through the speakers and the rush of the wind outside.

Megumi looks down from where he stands, and slowly sits down next to Yuuji, their knees knocking together as he rests his arms on them. 

“Man, this is, like, perfect. By far the best night of the summer.” Yuuji breathes out a small laugh, shaking his head a little as he keeps his gaze outside.

“Seriously?”

“Yeah,” Yuuji replies, looking over at Megumi, who’s slight surprise is obvious on his face, “Hands down.”

“All the fancy parties you’ve been to, and this is better than that?” Megumi shakes his head with a laugh, “We’re probably going to get wet when the rain starts.”

“Already wet thanks to you, Fushi, so who cares.” Yuuji leans over and gently shoves his now clean hair against Megumi’s face, and he shoves him off a bit with a grunt, but as they settle back, their shoulders sit back against each other.

Haven’t felt like this before my dear, since

I can’t remember when

It’s been a long, long time

“These your parents albums?” Yuuji asks quietly, his eyes falling to a single tree as he watches the leaves struggle against the wind.

“Yeah,” Megumi replies softly, nodding, “I’m not sure whose exactly, though.”

“Mm,” Yuuji hums, and he hesitates before he nudges him a little with his elbow, “Thanks for playing them.”

“Mhm.” Megumi hums back quietly, and they fall into comfortable silence as the music settles down around them, the warmth from the speakers contrasting with the cool air entering through the window.

“And thanks for letting me up here,” Yuuji adds, glancing over to the side for a second, but he then feels Megumi’s eyes on him for more than a few moments, “I know it’s kind of personal for you.”

“I don’t mind for you,” Megumi shrugs, turning his head back to gaze out at the trees, mist settling further down the branches as lightning illuminates the clouds above, “Song is almost over, by the way.”

Yuuji doesn’t answer, just hums along in time with the music for a few minutes more to calm his beating heart from Megumi’s simple words before he hoists himself up, slowly making his way through the shelves. Feeling familiar now, he slides his finger along the wood, listening to the gentle trumpet still playing from the speakers, before his eyes land on the ‘R’, and he squats down to file through them.

He smiles as he finds what he’s looking for, and stands up to make his way across the room back to the record player, slipping the single off the track to replace it with the larger record from the sleeve in his hands.

Soft guitar starts, with the faint sound of waves hidden behind the chords, and soon, the lyrics start along with the drums.

Sitting in the morning sun, 

I'll be sittin' when the evenin' come

Watching the ships roll in

And then I watch 'em roll away again, yeah

“Otis Redding, right?” Yuuji sits down again as Megumi looks up, all of the defensiveness he saw in his eyes earlier today replaced with bright curiosity.

“Mhm, ‘Sitting on the Dock of the Bay.’” Yuuji replies softly, and Megumi just nods, and he rests his cheek down on his knee, keeping his eyes outside. 

“Can we run through this album? I like this one.” Megumi softly murmurs after a little while, and Yuuji nods, swallowing hard as he tries not to let his still drunk brain say something stupid.

Soon, the rain hits hard, slapping the leaves of the trees as the skies open up. The window is tucked back enough that the rain doesn’t hit them, but the faint mist from the rain pounding the land cools the air around them. The rain muffles the music just a little, but Yuuji can’t help but fall in love with the warm, content feeling in his chest as he sat here with Megumi, listening to one of his favorite old albums while the rain accompanied it outside. It almost felt like they hadn't been unceremoniously ripped away from each other as kids, like this is what they were supposed to be doing this whole time.

Yuuji inhales deeply before he gets carried away with his thoughts, breathing in the crisp smell of the rain, but his efforts to distract himself don’t last long before he glances over at Megumi, his green eyes fixed outside. Despite the clouds, the littlest bit of moonlight shines through the grey, and admist the brief flashes out lightning, Megumi’s pale, calm face seems to stand out. 

Music still softly poured from the speakers around them, and Otis Redding's deep and resounding voice centers him as he stares at Megumi for just a few moments more, he’ll allow himself just a little more, and then he rips his gaze away.

Silence falls over them as the album skips to the next song, the rain still loudly whipping against the earth.

“You can stay tonight. If you want. It’s pretty late.”

Yuuji slowly turns his head as Megumi gently speaks up next to him. He just stares at him, his brain unable to create any coherent train of thought, and soon, Megumi shakes his head quickly, and he stands up, “Sorry, no, you probably have to work, so I can get someone to drive you back up and then you can—”

“No!” Yuuji exclaims, a little louder than he means to, and he frantically grabs his wrist, tugging him back down towards him. Megumi looks at him with wide eyes, and he scrambles to speak, “I do have work tomorrow and I mean, I can walk home, but I, um, I want to stay. If that’s okay.”

Megumi’s eyes glance down to his hand, still tightly wrapped around his wrist, and Yuuji sheepishly draws it back to his lap. Megumi’s gaze lifts and settles on him for a few moments before he clears his throat and shoves his hands in his pockets as he sits back down.

“Okay. We can get you set up in that room you stayed in that first weekend.”

“Oh. Okay.” Yuuji nods, deflating a little as the prospect of seeing Megumi’s soft sleeping face again seems to slip further away, and he keeps his voice quiet, “But we’re going to keep listening, right? For just a bit longer?”

“Yeah,” Megumi replies, keeping his eyes on the dancing trees ahead of them, and the rain softens the music even more, making Yuuji’s eyelids heavy. But really, it was more the warmth in his chest that he noticed, the heat that seemed to slowly seep through his veins as he sat with Megumi’s shoulder on his, but the ache was still there, just pushed down, “Let’s just keep listening for now.”

As the night wore on, Yuuji kept nodding off then waking up with a jolt, and Megumi had forced them to shut off the music, pushing him and his excuses to stay awake out the door as they made their way down the staircase. 

Yuuji had claimed he couldn’t remember where the room he’d last stayed in was, which wasn’t a complete lie considering he still got lost around here, so Megumi walked ahead of him, and Yuuji’s eyes find the back of his neck again as he trails behind.

He wasn’t sure why he was feeling like Megumi was about to slip through his fingers at any moment, or why his excuses for trying to stay close to him were starting to grow while becoming less and less convincing at the same time. They hung out a lot, thanks to Kugisaki and Maki finding any excuse to see one another, but Yuuji was now craving something more he didn’t even know the name of. His heart raced every time he learned something new about Megumi, his brain supplying him with endless questions to ask him that he usually rolled his eyes at but answered anyway. 

Yuuji knew that the simmering heat in his chest that intensified every time Megumi looked at him couldn’t be denied anymore, as much as he hated to admit it. He has to eventually go back to his life, with he and Kugisaki wistfully waiting for invitations for a visit to Tokyo that may never come. He didn’t know what to do with these feelings for Megumi, the feelings he knew he shouldn’t have. There didn’t seem to be anything to do, it’s not like Megumi would entertain the idea of being with someone like him.

All he did know was that he wanted as much of him as he could get before the only place Megumi existed was in his memory.

Is there a casual way to ask him to stay with me? I don’t want to be too pushy but I really, really don’t want him to go, but there’s no real way to explain why I want him there so badly because I don’t even know why! 

Should I say I’m scared? But of what, the dark? That’s so lame. Ghosts? Well, also lame but ghosts can be a backup, this place is massive and spooky at night. He might laugh at me but I can deal with that.

But he has his own room here, why would he stay in a room with me when he can just sleep in his own bed? His bed is probably massive and way more comfy than anything he’d sleep in with me.

Wait, what’s his room like? If he’s already got rooms dedicated to his music and books, what else is in there? Does he literally just sleep there? If he does, then maybe he won’t mind staying with me…

I wonder what he looks like when he first wakes up, if his hair is all messy, I’ve never really seen him with his hair down. He looked so soft and cute when he fell asleep upstairs, but his voice is probably rougher in the morning, so I wonder what—

“Hello? Are you even listening to me?”

“What?” Yuuji snaps his head up as Megumi scowls at him, rolling his eyes.

“Didn’t even think you drank that much.” Megumi shakes his head as he turns down a familiar looking hallway.

“No, I’m good,” Yuuji protests as he tries to slow his pace a little, eyeing the familiar door at the end of the hall, “Just spaced out a little.”

“Mm.” Megumi hums, looking him up and down before he turns and continues down the hall, and Yuuji inhales sharply, trying to keep his nerve as he forces the words out.

“Hey, um, Fushiguro?” Yuuji asks hesitantly as he trails behind Megumi down the hall.

“Yeah?”

“Do you maybe have any rooms with two beds?”

As Yuuji settles comfortably under the covers, smiling to himself, Megumi walks over to turn off the light in between them, and soon, they are cloaked in dim moonlight peeking through the curtain.

“Can’t believe we’re having a sleepover, Fushi.”

“Shut up, or I’ll change my mind,” Megumi plops on the end of the bed, sliding out of his slippers when there is a deep, low whine at the door, “Oh, come on.”

“Ghosts?” Yuuji pipes up, and Megumi rolls his eyes.

“Shut up.”

As Yuuji watches him curiously, Megumi stands up and walks to the door, opening it to find Shiro and Kuro happily sitting in front of the door, tongues out and tails wagging.

“Seriously? Even in here? You guys are so fucking needy,” Megumi sighs, shaking his head as he looks back to Yuuji, “This okay?”

“Obviously!” Yuuji squeals as he excitedly taps on his sheets, and the two come bounding past Megumi up to his bed, licking his face and jumping on and off the mattress as he laughs and pets their zooming bodies, “You know, I would argue that they’re not needy. They’re just used to sleeping with you.”

“They’re spoiled.”

“And who’s spoiling them?”

“You.”

“Me?!” Yuuji gasps in fake offense as Shiro licks his face and pants happily next to him, and Yuuji hugs him with a cheeky smile towards Megumi, “I would never.”

Megumi rolls his eyes as Shiro and Kuro continue to jump all over Yuuji, their paws bouncing off his chest as he laughs and rubs behind their ears.

“Alright, calm down, you three, it’s like two AM.” Megumi rolls his eyes and whistles at them. Kuro jumps off Yuuji’s bed and spins around three times before plopping down at the side of Megumi’s bed as he leans over and scratches his ears. Shiro looks over at Yuuji pleadingly, who grins and taps the end of the bed and he happily trots over him and curls up by his feet, sighing loudly.

“So—” Yuuji starts before Megumi quickly interrupts him

“No truth or dare. No card games. No hypotheticals. We are going to sleep. It is two o’clock in the morning.” Megumi says firmly as Yuuji whines a little.

“Come on!” 

“No, you’re gonna hate yourself if you stay up all night and have to work tomorrow morning.”

“Okay, Mom.” Yuuji rolls his eyes as he flops back onto his pillows, sighing loudly.

Quiet settles between them as Yuuji keeps his eyes on the ceiling above, the only sounds in the room coming from the faint noises of the night creeping through the cracked windows. They were in beds on opposite sides of the room, but Yuuji could swear he could still feel the heat that resulted from Megumi sitting next to him still simmering in his bones. 

“Hey, Itadori?” Megumi speaks so quietly, Yuuji barely hears it, but he rustles around a little bit, and Yuuji looks over at him with a cheeky grin.

“What happened to being quiet and going to bed, Fushi?”

“Shut up. Can I ask you something?”

“Yeah, anything.” Yuuji answers honestly, and he hears Megumi shift around again, stirring in the sheets as he rolls over to look at him.

“It’s… kind of personal, though.”

Yuuji pauses for a second before he also rolls over to turn towards him and nods, “That’s okay.”

“How’d you end up with Nanami and Haibara? I don’t think you’ve ever really told me.”

Yuuji doesn’t respond for a few moments before he rolls onto his back again, staring up at the ceiling. He inhales deeply and starts, “It was kind of an accident, really.”

“How so?”

“I used to live with my parents around here, until I was about three. We didn’t have any money, and we lived even further out than Nanami, Haibara, and Gojo do, it was practically in the woods, at least that’s what they told me. I guess we were living like shit, every meal was very likely to be our last, and I was just another mouth they had to feed. It honestly just seemed like I was a burden to them more than anything.”

He pauses for a moment, letting the lingering memories pass as he swallows hard. Megumi doesn’t say anything in the silence, just lets Yuuji wait, lets him take his time. He’d always liked this about Megumi, he never pushed back too hard, he always let Yuuji ramble for a minute before he got to his point without interruptions, usually after a hard to follow train of thought. 

"My mom, um, my mom used to hit me a bit,” Yuuji says quietly after a bit, and he hears Megumi breathe in sharply next to him, but he refuses to look over, “I-I’m fine, really, I don’t remember much, thankfully, since I was so young. I’m sure it messed me up in the brain somehow, but I don’t remember much of it, just bits and pieces.”

Megumi doesn’t say anything, again he lets him take his time, but he feels the energy shift slightly, like the underlying tension that still existed between them has lightened. Although, when he hears Megumi inhale quickly as he says this, Yuuji feels that there was more than just tension they shared in that moment, so he continues on.

“So, when I was three, I hadn’t eaten in two days, and my parents were nowhere to be found, and somehow, I just knew I had to get out of there, that I needed help. So, I hoisted my hungry little ass up, and walked two miles through the tall grass from the woods up to their cottage because it was the first one I saw. Knocked on the door and they answered,” Yuuji snorts, shaking his head a bit, “Nanami always says Haibara fainted when he saw me: a dirty little three year old introducing himself with a bow who then ran into their kitchen and inhaled three bananas.”

Yuuji can’t help but huff out a light laugh to himself. Every time he thinks about his family, the only memories he can conjure up are Nanami and Haibara. Every accomplishment, every step of life, every good thing and every bad, they all included them. Then, when Kugisaki and Inumaki got added in the mix, the memories got even brighter. He didn’t like thinking about his biological family, because why would he waste time on that when his real family was right here?

“Jesus,” Yuuji looks over to see Megumi staring at him, eyebrows furrowed with a mixture of concern and sadness. It’s an unfamiliar expression on him, and Yuuji wants it to go away immediately, “I’m so sorry.” 

“Don’t be,” Yuuji smiles over at him, shaking his head, “I don’t remember a lot, and in the end, it brought me to Haibara and Nanami. And I really can’t imagine a happy life without the two of them in it.”

“Still, that’s fucked. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay, I don’t think about it much.”

“Mm,” Megumi hums quietly, before he asks, “Did you ever try to see them again?”

“My parents?” Yuuji asks, looking over at Megumi, and he nods, “No, they’re gone now. House was empty when Nanami and Haibara went down to find them. I don’t know where they went.”

“Would you ever want to?” Megumi’s voice is fairly neutral, but there’s an underlying form of curiosity to his words that Yuuji can’t exactly place.

“I don’t know,” Yuuji replies honestly, “Part of me just wants to say fuck them forever, to never look back and try and see them as anyone other than the people who hurt me, but another part of me knows they were probably hurting too. I’m not excusing what they did, don’t get me wrong. But I don’t want to spend the rest of my life hating people that I don’t remember. That just feels like a waste of my energy when I could be doing something better with it.”

Silence falls between them, and Yuuji suddenly worries he went too far. He knew Megumi had some sort of rough childhood from what Nanami and Naoya had mentioned, but he had probably dealt with rich people problems. Not ‘your family abandoning you in the woods after practically starving you’ problems.

“You’re too understanding, you know that?”

Megumi’s voice is quiet, and Yuuji looks over, but he’s just staring up at the ceiling, eyes unmoving.

“What?” Yuuji asks, eyebrows pinching together in confusion.

“Nothing, forget it.” He says quietly, shaking his head a little. Yuuji frowns, keeping his eyes on his inscrutable expression, and he rolls over on his side, tucking his head on a folded arm on his pillow.

“Can I ask you something now?”

“I guess it’s only fair.”

“Why isn’t Gojo married?”

“Who’d wanna marry that idiot?” Megumi snorts, shaking his head a little.

“I’m serious! Like, he’s good looking, rich, has connections, whatever,” Yuujo argues and Megumi shrugs in response, “Seems like he wouldn’t have any issues with that kind of stuff but he’s never mentioned going on dates or a girlfriend or partner or anything like that.”

Megumi sighs, and Yuuji looks over to see him staring at the ceiling, before he answers quietly, “It’s because of Geto.”

“Who’s that?”

“His best friend turned ex from high school. They had a massive falling out after they graduated college, something about how Geto thought Gojo could do more with all the money and opportunity he had, that he could help more people rather than just make more money and help rich people get richer. Geto wasn’t from this world, he was from around here, actually, and he hated that Gojo just accepted the status quo when he had the power to really try and change it then and there. I don’t know the full story, Gojo adopted us after, so I only hear bits of it when Gojo gets really drunk every once in a while, but all I know is it sounded like they said some stuff they can’t take back, and Gojo never got over him. Probably never will. He’s still convinced he’ll come back to him somehow.”

“Woah,” Yuuji breathes out, the memory of their conversation outside of the barn coming to mind, “Really?”

“Yeah,” Megumi says with a deep sigh, “That’s why Gojo always comes back to these things out here, pretty sure that’s why he bought this house out here in the first place and made it his own. I think he hopes, somehow, if enough people from his old life are together, like Yuki and Haibara and Nanami, it’ll somehow make him come back.”

“I thought you guys hadn’t been back here in years?” Yuuji asks curiously, and Megumi just shakes his head, sighing a little bit.

“I haven’t, but Gojo has. He comes to everything he’s invited to out here, just in case Geto shows up. He invites him to everything he throws too. Parties, galas, fundraisers, all that.”

“Wow. That’s… That’s really romantic.” Yuuji sighs deeply, putting his chin in his palm as he leans on his elbow, turning on his side to look over at Megumi.

“Romantic?” Megumi scoffs, shaking his head, “It’s stupid as hell.”

“No it’s not!” Yuuji argues, shaking his head, “It’s really sweet, having that unwavering belief in something. Especially with something like love.”

“It’s stupid.” Megumi repeats, his tone blank, and Yuuji frowns a little.

“Why’s it stupid?” Yuuji asks, glancing over at Megumi as his tone sharpens slightly, rising above his usual neutral tone.

“People don’t come back, that’s why.” 

“Sometimes they do,” Yuuji says quietly after a minute, before he fully settles his eyes on Megumi, and he hesitantly adds, “I mean, you did.”

“That’s… That’s different.” Megumi hesitates, keeping his eyes up on the ceiling, but he feels his eyes glance towards him for a moment.

“How’s it different?” 

“Because I didn’t have control over coming back here. It’s not like it was my choice.” Megumi says, bitterness lacing his words, and Yuuji feels his chest ache a little bit with the familiar reminder that they were just passing by each other in this life.

“So you would’ve never come back here this summer if you had the choice?”

“Probably not.”

“But…” Yuuji furrows his eyebrows, sitting up a little as he looks out the window, “What about Blue? And the lake? And the garden? And the woods? Your books? The vinyls?”

“The books, music, and Blue come with me. There are other gardens and lakes and woods out there.”

“Not like this one,” Yuuji says quickly, shaking his head, glancing behind him at the grounds, “No way.”

“Just drop it.” Megumi sighs, rubbing his face aggressively before his hand flops back to the bed.

“No, why wouldn’t you want to come back here? You literally have everything you could ever want here," Yuuji pushes back, shaking his head, “And you like it more than you want to admit, I can tell.”

Megumi stays silent, and Yuuji shuffles around to get a better look at him, resting his head on his arms as he lays on his stomach.

“Fushiguro?” Yuuji picks his head off his arms and softens his voice slightly as he sees a somewhat pained look on Megumi’s face across the room in the dim moonlight.

“My mom died here.”

Yuuji stops shifting, but stays silent, his eyes stuck on Megumi as he looks up at the ceiling, his expression not as pained anymore, but just sad. A look that Yuuji had never seen on him before, and it felt like his chest cracked in two.

“I’m sorry.”

“It was a long time ago.”

“Still,” Yuuji says quietly, and Megumi finally looks back over at him, “I’m really sorry. I’m sure she was amazing.”

Megumi stays silent for a few moments, the quiet settling comfortably over them under the moonlight.

“She was,” Megumi says softly, nodding a little, “Coming back here just reminds me of her sometimes. It was usually too much when I was a kid.”

“Is that why you guys didn’t come back for a while?” Yuuji asks softly, and Megumi shakes his head from side to side.

“Sort of. Gojo would come back for stuff. When I was a teenager, we only stayed a day or two, and the Zenin’s never liked me coming here anyway.”

Yuuji just nods, keeping his eyes on him as Megumi inhales and exhales slowly. They just lay there for a few minutes, just staring at each other, before Megumi rolls over onto his side, but his eyes land on the floor.

“She got sick when I was four,” Megumi continues, and Yuuji can’t look away as he speaks, “And after two years, my dad finally caved and asked the Zenin’s for help. They knew she was sick, but wouldn’t help unless my dad explicitly came back and begged for their help, and admit that he was wrong to leave them for my mom. Brought her here during her last few weeks because my dad refused to stay at the Zenin’s place, and they refused to let her in. So the Zenin’s fancy family doctor took a look at her, but by then, it was just too late.”

“I’m sorry.” Yuuji doesn’t know what else to say, trying to somehow convey that he understood how big it was that Megumi was telling him this. 

Silence falls over them, not exactly comfortable or tense, but Yuuji doesn’t want to leave, doesn’t want to leave this rare shade of vulnerability he gets from Megumi sometimes, not when he’s been carefully trying to figure out how to toe the line.

“She loved horses.” Megumi’s voice is small and quiet, but Yuuji feels his heart pick up at his slightly brighter tone.

“Yeah?” Yuuji smiles over at him, and Megumi nods, glancing up for a moment.

“Yeah. Couldn’t afford anything like that when we were living with my dad. We’d just watch them in the far field, at a farm a few miles away from our backyard.”

“So Daisy really was the first one you met?” Yuuji asks hesitantly, and Megumi finally fully looks over and nods, and Yuuji smiles at him again, “Well, I know she’d be honored.”

“My mom would’ve loved her,” Megumi says softly, turning to look back at the ceiling, “She always liked daisies.”

Yuuji feels his chest bloom with warmth, the ache from Megumi’s words lessening slightly as he tries to picture what she must’ve been like. If they looked alike, or he looked like his dad, but as he looks over at him, all he can focus on is how he can still see the shadows of Megumi’s eyelashes on his cheeks from across the dimly lit room.

“Pretty lucky we met then, huh?” Yuuji speaks quietly, and smiles at him, and Megumi just looks at him for a few moments, lips still and unreadable as he stares at him.

“Yeah. I guess so.” Megumi finally nods, and Yuuji sees the corners of his mouth twitch with a smile. He attempts to tamper down his beating heart and the pride blossoming in his chest as Megumi finally, genuinely smiles at him, the corners of his eyes crinkling a little. Still small, but it’s enough to make Yuuji have to swallow the lump in his throat before he speaks again.

“I’m sorry about your mom. I know that sounds tired, trust me, I get it, but I really am,” Yuuji says quietly, and Megumi just nods at him, “I’m sorry you went through that so young.”

“Thanks. I don’t talk about her much.”

“Any reason?”

“Zenin’s didn’t like her, so they never bring her up,” Even in the dark, Yuuji can see Megumi's jaw clench, “She was an outsider, and they never warmed up to her. That’s why my dad left the family, to be with her. Gojo said he really, really loved her.”

Yuuji is brought back to Naoya’s words from the bar, “They always said he left the family out of spite, not some forbidden love bullshit,” and guilt simmers within him. 

“Was it okay? Talking about her?” Yuuji asks delicately, keeping his eyes on Megumi’s face, and he nods a little.

“Yeah,” Megumi sighs, rustling around a bit in his sheets, “I should probably talk about her more.”

“I think you should.” Yuuji replies softly, “I wish I had better memories of my parents. I’m happy that yours were good.”

Megumi stays quiet, and doesn’t answer for a while. Yuuji glances over and sees him in the same position, unmoving, and he frowns as he doesn’t hear the heavy, even sounds of sleeping breaths.

“Fushiguro? You asleep?”

“No.”

“Oh. Okay.”

Yuuji lets it drop, allowing the quiet to overtake them again as he listens to the soft rain pattering against the window, allowing it to lull him to comfort as his eyes get heavy again.

“They… They weren’t all good.” 

Yuuji opens his eyes and looks over to see Megumi in the same position, hands crossed over his chest as he stares at the ceiling.

“No?”

“No. My dad was pretty messed up after my mom died. That's why I ended up living with Gojo.”

“Oh.” Yuuji can’t help but feel even more guilty, knowing the time it must’ve taken for Megumi to feel comfortable and safe enough to talk to him about his parents and his childhood, but Yuuji already knew a distorted version from the outside, and it made him feel dirty.

“Yeah.”

“I’m sorry, Fushi.” Yuuji says softly, one of his apologies unspoken.

“Don’t be. Didn’t ever really feel like I really knew him anyway.”

“I’m still sorry that happened to you. No one deserves that.”

Yuuji rolls back over onto his back again as Megumi doesn’t respond, and the silence overtakes them again.

“Would you ever try and see him again? If you could?” Yuuji asks after a few minutes, keeping his eyes up on the ceiling.

“My dad? No, I don’t think so.” Megumi replies, shaking his head a little.

“Why not?”

“I don’t think I need to,” Megumi replies simply, shrugging a little, “I have Tsumiki, and I have Gojo. He’s never tried to find me, I’ve never tried to find him, and I don’t want anyone else.”

Yuuji just hums in response, trying not to think too hard about the deeper implications of his words. His chest felt tight, simmering with the confusing mixture of guilt, sadness, and pride as he thought about Megumi’s words.

“Fushi?” Yuuji asks quietly, risking another glance over at Megumi’s silent figure across the room.

“Yeah?” Megumi looks over at him, a pale strip of moonlight illuminating one of his eyes, his messy hair splayed across his pillow, and Yuuji tries not to sigh.

“Thanks,” Yuuji says quietly, and his heart starts to ache a little bit more as he looks at him, “For telling me.”

“Yeah. You too.”

The next morning, Megumi had thrown two pillows at Yuuji to wake him up when his alarm had been going off for ten minutes but still begrudgingly made him tea, to Yuuji's delight and Megumi's annoyance. Afterwards, they quietly made their way down the main hallway towards the front door. 

There was a lighter ease between them, their conversations breezier and their silences more comfortable. Yuuji could almost see Megumi’s shoulders dropped half an inch from where they were earlier this summer, almost everything about him relaxing, and Yuuji couldn’t get enough.

“So, you guys still want to come out next week?” Yuuji asks, shifting his weight on his feet as he stops just outside the front door and Megumi leans against the doorframe, one arm braced against the wood. 

“Friday?” Megumi asks, gently leaning his head on his arm, and Yuuji nods quickly, “Yeah, I think we can make it.”

“Cool, that sounds good.” Yuuji replies, swallowing hard as he tries to ignore how Megumi’s cheek is squished a bit against his arm, his eyes still looking sleepy and distracted as he looks at Yuuji.

“You want a ride back?” Megumi asks, nodding up the hill, but Yuuji just shakes his head.

“No, it’s okay, I’ll walk.” Yuuji smiles, stepping back towards the stairs as Megumi nods again and drops his arm from the door, shoving his hands in his pockets.

“Okay. See you later?”

“Yeah,” Yuuji smiles, his heart beating a little faster as he trips a little over his feet while he walks backwards, finally turning as he reaches the stairs, and Megumi chuckles at him as he waves, “See you later!”

Chapter Text

“Fushi!” Yuuji exclaims excitedly, throwing his arm around Megumi’s shoulders as he plops onto the couch next to him.

“Get off me, you’re all sweaty.” Megumi complains, shoving him off a bit.

“That’s ’cause I’m dancing and having fun, grumpy pants,” Yuuji teases, readjusting his baseball hat so it’s firmly backwards on his head, “Come on, you really gonna just sit here all night? This is, like, the busiest night this place will be all summer.”

“I’m fine. I people watch.”

“Lame,” Yuuji laughs, shaking his head a bit as he reaches for his water on the table, “You want another drink?”

“Yeah, sure. Just whiskey.”

“Yes sir, coming right up.” Yuuji smiles as chugs back his water and grabs their empty cups. He heads over to the bar, chucking them into a trashcan on his way.

Their night had been so, so good so far, it was like everything had aligned perfectly. Megumi was in a really good mood, laughing more than he usually did, and Yuuji practically melted every time he heard it, not caring how lovesick he looked. He’d already lost multiple drinking games they’d played while getting ready at Gojo’s, mostly because he was too distracted by the light reflecting off the kitchen counter hitting Megumi’s cheekbones perfectly. 

For tonight, it felt like this could be it, this could be their lives forever and he’d never want anything to change. His brain kept going down the path of the fall, and their inevitable departure back to their real lives, but for tonight, he couldn’t bring himself to focus on anything other than Megumi’s eyes when he smiled.

As he gets his drinks, he thanks the bartender, his chest feeling warm and excited at how good this all felt, how good he felt with Megumi and Maki and Yuuta with his siblings. The restlessness sitting in his bones sighed, like it was just waiting to find this peace. Yuuji smiles to himself as he makes his way back to the table, trying to shake off his sentimental thoughts. 

He looks up and his smile drops as he sees Megumi talking to a guy next to him that he recognized from the barn. He was a douche who grew up in Texas from what Yuuji could remember, always wearing his damn cowboy hat, and he was a little too into some more questionable aspects of American Western culture for his taste.

His gaze drops to his lap, and notes that his hat was in his hands, fingers fiddling with the brim as he gave Megumi a sleazy smile. Suddenly, as his hands start to fidget more towards Megumi, Yuuji is already moving towards them, moving their drinks into one hand as he starts to pull his own hat off.

“Hey, guys,” Yuuji comes up and firmly plops his hat backwards on Megumi’s head as he sits down on the couch, startling him a bit as he slings his arm around his shoulders. Keeping his arm around Megumi, he leans down and puts their drinks down. He looks up with a challenging smile at the guy next to them, who’s now glaring at Yuuji, as he settles back on the couch, pressed side to side with Megumi, “What’s up?”

“Itadori, right?” He grits out through a forced smile, and Yuuji just smiles sweetly back.

“Yeah, Chihara, right?”

“It’s Chikatsu.”

“Shit, my bad, man,” Yuuji gives him another fake smile before turning to Megumi, who’s looking at him with a mixture of curiosity and surprise, “Maki’s looking for you.”

“Okay,” Megumi shrugs, before turning to Chikatsu, “Nice to meet you.”

“Yeah, you too,” Chikatsu smiles, pushing up off the couch with a final glare at Yuuji, “See ya, Itadori.”

“Buh-bye,” Yuuji waves as he walks away, staring him down until he gets lost in the crowd, and he turns to Megumi, his arm still around him, “You wanna get some air?”

“Didn’t you say Maki was looking for me?”

“Oh, uh, yes!” Yuuji scrambles to find an excuse, and innocently looks around the bar for half a second, “Huh, not sure where she went though.”

“Okay, weirdo,” Megumi shrugs his arm off, and takes the hat off to shove it against Yuuji’s chest, trying to fix his now smushed hair, “Don’t fuck up my hair.”

“Your spikes are looking exquisite as always, Fushiguro, don’t you worry.” Yuuji teases him, putting his hat back on as Megumi rolls his eyes.

“Whatever, I’m gonna go find her then.” Megumi replies, standing up to move to the dancefloor.

“Okay, but— wait!” Yuuji grabs his wrist, and Megumi turns back to him, looking slightly annoyed, “Just don’t accept anyone’s hat!”

“Hat?” He looks at him in confusion, and Yuuji laughs nervously, “Why would I take someone’s hat?”

“It’s just that there’s been talk of a — uh, lice outbreak! In the elementary schools,” Yuuji blurts out, before he laughs awkwardly again, “Heard about it at work. Can’t be too careful, right? Don’t wanna lose that great head of hair of yours.”

“Sure,” Megumi eyes him up and down, tugging his wrist back, “Am I allowed to go find Maki now?”

“Yes,” Yuuji replies with a huff, letting him go, “Go ahead.”

“Thank you.” Megumi rolls his eyes as he makes his way towards the crowd on the dancefloor.

Yuuji’s eyes follow him for a few seconds before he quickly makes his way towards the entrance, pushing out the door and he slows as he exhales into the night air. 

Looking up, he tries to focus on the stars, focus on the gigantic full moon, focus on anything other than Megumi.

“Itadori, you good?”

He turns to see Inumaki and Yuuta leaning against the side of the brick building, Yuuta’s arm around Inumaki’s shoulders while he showed him something on his phone.

“Hey, guys.” Yuuji breathes out as he walks over, smiling a little as he sees Inumaki’s small, happy expression from under Yuuta’s arm as he tucks his phone into his back pocket.

“Hey, how’s it going in there?”

“Good, man. It’s hot as hell, though.” He breathes out with a huff, the cool air outside feeling heavenly on his sweaty skin.

Why do you think we’re out here? Inumaki signs, nodding his head up to Yuuta.

So you can make out, Yuuji signs back quickly, smirking as Inumaki’s face turns bright red.

“What’d you say? I don’t think I know that one.” Yuuta asks, his confused gaze flicking between the two of them.

“Oh, nothing,” Yuuji smiles as Inumaki gives him a little glare.

“So what brings you out here?” Yuuta asks curiously, tilting his head a little to rest against Inumaki’s.

“I think I just need to rant for a minute?” Yuuji asks more than states, his voice hesitant, and his eyes involuntarily flick over to Yuuta for a second. Inumaki’s eyes widen for a second before he gives him a short nod.

Can you get me water? Inumaki turns to Yuuta, and he nods as he slips his arm out from around him.

“Sure thing. Brother shit, I get it,” He smiles warmly at Inumaki before turning to Yuuji, “You want anything?”

“Nah, I’m good.” He lifts up his drink and Yuuta nods, glancing at Inumaki with a soft smile before he heads back inside.

Yuuji follows him with his eyes until the door closes behind him, and he exhales heavily, unaware he’d even been holding his breath. 

So, what’s up?

“I’m kinda freaking out about Fushiguro.”

What do you mean? Inumaki signs as he frowns, and Yuuji sighs out again, shaking his head.

“You know that douchey cowboy guy at the barn? The Texan one?” Yuuji asks, and Inumaki nods, “I saw him flirting with Fushi, and he was about to put his hat on him.

Inumaki nods in understanding, signing, The hat rule.

“Exactly, that motherfucker knew exactly what he was doing!” Yuuji exclaims, throwing his hands up, “I went and interrupted them by saying that Maki was looking for him, but before that, I went in like some sort of alpha male and put my own hat on him, like I was claiming him. I don’t know what got into me!

Your caveman brain got into you.

“Shut up,” Yuuji groans, putting his head in his hands, grumbling, “But then he just went off to find her, and he’s probably gonna be pissed at me for interrupting for no reason so now I’m hiding out here for a minute.”

Inumaki nods again before he pulls his hand out of his pocket and lifts up a small joint and a lighter.

“Oh, you are my favorite brother, you know that?” Yuuji laughs as he walks to lean against the wall next to him as he lights it up.

I’ve been told, Inumaki smirks, inhaling as he signs with the joint in his mouth, and Yuuji laughs again with a head shake. Inumaki exhales, a fluffy, thick stream of smoke billowing from his mouth before he takes another hit and hands it to Yuuji.

You’re thinking too hard about this. If it is meant to happen, it’ll happen naturally. Nothing good will come from you trying or thinking too hard, because you get flustered and mess up.

“Okay, rude.” He scoffs as he takes a hit, and he can feel the warmth spread throughout his body, making his thoughts fuzzy for a moment.

You know I’m right, Inumaki gives him a blank stare and Yuuji grumbles in agreement, Just let it happen. You guys are good together, even as friends. If it works, it’ll work. And I think it will.

“You’re just saying that because you’re all honeymoony with Yuuta right now.” Yuuji snorts as he shakes his head, taking his second hit before he hands it back.

Maybe, Inumaki shrugs, as he pauses to hit the joint, exhaling deeply, Not a bad mindset though.

“Yeah, yeah, enough about me. You and Yuuta good though?” Yuuji asks as he looks over and Inumaki’s face brightens while he quickly moves to respond, and Yuuji takes the joint from his hands.

He’s so cool, Yuuji, and really smart and funny. He’s kind of hopeless at video games, so I've had to teach him a lot, but I think I really like him. His JSL is actually really, really good, and you should hear the way he talks about his kids at school.

“Yeah?” Yuuji smiles, nudging him with his shoulder, and Inumaki nods, looking down as his cheeks flush a little, “I’m happy for you. You guys seem good together.”

What about you? 

“What about me?” 

You and Fushiguro.

“There really is no me and Fushiguro,” Yuuji sighs, leaning his head back against the wall as he takes another longer hit, the weed relaxing his scattered brain, “Just me being pathetic. I almost wish he’d leave already so I can start to get over it.”

You don’t mean that, Inumaki shakes his head, frowning a little.

“No, I don’t,” Yuuji sighs again as he hands the joint back to Inumaki, “It’s gonna suck so bad.”

Then tell him. Maybe he won’t leave.

Yuuji snorts, shaking his head, “Pipe dream, bro.”

Inumaki doesn’t respond, just looks over at him a little sadly. They finish their smoking in silence, just listening to the overflowing sounds of music spilling out of the crevices of the building before Inumaki nudges him.

Think me and Yuuta might head out soon. You can come hang with us, if it’s getting too much. 

“Yeah, I’d rather be a pining bisexual mess than a third wheel.” Yuuji laughs, and Inumaki shrugs as he takes the last hit, dropping the end of the joint onto the asphalt as he stubs it out with his foot.

Fair enough. Can you tell Yuuta to meet me out here?

“Yeah, no problem,” Yuuji smiles at him, pushing off the wall before he turns and claps him on the shoulder, holding it for a few moments, “Seriously, I’m really, really happy for you.” 

Thanks. See you later.

Yuuji gives him another smile before he turns and huffs, pushing himself to go back inside the bar. 

As he moves his way through the people scattered by the entrance, he sees Megumi leaning against the wall, talking to Yuuta holding two waters as he sips on his own drink. Yuuji’s heart skips a little as the lights from the dancefloor flash across his face, and he makes his way over to him.

“Hey guys.” Yuuji greets them before turning to Yuuta, “Inumaki asked me to tell you to meet him back outside. Think he’s ready to go.”

“Say less,” Yuuta smiles at them and gives them a nod goodbye, “I’ll see you guys soon, tell the girls goodnight for me?”

“Sure thing, see you, man!” Yuuji waves as Megumi nods at him as he makes his way towards the door, and Yuuji turns to Megumi.

“Hey, Fushi.” Yuuji says with a smile, and Megumi turns, scooching a little on the wall to make room for him to stand next to him, before he sniffs a little.

“You smell.”

“Rude.” Yuuji scoffs, but Megumi shakes his head a little.

“You smell like weed.” Megumi narrows his eyes, and Yuuji gulps, suddenly realizing he had absolutely no idea what Megumi’s views on smoking were.

“Do you not approve, Fushi?” Yuuji tries to ask in a joking tone, but Megumi just crosses his arms over his chest and Yuuji smiles nervously.

“No, I don’t approve that you didn’t share.” He replies simply, and Yuuji’s eyes widen.

“I-I can go see if Inumaki has any left before they leave!” Yuuji quickly turns back towards the door before Megumi tugs on his wrist and he looks back to see him shaking his head in amusement.

“It’s fine, I was just joking.”

“Oh,” Yuuji laughs awkwardly, feeling his cheeks get hot as Megumi drops his wrist, “Okay. I didn’t know you smoked.”

“Just occasionally, still gotta piss off my family somehow,” Megumi shrugs as Yuuji laughs a little, and he nods out ahead of them, “Maki and Kugisaki are dancing.” 

“Ooo, you wanna join?” He asks, nudging him with his elbow.

“Hard pass.”

“What?!” Yuuji turns to him, before glancing out at the dancefloor, “Come on, I love this song!”

“Not happening.” 

“Come on, not even for me?”

“Nope.”

“Meanie,” Yuuji pouts dramatically, and Megumi just rolls his eyes but Yuuji suddenly remembers, “Oh hey, I forgot to tell you, I finally finished the third Percy Jackson book!”

“Yeah?” Megumi smiles as he turns and leans his head back against the wall, “Took you long enough.”

“Not my fault, the barn has been fucking crazy lately,” Yuuji shakes his head, “I swear, the parents have been on another level recently. Someone genuinely asked me if it’s safe to dye an entire horse pink.”

Megumi pauses for a second, and then looks up, “Wait, is it?”

“Technically, yes,” Yuuji huffs, shaking his head as he recalls the extremely long and frustrating conversation from earlier this week, “But it’s not really good for them, and I doubt she’d be looking into pet friendly products or natural dyes or anything. It can mess up some ecosystems too, if too many bugs die from toxins from fancy, unsafe products in the runoff or when they land on them. Some of these people, ugh, it’s like they view these horses as something to throw on a mantelpiece rather than living, breathing, powerful animals. It’s disgusting.”

“Yeah, I’ve heard some crazy shit too,” Megumi shakes his head a little, “It’s like they’re objects.”

“Exactly, people treat them like they were put on this earth to serve them, like the wild horses all over the world for millions of years were just waiting for them to give them a job letting rich kids kid them in the ribs.”

Megumi looks back over and tilts his head curiously at him, “I didn’t know you felt so strongly about this.” 

“Sorry, it’s not like I’m talking about people like you, I know you love Blue,” Yuuji huffs out a little, “They’re just such intelligent, strong and amazing creatures, and they’re even more beautiful in the wild. Sometimes, it just makes me sad they’ve been as domesticated as they are, even though I guess I’m kind of part of the problem.”

“I wouldn’t say that,” Megumi counters, shrugging a little, “You actually care about them, and advocate for their wellbeing and they’re not even yours. That makes you better than most of the people who own horses. I’d say that barns need more people like you out there. I know I would want you in mine.”

Yuuji just stares at him as Megumi takes a sip of his drink, looking out at the bar.

“I— thank you,” Yuuji finally gets out, and Megumi looks back over, “That’s really nice.”

“Don’t worry, you won’t get it again.”

“Aw,” Yuuji pouts a little as Megumi rolls his eyes, “Then I’ll treasure my rare Fushi compliment.”

“Whatever,” Megumi rolls his eyes before turning to him a bit, “So the book. What’d you think?”

“It was so good, but definitely a little darker than the first two, and the ending was so, so sad.”

“You cry?” Megumi raises his eyebrows as Yuuji huffs, looking down at his drink.

“No, I did not cry, I just said it was sad.” He replies quickly, taking a large sip of his drink, and Megumi smirks at him.

“You totally cried.”

“Did not!”

“Did too.” 

“Maybe I shed one, extremely manly tear,” Yuuji relents, and Megumi raises his eyebrows, “Only one!”

“Sure,” Megumi laughs, shaking his head, “I’ll give you the next one soon.”

“Thanks.” Yuuji smiles, heart picking up again as Megumi smiles back and nods, and he looks out to the bar again, and he gets a little burst of courage, “Are you sure you don’t want to dance? It would be fun.”

“I already said no.” Megumi shakes his head, glaring over at him a little.

“Come on, Fushi, live a little!” 

“I don’t dance.” He huffs out, shaking his head again as he looks down at his drink.

“Fine,” Yuuji pouts, feeling more petty than he should as he steps forward and slugs back the rest of his drink, tossing it into the trash can by them, “Guess I’ll just find someone else then.”

He walks off before seeing Megumi’s reaction, weaving his way through the crowd of people, music pounding all around him as he tries to find someone he even vaguely recognizes. He spies Kugisaki and Maki dancing in the corner, and based on their positioning, Kugisaki would probably cut his balls off if he interrupted them now. 

He turns around the dancefloor with a huff when he realizes the only person he wants to be around right now is the grump in the corner. 

He rubs his temples for a second before picking his head up, and his eyes fall on a shockingly familiar face and he does a double take.

“Yuuji!”

“Ozawa?” Yuuji laughs, rushing up to her, “Holy shit, is that really you?”

“Oh my god, I haven’t seen you in so long!” She quickly jumps to hug him, and he hugs her back before she pulls back quickly, “You’ve gotten so tall!”

“Yeah, that’s what eight years gives you. You look great, it’s so good to see you!” He laughs, shaking his head a little, “But what the hell are you doing back here? Thought you got out when you moved to Sendai after we graduated middle?”

“I’m just visiting my aunt and uncle for the next few weeks, and my cousin brought me out tonight.” She replies, nodding over to another brown haired girl with a group at the edge of the dance floor.

“That’s fun, don’t let me keep you. I’ll let you get back to them.” He smiles at her as he shifts to move, but she grabs his wrist.

“No, stay!” Ozawa protests, glancing over at her cousin as she leans in, “My cousin has been trying to get with that guy over there for like an hour and it’s making me nauseous.”

She looks back and tugs on his wrist again, smiling brightly, “Can I hang with you for just a bit?”

Yuuji looks up across the room, and sees Megumi in the same spot against the wall in the corner, drink in his hand, looking down at his phone. Tilting his head, he smiles a little before looking back down at Ozawa.

“Hell yeah, let’s go.”

She giggles and tugs his wrist towards the middle of the dance floor, amongst the crowd of other sweaty, twenty something year old farm kids from towns all over the area, just desperate to let loose.

The music is loud, pounding around them as they dance together, laughing along to the throwbacks they grew up listening to. They took a brief break when Yuuji bumped into Kugisaki’s back while dancing, and she almost punched him before she realized who it was. Then she did punch him on the arm before pulling Ozawa into a big hug and introducing Maki. 

He was having fun, still actively pushing Megumi to the back of my mind, but it was nice to be with someone that knew him from a simpler time, when he didn’t mind going to school with the same fifteen people for his whole life, one of them being his sister.

But as much fun as he was having, he couldn’t help but glance over at Kugisaki and Maki next to them, swinging each other around and laughing hard. Both of their eyes were bright, practically shining and reflecting off of each other as their smiles mirrored each other.

“Yuuji!” Ozawa gets on her toes and leans up close to his ear to yell, snapping him out of his thoughts.

“Yeah?” 

“Do you know that guy?”

“Which one?” Yuuji asks, looking around the dancefloor as she tugs on his arm.

“The one who looks like he’s about to murder someone, someone probably being me!” She shouts back, nodding over to the corner. He follows her gaze to find Megumi, still in the same spot, but as he looks back, Yuuji finds him now staring at them, his hand tightly gripping his empty cup, and he can see the plastic cracked in his hand. Glancing up, he meets his eyes and almost startles at how pissed he looks, jaw clenched as he glares at the two of them. 

Finally noticing their gaze, Megumi scowls further and turns away, throwing his drink into a nearby trash can before he stalks towards the bathroom.

“Uh, yeah,” Yuuji stutters, leaning down to answer her amongst the loud music, “That’s Fushiguro, he lives at that big ass estate at the bottom of our hill, remember it? I met him this summer.”

“Is something going on between you two?” She asks, tilting her head as she glances back towards Megumi’s empty spot.

“What? No, no, no, definitely not, no way.” He laughs quickly, his eyes betraying him as he leans back a little as his eyes strain to find him again.

“Yuuji,” Ozawa snorts, shaking her head, “You’ve always been a horrible liar.”

“Is it that obvious?” He looks back at her to see her eyebrows raised, and she grabs his arm and pulls him to the side of the dancefloor.

“Yuuji!” She exclaims excitedly, slapping her hands on his arm, “This is so exciting!”

“Stop!” He hushes her, pulling her hands down as he glances over his shoulder, “Nothing’s happening!”

“But you want it to happen! You like him, right?” She presses, nudging his shoulder as his face gets hot, “Come on, this is huge! He’s kinda scary, but also, like, really hot. Good job.”

“Just because you’re one of the first people that I told I liked boys too after my siblings doesn’t mean you can make fun of me too!” Yuuji hisses in a whisper as she just rolls her eyes.

“Don’t care!” She squeals, clapping her hands together again, “Oh, I’m so happy for you!”

“For what!?” Yuuji says with exasperation, throwing his hands up, “Nothings happening!” 

“Not yet, at least,” Ozawa grins up at him mischievously, glancing over at the tables scattered around the dancefloor near where Megumi was standing, before grabbing his wrist again and pulling him back out towards the music, “Come on.”

“Ozawa,” Yuuji says warily, looking her up and down as he resists her pull, “What are you plotting?”

“Not plotting!” She argues, looking back over at the corner and smiling as she sees a dark head of hair making his way back from the bathrooms, “Just want to help speed things along.”

Ozawa yanks him towards her, and he yelps as she takes his hands and puts them on her waist before she wraps her arms around his neck, tugging them closer together.

“What are you doing?” He hisses, glancing over at Megumi, who’s now frozen in his tracks from his walk back from the bathroom.

“Helping you, now stop being so stiff!” She scolds him, digging her elbows into his shoulders a bit, “I know you can dance, so just relax.”

“How can I relax right now?” He whines, looking down at his hands, but he freezes as Ozawa gets up on her toes and whispers in his ear.

“Chill, Yuuji. Pretend I’m him, then,” She replies simply, shrugging a little, “I don’t mind.”

“Ozawa,” He says quietly, almost barely audible over the music, “This isn’t fair, come on, you know I—”

“Oh, please,” Ozawa interrupts with a snort, shaking her head, “I got over that silly schoolgirl crush on you ages ago, tame your ego down a bit, big boy. We're adults now and this is the most fun I have had in months, now let me help you!”

Yuuji looks down at her, and she nods, smiling a little, and he exhales heavily, and shifts his hands further around her back, pulling her closer as they move to the music.

“Good,” She says, before smirking slightly, “Now don’t feel me up, perv.”

“Shut up.” He groans, leaning his head back a little, but Ozawa moves her hand and her fingers gently tilt it back down towards her with one hand, and she slides her fingers up in his hair.

“Is this okay?” She asks, fidgeting a little, “I know I said I’d help, but I don’t want you to be uncomfortable.”

“No, no, I’m fine, it’s you,” He huffs out, shaking his head a little, “So it doesn’t matter.”

“Well, not gonna take that one personally.”

“What? No, no, I didn’t mean it like that,” Yuuji says quickly before he groans a little, shaking his head, “Ugh, sorry, my head is all over the place right now.” 

“You need to chill the fuck out, I’ve never seen you this amped up about someone,” She says, glancing over at Megumi for a second as she shifts slightly, making both of them visible to him, “He’s just a guy.”

“It’s not just a guy, okay, it’s Fushiguro. He’s different, he’s…” Yuuji trails off, unsure of how he could even describe Megumi in words, “He’s not someone that is exactly easily attainable for people like us, you know? I mean, look at his damn watch, look at his house. ”

She glances over at him before she sighs and nods, her expression mixed with sympathy and understanding, and he shakes his head a little with a sigh.

“I can’t just risk tainting everything we’ve had this summer, it’s been too good and I don’t want to ruin it by saying something I’ll regret if he doesn’t feel the same. I’d rather just keep the memories than lose him.”

“Take one look at that man’s face, tell me he doesn’t want you, then turn around, walk outside, look up and let me know how many pigs you see flying around.” She deadpans, jerking her head towards where Megumi was standing.

Yuuji risks another glance over, and Megumi is in the same spot from where he froze coming out of the bathroom, eyes wide on the two of them. Yuuji can see his shoulders heaving up and down a little, and his gaze isn’t as dark and murderous, but laced with something else Yuuji can’t recognize. As much as it made him nervous, it excited him even more.

He quickly brings his gaze back down and swallows hard, trying to focus on the heavy bass thudding through the speakers around them instead of his slightly toxic possessiveness over a guy he met just less than two months ago.

Ozawa looks over at Megumi again for a moment before turning back to Yuuji, tilting her head as she almost inspects him until a dangerous and mischievous look comes across her face.

“Wanna really make him jealous?” Ozawa says, biting back a smile.

“Ozawa.” He warns, shaking his head and she rolls her eyes.

“Come on, don’t you wanna know if he likes you back?”

“It doesn’t matter!” He argues, before quickly adding, “And he doesn’t!”

“Then, if it doesn’t matter, don’t you just want to see what he’d do? Wouldn’t hurt, would it?” She asks innocently, “Besides, we’ve already kissed once when we were thirteen, so does it really even matter?”

Yuuji swallows hard, thinking back to the dark look on Megumi’s face as he first watched them, a mixture of anger, panic and confusion splayed across it. Unfortunately, he also thought back to how shameful he felt that it made his heart race faster, and he exhales sharply before quickly nodding his head.

Ozawa smiles and nods back, glancing over at Megumi before she takes her hand and places it on his neck, making sure she holds his face on the opposite side of Megumi’s view. Yuuji inhales and closes his eyes as he leans down to meet her lips. 

He feels her soft mouth on his, moving just a bit, and tastes the faint flavor of strawberry lip gloss. He hesitantly kisses her back, gripping her waist to try and ground himself before she pulls back after just a few seconds.

“Think that’ll do the trick.” She grins, tilting her head as she takes a step back and he looks at her in confusion.

“What? What do you—”

“Itadori.”

Yuuji whips his head and jolts as he looks up to see Megumi standing to his left, hands shoved in his pockets as he keeps his eyes on Yuuji.

“Fushi! H-Hi!” Yuuji startles, stepping back a bit as he laughs nervously, “This is Ozawa, she lived here when we were kids.”

“Hello,” Megumi says quickly, barely glancing over at her as she waves before he looks back at Yuuji, “Need you for something.” 

“Okay,” Yuuji replies, not trusting himself to say anything else under Megumi’s heated and intense gaze, his heart pounding as he looks back to Ozawa, who is covering her laugh with her hand, and she quickly waves him off, “See you, Ozawa.”

“Bye, Yuuji. It was nice to meet you.” She smiles innocently before nodding at both of them, and she heads back towards her cousin and her friends, and he exhales quickly before turning to Megumi

“So what— Oh!” Yuuji tries to get out before his wrist is yanked off the dancefloor towards the bar as he yelps.

“Need another drink.”

“Okay,” Yuuji laughs, looking at him curiously as he drags him through the crowd, “I guess I could use one too, but why do you need me?”

“I don’t what kind of alcohol this fucking place has.”

“We were just here last week,” Yuuji asks, furrowing his eyebrows, and Megumi rolls his eyes with a huff, “And isn’t that what the menu is for?” 

“Just shut up. My drinks have been shit.” 

“Okay, okay, geez!” Yuuji puts his hand up in surrender as they approach the bar, hovering behind a few people as they wait, “So what are you in the mood for?”

“I don’t know. Alcohol. Something to get me drunk.”

“Damn, okay,” Yuuji grins as Megumi looks over at him, still looking grumpy, “What are you trying to forget, huh?”

Megumi stares at him, his face unreadable, but Yuuji can’t fail to notice him swallow hard before looking back at the bar.

“Nothing. Just want a drink,” He replies shortly, and he glances over at him again, jaw clenching slightly before he looks back ahead at the bar, “You have glitter on your face.”

Yuuji feels his face get hot as he frantically wipes at his mouth as Megumi stays turned towards the bar, eyes locked in front of him.

“Whoops,” Yuuji laughs awkwardly, unsure of how to act around this side of Megumi, “Okay, um, you like whiskey, right?” 

Megumi nods once, still not looking over, and Yuuji peeks over the bartop, scanning the shelves. As the person ahead of him leaves, he nudges himself into the space, leaning his elbow on the bar. As the bartender looks up, he smiles and makes his way over to them.

“Yuuji, my man, what can I get for you?”

“Tequila soda for me, a fancy kind, with two limes, and a whiskey sour with Woodford for my grumpy friend here. Heavy on the Woodford.” Yuuji grins as the bartender nods, turning around to grab the bottles.

“You got it."

Yuuji turns, and looks up to see Megumi directly behind him, looking grumpy still but now slightly uncomfortable as a group of loud, laughing girls bump into him from behind every few seconds. He glances over his shoulder at them, and sees two girls with their eyes wide on Megumi, giggling and whispering to each other. Yuuji’s chest gets tight as one of them tugs on the other's arm, pulling her with her up to them before Yuuji can even move.

One of the girls, the one who was tugging her friend, a tall, very pretty blonde girl with bright blue eyes, taps him on the shoulder with a smile, and Megumi turns, looking annoyed.

“Hi, sorry to interrupt, but my friend and I just wanted—”

“Not interested.” Megumi interrupts, turning back around. The girl’s face falls, and she looks over at her friend.

“O-Oh, okay, um, sorry.” She replies quickly, stepping back towards her friends, but her voice shakes slightly as Megumi ignores her, looking out at the rest of the bar again.

“Don’t gotta be a dick, man. She was just being nice.” One of the girls scowls at him, putting her arm around her friend's shoulder as they move away from them and Megumi just rolls his eyes.

“Damn, Fushi,” Yuuji gapes at him and Megumi looks back, expression unchanging, “That was cold.”

“They kept elbowing me. And her roots were bad.”

“Damn, Fushi!” Yuuji repeats with a snort, laughing hard, “I swear, your snobbery comes out at the funniest moments.”

“I’m not a snob, I just don’t really like girls like that.” Megumi argues back as Yuuji turns to pick their drinks up off the bar and freezes for a second, his breath catching as he processes Megumi’s words. They'd never explicitly talked about their dating lives, save for their awkward conversations about Naoya. 

Now that Yuuji thinks about it, they’d never mentioned anything even close to relationships or dating, not in the way he did with his other friends. He doesn’t like girls like that as in loud and giggly, or as in not at all? Is that why he was entertaining that guy from before? Would he have kept entertaining it if Yuuji hadn’t interrupted? Maybe he likes guys, but just not Yuuji? What if—

“You are so a snob. You should’ve seen your face when we first walked in here a few weeks ago.” Yuuji manages to get out, trying to change the subject both out loud and in his own head as he hands Megumi his drink and takes a large sip of his own as they move away from the bar, his face feeling hot.

“The floor is sticky, Itadori.”

“That’s the charm of it!” He argues back, and Megumi rolls his eyes as they sit back down on opposite sides of a table tucked against the wall next to the dancefloor.

“Whatever, I’m not a snob.”

“Tell that to your drink orders,” Yuuji laughs, “I don’t think Johnny’s ever even opened any of the bottles you’ve ordered.”

“Not my fault I have good taste.”

“No, you have expensive taste, Fushi.”

“And who reaps the benefits of my expensive taste, huh?” Megumi fires back, and Yuuji grins, always loving when he can get Megumi fired up like this.

“You never let me pay!”

“And you always get expensive shit!”

“Because you never let me buy cheap shit!”

“If I like spending my money on you, then obviously I’m going to make sure you get the best shit!” Megumi shoots back quickly, before he opens his mouth again and then snaps it shut, ears red.

“You like spending money on me, Fushi?” Yuuji smirks, biting back a smile, bringing his drink to his lips as Megumi frowns and takes a sip of his drink.

“Shut up.”

Yuuji laughs again as he looks out to the dancefloor, spying Kugisaki and Maki laughing in the corner, standing awfully close to one another.

They just sit there for a bit, sipping on their drinks as Yuuji takes every opportunity to see Megumi’s face under the colorful lights bleeding off the dance floor. The music starts to shift a bit, slowing down from early 2000s throwbacks to slower, 80s and 90s classics. The lights have dimmed further, leaving the room a tempting dark red, blue, and purple.

“Do you—” Yuuji looks over as he hears Megumi speak, and he clears his throat and pauses, looking down at his drink before he suddenly chugs the rest of it. He looks back at Yuuji, who is looking at him wide eyed, and he leans forward on his knees towards him, eyes steady, “Do you want to dance?”

“What?”

“To the next song,” Megumi says, speaking quickly, and to Yuuji’s surprise, he almost seems nervous, “Do you want to dance?”

“Thought you didn’t dance, Fushi.” Yuuji bites back a smile, feeling his hazy mind getting excited at the prospect of seeing Megumi like this, slightly off kilter.

“I can be spontaneous sometimes,” Megumi replies, shrugging, then he nods at Yuuji’s half finished drink, “Another?”

“Your treat? I know you don’t like me waiting on you, and now I know you like to spoil me.” Yuuji grins, batting his eyelashes, and Megumi rolls his eyes, standing up and silently holding his hand out for Yuuji’s empty cup.

“Whatever. What do you want?” Megumi tries to look annoyed, but his flushed cheeks and heavy lidded eyes take away from his usual bite.

“Surprise me.”

“Alright,” Megumi replies, shrugging a little before he nods out to the side, “Meet me at the edge of the dancefloor then.”

“Alright.” Yuuji smiles, and Megumi nods once before heading to the bar. 

He watches him walk away, heart pounding with each step he takes, and he looks down to see his hands shaking on his knees. He quickly wipes the palms of his hands on his pants, readjusting his hat on his head a little as he tries to breathe in and out deeply as he makes his way to the edge of the floor.

He stands there, bouncing on his toes, for what feels like eons, constantly looking to his right to see if he could see Megumi coming back from the bar.

He was now getting impatient, the idea of Megumi behind so close to him, even just a few feet away on the dancefloor, made his skin tingle. 

Suddenly, he’s shaken out of his thoughts as he feels a cold, wet sensation on his cheek.

He turns to the right to see Megumi holding up his drink a few inches from his face, condensation dripping down the sides.

“What are you doing?”

“You looked hot.”

“O-Oh, I-I was, thanks,” Yuuji manages to get out without choking, “What’d you get me?” 

“Tequila soda.”

“Oh, thanks!” Yuuji brightens, “Did you get—“

“Two limes?” Megumi holds up the two drinks, both with two slices of lime on the rim, and then holds one out towards him.

“Yeah,” Yuuji replies, taking the drink as he smiles up at him, “You remembered.”

“You sprinted through the whole house looking for limes once, I think you ended up running two miles in total.” Megumi rolls his eyes as he takes a seat again, right next to the floor.

“They’re the best part of a drink!” Yuuji argues, “You get a snack!”

“You’re so weird.” Megumi laughs, shaking his head, and Yuuji pouts as he continues to sit, just sipping on his drink.

“Come on, get up!” Yuuji protests, sticking his hand out, and Megumi eyes it, “You said the next song.”

“I did.” Megumi replies hesitantly, and he sighs as he takes his hand and Yuuji helps hoist him out of his chair. He reluctantly drops his hand as Megumi peers over his shoulder at the people behind them.

“Don’t be so uptight, man, come on.” Yuuji laughs, turning back towards the dance floor.

“Just don’t leave me out there.” He looks back as he feels Megumi’s cool hand suddenly clasp his wrist, his eyes wide as they dart between Yuuji and the crowded floor behind them. As his grip on his wrist tightens as his eyes glance around, he realizes with a little pang of guilt that Megumi is genuinely anxious. 

“I won’t,” Yuuji reassures him, smiling a little as Megumi’s grip relaxes on his wrist, and Yuuji tugs him closer to the dancefloor, and to him, “I’ve got you.”

Megumi hesitates, eyes lingering on the crowd before looking worriedly back at Yuuji.

“Come on, man, everyone can dance to ABBA, even you.” Yuuji grins as he tugs at him again, “Us country folk do some things right, and lucky for you, I’m an excellent teacher.”

“Fine,” Megumi says warily, before narrowing his eyes, “But I am not line or square dancing.”

“You’re no fun.” Yuuji pouts, before breaking into a smile and he yanks Megumi towards him, throwing his arm around his shoulder, hoping he seems casual. Megumi grunts, but doesn’t shove him off as they make their way through the crowded dance floor.

Yuuji looks around and spots a corner with a little bit of space, but as he turns his head behind Megumi’s, just past his neck, he’s once again overcome with the smell of pine trees and cedar wood, and he barely stops himself from inhaling deeply. 

He quickly guides them over to a corner, fully intending on letting Megumi slink against the wall until he finds himself elbowed and pushed against it, with Megumi standing in front of him.

They look up at each other wide eyed, and Yuuji tries to get out words without stuttering.

“You want the wall?”

“No, that’s—”

Suddenly, someone shoves them from behind, pushing Megumi into Yuuji against the wall, their chests pressed together and they both look at each other again. Megumi attempts to shift before another person shoves into him, pushing him back against Yuuji, but this time, he doesn’t try to move again. He just shifts slightly, no longer pressed against Yuuji’s thighs, but he’s just a few inches away, his head hung to the side, and Yuuji can feel his hot breath on his ear, sending shivers up his spine.

“You okay?” His voice is low, right against his skin and Yuuji gulps.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m good,” He practically squeaks out, “The, uh, drinks really good.”

“Got top shelf shit,” Megumi nods, and he can feel against his temple, “You really like tequila, right?”

“Yeah,” Yuuji looks up, tilting his head, “It’s my favorite, I just usually drink whiskey because of Choso.” 

“I’m glad you—” The rest of his words are drowned out, and Yuuji frowns, tugging down on his shirt a little.

“What’d you say?”

“I said I’m glad you like it,” Megumi repeats, a little louder, leaning down closer against his ear, and Yuuji’s hands still as they press against his chest leaning towards him, “I-I wanted you to like it.”

“O-Oh,” Yuuji gets out, looking up as he suddenly feels suffocated by Megumi’s body so close to him, “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” Megumi replies just loud enough to hear, then leans down closer to his ear, “Tell me if you want another.”

“Okay,” Yuuji tries to ignore the goosebumps erupting from his skin as Megumi’s low voice hits his skin, “Do you wanna move?”

“No,” Megumi says quickly, glancing around the floor and the dark corner they were squeezed in, before he adds, “Everywhere else is just as crowded.”

“Okay. If this is okay.” Yuuji replies hesitantly, glancing up as Megumi nods.

“Yeah. This is okay.”

“Okay.” Yuuji quietly replies, inaudible against the loud music, and he lets himself relax a little, but still intoxicated with how he can feel Megumi’s body heat against him.

“I like this song.” Megumi leans down to say, and Yuuji grins up at him.

“Wouldn’t peg you for a Michael Jackson fan, especially not Dirty Diana.” Yuuji laughs out, and Megumi rolls his eyes, but there’s a stubborn smile on his face.

“Do you like him?” He asks, tilting his head a little.

“Yeah, Nanami played him and the Jackson 5 all the time when I was growing up.”

“I’ll listen more then. I think Gojo has some of his stuff.”

“Yeah?” Yuuji swallows hard as he risks a glance up at him, his eyes only visible momentarily as the bright strobes light him up like a piece of art.

“Yeah, I’ve been, uh, I’ve been listening to the vinyls you play,” Megumi says, leaning down a little, closer to Yuuji’s ear, “The ones you play when you come over. I-I really like them."

“Really?” Yuuji asks, keeping his eyes out behind Megumi, praising whatever higher power existed that his red cheeks were hidden by the darkened bar.

“Yeah,” Megumi nods against his head, his nose rubbing into Yuuji’s hair for a moment as they move along with the crowd, just barely swaying, “They make sense for you.”

“For me?”

“Yes,” Megumi shifts slightly, and his lips brush the shell of Yuuji’s ear for a moment, and he feels his breath hitch as Megumi pulls back a little, their eyes meeting, “For you.”

Yuuji breathes in sharply, trying to maintain his nerve under Megumi’s dark eyes as he keeps his gaze up on him, “You always surprise me, Fushi.”

“Maybe I like surprising you.” Megumi replies back quickly, leaning down against his ear again, and Yuuji is so thankful the bar is dark, his stomach churning.

“Yeah?” Yuuji swallows hard as Megumi’s hand brushes his hip, fingers skimming his shirt, and his breath catches as it lingers for a moment.

“Yeah, I do.”

“I…I like you surprising me.” Yuuji manages to get out, and Megumi pulls his head back to look at him, their faces just a few inches from each other.

“Yeah?” He says, more in a breath than words, and Yuuji nods quickly, gulping as he feels Megumi’s heart beat a little faster against him.

“Yeah, I do.” Yuuji says quietly, and Megumi opens his mouth to respond when someone else shoves into them.

Suddenly, he can feel Megumi’s breath on his lips, smell the whiskey on his tongue, and he looks up to see green eyes wide, his face just a few inches away from him, but his gaze is fixed below Yuuji’s. Before he can react, Megumi leans back and clears his throat, looking over at the bar.

“Do you want shots?” He shouts quickly, and Yuuji feels slightly disappointed, unable to relish in Megumi’s words directly in his ear anymore, but he nods and is rewarded with his hand snaking around his wrist, pulling him back towards the bar.

“What do you want?"

“What do you think?” Yuuji grins as Megumi rolls his eyes, nodding reluctantly as he waves over the bartender.

“Two shots of Clase. Four limes.”

“Clase? You sure?” The bartender asks, and Megumi nods,

“Yup. Four limes,” Megumi replies, glancing over at Yuuji, who is staring at him expectantly, and he huffs with an eye roll, before adding, “Please.”

The bartender nods and goes off to grab the bottle, and Yuuji turns to Megumi, leaning his elbow on the bar as he rests his head in his hand, tilting it up at Megumi.

“Good boy.” Yuuji grins as Megumi sputters, shoving his shoulder, making him stumble off the bar with a laugh.

“Shut up, don’t say that.” He grumbles, rubbing the back of his neck as his blush creeps down it. He’s saved from more taunting when the bartender comes back with two shot glasses, and four limes laid out on a napkin.

“Thank you.” Megumi says quickly, grabbing one of the shot glasses and handing them to Yuuji, along with the two limes. Yuuji takes it happily, about to ready himself when he sees Megumi slip a thick stack of bills into the bartender's hand, nodding at him as his face lights up and Megumi turns back to Yuuji, “Ready?”

“Ready.” Yuuji grins, his chest already blossoming with warmth, and they clink their glasses together, downing the shot before chomping down on the lime. 

Heat floods through him, all the way down to his toes, and he shivers as he drops the lime in the glass and bites into the other one, indulging in the sour, subtly sweet taste. Smiling lazily to himself, Yuuji looks up, lime still in his teeth as he almost jolts back when he sees Megumi already looking at him. 

He grins, lime and all, and Megumi snorts, shaking his head, before he leans forward and reaches down to gently tug the lime out of Yuuji’s teeth, his fingertips lightly pressed on either side of his mouth, and Yuuji’s breathing stops. He drops it into the empty shot glasses on the bartop before turning back to a red faced Yuuji.

“Wanna go back out there?”

“Yes.” Yuuji replies quickly, eyes fixed on Megumi’s heavy lidded green ones looking down at him, and he nods frantically.

“Let’s go then.” Megumi’s eyes don’t move from his, and with the tequila still freshly chugging through his veins, he wants to say fuck everything and kiss him right now.

“Okay.” Yuuji says instead, their eyes locked on each other. 

“Let’s… Let’s go back to where we were earlier.” Megumi says quickly, and Yuuji breaks their gaze to look over to their spot, still crowded and dark.

“Um, are you sure?”

“Yeah.” Megumi eyes follow his, but then looks back at him as he answers. They hold each other's gaze for a few more moments, and Yuuji almost feels like Megumi’s eyes are looking straight through him, like he could feel exactly what he felt. That he could feel the way his heart was engulfed in flames when Megumi looked at him like that.

You must know. You have to know. Yuuji thinks, willing so desperately for Megumi to understand.

“So, ready?” Megumi asks, and Yuuji shakes himself out of his attempted telepathy and nods, smiling.

“Ready.” 

He nods at him before jerking his head out at the dancefloor, and Yuuji tries to tamper down his excitement as he follows him out. 

Megumi glances down for a second as they reach the crowd, and he grabs his hand and tugs him forward. 

Yuuji couldn’t help but laugh as Megumi practically drops his shoulder and dug his way through the tipsy people around him, finally shoving his way through to the corner they were in while Yuuji got a nice, clear path.

Yuuji is about to speak up when Megumi’s hand tugs him forward, and he stumbles a little before he settles back against the wall, and like before, Megum is standing ahead of him. 

Their hands are still intertwined, Yuuji looks up, and sees nerves in his eyes, and he opens his mouth to speak. Megumi beats him to it, shaking his head as he speaks up, keeping his eyes down as he slowly slinks his hand back.

“I’m sorry, you probably wanna be out in the middle to dance, it’s just— I’m just not a very good dancer and I don’t—”

“Hey,” Yuuji interrupts loudly and Megumi looks up, “Have I complained?”

Megumi eyes him up and down and hesitates for a moment, “No.”

“Then…” Yuuji inhales, before he speaks up, trying to be heard over the music, “I’m okay with this, I danced enough earlier. I like being here with you.”

Megumi looks up, eyes still nervous but just a little calmer, and Yuuji lifts up his drink, tilting it towards him. Megumi looks down at it before he brings his own up.

“Cheers, Fushi.” Yuuji says quietly, almost too quietly, before he quickly moves to interlink his arm with Megumi’s, like he does with Kugisaki, just to be able to feel more of him.

Megumi just keeps looking at him, before he nods and they both tilt their heads back, chugging a good amount of their drinks before they look back down.

Feeling bold with the rush of alcohol to his brain, Yuuji reaches up and takes one of his limes, biting down on it with his eyes still on Megumi, who’s frozen with his arm still interlinked with his. As he sucks down the lime juice, he swears he can see Megumi glance down at his throat and bite the inside of his lip just a bit.

Megum then drops his arm, disentangling them, but as someone gently bumps into him, he falls against Yuuji against the wall, and Yuuji lets him.

Suddenly, the song changes, and Yuuji realizes it must be past 1:30. After then, the DJ starts to play slower, sultry R&B to make people sleepy enough to go home or horny enough to go home with someone else.

They don’t move for a moment, their bodies almost flush against each other with Megumi’s cheek pressed to the side of his head.

Yuuji can’t breathe, can barely even think about breathing until he feels Megumi shift, his free hand falling to the wall behind Yuuji’s waist, and he brings his head back to look at Yuuji, eyes heavy and dark, and he brings up his cup again, ghosting it over his own lips.

“Finish.”

Yuuji gulps before he brings up his cup again, and quickly chugs the rest of it. As he brings it down, Megumi takes it out of his hands almost as soon as he finishes, mindlessly dropping their empty cups to the ground in a very un-Fushiguro like fashion before he moves back in front of Yuuji.

Taxi driver

Be my shrink for the hour

Leave the meter, running

He can feel his heavy breathing from above, before he realizes it’s only just mixing in with his own pants, and Megumi’s other hand finds the wall next to him, caging him in.

“Is this—”

“Yes.” Yuuji interrupts, keeping his eyes up as he slowly brings his hands up to lightly fist the fabric of his shirt, securing his hold on him as Megumi fits himself against his ear again.

“Okay.” 

Yuuji practically shivers as Megumi’s voice creeps down his spine, electrifying his senses as they stand there, just barely swaying along to the slow, sultry music around them.

Yuuji couldn’t breathe, at least not deeply, or he would directly inhale Megumi’s cologne, and probably pass out on the spot, but he couldn’t bring himself to move. 

“Hey.” Yuuji looks up as he feels Megumi’s low voice against his skin again, and his heart picks up, goosebumps greeting him as his lips brush the shell of his ear, warm and wet from alcohol.

“Yeah?”

Megumi doesn’t answer, or if he does, it’s drowned out by the loud music around them, but Yuuji can only focus on his warmth, almost overwhelming him as he stays close, heavy, hot breath hitting his ear. 

As Megumi’s hand comes to hold his lower back, to steady them both, Yuuji sucks in a breath, glancing up as Megumi deliberately moves his mouth back against his ear. 

If it brings me to my knees,

It’s a bad religion

Yuuji gulps as he hesitantly tightens his grip on his shirt, tugging a little, and he looks up to see Megumi’s dark eyes already on him. Cautiously, he tilts his head forward just a little, but Megumi follows suit, their heads lightly leaning against each other.

This unrequited love

To me, it’s nothing but a one man cult

Their bodies are so close he now can’t help but smell his combination of sweat and sickeningly expensive and intoxicating cologne, and he feels dizzy as Megumi’s hand shifts casually to his waist, his large hand cupped to his side, gentle but firm, almost fisting the fabric in his hands. 

I can never make him love me,

Never make him love me

“Itadori.” Megumi leans down to whisper, warm, wet, alcohol soaked lips pressed to his ear. Yuuji gulps and fights to keep his eyes off Megumi’s hazy ones, nodding against him.

“Yes?”

“Wanna get out of here?” Megumi’s voice is still low, sweet and syrupy, practically purring in Yuuji’s ear as he keeps his hand on his waist. He then adds his other hand to the other side to steady himself, but his thumbs have started to rub back and forth, shifting the fabric, “Grab a bottle and go to the lake? Swim?” 

Yuuji’s heart pounds as he tries to focus his tipsy brain and ignore how hot Megumi’s breath feels against his ear, and that his shirt had ridden up and his touch was now burning against his skin. Ozawa’s hands were just on him earlier, but they didn’t leave the same scorching trail in their wake as Megumi’s did, leaving him flushed and hot and unable to breathe properly. And he definitely didn’t want to beg her to keep them there like he did right now.

Love me,

Love me,

Love me,

Love me.

“Yeah.” He replies dumbly, and he feels Megumi’s head nod against his, hesitating next to his ear before moving back an inch.

“Okay. I’ll get the girls.”

“Okay.” Yuuji replies, almost a whisper, as Megumi fully pulls away, and his skin is cold as his hands leave him. Megumi nods down at him, and slips through the crowd. 

Yuuji exhales heavily, slumping back against the wall as he watches him walk away. He lets his eyes linger as he disappears before he slaps his cheeks lightly, shaking his head, and he heads towards the door. 

He quickly pushes through the dwindling crowd, and pushes his way out the door. He’s hit with the cool summer night air sucked into his lungs, and he tries to compose himself again.

“Okay, Yuuji. You’re fine. You are totally fine. It’s just the lake. Just drinking and swimming at the lake with Fushi. You’ve done this before. Just not after he was looking like that. After looking at me like that. After touching me like that. Definitely not looking like he wanted to kiss me. No way.”

Yuuji pauses before he groans loudly, dropping his head into his hands, “Oh my fucking god, I’m so fucked.”

He hears laughter coming from inside as the door swings open, with Maki and Kugisaki stumbling out as they laugh with their arms around each other. Kugisaki tears her eyes away from Maki’s smile and sees Yuuji, face brightening as she jumps and throws her arms around him.

“Yuuuuji!”

“Hey, sis. All good?” He asks, nodding at Maki, who nods back, and Kugisaki nods frantically, glancing behind her before leaning closer. 

“Like, really, really good. I think it might happen tonight,” She whispers, grinning and giggling behind her hands, before she stops and frowns, looking around, “But where’s Fushiguro?”

As she asks, the door opens again, and Megumi walks out, his cheeks still flushed from the warm bar and the drinks, but his eyes lock on Yuuji. 

He then shrugs and lifts his hand, and Yuuji looks over to see him holding up a ceramic bottle of tequila. His heart starts to pound again as Megumi leans his shoulder against the wall of the entrance, keeping his eyes on him, a funny, half smile on his face.

“Damn,” Maki scoffs, shaking her head, and Megumi tears his eyes away and looks over at her, “Stealing liquor?”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Maki,” Megumi replies, hopping off the step leading inside, “I bought it.”

“That bottle’s, like, 900 bucks.” 

“Worth it. Can’t get this shit in a liquor store around here. Bartender said he’d never even opened it.” Megumi shrugs casually, but Yuuji doesn’t miss the way his eyes linger on him for half a second before shoving a hand in his pocket.

“So, lake?”

“We’ll meet you guys down there! We’re just going to change!”

Swallowing his nerves, Yuuji glances over as Megumi tugs his shirt over his head, and he lets his eyes trail down his obnoxiously beautiful and toned chest, his mouth practically watering. Yuuji gulps as he quickly looks away when Megumi tosses his shirt to the side.

Focus, Yuuji. Stop eye fucking him. Let it happen if it will.

Firmly keeping his eyes on his feet as he strips down to his boxers, Yuuji steps into the lake, sighing loudly as he relishes the cold water softly lap over his feet. He tilts his head up, face turned towards the moon as his fuzzy, overwhelmed mind starts to clear a little.

Inhaling the cool, night air, Yuuji steps further in, seamlessly diving under the still water, rippling out around him as he pops back up. He glances over at Megumi on the shore before shifting and floating on his back, closing his eyes as he listens to the sound of the nighttime. The alcohol was still churning through his veins, but he feels freer, away from the suffocating air and confusing yet intoxicating feeling of Megumi’s hands and lips on his skin.

“Fuck!”

Yuuji turns his head to see Megumi behind him, a few inches from the water with his arms crossed over his chest and an adorably grumpy pout on his face.

“Too chilly for you, my liege?” Yuuji calls out with a smirk, and Megumi looks up and glares at him.

“Shut up! I don’t do lakes!”

“‘I don’t do lakes,’” Yuuji mocks him, waving his arms around before he rolls his eyes, and stands up to put his hands on his hips, “Are you being a pussy, Fushi? Fushi isn’t a fan of being fishy?”

Yuuji laughs loudly, the noise cutting through the quiet air as he flops back into the water, giggling to himself, “Fishy Fushi.”

“Shut up, don’t call me that, and I’m not being a pussy, it’s just freezing.” Megumi fights back, inching into the water.

“Come on, it’s way better when you just jump in!”

“Easy for you to say when you’re already in it!”

“Then just get in, idiot!”

“Fine!” Megumi shouts back, stubbornly pushing his way into the water as he flinches, but keeps going towards Yuuji with stubborn determination furrowed in his eyebrows. Yuuji can’t help but laugh at him as he inhales and dives under the water, coming up with his hair plastered to his head, still scowling.

“I don’t know why I thought your hair would stay spiky.” Yuuji snorts, picking his hand up to mess with his wet hair as Megumi shoves him off, pausing for a moment before he splashes Yuuji in the face.

“Shut up.”  He grumbles, pushing some of his hair out of his eyes before he looks out to the lake, and the air quiets again as Yuuji sputters out water.

“Better, right?” Yuuji asks, wiping his face before he tilts his head at him with a small smile and Megumi shrugs, keeping his eyes out on the water.

“You have fun tonight?” Yuuji asks, a little nervous, but Megumi looks back at him and nods quickly.

“I had a lot of fun.” 

“Told you we knew how to have a good time,” Yuuji smiles, shifting to float on his back, sighing as he looks up at the sky. 

He lets the silence fall, staring up at the mass expanse of stars ahead of him, like millions of fireflies passing through time, and he sighs a little. He’d grown up under this sky his entire life, and it still managed to amaze him everytime he saw it like this.

“Man, the stars are insane tonight.”

Megumi doesn’t respond at first, but he then feels him sink into the water, floating on his back behind Yuuji, “Mhm.”

“You know anything about constellations?”

“Yeah, a bit.”

“I figured,” Yuuji laughs, keeping his eyes up on the stars, “You’re really smart.”

Megumi doesn’t answer, and Yuuji glances behind him and sees him floating quietly, an odd look on his face.

“Can you show me some?” Yuuji asks, hopeful as ever.

“Show you what?”

“Constellations. Can you point some out to me?” Yuuji asks again, keeping his gaze firmly ahead of him, fixated on the dark sky, littered with the twinkling grains of sand of the night.

Megumi sighs, and Yuuji holds his breath, hoping he hadn’t crossed the line he’d expected to cross about three drinks ago with Megumi’s hands on him. Instead, he hears a small splash behind him, and the water next to him ripples as Megumi floats himself next to him, and he points up.

“See those four bright stars all in a row right up there?”

Yuuji squints, following his finger, and sees four brighter stars, in an almost perfectly straight line, “Yeah, think so.”

“So there’s four more stars, intersecting with that second one on the left over there,” Megumi continues, drawing a somewhat crooked line outlining the five stars, and Yuuji nods, “See it?”

“Yeah, I see it,” Yuuji nods as Megumi drops his hand back to the water, “What’s it called?”

“Cygnus, it’s supposed to be a swan.”

“A swan? Where’d that come from?”

“Lots of different things, some associate it with the story of Zeus transforming into a swan to seduce the Spartan Queen Leda, and she had two kids, one of them ended up being Helen of Sparta. Like that song, Swan Upon Leda.”

“You mean Helen of Troy?”

“No, she was Spartan, for sure,” Megumi corrects, shaking his head, “She probably would’ve hated being known for what she is today. Realistically, if she was real, she was from Sparta, and Spartan women were badass, honestly kind of like Maki. I can't imagine her being thrilled about being seen as just an object of male desire that sparked a war when Spartan girls played sports right alongside the boys.”

“Feminist Fushi over here.” Yuuji laughs, and Megumi rolls his eyes, shoving him a little bit as he stands back up in the water, about chest high, but keeps his eyes up. 

Yuuji follows, and stands up, looking back up at the sky for a few moments before looking back at him. He gulps as the moonlight hits the side of Megumi’s face just right, his heart races as his mind goes blank, with just the word, pretty, floating through his head as easily as he floated through the water.

“Be right back.” Yuuji almost squeaks, quickly swimming away back towards the shore as he tries to calm his breathing down as he reaches the sand. 

What was he doing? 

His heart was pounding, slamming itself against his chest, and he squeezes his eyes shut, only to be met with the memory of Megumi’s dark, heavy lidded eyes looking at him in that back corner, and he curses under his breath before standing up.

He eyes the bottle of tequila sitting on the sand, hesitating for moment as his eyes dart around until he finds a life preserver tossed into the grassy, sandy beach, long rope dangling from it. 

He takes a moment before he grins and he moves to grab it, quickly wrapping the rope around the life preserver in an X formation, keeping it loose but still taut enough to stay together. As he ties the last knot, he turns around and leans over to grab the bottle, fitting it in between the ropes and he settles it across the interlaced rope at the bottom. 

Smiling to himself, he proudly picks it up and jogs back to the water, picking his head up as he slows towards the edge of the shore.

Megumi was floating on his back again, slowly moving his arms back and forth in the water, head tilted up towards the sky with his eyes open, looking up. Yuuji sighs, his heart warming as he looks at him, and he feels like this might be it, the moment he’d been waiting for, the moment he’d been so unsure of for the last few months. His heart races as he swallows hard and steps back into the water

Wading towards him, Megumi turns towards him and sits up in the water as he shakes his head.

“This your doing?” He says with an amused smile, nodding at the life preserver, and Yuuji shrugs.

“I’m innovative.”

“Yeah, that’s a word for it.”

“Come on,” Yuuji smiles, tilting his head as he gestures to the bottle, “This was your idea, Fushi.”

“You know, this is probably dangerous.” Megumi says, sounding wary, but his eyes are still bright, like he was trying not to be excited about something, a look Yuuji had come to love on him.

“And?” 

“And it’s probably dumb.” Megumi continues as Yuuji grins, pushing the life preserver as it slowly floats over the water towards him.

“And?

“And we probably shouldn’t be night swimming after way too many shots and drinks.” Megumi replies, gently stopping the life preserver with his fingertips.

“And?”

“And I know you hit Inumaki’s joint outside.” Megumi scolds him teasingly, shaking his head, but his eyes are smiling, and Yuuji bites back his own grin as he shrugs.

“And?”

“And you still ask questions like a toddler.” Megumi rolls his eyes, but grabs the bottle and tugs it out of the rope, uncapping it, and he sticks the cap between some of the rope as he takes a swig, shuddering as he brings it back down and wipes his mouth.

“Weenie.”

“Stop calling me that.”

“Stop being a weenie.” Yuuji laughs as he takes the bottle from him, taking a large swig to attempt to settle his nerves, and he looks down at the bottle, “Jesus, this is fucking good.”

“I’m not a weenie.” Megumi replies, ignoring him as he pouts slightly and drops back into the water.

“Kidding, Fushi,” Yuuji laughs, and he looks up at the sky again, inhaling before looking back at Megumi, “Can you show me some more?”

“Yeah, just let me think,” Megumi looks up, eyes scanning the sky before he looks over at Yuuji, and he hesitantly swims up next to him again as he points up.

“So this one’s a little harder to see, but right up there,” Megumi points to a cluster of stars, “See how it’s a little brighter than the rest of the sky, like a smudge almost?”

Yuuji squints up at the sky, and smiles to himself as he sees it, looking over at Megumi, “Yeah, yeah, I see it.”

“So that’s the Andromeda galaxy, it’s one of the few galaxies you can see with the naked eye from Earth,” Megumi begins, flicking his finger around in the outline of what looks like a stick figure, “And it’s part of the Andromeda constellation.”

“Wait, why do I know that name?”

“She’s part of Persesus’ story in Greek mythology. Her mother, Cassiopeia, boasted that her daughter was prettier than Poseidon’s sea nymphs, so as a punishment—”

“Poseidon sent that sea monster, right? And the only way to save the town was to sacrifice his daughter, and they chained her to a rock?” Yuuji pipes up, as Megumi looks over at him, and smiles, a little wider than he usually does, nodding as he keeps going, his tone and his eyes brightening a little.

“Yeah, yeah, exactly. Perseus came by and fell in love with her when he saw her, and offered to kill the sea monster to marry her. But Poseidon still punished her mom by putting her constellation where she’s upside down for half the year to punish her for her vanity. It’s the constellation is right by Andromeda, it sort of looks like a W,” Megumi finishes, speaking quickly, and he takes a breath before pointing up, a little below where he was before, before looking over at Yuuji, “See it?”

“Yeah, yeah, I see it.” Yuuji smiles over at him, focused solely on the moonlight hitting his eyes as Megumi drops his hand into the water. Yuuji keeps his eyes on him as his gaze remains on the sky.

Megumi stays silent for a moment as Yuuji lets him, his bright eyes focused on the constellations above.

“His story was always interesting,” Megumi continues, “He had a happy ending, I guess, better than most, but still caused a lot of pain along the way. He was still just a kid.”

“Didn’t he kill Medusa though?” Yuuji asks, “Like, that’s a pretty classic monster vs. hero story, no?”

“Sure, but her story depends on which translation you read. Some say Medusa was having an affair with Poseidon, and they got caught in Athena’s temple, and as a punishment, Athena transformed her into a Gorgon. But a lot of the original translations reference Medusa’s relationship with him being a bit more…unwilling.” 

“Oh.” 

“Yeah, so her story has always been a bit sad to me, I guess. But I like to think that Athena’s intention wasn’t malicious, you know, to make her that way. It was just to make sure that no man could ever hurt her like that again. She could protect herself, like she wasn’t able to before.” 

Yuuji looks over at him, and one day, he’d realize this was the moment he’d truly fallen in love with him, but right now, all he could think about was that he just wanted to keep hearing him talk.

“Wow, Fushi.”

“What?”

“Nothing, that’s just… it’s kinda beautiful, you know? Taking a sad story like hers, and giving her some of her power back, after all these years,” Yuuji says quietly, looking over at his increasingly pink face under the moonlight, “I really like that you think like that.”

“Yeah, whatever.” Megumi grumbles, looking down at the water, and Yuuji tilts his head, trying to keep his eyes on his flushed cheeks as his heart continued to race.

“Don’t take this the wrong way,” Yuuji starts hesitantly, “But how do you know so much about the women of these myths?”

Megumi laughs a little, shaking his head as he picks it up to look at him, “My sister taught me.”

“Really?” 

“Yeah, she gave me that first Percy Jackson book for my birthday, then my first one of myths about different cultures. Always told me, ‘Second guess everything, Megumi, there’s always another side to every story.’ She’s got a positive outlook and all that.”

“Yeah?” Yuuji’s heart picks up as he sees the faint smile on Megumi’s face. He didn’t talk about his sister often, but when he did, he always had the same happy little expression, “She sounds cool.”

“Yeah, she’s alright.”

“High praise from you, Fushi.” Yuuji grins, nudging him lightly under the water as he rolls his eyes, but he hesitates for a second before looking back over.

“She’d like you.” 

“Yeah?”

“Yeah,” Megumi replies, keeping his eyes on him, and he nods, “A lot.” 

Yuuji nods, swallowing the lump in his throat as Megumi coughs and continues, his voice picking up again, pointing up, “And Perseus’ constellation is right by Andromeda’s, up there, it kind of looks like a wishbone. Oh, and the sea monsters right there, too, right by it there, and you can sort of see the head, and then the long neck trailing to its body, see?”

Yuuji follows his finger, leaning in slightly as he tries to focus on the stars ahead or anywhere other than Megumi’s warm, wet body only inches from him. He clears his throat as he attempts to keep his voice from cracking, “Mhm. Cool.”

Megumi looks over and his face falls a little bit as he drops his hand back in the water, sinking down a bit into it, sheepishly grumbling, “Sorry.”

“No, no!” Yuuji frantically turns to him, slipping a bit in the muddy sand below their feet as he grabs onto his shoulder, sinking down to his level. Megumi looks over at him wildly, as words tumble out of his mouth like marbles.

“No, I-I like hearing you talk about it and the stories and the books you read and all the stuff you like, it’s really interesting. You know way more than you let on about so many different things and you’re just really smart, Fushi, it’s really cool and I love hearing you talk.”

Megumi stares at him in silence, mouth opening and closing as Yuuji feels his face heat up, and he leans away a little, dropping his hand from his shoulder.

“I, uh—”

“Thank you.” Megumi interrupts quickly, his cheeks turning a pretty shade of pink and he exhales heavily, looking slightly embarrassed.

“You, uh, you don’t get to nerd out too often, huh?” Yuuji asks, smiling a little as Megumi’s cheeks turn pinker, betrayed by the moonlight above.

“Shut up.”

“Nope,” Yuuji laughs, sinking back into the water as he looks up at the sky again, “I like it, it’s cute.”

“Cute?”

“Yeah, it’s cute.” Yuuji laughs, looking back at Megumi’s annoyed face.

“Don’t call me cute.”

“What would you rather me call you, Fushi?”

“Not cute,” He grumbles, before he adds, “And not Fushi.”

“But I’ve been calling you Fushi all summer, and Fushiguro is so long.” Yuuji pouts teasingly, and Megumi rolls his eyes.

“Deal with it.”

“What about Megumi?” It just slips out, and Yuuji wants to punch himself as Megumi’s eyes get wide.

“What—” Megumi swallows before responding, “What about it?”

“It’s a good name,” Yuuji desperately tries to save himself, breathing in, “Blessing, right?” 

“Yeah.”

“Fits.” The word slips out again, and Megumi tilts his head curiously as Yuuji curses himself silently for taking such a big swig of tequila.

“It fits?”

“Yeah,” Yuuji swallows hard, “It’s a, um, fitting name for you.”

“You think so?” Megumi says, nerves hiding in his voice, but Yuuji can’t ignore that he’s shifted closer, the space between them lessening, and he suddenly realizes he’s been moving too.

“Mhm,” Yuuji hums quietly, inhaling sharply as he tries to keep his focus, trying to choose his words carefully, but his rational thinking wanes as Megumi’s eyes burn through him, “I’ve always liked your name, even when we were kids. It’s, uh… it’s pretty.”

“It’s a girl's name.” Megumi grumbles back, looking down a bit, but Yuuji shakes his head, smiling a little as he lets his eyes trace over him. 

He really was so beautiful, he looked perfect like this. Hair an absolute mess, goosebumps trailing over his skin from the cold water, but Yuuji just couldn’t get over his eyes. The moonlight seemed to find them at every angle, softly illuminating the mosaiced shades of green in them, and he just wanted to get closer and see more.

“It’s pretty.” Yuuji repeats, softer this time, as he can’t stop himself from glancing down at Megumi’s lips, darkened and puffy by the night sky and the cold water.

“Thanks.” Megumi breathes out quickly, cheeks flushed, as their hands then brush under the water, but neither of them pull back as their fingers graze over each other every few seconds as they bob in the water.

Slowly, Megumi’s hand brushes his again, but stays, curling one finger around Yuuji’s under the water and they’re close, too close. Close enough that Yuuji can see the water droplets on Megumi’s eyelashes and the faintest smattering of freckles across his nose from the sun that he’d never noticed before.

Another finger finds his, and Yuuji hesitantly curls them against his, and Megumi’s grip tightens slightly around his, and they move forward a bit, now just about a foot from each other.

“You… You can call me that,” His voice is low, but soft, not as heated as it was back at the bar, but lined with something that made Yuuji’s heart pound faster, “Megumi, I mean. Only if you want.” 

“Really?” Yuuji asks breathlessly, unable to tear his eyes away from him, and Megumi nods softly, the space between them lessening with every moment. 

“Yeah.” Yuuji’s heart skips, Megumi’s eyes never leaving him as he speaks, and he tries to refocus his brain to formulate a better response than, ‘Uh.’

“Y-You can call me Yuuji, if you want to.” He replies shakily, glancing down to see Megumi gulp, and he looks back up as he nods softly.

“Yuuji.” The air is sucked from his lungs as his name is sung in Megumi’s voice, and he desperately tries not to choke, so he just nods back, keeping his mouth shut.

Yuuji can’t breathe, his eyes solely focused on Megumi’s burning into his, but he also can’t stop himself from looking down at his lips over and over again. His heart was pounding, the tequila muddling his rationality as he simply stares at him. 

He looks so good, so unbelievably, so unfairly good it practically makes Yuuji want to cry. Water dripping from his hair as his eyes still practically glow under the moonlight bouncing off the water. Yuuji feels himself fall deeper into them, feels himself move closer.

“Fushi, I want—” Yuuji whispers, unable to stop himself from looking down at his lips again, just to bring his eyes back up at the same time as Megumi does.

“Megumi.” He corrects, eyes still on him, and Yuuji swallows hard and nods.

“Megumi.” Yuuji repeats softly, and Megumi’s cheeks flush deeper as he opens and closes his mouth, trying to find words.

“I—” Megumi starts before a yell from the shore interrupts him.

“Yuuji! Fushiguro! Did you fuckers get in without us?” Kugisaki’s voice rings out into the silent air and they both jolt back, water splashing and the quiet of the night is broken. 

Yuuji breathes in and out quickly as he risks a glance at Megumi, only to find him already quickly swimming back towards the shore.

Before he can think, Yuuji is swimming after him, desperate to get to him before he reaches the shore and runs away again.

“Fushi, wait, wait!” He calls out after him as Megumi reaches the shore, shaking out his wet hair as he approaches Kugisaki and Maki.

“Aren’t you swimming with us?” Kugisaki asks in confusion as Megumi shoves past them, quickly grabbing his clothes off the sand.

“Going to bed.”

“What? Why? This was your idea!”

“Tired.”

“Fushiguro, wait—” Yuuji manages to get out as he clumsily gets out of the water, eyes following Megumi as he moves towards the house.

“Don’t be an anti-social loser, Megs.” Maki calls after him, and he flips her off without turning around.

“Fuck off, Maki.” Megumi bites out, waving her off as he quickly speeds towards the house.

“Fushi! Come on!” Yuuji shouts after him, but he doesn’t turn around, just keeps making his way up, and Yuuji’s heart cracks just a little bit.

“The hell did you do to him? I thought we were all finally clicking as a group!” Kugisaki whines, looking back at Megumi pulling on his clothes as he walks away.

“I didn’t do anything!” Yuuji protests, but his voice cracks and Maki and Kugisaki narrow their eyes at him.

“Yuuji.”

“Nothing happened!” Yuuji quickly replies, glancing up at Megumi stomping towards the house, and he repeats, a little more sadly this time, “Nothing happened.”

Chapter Text

Yuuji breathes out happily as he rolls over on his bed, squinting a little against the beams of sunlight peeking through the window. He turns over to check his phone, and deflates a little as he sees his last text to Megumi went unanswered. They hadn’t seen each other since the night at the lake, but they’d still texted a little bit over the last week or so. Mostly, it was Yuuji sending Megumi a song he thought he’d like, with Megumi texting back that he knew it but sent Yuuji another song similar to it. Or Yuuji sending him a movie recommendation that Megumi just responded to with a thumbs down. 

He was anxious to see him, terrified that whatever had happened between them at the lake would mess up everything they’d created over the last few months, but he was still itching to talk to him, see him even for just a little. He refused to pay any attention to the pit in his stomach that’s been settling since that night. He was solely focused on the possibility of moving forward, moving towards a place where they’d be like that again, just the two of them without interruptions. Just him and Megumi. Just once.

It was a busy time at work for Yuuji in the next few days, so thankfully, he barely had enough time in the day to sleep, eat and shower, much less freak out over almost kissing Megumi. But these moments in the morning, when Yuuji woke up and looked out the window to peek at the top of his house, he allowed himself to remember what he looked like under the expanse of stars, how his hands felt on his skin, how perfectly his fingers curled around his.

Smiling to himself as he slides his phone into his pocket, he moves to stand up and stretches, grunting a little as he slides on his slippers and heads downstairs. As he hears the muffled sounds of Inumaki and Kugisaki, his footsteps pick up a little.

“Goooood morning siblings!” Yuuji skips into the kitchen, sliding to the refrigerator to pull out some orange juice before he turns around, “What are we talk— Oh, what’s wrong?”

Yuuji stops as he sees Inumaki and Kugisaki at the kitchen counter, with Kugisaki’s head buried in her arms. Inumaki looks up at him and shakes his head sadly as Kugisaki just flips her phone around, showing two texts from Maki without moving from her arms.

maki :)

We had to leave sooner than expected. Got a new job. Getting a new number and not sure if I’ll have time to keep in contact.

But it was a really, really good summer. I’m happy I met you. Thank you for everything.

“Wait, what?”

“They’re gone,” Kugisaki groans miserably, slumping her chin into her palm, “At least Maki and Mai are. I didn’t even get to say goodbye and now she’s gone back to fucking Tokyo probably.”

“They… they left?” Yuuji asks, his heart dropping to the floor as he puts the orange juice back and moves next to her, “But why? Where’d they go? Tokyo? Wait, why does her first text sound so formal?”

“I don’t fucking know, Yuuji!” Kugisaki yells in frustration, throwing her head back down onto her folded arms, “I don’t know anything, and even fucking Mai is making fun of me, telling me how they’ll both practically be married off to some guy in a year!”

“What?” Yuuji’s heart drops a little at the word marriage, “What’d she say?”

“Read it, I don’t fucking care.” She huffs, thrusting her phone in his face. 

He takes it warily, keeping his gaze on her slumped form for a second more before he tears his eyes away to look at her phone.

mai (evil wench)

Sooo good to meet you this summer. Must come to Tokyo to find all the cute boys, like me and Maki! Marriage waits for no woman! :)

“What the fuck?” Yuuji says as he reads, shaking Kugisaki’s slumped shoulders to get her to sit up and he quickly shakes his head “No way. No way. No fucking way.”

“Yes way.” Kugisaki grumbles against her arms, shoving him off.

“No, no, this is bullshit,” Yuuji laughs in disbelief, shaking his head a little as his heart starts to pound, “No, no, we were all together just a few days ago. Everything was great, we were fine.”

“Not fine enough, apparently,” Kugisaki says miserably, blank eyes staring at the counter before she drops her head into her hand, “God, I’m so fucking stupid.”

Yuuji stares at her, his mind racing faster than he can keep up. 

There’s no way this was his fault… right? He and Megumi had a moment the other night but there’s no way that’s why they left, there’s just no way. Had Yuuji really freaked him out so badly he had to leave town and take the girls with him? Yuuji was sure he was pulling him in, he was sure he wanted it, but maybe Yuuji was too drunk, maybe he was remembering what he wanted rather than the reality, maybe Megumi was two seconds from shoving him away with a disgusted look on his face.

He sighs, shaking his head a little to clear his mind, focusing on Kugisaki’s slumped form instead as he leans over and nudges her shoulder.

“Come on,” Yuuji tries gently, and he lightly puts his hand on her shoulder, “Let’s have some breakfast and coffee then we can figure out what’s going on.”

“Not hungry,” She drags herself off the kitchen stool, slowly making her way across the kitchen towards the stairs, “Going back to bed.”

“Nobara.” He calls after her, but she just waves him off without turning around.

“Just leave me alone, guys, okay? Please. Just… not right now,” Kugisaki replies quietly, the usual fire missing from her voice as she sulks across the room, “I just want to be alone.”

Yuuji sighs and looks at Inumaki, who looks back at him as she disappears up the stairs, “Yuuta know anything?”

No, nothing, and he doesn’t really know how to keep a secret, Inumaki replies, shaking his head as he glances up at the stairs again, Will she be okay?

Yuuji looks back over his shoulder at the staircase, and he listens for the faint creak of Kugisaki collapsing into her bed, before loud, muffled sobs start to come echoing through the floor. 

With Inumaki glancing over worriedly again, Yuuji quickly turns on the radio next to him, turning up the crackly music to drown out her cries.

That’s kinda fucked up, Yuuji, Inumaki signs, looking between the radio and him.

“She’d thank me. She just needs some space. You know she likes to feel things by herself,” Yuuji sighs, glancing up, “She won’t want us worrying about her, or listening to her like this.”

Inumaki hums, nodding a little as he comes up and grabs a mug, pouring himself a cup of coffee. He lifts it up, gesturing to Yuuji, who nods, and Inumaki pulls out another mug.

“So let’s get our minds off it. How’s it going with Yuuta, huh? You’ve been hanging out a lot,” Yuuji asks with a grin as Inumaki slides him his coffee, and rolls his eyes with a light blush, “Like, a lot.”

It’s going good, I think. He’s just, like, the nicest person I’ve ever met. He’s got as many books as video games, even though he’s not that great at them so I teach him a lot.

“Oh, yeah? Look at you,” Yuuji elbows him playfully as Inumaki rolls his eyes again, “And he’s from around here, right?”

He’s a teacher at the elementary school in the bigger town a couple miles away, Inumaki replies, taking a sip of his coffee as Yuuji nods.

“So he’s here long term?”

Seems like it, Inumaki shrugs, looking down with an attempt at a hidden smile, But he travels with Fushiguro sometimes.

“Hm.” 

So… how’s that going?

“How’s what going?” Yuuji innocently asks as Inumaki stares at him blankly, and he just huffs, trying to stop his brain from remembering Megumi’s wet lips under the stars, “Nothing is going because nothing is happening because there is nothing to happen.”

Yeah, okay, Inumaki shakes his head, Weren’t you guys supposed to go out next week? 

“No, I’m going out to visit Choso for a few days,” Yuuji replies with a sigh, “Haven’t gone to see him in a while.”

What about work?

“It’s a big vacation week for the next two weeks, so we don’t have too much to do right now, just maintenance. Not a ton of lessons or anything with everyone going to the beach.” Yuuji replies, turning towards the cabinet to grab breakfast.

He tries to shove it out of his head when he feels a soft hand on his shoulder and turns to Inumaki, who’s looking at him, slightly worried.

I think you should go for it with Fushiguro. Before it’s too late.

“No, no. I am not doing that,” Yuuji shakes his head, as he opens up the cabinet, eyes scanning as he sighs, “Anyway, he’s probably gone now too.”

Yuuji pulls the cereal box out of the cabinet until he pauses, hands stilling on the box before he slowly puts it back.

He’d been so focused on Kugisaki that he hadn’t even pieced together that Megumi might really be gone, too.

Quickly, he fumbles for his phone, pulling it out of his pocket as it tumbles onto the counter, and he picks it up as his shaky hands search for Megumi’s contact.

“Come on, come on,” Yuuji whines a little, tapping his fingers anxiously against the countertop, “Pick up.”

“Hello?”

“Fushiguro!” Yuuji exclaims, turning around towards Inumaki, who’s looking at him wide eyed, “Did you guys leave town?”

“Maki and Mai left.” Megumi replies simply, but there’s hesitation in his voice that gives Yuuji pause.

“Are you leaving too?” He asks quickly, his heart starting to pound in his chest.

He’s met with silence on the other end, before Megumi sighs deeply and lowers his voice, “I can’t talk right now.”

“But have you left?”

There’s another moment of silence, “No, not yet.”

“So when—”

“I have to go.” He interrupts, and Yuuji’s stomach drops as he scrambles to answer.

"Fushiguro, wait, please, just—”

The line goes dead, and Yuuji’s heart drops, and he slowly brings his hand down and stares down at his blank phone screen.

His heart was pounding, and he quickly looks up out the kitchen window towards the dip in the hill. Shoving his phone in his pocket, he rushes towards the front door and Inumaki quickly trails behind him, tugging on his shirt.

“I’m just gonna go for a walk.” He moves quickly, pushing himself towards the door while Inumaki reaches up to grab his arm.

Wait, let me come with you, He signs quickly, but Yuuji just shakes his head. 

“No, I’m fine, I just need to take a walk.” 

Inumaki’s hand lingers on his arm, but he slowly takes it back as he sees Yuuji’s shoulder’s heave up and down a little quicker. He takes a moment to stare at him before he just nods sadly, and heads towards the kitchen.

Yuuji just nods and leans to tug on his shoes, trying to keep himself upright before he makes his way to the door, yanking it open.

“Yuuji?”

“What!?” He suddenly snaps, the tension and anxiety sitting in his chest practically squeezing his lungs shut. 

He turns around to see Haibara looking at him worriedly, Inumaki half hidden behind him. He hovers in the kitchen doorway, both he and Inumaki’s eyebrows creased in concern and Yuuji's expression softens, “Sorry.”

“Are… Are you okay, Yuuji?” Haibara asks hesitantly, taking a step forward.

“Yeah, I-I just need some air.” He gets out before he quickly stuffs his feet into his shoes and pulls the door open.

“Yuuji!” He hears Haibara call out for him as he slams the door behind him and stumbles into the grass.

This is what he wanted, right? He needed Fushiguro to leave, to get him out of his head so he could move on from the dream he’d created inside his head. He could go to Choso’s, mope with the two of them with ice cream and whiskey. This was supposed to be a good thing. The right thing.

Except good things don’t make it feel like your lungs are about to collapse, like your chest was about to cave in, like your head was being pounded by jackhammers. 

He couldn’t let him go, not like this. Not when he was so close. He didn’t even care if it was a fling or if he didn’t feel the same, he just wanted to hold onto his feeling in his chest for as long as he was allowed.

Thunder quietly rumbles over the mountains, the sky a bland, colorless gray as he trudges his way down the hill. He ignores the worn, winding paths as he slips a bit through the dewy grass and attempts not to sprint as he starts to reach the flatter ground of their front yard.

Leaning over to peek around the back of the house, Yuuji sees the barn doors closed, with all of the outdoor stalls closed and locked. 

“Probably just so they don’t get spooked by the storm.” Yuuji mutters to himself, sounding less convinced than he’d hoped as he picks up his pace.

He jogs up the front steps and knocks when he reaches the door, a little too loud and a little too frantic, but his breathing just picks up every second the door doesn’t open.

He exhales as the door opens to reveal Ijichi, and he glances behind him to see the house still lit up, and he sees two pairs of house slippers sitting by a closet.

“Hi Ijichi,” Yuuji smiles, before peeking around his back again, “Is Fushiguro here?”

“No, sir, he’s not.” Ijichi replies, opening the door a little wider.

“Oh, okay,” Yuuji responds, smile fading a little but he tries to remain hopeful, “Do you know when he’ll be back?” 

“I am not sure, unfortunately,” Ijichi shakes his head, “Perhaps in the next few days, he’s handling some family business.”

“Okay,” He deflates, taking a step back as he nods softly, “I’ll be out of town, but could you just tell him I stopped by, please?”

“Of course, sir.”

“Thank you, Ijichi,” Yuuji sighs, giving him a small smile and a nod, “I appreciate it.” 

Ijichi takes a moment before he nods back, slowly closing the door ahead of him as Yuuji stands and stares at the wood.

He takes a step back and looks up at the house, and the stone exterior now looms over him, feeling impossibly grand and out of reach. He tried to grasp onto the comfort and cozy feeling the house gave him, but as he did, the only thing he saw was Megumi. In the hallway, in the kitchens, in his music room, in his library, in the stables. He was everywhere, and nowhere at the same time.

Yuuji takes another shaky step back as he keeps his eyes up on the house, and gulps a little as he stares up at it.

He stays for just a minute or so more, before he turns and trudges back up the hill towards his field.

“Hello? Anybody home?” Yuuji calls out as he walks through Choso’s door, and he drops his bag on the floor as Yuki and Choso come through the kitchen door.

“Yuuji!” They both exclaim as he’s immediately wrapped up in a bone crushing hug between the two of them, and he hears some sniffles from Choso’s side.

“Yeah, yeah, I missed you guys too.” Yuuji smiles, muffled against both Choso and Yuki’s strong grips around him.

He glances up from his slightly hidden view under their arms, and sighs as he looks around the house.

They lived in a two bedroom cottage, nestled in a small clearing in the trees, with neatly tended to plants and flowers practically overflowing throughout the yard. Inside, it was cozy, seemingly always warm and comfortable with dark wooden walls and handmade blankets scattered in baskets and on the back of the couch. It felt like a home, always filled with Yuki and Choso teasing each other, only to end with Yuki throwing her arms around his neck and attacking his face with kisses until he was crimson red. They sat outside on their porch and drank whiskey and listened to music and danced under the stars when they got too tipsy. They had a simple life, full of simple, warm love, and Yuuji wanted it more than anything.

“Don’t stay away for that long again.” Choso tightens his arms around him, and Yuuji rolls his eyes a bit.

“I’m only thirty minutes away, Cho.”

“My offer to move in always stands.” 

“I know,” He laughs, shaking his head a little, “But it’s just too far from work, you know that.”

Yuuji pulls back and looks between the two of them before he sighs a little and smiles, “Thanks for having me guys. I really needed this.”

“You know you’re welcome anytime.” Choso smiles at him and ruffles his hair a little as Yuuji lightly shoves him off, “We love having you here.

“Unless you leave your dirty socks in the bathroom again.” Yuki adds, crossing her arms over her chest.

“I did that one time!” Yuuji whines and Yuki rolls her eyes.

“One time too many!”

“Enough, you two,” Choso interrupts, putting his hands up between them before he moves into the kitchen, “Let’s at least get dinner on the table.”

Yuki just shrugs, before she smiles and throws her arm around Yuuji’s shoulders, rubbing her knuckles into his hair as he squirms and protests, “Welcome back, baby bro.”

“It’s so annoying that you’re taller than me.” Yuuji grumbles as she laughs and tugs him by the shoulders towards the kitchen.

“Oh, I think you’ll live. Want a beer?” She asks, dropping her arm as she heads towards the fridge as Choso hovers over the stovetop.

“Yeah, sure.” Yuuji replies, sliding onto the stool under the kitchen counter. Yuki pulls out two beers, and slides one across the countertop over to him.

“So you got time off from your dad, huh?” Yuki asks, leaning against the counter next to Choso.

“Yeah, pretty big lull right now,” Yuuji replies, taking a sip of his drink, “Most kids are going on their fancy vacations in the next few weeks, so it's mostly just feeding, maintenance work, and taking out the horses, so Dad said he could handle it. Just worked me to the bone last week.”

“Nanami’s still kicking your ass?” Choso asks, turning his head over his shoulder and Yuuji nods with a little groan.

“I know it’s ’cause he trusts me and wants me to work hard to prove myself but I slept for 15 hours yesterday once I finally started my days off!” Yuuji exclaims, “I still found straw in my hair after I showered!”

“Will never understand why you want to work with those things.” Choso sighs, turning back from the stove to lean his forearms on the counter.

“Those things,” Yuuji gives him a little glare, “Are unbelievably smart animals that just happen to smell a bit.”

“I’ve seen their shit. There’s no way that’s natural.”

“I told you, they need to eat a lot of fiber, it’s not their fault!” Yuuji argues as Choso laughs and shakes his head, reaching over to ruffle his hair.

“Just messing with you,” Choso smiles before he leans with his palms on the counter with a sigh, “Alright, I’m putting the meat on the grill now. Don’t beat each other up while I’m gone.” 

“No promises!” Yuki yells back, giving him an innocent smile as Yuuji snorts. 

Yuki watches him walk outside until the door closes behind him, and she leans over the counter, giving Yuuji a knowing smile.

“So. Little birdie told me you’ve been spending a lot of time at a certain someone’s house.”

Yuuji groans, leaning to glare at Choso out the window, “I knew I shouldn’t have told him, he’s such a gossip.”

“Come on, he’s just trying to look out for you,” Yuki counters and Yuuji just shrugs with a sigh, “So? What’s going on?”

“Nothing's going on,” Yuuji replies, picking at the label on his bottle. Yuki narrows her eyes as Yuuji glances up and he huffs out a breath, “It’s nothing. I just have a big, fat stupid middle school crush on someone I shouldn’t that’s not going away.”

“Why do you want it to go away?” Yuki asks, pulling out the chair next to him as she sits down. 

“It probably wouldn’t work out anyway,” Yuuji sighs, looking down at his bottle, “I mean, just look at their house. Look at mine. Look at my job. I can’t keep up with those people, and I’m not sure if he likes me that way.”

“Oh, who cares?” Yuki replies with a dismissive wave, and he looks up, “Trust me, I work with those rich assholes, and most of them suck. Why would you want to align yourself with their standards anyway?”

“It’s not their standards exactly that I’m really worried about.” Yuuji mumbles, and Yuki leans her head in to look at him closer, and a smile creeps onto her face.

“You really like him, don’t you?” Yuki grins, growing wider as she sees his cheeks flush, “Gojo’s kid?”

“It doesn’t matter,” Yuuji replies quickly, suddenly desperate to end this conversation, but Yuki just throws her arm around his shoulder and pulls him in.

“Oh, my baby Yuuji is all grown up and in love!” She practically squeals, squeezing him tightly as Yuuji protests and wiggles under her grasp, “I’m so fucking old.”

“Get off me.” Yuuji whines a little, and Yuki loosens her hold on him, but keeps her arm around him as she smiles.

“Happy for you, kid. Love is awesome, just look at me and your brother.” 

“Yeah, yeah, shut up with your perfect relationship.” Yuuji finally pushes her arm off as she laughs. She then looks up out the window to Choso standing in front of the grill, and she sighs as she leans her chin in her palm.

“Can you blame me?” She sighs dreamily, and Yuuji pretends to gag, “He’s practically perfect in every way. Except that he makes me relocate spiders outside instead of just killing them.”

“Well, they’re vital to the local ecosystem so—”

“Oh my god, not you, too.” Yuki groans as the doors to the outside open up, and Choso comes back in, wiping his hands on his apron.

“What are we talking about?”

“Yuuji’s love li—”

“My love of insects.”

“No,” Yuki gives him a look and he rolls his eyes, “We’re talking about his big fat crush on Gojo’s kid.” 

“Yuki!” Yuuji exclaims, shoving her shoulder a little as she rolls her eyes.

“What? It’s not like you’re very good at keeping your lovesick puppy eyes a secret,” Yuki shoots back, “I mentioned him and I swear you had hearts coming out of your ass.”

“Shut up.” Yuuji mutters, feeling his cheeks heat up.

“Don’t tease him,” Choso shakes his head as he pulls out a salad bowl, “Can you help me chop some of these?”

“Sure, honey.” Yuki stands up from the counter, messing with Yuuji’s hair one more time before she skips over to the other side of the counter. Nudging herself into his side, she quickly kisses his cheek as he turns to grab some ingredients. Choso’s face flushes deeply as he lays out the veggies she needs to chop as she stares up at him.

And she says he has lovesick eyes.

Yuuji can’t help but smile a little bit as he sees them, despite the small ache in his heart. Yuki’s eyes were focused on Choso as he talked, interrupting with an annoying comment or joke every so often that made Choso shake his head, but he always smiled.

He could practically see himself and Megumi in the same positions, Yuuji annoying him while Megumi rolled his eyes but always answered his questions. He sighs a little as he looks at them, a warm, fuzzy, hopeful feeling settling in his chest.

“Yuuji?”

“Sorry, what?”

“Why are you staring at us?”

“So,” Choso begins as he puts his chopsticks down on his empty plate and glances over at Yuki, “We’re thinking of doing a big hiking trip this fall.”

“Really?” Yuuji asks, interest piqued as he sits up straighter, “Where are you guys going?”

“Bunch of different spots, few campgrounds outside Tokyo. There’s some good trails I’ve been eyeing that have some great plants I want to look into for the distillery. This one spot has these amazing Mizunara Oaks, but just gotta find a good supplier out there.”

“So it’s a work trip.” Yuuji deadpans as Yuki chuckles into her bowl. 

“No, it’ll be fun, I swear!” Choso protests as he glares at Yuki, “You told me you thought he’d like it!”

“Why does it matter what I think?” Yuuji laughs, shaking his head a little.

“Because we want you to come with us.” Choso says simply, tilting his head a little.

“Wait, really?”

“Duh,” Yuki adds, smiling at him as she picks up her drink and jerks her head towards Choso, “I need someone else to annoy this one with me.”

“I mean, I’d have to ask my dad to see if I could take time off from work, but it’s not too busy that time of year, so I’d love to,” Yuuji replies cheerfully, “I haven’t gone camping in years.”

“Perfect then, how’s November sound?” Yuuji nods quickly, smiling as he sees Choso’s face light up, “Okay, great. Sounds like a plan.”

“Oh!” Yuki pipes up, putting her drink down as she swallows, and then turns to Yuuji, “We also have some dinner plans tomorrow night.”

“Oh, yeah?” Yuuji asks as he shovels another bite of food in his mouth, “Where at?”

“One of the potential business partners in my company said he has a small country house out here, and he’s invited us to dinner.”

“Do I have to dress nice?”

“Yes, you do,” Yuki points at him as he rolls his eyes, “It’s not like it’s a dinner that will make or break our business relationship, but it's a family company so I thought bringing you guys along would be a nice touch. But no dirty jeans. You can borrow some of your brother’s stuff.”

“So you’re using us and I can’t even wear jeans.” Yuuji squints at her suspiciously as she innocently takes a sip of her beer.

“Well, if you want to be so crude about it.” She teases, and he rolls his eyes a little.

“Whatever,” Yuuji sighs dramatically, folding his arms behind his head as he leans back in his chair, “Guess it’s the least I can do since you’re letting me stay.”

“No, no, you can stop by whenever you want,” Choso glares a little bit over at Yuki, who just waves him off, “You don’t have to go if you don’t want to.”

“No,” Yuuji laughs, gently taking his hand off, “I’m just kidding. I’d be happy to go.” 

“Cool, the house is supposed to be pretty cool, actually,” Yuki replies, taking her last bite before she adds, “Although, I doubt anything can compare to Gojo’s house.”

“Yeah, yeah, you’re not wrong.” Yuuji laughs, clearing his throat as he tries to ignore the little pang in his chest, and Choso and Yuki launch into a conversation he tuned out.

“Yuuji, calm down.”

“Sorry!” Yuuji whispers back, tugging on his shirt sleeves, “I’m nervous, this is way fancier than you said it would be! I thought this was a dinner party?!”

“I didn’t know!” Yuki hisses back, fiddling with his shirt to straighten it out, “They didn’t exactly specify a dress code or how many people would be here!”

“You owe me so, so much.” Yuuji whispers harshly as Yuki tugs on his collar once more and just waves him off.

“I’ll sneak you a bottle of that single batch Choso keeps in the basement.”

“Hm,” Yuuji side eyes her, pausing for a moment before he nods, “Acceptable.”

“Atta boy,” Yuki grins, clapping her hand on his shoulder before she turns as an older man approaches them, “Ah, Mr. Hayashi!”

“Yuki, so glad you could make it,” He greets her, “Is this the almost brother-in-law?”

“Indeed it is,” Yuki smiles, tugging him towards the man, “Yuuji, this is my boss, Hayashi Shu.”

“Itadori Yuuji. It’s nice to meet you too, sir.” Yuuji smiles as he shakes his hand.

“Nice to meet you too, kid,” Mr. Hayashi greets him, before he sighs loudly and turns to Yuki, “Alright, let’s get you a drink. You gotta meet the boss man and I want to meet this fiancé of yours.”

Yuki turns to him, “You good here?”

“Yeah, yeah, I’ll be good,” Yuuji nods as he looks at Mr. Hayashi, “It was nice to meet you, sir.”

“You too.”

Yuuji nods again as they walk away and he takes a deep breath in, trying to compose himself. He exhales, taking a brief glance around the room at the nicely dressed people milling about. He turns to let his eyes wander when his gaze falls to familiar someone, and his heart stops.

“Fushiguro?” Yuuji asks in disbelief, seeing him a few yards away, leaning against the wall.

“Hey.” Megumi replies as he walks up next to him.

“What are you doing here?”

“This is my uncle's house,” Megumi says simply, before his eyebrows furrow and he looks him up and down, “What are you doing here?”

“Your uncles?”

“Yes,” Megumi nods, repeating, “Why are you here?”

“No need to be rude, Fushiguro,” Yuuji teases him, trying to test the waters to see just how awkward this could be, “Yuki’s got a business dinner here. But she said it was with a family business?”

Megumi just stares at him blankly, then raises his eyebrows expectantly as he glances around the room, before looking back at Yuuji. 

“Your family business, huh?” He laughs awkwardly, and Megumi nods.

“Glad you’re caught up,” Megumi sighs, sounding a little more dejected than usual, “Yuuta’s here too.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Said I wouldn’t go if he couldn’t come too.”

“That’s nice that he came,” Yuuji replies as Megumi snorts a little, and Yuuji looks back over at him in surprise, “What?”

“He just comes so he can steal all the toiletries,” Megumi leans to whisper, still laughing a little as he nods out to Yuuta across the room, “He’s got a tube of toothpaste and a bar of soap in his pocket right now.”

Yuuji peeks his head over, and sees a little white cap sticking out of the back of Yuuta’s back pants pocket, and he covers his mouth to try and hide his laugh.

“One time, he managed to steal six rolls of toilet paper.”

“How did he do that?”

“Brought an extra bag so it just looked like luggage when he left.”

“Man, he really is smart,” Yuuji laughs, shaking his head a little. He glances over at Megumi, who’s looking at his feet with a small smile on his face, “What?”

“Well,” Megumi huffs out a little laugh, “That one was kind of my idea.” 

Yuuji laughs again, and he leans to bump his shoulder against Megumi’s, “I’m telling you, you never fail to surprise me.” 

He rolls his eyes, shaking his head with a reluctant smile as he turns to Yuuji, leaning his head against the wall, “So what—”

“Megumi.” 

His smile suddenly drops, and he takes a moment before he turns around, moving to stand slightly in front of Yuuji. He peeks over Megumi’s shoulder to see an older, slightly familiar looking man with a cold, unforgiving expression standing behind them.

“Now who’s this?” The man asks with cruel sounding curiosity, glancing at Yuuji before bringing his eyes back to Megumi.

“This is Itadori Yuuji. He lives by Gojo’s,” Megumi introduces him, but his gaze is reserved, amusement from before vanished from his eyes, “Itadori, this is my uncle, Naobito.”

“It’s nice to meet you, sir,” Yuuji steps forward quickly and “I’m here with Yuki, she’s my brother's fiancé, and I’m just here visiting for the next few days. 

Naobito just stares at him, eyes unflinching and unimpressed, and Yuuji swallows hard before he tries again, “Thank you so much for having me. This is a beautiful house.”

“Mm. Indeed,” Naobito looks him up and down, “And what is it that you do over by Gojo’s?”

“I work in my dad’s barn, sir, the horse stables in town,” Yuuji replies, and Naobito’s eyes flick to Megumi just once, and Yuuji quickly continues, “I train the horses, do lessons, maintenance, pretty much whatever they need, I’m your guy.”

“Interesting,” Naobito replies with a bored sigh, “Well, I’ll let you boys get back to it. Sadly no single women to keep us company, eh?” 

Megumi’s jaw clenches as Naobito smiles at him, eyes glinting, and he claps him on the shoulder hard once before turning back towards the bar.

The two are silent for a few moments as the noise of the room overtakes them, clinking glasses, laughter and light conversation. Yuuji glances over at Megumi’s, whose jaw is still clenched hard and his eyes are focused on the room ahead.

“Well, he is quite the charmer.” Yuuji says cautiously as Megumi’s dark eyes follow him back to the bar.

“You’ve got no idea,” Megumi replies quietly, before he clears his throat and shoves Yuuji’s shoulder a bit towards the other side of the room, “Let’s find Yuuta.”

“So work’s been crazy?” Yuuji asks, picking up his drink as he looks over at Megumi.

“Sort of,” Megumi sighs, glancing around the dinner table, “Mostly family stuff. It’s boring, you don’t want to hear about it.”

“Come on, try me.”

“No, you really don’t want to hear about it.” 

“Then…” Yuuji inhales sharply, testing his luck, “Can you at least tell me what happened with Maki? She just kind of… disappeared.”

“Oh. Uh, yeah,” Megumi clears his throat, picking at the remaining food on his plate, “She got assigned a new position in our Tokyo office. Lots of international travel and stuff.”

“How’s she doing? Settling in okay?”

“Yeah, she’s good.” Megumi replies simply, picking up his glass as Yuuji looks at him curiously.

“That’s good,” Yuuji says, hesitating before he adds, “I know Kugisaki would love to hear from her.”

“Yeah, I’ll, uh, I’ll let her know.” Megumi nods, taking a sip of his drink 

“So. It was Itadori, right?”

Yuuji looks over, and sees Naobito’s beady eyes staring straight through him from across the table, and he swallows thickly before he nods.

“Yes, sir?”

“You said Choso’s your brother, yes?” Naobito asks, picking up his wine glass as the conversations around them continue.

“Yes, sir.”

“So where’d you two grow up?” He asks, swirling his glass around a little as he stares at him, gaze unrelenting. 

“Oh, um, we didn’t actually grow up together,” Yuuji laughs awkwardly, glancing at Choso, who’s distracted on the other side of the table, “We didn’t meet until about four years ago.”

“Oh?”

“Yes,” Yuuji tries to smile, “We have the same dad, but different moms. I live with my adoptive dads now.”

“Your dads, I see,” Naobito replies, nodding once as he glances at Megumi for a half second, “So, where did you go to school?”

“My two other siblings and I went to the local school near us for all the kids in the surrounding area. Most of them are from farms around us, and it goes up to high school.”

“And after that?"

“After that, sir?” Yuuji asks, tilting his head in confusion.

“Where did you go to college?” Naobito asks, setting his chopsticks down, and when Yuuji falters, he raises his eyebrows expectantly, “University?”

“Oh, um,” Yuuji looks down at his plate, feeling his cheeks heat up a little, “My siblings and I actually didn’t go to college.

“Three children and none in higher education?”

“Um, no, sir,” Yuuji tries to force a smile as his stomach clenches as he sees some guests near him glance at each other, “I guess you could say we all have interests that lie a bit outside of traditional academics.”

“That’s rather odd, no?” Naobito tilts his head, his tone curious but Yuuji can’t miss the condescension it’s laced in.

“My parents agreed that real life experience was more beneficial to us in what we want to do.” 

“Or you just couldn’t afford it.” Someone mutters from a few seats down, and then there’s a muffled yelp as he notices Megumi’s foot shift under the table. 

“I’m okay with it,” Yuuji nods, forcing another smile, “I love my work, and I love living here.”

“Ah,” Naobito replies, but he keeps his eyes on Yuuji for a few moments longer, and Yuuji swallows the growing lump in his throat. Naobito just hums, then turns to the other side of the table, “So Yuki, tell me more about this merger. How in the hell does this help me?”

Yuuji exhales a little, grateful that his interrogation is over for the time being as Yuki scrambles to answer in a somewhat polite way.

He feels a little kick against his foot under the table, and glances to the side at Megumi next to him, who leans over just a bit.

“Sorry.” Megumi whispers quietly, but Yuuji just shakes his head a little.

“Not your fault.” He whispers back, picking up his drink and taking a long, long sip. He feels Megumi’s eyes still on him, but he refuses to look back over, opting to just stare down at his plate. Suddenly, he feels another gentle nudge against his foot again, but it stays this time, just resting against his. 

“Don’t listen to him.”

As the night wore on, he didn’t see much of Megumi, just glimpses of him talking to different members of his family and other party guests, but never close enough for Yuuji to get his attention. He’d already hidden out on the porch and got caught and smacked by Yuki, so he’d resorted to his old habit of wandering around. 

The house was by no means comparable to Gojo’s, but it was more similarly styled to the Zenins estate, with sleek, modern looking furniture mixed with traditional pieces scattered around the house. And just like the Zenins, despite the idea this would be a relaxing, country house, the house felt cold, like it was on display rather than lived in.

As he rounds the corner of a hallway, Yuuji smiles as he sees Yuuta sitting on a bench pushed up against the wall at the end of the hall. He was looking down at his phone and silently laughing to himself before he put his drink down next to him. He quickly types a reply on his phone, slumping further against the wall as his smile grows.

“My brother really cannot be that funny.” Yuuji says with a smirk as he walks up, and Yuuta jumps a little. He looks up and smiles, picking his drink back up as he locks his phone.

“Hey, what’s up?” Yuuta replies cheerfully, scooching over on the bench to make room for Yuuji to sit down.

“Somehow just got roped into a conversation about equity REITs, whatever that is, and I almost gouged my eyeballs out so I needed to escape.” Yuuji groans, slumping onto the bench.

“Oh, gross.” Yuuta wrinkles his nose, shaking his head as Yuuji chuckles. 

“Oh, yeah.” Yuuji laughs, and brings his drink up to clink against his, and Yuuta cheers him. Slugging back a bit of his drink, Yuuji sighs after he swallows, leaning his head back further back against the wall.

“Overheard Naobito grilling you earlier.” Yuuta says, and Yuuji shakes his head, trying to rid his head of the biting little digs he’d been overhearing all night.

“Oh, shit, yeah,” Yuuji groans a little, “That dude does not like me. And everyone likes me!”

“I don’t think Nabobito likes anyone,” Yuuta sighs, shaking his head as they both glance over to Naobito’s drunken story telling on the couch in the corner of the living room.

“He looked at me like I had six heads when I told him my family shared a car.”

“Funny, he looked shocked that I even owned a car.” Yuuta laughs, and Yuuji shakes his head with a smile, taking a sip of his drink as it reaches the end.

“You’d really think we were some mountain people, the way they act.” Yuuji sighs, placing his drink on his knee as he looks out to the large hall he could spy between the doorways.

“These family’s standards are just insane,” Yuuta sighs deeply, shaking his head a little as he picks up his drink, “I mean, just look at Maki.”

Yuuji just shrugs in agreement before he pauses, and turns to look at him, brow furrowed in confusion.

“Wait, Maki? What do you mean?”

“The reason she left?” Yuuta asks, looking a little confused.

“I thought she just got a new job?”

“Yeah, that’s what they’ve been saying, but I knew it was something more,” Yuuta glances around the hall before he leans in, dropping his voice a little quieter, “So apparently, Maki was super into this random girl she met when they were out with you guys this summer, probably met at that bar or something, but Fushiguro talked her out of pursuing it.” 

Yuuji feels his stomach turn to stone and drop to the marble below as he blinks once, then twice.

“What?”

“Yeah, kinda crazy, right?”

“He really did that?” Yuuji says quickly and a little too loudly, glancing around before he lowers his voice, “What’d he say?”

“I overheard him talking to Naobito about it earlier today in his office so I asked him about it, but he was super vague about the whole thing.”

“What—” Yuuji pauses, his heart starting to pick up a little more as the gears in his head start to turn, “What do you mean?”

“He said something like the girl was fine, but there were concerns about her upbringing and family.”

“Her… family,” Yuuji repeats, slowly looking up at Megumi from across the room as heat builds in his chest, “Do you know what kind of concerns?”

“Well, they definitely weren’t on the Zenin’s pre-approved list of acceptable family names, if you know what I mean,” Yuuta laughs and Yuuji fakes one too as his eyes stick to Megumi through the doorway, leaning against the wall as he talked, “But I think they’re just some small town family that the Zenin’s wouldn’t approve of. I’m sure they’re good people, just not good enough for this freakshow of a family. Fushiguro made sure that Maki wouldn’t make an impulsive decision about it or something like that, she’s really stubborn sometimes. But she left for Tokyo, so whatever he said must’ve made an impact.”

“Right.” Yuuji gets out, anger pooling in his gut as he continues to stare at Megumi, unable to take his eyes off of him, “So he separated them? She listened to him?”

“Guess so. I don’t know much more than that, or who it was,” Yuuta sighs, “It’s a mess, this family. I really like Fushiguro, but he’s got shit going on.”

“Yeah. You’re telling me.” Yuuji can’t help but snap out, clenching his jaw as he glares over at Megumi, desperately trying to calm down so he doesn’t do anything stupid.

“Wait,” Yuuta’s eyes get wide before he turns to him, his face ghastly pale as he shakes his head rapidly, “No, no, no, no, no. Oh my god. Oh my god .”

“Yeah.” Yuuji tries to get out, his teeth clamped down so hard he feels like he might get lockjaw, but he’s sure that if he relieves any pressure now, it’s just going to be translated into his fist knocking Megumi out.

“Itadori, I am so sorry, I’m so fucking stupid! I-I had no idea they were talking about her and Kugisaki, I thought they were just friends!” Yuuta scrambles to say with wide, panicked eyes, waving his hands in front of him, “Maki told me they were just friends!”

“Hey, don’t,” Yuuji shakes his head, but he’s unable to tear his eyes away from Megumi across the room, “There’s only one person I would think to blame.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t—” Yuuta continues shaking his head in a panic, “Oh my god, how am I a teacher?! I’m so fucking dumb! This is why I don’t drink that much!”

“Hey, Yuuta, seriously,” Yuuji turns to him and gives him a fake smile, “Not your fault.”

“I just— oh man, Toge’s gonna kill me.” Yuuta whines a little, holding his head in his hands.

“Think he might be too busy killing someone else with me,” Yuuji gets out through gritted teeth, still furiously glaring at Megumi across the room. He closes his eyes for a few seconds and takes a deep breath before he stands up from the bench, “I’m gonna get some air.”

“But it’s pouring!”

“It’s fine.” Yuuji tries to get out calmly as he moves, but Yuuta’s arm shoots out and grabs his forearm.

“Itadori, I-I’m so sorry, I didn’t—” Yuuta tries gently, standing up as he looks between him and Megumi in a panic.

“It’s fine, seriously,” Yuuji sighs, shaking his head, “It’s not your fault. I’m… I’m glad you told me.”

Yuuta looks at him worriedly, mouth opening and closing but Yuuji just shakes his head again, “I’ll see you later.”

Yuuji practically shoves his way through the crowd, trying to find any sort of exit to relieve him from the suffocating air sucked into his lungs until he finds a door leading to the dark outside.

Rain comes down hard all around him, bouncing off the ground as he stumbles through the wet grass of the large backyard. He quickly makes his way towards a raised, wooden pavilion overlooking a small pond that was tucked at the edge of the yard, just before the expanse of forest.

Yuuji’s mind was a mess, scattered and out of focus as he slams his palms against the side of his head to stop the chorus of confusing voices and emotions running through it.

When he thought of Megumi before tonight, he’d see his eyes as they trace over the words of a book, his reluctant smile when Yuuji finally made him laugh, the way his expression softened under moonlight and old music. He’d see nothing but a sort of glow, the kind of glow that made his heart hurt a little, but it was a good kind of hurt.

But now, when the thought of Megumi entered his head, he only thought of the muffled sobs coming through the crack in his wall, he saw the blank, the lifeless look in his sister's eyes when she cracked open her bedroom door for the first time in two days, and he saw her pillowcase when he did laundry, damp every single morning. 

He feels his lip tremble as he leans his palms on the wooden railing ahead of him, looking down. Nothing made sense, nothing at all, and his heart hurt so bad he could barely even think.

He knew the feeling that warmed under his skin when Megumi smiled at him, he knew how much he loved being around him, he knew his light laugh made his heart thunder against his chest, he knew how his eyes lit up when he talked about his favorite songs. He knew all of it.

What he didn’t know was how he could’ve fallen in love with someone that would do this, and it made him feel sick.

How could someone who’s presence made him feel like he could run a marathon just destroy his sister's happiness as easily as shooing away a fly, and then just leave?

As he sits there, an uncomfortable feeling settles on his chest, something he’d been pushing down, something he’d been trying to ignore all summer.

Maybe Megumi could do it because that’s how he saw them. As nothing compared to them, like Naobito did, like his whole family did. He saw Megumi as everything, but Yuuji was just another person he’d met, another person he could forget about once he went back to his real life. They had fun, but that’s what Yuuji was, just fun. 

Nothing to be taken seriously, cared for seriously, nothing to be taken back to Tokyo. Nothing to compete with the life he’s supposed to live. 

Because that’s what Yuuji was. The fun, broke farm boy.

Always smiling, too forgiving, too understanding.

Anger boils in his stomach as he grips the wood harder, thinking back to Nanami’s warnings at the beginning of the summer. 

Love. He knew what love was. It was Haibara making sure Nanami’s coffee was ready by the time he walked into the kitchen. It was Nanami carefully moving Haibara’s water glass out of the way as he animatedly waved his hands around when he told a story. It was Kugisaki pushing Yuuji to ask his dad for more responsibility at the stables when he was 14. It was Inumaki waiting months for Yuuji to have enough time and energy just to finish a duo video game with him. It was Kugisaki and Inumaki spending a whole day making the worst cake imaginable for his twenty-first birthday. It was Yuuji and Nanami moving slowly and silently in the mornings so as to not wake up the rest of the house. It was the family dinners they had, full of laughter and snorts and teasing and warmth.

As he thought about it, the love he’d grown up with, he saw flashes of Kugisaki’s pale face, eyes blank as she ghosted around the house, sleep walking through her days as Haibara desperately tried to get her to go outside and take a walk with him. And she was like that because of someone Yuuji loved, because of what he did. 

How could he tell himself he loved someone like that?

“Itadori!”

Yuuji jolts as he hears a familiar, low voice, and he inhales sharply before he turns around, desperate to keep his expression and tone neutral.

“Did you follow me out here?”

“Yeah, I saw you leave,” Megumi says, stepping up into the pavilion as he shakes some water out of his hair, “Why’d you leave?”

“Just needed air,” Yuuji replies evenly, and he fights off the urge to punch his beautiful, stupid looking face, “Why’d you come out here?”

“To find you.” Megumi replies simply, tilting his head as if it were the most obvious answer in the world.

“Why?”

“I, um... I need to tell you something.” 

Chapter Text

“I, um… I need to tell you something.” 

“Okay? Are you—”

“Just let me get through this, okay?” Megumi interrupts quickly, his voice unusually loud and off kilter, “I wasn’t planning on doing this tonight, but I can’t wait any longer.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” Yuuji asks, annoyance dropped for a moment as he sees Megumi’s chest heaving up and down a little bit.

“I-I can’t take this anymore,” Megumi says quickly as he steps forward, his voice not shaky, but still laced with nerves as Yuuji sees him swallow hard, “I’ve been going fucking crazy over the last two months and I can’t do it anymore.”

“What? 

“I came here for you. I heard you might come with Yuki and Choso to Naobito’s for dinner and I just had to see you, just in case.”

“Fushiguro, what are you—” 

“I can’t sleep,” Megumi interrupts, stepping forward again as he shakes his head, and Yuuji shifts back a little, “I can barely eat and my brain is so messy, I can’t think straight. I’ve been trying to convince myself I’ve just gone insane or something, like my damn dad. I’ve been really trying, but I’ve run through all the possibilities and I can’t come up with anything other than this.”

“What the hell are you talking about?

“I love you, Yuuji.”

Yuuji just stares at him, as Megumi pants slightly, his wet hair plastered to his head as he looks at him, his eyes wild, animated, and fully alive, making Yuuji’s heart skip for half a beat before his anger returns in full force.

“You… love me.”

“Yes. Most ardently,” Megumi breathes out, smile playing on his lips as the words seem to spill out in an uncharacteristic ramble, “I’ve been going crazy trying to convince myself otherwise, with my family’s expectations, financial issues, your family, my society’s expectations, how removed you are from this world I fell into, but fuck it, I don’t care. You’re the last person I should’ve fallen for, I am well aware, but shit, I can’t stop thinking about you and this past summer and that night at the lake and I-I just can’t handle this anymore. I’m losing my mind because all I want to do is spend the rest of my life with you.”

“You… what!?” 

“Marry me, Yuuji.” Megumi says, still breathing heavily as his lips curl up into a smile, “I want you to marry me.”

Yuuji stares at him, eyes flicking around his soaked clothes and hopeful expression, and he swallows the infuriating and confusing mixture of emotions in his throat as he pauses for a moment to collect himself before speaking.

“Well,” Yuuji starts, bitterness seeping into his voice, “I’m sorry I’ve made your life so difficult. Trust me, it wasn’t on purpose.”

Megumi stares at him, smile slowly dropping, the lively look in his eyes fading quickly as his eyebrows crease in slight confusion and Yuuji stares back, unwilling to let his gaze drop.

“Are you—” Megumi clears his throat and tries to stand tall, steadying himself on his feet, “Are you making fun of me?”

“No.” Yuuji scoffs out, shaking his head, and Megumi just keeps staring at him, seemingly more confused.

“Then are you rejecting me?” He asks earnestly, tilting his head slightly and Yuuji fights to keep his anger in check as he clenches his fists and glares up at him.

“You really came out here to tell me that you tried to convince yourself not to like me and expected me to be happy about it? That you liked me against your better judgement?” Yuuji bites out, and Megumi pales slightly, gulping hard, “You really came out here, expecting to tell me all of this, that you love me, and then I would say yes to marrying you? Marrying into a family who I know hates me?”

“I—” Megumi tries, but Yuuji is too fired up, too angry to let him interrupt this time.

“Like you really sat there and thought, ‘Wow, maybe I should list all of his faults and all the things I despise before I tell him ‘Don’t worry, I’m choosing to overlook all your horrible qualities and why we shouldn’t be together?’”

“You can’t expect me to just ignore the fact that we are from two completely different worlds and—” Megumi tries to get out but Yuuji interrupts him again, stepping forward.

“So that gives you the right to tell me I’m scum? Like I should be grateful that someone like you even wants anything to do with someone like me?” 

“That’s not—” Megumi tries, shaking his head, “I didn’t mean it like that.”

“And your fucking uncle? You don’t think I saw right through his condescending ass questions tonight? Please.” Yuuji just shakes his head, scoffing a bit as he turns towards the pond.

“He doesn’t speak for me!” Megumi argues back, raising his voice a little.

“Bullshit! Your expectations are just as high as his!” Yuuji turns back to glare at him, anger still rising in his chest as he is reminded of muffled sobs from the room next door, and he takes a step back, “You really expect me to want to be with someone who ruined my sister’s chance at love?”

Megumi’s face goes white, and he opens and closes his mouth, no words coming out, but it infuriates Yuuji even more.

“Do you deny it? Maki? My sister?” Yuuji bites out, and he sees Megumi swallow hard, “You really think I don’t know what you did to them?”

Megumi’s eyes widen as he inhales sharply, looking out at the pond for a few moments before he turns back to Yuuji, his eyes firm, “It was the right decision.”

“It wasn’t your decision to make!” Yuuji steps forward, his hands shaking at his sides, “You lied to me when I asked about Maki! You lied to my fucking face!”

“I had to, it was the right decision for Maki’s sake!” 

“For Maki’s sake? What about Nobara?” Yuuji demands, fire running through his veins, and he shouts louder, “What about my sister?!

“Maki deserves better than someone who’s just content with being her friend! I could tell she didn’t feel the same way—”

“Are you really that fucking dense? Thought you went to some elitist boarding school?” Yuuji snaps as Megumi’s jaw clenches, “How could you do this to them?!”

“Maki deserves someone who loves her for her, and I just didn’t think Kugisaki felt like that, and she sure as hell didn’t tell Maki that, I know that for a fact!” Megumi argues, raising his voice a little, “She doesn’t deserve someone who just gets excited for just a few months over what kind of life they can live being near her without understanding her reality!”

“Yeah, because you know her so well, right?” Yuuji fights back, “My sister must’ve had no other reason for liking Maki other than the glitz and the glam and the money? That’s all you see Maki as?”

“No, of course not!” Megumi protests, stepping forward again as anger rises in his voice,  “Maki just deserves better than someone who doesn’t say what they truly feel!”

“She barely tells me how she’s actually feeling and she’s my sister, you fucking idiot!” Yuuji yells, his temper finally getting the better of him as he shoves Megumi away, and he stumbles back slightly, “She's always hidden her feelings under sarcasm and humor and she’s been down bad for Maki since day one! She was devastated when she left, she barely ate for five damn days! She didn’t leave her room for a fucking week!” Yuuji shouts, his voice cracking, and Megumi’s eyes widen as he takes half a step back, his face taking on a greenish hue.

“I-I didn’t know that.” He barely manages to get out, but Yuuji ignores him as the fire rages in his gut.

“Shocking, considering you seemed so sure of her character before, but how the fuck would you know that, huh?” Yuuji spits out, adrenaline seeping through his veins as he steps forward, “You are so tied up with appearances and duty and fucking expectations that you couldn’t look up and see that they were happy? That Maki was happy? And that happiness just wasn’t enough for you, was it? You’ve spent the last three months with them and thought it was nothing? That they were nothing?! And you took that from them because of some bullshit excuse when in reality, you think she’s not just good enough for you and your family!”

“No, that’s not it, she’s not the problem—”

“Then what is? What is the problem?” Yuuji demands and Megumi shakes his head, scrunching his eyes shut, “Huh? What the fuck is it?!”

“It’s everything else, Itadori!” Megumi finally shouts loudly, raw emotion finally seeping back into his words, “It’s that me and Maki have massive responsibilities and expectations about who we are supposed to be with that you just can’t understand, and I’m sorry, but your family doesn’t exactly fit their standards and it’s obvious that connecting with our families could be beneficial to you here!”

“Beneficial?” Yuuji asks, stepping back in disbelief, “Have me or Kugisaki made it seem like that?”

“No,” Megumi says quickly, but he hesitates for a second before adding, “But—”

“But what?” 

“But there’s everything else!” Megumi shouts back, “My family is suspicious as fuck of anyone outside of their circle! Haibara was at the Zenin’s spouting off about how amazing you all are and how lucky anyone would be to be with them, as the Zenins didn’t see right through that! They wouldn’t shut up about it for weeks! Nanami has never gone to a single event for the Zenins until now, and I know he can’t stand Gojo!”

“They wanted us to make friends!” Yuuji shouts, throwing his hands up, “They wanted us to meet more people our age and have fun and meet new people! Make connections outside of our own town! Jesus Christ, how big is your ego?”

“Connections with my family.” Megumi practically hisses, his tone bordering on possessive, “All I’m doing is trying to protect the people I love! You can’t understand what that asks of me!”

“So am I! I don’t give a damn about your fucking family, no matter how much money you have. We’re not damn gold diggers, we’re family!” Yuuji argues back, anger he’d never felt towards Megumi before starting to rush through him, “All I have is thanks to my dads! They adopted three fucking kids in less than three years who’s families all deserted them! My family abandoned me, Kugisaki was left out in the country with nobody, and Inumaki was hurt so bad he doesn’t even fucking speak!”

“You—” Yuuji’s voice breaks a little, and he fights to keep his emotions in check, refusing to let Megumi see him reduced to tears over him, “You know who they took me from. I thought you, of all people, would respect them, at least a little bit.”

Megumi’s face falls, mouth dropping open a little, but the deep guilt in his expression only infuriates him, igniting his anger further.

“But all you can see is two people trying to squeeze money or connections out of you, right? That’s all we’ve been to you?” Yuuji bites out, shaking his head, “God forbid they want what’s best for us! Who the fuck do you think we are? Who the fuck do you think you are?!”

Megumi opens and closes his mouth, but stays silent as he stares at him, the pouring rain still pounding against the roof of the pavilion as they stare at each other.

“You stand here, telling me that you love me, and that you want to marry me,” Yuuji scoffs after a minute, shaking his head, but his chest aches, a pit widening in his stomach as his mind races, “All while insulting me and my family to my face? I… I thought we were friends.”

Megumi stays silent, his sad yet confusing eyes fixed on Yuuji and as angry as he was, Yuuji was still desperate to know what he was thinking, desperate to understand what the subtle changes in his expression mean. He inhales sharply before speaking up so he doesn’t lose his nerve.

“And Naoya? What about what you did to him?”

Megumi’s face immediately shifts, an expression of dark anger that Yuuji had never seen before. His jaw clenches hard as his mouth twitches and he takes a slow step towards him, almost growling, “Naoya?”

“Yeah, forgot about him, did you?” Yuuji bites out, defiantly crossing his arms over his chest, “How you kicked him out, ripped him away from your fancy ass fucking life.”

“Did I now?” Megumi bites out bitterly, his eyes dark and angry.

“Yeah, he's told me all about you.” Yuuji spits, standing firm as Megumi stalks towards him, “No damn loyalty was the right way to put it.” 

“Oh, I’m sure he has. No loyalty, huh?” Megumi sneers, stepping forward with his fists clenched, his hands slightly shaking, “That’s fucking rich.”

“You’re really still being a dick?” Yuuji snaps out, practically steaming with anger as Megumi glares back at him.

“Seems to be what you’ve decided I am.” Megumi fires back, eyes dark and angrier than he’d ever seen.

“Feel free to prove me wrong.” Yuuji fights back, trying to remain steady under his intense gaze.

Megumi just stares silently, green eyes still dark and fuming as he glares at him and Yuuji refuses to back down, steeling himself as rain pounds the wood around them.

“So this is what you think of me,” Megumi bites out harshly, jaw still clenched tight, “At least I can be honest and admit to the fact that this isn’t a normal situation. Maybe if your pride hadn’t been hurt—”

“My pride?” Yuuji interjects angrily and Megumi immediately fights back.

“Yes, your damn pride!” He shouts, stepping forward, “You know what kind of position I’m in! You see what kind of family I have to deal with, you expect them to be over the moon that you live in a small ass house in the middle of nowhere and work in a barn? You think they’ll be happy for me? You think they’d support me being with you in any fucking way?”

“And this is coming from someone who just proposed marriage to me? You know, lifelong commitment to me and that barn and that small ass fucking house?” Yuuji bites out, stepping forward as Megumi falters back, “How can you admit to doing that to my sister, insult me and my family and tell me you love me in the same damn breath!? Loving me means loving my family! 

“I—” Megumi tries to get out but the anger in Yuuji’s gut pushes him forward.

“No! No! I have tried so hard with you! I have tried so hard to get you to open and be honest with me and I get so close to actually seeing the real you. I have defended you, I have overlooked your patronizing looks and comments, I have ignored the fact that you will always look down on me, regardless if you claim you fucking love me or not.”

“Yuuji, please, please, I do, I—”

“No,” Yuuji chokes out harshly, trying to control the emotions building in his throat, focusing on how angry he was rather than focusing on the sharp ache of his heart breaking, “I have always tried so hard to crack this bullshit, asshole exterior you’ve built around yourself, but in reality, I guess it’s not bullshit, you really are just another rich fucking asshole. And when it really comes down it it, in the end, you have been nothing but an arrogant, condescending dick with no regard for anyone else’s feelings but your own, so now it has become perfectly clear that you are the last person I would ever want to touch, let alone fucking marry!” Yuuji shouts out loudly, panting as he finishes, their faces now just inches from each other now, silent except for the rainwater dripping onto the wood below.

Megumi doesn’t move, his eyes still trained on Yuuji’s as he glances down, then back up at his eyes, and Yuuji’s heart is pounding against his chest as he stands frozen. 

Yuuji stares back, unwilling to let himself back down. He desperately tries to push down the urge but he can’t help but glance at his lips, still wet from the rain. He quickly glances back up, and his heart cracks further.

Megumi’s eyes are the softest and saddest Yuuji had ever seen them, and he inches his head towards him for a just moment as Yuuji’s breath hitches. Megumi glances down again before hesitantly pulling away and stepping back a few paces and looks down.

“I— Okay. Sorry I took up so much of your summer,” Megumi says simply, swallowing hard as he lifts his chin up, and Yuuji almost startles back. His eyes were blank and vacant, unrecognizable, a shadow of how they used to look at him. They used to be warm, like the soft grass under the sun, but they were darker now, dimmed like how the ocean looks when a storm churns through it, “I’ll go now.”

Megumi turns around and takes off into the rain, leaving Yuuji standing there as he stares at him walking away. Tearing his eyes away, Yuuji leans back against the wooden railing, looking up at the ceiling as he tries to bring his heart rate down.

Hitting his fist against the rail behind him, Yuuji glances over to where Megumi walked off to, just to see empty grass, pelted with hard, heavy rain. He slowly slides down the railing, sitting on the cold, wet wood, with his head in his hands, “Fuck.”

He feels an ugly, hot burning in his chest, clawing up to his thick throat and he inhales sharply before he chokes a bit and starts to sob.

Pulling his knees to his chest to rest his forehead on them, he lets himself cry, harder than he’d ever had in his life. Mourning the summer he thought he’d treasure forever, mourning the boy he thought he knew but who never ever truly let him in, mourning his first love, and what feels like his last.

As his heart continues to break, he looks out into the grounds, rain pounding furiously against the misty trees as thunder rolls over the hills, and Yuuji decides he doesn’t like the rain anymore.

“You got everything?”

“Yeah,” Yuuji replies solemnly, readjusting his bag over his shoulder as he glances at his house, “I’m good.”

Choso looks at him, tilting his head a little as he scrunches his eyebrows in worry, “Are you sure you’re okay? You’ve been quiet the last few days. You’re not being yourself. Yuki’s worried about you, and I am, too.”

“I’m okay,” Yuuji tries to reassure him, swallowing the lump in his throat that’s been present since that day in the rain, “Think I’m just tired from the last few weeks at work. I’ll be good.”

Choso hesitates, eyes still looking at him worriedly, and he sighs before he quickly pulls him into a hug, holding him tightly, “Call me this week, please.”

“Okay, I will,” Yuuji gets out, shoving down the tears that have been threatening his eyes at every waking moment, “Promise.”

“Good,” Choso replies gently, before he pulls back, keeping one hand on his shoulder, and Yuuji can’t ignore how his face was still etched with concern, big, brown eyes almost watering, “Love you, Yuuji.”

“Love you, too, Cho,” Yuuji can’t help but move back in and hug him tightly again, raw emotion still sitting uncomfortably in his chest, “Thanks for having me. It won’t be that long again.”

“Good, we love having you,” Choso replies as Yuuji pulls back, his eyes still misty and worried, “Whenever you want.” 

“I know,” Yuuji nods, smiling genuinely for the first time in a few days, “Thank you.” 

Choso nods, glancing up at the door behind Yuuji as he takes a step back towards his truck, “Tell your dads hello for me, okay?”

“Will do!” Yuuji barely manages to fake a smile as he moves towards the front door, and it drops as soon as he turns his back to Choso. He sighs deeply as he approaches his front porch, closing his eyes for a moment as he pauses to collect himself before he pushes the door open.  

He walks in, and kicks his shoes off as he hears movement from the other room. 

“Yuuji? That you?”

“Hey, Dad,” Yuuji sighs as he drops his bag on the ground, and slowly makes his way to the kitchen, the lump in his throat only growing, “I’m home.”

Nanami turns around, eyebrows furrowed already as he looks him up and down, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing's wrong. I’m okay.” Yuuji nods a little, his throat getting tight again as Nanami puts the spoon down on the counter and turns around towards him, arms firmly crossed.

“Itadori Yuuji. Don’t lie to me.”

His bottom lip trembles for a few seconds before Nanami’s eyes widen and he quickly crosses the kitchen as Yuuji falls against him, wrapping his arms around him and starts to cry into his shoulder.

“What happened?” Nanami asks, his tone gentle but firm at the same time, hurt and anger present in his voice.

“I…” Yuuji’s throat tightens further, like a noose around his lungs, and he shakes his head quickly against him, “I don’t want to talk about it.” 

“Okay, that’s okay.” Nanami soothes him, holding the back of his head, but Yuuji can hear the worry in his voice.

“I’m fine, I-I just—”

“You don’t need to tell me anything, son.” Nanami interrupts gently, shaking his head a little, “It’s okay.” 

Nanami slowly moves them into the living room to sit on the couch as Yuuji cries. They sit there for a little bit, Nanami’s arms still around him, until Yuuji calms down. Pulling away as he wipes at his eyes, Nanami keeps one hand on his shoulder closest to him, his grip firm but comforting.

“You okay?”

“Yeah, yeah,” Yuuji sniffs, wiping his nose one more time, “I’ll be okay.” 

“Okay,” Nanami replies hesitantly, eyes darting around his body language, “You can always talk to me. When you’re ready.”

“I know, Dad. Thanks.” Yuuji nods once, and Nanami nods back, but still keeps his hand on his shoulder.

He doesn’t say anything at first, they just sit there in silence. Nanami opens and closes his mouth a few times, seemingly unable to figure out what to say before he just squeezes his shoulder. Yuuji looks up at him, and can’t ignore the worried crease between his eyebrows.

“Do you want to open up the barn tomorrow? I was going to open up a little later, since the first lesson is late, but you can take all the time you want,” Nanami says carefully, rubbing his shoulder a bit, “Ginger’s still there.” 

“Thanks, Dad, maybe.” Yuuji sniffs, wiping his nose with the back of his hand.

“You’ll be alright, son, you will,” Nanami says, keeping his hand on his shoulder as he looks at him seriously, “Go open early tomorrow. Take a breather.”

“You sure?” He asks, blurry eyes looking up towards his dad.

“Yeah, go ahead. I trust you.” Nanami nods at him and Yuuji just looks down, playing with his fingers.

“I didn’t mean to freak out like that, sorry.” Yuuji says quietly, sniffing once but Nanami quickly shakes his head.

“Don’t apologize,” He says immediately, and Yuuji looks up as his grip tightens, “You know you can always come to me.”

“I know,” Yuuji says quietly, giving him a shaky smile before he sighs and stands up, “I’m just gonna bring my stuff up. Shower and go to bed.”

“Okay. Keys are on the hook by the door for the morning. You know the drill.” 

Yuuji nods, sighing deeply before he stands up, and wipes his eyes one more time. Feeling his dad’s eyes on him, he picks up his bag without looking back at him.

Trudging his way up the stairs, he slowly takes it one step at a time until he reaches his room at the top and drops his bag inside. He glances over his shoulder, and he sees Kugisaki’s door still closed, as it had been before he left, and presumably had been for the last couple days.

He makes his way across the hall and knocks quietly. He hears a muffled grunt from behind the door. He gently opens it, only to find Kugisaki on her bed, face down. 

He hadn’t been allowed, or really dared, to try and go into her room the last week or so, the closest he’d come was doing laundry. But he felt he had to, he had to see how much damage he’d done, and he can now understand why he hasn’t been allowed. Her bed was a mess, her fitted sheet pulled up in two opposite corners as the top sheet lay in a crumpled heap at the foot of the bed. There were clothes everywhere, and as he glanced around, he noticed a familiar pattern in the clothes scattered around, more particularly, who they came from.

Breathing in and out quickly once, he risks a glance up as Kugisaki laid silently on her bed, comforter wrapped around her head.

“Hey,” He says softly as she shuffles around, and wiggles her head out of the covers to tilt her face towards him. Yuuji’s stomach drops as he sees the deep bags under her eyes, worse from before he left, and her cheeks were red and raw from wiping away salty tears, “I’m home.”

“Hi.” She whispers in a hoarse voice, and his heart fully and undoubtedly shatters.

“Can I come in?”

Kugisaki just nods, head not moving from her pillow as he walks inside, and sits at the end of her bed as she readjusts her legs to make room. 

“You doing okay? Eat something today?” He asks, gently pulling the sheets over her legs before hesitantly placing his hand on hers, rubbing his thumb on the back of it softly, “Inumaki checking on you?”

She just nods again a few times, before she shifts around a bit and sits up, taking some considerable effort to do so. Staring at him for a few moments, her eyes well up with tears as she just leans her forehead onto his shoulder and loosely wraps her arms around his middle, sniffling against his shirt.

Trying not to cry himself, he holds her gently around her shoulders, letting her dampen his shirt for a few minutes before she pulls back and wipes her nose a little with the back of her hand.

“I’m happy you’re home.” Kugisaki says quietly, her voice still raw, and she looks down at her lap.

“Me too.” He replies softly, and she sighs deeply, not looking up, and she lays back down, nuzzling her head into her pillow, “Dad mentioned you’re going back to work?”

“Yeah. Tomorrow morning.” 

“That’s good.” Yuuji tries to sound upbeat, but Kugisaki just nods once against the bed and curls into herself again.

“I’ll see you downstairs in a bit. I do feel a little better. Thanks for checking on me.”

“Of course,” Yuuji’s shattered heart scatters the broken pieces even further into the pit that’s been sitting in his stomach for the last few days, “I’ll see you in a bit.

She nods against her pillow, and Yuuji forces himself off the bed, pushing off to stand up.

He’d barely slept that night, trying to force himself to stop crying so he could just sleep, but even when he did, he woke up, banged his palms on his temples when he remembered it all over again, and he cried himself to sleep again. 

When the morning rolled around, he dragged himself out of bed, and jolted at the sight of himself in the mirror when he flicked the light on. He sighs, leaning his palms on the edge of the sink as he looks down, unable to look at his red, puffy eyes anymore.

Leaning over the sink, he turns on the cold water, splashing himself awake as he washes his face, just going through the motions as he brushes his teeth. He glances out the window at the sun rising over the trees, sighing a bit as he heads out of the bathroom.

His walk to work was slow, his head muddled and confused and sad as it took everything in him to keep his eyes on the road until he passed the Gojo estate.

The early morning was cool, the only sounds around him were the warm buzz of the cicadas in the trees and his feet hitting the road as he approached the barn at the far end of a dirt road, right off the main road into the small town square.

Yuuji inhales deeply, taking a moment before he turns the corner, shaking his head as he looks up and stops in his tracks.

At the far end of the stables, in the empty stall, was a gigantic bow plastered to the bottom half of the door. Yuuji glances over his shoulder to see if anyone else was here, peeking around the hidden corners of the stables, but there’s no one else, just dark corners of silence.

Turning on the light before he slowly walks towards it, Yuuji peeks into the other stalls, just little huffs and breaths from the leased horses around him. 

As he approaches the stall, he examines the bow a little further. It was a smooth, dark emerald green ribbon tied neatly and intricately, but there was no other card or note. He takes another step before he looks up into the stall and startles back against the wooden wall behind him.

Quietly standing in front of him was a young, beautiful, chestnut brown horse, with a white, diamond splotch on her nose, staring at him. Yuuji slowly walks up and he sticks his hand out for her to smell him, which she eagerly does as her tail flicks behind her. He then hesitantly pats the side of her face, and she huffs in contentment, leaning further into him, like she was annoyed he was so hesitant. 

He laughs a little as he strokes down her nose as she nuzzles into his hand, whinnying softly, “Now where did you come from, pretty girl? You look awfully familiar.” 

He smiles to himself as he pets her again, and he glances over to the table to his right, and he freezes. On the table, he sees two books, one maroon, one black. Next to it was a large mason jar full of dark brown, grounded tea leaves, with handwritten instructions written on a notecard taped to the side.

He glances over, and sitting on top of the two books was an envelope, with his name written on it in simple, neat, black ink.

He gingerly picks up the envelope, and his stomach drops as he sees the last two Percy Jackson books stacked on top of each other in front of him. Gulping, he carefully opens the inside cover, and he feels his heart twist as he sees the familiar, faded, childlike handwriting, reading Fushiguro Megumi.

He rips his eyes back to the envelope and as his hands start to shake, he opens it up carefully when a thick piece of stationary paper slides into his hand. His hand stills on the horse as he recognizes the handwriting at the top of the letter.

Dear Yuuji,

I’m sorry about the way we left things. I never intended to hurt you the way I know I have. I just wanted to write you this letter to explain myself, and why I’ve done what I have. I don’t expect you to forgive me, but I couldn’t leave without at least trying to make you understand.

As for Maki and Kugisaki, my hesitations may seem superficial, but Maki is like a sister to me. She guards her heart unbelievably well. I saw how Kugisaki was melting that exterior around her and I was worried that she did not feel the same things that Maki did for her. Maki has always been cautious, and she won’t act unless she knows it is the correct decision. I knew this, and I pushed her the other way. I tried to act in pursuit of ensuring my cousin's happiness in whatever way I knew how, which is difficult to understand, I know, and I regret it, seeing Maki after she left. It’s hard for me to fully explain my motivations, so if I ever get the chance to see you again, I’d do anything to make you understand that it was one of the biggest mistakes of my life.

I grew up being told that our money was the first thing people saw, and the last thing people wanted to leave. It was always a priority over who we were as people. I couldn’t see the honesty and kindness in you and your family, too blinded and terrified of getting hurt by the whispers I grew up hearing and believing. My family life has always been complicated. Love and family hasn’t always come naturally to me, at least, not until I met you, but I still managed to fuck that up too. 

This is no excuse for insulting you and your family the way I have, for assuming and manipulating their intentions, and yours, when I had spent an entire summer witnessing the opposite, but I am so sorry. 

As for Naoya… I should have just been honest with you about him from the start. We grew up together, on the same estate when Gojo was away. They tried to raise us as brothers, although he’s always been an asshole. He’s a few years older than us, and I thought he’d be the older brother I’d always wanted (Got Gojo instead). I didn’t know it then, but the family was testing us, seeing who would be worthy to run the family and the business when it was time. When I turned 15, the heads of the family had decided that I would be the heir to the estate, instead of him, and he finally lost it. He’d demanded part of his share of his inheritance. He drank it away, gambled it away, and wasted it away on drugs and women in just months, like my dad did after my mom died. I never wanted to be heir, not once, but he took it like I stole it from him. 

When I officially accepted my role in the family, he came back to beg for more, and to be let back in. When I refused, he set his sights on my sister, Tsumiki. He convinced her to run away together, that they’d get married one day and live in the country, away from the Zenins, like she’d always wanted. But once he found out any money she had was tied to Gojo, and that neither mine nor her inheritance would ever transfer to him, he left. She was so devastated, she didn’t leave the house for three weeks. She just turned 17 that November. I hadn’t seen him until that day in the video store. 

And as for the third thing… well, you’ve met Poppy. She’s just so energetic and annoyingly endearing, she can’t help but remind me of you. I was going to give her to you at the end of the summer. I know she’s no Daisy, but you deserve her, much more than I do. You deserve everything and more.

I get it if you can’t understand or forgive me, or if you don’t want to. I understand how important a chosen family is, but I’ve been blind to see just how pure yours is.

I have never known anyone like you, Yuuji. I think I’ll be hard pressed to find someone like you ever again. You have changed my life in every way, genuinely, and I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me one day, because I don’t think you’ll ever leave mine.

I love you.

Yours, truly,

Megumi

P.S. I already set up advanced payments with Nanami for her lodging, food and vet bills so you can’t fight me on her and don’t try. She’s yours.

P.P.S. If there’s a bow, it was Gojo. I said no bows.

Yuuji stares down at the paper, his hands shaking as he rereads it over and over again. He sniffs, rubbing his nose on his sleeve as his tears hit the page, blotting the ink. He quickly puts it down on the work bench next to him, grabbing a rag in an effort to save the words he’d already memorized.

I love you.

Yours, truly, 

Megumi

“Why am I still here?!” Yuuji exclaims, looking up and Poppy startles in surprise, whinnying as Yuuji bolts out the barn, yelling, “I’ll be back for you, girl!”

With dust curling up as his feet fly across the dirt road, Yuuji’s heart is pounding, head swirling with confusing words and emotions. But the one that sticks out, the one that’s pushing his legs and lungs past their limit, was that he couldn’t let that be the last conversation they had.

He was so stupid. He’d brought up Naoya in a pathetic attempt to make him jealous, when in reality, the mere idea of Naoya probably made him want to hurl. He’d never met Tsumiki, but with his own sister sleeping walking through life, his gut churned with uncomfortable guilt.

As he ran, he thought about Megumi’s family, the mysterious elephant in the room that seemed to loom over them while hiding in the shadows at the same time. 

He’d asked Yuuji to marry him, and marrying him meant marrying into his family. He’d always thought that Megumi would get tired of him, get tired of the fact that he was a small town boy with not much going for him. Would the Zenins have even allowed him to do that? Would they have stopped it somehow, forced them apart? Would they have let Megumi stay in the family after marrying a man, with their traditional, antiquated views? Why would Megumi want to go through the trouble of dealing with his insane family for a barn kid like him? 

His strides pick up as he allows himself the idea of hope.

Because Megumi loved him. Loved him enough to possibly throw away his life of fancy sheets and imported tea and expensive whiskey for somehow who tended to smell like literal horse shit when he got home. 

Suddenly, he scrambles for his phone in his pocket, fumbling it around before it goes tumbling to the ground, “Ugh, come on!” He bends over to grab it and keeps sprinting down the street as he pushes off from the ground and scrolls through his contacts and hits one.

“Dad!” He pants as he turns onto the main road, struggling to keep his phone against his ear as he sprints, “I can’t open up today! I have something I need to do, I’m sorry, I know you trusted me, but this is—”

“It’s okay, I know. Go.” 

Yuuji slows down for half a second, thinking back to the end of the letter, before his pace picks up again, “You sure?”

“Go.” 

Yuuji grins to himself as he hangs up and shoves his phone back in his pocket, practically flying down the dirt road into town.

Sprinting down the block towards Kugisaki’s store, his mind races as he runs as fast as his legs will allow. He skitters on the sidewalk before he shoves through the door, and pants in the doorway, unable to speak as he leans one arm against the door. Kugisaki looks up from the register and her eyes widen immediately as she looks at the state of him.

“Yuuji? What—”

“Where’s the car?” He breathes out heavily, rushing towards her as she looks at him in bewilderment.

“Papa took it into the next town for groceries, he’s picking me up soon, but why—”

“Fuck it, I’ll run.” He quickly backs up, waving her off as he shuffles backwards.

“Where are you going?” Kugisaki demands, moving out from behind the counter.

“I gotta see Megumi!” Yuuji shouts as he turns towards the door, bumping into a rack of clothing as he loses his balance.

“Megumi? Like, Fushiguro Megumi?!” Kugisaki yells back, now fully coming out from behind the counter to follow him as Yuuji tumbles into a display rack as he makes for the door. 

“Yeah, that one!” Yuuji jumps up from the ground and laughs as he trips towards the door. 

“What the hell, Yuuji?”

“I don’t know!” Yuuji half laughs, half shouts back as he yanks open the door and runs down the street, “I just gotta talk to him! He got me a horse!”

“He got you a what? Yuuji! This isn’t very proper, you know!” Kugisaki hollers from the entrance of the store, her hands on her hips.

“Fuck being proper!” Yuuji shouts back without turning around, launching himself down the street towards his own house and the Gojo estate.

He didn’t know what he would say or what he even wanted from Megumi. He just knew he needed to talk to him, they needed to actually talk to each other. He needed Megumi to open up, to let him all the way in so he could understand the complicated mess of a boy that he was.

They could figure it out. They could make this work somehow. They just needed to talk. All he wanted to do was talk to him and they could figure it all out. He needed to apologize, and maybe yell at him some more for being closed off and emotionally inept enough to lead to this, but he couldn’t let this end like this.

He was still mad at him, but right now all he could focus on were the beautiful words written on that page that made him feel like he could run the length of Japan and back just to get the chance to talk to him one more time, to explain. 

As he rounds the corner, he sees the dip in the hill leading down to the Gojo estate, and he abandons the path to practically fly down the hill, desperately trying not to fall and kill himself on the way down and sprints across the lawn towards the front door.

“Fushiguro! Come on, open up! Come on, please, it’s me! It’s Yuuji!” Yuuji bangs on the door hard, not slowing down for a full minute until he hears a faint lock click into place, “Shit!” 

He flies down the steps, making his way around the side of the estate to one of the side porches, skipping two steps at a time before he bangs on this door. When no answer comes, Yuuji’s heart picks up quicker and he moves towards the windows.

“No, no, no,” Yuuji mutters as he presses his hands to the glass to shield the sun and look inside, only to find the furniture covered with large white sheets, “No, no, this isn’t happening.”

Panting, his heart racing, Yuuji fumbles with his pocket and takes out his phone, fingers trembling as he searches for Megumi’s number and quickly presses the call button as he stumbles back down the steps, tripping down half of them onto the lawn.

“I’m sorry, but the number you have dialed is no longer in service. Please contact—”

“Fuck!” Yuuji yells loudly, dropping into a squat in the grass as he fists his hands in his hair, shaking his head as his chest tightens, his breaths heaving as he struggles to inhale and exhale normally.

“Excuse me, can I help you?” Yuuji whips his head up and sees Ijichi standing ahead of him in his usual black suit, and Yuuji pops up to rush towards him.

“Fushiguro, is he here?” He pants, eyes wide as Ijichi’s face falls and he shakes his head.

“I’m sorry, sir. They left a few days ago.” 

“Shit!” Yuuji shouts as he steps back, heart pounding harder, and Ijichi startles back, looking him up and down, “Uh, sorry. Do you know when they’ll be back?”

“I’m not sure, sir. Master Gojo and Mr. Fushiguro’s visits to this house are short and infrequent at best. I’m just overseeing the final touches to closing up the estate.” He replies warily and Yuuji huffs as he takes a step back, fisting his hands in his hair again as he looks back at the house, yanking at it to distract himself from the dull ache in his chest.

“Shit,” He mutters to himself, shaking his head before he turns to Ijichi and grabs his shoulders, shaking him slightly, “Did they leave an address or a number or anything? Anything at all?”

“I’m… not sure I should give you that information.” He says carefully, eyes darting around at Yuuji’s tight grip on his shoulders.

“I’m not crazy!” Yuuji throws his hands up, then glances up at his flailing arms before quickly bringing them back down, “I know them, please, I’ve been here all summer, you have to remember me.

Ijichi looks him up and down, stepping back as he analyzes him and Yuuji rolls his eyes slightly.

“Come on, Ijichi, I’ve got pink hair!” Yuuji cries out, pointing to his head, and the attendant squints at him before tilting his head.

“I believe I do remember someone like you falling in a koi pond if I’m not mistaken?” He replies wryly, and Yuuji’s cheeks flush as he nods quickly.

“Yes! That was me!” Yuuji exclaims, pointing to himself wildly, and when Ijichi stares at him in silence, his shoulders slump and he softens his voice, pleading, “Please, man, I’m begging you here.”

Ijichi looks at him, and Yuuji gives one last begging look before he sighs. 

“They’ve gone back to their main estate in Tokyo. I think Mr. Fushiguro was eager to throw himself back into work, so he’s expected to be traveling for at least the next six months.” 

“Six months?” Yuuji’s heart drops to his stomach and he tries to focus on not collapsing onto the ground.

“Yes, sir, if not a year.”

“A year? ” Yuuji gulps, looking out at the large, sprawling estate in front of him, “And… And they won’t be back?” 

“Not that I’m aware of,” The attendant responds, stepping back and looking at Yuuji closely again, squinting, “Are— Are you one of Nanami’s kids?”

“Uh, yeah,” Yuuji responds, slightly startled, “He adopted me when I was three.”

“Hm. Nice man. Always says hello in the village and always talks to us when most of Master Gojo’s visitors look at us like scum, and I know he has much less than the other families in town. You’ve treated me kindly this summer,” Ijichi replies, looking him up and down once again. Yuuji can’t hide his surprise at his blunt manner, before Ijichi sighs loudly, and nods, “I was instructed to not tell anyone about their whereabouts, or any contact information. However, if I hear whispers of their return, I will relay a message to your house.”

Yuuji widens his eyes, exhaling in relief as he throws his arms around Ijichi, who stiffens immediately, “Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you, man! I owe you one!”

“Please release me.”

“Oh!” Yuuji quickly lets go and steps back, “Sorry. But really, thank you so much.”

“Consider yourself lucky you’ve got good fathers. Not all of us are so fortunate with our families,” He looks up at the house before looking back at Yuuji, “Mr. Fushiguro was always kind to us, despite the rest of his family.”

“I know,” Yuuji’s voice breaks as he looks away, gazing back up at the house before he feels the tears form again, and he wants to run far, far away from this place, “Um, thank you again, but I-I guess I should go.”

Ijichi just nods at him, giving him a small, slightly sad nod before he turns towards the front of the house.

Yuuji looks back at the house one last time, emotion building in his throat like a brick wall, and he tears his eyes away as he starts to leave.

He’d never walked so slow, so unwilling to leave the purgatory between this house and his real life. He ached, so deeply, so fully, that he thought it might be years before he even felt normal again. He didn't even remember the walk back up to his house, just blurred images of the grass and trees that just seemed to taunt him now. As he made his way to the front door, his feet barely moved, unable to accept that the second he walked into the house, it was real. 

He stares at the door, just a few feet away from me before he sniffs once, wiping away any remnants of tears before his shaky hand finds the door handle.

Yuuji opens the door, and Kugisaki's sitting on the couch, watching TV before she lowers the volume and turns towards him.

“Hey, how’d it—” Her face falls and she stands up as she sees his slumped form, eyes wide as she sees his face, “Yuuji?”

“He left.”

“Left?” 

“He’s gone. Like, really… really gone.” Yuuji’s voice cracks again as the chasm inside his chest finally swallows him whole and Kugisaki quickly moves as he crumples onto the couch, sobbing into himself.

“Yuuji, shh, it’s okay,” Kugisaki rubs his back as he leans against her, crying into her shirt as she wraps her arms around him, “It’s okay.”

“I-I didn’t get to tell him I-” Yuuji hiccups out, squeezing his arms around her tighter and she tries to shush him, “His phone number w-won’t work. Why won’t it work?”

“I don’t know, Yuu, but it’s okay, you’re okay.” She tries to reassure him, holding the back of his head as he cries into her, and she softly brushes his hair.

“He thinks- he doesn't know- b-but I-I didn’t know,” Yuuji chokes out, burying his face in her shoulder, “Fuck, we both messed it up so b-bad.”

“You didn’t mess up, it’s okay, it’s okay.”

He chokes out more as he shrinks into himself, shaking his head back and forth against her. He couldn’t bring himself to speak, couldn’t bring himself to tell her what’d really happened. He couldn’t explain the complicated mess inside his head, how jumbled and distorted and confused he felt inside. He couldn’t help but feel like this was his fault, like if he’d just swallowed his pride and told him how he’d felt, Maki could still be here with Kugisaki somehow.

Maybe he really was just that damn naive, maybe he was always going to be stuck by himself in this town, and there was nothing he could do to change that. Maybe all of this was just the way it was supposed to be. The division between them couldn't be bridged, couldn't be fixed no matter how much they wanted to. He'd always held the idea that love could solve almost anything, that it was the key to life and any problem could be overcome as long as you had loved ones in your life.

But the love he'd felt his whole life, the love he'd witnessed, had never seemed like this. He'd be haunted by the memory of what could've been for the rest of his life, and he'd never get away from the aching love he'd hold in his chest everytime he looked down that hill.

He forces himself to stop crying, desperately trying to control his breaths until they finally evened out again. Kugisaki was still holding him, softly rubbing his back as she held onto his head tightly, and he couldn't ignore the few drops of wet tears he'd felt fall onto him in the last few minutes. He inhales deeply, and exhales before he sits up a little, but Kugisaki keeps an arm wrapped around her as he leans his head on her shoulder.

“I haven’t even asked you about… about Maki,” Yuuji says quietly and carefully as he hears her inhale sharply, “Are you doing okay?”

“Yeah, I’m okay.” Kugisaki sighs out, looking down at her lap, “Work helped. Nanami actually broke down my door the other day and forced me out of bed to eat some chicken soup.”

“Is that why the toolbox is out?”

“Yeah.”

Although they were close, he and Kugisaki hadn’t really explicitly talked about their respective feelings for Megumi and Maki with each other. They’d tease each other, and they knew the feelings were there, but neither of them actually talked about it.

It was like they both wanted whatever they both had just for themselves, to have one thing that was held close to their heart, because it was too important to leave anywhere else.

“Did you ever end up telling her?” Yuuji asks cautiously, watching her face.

“No, I…I never did,” She sighs out deeply again, and Yuuji just nods once, “I wanted to, but I was too nervous I’d mess everything up, mess up everything that we had this summer. I know what kind of life she’s expected to live. So I told myself I could be happy with being her friend so I could just be around her. If she wanted more, then I would’ve given her anything. God, fucking anything.”

“And now, she’s gone,” Kugisaki’s voice cracks as she looks up at the wall, her reddened eyes misty with tears again, “But I don’t really think I was ever an option to begin with.” 

Yuuji almost chokes, desperately trying to keep his emotions in check so he doesn't just break down and tell her everything, so instead, he stays quiet, letting the sad silence fall over them again. 

“Yuuji?”

“Yeah?”

“I think she might’ve been my best friend. Besides you guys.”

Yuuji swallows hard, nodding a little, “I think he was mine, too.”

They both sit in silence for a little bit, eyes glazed over a little as they allow themselves to sit and soak in their misery for just a little longer. 

“Some taste we’ve got, huh?” Kugisaki weakly huffs out after a few minutes, lightly knocking her head down against his and he barely breathes out a laugh.

“Tell me about it.”

“Hey,” Yuuji picks his head up as she squeezes his shoulder and she smiles down at him, but he can’t ignore the sadness still masked in her eyes, “We’ll be okay. We’ve lived without them once before, right?”

“Yeah.” 

“We…” Kugisaki pauses and sighs deeply, leaning her head against his, “We’ll be fine. We have to be, right?”

“Right.” Yuuji replies miserably, keeping his eyes down on his lap, but he’s unsure who Kugisaki is trying to convince.

“Can you believe our brother is the one in a perfect and happy relationship?” She scoffs, and Yuuji can’t help but laugh a little.

“That’s ‘cause Yuuta’s not a crazy ass Zenin, just unfortunately associated.” 

“Man, he really is perfect. He’s so fucking annoying.” Kugisaki sighs as Yuuji snorts, shaking his head as he sits back up.

“Hey guys!” They both groan loudly as they look to the kitchen to see Inumaki and Yuuta standing in the doorway, looking cheerful.

“Speak of the devils.”

“Can you guys be happy and in love somewhere else please? It’s making us nauseous.” Kugisaki throws a pillow at them, and Yuuta catches it as it aims for Inumaki’s head, and he looks at them in confusion as Yuuji wipes at his face, rubbing the dried tears away.

“What’s going on?” Yuuta asks, looking worriedly between them.

“Nothing. Just talking about how I’ll never fall in love and will be buried with the horses.” Yuuji groans, throwing his hands over his eyes, and Inumaki and Yuuta look at each other.

“You’re so dramatic.” Kugisaki punches him in the arm as he yelps a little.

“ I’m dramatic? You left your room for the first time two days ago!”

“Yeah, and I’m good now. No more blubbering.” She says firmly, but Inumaki and Yuuji look at each other doubtfully.

“Fushiguro left?” Yuuta asks, his eyes on Yuuji’s as his eyebrows crease a little in concern.

“Yes, and it’s pathetic that you already knew who I was talking about.” Yuuji groans as Yuuta shakes his head with a sigh.

“He’s such an idiot,” He sighs deeply, pinching the bridge of his nose for a few seconds, “Seriously, I didn’t think he was this dumb, like, I didn’t think he would—”

He pauses as he looks up and sees Yuuji widen his eyes and shake his head frantically, glancing at Kugisaki, whose back is to him as her head is turned towards the kitchen. 

“I didn’t think he’d be stupid enough to leave without saying goodbye.” Yuuta finishes quickly, and Yuuji exhales a little in relief, mouthing, Thank you.

“Yeah, seems to be going around these days,” Kugisaki sighs deeply, and she pushes up off the couch and heads towards the downstairs bathroom, “Gonna go wash my face.” 

Yuuta nods as he watches her walk down the hall towards the bathroom, and then nudges Inumaki, and signs, Can you set up the game?

Inumaki nods slowly, stealing quick glances between Yuuta and Yuuji, who just nods back, and he reassures him, “I’m good.”

He sighs sadly, glancing down the hallway Kugisaki went down before he begrudgingly makes his way up the stairs towards his room.

Yuuta listens for the sound of Inumaki's door closing before he turns to Yuuji, wide eyed.

“You didn’t tell her?”

“No, she doesn’t need to know. It’ll make it worse,” Yuuji replies quietly, glancing to the other room, “I can’t bring her back to that place she was in. I mean, she’s just starting to actually eat again.”

Yuuta just nods sadly, breathing out a deep sigh, “I’m still so sorry, I can’t believe him.”

Yuuji doesn’t say anything, just nods as he swallows the lump in his throat as the letter in his pocket seems to grow heavier. Yuuta gives him a sympathetic look, and moves to put his hand on his shoulder from behind the couch.

“I’m here if you need to talk. I don’t think he ever opened up as much to me as he did with you, but if you need to talk to someone who knew him… differently,” Yuuta pauses to choose his words carefully, “Then, I’m here.”

“Thanks,” Yuuji swallows hard, forcing a little smile, “Appreciate it, man.” 

Yuuta nods at him before turning down the hall and scurries up the stairs towards Inumaki’s room.

As the door closes behind him, the bathroom door opens up again, and Kugisaki comes back up, wiping her eyes. She glances up into the living room to see Yuuji sitting alone, and she looks around.

“Where’s the lovebirds?”

“Inumaki’s room.”

She just nods, sighing once before she slowly makes her way towards the stairs, and Yuuji swallows hard as he turns back around.

They never had secrets, they always told each other everything. It wasn’t even conscious, it was just that the two of them were best friends. It wasn’t as if they weren’t close with Inumaki, but he was just quieter and kept to himself more. Yuuji and Kugisaki were two peas in a pod, always playing, always laughing, and his heart burned every time he saw that life drained from her face.

“Yuuji?”

He turns around to see Kugisaki turned towards him as she hovers by the middle of the stairs, her face still a little damp from washing it.

“Did… Did Fushiguro say anything about Maki? When you saw him while you were up at Choso’s?”

Yuuji stares at her on the stairs, taking in the deep, dark bags under her eyes, the pale sheen that’s overtaken her face, and he takes a deep breath and shakes his head, “No.”

“Yuuji. Toge.”

“Hey, what’s up?” Yuuji turns from the kitchen counter to greet them with a smile, but he falters as he sees the expressions on his dads faces as they make their way from the stairs.

“Let’s go to the living room.”

“Uh, okay,” Yuuji breathes out nervously, glancing at Inumaki, “What’s with the mystery? You guys aren’t getting divorced or anything, right?”

“What? No—” Haibara shakes his head as Nanami replies firmly, “Absolutely not.”

Yuuji looks between them, unease still heavy on his chest as he and Inumaki sit on the couch, and their parents sit across from them. Nanami glances at Haibara before he takes a deep breath and leans forward, forearms on his knees.

“Your sister had a long conversation with us this afternoon, and she’s made some decisions.”

“Decisions?” Yuuji asks, glancing worriedly looking at Inumaki next to him, “What kind of decisions?”

He inhales deeply, and Haibara puts his hand on his shoulder, rubbing his back a little as his face has a sad look cast over it.

“We’ve talked it over, and she’s going to spend some time with your Auntie Shoko in Kyoto.”

“What?!” Yuuji jumps up as Inumaki stands up next to him, “Kyoto? What the hell is she gonna do in Kyoto?”

What the hell?! No! Inumaki signs wildly, and Haibara tries to shush them as Nanami speaks.

“There’s an internship position open on the corporate side of the store she works at, and with her manager’s recommendation, they’ve offered her an intern position there if she wants it.”

“But—” Yuuji struggles to find any reason why this would be a bad idea, other than his own selfish desire to have his family as close as possible.

“Guys, this will be good for her,” Haibara responds gently, looking up at both of them, “She needs this. It will be good for her to be around Shoko right now.”

“But Kyoto?” Yuuji asks as Inumaki nods frantically next to him, “Why does she have to go so far?”

“It’s just how it shakes out, Yuuji,” Nanami explains, keeping his eyes steady on him, but he glances down at his trembling hands, “She’ll still be able to visit, it’s just a train ride away.” 

“Why can’t she stay here and work closer? Why does she have to leave?” Yuuji demands firmly, his hands starting to shake more at his sides as he struggles to contain his overflowing and overwhelming emotions.

“Yuuji, calm down—"

“Don’t tell me to calm down!” Yuuji shouts, his body feeling antsy, needing to move to burn off the anxiety in his veins and he starts to pace around the room as he sees his dads glance at each other nervously.

“It’ll be good for her, this has been a hard time for her and–”

“No, no, no, we’re a family, we’re supposed to stay together!” Yuuji shouts uncharacteristically loudly as Inumaki’s eyes widen across from him, “Family means you don’t leave when things are hard! You always told us that!”

“Yuuji,” Nanami says cautiously as he stands up, eyes darting around Yuuji’s panicked, heaving chest, “Take a deep breath.”

“I can’t, Dad!” Yuuji yells, turning back around, “Everything’s going to shit around here! She’s leaving, Fushiguro left, Maki left, Gojo left, and Inumaki’s probably going to leave soon! Everyone’s fucking leaving and I’m still fucking here, alone!”

“Yuuji—”

“Why is everyone leaving?” Yuuji’s voice breaks, and his dads look at each other before he sinks down onto the couch again, head in his hands.

“Listen, kid—”

“No, just… leave me alone.” He quickly pushes off the couch again and moves towards the front door, his head pounding.

“Yuuji!”

“For once, just leave me alone! Everyone else is so fucking good at it!” Yuuji snaps as he slams the door behind him to the sound of his dads’ and brother’s protests.

He walks quickly down the steps before he breaks into a sprint, legs taking him towards the only place he could ever think, the only place where his mind cleared. Before he knew it, he was overlooking the large expanse of fields and wildflowers darkened under the night sky, just brief flashes of light from the fireflies dotting the grass.

Plopping down in a slump on the ground, he hangs his head in his hands as he groans loudly, his head pounding while his chest throbbed.

He knew he was being selfish. He knew he was spiraling with the idea of Kugisaki leaving to start a new life in a new city, with Inumaki following closely behind with Yuuta, just after Megumi was ripped away from him too. Just like Megumi, he’d always been known and been okay with the idea of them leaving eventually, but he’d never actually anticipated how he’d feel once the day actually came. 

Shit, his head hurt so bad he could barely think. He knew he'd overreacted, he knew he was projecting, but he couldn't handle the panicked breaths that came alive within him with the idea of their family breaking up, about losing another person that felt like home. He'd always have his dads, but his siblings were different. He'd wanted them to thrive so badly, in life and love, but sitting on the sidelines was proving much more difficult than he thought it would be, despite the love and affection he'd held for them. Losing them just felt like twisting the knife of yanking him away from anything that gave him a sense of comfort, after the excitement and rush Megumi gave him ended up burning him harder than he'd ever expected.

“Yuuji.”

He scrunches his eyes shut for a moment as he looks up, but refuses to turn around. He feels someone sit down in the grass next to him, but he just keeps his eyes numbly focused on the landscape ahead of him.

“Hi, Dad.”

“Gojo and Fushiguro left?”

Yuuji feels the lump in his throat grow again, and he just nods as he attempts to swallow without choking. Nanami just sighs deeply, bringing his legs up to bend his knees as they look out across the dark fields, colorful wildflowers dimmed under the late dusk sky. 

“I never should have let you near those people.” Yuuji looks up to see Nanami’s jaw clenched tight, a rare expression of true anger on his face.

“Dad—”

“No, I told you they’d make you look at your life here differently,” Nanami looks down, shaking his head, “I know he hurt you somehow. You don’t need to tell me how, but I just knew those people wouldn’t treat you well.”

“I’m not…” Yuuji tries, before he pauses and rubs his eyes for a moment, “I don’t hate our life, Dad. I love it. Nothing can change that.

“It’s just… this town has been the same for my whole life. The same people, the same jobs, the same everything. And honestly, Dad, I love it. I do.”

“It’s just that now, it’s like it’s three different places. There was this town before him, what I grew up with, what I was used to. And I loved it, I never wanted anything more, truly. It’s all I’ve ever known.” 

“But then I met him,” Yuuji says quietly, looking down at the grass under him, “And while he was here, it seemed bigger, more expansive, like the limits of this place I tried to ignore forever just went away for the summer. Like, I really could do whatever I wanted as long as he was there next to me. I could do it all. Maybe he just made me feel bigger, better, I don’t know.”

Nanami stays silent, letting him take his time as the night sounds around them, distant truck tires on gravel roads echoing off the trees. 

“And now,” Yuuji inhales sharply, willing the tears back down, “There’s after him. And it’s the same town as it was before I even knew him, but it’s different now. It’s colder, and seems smaller than it ever did before.

“Everything just feels duller. Without him.” Yuuji says quietly, keeping his head down. He feels his dad's hand rub softly across his back, and he exhales deeply.

Nanami sighs, keeping his hand on Yuuji’s back and his eyes on the sky as he shakes his head a little, “You know, you sound just like him.”

“Who?”

“Gojo,” Nanami sighs, taking his hand off his back to lean forward to rest his arms on his knees as Yuuji quickly looks over at him, “After Geto left.”

“I… I didn’t know you were around for that.” Yuuji replies quietly, unable to keep his wide eyes off his dad.

“It was just after we’d all graduated college,” Nanami begins, keeping his eyes ahead, “It was supposed to be a big, final night in Tokyo for all of us before we started real life. Gojo wouldn’t stop putting his card down, spending ridiculous amounts of money on nonsense and being loud about it before Geto just suddenly snapped.” 

Yuuji stares at him, completely shocked at how his dad could have known so much about the people just down the hill for so long. Before he could ask, Nanami breathed out, sounding almost regretful.

“Maybe it’d been simmering for a while, and we just didn’t notice. Gojo didn’t notice either, or maybe he did, and just tried to convince himself otherwise. But Geto was good for him, despite it all.”

“Afterwards,” Nanami sighs, looking down between his legs as Yuuji watches him, carefully studying the rare emotion on his face, “He’d call Haibara sometimes in the middle of the night, and half the time, he was just crying. We saw him a few times, before we moved out here, and he’d act like he was completely fine. No moping, no tears, no long winded rambles about his eyelashes. But then, night would fall, and the calls would come.”

Yuuji stays silent, his chest aching even further with the idea of more lost love. More love lost because of dumb decisions, overlooked comments and glances, and not enough honesty.

“He said he’d never love anyone like that again, not even close,” Nanami says carefully as he turns towards him, eyes flicking around as Yuuji refuses to look over at him, “Is that what this is?”

Yuuji doesn’t reply for a few moments, trying to control the sobs choked in his throat before he just nods a few times, and Nanami exhales heavily.

“I’m sorry, Yuuji,” Nanami replies softly, and Yuuji still can’t bring himself to look up, “I’m sorry that this was your first experience of love.”

“Don’t be,” Yuuji shakes his head a little as he breathes in deeply, finally willing himself to look up at the land ahead of him, “I’m sad he’s gone, and I’m sad that I think we both really messed it up. But I grew up watching you and Pops, you’ve been it for each other since day one. I’ve never not had an example of love, either with you guys, or Choso and Yuki, with our whole family. I just didn’t expect it to feel like this.”

“Well, you’ve always been my most challenging child.” Nanami remarks simply, and Yuuji feels a smile pull at his lips, an unfamiliar feeling over the last few days.

“Oh, please.” Yuuji laughs lightly, the weight on his chest alleviating for just a moment.

“No, I mean it,” Nanami shakes his head a little, “The other two were a bit hopeless, needing help with everything and calling out for us every two minutes. Your brother stretched out so many of my shirts by tugging on them, I lost count.”

“But you never did. From the beginning, even when it was just the three of us, you were always independent, always trying to do things yourself before asking someone for help. You didn’t need us as much as they did, with the little things, so I didn’t quite know what to do with you.”

“Until one day,” Nanami chuckles a little bit as Yuuji looks at him curiously, “You came into my office, failing to hold back tears, and just lifted up the tangled laces of your shoes. So every morning, you’d come to my office, and I’d help teach you.”

Yuuji smiles as the memory returns, “Yeah, I think I remember that.”

“Took you too damn long to learn how to tie your shoes, kid.”

“Nah,” Yuuji laughs a little, thinking back to all the times his dad had to tie his shoelaces, tie his neckties, double check his knots at work, “I probably just wanted to hang out with you.”

They both laugh lightly, trailing off into the night air as fireflies dance across the fields ahead of them and the cicadas buzz in their ears. Yuuji’s heart has finally calmed down, and he’s now all too aware of the shame he feels about yelling at his parents. 

“I’m sorry for shouting like that.” Yuuji says quietly, feeling his cheeks get a little warm, but Nanami just shakes his head.

“It’s okay. You’ve been stressed, haven’t you?” Nanami asks, and Yuuji just looks down at the ground, playing with his fingers in the grass as his dad sighs deeply, and puts his hand on his shoulder.

“You never ask for help until you’re at your limit,” Nanami starts gently, and Yuuji keeps his gaze down at his hands, unable to meet his eye, “You don’t have to be so strong for everyone else’s sake. You’re hurting right now.”

“Yeah, and I shouldn’t be.” Yuuji replies quickly, his stomach burning hotter with guilt.

“Why?” 

“He…” Yuuji starts, trying to figure out how to word this without admitting everything, “Fushiguro messed up. Really bad. And he knows that, I know he does. But I said some things I don’t know if I can take back, and I want to, really badly.”

Nanami nods, keeping his hand on his shoulder as he gives him a little squeeze, and Yuuji feels his heart ache deeper in his chest.

“I should still be so mad at him.” Yuuji sighs deeply, shaking his head as he looks down at the grass, fiddling with it between his fingers.

“And why aren’t you?”

“Because as much as I hate it, I get it,” Yuuji sighs again, looking over at him, “He has different problems to deal with that I don’t understand, but it doesn’t make them less important. He just hasn’t let me understand, and I wish he did. I just wanted to understand.”

Nanami nods, and they fall silent again, just staring up at the sky and the dark trees creeping along the edge of the forest. Nanami’s hand hasn’t moved from his shoulder, and they sit there for a little bit as the owls hoot in the distance, echoing off the trees. He felt numb, like he knew he should be feeling something, but his body and brain and heart weren’t aligned. They were skewed, twisted, and it made him a little nauseous, a feeling he’d become all too familiar with. 

“You’ll be okay, son. Even if it doesn’t make sense now, it’ll be okay.”

“Yeah,” Yuuji replies quietly, the lie burning in his throat like hot iron, “Sure.”

Chapter Text

“The fuck do you mean we’re going back?”

“We’re going back to the country house! And you’re coming with me!” Gojo exclaims excitedly, clapping his hands together as Megumi stares at him, gut churning as Gojo just looks back, cheerful smile on his face.

“No, I am not,” Megumi scoffs, turning back around towards his office door, “I have way too much shit to do.”

“Megumi, get back here.” He slows as he hears the slight sharpness in his tone, and rolls his eyes as he turns back around to see Gojo staring at him with his arms crossed.

“What?”

“You’re going. I’ve already handled your work projects, and you’ll be off the hook until September.”

“What?” He rushes forward a little, irritation finally fully bubbling over, “You took all my projects? I’ve been working on that Malaysian wetlands proposal for eight months! Are you fucking kidding me?” 

“And you’ve been doing an excellent job, Megs. Now let someone else take the reins for a little bit. You still have family obligations, but that’s easily dealt with,” Gojo replies simply, and then he pouts a bit, “Besides, you’re twenty one years old. For the love of God, live a little. It’s making me sad.”

“I live.” Megumi shoots back, crossing his arms.

“Sitting in your apartment listening to music by yourself is not living, my little Megabyte.” 

“I’m not by myself.”

“The dogs don’t count.”

“Whatever.”

“Megs,” Gojo sits up straighter as Megumi sighs deeply in annoyance, “You’ve been running yourself ragged since graduation and you’re not even twenty five. You already graduated a year early, my little genius, and now I want you to relax a little, have fun, take in the fresh air. Get out of this city.”

“Then I’ll travel somewhere else.”

“Megumi.”

“I don’t want to go back there.” He says shortly, and Gojo’s eyes soften, and he sighs a little, leaning back in his chair as he kicks his feet up onto his desk.

“I think this will be good for you,” Gojo replies with a deep exhale, folding his hands behind his head and he lowers his eyes to peek over his glasses knowingly, “Tsumiki said she thinks it’s a great idea.”

“Of course she did.” He mutters as he rolls his eyes a bit and Gojo narrows his gaze.

“You don’t respect her opinion?” Gojo asks innocently as he tilts his head, and Megumi shoots him a glare.

“Don’t even.”

“Megumi, don’t fight me on this. You’re going. If you want to be miserable the whole time, then fine. I humbly offer myself as your personal punching bag. But you’re going.”

Megumi sighs loudly, leaning his head back towards the ceiling for a moment before he looks back down, “Who else is going?”

“Maki will be staying with us!” Megumi feels the tons of pressure on his chest alleviate slightly as he exhales in relief. However, in Gojo’s suspicious silence following, he narrows his eyes, and Gojo huffs a bit, speaking quickly, “And Mai will be there too.”

“Are you kidding?” Megumi replies with a scoff, “This is supposed to make me want to go?”

“Come on, you like Maki!” Gojo protests, sitting up straighter in his chair.

“Yeah, and I don’t want to have to deal with her bitch of a sister.”

“First off, don’t call women bitches, Tsumiki taught you better than that” Gojo points at him and shakes his head as Megumi rolls his eyes a bit, “And secondly, you’re an adult, Megumi, you’re going to have to deal with some rough people, especially in that family, especially in your position. Better to deal with it now rather than when you have to make decisions about them as head of the family.”

Megumi sighs, his head pounding as he pinches the bridge of his nose, and shakes his head a little, “Can I at least bring Blue and the dogs?”

“Of course, Megs. I’ve already got a trailer set up for them that’s ready to go.” Gojo replies, practically bouncing with excitement as Megumi inhales deeply, already regretting this, and nods.

“Fine. Just this summer.”

“Oh, fantastic, I knew you’d come around!” Gojo exclaims, practically squealing, “Ijichi can pack up your bags.”

“I’ll do it myself,” Megumi sighs, feeling dejected and suddenly exhausted, “Stop messing with him so much.”

“He loves it!” Gojo argues back, “He loves organizing!”

“Because you pay him.”

“Because he loves it!”

“Can I leave now?”

“No!” 

“Why?” Megumi all but whines and stomps his foot, and Gojo grins as he hops up from his desk.

“Because I plan on throwing parties, and I need to make sure I look good in case Suguru comes. I need your advice!”

“Gojo,” Megumi sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose as he tries not to get frustrated this early in the morning, “We’re not doing this again. You know he’s not going to come.”

“You never know,” Gojo hums, moving towards the door as he shakes his head, “He might.”

“He won’t.” 

“He might,” Gojo replies firmly as he walks through his office door, leaving Megumi rubbing his temples to ward off his headache, “Now come along!”

“Look, honey. Do you see that tan one there? With the black mane and tail? See it?”

“Uh huh, he looks like Spirit, Mama!”

“Mhm, he does. Look, you can see two of them running if you squint over there, you see? I think it’s a mother and her baby. Like us.”

“Woah, it’s so tiny.”

“Mhm, just like you, bugaboo. Cool, huh?”

The wind whispered over the cracked wood of the porch, the evening sun making everything glow a little orange, almost fuzzy at the corners. The grass was vibrant, perfectly swaying back and forth as they gazed out at the land ahead.

“Mama?” He asks, turning around in her lap to look up at her soft and gentle features, blurry under the hazy evening sun.

“Yes, my little blessing?” His mom asks softly, brushing his hair away from his face, messy from the breeze off the fields.

“Are you and Daddy always gonna be here?”

“Mhm, I’ll always be with you, baby. Until you’re old and grey and all wrinkly like a gross raisin,” She reaches around and tickles his stomach as he giggles, leaning back against her chest, “Even if it doesn’t always feel like it, I’ll be there with you. Always.”

“What about Daddy?”

“He will be, too. Maybe not always in the way you think he might be. Your daddy is a tricky man. But he’ll be with you too,” She replies gently, shifting her head down to press their cheeks together as they look out at the yard, and she taps on his heart, “Right in there.”

“Really?” He looks up as she leans back and nods.

“Mhm,” She hums, smiling at him as she tucks his hair behind his ear, “You and your dad are a lot alike.”

“But Daddy’s grumpy sometimes.” He frowns, and she laughs lightly, chiming through the evening air.

“So are you.” She playfully scrunches her nose down at him, poking him a little as he pouts.

“Am not.”

“Mhm,” She laughs softly, wrapping her arms around him tighter as she gently rests her cheek on his head, “My two grumpy boys.”

They sit there for a few minutes with his moms warm arms wrapped around him as they watch the horses graze in the distance, practically just smudges against the grass if you didn’t squint.

“You may look a lot like me, but you’ve got his heart, Megumi,” His mom says gently, cheek pressed to the side of his head, “You both love so hard, so fully and deeply.” 

She smiles against his hair and kisses his head before leaning around to look at him, smiling softly, “I can’t wait to see what you do with that big heart of yours.”

He sighs a little, leaning further back into his moms lap as they watch the wind ripple over the tall grass. The horses in the distance start to fade over the hilltop, and he whines a little as she shushes him calmly, smoothing his hair down. He wiggles around in her lap, settling against her chest before he exhales deeply and looks up at her.

“Love you, Mama.”

“I love you too, my Megumi.”

He slowly blinks awake, eyes dully staring at the wall as he feels familiar damp sheets under his cheek. He stares at the hideous wallpaper for a few minutes more before rolling over on his back, looking up at the ceiling as his chest aches.

He really, really hated that dream. 

Getting about thirty seconds of sadness, solitude and silence, he suddenly hears rapid footsteps quickly coming down the hallway. 

“Megalodon!”

Megumi groans as his door bursts wide open, with Gojo sliding into the room in a fluffy white robe and his arms extended out as he gives him dramatic jazz hands, “Goooooood morning!”

“I will kill you with a brick.”

“No, because you’re not a morning person and can’t do anything to me until you’ve had coffee.” Gojo grins, skipping over to the windows to yank open the curtains, blinding them with sunlight. Megumi groans again, shoving a pillow over his face as he flops back onto the bed, grumbling childishly.

“Go away.”

“Nope, you’ve been here for two days and have only left this floor to eat,” Gojo shakes his head as he cracks open the window, and the sweet smell of flowering plants and warm air breezes through the room. Gojo closes his eyes and sighs loudly, tilting his head up into the morning sun, “Man, this place is so quiet. ”

“I’m sure it was until you came along.” Megumi mumbles from under the pillow, and Gojo tsks at him in disapproval.

“Now, now, Megs, don’t be a grump. We’ve got a party to go to tonight!”

“Not interested.”

“Well, that’s too bad, because I have the perfect suit for you laid out,” Gojo puts his hands on his hips and leans down to his eye level, and grins, despite his pillow hiding spot, “You know, the one that makes you look more approachable. It just got back from the dry cleaners this morning, what luck!”

“Oh my god, you cannot be this annoying before 9am.”

“I’ve got a gift,” Gojo grins before his eyes light up and he jolts upright, “Oh! Right!”

Gojo quickly moves across the room towards the door, leaning out for a second before he comes back in. Peeking over his pillow just a bit, Megumi sees him walk over towards him with a steaming cup of coffee, and he hates how badly his half asleep brain wants to hug him.

Walking over to his bedside table, Gojo puts the mug down before he unceremoniously yanks Megumi’s pillow off his face, and he’s met with his obnoxious, grinning face right in front of him.

“You’re going, Megumi.”

“Do I have to?”

“Yes.”

Megumi groans again, rubbing his eyes as Gojo leans back, looking smug before he reaches down and ruffles his hair as Megumi shoves him off.

“Now, don’t go killing me until you finish the whole mug,” Gojo says as he backs up, a cheeky smile on his face, “I have a busy day!” 

The door shuts behind him, and Megumi flops back onto his bed, rubbing his temples to stave off the headache already starting to form.

“Can you please try and look less miserable for me?”

Megumi rolls his eyes as Gojo fidgets with his collar until he slaps his hand off, “Stop it.”

“I don’t want you to look wrinkly! What if you meet someone?”

“Who the hell am I gonna meet out here? A cow?” Megumi scoffs a little, shaking his head as he straightens his tie in the mirror, glancing at Gojo behind him, “This place is a literal barnyard.”

“No need to be so rude, Megs. You used to not hate coming here, and don’t act like you’re not a barnyard person yourself,” Gojo shakes his head as Megumi huffs a little, and looks down to tug at the sleeve of his shirt, “You’ll be fine. You don’t need to talk to that many people. Just smile, introduce yourself, have some drinks. Relax.”

“Stop telling me to relax.” 

“Then do it already!” Gojo replies with a huff as he shakes his head in disappointment and heads towards the door, “I swear, who raised you?”

Megumi rolls his eyes again, looking back in the mirror one last time before he leans his palms down on the table ahead of him and hangs his head, sighing.

He just needed to get through tonight, and then he could waste his time at home until the next bullshit party or obligation he was forced to go to.

“You ready?” He glances up as Maki comes behind him, raising her eyebrows expectantly at him.

“Yeah, whatever.”

“Alright, then let’s go already.” Maki scoffs a little as she grabs his arm and yanks him towards the door, despite his protests, and Mai turns her head to look at them.

“Finally. Took you long enough. Fix your hair, princess?” Mai glares at him, and he ignores her as the three of them start to move towards the main room of crowded people. 

As soon as they walk in, Megumi holds back a groan as the crowd ahead of him hushes when they walk in. Swallowing hard, he shoves his hands in his pockets to stop them from shaking as Maki leads them through the quieted room. 

Looking around, the room actually looked halfway decent, with fairy lights hung up in the right spots and flowers overflowing on the tables, giving the room a fresh, natural air to it that made him feel like he could actually breathe.

As they walk through the room, Megumi gives a bored sigh, and he glances over to the crowd on the side of the room when his heart stops as he’s met with the sight of liquid honey. 

His gaze is stuck, focused on a boy around his age, with faded pink hair the color of fallen cherry blossoms, and warm, amber eyes. Megumi feels his breath catch in his throat before he quickly turns his attention back to the rest of the room, and keeps his eyes firmly in front of him.

But every time he blinks, he catches sight of that soft brown color again, seeping through him like steaming tea on a rainy day.

“Get it together,” He flinches as Mai snaps quietly in his ear, pinching his arm, “Stop blushing like a damn school girl.”

“Shut the fuck up.” He hisses back, keeping his eyes ahead of him as they reach the end of the room, nearing the makeshift bar. 

Exhaling heavily, he reluctantly turns around to see the party back in full swing, no more wide, curious, and predatory eyes on him. 

“God, this place is a dump,” Mai sighs, grabbing a bottle of wine that was chilling on the top of the bar and she pours herself a glass, “And we’re expected to make our own drinks?”

“You are so damn snobby,” Maki scoffs, rolling her eyes as she makes her own drink, “God forbid you do anything for yourself.”

“I at least expect some sort of hospitality,” She bites back, “Where the fuck is Gojo? How long do we have to stay at this thing?”

“Will you lighten the fuck up?” Maki shoots back, grabbing the wine out of her hand for herself as Mai scoffs at her.

“Will both of you shut the hell up?” Megumi sighs, turning around to scan the limited options of alcohol before him before he just grabs the closest whiskey bottle, “You’re giving me a headache already.”

He pours himself a glass and takes a sip, pleasantly surprised by how good it is before he hears Maki and Mai start bickering again, and he quickly slinks away to hide by a column. Finally breathing out heavily, he takes a sip of his drink and leans his head back, repeating ‘Just a few hours, just a few hours,” over and over again in his head before he drains his glass and finds another one. 

As soon as he does, he’s interrupted by an aggravating, obnoxious noise ringing out through the room.

“Maki! Mai! Megumi!”

He holds back his groan as Gojo’s voice echos out, seemingly unaware Megumi was just behind a column a little ways away. 

Pushing off of it, he scans the area, trying to find Gojo so he can smack him upside the head for interrupting his excellent work of ignoring people.

“Meeegumi! Meeeguuumiii!” Soon enough, he locks in on his stupid white hair and mocking grin aimed at him and heads towards it.

“What do you want, idiot?” Glaring at him, Megumi keeps his irritated gaze on Gojo, who just smiles innocently and nods at the people around them.

“Come meet some people, Megs. Where’s Maki and Mai?” 

“We’re right here, damn.” 

As Mai introduces them, Megumi sighs as he glances to the side and almost jolts when he sees the same pink haired boy he saw earlier that night standing next to him. His breath hitches again as he sees him look at Maki, and his eyes are even prettier up close than he’d first thought.

He quickly looks down and takes a gulp of his drink, barely listening as the girl introduces herself and the shorter guy next to her. 

“I’m Itadori Yuuji, it’s nice to meet you guys.”

Megumi risks another glance to see Yuuji smiling kindly at them, and he swallows hard as his heart thumps loudly.

Shit.

No fucking way was he going to be all googly eyed over someone who wore shoes like that to an event. Hell no.

He’d be his usual asshole self, and this stupid heart flutter would go away. He’d probably never see him, maybe once or twice on the rare occasion he would want to leave the house, but other than that, he just needed to get through this first night.

His plan went great for the first few days or so, until he looked up from his book while ignoring Mai’s rambles to see a slightly sweaty Yuuji standing in the doorway, with a nervous smile and his sneakers covered in mud, and Megumi’s body launched him to his feet.

It was bad enough just the sight of him was enough to make Megumi a bit weak in the knees, but as he got to know him over that first weekend, he knew he was very possibly fucked.

“Her name was Daisy.”

“Daisy?” Megumi’s heart drops as he looks up at Yuuji, and he just nods, and his mind plays like a film reel over the next few seconds.

He risks a glance around the wooden door, peeking his head around as he sneaks looks at the little boy still chatting with the horse in front of him.

He wasn’t planning on coming back again, but he could barely see the horses from his hiding place yesterday and he was starting to get impatient. He knew he didn’t have a lot of time here, and he was not letting it go without seeing at least one horse up close, especially not one that looked like his mom’s favorite from the fields.

As he was distracted looking around for other hiding spots, he didn't see the little boy come bouncing up to him, with a wide smile and a missing front tooth.

“Hi! I’m Yuuji!! I haven’t seen you here before, what’s your name?” 

“Megumi,” He replies quietly, his hands still clutching the door as he glances behind Yuuji and inhales a nervous breath before speaking again, “Is she yours?”

“She’s my dad’s! Her name is Daisy,” Yuuji replies cheerfully, before he leans over to try and see him behind the door, and Megumi slinks a little further into it, “Do you wanna pet her?”

He stops fidgeting against the door and looks up at Yuuji’s earnest, happy grin beaming at him. He was different from the other kids Megumi had met. Normally, they weren’t this nice and loud and smiley.

Megumi peeks around his shoulder at the horse again, and glances behind his own shoulder before he gives him a small nod. Somehow, Yuuji’s face shines even brighter than before and he turns and races over to the horse stall again. He starts to pet the horse looming over him, and as he giggles, he looks back at Megumi, eyes still interested and eager, “Come on!”

Hesitantly, he moves towards him, eyes stuck on the horse until Yuuji tugs on his hand and brings it up to Daisy’s nose, “Just rub down her nose, not up. Don’t worry, she’s super friendly.

As his hand hits the horse, he instantly panics over the sheer size of the animal ahead of him, and Megumi moves to shift his hand away until he feels a cool nose softly nuzzling into his hand. 

He looks up to see the big, wide eyes of the horse looking right back at him, like she understood he wasn’t hurting her, he just wanted to say hello. She breathes out softly against his hand, and leans in closer to him.

He can’t help the smile that bursts out of him when he looks over at Yuuji’s excited face, and he takes a step closer, his wide, awestruck eyes gazing all over the horse. He breathes out a light laugh before he clears his throat a little, remembering his manners that Tsumiki taught him, “Hi, Daisy. I’m Megumi. It’s nice to meet you.”

“She likes you.”

“She’s so pretty.” Megumi whispers out, unable to take his eyes off of her as he reaches up further to stroke down her nose as she whinnies happily as she nudges against him again. Horses were so much prettier up close, and he couldn’t help but wish his mom could see her too.

“You can come see her whenever you want!” Megumi looks over as Yuuji smiles at him and points towards the other end of the barn, “I’m here all the time with my dad.”

Megumi returns his eyes to Daisy, his heart thudding a little bit as he just quietly replies, “Okay.”

“Yuuji! It’s lunchtime, come on now!”

Feeling a little twinge of disappointment in his chest, he hesitantly drops his hand from the horse, and she whines a little bit as his fingers trail down her nose. But his disappointment doesn’t last long as his hands are scooped up, and he looks to see Yuuji standing next to him, holding his hands excitedly and he tugs on them. 

“Do you wanna come over for lunch?” Yuuji asks, keeping his hands tightly held in his, his warm eyes brimming with excitement, “Maybe Dad will let us ride her!”

Megumi can’t help but just stare at him, wide eyed. He’d never met anyone so friendly and cheerful and nice, especially in his new scary family, and he didn’t know what to do with it. But he knew he wanted to keep seeing Yuuji and his horse.

He looks down at their interlocked hands before he looks back up at Yuuji’s ecstatic face, and he smiles just a little and nods, “Okay.”

Yuuji’s face lights up, and Megumi is about to let himself get dragged away by Yuuji’s insistent hands when he hears a loud, cruel, and familiar voice shout behind him.

“Fushiguro Megumi, where the hell are you? Better not be in that damn barn!”

He flinches inadvertently at the sound of Naobito’s voice, but he quickly looks up at Yuuji and yanks his hands back as he stumbles towards the door. He didn’t want someone as happy as Yuuji meeting someone as mean as Naobito, he didn’t want that to happen.

“I-I have to go.”

“Wait, but—”

So although his tiny heart was screaming in his chest, he scrambles towards the doors and turns to see Yuuji standing there, looking devastated, and Megumi realizes he failed to keep him smiling like he wanted to. But it’s okay, Yuuji didn’t understand it, and Megumi didn’t want him to have to.

“Bye, Daisy,” His heart hurts as he waves to the horse he’d been trying to peek at for days, but it clenched further as he sees Yuuji standing there, looking devastated, and he tries to wave, “B-Bye, Yuuji.”

With that, he turns and bolts out of the barn doors, trying to sprint as far away from the barn as he could when he feels the collar of his shirt yanked back and he stumbles.  

“Get your ass over here,” He flinches hard as a rough hand clamps on the back of his neck, steering him towards the black car parked by the road, “I wouldn’t have allowed Gojo to leave you here if I knew you’d be running off to play with the damn pigs.”

“But—”

“No fucking buts, you hear me? You’re better than that nasty place.” 

Megumi wants to protest, but he keeps his mouth shut as he turns back around to glance at the barn, and his chest hurts a little more as he sees a tuft of pink hair peeking out the doors.

three days later

“I promise I would take care of her, you wouldn’t have to do anything, just like the dogs!” Megumi begs, trailing after Gojo as he tugs on his shirt, “You know I always feed them and take them out and make sure they’re having fun!”

“A horse is a big deal, that’s a lot more work than the dogs. You need more than just a dog bed, Megatron.”

“I know, I was reading about it so I know it’s a lot of work but I can do it! I’ll take such good care of her, you know I will! Please, Gojo, I’ll never ask you for anything ever again, I swear! I’ll do all my chores and won’t complain ever again, I promise! I’ll even pick up their poop, I promise, even if I read it could be bigger than my head, I promise!”

“Megs, I don’t know—”

“Gojo, please? Pretty please? Please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please—”

“Alright, enough, Megumi, enough, okay, fine! I can’t take this or those pleading eyes anymore,” Gojo relents with a little sigh, squatting down to his eye level as he ruffles his hair, “We can get you a horse, okay? Any kind you want.”

“Really?” Megumi feels his heartbeat in his ears as Gojo nods down at him, “When can we go get one?”

“How about this weekend?”

“Can we go sooner?” He breathes out excitedly, bouncing on his toes as his hands start to shake a little bit.

“My little Megs, take a breath,” Gojo breathes out a laugh as he grabs his nose lightly and shakes his head back and forth as Megumi whines and protests, “We can go the next time I have a good free two hours, sound good?”

“Promise?” Megumi asks quietly as he gently pushes Gojo’s hand away, and Gojo nods with a smile, lifting up his hand.

“Yes, I pinky promise. Sound good, kiddo?”

Megumi just stares at Yuuji as the memory fades, his heart thudding hard against his chest.

“Good name.”

Megumi sighs deeply, leaning his cheek against his hand on the window as he stares out of it, eyes following Yuuji by the stables. He was laughing with Choso, throwing hay bales into a pile as the midday sun shone off his tanned skin. 

Megumi’s eyes drift to his arms, slicked with sweat and flexing under the bright sky as he throws the hay around like it’s nothing. His eyes sink further down as his shirt rides up, revealing a strip of tan skin just above his shorts, and Megumi quickly clears his throat and shakes his head, refocusing himself back on spying. 

His plan is quickly sidetracked as Yuuji stretches again, stripping off his soaked tank top, revealing his sweaty, chiseled, annoyingly well-built chest as he chucks it in the back of the truck.

“Of course. Of fucking course.” Megumi scoffs, tearing his eyes away from his torso, only to be greeted by Yuuji’s beaming smile over at his brother by the barn, and he can’t help but sigh a little as his cheeks get warm. 

He wasn’t blind. He knew Yuuji was attractive, but he’d always prided himself on judging people on the strength and quality of their character rather than their looks, a trait he’d picked up quickly after being thrown into the Gojo and Zenin world.

But he really had thought his heart had stopped when he saw Yuuji for the first time in that dingy old excuse for a ballroom. Tall, built, handsome, a laugh flowing through the room like a wind chime in the breeze. He still can’t stop thinking about his eyes, a beautiful light amber, the color of honey. He saw that almost every time he closed his own eyes. They embodied everything about him and his personality. Warm, cozy, inviting, as comforting as a home he’d never really felt he had. 

It scared him, badly, the idea of home in a person, particularly in a person like Yuuji. So he simply refused to let it become anything more than an idea.

Which proved to be extremely difficult considering the pure strength and sincerity of Yuuji’s determination to befriend him.

Tilting his head, he squints further as he spies Yuuji looking around, seemingly watching for other people before he moves towards the shaded part of the barn. He glances to the side as he starts to creep along the backside of the fence before he hops over, walking towards a half-opened stall door. 

He knocks against the wood and whistles, and immediately, a large, greyish speckled snout sticks itself out of the window. Megumi almost chokes as he sees his own horse come out, and Yuuji softly strokes the side of her face, letting her get used to him as he smiles happily.

“You gotta be fucking kidding me, Blue,” He scoffs, shaking his head as he shifts in the window, leaning his shoulder and head against the stone wall, “No more cinnamon apples for you, traitor.”

He watches Yuuji as he gently strokes her nose, rambling on as he usually does about something probably dumb as he pulls out an apple from his pocket. Slipping a pocket knife out, he leans against the side of the barn as he cuts up the apple while he talks, putting it in his palm as Blue happily chomps away, whining a little when he takes too long to cut up the next piece during his rambles.

Feeling annoyed that his usually broody and moody horse was warming up to Yuuji and his damn apples so quickly, Megumi lets his eyes linger for a minute more before he tries shifts to move from the window. However, his eyes won’t move, and he sighs as he leans his head against the glass to watch them.

Suddenly, Yuuji looks up at the window, squinting for a few seconds before he breaks into a smile and waves up at him. Megumi freezes, quickly stepping away from the window. He hears a light yelp as he trips backwards over Kuro, who was napping behind him on the floor.

“Shit, sorry.” He leans down and scratches behind his ears as Kuro huffs and lays his head back down. Megumi looks back up, and he sees Yuuji walking over to the other side of the barn, and he exhales heavily.

“God, could you be any more obvious?” Megumi jumps and turns to see Mai leaning against the doorway, looking irritated as usual.

“What do you want?” Megumi groans as Mai walks into the room, circling around.

“I’m bored.”

“Go annoy someone else.”

“Why would I do that when I can make fun of you?” 

“Go away. You’re not allowed up here.”

“Can’t,” She sighs dramatically, running her fingers along the shelves next to her, “Ijichi wanted me to tell you that you have to go to Tokyo with Naobito next week.”

“What? Why?” Megumi asks, turning towards as she huffs in annoyance again. 

“I don’t know, you know they don’t tell us lowly females any of this shit,” Mai says bitterly, “Probably some boring ass family meeting.”

“But—” Megumi glances out the window for half a second, before he sighs loudly and rubs his face, “Fine.”

“Bring me back something, mmkay?” Mai replies, smiling sweetly as he rolls his eyes.

“No.”

“You’re no fun,” Mai scoffs, shaking her head before looking around the room, “Where’s Maki?”

“How would I know?”

“Useless,” Mai rolls her eyes as she walks towards the door, but she stops in the doorway and turns to him, “Stop wasting your time with those town kids. They just get in the way, and they never understand.”

Megumi swallows as he looks back out the window for just a moment at Yuuji walking away from the barn, “I know.”

“Do you?” Megumi turns back to see Mai staring at him, and when he doesn’t respond, she rolls her eyes again with a scoff before heading out the door.

“And then I gave him my book, like my favorite book ever, I mean what’s wrong with me? And then — ow!”

Megumi snaps his head up as he feels Blue nip at his finger, and she spit out the apple he’d been attempting to feed her.

“Girl, what the hell is your problem today? Jesus.” Megumi mutters, trying to coax her into eating the rest of the apple in his palm, but she just loudly huffs and turns, leaving her stall to go into the outdoor pens connected to the stables.

Megumi furrows his eyebrows as he heads out of the barn around the back, to find her still looking annoyed and staring at him as she stomps her foot. 

Looking around the outdoor pen, he glances down to see another increasingly familiar looking pair of boot prints in the dirt, and he looks up at Blue’s expectant face.

“You little brat,” Megumi moves to hop the fence to walk over and stand in front of her, looking her in the eyes as he shakes his head, “You want Itadori and his apples, don’t you?”

Blue huffs, turning her nose up from him and he scoffs, shaking his head again.

“Unbelievable,” Megumi mutters, turning away from her as he hops out of the pen, “Goddamn unbelievable.”

He glares back over his shoulder, but his eyes soften a little as he sees Blue staring at him walk away, and she whines softly, “I’ll be back!”

He hears her huff and stomp again as he makes his way to the garage, trying to hold onto his annoyance at Yuuji.

Yuuji might make his mouth go a bit dry and his brain lag sometimes, but there were few things he cared about more than making sure his hellion of a horse didn't regress back to her rebellious phase and start refusing to drink anything but lemonade again.

As Megumi closes the car door behind him, he turns to look at the big, brown wooden barn ahead of him, and he can't help but smile to himself a little before quickly regaining his focus of scolding Yuuji.

However, his confidence and pace falters a bit as he finally spots Yuuji in the riding ring to the left of the barn. He was in a white tshirt, smeared with dirt and plain blue jeans, and unexpectedly, he had a cowboy hat on his head. He was on top of a tan horse with a sleek black mane, his forearms flexed as he holds onto the reins before he looks over and breaks into a huge smile when he sees Megumi.

“Hey! Wasn’t expecting to see you here!” Yuuji calls out, holding the horn of the saddle as he swings himself off, jumping into the dirt. He pats the rear of the horse a few times, whistles and it trots off into the ring towards Nanami on the other side.

Yuuji readjusts his hat, shading his eyes as he walks forward to lean on the fence and folds his arms against the wood. He tilts his head, and smiles, practically blinding him, “What’s up?”

“Have you been secretly feeding my horse?” 

Yuuji's smile falters for half a second and his eyes get wide as his cheeks turn pinker, “Uh—”

“She’s been fussy with me,” Megumi narrows his eyes as Yuuji laughs nervously, leaning back a little, “And she’s only fussy with me when she’s getting too spoiled by someone else.” 

“Why would you assume that it’s me?” Yuuji asks innocently, but Megumi keeps his gaze firm as Yuuji tries to smile before dropping it and he finally huffs and throws his hands up, “Fine, yes, it’s me! She’s adorable, okay? Sue me, I can’t help it!”

“Well, stop it,” Megumi says with a huff, shaking his head, “You’re spoiling her.”

“Dude, one cup of her fancy ass food is more expensive than my entire month of groceries. I think she’s spoiled enough.” Yuuji laughs, clear as a bell, as Megumi fights to stay annoyed.

“Quit it.” 

“Okay! Sorry, sorry, I’ll stop,” Yuuji relents, holding his hands up in surrender before he just smiles and shrugs, “She’s awesome though, man. So much personality, I love horses like that.”

“Yeah, she’s something alright.” Megumi mutters, his eyes peeking around at the barn doors again.

“You’ve really had her since she was a foal?” Yuuji asks, tilting his head a little bit.

“Yeah. She–” Megumi is interrupted as someone calls out from the front of the stables.

“Yuuji! Wrap up the damn hose already!”

“I will, just give me a minute!” He shouts back, turning around to look at the girl who’s glaring at him, her hands on her hips, and he gestures between him and Megumi, “Can’t you see I’m a little busy here?”

“Well, hurry up!”

“Yeah, yeah,” He waves her off nonchalantly before crossing his arms back on the fence and happily dropping his chin onto them as he smiles up at Megumi, “Sorry, ignore her, what were you saying?”

“Just that Blue was a menace.” Megumi says quickly, feeling his cheeks get warm as Yuuji keeps his attention on him.

“She kinda reminds me of you.”

“Excuse me?” Megumi scoffs a little, and Yuuji leans back and quickly throws his hands up in defense, face flushing.

“Not in a bad way!” Yuuji scrambles to say, shaking his head, “Just that it takes some time for her to warm up to you, and she’s very particular, that’s all.”

“Who says I’ve warmed up?” 

“Me,” Yuuji says simply, smiling a little smugly, “You’re funnier now.”

“So I wasn’t funny before?”

“No, now you’re funnier,” Yuuji now grins, shrugging a little, “When you let the stick out of your ass.”

“Fuck off.” Megumi rolls his eyes a little and Yuuji just laughs, still smiling at him.

Megumi sighs, shifting on his feet as he tells himself this was a good idea, and he looks up to see Yuuji just staring at him, a small smile on his face as he remains leaned against the fence. His cheeks were a little red from being in the hot sun all day, making his eyes stand out a little more, even shaded by his hat. 

“Uh–” Megumi tries to tear his eyes away from Yuuji’s until they just land on his biceps straining against his shirt, and Megumi just takes the loss and looks at the ground, “I actually kind of have a favor to ask. I gotta go to Tokyo for a few days next week.”

“Oh, cool! What for?” Yuuji asks cheerfully, bringing one elbow to lean on the fence, chin in his palm, his eyes wide, curious and reflecting the sun, and Megumi wants to punch him.

“Work stuff, it's all boring,” He says quickly, “I was just gonna ask if you wanted to take Blue out while I’m gone.”

Yuuji’s arm slips off the fence as he stumbles a bit before grabbing the wood again and he rights himself, looking at him wide eyed. 

“Smooth.” Megumi says as Yuuji’s cheeks flush slightly, but his eyes remain as big as the moon.

“You’re serious?” Yuuji asks, tilting his head with curious suspicion.

“Yeah. Annoyingly, she likes you,” Megumi shrugs, “You don’t have to, just thought I’d offer.”

“No, no, no, I’d love to!” Yuuji stands up straighter, “You sure she’ll let me ride her?”

“As long as you don’t use a saddle,” Megumi replies as Yuuji’s mouth twitches into a smile, “She likes the trail through the woods in the back. You okay with that?”

“You’re telling me I can ride her? Without a saddle through your woods? By myself?”

“Yes, are you deaf?”

Yuuji’s face lights up to the point Megumi almost squints in its radiance as he smiles.

“Holy shit, yes, thank you!” He exclaims excitedly, practically bouncing on his toes, “I’ll take really good care of her, I promise!”

“Yeah, I’m not worried about that. She’ll handle you if anything,” He waves him off as he shoves his hands in his pockets, “Just don’t give her too many apples or turn your back on her for too long or she’ll bite your ass.”

“Seriously?”

“Why would I lie about that?”

“To mess with me.”

“Fine, then don’t listen. Enjoy your bruised ass.” Megumi shrugs, and Yuuji grins at him, shaking his head a little before he looks back out at the stables, eyes flicking to the different horses scattered around the ranch.

Megumi watches him, and he can see the little light that shines in his eyes when he looks out at the horses, making the gold in his eyes stand out. As his smile stays, Megumi can’t help but want to keep it there, and suddenly, his mouth is moving faster than his brain.

“You can stop by whenever. To see her, I mean. Blue. Or the other horses.” Megumi finishes quickly, feeling his cheeks get warm, but Yuuji doesn’t seem to notice as his expression brightens.

“Really? You’d let me?”

“Yeah,” Megumic shrugs, trying to sound casual, “She really doesn’t like most people, so she might as well have some fun with the people she does.”

“What about you?” Yuuji asks, and Megumi looks up to see him staring at him intently, but there was still a little amusement in his eyes.

“What?”

“Why don’t you have some fun?”

“I—” Megumi falters before steadying himself, and he scowls a little, “I have fun.” 

“Yeah?” Yuuji presses, tilting his head a little, his smile growing, “How?”

“None of your business.”

“Mm, okay,” Yuuji just laughs and shakes his head a little, “But thank you, seriously. I take the horses out at work, but it’s not the same, you know?”

Megumi just nods as his eyes stick to Yuuji’s relaxed expression as he looks over at the stables, and nods, “Yeah, I get it.”

“Alright, I gotta go, but I’ll see you?” Yuuji asks, pushing off the fence as he walks backwards, “After you get back?”

“Sure.” Megumi replies, a little surprised, but Yuuji just grins and waves one last time before he jogs over to the girl who had called out for him earlier, still looking annoyed. 

“So, Megumi, you meeting any girls in that podunk town you’re in?” 

Laughter erupts from the table as Megumi tries not to roll his eyes, and he just smiles and shakes his head politely. 

“Just focusing on the fresh air, sir.” 

“What he means is that the prettiest thing in that town are the horses.” Naobito snorts as everyone else laughs again, and Megumi sighs as he takes a sip of his wine.

“The Tokyo girls are where it’s at, man,” His cousin next to him claps him on the shoulder, “Never seen finer women.”

“Wrong!” One of his uncles interjects from across the table, “It’s the European ones.”

“How unpatriotic. You should always buy domestic goods.”

“Jesus Christ.” Megumi mutters under his breath, and he feels Naobito’s glare from across the room.

“Well, anyway,” A cousin across from him says, waving his glass around, “Don’t you think it’s time to think about settling down?”

“I’m 21.” Megumi deadpans, but the rest of his family doesn’t seem to care.

“Exactly! I got married at your age.” His cousin replies, and Megumi just keeps his mouth shut this time.

“Now’s the time to lock a girl down, hit the few years mark and ask her to marry you so you’ve got a kid on the way in under five years,” An uncle says, taking a large sip of wine before he continues, “It’s just good time management and gets it out of the way.”

“We’ll give the number for our other girls, sound good?” His cousin next to him winks and Megumi quickly forces a smile before he throws up into the ugly vase behind him.

“No, no, our baby Megumi wouldn’t dare dirty his hands like that, would he?” Naobito finally chuckles, smiling too sweetly at him.

“Girls have never been a focus for me. I’ve always kept very busy with my studies and work.” Megumi attempts to say politely, but quickly realizes he should’ve stayed silent as Naobito shoots him a look. 

“He’ll be getting married soon enough. We’ve just gotta find the right bride for young Megumi here. We’ll talk tonight. Can’t be offering up just any woman to him, right?” Naobito smiles at him, encouraging to anyone else who’d see, but he can feel the coldness in it seeping through his bones.

“Yes, sir.”

After dinner, he was trying to avoid the rest of his drunk family members milling about the rest of the large Zenin estate, the house as cold as ever. He didn’t want to think about their words, what he knew was coming. The ever ticking bomb that he knew would kill a little part of himself forever, but now, that part seemed to grow bigger and bigger every time he saw Yuuji smile at him.

Slowly looking to the side, he looks down the hallway leading to Naobito’s office. He stands there for a few moments as the hallway seems to elongate, the large, intimidating door at the end seemingly growing with every second.

He takes a deep breath as he forces himself down the hall, desperately trying to keep his head down, but his eyes glance to the walls next to him and he can’t help but slow down as he looks up. As he stops, his eyes are fixed on the wood lining the halls, specifically at one spot. 

He stares at the wall, the outline of a cross faded into the wood through the decades of sunlight streaming through the windows. Decades of that worn out, stubborn cross on that wall. 

With much of the family shying away from their strict religious traditions, but keeping their morals, Naobito said he’d paint the wall once the memorabilia came down and was distributed amongst the family, but that was five years ago, and the faded image has stayed in more ways than one.

The discolored cross stares back, the lightened wood mocking him through years and ancestors past as he swallows hard, and forces himself further down the hallway.

He clears his throat a little as he approaches the door, taking a deep breath before he knocks.

“It’s me, Uncle.”

“Come in.” Naobito's voice calls our from behind the door, and Megumi takes a deep breath before opening it.

“Have a seat," Naobito gestures to the chair across from him, leaning back in his own with his hands folded across his stomach, "I wanted to talk to you about your marriage plans.”

Megumi’s stomach drops as he slowly sinks into the chair.

“My marriage plans? You were serious?”

“You’ve graduated college," Naobito says simply, picking up his glass of whiskey off the desk, "You’re learning the ways of the family and the business to take over from me. It’s time for you to fulfill your other duties as well.”

“Which… are?”

“Don’t be smart with me, boy,” Naobito suddenly snaps, and Megumi sits up straighter, “You need to get married, and have a child to continue the family legacy.”

“I– now?” He asks in disbelief, shaking his head a little bit, “Don’t you think it’s a bit early?”

“Nonsense. I married your aunt when she was just 16.”

“Oh, right, I forgot. Super normal.” Megumi rolls his eyes, and Naobito's cold gaze narrows.

“Enough backtalk. Both you and my miserable nieces need to get hitched.”

“What?” Megumi’s stomach clenches as he searches Naobito’s face for any sign of humor, but he just looks serious, and slightly pissed off.

“Maki and Mai. They need to get married, the sooner the better. Although I don’t know which poor unfortunate soul would even want them–”

“Why do you need them to get married now?” Megumi says a little too quickly, and Naobito narrows his eyes as Megumi tries to save himself, “I mean, doesn’t me getting married secure the line already?”

“It’s not about the line, Megumi, it’s about control, and how it’s lacking in this family. I have let Gojo have too much say in raising you, and it's influenced you now.”

“Gojo adopted me, you didn’t.” Megumi can’t help but counter as Naobito growls a little bit. 

“Just because your fucking father named him as your guardian before he took off after meeting twice doesn’t mean shit when it comes to blood,” Naobito bites out harshly, eyes looking cruel as Megumi feels himself shrink a little underneath his gaze, “You owe this family your life and your duty. The way it’s always been. The traditional, right way.”

Megumi doesn’t reply, just keeps his eyes on Naobito as he just clenches his jaw, keeping his mouth firmly shut.

“You don’t need to find a girl right away, or better yet, the family will. I just want you to think about it. Maki, on the other hand, well, she’s the oldest. She’ll go first,” Naobito continues, and Megumi feels his heart pick up as Naobito nods, seemingly pleased with himself, “I’ll have a little chat with her at the estate in the next coming weeks.” 

Megumi just inhales once, the heavy weight of his words and just being in this house compressing his lungs further, “Yes, sir.”

“Good. Now get out.”

Trudging down the path, Megumi inhales the fresh air deeply, letting the crisp warmth fill his lungs, and he was surprised with himself by how relieved he’d felt once he got back out here. He’d even opted to drive the whole way himself, letting his eyes gaze out along the landscape as the mountains replaced skyscrapers, the expansive fields overtook the shops shoved together in the streets, and the cows and horses dotting them replaced the busy, bustling crowds of people.

It was unexpected, but not entirely unwelcome.

He sighs out deeply as he looks up towards the stables, but his eyes are drawn over to the open grass next to it, and he slows to a stop as he sees Yuuji and Blue standing out in the field. 

As if the universe wasn’t cruel enough, Yuuji was shirtless, just in a pair of plain, dirty blue jeans, gloves tucked in his back pocket. He was walking around Blue, stroking down her back and circling around to her face again. He watches them as Yuuji grins and jogs backwards a little, and Blue trots after him. Soon, he picks up his pace, turning around to run through the field. Blue quickly bounds behind him, chasing him as he darts through the grass, laughing as she comes galloping beside him and runs ahead. 

Megumi could barely move watching them, practically a mirrored image of himself at ten years old running through those same fields with Blue. She never got that excited unless she was allowed to roam freely and comfortably, and usually, she just kept to herself or grazed where people and other horses wouldn’t bother her.

But the way she was trailing after Yuuji, tail flicking happily behind her as she raced past him and he ran after her, his smile shining in the afternoon sun, made his heart beat dangerously fast in his chest.

Blue then slows and bucks up into the air happily as Yuuji laughs again, slowing to a stop as Blue trots up and nuzzles against his chest. Stroking down her neck, Yuuji smiles down at her, and Megumi feels his chest get warmer as he stares at them.

His picture perfect moment was then interrupted by Yuuji noticing him, and his smile widens as he waves and beckons him over.

Megumi takes a deep breath and makes his way to them, trying to slow down his heartbeat so he could at least not hear it in his ears.

“Hey.” Yuuji greets him, smiling as he pats Blue’s back, and Megumi comes up to stroke her neck a few times as she whinnies at him and then to pokes him in the stomach with her nose.

“Hey,” Megumi says, swallowing his nerves as he glances down at Blue, but he’s satisfied as he can see nothing but happy body language from her, and he can’t help but smile a little, “Having fun?”

“I feel like I’m a kid again, dude,” Yuuji laughs, giving Blue one last pat on her neck before she trots off towards a nearby patch of tall grass and wildflowers, “She’s so fun. She really flies through those woods, doesn’t she?”

“Hope she didn’t take you too far off trail.”

“You kidding?” Yuuji laughs, chiming over the grass as easy as the gentle wind and Megumi holds in a sigh, “That was the best part.”

“Haven’t seen her like that in a while,” Megumi replies honestly, glancing over a little suspiciously at Yuuji, and he looks him up and down, “You still sneaking her apples?”

“Fushi, no,” Yuuji gasps, putting his hands on his hips, “I’m offended you’d even have to ask.”

“Yeah, whatever,” Megumi rolls his eyes as Yuuji grins at him, and he tries to look away down at his feet, “Glad you guys had fun.”

“How was Tokyo?”

“Fine,” He shrugs, shoving the dusty wooden walls out of his head as Yuuji stands there smiling at him, “Boring, like I thought.”

“You free this Saturday?” Yuuji asks, leaning over to wipe his palms down on his jeans.

“Why?”

“Just wanted to see if you wanted to hang out.” Yuuji shrugs, looking up as he keeps wiping, blinking up at him.

“Oh,” He breathes out, heart sinking a little as he's reminded of yet another night with his male family members, “I can’t. Got a dinner thing.” 

“Fancy,” Yuuji replies, then pouts at him dramatically, “No plus one for me?”

“Yeah, no.”

“Eh, I’ll win over these people some day,” Yuuji shrugs casually before he looks over and nudges him a little, “Even you.”

“Yeah,” Megumi scoffs a little, desperately hoping his ears aren’t as red as they feel, “Good luck.”

“Gojo’s looking for you. Maki, a word?”

“Megumi, get back here.”

Megumi stifles a groan as he slowly turns around in the hall to see Mai leaning against a doorway, arms crossed as she glares between him and Maki in front of her, “Can I have a chat with you two?”

“Thought Gojo wanted me.”

“I lied.” Mai shrugs, and Megumi huffs out an annoyed breath.

“What the hell do you want then?” Maki sighs, rubbing her temples as she scowls at her sister, “Shouldn’t you be off terrorizing a toilet or a tunnel or Munchkinland?"

“For starters,” Mai ignores her, rolling her eyes, “This whole thing with these two town hicks is pathetic and you need to knock it off, especially that Kugisaki girl. Had the nerve to tell me to wear more brown when black is clearly my color.”

“Weren’t you the one who invited her here the first time?” Megumi asks, and Mai rolls her eyes again as she just waves him off.

“Yeah, just because Gojo made me, and I had a feeling she was trying to make a move on my sister, and I was right, wasn’t I?”

“Has it ever occurred to you that I am the one trying to make a move?” Maki asks, and Mai snorts, shaking her head.

“And how’s that working out for you? Still cautious as ever, my dear sister?” Maki scowls at her, but Mai just waves her off dismissively too.

“Anyway, we’re leaving in, like, a month and a half, if I’m lucky, so just end this before it becomes a problem,” Mai says firmly, crossing her arms over her chest, “We have bigger issues to deal with.”

“What issues?” Maki sighs, rubbing her forehead, “You’re so dramatic.”

“Not with this I’m not. You know that party you told Naobito you would throw, Megumi?” Mai turns to him, annoyance clear on her face, “It’s gonna be at the damn Zenin’s country estate, and he’s invited all of them, like literally everyone we are even distantly related to or associated with.”

“Are you fucking kidding?” Megumi replies furiously, irritation building in his chest, “I told him 50 people max!”

“Okay, well, try more like 500 people max,” Mai snaps back at him, anger and something suspiciously like anxiety in her voice, but she pauses for a few moments before she pinches the bridges of her nose, and sighs before she looks back up, “I just found out, and I wanted to warn you guys before you showed up to our entire family tree in the damn kitchen. They’re going to be on us like vultures with no marriage prospects.”

Maki and Megumi look at each other, holding eye contact for a few moments before Mai huffs in frustration.

“Whatever. Just trying to warn you,” Mai sighs, turning down the hallway, “Do with that what you will.” 

Her heels echo loudly down the hallway, resonating against the high ceilings until she turns a corner into another room.

“Goddammit,” Maki groans, shaking her head before she looks over at him, “We cannot let Kugisaki and Itadori go.”

“You think I don’t know that?” Megumi scoffs, crossing his arms over his chest, “They’d stand out like a sore fucking thumb.”

“That’s… not what I meant,” Maki replies slowly, and she looks him up and down, a little judgment in her eyes, “Don’t be a dick, Megumi, these people are just crazy and you know it. We already have to deal with their insanity, they shouldn’t have to deal with them, too.”

Megumi stays silent for a moment before he nods, “Yeah. You’re right. Sorry.”

She stares at him for a few more moments, eyes darting around him and he shifts uncomfortably under her scrupulous gaze.

“Megumi.”

“What?”

“What’s with you? You’ve been acting weird.”

“I’m not doing anything.”

“No, you are doing things, which is more suspicious.” Maki steps up to him, and circles around him like a cat, eyeing him up and down.

“What are you doing? Quit it.” He swallows hard, trying to keep his voice down as he looks around at her orbiting around.

Maki then slows in front of him again and her eyes widen for a moment before she puts on a smug smile, and crosses her arms across her chest as she leans back a little.

“Itadori, huh?”

“Don’t know what you’re talking about.” Megumi scoffs, looking away as he desperately hopes his cheeks aren't as red as they feel.

“Mhm,” Maki hums, squinting at him from behind her glasses, “Sure.”

“Why do you even want to know about him?”

“Cause he asked me for drinks next week.”

“He did?”

“Yup.”

“Are you going to go?” 

“Why not? I like making friends.”

Slamming the door behind him, Megumi tries to control his breathing as he quickly moves through the house, ignoring the different workers’ greetings throughout before he finds a door leading to the backyard.

He stalks through the grass as Yuuji’s words knock around his mind like marbles on hardwood, slamming into the corners of his brain and it makes his head pound. 

As he reaches the barn, he flings the doors open and slam them shut again as he walks in, pacing for a few moments before he picks up a random dandy brush for the horses off the table and hurls it at the wall, cracking the wood in two.

“Fuck!” He shouts loudly, slamming his palms on the wooden table ahead of him as the broken brush clatters against the floor, but looks up quickly when he hears anxious whines from all around him in the stalls, “Shit, no, I’m so sorry, girls, I didn’t mean to—”

He stops and pauses for a second before he turns and sighs deeply, leaning his elbows on the table as he holds head in his hands, shaking it, muttering, “Shit.”

Anyone but fucking Naoya.

Naoya, who’d taunted and teased him his whole life. Naoya, who’d taken advantage of his sister and her kindness. Naoya, who would dump his books in the river in the woods for him to find. Naoya, who could get away with anything until Megumi was finally able to put him in his place. Naoya, who, Megumi realizes, is in a better position to try to be with Yuuji than Megumi ever could be. 

Friends.

The word stuck out in his brain. He’d never had friends, always kept to himself at school, only talked to people when he absolutely needed to. He liked being by himself, with the dogs, with Blue, with Tsumiki. He was friends with Yuuta, he supposed, and he really liked him, but they didn’t see each other that often, and he’d always had an insecurity tucked in the back of his head that their friendship had more to do with Gojo than him. He didn’t really even like people all that much, so it was easy to keep them at a distance.

Yuuji was… different. If anything, he had the energy of fifty people, which should have made Megumi run for the hills. But there was something else, something about his infectious energy, his pure sincerity, that gave him pause. Every question Yuuji had was asked with such genuine curiosity, and he looked at Megumi like the only thing he wanted was to hear his answer. 

Yuuji was goofy, laughed too loudly, had horrible taste in movies, talked with his mouth full, sang almost impressively off key, and practically refused to wear socks that matched. 

But he was also funny, earnest, kind to a fault. He possessed an uncanny ability to get you to spill your guts, his warm eyes made you want to divulge every last secret and he would hold it like it was the most precious thing in the world.

Sincerity wasn’t something Megumi was used to, even with Gojo. He was annoyingly upbeat, but Megumi saw the tired sadness behind his eyes, the years of exhaustion and heartbreak that he covered with a boisterous, loud personality. He knew people always put something on, put on a brave face or a fake smile, always covering up for something.

But Yuuji had never looked at him like that. He always looked at him with all of his attention, all of his focus, and it was all honest, like he was seeing right through him.

Megumi didn’t know what to do with this, with the feeling that crawled up his throat around Yuuji, made his chest burn, his eyes that could not stray from light dimples creasing his cheeks when he laughed. He’d been alone, aside from Tsumiki, for his entire life, and he was okay with it.

Maybe he was being selfish. Maybe he had absolutely no right to feel almost possessive over Yuuji. Maybe it was completely irrational for him to want to curb stomp Naoya for even looking at him.

But as even the thought of Yuuji started to slip through his fingers, his chest got tight and his head started to pound, anxiety and fear rushed through his veins.

There was no way Naoya could take him, there was just no way that—

“Take him?” Megumi scoffs at himself, muttering under his breath, “He’s not a piece of meat. Fucking hell, get it together.”

But Naoya had always tried to take things from him, even the things that he thought were always truly Naoya’s to begin with. 

“Megumi, you are so slow.”

“I’m coming, Naoya!”

“You run like a girl.” He says scornfully as Megumi races to catch up to him.

“So? Maki was faster than you when we raced.” Megumi shrugs as Naoya glares at him.

“I let her win.” He responds with a scoff, sitting down in the grass that overlooks the pond, and Megumi hesitantly sits next to him, but still stays several feet away.

“Okay.” Megumi replies quietly, tugging at the grass next to him as quiet falls over them again.

Megumi opens his mouth to say something, but decides against it, letting the silence consume them until he hears Naoya sigh, muttering quietly, “Why doesn’t he think I can do it?”

“What’d you say?”

“Nothing. Mind your damn business.”

Megumi just nods and looks out to the pond, eyes carefully watching a small family of ducks swim across the pond, the little ducklings in the back struggling to keep up with their mother.

He glances over at Naoya, who’s frown has just deepened over the last few minutes, but he tries anyway, “Would we have our own rooms here when we’re older?”

“Why would you live here? It’s gonna be mine,” Naoya snaps cruelly, glaring over at him a little, “It’s not yours.”

“Uncle Naobito said it could be mine too,” Megumi tries again, looking over hopefully at him, “Maybe we can share it?”

“No we won’t. My dad’s lying.” Naoya responds quickly, looking back out ahead of him.

“Okay,” Megumi says, shrugging off his disappointment, “Do you wanna go play with Kuro and Shiro? I just taught them how to roll over.”

“I don’t wanna play with your dumb dogs, you big baby. Now leave me alone.”

“Okay.” Megumi repeats, looking down at the grass for a moment before he pushes himself up and turns around to start walking back towards the house.

His bottom lip starts to tremble a little as he sniffs, turning back to see Naoya still sitting hunched over in the grass. As he stares, he takes a deep, shaky breath, sniffling one last time as he rubs his nose and straightens his shoulders, trying to keep his trembling chin up as he walks towards the house.

He climbs through the door, peeking around corners to make sure no one was around, before he slunk down the cold hallway towards the fenced in side yard. Quietly making his way out the door, he picks up his pace as he spies Kuro and Shiro, tied too closely to a fence post, and they jump up and wag their tails excitedly when they see him.

Glancing over his shoulder, Megumi shushes them and quickly works to unhook their collars and soon, the three of them are running towards the woods, just three kids tearing through the trees. He looks over his shoulder as he goes, staring up at the big, dark house before he turns back around.

He pushes further into the woods, giggling a bit as the dogs run ahead of him, jumping over branches and creeks and each other before they reach a break in the trees that leads into a small clearing.

Plopping down by a big, shady tree, the dogs curl up next to him, and with Shiro’s head resting in his lap, Megumi leans his own head back against the tree with a sigh.

“Naoya’s a meanie,” He grumbles, sniffling once more as he rests his arms on the dogs, scratching both of their heads, “Don’t want to be friends with him anyway.”

He sits there for a minute, softly petting Shiro and Kuro as they lounge next to him, before he leans forward to turn around towards the trunk of the tree. He spies the hole in the wood and he reaches inside to grab a small plastic bag. 

He opens it up and pulls out his favorite book, inspecting the blueish green cover to see if there was any damage from water, animals, or Naoya. Satisfied when he sees it’s still intact, he sets the book on his lap and looks down at the dogs.

“Gojo will be back soon,” He tells them, scratching both of their heads, “Don’t worry, we’ll leave soon. Leave all the people who are mean to you guys.”

Megumi looks up miserably, the memory fading as he stares at the worn out paper calendar hanging on the wall ahead of him. 

He hears a little huff from the stall next to him, and he looks up to see Blue’s big eyes staring at him, and she whines softly, stomping her foot lightly into the dirt. He swallows hard and stands up straight, walking over as he exhales deeply, softly brushing down her nose, and she gently pushes into his chest, nuzzling her nose against him as he smiles just a little.

“Thanks, girl,” Megumi sighs, leaning his forehead down to rest between her ears for a few moments before pulling back up to look at her, “Fucking Naoya.”

She huffs loudly in response, stomping again, and Megumi chuckles, shaking his head, “Always on my side, huh?”

Snorting a bit, Blue shifts her head, plopping it on his shoulder as she sighs deeply and tugs him closer, her head now over his shoulder, resting against his back. He smiles and softly pets down her neck, gently leaning his head against hers, “Yeah, yeah. Always on my side.”

“Was that a positive statement I heard from you, Fushi? Huh? Was it? Are you actually having fun?”

“I take it back.”

“Too late, already heard you.”

“You’re so annoying.”

“Yeah, but you like it.”  

As the band takes a break, Yuuji, Megumi, Maki and Kugisaki are sitting around a table, Maki and Kugisaki on the couch with Megumi and Yuuji on small backless chairs, as the music plays over the speaker, people still crowded on the dancefloor.

“Where’s Okkotsu and Inumaki?” Kugisaki asks, leaning forward to take a sip of her drink as Maki lounges back on the couch behind her.

“Think they’re outside, probably got booted from their makeout spot when the band took the break.” Yuuji laughs, and Kugisaki rolls her eyes.

“Horndogs.”

Suddenly, the song changes, and a loud guitar riff rings out over the speakers.

“Let’s go, girls!”

“Oh my god, Yuuji! Get up, come on!” Kugisaki squeals, jumping from her seat as she yanks Yuuji by the collar of his shirt off his chair as he yelps and tumbles off his small chair.

“Shit, okay!” He laughs as he gets up, shoving her hand off, finishing his drink as he goes and he moves to follow her.

“The hell is this?” Maki asks, an amused smile on her face as Kugisaki yanks at him with both hands on his one.

“Used to be Kugisaki’s favorite song when we were little!” Yuuji laughs out, turning around as he lets her tug him out onto the dancefloor, “Be right back!”

Megumi just shakes his head, watching them dance out into the crowd. 

“You want another drink?” Maki asks, nodding down at his close to empty cup, and he shrugs.

“Sure. Whiskey. Can you get me—”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever.” She waves him as she stands up and turns towards the bar, walking off before he can even finish.

He sighs, looking out to the crowded dancefloor as he spots Yuuji and Kugisaki dancing in the middle, but they get blocked by another group quickly. Leaning around a little, he frowns and glances around before he gets up, slowly walking over to the edge of the dancefloor as he peeks around to find them again. He finally spots Yuuji’s hair and leans against the wall as he breathes out a laugh as Yuuji apologizes to someone he accidentally bumped into. 

He felt a little pathetic, but he couldn’t help himself when Yuuji smiled like that, it was almost impossible to look away from. Plus, after yet another painful conversation with Naobito reminding him of his marriage prospects and how ‘bangable’ they all looked, he was in desperate need of seeing as much as Yuuji as he possibly could. 

He could feel himself falling way too hard, way too fast in a way that made his heart beat way too quickly in his chest. And every one of those conversations with Naobito made the pit in his stomach deeper, and he could feel himself slipping further into it each and every day. He knew he couldn’t have Yuuji, in more ways than one, but he couldn’t help himself. The days passed quicker and quicker, and the idea of going back to Tokyo now seemed like torture. 

All he wanted was to keep this, keep this peace and calm he’d never felt in any other place other than next to Yuuji. 

“Wipe that look off your face. You look like a lovesick puppy.” 

He jolts as he feels Maki bump into his arm, and she nods out towards Yuuji and Kugisaki, “We found fucking some weirdos out here, didn’t we?”

Megumi rolls his eyes as they look out at Yuuji and Kugisaki ahead of them, wildly swinging each other around, laughing loudly as they trip over each other a little.

“You’re telling me,” He huffs, before he looks over at the single drink in her hand, “Where’s mine?”

“Forgot, needed a shot,” She shrugs, and Megumi rolls his eyes a bit, and she nods her head out to the dancefloor again, “You ever seen anything like this at the millions of parties we’ve been to?”

“Absolutely not.” Megumi replies but he can’t help but shake his head in amusement as he sees Yuuji twirl Kugisaki around, barely keeping her upright as he laughs and sings along.

“Mm,” Maki hums, and then she huffs out a laugh as they see Kugisaki smack Yuuji upside the head for messing up her footwork, “Think they’re having more fun out there than we’ve had in our entire lives.”

Megumi doesn’t reply, just keeps his eyes out watching, but he chuckles to himself as he sees Yuuji dancing wildly, swinging his head back and forth in sync with Kugisaki, singing loudly and extremely off key, laughing through half the lyrics.

“Come on, let’s go back to the table.” Maki looks over and nods her head towards the other side of the dancefloor, and he nods before they make their way back over.

Yuuji and Kugisaki finally drag off away as the song ends, laughing arm in arm as they come back up. 

“Sorry, that was a family requirement.” Yuuji laughs again, breathing hard as he sits down and slurps up his water, spilling a little on his shirt.

“Shania Twain, huh?” Maki smirks at Kugisaki, who flushes a little and shrugs.

“Maki, her hair, I mean, come on.” She explains simply, and Maki nods, shrugging in agreement.

“Fair enough.” 

“Kugisaki played that song all the time growing up,” Yuuji laughs, wiping at his mouth, “Haibara did a two year program in the South in the States for a year when he was younger, and brought the music and dancing back with him.”

“Oh, I’d pay to see that.” Maki snickers and Kugisaki nods with a smile at her.

“It’s hilarious.”

“Save a horse, ride a cowboy and all that.” Yuuji chuckles, and Megumi quickly gulps down the watered down rest of his drink, standing up.

“Getting another.” He manages to get out, as Maki looks up at him and shakes her head with an eye roll.

“Oh, I’ll come with you!” Yuuji hops up, smiling wide and Megumi has to suppress the urge to groan, so he just nods and starts walking, “Wait for me!”

Yuuji bounces up next to him, “Are you having fun?”

“Sure.”

“Come on, Fushi, live band’s coming back soon!”

“Oh, great,” Megumi rolls his eyes as Yuuji pouts at him.

“Stop being so judgy” Yuuji shakes his head, before he looks over at him, smile wide as his eyes practically twinkle under the low lights of the bar, “I think you like them.”

‘Yeah, okay.” He scoffs a little, no bitterness behind it as Yuuji’s smile burns a hole in his chest. 

Megumi did like them.

But unfortunately, so did Yuuji.

“Alright, thank you guys, that was Himeko on vocals, let’s give her a round of applause, yeah?” The guitarist leans in to speak into one of the microphones, guitar slumped against him, and Megumi turns towards the stage, “We’re gonna take another tiny break, and then we’ll have this place jumping, sound good to y’all?”

The crowd cheers, but there are some faint boos as Ino waves them off, shouting “Just five minutes!” and he grins as he squats down to chat with some of the girls standing by the stage.

“Man, Ino is so good.” 

Megumi’s smile drops a little as he glances over to see Yuuji smiling and waving to the guitarist across the room, and he nods back with a grin. As he watches them, an ugly feeling churns in Megumi’s stomach as he takes another large sip of his drink.

“Yeah, he’s okay.”

“You and your Mount Fushi standards.” Yuuji waves him off with a laugh, “I’m just gonna go say hi real quick, okay? I’ll be right back.”

“Okay.” 

Megumi watches him walk away, leaning back against the wall as he moves through the crowd. Ino catches his eye and his face brightens as he then ignores the girls next to him, and squats down to his eye level as Yuuji stands in front of the stage. They chat animatedly, and Megumi desperately wants to look away, but he can’t rip his eyes away, fixed on Yuuji’s happy expression so far away from him.

He knows he has no reason to be irritated. 

No reason at all. Absolutely no reason.

Except for the fact that Ino’s hand is now on Yuuji’s bare arm, teasing him about his tan lines from work as his fingertips seem to linger. And when Yuuji leans up to whisper something in his ear, and Ino’s hand slips under the sleeve of his t-shirt, Megumi feels the plastic cup in his hand crack.

He inhales sharply before turning on his heel and booking it for the bar, chucking his broken cup into a nearby trash can.

He walks up to the bar and waves over the bartender, who smiles, opening his mouth to greet him before Megumi interrupts.

“Shot of whiskey.” 

“What kind?”

“Expensive and fast.”

“My favorite kind to pour,” The bartender nods at him as he shuffles over and grabs a bottle, “Coming up.”

Megumi risks another look at them standing by the stage for a few moments before a small glass is slid in front of him. He slugs it back quickly, eyes stuck on Yuuji as the whiskey burns down his throat. 

Dammit, he was so fucked. He couldn’t keep thinking about Yuuji like this, not when he knew what he desperately wanted was so far from what he knew he had to be. He had no right to want him this badly, had no right to want someone like him in his fucked up life. Naobito’s words were jumbled around in his head, making his head pound, and he tried to force himself to listen, but the more he tried, the less he wanted to.

And as he stares at Yuuji across the bar, face lit up as he chatted happily, Megumi’s chest aches with the understanding that this burning need, this want, will always be there, no matter how far either of them are.

He sighs, looking down at his empty shot glass for a few moments before he looks up at the bartender and orders another one. Maki gave him a glare across the room as he threw back his fourth shot, but he just waved her off as he moved his way through the room back towards Yuuji.

“Oh, good! You’re back!” Yuuji breathes a sigh of relief as he sees him coming over, and shifts over to make room for him, “Break’s almost over.”

“Great.” Megumi breathes out, letting his drink cool the hot burning sensation in his throat as the male vocalist starts to talk, but he tunes him out.

“Fushi, stop being so grumpy.” Yuuji whines a little, leaning against his arm as he turns to him and pouts, and Megumi tries not to lean into his touch.

“Stop whining.”

“I can’t help it! I want you to have fun!” Yuuji protests, and he glances over at the stage as they finish up the song.

Megumi huffs as he turns towards him, trying not to force his self-induced bad mood onto Yuuji too, “Look, I–”

Megumi stops as he hears the familiar whine of an electric guitar and he snaps his head to look at the bar to see Ino starting up a solo, before the drums hit and he shakes his head a little in disbelief, “Wait, is this— isn’t this ‘Plug in Baby?”

He startles a bit as he looks back over at Yuuji, who’s beaming so brightly his smile is practically glowing in the dark bar, and Megumi blinks quickly in its light.

“Yes!” Yuuji exclaims excitedly, bouncing a little, “I had asked Ino if they knew any Muse songs, and they didn’t have any worked out, but I knew you loved this song, so I asked if they could try and play it tonight, and they worked it out in rehearsals this week. I had to double check they could still do it ‘cause he sent me a video earlier this week and man, was it rough, but I’m so happy it all came together ‘cause I knew you liked this album!”

“Wait, you asked him to play this?” Megumi asks, heart thudding hard against his ribs as he turns towards him and Yuuji nods enthusiastically.

“Yeah!” Yuuji smiles over at him after he waves to Ino up on stage, and Ino grins back, nodding at him as he plays, “You really like Muse, right?”

“I—” Megumi’s throat suddenly gets tight as Yuuji just tilts his head at him, still smiling, “Yeah, I love them.”

“I thought so. I saw a bunch of their albums in your record room when I was looking for Mac Miller, and I saw how worn out ‘Origin of Symmetry’ was,” Yuuji smiles at him again, and Megumi can’t tell if it’s just the lights making his cheeks pink, but Yuuji just bumps his arm a little, “I hope you like it.” 

Megumi just nods, trying to swallow the lump in his throat as his arm burns against Yuuji’s, but after all the whiskey, he couldn’t keep his mouth shut.

“Is this why you wanted me to come?” Megumi asks, but keeps his eyes out on the stage. Out of the corner of his eye, he spots Yuuji’s cheeks get definitively pinker as he looks down a little.

“Well, I thought you’d like the live music,” Yuuji reasons as he shuffles a little on his feet, “But I just wanted to make sure it was something you’d really like if you ended up coming, you know? I wanted you to like it.”

“Oh.” Megumi breathes out, quickly looking back to the stage as his ears burn and he tries to settle his fast beating heart.

He hated that Yuuji was like this, so genuine, so conscientious, and nice to the point that you simply just couldn’t call it fake or insincere. Megumi had quickly come to the realization that Yuuji was the kindest person he’d ever met, but being the object of his kindness was still too much sometimes. He knew it was genuine, but that made it so much harder, because he was selfish. He wanted it to be special, he wanted it to be just for him and he couldn’t even have him.

People paid attention to him because he was a Zenin, he was the heir. They had to pay attention because of his name, who he represented. He so rarely met people who paid attention to the other parts of himself, the parts he’s realized he’s only really shown Yuuji and his sister.

Megumi hated being viewed like that, as something to be viewed under a microscope slide, but the way Yuuji looked at him made him want to carve open his chest and tell him to climb inside. He could see Yuuji looking at him out of the corner of his eye, testing his reactions to different parts of the song, different key changes, but he wasn’t confident he could look back without something stupid coming out of his mouth. 

Because part of him knew that Yuuji was just like this. Kind, friendly, selfless, thoughtful. It wasn’t for Megumi, it wasn’t that he wanted to do it for him, to truly know more about him— it was just who Yuuji was.

People paid attention to Yuuji because he was Yuuji. It was difficult to even fathom someone disliking him, it seemed like he was everyone’s favorite person, not just Megumi’s. 

But Megumi was harder to swallow than Yuuji. He was moody and easily displeased and liked being by himself. Whenever he’d thought of the idea of telling Yuuji, telling him he had been gone for him since that first night, all he saw were those warm eyes walking him through the kindest rejection imaginable.

“Earth to Fushi? Hellooooo?”

He snaps his head up as he feels Yuuji poking his arm, and he looks over to see him staring at him curiously.

“You okay?”

“Yeah, just spaced,” Megumi clears his throat, looking down, “Sorry.”

“All good,” Yuuji smiles, before he nudges him again with his elbow, “But you’re about to see some real country shit right now.”

“What?”

“You know how I said Haibara went to school in the South?” Yuuji asks, glancing up at him and Megumi nods, “So he lived with this host family who was, like, the embodiment of Southern hospitality and all that, and taught him everything. Like everything. I’ve still never had better fried chicken.” 

“Yeah, okay.” Megumi rolls his eyes but Yuuji shakes his head quickly 

"No, I’m serious, it’s insane! I think it’s something with lard, I can't remember,” Yuuji says, furrowing his eyebrows before he just waves his hands dismissively, “But anyway, they introduced him to country music, like Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, super anti-establishment, protest type country. Modern country gets a bad rep, for obvious reasons, but it’s always been a storytelling genre, which I love. They taught him how to line dance too, so he taught us all the classic ones when we were younger.”

“Really?”

“Yeah,” Yuuji laughs a little, before he turns to look at him, “At first, it was just a thing they’d do when me and Kugisaki got too energetic, but I don’t know, it’s fun. It was just something for us and Pops, you know?”

Megumi just nods, keeping his eyes on him and Yuuji's cheeks flush a little sheepishly as he looks down, “Maybe that’s lame.”

“No, it’s not,” Megumi replies quickly, shaking his head and Yuuji looks up, “It’s cool that you’re so close with your family.”

“Yeah,” Yuuji replies with a nod, smiling over at him, and Megumi’s heart skips, “You’re right. As usual.”

He nudges him with a smirk, and Megumi just rolls his eyes a little as he weakly pushes him off, and he notices the band start to get back on the stage. 

“Alright, I’m not on lead for this song, but I know at least one of y’all out there knows this one,” The female vocalist says, scooching over to the side as another musician joins them, “And we would love for you to join my friends right out there on that dancefloor if you do.”

All of a sudden, after just a few brief drum notes, music explodes out from the stage and Megumi startles back against the wall a little bit as the male vocalist steps up to the microphone, his voice low and rugged as he sings quickly.

Well, the Devil went down to Georgia

He was lookin' for a soul to steal

He was in a bind 'cause he was way behind

And he was willing to make a deal

It was unlike anything he’d ever heard, sounding almost harsh until you heard all the instruments accompanying one another roughly, yet still on beat, and the sounds made sense. As he sang, there was just the brief, steady drumming accompanying him, until the piano, guitar and bass exploded out every few lyrics.

As the chorus hits, the instruments come together again, a lively, yet slightly eerie tune flowing through the speakers as the crowd sings and dances, swinging each other around wildly.

Johnny, rosin' up your bow and play your fiddle hard

'Cause Hell's broke loose in Georgia and the Devil deals the cards

And if you win, you get this shiny fiddle made of gold

But if you lose, the Devil gets your soul

As the line ends, Megumi finally notices another musician step forward on stage he’d missed before, with a wooden instrument under her chin, and she quickly drags the bow across the strings, creating a livelier, but rougher sound that he’d found oddly familiar. 

“Is she playing the violin?” Megumi can't help but ask as the singer begins again, squinting as he looks up at the stage, then pulls his head back in surprise, “Wait, no.”

“Oh, Fushi, it feels so, so good to know more than you.” Yuuji grins over at him, and Megumi elbows him in the ribs as he laughs.

“That’s definitely a violin,” Megumi protests, shaking his head as the musician starts up again, an almost haunting tune, but her fingers flew across the strings, “Why the hell is she holding it like that? That’s terrible form, she’s barely leaving first position. But she’s moving so fast, what the hell?”

“Hm, I don’t know.” Yuuji replies smugly, tilting his chin up in the air, and Megumi frowns, keeping his eyes on the stage as he pulls at Yuuji’s shirt sleeve.

“Come on. What is it?” Megumi peeks his head around again over the crowd of dancing people, and Yuuji laughs, “The strings look different, and it sounds kind of different.”

“Because that’s how you play the fiddle! Steel strings!”

“What the fuck is a fiddle?”

“That!” Yuuji laughs, pointing up at the stage, “It’s still a violin, technically, but for folk and bluegrass music, so you play it differently for a different sound. The instrument structure mainly originated in the Middle East, from this thing called the rebab!

“The Middle East?”

“Yeah!” Yuuji replies cheerfully, keeping his eyes up on the stage, “Perfected by the Byzan-something!”

“The Byzantine Empire?” Megumi asks, mouth dropping open a little as Yuuji nods, not looking over at him.

“Yeah, yeah, that’s it, figured you’d know.” Yuuji says, waving him off as he strains to see the stage, but Megumi can’t take his eyes off of him, and he finds himself just staring. Yuuji eventually feels his gaze on him, turning to him again, “What?”

“I-I play the violin.” The words slip out before he can even realize it, and Yuuji tilts his head, eyes wide.

“Really?”

“Uh, yeah,” Megumi clears his throat, shoving his hand in his pocket, “Gojo taught me.”

“Always surprising me, Fushi.” Yuuji nudges him with a smile, and Megumi rolls his eyes, but he dearly fights to keep the heat off his cheeks. Yuuji’s arm comfortably settles next to his as they stand, and Megumi takes a sip of his drink, “You know, I would’ve taken you for a piano player, you’ve got the perfect hands for it.” 

“And what is this?” Megumi asks quickly before Yuuji can see how hot his face is, pointing out to the crowded, yet somewhat organized looking dancefloor of people dancing in unison, twisting and kicking their feet and before turning and doing it all over again. 

“It’s called line dancing, also known as having fun,” Yuuji replies, before he glances over with a grin, “I know that’s tricky for you.”

“Shut up,” Megumi rolls his eyes as he takes another sip of his drink, keeping his eyes up on the stage, fixed on the fiddle player, “Just never seen it.”

“Well, Fushi,” Yuuji replies, stepping forward and turning around on his heel towards him, handing him his drink before he sings along with the lyrics as he walks backwards with a grin, “Sit down in that chair right there and let me show you how it’s done.”

Before Megumi’s heart can restart, Yuuji tips an imaginary hat down at him with a crooked smile before he turns towards the dancefloor, quickly sliding in next to Kugisaki as the fiddle picks up again and Megumi’s ears get warm.

The Devil's in the house of the risin' sun

The chicken in the bread-pan pickin' out dough

Granny, does your dog bite? No, child, no

Megumi was immediately overwhelmed with everything going on around him. His eyes were flicking back and forth from the fiddle player to Yuuji’s dancing, before his gaze was quickly fixated on Yuuji laughing.

As he slid next to Kugisaki, Yuuji had immediately joined in, stepping twice with one foot in front of the other as he turned his heels in once before stepping back a few paces. He then shifts to the left, weaving his feet over each other before he switches direction and does it again. 

Then, speeding up a little as they practically bounce on their toes, he and Kugisaki tap one foot once, then in front of them, and then again to the right. They then kick their heel up behind them, bringing their foot back down to the side for half a second before doing it again in front. Then they completely lose Megumi as they twist and bounce back and forth, laughing before they shift directions and do the whole thing all over again.

Megumi swallows hard as he can’t tear his eyes away, from either of them, from Yuuji’s wild yet somehow practiced movements, and both he and Kugisaki are grinning widely, practically moving without thinking as they laugh and attempt to sing along while breathing heavily.

Johnny said,"Devil, come on back if you ever wanna try again,

I done told you once, you son of a bitch, I'm the best there's ever been!”

As the fiddle picks up again, the crowd disperses into little groups dancing wildly, with Yuuji and Kugisaki linking arms and spinning around in a circle, red faced as they swung each other around, cackling with laughter as the floor practically shook. 

Megumi wasn’t sure what he was feeling, he wasn’t sure why he couldn’t take his eyes off Yuuji being so unapologetically himself, not caring about anyone or anything other than having fun with his sister. Maybe deep down he was a little jealous that Yuuji had no concern about what anyone else thought of him, just focused on himself and the people he loved and that was enough for him. That was wishful thinking for Megumi considering his situation, but he couldn’t help but admire him a little for it.

The admiration quickly dissipates as he continues to watch Yuuji dance, letting Kugisaki spin him around for a change

“He looks so dumb. I am so fucking screwed.” He mutters to himself as the song ends.

Maki joins him shortly after, tugging on his warm ears before teasing him for a little bit until Yuuji comes barreling over to them.

“Okay, okay!” Yuuji laughs as he stumbles back next to Megumi against the wall, his face flushed and sweaty as he looks up at him and Maki, “I’m tapping out, it’s your turn to deal with her, Maki. She is exhausting.”

“Say less.” Maki nods before quickly moving out through the dancefloor to find Kugisaki, and Megumi holds back his eye roll. Like he was the only lovesick one.

“Alright now, we’ve just got one last song to go tonight,” Boos immediately start up from the crowd of drunk, happy, twenty somethings, “I know, I know, but we got noise ordinances, folks. We’re ending the night with something slow, something classic. If there’s anyone out there you’ve been eyeing all night, now’s your chance to ask that pretty lady to dance with you, alright? Alright, let’s get this started. Thank you again!”

The song starts off slow, with simple, slow guitar, and the crowd immediately sighs affectionately, with people quickly grabbing their friends and partners to drag them out to the dancefloor.

“What is this?” Megumi asks, glancing over, but Yuuji just shushes him, absentmindedly shoving his fingers in his face to make him be quiet as he gazes up dreamily at the stage.

“Shh, shh, shh, it’s ‘Strawberry Wine.’” Yuuji whispers, a small smile on his face as he glances over at Megumi for a second, “I love this song.”

“Yeah?” Megumi asks, standing up a little straighter as he files that in the back of his head.

“Yeah, it’s a classic. So romantic.” Yuuji sighs a little, staring up at the woman singing up on stage, a musing look in his eyes.

“You would be a romantic.” Megumi replies, hoping he doesn’t sound too hesitant as he feels the nerves thicken in his throat as Yuuji’s warm arm remains against his.

“Yeah. I guess I’m something like that.” Yuuji replies, voice dropping a little bit as he doesn’t look over, just peeks above someone’s head to get a better look at the stage. 

One restless summer

We found love growin’ wild

On the banks of a river

On a well beaten path

It’s funny how those memories last

Like strawberry wine and seventeen

Megumi smiles to himself. Of course Yuuji would like this song. It was all nostalgia and warmth and good and simple love, just like him.

He lifts up his drink again, trying to distract himself from his increasingly sappy thoughts as the lyrics wash over him, making him feel drunker than the alcohol.

I still remember

When thirty was old

My biggest fear was September

When he had to go

Megumi’s smile drops a little as the second verse starts and he swallows hard, risking a glance over at Yuuji, who is just staring down at his drink, lips silently mouthing the lyrics. Then, he shakes his head a little and looks back up at the stage, breathing out once before he settles his smile back on his face, humming. 

But as the song continues, Megumi still just stares at him, unabashedly, as Yuuji’s face is lit up by the low lights off the stage, still humming and swaying along with the lyrics with his eyes closed. Megumi gulps again, his heart aching even worse as he stares at him, but even if it hurt, for a few moments, just a few, it was like every worry, every fear he had walking these streets, walking the halls of the Zenin estate, goes away with his eyes on Yuuji. 

All he can focus on is how simple his thoughts have been tonight, how they mostly revolved around Yuuji, and how all he wanted was to keep him under this light.

But year after year, 

I come back to this place

Just to remember the taste

Of strawberry wine and seventeen

“Fushi?” Megumi blinks to see Yuuji now looking back at him curiously as the chorus hits, a little amusement on his face as he just stares back at him, “You okay?”

“Yeah,” Megumi coughs once, hoping the lights hide how red he must be and he looks back out at the stage, “Good song.”

“Yeah. It is.”

They don’t speak for the rest of the song, they just let the soft, pretty, and bittersweet lyrics echo out around them. The dancefloor is full of couples slow dancing, heads resting on shoulders and interlaced fingers, but this was Megumi’s version of it. Standing there, their shoulders bumping together as they slowly swayed and silently listened to the words of a once upon a time kind of love, nothing needed except the low hum of the music, and Megumi’s aching heart gives him some warmth and relief just until the last note hits.

Strawberry wine and seventeen

The hot July moon saw everything

My first taste of love

Woah, bittersweet

And green on the vine

Like strawberry wine and seventeen

Megumi’s heart still hurts, but with the lyrics resonating in his brain, he swallows his pride and inhales sharply.

“Itadori, I—” He turns to him, only to find his spot empty, occupied by some other random girl and he looks up to see Yuuji walking towards the bar, rubbing his neck and talking with Kugisaki as they go up for drinks.

Megumi stares at him for a little as his head is turned towards Kugisaki, before he just sighs and leans back against the wall, banging his head gently, and he mutters, “Idiot. You’re a fucking idiot.”

It was in this moment that Megumi knew he was in love, and knew he was inexplicably and utterly fucked. 

Chapter Text

“Maybe I like surprising you.” 

“Yeah?” 

“Yeah, I do.”

“I…I like you surprising me.” 

“Yeah?” 

“Yeah, I do.” 

Megumi was quite literally losing his fucking mind. 

It was like his mind and body were disconnected, with his brain lagging three seconds behind his hands finding any reason to touch Yuuji and his mouth couldn’t seem to shut the hell up. All he could focus on was Yuuji under these lights, like drawing a moth to a flame.

He could barely see past the white hot anger that surged through him earlier when he saw Yuuji kissing that girl, the ugly feeling that propelled him across the room with just, ‘ mine, mine, mine,’ churning through his mind until he blacked back into focus when she was out of his eyesight. 

And now here he was, shoved into the dark, back corner of the dancefloor with Yuuji standing underneath him, and he didn’t think his heart could take much more.

As they stand there, Megumi feels an elbow dig into his back as he’s pushed further up against Yuuji, their bodies flush against each other and he looks down wildly at Yuuji’s face just inches from him, and almost loses his breath. 

Under low lights, Yuuji’s skin was a blend of color and strobes, his wide, warm eyes on his, but Megumi can only look at his lips, parted slightly and shiny with alcohol, and he feels drawn to them like a drug as his breathing starts to get heavy. Unable to keep his eyes off, he has no idea how long they stand there as he battles it out in his head.

I could do it. I want to do it, He breathes in sharply, eyes still fixed on Yuuji’s lips, I want to do it so fucking bad.

Instead, he clears his throat and leans back, “Do you want shots?”

He needed to stop this, he couldn’t do this to himself anymore, couldn’t let himself experience the forbidden fruit he knew he’d crave forever once he had a taste.

But, even knowing all of that, tonight, just for tonight, he simply can’t deny himself all the selfish acts he’d been suppressing for weeks. Once he’d felt Yuuji that close to him, he'd been aching for more, aching to feel any part of him, wanting to finally let himself just feel , in more ways than one. His lips on his ear and head, his fingertips on his cheek, his eyes on his mouth and throat, his hand in his, his laugh warming his veins. 

He couldn’t get enough, the closeness between them wasn’t enough, no words were enough. None of it was enough.

“Finish.” 

The words just slipped out of his mouth, his entire demeanor something entirely out of his control, with his eyes hazy with adoration and longing as he stared down at Yuuji’s wide ones. 

Yuuji swallows hard before finishing his drink, and Megumi can’t even let him fully finish it before he’s snatching out of his hands, desperate to close the distance those stupid drinks were in the way of. 

His hand just brushes past Yuuji’s waist as he feels his own breath hitch as he brackets him against the wall, desperately trying to keep himself upright as he inhales Yuuji’s cologne.

“Is this—”

“Yes.” 

His breathing only gets heavier as he feels Yuuji’s hesitant hands grab onto his shirt, and he hides his flushed face against his head as they move closer, his lips ghosting over his ear. 

Megumi can’t focus, too preoccupied with feeling Yuuji pressed against him, and he smells so fucking good, it makes him lightheaded. He can’t help but pull his head back a bit and look at him under the lights again.

He could feel them both breathing hard, their hearts beating against each other’s. Yuuji’s eyes were just barely closed as Megumi looks at him, his head fuzzy and swimming with light pink and amber brown. 

He’d now accepted he’d do anything for this damn boy he’d just met, the boy who made him smile for the first time in months in just a few minutes when he was a kid. 

And he knew he’d do anything as long as it meant Yuuji and his warmth could stay next to him for a little longer.

“Hey.” The word slips out, and Megumi quickly moves back against Yuuji, sighing a little as his lips hit his ear again, relaxing at the comfort of his skin. 

“Yeah?”

“I…” 

I want you more than anything in the world.

I fall asleep thinking about you every night. 

I save flowers that remind me of your hair. 

I stare at tea stains that are the same color as your eyes. 

I look at the sunrise and see your smile. 

I draw you sometimes and can never get it right.

I never want you to leave. 

Tsumiki would love you. 

My mom would have loved you. 

I love you. 

I’m in love with you.

He squeezes his eyes closed and keeps his drunk mouth shut, refusing to let himself slip, but as he hears Yuuji inhale sharply as his lips brush his ear again, he breathes in and almost faints as the intoxicating mixture of Yuuji’s cologne and shampoo hits his nose.

It was like he was watching himself from above, not completely in control of his actions, instincts taking over as he put his hand on Yuuji’s lower back, tugging him closer, while still not nearly being close enough. He can’t stop himself, he’d been aching to touch him for weeks, his hands itching to run their hands through his hair, trace the muscles on his back, just feel his skin under his fingertips. He just needed him.

He presses his lips back to Yuuji’s ear, indulging in his warmth and stability and the feeling of home, he shifts his hand, fumbling for his waist as he grips him slightly, terrified he’ll somehow disappear, slip out of his hands and go away forever again.

But Yuuji doesn’t move away, and Megumi’s heart is pounding, but now he can’t get the idea of him leaving out of his head, almost pathetically whimpering at how good it is to finally be able to be so close and feel him. He can’t help himself, he feels drugged. His hands were aching to move, to wrap him in his arms, throw him over his shoulder and leave, but he settles for pressing his lips further against Yuuji’s ear, breathing heavily.

“Itadori.” He barely recognizes his own voice, and he would feel embarrassed if he didn’t hear Yuuji breath hitch sharply, and he loses himself in the simple thought of him again.

“Yes?” Yuuji nods against him, his shoulders anxiously heaving up and down a little.

“Wanna get out of here?” Megumi quickly moves his other hand to his waist. He rubs his thumbs gently across the fabric to try and ground himself, focus, but as he feels Yuuji relax slightly against him, it ignites a small flicker of hope within him. Indulging in his hands on him, he can’t help himself as he shifts his thumbs, bringing up the fabric of his shirt so he can feel goosebumps as this thumbs graze Yuuji’s warm skin under his shirt, and he inhales shakily. 

“Grab another bottle and go to the lake? Swim?” The words tumble out of his mouth, unable to stop himself, unable to help himself from wanting this forever, wanting Yuuji forever under his fingertips. 

He just didn’t want this to end, didn’t want the bar to close and just go home by himself. He wanted to keep going, wanted to reach more, wanted more of him. All of his previous thoughts and worries were nowhere to be found with Yuuji this close to him, he felt like he could take on the world, do whatever he dreamed of as long as Yuuji was the one next to him. 

But at the same time, he wanted to steal him away right now, away from the crowds and the drinks and the loud music and have him all to himself, just Yuuji in his purest form. He wanted to keep hearing him laugh, feel his warm skin under his fingers, hear his voice when he woke up, memorize the feeling of his hands on his skin. He’d never wanted to feel as deeply as he did now, feel everything he could.

He was so fucked.

“Yes.” 

Yuuji’s voice is soft, but it’s the only thing he could focus on, and Megumi’s heart actually stutters, restarting for a few seconds. He can only nod against him, reluctantly pulling away as his whole body gets colder.

“I’ll go find the girls.”

“Okay.”

Megumi quickly pulls away, quickly making his way through the dancefloor as he exhales heavily, practically gasping for air as he frantically looks around for Maki and Kugisaki. 

His heart was pounding, his head yelling at him to pull back, to quit while he was ahead, but every other nerve in his body was screaming louder, alive with the electricity of Yuuji so close to him.

Finally, he spots the two girls in the opposite corner, dancing extremely close as their legs fit in between each other. Ignoring how hard Maki would probably punch him tomorrow, he pushes towards them.

“Hey!” He shouts as he approaches, and they quickly disentangle from each other, flushed down to their chests as they glance between each other and Megumi, “We’re leaving!”

“What?!” They both shout a little, and he huffs out an annoyed breath.

“We’re leaving! Me and Itadori!” He repeats louder, giving Maki a look as she raises her eyebrows, “We’re gonna go drink and swim! Are you coming?”

“Seriously?” Kugisaki grins, her eyes lighting up, “You’re coming too?”

“Yeah, now let’s go before I change my mind!” He shouts back, pointing at the exit door. 

“Yes, yes!” Kugisaki exclaims, turning to Maki and she grabs her hand, “Let’s go!”

He leads them through the dancefloor towards the door, Maki and Kugisaki giggling behind him the whole way.

As they approach, he turns to Maki, “I’ll be right out.”

“Don’t take too long,” Maki grabs his arm, tugging him back, her eyes serious as she glances at Kugisaki by the door, “I’m making a fucking move tonight so do not mess this up for me.”

“Shut up.” He rolls his eyes as he turns towards the bar, but she keeps her firm grip on him and he looks back.

“And you,” She tugs on him again and lowers her eyes, “Don’t fuck this up.”

“Fuck what up?”

“You know what I’m talking about,” Maki says, glancing at the door before returning her determined gaze to him, “Don’t fuck it up.”

Megumi swallows hard as Maki stares him down, and he nods silently. She nods back, letting her hand drop before she turns and throws her arms round Kugisaki’s shoulders and they make their way towards the door.

Megumi breathes in and out once, trying to calm his nerves before he heads over to the bar, shoving the drunken people still milling about, trying to get laid.

“Hey!” Megumi calls out, and the bartender turns to him.

“Hey, man! Last call is coming up.”

“Can I buy a bottle off you?” Megumi asks as he leans against the bar, glancing back at the door.

“A bottle? We don’t do bottle service here.” 

“No,” Megumi huffs, fighting the urge to roll his eyes as he points up, “Can I buy that añejo Clase Azul bottle off you?”

“You sure? It’s gonna be up charged as hell, man.” Megumi looks over to Yuuji heading towards the door, and he looks back at the bartender and nods firmly.

“Fuckin’ positive.”

“Okay, whatever you say,” He laughs, shaking his head as he reaches up and grabs the bottle, “Gonna be like 100,000 yen though.”

“Keep the change.” Megumi hands him a hefty stack of bills and takes the bottle off the bar and quickly heads towards the door.

“This is way too much, dude!” The bartender shouts after him, eyes wide as he looks at the bills in his hands.

“Use it to scrub the floors!” Megumi yells back, uncapping the bottle and taking a swig to swallow the growing lump in his throat. He recaps it with a shudder and shoves the door open.

The cooler, fresh air hits him, but his eyes search for Yuuji, and lock on him quickly.

Yuuji looks up from under the street light and smiles at him, warm and genuine, and Megumi leans against the wall to keep himself steady. He holds up the bottle, shrugging, and Yuuji’s smile grows wider.

Megumi feels his heart skip dangerously against his ribs, unable to keep the smile off his own face as he dedicates a small part of himself to do what he can to keep that smile around forever.

His heart was pounding the entire ride back, practically rattling his whole body to the point that he was trembling slightly. He was careful to make sure he sat in the front seat, away from the possibility of doing something stupid being cooped up next to Yuuji in the car for twenty minutes. 

But then after carefully and proudly keeping his eyes off him as he stripped off his clothes, Megumi had to bear witness Yuuji floating in the moonlit water, his body shaded under the night sky and dark water, but the moon shone brightly on his face. 

Megumi had never thought much of religion, but at this moment, he thinks he understands the concept of divine devotion.

As he stares out at Yuuji, Megumi takes a step back and fumbles for the bottle of tequila, taking a huge gulp to calm his nerves before stepping into the water to find Yuuji.

It was almost painful, seeing him like this as they spoke. Perfectly illuminated by the moon as Yuuji looked up to the stars, unknowingly more prominent than the millions of balls of useless gas above him. He was almost brighter than the moon in Megumi’s eyes, the one thing to make him feel more alive than he ever had before. More alive than he ever thought possible.

He was perfect, and Megumi could never have him.

His chest hurt so bad when he looked at him, he could barely breathe, and he’d never felt such a heavy ache within him, so deep he could feel it in his bones. 

He suddenly wants to leave, run away from this feeling of melancholic heartbreak he was putting himself through, when Yuuji speaks up, his voice bright, “Can you show me some?”

“Show you what?”

“Constellations. Can you point some out to me?”

He picks his head up and takes one look at Yuuji floating ahead of him, and he forces himself to think about Tokyo, about work, about Naobito, about anything other than Yuuji just a few feet away from him.

Yuuji and his kind words were dangerous, they made Megumi feel like he really could believe them, like he saw him the way he'd always secretly wanted someone to. Everything about Yuuji was dangerous, but as the night went on, and they moved closer and closer, Megumi had found himself caring less and less as long as he could see Yuuji under the moonlight for just a little bit longer.

Until he was too close, too close for Megumi to resist the feelings threatening to burst out of him every time he looked at Yuuji for too long.

Lashes damp from the water, eyes shining off the lake, Yuuji was the most beautiful thing Megumi had ever seen, and his sanity slipped every time he blinked.

He was so close, his fingers wrapped in his, his chest finally relaxing for the first time in months, and he didn’t care anymore, he didn’t care about the family, or Naobito, or what he was expected to do.

The only thing he could focus on was how his breathing aligned with Yuuji’s and all he wanted was to align every other part of himself with him, too. He wanted it all, he wanted him here in the country, he wanted him with Tsumiki, he wanted him with Blue and the dogs, and he could even see them in one year, then five, then ten, and then—

“Yuuji! Fushiguro! Did you fuckers get in without us?”

And suddenly, the perfect picture in his mind shattered, and his heart cracked along with it.

The next few days were pure, absolute, unadulterated torture. All he wanted to do was see Yuuji, and somehow, he was losing his mind even more than he already was. 

He felt bad lying to him that he was busy with work, but he needed time to think all of this out, and he couldn’t do that with Yuuji’s obnoxiously bright smile muddling his thoughts even more than it already does. And he definitely couldn’t do it if he was focused on the feeling of his fingertips curled in his, and how the moonlight off the water hit his eyes just right. 

He barely slept over the last week, his mind warring with itself as it battled out what he felt he needed versus what he needed to do. He wanted Yuuji so badly it made his body hurt and his bones ache, but he couldn’t bring himself to bring him into this life. Into the life that made Megumi hate himself, into a life that would constantly make Yuuji feel inferior to his condescending family members. Yuuji deserved better than that, better than him, no matter how badly Megumi wanted him.

That night, he’d made the mistake of walking past Naobito’s office in Gojo’s house, and it took everything in him not to groan loudly as he shouted out his name, or rather slurred out his name from inside the room. 

Naobito was, to put it politely, fucking smashed. The bottle on his desk had barely an inch of whiskey left, and his feet were kicked up onto the desk as he lazily lounged in his chair, eyes distracted.

“Did you have a chance to look over that list I sent you?” Naobito asks after a few minutes of shop talk, picking up his glass as he eyes Megumi.

“Oh,” Megumi shifts in his chair uncomfortably, fingers fiddling with his glass, “The list of women, you mean?”

“Yeah, and you’re fuckin’ welcome for adding pictures.” Naobito raises his glass to him before he takes a sip, and Megumi tries to control his grimace.

“I, uh, glanced at it but haven’t given it a proper look yet.”

“Your generation has no urgency, no drive,” Naobito shakes his head, “Just latching onto whatever’s easiest at the moment.”

“I’ve been trying to prepare for work, sir. I return in just a few weeks and I don’t want to fall behind.”

“I wish you’d put as much effort into women as you do to your work,” Naobito scoffs a little but Megumi keeps his mouth shut on that one as he reaches for his drink, “Speaking of, my piece of shit offspring Naoya was here this afternoon.”

Megumi’s fingers still on his glass as the air leaves his lungs in an instant, but he desperately tries to breathe as he keeps his eyes on Naobito, “Is that so?”

“Yup. Nearby for some bullshit work stuff,” Naobito grunts, wobbling a bit in his chair, “No clue what that kid actually does, always going off to random rural towns doing fuckall.”

“I see,” Megumi replies, trying to keep his voice even, “So? What’d he want?”

“Fucker actually bet me I couldn’t get that bitch Maki married off,” Naobito snorts, spilling whiskey from his full glass on his lap as Megumi’s blood runs cold, “As if! I could marry a goat to a pig if I wanted to, which I’m practically doing in this case.”

Megumi inhales sharply, tightening his grip on his glass as he attempts not to throw it at Naobito’s head. But he files it for later, tucking in the back of his mind as the gears in his head start to turn.

“Good that you managed to find a match for her,” Megumi replies coolly, hoping he doesn’t give anything away with the nerves in his voice. He ignores the part about Naoya for now, letting his mind wander with the new information, “I was worried she’d end up a spinster or something.” 

“As if,” Naobito snorts, shaking his head, “She may get the worst of the lot, but at least the oldest is married off. Second one is better off acting as someone’s concubine.”

“You make this so difficult,” Megumi mutters under his breath before he brings his glass up to his mouth, taking some whiskey in before he slowly spits it back into his cup, faking a shudder, “So, Maki getting married was really Naoya’s idea, huh? Thought you guys didn’t talk.”

“He’s my piece of shit son. I’ll talk to him if I damn well please.” Naobito snaps, glaring over at him.

“Just didn’t know,” Megumi shrugs, keeping his eyes on Naobito’s body language, “So what are the terms of this bet?”

“Bet?”

“The bet with Naoya. About Maki getting married?” Megumi reminds him, and his eyes are hazy with recognition, “It was his idea, right?” 

“Ah, yes. Little shit wants his piece back in the family, take her place. Said if I couldn’t get her married off to a respectable man, he had to be let back into the family.”

It took everything in him not to drop and shatter his glass onto the floor below, but he quickly maintains his composure, nodding once.

“Married to a respectable man? Those are the rules?” Megumi asks, trying to keep his face calm as his brain starts working overtime.

“Yes, idiot, I just said that. Once she’s some other family’s problem, Naoya will come back to his place.”

“His place.”

“Yes, his place,” Naobito narrows his eyes at him, “You may have gotten the title, but he’s still a damn Zenin. He may be an idiot who chose to leave, but he’s come back home now, where he should’ve stayed.”

“He chose to leave, huh?” Megumi can’t help but scoff a little, “Is that what we’re calling it now?”

Naobito glares as he tilts his head a little, “At least he wants to come back. We all know what happens to those in this family who stray, don’t we, Fushiguro?”

Megumi clenches his jaw but keeps his mouth shut as Naobito’s beady, smug eyes look him up and down once.

“So Naoya would come back,” He finally gets out, his voice still even, “After everything?”

“Oh, don’t tell me you’re still upset with him about that Tsumiki business?” Naobito rolls his eyes as Megumi clenches his fists, nails digging into his palms.

“Water under the bridge,” He grits out, “Was more thinking of his poor money and time management.” 

“We have people for that.” Naobito replies cooly, and Megumi bites his tongue as he sees the challenging look in his eyes.

“Mm, sure,” Megumi nods, inhaling deeply as he prepares himself “So? Who’d you find for her?”

“Nagata, from up north.”

Megumi’s fingers clench around his glass again, memories of a too touchy family friend filling his brain, “Nagata?”

“There a problem?”

“No, no, it’s just—” Megumi pauses, the wheels in his brain starting to turn quicker as he tries to think on his feet, “He’s pretty old, right?”

Nabito narrows his eyes, “His wife died last autumn.”

“So, there’s a good chance he could die in less than, what, five years?”

“Where are you going with this?”

“It’d make more sense to put her with someone more age appropriate, someone who can handle her for a longer period of time,” Megumi says, carefully watching Naobito’s expression, “I can’t imagine Nagata being able to handle Maki’s attitude very well.”

“Nothing a good swift slap can’t fix,” Naobito scoffs and it takes Megumi everything in him not to chuck his glass at his head, “But you have a point. No good in trying to expand the family with a dead husband. I’d just have to start the whole process over again.”

“Exactly,” Megumi says cautiously, “Let her have a proper courtship and engagement, you know, make it feel real. Make them wait.”

“Wait?”

“Yeah,” Megumi says, an idea starting to form in his brain, “Give her around five years or so to work, warm up to the guy, and I’m sure she’ll be able to be persuaded in that time. Forcing her to get married quickly would just make her avoidant and shut down the whole idea, and isn’t the goal to grow the family? That would create the opposite effect, no? Make her feel like it’s her idea.”

“Her idea.” Naobito repeats, tilting his head suspiciously.

“Yeah,” Megumi swallows hard, desperately trying to keep his voice even, “She’s always been independent. Feed into it a bit.”

“Hm,” Naobito replies, leaning back in his chair, “Not a bad idea.”

Megumi exhales, trying to hide his relief as he just nods. Naobito grins and stands up, grabbing his drink off the desk, and he moves around it to clap him on the shoulder as he turns towards the door.

“Good work, Megumi. You might just be one of us after all.” He claps him on the shoulder once more, and Megumi lets his body go limp under his firm grip as Naobito exits the room. 

As the doors close, Megumi’s shoulders slump and he bows his head in shame, setting his glass on the desk as his chest starts to numb. He glances up at the bottle sitting on Naobito’s desk, and after half a second of debate, he stands up and throws back his own drink before he grabs it, uncapping the bottle as he chugs a gulp. 

It burns down his throat, and he winces a little as it goes down, but he quickly scrunches his eyes shut, focusing on the warm, numbing feeling enveloping his body. Setting the bottle back down, he sighs deeply, looking out the window at the dark landscape ahead of them, littered with the tiny lights of the cottages in the distant hills.

He stares out for a minute more before he just exhales heavily and turns towards the door.

Paired with an increasing lack of sleep, his head was spinning all the next day, making his brain hurt as it churned with worst case scenarios of everything. If he didn’t tell Yuuji how he felt, there was a possibility he’d never seen him again, and if he did, he’d probably be fucking married. If he did tell him, Yuuji would let him down easy, say that he just didn’t feel the same, and Megumi’s heart would shatter.

But a part of him wanted to believe he had a chance. That Yuuji’s smiles and glances really were aimed at him. That the glimpses he saw of their future together could be real.

But even if he felt the same, even if Yuuji felt a fraction of what Megumi felt for him, it really didn’t matter. 

The Zenins were powerful, much more powerful than just in a business sense. They had eyes and ears everywhere, and their hands were in more pockets than he could even fully comprehend. The idea of bringing Yuuji into this family terrified him, there was absolutely no precedent for it, and there was absolutely no way that Megumi, the lucky bastard turned heir, would be allowed to break barriers like this. Not with someone like Yuuji.

His head was just going in circles, an endless loop of hopeful ‘what if’s’ violently brought down by reality.

Megumi was laying on the couch in the parlour, staring up at the painted constellations on the ceiling, and his brain hurt from thinking too much. About Maki, about Mai, about Yuuji, about how quickly this can all spin out of his control with one wrong move. And how fucking irritated he was that somehow Naoya is still fucking with him.

“Ijichi!” He turns his head to the door as he hears Maki's voice ring out through the hallway, “Can you pull the Jeep out for me?”

“Hey!” He calls out and sits up as Maki slows passing the doorway and turns towards him. She steps inside and leans against the wall, looking annoyed.

“What do you want? I’m kind of in a rush here.”

“Where are you going?”

“Taking Kugisaki on a hike to that scenic point up on the hill,” Maki shrugs, shifting her weight, “Told her I’d bring her up there at least once before we leave for Tokyo at the end of the month.”

“Oh,” Megumi exhales, a little grateful that Maki is at least somewhat embracing the idea of leaving without too much fuss, “Any special reason for today?”

“It’s beautiful out, so I’m telling her that I love her.”

“You’re going to do what!?” Megumi jolts up straight, his stomach plummeting as he shoots off the couch, stumbling his way across the room towards her as Maki folds her arms stubbornly over her chest.

“I’m going to tell her,” Maki interrupts with a shrug, “I’m not doing this bullshit matchmaking shit in Tokyo that Naobito wants. I want her.”

“Maki,” Megumi replies slowly, trying to choose his words carefully, “Come on now.”

“What, Megumi?” She replies, her voice sharpening, “Is there a problem with that?”

“Yeah, Maki, there is,” He replies shortly, stepping towards her, “Have you forgotten your conversation with Naobito at the Zenin place?”

“I don’t fucking care about family fucking duty, or continuing the line, or getting married to some old fuck or pretentious asshole,” Maki snaps, stepping forward, “Why should I care about growing that shit ass family or that family at all? I don’t want them.”

“Maki, come on, just think about this,” Megumi says, worry seeping into his voice, “I know you and Naobito don’t see eye to eye but he might set you up with someone… not horrible?”

“Don’t piss me off, Megumi,” She scoffs, shaking her head, “I’m not doing it. I don’t care if they cut me off, who gives a shit?”

“You told me you don’t even know if she feels the same!” Megumi argues back, feeling panic start to rise in his chest as he realizes how badly this all could go.

“I don’t care!” Maki throws her hands up, turning around to walk back through the doorway into the main hall, and Megumi quickly follows, his hands starting to shake more.

“Maki, come on,” He pushes carefully, trailing behind her, “We’ve talked about this. Friendships like this are weird for us, there’s always a chance that—“

“Shut up, Megumi,” Maki interrupts, continuing to walk down the hall as Megumi’s panic continues to build with every dismissal, “You’re really giving me the cautionary ‘Don’t fall in love with your best friend' tale? Seriously? You are such a fucking hypocrite, you’re going to—”

“Dammit, Maki, wake the fuck up!” Megumi finally shouts, throwing his hands up as his frustration and anxiety from the last week start to overwhelm him. His words echo harshly throughout the room and Maki turns to look back to him in surprise, “How the fuck does this end for you? If the Zenins drop you for this, for a girl you don’t even know feels the same? You know they can take everything from you, they could revoke your fucking college degree if they wanted to!”

“I don’t care!” She shouts back, stepping towards him again, “They can go to hell for all I care! I’m not—”

“What about Mai?” Megumi interrupts, and Maki’s face falls. His stomach immediately churns with guilt, but he forces himself to stand firm, forces himself to believe this was the right thing to do. 

“What—” Maki steps back, pausing as her expression shifts into hurt confusion, “What about her? What are you talking about?”

“What do you think they’ll do to her if you leave?” Megumi says quietly, attempting to shove off the part of his brain that’s telling him to shut the hell up.

“Fuck you, Megumi,” She takes another step back, shaking her head a little as her face pales, “That’s not fair.”

“You think I don’t know that?” Megumi shakes his head a bit, trying to clear his brain, “You’re stronger than she is. If you leave, all of the anger and bitterness they have for you will go towards her. You know I’m right.”

Maki stares at him, face twisted with confusing emotions, “But— But she’s not—”

“Maki, they’ll never let her get a moment of peace,” Megumi attempts to say gently, trying to ignore his shaking hands, “They will run her entire life. She will be literally nothing but a pawn in their hands and who knows what they’ll do with her, who they’ll set her up with, what she’ll have to deal with. You’re stronger than her, you know you are.”

“You think she can’t fight back?” Maki snarls at him and he shakes his head immediately.

“Not without you, she can’t.” Megumi fires back and Maki takes a step backwards, shaking her head rapidly as she stutters out.

“This— This is such bullshit. You can’t make me do this, Megumi.”

“Maki, you think I want this for you?” Megumi asks exasperatedly, “If you go, the pressure on her is gone, I can guarantee it. I can’t do much but I know I can keep her safe, and I can stall this for you for a few years. I’m trying to protect you guys in the best way I know how. Buy yourself time and I can help.”

“This isn’t fair.” She repeats, taking another step back from him, her eyes shifting from familiar to cold, and Megumi swallows hard as he prepares himself to lose her.

“I know it’s not fair. Nothing about this is fair. But please, just think about this. How this really plays out for both of you.”

Maki just stares at the walll, a confusing wash of emotions passing over her face as her head just shakes back and forth a little. Megumi inhales, every breath feeling ragged, and he forces himself to continue, to try and get her to understand.

“I’m… I’m trying to protect you two.” Megumi weakly gets out, and Maki’s mouth twitches as her expression shifts and she turns back to him.

“Protect us.” She scoffs once, and then she just stares blankly at him for a few more minutes, but he can’t bring himself to move or speak. He feels absolutely horrible, dirty, practically nauseous at the look on Maki’s blank face, before she shakes her head again, her expression shifting from confusion to unfeeling. 

Something entirely unfamiliar.

“Then what about Itadori, huh?” Maki asks sharply as she steps up to him and Megumi feels the blood drain from his face, “You gonna give him up, too? So you can keep living your fancy fucking life?”

“That’s not—”

“No, fuck you, Megumi, fuck you!” She shouts, her voice echoing around them as she shoves him back a little, and he lets her as he feels the pit in his stomach grow wider,  “Must be nice, being a fucking man, huh?”

“Maki—”

“No,” She interrupts, her voice biting and cold, “You have Gojo. He can protect Tsumiki, he can protect you. You have a backup plan. Gojo can’t help us with this, I’m not stupid enough to believe that. Mai is all I’ve got, and now I have to let go of the one thing I’ve ever had for myself.” 

“Maki—”

“I don’t care if she didn’t feel the same,” Maki interrupts him again, and Megumi’s chest tightens like a noose around his heart as he hears her voice shake, “I’m never going to meet anyone else like her again. And fuck you for being such a damn coward.”

“Coward?”

“Yeah, you’re a fucking coward, Megumi,” Maki spits out, shoving him again as stubborn tears prick at her eyes, “All your talk about how much you hate these people but you’re just the same as them. Plotting and scheming and using people to keep the damn peace instead of getting off your ass. You’re so content being miserable that you forget that you can actually do something about it.”

“Maki, please, you have to understand—” Megumi tries but she interrupts sharply. 

“I know I have to let her go,” Maki clenches her jaw as tears begin to slip down her cheeks, “I’ve always known that. Zenins would never let me go through with it, they’d fuck it up at every damn turn, using their fancy ass connections to make it, make us, impossible.”

“Do you think I’m an idiot? You think I don’t know that being a woman and liking women are the two greatest sins I could commit in this goddamn family?” She stares at him expectantly, but Megumi’s unable to speak, the guilt making his tongue feel like lead, and she just scoffs a little.

“I’ve always known you’d be fine. You could even be with Itadori if you wanted to. They might make a fuss, but you’re still the damn male heir, aren’t you?” Maki spits out, anger and resentment underlining her voice, “And honestly, I hope you do, I really do. He’s a good fucking person, and he is twice the man anyone in the family is, including you.”

Megumi still can’t speak, can’t move, can’t do anything other than listen to the truth spill from her lips.

“You’re in the room where this shit happens, Megumi,” She snaps out again, her face red with anger and heartbreak as tears stream down her face, “So make shit happen. For once in your goddamn fucking life.” 

Maki takes another step back, exhaling shakily as she firmly keeps her chin up.

“But I know you won’t. So, really, fuck you, Megumi. Fuck you for being exactly like them,” Maki states coldly, her breathing rough and ragged. She just shakes her head with a scoff, taking another step back as she keeps her voice even and icy, “Tell Naobito congrats. Looks like he finally got the son he always wanted.”

She looks him up and down one last time as she shakes her head again and turns around to walk away before slamming the door behind her. 

Megumi stands there, motionless, nauseous, staring at the door, as he suddenly realizes that was the first time he’d ever seen Maki cry.

Maki didn’t speak to him the next day, or the day after that, or the day after that. Their days were spent in silence on opposite corners of the house, and the third day, she left for Tokyo. 

He stood at the front door as the attendants packed their things into the car, Mai sitting in the front seat smugly as Maki leaned against the car looking up at the house, her expression vacant. 

Megumi inhales sharply, and pushes himself to walk towards her. As he approaches, she tears her gaze away to look at him, and her eyes are cold as she doesn’t hesitate and just moves to sit in the car.

“Maki—” 

“Never speak to me again.” She snaps without looking up, and slams the car door shut in his face.

He stares at the door, willing it to open again, willing her to let him attempt to explain what he’d done, but all he’s left with is the smoke from the exhaust billowing out from the car as it tears out of the driveway. 

He continues to stare until the car turns a corner and disappears from view.

“Megumi,” Gojo tries as he comes up behind him and gently places his hand on his shoulder, “Just let her—”

“Get the fuck off me.” He bites out, shoving Gojo off as he turns around and stalks back towards the house. 

That night, he was walking through the halls, his body aimlessly wandering as his mind did the same. He’d alternated from hating himself, to hating Naobito, to hating the whole family, to feeling his guilt churn through him like choppy oceanwater, making him feel nauseous all day.

As he ghosts through the halls, he sees the door to Naobito’s makeshift office he’d set up here, and his chest tightens as he stares at the dimly lit sliver of room he could see. His footsteps already echoing down the hall, he tries to casually pick up his pace past the doorway, not daring to look in. He’s just about to breathe a sigh of relief when he hears a sharp voice ring out from inside.

“You.” 

Megumi holds back a groan as he hears Naobito’s voice from inside his office, and he slowly slinks back and pokes his head in.

“What?”

“Maki told me her decision before she left.”

His stomach drops to the floor as he grips the doorway, attempting to keep his balance as he gets a little lightheaded, “And?”

“She agreed to the terms. Under that bullshit condition I added that she can work for a minimum of five years before the marriage. Ridiculous, if you ask me,” Naobito scoffs, as Megumi breathes a small but hidden sigh of relief, “But she said I had you to thank for it.”

“Me?” Megumi says with surprise, and Naobito nods, slugging back the rest of his drink.

“Something about wanting to thank you for reminding her of her place in the family, something stupid like that.” Naobito says absentmindedly, waving his glass around dismissively, as Megumi’s gut twists and contorts further.

“R-Right.” He chokes out, before clearing his throat, “Have you found a place for her within the company?”

“Not yet,” Naobito sighs in annoyance, taking a large sip of his whiskey before continuing, “Hard to find someone who will willingly take on her bitchy attitude.”

 “Let her work with me,” Megumi says too quickly, and Naobito narrows his eyes, “In my department with Gojo.”

“You?”

“Yeah. I can deal with her better than the others, train her to take over for me. Might as well save the time and energy trying to find someone that can handle her, right?” Megumi says, desperately hoping that he sounds casual as he scans Naobito’s face, “If you want control over her in marriage, you should look to pick someone within the company. If she's at Gojo's, it avoids conflict of interest and all that.”

“It’s your funeral,” Naobito just shrugs, “Gives me less of a reason to deal with that bitch.”

“Don’t call her that.”

“Whatever,” Naobito scoffs, “Just give her something to pass the time until she gets over this and is ready to fill her role.”

“And Mai?” Megumi asks, holding his breath as Naobito rolls his eyes.

“Oh, I don’t have time to deal with another one of those fucking… mouthy, whiny women,” Naobito shakes his head, and Megumi’s fingernails dig deeper into his palms as he fights to keep his mouth shut, “She can do whatever the hell she wants. I don’t care, you can take over dealing with her. First real official family business.”

Megumi breathes out, unable to believe how easily he’d managed to handle that, before he focuses again, keeping his voice steady.

“Can I get that in writing?”

“Seriously?” Naobito groans, leaning his head back dramatically, but Megumi keeps his gaze firm. 

“It’s just good business.”

Naobito stares at him for a moment before he just rolls his eyes, “Fine.”

“Now would be great.” Megumi adds, glancing down at his desk.

“You’re such a brat.” Naobito scoffs, pulling a pad of his stationary towards him as he hastily scrawls on it, and then shoves it towards him. Megumi gently picks it up, reading it over before he nods and folds up neatly into his pocket.

“And you?” Megumi asks, holding his breath for a moment as Naobito looks up, “What will you give me in return?”

“You? You want something in return for doing your damn duty?”

“Maki wouldn’t have agreed to this without me,” Megumi replies cooly as he sees Naobito’s eye twitch, “You owe me and you know it.”

Naobito stares at him before he sits up a little in his chair, and leans forward onto his elbows. Megumi keeps his gaze firm, trying to ignore the lump in his throat as he pushes his luck.

“What do you want?” Naobito asks, his tone cautious, but more suspicious than anything.

“Give me the same deal as her. Give me five years.” Megumi replies simply, and Naobito’s eyes narrow further.

“Five years.”

“Yes,” Megumi sighs, feeling his chest ache a little as he forces the words out, “I’ll do it. I’ll marry whoever you want, just… give me five years. Keep it quiet until then. I’ll fully take over as head of the family and the business in the official capacity like you want me to, whatever you want, but just give me five years.”

“Five years to do what, exactly?” Naobito asks, looking him up and down as Megumi tries to keep himself from trembling.

“Mourn my bachelorhood.” Megumi deadpans, fighting the urge to roll his eyes as Naobito frowns.

“Don’t be cute, Megumi, it’s not a good look on you,” Naobito scowls, shaking his head, “What are you up to?”

“I’m not up to anything, Uncle,” Megumi replies calmly, and Naobito sits up a little straighter, “You were right. It’s time to take my role in the family more seriously if I’m going to run things. Enough fooling around. Might as well start now.”

Naobito just stares at him, eyes narrowed and focused, and Megumi fights to stay still under his gaze, desperate to afford himself any sort of hope.

“And the farm boy?” Naobito finally asks, his icy stare blazing straight through him, and Megumi feels the warmth he’d kept tucked away in his heart tremble a bit.

Megumi keeps his expression even, but he feels the lump building back up in his throat. He knew what Naobito meant, knew what he was asking, knew that doing this meant giving up in every way. He inhales once, feeling a little piece of himself wither away, the fabric of faded pink and amber slipping through his fingers once again.

“What farm boy?”

As the days passed, and he’d continued to lie to Yuuji, he tried to accept the idea that he’d be married in five years, that he’d be running one of the biggest companies in the world, and that he’d be unbelievably and desperately lonely.

And as those days passed, the more depressed he got.

He found himself in the open field by the stables, pacing back and forth in the grass as his thoughts continued to hammer against his skull.

Finally, he huffs and pulls out his phone from his pocket, scrolling down to his favorited contacts and clicks on the first ones, letting it ring against his ear.

“Megumi?”

“Hey.”

“Hi! How are you?” He feels his shoulders relax as Tsumiki’s cheerful voice rings through his phone, “Oh, I’m so happy you called, I miss you! Come home already!”

“I’m good, and I miss you too but I’ll be back to visit soon enough,” He replies, sighing a little before he clears his throat, “I, uh, just wanted to talk to you about something.”

“Ooo, okay! So mysterious,” Tsumiki replies, a light, teasing tone to her voice, “What’s up?”

Megumi takes a deep breath, telling himself this was the right thing to do.

“I kind of… um, met someone.” Megumi barely manages to get out, and he feels his cheeks heat up as he speaks.

“What!?!?” He tugs the phone away from his ear as Tsumiki shrieks loudly, her voice piercing through his skull.

“Don’t be so loud.” He groans a little, but he can’t help but smile as she keeps squealing over the phone.

“Megumi, you met someone!? Who is it? How’d you meet? What are they like? Are they cute? When can I meet them?”

“So many questions.” He groans again, leaning his head back between his shoulders as he walks.

“Come on, at least give me something!”

“His… His name is Yuuji, he lives in town, up on the hill,” Megumi replies, a smile twitching on his lips as his name easily rolls off his tongue, “He works with horses.”

“Oh, really?” She teases, and he rolls his eyes again, thankful she can’t tease him about his warm cheeks too.

“Yeah, and he’s like the one person Blue can stand other than me,” He laughs a little, glancing over at the stables, “He’s really good with her, it’s cool to see.”

“Aw, my little Megs!” She almost squeals, and Megumi tries not to roll his eyes again, “You really like him, don’t you?”

“Shut up,” Megumi grumbles, leaning his head back as he takes a moment, before he hesitantly adds, barely mumbling over a whisper, “I, um, I think it might be more than that.”

“Megumi, you know I can’t stand when you mumble and grumble like that.”

“I said I think it might be more than that.” He repeats louder, and silence fills the air, and all he can hear is the subtle static of the phone, and the birds chirping in the trees beside him.

“More than that?”

“I don’t know.”

“I don’t think you’d be calling me unless you already knew the answer, Megs.”

He doesn’t answer for a little, just slows to a stop as he rubs his foot into the grass, shifting his weight before he just sighs deeply, “What do I do?”

“What do you mean?” Tsumiki asks, excitement clear in her voice, “Tell him!”

“I can’t do that.” Megumi scoffs, shaking his head a little as he sees flashes of all the scenarios he’d been running through his head all week.

“Why not?” 

“He’s not…” Megumi pauses, looking out at the expanse of green forest ahead of him, “He’s not like me. I told you, he’s from town.”

“So?”

“So…” He says slowly, confused as to how she’s not seeing the problem, “I can’t see him as an option with the way the family’s being run now. No one’s married outside of this society since my dad and we all saw how that worked out.”

“Megumi, don’t do that.” Tsumiki scolds him lightly, and he just grumbles a bit in response.

“Whatever, you know what I mean,” He huffs out, rubbing the back of his neck, “Anyway, it’s bad enough he’s poor, but he’s a man, too. The Zenins had a huge hand in funding those politicians who campaigned against the sex marriage legislation, so I can’t imagine they’d handle this well at all. Remember what happened to Naobito’s older brother?”

“God, they really do suck.” Tsumiki sighs, sounding displeased.

“You’re really not helping.”

“Sorry!” She squeaks out quickly as he sighs again, “I just hate that you have to deal with these people. You’re nothing like them.” 

Megumi swallows hard, switching the phone to his other ear as his gut twists a little, “Yeah, sure.” 

“I think you should go for it,” Tsumiki replies firmly, and Megumi rolls his eyes a little, “Do you think he feels the same?”

“I don’t know and it doesn’t matter.”

“Sure it does, Megs, this is love we’re talking about here, right?” When Megumi doesn’t answer, her tone sharpens, “Right?”

“U-Um, yes.” He replies quietly, feeling his ears get hot as Tsumiki squeals again.

“So tell him! Go for it! I know the Zenins would make it difficult, but you want to be with him, right?”

“They’d make his life hell, Tsumiki, you know that,” Megumi shakes his head a little as he sighs, “Even though I love him, I can’t do that to him. He’s the last person I should be with. I’m not supposed to be with someone like him.”

“Who cares?”

“Who cares? Who cares?!” Megumi repeats, now starting to get frustrated, “Literally everyone cares! That’s my only damn job in this family! Get married to some rich ass girl, have a kid, and make a ridiculous amount of money, then die. That’s it. That’s all I’m supposed to do. Girl, kid, money, die. He doesn’t fit into that.”

“So?”

“So?”

“Do you have a parrot problem, Megs?”

“Tsumiki, I’m being serious.”

“I am too!” She argues back, “Come on, you’ve already relented and said you’d assume your dumb role as heir although you’ve never wanted it. And you actually like your work with Gojo, despite your refusal to admit it.”

“Whatever.”

“Take a chance, Megs,” Tsumiki says, her voice almost pleading, “You said Maki left, right? To take that Tokyo job she agreed to?”

Megumi swallows hard, guilt manifesting in his gut as he recalls Maki’s words before she left, “Yes.”

“So,” Tsumiki says gently, “If it comes down to it, she can take over, right? You always said she’d be better at it than you.”

“That’s… not super realistic, it doesn’t really work like that, Tsumiki,” Megumi sighs, rubbing his forehead, “I’ve thought about it, but the Zenins would never go for it, having a woman as head of the family. Their connections are too deep, I don’t think I have the power to sway anything.”

“You’re selling yourself short, Megs,” Tsumiki argues, “Why are you pretending like this is something out of your control? If you want him, get him. You can figure out the rest.”

“What do you mean?”

“What can they really take from you? The Zenins?”

“I… I don’t know,” Megumi shakes his head a little, “I just want to make sure Maki and Mai are safe.”

“Do you think you could still have connections there to keep watch on them, if the Zenins have a problem with you and Yuuji?”

“Yeah…” He replies hesitantly, thinking back to some of his younger cousins and aunts who weren’t as insufferable as second siblings, “I think so. Gojo could probably help.”

“So would you do it for him?” Tsumiki pushes, her voice firming, “For Yuuji?”

“Give up the Zenins for him?” He asks, and she hums in affirmation. He thinks about it for about half a second before he replies, “Yes. No doubt.”

“Then go for it! Megumi, let this be your chance! This is a sign, come on!” She exclaims as the gears in his head start to turn, “You’ve fallen in love with someone and you don’t care what the consequence is. Act like it! Be brave!”

Megumi stands there in the open field, breeze gently whistling through the grass, and his heart starts to pound.

Could he do this? Really?

Could he really get everything he wanted?

“If they have a problem with it,” Megumi inhales sharply, nodding to himself, “I’ll leave. I’ll figure it out. We can figure it out, I’ll figure something out with Maki and Mai, too. Protect them.”

“Oh, Megumi!” Tsumiki squeals again, and he pulls back his phone a bit again, “I’m so happy for you!” 

“Stop.” He huffs, his cheeks warming even further as Tsumiki sighs happily over the phone

“Nope! My baby brother is in love!” 

Groaning, he shakes his head before he feels a  stubborn smile creep onto his face, “Yeah, whatever.”

Megumu sighs a little before readjusting his phone, “Thanks. For this.”

“Of course, anytime,” Tsumiki replies kindly before he hears a mischievous little giggle, “Sooo, when can I meet him?”

Megumi sat there in his library chair, tapping his pen against his notebook as he stared down at the page blankly. He needed a plan, a good plan, to make this work with Yuuji. He knew the higher ups in the family would freak out if he’d announced that they were together, and that would turn disastrous in less than a week. Even if he’d wanted to ask him to marry him, there was still time in between getting engaged and actually getting married that they could use to mess everything up.

He knew it was a little crazy, a little impulsive to ask Yuuji to marry him when they were just twenty one and had known each other for just over two months, but he knew he wanted Yuuji forever, there wasn’t ever a doubt about that. Town hall was just a necessity, something he had to overcome before the Zenins could sniff him out. He’d never feel like this about anyone else ever again, and he knew it.

And as his heart flutters when he thinks back to how Yuuji looked at him at the lake, his own doubts that plagued his head were starting to quiet the more he thought about the possibility of this actually working. 

He’d never been the type of person to fight for what he wanted, he tended to just allow things around him to happen as he watched. He didn’t let himself get his hopes up, he didn’t allow himself to want things.

But Megumi wanted this, he wanted him, so badly it felt like all the want and desire he’d missed out his whole life was simply all wrapped up in Yuuji, just waiting for him.

He looks down at his notes, his heart beating a little faster as he smiles to himself, and glances down at the little stack of pillows Yuuji had set up next to his chair so he could read next to him.

He sighs as he reads over his notes one last time, and smiles to himself before he folds it up and tucks the paper into his pocket.

“Ijichi! Can you bring the car around?”

“Yes, sir! Where to?”

“Naobito’s country place!” Megumi shouts back, unable to help the smile on his face as he allows himself to get finally excited at the prospect of Yuuji being his forever, “I got something I need to do!”

“In the end, you have been nothing but an arrogant, condescending dick with no regard for anyone else’s feelings so it has become perfectly clear that you are the last person I would ever want to touch, let alone fucking marry!”

Megumi tries to get himself to breathe as he forces himself through the grass, the landscape blurring around him as he fights back tears until he can get to a car. The house finally comes back into view through his tears, but he pushes towards the front, and spies Ijichi leaning against the front entryway, reading a book.

He looks up and smiles as he hears him approach but his smile drops as he sees Megumi’s face and he quickly moves towards the car to open the back door and scurries over to the driver's side. 

Megumi slides into the car and slams the door shut, his chest heaving as he lets one sob slip out of him, and he sees Ichiji glance back at him in the rear view mirror.

“Get me the fuck out of here.” He gets out quickly, shoving his palms over his eyes, his chest heaving as Ijichi nods once and skids out of the driveway.

He barely registers the ride home as he practically hyperventilates in the backseat, his lungs so shriveled up in his chest, he feels like he’s inhaling hot steam. He can see Ijichi glancing worriedly at him in the mirror, but he’s smart enough not to say anything. 

The car barely pulls to a stop before he’s whipping the car door open and stumbling up to the front entry, frantically putting in the code to the front door. As it finally swings open, he chokes out a breath of relief and pushes into the house, desperate to find a place where he can just feel his emotions in peace, without eyes on him, without anything or anyone watching. 

As he tears through the front hall, he sees a blur of white in his vision coming out of the hall to his right, with a hand outstretched towards him.

“Megumi? Kiddo? What’s wr—” Gojo’s voice is full of concern, but Megumi can barely even think, the walls feeling like they’re closing in on him, and his breathing just gets shallower and more ragged.

“Leave me the fuck alone for once in your goddamn fucking life! You used to be real fucking good at it!” Megumi screams, shoving past him towards the stairs, practically tripping up them as he continues his pathetic attempts to breathe.

Struggling up the back staircase, he pushes his way up towards his library, hoping to find some place to let himself calm down as he races up the stairs.

Megumi pushes open the door, chest heaving painfully as he looks around the library, but he chokes out another sob as all he sees are flashes of Yuuji, laughing from the floor, books long forgotten as he smiled that stupid, charming smile up at Megumi.

He stumbles back through the doorway and heads again for the back staircase, desperately trying not to sob into the echoing hallways as he skips two steps at a time.

Megumi fumbles for his bedroom, the only goddamn place in this house he didn’t have memories of Yuuji in, as the door closes behind him, he slumps against it and slides down to the floor.

For a few minutes, he just lets himself cry, sob for the first time in years as he sits there, hating himself. Every part of him hurt, everything ached like he’d been sitting in the rain for a month, even his bones hurt. 

He could physically feel his heart struggling to keep up with his rapid breathing, and he desperately tries to focus enough on the air going in and out of his lungs enough to just not pass out. 

After a few minutes of breathing somewhat normally, he suddenly scrambles for his phone, pulling it out of his pocket, wiping off the screen as his tears smudge the glass. He clicks his contacts, finding the one he wants as he tries to inhale and exhale deeply to somehow still control his breathing before pressing the call button, and the phone rings and rings and rings and rings and rings and—

“Hello?”

He doesn’t answer at first, just continues to try to hold back the sob that’s been settling deep in his throat. 

“Megumi? Are you there?” 

“He—” His voice cracks and he leans his head against the wall, squeezing his eyes shut as tears slip down his cheeks.

“Megs? What’s wrong? Are you okay? Are you hurt? Please, what’s going on?” Tsumiki’s voice is wracked with concern, worry seeping through the static, and Megumi feels even more guilty.

“H-He said no.”

“Oh, Megumi, honey…” Her voice shakes a little bit and he feels more warm tears slip down his face again for a few minutes before he steadies himself enough to speak.

“Can I come home?”

“Of course,” Tsumiki replies quickly, hesitating before she quietly adds, “Are you okay?”

Megumi stays silent, eyes fixed on a piece of wood flooring in front of him as his tears drip below onto the ground.

“I’ll be home in the next few days.”

“Megumi—”

He brings his phone down and hangs up, quickly shutting it off as he throws it across the floor. He sits there for who knows how long, eyes numbly staring ahead out of him at nothing, before he drags himself over to his bed.

Before he can even realize he’s moving, he reaches under his bedside table and tugs out the bottle of whiskey he keeps hidden in it. Tugging the cap off with his teeth, he lifts it and takes a long, long sip as it burns down his throat, however, he can’t help but admit he feels very little of it. 

Swallowing hard, he walks towards the door in the corner of his room. Pushing it open into the fresh air, he just stands in the doorway for a moment, one hand on the door and the other still holding the bottle. Keeping the door open, he walks back over to his bed and yanks his comforter off, dragging it behind him as he grabs his phone off the floor and goes out to the balcony

He stares out at the grounds, at the grass that winded its way up the hill towards Yuuji, and he just stares at the house. He knew he wasn’t there, but just the thought of that house being so close, yet so far, made his chest feel like collapsing into itself.

He then shifts, and lays down on the cold ground, he wraps himself up in his comforter. He sniffles once more, wiping his blurry eyes as he grabs for his phone, and opens up his music, scrolling down until he finds it.

Clicking on ‘The Dark Side of the Moon’, he just hits play, and the low music fills the air as Megumi picks up the bottle again, his eyes fixed on the dark landscape ahead of him. He barely tastes the whiskey down his throat as he sits there, huddled up against the wall.

“You’re so fucking pathetic, Megumi,” He mutters to himself, scoffing as he takes another long sip of whiskey, “Absolutely pathetic. Your mother would fucking hate you. You absolute piece of fucking shit.”

Gojo found him the next morning, passed out and sprawled in his comforter on the balcony with the bottle half empty and his phone dead after replaying the same song over and over and over again.

“Megs.”

“Nghhh.” He groans into the ground, his head feeling like it was filled with lead marbles, and every sound kicked them around further.

“Come on, kiddo. Let’s get you up.”

“No.” He moans against the comforter, shaking his head.

“Megumi, come on. Let’s get you inside.” Gojo says softly, ignoring Megumi’s harsh tone, and he shakes his shoulder a little.

“Just leave me here to die.”

“You are so dramatic,” Gojo huffs, shaking his head as he stands up with his hands on his hips, “I ask again, who raised you?”

Megumi finds the energy to pick his head up and glare at him, before he groans again and drops his head back to the ground as the morning sunlight hits his eyes. 

“Getting wasted and passing out, this isn’t like you, kid,” Gojo sighs, sounding disappointed, before Megumi feels him kneel back down next to him, and a hesitant hand falls on his back, “Do I want to know what happened?”

“Think I’d tell you? ” He grumbles harshly, shoving him off as he pushes his face back into the comforter.

Gojo just sighs again deeply, and Megumi hears him stand up and move towards the door.

“Okay. There’s breakfast for you inside. Some aspirin too. Just let me know if you need anything.” 

Megumi pauses before he picks his head up and opens his mouth to say something, anything, but the balcony door closes before his brain can come up with anything.

He groans, wriggling around under the sheets as he tries to unsuccessfully melt into the floor.

Megumi sits there at his desk, eyes blankly staring down at a sheet of paper. He glances up out the window, and he sees the cars being loaded down in the driveway, with Gojo parading around like he was directing an airplane.

He looks back down at the piece of paper before he sits up a little and picks up his pen, bringing it down to the top of the page. 

Dear Itadori,

No, he couldn’t call him by his damn last name.

Dear Yuuji,

I’m sorry—

He pulls his hand away as tears make their way back to his eyes, blurring his vision as they drop onto the ink, and he holds his head in his hands, letting the tears drop down onto the page.

He’s sorry? He’s sorry? 

The biggest fuck up of his life, caused by insecurity and his damn family’s opinions, and he’s sorry?

He inhales deeply once, picking his head back up as he leans back in his chair. He glances down at the cabinet below him, hesitating for a moment before he curses and yanks the door open, pulling out a glass and half empty bottle of whiskey. If he was going to write this, he had to shut out the nagging, overthinking voice in his head.

Pouring himself a glass, Megumi sniffles once and rubs his nose as he looks back down at the papers ahead of him.

He sits there, staring at the blank pages, as he brings his glass up and takes a sip, the usually warm sensation just feeling numb as it washes down his throat.

He didn’t even know what he was supposed to say. He was sorry for being so brainwashed by someone else’s bullshit expectations that he broke his own cousin's heart? That he'd chosen to lie and sneak around to get his way instead of just standing up for what was right? How could he say he loved Yuuji when he was the reason his sister had to leave? Was the reason her heart was broken in pieces?

He didn’t expect Yuuji to understand what he had done at the surface level, he had foolishly somehow convinced himself that he could figure this out and fix everything. Like he had any clue how he could rework the inner workings of a family that dated back generations, whose hold was so strong, he felt he could barely breathe his entire life. 

How was he stupid enough to believe that simply loving Yuuji was enough to change his life?

He’d deluded himself into thinking that he was too good for Yuuji, when in reality, one ounce of Yuuji was worth more than a thousand of him. 

And Maki.

He chokes down a little sob as he’s reminded of her slamming the door in his face, the only family member he felt he’d trusted, even just a little. 

Maki was right.

He was a coward.

And with Naoya, Megumi couldn't even bring himself to be mad at Yuuji for throwing that in his face. He didn't know what had happened, and that was Megumi’s fault for being too damn proud to admit the impact Naoya still had on him, how much he’d really hurt him. But he still sure as hell didn't want Yuuji anywhere near that freeloading asshole, especially not with whatever secret, nerfarious deals he'd had with his father.

Picking his glass up, Megumi takes another sip as he looks out the window at the forest, the same forest he’d spend nights looking out at with Yuuji’s shoulder next to his.

He looks down at the scattered paper ahead of him before he sets his glass down and rubs his eyes, wiping the dried, salty tears from his face as he inhales deeply to focus.

Apologies weren’t the important part. Forgiveness wasn’t the important part. He didn’t deserve it.

He just needed Yuuji to know. Know that he saw him, saw him for exactly who he was and that’s why Megumi loved him so much. He’d said Yuuji was simple, but it was because he meant everything he said, with no bullshit. He was always honest, so unapologetic in everything he did.

He thought it might’ve been admiration, but just watching Yuuji exist had changed him. He wanted to be like that, he wanted to be able to desire things deeply, to appreciate the world around him without thinking about what it could take from him.

Megumi didn’t deserve him, he wasn’t stupid enough to believe that anymore, but he couldn’t let himself walk away from Yuuji like this, not when he had so much he still needed to say. He knew he couldn't say it all, but he needed to start.

He picks up his phone off the desk to text the manager of their stables before tossing it down and picking his pen back up.

“He has to know,” Megumi mutters to himself, sniffling as he rubs his nose with the back of his hand, “He can hate me but he has to know, he has to know.”

As Megumi sat slumped in the backseat of the car, the rain pounded against the windows, streaking the glass as they raced down the worn out dirt roads away from the Gojo estate.

Naobito was sitting next to him, talking on the phone to someone Megumi couldn’t care less about. He just stared out the window, eyes tracking the raindrops as they slithered down the window, his chest feeling numb. He’d made the mistake of glancing over to Yuuji’s house as they passed by, and his lungs had shriveled up.

Naobito eventually hangs up, and there’s just silence between them as the rain continues and they hum along the road.

“You really think I’m that fucking stupid?” Megumi doesn’t move, he just barely turns his head from the car headrest. He glances over as Naobito speaks lowly, and he’s shaking his head a little, disappointment and disgust on his face, “That I wasn’t thorough? Didn’t know about your little plan to run away with your fucking farm boy?”

Megumi doesn’t reply again, the heavy weight pressing on his lungs won’t allow him to as he looks back out the window.

“That idiot down at town hall was all too easy to bribe. Called me right after she hung up with you.”

Megumi’s stone heart hardens further as he stays quiet and just miserably leans his head against the glass and he watches the landscape blur past him.

Naobito looks over at him, looking him up and down once before he puts his hand firmly on his shoulder. From anyone else, it would be a touch of comfort, understanding. But from Naobito, it was a reminder. 

“Don’t be a fool, Megumi. It isn’t right, and it is not how we do things in this family,” Naobito mutters in a cruel, quiet voice, “You’d do well not to forget that.”

Megumi doesn’t reply at first, doesn’t look over. He just lets his eyes glaze over as he numbly stares out the window.

“Yes, sir.”

Chapter Text

(november – three months later)

As the birds chirp quietly outside his cracked window, Yuuji opens his eyes just a little, letting his gaze settle on the floorboards beneath him. 

He just lay there for a moment before sighing, and he glances out at the grey morning, the fall clouds fixed over the sun as the world stays dim. Rolling over, he grabs his phone and opens it up, squinting a little as he lowers his brightness.

He sighs, opening the browser as he pathetically types in Megumi’s name, and clicks search, like he does every morning.

Immediately, a flood of news stories pop up, including the usual photos of Megumi at conferences all over Asia, articles about him being seen speaking with different foreign dignitaries over the last month or two, and shaking hands with different organization heads.

He scrolled through the photos, and there were many over the last few months, given how much he was traveling, and he’d already seen most of these. But Yuuji’s chest still ached with every swipe of a photo that showed his eyes and smile with nothing behind it but duty.

He’d known Megumi didn’t like his family, didn’t like the position he was put in, but he’d never imagined he’d look so miserable. 

And the worst part was that no one else seemed to notice. He’d sit in the bar and eavesdrop on girls who’d saw his photo in the paper, gushing about how good looking he was. He’d overhear the guys at the barn off-handedly mention a land project being taken over by the Zenin Group, and how much of a badass their new young CEO was. News sites constantly calling him a global influence, a rising star, a goddamn eligible bachelor.

The whole world knew who he was now, but they didn’t know who he was, and the sick feeling that accompanied that thought never went away.

He scrolls a little farther down to a smaller, local publication, and his breath hitches as he sees a story posted just a few hours ago. 

He opens it to see a picture of Megumi somewhere in the islands, two kids clinging to his legs as he looked down at them, a small, finally real smile on his sun kissed face as they beamed up at him. His stomach clenches so hard he thought he’d throw up, but he just exhales shakily, screenshots the photo, and exits out of the article.

Yuuji feels wet warmth on his cheeks, and he locks his phone as he rolls over, sniffling into his pillow. 

It had been just three months since Megumi left, since Yuuji’s heart was left shattered on those beautiful grounds in the valley below. 

He was… okay.

He was doing fine. 

Okay, fine-ish. He was doing the best he could.

No, he was absolutely fucking miserable. 

His chest ached every time he woke up, when he looked outside at just another reminder that Megumi wasn’t down the hill from him. The reminder that his days would continue, just without him.

And he would feel more pathetic being heartbroken over just some guy, but he knew it was more than that. He’d fallen in love with Megumi, sure, but he really had been his best friend. 

Yuuji had never really had a best friend. He’d had two built in with Kugisaki and Inumaki, so he’d never really needed that one person. He’d had friends, of course, and he really liked hanging out with Junpei, but it wasn’t the same. 

He loved Megumi, but he also just really liked him.

He’d wanted so much with him, so much more than what he was allowed, but he just missed feeling his presence in a room more than anything. 

He hated the empty feeling that accompanied him everywhere he went. Every time he went to work, every time he went to the bar, every time he even looked at a horse. Every place he went just felt a little colder, and he constantly found himself looking over his shoulder for someone he knew wouldn’t be coming back.

Yuuji was homesick in his own goddamn hometown.

He eventually drags himself out of bed, thankful that it was a Saturday and he didn’t have to go to work. 

He pads around the house, peeking around to see if anyone else was home, but he’s just met with silence as he heads back up to his room. Inumaki had stayed over at Yuuta’s, Kugisaki was still in Kyoto with Shoko, and his dads always took a walk through the woods every Saturday morning.

He moves to squat down in front of his closet as he rummages around, until his fingers hit cardboard tucked in the back. He slowly reaches underneath and pulls out a small shoe box. Swallowing hard, he lifts off the lid and the ache in his heart gives him a sharp twinge of pain as he stares into the box.

Slowly, he brings out the maroon book, carefully placing it up on his bed with shaky hands before he pulls out the jar of chai and sets it on the ground. He stares at for a moment, memories of brushed fingers over steaming mugs flooding his mind as he sighs deeply, and shakes his head a little as he heads downstairs.

Yuuji slowly moves through the kitchen, going through the motions instructed on the jar of tea. He does it carefully, making sure the measurements are correct, that the water is the right temperature, making sure he doesn’t overdo it on the cinnamon and other spices. He takes extra time, making sure it was perfect.

Making his way back upstairs, he places his mug on his bedside table and sniffles once, refusing to let the tears fall, before he picks up the book and settles on his bed. He opens it, letting his eyes fall to Megumi’s name on the inside cover, tracing his fingertips over the faded, childlike handwriting. 

Tearing his eyes away, he takes a sip of his tea, and the familiar feeling of disappointment settles in his bones as he yet again fails to recreate the warmth in the mugs Megumi used to give him.

“I can do this.” Yuuji mutters to himself, shaking his head a little, “It’s just a book.” 

He sighs, taking another sip of his tea before he flips open to the first page, “The last thing I wanted to do on my summer break was blow up another school."

“Hah,” Yuuji laughs weakly, shaking his head a little, “Really does sound like me, doesn’t it, Fushi?”

The lump in his throat bobs, threatening more tears before he coughs once, clearing his throat. He settles deeper into his pillows and brings his mug up to rest on his chest, the warmth only barely seeping through to his heart.

He forces his eyes back down, desperately trying to fall into a place that was anywhere other than here.

Walking into the familiar smell of hay and horse shit, Yuuji pushes open the barn doors and heads down the stalls, pausing to pat the noses of those sticking their heads out. 

“Hey, girly,” Yuuji smiles as he approaches the last stall, and Poppy whinnies excitedly, tail flicking back and forth, “How you doing, huh?”

She whines softly as he comes up to stroke down her nose, and she shoves her head against his chest as he laughs. 

“I know, baby, I know,” He shakes his head a little as she leans into his hands and he tilts his head to look at her as she stares back, “You wanna go somewhere fun today?”

With the brisk wind slapping his cheeks, Yuuji could practically feel every breath pushed and pulled from his lungs, clearing his head as he focused on the trail ahead of him. 

For the first two weeks he had Poppy, after Megumi left, he couldn’t bring himself to take her out himself. He found himself just picturing her back at Gojo’s barn, and Megumi’s soft smile down at her, and he’d have to physically leave. 

But eventually, he then just swallowed his pride and sat in her stall for three hours, brushing her as he forced himself to talk to her about the confusing thoughts plaguing his head about Megumi and Maki and his sister. Then, it was like he never wanted to be anywhere else than running through the trees with her. 

He couldn’t talk to Kugisaki about it, as she was busy and he couldn’t bear to bring her back to the place she was in this summer. She was doing well in Kyoto, absolutely loving the city and being able to be more involved in the fashion industry in the way she wanted. 

He talked to Inumaki a few times, but he was with Yuuta a lot, and Yuuji didn’t want to sour how happy they’d been over the last few months by third wheeling and moping about Megumi. And Inumaki knew what Megumi had done with Kugisaki and Maki, courtesy of poor Yuuta’s inability to keep a secret, and although he tried to hide it, he knew his brother didn’t exactly view Megumi the same way after that. So he kept his mouth shut and forced a smile when they asked if he was doing okay.

And Yuuji just couldn’t bring himself to tell anyone else about Megumi’s letter. It was too personal, too close to him to share with anyone else except his own teary eyes under the moonlight when he was plagued with too many thoughts and not enough sleep.

So, like a perfectly normal, sane, and well adjusted person, he talks to his horse.

Yuuji shakes his head a bit, trying to clear his mind as he leans down and urges Poppy forward. As his heel nudges her lightly, she picks up speed as they race through the trees, just smears of green, orange, yellow and red passing by.

Soon enough, they reach a break in the forest that opens up into a large field, the expanse of grass reaching out towards a sharp cliff, overlooking the valley. 

“Woah, woah,” He tugs on the reins a bit and she slows as they trot through the clearing, “Right here.” 

Poppy huffs and shakes her head a little as Yuuji hops off her back, patting her shoulder as he comes around to her face. He takes off her reins, tugging them off her head gently before he strokes down her nose a few times.

“Go on.” He says gently, nodding out towards the open grass as he steps away, and she trots off. He sighs a bit, tossing her reins into the field as he walks closer to the edge of the cliff.

As he looks out, he’s greeted by the familiar sight of rolling hills, the expansive forest of trees dotted with red, orange and yellow as if it was painted onto the hillsides. A skinny river snaked through the middle of the valley, curling through the trees as it flowed its way to the lake to the south. The skies had cleared, the autumn sun shining weakly across the foliage.

Yuuji inhales deeply, breathing in the crisp, late fall air as he closes his eyes, letting the memories overwhelm him in the privacy of the clearing. 

“Do you wanna ride today?” 

Yuuji picks his head up quickly, almost banging it on open door next to him as Megumi just stares at him from across the stables.

“Seriously?”

“Yeah,” Megumi nods with a shrug, “I’m in the mood.”

“Yeah, yeah, let’s go!” Yuuji says quickly, moving to walk over towards the saddles before Megumi can change his mind.

“Uh uh,” Megumi shakes his head as he walks up next to him and takes the saddle out of his hands, “No saddle for me, no saddle for you.”

“Okay, Fushi,” Yuuji grins, crossing his arms over his chest as his heart skips a little,  “Let’s see what you got, city boy.” 

“Don’t make me regret this.” Megumi groans, walking back towards Blue’s stall.

“You probably will,” Yuuji replies cheerfully, glancing around the stalls, “Who can I ride?”

“Whoever you want.”

Yuuji pauses, glancing over his shoulder at the middle stall, “Can I take Poppy?”

“Sure. Seems like she likes you.”

Chest aching, Yuuji glances over his shoulder as he hears Poppy clopping up behind him on his right and he hooks his arm under her neck, gently stroking down her mane as he sighs deeply.

“You know, I wanted to bring Megumi here,” Yuuji says to her as he keeps his eyes out on the view, “Was gonna try and convince him to come back in the fall so he could see the trees. I think he’d like it. Blue would love it, I’m sure. So would the dogs.” 

Obviously, Poppy doesn’t reply, she just huffs out a bit and rubs against his shoulder, and Yuuji just sighs, “Yeah, he’d love it.”

He feels his phone vibrate in his pocket, and he slips it out and smiles a bit as he clicks answer.

“Hey, Cho.” 

“Hey—”

“Hi, Yuuji!” Yuki cuts him off as she greets him cheerfully, and he huffs out a laugh.

“Hey guys.” 

“We just wanted to check in and see if you were all set for tomorrow,” Choso says, rustling around a bit on speaker, “I think I still have some of your stuff here.”

“Yeah, I should be all set, I packed everything up last night, but my tent should be with you guys.”

“I thought you’d be waiting until tonight or at least tomorrow morning to pack,” Choso laughs, “You busy?”

“I’m just out with Poppy for the day. Say hi,” He takes the phone off his ear and Poppy snorts, “She says hi.” 

“You’re such an oddball,” Yuki calls out with a laugh, “But she’s cute so you get away with it.” 

“Whatever,” He rolls his eyes a bit, “You guys need me to bring anything?”

“No, I think we’re good. Got the tent, tarp, food, unscented everything, and all that fun stuff, so we should be good.”

“What time are you guys picking me up?”

“7am good? We wanna get a full day.”

“Yeah, sure. I’ll see you guys tomorrow.”

“Alright, love you.” 

“Love you, Yuujiiii!” Yuki sings out, and Yuuji feels his achy chest provide him just a bit of relief as he smiles.

“Love you guys. Bye.”

“Bye!”

The wind whipping at his jacket, Yuuji stands on top of a large, jagged rock at the edge of the cliffs, overlooking a wide expanse of cedar trees, and a field of wildflowers spread out along the earth below, the flowers blurred in a mosaic of color. 

A lush, tree topped mountain sat in the distance, looming over the land with thinly snowcapped peaks. When he squints, he can see a river flowing down one side, meandering down the mountainside through the trees until it flows through the land to his right. The sun was just setting, its pale light just starting to tuck itself behind the mountain, and Yuuji felt a small smile tug at his lips. 

He felt so insignificant in comparison to the quiet, untouched nature that lay ahead of him. Everything felt insignificant when he saw something like this, something so awe inspiring that made him feel like every problem he’d ever faced was small potatoes in comparison to the Earth just existing.

But as with every beautiful thing he saw, it brought him back to how badly he wanted to share it with Megumi.

He sighs, and shakes his head a little as he pulls out his phone and takes a photo, but it’s not even close to capturing the beauty of everything ahead of him, and slips it back into his pocket. 

“You’d love it here too, Megs.” Yuuji whispers to himself, and his words are swept into the trees, whisked away by the wind across the mountainside. He allows himself to stare out at the view for a few minutes before he just sighs again and hops off the rock to head back to their campsite. 

“Ah, you’re back!” Yuki exclaims excitedly, “Choso’s got hot dogs for you. We got lots of potatoes left over so eat up.” 

“Amazing,” Yuuji chuckles as he plops down on a log across from Choso by the fire, and Yuki hands him a plate of three hot dogs and a mound of roasted potatoes, “I still can’t get over that view over there.” 

“I don’t know if we’ll see better views anywhere else,” Choso chuckles as he pokes at the fire between them, “Nothing like a big ass mountain to make you realize how small you really are in the grand scheme of things.”

“Oh, what are men compared to rocks and mountains?” Yuki sighs dramatically, leaning down to drape herself across Choso’s shoulders. He adjusts himself a bit for her head to nudge against his as she wraps her arms around him from behind.

“Who said that?” Yuuji asks, his voice muffled as he shoves part of his hot dog into his mouth.

“Eh, some random old author, I think.” Yuki shrugs, kissing Choso’s cheek before she stands up and comes around the log he was sitting on.

“So, Yuuji,” Yuki asks as she settles next to Choso, “You dating anyone these days?”

“No.” He scoffs a little, shaking his head as he looks down, pushing his potatoes around on his plate.

“Why not?” Choso asks curiously, leaning over to grab three beers out of the cooler, “You’re 21, this is the time to be having fun.”

“I’m busy enough as it is, I don’t have time for a relationship. I barely got time off to come up here with you guys.” He says quickly, hoping he doesn’t sound too rehearsed as he shoves some food in his mouth.

“You got nothin’ this summer?” Yuki asks, raising her eyebrows at him as she takes the beer from Choso, and he stands up to walk towards Yuuji, “Thought you were at the bars all the time.” 

Yuuji swallows hard as flashes of Megumi under the bar lights enter his mind, but he just shakes his head, “I was just having fun with my friends.”

Yuki tsks and shakes her head a bit, but Choso’s hand lingers on the beer can as he hands it over to Yuuji, keeping his eyes on him for a few seconds more, but Yuuji just forces a smile, “It was a good summer, though. Lots of good music.”

“Well, can you blame me for wanting a fellow in-law?” Yuki whines a little, and both Choso and Yuuji roll their eyes, “I need someone else to back me up with you two weirdos.”

“Please, you love us.” Yuuji sticks his potato covered tongue out at her and she wrinkles her nose at him for a moment before she smiles.

“Maybe.” She looks at Choso and her eyes soften before she leans over and kisses his cheek sweetly, and Choso’s face flushes deeply.

“Gross.” Yuuji groans and takes a large sip of his beer as Yuki rolls her eyes at him.

“One day, you’ll find someone you wanna be all gross and mushy with. Just you wait.” Yuki replies cheerfully, leaning her head down on Choso’s shoulder, and he tilts his head to gently rest on hers.

Yuuji’s chest tightens as he looks at them, the couple he’d admired for years, who he always secretly wanted to be like. To have that person, that one person who got you more than anyone else, regardless if you were similar or not. For half a second, he debates telling them, telling them everything, but instead, he just sighs and shrugs.

“Sure, maybe.”

“Yuuji! You got that last trash bag?”

“Yup, just tossed it.”

“Okay, great!” Yuki claps her hands together before putting them on her hips as she glances around at their cleaned up campsite, “Leave no trace, boys!”

“Yes, ma’am.” Yuuji and Choso say in unison from their position packing away the tent, and Yuki nods firmly as she scoops up her backpack and heads towards their car. 

“Can you just shove that last bit in the bag and fold the tarp?” Choso asks as he stands up, dusting off his pants. 

“Yeah, no problem.” Yuuji nods as he grabs the bag, and Choso grabs a cooler to bring it over to the car.

“Oh, hey, you know, Gojo told us that Fushiguro kid’s house is somewhere around here,” Choso says casually, and Yuuji’s stomach drops to the forest floor, “He said we should stop by if we needed a shower or a good meal. I texted him about it before we left. Said it was okay.”

Yuuji’s hand slows as he shoves the rest of the tent back into the bag, his heart picking up as he stares at the ground.

“Oh, that’s perfect!” Yuki exclaims, “I would kill for one of those fancy showers with all the different water spouts. I feel like I have dirt in places dirt should never be.” 

“Yuuji,” Choso turns to Yuuji as he fiddles with the fabric of the tent, taking extra time to close up the bag, “Weren’t you pretty good friends with him this summer? That’s who you were going out with, right?”

The words slice through him like a razor, and he tries not to choke as he’s flooded with months of memories he’d been tucking away for when he stared at his ceiling at night, unable to sleep.

“Uh, yeah,” Yuuji coughs, then tries to shrug casually, “But maybe we shouldn’t bother, you know? He’s kind of… um, particular.”

“Yuuji, we haven’t showered in, like, three days,” Yuki looks at him in disbelief, “You think I’m skipping on the opportunity to use one of those fancy rain shower heads? Hell no.” 

“He’s just—” Yuuji keeps his head down, shaking it a little as he aggressively shoves the tent in the bag, pushing it in over and over again, “He’s so— I just—”

“He’s what?”

“He’s just so rich. ” Yuuji finally gets out, and silence falls as Yuki and Choso just stare at him in disbelief.

“My, my, what a snob you are, my dear future brother in law,” Yuki snorts, shaking her head as she picks up her water, “He’s too rich for us to use his damn showers?”

“He’s just—” Yuuji tries to save himself, “He just might not appreciate it like Gojo would.”

“Come on, Yuuji, we’ll shower and then go into town,” Choso replies carefully, looking him up and down with a little suspicion, “I’ve got meetings with suppliers in the next few days, I can’t go smelling like this.”

“Yeah, and you smell like shit, too.” Yuki adds, wrinkling her nose.

“Like you smell better than us!”

“I do. Ladies have a naturally beautiful scent.” She replies airly, sticking her chin in the air as she sips her water and Yuuji rolls his eyes, “Right, Choso?”

“Of course, dear.” Choso agrees as Yuuji protests, looking between them.

“What the hell!” Yuuji whines, stomping his foot.

“Come on, Yuuji,” Choso pushes, looking him up and down a little suspiciously, “Don’t you want to see him?”

“He’s probably not even there!”

“Okay?” Yuki then just shrugs, “Then does it matter?”

“I—” Yuuji looks between their unimpressed expressions before he just sighs, quickly realizing this is a fight he is going to lose, “Fine.” 

“Great,” Yuki smiles before she claps her hands again, “Now pack up that tent and let’s go!”

“Okay, so let’s not stay too long, okay?” Yuuji leans up from the back seat, glancing through the windshield, “If Fushiguro is there, I’m sure he’s swamped with work and stuff, so–”

“Yuuji, put your seatbelt back on.”

“So we should just be speedy, you know? Plus, you’re right, we do smell disgusting and—”

“Yuuji, chill out,” Yuki turns towards him with a huff, looking him up and down, “What the hell is wrong with you?” 

“I just know he’s really busy, and I don’t want to…” Yuuji falters, “To, uh, impose or anything.”

“Please,” Choso laughs, “You spent practically every free minute you had at that house this summer, didn’t you? I’m sure he’s used to you making yourself at home.”

“Yeah, but—” Yuuji starts before he glances back out the window and his words fall off his tongue as the trees open up.

“Woah.” Yuki says quietly as they slowly roll to a stop.

Ahead of them was a large, two story house, with dark wooden paneling paired with chestnut colored doors and framed windows. There were lush, green plants overflowing on either side of the entryway, and they sloped down to a garden on the left side of the house. Yuuji leans to look further down the hill, and he sees the top of what looks like stables just before the thick forest emerges again. As he looks back, he realizes the house was built into the earth, literally tucked away into the mountainside.

“That is… beautiful.”

“Yeah.” Yuuji breathes out, his heart beating hard against his chest as he stares at the house.  

“I kinda expected it to be bigger, honestly,” Yuki tilts her head a little, “But damn, those gardens are gorgeous.”

“No, it… it makes sense for him.” Yuuji smiles to himself, and shakes his head a little. 

“Alright, let’s go!” Yuki exclaims as she moves to open the door and get out of the car, and Choso follows her to grab their bags from the trunk. 

“Uh, okay.” Yuuji says, his heart starting to pick up again as he slowly moves to get out.

They start to walk towards the front door, and Yuuji trails behind them a little, glancing around him at the peaceful, thick trees around them, birds chirping lightly from the branches.

Yuki moves up to knock, and Yuuji swallows hard as they wait, and after a few moments, the door opens to an older woman.

“Hello, how can I help you?” She asks, smiling at them as she looks between them.

Yuki gives her a smile and steps towards her, “Hi, this might be a little random, but—”

“You must be Yuuji!”

Yuuji snaps his head up to the woman leaning over a bit to smile at him, and he glances over at Yuki and Choso before stepping forward.

“Um, yes, ma’am, that’s me. Hi.”

“Oh, Gojo told me you might be stopping by! You’re one of Mr. Fushiguro’s friends, yes? He’d mentioned to look out for someone with pink hair the last time he was here.”

“Yes, ma’am. We’re… We’re friends.” He manages to get out, forcing a polite smile as his chest tightens and she smiles back warmly. 

“Well, come on in, come on in! I’m Reiko, I help run the household,” She ushers them inside, “You can leave whatever you need washed out here.”

“Oh, no, we couldn’t possibly—” Choso tries to interrupt but she just shakes her head firmly.

“Nonsense,” Reiko just waves him off with another warm smile, “Mr. Fushiguro would expect us to welcome his friends with kindness and clean clothes. And would not expect us to take no for an answer.”

Yuuji’s gut churns, thinking back to the night he fell into the koi pond, as she holds the door open for them. They drop their bags of disgustingly dirty clothes by the front entryway, and Yuuji inhales a shaky breath before following Yuki and Choso inside.

The front entryway was beautiful, but much simpler than he had anticipated, with an open wooden floor, wide doorways leading to the rooms spread throughout the house. But most notably, there were paintings all over the walls, beautiful landscapes of the countryside outside, detailed flowers in gilded frames, and even watercolors of koi ponds, presumably from the gardens outside.

“Wow, this place is so pretty. Those paintings are gorgeous,” Yuki whispers, turning behind her a bit to smirk at Yuuji, “Your friend’s got good taste.”

“Mhm.” Yuuji grits out, eyes trailing over the walls as he peeks around through the rooms. The furniture was simple, but elegant, but unlike the Zenin estate he’d seen this summer, it was cozy in here. There were blankets tossed across the couches, books scattered throughout the surfaces, and Yuuji could see a newspaper opened to a crossword puzzle laid out on one of the coffee tables.

“Mr. Fushiguro had it built just about six or seven years ago or so,” Reiko explains, glancing back for a moment, “His sister Tsumiki lives here.”

Yuuji slows for a moment behind them, quickly doing the math in his head, and he feels sick as he realizes it must have been built just after everything happened with Naoya and Tsumiki.

A house in the country, just like she always wanted.

As he looks around, his chest tightens further, and as he glances down at a book on a table to his right, he swallows and speeds up a bit towards the three of them.

“Is, um,…” Yuuji inhales sharply, and he forces the words out, “Is he here? Fushiguro?”

“Oh, yeah,” Yuki pipes in, nodding quickly, “We have got to thank him. Literally saving our stinky asses.”  

“Oh, unfortunately not, he’s not here nearly as much as I would hope,” Reiko replies, a little sadly, “I wish he didn’t travel so much, I miss having him around here. Always so polite and chats with me, asks about my family.” 

“Really?” Yuuji can’t help but ask, and she nods, smiling cheerfully.

“Yes, he’s such a sweet boy. Really thoughtful, which is shocking considering his upbringing, but he’s always been overwhelmingly generous to us.” 

“That’s a nice change of pace from some of his relatives I’ve worked with.” Yuki laughs a bit, and Yuuji’s stomach clenches at the thought of them.

“He really is one of the good ones. He gave me the year off, paid, when my husband got sick a few years ago, and even gave me a raise afterwards!” Reiko laughs, shaking her head as she smiles, “He was so sweet, made sure we had appointments with all the best doctors in Japan, he even offered to take us to New York once, to some fancy doctor, can you believe it? He was just 17!” 

As he trails behind the three of them as they slowly move through the large front hall, Yuuji’s throat tightens as his heart sings at her words, at the side of Megumi reserved for this house. 

“Yuuji, there’s a shower on this first floor you’re welcome to use, and there’s two more upstairs for you two,” Reiko says, looking back to Yuki and Choso as she nods up towards the staircase.

Yuuji nods as Choso and Yuki thank her and head upstairs, but he slows as a painting catches his eye on his right. His heart tugs him towards it as he looks at a landscape of the woods, mist creeping through the trees, but he smiles as he sees a small dark haired figure sat by the woods, with one black and white dog on either side of him.

“Yuuji?” He looks over to see Reiko standing by an open door with a towel and small bag, and he looks back one more time before heading towards her, “I’ve got you some clothes to wear.”

“Sorry,” He smiles at her and takes the bag of clothes and towel and she just gives him a warm smile back, “Thank you.”

“Take as much time as you need, and find me if you need anything.” Reiko replies, nodding at him before she turns down the hall. 

He backs up into the bathroom, shutting and locking the door behind him. Looking down, he opens up the bag of clothes to find just a plain white hoodie and black sweatpants and boxers with the tags still on them. His heart pangs with memory again, but he forces down the lump in his throat as he goes to turn on the shower. The interior was all emerald green tile, with gold fixtures spraying water on either wall and the ceiling, and there was even a window, just eye level, looking out over the forest.

“Damn, Fushi,” Yuuji laughs a little, shaking his head, “Continuing to impress me with a goddamn shower.” 

He peels off his dirty clothes and chucks them into the now empty bag and steps inside, letting the warm water cleanse off the last few days of dirt, sweat, and now, the thoughts that plagued his mind, swirling with dark hair and eyes the same color as the trees out the window.

“Hi, all set?”

Yuuji turns from his position staring out the large window at the back of the house to see Reiko come up behind him, smiling as always.

“Yes, thank you so much.” Yuuji smiles back at her, and he inhales deeply before he adds, “So, um, how has Fushiguro been? I haven’t seen him in a little while.” 

Yuuji desperately hopes he sounds casual, but if he sounds pathetic, she doesn’t seem to notice.

“Oh, busier than ever now that he’s become more involved in that Zenin family business,” Reiko shakes her head a little, frowning, “But he’s been back a few times in the last few months.” 

She glances over at him before she tilts her head, “Would you like a little tour?”

“Yeah, I’d love that.” Yuuji smiles and she smiles back warmly as she nods him over to a room on their right. 

As he walks in, he looks up into a large room, with large curtained windows on each wall overlooking the trees and some of the gardens outside. On the walls were more paintings, covering every inch of wall space, but as he glanced around, he notices one wall tucked in a corner, perfectly fitted with photographs, seemingly taken by Gojo from Megumi and Tsumiki’s childhood. 

Yuuji steps up to it and laughs a little as he sees Megumi growing up through the years, scattered across the photographs on the wall. 

A photo of him when he’d first gotten the dogs, all three of them just puppies as Megumi gave the camera a small, but undeniably excited smile. 

One of him sitting on top of Blue, leaning over as he laid across her back, hugging her neck. 

Something that looked like a blurry selfie of him and Gojo on his first day of high school as he attempted to jump out of frame of Gojo’s obnoxious grin. 

One of him and Yuuta at their college graduation, arms slung around each other's shoulders as Yuuta beamed and Megumi gave that familiar stubborn little half smile that Yuuji loved. 

And one of him and a young woman with brown hair, who must be Tsumiki, with her arm wrapped firmly around his shoulders as she beamed for the camera, the trees and mountains framed over their shoulders. 

“Weren’t they adorable?” Reiko comes up behind him and Yuuji nods, laughing a little.

“Seems Gojo hasn’t changed a bit.” He points to a photograph of Gojo and Megumi when he was probably about eight or nine. Gojo was bent over at the waist, one hand on Megumi’s head messing with his hair as Megumi scowled up at him, arms crossed over his chest with flushed cheeks as Gojo smiled down at him.

“No, no, he hasn’t.” Reiko laughs and Yuuji’s eyes travel up the wall and he points at another one of Megumi and a girl that looked just a bit older than him, her arm wrapped around his shoulders, both bundled up in cozy sweaters as they sat in front of a fireplace.

“Is this Tsumiki?”

“Oh, yes, when she was thirteen and he was about to turn eleven.” Reiko smiles, and looks over at him, “All the paintings in the house were done by her, actually.”

“Really?” He breathes out, turning to look around but he stops in his tracks as he sees the large painting on the far wall, framed by the trees outside the window, and he comes face to face with Megumi.

“Oh, Tsuru, you’re here! Did you get the cake?” Reiko says hurriedly behind him, shuffling over to the doorway as he slowly walks across the room.

Yuuji slows to a stop a few feet away, and traces his eyes along every feature of his painted face. His heart races as he sees how perfectly Tsumiki had captured him, something that could only be done by someone who knew him completely, capturing the best parts. 

The small crinkles by his eyes when he smiles, even just a little. The glinted look in his eye when he talks about something he likes. The sharp contour of his jaw contrasting with the dark, yet soft, mossy color of his eyes. 

He hears Reiko and the other attendant chatting in the background by the doorway, and he half pays attention as he continues to stare, but he then perks his ears up a little more.

“Where he is now? Oh, probably off, trying to save the turtles on some remote island off Indonesia, you know how he is. I heard he’s been doing a lot of deals in the Pacific, some environmental protection business for those little islands who suffer the most under climate change. Heard he was running into some problems trying to get his ideas off the ground with the family members on the Board, though.”

“Is that boy with him, remember that scrawny little thing?”

“Oh, Yuuta? No, I don’t think so, but he’s all grown up now! Oh, he was such a sweet boy. I loved when he came back with Megumi for school breaks. I don’t think he has any family, unfortunately. He almost didn’t go to college until Megumi practically forced him to go with him, paid for it all despite his protests. Said it’d be a waste if he didn’t, and now that sweet boy’s a first grade teacher! Oh, speaking of, how’s your niece?”

Yuuji lets their voices muffle as he just stares, indulging himself as he feels a little overwhelmed. He’d spend so long thinking about him that everything seems a bit surreal as he continues to stare.

It was all there, every part of the Megumi that he’d been thinking about for months, staring back, the real one that he saw those nights under the stars at that house, and Yuuji's chest feels like it might cave in with how badly his heart aches as he looks at him.

“He hates that Tsumiki’s hung that up,” Reiko’s voice floats up from behind him, and Yuuji laughs a little as he glances behind his shoulder as she comes up, “But he loves her too much to make a real fuss.”

“Yeah, I can imagine.” 

“Do you know Mr. Fushiguro well?” She asks, and he smiles a bit as he nods, keeping his gaze ahead.

“Yeah,” Yuuji replies, still staring as he sighs a little, “Yeah, I did.”

“Didn’t Tsumiki do an excellent job?” Reiko smiles fondly at the painting as she comes up next to him, “Such a handsome young man.”

“Yeah,” Yuuji responds quietly, heart thumping loudly against his aching chest, “He really is.”

“He’s grown up quite a bit in the last few— Oh, good! You two are done showering. I know you wanted to hear about the forest trails…”

Her voice trails off behind him as he continues staring, eyes fixated on the painting ahead of him.

His chest felt warm and cold at the same time, the familiarity of Megumi’s eyes on him making him want to run away and stay rooted to the spot. He’d spent the last few months thinking about him, dreaming about the possibility of seeing him, even just one more time to make sure he was real, but now his stomach churned with how close he was, but still so far.

“Is she here? Tsumiki, I mean?” Yuuji asks, eyes still transfixed on Megumi’s painted ones ahead of him, but when he receives no answer, he looks around and sees the room empty. 

Breathing out heavily, he takes one last, long look at Megumi’s portrait, his heavy chest aching again, before he shakes his head and turns towards the door.

As he glances over to his right, he sees large wooden doors leading outside, and he slides them open to a small balcony, overlooking the expanse of gardens ahead.

Looking out at the trees and gardens, his head started to clear a little bit. The grounds were not nearly as large and sprawling as Gojo’s, but more subtle, and tucked away into the woods, like you’d miss it if you weren’t really looking. In the distance, he could see worn out paths in the trees, the ground flattened from feet and hooves. He smiles to himself as he pictures Megumi and Blue here, flying through those same trees, letting the dogs run wild throughout the grounds, hiding out from Gojo on these balconies.

As his breathing slows and the buzzing in his ears starts to quiet down, he notes faint, soft, peaceful music coming from below. 

He glances down, and shifts to the other side of the balcony to see a woman, probably in her mid twenties, sitting by an easel. There was a small table with a speaker next to her and a paint palette in one hand as she looked out at the small pond ahead of her.

Yuuji smiles to himself as he leans his elbow on the railing, looking down at Tsumiki as her hand delicately dots the canvas in front of her.

He knew they weren’t blood related, but Tsumiki had the same grace in her posture as she sat that Megumi did, an air of something refined. 

Her long brown hair was swept up in a messy, but effortless ponytail, bangs framing her face as she looked out to the grounds, her canvas apron covering her navy skirt and light beige sweater.

Suddenly, she drops her hand from the canvas as she turns around, a bright smile on her face and she puts the palette down on the table and stands to tug off her apron. She quickly moves to throw her arms around someone approaching, still half hidden under the balcony.

As they stumble back into the sunlight, Yuuji’s breath catches as he sees another darker head of hair below, far more familiar than hers. 

Like a daydream, Megumi was standing below him, hugging his sister as she laughed and held onto him tightly. They pull away, and she cups his cheeks, smiling up at him as she speaks. Yuuji practically melts off the balcony with the soft, warm and genuine smile Megumi responds with, nodding along with her words.

He can’t help but sigh as he looks down as the sun peeks through the grey, dismal November clouds. Megumi was just in jeans, boots, and a hefty, dark blue sweater, but Yuuji could’ve sworn he was glowing, soft and peaceful like the moon, just out of reach.

As he sighs dreamily, his elbow shifts further down the railing, knocking into a potted plant balanced on the stone. As he does, it goes flying off the balcony, tumbling down onto the ground below and it shatters onto the stone.

“Wha–” Both Megumi and Tsumiki jolt in surprise at the noise, turning behind them to see the broken pot and mangled plant on the ground before looking up to see Yuuji’s hands outstretched off the balcony in his attempt to catch it.

Megumi’s eyes meet his, and they widen in shock, frozen on his own as his mouth drops open.

“Uh—” Yuuji takes one look at Megumi’s face, slightly pale with his mouth still agape, and in an instant, he’s moving back through the house, desperately trying to find the entrance they came through.

His heart pounds so loud he can’t even think as he walks quickly through the halls towards the front door, not bothering to close it fully behind him as he struggles to breath as he speeds across the driveway.

“Itadori!”

He hates how quickly he slows down, but he takes a deep breath as he slows to a stop, and then turns around to see Megumi coming towards him.

“H-Hi.” Yuuji manages to get out as Megumi walks up, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Hey. I, uh,” He coughs awkwardly, moving his hands to shove into his pockets, “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“Uh, yeah.” Yuuji replies dumbly, and Megumi just nods, looking down as he shifts on his feet, seemingly unable to think of a response to Yuuji’s idiotic one word sentences.

“I, um, I thought you were in Tokyo. And traveling. A-And stuff.” Yuuji finally manages to get out, breathing out heavily as Megumi just shakes his head.

“No, I-I mean, yes I am, I just came back for the weekend,” Megumi replies quickly, his hands fidgeting in his pockets,  “It’s Tsumiki’s birthday.”

“Oh, okay.” Yuuji replies quietly, glancing down at his feet, “That’s nice of you.”

“Yeah,” Megumi clears his throat, keeping his eyes down on the driveway, “How, um, how’s your family?”

A little flicker of unwanted resentment heats up in his chest, “They’re good. Dads are good. Inumaki got a new job, and he and Yuuta are still together. Kugisaki’s in Kyoto, actually.”

“Really?” He looks up, and Yuuji just nods, physically unable to keep the subtle ice out of his gaze.

“Yeah, fashion internship,” Yuuji replies, and he attempts to put a teasing tone back in his voice, but he just sounds pathetic, “Haven’t seen here over there, have you?” 

“I, uh, I haven’t. That’s really good. Good for her.” Megumi replies awkwardly, looking down as he shifts on his feet. Seeing his expression, the flicker of resentment in his chest fizzles out, and suddenly, he’s desperate to change the subject.

“Is Blue here?” Yuuji asks hesitantly, and Megumi nods, jerking his head towards the side of the house.

“Yeah, she stays here while I’m in the city or traveling,” He replies, shrugging a bit, “She likes Tsumiki well enough.”

“You must miss her.” Yuuji replies, his heart aching a little as he sees the subtle, sad expression on his face.

“Yeah, I don’t get to see her that much.” Megumi replies, looking down as he rubs his foot into the gravel.

“That’s too bad.” Yuuji replies, and the air is once again rife with awkward tension. Yuuji glances up to see Megumi’s head still angled towards the ground, and guilt simmers deep in his gut, and he inhales sharply, bracing himself.

“I… I didn’t know you’d be here,” Yuuji says quietly, looking down at his hands, “Choso said Gojo told them it was okay if we stopped by to shower and stuff before going to town and I hadn’t told them about, um, so I just didn’t…” 

He trails off, unsure of what else to say as he keeps his head down, “I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s okay. Sounds like something Gojo would do,” Megumi replies, just nodding a little bit before he looks up and adds, “Are you guys staying in town or camping again?”

“Down in town, since it’s our last few days and Choso has some work meetings. At that little inn.” Yuuji replies quickly, and Megumi nods, glancing over Yuuji’s shoulder at the driveway. 

“Yeah, that’s a good one. We can send your clothes over when they’re done.” 

Awkward silence falls between them again, and Yuuji wants to melt into the floor. He glances up at Megumi before he swallows hard and speaks up.

“Fushiguro, I’m… I’m sorry about—”

“Don’t be,” Megumi interrupts quickly, shaking his head a little as he clears his throat, “You were right. Not a good idea. It’s okay.”

“But—”

“Itadori,” He interrupts again, his voice a bit sharper, “It’s fine. Really. We don’t need to talk about it.”

“I…” Yuuji tries to get out, but Megumi just picks his head up and shakes it again, and Yuuji’s fragile heart quivers, “O-Okay. Sorry.”

More tense silence falls between them again, and Yuuji wants to melt into the ground.

“Can I, um, walk you back into town?” Megumi asks, his voice sounding hesitant, as he nods his head behind Yuuji towards a break in the trees, “You could stay, um, until your clothes are dry if you want. The trail through there leads straight into the main street.”

“No, no, it’s okay, I don’t want to overstay my welcome,” Yuuji says quickly, his heart screaming at him, but he feels like he might burst into tears at any second, and Megumi just nods softly, “It’s not far, I’ll let my brother know. And I like to walk.”

“Yeah, I know.” Megumi replies just as quickly, and they just stand there, staring at each other in silence before Yuuji clears his throat, looking down for a second to compose himself before he looks back up. Megumi opens and closes his mouth, both of them just staring at each other as the birds chirp around them.

“Well, I, um, I should go. Thank you for having us,” Yuuji says awkwardly, wanting the ground to swallow him whole, “Bye, Fushiguro.”

“Bye, Itadori.”

Yuuji just nods once and quickly turns around and walks off, past Choso’s car down the driveway, holding his breath until he is safely nestled in the trees and he can hear Megumi’s footsteps retreat back to the house, and he then exhales heavily, his breathing ragged and shaky.

He immediately goes to pull out his phone, scrolling until he finds Kugisaki’s contact, but he hesitates over the call button. 

She was doing so well, working her ass off doing grunt work to prove herself. Bringing up Megumi would only make her think of Maki, and he couldn’t bear to be the cause of her falling off the path she was on now.

He sighs and scrolls up, shooting a quick text to Choso saying he was walking back into town instead before he shoves his phone back in his pocket.

After a muddled, confusing walk where Yuuji tripped a few too many times as his mind felt like jelly, he finally made his way to the inn. It was a cute little building, with a beautiful, cozy restaurant tucked in the back, overlooking a river.

But before he finds Yuki and Choso, Yuuji slips into the bathroom, locking the door before he goes to splash his face with cold water, trying to silence his thoughts. He looks up into the mirror, and deeply breathes in and out a few times before he shakes his head a little.

“It’s fine. You got it over with. You’re fine,” Yuuji breathes out heavily before he whines a little and shakes his head, “He looked so good.”  

As he leaves the bathroom, he looks up and practically yelps before he scurries back to hide against the wall. He peeks out to see Megumi standing by their table, talking to Yuki and Choso as they looked up at him, both of their faces smiling as they nodded along and chatted back.

Yuuji was frozen as he watched them. Megumi’s back was turned to him, but he could see the pleasantly surprised looks on both of Yuki and Choso’s faces.

After Megumi says goodbye, he sees them look at each other before they turn and start to whisper, and he can practically hear Yuki’s mischievous giggle from across the room as he walks over to them.

“Hey, guys.” 

“Look who finally made it,” Choso turns to greets him with a smile, “Thought you might’ve gotten lost out there.”

“No, it was just a really pretty walk, so I took my time.” Yuuji shrugs, dropping down into the booth across from them. 

“Man, I feel like a brand new person,” Yuki sighs out as she takes a French fry off the plate between them, “I’m so happy I was right about how fancy those showers would be.” 

“So, Yuuji, fun seeing Fushiguro?” Choso asks as he slides him a mug of beer and he nods over to Megumi making his way to the bar, “Can’t believe he was actually here.”

“Uh, yeah,” Yuuji nods, eyes just barely flicking over to him, unable to tell if he could tear his eyes away if he did,  “We didn’t talk that much but yeah, it was… good to see him.” 

Good? He thought his heart was going to leap out of his chest and scramble towards him on the terrace below when he saw him. 

“We chatted a bit before we left the house earlier, too,” Choso shrugs, “Nice guy. Told us we’re welcome back any time we’re in the area. So much for his particularness, eh?”

“He… He did?” Yuuji asks, glancing over at Megumi by the bar as he chatted with an older guy at the bar, but his face is free from annoyance and irritation like it usually was when he spoke to people in bars. 

But, as Yuuji glances around, all he sees are people in plain, ordinary clothes, laughing and telling stories as they smile, full of emotion and cheer, more like his town. He can feel the bright, warm and cozy feeling this inn and that house gave him, and how much it differed from the cold, intimidating presence of the Zenin estate.

Yuuji’s heart feels like it might fly out of his chest. Megumi was comfortable here. 

“Yeah,” Choso nods, picking up another fry as he pops it into his mouth,  “He actually just invited us back tomorrow.”

Yuuji’s heart now stops for a moment, “He what?”

“Yeah, he said he’d promised us a meal so he invited us over for the afternoon after my work meetings, and then for dinner.”

“R-Really?” Yuuji breathes out, his hand and eyes frozen on his fork.

“Yeah, so me and Yuki are gonna explore some of those trails, and apparently, he really wants you to meet his sister.” Choso remarks casually as he picks up his beer to take a sip.

Yuuji’s fork then clatters to his plate as he whips his head up at a startled Choso, his beer splattering on the table, “His sister?”

“Yeah…” Choso says slowly, eyeing him as he slowly sets his drink down, “What’s with you?”

“Nothing!” Yuuji says quickly, shaking his head as he frantically wipes up the beer off the table, not meeting his eye, “That’s… That’s nice of him.” 

“Nice? Dude seems nothing like what you made him out to be about. Maybe a little prickly, sure, but he seems like a really good dude, actually. You hear all the stuff Reiko was saying?”

“Which part? How nice he is to them, or how much shit he fits into a day?” Yuki laughs as she shakes her head, “Seems like he doesn’t even sleep. ASEAN, business shit, climate conferences, I mean, Jesus. 

“Yeah,” Yuuji replies, and he allows his eyes to find Megumi across the room, chatting with the bartender before he catches his eye. His intense eyes lock on Yuuji for a few seconds before he gives him a small nod and turns back around, “Good dude.”

“So do you mind pushing our trip back a day?” Yuki asks, “I’ve always wanted to see that property more fully, Gojo says the gardens and the forest trails are gorgeous.”

“Yeah, yeah, sure.” Yuuji replies absentmindedly, looking down at his food before glancing back up to where Megumi was, only to find his space empty. 

“Hey.”

“Hi,” Yuuji walks up to him and gives him a timid smile, “Thanks for having us.” 

“Yeah, ‘course,” Megumi shrugs, looking over Yuuji’s shoulder at Yuki and Choso as he opens the door wider, “Come in.” 

Yuuji takes a nervous breath in as he follows him inside, and they all slip their shoes off.

“Thank you so much for having us again.” Choso nods at him politely, looking sheepish.

“It’s my pleasure, really,” Megumi just shakes his head a little as he turns towards the inside of the house, “Just give me a moment.”

“He’s so polite.” Yuki whispers to Yuuji, who just nods quickly as he tries to keep himself together.

Megumi comes back after a minute or two, and hands Yuki and Choso a trail map, “These are all of the trails we have on our property. This one here,” He points down to a circled area, “Has a really beautiful waterfall. You guys are free to explore wherever you want, but I apologize in advance if you run into my dogs. They really like the woods and I let them roam when we’re up here.” 

“Wow,” Choso takes the map from him, impressed eyes flicking to Yuuji for half a second before he smiles at Megumi, “Thanks, man. This is awesome.” 

Yuki looks to Yuuji again, who looks down at his feet to distract himself from how hot his face feels, before she smiles sweetly at Megumi, “Thank you so much. We’ll go and let you guys catch up.” 

Yuuji snaps his head up as Yuki takes Choso’s hand and tugs him towards the front door, and she gives him a knowing smile, “Have fun!”

The door quickly shuts behind them, and they both look at each other at the same time before Yuuji looks down at his feet, his cheeks still warm and Megumi clears his throat. 

“Let me, um, get my sister,” He says quickly, moving towards the entrance to a hallway, and he calls out, “Tsumiki?”

Yuuji hears quick footsteps echo throughout the house, and soon enough, Tsumiki comes around the corner, and her face lights up as she sees him.

“You must be Yuuji!” Tsumiki exclaims, rushing up to him to grasp both of his hands in hers, “It’s so nice to finally meet you, Megumi’s told me so much about you! 

“Nothing too bad, I hope,” Yuuji laughs as Tsumiki smiles up at him, glancing between him and a flushed Megumi, “It’s really nice to meet you, too, and I’ve heard a lot about you, too.”

“Nonsense, I bet he barely mentioned me, but he wouldn’t shut up about how good you are with Blue,” Tsumiki replies with a knowing glance at Megumi, who is shooting daggers at her, “And I know how much of a feat that is. She’s almost as moody as Megs here.”

“That’s what I said!” Yuuji laughs as Tsumiki nods in agreement with a light giggle, and Megumi rolls his eyes, but more playfully, without his usual bite.

“I said she didn’t hate you.” Megumi replies with that stubborn, half smile as he looks at Yuuji.

“And that’s Fushiguro speak for ‘she adores you,’ right?” Yuuji laughs again, glancing at Tsumiki before he looks at Megumi again, and his heart stops for a moment as he sees how Megumi is looking at him. 

Like he did at the lake, like he was staring straight through him, seeing him completely, and Yuuji’s heart picks back up, beating so hard he could barely breathe as he stares back.

Tsumiki bites back a grin as she looks at the two of them just stare at each other, before clapping her hands together loudly and they jolt to look at her, “Well! Yuuji, I know I would adore hearing all about you and your work. I know nothing about horses, Megs was always the animal oriented one in the family. I just paint them, so I’m hopeless.”

“I don’t know if Fushiguro wants to hear me talk about all this, he’s heard it enough.” Yuuji laughs, glancing over at Megumi again.

“Oh please, he’s not coming with us, he’s got boring work stuff. Besides, he said you know so much!” Tsumiki protests, and Megumi looks up to glare at her, but she ignores him as she smiles happily at Yuuji.

“Did he?” Yuuji smirks as he looks up at Megumi again, heart skipping again as he sees his ears turn red.

“I said you weren’t a complete idiot.”

“High praise from you, Fushi.” Yuuji smiles, his chest warming as Megumi flushes deeper.

“Shut up.” He grumbles, looking down at his feet.

“Okay, well, I’m stealing your friend, Megs,” Tsumiki says, taking Yuuji’s arm in hers, turning towards the door, “See you at dinner!”

“Dinner? It’s only 1pm!” Megumi calls out after them, annoyance in his voice.

“I’m gonna show him around! He hasn’t seen the gardens yet!” 

“But—” Megumi starts, practically whining as he glances over at Yuuji, but he just groans and waves them off, “Fine. Have fun.”

“Bye, Fushiguro,” Yuuji keeps his head turned, neck straining to look at him as Tsumiki tugs on his arm, “See you… See you later?”

Megumi’s mouth twitches, and he shoves his hands in his pockets, “See you later.”

“So it’s usually just you here?” Yuuji asks as he walks around the living room, eyes tracing along the tall bookshelf to his right, filled with books, small statues, and other art projects.

“Yeah, just me, Reiko, and Tsuru usually,” Tsumiki replies, “I don’t mind though. I like the solitude, and I never run out of things to paint up here.” 

“Yeah, I can imagine,” Yuuji laughs a little as he nods outside towards the grounds, “How long have you been painting?”

“Since I was a kid. Gojo bought me my first set of paints for my first birthday after he adopted us,” Tsumiki replies cheerfully, and then walks up to the bookshelf to point at a small framed canvas, “This was my first piece.”

It was a mess of color, blue, green, black, and gold, and it kind of looked like a toilet brush.

“Um, what is it supposed to be?”

“A Japanese Cedar,” Tsumiki sighs deeply, before she shakes her head, glancing up at him teasingly, “Not my best work.”

Yuuji laughs a little as she turns back towards the rest of the room, and he looks at the other small paintings tucked on the shelf.

“So I don’t mean to sound rude at all, but, um,” Yuuji starts, glancing over as he shoves his hands in his pockets, “Do you really just paint all day?”

“It’s not rude, don’t worry,” Tsumiki laughs, shaking her head, “But yes, pretty much. I moved here when I was about seventeen, and art is all I’ve ever really wanted to do. I sell my pieces to galleries, so I do make my own money, and maybe it’s a little anti-feminist of me, letting my brother put me up in a house like this, but…”

Tsumiki pauses in front of a small framed photograph of the three of them, standing outside on a balcony with snow blanketing the railing and trees behind them. Gojo was in the middle, his arms wrapped around their neck as he beamed at the camera. Tsumiki was laughing, and Megumi was mid eye roll, but Yuuji’s heart jumps a little at how familiar the sight already felt.

“I’m really grateful I can live like this, that they don’t let me worry about that kind of stuff. They just want me to be happy,” Tsumiki nods before she looks back up at Yuuji, “I know I’m lucky to have a family like them.”

“Yeah,” Yuuji nods back at her before he looks back at the photograph, and smiles to himself, “I think so, too.”

“Even if Megumi is a grump,” She sighs, turning away, “At least he’s got good design taste.

Yuuji laughs as he steps away from the shelf, and his eyes catch on a grouping of cardboard moving boxes pushed against the far wall, almost tucked away. He wanders over, running his finger under one of the cardboard flaps, and he flicks it up. As he does, he looks down and his heart falters. He can hear Tsumiki saying something, but his brain can’t seem to focus.

In the box, all protectively packaged, were Megumi’s records. Glancing back at the cardboard, he sees the date on the side, the day before Yuuji had pounded his fists against the doors of Gojo’s estate. He squats down and numbly picks through them, heart aching as he’s reminded of late nights accompanied by the smooth sound of music and Megumi’s tired breathing next to him.

As he rifles through, his hands stop on a black album. Hands shaking, he slowly slides it out, seeing Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon between his fingertips, and his heart cracks in half.

“Tsumiki.”

“And so— yeah?” She asks, turning towards him, and her eyes settle on the boxes in front of him, and her face falls a little as she sees the record in his hands.

“Why are—” Yuuji pauses as he swallows hard, keeping his eyes down, “Why are these here?”

“Megs brought them here after they left the country house.” She replies gently, glancing up at him as she walks over to him squatting next to the boxes.

“Doesn’t… Doesn’t he take them with him? Wherever he’s living?” Yuuji says, swallowing hard again to choke back the thickness in his throat.

“Oh,” Tsumiki responds quietly, looking down at her feet, “He said since he’s been traveling so much, he didn’t have anywhere else that felt like home enough for them anymore. At least not in Tokyo, he’s picky about that stuff.”

“Oh.”

Tsumiki stays quiet for a few more moments, before she puts her hand down on his shoulder and he looks up, “Would you like some tea?”

Yuuji was now sitting out on the main balcony at the back of the house, on top of the thick, wooden railing that overlooked the back of the house and the stables. The trees seemed to go for miles, creeping up the large hills, and Yuuji inhales deeply, the air feeling clean and crisp.

“Figured you might be out here.”

Yuuji turns around to see Tsumiki walking over to him with two mugs of tea, and she hands him both as she hops up onto the railing. She settles next to him with minimal effort, and he laughs a little, “Very smooth landing.”

“You’re not this railing’s first visitor,” Tsumiki replies as she takes one of the mugs back  and they both look out at the afternoon sun casting a haze over the dense forest, and she sighs, “Beautiful, right?”

“Yeah, it really is.” Yuuji breathes out, nodding.

“I’ve always loved this place. We came out here when we were kids once with Gojo, and Megumi and I both just fell in love with it,” Tsumiki sighs as she swings her legs a little, “Megs had this place built with Gojo a little bit after he turned 15 and got some real Zenin money. I mean, it’s probably barely a tenth of the size of Gojo’s place, but–”

“I love it,” Yuuji interrupts, shaking his head as he can’t help his smile as he gazes around, “It’s perfect.”

“Yeah, it’s pretty great,” She laughs a little, taking a sip of her tea, “I’d show you his library and other rooms, but he’s kind of personal about that stuff. Don’t want to poke the bear, you know?”

“Yeah, I get it,” Yuuji laughs a little as he ignores the pang in his chest, letting it trail off before he swallows hard, “How’s, um, how’s he been doing?”

“He’s… good,” Tsumiki nods a little, “He’s been coming here a little more instead of staying at his apartment in the city.”

“Really?” Yuuji asks, and she nods again, “I figured he would’ve jumped at the chance to go back to Tokyo, after all his time in the country. 

“I’d argue he didn’t get enough time,” Tsumiki replies, before she glances over knowingly at him, and he tries not to gulp too hard, “You know?”

“Yeah,” He manages to get out, “Maybe.” 

Tsumiki just hums, and looks away out on the ground as Yuuji takes a long sip of his tea, letting the warmth seep into his bones. It wasn’t quite Megumi level tea warmth, but he had to admit it’d been closer than he’d gotten in months.

He glances over at Tsumiki, and inhales a breath before he speaks up again. 

“Has… Has he been okay? With work and family stuff?” Yuuji says hesitantly, his hands tightening around his mug, “I know this isn’t exactly what he wanted.”

“No. It’s not,” Tsumiki sighs deeply before she glances over at Yuuji, but tears her eyes away quickly to continue, “He’s… managing. I think he just needs to settle in a little more.” 

She doesn’t sound confident, and it makes Yuuji’s chest ache a bit more, but he clears his throat and just nods.

“That’s good. Good for him.”

“Oh, please,” Tsumiki suddenly laughs, looking over at him, “You know he hates it.”

Yuuji feels a smile tug on his lips and he can’t help but breathe out a weak laugh, “Yeah, I’m sure he does. Real estate and business tycoon just don’t really fit with him.”

“No, no,” Tsumiki shakes her head, “He’s been trying his best, to do the little things he thought he could in his new position, but they’re making it hard. He’s trying, though.”

“Yeah,” Yuuji swallows hard as the pit in his stomach he’d been trying to ignore for the last few months opens up again, “I know he is. I hate that it’s been so hard for him.”

“He’ll be okay.” 

“I hope so.” 

After a few minutes of silence accompanied by the faint chirps of birds and the low wind breezing through the tree, Tsumiki turns to him and puts her hand on his. 

“I’m really glad he met you, Yuuji.” 

He tries to swallow the sob he wants to let loose as she looks at him kindly, and he just nods as he tries to compose himself.

“I’m really glad I met him, too,” He nods, before he looks down at his mug again, and takes a deep breath in, “Do you really think he’s going to be okay? With all of this Zenin stuff? I just… I know he hates it and everyone he has to work with. I mean, just Naobito alone.”

“Honestly?” Tsumiki sighs, taking her hand off his to stare out at the grounds. “I don’t know. Megumi holds grudges, that’s for sure, so it’s been hard for him. Once you lose his respect, it’s gone for good. And a lot of people in that family have lost his respect.”

“Yeah, I’ve noticed that.” Yuuji nods softly, twisting around the mug in his hands.

“But I also think that stubbornness really just shows his loyalty. With me, with Blue, with the dogs. He loves hard, really hard, and completely, so when it’s taken advantage of, he really takes it to heart,” Tsumiki sighs deeply as Yuuji’s heart pounds, and then she looks over at him, “You know about Naoya?”

Yuuji swallows uncomfortably and nods, “Uh, yeah. He told me. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be,” She shakes her head with a sigh, “That guy is such a manipulative asshole and more people should know it. I was just naive and lonely, and he took advantage of it. Megumi tried so hard with him when we were kids, tried so hard to be kind to him but in the end, someone he once hoped to see as a brother wronged him. Wronged his sister. He's protective, fiercely so, and even though I’m older, I really don’t know if I would’ve been able to survive our childhood without him.”

“He’s never really talked about your childhood,” Yuuji says carefully, trying to find that familiar line, before he shakes his head, “But it’s okay, I don’t want to pry.”

“Yuuji,” Tsumiki chuckles, shaking her head, “I know Megs is cagey about his past, present, and future, but I’m not. Don’t be afraid to ask the questions you want to know the answers to.”

“I just…” Yuuji sighs, looking back up at the house, “He’s mentioned his mom a few times, and he kind of explained his dad, but he’s never really painted a full picture. He’s not very clear or doesn’t explain things fully, but I don’t want to push too much or he shuts down. I don’t mean to, I just want to understand.”

Tsumiki sighs deeply as she stares out at the grounds ahead of them, and pauses to take a long sip of her tea before she settles it back in her lap. 

“His mom’s death destroyed Toji, Megumi’s dad,” Tsumiki starts, speaking gently, “Gojo’s told me a lot. Toji blamed himself for being too stubborn to go back to his family for help, and blamed them for the false promise they drilled into him that money can solve all problems in the end. I wasn’t around for the worst of it, when it was just the two of them. But Toji was so deep in his grief, from what I heard, it was like he forgot he had a son. And when he did remember, he had a son that had his wife’s last name, her smile, her hair, and her laugh. But all he saw were his own eyes staring back.”

“But that’s not his fault,” Yuuji breathes out shakily, anger pooling in his gut as he imagines a young, small, and sad Megumi, ignored by his own father, and he suddenly feels angry, “What an asshole.”

“Don’t judge him too harshly,” Tsumiki pushes back a little, looking over at him again, “Megumi’s mom was Toji’s entire world. When she died, most of him went with her. He lost himself, and I think, deep down, he knew he couldn’t give Megumi the love he deserved anymore, it was all too much. He loved his mom with everything in him and then some.”

“What about your mom?” 

“My mom?” Tsumiki scoffs, shaking her head a little as she looks down, “Mom would be too nice a name for her.”

“I’m sorry,” Yuuji says sincerely, but Tsumiki just shakes her head.

“Don’t be. She got with Toji when he was at his worst for a reason, and she encouraged him. The day they finally left us alone in that house was the hardest yet most liberating day of my life.”

“I…” Yuuji can barely find the words, his shoulders slumping as he shakes his head, “God, I’m so sorry you guys went through that.”

“Don’t be sorry, Yuuji, really,” Tsumiki reaches over and pats his knee as she smiles warmly at him, “In the end, me and Megs found each other. Protected each other. Always have, always will. I love him to death, I really do.”

“It’s really good that you have each other,” Yuuji smiles as he looks back out to the grounds, “I don’t know where I’d be without my siblings.”

Tsumiki just hums in response, nodding thoughtfully as they look out at the trees, the afternoon sun casting an orange haze over the lush green treetops. 

Yuuji breathes in and out deeply, trying to burn this image into his brain forever. He couldn’t get over how much this house made sense, why Megumi would want his sister here, how much he cherished this place. It was a home, or for Megumi, the closest thing he got to one.

“Yuuji,” Tsumiki starts quietly, and he looks back to see her looking at him a little apprehensively, “I know that Megumi is a complicated person. He’s moody and grumpy and quiet and he is quite literally useless before coffee.”

“Yeah, it’s kinda cute,” Yuuji sighs absentmindedly as he gazes out at the trees, thinking about Megumi’s incoherent sleepy grumbles the few mornings he was blessed enough to see it. In the following silence, his cheeks flush as he glances over at Tsumiki, who is smiling knowingly at him, “Uh—”

“It’s okay. I know.”

“You… You do?” Yuuji asks, a little surprised when she nods quickly.

“‘Course I do. He’s my brother. I know when he’s in love.” Tsumiki shrugs, as Yuuji tries to sputter out a response.

“That’s not… it’s, um—”

“Look, Yuuji. I don’t want to assume anything, but Megumi doesn’t…” Tsumiki interrupts, turning further towards him as her mind seems to battle something out, “How do I put this? He doesn’t… He doesn’t open up, not like I know he does around you or me. Maki and Mai don’t really know about Naoya, or anything about his mom. I can’t even remember the last time he talked to me about her.”

“Really?” Yuuji breathes out, his heart pounding as he recalls Megumi’s hesitant words about his mom across the dark room all those months ago. 

“My point is,” She continues, breathing out deeply, “Whatever relationship you two formed over the summer months is not something that he does, ever. I…I don’t know if he’s ever even really had an actual friend until Yuuta, really. He was always a really shy kid, but I’m not sure if he’s really changed. It just shows itself differently now, he hides it better. I just… I just don’t want you to think that what you had doesn’t really, really mean something to him.”

Yuuji’s heart shakes in his chest, quivering like how it feels right before you cry. He thinks back to Megumi’s defensive walls when they first met, unable to fathom why Yuuji would want to try and approach him. He thinks back to all the times they were at parties, or in crowds, when Megumi would slink back a little whenever they talked to other people, keeping to himself. 

The shy little boy with his hands in his pockets, peeking around the barn doors.

“We met once, you know, when we were kids.” Yuuji smiles, but Tsumiki whips her head towards him, and he startles a bit. 

“Wait. No,” Tsumiki's eyes get wide as she breaks into a grin, “No way, you’re Daisy boy, aren’t you?!”

“Daisy boy?” He asks in confusion, turning further towards her as she lights up.

“Yeah, yeah, that’s what me and Gojo called you because Megumi refused to tell anyone your name!” Tsumiki laughs loudly, holding her hand over her mouth, “God, he would not shut up about you and Daisy for weeks and weeks and weeks. He literally begged, like, on his knees, for Gojo to get him his own horse. I’d never seen him so excited, and as usual, the Zenin’s just had to ruin it that day, but he held on to the idea of that day longer than anything else he wasn’t allowed to have. Think getting Blue was his first real act of defiance against the Zenin’s.”

“Really?” Yuuji’s heart soared in his chest, pounding so hard he could feel it in every vein in his body.

“They hate horses.” Tsumiki laughs again, “Always said they never understood why they were such status symbols with barns smelling like that. But man, he loves Blue like nothing else. Don’t think he minded not having friends as long as he had her.”

“I remember,” She laughs a little more, shaking her head as she looks over at the stables, “One time, he’d snuck out to go ride her when he was about 9 or 10. He was out past dinner time, it was already dark, and I’d never seen Gojo so worried before. But then he came back, covered in dirt, muck, twigs, and leaves, but he had the biggest smile on his face. Gojo demanded where he’d been, and he just shrugged and said he was playing.” 

Yuuji laughs a little, his heart fluttering in his chest. He knew Megumi remembered that day, but he never really realized how much it had impacted him. He had said it was one of the reasons he’d liked animals so much, but the idea that meeting Yuuji and Daisy once was enough to make him want to rebel against his crappy family at age six , was a little too much for his heartbroken brain to handle. 

“Even if it feels like it doesn’t matter, it was still important,” Tsumiki looks over at him sympathetically, “I just don’t want you to look at your time together as… a waste.”

Yuuji stays silent for a few minutes before he takes a big sip of tea, and he sighs, “They were the best months of my life.”

Tsumiki just hums, staying quiet for a little before she squeezes his shoulder, “I’m gonna go check on Reiko and Tsuru. Make sure dinner’s going smoothly.” 

Yuuji nods and she spins to get off the railing, smoothing her skirt before she walks back inside. As the door closes behind her, Yuuji lets out a deep sigh, shaking his head a little to try and wrap his mind around everything he’s heard today. He takes a long sip of his tea before setting it next to him, letting it warm him up and distract himself from how badly he wants to ask Tsumiki more questions.

But as he muses on what else he could get out of her, he hears a door close below him, and footsteps across the stone, and soon enough, Megumi pops out from beneath the balcony.

“Fushiguro!” Yuuji quickly shouts, knocking over his mug on the railing, and Megumi slows down on the terrace below and looks up as Yuuji scrambles to grab his mug.

“Hey,” Megumi calls out, looking a little amused, “Where’s Tsumiki?”

“Checking on dinner.” Yuuji calls back, and Megumi nods a little as he starts to walk towards the stone steps again.

“Alright. See you then.” 

“Wait!” Yuuji blurts out, and Megumi turns back around, “Where, um, where are you going?”

“To feed the horses.”

“Can I come?” The question slips out, and it takes everything in him not to smack himself in the forehead.

“Oh, um—” Megumi hesitates, glancing down at the stables as Yuuji scrambles to try and save himself.

“I would just, uh, really love to see Blue again,” Yuuji says hopefully, and not untruthfully, “And your stables. For, um, professional purposes.”

As he holds his breath, Megumi just stares at him, eyes stubbornly imperceptible, but beautiful as always from the warm afternoon sun. 

“Yeah, okay. Just don’t slow me down.” Megumi just shrugs and continues to make his way towards the steps, and Yuuji’s heart skips as he quickly moves to spin around and jump off the railing to follow him.

The stables were a little bit more run down than Gojo’s, with weather worn wooden siding, and the metal roof shone under the afternoon light, but it looked much more like his dad’s barn. 

Megumi led them around the side, where there was another pen with some goats and a donkey prancing around.

“Now who is this handsome fella?” Yuuji grins as the donkey trots up to them, honking loudly as he nudges into Yuuji’s leg. 

“That’s Dennis.”

“Dennis?” Yuuji laughs as he lets him sniff his hand, before scratching down his neck, “Where’d that come from?” 

“An old children’s book Gojo used to read to us. The name ended up fitting way better than we thought.”

“How so?” Yuuji looks over as Megumi smirks and nods down to the donkey, who has begun happily chewing on Yuuji’s pants, “Hey!”

“Dennis the Menace,” Megumi shakes his head, chuckling a little down before he reaches for the donkey and he rubs between his ears, “Good boy.”

“Hey!” Yuuji whines again, and Megumi just rolls his eyes a little as he nods him forward towards the larger pen connected to the stables.

Megumi effortlessly jumps over the fence, glancing back as Yuuji follows suit, and as they approach, Megumi whistles, and Yuuji laughs as he sees two snouts quickly pop out of the stalls.

“Hey, Blue,” Yuuji smiles, tilting his head a little as he walks up to a familiar, speckled face, “Remember me, pretty girl?”

Blue huffs a little, shifting on her feet, but her tail betrays her as it happily flicks back and forth behind her. She then leans down and nips right by his front pockets, and he flinches back, “Woah, okay, too close to the goods!”

She just huffs again, stomping one hoof, and Yuuji laughs as he realizes what she wants, and walks back up to her, immediately moving to rub down her nose. She whines a little bit, before she relents and pushes her nose against his chest.

“Sorry, girl, don’t have any apples for you today,” He chuckles, before he glances at Megumi a few stalls down, and whispers to her, “And I got in trouble last time!”

She huffs out again, and Yuuji swears that if horses could roll their eyes, she would’ve. 

“Can’t you be a wingwoman for me?” He whines in a whisper, and she just picks her head up, and stares at him for a minute before unceremoniously plopping her head on his shoulder and he pets down her neck, “Okay, this works. Make me look good, girl.”

Blue huffs again, clearly annoyed at being used, but she accepts his pets down her neck, and he feels her relax a little against his shoulder, and he lets himself relax too, the tension from the last twenty four hours slipping off his shoulders.

“Hey, love,” Yuuji snaps his head over to see Megumi softly rubbing the nose of a smaller, purely black horse a few stalls down, “How you doing, little lady?”

Yuuji keeps his eyes on him as he sees a gentle smile on Megumi’s face as he looks down at the horse, speaking very quietly, “Tsumiki’s not riding you enough, I know, I know, baby. I’ll take you out tomorrow morning, sound good?”

The horse whines a little bit, bobbing her head, and Megumi laughs lightly, nodding along with her, “Yeah, yeah, on the trail out back. I know you like that one spot by the river. With the blueberry bush, I know, I know. It’ll be a nice long one. Okay? Okay.”

Yuuji’s chest practically glows with warmth as he sees the look on Megumi’s face as he talks casually to the horse, softly petting down her nose and neck as he smiles at her. He looked beautiful like this, so at ease, so natural, to the point where Yuuji felt the months of coldness in his bones start to warm, expanding throughout his body.

“Who’s that?”

Megumi snaps his head up, eyes slightly wide, as if he’d forgotten Yuuji was there.

“Oh, um, this is Tsumiki’s horse.”

“What’s her name?” 

“Lenore.”

“That’s a beautiful name,” Yuuji replies, peeking over to try and see her better, “Where’d that come from?”

“It’s, uh–” Megumi clears his throat, keeping his eyes on the horse, “When I was, like, 13, I got really into Poe. And Tsumiki read a lot of it with me and she liked all the old Romantic and Gothic era names.”

“Po?” Yuuji asks, a little distracted as his eyes inadvertently track Megumi’s slender hands stroking down the horse’s nose, “Like, from Kung Fu Panda?”

“What? No,” Megumi pauses as he looks at him in bewilderment, before he shakes his head and laughs, clean and crisp as the fall breeze around them, “No, Edgar Allen Poe.”

“Oh,” Yuuji laughs nervously, feeling his cheeks get hot as Megumi keeps shaking his head, but he’d live with the embarrassment just to see him smile like that, “That makes sense for you.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Megumi replies, looking a little offended.

Yuuji just looks him up and down and just raises his eyebrows expectantly. Megumi huffs and rolls his eyes, but the tips of his ears get red, and Yuuji holds back a sigh at the comfort he finds in the sight.

“Whatever, Tsumiki just always loved the name Lenore from the Raven.”

“It’s a great name.” Yuuji nods, eyes flicking from the horse to Megumi as his chest warms at the sight.

“Yeah, means ‘torch’ or ‘shining light’ or something. It’s originally Greek, I think. Stems from the name Helen.” Megumi adds absentmindedly, stroking down her cheek as he looks down at her with an almost barely perceptible smile.

“Like Helen of Sparta.” Yuuji replies quickly, holding his breath, but Megumi’s smile drops and his hands freeze on the side of Lenore’s face for a second. He then just clears his throat, his hands starting to move down her neck again.

“Yeah, sure.” Megumi replies distantly, keeping his eyes down as Yuuji feels himself physically deflate a little bit, and his stomach is clenched tight, but he refuses to let this opportunity go to waste.

Hesitating for a moment, he gives Blue one last pat on her neck before turning towards the other stall, walking up next to him. 

“She’s really beautiful,” Yuuji leans a bit and smiles at her, her big eyes staring right back at him, “Man, her coat is amazing. It’s so hard to get black horses to stay this dark with the sun.”

“Tsumiki might not ride her enough, but she definitely keeps her looking pretty,” Megumi replies, shifting a little to give Yuuji more room, “She’s a sweet girl, though.” 

“Can I…” Yuuji trails off as he looks from the horse to Megumi, and he nods, stepping further to the side.

Yuuji brings his hand up for her to smell, and she nudges into his hand. Smiling, he steps up, gently stroking down her nose as he glances around her.

“Hey.” Yuuji says softly, shifting his other hand to rub down her neck, “I’m Yuuji.”

She breathes out a light huff, nudging further into his hand as he smiles, and she whines a little when his hand pulls away for just a second.

“She’s adorable.” He laughs, glancing over at Megumi, who's smiling softly down at her again.

“Yeah, she’s a sweetheart,” Megumi replies, leaning against the side of the barn, “Kind of timid, but she’s funny once she gets to know you.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah,” Megumi nods, and then laughs a little, “One time, she took Tsumiki two miles off trail because she wanted to watch the fish jump in the river.” 

“That’s so cute.” Yuuji laughs, looking back down at Lenore, who leans further into him. 

“Yeah, they like it out here.” Megumi sighs, glancing out around the grounds.

“Can’t blame them. It’s beautiful here, really.” 

“Please,” Megumi scoffs a little, looking down at his feet, “You’ve seen Gojo’s place.”

“Yeah, but,” Yuuji shakes his head a little as he looks back up to the house, “It really fits you. I love it.” 

He keeps his eyes on the house for a second before he looks back to Megumi, who’s still looking down at the ground, his ears a little pink.

Feeling a brief surge of hope and courage, Yuuji opens his mouth to say more before a shout from above interrupts him. 

“Megumi! You’re hogging him!”

They both look up to see Tsumiki waving at them from the balcony, before she puts her hands on her hips.

Megumi rolls his eyes, turning to face the house as he shouts up, “I’m taking care of your damn horse!”

“She’s fine! Finish feeding them and come back up! Dinner’s almost ready!” 

“Whatever,” Megumi mutters, giving Lenore a few last strokes along her nose before he steps back and moves towards the front of the barn.

“You need help?”

“No, I’m good. You can go back up to the house.” Megumi replies, keeping his head down as he moves towards the inside of the barn. 

“I can—”

“It’s okay. Just go.” Megumi interrupts, not unkindly, but still not turning around, and his voice sounds tired. It makes Yuuji’s chest ache.

“But I—” Yuuji hesitates, keeping his eyes on Megumi’s back turned towards him before he just breathes out and nods in defeat, “Okay. See you up there.”

“Seriously, Fushiguro, we cannot thank you enough,” Choso shakes his head a little as he glances back at the house, “This is beautiful, you did an amazing job out here.”

“The land's beautiful, I had nothing to do with that. And you guys are welcome anytime.” Megumi nods at him, before he sticks his hands in his pockets.

“Hey!” He looks up to see Tsumiki coming back out the front door, jogging up to them, “You weren’t planning on leaving without saying goodbye, were you?”

“I was planning on it.” Megumi mutters under his breath as Tsumiki shoots him a glare before smiling sweetly back at Yuuji.

“Fushiguro, can I ask you another question about some of those trees out there? I didn’t recognize the species.” Choso speaks up, sounding a little nervous. Megumi turns to him, and Yuuji sees his eyes get a little brighter as he slowly makes his way over to Yuki and Choso.

“Yeah, yeah, of course, which ones?” He asks, his tone a little lighter, and Yuuji tries to hold back a smile.

Dinner had been uneventful, with Choso and Yuki asking a million questions about the property and Tsumiki’s paintings, but Yuuji was just grateful he was able to sit across from Megumi so he could watch him talk.

“Well, Yuuji,” Tsumiki smiles widely as she turns to him, “It’s been so nice to know that my brother is capable of making more than one friend.”

Yuuji laughs and shakes his head, “Honestly, the jury might still be out on me.” 

She laughs a little before it trails off, and she glances over Yuuji’s shoulder at Megumi talking to Choso and Yuki a few yards away.

“Yuuji…” Tsumiki hesitantly says as she looks back at him.

“Yeah?”

“You know he still loves you, right?” Tsumiki says quietly, and Yuuji’s heart clenches as she looks up at him, her eyes earnest, but a little sad.

“I’m… I’m not so sure anymore,” Yuuji replies softly before he looks down at his hands, “And I’m not sure if it really matters… w-with everything.” 

“I am,” Tsumiki says confidently, and he hesitantly looks up, “Even if you think it doesn’t matter, and if I’m being perfectly honest, I don’t know if it matters in the way it should either. But I think you should be grateful to have someone like him love you. He’d do anything for the people he loves. Anything. And I think it says a lot about you that he feels this way.”

Yuuji blinks back tears, and swallows hard to try and clear the lump in his throat, but Tsumiki just gives him a sad smile before she leans in to hug him tightly.

“I’m just grateful I had him for at least a little while.” Yuuji whispers as he hugs her back, his lip trembling a little, and she just nods against him before she pulls away.

“It was really so good to meet you,” Tsumiki smiles warmly as she holds both of his hands in hers, “I really, really hope we meet again.”

“Me too.” He smiles back as she squeezes his hands once before dropping them, and she turns to walk over to say goodbye to Yuki and Choso. 

Yuuji takes a moment, trying to calm himself down as he stares at the ground. He inhales sharply once before he turns and walks over to Megumi, who’s stepped away from the three of them and now stares out at the trees lining their driveway.

“Hey.”

Megumi turns to look over at him, “Hey.”

“Thank you for having us,” Yuuji smiles weakly, and Megumi just nods, looking down at his feet, “It was really nice of you to invite us over today.”

“Yeah, anytime,” Megumi replies, shrugging a little as he looks down, “I’m sure Tsumiki would love to have you again.”

“Are you going back to Tokyo now?”

“Yeah, tomorrow.”

“Oh, so soon?” Yuuji’s voice drops, and Megumi looks up as he just nods.

“Yeah, I have to fly to London tomorrow night.”

“Oh, um,” Yuuji shuffles a bit, looking down at his feet, “Have a good trip.”

“Thanks,” Megumi just nods and takes a step back as Yuuji looks up, “Hope the rest of yours goes well, too.”

“Thanks.” Yuuji says awkwardly, his chest getting colder as Megumi keeps stepping away, and his heart starts to pound, getting frantic as Megumi turns to walk further away towards the house. 

“Thank you for Poppy!” Yuuji blurts out, and Megumi freezes ahead of him. His heart thuds hard against his chest, echoing in his eardrums, and he holds his breath as Megumi slowly turns around.

“You like her?” Megumi asks quietly, eyes flicking up to Yuuji’s, looking almost nervous, and Yuuji nods quickly.

“Yeah, yeah, I—” He pauses and swallows hard, his heart still pounding, “I love her.”

Please understand, please understand.

In a few moments of silence, Megumi’s mouth twitches before he just nods a few times and sticks his hands in his pockets as he looks down.

“Good, I’m glad.” He says softly, glancing up at Yuuji before settling his eyes back down.

Yuuji’s chest hurts so bad he can barely breathe, but he can’t let this go to waste, he can’t let him run away again. 

“Fushiguro, I…”

But even now, with him standing in front of him, after months of thinking about what he’d say if he saw him again, Yuuji still can’t find the words he needs to convey what he wants to. 

Despite how much he’d missed him, he was still so confused, still so mad at Megumi for never being fully and completely honest with him when all he wanted was to understand. He knew the boy standing in front of him was the love of his life, the one that got away, the one he’d so stupidly pushed away that day in the rain, but he couldn’t hear over the sea of voices in his head.

Country trash.

Poor.

Not good enough.

Not worthy.

Not right.

And deep down, buried far beneath all of his other overwhelming, debilitating fears, was the worst one.

The idea that even if they both wanted this, even if they both wanted each other in the desperate way Yuuji wanted him, even if they did love each other, they’d never be able to be together anyway.

And Megumi doesn’t let his mental spiral last.

“Get home safe, okay?” Megumi nods softly at him, and turns away to walk back towards the house.

Yuuji watches him walk away, watches him walk until the front door closes behind him again, and he exhales heavily.

“Dammit.” Yuuji whispers, dropping his eyes to stare at the ground as he shakes his head.

“Yuuji?”

He turns around to see Choso standing by his open car door, with a worried look on his face, but Yuuji just steels himself and forces a smile, “Ready to go?” 

Chapter Text

(four years later)

“So, then she told me that she had already been in labor for like three hours already, so me and the other nurses had to— Yuuji? Hello? Are you even listening to me?!”

“Huh?” Yuuji whips his head up to see his date roll her eyes and stand up from her barstool.

“You’re not even pretending to care what I have to say.” She scoffs, shoving her phone in her purse.

“Sorry, sorry,” He shakes his head a little, “I’m good, really, I just spaced.”

“Yeah, yeah, you’re always spaced, or tired, or distracted, or busy. This is our third attempt at a date, I know the drill at this point,” She shakes her head a little before she puts one hand on the bar to lean in and look at him directly, “You’re a nice guy, Yuuji, really, and I don’t know who she was, but you really need to get over her before you start dating other people.” 

With that, she turns around and walks towards the door, not looking behind her.

Yuuji sighs, but doesn’t turn around to watch or follow her, he just picks up his beer and drains the rest of it before waving at the bartender.

“Man,” Johnny says, taking his glass away as he glances up to the door closing, “That was harsh.”

“It was deserved,” Yuuji just shakes his head again with a deep sigh, “She was right, anyway.”

“Sure, but no one puts a time limit on heartbreak, right?” Johnny says absentmindedly, sliding him another beer across the bar as Yuuji just nods solemnly. 

“Yeah, sure.” 

Yuuji stares down at his foamy beer, watching the foamy bubbles burst in the glass as it settles. He then picks it up and takes a long sip, letting the cold liquid cool his throat as he chugs, then drops it back to the bar with a deep exhale. 

“You good, man?” Johnny asks, looking him up and down as he notes his slumped shoulders, “You don’t look too hot.” 

“Yeah, I’m good. Just tired.”

And he was tired.

He thought it might all get better with time, that he’d eventually, but slowly, move on from the fantasy he’d created around Megumi. 

But as the weeks turned into months, and the months turned into years, all he could think about was how he spent every day waiting for something, someone, anything, to make his heart race and head fuzzy like Megumi did, but it was just one disappointment after the next.

Yuuji runs his finger up and down the glass, condensation pooling over his fingers before it slips to the wooden bar ahead of him. 

He sighs, glancing over at the empty dancefloor to his left as the memories of nights here flood his mind.

“Fushi!”

Megumi looks up as Yuuji bounces up next to him, clinking their glasses together, “Thought I might find you in the corner.”

“Likely place for me to be.”

“Cheer up, grumpykins.” Yuuji mockingly pouts a little, but Megumi just rolls his eyes.

“Do not call me that.”

“Then stop being so grumpy.” 

“It’s my natural state.”

“Come on, I got one of your songs queued up.”

“What?” Megumi looks over at Yuuji’s mischievous smile, “What song?”

“Ready to depress a whole room with Radiohead?”

Megumi bites back a small smile before he just shrugs casually, “Might as well.”

Yuuji grins as Megumi leans his head back against the wall, their shoulders just brushing. His heart was racing, practically jumping out of his chest just at the chance of being close to him like this, and he never wanted to leave his side.

“What song did you pick?”

“True Love Waits.”

“And you say I’m the mean one.”

“Don’t you like this song?”

“Yeah, I love it.”

Yuuji stares down the bar, eyes practically glazed over as he watches the now empty, slightly dusty looking corner of the bar where he’d seek out Megumi, indulging in letting himself lean into him under the guise of the loud crowd of people around them. He sips his beer as he stares, eventually draining the rest of it before he sighs deeply and pushes his empty glass towards the back of the bartop.

Throwing some cash on the wood, he stands up, waves goodbye to Johnny, and starts his walk home.

It was late spring, with the faded cherry blossom petals lining the streets, and the air was starting to warm up again, the summer heat sneaking in quietly, and Yuuji tries to inhale the sweet yet chilled evening air, but he’s just reminded of the coming heat and the memories that tend to follow quickly behind the ephemeral spring

Unsurprisingly, summers were always the worst.

Yuuji feels his feet slow as he passes by the large expanse of grass leading down to the Gojo estate, and as always, his eyes hesitantly fall back down the hill.

He stands there, hands shoved deep in his pockets as his breath billows out ahead of him like clouds in the chilling night air, and his eyes are fixed. 

Fixed on that house, fixed on the faint film reels of his mind showing him and Megumi sitting underneath the tree in the side yard. Megumi throwing leaves at him when Yuuji asked too many questions but had the same stubborn smile every time. His face brightening whenever he got to talk about Blue or the dogs. His eyes when the sunlight hit them through the leaves of the trees. 

The dark house stared back, taunting him with cold, empty windows void of color, light, and the one thing he wanted most.

It’d been four years since he saw Megumi at his house just outside Tokyo, and the ache that settled deep in his heart had become a part of him, something familiar.

But, as he spent his days working through the motions of life, he’d spend his nights reminiscing on what could’ve been.

He’d had years to think about him, to think about that last day. What he should’ve done differently, what he could do differently if he ever saw him again, if anything could ever change enough for them to be together.

It had always felt like Megumi was holding something back from him, something that could’ve eased the tension that still lingered despite their days and nights together. He’d assumed, like he did that day in the rain, that it was because he’d looked down on him, that he thought Yuuji just wouldn’t understand what was going on his mind, and he was probably right. 

But that didn’t quench his desire to still try and know him completely, regardless of if he fully understood him or not. He just wanted him, all of it.

He’d shamelessly Google him, not everyday anymore, but just every so often. Checking to see which countries he’d been in, who he’d been talking to, meeting with, photographed with. He’d sigh as he stared at him through his phone screen, but his heart ached more each time, as he saw his smile for cameras shift, becoming more at ease, more comfortable, even smug sometimes. Like he was used to them, like he should be behind them. 

Like he belonged there.

So Yuuji was doing… okay, all things considered.

Kugisaki, on the other hand, had channeled all of her heartbreak and misery into pure, unadulterated determination. Her Kyoto internship had turned into a full time position in Tokyo, but she visited them constantly. She’d done well for herself, and Yuuji was proud of her, but he couldn’t help but feel a little jealous that he was still in the same place, physically and emotionally.

He was stuck, but he’d always figured he’d get stuck in this town, and he was okay with it. He’d always been okay with staying here forever.

But now the idea was different, tainted. 

Not necessarily in a bad way, it was just haunted by the ghost of Megumi and everything he represented. Every dirt road reminded him of listening to music in the Jeep. Every blade of grass looked like his eyes. Every starry sky reminded him of nights under the constellations, that night at the lake.

He’d never expected love to feel like this. To feel like a part of you was forcibly ripped away and shoved into someone else who would never be as close as you craved them to be.

He couldn’t even bring himself to be mad about anything anymore, he was too heartbroken. Kugisaki didn’t bring up Maki, but he saw the way her fingers lingered on her T-shirts she’d left in her room here at home, how sometimes she’d sit at her desk and stare at a hidden photograph she kept not so hidden in a drawer, like Maki was a secret she still wasn’t quite willing to give up yet.

And maybe, at the end of the day, Megumi was right. They didn’t understand what is expected of the two of them, what their lives were really like, and they might not ever be able to.

Maybe he’d romanticized it. Maybe that summer with Megumi didn’t really feel like the start of the rest of his life, maybe it wasn’t the beginning of something he didn’t even have words to describe. 

But he knew that was all bullshit.

He knew it was real, and he’d now looked back on it as something precious, something to hold close, something to protect. 

So he channeled most of his energy into the one thing Megumi left behind.

“Hey, girl.” 

Yuuji smiles as he walks up to the stall, Poppy’s tail flicking back and forth behind her as she whinnies happily.

“Hey, pretty lady,” He greets her as she hops up a little and sticks the tip of her nose right against his face, nuzzling against his cheek as he laughs, “Hi, hi! I know, I know, baby, I missed you, too. I just had a busy day yesterday. I had a date.” 

Poppy huffs a little, shaking her head, and Yuuji rolls his eyes a little, “Yeah, yeah, I know. Don’t think she liked me still being in love with someone else, anyway. I just didn’t think it was that obvious, you know?”

Poppy obviously doesn’t respond, just nudges his shoulder a little as she looks towards the open barn doors. 

“You wanna go for a ride?” He takes a step back as she whinnies excitedly, bucking up a little, and he chuckles, pulling out his phone to text his dads he’ll be home for dinner.

Poppy nudges him again, and Yuuji laughs to himself as he strokes down the side of her neck, the achy feeling in his bones lessening just a little, “You wanna go through the woods or by the lake today? Lake? Alright, alright.” 

He smiles to himself as she leans into him, and the ache lessens for a few moments as he strokes down her neck, letting himself focus on her and her alone, “You want an apple before we go?”

Poppy huffs excitedly as Yuuji chuckles to himself and steps back towards the office, but a vibration in his pocket stops him, and he slips out his phone to see one of his dad’s calling him.

“Hello?”

“Hey, kiddo,” He hears Haibara’s voice come through the phone, a little faraway, like he was on speaker, “You’re taking Poppy out?”

“Yeah, just by the lake for a bit since I didn’t take her out yesterday.”

“Okay, just get back before 6, okay? We got a last minute invite to a fundraiser next door if you want time to shower.”

“Next… Next door?” He gulps, glancing back at Poppy, and he swears her eyes get bigger too, “Like, Gojo’s next door?”

“Yeah, he donated some funds to the group that owns the stables through one of his organizations, so we’re being invited as guests. It’s last minute, but they just added you kids to the invitation,” Haibara replies, and when Yuuji doesn’t respond right away, he quickly adds, “I already asked, he won’t be there.”

“Oh. Okay,” Yuuji deflates, bringing his hand up to steady himself by stroking down Poppy’s nose, “That’s… That’s good, I guess.”

“Would you want to come?”

“Oh, I don’t know, Papa,” Yuuji sighs, rubbing the back of his neck before he shifts closer to Poppy, “I don’t know if I should.” 

“Your sister really wants to go.” 

Yuuji’s hand slows and he takes a moment, looking up at Poppy as she stares back, and then nudges his arm a little with her nose. His lips twitch with a smile before he just sighs deeply, “Okay, sure.”

“Thank you, Yuuji,” Haibara breathes out gratefully, and he can hear his dad’s muffled voice saying something in the background, “Your brother claims he has unavoidable plans with Yuuta.”

“Shocking, they’ve had the unavoidable plans excuse for four years,” Yuuji scoffs a little, shaking his head as he moves around the barn, grabbing stuff with one hand, “I’ll be back before then.”

“Alright, see you soon!” 

“Bye, Pops.” 

Yuuji hangs up with a sigh, looking as he lets his hand fall from Poppy’s neck, and he looks up at her, who’s staring at him curiously.

“This is gonna suck, huh?”

She just snorts, shaking her head back and forth and Yuuji laughs, “Yeah, it’s gonna suck.” 

After he gets home, he trudges up the stairs to find Kugisaki in the bathroom, standing in front of the mirror in an old t-shirt as she curls her hair. Her expression was almost imperceptible, if not for the slight look of unnamed determination on face as she stared into the mirror.

“Hey.” 

“Hey,” She greets him, letting her hair fall from her curling iron before she looks over, “You worked today?”

“Yeah, but I just took Poppy out.”

“Aw, how is she?” Kugisaki asks, leaning against the sink as she sets the curling iron down, “Not slowing down, is she?”

“She’s good, energetic as ever,” Yuuji nods, smiling a little, “You can always take her out when you’re here.”

“I know, I know,” She waves him off as she picks up the curling iron again, “I’m just not as good a rider as you.”

“You would be if you rode more.”

“Oh, don’t start right now,” She rolls her eyes, shaking her head a little, “Where the hell am I gonna ride a horse in the middle of Tokyo?”

Yuuji’s mind flashes to Megumi, but he shakes it off and forces a cheesy smile as he leans against the doorframe, “Looks like you’ll just have to come back home more, dear sister.”

“Oh, whatever,” She laughs a little, but it trails off as she picks up more of her hair, and glances at him out of the corner of her eye, “You see those Met Gala photos?” 

Yuuji swallows hard. Of course he’d seen the photos. 

“Some of them.” Yuuji replies, trying to keep his voice upbeat and not as devastated as they made him feel.

“I begrudgingly admit that Mai’s dress was beautiful.” Kugisaki scoffs a little, picking up more of her hair to curl.

“Yeah, that train thing was cool,” Yuuji nods a little, hesitating before he adds, “Shame Maki wasn’t there.”

“Eh, I’m not sure if that’s really her thing, anyway.” Kugisaki just shrugs, and Yuuji notes how casually she replied, and he felt a little flicker of jealousy and shame at his own painstakingly long acceptance of heartbreak.

“They showed them at our morning meeting at work earlier this week, the photos,” Yuuji looks up as Kugisaki pauses in front of the mirror for a moment before she takes a deep breath and moves to continue on her hair, “Literally had to listen to them hype Mai up for, like, twenty minutes. You have no idea how hard it was to keep my mouth shut.” 

“Yeah, I’m sure.” Yuuji replies, now feeling a little guilty about assuming he was still the only one hurting.

“Fushiguro looked good, too.” She says, her eyes not moving from the mirror ahead of her, but he feels the hesitation in her voice.

“He always looks good.” Yuuji mutters under his breath, looking down at his feet as he swallows the lump in his throat, and he hears her put the curling iron back on the counter and take a step towards him.

“Hey.” She grabs his shoulder, and he looks up to see her determined face, “Come visit me in Tokyo when I get back, alright? I’ll talk to the Dads about it.”

“I-I don’t know, the barns gonna get busy over the summer and I don’t—”

“Yuuji.” She interrupts gently, and he stops his excuses and looks down at his feet again as she moves towards him.

“I know it’s laughable coming from me,” Kugisaki says quietly, squeezing his shoulder a bit, “But you have to start to at least try and move on. This isn’t good for you.”

“How am I supposed to do that?” Yuuji replies, keeping his head down, “Everything around here reminds me of him and it’s been four years.”

“Maybe…” Kugisaki inhales sharply, hesitant words on her lips, “Maybe you should look into moving somewhere else. Trying out a new place.” 

“What?” Yuuji snaps his head up, eyes wide as Kugisaki sighs.

“You only stay here for Dad and Papa,” Kugisaki says gently, “You know you could get a job at another barn somewhere else, and they’d put up housing for you. It doesn’t have to be far, or you could move and split rent with Inumaki since all of his work is online, and he’ll be with Yuuta half the time. Dad will find someone else at the barn, not as good obviously, but he’ll be okay.” 

“I… I don’t know.” Yuuji drops his head again, shaking it a little bit. 

Of course he’d thought about leaving, about running away from these feelings surrounding this town, but it felt weak, and between him and Megumi, he didn’t want both of them running away. Someone had to stay and mourn what they had, and even if it was his own masochistic version of self flagellation, he couldn’t tear himself away from something that felt holy and cursed at the same time. 

“I don’t like knowing that you’re so miserable here, Yuuji,” Kugisaki says, her voice dropping as her eyebrows pinch with concern, “I know you miss him, but I want you to be happy.” 

“I know,” He nods a little, forcing himself to smile, “Thanks.” 

She just nods back before she reaches over and gives him a hug, and he sighs as he hugs her back, relaxing against her familiar hold. He really had missed her in Tokyo. 

“Plus, I’m selfish and I miss my baby brother who doesn’t visit me enough.” She pulls back and glares at him a little before settling back in front of the mirror as Yuuji laughs. 

“Yeah, whatever,” He shakes his head, “I’m gonna shower in Dads' bathroom.” 

“Kay, I’ll be done soon,” She replies, “I can do my makeup in my room.” 

“Alright.” He nods and heads out of the bathroom towards his room.

“Oo, wait!” Kugisaki leans back out the door, “Wear that dark green tie! It makes your eyes really stand out, and then we can match!” 

“Great.” Yuuji rolls his eyes as he walks towards the stairs.

“We used to match all the time and you loved it!”

“We were six!”

“Oh, have some whimsy, will you?” 

“Quit messing with your tie.”

“Sorry,” Yuuji whispers as he glances around the people approaching the house, tugging at the knot at his neck as he walks, “Dad usually does it for me but he left too early and YouTube was not very helpful.”

“How are you twenty five and can’t tie your own tie? I swear, men these days.” Kugidaki grumbles as she turns to him, straightening out his fifth attempt at a presentable knot before he called it a day, not caring what those rich assholes had to say about him anyway.

“Because I could count the number of times I had to wear a tie on one hand until a few summers ago.” 

“Whatever,” She scoffs, shaking her head, “Useless. But I am glad you listened to me about the color, you look really nice.”

“Thanks.”

“Are you gonna be okay?” She asks, tilting her head as she tugs down his tie one last time. 

“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?” Yuuji replies, hoping his voice sounds steady enough, but to no avail.

Kugisaki narrows her eyes at him and he huffs out before tilting his head back and forth and stepping forward, “I’ll be okay. Let’s just go in.” 

Before she can argue, he takes a deep breath and knocks on the door, and immediately, he’s greeted by a familiar face.

“Ijichi!” Yuuji smiles and Ijichi looks between the two of them.

“I’m glad you got my message.”

“Message?” Yuuji asks, eyebrows pinching together in confusion. 

“The invitation to add you kids to the guest list,” Ijichi replies, looking confused as well, “I told your fathers. I assured you I’d send a message if there was a return here years ago, didn’t I?”

Yuuji’s chest blossoms with warmth as Ijichi looks at him earnestly, and he breathes out a smile, “Yeah, you did. Thank you, Ijichi.”

“Of course, sir. Come on in.” He opens the door wider and gestures them inside.

As they walk in, Yuuji’s jaw drops a little at just the sheer amount of flowers and people inside. It was a much bigger affair than he had anticipated, much bigger than the simple fundraiser his dads had mentioned. There were garlands of leaves and white flowers encircling the columns of the large hall, with tall candles flickering in under the faintly dimmed lights.

But more surprisingly, there were people everywhere, not just Zenin’s he’d vaguely recognized from years ago, but there were also people seemingly from all over, and Yuuji did a double take as he swore he saw an American celebrity or two slip away in the back corner.

“Woah.” Kugisaki whispers next to him, glancing over, “Is it just me, or does this seem really fancy for a fundraiser?”

Yuuji gulps as he looks around the room full of glamorous, practically sparkling faces, suddenly feeling completely out of depth, just like he did back at the Zenin’s estate, but it felt even worse, even more devastating in this house, “I need a drink.”

“Amen to that.” Kugisaki nods as she flags down a waitstaff and grabs two flutes of champagne, and hands one of Yuuji.

“Kugi,” Yuuji whines a little, “I hate champagne.”

“Oh, suck it up,” She just sighs as she takes a sip and looks around, “Might as well get drunk if we’ve gotta socialize.”

“I thought you wanted to come?”

“I, uh, well, yeah,” Kugisaki stammers out, her cheeks turning pink, “It’s just an excuse to wear a nice dress.”

“No other reason?” Yuuji asks, raising his eyebrows a bit, but she shoots him a glare cold enough to make him snap his mouth shut, “Sorry.”

“Whatever,” Kugisaki sighs, “If anything, maybe I’ll get some design inspo.”

“Yeah, sure.” Yuuji just nods as his eyes wander, peeking around the corners for some sort of Megumi sized miracle before he just slugs back his glass, wincing a little, “I’m gonna go to the bar, want anything?”

“Margarita.”

Yuuji nods as he turns away to make his way towards the bar on the other side of the room, his eyes glancing around for those long awaited green eyes.

Despite his dad’s assurance that he wouldn’t be here, Yuuji didn’t even really know what he’d even say if he saw Megumi again, but he just wanted another chance at anything, despite how small this crowd made him feel.

The night wore on with no sign of Megumi, just polite, forced conversations with people who’d smiled cordially, but he could tell most of them were just counting the seconds and trying to find a way to extract themselves from conversation, which Yuuji was more than happy to oblige. As the hours passed, he found himself peeking around every corner, trying to find the spots he’d had memories with Megumi.

He couldn’t describe it properly, but he had a feeling, deep and simmering in his gut, that told him he needed to be here tonight, and he wanted to take advantage of being back in this place, back in the place he fell in love for the first, and presumably, no, definitely, the last time. 

As his eyes track across the room, Yuuji suddenly freezes as he spies a familiar looking head of blonde hair across the room, leaning against the wall as Naoya smiles sleazily down at two women standing in front of him.

“I’m going to, uh, go get some air.” Yuuji says quickly, and he turns away towards the opposite side of the room before Kugisaki can protest. 

Without thinking, his feet carry him up the stairs, past the large paintings lining the walls, past the tables scattered with trinkets, until he comes upon a familiar looking samurai suit, and he slips past it towards the balcony.

As he opens the door and looks up, he jolts a little as he sees a man leaning his elbows on the edge of the balcony, with long dark hair, half tied up as he looked out over the grounds. He turns at the noise of the door, but his eyes seem kind, the judgemental edge found in the Zenin family absent from his face.

“Oh, sorry,” Yuuji falls back a little, glancing over his shoulder, “I didn’t think anyone else would be out here.”

“No, no, it’s alright. I just needed some space from those people,” The man laughs a little, turning to look back out to the grounds, “You’re welcome to join me.”

“Yeah, I get that,” Yuuji replies, hesitantly walking towards the edge of the balcony near him, “Are you not a Zenin?”

“Me?” The man laughs hard and shakes his head quickly, and Yuuji feels a smile pull on his lips, “No, no, no, definitely not.” 

“Saw the dark hair and took a guess.” Yuuji shrugs as he leans against the railing next to him and the man just laughs lightly again.

“No, thankfully, I am in no way related to these people.” 

“Not a fan?”

“You could say that.”

Yuuji laughs, nodding a bit, “I’m not really either.” 

“No?” The man asks, tilting his head a little as he looks over.

“No, I… haven't had the best experiences, you know?”

“Yes, yes. I know the feeling.” 

Yuuji looks over at him for a few seconds, trying to gauge if he had any recognition of him, but he was coming up short.

“So why’d you end up coming then?”

“I could ask you the same thing.” The man counters, raising his eyebrows playfully as Yuuji huffs out a laugh.

“Fair enough,” Yuuji shrugs, leaning his elbows down against the railing, “My sister really wanted to come, and she’s had a tough few years.”

“That’s very kind of you.”

Yuuji looks over at him, and sees nothing but sincerity on his face, and he lets himself smile a bit as he shrugs, the ache relenting for a few moments.

“She’d probably beat me up if I didn’t come, if I’m being honest.”

“Those are the best type of women to keep around,” The man chuckles, shaking his head a little, “I had a friend like her once.”

“Not anymore?”

“No, no, I…” He pauses, seemingly taking the time to consider his words carefully, “I left that life behind.”

“Oh,” Yuuji replies quietly as the man looks down at his hands, fiddling with his full drink, “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be, it seemed like the right— no, it was the right decision at the time, even if it was difficult.”

“What happened?” Yuuji asks curiously. The man hesitates, and Yuuji quickly scrambles to continue, “I’m sorry, that is so not my business.” 

“No, it’s okay. You kids should know this stuff anyway,” The man sighs and shakes his head a little, “I was idealistic in my youth, and being around these kinds of people, seeing the reality of the world they helped create, it started to grate on me after a while. I kept my mouth shut for too long, and ended up losing it at the one person I cared about more than anything.” 

Yuuji swallows hard, nodding, as he tries to gather the courage and steadiness to respond, “How’d you justify it to yourself? That you needed to let it go?”

The man sighs again, his eyes filling with melancholy as he looks up, “I told myself that if I didn’t let go now, it would just haunt me for the rest of my life. I would spend my days hating myself even more than these people hated me, and I couldn’t handle the idea of being with someone at the cost of my pride. I just… couldn’t let myself abandon the ideas I’d had my whole life just for the easy life of money and ignorance.”

“Ignorance is bliss, right?” Yuuji supplies, and the man laughs dryly, nodding his head.

“I’d never understood that phrase so well until then,” He replies, “Sometimes I really do wish I could just live like that, without bothering myself with everything going on in the world. That I could just stick my head in the sand. But I’ve never been that type of person, I’ve always thought too hard about the uncomfortable parts of life.”

“Uncomfortable?”

The man sighs deeply, and looks up at the sky again, looking pained, “I knew that the deals that companies like the Zenin’s were making impacted people in parts of the world who couldn’t afford to pay for their mistakes and greed. They take advantage, displacing people in the name of progress and development when in reality, their only goal is to line their own pockets, improve their own global standing, benefit themselves. They never cared about the people, never cared that their island resorts create more waste than the locals can keep up with. I just… I can’t do that. I saw how my own town got torn up by power hungry businessmen, and I’d always told myself that when I grew up, I would be the one to help rather than destroy.”

“A bit idealistic of me,” He breathes out a sarcastic laugh, looking down as he shakes his head, “But it was the first thing I was ever really passionate about, and I couldn’t bring myself to let that go.”

“So,” Yuuji turns to him, leaning on one elbow as he feels a little loosened, more emboldened, “I’ll ask again. Why’d you come back? What made you want to deal with these people all over again when you don’t have to? When you chose to leave?”

“A person. My person,” He says simply, sighing deeply as he turns his head towards the sky, “My best friend. The reason I left in the first place.” 

Yuuji’s heart pangs again with familiarity, but he just nods gently as he sees the expression on the man’s face, and asks softly, “What happened between you two?”

“The result of years of me biting my tongue while he overcompensated,” The man sighs again, sadder this time as he looks down at his hands, “He was in this life, a Zenin kind of life, and I couldn’t understand how he could help perpetuate it. Money never meant anything to him, he’d always had it so he had never thought about it too hard. But I saw the kinds of situations people from my hometown were in, the kind of situations that could be eased if there was more time and care taken to assess their needs. I could never get behind it, the idea of the rich getting richer at the expense of the majority. At the expense of hardworking people. So, one night, I just snapped, and that was the last night I saw him.”

Yuuji stares at him as he takes a few moments to look up at the sky, his expression looking pained and regretful as he stares up at the stars.

“Looking back, I know it wasn’t entirely his fault. I was practically asking him to rework the world in a way that only exists in textbooks and theory,” The man chuckles lowly, almost self-deprecating, before he glances over at Yuuji and shrugs, “I was a bit theatrical back then.” 

Yuuji huffs out a laugh as the man smiles at him with a low chuckle, and he then sighs deeply, looking down at his glass, “I thought I knew him better than anyone, but his decisions and justifications just didn’t make sense. I was asking a lot of him, but he’d never even considered a life other than the one he had. He had a role to fill, a position I’d always assumed he’d genuinely wanted. I just knew I couldn’t stand by and watch him turn into the people I’d sworn to hate. So, I took my pride and I left to work for the people.”

Yuuji’s heart hurts, his brain supplying him with images of Megumi’s pained face talking about his family, the resolute yet aggrieved expression that painted his features. Those images then shifted, shifted to the accepting, confident look on his face now as the years have passed.

“And he never reached out?”

“I’m sure he did, but I didn’t exactly make it easy for him. I’d blocked all news notifications about him, told my girls to throw away anything they got from him or his company or affiliates. I just… couldn’t handle it. I couldn’t see him.”

“So what changed?” Yuuji asks, tilting his head a little, “Why come back now?”

“A damn letter,” The man laughs, shaking his head, “His company was looking for a rural charity to work with, some new environmental protection branch I’d never heard of that he started up with his adoptive kid. I got a handwritten letter, he’d always liked real, physical letters. I think he probably just got used to the routine, but man, did it sound exactly like him. Same annoying yet charming blue eyed bastard.” 

Yuuji pauses at his words, before he turns to look at the man again with wide, disbelieving eyes, “Wait a second, are you talking about Gojo?”

The man looks over and sighs as he nods his head, but his eyes are light and teasing, “Unfortunately.”

“No way.” Yuuji laughs a little, thinking back to Gojo’s boisterous personality in comparison to the calm man standing next to him, but the glint in his eyes tells him that there was more under the stoic exterior he presented, something that could align with someone like Gojo more than he would expected. 

Kind of like him and Megumi.

Before he can think, the man continues with a sigh, “So I stopped being so stubborn and finally looked him up after all these years. I may be stubborn, but my two little girls have me beat. They’d taken all the letters and saved them, thinking I might want them one day. So I read all the letters and invitations to events and parties and fundraisers he’d been sending that had gone unopened for over two decades. And when I did swallow my pride and looked him up, I saw all the good he’d been doing, how he raised Megumi and Tsumiki, how he continues to push back against the Zenin’s and his own family, in his own pride-filled, stubborn way.”

Yuuji’s heart aches at the mention of Megumi, but he just swallows hard and tries his best to ignore it, to focus on his words instead. 

“Have you talked to him yet?”

“No, not yet. I’m not…” The man stops, looking up with a pained expression, “I’m not sure he’d want to see me.”

“I’m not so sure,” Yuuji replies with a shrug as he takes a sip of his drink, “A friend once told me ‘Second guess everything, there’s always two sides to every story.’”

“Yes, that may be true, but…” He trails off with a sigh as he shakes his head, another pained expression crossing his face, “I may have stayed away too long.”

“I don’t think there’s a time limit for stuff like that.” Yuuji replies quietly, and the man sighs again, looking up at the sky.

“Yeah, maybe.” The man replies quietly, and Yuuji glances at him out of the corner of his eye.

It was strange, meeting someone who’d also been so close to the interior of a life they’d never be a part of, someone who loved a person stuck inside this life. 

But it’d also helped, even just a little, to meet someone who knew how he’d felt, knew how difficult it was to break away from someone you loved in order to ensure the right thing.

“Do you still love him?” 

Yuuji’s cheeks burn as the words just slip out, and the man looks over at him, a little surprised, “I-I’m so sorry, I am so sticking my nose where it doesn’t belong and–”

“Of course I do.”

Yuuji looks over to see the man staring up at the expanse of bright, glittering stars under the late spring sky, twinkling as they oversee the fields ahead of them.

“I’ll always love him,” The man sighs, almost dreamily, yet still dejected, “Never gonna be another person out there for me like him.”

“I know the feeling.” Yuuji replies quietly, looking down at his hands, but he then feels a soft hand on his shoulder, and he looks up to see the man staring at him.

“You’re awfully young to know that feeling.”

“Sure,” Yuuji shrugs a bit, “But like I said, I don’t think there’s time limits or age restrictions on love. It only dies when you let it.”

The man’s eyebrows scrunch together a little, a confusing look of both regret and longing on his face, and Yuuji pushes himself a little further.

“I know I don’t know Gojo as well as you do,” Yuuji says, hesitantly keeping his eyes on him, “But he doesn’t strike me as the person who lets things go easily.”

The man surprisingly huffs out a laugh, nodding to himself before he looks away from Yuuji, but he sees his eyes are a little misty as he smiles graciously.

“You’ve got no idea.”

“I think I have some,” Yuuji replies, shrugging with a smile, “I’ve seen his rooms of random stuff in here.”

The man laughs again, shaking his head a little, “You know, you’re pretty smart, kid.”

“Can I get that in writing? My family will totally not believe me.” Yuuji jokes, and the man laughs again, his expression brightening further than it had been since he’d stepped foot out here.

“Give yourself more credit. This life is full of people trying to take away your dignity, so hold onto it for as long as you can.”

“Yeah. Yeah, I will,” Yuuji nods and smiles a bit, his chest warming in a way it hadn’t in what felt like years, and he straightens up a little and sticks his hand out, “It’s really, really nice to meet you, man. I’m Itadori.” 

“It’s nice to meet you, too, kiddo. My name’s—”

“Suguru?”

A soft, hesitant voice comes from behind them, and Yuuji turns to see Gojo standing in the doorway, his face ghostly pale. The man turns to him, and Gojo’s glass drops and shatters on the stone of the balcony floor.

“Satoru,” The man, Suguru presumably, straightens up quickly, “I—”

His words are cut off as Gojo flies across the balcony and flings his arms around him, and he tightly hugs him against his chest, shaking his head as he laughs hysterically with tears streaming down his face.

“I knew you’d come back to me one day, I knew it, I just knew it,” Gojo cries quietly, tightening his arms around him before he looks up frantically, eyes wide and cheeks wet with tears, “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. For everything. Please don’t go.”

“I-I won’t. I promise.” Suguru replies quickly, his expression soft as butter as Gojo looks at him like the sun, and he suddenly surges up, kissing him desperately as he grabs onto his shirt.

Yuuji startles back a little, realizing he’d never seen such overwhelming and complex and unapologetic emotion on Gojo’s face that he sees right now as he kisses Suguru like he was a lifeline.

They continue for a while, with Yuuji just standing there, dumbfounded, until he starts to feel almost overwhelmingly awkward, and he clears his throat. 

“Um, so, I’m just gonna—”

“Yuuji! My boy!” Gojo exclaims as he finally pulls away, his eyes brighter and more alive than he’d ever seen as he seemingly finally notices that he was also standing there as he grins. He rests his head on Suguru’s shoulder, and smiles, “You haven’t seen my Megumi around here by any chance, have you?”

“Meg— he’s here?” Yuuji breathes out quickly, his heart picking up as Gojo grins at him, a knowing glint in his eyes. 

“Yes, I thought he might be up here, like he usually is, but I couldn’t find him, and— hey, ow! Yuuji! Hey!” Gojo shouts after him as Yuuji shoves him out of the way as he scrambles towards the door. 

His heart was thudding so hard he could feel it in his ears as he practically flew down the hallways towards the main hall where the partygoers were and where the rest of his life could start. 

As he reaches the top of the stairs, he frantically looks around, trying to find Megumi amongst the sea of dark haired people and he grunts in frustration as all he can see are the backs of people’s heads.

His own head was pounding, supplying him with images of Megumi from that summer along with the idea of hope for the first time in years.

Whatever happened tonight, he couldn’t leave without telling Megumi that he loved him, that he didn’t care about the Zenin’s and their rules and the bullshit that always followed them, that he was all he thought about in the last four years. He just wanted him, unapologetically, wholeheartedly, completely, all of the good and all of the bad, and there was absolutely no way he was leaving tonight without at least attempting to get everything he’s ever wanted.

He grunts in frustration as he quickly moves down the stairs after he’s unable to find Megumi in the crowd from above. Eyes scanning the horde of people ahead of him, his eyes find his sister leaning against a column, nursing a drink as she stares out at the room.

“Where’s Fushiguro? Have you seen him?!” Yuuji asks quickly as he runs up to Kugisaki, eyes still darting around the room as he continues to search for Megumi’s grumpy scowl he knows is somewhere, just out of reach, but she tugs on his arm hard.

“Yuuji, wait, I need to—”

Yuuji ignores her as he shoves through the large crowd of people, not stopping to apologize as he steps on people’s dresses and toes. He huffs out in frustration again as he makes it to the middle of the room with no Megumi in sight, until he turns around and does a double take when he sees a familiar head of soft, spiky hair across the room. 

He turns to the side, and Yuuji exhales in relief as he looks at Megumi’s side profile, dressed up in a sharp, tailored, navy blue suit. Yuuji couldn’t help but look up photos of him over the years, but nothing could’ve prepared him for seeing him in person again since that day at his house.

His shoulders were broader than they were just a few years ago, his lean muscles now visible even under his suit, and his jawline was sharper, almost more mature looking. Yuuji can’t help but sigh as he gazes at him, taking in every part of him, every similarity, every difference, every beautiful piece.

“Megumi.” Yuuji breathes out with a smile, and he moves to take a step towards him until Megumi turns completely, and Yuuji’s eyes fall to his arm wrapped around the waist of a beautiful young woman with almost white blonde hair cut to her jaw, beaming up at him with blushing cheeks and her hand on his shoulder.

He just stares at them from across the room, stares at them for what feels like an hour, his eyes picking up on every detail. The fancy, expensive watch on Megumi’s wrist. The twinkling jewels on the woman’s long necklace. Her refined, rich laugh echoing through the room. Her elegant hand sliding across Megumi’s shoulders, and Yuuji’s heart drops as the soft light from the chandelier catches the massive diamond on her left hand.

He still can’t move, rooted to the spot as she turns towards Megumi, her sparkling hand sliding up his chest as she gently tilts his head down to her lips, and Yuuji feels the air ripped from his lungs. 

Megumi kisses her back, eyes closed, with his hand still wrapped firmly around her waist, as if she was grounding him.

As Yuuji stands there in the middle of the room, Megumi pulls back and gives her a small smile before he looks up, and his eyes find Yuuji’s. 

Yuuji hears the loud noises of the crowd muffle as the ringing in his ears grows louder and louder. His eyes are locked on Megumi’s distant, familiar green ones, widened in shock. Yuuji opens and closes his mouth but nothing comes out as he stands and stares at the two of them. 

“Yuuji,” He still doesn’t move as he feels Kugisaki’s hand gently fall to his shoulder, and she comes to stand next to him, “Let’s go take a walk, okay?”

He doesn’t respond, still staring at them as Kugisaki tightens her grip on his shoulder and tugs him away, his head still turned towards them.

“But—”

“Not here.” Kugisaki says quickly, glancing back at Megumi before shaking her head at Yuuji, pushing him through the halls towards a doorway by the back patio.

The fresh air practically slaps him in the face as he finally breathes, gasping for air as he puts his hands on his knees for a moment, catching his breath before he leans back up, fisting his hands in his hair as he tries to breathe normally again.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck.” He hoarsely whispers out, his throat thick as he tries to bury his tears behind his hands, shaking his head quickly.

“Shit, Yuuji, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, I was going to tell you before you came downstairs again but I didn’t know I wouldn’t see you before you found out he was here and I wanted to be there for you when I told you and then I—”

“Stop, stop, stop. It’s not your fault,” Yuuji interrupts with a sigh, rubbing his face before he haphazardly plops on the ground, leaning his elbows on his knees. He holds his head in his hands, and his tears build back up, and he sniffles, “I’m so fucking stupid. I should’ve seen this coming.”

“You’re not stupid, Yuuji,” Kugisaki says softly, sitting down next to him as she brings her hand up to rub his back gently, “You love him. That’s never stupid.” 

“It doesn’t even matter,” Yuuji sighs, looking up at the dark sky as he forces back his tears, sniffing once more, “We fucked it all up so bad.”

“Yes, it does matter,” She argues gently, shaking her head, “Fight for him, Yuuji, fight for what you want.”

“He doesn’t want me, Kugi, that’s been made perfectly clear. I haven’t seen or spoken to him in years, and now he’s engaged to someone that’s perfect for him, and perfect for his life. Why would I try and fuck that up for him?”

“Because he wants you, Yuuji, and you want him.”

“He just doesn’t want me anymore, okay?” He shakes his head as he exhales a weak breath, “That’s it. He’s got someone else. Someone better for him. I’ll be fine.”

“Oh, that’s such fucking bullshit!” Kugisaki suddenly explodes, and Yuuji turns to her in surprise to see her face twisted in anger, “You really think his feelings for you have changed? That he actually wants to marry her? We’ve seen how this fucked up family works. They saw how he felt about you and they shoddily set him up under the guise of duty so their family wouldn’t get polluted by our shitty country bumpkin genes because they knew he loved you! Fuck that and fuck them, at least one of us deserves who we really want!”

Yuuji just stares at her, wide eyed, as she looks at him angrily, eyebrows furrowed as her eyes practically glow with rage.

“You shouldn’t be fine with this, Yuuji!” She yells, her face getting a little red, fuming, “You should be pissed as hell! I don’t know at who but you should be mad at someone! God, you always do this!”

“What are you talking about?” Yuuji asks as Kugisaki huffs and puffs next to him.

“Stop trying to be fine for my sake and everyone else’s and let yourself get upset about something! Fight back!” She yells, glaring at him a bit as his stomach clenches, thinking back to all the snide comments muttered around him.

“I’m not upset because I get it, okay? Just look at this place! Look at these people! Their family is insane!” 

“Who gives a flying fuck, Yuuji? That’s the point, this is insane! You’re allowed to be upset about someone you love being ripped away from you because of their dumbass family and their dumbass, snotty rules!” Kugisaki shouts, but her voice shakes just a bit as she continues, “I know I’m pissed! Maki left, I never told her how I felt because I was too scared of rejection and that damn family. I have to live with that, losing her, but fuck that, you shouldn’t have to!”

Yuuji stares at her in disbelief, his heart pounding so hard it was making him lightheaded.

“He loves you, Yuuji! I saw that dumb, gross, yearning look on his face that summer four years ago, and I just saw it again tonight!” She shouts, throwing her hands up, “You deserve this, stop being an idiot and go get him!”

“No, I-I need to go.” Yuuji says quickly, standing up as he stumbles back on the patio, turning towards the door as his lip trembles.

“Yuuji—” Kugisaki reaches for his jacket, tugging him back but he shakes his head quickly.

“I just need some space, okay?” He interrupts shortly, but his voice shakes, and Kugisaki looks at him with big, sad eyes. 

“I-I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to get so upset,” She tries, guilt starting to paint her face, “Whatever you’re feeling is totally valid and—”

“No, no, no, you’re right. I know you’re right,” He swallows hard before exhaling shortly, “I just can’t do it right now. I can’t be mad right now.”

Kugisaki’s eyes are misty with tears, but she just nods softly and lets his jacket go. 

“Will you let me know if you decide to leave?” She asks gently, and he nods, fairly certain any words from his mouth would just be a pitiful sob.

He then swallows hard at her devastated expression before quickly turning to the door and shoving his way through it. 

Fighting to keep the sobs contained in his throat, Yuuji keeps his head down as he muscles his way through the crowd, relying on muscle memory to guide his feet upstairs. 

Murmuring half baked apologies to bumped shoulders, he ghosts through the rooms in silence, numbly climbing the stairs as he avoids looking at the samurai suit ahead of him again. 

Shoving his way back through the door, he lets it close behind him as he aimlessly wanders to the balcony bench. He pauses for a moment as he looks down at it before a choked sob rises from his throat and he finally lets himself really, really cry, for the first time since the week he rejected Megumi in the rain. 

He hugs himself, hiccuping as he tries to calm down but he feels years of longing and dreaming and loving shatter in his chest. Every inhale feeling like he was breathing in broken glass, his breaths are ragged, and he forces himself to sit down. His elbows land on his knees as he holds his head in his hands, tears spilling out onto the stone below, splattering like an abstract painting.

After a few minutes, his sobs start to calm down, and he wipes at his face, tears soaking the cuffs off his jacket sleeves as he sniffles.

Taking a deep breath, Yuuji looks up at the grounds, slumping a little on the bench as he stares out. He could practically feel Megumi out here on the balcony with him, escaping Gojo’s dinner parties and incessant questions and expectations and everything else they wanted to escape from.

And just like that, the cruelest joke the universe could play, he does join him.

“Itadori?”

“Shit,” Yuuji mutters, frantically wiping at his eyes before he inhales sharply and stands to turn around to see Megumi standing in the open doorway. 

His tie was loose around his neck, his face flushed as he loosely held a glass of champagne at his side as he breathed a little heavily, like he’d run up the stairs. He looks so good, Yuuji feels another wave of tears slap him in the face, “Hey.”

“Hi,” Megumi says softly, slowly closing the door behind him, “I… um, I didn’t know you were coming tonight.”

“Last minute thing.”

“Oh.”

“I didn’t think you’d be here either.”

“Last minute thing.” 

“Oh.”

Awkward silence falls over them, tension sitting in the air so thick Yuuji swears he could reach out and touch it. He desperately tries to come up with something to say, but every time he blinks, all he can see is Megumi leaning down towards her, then that ring, then the smile on his face after. 

“She’s beautiful.” Yuuji finally says quietly, trying to keep his voice steady as he feels his head start to swim.

Megumi looks up quickly, opening his mouth before he clamps it shut, and he nods once, looking down, “Yeah.”

Yuuji nods back, still not trusting that the next words out of his mouth won’t just be sobs. Megumi shuffles on his feet, keeping his eyes down as he opens and closes his mouth for a few moments.

“We… We’re engaged.” Megumi eventually gets out, hesitantly glancing up at him.

“To be married?” Yuuji asks, desperately hoping for an answer he knows isn’t true as he forces a small, fake smile on his face.

“Yeah, what other kind of engaged is there?” Megumi replies with a sarcastic, bitter laugh as he looks down, but his smile drops as he does, and Yuuji feels his heart shatter into a million pieces once again.

“Oh.” Yuuji practically squeaks out, looking down at his feet as he tries to breathe before the chasm that’s opened in his chest swallows him whole.

“Yeah.”

“Family stuff?” 

“Yeah, kind of,” Megumi repeats again stiffly, staying quiet for a moment, his eyes unmoving from his feet, “Her name’s Hana.”

“That’s pretty.” Yuuji replies, trying to smile again as his nails dig into his palms behind his back.

“Yeah.”

They stand in silence, staring at the ground as Yuuji tries to push back the tears threatening to burst through the dam he’d put up since Megumi had walked away from this place as and he swallows it down as he convinces himself to leave.

“I should go.” Yuuji quietly says, taking a step towards the door as he finally looks up at the same time as Megumi does.

“Do… Do you have to?” Megumi asks hesitantly, his eyes soft and worried and vulnerable, filled with all his emotions that Yuuji wants to keep tucked away in his pocket, but he swallows hard again, shaking his head.

“Yeah. Yeah, I do.” Yuuji sighs as he moves towards the doorway, but Megumi quickly steps forward towards him, and his hand darts out to grab his wrist.

“I didn’t— It’s not— She’s not— You’re—” His face was twisted and pained, struggling to find the words to somehow make Yuuji’s world right itself again. 

Yuuji glances down at his hand, before his eyes flit back up to his loose tie and half drunk champagne, and he swallows hard, gently tugging his wrist away before he speaks up.

“Fushiguro,” Yuuji interrupts his stammered sentences and Megumi snaps his mouth shut, but still keeps shaking his head, “It’s okay.”

“Yu— Itadori, I—” 

“I’m really happy for you,” Yuuji interrupts him again, his hand gripping the doorframe so hard he’s afraid it might crack, “I hope it’s everything you wanted.”

“That’s not—” Megumi starts, but his voice trails off as he stares at Yuuji, his eyes softening, and he sighs deeply, “I-I’m sorry.”

“For what?” Yuuji responds weakly, shaking his head again, “It’s how it’s supposed to be, right?”

Megumi doesn’t respond right away, but his eyebrows furrow deeply as he shakes his head quickly again, finally opening his mouth after a minute, but Yuuji speaks up first.

“Goodbye, Fushiguro.” He says quickly as he books it out of the doorway before he can stop himself.

Yuuji quickly inhales as he makes it inside, forcing himself to try to breathe as he pushes himself through the crowded room, bumping into shoulders and backs as his head feels like it’s filled with lead. He can barely even think past the amalgamation of images in his head of Megumi. His face after he kissed her, and his face as Yuuji left the balcony.

He thought he'd felt the worst of all of this, that he'd gotten past the most intense part of heartbreak, but he wasn't prepared for the searing heat in his chest that made his vision go a little fuzzy. He wasn't prepared for the sight of someone else clutching his lifeline as close as he wanted to. He wasn’t prepared for the ache in his chest that felt like a gunshot wound.

He wasn't prepared for any of this. He was just prepared to mourn the life and the man he'd wanted so desperately, but he wasn't prepared for the idea that someone else would get it instead.

After a sleepless night of tossing, turning, and crying, Yuuji yawns, bumbling his way into the hallway to see if Kugisaki was awake to tell her what happened. He was exhausted, and he was exhausted carrying all of this alone. He knew Kugisaki still mourned what she could have had with Maki, and he was done with them tip-toeing around talking about the people that altered their world view. He pushes open the door as another yawn hits him, and he scrunches his eyes shut as he walks in.

“Kugi, what time did you—” He opens his eyes and pauses to see her bed empty, and still made from the day before. There were random dresses and shoes scattered around that Yuuji remembered her asking his opinion on, but everything looked exactly the same as it did when she left with him for Gojo’s.

He blinks a few times before walking back to peek into the hallway, and then moves to the bathroom. The sink was dry, and so was the shower, and her usual spillage of makeup and other products was missing. In fact, all of her toiletries were missing.

“Nobara?” He shouts out from the bathroom, just to be met with silence as he waits for a response. He furrows his eyebrows as he shuts off the bathroom light and heads down the stairs, leaning into the kitchen and the living room to find no one there. He knew his dads were out for their hike, like they did every Saturday morning, but Kugi should definitely still be asleep, especially after a late night like yesterday. 

Did he remember her coming home? He’d left earlier than he thought he would, and he texted her to let her know, but he’d been so wrapped up with trying to forget Megumi’s lips on someone else that he’d barely focused on anything else until he cried himself to sleep. 

He walks over to the stairs, feeling slightly panicked as he takes them up two at a time to reach his phone in his room. He quickly clicks on her contact, only to immediately be met with—

Hey, it’s Kugisaki Nobara, leave a message! And if you’re Yuuji, don’t bother!

“Shit.”

Chapter Text

“What do you mean I can’t file a missing persons report yet?” Yuuji exclaims, leaning his palms on the desk, “She’s my sister and she’s missing! Isn’t that enough?!”

“Yeah, I know, Itadori, but she’s been gone for, like, 12 hours and she’s a grown woman,” The cop shakes his head a little, “And you know Kugi, she’s always been a little unpredictable.” 

“Not like this!” Yuuji protests, dropping his forehead into his palm, “I swear, something’s wrong, I can just feel it. Weird energy.”

“Unfortunately, we can’t investigate stuff based on feelings and energy, Itadori.” 

“You should be able to!” He argues, and the cop just shakes his head again, and Yuuji fights the urge to shake him.

“Unfortunately, we can’t. You can always ask the old lady on Main Street who says she can see curses.”

“Hitoshi, why aren’t you taking this seriously?!”

“Because you’re being a little ridiculous, Itadori,” Hitoshi sighs, shaking his head a bit, “She doesn’t even live here anymore. She probably just went back to Tokyo.”

“Come on, Hitoshi, I know it’s more than that,” Yuuji practically whines, glancing over his shoulder, “You know us, we went to pre-school together! You gotta help me out here.” 

“Well, what does Nanami have to say?” Hitoshi leans back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest.

Yuuji groans a little, “He’s being way too nonchalant about the fact that his daughter is missing. He just said she’ll be fine and show up when she shows up, who says that?”

“Someone that understands she’s an adult who can make her own decisions.” Hitoshi narrows his gaze as Yuuji rolls his eyes a little.

“I’m not infantilizing her or anything, man, we just had…” Yuuji pauses, choosing his words carefully, “We had a rough night last night. She’s been doing so well lately, and I’m just worried about her. This isn’t like her, to just run off and not tell anyone.” 

Hitoshi sighs, shaking his head a little before he looks up with a despondent sigh, “Look, if you don’t hear from her by tonight, I’ll write up a report, call some guys in Tokyo to see if she’s there or if they can find anything out, and you can come back in the morning with your dads, okay?”

Yuuji sighs deeply, rubbing his temples before he drops his arms into his lap, “Alright. Thanks, Hitoshi.”

“No problem,” He nods, before giving him a sympathetic smile, “She’ll be fine. She’s tough.”

Yuuji sighs, standing up to turn towards the door as he shakes his head a little, “Yeah, that’s kinda what worries me.”

As Yuuji walks back from the police station, he takes the long way home, trying to avoid the inevitable passing of Gojo’s. He takes a sharp turn through the woods behind the grocery store, crunching through the dirt until he finds a well worn path, probably beaten down by just himself over the years. He tried to focus on anything but Megumi, but every time he blinked, he saw his lips on someone else, and that sad, confusing expression out on the balcony.

He’d been trying to get the image of Megumi and that woman out of his head for hours, trying to focus on figuring out where the hell Kugisaki is. His dads were absolutely no help, Nanami busy at the barn, deferring him to Haibara, who was just taking the whole thing way too casually in Yuuji’s opinion, and Inumaki was still at Yuuta’s and not answering his phone.

Yuuji was terrified, scared that if she wasn’t dead in a ditch somewhere, she’d witnessed something like what he saw with Megumi and ran back to Tokyo, and he couldn’t imagine her dealing with the same numb, endless ache followed by sharp heartbreak he’d felt last night all by herself. 

He wanders through the woods, loosely following the path as he tries to quell all the different voices bouncing around in his head. He just ached and ached, and before he knew it, like his feet were disconnected from his brain, he looks up through the break in the trees to the Gojo estate’s lawn, green and sprawling and taunting.

Yuuji’s breath hitches once before he clears his throat and steels himself as he walks swiftly towards the front doors, ignoring the voices telling him to run far, far away.

His heart screams as he trudges through the grass, keeping his eyes focused solely on the house rather than his overwhelming need to run away.

The odds she was here were low, but this was the last place she’d been seen. 

Inhaling sharply as he approaches the front door, he takes a moment before he knocks quickly, stepping back as he bounces on his toes a little.

Soon enough, the door opens to a startled looking Ijichi.

“Mr. Itadori,” He exclaims, his eyes widening as he opens the door a little more, “What a surprise.”

“Hey, Ijichi,” He tries to smile politely while peering over his shoulder into the house, “I just came by to see if my sister was here by any chance?”

“Your sister?” His eyes get wider as he laughs awkwardly, glancing over his shoulder, “Uh, no, no, she’s not here.”

“Oh, okay,” He deflates a little, but looks curiously as Ijichi keeps looking over his shoulder, “Is everything okay?”

“Yes, sir,” Ijichi turns to him quickly, plastering on a fake smile, “Now is just… not a great time. With cleaning up from the other night and all.” 

“Oh, I see.” Yuuji replies, just nodding as he ignores the sharp sting in his chest, and Ijichi stands there awkwardly, glancing over his shoulder one last time.

“Can I… help you with anything else?”

“Well, um, actually, I was wondering—” Yuuji starts, before he looks up, and his breath catches in his throat as he sees the short haired young woman, Hana, from the other night, practically floating across the floor as she beams and waves at someone across the main hall, running over to the other room with a huge smile.

His chest heaving up and down a little, Yuuji swallows his words to tear his eyes away as he shakes his head, “No, no, I’m okay, I should go. Thanks, though.”

Ijichi smiles at him kindly before slowly shutting the door, and Yuuji takes a step back, exhaling a large breath.

He stands there for a moment, staring at the door, half tempted to yank it back open to try and find Megumi somewhere in those halls, before he realizes that’s probably exactly who she was smiling at.

Stepping back again, he turns around and quickly makes his way down the front steps, pushing his way towards the path up the hill to his house.

He felt sick, staring down at the grass as he tries to control his heart rate. He knew going over there was a bad idea, a long shot in finding Kugisaki, but he couldn’t help himself, and it ended up biting him in the ass.

Fuck, she was so pretty. Elegant, dainty, almost regal looking. She had that same air of grace that they all had, like it was something they were just born with rather than something learned. She’d fit so perfectly against him, next to him, with him and those people that made Yuuji’s stomach turn upside down. 

And even worse, he knew Megumi looked somewhat content. The early days of that sad look in his eyes in news articles were long gone compared to the more confident glint in his eye he saw last night. So despite whatever he’d said on the roof, he was… happy with her. Happy with whatever his life had in store for him right now.

It stung, stung worse than he’d ever expected, but he swallows it down, forces himself to focus on finding his sister. He pulls out of his phone and dials her number again, praying that it won’t just go straight to voicemail like every other time.

“Hey, it’s Kugisaki Nobara, leave a message! And if you’re Yuuji, don’t bother!”

“Shit.” Yuuji mutters as he hands up and shoves his phone back in his pocket, shaking his head as he makes his way back up to the house.

By the early evening, Yuuji had paced practically every surface of their house, across the front and back porches, along the side under the tree, and anywhere else he could walk at least six paces and turn around.

Inumaki was still with Yuuta, not answering his phone either, so he’d finally just given up and plopped on the couch, waiting for him to get home so he could at least have someone else to properly freak out with him.

Suddenly, he feels a buzzing on the couch next to him, and he looks down to read kugi (favorite sister) across the top of his phone, and he scrambles to pick it up.

“Nobara? Jesus Christ, where the fuck are you? I’ve been calling you for hours and freaking out all day, you scared the fucking shit out of me!” Yuuji shouts angrily into the phone, a mixture of irritation and relief settling in his chest, only to be met with giggles on the other line from more than one person.

“Yuuji! Me and Maki got married!”

“You what?!” Yuuji shouts, jumping off the couch so fast he bangs his knee on the coffee table, “Ow, fuck, wait, you got what?!”

“We got married! Like for real!” Kugisaki practically squeals over the phone as he hears Maki laugh in the background.

“You got married to Maki? Wait, you got married?! Without me and Inumaki? Without Dad and Pops?” Yuuji asks, his tone dropping as he speaks and his heart sinks a little as he sits back down on the couch slowly, before he shakes his head and refocuses back to being annoyed, “Wait, Nobara, what the fuck?!”

“Oh, relax, you big baby drama queen,” Kugisaki just laughs casually and he scoffs in annoyance, “We just did the official government thing at City Hall, that way, when we announce our engagement, those bitch ass Zenin’s can’t do a thing about it because it’s already done! But we’ll be back later! And of course we’ll have a big wedding and everything, I need my idiot of honor!”

“I… wow, Kugs,” Yuuji couldn’t do anything but laugh, warmth filling his chest again in a way it hadn’t in years, hearing the life back in his sister’s voice, “I literally can’t believe this.”

“Neither can I! It felt so spur of the moment but Gojo and Fushiguro had all the planes, cars, documents and all that stuff ready to go, so we’re driving in this fancy ass—”

“Fushiguro? Fushiguro was there?” Yuuji sits up immediately, his warmed blood turning to ice in his veins.

“Oh, shit,” Kugisaki whispers quietly as he hears a faint smack and an ‘ow’ grumbling from her, “I forgot I wasn’t supposed to tell you.”

“Tell me what?”

“Maki, my beautiful wife, can I please tell him? He’s just going to annoy me until I do.”

“That’s true, I will!” Yuuji shouts loudly over the phone so Maki can hear him, before softening slightly in the silence, “Maki, please.”

He holds his breath as he hears some grumbles over the phone before Kugisaki begins.

“He was the one who came up with the idea of us sneaking off before announcing our engagement. Made sure we went to Tokyo so the Zenins couldn’t bribe any of the vulnerable small town people out here and he could use his connections he’s made over the last few years in Tokyo and from college to keep them out of it. Organized with the staff to make sure the family was out of the way last night, talked Nanami and Haibara into it, he even got us one of those old fancy cars with the obnoxious cans dragging off the back! Well, that was probably Gojo, but yeah, he was our legal witness and whatnot, had everything ready to go by the time we got there. I honestly don’t think we could’ve done it without his help. He… He did everything. He made it happen.”

Yuuji stares at the ground below, his heart pounding so hard he could feel it in his ears.

“That’s…” Yuuji tries, but he doesn’t even know what he wants to say, unable to even process her words fully, “Did… Did he say why he did it?”

“All he said was no one else’s opinions should ever get in the way of loving someone, no matter how loud they are.” Kugisaki’s voice softens, and the knot in Yuuji's stomach tightens as he swallows hard, keeping his gaze towards the ceiling as his eyes begin to burn.

“He… He did?” Yuuji asks quietly after a minute, blinking back his tears.

“Yeah, he did,” Yuuji can hear her smiling over the phone, lowering her voice to a whisper as he hears rustling as Maki presumably shifts away to talk to the driver, “I can’t thank him enough, Yuuji, this... is it possible to die of happiness?”

“I’m so happy for you, this is amazing. Congrats, sis.” Yuuji smiles as he leans further back against the couch, still looking up at the ceiling as he inhales deeply as silence settles over them for a few moments.

“Yuuji?”

“Yeah?”

“He told me about what happened four summers ago. With me and Maki.”

Yuuji’s blood runs cold, and he grips the phone as he swallows hard, trying to keep his voice even.

“He did?”

“Yeah. And he told me you knew, too.”

His breathing quickens, panic starting to set in before she just softly laughs, “Thank you. For standing up for me. And not telling me. I couldn’t have handled that, so thank you.”

Yuuji exhales heavily, rubbing his temples, before he replies quietly, “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.”

“Don’t be, it’s okay. Like I said, I wouldn’t have been able to handle knowing it back then.” She reassures him, and he feels a smile twitch at his lips for the first time all day.

“Okay. I’m still sorry.”

“Seriously, you were just looking out for me,” He nods to himself, but then he can practically see her hesitation as she adds, “And… Yuuji?”

“Yeah?”

“He asked about you.”

Yuuji swallows hard before he answers, his stomach twisted with barbed wire, and he squeezes his eyes shut, “What’d he say?”

“Asked how you were really doing. What you were up to. How things are going at the barn. How Poppy was doing.” 

“Yeah?” Yuuji sits up, suddenly invigorated at the idea of Megumi actually thinking about him, even after last night, Hana be damned, “How’s he really doing? Does he still look okay? I only saw him for a little bit last night, but did he say anything about Blue? She left with him and I’m sure she might be slowing down so—”

“Yuuji, are you that fucking dumb?” Kugisaki interrupts harshly, and Yuuji snaps his mouth shut in surprise, “The man literally only wanted to talk about you. I tried to ask about whatever happened with that long haired dude and Gojo making out in the corner last night and he somehow still made it about you.”

“I… How… How is he?” Yuuji asks carefully, terrified to hear the answer.

“He’s okay, I think. Maki said he’s been working a lot with Gojo. Like, sleeping at his office and stuff.”

“Oh, wow,” Yuuji fights back the growing lump in his throat, bottom lip trembling, “Must be busy.”

“He’s making himself busy, Yuuji.”

“No, no, I’m sure he’s just working hard so he can take time off for… for the wedding.”

There’s silence on the other end, and Yuuji clamps his hand over his mouth as he feels choked sobs rise up in his throat.

“Yuuji.”

“Mhm?”

“He still had that look in his eye when he talked about you.”

“What?” Yuuji asks, dropping his hand from his mouth as he swallows his tears, “What look?”

“The pathetic one that makes him look like a lovesick puppy.”

“That’s what I used to say!” Yuuji hears Maki’s muffled shout from the background.

“He doesn’t have that look,” Yuuji scoffs, shaking his head to stop his brain from going down that road, “Stop.”

“I’m just saying,” Kugisaki sighs airily, and Yuuji recognizes that tone from when she pushes his buttons, “That bob bitch cannot compete. No way.”

“Don’t be mean, Hana’s actually very nice. Megumi is just an idiot.” Maki’s muffled voice comes through the speaker again.

“She’s tearing our boys apart, Maki!” Kugisaki argues, and Yuuji can practically hear Maki’s eye roll.

“Our boys are tearing themselves apart.”

“Well, fine, fair enough, but we knew they were dumb, she’s just unknowingly helping it along! It’s not her fault, but she’s an unwitting accomplice to a soulmate murder!”

“You are so dramatic.”

“I’m not! I’m just—”

“You know I’m still here, right?” Yuuji interjects as he hears Kugisaki breathe in to start a rant.

“Itadori, don’t listen to her. Megumi’s been doing a lot of shit. Really, really good shit. It’s not my place to say yet, but if he reaches out, just hear him out, okay?”

“I’d jump in front of a bus for him, Maki,” Yuuji breathes out as he shakes his head, “But I think I already fucked it up too badly to fix.”

“No, you didn’t,” Maki replies quickly, but there’s hesitation in her voice, “If there’s one thing Megumi is, it’s fucking stubborn. And I have a feeling that stubbornness also applies to you, probably more than anyone.”

“Don’t get my hopes up.”

“Whatever, fine! Don’t listen to me then, you equally stubborn asshole!” She shouts into the phone as he flinches at the loud noise and pulls the phone away from his ear for a moment.

“My hot wife is right. Don’t be stupid,” Kugisaki replies smugly, and Yuuji huffs before she adds, “I’ll be back home real late tonight, okay? There’s some stuff Maki has to do while we’re still in Tokyo.”

“You’re still in Tokyo? And you’re coming home tonight?” Yuuji asks, sitting up a little, “Why?”

“I wanna see my family, dumbass!” She shouts, and he laughs a little as he settles back on the couch, relief and happiness settling in his chest.

“Alright, we’ll wait up.”

“Okay, see you later, love youuu!”

“Love you, too.” 

He brings his phone down and hangs up, tossing it to the side as he laughs to himself, leaning back against the cushions as he shakes his head.

After a moment, he furrows his eyebrows as he remembers a crucial detail and jumps off the couch to head to the back porch, where his dads were relaxing by their makeshift fire pit.

He bursts out of the door, breathing heavily as he exclaims, “You guys knew about Maki and Kugisaki?”

“Oh, um,” Haibara laughs nervously as he glances at Nanami across from him, “In a way.”

“And you didn’t tell me while I was panicking all day? Before I went to the police station?” Yuuji demands, looking between them as Nanami puts his book down to his lap, “You let me freak out for hours?”

“I told you not to go to the cops,” Nanami says casually and Yuuji fights to keep his irritation in check, “They’d asked us to keep it a secret until they told you themselves. And I told you that she’d be fine.”

“Dad, I almost had a panic attack!”

“And I’m sorry,” Nanami replies sincerely, “But it wasn’t our place, and they didn't want any information to get leaked, especially last night.” 

“But— ugh!” Yuuji throws his hands up in frustration, “I can keep a secret! I’m not Yuuta!”

“This was…” Nanami glances at Haibara, who’s unable to keep his smile off his face, “A little different.”

“So you know Fushiguro helped too?” Yuuji pushes, and Haibara’s smile drops a little as he watches Nanami swallow hard.

“Yes, we did know.”

“Wow,” Yuuji laughs bitterly, shaking his head a little, “Wow, guys.” 

“Yuuji,” Nanami sits up straighter, “You have to understand—”

“No, whatever, I don’t want to hear it,” Yuuji interrupts as he waves them off, “I’ll be at the barn.” 

“Yuuji.” He stops as he hears Nanami’s firm voice from behind him, and he glances over his shoulder.

“This isn’t about you. It’s about your sister. You know she’ll never leave you.” He says shortly, but not unkindly, and Yuuji’s grip relaxes on the door handle as he sighs and shakes his head, turning back towards them.

“Yeah. I know. Sorry.” He says quietly, and Nanami just hums in response as Haibara looks between them nervously.

“Have you heard from her?” He asks, trying to keep his voice upbeat and Yuuji nods.

“Yeah, she said they’re in Tokyo and will be back late tonight,” He replies simply, opening the door before he looks to Nanami, “I’m gonna go to the barn, if that’s alright.”

“That’s fine,” Nanami nods, “Assistant manager’s there now.”

“Okay,” Yuuji replies quietly, turning back towards the door, but Nanami’s voice stops him.

“Are you okay?”

Yuuji doesn’t turn back around, he keeps his hand on the doorknob as he just sighs again, “I’ll be fine.”

As the night wore on later, Yuuji sat on the couch, anxiously glancing at the time on his phone as he tried to think of the millions of questions he wanted to ask Kugisaki when she got back when he feels a tap on his shoulder and looks up to see Inumaki standing over him, and he signs, Hey.

Hey, He signs back, and Inumaki comes around the couch to sit next to him.

He glances over at Yuuji before he nudges him with his elbow, You good?

Yuuji sighs a little before he replies, Don’t feel like talking.

He just nods in response, as he slides out his phone, smiling to himself as he quickly types out a reply to Yuuta, and Yuuji rolls his eyes a little, and brings his hands back up.

Plus, my JSL is getting rusty since you spend all your time with Yuuta, He smiles a bit, and Inumaki's cheeks flush a little as he rolls his eyes back. 

As if. Yours has always been rusty.

Yuuji gasps in offense as Inumaki just chuckles lighlty next to him, but he feels his glance back over.

I heard you saw Fushiguro, Yuuji gulps and nods as Inumaki inhales sharply, nodding back as he keeps his eyes on him, Are you okay?

Yuuji sits there for a few moments, letting the dull ache in his bones settle in further before he just shrugs and signs, He helped Kugisaki and Maki. He’s the reason they got married.

Inumaki’s jaw drops open a little as Yuuji just nods, slowly signing, Planned everything for them. Made it happen but had to keep it secret.

Inumaki just stares at him, eyes flitting up and down as he sees his slouched posture, before he scooches in a little closer.

Are you okay? You didn’t give me an answer.

Yuuji exhales heavily, staring down at his feet, and then just shrugs, I’ll be fine.

He then pauses, thinking back to that fateful night at Naobito’s house in the rain, Did Yuuta know anything?

You already know his inability to keep a secret, Inumaki rolls his eyes a little, but his cheeks turn a little pink at the mention of him, No way they would’ve told him if it was that important to keep quiet.

Yuuji just hums, nodding a little as he stares at the molding on the ceiling, trying to keep his busy brain empty.

Do you want to play some Halo to keep us up until she gets home? Inumaki asks, looking over at him sympathetically, but Yuuji just shakes his head.

I’m okay. You go ahead.

Inumaki’s face twists with concern, but he just sighs deeply and brings his arm around Yuuji’s shoulders, squeezing him a little bit. 

Yuuji swallows the ever present lump in his throat as he leans against him. He and Kugisaki were pretty touchy as siblings, always shoving and hugging each other, but Inumaki had always been more reserved, making moments like these a rarity, but always welcome.

Inumaki squeezes his shoulder again before he sighs and stands up from the couch, making his way back towards his room.

Yuuji sits there in silence, trying to keep all this thoughts straight and focus solely on the fact that Kugisaki was okay, alive, and now… married to the love of her life.

He still could barely believe it, the fact that these years of holding back her heartbreak as she tried to heal herself ended with her getting everything she’d ever wanted. He was happy for her, ecstatic really, but he also couldn’t deny the deep, simmering jealousy he’d shoved to the far corner of his gut.

However, his brief moments of self pity and solitude are quickly interrupted as loud, quick knocking starts up at their front door.

Yuuji quickly jumps off the couch and races for the door, throwing it open to reveal a shining, bright eyed Kugisaki.

“Yuuji!” Kugisaki throws herself into his arms, laughing happily as he hugs her back tightly. Yuuji sets her back on the ground as she excitedly throws her left hand in his face, shoving her ring into his cheek, “Look at this fuckin’ thing!”

“Jesus,” Yuuji laughs, looking down at the beautiful, but gigantic, stone on her finger, “You could kill someone with that.”

“I know,” Kugisaki says dreamily, looking down at her hand, “She knows me so well.”

“I still don’t get why you’re here? Don’t you want to be with Maki tonight?” Yuuji asks, glancing over her shoulder as the sleek black car drives away.

“Yeah, but…” She pauses, looking up as her eyebrows pinch together in concern, “I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

“I’m fine.” He nods, swallowing the lump in his throat as he tries to smile at her, but she just looks back at him sadly, her brown eyes a little shiny.

“Yuuji…”

“I’m good, really, now come on, this is a happy night, right?” Yuuji interrupts, throwing his arm around her shoulder as he drags her to the kitchen, “We gotta celebrate.”

“Yuuji, wait—”

“Pops! Dad!” He shouts out as he opens the liquor cabinet, “Time to pop that bottle of champagne you said you’d never ever open!”

“Excuse me?” Kugisaki says, offense splayed across her face as Yuuji laughs, “They said what?”

His dads round the corner from their room, Haibara smiling wide as Nanami follows behind, but Yuuji can’t ignore the relieved look on his face as he sees Kugisaki smiling so brightly again.

“We’ve said nothing of the sort, he’s lying,” Nanami says as Kugisaki bounces up to him and hugs him tightly, “Congratulations, honey.”

“Thanks, Dad,” Kugisaki sniffs against him before moving to throw her arms around Haibara, who hugs her back with tears in his eyes as he laughs with her.

Yuuji leans on the doorframe and looks at them, smiling as Inumaki pokes his head out by the stairs to join them, and his heartache starts to lessen a little as he watches his dad and his siblings, until he feels a hand on his shoulder.

“Are you alright, son?” Nanami asks quietly, looking down at him.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m good. Happy for her.” Yuuji smiles, looking back at Kugisaki and Haibara, and Nanami keeps his eyes on him for a few moments more before following his gaze towards the three of them.

Suddenly, an earth shatteringly loud banging comes from their front door, rattling the wood in its hinges as they all turn to stare at it.

Nanami and Haibara stare at each other for a few seconds, seemingly have some sort of conversation in their heads before Nanami heads towards the front door, and Yuuji follows him immediately. Haibara tugs Inumaki and Kugisaki behind him as they move to hover in the kitchen doorway. 

Nanami opens the door, and Yuuji’s stomach drops as he sees Naobito standing at their front door, red faced and looking absolutely furious.

“Naobito,” Nanami stands up straighter as his hand subtly pushes Yuuji behind him, and he slinks back towards Haibara, Inumaki, and Kugisaki, “What a surprise.”

“Nanami,” Naobito spits out, before barely looking over his shoulder at Haibara, “The other one.”

“Nice to see you, too.” Haibara replies shortly, uncharacteristic venom lacing his words as he tugs on the back of Yuuji’s shirt, pulling him next to Inumaki as Nanami stands in front of them, hand gripping the doorknob so hard his knuckles are white.

“I assume you know why I'm here?” Naobito says cruelly, glaring at him.

“No, unfortunately, we don’t,” Nanami replies cooly, glancing back before moving in front of the open door, “Can we help you?”

“I want your kids to stay away from my fucking family.” Naobito bites, glaring at Kugisaki and Yuuji, who glance at each other as Haibara stands up straighter.

“What?” Nanami asks, looking bewildered.

“Your damn kids. Keep them away from my family,” Naobito spits out, keeping his harsh gaze on the two of them, “They’ve infected them.”

“... Infected them.” Nanami repeats slowly, his face calm but his jaw is clenched, the muscles strained.

“Yes,” Naobito sneers, bringing his eyes back to Nanami, “They were fine until your fucking kids came along, putting ideas in their heads.”

“God forbid a woman has ideas.” Kugisaki mutters and Naobito glares back at her.

“Shut up, you little bitch.”

“Don’t tell me to shut up, you old fuck.” Kugisaki spits out as Haibara puts his arm around her shoulder, but looks back at Naobito furiously.

“Don’t talk to my daughter like that!” Haibara shoots back quickly, and Naobito just rolls his eyes.

“Let’s just—” Nanami tries, reaching towards Naobito’s shoulder before he quickly shoves it off and turns towards Yuuji, bright red and spitting.

“No, it’s you, you!” Naobito points angrily at him, stumbling slightly as he shoves Nanami off again, “This is all your fault!”

“My fault?” Yuuji asks in surprise, looking between at Nanami and Haibara, who shake their heads frantically.

“You have fucked up everything! You got your dirty, grubby hands on Megumi, making him think that someone like you was worth bringing into our family,” Naobito snarls, his nose twitching as he flinches slightly, and Yuuji notes the dried blood in his nostrils as he steps back a little, “Making him doubt his place.”

He then turns to Kugisaki, sneering at her, “And Maki’s only followed suit. That vicious little bitch has been a thorn in my side for years, but she’s a woman so that’s expected, but I will not let Megumi fail and turn out like her.”

“Wanna try that again, you wrinkled ass motherfucker?” Kugisaki shouts, instantly moving towards him as Haibara yanks her back and she fights against him, but Naobito rolls his eyes and turns back to Yuuji.

“You. Horse boy. Let’s have a chat.”

“Fine.” Yuuji tries to say calmly, his jaw clenched tight as his heart pounds in his chest, and Naobito lowers his eyes at him.

“Yuuji—”

“It’s okay, Dad, we’re just going to talk,” Yuuji reassures him, nodding as Nanami looks back at him, his face twisted with worry as he shakes his head a little, “It’s okay.”

“He’s fine, stop being so dramatic.” Naobito rolls his eyes as Nanami's eye twitches.

“You can… go to my office. Through there.” Nanami says shortly, pointing down the hallway, and Naobito stomps down it.

Yuuji moves to follow him, but Nanami stops him, putting his hand on his chest

“Yuuji, son, you don’t have to–” He tries but Yuuji interrupts him.

“It’s fine, Dad. I’ll be fine.” Yuuji reassures him again, and turns to walk past Haibara before they can stop him and he walks down the hall towards his dad’s office, illuminated by just a tall lamp in the corner and one on his desk.

He gulps, his adrenaline wavering for just a moment before he steels himself and walks in, Naobito waiting for him inside. As Yuuji walks to the other side of the room, he hears the door slam shut behind him. 

Silence falls over them as Naobito glares at him expectantly.

“Well?” Naobito crosses his arms over his chest, “When are you two leaving?”

“What?” Yuuji asks, taken aback. He wasn’t exactly sure what he was expecting, maybe something about Megumi being involved with helping Kugisaki and Maki, but it definitely wasn’t whatever this was. 

“You and that bastard, Megumi,” Naobito snaps, and Yuuji’s heart stops, “When are you planning on eloping? Tonight? Next week?”

“Eloping?” Yuuji breathes out in an almost laugh as Naobito glares at him furiously, his clenched fists shaking at his sides, “What are you talking about?”

“You know exactly what I’m fucking talking about.” Naobito snaps, but Yuuji just shakes his head quickly.

“Sir, I’m sorry but I don’t know what you’re talking about at all, I saw Megumi tonight for the first time in years so—”

“Don’t bullshit me, kid!” Naobito interrupts with a shout, stepping up and pointing his finger in his face as Yuuji backs up slightly, smelling the musty scent of whiskey on his breath, “I know your gold digging ass has been plotting on him for years, but you’re done. He’s marrying Miss Hana and that is final. There will be no more secret elopements to scum like you.”

“Okay?” Yuuji says hesitantly, backing up again as Naobito’s eyes burn with fury, and he glances up at the door behind Naobito as he starts to panic a little, “I-I’m not trying to do anything, I don’t even—”

“Tell me you’ll never be with him.” Naobito interrupts, stepping up to him again, but Yuuji’s shock keeps him rooted to the ground, his panic dropped as he is now several inches away from Naobito’s fuming face.

“What?” 

“What do you want? Money? House? Land? Job?” Naobito presses, his voice dropping, less harsh, but greasier, more pliant as he smiles at him, “People like you always have a price, you always need something. We can work something out, you know.”

“Are you serious right now?” Yuuji stares at him in disbelief as Naobito stares at him, “You’re going to pay me off to never see Megumi again? You’re bribing me?”

“His little rebellious streak has gone on long enough, encouraged by that idiot, Gojo,” Naobito sneers, persuading tone gone as he shoots a glare out the window facing the estate, “He needs to come back to his family, to his duty, and do what he was born to do. And absolutely none of that includes you.”

Yuuji stays silent, absolutely baffled by the man standing in front of him, completely dead serious, and Naobito lowers his eyes, daring him to defy him.

“You’re telling me you have no hand in his refusal to marry Miss Hana?” He tilts his head mockingly, as Yuuji’s stomach drops, “Really?”

“Refusal— what?” Yuuji gapes at him, shaking his head as he blinks quickly, “What?!”

“Little shit just told me this ridiculous idea so you can drop the innocent act.”

“I don’t… I'm not...He’s not marrying her?” Yuuji asks, his heart beating astronomically fast in his chest as his eyes betray him and he looks out the window up the hill, and Naobito snarls.

“Of course he’s fucking marrying her! This has been planned since their infancy, you idiot, there was never going to be anyone else!”

Yuuji looks back at him, and sees him still staring at him, fury and condescension laced in his eyes. Yuuji exhales deeply as he turns from the window back towards him. 

“So you are not planning on running away with him?” Naobito says coldly, tilting his head mockingly.

“No.” Yuuji says numbly, staring at the ground, and Naobito narrows his eyes further at him.

“So swear to me you’ll never be with him.” Naobito demands, practically stomping his foot on the ground, and Yuuji looks back up at him.

He stares at him, the human embodiment of the wall put up between him and Megumi, the reason he’d shoved his hopes and dreams into the corner of his heart reserved just for him. The symbol of the gap between them. Power, control, greed. Everything he’d hated, everything that kept the two of them apart.

“No.” The word slips out before he can stop it, and Naobito’s face twitches in anger.

“No?” He spits, stepping forward again, but Yuuji stands firm, the few inches he has on Naobito letting him loom over the swaying, furious old man.

“No,” Yuuji snaps, anger rising in his chest, bubbling over, “No, I won’t do that.”

“You insolent little—”

“Do you even know Megumi?” Yuuji interrupts angrily, stepping forward towards him, “Like really know him? Or Maki?”

“He’s my nephew, of course I do,” Naobito scoffs, “And who cares about that bitch.”

“What’s his favorite song?” Yuuji presses, jaw clenched as he stares at Naobito, bitterness surging through him as he glares at him. 

“What?”

“Megumi’s favorite song,” Yuuji demands, glaring down at him, “What is it?”

“Why would I know that?”

“Because he loves music more than almost anything, you old fuck,” Yuuji spits out, “His favorite song is Island in the Sun by Weezer, but his favorite album is by Pink Floyd because it was his mom's favorite.”

“So? He—”

“What’s his favorite trail through the woods?” Yuuji interrupts, taking a step forward towards him as resentment and outrage and bitten tongues rush through him.

“Trail?”

“Yes, with Blue.” Yuuji replies, and his irritation increases as Naobito looks at him blankly.

“Blue?”

“His horse,” Yuuji snarls out, suddenly feeling more angry than he’d ever felt before at the fact that Naobito didn’t even know Blue existed, “The one he’s had since he was a kid. What is his favorite trail with her through the woods?”

As Naobito continues to stare at him expressionless, Yuuji huffs, and gives him a cruel smile, “I’ll make it easier for you. The green, or red one?”

“Red.” Naobito replies sharply, and Yuuji’s mouth twitches as he shakes his head.

“Nope. Wrong.” Yuuji smiles, and Naobito’s face twists with displeasure.

“So what? I don’t—”

“How many sugars does he put in his coffee?”

“Excuse me?” Naobito asks, taken a little aback.

“How many sugars,” Yuuji repeats firmly, stepping forward as anger and irritation surge through his veins, “Does Megumi put in his coffee?”

“One.” Naobito says with a sneer, and Yuuji smiles and shakes his head again.

“Nope. He drinks black coffee. And if he did add anything, which he doesn’t, it would be ginger or cinnamon.”

“What does it matter if I know what music he listens to or where he goes with that smelly beast or how the dumbass drinks his coffee?”

“Because I do! I know!” Yuuji finally shouts, pointing at his chest, “Because I know him! I know him and I know he’s a good person and you can’t stand that he’s not turning into you anymore. And if that’s my fault, then fine, but it’s not! Because he has always been better than fucking all of you!”

“He’s doing what he was born to do!” Naobito shouts loudly, fury spitting from his lips, “You will not take that away from him!”

Yuuji doesn’t reply, just stands there, fuming, as Naobito snarls at him before he steps up, attempting to get his drunken swaying in Yuuji’s face.

“Swear you’ll never see him again! This marriage with Miss Hana is vital to the strength of our families and I will not let someone like you mess this up for us.”

“I don’t give a flying fuck about the strength of your damn families,” Yuuji laughs in Naobito’s face as it contorts further with anger, twisting itself into something ghoulish, “He’s not like all of you, and if that pisses you off, too fucking bad. But at the end of the day, it’s not my fault he hates you.”

“I could ruin you,” Naobito sneers, swaying a little more, “I could ruin you, and your family, and the rest of your lives and—”

“And what? Exile us to live in the country? Ruin our reputations? Where, in Tokyo?” Yuuji raises his eyebrows, shaking his head as Naobito’s face turns a rageful crimson, “That’s your worst nightmare, sir, not mine. Your threats mean nothing to me.”

“You—”

“You can do whatever the hell you want to me,” Yuuji interrupts harshly, stepping further towards him as Naobito stumbles slightly, “But you’ve come here, insulted and threatened me and my family to my face, as well as your own niece and nephew, and it’s not going to change a thing. Because Megumi is not you. He’s not a cog in that fucked up machine you call a family. He may be related to you by blood but that is the only thing you have in common, and it’s the only thing you ever will. He is good in ways you could never even come close to understanding. Because all the good parts of him, the parts that I fell in love with, are the complete fucking opposite of you.”

Naobito stares at him, fuming, smoke practically billowing from his ears as his mouth is pressed into a firm line.

“Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like you to leave my house.” Yuuji says firmly, moving past him to the door and yanking it open, scattering Yuuta, who was a new addition, Inumaki, Kugisaki, and Haibara, who were huddled up against the door to listen.

Naobito opens and closes his mouth before his face gets bright red again and he shoves his way through the door and through the crowded doorway as he shouts, barely coherent.

“Never have I been so fucking insulted in my life, by a goddamn peasant boy! Dirty, damn, horse wrangling fucking piece of farm boy trash! You will all pay for this disrespect, mark my words! All of you!”

The door slams shut, and they’re met with silence.

“Yuuji, what the hell was that?” Kugisaki asks in bewilderment, her eyes wide and confused.

“I… have no idea.”

“Yuuji.” Nanami steps forward, confusion and concern splashed across his face, but Yuuji can barely think, Naobito’s words jumbling around in his head like marbles, banging into the deep corners of his brain.

“I-I just need a minute.” He gets out, pushing off the doorframe towards the back door, stumbling slightly as his mind starts to race.

“Yuuji!”

“I’m fine, just leave me alone!” Yuuji calls over his shoulder, shoving his way towards the back of the house.

He hears the resigned sighs of his father behind him, and his siblings worried voices saying, “Dad?” “Papa?”

“Let him be.” 

Yuuji swallows hard as he clumsily shuts the door behind him, bringing his hands up to fist in his hair as he paces along the back porch.

Adrenaline was still pounding in his ears, rushing through his veins as he struggled to keep his breathing steady, failing as his lungs push and pull faster than he can keep up. He felt a little rush, serotonin racing through him as he realized he actually yelled at Naobito, arguably one of the most influential people in the world, and an unexpected laugh bubbles out him as he focuses in on his words.

Megumi refused to marry that woman. Even if he caved and agreed again, even if their wedding was still predetermined and eminent, there was a flicker, the smallest bit of hope that began to arise in his chest. That flicker of hope had been dwindling over the years, spiking when he saw him across the room last night, before it was almost completely extinguished.

But that almost was going to drive him insane.

The flash of hope he felt was then dimmed again, as he moves to sit down on one of the chairs. He leans his elbows on his knees, trying to take deep breaths in and out.

He couldn’t keep doing this to himself, letting that hope start to fire up too much before he just got burned in the end. He knew he’d have to watch Megumi’s life from the sidelines forever, and he knew he had to accept that, but that damn hope, that stupid dream, couldn’t help but creep into his mind, making the ache in his chest throb each time it slunk back out.

Soon enough, he tries to end his mental torture and go to bed, numbly saying goodnight to his concerned looking family members before he just shut his door and collapsed onto his bed.

He laid there for a while, head slumped on the pillow as he stared at the wall, letting his mind simply mull over the idea of Megumi. He’d had an aching feeling in his stomach, a feeling that this would be the last flicker of hope he’d feel, and he desperately wanted to try to ignore it.

“Yuuji? You awake?” He picks his head up as he hears Kugisaki’s voice through the wall.

“Yeah,” He replies, rolling over towards the wall connecting their rooms, “Thought you’d be back with Maki after that shit show.”

“I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

“Mm.” He hums, drumming his fingers on his chest as he stares up at the ceiling.

“Are you?” She asks hesitantly, nerves apparent in her voice, “Okay?”

Yuuji sighs, rubbing his hands across his face before he answers quietly, “Yeah. I’ll be fine.”

“I’m sorry you had to listen to that, it was all bullshit anyway. Just some drunk dude’s ramblings.”

“It’s all good. Felt kinda good, actually, to give him a piece of my mind.”

“I think Fushiguro would’ve been proud.”

Yuuji stares at the ceiling, twisting his hands together as his heart aches at his name.

“Kugi?” He whispers quietly, shuffling over to the crack between their walls.

“Yeah?” 

“I really, really miss him.” Yuuji sighs, his eyes watering as he tries to choke back his tears quietly.

“I know, Yuu. I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay,” Yuuji sighs, rolling over towards the window, eyes drifting to the break in the hill, now with just darkness from the grounds, “Just sucks.”

“Well, hey. Now I can introduce you to some of the people Maki finds not horrible, and my friends in Tokyo, and soon, it’ll take time, but you’ll find someone and forget all about him,” Kugisaki tries, attempting to sound upbeat, “You’ll be okay.”

Yuuji swallows hard, still staring at the ceiling before he sighs again, turning away from the window. 

“No. I don’t think I will be.”

Yuuji spent the next few hours in silence, staring out the window as the sun slowly started to wake up, the dark night sky brightening with each passing moment.

He doesn’t feel like moving, trying to have tea or read to fall asleep, he just wants to sit and watch, look down at the place he fell in love for the first and last time, and his heart aches as he tries to push back his tears again. His mind was playing Naobito’s words on repeat, over and over again like a jammed film reel.

He missed Megumi so bad, the ache in his chest had started to feel familiar, like a part of him. It’d found a home in his chest for the last few years, like the stone weight around his heart would just continue to solidify each day without him.

But the last thing he needed was Naobito to get in his head, giving him ideas about a real life with him again. He’d get married, have a beautiful family and a beautiful life, and Yuuji could watch. 

He’d had dreams, nightmares really, of Megumi’s family coming back here years later, seeing them in town, all holding hands as they live a life Yuuji could never give him, and he’d just have to watch.

He could see himself sitting at the top of the hill, looking down to see them. Megumi with a kid on his shoulders, getting chased by the dogs while his wife laughed her perfect laugh on the porch, and he would kiss her and Yuuji would just have to watch. 

He couldn’t let himself have that false hope, a hope that kept getting snatched away from him. Megumi was a part of his life, but he was just that. 

A part.

But he wanted all of it. He wanted Megumi’s annoyed shoves to his shoulder, he wanted his eye rolls when Yuuji nudges him too much, he wanted to hear him explain things he’d read, the way his eyes lit up each time, he wanted to see his soft sleeping face every day. 

He wanted him so badly he didn’t even know what to do with himself anymore. 

He rolls over, looking up at the ceiling for a few minutes before he looks to the side and picks up his phone, scrolling through his apps until his thumb hovers over his voicemail.

He hesitates before quickly clicking on it, preparing himself as he brings it up to his ear.

“Hey, this is Fushiguro. I can’t find those dumb chips you wanted in the kitchen, they only have spicy ones, what even is a hint of lime? Pick something else. Anyway, call me back or don’t. Whatever.”

“Itadori, charge your damn shitty phone like an adult. At this point, I’ll just get you a new one. Ugh, just call me if you get this.”

“Hey, it’s Fushiguro, you left your jacket here yesterday. Come by if you want it. Doesn’t matter when.”

“You cannot just take my dogs home with you whenever you want. Get your asses back here.”

“I meant both of them, Itadori! Give me my fucking dog back!”

“How do you not pick up when you were the one who called me three minutes ago? Call me back, idiot.”

“Pick up your damn phone, dummy. I’m coming down the hill in, like, five minutes.”

“Hey, I know you’re at work but I found that album you were talking about. Found it in a collection of ones I got online, so I figured you might want it. Come by later, o-or tomorrow. Whenever you want, or whenever you can, okay, uh, bye.”

Tears slip down his cheeks as he squeezes his eyes shut, Megumi’s voice echoing in his head as the ache deepens, the stone hardening.

“What the hell am I doing?” Yuuji sighs to himself, shaking his head as he puts his phone back on his nightstand, “This is so pathetic.”

He looks back down at the grounds, sniffling slightly as he rests his chin on his pillow, and he whispers, “It’s so lonely without you, Fushiguro. I miss you.”

After two more hours of tossing and turning while Megumi’s eyes and lips on someone else remained burned into his brain, Yuuji huffs and sits up. He rubs his eyes as he gets out of bed and slips on sweatpants and a hoodie, glancing out the window at the dim, but gradually brightening morning sky as he tugs on his shoes.

Quietly slipping out the front door, Yuuji sighs as the misty, early summer air hits him, dampening his cheeks and eyelashes as he trudges through the grass. 

The morning was quiet, just the faint sounds of birds waking up floating from the trees, and Yuuji relished the peace and quiet so contrasted with the muddled chaos within his head.

As he reaches the center of the clearing, he stands there for a few moments, staring out at the mist-covered grass, the wildflowers just dots of color peeking through the low hanging fog before he sighs deeply and sits down.

Ignoring the damp grass on his pants, he just sits there, numbly letting his eyes trace along the landscape ahead of him, with the hazy morning making the thick trees of the distance fade into the murk.

He closes his eyes and takes another deep breath, allowing the cool, morning air to hit his lungs, and he rubs at his tired eyes until he sees stars and opens them, his head still jumbled, but one thought started to form in the confusion of his mind.

And it was that this was it.

He needed to start to get over Megumi, had to truly and fully start to try to move on, despite the gaping, aching hole in his chest. He needed to let him go, let him live the life Yuuji could never be a part of. That much was clear from last night, it was like a greatest hits of every reason they shouldn’t be together. Megumi’s family, their expectations and society’s expectations, even what was best for Megumi.

Because as deeply as he ached for him, with his position now, Yuuji could never be enough, maybe he would be in Megumi’s eyes, but the eyes of that family followed them like a haunted painting, just enough to make your skin crawl and your neck prickle. 

He breathes deeply again, trying to swallow down the bitter taste of acceptance as he thinks of how he should even begin to mourn him, but not before he glances over at the far end of the field and does a double take as he sees a dark figure walking towards him across the grass. 

He squints at the approaching person, and slowly, dark, wild hair comes into his vision and he immediately scrambles to stand up.

Megumi was crossing through the misty field, his hair a little disheveled and messy from bed as he trudged through the grass. He was wearing a long, dark blue robe over a loose, half-buttoned white pajama shirt and flannel pants, billowing in the crisp morning breeze, and Yuuji feels his heart stop as he moves towards him.

He’s frozen where he stood, staring at Megumi slowly approaching, and his eyes are fixed on his face as it comes into view. With the rising sun, the side of his face was illuminated, hazy orange streaks of light danced across his face, highlighting his sharp cheekbones and jaw as the light moved across him, almost making his dark green eyes glow. 

As he looks at him, Yuuji isn’t even sure he’s real, and just waits for him to get too close and then disappear into the morning mist like a mirage.

But he doesn’t, and he finally does reach him, and Yuuji is still frozen, staring at him as Megumi gives him a nervous smile, shoving his hands in his robe pockets.

“Um… Morning.”

Chapter Text

(four years ago)

“Hey, aren’t you–”

“Go the fuck away.” Megumi snaps out, slugging back the rest of his drink as the corners of his vision start to go a little fuzzy.

He stumbles back to his table at the back of the club, loud, thumping music making the floors vibrate as he walks. Collapsing onto the bench, he clumsily yanks a bottle of something he can’t read from the table and pours it into his cup. 

His head was already throbbing, but he could still think, so he couldn’t stop. His hands shake just slightly as he brings the cup back up to his lips, feeling the burn of whiskey down his throat as he pries his eyes open again.

The bass is so heavy, he can feel it reverberate against his skull, making him wince a little with each beat drop. He drops his cup to his knee, sluggishly bringing his head up to watch the blurred bodies ahead of him, the dark lights of the club making them just mere shadows darting in and out of his vision.

“Hey, Zenin!”

Megumi’s jaw clenches as he slowly turns to the right to see someone moving away from a table towards him, and he sees a guy he vaguely recognizes approaching with a sleazy smile.

“It’s Fushiguro.” 

“Right, right,” He laughs a bit before he leans into the booth, tapping his chest pocket, “Got that shit from last time. You in?”

Megumi inhales sharply as he glances over his shoulder, looking out for Mai, before he waves him forward and opens his palm.

“Atta boy.” The guy grins, Megumi can’t remember his name, and he just snatches it out of his hand.

“Shut up,” Megumi just sighs as he slugs back his drink to swallow the pill, and he winces as it slides down throat, “Are these Hulks?”

“Yeah, man, they were greens last time, too, remember? Pretty sure I actually got them from your cousin, the one with—” 

“Whatever,” Megumi interrupts with a huff, slugging back his drink as he stands up, pushing past him to walk away again, “The goal is not fucking remembering.”

And there was only one face in mind he was trying to erase.

Megumi thought he’d hallucinated Yuuji all those months ago, standing up there on their balcony outside Tokyo with the autumn sun shining behind him like a literal angel. But he could barely stand looking him in the eye, too ashamed to even feel worthy of seeing the same eyes he fell for back in June of that summer. 

But he’d fit in so well, so perfectly into their house, their simpler life there, with Tsumiki, that it made him feel so sick he’d practically run back into their house to throw up after they’d left. And that night, he just sat in his room and stared at the wall, feeling too numb to even cry. 

Then when he got back to Tokyo, he went to the first club opening he was invited to and got so drunk he passed out in the bathroom, only to be shaken awake by Mai, who was there separate from him and was extremely pissed he ruined her night after she hauled him out the back door. 

Shoving his way through the mess of drunk people sloppily grinding on the dancefloor, he stands at the bar, eyes focused on a ring of condensation on the bartop before he’s slid another drink across the wood.

Suddenly, he feels a presence behind him, accompanied by a soft hand on his arm, and he turns.

Next to him was a woman, probably a little younger than him, with bright blue eyes and dark hair, and she was smiling at him, in the way Megumi was far too familiar with, and he audibly groans.

“What the fuck do you want?”

“I came over here to see what you want, actually,” She smiles sweetly at him, bringing a finger up to trail down his chest, “I can be a lot of different things, you know.”

“Are you over six foot and good with horses?" Megumi spits out, his body starting to numb a little, and she falters back a little, glancing back at her friends.

“Um, no, but—”

“Then get the fuck out of my face.” He slaps her hand away and shoves past her to make his way to the far back corner booth of the club, the one he knew was out of sight and he’d paid to be always empty except for him.

He sighs in relief as his bottle of whiskey, mostly empty, was still sitting on the table, and he haphazardly flops down into the booth, half sitting, half slumped against the wall.

Reaching for the bottle, his hand freezes as the colored lights hit it, causing the remaining brown liquid to lighten and glow a little. Flashes of amber and honey and gold flow through his mind, accompanied by the muffled echos of bright laughter. 

Megumi snatches it off the table, throwing off the cap as he chugs the rest of it, trying to match the burn of the whiskey to the warmth of Yuuji’s eyes. 

His chest gets hot as he swallows the rest, emptying the bottle of the offending brown liquid and he lets it simmer in his chest, heat flooding through him.

He places the bottle back down, and now when the lights hit, it’s just an empty glass, and he sighs in relief. As he leans back against the booth, the numbness he’d been chasing starts to creep in, and he smiles lazily to himself as he tilts his head back to embrace it, the sounds of the club now muddled and faraway. 

“Megumi. Come on. It’s time to go.” He suddenly hears the muffled voice of Mai in his ear, tugging on his arm.

“‘M fine. Go away,” He mumbles, half heartedly shoving her off as he tries to wake up and reach for his still half full cup he’d been nursing, only to have it smacked out of his hands to the floor, sending ice and alcohol scattering across the floor as he looks up at her with a glare, “Bitch.”

“Megumi, come on,” Mai tugs on his arm again, her voice slightly pleading, “You can’t let the paparazzi see you like this. We barely paid them off the last time.”

“Don’t care.” He slurs, shaking his head back and forth as she sighs loudly, dropping his hand as she throws her head back in frustration, groaning.

“Why am I the only one who gives a fuck about appearances anymore?” She huffs out as she bends over and throws his arm over her shoulder, and hoists him up off the couch, “Come on, don’t make me drag you. The fuck did you take tonight?”

“Then just stop draggin’ me. Leave me here.” He fights back, stumbling into her a little as he gets stood up, and leans against her as he tries to keep his balance.

“Do not throw up on me. These shoes are worth more than a car.”

“I won’t, that would be–” He hiccups, breathing out heavily as his lungs constrict further, “Improper. I can’t be improper. Improper, improper, impropah. Ha. Funny word.”

“Well, you’re being a proper pain in the ass right now, Megumi,” Mai exclaims with a huff, shoving him a little bit as they move towards the back of the club, “Now stand up. We’re going out the back. God, I wish Maki was here.”

Megumi’s stomach lurches at her name, and he suddenly shoves Mai off as he books it for the back door ahead of them, emptying his stomach as soon as the door opens into the street.

“Oh my god, that is so disgusting.” 

“Don’t talk about her.” He spits, wiping the back of his mouth as he stumbles to the curb, barely sitting down without cracking his skull on the sidewalk behind him. 

He hears Mai sigh in annoyance from behind him before she rustles around a little.

“Ijichi? Hey, it’s Mai. Yeah, it’s– yeah, it’s him. Bad night again. I don’t know what started it this time. We’re in the back. Yes— Yeah, I don’t think anyone got any pictures, so we should be okay.”

Megumi just stares into the street, eyes trying to focus on the blurry blacktop as his head swims.

“Come on, Megs. Up. Up.”

He feels a tug on his arm, but he yanks it back down, clumsily crossing his arms over his chest.

“Don’t wanna.”

“You’re such a fucking toddler.” Mai sighs again, shaking her head as she plops down on the curb next to him, resting her elbows on her knees.

“Am not.”

“Are too.”

“I’m not. I’m sad.”

“You’re always sad.”

“I know,” Megumi replies, quieter than before, and she looks over at him as he hangs his head, “Sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry for that,” Mai rolls her eyes, “Just stop getting like this. It freaks me out. You’re not a fun drunk, you know.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Stop apologizing.”

“Sorry.”

“God, you’re such a whiny drunk, too.”

Silence falls between them, just the muffled sounds of the club behind them floating off into the quiet of the night.

Megumi just stares at the ground, his chest aching as the stimulation and distractions disappear, and his heart starts to solidify into stone again. 

This was the part of nights out that he hated, when his brain started to work again before he forced himself to pass out. Said brain supplying him with images of pink hair under the summer sun, dimples set deep in cheeks, smiles that warmed him like a hug.

“I miss him.” Megumi says quietly, dragging his fingertips along the bumpy asphalt of the road below as Mai tenses up next to him.

“Your… Your farmboy?”

“Yeah.”

“He’s… He’s not yours, Megumi. You know that. You know why.” She says carefully, and he just nods miserably, sniffing a little bit as he rubs his runny nose clumsily.

“I know. That’s why I’m sad.”

Mai looks over as he stares numbly into the street, and she just sighs as she puts her arm around him, letting him rest his head on her shoulder, “I know. I know.”

Megumi doesn’t respond, just lets his head pound as he hates himself even further.

“Megumi.”

“Mm.”

“You’re really scaring me, acting like this,” Mai says quietly, and as fucked up as he is, he can’t ignore the hesitation in her voice, before she speaks again and his heart stops, “You’re acting like how they used to talk about your dad.”

Megumi sits up straight, looking over at her as he tries to hide the panic in his voice and quickly shakes his head, “I’m not like him. I’m not. I’m not.”

“You sure?” Mai asks, looking him up and down once before she scoffs a little and shakes her head, “So much opportunity and you do fucking nothing but waste your damn potential. You make me sick sometimes, honestly. And I don’t care if it hurts your feelings ‘cause who knows what you’ll even fucking remember tomorrow.” 

Megumi just stares back at her, the miserable and sick feeling returning back to his gut, where it belonged, before he just turns back to stare at the street.

Soon enough, headlights illuminate the back alley, and a sleek black car pulls up. The passenger window opens to reveal Ijichi in the driver's side, looking worriedly at him.

“Mr. Fushiguro, are you okay, sir? Do you need anything?”

He can’t speak, so he just nods once, then shakes his head. He heads towards the back and opens up the door, but he hesitates as he goes in, feeling a weight on his chest get heavier as he realizes he’s now going home, alone, to his apartment, alone.

“Just get in the damn car.” Mai sighs loudly, and he looks up to see her rubbing her temples, brow furrowed a little.

“I-I’m sorry.” 

“Yeah, whatever,” She rolls her eyes, opening her car door as she keeps her agitated gaze firmly on him, “You apologize every time you do this. I don’t even think you know who you’re apologizing to anymore.” 

She doesn’t wait for him to respond, just slides into the passenger seat and crosses her arms over her chest before the door even slams shut.

“Megs?” 

He sighs loudly as he turns from his desk to look at Gojo, grinning widely in his doorway.

“What do you want?”

“Burning the midnight oil, are we?” 

“What the hell do you want, Gojo?” Megumi sighs loudly, shooting a glare over at him as he waltzes inside, “I told you, I want that spare key back.”

“No way, I need it for emergencies!” Gojo protests as he flops down on the chair across from him, and he glances around as he wrinkles his nose, “You really gotta decorate in here.”

Megumi inhales through clenched teeth, eyes flitting from the stack of paperwork on his desk to Gojo and then to the door.

“I’m gonna ask one more time. What do you want?” Megumi says, sounding a little more harsh than he means to, but Gojo ignores it and sits up.

“I’ve got that shark conservation fundraiser next month in Kyoto, and I need your advice,” Gojo states simply, and Megumi just stares at him, blank faced, and he adds, “You’re invited, of course!”

“You need my advice?” Megumi scoffs, shaking his head as he looks back down at his paperwork, “Why?”

“Because I need someone’s opinion!” Gojo exclaims, leaning on his elbows as he pouts a little, “And Nanami didn’t answer.”

Megumi’s grip tightens on his pen as his voice sharpens, “What do you want?”

“Well, as you know,” He gestures dramatically with his hand, “I invite Suguru to all of my fundraisers and parties.” 

Megumi just sighs, pausing his writing before he waves for him to continue, and Gojo lounges across the chair, propping his head up on a bent elbow. 

“But it’s been a few years since he’s had a new address or office that I can find under his name, and now I’m worried he moved somehow and my sources have crapped out on me because they won’t answer! I know it’s late there too, but—”

“I am not going through this with you right now,” Megumi interrupts without looking up from his work as he shakes his head a little, “I have too much shit to do, and this is pathetic.” 

“Hey, I came to you for a judgement-free zone!” Gojo protests, pouting as he picks his head up.

“What about me screams judgement-free to you?” Megumi rolls his eyes as Gojo whines

“I just don’t know if it’s a good idea to try and find him again!” Gojo groans loudly, hanging his head back again as Megumi rolls his eyes, “I’ve invited him to everything at every address of his I have, and it’s been almost fifteen years and still nothing!”

“Maybe you should give up.” Megumi scoffs, a little quietly as Gojo gasps in offense, and points at him accusingly.

“Hey, don’t let your love life troubles influence mine!” 

“Shut up.” Megumi snaps his head up and Gojo’s teasing smile drops a little as he turns in the chair, leaning on his elbows towards him.

“So… you haven’t talked to him?” He tries, attempting to keep his voice upbeat as Megumi looks back down, refusing to give in as he stares down at his blurry paperwork.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He replies simply, flipping to the next page as he hears Gojo sigh deeply across from him.

“Megumi.”

“I’m not talking about this.”

“I saw you got a new phone after we left the country house.”

“Not talking.”

“And I reviewed your travel schedule for the next several months. Very busy, it seems.”

“Still not talking.”

“You sure you don’t want to hang closer to home?” Gojo tries again, “What about Tsumiki? She’s going to miss you if you’re just moping around the globe, you know. And you'll miss me!”

“Then I’ll go visit her.”

“Megs.” Gojo’s voice softens, but it just enrages him even more.

“What, Gojo?” Megumi snaps, whipping his head up as Gojo startles back a little, “What do you want from me? What do you want me to say right now? You wanna know what's wrong? Fucking fine. I asked someone to marry me and they said fucking no, okay? They said no and I’m trying to move on. I’m not going to torture myself with this shit like you do.”

He regrets the words as soon as they leave his mouth, but he can’t get himself to speak again as hurt flickers across his face. Gojo just continues staring at him for a moment before he just stands up from his chair and turns to readjust the cushion he was sitting on, his back to Megumi.

“Okay, Megs. Sorry I asked.” Gojo says, his voice still upbeat, but Megumi’s stomach clenches as he hears the familiar dejection underlining his tone.

“Gojo—”

“No, no, you’re right, kiddo” Gojo just sighs as he walks across the room towards the door, not slowing down and not turning around as he does, “Don’t turn out like me. Give me a call if you want a second set of eyes on that paperwork.”

He walks out the door to no response, leaving Megumi in the tense silence, and he hangs his head in his hands.

“Shit.” Megumi mutters, rubbing his eyes before he picks his head back up and stares at the empty doorframe.

“So, how was your date with the Kurogiri girl?”

Megumi inhales sharply, trying to keep his expression blank as he shrugs, “She was boring. Wouldn’t be a great addition.”

“Well, her personality is not exactly something you need to concern yourself with.” His cousin laughs, taking a sip of his drink as they look out to the room, “My wife’s a wet fuckin’ blanket, but at least she’s fertile.”

Megumi attempts to swallow his drink without gagging, trying to focus on the warm burn down his throat, “Sure.”

“But you’ll be fine,” His cousin sighs, and looks over before he claps him on the shoulder with a grin, “I’m sure Naobito will find you a hot piece of ass since you’re the face.” 

“Here’s to hoping,” Megumi replies shortly, glancing around the room, “Is Naobito even here?”

“Nah, he’s doing some deal in America right now. Running into trouble because some indigenous tribe is claiming ownership over the land they want to buy, some bullshit like that.” 

“So we aren’t developing there anymore?” Megumi asks, curiosity piqued, as it usually is when he hears about Naobito’s failures of exploiting people. 

“Didn’t say that,” His cousin looks over with a smug grin, “Just gotta grease the palms of the right people. You’ll be an expert soon enough.” 

“Mm.” Megumi hums, bringing his drink back up to his lips so he keeps his mouth shut and his brain empty. 

He didn’t even want to be here, he just knew he had to show face and knew there was something here to get him drunk, and all the better if he could numbly suffer through these meetings and family gatherings. He always tried to find Maki, but on the few occasions he saw her, she immediately moved in the opposite direction, in any direction that was away from Megumi.

So now he was subjected to standing against the wall, listening to his cousin rave about whatever terrible project he was assigned to.

“Gonna go to the bathroom.” He grunts out, finishing his glass as he sets it on the table next to them.

“Alright, we doin’ shots later? We got the girls coming by, too.” His cousin asks, and Megumi quickly shakes his head, wracking his brain for an excuse.

“No, I, uh, have a bunch of early meetings tomorrow,” Megumi replies, trying to keep his voice even, “Maybe next time.” 

“Man, you always say that,” He whines, shaking his head before he gives a sarcastic laugh, “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you didn’t even like girls.” 

“Ha,” Megumi laughs weakly as he takes another step back, “Right. See you.”

“Later!”

Megumi quickly moves through the room, nodding at the random drunken male family members still lounging around after their meeting with the other members of the big families. Glancing over his shoulder, he swipes a bottle of whiskey off the bar as he passes through the library, and makes his way down the hall.

As he reaches the dark hallway tucked in the back of the house and slips down it into the shadows, his heart slows down a bit as he uncaps the bottle and takes a large sip as he closes his eyes, ignoring the burn as it goes down his throat.

He sighs deeply, before looking out the large windows next to him at the trees, dark and twisted under the new moon sky, a complete shell of the bright, vibrant pines and cedars he recalled from all those years ago. But hell, it probably wasn’t the trees’ radiance he was really focused on, what he really missed.

“Hey, Mopey Megs. Long time, no see.”

He freezes as a cold voice speaks beside him, and he slowly turns from the window to see Naoya leaning against the wall in the shadows, arms crossed with a smirk. Megumi sighs, trying to resist the urge to immediately swing his fist into his jaw as he turns towards him, his face blank.

“Thought the exterminators came for the roaches last week.”

“You’re funny,” Naoya says without amusement, and then he glances down at the bottle in his hand as his smirk grows, “Tryna be like Daddy, huh?”

“Fuck off, Naoya,” Megumi spits, turning towards him, “The fuck do you want?”

“Nothing, really,” Naoya sighs, swirling his own glass mockingly before he takes a sip, “Just exploring my house.”

“Not yours.”

“Not yet, anyway,” Naoya just shrugs, before he looks back over at Megumi and grins, “Lots of things you’ve got are gonna be mine.”

“Fuck does that mean?” Megumi asks, taking another step back towards him, that familiar feeling of fear and anxiety he hadn’t felt since he was a kid starting to rush through him.

“Oh, nothing,” Naoya shrugs again, before his eyes glint and he tilts his head with a sly smile, “But you know, that reminds me. That Itadori’s a good time.” 

Megumi’s stomach drops to the floor as he fights to keep his face blank, desperately trying to come up with something to steer this conversation away from this, but Naoya pushes forward.

“We haven’t talked since I had met him, but I saw him on Main Street in that shithole town last week. He’s grown up real good. I can see why you’re so…” He pauses, looking him up and down once before smiling cruelly, “Fond of him.”’

“Don’t talk about him like that.” Megumi snaps, anger churning through him.

“Aw, does that piss you off? I’m already a black sheep, what’s one more farm boy? Don’t need me all pure and pristine just yet,” Naoya laughs coldly before he just sighs, “He’s real cute, you know. So naive. Love ‘em when they’re like that.” 

“Don’t fucking touch him.” Megumi bites out, stepping up to him as the corners of his vision darken.

“Or what?” Naoya hits back, before he just laughs, “You gonna keep him around like a little pet? You really think my dad will ever let you end up with someone like him?"

“Your dad doesn’t fucking own me. No one in this family does.”

“Really?” Naoya replies airily, tilting his head a little as he looks up and down the hall before he smiles coldly, “Then… where’s Maki?”

Megumi stays silent, his jaw snapped shut so hard he could feel the pressure pounding in his brain as Naoya smirks down at him victoriously.

“That’s what I thought. Looks like Little Bitch Megumi never left.”

“At least I wasn’t forced to leave.”

“And who’s fucking fault is that?”

“Probably your accountants,” Megumi replies, shrugging as he fights off the urge to throw Naoya out the window, “Or was that the one who went to jail for you for embezzlement? Or was that the lawyer? I’ve lost track at this point.”

“Keep talking shit, Megumi,” Naoya snarls, stepping off the wall towards him, “Being low level in this family means I get to do whatever the fuck I want. And do whoever the fuck I want. Keep that in mind while you’re going through your list of future baby mamas.”

“Fuck are you talking about?” Megumi asks, his confusion quickly turning to fear as Naoya just stares at him, a cruel, knowing shine growing in his eyes.

“I mean that while you’re off being courted to every eligible rich bitch in Asia,” Naoya smiles wickedly, tilting his head a bit, “I’ll be here, bending your little cowboy over in a horse stall where he fucking belongs.”

Something inside of Megumi snaps, and he lurches to throw Naoya against the wall, his forearm pressing hard against his throat, his face twisted with fury, just inches from his.

“You even think about touching him and I’ll fucking kill you myself,” Megumi spits out, shoving him harder against the wall as he hears him wheeze, “Don’t act like you don’t know I can. You’ll be ass up in a snowbank in fucking Siberia before your dad even finishes his damn bottle.”

“I’d like to see you fucking try,” Naoya manages to snap back at him, venom lacing his words, “You can’t do anything to me as long as dear old dad wants me back. You may be the heir, but that don’t mean shit except a fancy fucking title. You can’t touch me.” 

“Watch me.” Megumi snarls, and they stand there, tension and anger simmering in the air, until faint footsteps echo down the hall. 

Megumi shoves him one last time before stepping back and he turns away to walk down the hall, counting his breaths to calm down until he hears Naoya’s voice again.

“Oh, by the way, how’s Tsumiki doing?”

Megumi turns to launch himself towards him, when he’s yanked back by his shoulders, and he writhes against the firm grip on him, forcing himself towards Naoya. 

“Shut the fuck up! Don’t say her fucking name, I’ll fucking kill you!” Megumi screams, his voice raw and ragged as Naoya just smiles and pushes off the wall, rolling his eyes as he slinks through a nearby doorway.

“Megs, take a breath.”

“Get the fuck of me!” He huffs, aggressively shoving his arms away as he glares murderously up at Gojo, “Why the hell did you stop me?”

“Because murder isn’t a good look on you, Megalodon.”

“Fuck off, Gojo. Leave me the fuck alone.” He snaps out, and turns down the hall with a huff.

“What the hell has gotten into you, Megumi?” Gojo demands, his teasing tone dropped as he yanks his shoulder back to force him to look at him, “You’ve been an asshole for months, why are you acting like this?!”

“Like what?” Megumi spits out, stepping forward as Gojo takes a half step back in surprise, “What am I acting like, Gojo? Like a fucking Zenin?”

“Megs—”

“Cause last time I checked, that’s what I am. I’m one of them,” Megumi sneers, and he moves to shove past him, “No point in trying to fucking deny it anymore.” 

“No, you’re not, Megumi!” Gojo shouts after him, his voice strained, “You know you’re not like them! Come on, this isn’t you and we both know it!”

“Well, who gives a shit? It’s not like I’m your fucking son, am I?” Megumi fires out as he turns around, but immediately, his gut churns with guilt as he sees the look on Gojo’s face, who just steps back a few paces as his words hit him.

They stand there in silence, Gojo’s face attempting to right itself as Megumi opens and closes his mouth, but nothing comes out.

“Okay, Megumi,” Gojo then clears his throat before he takes another step away, putting back on that fake smile, the one Megumi was unfortunately so familiar with, “Do what you want. You’re right, you’re not my son. Thank you for reminding me.”

Gojo just looks at him for a second longer, a pained expression painted over with fake stability, before he turns on his heel and walks down the hall, footsteps echoing until he turns the corner. 

Megumi stares down the empty hall, the walls suffocating him as they close in with every breath, and he stumbles as he steadies himself against the wall.

“Fuck.” Megumi slides down the stone, hands covering his eyes as he shakes his head and bangs it lightly against the wall behind him, before he brings the bottle back up to his lips.

“Megumi, my boy!” Naobito exclaims loudly, swishing his glass of whiskey around, “Come on in!”

He just silently slides into Naobito’s office, slowly sinking into the chair across from his desk as Naobito pours him a drink. Megumi glances down, gulping as he sees him pour an extremely hefty glass of whiskey. Naobito had a habit of pouring all his guests drinks, with the firm understanding you weren’t leaving until it was done.

“Hello, Uncle.”

“Saw you take point on that Maui deal. Good work, kid.” Naobito nods at him as he raises his drink, and Megumi takes it from him as they drink together, but the burn hurts worse now.

“Thank you, sir. Just had to speak to the right people.” Megumi gets out, his tongue tasting like gasoline as he recalls the painful conversations he’d had with the city councils office, and the look on the council members’ faces when they realized Megumi’s concocted blackmail from Naobito wasn’t a bluff. 

“Good, good,” Naobito smiles, greasy as always before he leans back, “Hanto tells me you had another date with the Kurogiri girl.”

Megumi opts for another sip of his drink in an attempt to figure out how to answer this, “It was our second date, but I’m not sure if she’s someone we want to bring into the family.”

“Why’s that?” Naobito asks, lowering his glass a little, “She’s from a good family.”

“Yes, but she wasn’t exactly…” Megumi tries to choose his words carefully, polite enough to sound like him but rude enough to amuse Naobito, “Stimulating.”

“Stimulating?” He snorts, shaking his head a bit, “It’s worse if she has a brain.” 

“Sure, but if we’re talking…kids,” Megumi swallows the lump in his throat as his grip tightens on his glass, and he casually drops it to rest on his knee, “Then I’d rather not take that risk, if you know what I mean.”

“Genetics. Now you’re talking,” Naobito grins, bringing his glass back up, “So you think we can do better?”

“Uh, maybe,” Megumi answers quickly, then shrugs a little as he takes a tiny sip of whiskey, glancing down to make sure his hands aren’t still shaking, “But we can take a break, I’ve got a bunch of stuff coming up in the next few months, so maybe you can just make me a list, and I can try and find time to set something up with them.”

“Hm,” Naobito hums quietly, eyes flicking up and down Megumi for a few moments before he leans back in his chair, “No.”

“No?” Megumi tries to keep his mouth from dropping as Naobito tilts his head curiously.

“Is that a problem? You’ve been putting this off. No girl seems to be good enough for you.”

“You always told us to have high standards.” Megumi counters, sipping his drink to distract himself, hopefully pleasing him enough to lay off.

“Not this high,” Naobito replies, his suspicious eyes still locked on Megumi, “Is there something… wrong with these women? Something… let’s say, missing?”

Megumi gulps, bringing his glass back up as he just scoffs and shakes his head a little, “Yeah, they’re missing class.”

Naobito snorts, nodding a bit as Megumi exhales in relief, “I suppose I can have some more serious conversations with the heads of some of the more high profile families. You realize your time is going to quickly tick by?”

“Is it?” Megumi fakes surprise, and Naobito just nods again, squinting slightly.

“Yes. So I’d rather not waste it.”

Megumi sits still, trying to figure out how he can talk his way out of this, before Naobito just sighs, standing up from his desk before he moves around to Megumi. Keeping his eyes on the dark wood, his hand land firmly on his shoulder, “Megumi.”

He tries to keep his breathing even as Naobito’s hand stays, “Yes, sir?”

“Being head of the family is a man’s job. Something that requires guts, self restraint, and hard work. Tradition is very important. And that includes,” His grip tightens, “Getting married to a respectable woman.” 

“However,” Megumi’s breathing stills, and he takes a moment before he looks up at Naobito’s stern face, “That also means you must respect your elders. I have run this family for a long time, and there is much that you can learn from me. And I intend for you to learn it all. I intend for you to follow in my footsteps.” 

Megumi keeps his eyes steady as his heart pounds so loud he’s nervous Naobito might hear it. His eyes remain firm and cold, the underlying message of his words taunting him, solidifying themselves into barbed wire in his gut.

“Yes, sir,” Megumi replies carefully, his heart hardening in his chest, “I understand.”

Naobito nods once, his eyes still unfeeling before they glance at his full glass of whiskey, “Drink up, kid.”

Megumi swallows again, looking down at the glass before he slowly takes it, looking back up as Naobito nods at him, and he tilts his head back as he sips it, taking large gulps until he drains the glass. Naobito keeps his eyes on him as he slowly releases his shoulder, slinking back to his desk.

“Good boy. Now, let’s talk about those pesky Americans.”

“Mr. Fushiguro, the legal team needs your signature on this to start the development for the new Thailand resort.”

“Not right now.”

“Sir, all we need is just your signature and then—”

“I said,” Megumi stops and glares back at the poor intern trailing behind him, who shuffles back as he clutches the papers to his chest, “Not right now.” 

“Yes, sir.” The intern gulps and nods quickly, scurrying off back to the rows of cubicles down the hall. 

Megumi just stands silently as he watches him run away, and he feels his temple start to throb, making him wince a bit. He sighs, bringing his hand up to rub his forehead as he makes his way back towards the bathroom outside his office. 

He locks the door behind him before he turns and almost startles at his own appearance in the mirror, before he just shakes his head and turns on the sink. Splashing himself in the face with cold water, Megumi tries to focus on anything other than his throbbing headache.

After he dries his face, Megumi looks up into the mirror, and sees his haggard reflection looking back. His skin was practically ashen grey, and the bags under his eyes just seemed to grow with each morning he looked at himself while dull green eyes stared back.

He stares at the miserable looking, pathetic excuse for a man staring back, and suddenly, he feels immensely and overwhelmingly angry. 

Who the fuck did he think he was? He’d been moping for months since he last saw Yuuji at his house, and the fragile stability he’d created and clung to once he left the countryside in the summer had completely fallen apart. 

He was unable to even look at things that reminded him of Yuuji, he was getting black out drunk almost every night just to shut his brain up, and he was barely functioning at work, just nodding and signing and letting people do things for him while he was the face, the heir, the lucky one.

The fuck was he even doing? He was supposed to be one of the most powerful people in the world now. He could easily call multiple presidents, influence global economics, sway international organizations' agendas, and had all the ASEAN countries in his back pocket, but he couldn’t even pick up a packet of honey without his throat closing up. 

He had so much power that he’d never wanted. He’d pushed it away, shoving off the responsibility of overseeing a corporation and family that had the ability to define industries, rework governments to benefit them and have diplomatic power across the globe. 

He’d hated them his whole life, hated the idea that a single family could underhandedly influence the world in such horrible ways, push their needs and agendas onto unwilling, vulnerable people. 

He was one of those people once upon a time, until he turned into the very thing he’d hated. Not even being an active participant, but he was a bystander, letting the people around him make decisions he couldn’t care less about, which he knew was almost worse. 

He’d had dreams once, when he was a kid. About what he could make of this place, this family, what he could do with the connections and money. As a kid, he’d dreamed idealistic, childlike dreams about solving world hunger, making sure everyone had food, water, and medicine, and that animals didn’t lose their homes. As he grew up, and reality set in, those dreams faded, ending with nothing but the embers of hope as he signed a contract on his eighteenth birthday.

He was heir, yet he didn’t even know the legacy that he would leave, or even wanted to leave. All he knew was that he couldn’t keep doing this, couldn’t keep lying to himself that this was enough. 

This family and this company was fucked. It had fucked him up for so long, ruined so many things, and Megumi knew he wanted nothing to do with it the way it was now. 

His head snaps up and he looks into the mirror as his eyes widen, a singular face forming in his mind.

The way it is now. 

He quickly moves to push off the counter as his mind races, the gears in his head spinning faster than they had in his whole life. He shoves through his office door, ignoring the greetings over his coworkers as he tries not to sprint his way towards the large office at the end of the hall.

The secretary sitting at the desk in front looks up and smiles at him, but she falters a little when she sees how quickly he’s walking. 

“Oh, Mr. Fushiguro, do you need–”

“I’m going in. Don’t stop me.” He snaps a little, moving past her as he pushes the door open.

Gojo raises his hand to wave him away with his phone pressed to his ear, but then he looks up, takes one look at Megumi’s face before his eyes widen, and he leans over his desk as he goes to hang up, “I’m gonna have to call you back.”

“Gojo.” Megumi breathes out, adrenaline surging through him so quickly he could feel his fingertips tremble.

“Megumi.”

“I need your help.”

“Oh?” Gojo grins, as he drops his feet and sits up, leaning his forearms on the desk, “Come to your dear old Gojo for help?”

“How strong are your contacts in Tokyo? Government and business wise? And international?” Megumi ignores him, trying to ignore how hard his heart was pounding, excitement tearing through his veins.

“Strong.”

“Stronger than the Zenins?” He asks quickly, and Gojo pauses, tilting his head back and forth warily.

“Unfortunately, probably about the same. They’ve got too many hands in too many industries, so their reach is a bit farther than mine.”

“But if we had those connections together?” Megumi pushes, leaning his palms on Gojo’s desk, “The Zenin and Gojo names together?”

Gojo’s lips twitch with another smile as he leans back in his chair, “Those would be influential, that is for sure, but it would take a little while. Those relationships the Zenin’s have built have lasted decades, so it would take some convincing to sway them from the older family members.”

“But it’s possible?”

“Yes, it’s possible. Anything’s possible if you put your big brain to it.”

“Can I do it in less than five years?”

“Do what, Megumi?” Gojo asks innocently, cocking his head to the side as Megumi huffs a little bit, trying not to throw something at him.

“You know what.”

Gojo stares at him for a moment, eyes looking him up and down for a moment before he smiles, and nods, “Yes, I daresay you can. But we need to get started, kiddo.”

“Okay. Let’s go.”

“Wait, Megs,” Gojo sits up, bringing his legs down as he looks at him seriously, “Are we doing this the dirty way? Or the moral Megumi way?”

Megumi sighs a little as he looks out the window, overlooking the expansive skyline of Tokyo, and he nods to himself. 

“No way but dirty in this damn family, Gojo.” Megumi replies as he looks back, smile tugging at his lips, and Gojo grins and slaps his palms on his desk as he jumps up.

“Then we’ve gotta make some calls!”

Megumi can’t help but smile back as he looks out the window again, his eyes straining past the buildings and skyscrapers and tourist attractions to even catch a glimpse of that peace that lay beyond the city.

“Hey! Fushi!”

He looks up from scratching behind Shiro and Kuro’s ears to see Yuuji jogging over, and he casually plops down on the bench next to him. It was just a few weeks before Megumi and the girls were supposed to leave, and as the deadline approached, Megumi found himself trying to spend as much time outside as possible, breathing in the clean, fresh air while also keeping his head on a swivel for a certain pink haired boy that tended to invite himself over.

“Hey.” He replies, gulping a little as Yuuji’s knee brushes against his as he bounces his leg, sighing as he looks out to the trees.

“Hey, guys,” Yuuji smiles widely as he reaches down and scratches the dogs, Kuro immediately folding as he flops onto his back, and Yuuji moves to scratch his stomach, “Man, it’s beautiful out, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, not bad.” Megumi replies, keeping his eyes firmly on the dogs.

“You wanna ride through the woods today?” Yuuji asks, finally looking back up at Megumi with bright eyes. 

“I can’t, I got stuff to do,” Megumi replies, glancing over as he sees Yuuji’s face fall a little, and he quickly adds, “But you can take her out if you want. Or Poppy.”

“No, that’s okay, it’s more fun with you, anyway,” Yuuji replies, his voice dropping, and Megumi desperately tries to ignore it and how quickly his words made his heart race, “Family stuff?”

“No, I just have some work stuff to deal with.”

“Oh, that sucks,” Yuuji frowns a little, before he tilts his head curiously, “Stuff like what?”

“You don’t wanna hear about it. It’s boring.” Megumi says quickly, shaking his head a little as he looks down at the dogs.

“Yeah, I do wanna hear about it. Seems like something’s bothering you,” Yuuji shifts a little on the bench, leaning to try and catch his eye, “You don’t gotta tell me details.”

Megumi looks over to find him just staring, eyes genuine and sincere, twinged with just the faintest bit of concern, and his resolve crumbles at the sight.

“We…” He starts hesitantly, but Yuuji just gently nods for him to continue, “We have an upcoming project, building a luxury apartment complex, but it’s right by a poorer neighborhood, and based on the numbers, we’re probably going to drive out all the people who’ve lived there for years.”

“Oh, shit,” Yuuji frowns, and Megumi wants it to go away immediately, “That really sucks. Can’t you change the location?”

“Yeah, hypothetically, but it’s… easier and cheaper, so Naobito and the rest don’t want to change the plans. They’ve been set for a while,” Megumi replies, his mouth tasting bitter as he looks down, feeling a little ashamed telling Yuuji about this, “I just… really don’t want to have to do it, any of it, but I don’t know how to fix it.” 

“I’m sure you’ll figure something out, Fushi,” Yuuji shrugs with a smile, and Megumi looks up quickly, “You’re real smart, so you’ll find a way to help them somehow. Even if it’s a little unconventional.”

“How can you say that with such certainty?”

“Because I like to think I know you. You can do it. You could probably do anything you set your mind to.” 

Megumi’s mouth twitches as he pops up on his toes a little, just to get a better glimpse of that elusive greenery and honey brown he wanted to race back to.

“You know, you’ve always reminded me of him a bit.”

Megumi blinks back into focus and turns to see Gojo smiling at him, a little nostalgia in his eyes, “Who?”

“Suguru.”

Megumi pauses, turning around fully to look at him, but even from behind his glasses, he could see the adoration he spoke with, “… How?”

“He was always the smart one, like you. Cool, calm, collected, until it came to something he was passionate about,” Gojo says, sighing a little bit as his eyes get far away, “Then there wasn’t a thing that could stop him. Even more stubborn than me.”

Megumi just stares at him for a little while, his heart picking up a little as everything starts to settle in.

Gojo has raised him, technically, but it was rare that they’d talked like this, like family. He felt guilty about how horribly he’d been treating him, but as usual, Gojo still dropped everything the second he asked for help.

“Yeah,” Megumi manages to get out, shaking his head a bit as he turns around towards the door again, “Like that’s possible.” 

Gojo just stares at him for a few moments more before his expression softens and he chuckles to himself, “I’m proud of you, kid.”

Megumi turns back to look at him again, and suddenly, all he can see is the scared shitless twenty year old giving him jelly beans and mochi for breakfast with a terrible wink as Reiko scolded him and replaced it with rice and soup.

He gives him a firm nod, pushing off the warmth in his chest as he begins to focus to visualize the next five years and visualize a future, better version of himself.

“You ready?”

“Let’s burn this shit to the ground.”

Chapter Text

(two years later)

“Thank you, sir, it was great meeting with you.”

“You too, kid. Keep me in the loop,” The mayor says, leaning back in his chair, “Your ideas have got me thinking.” 

“I’m glad, sir,” Megumi nods with a smile as he stands up, shaking hands across the desk, “I’ll keep you in the loop regarding our development plans and the changes I’ve accounted for.” 

“Excellent. I look forward to hearing from you,” He nods back as he leans back in his chair again, keeping his eyes on Megumi as he exits, before he huffs out an amused laugh and shakes his head a little, “Huh. Never would I have thought.”

“What else do I have on the agenda today?” Megumi asks as he exits down the hallway, nodding to the mayor’s secretary politely before he slows down a little, his assistant Jenny coming to walk up next to him.

“You’ve got an interview with Time Magazine at 12, then a meeting with the American ambassador at the embassy at 3, and the GQ Tokyo office wants you there at 5 for your photoshoot. They’ll have your clothing ready for you.” She answers, glancing down at her tablet, “Oh, and Naobito called. He wants to set up a meeting for the end of the week.”

“What’d you tell him?”

“That you had meetings with Gojo abroad, sir, it aligned well with your meeting at the UN in New York on Monday,” She replies simply, smiling slightly as he nods back with a small smile, “I’ve confirmed your meetings with the family members for Wednesday through Saturday. They’ve all agreed and the information packets have been sent over along with the NDAs.”

“Excellent work, Jenny.”

“Of course, sir, should I call for the car?” She asks, nodding towards the elevators.

“Yes,” He replies, but slips his hand back into his pocket to pull out his phone, “I just gotta make a call. I’ll meet you down there.”

“Yes, sir.” She nods firmly and quickly spins towards the elevator. 

He glances around before he slips into a hallway, and quickly opens his phone. The line rings for a moment or two, before he hears, “Hello?”

“Hey, Ishida, sorry I missed you. You find something?” Megumi asks as he keeps his eyes on the hall, holding his breath as he bounces his foot anxiously.

“Oh, I found something alright,” Ishida chuckles, “You’re gonna want to be at McCallister’s Pub in Shinjuku at 10 tonight.”

“McCallister’s?” Megumi asks, quickly turning his head as he lowers his voice, “Isn’t that the shitty knock off Irish pub?”

“Trust me, man.” 

“Alright,” Megumi sighs, rubbing his temples, “Don’t let me down.” 

“Don’t worry. Just don’t take your eyes off him.”

“Trust me,” Megumi brings his eyes up to stare at the wall ahead of him, “I won’t.”

Hours later, Megumi now sat at a barstool at the far end of the sticky wooden bar, eyes locked on the door as his black hoodie sat just above his eyes.

“Hey, dude, you sure you don’t want anything else?” The bartender asks, looking a little annoyed as he glances at his second water.  

“Club soda with two limes,” Megumi replies, reaching into his pocket to slide a few bills across the counter, “Thanks.”

The bartender takes the bills, counting as he nods and grins over at him, “Thanks, man. Stay as long as you’d like.”

Megumi nods, looking back to the door and sure enough, another hooded figure comes in, but he quickly sheds it, and annoying, dyed blonde hair comes into view as Naoya grins and loudly greets a few people at the far end of the bar, slapping their backs. 

The bartender returns with his club soda, glaring over at Naoya and his friends as he mutters, “Jackass.”

“Not a fan?” Megumi asks quietly, eyes unmoving from Naoya ahead of him. 

“Not in the slightest,” He scoffs, shaking his head, “He and his delinquent friends come in here every other Tuesday night, always coming in and out from the parking lot across the street. Loud and rude as all hell.”

Megumi stays silent, keeping his eyes locked on Naoya as he squeezes his limes, just watching him and sipping slowly until he makes a move. 

Finally, Naoya slips his phone out of his pocket, and then claps one of his friends on the back, tugging him off his barstool, and they make their way to the door.

“Thanks for the drinks,” Megumi says to the bartender, standing up with his eyes still on the door as he slides a few more bills and his card across the bartop, “Expect a call from me soon.”

“What?”

Megumi doesn’t reply, he just silently slips out from behind the barstools and walks towards the door, and heads in the direction of the parking lot where Naoya and his friend were going. 

Keeping his head down, he shifts his head under his hood just a bit, looking into the lot, and he sees Naoya’s hood facing him, his back towards the street. He’s talking animatedly to two, tall, slightly scary looking men in the back corner of the parking lot as his friend glances over his shoulder before sliding a brown paper bag into one of their hands. After a few moments, they laugh and shake hands before the other two men walk towards a black sportscar.

Megumi turns his eyes back to the sidewalk, walking at least four blocks in silence before he slips his phone out of his pocket.

“Mr. Fushiguro?”

“Hey, Ijichi, can you come pick me up? I’ll send you my location.”

“Of course, sir. Where to?”

“Tokyo Police Department.”

“So with that, we’ve gotta make sure we meet these numbers for the last quarter, alright?” Naobito snaps out, looking around the conference room, “Some of you are getting sloppy, now get your shit together.”

The room is silent except the slight rustle as the table nods their heads and Naobito grunts, waving them off with his hand. Megumi collects his things, trying to silently slip out with the rest of the group before he hears a sharp—

“Megumi.” 

He stops, closing his eyes for a moment as he inhales deeply before turning around, “Uncle.”

“Enjoy the meeting?”

“Sure, it was very enlightening. Always good to hear the numbers.” Megumi replies simply, readjusting his notes in his hands as he glances at his watch.

“Glad you think so,” Naobito responds a little harshly, before he looks him up and down, “Are you going back down to Gojo’s floor?”

“Yes, sir. I have some calls this afternoon.” Megumi replies simply, but Naobito’s face twitches, as it always does when Gojo comes up.

“How… convenient he was able to find an office space in our building those years ago.” Naobito says icily, his tone almost disbelieving, “Seems as if you’re never up here anymore.”

“Is there a problem with my work, sir?” Megumi asks innocently, adding a touch of confusion to his voice, “I just enjoy the corner office on the lower floor better.”

“No, no,” Naobito waves him off, but there’s another dangerous glint in his eye, “But that does remind me. I wanted to give you a copy of those girls I was telling you about. Time’s a ticking.” 

Megumi gulps as he looks down at the stack of papers in Naobito’s hands, and he adds, “Figured I’d give it to you in person since the others seem to keep getting stuck in your inbox. 

“Sure, I’ll take a look.” Megumi manages to get out, nodding a little as he takes the papers in his hands.

“Alright, kid,” Naobito claps him on the shoulder as he passes by, “Let’s get drinks this week.”

“Yes, sir.” Megumi replies as he stands there, letting the door close behind him before he exhales heavily, glancing down at the papers. Right at the top was a photo he recognized, and his breathing picks up as anger rises in his chest, and something like panic starts to flood his veins. He yanks his phone out of his pocket and dials Gojo’s number. 

“Megatron!”

“Meet me downstairs.” 

He can practically hear Gojo’s pout, “Alright, kiddo.” 

He storms into the hallway, not caring to hide his displeasure as he heads towards the elevator. He hits the close doors button before anyone else can get in, and then presses the button for the basement. 

He stiffens his jaw as he glances down at the sixteen year old girl in the photograph below him, and the paper crumples in his clenched fist as the elevator slowly approaches the bottom floor.

Finally, the doors open, and Megumi stalks through the industrial basement, moving through the unmarked boxes and randomly assorted surplus office supplies and equipment until he reaches a room in the back corner.

Punching in the code above the door handle, he pushes open the door into a makeshift gym, dimly lit by a few  exposed lights dangling overhead. Bright blue eyes greet him as he walks in, but the brightness dims a little as he sees Megumi’s expression, and he tosses the papers onto a chair as he takes off his jacket and loosens his tie. 

“You okay?” Gojo asks, fitting the mitts onto his hands, concern lining his voice as Megumi walks up and they make their way into their makeshift training ring.

“Fine,” He bites out, shaking out his arms as Gojo hands him the gloves and settles across from him, “Just need to let off steam.” 

“Alright,” Gojo claps the mitts together once before bending his knees and grins at him, “Hit me with it.”

Megumi pulls out his phone, scrolling through his boxing playlist before he settles on War Within a Breath.