Work Text:
2 days after the end of the Shibuya Incident
His eyes slowly open to reveal a blurry image of an all-too familiar concrete ceiling. A throbbing pain in his head and side expedite his awakening and ground him back to reality. He tries to raise his head and body, but fails nonetheless, every single movement too difficult to execute. His vision is still blurry, but he can tell he is in his bedroom. It's still late at night, the silver moonlight seeping through the semi-closed window.
Fushiguro Megumi has been sleeping for 2 days now, but he isn't aware of it yet. It almost feels like nothing has changed. That this is a normal night after a hard training. But his severe injuries and the uneasiness creeping inside his stomach indicate otherwise.
He attempts to remember what occured in the near past, but nothing comes to mind. Literal darkness has consumed his thoughts. He can't recall any specific incident that took place before... before what? His incompetence causes him to panic, sweat dripping down his forehead. His mouth feels dry, and the blanket neatly covering him is burning his body, like he's on fire. He can't move it though, nor can he speak, only gasp silently. He moves his head slowly to the left, careful not to induce any more pain than necessary. His eye catches a pair of black circular sunglasses on his bedside table. Oh yeah, Gojou-sensei had forgotten them here before they... before they-
And that's when all the memories come flooding in.
He hears the news that Gojou Satoru has been sealed. He sees fighting alongside Yuuji. Carrying a badly injured Ino to Shouko. A mysterious man, whose raw physical power could rival even a special grade sorcerer, stabbing his head and then transforming to another unknown person. Standing in the brink of death. Summoning Mahoraga and then...
Pitch black.
The information input overwhelmed the boy, his body shaking uncontrollably and his thoughts all over the place. He wanted-needed- to know where everyone is, if they are alright, how he surviv-
His train of thoughts was stopped from an agonizing pain in his head. Heaviness overcame him, making him drift into unconsciousness.
~
It was a sunny, slightly warm, autumn day. The school hours passed like every other, nothing worthy of peaking Megumi's interest.
Tsumiki didn't come home last night, but that isn't concerning at the least. She would often sleepover her friends' house and appear at school the following day anyway. But she didn't show up at school today. She neither made any calls, nor send any message.
Megumi didn't think much at the beginning. She had probably decided to play hookey for the day, doing girls stuff with friends (whatever that means). So he let it slide till
the school day was over.
As the day went on, anxiety and worry begun to cloud his vision and mind. The sound of the school bell signifies the end of the school hours. No sign of Tsumiki yet.
Megumi crosses the gates and pulls out his phone. The slight wind drives the surrounding cherry blossom petals to a frenzied dance.
Just as he is trying to unlock his phone, a familiar phone number appears on screen and he feels it vibrate in his hands.
Gojou-sensei
He had no idea this call would change his life as he knew it till then.
"What", exclaims Megumi nonchalantly.
The minute pause that followed took him aback. Gojou always replied with cheeky remarks while his annoyingly prideful behaviour was present in his voice. This means it must be something serious, or the childish man is playing with the poor kid again.
"Ijichi is on his way to pick you up."
The darkness and severity echoing through the phone made Megumi's skin crawl. Gojou was never that serious, save one time when sensei had "lost a good friend", as he himself confessed to Tsumiki and Megumi after persistent inquiry.
"You didn't tell me anything about a missi-"
"It's about Tsumiki. I'll meet you there."
"Wait, whe-"
And with that, the phone call abruptly ended. "I'll meet you there". Where? And what does
Tsumiki have to do with this?
He feels intense fear sparking inside him. The warm sun is suddenly scorching hot, its rays blinding too bright.
Ijichi arrived at last. Megumi enters the backseat of the car, setting his gaze on him.
"Where is Tsumiki?"
The man's eyes flickered at the question, not daring to look directly at the boy.
"Fushiguro-kun, I want you to stay calm."
Megumi's eyes narrowed, trying to read the situation beforehand. However, nothing could prepare him for what he was about to hear.
"Tsumiki... Tsumiki was cursed."
.
.
.
The way to the hospital is an absolute blank.
Megumi runs past the automatic doors of the hospital and up the stairs towards the room Ijichi mentioned. His face, pale as ever. His heart pumping at a dangerously fast rythm, risking to break the bones at his chest.
He opens the door, witnessing an unforgettable sight that scarred his conscience from that point on.
A dark-haired girl, lying on the bed. Her eyes shut, her body rigid like ice. A black mark on her forehead, destroying the otherwise serene figure of a sleeping beauty.
The boy froze in place. He can't move any part of his body. He can't speak, can't hear. It's as if his whole system shut down.
Only when he manages to take a step forward does he notice a white haired man sitting next to the bed, his head lolled down and his hands clutched between his his tall legs.
He turns to look at Megumi, ice blue eyes peircing his soul with unprecedented sorrow and grief.
The boy feels a part of himself shatter.
Tsumiki was supposed to be fine. That's what the powerful sorcerer in front of him had promised.
If we go there, will Tsumiki be happy?
He can't tell how long he has been standing there, his hands starting to tremble, his stare fixated on the sleeping figure.
His instinct tells him to run. Get as far away as possible from this nightmare. And that's what he did.
Run, he is telling to himself.
A mark decorates the forehead
Keep running.
Black eyelashes and rosy lips
Don't stop.
Unmoving hands tucked on top of the stomach
Get away from here.
Eyes devoid of emotion, staring
Wake up!
He reaches a playground. Thankfully, no one is there. He sits on a swing, his hands resting loosely on his knees, his body slumped downward. He turns his head right, looking at the swing on his side.
Tsumiki's laughter echoes in his mind. She swings back and forth fervously, a wide grin formed by her mouth, her eyes filled with happiness. Gojou-sensei pushes her from behind with one hand. He winks at Megumi through his sunglasses, handing him a cheeky smile.
But now the seat is empty. The only audible sounds are the leaves rustling at the rythm of the wind, and the slow beating of his heart.
And that's when the tears form.
He can't restrain the salty liquid welling up in his eyes. It's pouring and pouring, its force unstoppable. His soul aches with each silent whimper. He tries to hold this unbeatable force in, to "keep calm".
That's when he feels a pair of big and firm but yet delicate hands gripping his shoulders gently.
Megumi doesn't turn to look who it is. It's obvious already, the power of the man radiating just by his mere presence. He is just surprised with himself how he didn't notice him before.
Gojou doesn't say anything, doesnt make any sudden move. He's just standing there, maintaining the stabilising grip on Megumi's shoulders.
Why was he here? Didn't he only care about honing the skills of Megumi, in exchange for Tsumiki's happiness? He must be furious that the person keeping the boy from running away from everything is now definitely not in a "happy" state. The two siblings where just objects after all- if Gojou hadn't took them, then the Zenin clan would have instead.
The man however didn't seem to be angry or bitter. In fact, his captivating aura was filled with sorrow and guilt. Megumi wasn't expecting that at all. Maybe he should have though. From the time Gojou-sensei had taken them under his guard, he only showed signs of love and care - despite the childish demeanor that hit on Megumi's nerves all too often. He never acted as the God-sent benefactor, someone the kids should be thankful of. He was something like a friend, a father figure the kids lacked.
And now, him standing there, comforting Megumi in his own way, was enough. Maybe it was even everything the boy needed. No words spoken, no unnecessary remarks. Just someone to be there, to balance out the pain.
Therefore, Megumi let himself act freely. He burst out crying fervously, not holding anything back. Audible sobs replaced the previous silent whimpers. He didn't try to stop the uncontrollable shake of is body. And it felt so good, so liberating.
They both just stood there, sharing each other's weight, not uttering a single word. The adult providing support, the child externalising his feelings. He actually felt thankful for Gojou-sensei. He never would have thought he would need him this much.
And honestly, that was enough.
~
"-shiguro! Hey Fushiguro! Wake up!"
Megumi reluctantly opens his eyes to witness the blurry sight of a pink-haired boy shaking him by the shoulders.
"Ita...dori?"