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Being a sorcerer was kinda cool after all, Yuuji decided.
Well, the whole impending execution business wasn't the best part, but he supposed that it was better than dying a boring, normal death. Besides, he wasn't too worried about that anyway. As long as Gojo-sensei was around, everything would be fine. He was sure of it.
But back to the point: Being a sorcerer was pretty cool. He could finally live his dream, of saving people. Even though the people he was saving were mostly strangers, the thought still gave him a rush of joy. This was the kind of thing he had always wanted to do. And he wasn't going to let anything get in the way of that, not even the impending execution.
He would fight against it until the bitter end, even if he knew that he wouldn't win.
The other good part was the fact that he got to spend time with his friends, his newfound family. He liked his friends. They were cool. Especially his best friend.
Said best friend was currently sprawled on the ground, clutching his ankle and swearing violently.
"Shit, shit, shit, shit!"
Yuuji looked down at Megumi, concerned.
"You okay?" he asked, reaching out a hand to help him up.
"I think I sprained my ankle," Megumi replied, trying to put some weight on the injury. A look of pain flashed across his face, but he was quick to cover it up with a neutral expression.
"Are you okay?" Yuuji asked again, more seriously this time.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Megumi grimaced as he tried to take a step, nearly falling over again. "Can you just go and exorcise that thing so we can go home?"
Yuuji turned his gaze to the curse, which was hovering ominously nearby.
"Oh, right," he said, feeling slightly stupid. "Sorry."
He dashed forward and punched the curse in the face, knocking it back several feet. He followed this up with a series of kicks and punches, finishing the curse off in a matter of seconds.
"Done!" he said cheerfully, jogging back to where Megumi was sitting on the ground.
"Finally," Megumi muttered.
"Do you want me to carry you?" Yuuji asked.
"No."
"Please? I won't drop you."
"I'm fine."
"You don't look fine. Come on, Fushiguro, I'm not gonna bite. Just let me carry you."
"Absolutely not."
Yuuji frowned, not understanding why Megumi was being so stubborn. It was clear that he was in pain, and carrying him would make things a lot easier for both of them.
"Why not?"
"Because I can walk on my own, and it would be embarrassing."
"But-"
"If you really want to help, you can lend me your shoulder."
"Fine."
Yuuji bent down, and Megumi slung an arm around his neck, letting the other boy support most of his weight. Yuuji tried to ignore the warmth of Megumi's body pressed against his own, focusing on the task at hand instead.
"Ready?"
"Yes."
They began walking towards the entrance of the warehouse, Yuuji taking slow, careful steps to avoid jostling Megumi's injured ankle. The other boy's face was set in a grimace of pain, his forehead glistening with sweat.
"I'm sorry, Fushiguro," Yuuji said quietly, feeling guilty. "I should have been more careful."
"It's not your fault," Megumi replied, his voice tight. "The curse surprised me. I should have reacted faster."
"But-"
"Really, it's fine. I'll be fine. Text Ijichi-san and tell him to bring the car around."
"Okay."
They continued their slow walk in silence, the only sounds coming from the wind blowing through the trees outside and the faint rumble of traffic in the distance. Yuuji was acutely aware of the weight of Megumi's arm around his neck and the heat of the other boy's body next to his.
He thought about the way Megumi's skin felt against his own, the softness of his hair, the curve of his lips, the color of his eyes... Weird thoughts, Yuuji mused, and not helpful at all.
By the time they reached the car, Yuuji was thoroughly flustered. He helped Megumi into the passenger seat and then took his own place in the back, letting out a sigh of relief.
"How are you feeling, Fushiguro-kun?" Ijichi asked as he pulled away from the curb.
"Fine," Megumi replied curtly.
Ijichi looked doubtful but didn't say anything, turning his attention back to the road. Yuuji leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes and trying to will away the heat rising in his cheeks.
He was failing spectacularly.
After what seemed like an eternity, they arrived back at Jujutsu High. Yuuji hopped out of the car, offering to carry Megumi once again.
"I can walk," Megumi said stubbornly, trying to prove his point by taking a step. He immediately stumbled and would have fallen if Yuuji hadn't caught him.
"I'll take you to the infirmary," Yuuji said firmly.
"Fine," Megumi conceded, letting Yuuji scoop him up bridal style.
Yuuji tried to ignore the warm tingle in his arms and the way his heart was beating faster than usual, focusing instead on getting Megumi to the infirmary safely. He could feel the other boy's body trembling slightly against his own, the heat of his breath on his neck.
Yuuji was definitely not blushing.
When they arrived at the infirmary, Yuuji gently set Megumi down on one of the beds. He then went to get Shoko, who took one look at Megumi's ankle and sighed.
"Sprained, huh? Fushiguro, I thought you'd know the difference between a broken ankle and a sprained one by now."
Megumi shrugged, wincing slightly as he did so.
"I was hoping it wasn't that bad."
Yuuji stared at him incredulously. Megumi had a broken ankle and he still tried to walk on it? That was so... Well, he guessed it was kind of like Megumi, in a way. Stubborn to the point of stupidity.
Shoko shook her head, but fixed Megumi's ankle all the same.
"Try not to put too much weight on if, at least until tomorrow," she said as she wrapped a bandage around the other boy's ankle. "Well, normally I'd say a couple of days, but I know you wouldn't listen to me anyway."
Megumi nodded, giving her a small smile.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
With that, Shoko left, and Yuuji was alone with Megumi.
He stood there awkwardly for a moment, unsure of what to say or do. Finally, he decided to break the silence.
"So, uh... Do you want me to help you back to the dorms?"
"No."
Yuuji deflated a bit. He had hoped that Megumi would say yes, that he would accept his help, but it looked like the other boy was going to be difficult.
"Why not?"
"Because I'm capable of getting back to my room myself," Megumi replied. "It's not a big deal."
He was right. Shoko had fixed his ankle, and now he was good as new. But Yuuji couldn't help the pang of disappointment that came with Megumi's refusal.
"I guess," he said, trying not to sound too dejected. "Well, I'll see you later then, Fushiguro."
He turned to leave, but Megumi's voice stopped him.
"Itadori."
Yuuji paused, glancing back at the other boy.
"Yes?"
"I... Thanks. For helping me."
Megumi was blushing, Yuuji realized. Actually blushing, his cheeks flushed pink. It was probably from the pain or something, but still. It was kind of cute.
"You're welcome," Yuuji said, grinning.
He left the infirmary with a spring in his step, unable to keep the smile off his face. Maybe the day hadn't been a complete failure, after all.
***
Later that night, Yuuji couldn't sleep.
His mind kept replaying the scene from earlier, when he had carried Megumi to the infirmary. He thought about the feeling of the other boy's body against his, the smell of his hair, the softness of his skin.
Huh? Why was he thinking about that?
Maybe he was sick or something. Yeah, that had to be it. Maybe he had caught some sort of virus from the curse they had fought.
He would definitely have to ask Shoko about it tomorrow.
In the meantime, he would try to get some sleep.
He closed his eyes, focusing on his breathing and willing his body to relax. Eventually, he managed to drift off, his mind finally at ease.
However, the next day brought a new set of problems. Namely, the fact that he couldn't seem to stop thinking about Megumi.
It started innocently enough, with him remembering how the other boy had blushed when he had thanked him. But then it quickly escalated, his mind conjuring up images of Megumi's bare chest, the curve of his hips, the feeling of his lips against his own.
What the hell was wrong with him?
He didn't even eat breakfast, instead going straight to the infirmary.
However, just when he was about to enter, he bumped into Kugisaki. Literally.
"Ouch! Watch where you're going, idiot!"
Yuuji blinked, staring at her.
"Sorry, Kugisaki. I'm kind of distracted."
"I can see that," she said, rolling her eyes. "So, what are you doing here?"
"I was going to talk to Ieiri-san."
"Why? Are you sick or something?"
"Kind of."
"Huh. I'm heading that way, actually. I can go with you."
"Okay."
The two of them entered the infirmary, and Yuuji went over to where Shoko was sitting at her desk, reading a book.
"Hello, Itadori," she said, looking up from her book. "What can I do for you?"
"I, uh..." Yuuji trailed off, suddenly embarrassed. "I think I might be sick."
"Really? What are your symptoms?"
"I can't stop thinking about Fushiguro," Yuuji admitted.
Nobara choked on her own spit.
"Excuse me?!"
"That's... Interesting," Shoko said, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Could you be more specific, Itadori?"
"Well, it's not really anything specific," Yuuji said, shifting uncomfortably. "I just keep thinking about him. And not just, like, normal thoughts. More like... You know, stuff that friends wouldn't think about each other."
Nobara looked like she was about to have a stroke.
"You mean you've been fantasizing about Fushiguro?!"
"Kind of," Yuuji said weakly.
Shoko chuckled, shaking her head.
"And what makes you think you're sick, Itadori?"
"Well, I don't know. This doesn't seem normal, right? I've never felt like this before. I probably got cursed or something."
"Oh, I can almost hear Gojo saying something about curses and love," Shoko mused. "Well, I hate to break it to you, but there's nothing wrong with you, Itadori. In fact, I'd say you're perfectly healthy."
"Huh?"
Nobara was starting to look like she might explode.
"It's perfectly natural to have those kinds of thoughts about someone you care about, you know," Shoko continued, a smile playing at her lips. "Especially when you spend a lot of time together."
"But... Wait, are you saying that I like Fushiguro?"
"Yes."
"Oh."
There was a beat of silence. Then, Nobara burst into laughter, clutching her sides.
"You- you like- oh god, this is too good!" she gasped, wiping tears from her eyes.
"What's so funny?" Yuuji asked, confused.
"Itadori, you absolute moron, you came to see a doctor because you have a crush on Fushiguro," Nobara wheezed.
"I do?"
"Yes," Shoko said, nodding.
"Huh."
"This is amazing," Nobara said, shaking her head. "You know, Itadori, for someone who's usually so loud and cheerful, you're pretty dumb sometimes."
"Hey!"
"She's right, you know," Shoko agreed. "God, I never thought I'd see the day when I had to explain something like this to a teenager. Anyway, the point is, there's nothing wrong with you. You're just... In love, I guess."
"I'm in love?"
"Yes, Itadori. Congratulations."
"Huh."
Nobara was laughing again, clutching her sides.
"Oh, man. This is the best thing I've ever seen," she said.
"So... What should I do?" Yuuji asked.
"Do? What do you mean?" Shoko asked.
"I mean, about Fushiguro. What should I do?"
Shoko sighed, running a hand through her hair.
"Look, Itadori, if you have a broken bone, I can fix it. But I'm really not qualified to give advice on this kind of thing. Especially not to someone like you. You're basically a kid, in terms of relationship experience."
"Well, yeah, but..."
"Just go talk to him, or something," Shoko said, waving a hand dismissively. "I'm sure you'll figure it out."
Yuuji stared at her, his mind racing. He was in love with Megumi. Holy shit.
"Okay. Thanks, Ieiri-san. And, uh, sorry for bothering you."
"No problem. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have work to do."
"Right. Sorry."
Yuuji turned and walked out of the infirmary, Nobara trailing after him. He had no idea what he was supposed to do now.
"You're such an idiot, Itadori," Nobara said, still laughing.
"Shut up."
"Seriously, you came to a doctor because you were fantasizing about Fushiguro? That's so dumb. You're so dumb."
"Yeah, well, I didn't know, okay? He's a guy. I'm a guy. How was I supposed to know?"
"It's called being gay, idiot. Or bi, or whatever."
"Okay, fine, but still."
"I can't believe this," Nobara said, shaking her head. "This is the greatest thing that's ever happened. You're literally so stupid."
Yuuji groaned, running a hand through his hair. This was not how he had expected his day to go.
"Whatever. I'm gonna go... I dunno, talk to Fushiguro, I guess. So, yeah. See you later, Kugisaki."
"Good luck," she said, smirking.
Yuuji gave her a dirty look and stalked off, heading towards the dorms. His mind was reeling, and he still had no idea what he was going to say to Megumi.
By the time he reached the other boy's room, he was a nervous wreck.
He hesitated for a moment before knocking on the door. There was a pause, and then Megumi's voice called out from inside.
"Come in."
Yuuji opened the door and stepped inside, closing it behind him. Megumi was sitting on his bed, a book in his hands.
"Itadori? What are you doing here?"
"Uh... I wanted to talk to you."
"About what?"
"Um... Well, you know how we had that mission yesterday?"
"Yes."
"Right. So, I was thinking about what happened, and, uh..." Yuuji trailed off, not quite sure how to continue.
Megumi raised an eyebrow, waiting patiently.
"Well, you know, I was thinking, and, um... You were really cool. You know, during the fight. I mean, you always are, but... Anyway, yeah, so, that's why I wanted to talk to you."
Yuuji had the sudden, wild urge to slap himself.
"So, you're saying that I was cool?" Megumi asked, looking amused.
"Yeah, totally," Yuuji said. "You're always cool. That's, like, a fact."
"That's... nice of you to say," Megumi said, a small smile playing at his lips.
Yuuji's heart skipped a beat.
"So, uh, anyway," he said, trying to gather his thoughts. "There's something else, too."
"What is it?"
"Uh, well..."
Yuuji took a deep breath, steeling himself. This was it. This was his chance.
"I think I'm in love with you."
Oh, fuck.
Megumi's eyes widened, and he stared at Yuuji in shock.
Abort mission, abort mission, Yuuji thought frantically.
"What?" Megumi asked.
"Uh," Yuuji panicked, trying to figure out how to explain this. "Um, you see, the thing is, I-I have a, um, condition."
"You have a condition," the black-haired boy parroted.
"Yes," Yuuji nodded vigorously. "A, um, a brain thing."
"A brain thing," Megumi repeated.
The boy didn't look convinced, and Yuuji didn't blame him. He was a terrible liar.
"So, I, uh, sometimes, my, brain, uh, gets confused, and, it says stuff, that, uh, isn't true," the pink-haired boy rambled, trying desperately to save the situation.
"I-Is that so?" Megumi murmured, his face unreadable.
"Yeah," Yuuji mumbled. "Um, it's, it's called, uh, I, forgot what it was called."
"Uh-huh."
Yuuji was digging himself into a deeper and deeper hole, and there was nothing he could do to stop it.
"Anyway," he cleared his throat. "It's, um, a medical condition. And, my brain, it, it gets, um, confused, and, says stuff, like, um, like, that, I'm in love with you."
God, could this get any worse?
"I-I'm not, though!" he exclaimed. "I'm, I'm not, in love, with you."
He was so dead.
Megumi didn't say anything.
"You don't have to worry, Fushiguro," Yuuji tried to reassure him. "I won't, um, do anything. I'll, I'll get checked out, and, see, a doctor, and, get this sorted out, so, you don't have to, um, feel weird, or, uncomfortable, around me, and, and, everything will be fine, okay?"
Still, Megumi was silent.
Yuuji's heart was hammering in his chest.
"Okay?" he repeated, his voice pleading.
Megumi finally spoke.
"Are you done?" the boy asked, frowning.
Yuuji gulped.
"Y-Yeah," he stuttered.
Megumi studied him carefully.
"So, let me get this straight," he said. "You have a, medical condition, and your brain thinks you're in love with me?"
"Uh, yes," Yuuji squeaked.
"And, you're not really in love with me?"
"Right."
"And, you're going to see a doctor about it?"
"Exactly."
Megumi raised an eyebrow.
"And, you're not just making all of this up, because you're embarrassed that you accidentally confessed to me?"
"Wha- no! Of course not!"
"Okay, then."
Megumi set his book aside and stood up, crossing the room until he was standing in front of Yuuji.
"I have a few things to say," he stated, his eyes narrowed.
"O-Okay," Yuuji stammered.
"First of all, your lie is shit."
Yuuji blinked, taken aback.
"Huh?"
"Your lie. It's terrible. Like, the worst lie I've ever heard."
"But-"
"Second of all, you're an idiot."
Ugh. He was the third person to call him that today. Well, at least he was consistent.
"And, finally, if you're going to confess to me, do it properly, moron."
"Wait, wha-"
Yuuji didn't have a chance to finish his sentence.
Before he knew what was happening, Megumi's lips were on his. The kiss was gentle and hesitant, as if Megumi was unsure of what he was doing. Yuuji froze, his mind going blank.
After what felt like an eternity, Megumi pulled away, a light blush dusting his cheeks.
"Well?" he asked, his expression neutral.
Yuuji's mind was still spinning.
"I- You- We- What?"
Megumi sighed, shaking his head.
"You're hopeless," he muttered, but Yuuji could see the amusement in his eyes.
"Hold on," Yuuji said, holding up a hand. "You- You kissed me."
"That's a very astute observation, Itadori."
"But- You- Why?"
"Because I like you, dumbass."
"You do?!"
"Yes."
"Really?!"
"Yes, Itadori. Really."
Yuuji couldn't believe his ears.
"Since when?!"
"I don't know, probably since the beginning. Maybe even before that."
"And, you, you don't mind, that I, you know, have this, condition?"
"Not particularly. Because it's not a condition."
"Well, it might be-"
"Shut up, Itadori. And, also, stop talking about it. I'm trying to kiss you again."
And, with that, Megumi's lips were on his once more, and Yuuji could feel himself melting into the kiss. Now he was prepared, and he responded enthusiastically, wrapping his arms around Megumi's waist and pulling him closer.
They stayed like that for a while, kissing lazily, until Yuuji's lips began to hurt.
"Wow," he murmured as they parted, slightly dazed.
Megumi rolled his eyes, but he was smiling.
"You're such a dork."
"Hey!"
"But, you're my dork."
"Your dork, huh?"
"Mhm."
Yuuji grinned, feeling happier than he'd felt in a long time.
"Well, I like the sound of that."
"Yeah. Me too."
They fell into a comfortable silence, and Yuuji buried his face in Megumi's neck, inhaling the other boy's scent. He still couldn't believe this was happening.
"Hey, so I guess this is a bad time to confess that I actually went to Ieiri-san, asking for help, because I thought I was sick," Yuuji suddenly blurted.
"Seriously, Itadori?"
"Yeah, so, turns out, I'm not sick. I'm just, you know, in love."
Megumi let out a snort of laughter.
"You're ridiculous."
"Maybe," Yuuji admitted. "But, hey, you like me anyway."
"Yeah, I guess I do."
And, with that, Megumi leaned in and kissed him again, and Yuuji knew that everything was going to be okay.
As it turned out, Shoko had been right. They did figure it out. Eventually.