WHO: Yuji Itadori & various ( closed and open prompts ) WHAT: Yuji has Canon Updated. It isn't going well. WHERE: Across the base WHEN: March 21 onwards WARNINGS: Jujutsu Kaisen spoilers up to chapter 248.
[ That does confirm his suspicions. Megumi can feel that sinking in his stomach now, his anxiety brewing as he learns about the awful things in store for them. It never gets better, does it? Things are started to sound even worse than the turn out of Shibuya. ]
Come sit here. [ Megumi takes his place on the bed and invites the other boy to sit beside him. He doesn't really know how else to respond in this situation. ]
[ Nodding, Yuji follows the instruction - because of course he does; time might have changed him a little, might be burdening him with more grief, but he still listens to Fushiguro with his entire heart - to Megumi. He sinks down onto the soft bed, closing his eyes and blinking back his tears.
It's all too much, but at least Megumi is safe here. No Sukuna, no vessel, nothing dangerous. ]
[ Megumi knows there's no point pushing it. The other boy's distraught emotional state since coming back from home is definitely making Megumi anxious as well about the future, but he knows he has his reasons to not tell him either. He probably doesn't want Megumi to feel this way he's feeling, even if Megumi is fairly confident he can weather a lot of tragedy and sadness. Yuji is very stubborn about protecting Megumi from stress and worry so he knows that even if he probes deeper, he isn't going to get any answers.
All he can do now is try to make things easier for the other boy, because it pains him to see him so tearful. Megumi does know that the other boy finds comfort in closeness. He can offer that, at least. Tentatively, he opens his arms, inviting Yuji to hold him if he thinks that will make him feel better. ]
[ If there's one thing that he can trust in Megumi, it's the knowledge that he can give as much as he's able and his friend will take it and understand it. He doesn't have to do more than that, doesn't have to force himself, so that when he's ready he can push through and find the strength to admit to more of the heartache inside of him.
He doesn't want to burden his friend - and cannot crush him with the truth - so he gives what he can and takes what he's allowed, slowly moving closer and sinking into Megumi's embrace.
It reveals his messed up hands, but... That's fine for now. ]
[ Megumi definitely feels unsettled by the future now. After all, whatever is going to happen affects them both. Their fates are entwined like that and have been since the day they met. Still, there's nothing he can change, so this is really all that he can do.
His back tenses in surprise when he feels the other boy's hands on his body, nails sharper than he's ever seen them, the touch of him feeling calloused. That's definitely different. What in the world is going on? He has questions about that, but maybe he'll save them for once the other boy has calmed down.
Being held by the other boy definitely feels good. He's come to a point he's recognised that how he feels about him isn't normal, even if he doesn't think telling him will do Yuji any good. It brings Megumi some guilt, actually, that his friend is so distraught and yet he has the nerve to find their closeness pleasant and warm.
He gives the other boy a squeeze, patting his head gently. ] You should stay here for the night.
[ 'Start by saving me', Megumi had said, and Yuji took that seriously. All the fighting he was doing, all the struggling, was for the sole purpose of ensuring that Megumi was able to be freed and live his life in whatever way he chose to. It doesn't matter if his life is the cost for that freedom: he's happy to share that. He can shoulder that burden, can't he?
Megumi doesn't have to know that.
The touch to his head is soothing, and he sighs gently, closing his eyes. It feels better, being here, knowing that Megumi is safe, that Yuji can fight here to ensure his safety for as long as he can, and the warmth settles inside of him before he nods. ]
I offered. [ It's odd that they would do so much for each other, that they would put their lives on the line to save each other, and Yuji still needs permission for this one thing. Does Megumi come off so cold and unkind that he would deny his best friend support when they need it? ]
We're ... best friends. [ He's still getting used to that. Settling into the idea that he has friends, people who are attached to him. That someone likes him enough to call him their best friend. ] You can come to me for anything.
[ Even if he does feel like his actions hurt the other boy more than help at times. ]
[ It's not as though Yuji doesn't want it, or he thinks that Megumi minds, or anything like that - it's a strange disconnect, a discomfort, because he doesn't want to burden or cause problems. He doesn't want to have some kind of nightmare and having Megumi paying the price for it.
He also doesn't want to leave.
Nodding his head, he squeezes Megumi gently, shoulders slumping a little. ]
[ It's a step forward that the other boy is accepting his support, at least. He could very much decide he would rather carry the whole burden alone tonight and lie in the sheets feeling miserable. He still is carrying that whole burden alone with how he's refusing to tell Megumi a thing, but Megumi knows he has his reasons for being the way he is. That's why he never pushes the other boy too far, even if his anxiety and need to make sure his friend is okay might lead to him making some selfish decisions.
There's a shift as he pulls away, but it only lasts for a second. It's so he can settle under the sheets and give the other boy's arm a tug, opening his arms to invite him in. Initiating all this is so foreign to him, as someone who tries to keep a distance between himself and others, but he's getting used to it. Best friends should be able to do something like this. ] If you want, we can do this too ...
[ It is tempting to go back to his own room and curl up there, but even if he does Yuji won't be alone: Choso will be there. It's probably bad, that a small part of him wishes he could cradle this grief in his chest and mourn alone, but he stops himself from giving into the urge. He has to force himself to realise that it's okay to accept the kindness and warmth of his friends, even if it aches a little.
Slowly, he crawls after Megumi, careful of his awkward hands and claws as he settles down, curling closer. It doesn't feel weird to him now, not just because it's Megumi, but because he's getting more comfortable with behind held. That's what happens when you have a leech of an older brother sharing your bed.
Closing his eyes, he breathes out. ]
Yeah... Thanks, Megumi. [ Leaning in, he presses his forehead against his friend's shoulder. ] I'll just text Choso to tell him where I am.
[ Choso's arrival has definitely been a big support, and selfishly, he's grateful for that. He shouldn't wish for Choso to be placed here by LILITH against his will, but for the other boy's sake, he's going to. From what he knows of the half-curse, this is exactly where they want to be, anyway.
There's a slight arch of the back as he feels those claws dig lightly into his back, still a little startled by the feeling. How did this even happen? Did Yuji become a curse as well? He just has so many questions and he doesn't think they will get answered. Still, it doesn't feel weird or off putting. Rather, it's warm, and he finds he likes being depended on like this. ] Yeah.
[ After a few minutes, he sighs into their embrace and starts smoothing out the other boy's pink hairs. On a whim, he leans down, pressing his lips against the other boy's forehead, almost like a stamp of his affection. He then holds him tighter, giving himself permission to express himself just this once - how genuine his care and affection is. How much he has, and it's all pouring out. ]
I don't know what I'm doing back home, but ... I hope we're together.
[ Yuji cannot express how relieved he is to have so many people here that he cares about, so many people that he's not able to watch over and protect as much as he can. Megumi, Kugisaki, Nanamin, Gojo-sensei, Choso... They're all here, and he can do whatever it takes to keep them safe. They might not appreciate it, but that isn't their role. His role is to fight curses and to save Megumi, because he had made a promise. He had sworn it.
He isn't going to give up. There's no way he can give up.
Yuji can't help the way more tears prickle at his eyes with the soft, tender affection that Megumi gives him, the press of a kiss to his forehead, the warmth of his arms... He shakes a little, trying to keep himself together, but he can't. It's impossible. He had been so close to happiness and joy, had been so ready, but it was all ripped from him in the span of a few weeks. Nanami and Kugisaki, Gojo-sensei and Megumi... They're gone, gone, and he doesn't know what to do except fight with all the strength he has left.
He'd do anything to save this boy, and it breaks his heart. He's prepared for it: he's ready to sacrifice himself for Megumi's future, and that means that nothing else matters. He's died twice; why would the third time matter?
Unable to help himself, he curls around Megumi and sniffles, trying to fight his tears but not being able to, feeling them roll down his cheeks as he shivers in his arms. ]
... Yeah. We're always going to be together, Megumi.
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... No. Not right now. I... It's a lot, Megumi.
[ It's too painful for him, especially to this person, the person he is fighting so desperately to save. ]
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Come sit here. [ Megumi takes his place on the bed and invites the other boy to sit beside him. He doesn't really know how else to respond in this situation. ]
You're not going to tell me all of it, are you?
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It's all too much, but at least Megumi is safe here. No Sukuna, no vessel, nothing dangerous. ]
I can't... It hurts too much.
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All he can do now is try to make things easier for the other boy, because it pains him to see him so tearful. Megumi does know that the other boy finds comfort in closeness. He can offer that, at least. Tentatively, he opens his arms, inviting Yuji to hold him if he thinks that will make him feel better. ]
Come ... closer to me...
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He doesn't want to burden his friend - and cannot crush him with the truth - so he gives what he can and takes what he's allowed, slowly moving closer and sinking into Megumi's embrace.
It reveals his messed up hands, but... That's fine for now. ]
Thanks.
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His back tenses in surprise when he feels the other boy's hands on his body, nails sharper than he's ever seen them, the touch of him feeling calloused. That's definitely different. What in the world is going on? He has questions about that, but maybe he'll save them for once the other boy has calmed down.
Being held by the other boy definitely feels good. He's come to a point he's recognised that how he feels about him isn't normal, even if he doesn't think telling him will do Yuji any good. It brings Megumi some guilt, actually, that his friend is so distraught and yet he has the nerve to find their closeness pleasant and warm.
He gives the other boy a squeeze, patting his head gently. ] You should stay here for the night.
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Megumi doesn't have to know that.
The touch to his head is soothing, and he sighs gently, closing his eyes. It feels better, being here, knowing that Megumi is safe, that Yuji can fight here to ensure his safety for as long as he can, and the warmth settles inside of him before he nods. ]
Yeah. Is that okay?
[ As if Megumi wasn't the one offering. ]
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We're ... best friends. [ He's still getting used to that. Settling into the idea that he has friends, people who are attached to him. That someone likes him enough to call him their best friend. ] You can come to me for anything.
[ Even if he does feel like his actions hurt the other boy more than help at times. ]
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He also doesn't want to leave.
Nodding his head, he squeezes Megumi gently, shoulders slumping a little. ]
... Okay. Let's lie down.
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There's a shift as he pulls away, but it only lasts for a second. It's so he can settle under the sheets and give the other boy's arm a tug, opening his arms to invite him in. Initiating all this is so foreign to him, as someone who tries to keep a distance between himself and others, but he's getting used to it. Best friends should be able to do something like this. ] If you want, we can do this too ...
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Slowly, he crawls after Megumi, careful of his awkward hands and claws as he settles down, curling closer. It doesn't feel weird to him now, not just because it's Megumi, but because he's getting more comfortable with behind held. That's what happens when you have a leech of an older brother sharing your bed.
Closing his eyes, he breathes out. ]
Yeah... Thanks, Megumi. [ Leaning in, he presses his forehead against his friend's shoulder. ] I'll just text Choso to tell him where I am.
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There's a slight arch of the back as he feels those claws dig lightly into his back, still a little startled by the feeling. How did this even happen? Did Yuji become a curse as well? He just has so many questions and he doesn't think they will get answered. Still, it doesn't feel weird or off putting. Rather, it's warm, and he finds he likes being depended on like this. ] Yeah.
[ After a few minutes, he sighs into their embrace and starts smoothing out the other boy's pink hairs. On a whim, he leans down, pressing his lips against the other boy's forehead, almost like a stamp of his affection. He then holds him tighter, giving himself permission to express himself just this once - how genuine his care and affection is. How much he has, and it's all pouring out. ]
I don't know what I'm doing back home, but ... I hope we're together.
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He isn't going to give up. There's no way he can give up.
Yuji can't help the way more tears prickle at his eyes with the soft, tender affection that Megumi gives him, the press of a kiss to his forehead, the warmth of his arms... He shakes a little, trying to keep himself together, but he can't. It's impossible. He had been so close to happiness and joy, had been so ready, but it was all ripped from him in the span of a few weeks. Nanami and Kugisaki, Gojo-sensei and Megumi... They're gone, gone, and he doesn't know what to do except fight with all the strength he has left.
He'd do anything to save this boy, and it breaks his heart. He's prepared for it: he's ready to sacrifice himself for Megumi's future, and that means that nothing else matters. He's died twice; why would the third time matter?
Unable to help himself, he curls around Megumi and sniffles, trying to fight his tears but not being able to, feeling them roll down his cheeks as he shivers in his arms. ]
... Yeah. We're always going to be together, Megumi.
[ Yuji will beat the life out of Sukuna. ]