title from the song 좋아합니다 I like you by DAY6
(alt. title: megumi . exe has stopped working)
i started this back when chapter 137 dropped because i just want the kids to be kids plz gege-sensei let them REST ( ╥ω╥ )
enjoy!
A pounding on his bedroom door accompanied by Itadori's excited yelling pulls Megumi's attention away from his book. With a sigh he bookmarks his page before setting it aside so he can go answer the door. He just barely avoids an enthusiastic fist to the nose as Itadori goes to knock again.
"Whoops!" Itadori laughs, lowering his hand only to use it to grab Megumi's shoulder. His eyes glitter with poorly repressed anticipation, mirrored in the way he can't seem to stand still, bouncing on the balls of his feet like a puppy awaiting a treat. Megumi opens his mouth to ask what all the fuss is about when Itadori beats him to it, exclaiming, "It's snowing!"
Megumi raises his brows, turning his head to glance behind him at his bedroom window where he sees it is, indeed, snowing. Apparently it has been for quite a while if the few inches he can see built up on his windowsill are any indication. Still, considering their school is located in the mountains and it's the middle of winter, it's not exactly surprising. He turns back to Itadori with a somewhat confused, "Okay?"
"So, come on! Let's go play!" Megumi finally realizes that Itadori is dressed for the weather in a thick coat with gloves sticking haphazardly out of its pockets, a scarf hurriedly wrapped around his neck, and the most obnoxious red knit hat on his head. It has a puffball on top. Megumi doesn't know whether to laugh or face-palm at the sight of it. Itadori doesn't give him the chance for either, shaking him by the shoulder impatiently before turning him around to march him back into his room. He points at his closet like a stern mother. "Get dressed and meet me in the courtyard, okay?"
"What are we, five?" Megumi grumbles but one look at Itadori's sparkling eyes and hopeful grin is all it takes. With a put upon sigh that's mostly for show, Megumi waves Itadori away as he starts to rummage through his closet for some warmer clothes. Itadori whoops, pumping his fist in the air like a kid as he runs out of the room towards the courtyard. Shaking his head with a smile, Megumi gets to changing (and if he's a little faster about it than normal that's no one's business but his own).
The moment he steps out of the dorm he's greeted by a vast expanse of pristine, glittering white that's blinding even under the weak sunlight peeking through the clouds. It blankets everything in a soft coat that's sure to be destroyed by the end of the day, if Itadori and Kugisaki's distant yelling is any indication. He turns the corner, enjoying the soft crunching beneath his feet as he walks, to find his classmates pelting each other with snowballs as fast as their arms can throw them.
He stops immediately; it's one thing to enjoy the weather and amuse Itadori by idly indulging his playful side, but it's another to have an up-close-and-personal experience with the freezing snow. Slowly, Megumi starts to turn on the ball of his foot to sneak away before they notice him—he'll make it up to Itadori later, somehow—but it's already too late.
"Fushiguro!" Itadori's call may as well have been a war cry for all the competitive flare it sparks in Kugisaki's sharp gaze. Megumi's shoulders fall in defeat. He barely has time to blink before a snowball hits him square in the face, Kugisaki's maniacal laughter following it. Itadori snorts, though he at least has the decency to attempt to cover his snickering behind his gloved hands. With a huff, Megumi wipes away the offending slush so he can cast a glare at Kugisaki. She sticks her tongue out in response.
"Whatcha gonna do, cry about it?" she taunts, repeatedly tossing one of her snowballs up in the air and catching it with a smirk. The challenge is clear. Megumi narrows his eyes, decides screw it, and ducks low to gather as much snow in his hands as he can hold for his own ammunition. Kugisaki shrieks, immediately throwing her remaining snowballs at him as she begins to run, her aim less impressive this time around as they sail over Megumi's head. He takes off after her, careful not to lose the snow in his grasp as he goes.
Itadori laughs off to the side, throwing snowballs at the both of them without discrimination which only incites Kugisaki further. She changes course to head towards him, swooping low to grab snow along the way and toss it back over her shoulder towards Megumi when he starts to gain on her, but it's no use. He reaches out to snatch her by the hood of her jacket and stuffs snow as far as he can reach into the opening between it and her back, grinning triumphantly at her screeching.
"What, you gonna cry about it?" he teases, grinning wolfishly at her murderous glare before running towards Itadori while he has the chance. Kugisaki curses at his back, dancing around as she tries to shake the snow out of her clothes with little success. Itadori's bent at the waist cackling until he realizes that Megumi's now targeting him. His eyes widen comically, hands lifting up in the universal 'stay back' motion, before he gives up and sprints.
"Wait, wait! I didn't do anything!" he cries over his shoulder, zig-zagging across the courtyard like Megumi's rabbit shikigami. Luckily for Megumi, the snow hinders his speed just enough for him to catch up. He tackles him at the waist, sending them both tumbling into a snowbank with Itadori's laughter ringing in his ears.
"Jerk," Itadori snickers, though his tone is too fond for the insult to be genuine, retaliating by smashing a handful of snow into Megumi's face. Sputtering, he sweeps his arm in from the side so that a mini-avalanche cascades over Itadori's head. They wrestle each other, snow flying all around them as they roll across the ground trying to gain control. Megumi finally manages to get the upper hand, pinning Itadori down as they pant with exertion, creating small clouds in the air between them as they struggle to catch their breath. Itadori can't seem to stop giggling beneath him, lips stretched in a wide grin that shows his teeth and scrunches his eyes at the corners; his nose is cherry red with cold, snowflakes scattered across his pink cheeks like freckles. His obnoxious hat was lost during their roughhousing so his hair is covered in snow, stuck to his forehead and mussed at the crown. When he opens his eyes again to look at Megumi, his smile eases into something softer, something that catches him off guard.
He's so beautiful it steals the remaining breath from Megumi's lungs.
"Gross." An armful of snow is dropped on their heads from above in the next second, courtesy of Kugisaki. She wipes her hands together as if she's done a job well done before settling them on her hips and cocking a brow at them. "Get up lovebirds, I wanna build a snowman."
Itadori splutters beneath him while Megumi shoots a glare at Kugisaki as he stands. She smirks knowingly at him before turning on her heel to find the perfect spot to build. With a sigh, Megumi offers a hand to Itadori and pulls him to his feet so they can join her. He notices that Itadori's ears and cheeks are painted pink, probably from the snow he's still brushing out of his hair. It's cute.
They join Kugisaki who ends up directing them on how to form the snowman more than actually helping make it herself. The courtyard echoes with her orders, Itadori's whining, and Megumi's snide comments until the snowman finally stands complete sporting Itadori's scarf and Megumi's gloves on its stick arms. They stand back to stare proudly at their work for a moment, all bickering forgotten.
"Man, snow days are the best, right?" Itadori declares, taking a few steps away to flop backwards into the snow. He spreads his arms and legs out like a starfish before moving them in unison until he's created a snow angel. Megumi and Kugisaki watch him struggle to get up without ruining it until he whines at them for their help. Huffing, though her smile betrays her, Kugisaki reaches out to grab one of Itadori's hands while Megumi takes the other. They haul him to his feet so he can step carefully away from his creation. His smile is much too proud to be of something so inconsequential but no one mentions it.
"Too bad we don't have a sled," Megumi comments offhandedly, eyeing one of the perfectly sloped hills off to the side of the courtyard. One of the benefits of being in the mountains, he supposes. Itadori perks up at that, eyes wide as he surveys their surroundings like he hopes a sled will appear out of thin air for them to use. Then his gaze lands on one of the window shutters of the dorm that hangs precariously on its hinge, half hidden away from sight by some hedges. Megumi recognizes the light in his eye before he even opens his mouth.
"No," he says firmly, just as Itadori starts to speak. He reaches out to grab him by the hood of his jacket to keep him in place, just in case. Itadori casts big, imploring puppy eyes his way; he regrets bringing up the sled immediately. Still, it's not enough to convince him to release Itadori or to go along with his bad ideas.
"But Fushiguro, I think it could work!" He waves his hands around uselessly. "If we just find something to smooth out the bottom—"
"Like hell," Kugisaki interrupts, having picked up on his train of thought. "I'm not getting tetanus from some rusty-ass nails just because you think you can make a sled out of that thing." She crosses her arms over her chest with a disapproving frown. Megumi nods in agreement while Itadori wilts.
"I'm more concerned with the Principal finding out we vandalized school property," he admits, tugging Itadori back another step. The look of utter disappointment his words earn him is like a stab to the gut. He releases the hood to scrub his hand through the back of his hair, averting his gaze briefly as he offers a compromise. "We can go into town after lunch and buy one, if you want." He glances up again in time to watch Itadori's frown morph into an eager grin.
"Okay!" he agrees, bouncing on his toes before bounding off to make another snow angel. Kugisaki coughs the kind of cough she uses when she's actually covering up a laugh.
"Whipped," she mutters. Megumi knocks her ankle with the toe of his boot as he walks away, ignoring her snickering and the heat building up in his cheeks.
They spend the rest of the morning outside competing to see who can build the best snowman the fastest, getting into more snowball fights, and generally fooling around until their hands and feet grow numb. Kugisaki's nose turns so red that Itadori nicknames her Rudolph which evolves into a grappling match that ends with Kugisaki shoving Itadori's head in a snowbank and holding him there until he pleads for mercy. Megumi wisely chooses to stay out of that one.
After that Kugisaki announces she's had enough of the cold for one day, stomping away to thaw herself in a warm bath. Megumi glances up at the sky that's turned a slate gray, the sun fully hidden behind clouds, and suggests they head inside too. Itadori doesn't argue, shaking the snow out of his hair before climbing to his feet so they can walk to the dorm kitchen together to find something hot to eat and drink.
"Do you like hot chocolate?" Itadori asks, walking backwards so he can face Megumi as they talk. His nose scrunches up in thought a second later before he decides, "Nah, you seem more like a cider kind of a guy. Or tea."
"Tea," Megumi agrees. "I've never had cider."
"Really? Maybe we can get some when we're in town so you can try it."
Megumi hums in agreement as they stop in the genkan to remove their boots and wet coats. Itadori lets out a pleased groan at how warm it is inside. Still feeling a little playful, Megumi smirks as he reaches out to grasp the nape of Itadori's neck in his freezing hand. The sound he makes is somewhere between a shriek and a surprised yelp. He pulls away faster than Megumi's ever seen him move, arms coming up to cage his head protectively.
"Fushiguro!"
Laughing quietly, Megumi brushes past him to head towards the kitchen, leaving a pouting Itadori to follow. It seems Itadori knows better than to try the same trick on him since they enter the kitchen without issue.
They move around one another effortlessly as they make themselves lunch, chatting casually about the book Megumi was reading and the new TV show Itadori started recently. Megumi agrees to watch an episode with him while they eat; once they're done they decide to meet back up after they've changed into dry clothes so they can go into town together to look for a sled.
Itadori invites Kugisaki along through their group chat but she declines, texting back, No thx, not into third-wheeling.
Megumi rolls his eyes as he pockets his phone and leaves his room to meet Itadori at the door. He'd bet money she's with Maki.
Itadori greets him with a smile, looking much warmer in his fresh jacket and scarf. There's another knitted hat on his head, blue this time and complete with a puffball; it's ridiculous. He shouldn't look as adorable as he does.
They spend a few hours wandering around Tokyo in search of a sled before finally settling on three; a small round one, a medium-sized one made for a single rider, and a larger, longer one made for two. Megumi has to talk Itadori out of purchasing a snowboard with them.
"We don't get enough snow for it," he reminds him, replacing the board before steering Itadori away with a hand to the small of his back, "Besides, I don't want to be lectured by Ieiri-san when you break your neck." He pointedly ignores the way Itadori gazes longingly over their shoulders and resolves to make it up to him by buying him a pair of obnoxiously iridescent snow goggles he'd seen him eyeing earlier instead.
Itadori tries to protest when he notices the cashier bagging them. "Wait, Fushiguro—"
"It's fine," Megumi interrupts, handing his card to the cashier without batting an eye. "They're more practical than the board."
Itadori's lips quirk up at that and he accepts the bag without any more objections, swinging it happily as they leave the store. The streets aren't too crowded at this time of day but his arm still brushes against Megumi's as they walk. He perks up when he sees something in the distance, pausing to wrangle his belongings so he can hand them over to Megumi.
"Hold on to these for me for a second," he instructs, already jogging off down the sidewalk before Megumi can question what he's doing. Confused, Megumi drags their things to the nearest bench to sit and wait. Itadori returns a few minutes later holding a steaming nikuman in each hand. He takes a seat next to Megumi as he offers one with a grin.
"As thanks for the goggles," he explains, biting into his and huffing around the hot filling. Megumi accepts the gift with a quiet word of thanks, biting into his more carefully. They people-watch as they eat, Itadori making quiet comments here and there that make Megumi snort and shove at his shoulder which only seems to encourage him. Once they've finished their snack they gather their things to continue their shopping.
By the time they've finished it's getting close to dusk. It's snowing again, just a few flurries, but the temperature has noticeably dropped. They sit together at the bus stop in comfortable silence, watching the way their breath creates little clouds in the cold air as they wait. Megumi flexes his fingers in his lap in an attempt to get his circulation going again; they're cramped from carrying the sleds in the frigid air all afternoon.
"Ah, did you forget your gloves?"
Megumi looks up to meet Itadori's worried gaze, his brow furrowed as he watches Megumi rub feeling back into his hands. Shrugging, he answers, "They're still on the snowman."
Itadori makes a drawn out sound of disbelief before chiding, "You only have one pair? Why didn't you say so, we could have bought you more while we were shopping." Megumi dips his chin to hide his fond smile. Itadori doesn't look the type but out of all of them he's probably the most like a mother hen (when he's not coming up with inane ideas himself, of course). He wonders if it comes from helping take care of his grandfather for so long.
He's startled from his musings when warmth envelops his hands a second later, eyes snapping down to find Itadori covering them in his own before he tugs them out of Megumi's lap towards his face. Heat blooms across his cheeks when Itadori holds his fingers close to his mouth and exhales, a balmy gust of warmth briefly warding off the chill.
His lashes flutter against his cheeks before he lifts his eyes to meet Megumi's, voice quiet when he says, "You should take better care of yourself."
Frozen in shock, unable to breathe much less speak with how dry his mouth has suddenly become, Megumi can only nod as his heart attempts to pound right out of his chest. It seems to be enough to satisfy Itadori though since he returns his attention to Megumi's hands. Thankfully he chooses to rub warmth back into them instead this time, gloved fingers pressing gently into his skin and around his knuckles with more care than Megumi's ever seen Itadori handle anything. Something about that, about being treated like he's precious, has a lump forming in his throat. He's not sure what to make of how equal parts relief and disappointment fill his chest when the bus arrives moments later and Itadori releases his hands.
The bus ride back to the school is quiet between them; not awkward or uncomfortable, thankfully, just the sort that means they're each lost in their own thoughts. He wonders what Itadori is contemplating, whether he knows how he makes Megumi's heart race with just a smile or silly gesture, whether he has any idea of the effect he has on him. He probably doesn't, right? Itadori is just kind, almost to a fault. He does things because he believes it to be right, because he hopes he'll be helpful in some way, because he wants to make people happy. Megumi would be mistaken to assume that Itadori treats him any differently than he would someone else he's close with.
Megumi tries to view things through a pragmatic lens. He has a lot of thoughts about people and the nature of humanity, about his place in the world and what role he plays in the scheme of things; he makes it a point not to lie to himself about this. Along that same vein, the moment he noticed his feelings toward Itadori were developing into something less than platonic, he hadn't fought it or tried to convince himself he was mistaken. He'd considered them, explored them, and, in time, accepted them. He likes Itadori Yuuji. He likes the kind boy who wears his heart of gold on his sleeve, who acts silly most of the time but hides his serious side so he won't worry anyone, the boy who gapes like a tourist anytime they explore Tokyo and who likes revolving sushi even though he can cook a four-course meal better than most restaurants.
He likes Itadori. And he's fine with keeping those feelings close to his chest, safeguarded from sight, because no matter what Kugisaki insists the likelihood of Itadori returning them is low. Megumi isn't his type and that's fine. It is. It stings a little more on days like today, when he's confronted with Itadori's kindness head on, but as long as Itadori is safe and happy, that's all that matters to him.
The screeching of wet brakes as the bus slows to a halt pulls him from his musings. Together they haul their belongings off of the bus, warily eyeing the winding path up the mountain that will take them back to the dorm. Snow floats gently down in a scenic display that only makes Megumi lament his recently defrosted fingers.
"Wait, hold on." Itadori pauses to adjust the few bags and sled strap in his hand, placing them at his feet briefly so he can tug off one of his gloves. Megumi watches with a confused frown before blinking in bewilderment when the glove is offered to him. "Here, put this on."
"Why?" he asks, raising a brow. "I'm fine, we're nearly home anyway. Besides, it's no use if we each only wear one."
"Just do it," Itadori insists, growing impatient with Megumi's hesitation enough that he reaches out to grab Megumi's hand so he can pull the glove on himself. Satisfied, he nods and gathers his things again, instructing, "You carry your stuff with that hand."
Glancing at his now gloved hand and shrugging—this must be another of Itadori's odd mothering behaviors, he'll just go with it—Megumi does as he's told. Before he can do much else, Itadori's bare hand takes his own and pockets both of them in his jacket. Sputtering, Megumi jerks back on instinct but Itadori holds tight, interlacing their fingers in a more secure grip.
"It's fine, isn't it? This way you won't end up with frostbite." He pairs his words with a reassuring smile, already walking forward and leaving no choice but for Megumi to follow.
"I wouldn't get frostbite," Megumi manages to reply, thankful that it comes out normally and not in a wheeze the way he worried it might, considering it feels as though his lungs have shriveled up. At this point he's more likely to have a heart attack thanks to Itadori's antics than suffer any ailments from the snow.
Itadori clicks his tongue. "Arthritis then. And trust me, you don't want that if you can help it. Gramps used to complain about it until my ears bled…"
And just like that he launches into a story about his grandfather, completely oblivious to the deep flush overtaking Megumi's face; he wishes he'd worn a scarf so he could hide behind it. He can't even concentrate on Itadori's words, too caught up in the feeling of heat and rough calluses pressed against his palm. He hopes Itadori can't feel the thundering of his pulse in his wrist.
Unfair, he thinks, eyes glued to the pocket sheltering their hands. His chest aches because he knows it doesn't mean anything, it's just a gesture of kindheartedness. You're so unfair sometimes, Itadori.
The walk back to the dorms seems to simultaneously take five seconds and last an eternity. Itadori chatters the whole way but all Megumi can focus on is the sensation of their hands entwined, how Itadori's fingers tighten around his own when they step on a slippery area and the way he absently sweeps his thumb over the peak of Megumi's knuckle, and the pink tips of his wind-chilled ears. (Why did he bother with a hat if he wasn't going to wear it properly? He should take his own advice.) He really hopes he hasn't been asked any questions because he's fairly certain his brain malfunctioned back at the bus stop.
Itadori only releases his hand once they reach the door so he can open it, ushering him inside as if the two seconds his bare skin is exposed to the cold will hurt him. Equal parts exasperated and flustered, Megumi rolls his eyes and steps inside the genken so he can remove his shoes, face carefully tucked toward his chest to hide his remaining flush. At least he can blame it on the cold if asked.
"I can let you know when the cider is ready if you want to get back to your book," Itadori offers, casual and collected, as if he isn't the sole reason Megumi feels breathless right now. Grateful for the brief excuse to put distance between them, Megumi agrees. Leaving the sleds in the foyer for tomorrow, he makes his way back to his room as quickly as he can without being obvious.
The moment he shuts his door he can't help the explosive sigh that escapes him, leaning back against the wood and sliding down until he's sitting on the floor. He lifts his hand to stare at it as if it's brand new, slowly turning it as if he might be able to see evidence of Itadori's touch. The phantom sensation of strong fingers and rough calluses cling to his skin. He doubts it'll disappear anytime soon.
He gathers his bearings enough to return to bed so he can distract himself by resuming his book, but only as much as rereading the same paragraph ten times counts as 'distraction'. He can't help how his mind wanders, replaying the day's events from how breathtaking Itadori had looked cushioned against the snow beneath him with laughter in his eyes, to the way his lashes had brushed the swell of his cheeks when he held Megumi's hands up to his mouth at the bus stop, to the sweet smile he'd given him as he took his hand on the walk back. Groaning, Megumi flops face-first into his pillows. He needs to get a grip.
The buzz of his phone startles him out of his wallowing. Itadori's name pops up on the screen with a text message.
Cider's ready come get it while it's hot! ٩(´ヮ`)۶
For a moment Megumi genuinely considers not going. He's not sure he can handle being close to Itadori right now, not when his heart feels so unpredictable, but the thought of Itadori's dejected expression has him bookmarking his page and walking out the door. He'd been so excited when they were shopping, going on about which flavors Megumi might like best, eyes bright and smile soft each time he asked Megumi's opinion on a choice. There's no way Megumi could ignore him after that.
(There's probably very little that would convince Megumi to ignore Itadori at all, but that's neither here nor there.)
The spicy scent of the cider greets him as he enters the kitchen, wrapping around him like a comforting blanket and easing the tension from his shoulders. Itadori's back is to him where he stands at the counter humming some upbeat tune while he pours the drink into two mugs. He reaches over to pinch some type of spice between his fingers so he can sprinkle it on top before bringing one mug up to his lips to taste test. His smile is pleased when he sets it down again. Megumi has no doubt it'll be delicious; everything Itadori makes is, after all.
"Smells great," he comments on his way over. Itadori jumps at the sound of his voice which makes Megumi raise his brows. He'd texted Megumi just a minute ago and he hadn't been trying to sneak up on him. He wonders what's made him so jittery all of the sudden.
Itadori turns to greet him with a smile but it's strained at the edges, something akin to apprehension tightening the corners of his eyes. Megumi accepts the mug he's given with a soft word of thanks but doesn't drink from it yet, considering how to ask what's wrong when Itadori beats him to it.
"I'm sorry," he blurs out, clutching his own mug as he worries his bottom lip with his teeth. "For earlier, I mean." He glances up from beneath his lashes at Megumi like he's prepared to be scolded.
Genuinely confused, Megumi asks, "What are you talking about?"
"The, um, the hand-holding thing. I wasn't thinking but it probably made you uncomfortable right? You were really quiet the whole walk back. I didn't mean to, I just thought it would be a good way to keep you warm, plus I mean your hands are pretty—uh, pretty important, y'know, for summoning and all," Itadori's laugh is so obviously forced that Megumi hurries to put him out of his—very misplaced but sweet—misery.
"Itadori it's fine," he interrupts, offering a small smile in hopes it'll calm his friend down, "I wasn't uncomfortable."
Itadori's laughter stumbles to a halt. "Oh." He watches Megumi like he doesn't fully believe him. "Really?"
Nodding, Megumi opens his mouth to reassure him again but what actually comes out is, "Really. I liked it." His eyes widen as he realizes what he's admitted. Itadori's gaze suddenly hones in on him like a bird of prey and Megumi's reminded of exactly how perceptive he can be at discerning others' feelings. Itadori's empathy is just one of the many things that Megumi admires about him but right now he wishes he were less observant. The back of his neck feels cold with nerves.
"Really?" Itadori asks again, slower this time, thoughtful. He carefully places his mug back down on the counter and although he doesn't move beyond that, Megumi still feels like the room has shrunk around them, caught beneath his shrewd gaze. He brings his mug up to his lips to sip from it, biding time and not tasting a single bit of the carefully crafted beverage made just for him. It's quiet between them save for the low hum of the refrigerator and Megumi's pounding heart.
Itadori is surprisingly (infuriatingly) patient when he wants to be. He waits until Megumi has no choice but to answer or draw out the silence until it turns awkward and strained. Sighing in defeat, he lowers the mug, gathers his courage, and lifts his eyes to meet Itadori's. He hopes he's not about to fuck up everything they've built between them with a single word.
"Yeah."
He watches as Itadori's expression morphs from one of surprise, to consideration, and then finally determination. It's a fascinating display, the way his eyebrows and mouth move in response to his emotions, finally settling on an expression not unlike the one Megumi sees during every mission as they prepare to exorcise a curse. He's not sure how he feels about being on the receiving end of it right now. How does confessing to enjoying holding hands with Itadori warrant such a face?
"Okay." Itadori takes a deep, calming breath that does nothing to soothe Megumi's own nerves. He doesn't look upset but Megumi's not one to get his hopes up in uncertain situations. "I'm just gonna say it and if you want to pretend it never happened, we can do that, I just—I like you, Fushiguro. A lot." His eyes are earnest beneath his upturned brows, bottom lip caught between his teeth in that distracting habit he has.
Wait. Megumi blinks, comprehension washing over him as he replays the last few seconds and takes in what Itadori just said. Wait. Did he just—say he likes me?
"Fushiguro?" Itadori waves a hand in front of his face to get his attention (as if his attention could be anywhere else right now). "Sorry, I thought maybe you—I mean, did I read this all wrong? If I did just tell me, it doesn't have to change anything."
"No," Megumi manages to croak, setting his mug down a little too harshly and spilling cider over the side. Neither of them pay it any mind. "You didn't but I thought—you like girls?" It comes out more questioning than he intends which Itadori seems to find amusing if the low chuckle he gets is any indication. Satisfied he hasn't upset Megumi, his shoulders relax as he tucks his hands into the pockets of his sweatpants and leans back against the counter.
"And boys," he adds helpfully, eyes twinkling with mirth.
"Oh. Well," Megumi clears his throat, shuffling from one foot to the other as he searches for the right words. His head is still spinning from learning two huge revelations at once. Itadori likes boys too. Megumi's a boy. Itadori likes Megumi. "That's. Good." He face-palms as soon as the words leave his mouth; he's doing a fantastic job of botching this entire thing. Fuck, Kugisaki is going to have a field day with this when she finds out.
Itadori's laugh is bright and warm, like the fingers that grasp his wrist to pull it away from his face in the next second so he can see Itadori's matching grin. He looks so happy that Megumi can't find it in himself to be annoyed that he's being laughed at; it's understandable anyway. Then Itadori slides his hand down so that they're palm to palm before intertwining their fingers and squeezing reassuringly. Megumi's certain he might pass out from the head-rush the action causes.
"Yeah, I think so too," Itadori teases. "Especially when the boy I like is so cute."
Gods, he thought holding hands was bad but nothing's made him as dizzy as those words. So of course his first instinct is to shove his free hand against Itadori's face so he doesn't have to look directly at those pretty honey eyes and mischievous grin. Itadori laughs against his palm, sputtering out his name as he tries to pull Megumi's hand away.
"Stop," Megumi grumbles, exasperated beyond measure. "I'm trying to process this. Give me a minute."
"Okay, okay," Itadori titters, successfully removing his hand from his face only to hold it in his own. Megumi glances at him from the corner of his eye and wonders just how he managed to find himself here, holding hands with his crush who apparently returns his feelings. Against all odds Itadori Yuuji, the boy he's fallen head over heels for, likes him back. Carefully, he curls his fingers a little tighter around Itadori's and marvels that he's allowed to do it.
"Hey," he calls quietly after a while, glancing up from beneath his lashes to gauge Itadori's response. "I really like you, Itadori."
His eyebrows lift in surprise before he groans, bringing a hand up to cover the lower half of his face behind, though he doesn't release Megumi or manage to hide his flush in time. It paints the tips of his ears a pretty shade of rose. The way he peeks almost shyly over their entwined hands is so adorable that Megumi forgets his own embarrassment for a moment, a small huff of laughter escaping him.
"Not fair," Itadori whines, "It's not fair how cu—"
"Okay," Megumi interrupts, voice strangled as he tries once again not to spontaneously combust. Itadori is going to be the death of him, he just knows it. "Anyway. Um. Do you want to go on a date the next time we have a day off?" He mentally pats himself on the back for managing to ask that question without stuttering.
"Was today not a date?" Itadori asks, lowering their hands to his side and swinging them gently. Megumi contemplates this; sure, they had done some date-like things during their shopping trip but he doesn't like the idea of their first date being unintentional. He shakes his head.
"I want to take you on a proper date," he says. Itadori's teasing smile softens into something fonder at that. "So, do you want to?"
Itadori steps closer to him, thumb sweeping back and forth over the peaks of Megumi's knuckles, and replies, "Yeah. I'd like that."
Megumi's too elated to pretend otherwise, his smile wide enough to make his cheeks ache as he grips Itadori's hands just a little tighter. Itadori chuckles under his breath, shaking his head before resting his forehead against Megumi's shoulder with a sigh.
"What?"
"I'm just really happy," he explains. He pauses before adding cheekily, "Also, you're so cute, I can't look directly at you right now."
"Itadori!"
(Yeah, this boy is going to be the death of him, but Megumi's can't imagine a better way to go.)
initially this wasn't going to be romantic but the boys do what they want ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ then i planned to end with a kiss but Megumi legitimately Could Not Handle It so i decided to spare him some dignity
(nikuman are steamed pork buns; also, like Megumi, i've never had cider so plz forgive any oddities about that particular plot device lol 🙏)
BTW i need y'all to immediately go check out interstellarhitchhiker's fanart on Tumblr of these two lovesick kids playing in the snow ❤️ it's absolutely precious & deserves all the love! (i curse ffnet for once again depriving me of the ability to link out aljdfksk)
tysm for reading, i hope you enjoyed! as always, i'd love to hear your thoughts (´｡• ᵕ •｡`)❤ xoxo
come visit me on Tumblr at sawamura-daichis-thighs or Twitter at ms_refreshing :D