Chapter Text

“You guys will seriously do just fine without me. This is stupid.” Fushiguro mumbled, even though he hadn’t stopped putting on eyeliner and frantically ruffled his hair in a futile attempt to fix it.

He knew he had no choice about going to the damn party and he’d sooner be caught dead than underdressed. Especially since there was an almost one hundred percent chance that he’d see a certain pink-haired football team captain there. Only it didn’t matter because the guy was definitely straight and shit but still. Megumi cared about how people perceived him, even if they were not into him, even if his pathetic pining was one-sided and pointless.

“Just shut up and get ready princess. You’re talking a lot of shit for someone in shorts this tight.” His cousin, Maki, rolled her eyes from her spot in the corridor, leaning against the doorway with her phone in hand. She had been ready for twenty minutes already, scoffing at his and Toge’s ministrations as they kept changing clothes and putting some light makeup on.

“Fuck off. If I have to go because you’re making me, then I might as well look good while doing it. Since my evening is all ruined anyway.” He shot her a dirty look to which she only rolled her eyes.

“Jesus you’re insufferable. Acting like you don’t get all wet and mushy the second that Itadori idiot is mentioned.”

Megumi’s cheeks went a violent shade of red but before he had a chance to launch himself at Maki, Toge clapped his hand to get their attention.

Maki, stop being mean. He really is helping us. He signed, raising a brow at her. 

“I’m not mean! How is it my fault Megumi is still in denial?” She scoffed, but under Toge’s pointed gaze she sighed and turned back to Fushiguro. “Sorry, alright? Thanks for agreeing to come. I’ll return the favor as soon as I can, okay?”

Megumi just shrugged, avoiding her gaze as he put on some silver earrings. 

“It’s fine, chill.” He murmured, because what could he say? He’d agree anyway, even without any favors to bribe him.

Toge needed a wingman, or rather, a translator to be able to hit on his crush. Maki for the first time couldn’t help with it as she was also dead set on charming her way into one of the cheerleader’s pants, so the number of people that could help Toge shrunk dramatically to Fushiguro only.

And alright, there were a lot of better things he could be doing on a Friday night other than awkwardly being the third wheel for his friends’ attempt at flirting, but he loved them and he knew that they would do the same for him if he asked. Which was a thought as comforting as it was annoying because he'd look like a total asshole if he said no now, wouldn’t he?

Toge didn’t have many options. He needed to have someone translating his sign language for him or he would have to try writing on his phone before showing it to someone. But it’s harder to strike a conversation like that during a party, when everything is loud and people are drunk and distracted, so even if he can get their attention the letters in the note app all blur together. 

Another person’s presence helps if he gets rejected and it can help work as a buffer too if two of the three people suddenly run out of things to talk about.

Still, Megumi was a last resort when it came to things like this. He would really rather stay home and let Maki help Toge, but she had her own plans for the night and nothing was getting in her way.

Around a month ago, during one of the swimming competitions that their university team snatched a gold medal at, Maki Zenin fell in love.

The three of them attended only because of Inumaki, as the captain of the swimming team completely charmed the man. 

Maki mocked the living shit out of them both when she learned that they had both fallen for some jocks, calling them the walking cliche among gay men but oh how the tables had turned, when she herself had gone absolutely speechless after seeing one of the most popular cheerleaders break the nose of some sleazy bastard who attempted to grope her.

“FUCKING TRY THAT AGAIN YOU FUCKING PIG!” Nobara Kugisaki’s hair remained immaculate, pointy nails whole and unbroken, all while trashing, yelling and being dragged away by her friends from the guy still squirming in pain on the floor. The commotion got the same amount of attention as the awards ceremony, Okkotsu Yuuta completely ignored the gold medal on his neck trying to check what was going on, face scrunched in worried expression. 

Megumi was torn between snickering at Inumaki who remained one of the very few still clapping at the great success of his hopeless crush and openly laughing at Maki’s stunned expression as she observed the cheerleader screaming obscenities at the guy bleeding all over the floor.

“Who is that?” She asked, the awe in her voice so obvious that Fushiguro had no other choice but to roar with poorly suppressed laughter. He got smacked upside the back of his head for it but it was completely worth it.

Easy to say, the whole event is still talked about for many reasons.

Since then they have all been busy with upcoming exams, not leaving any time for romance, Maki and Toge included.

When the mind numbing studying session and sitting up late at night among the books period was over, half of the university immediately got the message. Fifth of September, Hakari Kinji’s house. Closed party, invitations only. A private online chat group was made to establish this.

Fushiguro was really surprised to find himself among the other students invited there. He wasn’t exactly the most popular person, so he had no idea who the hell was in charge of making the guest list. His initial reaction was to just completely ignore it as a one big joke but it turned out Maki and Toge had different plans for him.

“Listen Megumi, I know this sucks for you but it’s a golden opportunity for Inumaki.” His cousin caught him in the corridor between his lectures, her hushed tone serious. “You know he’s too considerate to beg you himself, but it really is a miracle all three of us got in, and I won’t stand another week watching his silent pining for Okkotsu. It’s just fucking painful man, he’s almost worse than you.”

“If you want my help then maybe you should carefully consider what the fuck are you saying Maki.” He ground through clenched teeth, fighting the furious blush on his face.

“Oh please, I don’t have time for another pep talk with you. Toge decided to actually do something about his pathetic crush, while you’re still refusing to even acknowledge it. Stop making that face, or it’ll stay like that.”

“I’m not making a face!”

“Sure.” She pointedly ignored him without missing a beat. “Anyway, you know I would help Toge no questions asked if there was no other option, but the whole cheerleading team is gonna be there as well.”

“Oh.” Megumi shuffled from one foot to another. “You know you don’t have to wait for the party to ask her out right? Anyone would cream their pants for a possibility to talk with you for longer than five seconds.”

The corners of Maki’s mouth twitched upward.

“Thanks Meg, you can be really sweet sometimes under all that scowling and shit.”

“I still fucking hate you.” Maki just snickered at that, although her smile was not as sharp as it usually was.

“The feeling is mutual.” She assured as she readjusted the old leather bag on her shoulder, gaze flicking around the corridor as she avoided Megumi’s eyes. “I just… I don’t know. I suppose it’s one of those worse periods the doctors talked about. Can’t really explain it but I would just really rather shoot my shot when everybody already had a drink or two and the lights are dimmed.” She shrugged, feigning nonchalance.

Megumi could feel his heart throb then and he said nothing, deciding to just squeeze one of his cousin’s free hands. 

The memory of the accident from a few years ago was still fresh in his mind. 

Fushiguro was in highschool back then, coming home from classes on what was a regular Monday, but instead of being greeted by the view of his dad drinking beer on their couch in the living room, he found both him and Tsumiki in the kitchen, weird expressions on their faces as they talked in hushed tones.

At the sight of him Toji got up from his seat by the table, chair screeching on the floor tiles as he closed the distance between him and his son in two long strides.

“Hey kid.” He gathered Megumi in his arms to press him to his chest in a tight embrace. Fushiguro froze, eyes darting to his sister in a silent attempt to figure out what the hell was going on. He could count on one hand the number of times his father had hugged him, and it basically never occurred under normal circumstances. Their relationship was awkward at best, tense during most days. 

Later they informed him about what happened. The house their uncle lived in had burned down. With him and his wife within it. The same fate would have happened to their daughters but by a miracle and the sheer willpower of one Maki Zenin, she had dragged herself and her sister from the flames of the collapsing building.

The thing was, they had never been close. Toji always kept them away from his side of the family, repeating over and over again how it was for the best. Megumi had contact with his cousins only because of the same middle school, but besides that they were almost strangers. The two twins were always together as kids, evidently not eager to talk with Megumi and his sister. He supposed it was fair. Who knew what their parents told them about his family?

Then Megumi went to high school and suddenly puberty hit, then all the jazz of coming out as trans and being completely lost in his own feelings and emotions, without a real adult in his life to help him navigate through it. Toji was absent most of the time, both emotionally and literally.

There was not really a big coming out moment for Megumi either, just one day during the rare times they all ate dinner together and Toji asked him to pass something on the counter using his deadname, Tsumiki corrected him out of habit, as she was the only close person that Megumi told then.

All of them freezed, Toji raising his head to stare at Megumi with a look on his face as if he was seeing him for the first time. Before the cold dread could settle down into the boy’s stomach and make him puke the food he had barely touched, his dad blinked and repeated the question, this time with Megumi’s name in it.

And that… was basically it. No heart to heart “I will always love you, no matter what”, no “can you tell me when you started feeling like this?”. Toji was acting exactly the same as always, despite the fact that he never again used the wrong form nor name when talking to or about Megumi.

Money was always an issue for their family so Fushiguro had no hopes for starting testosterone, but it came as a positive surprise when Toji managed to get puberty blockers for him. He supposed this was one of the very few things he was actually grateful for when it came to his dad, as useless as he usually was as a parent.

Later, when he was old enough to have started working part time jobs he figured he didn’t really have much need for t-shots anyway. The blockers did a good enough job, and as he was slim by nature there was no real need for the top surgery either. He was just fine with how his body looked and not having to shave a beard in the mornings was definitely a perk he wouldn’t want to give up. 

It had been a busy period of his life when it came to his coming of age years so it was rather understandable that there weren't many moments when he thought about his cousins too intensively, figuring that their family had to just move away at some point.

Then the accident happened and suddenly Megumi was visiting hospitals almost daily. While Mai got out of the situation without much visible injuries, she had been in a coma for almost two months and lost her voice due to a heavy throat infection. Maki on the other hand… 

Megumi remembered that the first time he saw her, he almost fainted. The fire took a bigger portion of her hair, whole body covered in uneven burn scars, fresh and angry red then. She looked small and fragile among the white sheets of the hospital bed, not at all like a person who carried out another human through the smoke of a burning building despite sustaining severe injuries.

Their rehabilitation was a blur in Megumi’s memories. He didn’t really know if his dad helped the sisters financially in any way, but the twins started spending a lot of time in the Fushiguro household. They both didn’t really like Toji, but they got along with Tsumiki and Megumi surprisingly well and became quick friends. Megumi wondered if his father had to pull any illegal strings for them to be able to spend so much time in their apartment as they still weren’t adults back then, but in the end he never asked.

They all grew up. Tsumiki and Mei both moved out for college, while Maki and Megumi stayed in the city. Megumi never thanked or commented on that but he figured that he didn’t really have to, as with Maki, most of the time they worked better with nonverbal communication.

They used the income from their jobs to rent a small flat near the university and turned out to be great roommates, despite all of their bickering. 

Megumi remembered to stock the fridge, Maki always bought them pads and tampons. Megumi took care of the dishes while Maki made sure to put the washing machine on. Megumi tolerated all the gym equipment scattered around that created a deadly trap for late night expeditions to the fridge, Maki never commented on his frantical painting sessions at two am when he was too stressed by something to fall asleep.

They just worked.

During his first year when Megumi befriended Toge, they all clicked together even better. He and Maki learned sign language for Mai, which benefited a lot in their relationship with Toge who was mute since childhood. He was witty, funny and an absolute menace when it came to pranks, as he abused the fact that he looked like an innocent puppy to avoid blame every time. 

It was his idea to convince Maki to switch from glasses to contacts and he helped Megumi pierce his ear every time that he wanted it, as Megumi really didn’t fancy spending money on a professional piercer. He had too many bills to pay, sue him.

Toge also helped Maki get a membership at the popular gym in their neighborhood at a ridiculous discount, as his good old friend Panda was the one working at the front desk there. It was an easy one way ticket to get Maki’s unwavering friendship. 

Megumi thought that she had to be the strongest person he knew. Not only literally, as her arms were ridiculous from all the hours she spent lifting weights and training martial arts, but he has never seen another person handle the trauma regarding their appearance as well as Maki did.

She didn’t shy away from showing her scars, it was quite the opposite. She wore them with pride as they were a reminder of how she had saved her sister’s life. She kept her hair short, really similar to how it got after being singed off, although now it was fashionably styled with layers and a slight undercut on one side.

It was not only her looks but the way Maki carried herself with a lazy confidence that didn’t have an ounce of self consciousness that made her one of the most attractive people Megumi knew. He got so used to being jealous of how easy it was for her to navigate in social interactions that it always caught him off guard when she showed any signs of insecurity. 

It was extremely rare these days but it did happen. It reminded Megumi of standing above her bed in the hospital, looking down at her unconscious form in silence. The beeping of the machinery being the only thing disturbing the stillness of the room.

Right now, Maki’s scars really helped her rock that tough and inapproachable look she had taken as her brand. Heavy combat boots and black cargos accompanied a sleeveless top. She never wore makeup but her fingers were heavy from all the rings she put on them and Megumi was dying from envy at how easy it was for her to look so good and put together every time while barely making any effort.

“I swear to fucking god guys, if we’re not out in the next five minutes…” She put her leather jacket over her shoulders, tone threatening.

Toge only rolled his eyes, fixing the silver studs of his cheek piercings. 

Eat shit. He signed and Megumi giggled, barely avoiding a wallet launched at his head by Maki.

“Hey!” He shrieked, but the woman ignored him, pointedly turning towards the door.

“Three minutes.” She reminded them.

It was now Megumi’s turn to roll his eyes. 

He checked Toge out, humming approvingly. Yuuta will either fall in love or he can go to hell, his friend looked good enough to eat. Inumaki laughed soundlessly as Megumi told him so, face split in a wide grin.

Thanks man, I’m worried if the skirt is too much though... Toge signed hesitantly, glancing at his own reflection in the mirror for the tenth time in a row.

“Toge, respectfully, go change if you feel uncomfortable but literally nothing else will scream as loudly: I’m interested, come fuck me please! ” Maki butt into their exchange, three tequila shots in her hands.

“Not quite how I would describe it but yeah.” Megumi took a glass from her, careful not to spill the liquor. “You know you look hot as fuck. Treat it as a small test for him, if he has a problem with some feminine clothes then he’s definitely not worth it and you can move on.”

Toge sighed as he took his drink from Maki, nodding shortly. Thanks. I know you’re right.

“I sure am.” Megumi lifted the hand holding his shot. “Cheers to that.”

“To this night in general.” Maki’s smile was sharp and predatory. “Happy hunting guys.”

***

It was a ten minute walk from their apartment building to Hakari’s house. Megumi tried not to shiver too obviously from the cold night’s air, regretting just slightly his choice of clothes. The shorts and sleeveless blouse helped very little with suppressing the slight chilliness, but he knew he’d hate it more if he took a jacket only to lose it somewhere. It wasn’t really something he could afford.

They could hear the music two streets away from their destination. Fushiguro wondered if the host had to bribe his neighbors or if they were just the most understanding people under the sun. He tried not to think about the third option, which was police intervention in the middle of the event which would completely ruin the party for everyone.

Megumi felt stupid, pressing the button to ring the doorbell as the bass coming from inside of the building was loud enough to probably mute all of the outside sounds, but to his surprise they waited only a couple of seconds before the doorknob turned.

“Megs! Good to see you man, so glad you could make it!” Megumi blinked rapidly as his arms were suddenly full of a very enthusiastic black haired girl. It took him a second to recognize the person.

“Kirara? Holy shit, hey.” He smiled and hugged her back. When she finally released him at arm’s length, her eyes looked him up and down. 

“Looking good Megs, as always. You all do, of course.” She grinned and winked at Fushiguro’s friends.

“Should have figured it was you who got us in, honestly.” Megumi shook his head, feeling relieved to know it was not some type of weird prank. Kirara was always flexible when it came to the people she hung out with, linking up several different kinds of groups, always comfortable being the center of attention in every one of them. 

During his freshman year it was her who made him join the Trans Youth Support Group on their campus, which helped him a lot when it came to gaining some confidence and friends. This year Megumi had neglected the meetings a bit, as his free time was already being juggled mercilessly between way too many things, but he was still on close and friendly terms with the girl.

“Wait, so you invited us? But I thought Hakari was the host?” Maki’s question hung in the air for a moment as Kirara’s grin widened.

“Babe? What’s taking you so long, come on. ” A gruff voice from the inside of the house complained before suddenly there was a  possessive hand sneaking around Kirara’s exposed stomach to pull her into a broad chest clad in an oversized dark hoodie. 

“Congrats.” Maki snorted and Kirara winked again as she lifted her left hand to gently pat her boyfriend’s cheek.

“Thanks Zenin. That’s all a story for another time though, so don’t let me keep you right now, go have fun. I myself have to take care of someone’s separation anxiety before I’m unable to even greet the guests alone.” She turned to look pointedly at Hakari who ignored her glare, leaning to plant a small kiss on her exposed shoulder.

“You said it would be a minute.” He shrugged. “It was longer.”

“Kari, you are fucking impossible you know that?”

The rest of their conversation got drowned by the music as Megumi proceeded deeper inside the house, Maki and Toge trailing behind him.

“So glad Kirara finally gave the dude a chance! I’ve never seen a man more smitten, it was kind of pathetic.” Maki had to scream for them to hear her as she tried to lead them to the kitchen through the sea of bodies.

“They’re sweet, stop being a hater.” Megumi flicked her in the back of her head to which he received a murderous glare thrown over a shoulder and an elbow to his ribs.

He was personally overjoyed to hear the news about the couple. He witnessed Kinji’s pining first hand during his freshman year, as Kirara made a habit out of walking him to the building’s exit.

Almost every week Hakari was there to ask her out and give her a flower. Kirara always blushed deeply and gracefully took the plant, only to turn him down with a gentle voice that helped nothing with how ridiculous her excuses were.

Oh, sorry I left my oven on, can’t go tonight. Next Friday? I’m actually gonna be walking my cat, can’t miss that. Tomorrow huh, really sorry but I already planned to shave my legs and you know, it will take a while.

Hakari never commented on any of the reasons for rejection, alway simply bidding goodbye and leaving politely. When Megumi finally asked what the hell that was all that about, Kirara just giggled.

“You see Megs, this is the art of chasing.” She shrugged, nonchalantly checking her perfect nails. “Being a straight trans woman is a fucking hassle when it comes to dating. You remember what I told you about that ex of mine?”

“Yeah, of course. Hard to forget that story.”

“Exactly, may his balls never work again. Anyway,” she fixed her fringe absentmindedly, “if he wants me he has to work for it. I’m done with hit it and quit it men, so if he thinks I’m a desperate freshman that he can just fool around with, he’s fucking wrong. ” She wiggled her brows. “You gotta work for this ass baby, I’m a whole damn package.”

“But don’t you like him already? I’m not blind.” Megumi tried to fight the amusement in his tone but failed. Thankfully the girl ignored him, sighing dreamily.

“Are you kidding me, of course I do. He’s hot as fuck and those flowers are like, super sweet. But still, how can I know that he’s serious about me? I’d rather let him sweat a bit more than get my hopes up and my heart broken.”

Megumi really admired her attitude because he himself doubted that he would be able to resist bedding a guy who bothered to bring him flowers for several months straight. 

Not that anything even remotely as romantic as that could ever happen in his sorry life but still, Kirara had a steely will.

Weeks later Hakari had beat up a couple of guys until they were black and blue after they accidentally witnessed his rejection and had laughed about how fussy the trannies were these days.

Kirara screamed at him the whole time about how stupid he was, continued to do so while accompanying him to the university’s nurse, and then some more on their way to Principal Yaga. She stopped there only to declare that Hakari stood up for her when the two other students used transphobic slur, so she would not accept any form of punishment for him.

Fortunately Yaga agreed that it was the two men’s behavior that was unacceptable for the university’s morals and decided to expel them, leaving Hakari with just a stern warning that it would be the first and last time any violence from him would be tolerated.

A week later Kinji waited at the same spot with the cuts on his face fading, a big sunflower in hand. 

Kirara said yes.

To see them all sappy together in public as an official couple after all that was wonderful. Megumi made a mental note to meet up with Kirara later so he could get the whole story about how it happened.

When all three of them entered the kitchen, it was miraculously not as crowded as Megumi feared it would be, only a small group of people beside them focused on making a drink that looked dangerously strong. 

“Ohh, Hakari has the good stuff here, sweet.” Maki dived under the table to get a bottle of Patrón, grin wicked.

“Are you sure we should help ourselves to it just like that?” Megumi hesitated, but the girl only shrugged, putting the red solo cups on the counter.

“If he didn’t want anyone to drink it then he should have hidden it better.” She poured the liquor generously. “If it’s gonna make you feel any better princess, I’ll drink to him and Kira, alright?” She raised her cup and Megumi knew that there was no point in arguing, as she was right anyway. Anything left to eat or drink at a party was free game.

Cheers. Toge signed and all of them took a swig. The alcohol burned like a bitch and Megumi coughed slightly, blinking the tears away.

“Oh shit. ”

“Holy fuck, I’m never buying the cheap stuff again.” Maki looked at the bottle with amazement in her eyes before she turned back to her friends. “Alright guys, I propose one more shot and then pause, I need to be on top of my game tonight.”

Alright, me too then. Toge agreed immediately which was a smart choice considering that he had a way lower tolerance for alcohol than Maki. 

“You both don’t need any liquid courage anyway, idiots. Me on the other hand…” Megumi downed his second round the moment Maki filled his cup. “I’m definitely not gonna survive this night sober.”

“Dramatic as always.” His cousin just snorted at him seeing how Megumi immediately started preparing himself another drink, this time something disgustingly sweet with the strawberry syrup laying around and the half empty vodka bottle.

“Fuck off and hand me that Sprite next to you.”

Five minutes later they left the kitchen, Megumi’s emotional support drink now decorated with a pink straw because his friends were assholes that insisted on adding it. The only good thing about it was that now he wouldn’t gulp down the alcohol in one go, which, considering the slight buzz in the back of his head, was probably for the best.

“Alright now, help me out. I’ve seen only one of the cheerleaders so far and she was warming some dude’s lap so that’s a dead end.” Maki looked around, trying to distinguish between the silhouettes of people from one another as they blurred together into one mass dancing and talking and making out to the pulsing beat of the music.

“She doesn’t necessarily have to be with the cheerleaders just because she is one. It’s stupid to assume.” Megumi pointed out just to get painfully poked in the ribs by his cousin.

“Can you stop being a smartass for one fucking minute? If you have a better lead then say it.” Maki looked like she was seconds from spilling his drink all over his head so Megumi prepared to dodge, only for Toge to pat them both on the back.

Stop the cat fight, we’ve found your girl. He signed before pointing to the right from where they stood, making them both whip their heads so fast they almost got a whiplash. 

True to Inumaki’s words, a few people moved from their spot near the poker table revealing a view of one of the players holding a girl by the wrist, who as Megumi squinted, turned out to be one very furious Kugisaki Nobara.

Maki was moving before they could even register what they were seeing, so after a brief glance at each other Toge and Megumi followed.

“...number. Come on, don’t be like that, it’s just it, just a few digits and then you can go. I’m not asking for too much now, am I?” The guy’s creepy smile sent shivers up Fushiguro’s spine. 

“If I’m gonna have to tell you to let go one more time I will punch you right in the face. Something I would actually like to avoid because if I break a nail I’ll be pissed. They cost me forty fucking dollars to get done, so fuck off. ” Nobara’s gaze was murderous, hands clenched into half-fists because of said manicure. The guy laughed dismissively.

“It’s really cute how feisty you are. I can pay for your nails, for anything you want, pretty. No guy will treat you better, I promise, I can take anyone here, easily. Make me a bet with whoever you want, wanna see some arm wrestling, eh? I can do that too, just put your number in my phone.”

“How about I put my foot up your fucking a-” 

“Hey asshole, you want to make a bet?” Maki stomped her boot on his chair just between the guy’s legs, barely avoiding his crotch. The guy yelped and released Nobara’s hand who took the opportunity to take a step back out of the man’s reach, eyes wide as she looked at her unexpected savior. 

“What the fuck! You bitch, you almost crushed me!” The man snapped angrily, but Maki just calmly leaned in, propping herself on her knee.

“I asked,” she gritted out slowly, staring right into the guy's eyes with unnerving stillness, “if you wanted to make a bet, right? For arm wrestling, correct?”

“What, you want to challenge me? Don’t make me laugh.” The guy scoffed, but Maki just cocked her head to the side.

“What, you’re scared?” She asked innocently, and the guy’s face reddened in anger.

“Fine, you bitch, what you want to bet on, huh? You probably get off on that as you’re too damn ugly to be touched any other way, unlike this beauty right here.” He tried to wink at Nobara but the girl didn’t even notice him, eyes glued to Maki and mouth slightly open.

“When I win, you’re gonna fuck off. Not just for now, but you’ll get the fuck out of this party, am I clear?” Maki’s gaze was merciless. 

Toge turned to Megumi, grin wide. This is too good, I wish we had popcorn with us.

The guy’s face got progressively more red, vein on his forehead pulsing.

“ If you win bitch, god I fucking hate cocky whores like you. Alright then, don’t fucking cry if I break your hand by accident.” He pointed his finger right into Maki’s face. “And if I win, I’ll get the cutie’s number and an apology for your bitchy behavior, preferably on all fours and with some barking included. Seems fitting, no?”

There were already people filming them, some laughing but most just watching with their breath held. They gathered a small audience among the dancing and playing guests.

“The first part is obviously not up to me to decide.” Maki raised a brow at the man, before turning her head to look at stunned Nobara, her smile turning gentle. “What do you say sweetheart? You don’t have to take part in this but it would be nice to have your support.” The woman slowly took off her jacket while maintaining eye contact the whole time. 

Nobara blushed deeply, fingers flying to her hair to put a few lost strands behind her ear.

“Uh, sure, yeah. I don’t mind.” She batted her eyelashes at Maki and Toge didn’t even look up at Megumi as he signed one word: Jackpot. “I can hold your jacket for you, if you want!”

“Thank you darling.” The stare they held as their hands met during the exchange of clothing was so intense that Fushiguro felt like an intruder. Kugisaki pressed the leather to the satin of her own purple dress, hands clutching it for dear life as Maki finally turned away from her and back to the pretentious asshole.

“We’re gonna do it one time and one time only so don’t even try pulling the rematch card with some bullshit excuse that you weren’t going as hard as you could because of my gender, are we clear?” Maki kicked out a chair for herself to sit on, the elbow of her right arm propped on the table.

The guy eyed her biceps for a second with a surprised expression but still laughed dismissively without missing a beat.

“Oh, don’t worry about it, you’re not cute enough for me to pretend it’s a struggle or something, I’m going all out bitch.” He snarled, putting his own arm up and joining hands with Maki.

“Hope you have that on camera.” The girl winked in the direction of one of the phones facing them, people around screaming in encouragement and making bets of their own. Fushiguro admired his cousin’s ability to remain calm with that many people's attention on her, but she didn’t even flinch. Her focus remained on Nobara. “Would you mind counting for us, dear?” 

Bass of the music set the tempo of everybody’s pulse, whistles and screams intensifying as the cheerleader walked up to the table to put her hand on the joined fingers of the two contestants.

“One!” Nobara had to raise her voice as the applause erupted around them, a few more heads turning in their direction. “Two!” Even in the flashing lights Megumi could see how Maki’s whole body tensed, as if ready to pounce. A mountain lion ready to strike it’s unlucky prey. “Three!”

There was a second where it almost looked like nothing happened when Nobara stepped back, both pairs of arms shaking in place just slightly was the only indicator of the force put into the exchange. Then their arms twitched more obviously and the guy grunted with exertion and everybody went crazy again, screams incoherent. 

Megumi felt the adrenaline thrum when he watched, eyes wide, as the guy started pushing Maki’s forearm closer to the table. He yelled triumphantly, face red, a pearl of sweat falling from his temple. Kugisaki bit her lip nervously, people continued cheering and even Megumi found himself murmuring soft come-on's under his breath. Maki wouldn’t challenge a guy like that just to fail miserably, right? 

“Hope you’re already working on that apology bitch!” The guy laughed, voice strained, eyes fixed on their joined hands. Maki’s hand went down to half the distance from the desk before it suddenly stopped, not moving an inch further and the guy grunted, surprised. “The fuck…?”

There were a few gasps in the crowd, the man groaned with effort, the veins on his arm bulging.

“Hey, bitch… fuck, the hell are you-” the man stopped shortly as he looked up to notice Maki already watching him, eyes dark. Upon making eye contact the girl grinned widely, her smile turning feral.

“My turn.” 

The guy let out a high pitched squeal when suddenly his arm got forced back to their starting position and then Maki only kept pushing, setting a slow and steady peace, as if to torment him more.

“No, NO!” The guy actually yelled, thrashing slightly but Maki held strong. She pushed and pushed without wavering in the movement, no matter how much the guy flexed his muscles and sooner rather than later his hand touched the flat surface of the table.

The crowd went crazy, stomping, clapping and making as much noise as possible. Megumi almost spilled his drink because of how high he jumped, cheeks hurting from laughing. 

“You bitch, you fucking bitch…” The guy’s face was crimson, hands shaking from anger. He stood up abruptly, looking as if he wanted to launch himself at Maki, but the woman beat him to it as she got up herself to grab him by the front of his shirt.

“If you’re gonna be a sore loser I will whoop your ass.” She had to lean down because of the guy’s short height. His expression fell very quickly. “Now piss off on your own while I’m still feeling nice about it.”

Almost immediately after she released him the man scrambled like a cockroach and fled the scene, some people still filming him while laughing out loud.

Maki shook hands with a few drunk people who wanted to congratulate her as well as thank her for the entertainment. She smiled politely but quickly shut the conversations down. She walked over to where Nobara stood, with her lips slightly parted and cheeks dusted with a pretty blush and only then the corner’s of Maki’s mouth turned up earnestly.

“Sooo… I was wondering if I could maybe get you a drink. Humbling men is only the second best thing I can do with my hands.” She grinned, and the cheerleader let out a surprised laugh before she threw her arms over Maki’s shoulders.

“ Oh my god, FUCK the drink!” Nobara was still smiling when she put their mouths together and Maki immediately embraced her in the middle to spin the girl around. They kissed deeply to a few people cheering, whistles cutting through the loud music.

“I think that’s our cue.” Megumi tugged at Inumaki’s hand to get him moving, both of them smiling widely. “She’s got it from here.” 

Man, I love happy endings. Inumaki signed, giggling.

“Don’t we all? Come on, let’s get you one as well.” Fushiguro maneuvered among the people carefully, the alcohol sloshing in his cup. 

If only it was all so easy for everybody. Instant chemistry, a mutual understanding of each other’s wants and needs. A love that is requited, loud and brave. The exact opposite of his silent pining from afar…

Megumi felt his insides climb up to his throat when he noticed a flash of light-pink hair in the distance. Yuuji Itadori stood proudly a few feet in front of them, beer in hand, a white tee stretched obscenely over his pecs. He laughed loudly at something Okkotsu Yuuta said and Megumi wanted to scream because of course they had to be together right here right now, when Fushiguro would much prefer to have no audience while translating his friend’s clumsy flirting attempts. Just his luck.

He felt three light taps on his forearm.

We can try later, If you want. Toge looked at him with that sympathetic smile of his and Megumi felt even worse because the man would understand if he chickened out even if it cost him his chance. Toge was nice like that and fuck, how could Megumi fail him?

It was just a crush. Just a dumb fucking crush that Megumi has harbored for way longer than necessary and over something stupid that shouldn’t even matter. 

So what if during his freshman year he saw Yuuji admiring one of his paintings on his first ever exposition that the university held? He’d probably do that for anyone’s work, there were a ton of extremely talented people at their uni…

Except he didn’t. Yuuji had halted in front of his work and his work only. He watched, eyes big and full of awe while his friend, Junpei, stepped anxiously from foot to foot. They both looked like they just came from practice, gym bags hanging from their shoulders, water bottle in Yuuji’s hand.

“It’s kind of… creepy.” The other guy commented, and Itadori looked so offended that Megumi could still see it from his spot a few feet away from them, feeling both like laughing but also kind of crying.

“What?! No, dude! You just don’t get it, that’s all…” He turned back to stare at the piece, the biggest one from Fushiguro’s display, the wolves.

The thing was, Megumi knew his art wasn’t exactly the nicest to look at. It was purely his, a product of sleepless nights and suppressed feelings that begged to be let out, an inconsistent thing he did only when the mood hit. 

It wasn’t exactly a hobby, like it was for Toge. His friend loved to do it in his free time, turning the abstraction of various shapes into magnificent art that one could gaze upon for hours and not get bored, finding new details over and over again.

Megumi’s art was… uncanny.

He painted almost exclusively in three colors. Turning his canvas black he then used white and red to bring forth the scene. There were a lot of animals, there was a lot of gore. Megumi had felt suffocated with his own emotions the other day so there was a white rabbit coughing up blood on the snowy path. He felt like scratching his whole body raw because of how much he hated it one night, and so here was the shape of an eagle, claws sinking into its prey, helpless and ready for its death.

He originally didn’t plan on ever showing them to anyone, much less to the whole university, but Toge convinced him that it would be freeing. To be so vulnerable with his work, but proud nonetheless.

He didn’t put his name on his paintings like his friend had, just a small signature in the left corner, MF. 

The day of the exposition he stood near his paintings but never next to them like some of the other artists did, chatting with people about their ideas and various details.

Megumi just watched subtly as people walked up to his part of the display, observing their reactions or their lack of it. When he noticed the one Itadori Yuuji, rising star of their uni’s football team, he tried but failed to suppress his blush.

The man was probably the most handsome guy Fushiguro had ever seen in his life. Built like a statue with ridiculous amounts of muscles absolutely everywhere, he looked like he could pick up Megumi with one arm and not even break a sweat. Wide shoulders and even wider smile, sunshine like personality and that boyish charm that immediately made him crazy popular among the students.

Megumi didn’t really go for jocks when it came down to his type, but there was something about Itadori that made him hard to ignore once you noticed him. Still, he wasn’t the only good-looking guy on campus so Megumi just brushed off the attraction like he usually did.

It worked well until that memorable exposition.

Because suddenly Fushiguro was observing, heart beating fast, as the guy proceeded to tell his friend his interpretation of each piece, and the absolutely worst, devastating part was that each of his comments was spot on.

Megumi prided himself for never falling for straight men, and there he was, suddenly going alone to every football game their university hosted.

He watched the unstoppable force that Itadori became on the field. His sportsmanship when he helped people up when he accidentally knocked them over with his overwhelming strength. The ripple of his muscles as he ran, fast like a tiger. His sweaty hair when he took off his helmet, how his eyes crinkled as he laughed with delight, his teammates surrounding him screaming and cheering.

Megumi never stayed too long after the games. He didn’t want to be noticed nor see the people throwing themselves at the man, because facing the ridiculous amount of jealousy that threatened to overtake him at the sight was too embarrassing to endure.

For the next exhibition he made only one painting and for the first time he gave it a title. 

Lust.

He was almost too nervous to go to the hall where the canvas was displayed, but finally after his lectures he decided to at least take a look, if only to see what Toge had created this time, which he had been so reluctant to show earlier. 

Reasoning with himself like that he made it to the exhibition, hands sweating and pulse quickening. He promised himself he’d only go look at Inumaki’s paintings and then he’d leave.

Then he saw Yuuji, standing in front of his painting, with dark eyes and cheeks flushed and he knew that the man had seen through this one as well.

He fled the hall as fast as he could without running.

He hasn’t shown his paintings since then, content to just attend Inumaki’s exhibits. By the end of their freshman year, his friend received first place at the art competition their uni held. He used a four meter square canvas to draw a piece he titled Self Portrait. Megumi had never seen a work more beautiful and emotionally raw. He clapped with others as a flustered Toge claimed the prize, embarrassed by the amount of attention he got.

Megumi in the meantime did a surprisingly good job at not thinking about a certain pink haired individual. 

He spent most of his vacation working and hanging out with his friends. He went to a few parties, visited his dad (which was, to put it shortly; a complete disaster) and painted maybe twice, destroying the works after because he couldn't shake the feeling that they significantly lacked something.

(He shuddered at the thought about how easy it was to read him through his works when he created with honesty, how bare it made him feel.)

Summer ended and with it the seeming calmness of Fushiguro’s mind. He had some sort of fleeting hope that the time spent avoiding Itadori made him somehow immune to the man’s charm, but all of it flew right through the metaphorical window the second he spotted Yuuji.

As impossible as it seemed, the man grew even bigger. His skin was extra tan and hair lighter from the sun, with his smile as irresistible as Megumi remembered. It made him weak in the knees.

There was no point in hiding how pathetically infatuated he was from his friends anymore, even though he kind of wished he tried after the amount of merciless mocking it got him. Maki just couldn’t let him get away with crushing on the most popular jock of their school. He supposed he kind of deserved it, he would be laughing at himself as well if he wasn’t too busy freaking out about it.

All of the hard work he put into ignoring Itadori and avoiding him still led him here. To this damned party where he was about to get into close proximity with the only person that could, without even looking at him, immediately make the butterflies in his stomach go into a frenzy.

Toge tugged at his hand more urgently but Megumi didn’t turn. Instead he reached over to the closest table and snatched the first poured glass of something he could catch.

The alcohol burned pretty hard and he suppressed the little hiccups it caused. Gin. Could be worse, he thought, taking a deep breath.

“Don’t worry about me man, I mean it. Tonight is about you.” He gave Inumaki a weak but sincere smile, his friend frowning at him with concern. 

If that was supposed to reassure me then you failed miserably, just saying. Megumi rolled his eyes as it was his time to gently tug Toge in the direction of the men standing against the wall.

“Shut it. You better brace yourself for how awkward this is going to get, it’s gonna be a tough one…” 

Out of all the awfully unlucky things about Megumi’s life, he counted his blessings no matter how small. Currently it manifested as a short lull in the conversation between the three guys, all of them taking sips of their beer, exchanging laughs at something that was last said.

“Hi,” Megumi materialized in front of them with Toge at his side, trying to give them his best easy-going smile that masked his urgent need to throw up on his own shoes and run away. Toge gave a little wave. “Hope we’re not interrupting.”

He desperately fought the urge to look at Itadori, trying to subtly ignore him and his friend Junpei to focus on reading Yuuta’s body language.

He tried not to panic when he saw the guys’ smiles fading as they looked at him and Inumaki with stunned expressions. It was finally Junpei who coughed loudly and smacked both of his friends upside the back of their heads.

“Sorry for these morons, you’re not interrupting at all, don’t worry. Right guys? ” He glared, and both men turned a tiny bit red as they hastened to give their confirmation. Megumi giggled at that, feeling the tension in his muscles easing off a fraction. The alcohol also started to finally do its job.

“It’s fine, really, we just came to say congratulations. Well, my friend Toge did, I’m just tagging along.” Fushiguro smiled, stepping back just slightly to emphasize his words. He observed how Okkotsu’s eyes slid over Toge’s form, throat moving as he swallowed.

Yeah, that relay race was phenomenal, you literally left everybody back half a length of the pool, and you had to make up for the whole team being good three seconds behind! Toge signed enthusiastically, his lilac eyes shining. 

Megumi groaned internally at the prospect of translating Toge’s gushing but it was something he had made peace with days ago.

“He said-” Fushiguro started, but the deep chuckle from Okkotsu interrupted him.

“Thank you, really, but I was just trying to do my best, like the rest of the team. I shouldn’t take all the credit for our win.” He smiled wide, the dimples that appeared made him a lot less intimidating to look at, imposing height and bags under his eyes be damned. Megumi could actually see why his friend had it bad for the guy.

But all of that he registered just briefly, mind struggling to accept what he just witnessed.

Toge’s lips were slightly parted as he gazed up at Yuuta, the shock Megumi felt showed clear on his face. You know ASL?

Okkotsu scratched the back of his neck, looking slightly embarrassed.

“I do, yeah, but I’m not extremely fluent, yet. I’ve been learning for… Maybe a year?” For some reason he blushed as if his words had some deeper meaning. Despite that he didn’t break eye contact, extending his hand towards Toge. “Actually, I think it’s a good moment to also give my regards. I was the one who bought your winning art piece this year. I did it anonymously but, uh, it was me, yeah. I’m a big fan.”

Toge’s eyes looked glassy when he gazed up at Yuuta, sliding his much smaller palm into the man’s hand. They didn’t even do a handshake, just stood there lost in each other’s eyes, fingers intertwined.

Megumi had to hold onto his cup to not squeal from delight. 

“Shall we get something to drink maybe? I would really love to talk more with you, if you’d like that.” Yuuta didn’t even finish talking and Inumaki was already nodding his head vigorously, smiling bright as the sun. It made his fringe bounce and the corners of his mouth quivered higher.

Yuuta smiled fondly at the other man before he proceeded to awkwardly turn to their stunned audience of three and cough.

“Right…so. I guess I will catch you later guys?” He mumbled, causing Junpei to facepalm loudly, but it didn’t really matter at this point. Toge was already wrapping his hands over the man’s right arm, shooting Megumi a look over the shoulder that the former interpreted roughly as “you’ll be the best man at our wedding.”

He watched the two disappear into the crowd and his heart grew in his chest three times its normal size. It fell almost as quickly when he realized the situation he was left in.

Before he could panic about it too much though, it was once again Junpei who saved the moment.

“I just wanted to say THANK YOU.” He extended his hand to Megumi, and his voice was so earnest it made the man laugh. “I hope I’m not a bad friend for exposing Okkotsu like this but holy shit, I thought he’d never stop pining from afar.”

Megumi winked at Junpei, shaking his hand shortly.

“Don’t worry, I won’t tell. Let’s just say that the feelings are very much mutual from Inumaki’s side.” He smiled sweetly, shivering slightly because of the feeling of Yuuji’s eyes boring into his head. He avoided his gaze from the beginning and at this point it felt like some sort of game. How long could he pretend he’s unaffected by the other’s presence? “I think we should all be glad for Toge’s passion for, uh, swimming. ” 

Junpei snorted at that, but as he glanced to his right where his friend stood, his expression morphed into something weird before he turned back to Fushiguro. The temptation to look as well almost swayed Megumi but he resisted, taking a sip from his cup to remain composed.

“Yeah, let’s all thank the swimming then… You got roped into coming with him to all the competitions then? Do you like it at least?” Junpei kept nervously stealing glances between Yuuji and Megumi, but the latter didn't let his eyes wander, just raising one brow at him. 

“Swimming? Well, it has its appeal.” He shrugged, smirking, feeling the alcohol he consumed making him bolder. “But if I really had to pick a sport I would say football. There’s just something about the gear, you know? No shade to your swimming speedos, as lovely as they are, but a bunch of sweaty men running into each other is just a bit more entertaining to watch.”

Megumi let himself feel smug for about two seconds before Yuuji physically forced himself into his sight, taking a small step forward, head lowered to search for his eyes.

“Uhm, I play football, actually.” He cleared his throat and once he made sure he had captured Megumi’s surprised stare he straightened his back, the absurdly big chest stretching his shirt dangerously. “I’m also the captain. I’m, uh, Itadori Yuuji.” His almond brown eyes were the most intense thing Fushiguro had ever felt. He fought and lost with the blush spreading across his cheeks but he tried playing it off, counting on the flashing lights to hide most of it.

“It’s cute you think I don’t know who you are.” Megumi ignored the hand stretched towards him, wrapping his lips around the pink straw instead. He noticed Yuuji’s gaze dropping there for a second before it returned to Fushiguro’s eyes, now half lidded and watching him through a curtain of mascara covered lashes.

Itadori’s fingers twitched where they hovered in the air. Anyone else would probably feel embarrassed, but Itadori just cocked his head to the side like some kind of giant dog.

“And you’re… not gonna introduce yourself?” He asked, voice equally confused and hopeful. Megumi felt like he was watching the scene from above, shocked by his own unwavering composure.

“Maybe I like to stay anonymous?” He gave the man a small smile, eyebrows raised. His heart was beating almost loud enough to drown the music out, lungs contracting when Yuuji took another step closer, hand going up, up, up until light as a feather, his finger touched Fushiguro’s cheek.

“Fair enough. But I’d really want to call you something else in my head than just Pretty.” The smile he gave Fushiguro was so awfully genuine that the man felt lightheaded, the almost there but not quite touch not helping at all.

What was happening? Megumi wanted to scream, to pinch himself just to make sure this was real. He cursed the alcohol he had consumed even though he knew that it was only thanks to the quickly drunk shots that he was able to stand there with his knees only slightly shaking instead of turning around and running away as fast as he could.

Yuuji Itadori was flirting with him. He was, apparently, not as straight as Fushiguro had thought, and he was supposed to just accept such groundbreaking news without any sort of warning.

Cool. He could be cool about it. Right? Right.

“Flattery will get you absolutely everywhere on any other day but tonight… I don’t feel quite so generous. You gotta try harder than that.” Megumi snapped his teeth playfully at the man’s hand, trying not to sigh at how big and warm it was. It was hard to focus when all he could see were those huge muscles, sharp jawline and eyes full of admiration. If he tried to accept the fact that this awestruck gaze was directed at him, he would probably combust.

“I can beg. If that’s what you’d like to see.” The man rasped and Fushiguro shivered, suppressing an embarrassing sound that threatened to come out.

It was almost as if Itadori was pulled closer by some magnetic field that Megumi had, the way he leaned in seemingly not even noticing it. Fushiguro did though, because suddenly his world had shrunk down to just that tiny bubble he and Yuuji shared. Just the warmth of the body in front of him and the fresh smell of cologne mixed with the man’s natural musk. He wanted to get even closer, just put his nose next to the collar of that tempting white shirt and take a deep breath, inhale as much as he could.

He felt crazy. Too drunk. He needed to get a grip or he’d really just pounce on Yuuji.

But no one said it was serious right? Maybe the man was piss drunk, and thought Megumi was someone else, maybe it was a bet, maybe-

In that second that Megumi hesitated to answer as his train of thoughts almost consumed him, Junpei cleared his throat, making them both jump slightly.

The universe had some mercy left for Fushiguro Megumi.

“So. I just wanted to say, uh, I think Todo called me, yeah no, definitely, he called me. So I will leave you… alone.” He pointed behind himself with his thumb, cheeks red. Megumi observed as Itadori’s broad shoulders lost some of the tension, the two friends having some sort of nonverbal conversation with their eyes that lasted for two seconds and then Junpei nodded shortly, winked at a surprised Megumi and walked away without another word.

The interruption helped Fushiguro regain his footing. 

Yuuji might be flirting with him, but it could mean nothing. He was the most popular jock in the university. He could have just decided he wanted to take someone home tonight, inspired by Yuuta’s successful match and Megumi was a warm body as good as anyone else.

He thought of Kirara’s unbreaking will as she told him about the art of chasing. Of letting the other person prove themselves first.

He turned back to Itadori, determined. He found the man already watching him with a burning gaze that almost made him lose his focus, but he gave him the inch of distance Megumi needed to swallow the lump in his throat and breathe. A second later he was filled with easy confidence once again.

“I feel like I got left out. Scratch that, I know it. Your friend could have stayed, so what’s the rush?” Megumi shifted to lean against the wall, hip jutting out. His heart hammered in his chest as he feigned nonchalance, stirring what was left of his drink lazily, one eyebrow raised.

Itadori slowly crowded him closer, eyes glued to Megumi’s lips. He seemed like he couldn’t get enough of the sight but he didn’t trap Fushiguro, letting his arms hang loosely by his sides instead of caging the other man against the surface. Megumi was both glad and weirdly disappointed.

“I’m sorry. My friend was just checking up on me because he does not believe that I can be left alone with the person I fancy and not fuck it up.” Yuuji’s smile would brighten up a stormy day and at this point Megumi’s stomach was doing backflips non stop. 

What the hell was wrong with the man? No one should be able to say such sincere, embarrassing things with complete ease. And the worst part was the man didn’t even have to butter him up, because Megumi was harboring the biggest, most pathetic crush on the guy. 

He knew at this point he should drop the act of playing hard to get because he was only risking Yuuji losing interest, but a part of him just couldn’t stop, wanting to find out how long he could draw it out.

What was worse, the knowledge that he could have him but he wasted his chance or a broken heart after one night together with nothing more than the memory of something he could never taste again?

“Fancy?” Megumi giggled, arching his back in the most subtle of ways just so he could emphasize the slenderness of his waist which he knew most men salivated over. He looked through his lashes at how Yuuji’s mouth parted slightly as he stared and he thought, good.

It served the man right because why should Megumi be the only one suffering? He was already having hard enough time avoiding gawking at Yuuji’s pecs, stretching the material of his shirt basically right in front of his face. The sight was driving him up the fucking wall.

Itadori chuckled sheepishly, his pupils blown out but shining as he looked deep into Megumi’s own sapphire irises.

“You’re right, that’s a silly word. I just fear that anything else I have in mind would be equally cheesy, if not more. It’s a bit hard to think straight around you.” The confession made Fushiguro’s knees buckle which made him glad he put most of his weight on the wall, but unfortunately he still slipped down a length.

Yuuji’s hand was there, fast as lightning, sneaking around his middle to hold him up.

Megumi’s breath hitched, face burning, his front only an inch or two away from pressing up completely into Yuuji’s chest. The man’s breath tickled his ear, his shin clad in jeans radiating warmth where it was touching Fushiguro’s own uncovered one.

His bare arm touching the skin of Megumi’s back burned.

Itadori cleared his throat two times before speaking.

“Are you alright? Was that too much?” Oh nononono how would he know that? Was Megumi really that easy to read?

It was unbearable, that worry in Yuuji’s eyes, the little frown of his brows that Megumi wanted to kiss. The closeness was too much. 

“I… don’t know.” Fushiguro replied pathetically. His head was spinning. He wanted to dance it out, needed to get that restlessness out of him. He also kind of wanted to just go home.

The evening was like everything he ever wanted so why on earth did he feel like he was suffocating?

“I’ll go get you some water, alright?” Itadori removed his arm gently, taking the slightly crumpled cup from Fushiguro’s loose grip. He straightened up and turned away before hesitating and glancing over his shoulder at a stunned Megumi. “I know you’ll run away but that’s okay. I will find you, I promise.”

He left, disappearing into the dancing crowd, taking with him the bubble of small comfort he shared with Fushiguro. Everything became too much very quickly, as the deafening bass of music wormed its way into the man’s brain, Megumi did exactly what Yuuji said.

He fleed.

He’d make a run for it if he knew where the door was, but the thought of squeezing through the crowd to find it seemed too distressing. He needed some space from the loud noises now. His head was spinning too much to think, all of the shots he took now hitting him all at once.

He made a beeline for the most promising thing he could see, the stairs. During house parties there were always less people to be found on the upper levels, so it’d have to do for now, as Megumi was too overwhelmed to think of any other solution.

He took two steps at a time, almost knocking into some couple making out in the middle of the stairs. There were still people in the corridor of the first floor but he spotted that the staircase went up one more floor.

He climbed up once again. The music faded a bit, the air becoming clearer, still smelling of alcohol but less of sweat and smoke. 

Some doors were open, the corridor dark and unlit, only a few colorful lights on the ceilings helping Megumi navigate through it. He needed to find a bathroom, splash his face with some cold water, and breathe.  

He needed to stop thinking about Yuuji. About his own fucked up brain sabotaging everything, even though he finally had a chance to do something about the crush that had been consuming his thoughts for so long. 

Maybe the guy really was just that nice and honest and he genuinely found Megumi attractive. Maybe he wanted to flirt and ask him out. Maybe they would have kissed by the end of the night if Megumi didn’t ruin everything by getting himself drunk and then panicking over their closeness.

He wanted the closeness so why did his stupid brain sabotage him like that? Why couldn’t he be like Maki, focused on the goal and pursuing it until one way or another it led to the desired outcome? Instead he had gotten so scared of failure that he didn’t let anything happen, like a coward.

Then, like an even bigger coward, he ran away. Pathetic.

The soft carpet of the corridor muffled his steps as Fushiguro slowly processed forward. He looked briefly into the rooms he passed, hoping to see the white porcelain of the sink in each one. His vision was blurred, walls wobbling and pieces of furniture swimming in front of his eyes. 

Why couldn’t he just flirt back? Why couldn’t he just let Itadori know he was interested, swallow down the annoying emotions and let himself have something nice for once?

Everything was too much and so he almost cried from relief after noticing the spot of white in the room to his left, but when he turned that way he froze upon noticing what he was looking at.

The pearly light material of Okkotsu’s shirt stretched over his broad back that faced Megumi. The man was on his knees, head mostly hidden under Inumaki’s skirt, moving it up and down in a steady peace. Toge’s head was thrown back, body propped on some cabinet but still shaking like a leaf. His mouth open in a silent scream, no sound coming out.

With cheeks burning hot Fushiguro turned away and walked further into the dim hall, thankful for the deafening music which helped him remain unnoticed. Hopefully the alcohol he consumed would make him forget the scene. There were things he never wished to witness, no matter how happy he was for his friend.

Finally, once he reached the end of the corridor and had almost lost hope, the door he cautiously cranked open revealed a small bathroom.

On weak legs Megumi barged in, tripping over his own feet. He reached the sink and grabbed its brim desperately, putting most of his weight on it. Head spinning worse than a moment before he clung to the cold porcelain for dear life.

“Fucking hell, get a grip.” Megumi mumbled to himself, blindly searching for some light switch next to the small mirror. He knocked something from a shelf in the process but he finally turned on the singular lightbulb, shedding a faint glow on the inside of the room.

He tried to look at his own reflection but his unfocused eyes couldn’t catch it in the mirror, just glimpses of the sweat on his forehead and a lonely tear rolling down his rosy cheek. It felt like his head was slowly being crushed with a hydraulic press, the tension in his temples redoubling in force. 

His breaths started coming up short.

Oh no, oh no no no no no no no NO.

Anything but a panic attack now, anything. He pleaded in his thoughts, fingers clenching uselessly on the sink.

What the hell was wrong with him?

Nothing bad was happening. He was actually almost having fun. His friends had even gotten lucky. He got to talk to Itadori and the guy had, honest to god, flirted with him.

Nothing was wrong and yet everything was wrong and Megumi’s lower lip wobbled. 

He just wanted the world to stop spinning. Fucking hell, had it really been so long since he last drank so heavily that his whole body was now rebelling against him? And just when he needed it the most, when he needed to charm Itadori, act cool and collected enough to spark some sort of interest in the man.

Instead he ran like the pathetic excuse of a guy that he was. 

His chest felt tighter, a sob falling from his lips.

He supposed that was what he deserved for always pretending to be someone else, someone whose feelings couldn’t be hurt, someone who didn’t need affection, someone who was untouchable and unaffected by what others said or thought about him.

The tears smeared the eyeliner he had oh so carefully put on hours prior. He felt and looked like a mess. Fitting.

His knees shook as he doubled down while another wave of crying gasps rocked through his body. Pathetic pathetic pathetic, his thoughts chanted, as he fought to stay upright. 

He couldn’t even release the porcelain of the sink long enough to try to splash some water onto his face because he knew the moment he loosened his hold would be the moment he’d fall.

His lungs burned when he gulped for air. Fuck, he hoped someone would at least find him in the morning if he actually passed out here. If he’s lucky enough, which, looking back at his life, wasn’t really likely.

He groaned in pain as nausea and anxiety twisted his stomach. He dry heaved for a second, the pressure making more tears flow.

There was a quiet creak behind him, barely audible through his sobs and dulled music.

He raised his head. Yuuji’s reflection looked back at him from the mirror, mouth opening slightly in horror as he froze, noticing the tears flowing down Fushiguro’s face. 

Megumi let out a groan, some twisted attempt to call out Yuuji’s name, and then he fell.

Only, he didn’t meet the floor. Strong arms wrapped around his middle and he was slowly lowered onto the closed toilet seat, his body still shaking. His hands grabbed the soft material in front of him as he let out a series of pathetic hiccups, eyes unseeing. 

He wanted to apologize for something, but the thought kept escaping from his brain. There was just overwhelming darkness, throat spasming and lungs burning from the lack of oxygen. 

Calloused but oh so warm hands cradled his face between them. He wanted more and more of that comfort, but he was feeling so lightheaded he wouldn’t even know how to ask for it.

Breathe. Breathe, just breathe. 

What a nice voice. A nice voice that did not belong in Fushiguro’s head that only knew how to make him feel sad and useless, that only sabotaged and destroyed his happiness-

Breathe.

The hands put a little more pressure on Megumi’s cheeks, grounding him. He inhaled abruptly as if he broke the water surface, little spasms shaking through him when he greedily gulped the air down.

That’s it, great job. Just keep going, keep breathing.

The pressure in his temples still felt crushing so he groaned, pushing his head forward until he pressed his forehead into something warm and firm. 

Soft material, nice smell, pleasant heat. Megumi buried his face further into it, his desperate inhales slowing down slightly.

Just like that darling, you’re doing good, so good.

Fingers pushed through his hair pleasantly, helping the tension bleed from his shoulders. The surface under his forehead moved for a second, twisted, and Megumi let out a distressed sound trying to cling more to it because he wouldn’t be able to bear it if the comfort disappeared now. His whole life depended on it, his whole life WAS that warm comfort engulfing him.

I’m sorry baby I was just reaching the towel, I’m not going anywhere I promise.

Fushiguro's head was buzzing, the words lost to him. He maybe once understood them, used them himself, but now it was just a noise in the background, the tone reaching him more than the meaning. And the tone was just so gentle, soft. He wished he could use his own words to encourage it to keep talking.

There was another slight movement and then suddenly there was something wet and cold pressed to the nape of his neck.

The shiver that rocked through Megumi’s whole body almost knocked him out of his seat. He let out a groan, the scratchy wet material soothing but unexpected.

I know, I know darling. It will make you feel better though, I promise.

He didn’t respond, just nuzzled his face closer into the softness. Between that softness, the overwhelming pounding in his head and the cool cloth pressed to his neck, he felt floaty. Out of his own body once again.

Except this time not being in control wasn’t so bad. 

His breathing was slowing down, his pulse no longer thundering in his ears. The warm, calloused fingers kept massaging his scalp and it was making him feel more and more boneless, his shoulders sagging as the tension left him.

The voice kept murmuring sweet nothings and Fushiguro tuned it out, letting himself sink into the relaxing calmness that clouded his mind. He felt safe, comfortable and not so terribly alone.

The tiniest sliver of worry reached his consciousness through the blissed out mind. Why exactly wasn’t he feeling alone anymore…?

He noticed with slight displeasure the movement of the surface he was leaning on so he grunted. It stopped almost as soon as it started, but seconds later there was a hand gently turning his head to the side. That’s when he noticed he was no longer being massaged. 

He would have voiced his discontentment once again if it wasn’t for the moist edge of plastic pressing into his lips. 

A sound left him as he latched himself onto the plastic bottle, releasing the soft material from one of his hands to grab at the forearm holding up the water. He gulped it down like a man that had been lost in the desert for days.

Easy, easy. I got you, don’t rush it.

Megumi drank with abandon, the slow strokes of a thumb under his chin going unnoticed. 

He would have surely choked himself if not for the strong hand dictating the pace, not letting him drink too much too fast. He tired himself out pretty quickly and a few drops spilled from the corner of his mouth. The calloused fingers were right there to wipe it tenderly.

After this Megumi was manhandled a bit into a sitting position, his whole body was pressed into that pleasant warmness from before. Because of this he didn’t even mind it too much, although the soft voice kept murmuring apologies as he got moved around. 

He ended up with his head leaning onto something soft and pleasant smelling. He pressed his nose closer to it, humming happily.

Everything was okay. He was dozing off, his heartbeat slowing, tears drying.

He was breathing again. Lungs working slowly, headache subduing. His head was gently scratched once more, hot breath fanning over his cheek.

The rapid train of thoughts stopped completely to a halt, mind blissfully quiet. 

He was okay. You’re okay. All was okay.

…

…

…

Megumi didn’t know how long he was out. When his consciousness started coming back to him it barely felt like a minute passed.

He was floating closer and closer to the surface, mind fuzzy but slowly shaking off the fog clouding it.

He was warm and comfortable. There was a hand stroking his hair, another one holding his wrist, two fingers pressed to his pulse point as if to check on it. The cold, wet cloth laying on his nape was helping his mind stay on track and not slip into the cozy darkness once more.

He let out a small sigh, nuzzling closer into the skin under his cheek. It was hot as a furnace and smelled of a fresh aftershave and natural musk. Embarrassing as it was, he wanted to roll around in that smell, morph into the body draped around him and-

His eyes shot open. 

What.

Oh god, no. Life couldn’t be this cruel.

He fought for clarity, trying to gather his surroundings. So he was sitting in someone’s lap, basically glued to a stranger, half unconscious. No big deal. No big deal at all, everybody passed out on someone from time to time, right?

His pulse must have spiked significantly because seconds later he was being gently moved away from a firm neck that smelled like comfort and everything he ever wanted, to looking at a frown full of worry of the one Itadori Yuuji.

And oh.

Oh.

At that moment Fushiguro’s heart felt like it had stopped beating altogether. 

They stared at each other in stunned silence, Megumi feeling the blood slowly draining from his face. Oh god, what the hell had his drunk ass done? He needed to apologize, grovel, buy the fastest flight out of the country, anything to save him from this humiliation.

He opened his mouth to say something but before he had the chance, Itadori beat him to it.

“Uh, your eyes are like, super pretty.” The man blurted out, making them both blink in disbelief at what had just come out of his mouth. Megumi almost physically felt all the blood doing crazy one-eighty in his veins to come back to his cheeks with full speed in the form of a crimson blush.

“What?” He croaked, cringing at how his voice sounded after so much crying. Thankfully Yuuji didn’t seem to notice, too busy spluttering out some explanation.

“I mean! I’m sorry dude, didn’t want to say it that way, not that I don’t mean it because I totally, totally mean it! Just, probably not the thing you wanted to hear right now, I get it, but I’ve never actually seen you this close up and just, woah . Your eyes are dark blue and it’s kind of super awesome.”

Megumi felt his head spinning from all the words Yuuji got out while looking at him so intensely Megumi had to fight the urge to hide. 

It was also the first time he had the opportunity to stare at Itadori from only a few inches away, and he was overwhelmed with how many things it helped him discover. The tiny mole under his eye, light freckles on his nose. Two small scars, one in the left corner of his mouth, one starting right on his brow and going in a short cut through the bridge of his nose.

It didn’t take away from his looks, quite the opposite, unfortunately. He looked so hot it was a safety hazard to society and Megumi’s poor heart.

“Uhm… thank you?” Was all he said, feeling like some kind of total loser, all of his charisma gone. Perfect, just what he needed in such a sensitive moment like this one.

He tried to say something more to rescue himself but his dry throat objected, turning his attempt to speak into an embarrassing coughing fit.

“Oh! Right, I’m so sorry darling, here.” Megumi barely had time to blink out the tiny tears prickling at the corners of his eyes before there was a water bottle presented right in front of his face.

He tried to make an attempt to grab it himself, so Yuuji wouldn’t have to feed the liquid to him like some kind of overgrown baby, but he quickly recognized he was too weak to do anything other than just press the fingers to the warm skin of the other’s forearm.

Darling. Dude. Fushiguro’s thoughts swirled inside of his brain in a storm he was too tired to stop, embarrassment and hope fighting for priority. He thought that he blew up his chances with the hot football player completely and yet here he was, half conscious in his lap, drinking from a bottle he was so carefully pressing to Megumi’s lips, his other hand stroking the small of his back in half circles, which Megumi would bet he wasn’t even aware he was doing. 

All this and Megumi hadn’t even introduced himself, trying to act all mysterious and shit. 

God, he wanted to punch himself so badly.

“Fushiguro Megumi.” He mumbled out, as soon as Yuuji took the bottle away from him, putting it somewhere to his right. 

“Huh?” The man turned back to him, eyebrows scrunched in confusion. Megumi wanted to hide back into his neck so he wouldn’t have to face that intense stare of Itadori’s almond colored eyes. Even sitting he could feel his knees turn weak in the span of seconds.

“Fushiguro Megumi… That’s, uh, my name.” He repeated, bravely holding eye contact despite how it made his lungs feel once again too tight in his chest. “I figured that maybe I should just stop being an ass, since you apparently kept me company when I passed out.”

“Oh!” Yuuji’s confusion morphed into a smile so bright and beautiful Megumi just had to turn his eyes away, otherwise it would blind him. “You were not an ass, come on man, I enjoy a little teasing!” Itadori let out a laugh that, once again, left Megumi slightly lightheaded. He had a passing thought about capturing that sound in a bottle. 

“Well, I’m glad you didn’t see it that way but still… Thank you.” He held the man’s stare as he gave a small smile himself, that seemed to choke Yuuji up a bit, eyes glued to Fushiguro’s lips before they flicked back up.

“You’re… em, you’re welcome of course but it’s nothing. You were having a panic attack when I found you though, or it seemed that way. I tried my best to help and you look way better now but I’m no doctor, so you should maybe consider getting checked soon, you know?” His mouth frowned a bit in worry as he used his now free hand and pressed it to Megumi’s forehead before sliding it gently down to his cheek.

Fushiguro’s face flared, heat pooling in his belly. He cleared his throat, turning away, desperate for any form of distraction from both the news about what happened and Yuuji’s actions. A second longer and he would surge up to kiss the bastard.

“I’m fine, don’t worry about me, it rarely happens and-” he stopped short, eyes bulging as he saw his reflection in a small mirror that was fortunately turned in the direction of the floor.

“... Megumi?” Itadori sounded alarmed, hand squeezing his waist. Fushiguro didn’t even have enough brain power to melt at the way his name sounded coming from the guy’s lips, too absorbed by the horror he just witnessed.

“Oh my god.” He groaned, hiding his face behind his hands in mortification. “Why the hell didn't you tell me I look like this?!”

“Like what?” Itadori sounded genuinely confused and Megumi wanted to smack him, because there was absolutely no way he didn’t know what Megumi was talking about.

“Like THIS!” He shrieked, too embarrassed about his looks to feel embarrassed about his reaction. “I have makeup all over my fucking face man, I look like I tried to cosplay a damn panda, fuck!”

Itadori chuckled. The murderous look Megumi sent him through his fingers stopped him, and the man raised both of his hands in surrender. And that’s when Fushiguro noticed, all of the blood leaving his cheeks from dread, the state of the man’s shirt.

The previously white tee, delectably stretched over Yuuji’s pecs without one wrinkle, was now rumpled and smeared with the stains from Megumi’s eyeliner. Hell, the bottom of the shirt, where it covered the center of Itadori’s abdomen, looked like Megumi had pressed his entire face there and made a rather unsuccessful attempt on wiping off his makeup.

“I’m so, so sorry… I didn’t mean to…I’m so sorry about your shirt, I...” Fushiguro stammered, his hands falling on his lap with overwhelming devastation. 

Itadori once again regarded him with a bit of a lost look before he glanced down at himself.

“This? Jezz, come on man, it’s nothing. It’s just a shirt, I can wash it.” He shrugged, and Megumi felt so lost at his dismissive reaction. 

He wasn’t upset? Not even a tiny bit? Was it some kind of a test?

“Megumi, hey.” Warm, calloused fingers cradled his face gently, lifting it so his eyes could meet Yuuji’s. The man smiled kindly. “It’s really okay. I don’t care about the stupid shirt, I’m glad it could be used to make you feel better, alright? If you really wanna make it up to me then let me walk you home, how about that?”

Megumi just stared at the man for a second, mouth opening and closing, the heat of Itadori’s palms soothing his nerves.

“You’re kind of too nice, you know that?” He croaked, voice breaking. His throat tightened at the grin Yuuji sent him in return.

“Not really, I have a lot of ulterior motives like getting your number and maybe taking you out to dinner, if you’ll let me.” He winked, releasing Megumi’s face which he was thankful for, because he really, really needed to hide it for a moment.

“Stop fucking flirting with me when I look this shitty!” He groaned, glaring at still smiling Yuuji, fully aware how not intimidating he looked, with a red, messy face and still sitting in his lap.

At the same time, despite feeling absolutely worn down by all of his emotions, the weight on his heart seemed to disappear. Itadori’s playful and sweet behavior made it strangely easy to talk to him, absorbing Megumi enough that there were moments he forgot to be nervous at the prospect of talking with his crush.

Not to mention the absolutely mind numbing fact that said crush was actively and shamelessly flirting with him.

“I really don’t think that there is a single thing that could make you look shitty, but I’m not about to argue with a guy with as pretty dark eyes as you. So, whatever you say, beautiful.” Itadori’s smile widened impossibly and Megumi couldn’t stop the laugh that bubbled out of him.

“Yuuji! Stop it,” he shook from the giggles that still came out a bit wetly from all the crying, half heartedly pushing his hand on the man’s cheek to turn his head away from him. Itadori snapped his teeth playfully just like Megumi did earlier that evening, his eyes shining as he drank up the uncontrolled laughter of the other.

When he had calmed down, cheeks still stinging slightly from smiling so wide, his breathing finally came easy to him.

“I would honestly love to get walked back home, thank you.” He murmured as he lowered his gaze. He’ll need to check his phone soon and see if his friends left any messages of their whereabouts or plans for the night. God, how much time had passed? “But I can’t get out of here until I clean up a bit, I’ll end up scaring off some poor soul if I don’t.”

Itadori snorted but nodded with acceptance. 

“That’s fair, I guess. Good thing we’re in a bathroom, right? There must be something for cleaning you up in here, let’s see…” Megumi expected to be moved aside from Yuuji’s lap so the man could get up, not for the other to hold him under his knees and back and stand up with him, as if Megumi weighed nothing at all.

The skin on Megumi’s legs blossomed with goosebumps, the feeling of Itadori’s forearm flexing under them taking his breath away. 

Itadori sat him down on the edge of the bathtub they were previously leaning against, immediately Fushiguro missed the heat of the other’s body against his own. He said nothing though, letting the man fuss over him as he straightened his blouse and took the cold towel off his neck. Then he turned away and started rummaging through the cabinet under the sink.

Megumi took the opportunity to fish out his phone from his pocket. The clock on the lock screen informed him that it was only shortly after one am, which meant he was not out as long as he thought he was. There were three new messages, one from Maki which simply said “nt cming hom tonite”, and two from Toge, first with a ton of emojis and short information about spending the night at Yuuta’s, the second one being the address of the man’s apartment.

He smiled to himself, reassured. He felt like he once again had the situation under control.

“Aha! Gotcha!” He slipped the phone back into his pocket the moment Itadori turned back to him, triumphantly holding up a bottle of micellar water and a pack of cotton pads.

Megumi blinked, surprised. He hadn’t realized that Yuuji had been looking for make-up removal products for him.

Hell, he didn’t even think Yuuji knew what those were.

His face must have given away his disbelief because the man pouted, an awfully cute expression on his rugged, masculine face.

“What? Why the surprised stare?” Megumi bit his lip so as to not laugh out loud.

“Well, I just wouldn’t peg you for someone who knows what micellar water is.” He answered honestly, which only made Yuuji pout harder as he sat next to Megumi, putting the products in his lap.

“Well, I’ll have you know that being best friends with a cheerleader you’re forced to learn about a looot of stuff so later she can terrorize you to take her makeup off any time she’s too tired to do it herself… Or when she simply can’t be bothered to do so.” He rolled his eyes but there was fondness in his tone which suggested that Itadori didn’t mind it too much.

Megumi looked as the man turned the bottle to spill some of the fluid on the cotton, preparing it. He extended his hand expecting it to be given to him, but Yuuji ignored his outstretched palm, reaching for his chin to gently turn it up as he began to slowly wipe his face.

Megumi’s mouth felt so dry he didn’t even try to swallow. With burning cheeks he observed Itadori, using the fact that for once the man wasn’t holding eye contact because he was too focused on his task. His fingers were so hot on Fushiguro’s skin, and he was so close Megumi’s mind was short-circuiting every few seconds.

He hoped the man’s rambling would drown out the sound of his rapidly beating heart. 

“... now that I think about it, my older brother also uses some kind of eyeliner ish thing! It makes his eyes stand out more, or at least that’s what he said. Heh, that’s what she- nevermind. I don’t think I have ever seen him wiping it off though, maybe because he started using it after we stopped living together? Or maybe when we did I just never noticed it? To be fair you’re right, I didn’t know shit about makeup until like a year ago, when uni started and stuff… And that’s when I met Noba- hold on a second.” Yuuji bit his tongue in concentration, Megumi’s heart making somersaults somewhere in his stomach. He so badly wanted to become more familiar with that one particular muscle, god help him that no one ever found out.

Yuuji made one last wipe under his left eyelid and straightened back a little, a big smile stretching his lips once again.

“Alright, we’re getting somewhere! Let me just change that thing, one second…” He did it swiftly, his warm fingers coming back on Megumi’s face moments later. “As I was saying, I met Nobara during the first year inauguration and we just kind of… clicked. She helped me realize a lot of stuff about myself! She’s a great friend, even though I have to carry all of her bags when we go shopping… And she hits me for asking dumb questions, which are totally not dumb! She’s just smarter so it’s obvious to her…” he whined, and Megumi raised his hand to stop him for a second, eyes wide.

“Wait, Nobara? Kugisaki Nobara? Around five feet tall, acrylic nails, gorgeous makeup-instagram Nobara?” He made sure, disbelief in his voice obvious. What a small fucking world they lived in, holy shit .

Itadori blinked, smiling, only for the corners of his mouth to drop almost immediately. He suddenly looked nervous.

“Uh, yeah, that’s her. Are you like, um, interested? Because I’m sorry to break it to you, she’s like, super gay. Girl gay. Lebanese.” He pointed a finger to the ceiling and Megumi had to use all of his inner strength to not roar with laughter or kiss him on the lips.

Oh my god, his crush was a moron. 

“I think you meant to say she’s a lesbian?” He coughed, and even in the dim light he could see Itadori’s blush.

“Uhm, whatever, yeah. Just. Girl kisser. Not into boys, no matter how pretty you are.” The man mumbled, his eyes looking at Megumi with some kind of desperation the other couldn’t help but enjoy just a little. 

“I would say it’s a good thing considering how I’m quite sure she’s right now hooking up with my very much female, very much lesbian cousin.” He tilted his head, the amusement in his voice obvious. Taking mercy on Yuuji he leaned in the tiniest bit, fingers trailing the hem of his neckline, eyelids drooping. “And I will try not to take any offense on how you could look at this outfit and assume anything but the fact that I’m very, very gay myself.” He pointed at his torso, smiling sweetly as Yuuji gave him a very unsubtle, very thorough once over, pupils dilating.

“I, uh, yeah.” He stumbled over words, licking his lips in the smallest movement that didn’t escape Megumi’s hawk-like stare. “In my defense, I try not to get my hopes up too much. You’re so hot you could probably have anyone you’d want, fuck, maybe even Nobara.” He groaned, picking up the cotton pad to wipe at the other side of Fushiguro’s face, eyes a bit unfocused as his thumb brushed under Megumi’s bottom lip, which the other suspected had nothing to do with cleaning, and everything with the heat in the man’s gaze.

“How can you just… say those things?” He marveled at the lack of embarrassment in Yuuji’s tone whenever he threw a compliment his way, almost making him jealous. Itadori’s warm eyes meet his once again, forcing him to swallow.

“Well, telling the truth is easy. Especially when what’s at stake is wooing the prettiest guy you’ve ever met in your life and having some beer in your system definitely helps.” He winked, and Megumi just had to look away, overwhelmed. He had never felt this… wanted. Genuinely wanted, and his mind was at war between basking in the attention and freaking out. Because usually, when things seemed too good to be true, they indeed were, and he always ended up disappointed. He desperately prayed that this time things would be different, because he couldn't handle it if everything turned out poorly. Not with Yuuji. “Anyway, I hope I’m not coming off too strong, I just, well, genuinely want to go out with you.” His smile was so kind it made Megumi’s soul ache. “I just have trouble keeping things casual and stuff, Nobara always says I’m getting all intense for no reason…” He sighed, changing the used cotton once more.

Megumi looked at him, really looked at him, at the boyish smile, scars, and the light freckles splattered across his nose. This was the football team captain. The object of his unwavering attention for almost an entire year. Right now though, he was someone completely new, breaking down the assumptions Fushiguro had about him and building completely new ones. Megumi really wished they had time to unpack these new revelations together, during some more favorable circumstances than at a houseparty where the beat of the music was seeping through the walls and their minds still a bit dizzy from the alcohol.

“Speaking of Nobara,” Yuuji continued, his moves once again precise and focused, “You said she’s with your cousin? Mind sharing, who's the lucky lady?” He wriggled his brows in a way that made Megumi snort softly.

“Maki Zenin. I don’t know if you heard about her, she’s a year older…” he paused, seeing how Itadori’s mouth opened in shock.

“Maki Zenin? THE Maki Zenin? The one who could probably fucking benchpress me and without even break a sweat? Holy shit , the genes in your family are insane. ” He looked shocked, while Megumi felt an intense sense of pride overtake him. Damn right he was the cousin of the Maki Zenin, the one and only. “I wanted to approach her at the gym a few times and beg to train together but she had headphones on, I didn’t want to disturb her and look like a creep but damn … Please ask if she needs a gym buddy, I just know I could learn so much from her!” The way Yuuji’s eyes were shining was almost cartoonish. Megumi had an insane urge to bite him on the cheek, so overwhelmed by his cuteness.

“I will, she might actually like that. She’s mostly a lone wolf but from time to time even she needs company. I guess that’s another thing that runs in the family.” He winked at Itadori before closing his eyes completely so the other could clean them too. 

There was a significant pause before he felt the softness of cotton on his face again. He sighed softly, trying to remember the last time he felt this comfortable. Despite not the best start and literally showing himself in such a very vulnerable and unattractive way, Yuuji was here. Casual but sweet with him, hitting on Megumi in a way that was making him both laugh and rub his thighs together.

And he wasn’t talking about just physical stuff, about wanting a night with Fushiguro, wanting a kiss or anything else like this. He wanted more time together, a date, a walk back home. Somehow it made Megumi only desire him stronger.

“Done.” Itadori finally said after they sat for a minute in comfortable silence. Megumi opened his eyes again, blinking a few times. Itadori sat there with a smile and eyes full of wonder as he watched Fushiguro, unashamed about his adoration. Megumi’s head was spinning. “I know you probably could have done that faster and better than me, so… Thank you. For letting me take care of you.” 

Megumi’s face burned as he lightly punched Itadori’s arm, unable to hold eye contact.

“Shut up, jesus fuck, I should be the one thanking you! How are you real?” Itadori just grinned wider, shrugging.

“I said it first, sooo… deal with it, dude.” He laughed, the sound dying in his throat as Megumi leaned in really close.

“No.” He said, and then turned his head to press a small kiss to Yuuji’s cheek, right above his scar. He could feel the man shudder under his lips. “Thank you. You’re so stupidly chivalrous that it’s hard to process.” 

As he leaned back, smiling softly, he watched Itadori blink slowly, mouth agape, dark blush unfolding over his features. 

Fuck, Kirara would probably roll her eyes on how weak he was but he just couldn’t help himself. Not with Yuuji taking care of him like that, not with all the flirting, the tension between them threatening to snap.

“Shall we?” He raised his brow, once again faking confidence he didn’t feel at all. There was just pure heat rolling in his belly, face tingling lightly in all the places Yuuji had touched him.

He wanted more, so much more that just fighting that urge was a struggle. If he was fascinated with the man before, he feared that from this point on it’d become his obsession. How was he supposed to ever forget such an overwhelmingly charming treatment? How was it was to be on the receiving end of his gentle touch?

Itadori swallowed, clearing his throat unsubtly before he got up, hands shaking a bit when he proceeded to hastily throw away the used products.

“Yeah, su… sure uh, just a second o-okay?” He laughed nervously, turning to the sink to splash water over his face, his knuckles turned white from the force of his grip on the towel he used to dry himself off. 

Knowing how much effect he had on the other man, Fushiguro had to focus all of his brainpower to not beg on his knees for Yuuji to abandon being polite and touch him again, more, everywhere, to screw the fact that they were in someone else’s bathroom at some stupid party, where anyone could walk in on them.

For the second time that evening he forced himself to get a grip.

His knees protested slightly when he got up but held steady for a whole two steps before giving out on him.

At this point he was used to Yuuji’s arms saving him.

He was not, however, used to the size of his body when the man stood right next to him, in all its muscled, broad shouldered glory, eyes worried as he watched over Megumi.

“Careful, you were out for some time after all. Just stick close to me, I’ll hold you if anything happens, don’t worry. You’re really light, Gumi.” The nickname didn’t help Fushiguro’s situation at all, nor did the carefully placed hand on his waist.

If he just wasn't so damn nice. So well built, so warm. If he didn’t have such a bright smile, sweet personality, big hands. If Megumi could just forget how the man had seen right through him after seeing his art for the first time in his life.

Maybe then he wouldn’t feel so desperate to make this moment last forever.

They walked out of the bathroom, Yuuji’s hand a brand on his body. The corridor didn’t feel so overwhelmingly long now, when the alcohol and panic wasn’t coursing through Fushiguro’s mind, making his vision blur on the edges. Now he could appreciate the dark green drapery on the walls and few tasteless but interesting paintings here and there. The music was starting to get louder as they walked down the dark hall.

The stairs were more of a challenge than Fushiguro expected, but Itadori was there every moment his step faltered even slightly. Megumi tried not to get lost in the feeling of being pressed so close to him, Yuuji’s breath tickling his cheek if he turned his head to the right. It became even harder as they finally reached the bottom of the staircase, and it became clear they’ll have to squeeze themselves through all of the dancing bodies, the crowd not changing much from how it was those hours ago.

Yuuji became a shield between him and the people carelessly jumping around, taking on himself the damage of elbows and hands thrown mindlessly in the air. Megumi never felt more in love.

They reached the hallway where all of the jackets were hung and Yuuji stopped them, taking a moment to find his jersey among the huge number of clothes there.

“Weren’t you scared someone might take it?” Megumi bit his lip seeing the white and red jacket with the “ITADORI 01” written across his back. So far he has only seen it from afar after when the man wore it after matches or at school, dreaming a teenage dream about being the one wearing it while he cheered Yuuji on during his games.

“Nah, why would they? It’s basically signed.” He shrugged, carefree on a level Fushiguro envied.

“You’re too trusting, you know that?” All he got in return was a sharp grin as Itadori moved to open the door for them.

Just as Megumi unfortunately predicted, the night turned quite chilly. Which for someone like him who naturally ran colder than the average person, meant an uncomfortable walk back home, during which he’d curse the outfit choice of his past self. Screw the fact that his top and shorts looked as sexy as intended, now he’d have to talk with Itadori through clenched teeth pretending he’s peachy keen and not freezing his ass off.

He lasted for about thirty seconds before Yuuji caught up on what’s going on.

“Wait, that’s all you wore coming here?” The man’s brows scrunched in worry once again, his expression far too adorable for Fushiguro’s brain to comprehend. 

“It’s the price I had to pay to look this good.” He tried for a simple shrug but missed by a mile as his body shuddered from the gush of wind that flew past them. Fuck him and his weak body, shit.

“Jesus, Gumi…” Itadori stopped them, hastily taking off the jacket he barely put on to wrap around a dumbfounded Megumi, encouraging him to put his arms in the sleeves as he carefully fastened all the buttons from the bottom up. 

Fushiguro was taken clear out of reality and right into one of his most guarded fantasies. He was, speaking frankly, absolutely fucking speechless.

The soft material was completely drowning him, the difference between his lean frame and Itadori’s broad shoulder never more obvious. The jersey was warm from Yuuji’s skin and soaked in his smell from how often the man used it. Megumi had to fight the urge to hide his face in the rolled up collar and moan, inhaling the intoxicating scent.

“I, uh, um, thank you. Won’t you be cold now, though?” He finally let out, stammering embarrassingly like a lovesick schoolgirl. He was a bit obsessed how only the tips of his fingers peeked out from the ends of his sleeves. He was not a small guy by any means, but Itadori with all his bulk made him feel tiny and god, was it doing things to him.

“What? Uh, no, not at all. My body has a naturally high temperature…” He sounded distracted, eyeing Megumi with a weird look on his face. He finally groaned, covering his mouth with a hand, cheeks blushing. “Okay, fuck, I didn’t consider how cute you’re gonna look, shit. Let my brain revert back to factory settings, I’m an idiot.” 

Megumi smirked, feeling way better knowing that he’s not the only one affected by the gesture. It made it easier to reach out for Yuuji’s hand, interweaving their fingers. 

“How is it possible that you’re still single?” He let out involuntarily, the words just slipping out since the question had been circling around in his mind for some time. Yuuji was the hottest, sweetest person in the whole world and he was giving Megumi the time of the day like there was not at least hundred people more deserving of his affection than Megumi. His thoughtfulness was just the cherry on top. Fushiguro didn’t ever meet men like that, hell, there were no men like that. Not for him at least.

Yuuji seemed genuinely baffled, eyes going huge as he looked at Megumi, gesturing wildly.

“What? Me?! How can you be single, damn it. I thought my heart would stop when you approached us before, red solo cup and smiling at Okkotsu…” Itadori pouted, his hand gripping Megumi’s tightening significantly. “Everything was so wrong because I was about to witness the prettiest human ever hit on my friend who would have to reject him being already head over heels for someone else, but then I noticed Toge! And fuck, I was euphoric, everything was going perfect again because you weren’t there for Yuuta! But then you started flirting with Junpei and I was so, so jealous I could die, how was that fair, he doesn’t even like guys…!” The pout turned into full on frown and Megumi couldn’t help the giggle that escaped him. 

Giggle. He never even smiled a lot, not to mention laughed, and here he was, with Itadori Yuuji who was making him giggle more in one night than he had in his whole life.

“Yuuji, I was trying to flirt with you indirectly, like, through Junpei, just to test out if you’re straight or not.” The corners of Megumi’s lips rised as he observed the way Itadori’s eyes widened in shock.

“What?! Indirect?! Dude, I am bad enough with obvious signals, why the fuck would you try to send me subtle ones?” He groaned, and the other man was helpless to laugh once again.

“Alright, that’s fair, I see it now .” It was hard to hide the amusement in his voice so he didn’t even try, cheeks and belly starting to hurt. “I just, well, I wasn’t about to make a fool of myself by going after the most popular man in our university, no matter how hot you are.” He offered, while Yuuji looked like he was about to have a stroke.

“I can’t believe you saw me before and never approached me because you thought I’m some kind of straight jock, I will kill Todo and then myself, fuck, he was the one who talked me into taking the captain’s position…” Itadori put his free hand into his hair and tugged, looking so miserable as if the very world was ending.

“Todo? Todo Aoi? The guy who asks everybody what their type is like a major weirdo?” Megumi raised a brow, turning to Yuuji as they stopped before the crosswalk, waiting for the light to turn green. They were one block before his apartment.

The other man made a funny expression as he pinched his nose right next to the scar, sighing.

“Yeah, the same. I promise he’s less of a weirdo after he takes his adderall and you get to know him, kind of like me, honestly.” He offered a grin and Megumi shook his head, disagreeing.

“You’re way nicer than him, no way. He approached me when I was a freshman and you can imagine how scary that was for me, I thought I was about to get bullied for sure. Maki found me in time and told him off thankfully, he looked like he was about to punch me after I started babbling something about people with strong character being my type.” He admitted sheepishly, pleased when it made Itadori laugh.

The story itself was embarrassing and he was never much of a talker either, but once more he found himself babbling just so that sunshine-like grin would split Itadori’s face.

How utterly pathetic of him.

“Oh nooo way, that’s what you said? Todo’s always so disappointed when that’s the answer he gets!” Megumi rolled his eyes at him, the chuckle Yuuji let out combined with his thumb caressing Fushiguro’s knuckles making him shiver slightly.

“Can you really blame me? I was gay and new there, I was not about to get jumped.” Unexpectedly that’s what made Yuuji gasp.

“Todo’s not homophobic! He was super supportive when I figured out I’m bisexual, somewhere at the beginning of this year I think? I just never gave it much thought, so it sort of happened? But he immediately tried looking for a boyfriend for me which was, uh, a totally embarrassingly huge failure, let’s leave it at that.” He blushed, and Megumi felt his interest piqued despite himself.

“So you had to tell him what your type is, right? If he tried to match you with someone…” He looked to the side, feigning nonchalance and his sudden interest in the building’s wall next to them, his heart beating faster and faster. What was Yuuji’s type? 

“Eh? Well, yeah, I told him some dumb shit without thinking, something about being tall with a nice butt… A lot has changed since then, I should probably update him.” Megumi couldn’t figure out the emotion in Yuuji’s voice but he was refusing to look at the man, too embarrassed by his own sudden self consciousness. 

Did he have a nice ass? Maki never commented on that, but he trusted her to say something if he was lacking in that department, same with Toge…

“Oh, did it?” He asked absentmindedly, overthinking the times he visited the gym lately to hit the glutes. Was it once last month? Twice?

“Hell yeah it did. I’d have to add black hair, dark eyes, and long legs too…” Yuuji sounded like he was smiling and that finally pulled Megumi out of his thoughts enough. He glanced at the man, finding him already staring back, eyes intense. He felt his cheeks turn red as he tried to hide them in the collar of the jersey, Yuuji’s jersey, as the man reached to brush off a hair strand off his forehead.

“The light’s green.” He mumbled, tugging Itadori behind himself.

His poor heart was not surviving this man.

“Sooo, did you ever think about approaching me at uni? Or were you planning on hiding from me until we graduate?” Yuuji grinned only for the smile to disappear almost instantly, eyebrows furrowing. “Wait, you weren’t actually avoiding me, were you? That would explain how I’ve never seen you, but…” Itadori sounded so sad and confused that Megumi didn’t have the heart to tell him that yeah, it was kind of what he had done and had planned on continuing, just so he could avoid the heartbreak and disappointment of the century.

Now though… Now the lines of what he should and shouldn’t do were all blurring together, with Yuuji’s big eyes looking at him like that.

“I mean, maybe a little? I’m mostly just good at blending into the crowd, that’s it.” He had to turn his head to the other side to hide his face. He never had a problem with lying before and could do it without even blinking, but in front of Yuuji’s earnest expression it felt like the hardest thing to do.

“Bullshit.” Itadori’s words stopped him just as they arrived in front of the entrance to his apartment building. Megumi’s heart was beating like a drum in his chest, Yuuji’s serious gaze trapping him in place. “You’re anything but another face in the crowd, Fushiguro Megumi.”

Megumi tried to swallow, but his throat was too dry.

This couldn’t be real, Itadori was not real, no one had ever made him feel like that. His heart was exploding, the world was ending and he had never been happier to just throw himself face first into the unknown. The storm of his feelings threatened to carry him somewhere far away from everything he knew.

And maybe, just maybe, it was actually the right step to take.

Yuuji moved his eyes from his face before he decided what to say, noticing where they stood.

“Oh, this is where you live? Sweet! You’re super close to my favorite burger place…” He babbled, opening the door and holding it for Megumi like a true gentleman.

Fushiguro walked in first, a bit dazed from the sudden realization. He really was about to take a giant leap of faith. Him,  Fushiguro Megumi, someone who never took unnecessary risks, never took a gamble on anything, never made a single choice in his life without overthinking it for hours or even days.

If it was anyone else he wouldn’t do it. Anyone else but Yuuji, sending him that sweet smile as they stepped into the elevator.

“Um, about that phone number of yours…” The man looked like a nervous puppy, fidgeting in place, his eyes big and earnest. 

“What about it?” Megumi gave him a half smile, raising one brow. He couldn’t help but tease the other.

“Come on!” The whine Itadori let out was too funny, cracking up Megumi’s facade. Laughing softly, he took his phone out of his pocket and unlocked it.

“Do you really have to ask?” Clicking into the contact list he handed the phone to Yuuji who jumped in place, fist pumping the air from excitement. 

“Hell yeah!” The man’s grin was so wide he had to scrunch his eyes, fingers flying on the screen as he put his contact information there, Megumi’s quiet laugh just a background noise to his chatter. “Thank you so much Gumi, I promise not to spam you too badly! Maybe just some dog's pics, and some funny videos... Or some movie recommendations! Alright who am I kidding, I will be totally blowing up your phone by the end of the day.” He had the decency to at least look a bit embarrassed over it as he handed the device back to a furiously blushing Fushiguro. 

There was a chirp of notification somewhere from Yuuji’s direction and Megumi figured that the man had sent himself a text message.

“Who said I’d mind?” Fushiguro checked his chats briefly and confirmed his suspicions, seeing a chain of heart emojis sent to an unknown number. 

When he looked up, Yuuji’s intense stare was already boring into him, not helping at all with the blood rushing to his cheeks.

“Careful.” Yuuji’s smile was all teeth, wild and predatory, threatening to steal him away at an unguarded moment. Megumi swallowed. “I just might take you up on that.” 

The elevator arrived on the fourth floor, announcing it with a quiet ding. The sound rolled between them along with the suffocating tension, Megumi’s breaths coming out faster than they should.

He walked out first, turning left to go down the long corridor towards the dark green door that led into his and Maki’s apartment. Yuuji followed, his arm naturally coming to rest around Megumi’s waist, despite both of them knowing that now it was less about helping him stay upright and more about soaking in each other's presence. Fushiguro wondered if they really still needed the excuses.

He ignored the way his hands shook slightly as he took out his keys, hoping that the sleeves of Itadori’s jersey was covering them enough. The silence between them felt loaded with the amount of unspoken words hanging in the air.

Only when Megumi finally opened the door showing the dim hallway of his flat did he turn back to look at Yuuji, whose eyes softened once more despite the tension in the rest of his body.

“Thanks for letting me walk you back, Gumi.” The man said, taking a tiny step closer. Megumi’s throat immediately felt parched.

“Well, thanks for walking me back. And everything else, it probably sucked to ditch the party just to take care of the drunk mess that I was.” He tried to lower his gaze bashfully but a hand under his chin stopped him, lifting his face back up. 

“I would ditch every party forever if it meant I got to spend more time with you.” Megumi felt goosebumps blossom over his skin, the genuine tone in which Yuuji used to confess such embarrassing things was making his breath hitch. He was sure that the other man could feel his thundering pulse under the tips of his fingers pressed to the side of Fushiguro’s neck.

“You’re shameless.” He mumbled, not caring anymore about the shade of red his skin was at this point. Yuuji just smiled wider, observing him in that unnerving way that made Megumi’s stomach tighten into knots.

“Maybe.” Itadori leaned even closer, breath fanning over Fushiguro’s face. “Is it bad?”

“No.” Megumi’s eyelids fluttered close, anticipation taking his breath away. “Not at all.” 

A heartbeat later the warmth from Yuuji’s closeness engulfed him and he felt the hot press of the man’s mouth right in the center of his cheek. The soft kiss lasted one second, two, then Yuuji pulled away, scanning Fushiguro’s stunned expression. 

“I’ll see you later, Megumi.” He brushed the edge of his jaw tenderly for the last time and then he finally turned away.

For Fushiguro, it seemed to happen in slow motion. 

The exhale leaving his lungs, the surge of certainty, that it’s not how he wanted to leave it. He felt desperate for Yuuji to stay. That he never was, and never will be like Kirara, protecting her heart with an iron fist of self discipline. 

Megumi wore his heart on a sleeve. That was the ugly, embarrassing truth he was so scared of showing. He was content with people assuming the worst about him, avoiding him even because of his closed off attitude. That way he wouldn’t have to open up to anyone just to be painfully hurt by careless comments or actions, especially when they assumed he wouldn’t care anyway.

He did. 

He did care so hard it made him physically ill at times, he cared about everything that has ever happened to him, and everybody he has ever met even if they never stayed. It was actually the people who left that he thought about more intensely than others, trying to forgive himself, over and over again for not being a good enough person for them.

To show his true feelings, his wants and desires… He felt mortified just thinking about it.

Yet, here he was. 

Tipped forward, his fingers wrapped around Yuuji’s wrist in a desperate attempt to stop him from leaving. With the man himself turned back to him, surprised, almond eyes big and attentive as they locked with Megumi’s own.

He couldn’t breathe, his lips half parted, as if he even knew what he would say if his throat wasn’t so tight. All he knew was that he wanted the man like he never wanted anything else, wanted him so selfishly and overwhelmingly that it scared him. He was terrified, burning, craving something sweeter than sin, but more freeing than one.

And that hopeless, silent prayer lay bare in his eyes, all for Yuuji to see. All for him.

Just for him.

He didn’t know who moved first but suddenly Yuuji was on him, hands framing Megumi’s face, walking him backwards to the wall and then he was kissing him, really kissing him, their mouths pressed together so hard he didn’t know where he ended and Itadori began. 

It was heaven.

Yuuji moved away for a second to kick the door closed and Megumi’s brain briefly noted that they were in the hallway of his apartment, his body trapped by Itadori’s bulk somewhere between the entrance and his coat hanger. Then Yuuji's lips were back on his and all coherent thoughts left him for good.

Yuuji held him like he was a lifeline, one arm moving to wrap around his middle, pulling them impossibly closer together. Megumi moaned breathily into the kiss, his own hands lost somewhere in Yuuji’s hair and on the back of his shirt. The pink strands were as soft as they looked, and tugging them caused a deep, breathy groan to fall from Itadori’s lips. It made something akin to molten lava fill his stomach, dropping down his insides all the way to his core.

Yuuji’s kisses were an all-consuming thing, stealing his air and the rest of sanity Fushiguro had. The taste of the man overpowering his senses as their tongues met. Hot, wet, messy. Megumi let out a full body shudder, the whines that escaped out from him uncontrollably muffled by their mouths. Yuuji kissed like it was a competition and he was going straight for gold.

Both of Itadori’s big, warm hands slipped down under the jacket to circle the other’s waist and he squeezed down, making them both gasp, tiniest strand of saliva connecting them.

“Fuck, fuck you’re so beautiful.” Yuuji’s tone was feverish, adoration in his voice, his touch, in every little thing he did. Megumi felt drunk. “Megumi, Megumi please.”  

He didn’t know what the man was pleading him for, but as long as he kept kissing him like that Megumi would give him everything he had and then some. Just for this to never end, to forever have Yuuji’s lips on his, licking into his mouth like he couldn’t get enough. 

Never in his life had Fushiguro felt such passion, or been swept off his feet by just making out with somebody. If it wasn’t for Itadori holding him he would have collapsed, legs jelly, his clit throbbing from the way Yuuji’s fingers flexed on his waist, the low grunts of pleasure mixing into their kiss as Megumi’s hands explored that toned chest.

It was unreal how much he wanted this man. He could barely believe that he was finally there, right where he wanted him, his mouth latching onto Megumi’s neck just as it was getting too hard to breathe, holding him in his arms against the wall. All of those muscles pulled taunt under Megumi’s fingertips, and it thrilled him to imagine that barely hidden strength being used on him.

With Yuuji’s mouth kissing bruises right under his ear nothing was stopping the moans that escaped him, his voice embarrassingly loud in the quiet space around them filled only by the heavy panting.

“Ah, fuck!” Megumi’s short nails dug into the strong arm holding him when Itadori’s teeth bit down on his skin, not hard enough to draw blood but just enough for the pain to feel like pleasure and assault the man’s senses. 

“Your neck is so pretty, so pretty, fuck.” Itadori’s words slurred together, his tongue licking a long stripe from Fushiguro’s clavicle all the way up to his chin. It made the other man’s hips move involuntarily, almost enough to grind on Itadori’s thigh. He needed relief from the pressure he felt so bad he could cry. The inside of his panties was soaked. “I wanna mark you everywhere, can I? Please baby, can I?”

Megumi couldn’t speak, blinded by desire so strong it felt like he’d explode into a supernova. He let out a groan and tipped his head back to give Yuuji both his permission and the access to do as he pleased, because he couldn’t find the words to use anyway. There were none good enough words to explain the other that he didn’t have to ask. That Megumi was already his. That he was aching to be marked as this man’s property, that he wanted everybody who looked at him to see that Itadori Yuuji had laid his claim on him.

“Thankyouthankyouthankyou…” The words were almost unrecognizable, each letter kissed, licked or nipped in the skin of Megumi’s neck. He couldn’t help the breathy moans that left his lips, especially when Yuuji backed him into the wall impossibly closer, wrapping his palm under Megumi’s right leg and hiking it up over his hip.

Then he bit Fushiguro hard, making the man cry out and practically thrash in his hold. 

“Yuuji…” He whined, hot tears threatening to fall, the man’s calloused fingers gripping his bare leg; a maddening temptation. Just a fracture closer to the bottom of his shorts and it would be oh so easy for him to slip into them…

“I love how you say my name, shit, do it again Gumi, please. ” Itadori’s voice was hoarse and so deep as he sounded gone to the world. He pressed himself closer to Megumi, in between his thighs and into the crook of Fushiguro’s neck where his own jersey had gotten pulled aside.

A punched out sound left Megumi when he felt the hardness of Yuuji’s erection trapped behind the material of his jeans nudging his lower belly. A physical confirmation that the man wanted him and a lovely discovery that all of Fushiguro’s fantasies hadn’t done him justice. Itadori felt huge against him.

“Yuuji, Yuuji, Yuuji.” Megumi’s whines got muffled by a breathtaking kiss, Itadori licking and biting with the desperation of someone on death row. Devouring Megumi as if he’s the other’s last meal.

For all he cared Fushiguro could die happy now, after experiencing how it felt to be wanted by Yuuji Itadori with everything he had, the man’s affection so overwhelming it was turning his brain to mush.

“Can I suck you off?” The question took Megumi off guard, Itadori leaning away a bit just to look him in the face, his pupils blown so wide it was impossible to see his warm brown irises. He was breathing hard, hair disheveled, mouth spit slicked. His eyes dropped to Megumi’s own mouth every second or so, his stare hungry. Fushiguro knew he had to look like a mess himself. “I’ve never done that before but fuck, I don’t care, I want to make you feel good, can I?”

Megumi tried to swallow but failed, his pulse spiking.

Fuck, fuck, fuck his stupid life. He forgot. He forgot to tell Yuuji that there was, in fact, nothing for him to suck off down there. That he was not exactly what the man had imagined, he was imperfect, he was-

There had to be something showing on his face because Yuuji quickly leaned in to steal the tiniest kiss before straightening back up.

“We don’t have to, I’m so sorry Gumi, please don’t look so stressed baby, please. I just wanted to make you feel good, nothing else, I’m sorry for going too fast…” He peppered Fushiguro’s face with butterfly kisses, dropping them on his nose, forehead, eyelids, everywhere he could reach. 

Megumi felt the tension instantly melting from him as he hummed happily, tugging at Yuuji’s hair to pull him into a deeper kiss.

Why did coming out have to be so nerve wracking? Every time, it didn’t matter how many times he did it, there was no way to predict someone's reaction.

But he wanted to tell Yuuji. He wanted him to know because he wanted to give him everything and he hoped that the man would accept it. 

Would accept him.

“It’s not that,” he murmured into Itadori’s mouth, moving away just slightly to be able to speak, his eyes not meeting Yuuji’s. The man’s thumbs were rubbing soothing circles on the skin under his thigh and on the back of his neck. “It’s just… well, shit. I don’t have a dick, alright?”

He wanted to smack himself the second he blurted out the words, Itadori’s round eyes blinking at him without an ounce of understanding behind them. He sighed, steeling himself before he cleared his throat to follow the fateful sentence with: “I’m trans.”

A second passed, then two.

“Oh.” It looked like Itadori fought with all of his brain power to get the cogs of his mind to move. Megumi could see the exact moment it finally happened. “Alright man.”

It was his turn to blink.

“Alright?” He didn’t like how high pitched and full of disbelief his voice became but he gave up on caring about it. Especially after Yuuji gave him a full teeth smile and leaned to kiss his nose.

“Yeah, alright.” He winked at him, and the grip of his hands on Megumi’s body suddenly tightened, forcing a gasp out of the startled man. Yuuji’s gaze became all intense once again as they held eye contact, Megumi feeling the blood in his veins boil anew as Itadori’s tongue peeked out to lick his lips. “Let me rephrase then; can I eat you out, baby?”

Fushiguro shuddered, the ease in which the words rolled off the man’s tongue making him clench on nothing. How did he make it all so… easy?

“Actually, it’s more than alright.” Yuuji moved closer, nosing at the outline of Megumi’s ear, his hot breath causing the other to bite his bottom lip in a weak attempt to stop any noises threatening to come out. “Fuck, Gumi, you have a pussy… That means you can come more than once, right? I can make you feel so good, fuck.”

Megumi moaned unashamedly, pushing his hips out to grind on Yuuji’s thigh, presented so nicely for him by the other.

He felt dizzy, mind scrambling to keep up with what the hell was going on, because it was just too nice to be true. No one has ever made it about him, turning his dysphoric, sabotaging thoughts into such self appreciating ones. 

The hand Yuuji kept on his thigh finally moved higher, under the seam of his shorts, catching fire everywhere he touched.

“Gumi,” sloppy kisses reached right under the shell of his ear. “Can I taste you?” Another bite on his sensitive neck made Megumi moan. “Can I make you feel good? Please, I’ll do anything baby, anything…”

Fushiguro was floating somewhere far above the earth, his hands a vice grip on the back of Yuuji’s shirt. He was nodding before he fully realized it, his body already shaking.

“Yes, yes yes yes yes, Yuuji please.” He was babbling, pulling at anything he could get a hold on, feeling wrecked already. 

He needed Yuuji’s tongue in him yesterday. He should be the one begging for it, not the other way around.

And yet.

“Thank you, shit, you’re the best Gumi, the best…” Itadori left him a necklace of kisses, leaving one last peck on his mouth before he dropped to his knees with a muffled thud.

Never in his life Megumi met someone so eager to eat him out, let alone as happy and grateful for it as Yuuji. His face burned bright, one hand gripping the man’s shoulder to stabilize himself as Itadori focused his lovely fingers on unzipping Megumi’s shorts and then pulling them down his legs in a swift movement.

Fushiguro’s breath shuddered when Yuuji raised his thigh to place it on his other shoulder, the hot skin of Yuuji’s cheek brushing over the soft inside, his proximity to Megumi’s groin making the man tremble.

“Yuuji?” He whined after the other didn’t move, frozen in place with his eyes glued to the wet spot visible on the black panties in front of him. A heartbeat passed and then Yuuji groaned deeply like he was in pain, leaning forward to nudge his nose against the stained material.

Megumi cried out in surprise at the sudden pressure on his sensitive flesh, the cotton of his undies turning damp from Yuuji’s open mouth breaths. His left hand covered his face while the right one flew to Itadori’s hair, tugging it harshly to pull him away. The man followed its lead with a mournful groan, eyes hazy and unfocused as they looked up at Fushiguro.

That sight alone was enough for a fresh gush of fluids to droll from Megumi’s cunt.

“Gumi?” Yuuji’s voice was hoarse, eyes sliding back to the outline of Megumi’s labia visible behind the thin panties, a moan escaping him. “What…”

“It’s dirty.” Megumi mumbled, ignoring how much he was shaking from that few seconds of contact, his face burning from the filthiness of the act. The way Yuuji inhaled deeply right where he smelled the strongest and seemed to savor it was making Megumi weak in his knees, head spinning from embarrassment and arousal.

“No, please…” Yuuji nuzzled his face in the creamy skin of Fushiguro’s thigh, kissing and nibbling, eyes pleading, desperate. “Let me have it baby, please, Gumi… Can I? I want you so bad, fuck, please let me…”

Megumi felt high on adrenaline and the nonsense spilled from Yuuji’s mouth, his filter completely gone as he begged. He was not struggling in the slightest against Megumi’s hold on his hair but leaning into his grip as he marked up all of the places on Megumi’s leg that he could reach.

“I want everything, fuck, don’t hide from me baby, please…” Itadori’s calloused fingers stroked up and down Fushiguro’s exposed legs, tracing the invisible patterns on his skin. He was waiting for Megumi’s permission like an eager puppy and the other felt his shyness crumble under the weight of his own desire.

How could it not, when Yuuji was so open with him, voicing out how much he enjoyed and wanted things, not an ounce of fear or judgment.

And Megumi wanted to be free too.

“Alright…” Fushiguro let out quietly, his fingers loosening their grip on pink strands to pet at the scar in the corner of Yuuji’s mouth.

The man’s eyes blazed with all the heat hidden underneath, but the kiss he placed on Megumi’s knuckles was tender. When Megumi put his hand back on his nape, Itadori no longer contained his hunger.

Yuuji didn’t waste time as he nuzzled back into his groin, mouthing at the material covering the other’s clit. Fushiguro’s head made a dull sound when it collided with the wall as he threw it back, a whimper tearing from his throat.

The warm, wet pressure made Megumi’s legs shake, eyes rolling back. Yuuji was groaning as if he was the one being pleasured, kissing the other’s pussy through the black material of his panties, his fingers tightening their grip involuntarily at the meat of Megumi’s thighs, preventing the man from moving too much. The slight friction from the cotton was driving Megumi mad. He was torn between never wanting it to end and begging Yuuji to hurry up and finish teasing.

“Yuuji…” his moan sounded pitiful even to him but he was too far gone to care. With the man’s face pressed to his cunt, only the tiniest layer of cotton separating his panting mouth from the bundle of nerves, there was no space left in Megumi’s brain for shame.

He didn’t realize he was pushing Itadori closer by the back of his head in a desperate attempt to chase the pleasure until the man struggled against his hold. He released him quickly, ready to apologize, but the words died in his throat with the look Yuuji sent him, heated enough to melt icebergs.

“Do you like these?” The man rasped, one hand clenching in the material of Megumi’s panties. 

He shook his head for a no, cheeks burning. Those were just his regular underwear, he probably had five other pairs just like them in his drawer. He hadn’t worn anything nice today because never in his wildest dreams had he imagined that the night would end with Itadori Yuuji on his knees in front of him.

“Good.” The said man nodded, and then grabbed at the fabric on the other side and ripped the underclothes as smoothly as if they were made of paper.

The underwear fell on the floor and Megumi felt goosebumps blossom on his skin, conflicted about why such a brute move only made him drip more.

“Showoff.” He mumbled, as if the other hadn’t seen the way his legs trembled. 

Yuuji didn’t even answer, too engrossed with watching the soft pink of Megumi’s exposed labia, saliva pooling in the corner of his mouth. When he gazed up to meet Megumi’s nervous stare he looked wild, hungry.

“Tap me three times if it becomes too much.” Megumi swallowed, but before he could give any verbal confirmation Yuuji dived in and all words left him once again.

The man was thorough with how he cleaned all the wetness clinging to the outside of Fushiguro’s pussy with his mouth, reducing him to a whining mess in a matter of seconds. He himself was humming as if he was devouring a three course meal, fingers of his right hand digging into the flesh of his hip, pressing it to the wall to prevent Megumi from squirming.

When his other hand finally reached the fat lips of Fushiguro’s cunt to spread them, Megumi sobbed, on the verge of begging. Yuuji was however done with teasing, going tongue first right for the man’s hole.

Megumi’s toes curled, hands tugging at Yuuji’s hair painfully. He didn’t realize he was babbling, repeating over and over “yes yes yes fuck, Yuuji” breathily, thighs quivering from the effort to keep them from closing. The hot, wet muscle pushing into him was slowly making him lose his sanity completely, tension building deep inside him.

“So good, so good, please…” He tried rocking forward to grind his throbbing clit on Yuuji’s face, nose, anything, but the man was having none of it, holding him in an iron grip. All Megumi could do was hold on for the ride, blinded by his desire to come but also reluctant to do so, as he dreamed to stay there forever with Yuuji’s face between his legs and his tongue fucking him lazily.

If it felt this heavenly to be eaten out by him, Megumi was already terrified how Itadori’s cock would make him act.

He risked a glance down where Yuuji’s jaw was working tirelessly and he lost his breath upon seeing the man’s blissed out face, brows scrunched in pleasure and eyes half lidded.

“Yuuji,” he mewled, feeling his orgasm fast approaching, as his clit throbbed, begging for attention. He never had gotten this close to reaching the peak so fast, either alone or with a partner, but it felt as if Yuuji commanded his whole body to his will.

And the man was persistent, his pace not faltering ever for a second. He worked Megumi with his tongue until the other trashed, desperate, needing just one little push to fall apart, just a little more…

Yuuji then suddenly stopped the abuse on his hole, moving up and before Megumi even realized what was happening the man closed his burning hot lips around his clit and sucked.

Megumi came with a shout, body spasming. If not for Itadori holding him he’d have fallen, waves of pure ecstasy rolling through him as his pussy pulsed to the rhythm of his fast beating heart. He could feel the gush of liquid spilling from his folds and down Yuuji’s chin, all of this a background to his numbed mind as he shivered from the aftershocks of his release.

Yuuji kept his mouth on him, licking gently at the sensitive bud and milking the last sparks of pleasure out of him.

Megumi was breathing hard, feeling as if he was trying to resurface from the lake of pure bliss, his brain turned into cotton candy. Only things keeping him upright were his thigh propped on Itadori’s arm and the man’s hand on his hip, pressing him to the wall so he wouldn’t slip.

When the onslaught of Yuuji’s lips started bordering on too much the man finally stopped, leaning away a few inches. Fushiguro took a breath of relief which momentarily got stuck in his lungs when all of sudden he felt the tips of Yuuji’s fingers caressing his dripping folds.

He made a surprised sound.

“Yu… Yuuji?” He got out between breaths, his cunt throbbing. Itadori was rubbing around his entrance in small circles, eyes glued to the pink skin, his own inhales uneven. His pupils dilated when he spread Megumi apart, strings of fluid stretching between his fingers.

He groaned.

“Gumi… one more?” He lifted his head to look at the other man pleadingly, almond eyes shining. He looked so handsome it hurt. “One more baby, let me give it to you…”

His gaze dropped back down where two of his fingers slowly slipped into Megumi, already loosened from his tongue. The callouses added to the friction against his sensitive walls and made a moan fall from Megumi’s lips.

“Just one more this time, please baby… I know you can, you’re doing so good…” Megumi felt the tears swell in the corners of his eyes, Yuuji’s fingers going in and out of him in a steady peace. The man leaned in once more, licking a stripe up from his moving fingers to the pulsing clit, ripping a sob out of Fushiguro. “You taste so good, fuck, I love it, let me stay like this for hours, please.”

Megumi’s eyes closed, tears falling down his face. The overstimulation was making his whole body shake violently, pain and pleasure bordering on too much. He still didn’t tap Itadori, addicted to the heat of him in his most intimate place, addicted to the way he was nothing but worshipful with Megumi.

His kisses screamed devotion, lips and tongue burning an invisible brand on Fushiguro. If Yuuji really wanted to stay like this with him, making a mess out of his body and mind until the sun rose, Megumi was sure that he’d let him. 

Yuuji crooked his fingers up to press on that one sensitive spot inside him that made a zip of pleasure flash through him and Megumi was a goner, crying and moaning and squirting all over Yuuji’s hand.

His senses were fried with the intensity of his second orgasm ripped out of him, groans and whimpers echoing loudly in the empty apartment. His hips struggled against Yuuji, eyes rolling back, the maddening sensation of the man licking at him sloppily as he trembled all over made him black out for a second.

When he came back to his senses, Yuuji was gently taking his thigh off his shoulder, supporting his weight as Megumi slid down on his lap, completely boneless.

“Gumi?” Yuuji nosed at the crook of his neck, his clean hand petting the other’s raven locks. Fushiguro could feel how tense he was under him, labored breaths and chest heaving. His hard on must have been painful at this point but he had made no move to get himself off, rubbing at Megumi’s back and kissing the slope of his exposed shoulder, murmuring about how proud he was and how good Fushiguro was for him.

Such complete selflessness of the man just squeezed at Megumi’s heart. 

He let his palms slide down from the other’s hair and down his chest until he reached the zipper, making Yuuji’s breath hitch. He leaned away to look in Megumi’s eyes, gulping audibly at the stare the other sent him from under his long dark lashes.

Fushiguro’s hands were a bit clumsy as he unzipped the jeans, still shaking from the two earth shattering orgasms Yuuji had pulled out of him. He put it aside to force his unresponsive brain to focus, moving forward to lay his head tiredly on Itadori’s broad shoulder, sighing at how strong the other smelled from up close. His skin was glistening from the slight perspiration, hair on the back of his neck standing up when Megumi nudged closer to his ear.

“Yuuji…” Fushiguro finally reached the elastic band of Itadori’s boxers and pulled it down, freeing his erection. Yuuji was shaking slightly, a groan falling from his lips as Megumi’s fingers wrapped around his burning hot length, causing the shaft to twitch in his hold. A pearl of precum was already forming on the tip. “Fuck my hands. Use me, I want it.”

Yuuji moaned brokenly, his arms tightening their hold around Megumi, pressing the man closer to him.

“Gumi.” Another groan. Yuuji’s whole body tensed before his hips rutted forward, the slide of his cock smooth because of all of their combined body fluids still smeared everywhere. Megumi was positive that he was soaking the material of Yuuji’s pants where he sat on his thighs. “You’re so… fuck, I’m so close already.”

Yuuji moved the center of his weight for a better position and then started snapping his hips forward, pushing into the tight heat of Fushiguro’s hands. The power of his thrusts jolted Megumi upward and if not for the hold the man had on him he would surely have fallen off his lap.

The low, breathy groans Yuuji was making were enough to make the heat pool in Megumi’s guts once again, but he was way too exhausted to even think about coming for a third time. He put the last bit of energy he had into moving his wrists, massaging the pulsing length of Yuuji’s dick. Next time… next time he was putting his mouth on it, licking every vein and lovely curve of it. He was already drooling from thinking about how he’d surely choke on the fat head.

With two final thrusts Yuuji came, biting down on Megumi’s neck to muffle the almost animalistic noise that teared from him. Ropes of cum splattered Fushiguro’s hand and down his exposed stomach, just narrowly missing the hem of Yuuji’s jersey. Megumi felt the man softening slowly in his palms, still twitching from the last spurts Megumi milked out of him.

They sat like that for a moment, just clinging to each other and breathing heavily, the comfortable post orgasmic bliss washing over them.

Megumi’s eyelids felt heavy, his rapidly beating heart finally slowing down. He felt Yuuji’s hand moving to support his head as the man moved him from his cozy place in his arms and he was ready to protest, but then Itadori kissed him so deeply he forgot how to spell out words altogether.

It was different from the frantic making out from before, fueled by arousal and desperation. This one was slow and deliberate, Yuuji moving his mouth against his like he had a point to prove.

When they finally separated, a warm flush was back on Megumi’s cheeks. He touched their foreheads together, observing the small smile forming on Yuuji’s lips.

“This might sound bad,” the man started, his thumb caressing the side of Megumi’s cheek, “But I really intended for this to happen maybe after the second date. And with roses. Aaand champagne even though I don’t really like it.” He grinned, nuzzling their noses against each other and Fushiguro could burst with how cute he found him in that moment. 

However, something in his words bugged him slightly.

“So… You’re saying it was, uh, too fast?” He asked carefully, but Yuuji almost immediately shook his head. 

“No! That’s the weird part though, it felt… right. Everything. It’s a bit odd how good it feels to be with you, it’s more natural than breathing.” Yuuji beamed at him with a smile bright enough to rival the sun and Megumi had to hide his face into the man’s neck, overwhelmed by the squeezing feeling in his chest.

“You can’t just say that,” he mumbled. Yuuji’s laughter was the only response he got.

The man was right, though. Despite it being objectively fast and an impulsive decision, Megumi wouldn’t change a thing if given the chance. He felt safe giving Yuuji everything he had; his trust, his heart, his body.

He noticed he had started dozing off on the man and forced himself to blink.

“We can still go on those dates though, right?” Yuuji’s hopeful voice helped him shake off the lovey-dovey thoughts. He leaned away to look into Itadori’s warm brown irises, now visible again as his pupils shrunk to their normal size.

“Well, I would be quite disappointed if we didn’t.” He admitted shyly, giving the man a small, private smile. It made Itadori’s eyes shine.

“You got it then! I will think of something totally awesome, just you wait!” The kisses he left on Megumi’s forehead made the other giggle.

“It’s not all on you, you know? I can plan them too…” He murmured, basking in the little touches of Yuuji’s lips and fingers on his face, the blatant display of affection making his heart swell.

“Nuh uh, I’ve already called dibs, baby. You can think about the next ones maybe, but I already have a mental list of things I want to show you and places I want to take you sooo…” Yuuji grinned, mischievous glint in his eyes.

And really, what other thing could Megumi do but kiss him?