Chapter 1: The Lake House
Chapter Text
Megumi was having a good summer, an enjoyable one even. Yuji and Nobara were frequent faces, whether that be through trips to the beach or visits to various local cafes. He was able to stave off his heat thanks to his newly prescribed suppressants, found less itchy scent patches, and even managed to go visit Tsumiki and her new girlfriend. A fine summer, a memorable one. Work was going well, the emergency vet he worked countless hours at had seen few horrific accidents in comparison to its usual carnage. His boss even suggested he may be getting a raise by the end of the season. A successful summer, a safe one.
“Gonna fill you with my pups, gonna make you fucking swell with them.”
Forget all of that. It was a terrible, wretched summer. Sukuna had ruined it all.
~ Late July ~
“Megs! C’mon, we’re taking a picture!”
Yuji, ever an angel and ever a tourist, has made Nobara and Megumi take a photo at every single photo stand-in along the “quick stroll along the pier” they were promised. It was well past lunch time and the two were losing their patience.
“Yuji, one more picture and I’ll throw your phone into the ocean.” Nobara threatened, a scowl on her usually confident face. “Your family group chat is not in need of more of our memories. Let’s go eat!”
The Itadori’s have always been a picture perfect family in Megumi’s eyes, especially given his.. lackluster upbringing. Toji had tried, he truly believed that. But addiction is a hell of a disease, and in his father’s unfortunate case it was terminal. It’s gotten worse, he thinks, since he and Tsumiki moved out. Less people to hide his shame from, Megumi supposes. He should visit soon.
“Awe c’mon! Megumi, please tell me you don’t agree with her!”
Yuji’s pouting pulls Megumi’s attention back to his long time friends.
“One more photo, then we eat.”
-
The home style diner Nobara found online is proving to be a success as per usual. The beta’s picks always are, the genius she is. Megumi is already halfway through his shogayaki when Yuji waves his free hand in front of his face.
“Megs! Did you hear me?”
“Huh?”
The pout that comes from his best friend is almost too cute to take seriously.
“I was asking if you wanna tag along on my family’s vacation again this year. Kugisaki can’t and I don’t wanna third wheel with Choso and his new girlfriend. He is always grabbing her backside, it’s so uncomfortable!” His last sentence comes out as a whine more than anything. His choice of “backside” over “ass” isn’t lost on Megumi.
How cute.
“Wouldn’t it be fifth wheeling because of Sukuna and Yorozu? Plus, you’ll have Kechizu and Eso to hang with.” Nobara, always ready with a rebuttal, states between bites.
“They aren’t going, too busy for valuable family bonding I guess.” His pout continues through the loud sip he takes from his soda. “And I forgot to tell you guys, but Sukuna and Yorozu actually split. So I was accurate in the amount of wheels, thank you Kugisaki.”
Megumi’s eyes widen. Yorozu and Yuji’s older brother Sukuna have been together since Megumi and him became friends, he’s pretty sure they were engaged.
“Seriously? How come?”
The pink haired alpha sighs. “Something about her “being too clingy”, which I found rude on Sukuna’s part. They were together for like… forever! It just seems kinda heartless to give that all up for a bit of personal space.”
Megumi nods. He isn’t too surprised, Sukuna has never been the kindest person, especially to Yuji. Although he hasn’t personally had any negative experiences with the older alpha, Megumi still doesn’t care much for him because of that.
“I’ll try to get the time off. When is the trip?”
Yuji visibly brightens the angel that he is. “In three weeks! I know it’s kinda last minute, but it’s just for a few days. We’re staying in a super cool lake house too! Just the Itadori’s and a whole body of water to ourselves, it’s bound to be fun!” The man is bouncing in his seat at this point, jostling an annoyed Nobara. After a moment he stills. “Um.. Complete transparency, we’d have to share a room. I hope that’s alright with you.” He looks a bit bashful as wraps up, sneaking a glance at Megumi. The raven haired man just shrugs.
“Yeah I don’t see why that would be a problem. I’m on suppressants now anyway.”
“Oh! Nice! You’ve been wanting to get on them for a while, that’s exciting!” Yuji has a genuine smile on his lightly flushed face. “Are they helping you at all?”
Megumi nods, taking a bite of his slowly cooling food. “Yep, finally have my pheromones under control which means regular scent patches instead of medical grade ones.”
“That sounds terrible, being a beta is way more convenient. Anyway, enough talk I can’t relate to. I wanna hear more about the juicy breakup between Sukuna and Yorozu.” Nobara lives a pretty uneventful life, so gossip comes naturally to her. Megumi likes to act like he doesn’t enjoy it, the overstepping of privacy, but he’d be lying if he says isn’t locked on every word she shares. “Spill, Itadori.”
-
Miraculously Megumi is able to get the time off for the lake trip. Three weeks later he is lugging his modestly packed suitcase into the trunk of Choso’s relatively new car. He must be doing well for himself, not that he’d ever bring it up. The tell tale clank of bottles gives the green eyed omega away, Yuji giving him a knowing look and laughing aloud.
“You don’t have to sneak alcohol like we’re pups, Megs.” He steps forward to help Megumi lift the case. “We are adults, after all.”
Megumi simply pouts.
“Drinking in front of your family sounds… too weird. Just let me vacation how I’d like, mister.” With a wide smile Yuji quickly concedes before climbing into the backseat with his best friend.
-
The car ride is painfully long. Megumi has seen Choso’s girlfriend reach over the dash to palm the stoic alpha at least three times already, the urge to growl at the clearly feral woman getting stronger by the second. At least he has Yuji, sweet sweet Yuji. Such a comfortable shoulder to lean on, so eager to share his snacks, always running his fingers along the omega's arm or through his hair. Megumi isn’t ashamed to admit that he is lulled to sleep by the faint smell of Yuji’s pheromones.
-
Megumi is awoken by a soft hand on his face, stroking his cheek. “Megs, we’re here.”
Blinking slowly, brain fuzzy from sleep, Megumi just smiles and nuzzles against the palm. “Mmm. So warm.” Yuji’s face flushes red.
“Ah, eh- um. Right. Um. Let’s uh, head in. Heh.”
Absolutely adorable.
As the sweet alpha helps him out of the car Megumi can feel him before he sees him. Sukuna.
“Awe fuck, the brat came? Pain in my fucking ass-“ The auburn eyed alpha, storming towards the car with a beer bottle in hand pauses at the sight of Megumi, a dangerous smile creeping along his tattooed face. “Hell, no one told me the pretty little thing was coming along too. My mood just got a lot better...”
Choso rolls his eyes, pushing Sukuna by the shoulder to turn him back to where he came from. “Don’t.” His efforts, although appreciated, are ultimately futile.
“You’ve grown, blessing.” Sukuna shoulders past Choso easily. “So tall for an omega, but that tiny waist of yours gives you away.” His pheromones all but shoot out of him, an overpowering scent of tobacco and greed making Megumi go lightheaded.
Yuji growls, putting himself between his best friend and his eldest brother. “You just can’t control yourself, can you?”
Megumi’s head is spinning as the two bare their fangs, not fully absorbing the volatile interaction in front of him. He slumps against the body of the car, breathing becoming rapid, eyes dilated, his omega screaming at him to follow that scent. Sukuna’s scent.
“Yuji-“ He’s all but panting now. “Something’s wrong.”
Snapped out of his struggle for dominance, Yuji’s eyes flash to Megumi. Sukuna doesn’t move, a knowing grin flashing across his face. “Ah, there you go blessing. You feel it now don’t you?”
“No. No. No no no no no.”
Fated mates are rare, often paired early on in their lives and dying within days of one another. Storybook romances, star crossed lovers. This is not that. This is nothing like the stories promised. This inexplicable pull, this deep excruciating yearning. For him? For Sukuna? No. No, it couldn’t be. It just simply couldn’t be. He was supposed to confess to Yuji, in fact he planned to on this very trip. So why? What cruel entity stripped him of his chance at a pure love just to belong to a bully, an abuser; to fucking Sukuna? Megumi cannot stop the sob that rips through his overheating body.
“Please, please gods. No.”
Cruel does not begin to describe the fang filled smile his fated mate gives him. “Oh cheer up, baby. I ain’t so bad.”
Yuji, panicked and quickly by Megumi’s side grasps onto his shaking body. “Megs? What’s happening? Tell me how I can help. Please. Please!”
Mourning does not properly describe the feeling.
Fat tears roll down his pale cheeks as Megumi buries his face in his best friend's chest. “Yuji, it was supposed to be you. I’m so sorry. I don’t want it. I don’t want it, Yuji.” Before a response can come Sukuna has Megumi over his shoulder, bounding towards the lake house. The last thing the omega sees is his true love left behind, heartbreak etched in his beautiful boyish features.
-
Megumi hasn’t spoken a word since, much to Sukuna’s annoyance. He sits frozen on the large bed, fine cotton sheets soft against his skin as he stares down at the finely woven carpet. It really is a nice lake house.
“Megumi, blessing. Ignoring me won’t work.” It has worked so far. The omega fully intends to continue. “Stop being bitchy and embrace what we have. We can have it real good if you calm the fuck down.”
More silence follows. An annoyed groan escapes the alpha's throat as he sits at the foot of the bed. As abrasive as he may be, he hasn’t touched Megumi once since he set him down from carrying him an hour ago. One may even reluctantly call him a gentleman for giving his fated mate as much space as he has.
“Blessing, baby. I didn’t choose this shit, not that I mind that it’s you, but our bond fucked up my plans too.” Sukuna sighs, running a hand down his face. “Will you at least look at me so I know you’re listening?”
Megumi lifts his green eyes to Sukuna’s auburn.
“Fuck, thank you.” He lets out a deep sigh before speaking. “I tried to bite Yorozu.”
What?
“It didn’t take, no matter how much I cannibalized her pretty neck. Broke the poor girl's heart.” Sukuna slumps back onto the bed, eyes not leaving his fated mates. “Looked into it, doctor told me the only reason why that would happen is if either one of us was already bonded. She freaked, accused me of cheating, and left.”
Megumi cuts in.
“Yuji told me you broke up with her because she was too clingy.” The omega shifts, facing his alpha. “Is your pride really that fragile that you had to lie?”
Words of warning follow a growl. “Watch it, blessing.” Sukuna sighs. “As I was saying, she left. Gave me a lot of time to look into whoever the hell could be my fated mate. Searched for months. Turns out all it took was a couple of fucking pictures of you three brats posing in a photo stand-in to figure it out.”
The photos from the pier… from the day Yuji so sweetly kissed his cheek after he walked him to his door, takeout box of his leftover shogayaki falling to the ground. From the day he furiously fingered himself to the thought of his best friend doing more, of him pressing those soft lips elsewhere, slick gushing between his digits. Such a good day. Such a tainted day.
“I knew as soon as I saw you, blessing. Didn’t even need to see you in person to know that my world was now green eyes and long legs.” He sits up. “But by the time I fucking got you that brat had already sunk his claws in deep. It disgusts me.”
-
Family dinner was horrendous. Choso and Yuji were both screaming at Sukuna, the ferally horny girlfriend long retired to her room. Jin, the widower father of the three alphas, is on his fourth bottle of sake. And Megumi, oh Megumi was sat in the middle of all of it.
“You have betrayed me! How dare you, Sukuna?!” He’s never seen his sweet Yuji so worked up, so beyond reason. Ever the calming presence in Megumi’s life, that kind face has never contorted in the way it is now. Disgusted. Angry. Hurt. Confused. Every emotion spills from him. “You had Yorozu, you greedy bastard! You had love! How dare you take that from me?!”
Tears are falling from his beautiful best friend's face and Megumi’s abdominal muscles clench painfully. Those are not eyes that weep, those are not cheeks to be stained. This is wrong, it’s all wrong. His Yuji, his darling Yuji. He shouldn’t be crying, this wasn’t the plan. They should be swimming, they should be drinking, they should be fucking and laughing and kissing. This is all so fucking wrong.
“You know that’s not how this shit works, brat. Neither of us chose this shit, but you ought to come to terms with it quickly. Megumi is mine.”
His? No. That’s not right, is it?
“Boys, lower your voices. Your father has a headache.” A great addition from Jin, such a help. They of course ignore their father.
“I hate you, Sukuna! You have been nothing but terrible to me my whole life and now you’ve gone and taken my world from me! I wish you were dead!”
Such a passionate, sweet boy. So romantic.
Megumi isn’t sure who lunges first, but all he can think while Choso and Jin pull the two other alphas apart is how hopelessly in love he is with his best friend.
-
“Come to bed.”
Megumi has found he quite likes the balcony in the room Sukuna is keeping him in. The alpha keeps referring to it as “their room”, the delusional thing he is. But Megumi just stares, at the stars, at the lake, at the fireflies, at the dock Yuji is drinking on. What gorgeous sights.
“Blessing. Please.” Sukuna approaches, only clad in his boxers and a pair of woolen socks. They have bats on them which Megumi can begrudgingly appreciate. “I won’t touch you if you don’t want me to. Allow me to do this right.”
“I’m not tired. Go to bed on your own.” Yuji looks so beautiful in the moonlight. “If you make me part ways with the stars I won’t forgive you.”
The alpha sighs, opting to take a seat next to him on the patio couch. “Tell me what I can do to help you accept this.” His eyes show desperation, but Megumi cannot find it in himself to care. “You feel the pull blessing, I know you do. Giving in will reward us both with divine pleasure.”
The omega laughs. Heartily.
“Go to bed, Sukuna.”
And he does.
-
The fated pair leave before breakfast the next morning, Sukuna insisting that Megumi not say goodbye to his youngest brother. There was a fight put up, of course. What would leaving mean for Megumi? What is going to happen with his friends? His job? There were far too many unknowns. Sukuna didn’t see the need to soothe any of those worries. The omega cries nearly the whole trip back home, missing Yuji’s comfortable shoulder and relaxing scent. Missing his sweet voice and gentle smile. His everything. Why couldn’t it be Yuji-
“Blessing. We’re here.” Sukuna’s voice breaks him out of his thoughts. “Go and grab your essentials, I’ll call up a moving company.”
The alpha decided for Megumi that they would move into his “much nicer” apartment together, and thanks to barbaric and outdated laws surrounding fated pairs, he had every right to do so. The complete loss of autonomy makes his skin crawl, leaves his heart empty. What a nightmare.
“I don’t want to tear down my nest.” Megumi has lived in this apartment for years, ever since he and his friends graduated from Jujutsu High. His nest had history, held memories and scents and comforts that he didn’t want to disturb. A scarf from Tsumiki, a t-shirt from Toji, numerous stuffed animals gifted from Yuji. Those were his favorite, so soft and drenched in the kind alpha’s scent. Would Sukuna even allow Megumi to bring them?
“You can rebuild it anywhere you see fit at our place, I won’t disturb the process. I promise this is for the best.”
People make false promises all of the time. Sukuna is no different.
-
Taking apart his nest was one of the most painful things Megumi has ever been forced to endure, and now that he is in Sukuna’s apartment he cannot fathom laying a single piece of it anywhere within its walls. The home was devoid of life, cold and unfeeling. All greys and whites and tans. Megumi has always loved jewel tones, but this is not a place fit for such decadent vibrance.
He settles on the walk-in closet in the guest room, far from Sukuna’s home office or bedroom where his scent is most prominent. The process is slow, meticulous. Megumi is sure to smell every single object he adds to the safe haven as he builds, placing Toji’s shirt under his pillow and surrounding the area with the stuffed plushies gifted by his true alpha. Tsumiki’s scarf is woven between some well loved comforters, and in this moment he wishes Nobara had a scent so she could be a comfort to him too.
Sukuna doesn’t intrude, waiting in the living room for Megumi to come to him.
“All done?” He’s dressed in joggers and a tank top now, based off of his damp hair he seems to have taken a shower.
“Yes. When will the movers be here? I’d like to wash up.” Megumi feels sticky with the distress of the last 24 hours, a shower is required before he crawls into his nest for the night.
The alpha checks his phone. “Damn, not until tomorrow. Apparently you had a lot to pack up. I’ll rent a storage unit for you.”
Megumi fumes. “I don’t want a storage unit, I want my stuff.” He encroaches on Sukuna’s space, pointing a finger to his well muscled chest. “You have abducted me into this space in which I do not know, then you refuse me the items I am familiar with. You are heartless, do you not wish for me to stain your neutral toned model home?”
“Megumi.”
“There is no heart in this place. It is devoid of life, devoid of personality. You have terrible taste, honestly.”
Sukuna pinches the bridge of his nose. “Blessing, listen to me.”
“Everything about you is the opposite of what I want in a partner, I have been doomed to be your mate. I hate you-“ A strong hand grasping his scruff ends his string of insults, Sukuna’s scent spicy and full of rage. “Let go of me!”
“No, because you won’t fucking listen. Shut the fuck up and be obedient for five fucking seconds!” The alpha's voice booms through the apartment, Megumi’s instincts forcing him to bare his neck. “That’s it, blessing. It is time for you to remember your place. I have been too patient with you, that’s fucking over now.”
Megumi is frozen as Sukuna hauls him into his equally plain room. When his body is tossed on the mattress no sound escapes his lungs, too frightened to do anything but stare. Megumi doesn’t remember what happened after that, but when he came to, he was naked and alone in the alpha’s bed. The dull pain between his legs told him everything he needed to know, and all the poor omega could do was cry out for his sweet, loving Yuji.
Chapter 2: Fragile: Do Not Break The Antique
Notes:
Thank you for all who read ch. 1 and sent your kudos my way :)
I was a bit eager to get a second chapter out, so it’s a bit of a shortie. Ch. 3 will definitely be more substantial.
Thanks again for reading!
Chapter Text
Yuji has been trying to get ahold of Megumi for hours, opting to leave the family vacation a day early to search for the omega. He of course knew where the logical location would be to check, but he didn’t want to admit that there was a chance Sukuna had already packed Megumi up and moved him. So, he started with Megumi’s apartment first.
“Excuse me!” Yuji waves down one of the movers. “Hi, so sorry to bother you! I was just hoping you could tell me where you’re moving all of this? You see, these belongings are all my best friends-“
The mover cuts him off, wiping sweat from her brow. “Privacy policy forbids me from telling ya, man. Sorry. Try texting them?”
Right. Of course. Privacy policies. How silly of him.
“Alright, thank you for your time. Um, keep up the good work!” He spots one of the movers being particularly rough with the lamp Megumi proudly thrifted years ago. It was a beautiful thing, stained glass and expertly welded metals. The omega would cry at how poorly it’s being handled. “Oh! Excuse me! Could you please be a little more gentle with that? I know you’re working hard and all-“
The same woman from before sighs. “Stop bothering us, this ain’t your stuff.” It could have been, if things went differently. Yuji had always dreamed of the day he and Megumi started a life together. He’d bring his few boxes of stuff over, mostly things he acquired while scouring yard sales or thrift stores with the raven haired man, weaving them in with Megumi’s trinkets. They’d have every free inch of wall space filled with posters and photos shelves of plants and cool rocks. Yuji would give the omega his comforter to add to his nest, perhaps in the luckiest of timelines he’d be able to join his mate in the comfortable surroundings. They’d get two dogs, whatever kind Megumi wants, take them on long walks and hold hands the entire time. They’d warm each other up once they got home with kisses and gentle embraces, perhaps the omega would want more. Yuji would happily give him more. But all of this is a dream now, a reality that will never come to fruition…
No. He cannot think that way. Megumi said it himself, he doesn’t want this pairing. Yuji will do all he can to rectify it.
-
“Made you some food.” Sukuna thrusts a bowl of miso soup into Megumi’s hands. “You should eat, you look like shit.”
The omega hasn’t moved from the bed, mind numb and body leadened. The heat from the soup splashing onto his skin is the only thing that he registers, letting out a small hiss in response.
“Gods, blessing. You’re fucking burning yourself.” The bowl is swiftly taken back, an exasperated sigh leaving Sukuna. “Open your mouth, I’ll feed you.”
Megumi does so, brain on autopilot. The alpha brings the spoon to his mouth, mumbling something under his breath that the omega doesn’t care to understand. They stay like this for a few minutes, Sukuna’s scent fluctuating from contentment to annoyance erratically. All Megumi can do is eat. Afterward the auburn eyed man carries him to a large bath, already filled with hot water. It turns his pale skin red as he’s lowered in.
“Here.” A plastic bag dangles in front of his face. “I didn’t like the scent of the products you used, smelled them when the movers brought over your shit, so I bought you new stuff. Use it.” With that he exits the bathroom, leaving Megumi alone yet again.
He hates the smell of the expensive shampoo, conditioner and body wash Sukuna bought him. Too floral, too perfumed. A headache was coming on as he drained the tub. Megumi liked his faintly tea scented products that Yuji recommended, they were scent neutralizing too, which helped a lot before he found the right suppressants. Speaking of which, the omega cannot seem to find them anywhere. He was sure they were in his essentials bag, right with his patches that had been tossed into the trash. He is horrified to find his phone was missing too.
“Sukuna..?” He’s dressed now, hair damp and darkening the collar of the t-shirt Yuji won him that day on the boardwalk. “Would you happen to know where my suppressants are? I can’t find them.”
The alpha looks up from his spot on the couch, a smile on his face that doesn’t reach his eyes forming on his full lips. “You won’t be needing those anymore, blessing.” He ushers Megumi to sit on his lap, out of fear of retaliation he does. The alpha runs a finger along his bare scent gland, causing the omega to shiver. “Won’t be needing the patches, either. No other alpha will be smelling you.”
Alarm bells go off in Megumi’s head. What was that supposed to mean? What the fuck did he mean?!
“Um.. could you- could you maybe further explain what you mean by that?” He doesn’t even realize his body is shaking until Sukuna holds him tighter.
“Your place is here in our home, Megumi. No other previous responsibilities require your presence.” He places a kiss right on his scent gland, grinning as the omega squirms. “It’s all been handled, blessing.”
Megumi begins to panic internally, his chest heaving. What does that mean? Previous responsibilities? Does he mean- no. No.
“My job?”
Sukuna nods, adjusting his raven hair behind his ear. “No need for silly professional dreams. Your new job will be to get filled with my pups, doesn’t that sound much better?” Before Megumi could reject the idea a knock on the front door broke the moment. “Stay put.”
-
Sukuna’s building had always been… pretentious. Large glass doors, marble floors, an all too snooty concierge. The elevator played classical music, and a code was required to get to Sukuna’s floor. By the time Yuji knocked on his eldest brother’s door he felt… bored. He’d give Megumi a better life than this, a life of substance. But first, he had to make sure he was okay.
“Fucking hell, what are you doing here brat?!” Sukuna quickly steps out into the hall, spicy pheromones burning Yuji’s nose. “Leave. Now.”
“Where is he? I’ve been trying to get ahold of him for days-“ Sukuna’s fist lands straight to the bridge of his nose, causing the younger alpha to fall to the ground. “Sukuna, what the fuck?!”
“The location of my mate is none of your concern, you little shit. And even if he is inside, what the hell are you going to do about it you pathetic little man? You are a poor excuse for an alpha, Yuji. There is no saving Megumi from me, and even if there was it certainly wouldn’t be by you. Now get the fuck off of my door step and never come back here again.”
Yuji growls at the older man, fangs bared, his usual herbal smell souring. He could sense Megumi nearby, his gingered pheromones seeping through the bottom of the door.
“Don’t bare your fangs to me, pup. Come back when you actually stand a chance.” And with that, Sukuna slams the door in his face.
Damn it. Damn it! He was right, how could he be a good alpha to Megumi if he can’t even take a punch? However, Yuji knew this was a time sensitive issue, there was no time for him to buff up and finally win a fight against his eldest brother. He would need help, and he knows exactly who to go to.
-
“Who was it?” Megumi was still planted in his seat on the couch, the door too far for him to overhear any conversation. He didn’t get a response. Sukuna just storms into the guest bedroom towards the omegas nest. Megumi scrambles, his long legs moving him as fast as possible. “Sukuna, wait! What are you-“
Torn heads of stuffed animals act as shrapnel in his rampage. Tsumiki’s scarf torn in two like it was paper. Toji’s t-shirt reduced down to thin strips of fabric. His nest was ruined, his safe haven was completely decimated by the man who promised to respect it. But this was also a promise from a monster, one who rapes and defiles and abuses. So why does he feel so surprised? So betrayed? Is it because of the bond? He isn’t sure. All he knows is that the sight in front of him is too much to bear.
“Please stop! Sukuna, please!” The words come out as a sob, eyes burning and throat tight. “I’m sorry! For whatever I did I’m sorry! Just please stop!”
Sukuna pauses at that, the alpha panting as he turns to look at Megumi. “I had my suspicions about you and the brat, but to keep items scented with his disgusting scent in my god damn house is crossing a fucking line, Megumi!” He encroaches on his space, boxing him in against the wall. “You clearly need to be reminded who you fucking belong to.”
-
When Sukuna’s knot deflates he leaves Megumi limp on the bed to go smoke a cigarette. He didn’t smoke often, despite his natural scent resembling sweet tobacco, but in moments of thought he preferred the sharpness they provide. He knew he could smell his brother somewhere in the apartment, but he let it slide. Figured some of Megumi’s belongings held the scent from prolonged exposure. But Yuji’s brazen attempt at rescuing the elders mate made him realize something; the scenting was intentional. It set him off.
Megumi was his, the fates decided it. And for his chicken shit youngest brother to test that? For him to infiltrate his home in one form or another? It was unacceptable. So he went to the source, eliminated the error in the glass house meant for two. It of course would upset poor Megumi, nests are sacred to omegas. But he needed to be shown, always needs to be shown who he belongs to.
Sukuna hoped that flushing his suppressants would allow him more control. A heat would do them both well. Megumi would see he needs the alpha, and Sukuna could have a better chance of knocking the omega up. He would just have to wait. He could be patient.. hell, who is he kidding? He’s never been a patient man and Megumi’s slick was just too sweet to ignore. He’d continue to take until then, it was his right as the alpha within the fated pairing. He’d take and take and break his sweet blessing into a hollow shell, just like he did with Yorozu. He can only hope that Megumi will put up less of a fight.
Chapter 3: Connections
Notes:
TW: mentions of violence, self harm, and sexual assault.
Alrighty, here’s where the story begins to kick off! I love reading any comments you all have, let me know what ya think :)
Chapter Text
The tap is loose. The constant drip of water into the full tub is what reminds Megumi that he is alive, that he is perceptive and cognizant. But he doesn’t want to be, because numb is best. Numb makes the betrayal easier. Numb allows him to smile when Sukuna tells him to. Numb is numb and numb and numb. Numb stops him from admitting his mate is raping him, not making love to him. That warm baths and well made meals do not make up for the loss of autonomy. That Sukuna destroyed and defiled his one place of comfort, his beautiful love filled nest that was bagged and thrown away. Yes, numb is best, because the pain would be too much. The anger would darken his vision. His throat would be ripped bloody with his screams and his hands dirtied as he tears the throat from the one who was supposed to love him most. His fated mate. His Sukuna. Fuck this bond, fuck the love that Megumi inherently feels for the monster of an alpha, and fuck feeling. Because the bath is so warm, so he thinks he’ll stay here for a while. Yes, yes that is a good choice. Numb. Warm. Happy.
-
A week has passed since Sukuna and Megumi left the lake house. Yuji is hyper aware of this, in fact it’s all he can think about. The alpha took two weeks off of work to dedicate his all to freeing his best friend, his world. He wishes he was moving faster, but finding him was a challenge in itself.
His knuckles rap against the tattered door, the faded name plate by the bell hanging on by a single screw. Yuji’s been here before, years and years ago, but he remembers it being in better shape. He isn’t too surprised, Megumi always confided in him about the complexities of his father. It’s just.. shocking. A moment later the door cracks open, a chain lock stopping the door from opening completely.
“No soliciting.” He sounds just the same, maybe a bit tired. But the voice is unmistakably Fushiguro Toji’s.
“Ah, hi sir! It’s Itadori Yuji, Megumi’s best friend. I really need to speak with you, may I come in?” Yuji gives the eye peaking around the corner of the door a bright smile. “It’s about Megumi.”
The heavy door shuts before opening again, a waft of cigarette smoke escaping out of the door. “Come in.” Yuji follows Toji to the living room, filled with the same furniture he remembers from his visits in high school but a bit… tattered. Toji takes a seat on his recliner, lighting up a cigarette. “So, what’s my kid gotten himself into this time?”
Yuji takes a deep breath, steeling himself. He wrings his hands as he speaks, eyes meeting Toji’s. “Mr. Fushiguro, Megumi and my eldest brother Sukuna are fated mates.”
The older alpha gawks. “Why the hell haven’t I heard about this? Did Megs not want me knowing?”
“No! No, that’s not it at all!” Yuji waves his hands as he denies the man’s question. “Megumi probably doesn’t have his phone, that’s likely why you haven’t heard. I- I don’t think he is safe, sir.”
“What the fuck do you mean by that, boy?” Toji’s scent spikes, peppercorns and orange filling the air. He stands, pacing the room. “Where is my son?”
Yuji is aware of Toji’s struggles with addiction, gambling to be specific. Drinking too, he’d wager. But that never stopped him from loving his children, protecting them whenever he could. He distinctly remembers a time when Megumi was being harassed on the way home by the same business owner after school, a real seedy beta with the greasiest hair Yuji has ever seen. When Toji found out he consoled his son, provided him the support he needed, and then promptly beat the ever living shit out of that old man. Although the young alpha tends to avoid physical altercations, some people need to be hit. Toji understands that, which is exactly why Yuji needs his help.
“I know where he is, the problem is my brother. He won’t take kindly to anyone trying to touch what he regards to be his. He is an abrasive man, sir. Violent on a whim, selfish in the worst ways possible. Just.. cruel. I know he is no different in his relationships, his previous partner wasn’t shy about admitting that. I’m glad she got out, but Megumi needs out too.” He takes a deep breath, setting aside his pride. “I can’t take him on alone, he’s proven that to me time and time again. I.. well I need your help, sir.”
Toji walks over to a side table, opening a drawer and pulling out a pistol. Yuji’s eyes widen, but he understands the thought process. When alphas become enraged they are incredibly dangerous, it is better to be safe than sorry.
“Let’s go, boy.”
-
“How the fuck have you lost so much weight in just a few days?” Sukuna looks him over with a scrutinizing gaze. “At least you still have some meat on your hips. Tits could be bigger, though.”
Megumi stands naked in the middle of the room, water still dripping down this thinning body. This has been a regular occurrence since Sukuna caught him attempting to self harm. The omega hasn’t had the urge to since just after graduation, his over four year streak broken. He forgives himself, though. No use in being his own enemy in his current situation.
“Alright, you don’t look scratched up. Glad to see that little brain of yours can listen when I tell you not to do something.” Sukuna slaps him on the ass, startling the omega. Megumi’s pheromones, soured ginger, gives away his fearful emotions. But Sukuna simply laughs, grabbing him by his hip and leading him to the bed. “You have no clue what you do to me when you act all meek like that, blessing.”
Megumi squirms, giving him a sheepish smile. “U-um, can we have dinner now instead..? I’m still in pain from earlier-“ The omega is cut off with a slap, the force causing him to fall against the mattress.
“If I want you then I’ll fucking take you, do you understand you little bitch?” Sukuna pushes his head against the comforter, pinning his arms to his back. “Fucking take it.”
Megumi goes numb, his body rigid and head clouded. With eyes squeezed closed his mind travels elsewhere. To Yuji.
A memory appears.
“Oh… wow. You look amazing, Megs.”
It was the week before the lake trip, Yuji suggested the two go swimsuit shopping. They were in one of the few shops in town that carried suits for male omegas and also offered garments for the rest of the secondary genders. Yuji found the place, the thoughtful alpha he is, and even offered to pay for the suit. Megumi had butterflies all day.
“I dunno, it’s kind of revealing.” The shorts, black with pink bunnies, can barely be called shorts. The top is no different, a bikini style with two pink bunnies on each flat cup. “Why’d you even suggest this one? Perv.”
Yuji laughs, an obvious blush on his face. “Because they have matching trunks to go with it! Wouldn’t it be fun to match?”
It would be fun... and kind of… romantic? No, Megumi shouldn’t get his hopes up. “There aren't any other matching set options?”
The alpha shrugs. “There are, but the bunnies on these are so cute. They’re all moody looking like you.”
A hanger is promptly thrown at his head.
“A pervert and a jerk. It’s not a good look for you, Itadori.”
A small smile creeps onto Megumi’s face as he relives the memory, but the joy is short-lived. “Oh, you finally coming around to me fucking you, blessing? You enjoying me forcing my cock inside you? Such a fucking slut.”
Megumi is ripped back to reality, not numb but feeling. He panics, attempting to get out of the hold of the large alpha, but it’s futile. He simply applies more pressure and continues to assault and defile.
“Gonna fill you with my pups, gonna make you fucking swell with them.”
It hurts. It hurts in so many ways. Their bond was true, there was no point in denying it, but it just made Sukuna’s brutality all the more painful. The ultimate betrayal from the soul in which he is bound to. Heartbreak on a spiritual level. He cannot continue like this. No, he refuses. This has to end. But how? How can he make it stop?
“N-no!” Megumi kicks up, striking Sukuna between the legs. The alpha keels over giving him the opportunity to roll off of the bed, sprinting out of the bedroom. His mates' heavy steps are booming behind him, his soured tobacco scented pheromones causing Megumi to waver. No. No this can not be where it ends. He has to keep going.
“Blessing, you are fucking up royally!” His outreached hand snatches Megumi’s wrist, but before he can get a good hold on it the omegas nails claw down his wrist. He pulls back with a hiss. “You fucking bitch!”
With a second of time bought by the scratch Megumi reaches the knife block in the kitchen. He grabs the utensil Sukuna uses to cut meat, the blade outstretched and pointing at the alpha. “Sukuna, stop it! D-don’t fucking touch me!”
The older man tilts his head, a fang filled smile spreading across his face. “Oh, is that what this is all about, blessing? A little bit of discomfort? You’re a spoiled fucking brat!”
He charges forward, and in his scramble to retreat Megumi knocks over the bottle of olive oil. It happens almost comically, the way Sukuna slips and falls backward onto the stone tiled floor. Like an old Saturday cartoon, over exaggerated movements and consequences. The crack is loud enough to hear through the ringing in his ears, the connection of bone and rock. The omegas eyes widen, slowly approaching the scene when Sukuna makes no effort to get back up. His blood is lighter than he thought it would be, less demonic and more human. The way his eyes blink in confusion is absolutely delightful, Megumi decides.
“What’s wrong? Feeling a bit of fucking discomfort?!” A pleased laugh erupts from the raven haired man’s chest. He moves to stand over the well muscled body of Sukuna, holding the knife above his head. “Quit your whining, you brat! Fucking take it!” With that he drives the meat knife into the alphas chest. It’s a bloody affair, but that’s no deterrent to Megumi slotting his knees on either side of Sukuna’s legs and sinking to the ground. With better leverage delighted giggles fill the room as he stabs and stabs and stabs and stabs. “Take it, you fucking bitch! Ha! Take it!” Pure elation, pure bliss, pure freedom. “Ha! Hahahaha! Ha-“
Something shifts in his peripheral.
Horrified soft brown eyes meet his, familiar emerald greens widened beside them. What..? How- When? My god.. he- he’s probably scaring them. But- what are they doing here? Oh god. No! No!
“I- I just- oh god, I had to! Y-you don’t understand-“ Warm, strong arms scoop him up before he can finish speaking, but it’s no matter. A sob erupts from his throat as Yuji scents him, Toji hurrying over to do the same after grabbing a blanket from the couch to cover his son. As his father runs his wrist gland along his neck Megumi trembles in Yuji’s arms, the two of them soaking the others shoulders with tears. The young alpha’s scent reeks of distress.
“We’ve got you, kid. You’re safe now.” After a kiss to the top of the head Toji stands, taking in the scene. “Damn kiddo… good job.”
Megumi’s eyes widen, his head lifting to look to his father. “What?”
“Fucker deserved it, clearly. Glad you’re okay.” He looks to Yuji, giving him a nod. “I’m gonna make some calls. Handle things here, boy.”
As Toji walks to the other room Yuji carries the omega away from Sukuna’s body. The alpha is shaking, eyes wide and throat bobbing, but his hold remains steadfast. He sets the omega down on the couch, still pressing him to his chest.
Megumi doesn’t remember much after that, the world around him a blur. He knows that Yuji was sobbing out an apology above him at one point, his teary eyes so full of heartbreak. According to the alpha some of Toji’s drinking buddies came in at one point, and that after that Sukuna was gone. One of his father’s exes, a blonde woman he had always admired, cleans up the scene. The omega wonders how Toji knew exactly who to call in a situation like this, but chooses to ignore the thought for now.
He’s unsure how, but he finds himself in Yuji’s apartment a bit later, showered and clothed. His best friends smell sticks to the garments, and Megumi shamelessly huffs the neck of the sweatshirt that was put on him. The alpha lays next to him on the familiar too small bed, one that he suggested Yuji replace endlessly. When he notices that the omega is aware he gives him a warm smile, pushing out a wave of calming black tea scented pheromones.
They opt to hold each other instead of speak, not until a few hours later that is. The air hangs heavy as Megumi recounts the countless violations and assaults. Yuji cries along with the omega, the experience so intimate and painful it will surely ingrain itself in his brain forever. It then comes time to ask the inevitable.
“Megs, what happens now? Y-you know that mates die within days of each other, what is going to happen to you?” The alpha sobs. “I can’t lose you, not when I just got you back. I- I won’t survive it.”
Megumi clings to him as the truth strikes him right in the chest. Yuji was right, fated mates could not survive alone.
“I- I don’t know… but my dad, I think he knows someone that may have the answer…”
The alpha raises an eyebrow. “Who?”
“…Geto Suguru.”
Chapter 4: Temple Stay
Notes:
Hello :) thank you for all of the love on the previous chapters, your comments are everything :3
I apologize for the delay in posting, I have some stuff going on in my personal life. I hope to upload a bit more regularly!
Anyway, I hope you all enjoy the new chapter :)
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Chapter Text
“The cult leader? You can’t be serious.”
Megumi understood his disbelief, the suggestion would take most anyone by surprise. However, Geto had been a somewhat regular presence in his early childhood. Although Toji supposedly killed his mate in a past life, the long haired omega and his father remained somewhat good friends. It was through this exposure that Megumi learned that Geto’s abilities were true, that he wasn’t one of thousands of false prophets in Japan alone.
“What other option do I have? He’s a spiritualist, if anyone would know it would be him.”
Yuji sighs, running a hand through his soft pink hair. “Alright, we can start there. But if I get the sense that it’s nonsense we’re looking elsewhere.” The alpha stands, offering a hand to Megumi. “I’ll trust you on this Megs.”
-
A cult leader. A cult leader?! This was insane, this whole situation was completely and utterly insane. The two of them are sitting on plush pillows in front of the notorious Geto Suguru, Megumi speaking to the infamous omega as if he were an uncle. Yuji simply cannot wrap his mind around it.
“Yes, your father informed me of your revenge. You were so brave, my sweet Megumi. I am proud of you for ruining who sought to ruin you.” The almost otherworldly omega smiles, his small fangs sharper than most. “You did put yourself in quite a difficult position though. Fated mates.. such a powerful connection. It is so difficult to escape the consecutive death phenomenon…” He brings his fingers to his chin. “Not to mention you have had barely a week to process the horrors you’ve been through. Such emotional turmoil will only make this more difficult, poor flower. But perhaps…”
Yuji does not appreciate the fantastical way in which the cult leader speaks, he would prefer he just answer the question of whether or not he can save Megumi. The hand on his knee begins to clench, his knuckles turning white. So much has happened within the last week, too much. He just- he needs to know if the love of his life will be okay. Why can’t Geto just say he’ll be okay?! It’s overwhelming him, his breathing becoming labored.
“You are the defiler's brother, yes?” Purple eyes lock onto his soft brown, a scheming smile spreading across Geto’s face. “Yes, yes this could work. How convenient.” The omega stands, moving to a nearby shelving unit that houses a multitude of jarred materials. His nimble fingers begin to search.
What? What is happening-
Megumi speaks up first, his hand moving to hold Yuji’s. “What are you saying, Geto-San?”
“Little alpha, you don’t mind sacrificing some excrements, do you?”
What?! You’ve got to be kidding.
Horrified, Yuji responds. “You want my shit?!”
Boisterous laughter fills the air of the temple, Megumi’s giggles joining in. Yuji’s face flushes, his gaze darting to his best friend. “What?! What is so funny?!”
“I don’t think he means it like that, Yu.”
Wiping tears away from his amethyst eyes, Geto clarifies. “Pheromone oil, sweat and tears darling. Blood if you can manage.”
Relief floods over the young alpha, along with a sense of embarrassment. That… makes a lot more sense. Actually… No, it doesn’t.
“What for?”
The cult leader explains that due to Yuji’s familial connection to Sukuna, using his essence to create a salve could trick Megumi’s instincts into believing his mate isn’t dead. Well, at least until a more long term solution could be thought up. Geto also insisted Megumi get counseling, stating that the intense trauma he experienced could ultimately ruin any chance of surviving further down the line.
-
Yuji sits uncomfortably as Geto presses down on his mating gland, fragrant oil spilling out into a glass vial. Complete focus is painted on the cult leader's face, his movements methodical and practiced. Perhaps Megumi was right to put his trust into this man.
“So.” The omega blows air into Yuji’s eyes, causing them to tear up. He collects those too. “I am getting the sense you care for Megumi in a deeper sense than friendship.” The alpha's eyes widen, lips parting to speak. “I can read it in your aura. This whole situation must have been very troubling for you. Are you relieved that your brother is out of the picture?”
Out of the picture is certainly one way to put it…
“I’m relieved he’s not raping and abusing Megumi anymore. And I’m angry I couldn’t stop it from happening.”
Geto nods, pricking Yuji’s finger. “Megumi, he is such a bright spirit. I was extremely concerned when he entered my temple today, his light has been dulled. Your presence seems to help though.” He squeezes the pad of the alpha’s finger, blood droplets splashing into a pestle filled with herbs and oils. “I am sorry that it wasn’t you. You would have been a much better fit.”
The omega's words fill Yuji with a deep sense of sadness. Revisiting his dream world where he was Megumi’s mate is starting to become too painful. The cult leader seems to sense his inner turmoil.
“He didn’t bite him, your older brother. That means his mating gland is still intact.” Yuji’s eyes widen. “I will keep Megumi alive, I can promise you that. Help his light return and he will surely wish to bond with you. Now let us make our way to the sauna, I need your sweat.”
-
Geto insists that Megumi stay within the temple until he can ensure the younger omegas survival. Toji and Tsumiki sent some scented garments over, a makeshift nest slowly coming to fruition. The raven haired boy cries during the process, Yuji by his side to soothe him. He mourns for his nest, mourns the loss of his safe haven. And although new scented items have been readily available since leaving Sukuna’s apartment, it just wasn’t the same. There were no memories, no sense of familiarity. It doesn’t help that he’s not at home, either. The temple is beautiful, Megumi respects Geto’s eye for grandeur, but the tall ceilings and endless corridors make the omega uneasy.
“Here, I snagged this from my apartment before we left.” Yuji digs through his overnight bag and hands him a small bunny plushie, white and pink and dripping in his scent. Megumi had its counterpart in his previous nest, black and pink much like the swim suits Yuji picked out for them before the trip. Tears begin to spill from his emerald eyes.
“Thank you.” His small body begins to shake, sobs wracking through him like the tremors of an earthquake. “Oh gods…”
Yuji quickly scoops the omega into his arms, kissing his forehead as he releases calming pheromones. A soft hand runs along his spine.
“Someone’s going to report him missing, Yu. I killed him, I killed your brother.” His breathing becomes erratic, the alphas grip on him tightening. “Oh my gods- Yuji I killed your fucking brother.”
The pink haired alpha shakes his head, scenting Megumi before speaking. “No, no he wasn’t my brother. He was a monster, Megs.”
Sweet Yuji. Kind hearted, forgiving Yuji. How could he not love him? How could he not love the man who would forgive him for such an act?
“He deserved to die, baby. He did.” Baby. He called him baby. Megumi’s omega preens. “You made the right move, you chose to live. The more valuable of you two is alive, that’s all that matters.” Yuji kisses his temple. “You did a favor to this world, you did well. And whatever happens, we’ll figure it out together, okay?”
Megumi sniffles, burying his face into the young alpha's chest. His voice comes out barely a squeak. “Okay.”
-
Geto delivers the salve later that evening, instructing the younger omega to apply it to every scent gland. Standing in the bathroom Megumi squirms as he lathers the glands between his thighs, the sensation excruciatingly uncomfortable. He used to love to touch this area, especially after a night out with Yuji. He’d come home and press one of his shirts to his nose, one hand traveling to his core and the other caressing his thighs. He would always climax intensely to the thought of Yuji’s hands replacing his, digging his fingers into the glands and lapping at the oils that spill out.
The idea of committing another sexual act causes bile to rise to his throat. That part of him is gone now, stolen from him by a demon disguised as a lover. He wishes he could mourn it, but at the moment it feels like relief. To give himself over to pleasure, even if it was within the soft hands of his best friend, is far too terrifying to swallow. With one final swipe of his fingers Megumi vomits into the sink.
The omega drools into the porcelain for a few moments afterwards, vision blurred with tears. When he looks into the mirror he hardly recognizes the man looking back at him. When did he become so gaunt? Where is the color in his cheeks? He looks lifeless. Another wave of nausea hits, the omega's knees smacking against the tiled flooring as he keels over.
“Yu..!” He barely gets the name out before his vision goes dark. The last thing he feels are Yuji’s warm hands on his face, his sweet herbal pheromones lulling him into a peaceful darkness.
Ah, finally. Relief.
Chapter 5: Advice, Both Wanted and Not
Summary:
Yuji and Megumi listen to their elders.
Chapter Text
Escapism, what a beautiful thing. A break from it all, from remembering, from reliving. Megumi adores it, especially when he gets to dream. This time around he saw Nobara holding a pup with a head of raven black hair like his, soft coos leaving her lips as the baby smiles up at her. She was teary eyed, going on about her disbelief that two idiots could create something so perfect. Megumi felt he couldn’t believe it either. Yuji was there too, a proud smile on his face. He praised his omega for how well he did, how he was proud to be his… oh how beautiful it is to be Yuji’s, to be addressed as such. Such a wonderful dream.
The surroundings materialize into a hospital room, balloons and flowers adding a cacophony of colors to the sterile environment. He can feel that there is a smile on his face, tears wetting his cheeks. A deep pull to the pup has him holding his arms out, and Nobara happily returns the child to their mother. She would make a wonderful god parent, he feels that him and Yuji likely would have picked her in this dream world. A trusted friend, an intuitive mind. A will casted in iron that wouldn’t crack from even the greatest of pressures. Yes, Kugisaki Nobara shall be this pup’s protector if her parents are taken from her, gods forbid. How lucky they are to know her.
The pup is so clearly Yuji’s, pink little cheeks and light brown eyes. The name Hana blooms from his chest, the beautiful blossom within his hands embodying both of her parents so perfectly. An omega, he senses. Sweet and kind and strong. Megumi would do his best to teach her that she is more than her secondary gender, that she is her own person and not an object for some alpha to flaunt around. But she’d know, of course she’d know just from observing her parents' love. Pure, intense, without conditions. An equal partnership where the strengths of their secondary genders combine to create a steadfast connection. She’d cringe at all of their kisses and outward affection, but would know that such declarations should be the expectation. Yes, Megumi would ensure his Hana would never be in the hands of a monster like Sukuna.
Oh the love he feels for this pup is beyond comprehension, something he could have never understood before becoming a parent. His heart feels full, the anguish of the past week erased by one look at his beautiful daughter.
But all good things cannot last.
He’s thrust back into that plain beige apartment. Sukuna on top of him, the roles reversed and the knife plunging into his frail body, a disgusted look on the alpha’s face. Spilt open like this, Megumi’s true form was revealed. A form of flaws and anxiety and icker. Of course Sukuna was distressed at the sight, Yuji would be too. If anyone saw this part of him, the pathetic dirty part of him, they’d surely leave him. Leave behind his shell of a body to find someone whole… that’s what Yuji will surely do. Find his mate, a true mate. One that isn’t capable of pulverizing the chest of a grown man with a kitchen knife. One that will give him endless golden smiles that match his, two shining lights to illuminate intertwined fates. Megumi is not capable of such radiance.
No… no that’s not true. His dreams are simply being cruel. Silly omega.
Yuji would hold onto this mangled and broken body until it decays, his hands dirtied and soiled from rotten flesh and shattered bones. And then he would await his own return to the earth, a mixture of two meant to love each other until the very end. Flowers and weeds and moss would grow from their compost, birds and bees would thrive from the remnants of what once was. And they would finally become one, something they cannot do in this life. Because Megumi is fated to be with a man whose body was discreetly disposed of. It will not nourish the living. It will rot and stink and be forgotten. And yet the omega will always yearn for a piece of him, the piece of him that could love a broken vessel.
But Sukuna could not love, that is a fact that Megumi must and will remember. Because even in his dreams his fated mate shows him cruelty. What a horrid fate to have.
Ah, that’s a shame. He is remembering even in his dreams. There is no respite, not for sinners with bloodied hands and heavy hearts. This is the price he must pay for being a murderer. A murderer who lusts after his victim's brother, a twisted whore with no morals. But isn’t Megumi the victim? Yes, he believes he is. It was self defense, Sukuna was a monster. Still, the stench of olive oil, tobacco and blood line his nostrils in an ever permanent stain. Will the smell ever fade?
Maybe not, but his dreams seem to be.
-
“Megumi, sweet one.” Geto’s warm voice rings through his ears as his eyes flutter open. The older omega’s hand runs through his shorter hair. “Ah, there you are. Good, good. Drink this right up, darling.” The cult leader brings a tea cup to his lips, tilting it so the warm liquid slides down his throat. It tasted undeniably of Yuji.
“Are you feeding me my best friend’s pheromone oil?” Megumi slowly sits up, looking around and noticing that he is back in his room. “You do realize that’s an aphrodisiac, correct?”
Geto simply grins, his cat-like eyes crinkling. “Dear child, I am not a fool.” He pinches Megumi’s cheek. “It seems your scent glands are trigger points, we will have to settle for an oral intake of the mixture for the time being.”
Ah, that must be why he blacked out. Touching his thighs did cause him to vomit… Would it continue to be like this? A broken body who cannot enjoy a gentle caress on its sweetest spots? That’s if he even survives. Sukuna is dead. His body cannot be tricked forever, it has always been in tune with his needs despite his pheromones always being completely out of control. One day it will realize its fated mate is decomposing in a warehouse deep within the mountains and it will scream and tear and mangle his heart until it stops. He should make the most of the time he has left…
“I was dreaming while I was out. It was almost perfect… Even in sleep I can’t escape him.”
The older omega, previously absentmindedly grooming Megumi, frowns. “Until I can figure out a way to change fate, which I will for you my angel, he will continue to have a mark on your soul. It’s a nasty stain, I’ll have to scrub extra hard to get it off like when you put sharpie all over my beautiful stone pillars.” The memory causes the younger omega to giggle. “Nothing in this world is permanent, Megumi. Even fate. Just because legends say one thing will happen does not make it the absolute truth. I have always been good at evading such a thing anyway.” He laughs to himself. “You are in good hands, my child. Even though your bastard father killed my Satoru in a previous life I still have come to care deeply for you. I will do all I can to help.”
Megumi cannot seem to swallow the lump in his throat, hot tears spilling from his sleepy eyes. This is what it is like to be loved, he thinks. To be seen and cared for. He never got to know what it was like to have a mother, but this feels close. Before he can stop himself he buries his face in Geto’s chest, hugging him tightly like a toddler in the arms of a trusted adult. All he can manage is a whispered “thank you”.
After a few minutes of a sweet embrace, Geto pulls back, fixing Megumi’s crumpled hair. “Not to play into the whole all knowing cult leader thing, but…”
“You want to hear about my dream?”
The older omega smiles warmly, resuming his grooming. “Yes. I want to know about your dream. They do have meanings, sweet one.”
Leaning into his touch Megumi begins.
-
Helplessness is a feeling Yuji is becoming well acquainted with. He hates it, it is a wretched feeling that shrinks him down to a mouse of a man. How is he supposed to call himself an alpha if can’t even save the omega he so desperately wants to be his? Perhaps he’s being too hard on himself, it is taking an entire cult leader to fix the predicament Megumi is in. Still, he should be doing something . Instead, he is sitting on a bench in a ridiculously beautiful garden within the temple walls. He can’t seem to appreciate the blooming lotuses like he used to, comparing them to his beautiful raven haired best friend. No, all he can do is wish he could steal their vitality and give it to the omega. But would that be fair to nature itself? Aren’t humans already guilty of its ruin for their own personal gain? Yuji better not contribute more than he already has…
“Lost in thought?”
Yuji’s head snaps towards the voice, his neck craning upwards to look into the face of Gojo Satoru. “Am I that obvious?”
The older alpha chuckles. “Yes, mostly because I called your name three times and you didn’t even react. Thank gods we’ve evolved past living in nature, a predator would have likely taken you out by now.” He laughs, but Yuji doesn’t find the sentiment particularly funny. “Oh don’t act so fussy, your scent smells like shit when it’s soured.” Despite Yuji’s wishes the white haired man takes a seat next to him. “You’re feeling stressed about your omega, yes?”
His omega… can he even call Megumi his? Is such a declaration too presumptuous, too possessive to apply to his best friend? He certainly wanted Megumi to be his, he would do anything to bite his beautiful milky neck and provide him only the best of lives. He’d bring him home little trinkets and treats, cook him recipes with ginger in them, perhaps even learn how to pickle the root himself. He’d scent the most beautiful, decadent fabrics for him to build their nest out of. Tell him how well he did, how beautiful their safe haven had turned out. Yuji would recognize his talents and praise him for every single one of them. He would do all he could to make Megumi feel loved and known. Anything, anything for him. Oh gods…
“I need your husband to succeed in his efforts. I don’t think I could survive losing Megumi.” The young alpha's voice begins to crack. “He’s my everything, my love and my friendship and my family. I just- I can’t- I can’t-.” Sobs wrack through his toned body, a sense of overwhelming dread falling over him. “Please tell me he’ll succeed, please. Please.”
A firm hand lands on Yuji’s shoulder, a light squeezing saying “I’m here”.
“He will. Megumi is like a son to us, we would have never let this happen had we known. We’re doing all we can, kiddo.” He lets out a sigh, sinking a bit into the bench. “It’s hard not to feel helpless in situations like this, huh?”
Yuji nods, wiping away his tears. He hasn’t cried this much in… well, ever.
“I’ve been in a similar spot with Suguru.” Yuji looks to Gojo. “Back when he started his cult, I was beyond against it. But no matter how much I objected, how much I begged and pleaded with him, he knew that he had to use his abilities on a larger scale. It was such a huge undertaking, I worried about him because he wasn’t in the best place to begin with.” He frowns. “We broke up, in front of a KFC of all things. It took years for us to reunite, but when we did I had come to the realization that he is strong enough to face his battles on his own. Not being the solution to everything is okay, it doesn’t make you any less of an alpha.”
“No disrespect or anything Gojo-san, but the stakes are kinda higher in my case.” Gojo lets out a chuckle. “Heck, I don’t know if I have days or weeks, let alone years. This time now, this is all I have of him that is guaranteed. How could I not be freaking out when he’s slipping through my fingers like this?”
Yuji remembers a time where it felt like they had all of the time in the world together, especially on the nights where Megumi would sneak some of Toji’s weed and they’d lay on the roof of the back shed giggling about nothing. They’d always say the most pseudo philosophical nonsense, he distinctly remembers the omega nearly falling off of the roof because of how hard he was laughing at Yuji’s youthful wisdom. But it was those nights, staring up at the setting sun with their hands just inches away from one another that he allowed himself to dream of a long future with his best friend. He should have held his hand… It's so clear looking back at it. He would always lay his hand palm up, how did he not see?
“Damn...Yeah, I don’t know man. Yeesh.” A pause. “Suguru is the one who is better at this stuff. I suppose all I can say is make the most of what time you have, then. Megumi cares for you, I’m sure he’d appreciate your company.” He stands, straightening his jacket before rubbing the back of his neck. “You’ve got this, buddy.” With a pat on the back he moves back into the temple. That was… not comforting.
-
A light knock comes from the door as Geto finishes up telling Megumi the meaning of his dreams. The younger omega’s cheeks are flushed pink, but his caretaker stands and welcomes Yuji into the room anyway.
“Oh, Megs… do you have a fever? You’re flushed.” He hurries over to his side, putting the back of his hand to the raven haired boy's forehead. “Oh. You don’t feel warm… hmm.”
Geto chuckles lightly, ruffling Yuji’s soft pink hair. “He’s fine.” He then looks to Megumi. “I’ll be stepping out, just call me the next time you need something, sending a very panicked Yuji scared the heavens out of me last time.”
“I’ll try my hardest not to throw up and faint again, thank you Geto-san.” The older omega chuckles at the sass before leaving, closing the door behind himself. Megumi then looks to his best friend, giving him a soft smile. He swears he sees Yuji swallow.
It is incredibly easy to notice when the alpha is flustered. His brows always furrow, leaving the cutest wrinkle between them to go along with his rose tinted cheeks. The last time he saw him like this was… before everything. Oh what a blessing it is to see this expression again.
“So cute…”
Yuji’s eyes widened. “Wha- what?”
Oh fuck. Oh fuck oh fuck oh fuck. Gods be damned Megumi, what the fuck?! “Oh, ha. Um. Ah…” Well… there will never be a good time to do this, and he may die in a few days, so fuck it. “I said you were cute. I um, I think you’re… cute. Heh.”
…Real smooth Fushiguro.