[ The increased thumping of his tail hitting the bed only really gives him away when Yuji asks that question. He still hasn't let go of his wrist. But he does close his eyes then, tired and not in the mood to restrict himself.
[ That would be the cue to let go of Yuji's wrist, right? Since he's going to sit on the bed and they'll just talk. But Nanami can't seem to let go of him now that he's holding him and grimaces slightly.
The tail keeps wagging and he can't let go of Yuji. This transformation really is preying on his mind and body. ]
Thank you.
[ . . . ]
How has... it been, since you arrived? Tell me about it.
[ Pushing himself up and off the ground, he clambers up to settle on the bed beside Nanami, one leg hanging off. He also... Casually reaches out and lets his hand stay brushing over Nanami's, just in case that matters, somehow.
He had felt better when he was with Choso, so... ]
It's not been too bad! I tried to help with the weird plant thing, and I've started doing a little more work at the farm as well.
[ Ah, that... that feels really good. Idly, he lets his fingers fall off of Yuji's wrist so he can catch the hand that's brushing over him instead, catching Yuji's fingers in his grip. ]
Ah, the plant. You didn't hurt yourself in any way, did you?
[ He squints at Yuji, trying to see if he's fully okay himself. He doesn't know Yuji knows RCT yet, after all. ]
[ That really is a lot better, Felwinter wasn't wrong. He feels stupid for ignoring it before but it feels a little easier like this, like his dignity is still intact.
So, he curls his fingers a little tighter around Yuji's. ]
Good. If you ever need help, you know you can count on me, right? I might not be fighting as often these days but I can still come assist.
[ Yuji knows a little bit about imprinting from Gojo, but he's not consciously thinking about that: he's doing his best to be here and help the other man, to sit at his side and do whatever is necessary to ensure he's okay. That's fine with him, at the end of the day.
As long as Nanami is happy here. ]
Sure, I know that! But if I can take care of it alone, I won't bother you with it.
[ With Yuji settling next to him, Nanami is able to settle down himself. They're still holding hands, fingers laced together at that, and unthinkingly, Nanami shifts a little to the side and has his shoulder pressed up against Yuji's.
He doesn't think anything of it. ]
Mm, in this life... I don't mind if you bother me, Itadori-kun.
[ Because things have slowed down for him immensely. Some days he doesn't know what to do with himself and those are days that he finds himself missing the direction being around Yuji gives him. ]
They're leaning on one another now, and Yuji doesn't second guess it. It feels natural and easy, and the little tiger inside of him is content enough that he can relax and worry a little less about the strange discordance he had felt before. Maybe other people are right, and he will get more at peace with his strange new soul the more he's here.
Ears flicking up, he smiles. ]
Careful, Nanamin, or you won't be able to get rid of me.
[ Nanami's head turns to look at Yuji as he smiles at him, as he warns him to be careful and Nanami's expression softens just a little. He looks much less severe without his sunglasses after all, and sleep soft and disheveled like this, it's hard to look cold at all.
His free hand is going to reach up then and without asking, or thinking twice about it, he pets at Yuji's tiger ear, feeling the soft mix of fur and hair in his palm as he strokes him. ]
[ Yuji's ears are softer than his hair, and they flick unconsciously at Nanami's touch, more on instinct than anything else. As soon as he realises what's happening, he lets it continue, his eyes closing as he hums. ]
I know. You'd be able to say something like 'Itadori-kun, I think it's time for you to leave, now.'
[ Nanami doesn't say anything in response to that because that's exactly what he would say, Yuji isn't wrong.
So, with the way he watches Yuji's eyes close and the soft hum come from him, he just... continues with the petting. He know this made Yuji feel better that time in the park and it makes him feel a little better too so... what's the harm? ]
[ Yuji didn't get to spend as much time around Nanami as he wanted to, wasn't able to learn as much as he'd like about him, but he got to know enough. He knows how special it is that he gets to bother him just a little, that he can poke and prod and not get smacked around the head - not too much, anyway, just enough to be justifiable.
It means he relishes this, even if other people might find it a little ridiculous to be so happy and content around a mentor like this.
The petting keeps Yuji's tail coiling and twisting around, the end flicking, and from Yuji's throat comes an odd little noise. It might sound like a growl at first, until it becomes a little more clear; he's purring. ]
[ Nanami almost stops petting when he hears it. He doesn't quite know what's coming from Yuji's throat and initially does mistake it as a growl but when it clicks for him that first, it's a purr and second, it's coming from Yuji, he's not fool enough to not piece it together. It must be because Nanami's petting his ear.
Which is acceptable to him. It's hard not to do this, not to pet at his soft, soft, soft ears. It fulfills his need for physical touch and this strange desire to show physical affection to his mentee. He wonders how his own ears will feel when they come in altogether. Clearly he's a canine of some kind and that's not what he expected but he hopes he takes to it as easily as Yuji has taken to his tiger features. ]
[ His ears keep flicking against Nanami's hand, chasing the sensation of being pet, and Yuji is lulled into a quiet sense of security as he lets it happen. He doesn't see any reason not to when he's so content, and it makes him settle against Nanami a little more, breathing out.
He doesn't notice his own purring.
Eventually, though, he remembers what he came here for, and he opens one eye, then another, and then... He feels a little like he's blushing. ]
[ Nanami has been settled peacefully against Yuji with his arm wrapped around him to pet at his ear, the arm between the two of them still with his fingers laced with Yuji's. Especially as the purring continues. His own tail is a soft thumping noise in the background as this point.
When Yuji stirs though and opens his eyes, Nanami just looks at him curiously. ]
[ Nanami is given pause then when Yuji asks that question and his brow furrows slightly, eyes glancing towards the tail curling around his arm and taking it as a sign he shouldn't pull away and continue petting. So, he does, but his concern is still present — ]
Did Gojo-san or Choso-san explain imprinting to you?
[ Nanami considers the question then, taking a scan of his body to give Yuji an accurate answer. So far, the pain he was feeling that was so terrible he has to ask Yuji for help, it has faded quite a bit. A numbing throb that's going through him but nothing as mind-melting as before.
So, he nods. ]
Yes. I wasn't feeling very well before you arrived but this has helped a lot.
[ And honestly, more would be better but he doesn't know how to ask to hold Yuji. That seems like... a lot to ask of him, honestly, so he doesn't want to do that. ]
[ Gojo-sensei had made it sound like this was totally normal and expected, so he's not all that concerned about the slight shift in the dynamic here. He'd even imprinted on Yuji just a little, and knowing how touchy they both are there's no doubt in his mind that'll continue, and they'll be able to take care of one another.
For now, though, he gazes up at Nanami.
The petting does feel nice, and if it's helping him feel better... He has no reason to complain. ]
[ A shake of his head. He's been preparing for weeks to let his guard down enough to allow this to happen. It's happened a bit more naturally than he expected but he's still feeling relief in him that Yuji doesn't seem perturbed by his newfound need for physical affection. It sucks and part of him can't shake the feeling of breaking propriety with it but there's only a few people he cares for enough to do this with.
And the major one is sitting right in front of him.
So, he lets go of Yuji's hand to lift both to pet his ears and hair, scritching through the soft ears and redoubling his efforts to keep petting Yuji. ]
[ Yuji can't resist pushing into the touch of Nanami's fingers, the purring starting up again without him being able to do anything to stop it; his tail twists a little more around Nanami's arm, the tip still flicking here and there in delight, and he tries hard not to blush so hard he breaks into pieces.
He doesn't mind being this close with Nanami and imprinting either - he's already done it with Choso, and he'll end up doing it more with Gojo-sensei, too. If anything, he's glad to have the chance to do it, to be able to build on their pre-existing bond and develop their friendship, too.
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[ Yuji might be slow, but he's not a complete moron, and he lifts his head to gaze at Nanami. There's something a little softer in his expression. ]
Did you want me to stay?
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So... ]
Yes, I'd appreciate your company.
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It's not that big a deal. He can help Nanami out, which is all he wanted to do to begin with. ]
That's fine. I can sit on the bed and we can keep chatting.
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The tail keeps wagging and he can't let go of Yuji. This transformation really is preying on his mind and body. ]
Thank you.
[ . . . ]
How has... it been, since you arrived? Tell me about it.
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He had felt better when he was with Choso, so... ]
It's not been too bad! I tried to help with the weird plant thing, and I've started doing a little more work at the farm as well.
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Ah, the plant. You didn't hurt yourself in any way, did you?
[ He squints at Yuji, trying to see if he's fully okay himself. He doesn't know Yuji knows RCT yet, after all. ]
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[ Their fingers link together and Yuji doesn't second guess it, tail wiggling around with contentment. ]
It wasn't too bad. Nothing I couldn't handle!
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So, he curls his fingers a little tighter around Yuji's. ]
Good. If you ever need help, you know you can count on me, right? I might not be fighting as often these days but I can still come assist.
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As long as Nanami is happy here. ]
Sure, I know that! But if I can take care of it alone, I won't bother you with it.
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He doesn't think anything of it. ]
Mm, in this life... I don't mind if you bother me, Itadori-kun.
[ Because things have slowed down for him immensely. Some days he doesn't know what to do with himself and those are days that he finds himself missing the direction being around Yuji gives him. ]
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[ In this life...
They're leaning on one another now, and Yuji doesn't second guess it. It feels natural and easy, and the little tiger inside of him is content enough that he can relax and worry a little less about the strange discordance he had felt before. Maybe other people are right, and he will get more at peace with his strange new soul the more he's here.
Ears flicking up, he smiles. ]
Careful, Nanamin, or you won't be able to get rid of me.
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His free hand is going to reach up then and without asking, or thinking twice about it, he pets at Yuji's tiger ear, feeling the soft mix of fur and hair in his palm as he strokes him. ]
That's not my intention, Itadori-kun.
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I know. You'd be able to say something like 'Itadori-kun, I think it's time for you to leave, now.'
[ He laughs softly. ]
It's fine. I get it.
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So, with the way he watches Yuji's eyes close and the soft hum come from him, he just... continues with the petting. He know this made Yuji feel better that time in the park and it makes him feel a little better too so... what's the harm? ]
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It means he relishes this, even if other people might find it a little ridiculous to be so happy and content around a mentor like this.
The petting keeps Yuji's tail coiling and twisting around, the end flicking, and from Yuji's throat comes an odd little noise. It might sound like a growl at first, until it becomes a little more clear; he's purring. ]
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Which is acceptable to him. It's hard not to do this, not to pet at his soft, soft, soft ears. It fulfills his need for physical touch and this strange desire to show physical affection to his mentee. He wonders how his own ears will feel when they come in altogether. Clearly he's a canine of some kind and that's not what he expected but he hopes he takes to it as easily as Yuji has taken to his tiger features. ]
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He doesn't notice his own purring.
Eventually, though, he remembers what he came here for, and he opens one eye, then another, and then... He feels a little like he's blushing. ]
Nanamin...
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When Yuji stirs though and opens his eyes, Nanami just looks at him curiously. ]
Yes?
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[ Yuji swallows, cheeks a little red, even as his tail sneaks up between them to curl around Nanami's arm. ]
Is this part of us having the souls and stuff?
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Did Gojo-san or Choso-san explain imprinting to you?
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[ The tail tightens, just a little, and Yuji's eyes glance over at Nanami. ]
Is it helping you feel better?
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So, he nods. ]
Yes. I wasn't feeling very well before you arrived but this has helped a lot.
[ And honestly, more would be better but he doesn't know how to ask to hold Yuji. That seems like... a lot to ask of him, honestly, so he doesn't want to do that. ]
Do you want me to continue petting you?
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[ Gojo-sensei had made it sound like this was totally normal and expected, so he's not all that concerned about the slight shift in the dynamic here. He'd even imprinted on Yuji just a little, and knowing how touchy they both are there's no doubt in his mind that'll continue, and they'll be able to take care of one another.
For now, though, he gazes up at Nanami.
The petting does feel nice, and if it's helping him feel better... He has no reason to complain. ]
It's fine, as long as you don't mind.
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And the major one is sitting right in front of him.
So, he lets go of Yuji's hand to lift both to pet his ears and hair, scritching through the soft ears and redoubling his efforts to keep petting Yuji. ]
I don't mind at all.
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He doesn't mind being this close with Nanami and imprinting either - he's already done it with Choso, and he'll end up doing it more with Gojo-sensei, too. If anything, he's glad to have the chance to do it, to be able to build on their pre-existing bond and develop their friendship, too.
It just feels right, somehow. ]
Then... We can keep going. It'll help us both.
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