want me to come over? i can come find you through the oculars if you don't want to move around, the rabbits are acting a bit weird but they won't make either of us nauseous.
[ every other person's acting weird. megumi doesn't want to think that yuji's forgotten about their friendship, how they've grown up orbiting each other like the sun and moon orbit the earth. birthdays, commencements, idle afternoons sweating under the sun. winters and summers going to chaperoned trips because the kaiju attacks are still a present threat, even as more spaces are opened for public access.
[ geto-san taught megumi how to paint his nails black. that's his uncle. ]
omw
[ and that's probably everything jarring about this situation, summed up in three characters.
when megumi finds yuji, his whole body language is easy. slack, missing the everpresent tension running through his shoulders, scars missing from his face save for one running across one eye. biking accident last year; he's not even on the cycling team. ]
Did you know there's a new Fly Man movie coming out next week?
It is, but it isn't. This isn't the person he saved from Sukuna, this isn't the person who had fought so hard to crawl bank from his misery, this isn't the person whose soul he knows so intimately. This is someone different, and the worst part of it is that he is so much happier.
So many people are happier, in this world, with these memories. It makes Yuji feel sick.
You could sound a little more enthusiastic. I know I complained a lot when we marathoned the whole franchise so you can catch me up on the lore, but I did have fun.
[ the earlier movies clearly didn't have any budget, and the middle titles went off the rails trying to be both self-serious and satirical, but they were fun. watching the movies in yuji's room for yuji's pre-birthday celebration was fun. it always is when it's yuji.
megumi gracefully flops down next to yuji, summons a big, fat rabbit from the shadows, and hums as he cushions the bunny between them. the rabbit looks to yuji like it's confused about what's happening, too. ]
We don't have to go on premier night. I'll even get caramel popcorn for us this time.
[ Yuji reaches out, pulling the rabbit close, and tries to breathe.
He doesn't want to ruin this. He doesn't want to force Megumi to wake up to the horrors of his own world, the nightmare that was their life. The last thing he wants is to steal his happiness, just like with Geto, so... He's going to have to play along.
Whatever it takes, however it hurts.
He can handle it.
Petting the bunny, he lets himself smile. ]
You don't even like sweet stuff! I don't mind the normal kind, Megumi.
I know you don't, but you like the sweet snacks. We don't always have to do things my way. Or get snacks I like.
[ tsumiki said it's good to try new and different things. to expand one's perspective and include others, to find things to like and dislike. that's how one grows as a person.
he misses her. she hasn't been home in a while; work training for her school means she's offline for long stretches of time. ]
You sure you're okay? You're not sick? [ megumi doesn't wait for permission, presses the back of his hand to yuji's neck. ] You look like you're mildly nauseous.
I think I'm a little tired. Teleporting here had weird side effects this time.
[ That's as good an excuse as he's going to get, and Yuji's almost relieved that he has this get out of jail free card to use to explain his weird behaviour.
I want to, but only if you don't mind it. Plus if we both get sick then maybe they'll give us a free pass for the mission, right?
[ megumi smiles at yuji, but his concern remains clear in his eyes. yuji doesn't get sick, not to his memory — broken bones is the worst he remembers, a lot of sprains when they were growing up. but sick? he can't even recall the last time yuji sneezed more than once at any given moment. ]
I'm serious, though. The nausea's still around? Do you want to someone about it later? I'll go with you. It could be an anomalous side effect.
[ Are he and Megumi less close in this world...? That's super weird, and he doesn't like it. The idea makes him feel something close to miserable, actually, but he shoves that feeling aside. ]
It's not a big deal. If it's still bad later I'll mention it to someone else, or something.
Not me? I get it now, I'm being replaced by Raidou-senpai. After all reassurances we're still best friends, too.
[ megumi plays it up, much as he can play off the niggling, infant doubt that this is the terminus of their youthful friendship. it's not that megumi thinks they'll stop being friends because both of them are branching out, reaching for relationships that are new to both of them, but——
but.
he did confess to yuji this year, didn't he? and yuji had been so kind and sweet in rejecting him. maybe he's still reeling from that and he hasn't unpacked that feeling yet. it's not yuji's problem. it's not even raidou-senpai's fault; people like who they like, right? and he's been talking and getting to know indo-kun more these days. it's exciting. it's fun, a different kind of fun. ]
I'm just asking because I didn't pack enough clothes. I slid into a puddle earlier. I've got stuff drying out.
[ he elbows yuji again. ]
Come back to the team. I miss running with you. It's not the same without you.
Who said anything about you being replaced? I wouldn't need to tell you because you already know!
[ Rude...
Yuji has no idea what this Megumi thinks or feels, if his feelings have been transplanted over, but he still doesn't like the idea of him thinking that anyone is a replacement for anyone else. It feels wrong, somehow, and makes his heart ache and prickle, makes him want to do something to fill that odd, yawning void.
He's so bad at this, so messed up with the tangled web of feelings and emotions that have him worrying too much and wishing he could make everything better.
They've earned that, haven't they?
It's hard. It's confusing. He wants to groan and flop back, but that'll just worry Megumi more.
[ even if yuji broke every promise, though? megumi's sure he'll forgive it. even if it makes no sense to him to feel like this, he just knows at his very core that he'll let yuji break his heart over and over for the rest of their lives. it's—
he's earned it, the thought rises unbidden.
and of course he does. yuji was there when his mother died, when father left, when tsumiki got sick the first time. and megumi was there when yuji's parents died too, when his grandfather passed from old age. no one else knows them the way they know each other.
megumi shakes the unwarranted moroseness off with a shrug, and throws a loose grin over to yuji. ]
You did the laundry though, right? If you're passing over some sweaty clothes I'll kick your ass!
[ Yuji wants to reach out and ruffle his hair, but he resists, too busy laughing.
This is the kind of life that Megumi ought to have had. One that was simple and easy, where the most worrisome thing on his mind was team sports and grades, not risking his life and being a vessel. If there was something he could do to make that possible, he would do it, but... He's not strong enough. He doesn't have the power to do anything to fix it.
Everyone is happier in a world where things are different, and Yuji - he bites his tongue.
He's not going to break that illusion.
Leaning back, he breathes out softly. ]
I've got the usual stuff put aside for you anyway.
[ it never stops leaving him breathless, does it? yuji's selflessness, his consideration and grace for the people around him. even when megumi knows he's not being a good friend — especially in the early days when he had misplaced anger about tsumiki's condition — yuji never reflected the same ugliness back.
he's not the kind of person to be vengeful, megumi thinks. not without good reason, and heaven have mercy on whoever earns that wrath from his best friend.
i could love him, he thinks. in another life, in every life, i know i'll always love him. ]
You don't have to if it's extra weight you have to carry. But I'm very grateful you think of me, too.
I packed your snacks, too. [ wait, did he? megumi frowns. he'll have to check his things again. he's certain he did, but some unfounded doubt has roosted in him now. ] I'm sure I did. Did I hand them over already?
It feels perfectly natural, to take care of Megumi and make sure he's okay. He wonders if it's the same in these weird memories, if he's as selfless or if this is odd for his friend - if he's going too far. It's hard to navigate, and it makes his heart feel weirdly heavy to think about it all.
At least Megumi seems... Fine with it.
Breathing out, he shakes his head. ]
It's not a big deal. Style upgrade, remember? I barely have to pack my own clothes most days.
I forgot how many you have now. You're really— I'm not jealous, for the record. Just a little worried. We're fighting things we don't fully understand, and even if we're winning most of the time doesn't mean——
Just be careful. That's what I'm trying to say. I'll be really upset if you get hurt and I'm not around to save you.
[ it feels like he's been worrying about it all his life, for several lifetimes, like he was born with yuji's name already tattooed to the forefront of his mind. it's nestled deep, unyielding every time he reaches back down the ladder of his memories.
they've always got each other's backs. even if the world falls apart, megumi can be sure of that. ]
Alright. If not, I can go out and find something local. Hey, we could try some of the teas here too if we can find them.
With a style upgrade? I don't think that one's too big of a deal.
[ It's not like the other ones, that took intensive surgery for him to deal with before he was able to use it, but the less said about that the better. He can still remember how irritated and disappointed Gojo-sensei had been with him after the last one.
Reaching out, he pats Megumi's back gently. ]
We can try the tea and not worry about the rest. Like I said, it's not a big deal.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
@kon, text. ( memory shenanigans )
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are you feeling okay?
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No way.
Yuji cannot handle this. Not right now. He can't do this.
He feels sick. ]
yeah.
just tired.
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[ every other person's acting weird. megumi doesn't want to think that yuji's forgotten about their friendship, how they've grown up orbiting each other like the sun and moon orbit the earth. birthdays, commencements, idle afternoons sweating under the sun. winters and summers going to chaperoned trips because the kaiju attacks are still a present threat, even as more spaces are opened for public access.
yuji's his best friend in all the world. ]
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i don't mind hanging out with the bunnies though
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[ he has to be sick. note to self, text geto-san later to ask if yuji's doing okay. ]
i'm coming over now, is that okay? don't just say yes if you have plans already.
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i don't have plans! come over
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omw
[ and that's probably everything jarring about this situation, summed up in three characters.
when megumi finds yuji, his whole body language is easy. slack, missing the everpresent tension running through his shoulders, scars missing from his face save for one running across one eye. biking accident last year; he's not even on the cycling team. ]
Did you know there's a new Fly Man movie coming out next week?
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It is, but it isn't. This isn't the person he saved from Sukuna, this isn't the person who had fought so hard to crawl bank from his misery, this isn't the person whose soul he knows so intimately. This is someone different, and the worst part of it is that he is so much happier.
So many people are happier, in this world, with these memories. It makes Yuji feel sick.
Slowly, he breathes out softly. ]
Is there? We're going to have to go.
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[ the earlier movies clearly didn't have any budget, and the middle titles went off the rails trying to be both self-serious and satirical, but they were fun. watching the movies in yuji's room for yuji's pre-birthday celebration was fun. it always is when it's yuji.
megumi gracefully flops down next to yuji, summons a big, fat rabbit from the shadows, and hums as he cushions the bunny between them. the rabbit looks to yuji like it's confused about what's happening, too. ]
We don't have to go on premier night. I'll even get caramel popcorn for us this time.
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He doesn't want to ruin this. He doesn't want to force Megumi to wake up to the horrors of his own world, the nightmare that was their life. The last thing he wants is to steal his happiness, just like with Geto, so... He's going to have to play along.
Whatever it takes, however it hurts.
He can handle it.
Petting the bunny, he lets himself smile. ]
You don't even like sweet stuff! I don't mind the normal kind, Megumi.
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[ tsumiki said it's good to try new and different things. to expand one's perspective and include others, to find things to like and dislike. that's how one grows as a person.
he misses her. she hasn't been home in a while; work training for her school means she's offline for long stretches of time. ]
You sure you're okay? You're not sick? [ megumi doesn't wait for permission, presses the back of his hand to yuji's neck. ] You look like you're mildly nauseous.
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[ That's as good an excuse as he's going to get, and Yuji's almost relieved that he has this get out of jail free card to use to explain his weird behaviour.
Weird to them. ]
Are you staying over?
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[ megumi smiles at yuji, but his concern remains clear in his eyes. yuji doesn't get sick, not to his memory — broken bones is the worst he remembers, a lot of sprains when they were growing up. but sick? he can't even recall the last time yuji sneezed more than once at any given moment. ]
I'm serious, though. The nausea's still around? Do you want to someone about it later? I'll go with you. It could be an anomalous side effect.
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[ Are he and Megumi less close in this world...? That's super weird, and he doesn't like it. The idea makes him feel something close to miserable, actually, but he shoves that feeling aside. ]
It's not a big deal. If it's still bad later I'll mention it to someone else, or something.
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[ megumi plays it up, much as he can play off the niggling, infant doubt that this is the terminus of their youthful friendship. it's not that megumi thinks they'll stop being friends because both of them are branching out, reaching for relationships that are new to both of them, but——
but.
he did confess to yuji this year, didn't he? and yuji had been so kind and sweet in rejecting him. maybe he's still reeling from that and he hasn't unpacked that feeling yet. it's not yuji's problem. it's not even raidou-senpai's fault; people like who they like, right? and he's been talking and getting to know indo-kun more these days. it's exciting. it's fun, a different kind of fun. ]
I'm just asking because I didn't pack enough clothes. I slid into a puddle earlier. I've got stuff drying out.
[ he elbows yuji again. ]
Come back to the team. I miss running with you. It's not the same without you.
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[ Rude...
Yuji has no idea what this Megumi thinks or feels, if his feelings have been transplanted over, but he still doesn't like the idea of him thinking that anyone is a replacement for anyone else. It feels wrong, somehow, and makes his heart ache and prickle, makes him want to do something to fill that odd, yawning void.
He's so bad at this, so messed up with the tangled web of feelings and emotions that have him worrying too much and wishing he could make everything better.
They've earned that, haven't they?
It's hard. It's confusing. He wants to groan and flop back, but that'll just worry Megumi more.
Whatever. ]
You can borrow some of mine.
[ Right. The team. ]
I'll figure out a plan to come back, okay?
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[ even if yuji broke every promise, though? megumi's sure he'll forgive it. even if it makes no sense to him to feel like this, he just knows at his very core that he'll let yuji break his heart over and over for the rest of their lives. it's—
he's earned it, the thought rises unbidden.
and of course he does. yuji was there when his mother died, when father left, when tsumiki got sick the first time. and megumi was there when yuji's parents died too, when his grandfather passed from old age. no one else knows them the way they know each other.
megumi shakes the unwarranted moroseness off with a shrug, and throws a loose grin over to yuji. ]
You did the laundry though, right? If you're passing over some sweaty clothes I'll kick your ass!
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[ Yuji wants to reach out and ruffle his hair, but he resists, too busy laughing.
This is the kind of life that Megumi ought to have had. One that was simple and easy, where the most worrisome thing on his mind was team sports and grades, not risking his life and being a vessel. If there was something he could do to make that possible, he would do it, but... He's not strong enough. He doesn't have the power to do anything to fix it.
Everyone is happier in a world where things are different, and Yuji - he bites his tongue.
He's not going to break that illusion.
Leaning back, he breathes out softly. ]
I've got the usual stuff put aside for you anyway.
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[ it never stops leaving him breathless, does it? yuji's selflessness, his consideration and grace for the people around him. even when megumi knows he's not being a good friend — especially in the early days when he had misplaced anger about tsumiki's condition — yuji never reflected the same ugliness back.
he's not the kind of person to be vengeful, megumi thinks. not without good reason, and heaven have mercy on whoever earns that wrath from his best friend.
i could love him, he thinks. in another life, in every life, i know i'll always love him. ]
You don't have to if it's extra weight you have to carry. But I'm very grateful you think of me, too.
I packed your snacks, too. [ wait, did he? megumi frowns. he'll have to check his things again. he's certain he did, but some unfounded doubt has roosted in him now. ] I'm sure I did. Did I hand them over already?
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It feels perfectly natural, to take care of Megumi and make sure he's okay. He wonders if it's the same in these weird memories, if he's as selfless or if this is odd for his friend - if he's going too far. It's hard to navigate, and it makes his heart feel weirdly heavy to think about it all.
At least Megumi seems... Fine with it.
Breathing out, he shakes his head. ]
It's not a big deal. Style upgrade, remember? I barely have to pack my own clothes most days.
[ Snacks, though... ]
They'll be around somewhere.
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Just be careful. That's what I'm trying to say. I'll be really upset if you get hurt and I'm not around to save you.
[ it feels like he's been worrying about it all his life, for several lifetimes, like he was born with yuji's name already tattooed to the forefront of his mind. it's nestled deep, unyielding every time he reaches back down the ladder of his memories.
they've always got each other's backs. even if the world falls apart, megumi can be sure of that. ]
Alright. If not, I can go out and find something local. Hey, we could try some of the teas here too if we can find them.
Which one's your latest upgrade again?
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[ It's not like the other ones, that took intensive surgery for him to deal with before he was able to use it, but the less said about that the better. He can still remember how irritated and disappointed Gojo-sensei had been with him after the last one.
Reaching out, he pats Megumi's back gently. ]
We can try the tea and not worry about the rest. Like I said, it's not a big deal.
[ Slowly, he leans back. ]
The last one... Teleportation?