[ 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}
no subject
[ 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.
no subject
[ 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.
no subject
[ 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?
no subject
[ 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!
no subject
[ 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.
no subject
[ 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?
no subject
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.
no subject
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?
no subject
[ 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?