Chapter Text
“we still don’t have to do this. there are plenty of high schools—“
“can you just drop it?”
you look over to megumi, trying to smile. as if he’s not going to see right through that. as if he hasn’t known you since you were practically his age, and as if you don’t actively discourage lying any chance you get.
it’s different for adults, okay?
“i’m serious, megumi.”
he raises a brow. you can tell he’s at least a little bit amused—if only because you’ve seen the same glint in his eyes when he hides satoru’s blindfolds around the house. “so am i.”
your face is pained. “you don’t have to listen to satoru. or tsumiki. or me, even.”
“when have i ever?”
you nudge him with your arm, trying to relax every tense muscle in your body.
is it just pure instinct to protect him from this? or are you actually scared, worried that megumi wouldn’t argue with satoru, isn’t comfortable enough to tell you that—
“can you stop freaking out about this?”
“do i look like i’m freaking out?”
megumi stares at you blankly.
“okay,” you look back down to the paperwork in front of you. you wonder if this is how satoru feels anytime he says anything to the kid. you should probably be nicer to him. “maybe i’m freaking out. but it’s only because dad was supposed to do this with you.”
megumi looks briefly horrified.
“take me or leave me, kid.”
he shakes his head. “you’re better than that bonehead.”
you sigh, rubbing your eyes. “okay, you really gotta get over the movie thing—“
“no i don’t—“
“it was an accident.”
megumi crosses his arms. “why are you defending him? he ruined the entire series for me.”
you roll your eyes. “you think by now you’d know not to talk to him about movies.”
“you think by now he’d know not to spoil the entire thing,” megumi mocks.
you snort.
“why are you so… weird about this anyway? you went there. so did gojo.”
“and look how he turned out.”
megumi gives you a grin—meaning his cheek twitches and he blinks at you.
“it’s just… you really don’t have to go. i know satoru goes on and on about taking responsibility, and acknowledging strength. and i know that tsumiki thinks you should do whatever you can to help people but—“ you stop. bite your cheek. “you don’t have to go, megumi. you can be a normal person. become a doctor or something.”
“i can barely deal with my classmates,” he says, “why would i want to interact with sick people on a daily basis?”
you scoff. “first of all, it was a hypothetical.”
“that’s a terrible suggestion.”
you tilt your head at him. “you’re smart,” you say, “you’re kind. you’re handsome—“ you reach a hand out to pinch his cheek, but he grabs it—like an instinct.
but you take what you can get, so you squeeze it, smiling at him—but really this time.
because he’s so much more than you could’ve asked for.
tsumiki and megumi are your good luck charms, if anything. a sign for your younger self that everything would be okay.
they’re so much more than teenagers should be, so much more than satoru or you deserve.
but you’re not going to complain. the world is shit, and the gifts you’ve been given will never leave your grasp.
still…
“you could do whatever you want with your life, megs. anything. it doesn’t have to be jujutsu.”
“this is what i want to do.”
you let go of his hand, looking back down. “are you sure?”
megumi makes a noise, crossing his arms. “why don’t you trust me?”
“it’s got nothing to do with you,” you retort, sitting up. “but you grew up with satoru telling you who you’re supposed to be—“
“i have never listened to anything he’s told me—“
“so if you decide this isn’t you, that’s okay. i need you to know that it’s okay to do whatever you want. it’s not selfish, or irresponsible. it’s human.”
there’s a moment of silence.
you stare down at the table and wonder how many times you had to repeat those words—just to believe them.
you wonder how many years it took before you decided to act however you saw fit, and not bend to the wills of fate.
what will happen to megumi, whatever he chooses?
how are you supposed to protect him from the future?
“mom,” he says, breaking the silence. not a question.
“hmm?”
you’re tapping your fingers on the table, not looking at him.
god, satoru should’ve filled out the paperwork with him. he wouldn’t have scared the kid into changing his mind. he wouldn’t have even said anything.
“i want to do this,” megumi whispers to you. “i—there was never any question for me. i’ve never wanted to do anything else.”
you look at him. he’s staring back—his eyes so stern and mature, it almost makes you want to cry.
all you can do is nod. there’s no way to voice your fears to a fourteen year old, no way to make him understand.
but that’s okay. that’s why you have satoru.
“and you don’t need to worry about me. worry about gojo, or something, instead.”
you laugh. “i do worry about dad, and you, and tsumiki. all of the time. i can’t stop now.”
“well, try.”
you shake your head, messing with his hair. “nuh-uh. you’re my little boy. i’ll always be worried about you.”
megumi makes a face, and you laugh again.
“okay,” you take a breath. “let’s finish these papers. hopefully satoru and tsumiki will be back by then.”
“did they—“
it’s then that the front door opens, satoru’s signature slam ringing down the hallway.
“speak of the devil,” you whisper. megumi just sighs.
“oh goodness,” satoru says, as he walks down the hall. “my son and my wife, sitting at the same table. isn’t that funny?”
“we’re busy, satoru.”
satoru pouts at you, setting a bag on the table. “but we brought dinner,” he says, “and presents.”
“where’s tsumiki?” megumi asks.
“she’s getting the—“
and then tsumiki rounds the corner, holding at least five different shopping bags.
“satoru!” you hit his arm. “go help her.”
“what? she’s fine. woman are strong, you know? don’t underestimate their strength.”
tsumiki laughs, setting the bags down on a chair.
“you’re gonna learn just how strong a woman is when i—“
“what are you guys doing? homework?”
you glare at him. “we’re filling out the papers yaga gave us. the ones you were supposed to do a week ago.”
he grins at you, leaning down to leave a loud kiss on your cheek. then he pulls you so your face is pressed against his thigh. “has she cried yet?” he asks megumi.
“we’re getting there.”