Chapter Text
Megumi doesn’t believe in fate.
Fate was simply a construct in which ancient civilizations tried to explain life and to make sense of human nature. Each culture had a different name for it Albanians called it Ora, Greek the Moirai, Norse the Norns, English the Wyrds, so on and so forth.
Old traditions and ideologies moved and shifted through time, but the thought of higher beings pulling the strings of a person's life seemed completely ridiculous.
If anything it seemed more plausible that the Butterfly Effect was a more reasonable theory to believe in. That every small action turns into an unpredictable consequence of said action and makes the future near impossible to predict.
A good example would be, the night before Megumi should have done the responsible thing and picked up the scattered toys that Shiro and Kuro had strewn across the apartment while he was away at work, but the exhaustion was all too real.
It took all the leftover energy he had to take the dogs down to the nearby park, to make some instant ramen to ensure there was some form of food within his body, and to then shower and brush his teeth before falling into a deep dreamless slumber.
And now said consequence of not picking the toys ended in Megumi waking up slightly late, and slipping on the knotted rope toy on the floor and stubbing his toe against the door frame.
Megumi clutched at the throbbing, aching, toe cursing obscenities into the air, and hobbling into the bathroom to shower and start the day.
Or another prime example is the fact that Megumi decided not to make his usual grocery list for the week. He'd done a once over in the pantry, in the refrigerator and freezer, noting things that were low or missing, so he figured his mental list was perfect and good to go. Yet he forgot one crucial item that is always stocked within his house, coffee grounds.
That forced him to go to the coffee shop on the corner by his apartment, meaning to grab a plain black coffee and a bagel. That's it, something sweet and simple. But somehow it got mixed up with some monstrosity that felt like a cavity was fully formed just by taking a sip of it.
There were an endless list of things that happened because of one singular moment within time, and another endless list floating somewhere out there in the universe of all the other possible outcomes given if things were done differently.
Every time Megumi overheard someone talk about anything being related to fate it made his green eyes roll so hard they practically got stuck in the back of his head. There was no higher power that brought anything or people together. It was total and utter bullshit.
Megumi's friends found his pessimistic outlook to be such a drag. Yuuji and Nobara always spluttered incessantly at the fact. Finding his opinions to be utterly egregious. But the two of them should know by now that he wasn't trying to be a pessimist, he was just being a realist.
Maybe it was because of how he grew up. Not having someone to tuck him in at night and read him fairytales of the handsome knight swooping in to rescue the fair maiden and ride off into the sunset.
No he was forced to face the harsh realities life had to offer. When his father's binge drinking and disappearing for days at a time left him and his sister to scrounge and even beg for money or food.
Life went by in constant flickers of black and white with a few gray areas in between, and Megumi had been more than okay with that.
Currently, the only thing that mattered within his life right now was finishing school.
He has always been more fond of animals than people. Always enjoyed their company because they were rarely mean like people were, and severely misunderstood. All they needed were love, attention, and care. Megumi felt a certain kinship to some of them, seeing stray cats and dogs on the side of the road and thinking, we're not so different are we? Two beings left to survive in this huge world.
Megumi had saved baby birds from being abandoned by their moms, fed stray cats and dogs on the side of the road with little food he'd found, took frogs back to the pond and away from the busy street before they were crushed under rubber tires.
Megumi knew he wanted to help as many animals as he could, so becoming a vet was a dream.
A dream that was slowly becoming a reality.
Year after painstaking year he's poured every ounce of concentration, energy, and focus into his studies and god only a few more years left to go and he could finally reach that goal.
Megumi has been going through a long, treacherous race and now he can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.
But as of right now in this moment, school was the furthest thing from his mind.
Instead, Megumi was contemplating his life choices of agreeing to go to this party at Yuuji’s house. Right now, Nobara was rifling through his closet looking for the quote ‘perfect outfit’ that seemingly did not exist in his plethora of neutral clothing.
"Why does it matter how I look? I'm not trying to impress anyone." He grumbles.
Eyes flicker towards the ceiling daydreaming about how it would be so much nicer to soak into a nice hot bubble bath, order his favorite takeout, and curl up with a nice book with his dogs curled up next to him.
God that sounds so good.
Fingers snap in front of his face, the beautiful bubble popping before his eyes and an annoyed Nobara comes into view.
“There! Put those clothes on and hurry up. You never know who will be there, maybe there will be someone that catches your eye. I don't want to be late because I’m waiting on you!” She barks, plopping down and rifling through her makeup bag.
Dark eyebrows pull together, a scowl etched onto pale features as eyes flicker to the outfit and they almost bulge out of his head, because what the fuck did she pick out for him to wear?
“No, absolutely not. I am not wearing that to Yuuji’s house. This is an outfit for the club or bar not a house party! I’m going to look like a total slut!” Which ordinarily wouldn’t be a bad thing so to speak.
Megumi tended to have a whorish streak from time to time. It was the best way to let off some steam after long days at the clinic or weeks spent studying. But this sounded like it was supposed to be much more of a casual party, it seemed to be more fitting to wear a baggy sweater and jeans.
The glare he receives in return almost makes him shiver, almost.
“Just trust me Megumi, I know what I’m doing and plus you really need to get laid, it’s been awhile. You should take the stick that's shoved up your pussy and shove something else up there instead. Now go, I still need to do your makeup.” Nobara's hand waves him off as she finishes her own makeup.
“Fuck you, don't say that,” words are hissed as clothes are snatched up into the grasp. Nobara barks out a laugh as she leans into the mirror, "Don't act like such a prude when you've told me about the multiple dicks that have been up there." She snipes back.
"Yeah well you ask me to tell you all about it the next day, beg for the juicy details in fact! I wouldn't tell you shit otherwise, I'm not begging to hear about your sex life with Maki." He could barf just thinking about it.
"And that's your loss because she is great in bed now go." She waves him off.
Megumi huffs, taking the mesh shirt and putting it on first and then the black crop top showing off way too much of his pale yet toned abdomen.
At least the baggy pants were a part of the wardrobe, but they still hung too low for his liking, showing off a hint of his hip bones, and the dimples that settle along his lower back.
It took another fifteen minutes of bickering for Megumi to talk Nobara into just doing eyeliner rather than whatever other shit she was planning on doing, instead she had talked him into putting a silver belly chain to accentuate his thin waist and then they were ready to go. He knew she was anxious to see Maki, it made him want to vomit.
“I just need to put scent patches on and then we can go.”
Manicured fingers wrap around his wrist, yanking him back into her direction and a yelp passes through his lips.
“No patches. I’m not wearing any, let your scent breathe for god's sake. You wear them around all the time, do they not bother you?” His nostrils flare, inhaling in the floral lavender and warm vanilla scent that’s now abusing his senses; it's a wonder he hadn’t realized it beforehand.
The thought of going patch-less was unnerving. One reason he hated going to clubs and any social event was because of how many scents filled the rooms.
It was claustrophobic, cloying the inside of his nostrils and making a headache build at the base of his neck. Since he could remember, his dad always made sure he practiced proper omega etiquette, and truthfully he didn't like the thought of anyone coming close enough to smell his scent.
To him it felt personal, something that was vulnerable and he only wanted it to be shared with people he cared about.
Also, the sad reality is that being an omega in society was quite scary. Especially an unmarked one.
Of course times have truly progressed through the years, there have been stricter laws put in place, but alphas were alphas and one could never be too careful.
So Megumi wore scent patches frequently. Covering his scent at work, at school, going out to the store, anywhere a person could possibly go, Megumi was always prepared.
He has heard too many stories about how disgusting alphas had forced themselves on omegas and tried to play the victim, saying ‘they couldn’t help themselves because they just smelled so sweet, so tempting,’ that basic biology took over and they couldn’t stop the laws of nature.
It was revolting but the sad reality of the world they live in.
There were only very rare occasions, he felt a sense of vulnerability without them, and against his best judgment, tonight seemed to be one of those nights.
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As soon as they arrived at the Itadori house his nostrils were already invaded by so many scents.
They went straight to his head, making him feel dizzy and stomach gurgle threatening to empty what little contents that had settled within Megumi’s stomach.
The problem essentially was there were too many contradicting scents mingling together.
One moment there was a sweet floral scent hitting his nose, followed by something warm and earthy. Then there would be an airy and clean, only to be hit with something violently sour. Everything was ten times worse when people were drinking too. Intense pheromones being pushed out all over the place. Spikes of arousal, anger, sadness wafting off of random people it was just too overwhelming. He could never understand how other people put up with it.
Thankfully Nobara can sense the panic and distress, perhaps it's an inner omega thing, before she is grabbing his hand and weaving through the crowds of people towards the door by the backyard.
Megumi distantly wonders how Itadori knows so many people that both the in and outside of the house is crowded with hoards of people. He can feel the bass of the music within his bones, sweaty bodies grinding against one another, a figure doing a keg stand in the corner of the kitchen. This feels like another stupid college party Nobara always drags him too.
Once they reached the open air, Megumi felt like he could relax just a little. His nose wasn't being invaded with too many scents, and it felt nice to feel the fresh air within his nostrils.
As soon as they stepped off the porch, it was instantaneous how quickly Nobara had found Maki and thankfully a few of their other friends were nearby including the man himself Yuuji. His beaming smile filled his tanned features and waved like an enthusiastic child at the two of them.
“Megumi! Nobara! You made it! Did you get a drink yet? I can grab you something!” Yuuji yells loudly.
Megumi gives a soft smile back, because even if he wasn’t thrilled being here whenever Yuuji was within orbit it was hard not to smile back. Before he could even respond the boy was off. Pushing through the waves of people to grab some drinks and dispersing them out.
When green eyes take in his surroundings it just becomes painfully obvious how lonely he really is. Yuuji stayed to chat for a few moments before he ventured off towards his friend Todo yelling something about a beer pong match, Nobara and Maki were cuddled up next to each other acting as if they were the only ones around, and his other friends Okkotsu and Inumaki were also enamored with one another.
Of course Okkotsu asked him how studying and work was going, but Inumaki clung to his side like a lost dog, and Megumi could tell he was wanting the attention just on him.
This was what usually happened in their friend group, and why Megumi always declined going out, being a fifth wheel was starting to become tiresome. It usually helped with Yuuji also being single, but the boy was also so extroverted that he could make friends with just about anyone.
Dating was particularly hard for Megumi, not only because he was an omega, but because he was well, him.
It was hard to find the will to want to talk to people when he found himself constantly annoyed with whatever was spewing out of their mouths.
They talked about themselves mostly, rarely asking anything about himself, and then if they were to ask it was just a few questions here and there before trying to make a move on him. It's typical, how they really just wanted one thing and one thing only from him. The amount of pheromones the alphas would pump out trying to entice him was nauseating.
After the brief conversation with Okkotsu, Megumi being the wallflower that he is simply migrated towards an empty corner sipping on the shitty drink and listening to the music, looking over at the sea of people and simply watching. However his peace was short lived when moments later a figure walks up.
Megumi can tell from the corner of his eye that the man was trying to be cool and casual, but he could see right through the facade. Toji taught him very quickly to always be aware of his surroundings, to never let his guard down.
This man was not discreet at all, cup in hand and sleazy smile plastered on his scarred features. “Now what in the world is a pretty thing like you doing in the corner all alone.”
Megumi was trying to control his scent, not letting the anxious nor irritated feeling in his gut pour out and let the alpha know how he feels. Just being a few feet away the excessive gasoline smell makes him want to puke.
“I’m trying to get a breather, kind of hard when you are coming over here and stinking up the place.” Megumi bites back, hoping the tone will be enough to send the man away.
Yet the alpha simply chuckles, moving closer and pumping his pheromones even more. Great.
“You know I like it when they play hard to get, makes it taste so much better,” and there is a mischievous glint in his blue eyes as he speaks, smile stretching across his face, the canine glints in the moonlight.
He certainly wasn't above trying to fight the alpha. Toji had showed him a lot of self defense growing up not only because he was an omega, but to just have the knowledge in case it was necessary.
Megumi also admittedly got into a lot of fights in middle school, having had a bad temper dealing with how shitty his dad was, it had tampered off when Tsumiki pleaded for him to stop. She was always worried he would get himself hurt with the excessive fighting he was doing.
But right now the last thing he wanted was to cause a commotion at Yuuji's party, no matter how repulsed he was towards the alpha.
Before Megumi can respond back, another figure appears, a large tan hand laying on their shoulder pulling the man back, “Seems like he doesn’t want your company Mahito so fuck off.”
The deep voice almost growls, pulling the silver haired alpha away from his enclosure on Megumi. The man moves to snarl and shove the hand away, “Whatever, get off me asshole. You never let anyone have any fun buzz kill.” The other man's eyes just roll in response.
And then the silver haired alpha was gone.
Shoulders slump forward, trying to shake the edginess from the interaction. Turning to look at the mystery intruder to thank him, Megumi is struck by the similar hue of pink hair. Except that was certainly not Yuuji’s voice.
Taking in the features of the man it is obvious they are related, same hair, similar facial structures, except this man is quite a bit taller than the younger Itadori. Taller, certainly more muscular, eyes flicker towards the black etches of tattoos that cover the expanse of tanned skin, and unlike Yuuj’s golden amber irises this man has dark ruby red ones.
Megumi’s head tips to the side, curiosity peaking and he says the first thing that comes out of his stupid mouth, “You’re not Yuuji.”
That causes the mystery man to chuckle, the sound scratches an itch in the back of his brain that he didn’t know was there. “I’m sure the fuck not, but I am unfortunately his older brother Ryomen Sukuna.”
Ah. The name does sound familiar, he can recall it being brought up a handful of times in one of Yuuji’s many loud and boisterous rants.
Shuffling awkwardly, Megumi scratches the back of his neck as a nervous habit, peering up at the older man through his dark lashes, “Thanks for uh…scaring off that creep Ryomen-san.”
Sukuna just smiles at Megumi, leaning a little closer and with the close proximity he can smell the faint traces of bergamot and cedar, the warm citrus of the scent feels like being wrapped in a blanket. He finds himself leaning into the scent enjoying it.
“Mm, no need for formalities just Sukuna is fine. But it wasn’t a problem at all sweetheart, you got a name?” Sukuna asked.
Adam’s apple bobs at the question, he finds himself feeling shy, perhaps its the intensity of the ruby red eyes it makes Megumi feel like he is being taken apart right then and there.
His hand reaches across his bare midsection to cradle his other arm, feeling much more self conscious and clears his throat to speak up, “Fushiguro Megumi.”
Sukuna’s hand reaches out and for a moment Megumi is convinced he is going to touch him. He doesn’t know where, but he is pretty sure it wouldn’t matter because he would probably just let it happen.
Instead, thick fingers tip the cup away from his hold and Sukuna’s gaze flickers from the cup up to Megumi’s eyes.
“Well Fushiguro how about you come get another drink with me, your cups looking pretty empty.” And Megumi figures why the fuck not?
Megumi can't really believe how easy he is following Sukuna. It usually takes a lot more effort for someone to de-thaw the icy front he puts up.
Maybe he just chucks it up to it being a thanks for the previous interaction. But Megumi knows he just can't help but let his eyes wander over the older alpha's physique and maybe, just maybe Nobara was right. He was thinking about thoughts he shouldn't be having over his best friend's brother.
As they reached the table Sukuna gestures for the red solo cup and Megumi extends it letting the man take it and pour the punch until it's filled before handing it back.
"I'm kind of annoyed my baby brother has kept such a pretty thing like you tucked away, all for himself I guess?" Sukuna questions, and Megumi stares at the mischievous smirk splayed onto tanned features.
The compliment makes Megumi blush, quick to tip the cup up to try and hide it. He will just blame it on the alcohol about anything else.
"God no. We are just best friends, we met freshman year. I also don't particularly go out much so it's not his fault, he always tries to get me to go out though. He has mentioned you before though," in the back recess of his mind he can recall Yuuji talking about his older brother's cooking.
Sukuna hums, it's barely audible over the loud music but he can hear it faintly. "I see, then I guess I should count my lucky stars that you're here tonight. I also hope that brat said good things about me."
Taking another large sip, Megumi let's the words hang in the air. Eyes squinting as he looks up at the man, as if he is pondering them before responding, "Not really, he says you're an asshole."
They were far from the truth, Megumi can't help to think that the words will get a rise from the older man and the thought makes Megumi buzz.
And just as he suspected, Sukuna's lips part in shock before they quickly close and those crimson red eyes squint in the direction of Yuuji's boisterous laughter, "I'm going to kill him I swear."
Megumi can't help but laugh, just a little. "I'm joking. He talks a lot about how good your cooking is, and how you own a restaurant. He keeps telling us he will bring us by and never does."
He can see the tension in Sukuna's shoulders ebb away at the words, eyes softening and a small smile taking form. "He should. I've told him to bring friends multiple times, always says he will and never does. Can guarantee it's a lot better than that college crap you all are eating."
Nose scrunches up at the words, hiding it away from behind the cup. Finding the words quite cute.
"So if you don't usually go out, what made you come out tonight?" Eyebrow ticks and green eyes note how the man shifts just a bit closer.
"My other friend Nobara made me come. She was hoping I'd find someone to take home," it was honest. Megumi didn't quite mind saying it, for a moment he thought about being lucky enough to take Sukuna home with him, but the thought was fleeting he couldn't do such a thing to Yuuji.
There's a look that Megumi can't decipher, but as quickly as it was there it vanished leaving him no room to ponder on.
"I see, and have you been successful in this so called venture?" Megumi stares up at the man. They've just met tonight and he can't help but feel like there's already a hint of possessiveness in the question.
Maybe it's the look in those ruby red eyes, or the tone of his voice that gives him that inclination, either way it should be alarming. All the bells should be going off inside Megumi's head, yet he can't find it in himself to really give a damn.
"Obviously not seeing as you had to rescue me over in the corner from that jackass trying to make a move on me." Sukuna nods, seeming pleased with the response.
The man shifts, moving around Megumi and his body turns in the action, the tanned hand motioning for him to follow over towards a pair of chairs that have settled in front of a small fire.
His body moves with the action, grateful because the air has seemed to grown a little chilly and half of his body is out on full display. A shiver runs down his spine.
The two settle in the seats next to each other, Megumi nurses the cup close as gaze flickers from the orange flames to the red orbs of the person next to him.
"So tell me about yourself Fushiguro," Sukuna leans into the chair with a lazy smirk. His nose scrunches at the words, he doesn't like to be too open about himself so he'd prefer to hear what Sukuna has to say first.
"You go first." Megumi responds, it makes the alpha chuckle but he doesn't complain.
From there the conversation flows casually, Sukuna tells him a little about his restaurant, that he is six years older than Yuuji, they have different dads which explains their name difference, he talks about the motorcycle that he loves to ride when the weather is nice enough, he likes hot tea over coffee, he loves going to the beach any chance he can get, and is actually a sucker for rom-coms.
In return Megumi tells him about the work he does at the vet clinic, how he is still studying to become a veterinarian, he talks about Kuro and Shiro showing him pictures of the dogs, talks about being raised by a single alpha dad, and briefly about his step-sister Tsumiki. He mentions his favorite food is anything to do with ginger, and how he doesn’t really like sweets, he prefers winter the most and used to love to go ice skating, and about how in his spare time he loves to read.
It just feels so easy to talk to Sukuna, he can’t remember the last time it felt so simple to just be honest with someone.
To not over think and second guess what parts he wants to share and what parts he wants to conceal. Perhaps it was the shitty alcohol making his lips loose and the courage to feel free. Or perhaps it was something more. Whatever it is, Megumi has at least found that he's become to enjoy this night much more than he ever thought he would.
And by the end, when most of the party has dwindled down and Megumi realized how late it was, he looks for Nobara seeing as she brought him here and she’s nowhere to be found.
"I can take you back on my motorcycle if you're okay with that?" The question makes Megumi bristle.
Should he let Sukuna know where he lives? They've only just met. He's Yuuji's brother, nothing bad could come from it.
"Are you sure you can even drive? How much have you been drinking?" It's a more logical question to ask.
Sukuna snorts, "Trust me sweetheart I haven't had that much to drink. I have a pretty high tolerance anyway."
There is a brief moment where Megumi almost thinks to decline, but then the thought of being able to sit behind the man and wrap his arms around toned muscle makes the no die off somewhere in a ditch.
What the hell? It was a one time thing and he always feels a rather impulsive under the influence.
Sukuna shucks the leather jacket off and extends it out to him knowing it would be a cold ride. Putting the helmet on Megumi definitely squeezes just a little too hard in order to feel the toned abdomen flex as they fly through the mostly empty streets to his apartment.
He can't help but feel a little disappointed that the ride comes to an end, wishing it could go on just a bit longer.
When Megumi gets off the motorcycle, taking the helmet and jacket off he is sure his dark black hair looks even more unruly than usual and Sukuna’s tanned hand reaches up to brush through the tangle of hair sending a chill down his spine.
"Thank you for the ride, for the whole night really. I usually hate going to parties…you made it fun." Megumi's cheeks warm up at the words.
Sukuna's helmet was also abandoned and Megumi can't help but stare as the man smiles unabashedly at him, making the blush deepen.
Eyes track the movement of Sukuna's pink tongue peeking out to wet chapped lips, tattooed hand slipping into the denim jeans and pulling the cellphone out.
"Would it be too forward of me to ask for your number?" Megumi's teeth clench down onto the tip of his own tongue, fighting off the smile that threatens to spill out onto his stoic features.
"No, I'd like that." He can see the glint in Sukuna's eye at the response, their fingers brushing against one another when the alpha slides the phone into his hands and fingers type out the information before handing it back.
Sukuna pockets the phone quickly, yet makes no move to put the helmet on and drive away.
"And would it also be too forward of me to ask if I can kiss you?" Sukuna's voice dips slightly and Megumi can feel the breath freeze in his lungs.
The omega buzzes with excitement and he can't even vocalize a response, just a soft shake of the head.
Sukuna smirks, and Megumi feels like a bystander just standing there and watching as the man inches closer and closer. Eyelids slowly fall closed, feeling the brush of their noses and he inhales, bracing for the impact of Sukuna's lips.
But their lips don't meet at all.
Instead, those lips place a chaste kiss on the softness of his cheek. Green eyes spring open, just as Sukuna pulls away.
Oh, he knows exactly what the man is doing and unfortunately Megumi is eating it out of the palm of Sukuna's hand.
The small kiss alone has Megumi's heart thundering behind his ribcage and he forces himself to not lurch forward and claim those damn lips into a kiss he is desiring.
"I'll talk to you really soon Fushiguro." Sukuna winks behind the open helmet visor before flicking it down. The motorcycle's engine revs once before Sukuna is riding off into the darkness.
Later, when Megumi is laying down in his bed alone, both dogs settled at the bottom of the bed, it’s no one else's business other than his own if he thinks about rosy pink hair, dark black tattoos, ruby red eyes, and that tantalizing bergamot cedar scent.
Screw whatever Megumi had previously thought, maybe fate was real.