Work Text:
Megumi grit his teeth and drank the rancid medicine the school nurse had given him. She had left, saying she would call someone in his family to take him home.
He had scoffed. She had just raised her brow and muttered about moody teens. It wasn’t like anyone was going to answer.
His parents had disappeared a long time ago. Tsumiki was in a coma, had been for a few months. Gojo had left for a mission, not that he’d likely care anyway.
“I’m feeling better already,” Megumi declared to the nurse. She frowned and felt his forehead. He batted it away. “I’m just going to walk home. I live close.”
He was gone before she or any other staff member could stop him. Not that they would.
By the time he got home he felt awful. His nose ran, and every part of his body ached. He was cold and hot all at the same time, not to mention dizzy.
The apartment was cold, and empty. It made Megumi regret coming home a little bit. Whatever. It didn’t matter. He could take care of himself.
A little part of him whispered that he had to now. That there was no one left. He forced that part of himself into silence.
He grabbed a blanket, a glass of water, and some more medicine. The couch called to him and the world spun, so he sat down. He took the medicine and moved to stand and find something to eat. Or go to bed, or at least do something since he was forced home.
Instead he stayed put. His body suddenly felt heavy and weak. He let his drooping lids slip shut with the promise of ‘just a moment of rest’.
——
Megumi woke up shivering and drenched in sweat. His nose was running and he felt tears on his cheeks. He had been dreaming.
He felt a stupid, sudden, desperate desire for Gojo. For the loud, obnoxious man who had - now Megumi only admitted this because he’s very sick- tried his best to take care of him.
It was dumb. Gojo was just guilty, just felt like he was supposed to be in charge of them. He was working and Megumi refused to come crying to Gojo of all people over some stupid dream.
Megumi forced himself to stand, ignoring how dizzy it made him and how his legs shook.
He staggered, a hand on the wall, to his discarded backpack. He grabbed his phone from inside then stumbled to his room.
He didn’t realize that he was calling Gojo until his phone was ringing.. and ringing.. and ringing.
By the time it went to voicemail Megumi was crying. He was so stupid. Of course Gojo wouldn’t answer. He was busy. He didn’t care. He wouldn’t come.
Megumi hung up the phone and walked, through sheer force of will, to his bed.
“Stupid Megumi. Stupid, weak. Can’t even take care of myself. ‘course I couldn’t protect Tsumiki. Stop crying. No wonder Gojo isn’t here.” Megumi mutter to himself.
He was out of breath by the time he made it to his bed, and the world once again spun violently. He collapsed into his blanket, feeling himself float away.
“Gojo doesn’t care about me. He won’t come,” Megumi mouthed, although no words came out. His eyes slipped shut.
——
Gojo dropped the grocery bag on the ground next to Megumi, and placed the water on the nightstand. The boy barely stirred, mumbling something, his brows furrowed. Gojo heard his own name in the mumbling and couldn’t stop himself from smiling.
He reached out and gently placed a hand on Megumi’s forehead. Megumi’s frown disappeared at the touch as he leaned into it. However Gojo frowned. The boy -his boy, a protective part of him whispered- was burning up.
He removed his hand from Megumi’s forehead to gently shake his shoulder. Megumi let out a little whine and stirred.
“Megumi. Hey, wake up ‘gumi, just for a few minutes,” Gojo said as gently as he could.
“Nnngggh” Megumi replied eloquently. Gojo shook his shoulder again and Megumi reluctantly opened his eyes.
They were glassy and unfocused. He squinted up at Gojo for a moment as if he couldn’t figure out who he was.
“Sorry it took me so long to get back,” Gojo said as he put an arm around Megumi’s shoulders and helped him sit up. “I got some medicine for you on my way,” Gojo explained as he passed Megumi a glass of water a pill.
Megumi took them both eagerly, swaying a bit as he tried to keep himself upright. Despite the wobbling he shoved Gojo away when he tried to help.
“ ‘m fine.” Megumi mumbled. So, taking his word for it Gojo left to find a thermometer and damp cloth for Megumi’s fever.
He returned only a moment later with said objects. Megumi was still sitting up, a good sign, maybe. He was holding the empty cup in his hands, staring at it like it held the world’s secrets.
“You alright there?” Gojo asked softly as he walked up. Megumi jumped a little and snapped his head up towards Gojo.
Megumi sat very still for a moment, his eyes squeezed shut before he abruptly lurched sideways. His head thunked on Gojo’s chest and Gojo wrapped and arm protectively around his shoulders.
“Sorry,” Megumi muttered. “Dizzy.” He made no effort to move and Gojo didn’t make him. “You came back.” Megumi mumbled into Gojo, who frowned at this.
“Of course I did. Why wouldn’t I?”
“Everyone leaves. ‘Cuz I’m weak.” Megumi looked up at Gojo, his eyes were unfocused and filled with tears. It tugged and Gojo’s heart.
“I can’t promise that I’ll always come back Megumi.” Gojo said quietly at this. Megumi nodded his understanding. This was a dangerous line of work, after all.
“But you are by no means weak Megumi. And I promise that even if you were, I wouldn’t leave. I’m not going anywhere Megumi,” Gojo murmured as he rubbed Megumi’s back. Megumi’s eyes drooped and he leaned more heavily on Gojo.
“Get some sleep ‘gumi,” Gojo muttered as he lowered Megumi back onto his pillows and plucked the glass from his hands. Gojo took Megumi’s temperature and gently placed the damp cloth on his forehead.
“Stay?” Megumi whispered before Gojo could stand. Gojo nodded and took Megumi’s hand, carding his fingers through the boy’s hair.
Gojo knew, from the dazed eyes and high fever, that Megumi wouldn’t remember and of it in the morning. If Gojo was wrong, Megumi never mentioned it.