salaryman | (no subject)

[ The initial message had been brief, something sent to update Nanami of what was going on in the Casa de Doges." Itadori has been sleeping for a couple days." For Fushiguro, it hadn't seemed out of the ordinary. Itadori looked like he was just sleeping. If it wasn't for the length of time, it wouldn't be worrisome. It took too long for Fushiguro to notice the difference, too long for him think that something was wrong.

Too long for him to not get upset at himself.

Nanami has an open invitation to come over to check on him whenever he'd like. Fushiguro is content to just sit by Itadori's side and watch over him.

Whenever Nanami comes into Itadori's room, he'll see Fushiguro sitting at his bedside, holding his hand in an attempt to help generate some Manna for him. Fushiguro just looks up at him and nods at him in greeting. ]

[ Nanami had only asked to be updated as Fushiguro saw fit. He could not help but worry as to why Itadori was suddenly sleeping -- could it have something to do with what happened? There certainly were a lot of factors that could tie into what is going on. He attempted to uncover some answers for himself, but the best that he could find is that this may just be something that some gembonded experience.

While the answer is weak, at best, he still feels it is something to share with Fushiguro. It may alleviate some concerns, or may add to some. There is no telling how long the sleep will last. But at the very least, it seems like it does not cause any harm to the person sleeping.

So, when he arrives at the apartment and comes into Itadori's room, he lets out a small sigh at seeing Fushiguro. It is one of concern rather than upset or frustration at what the teenager is doing. If there was any change, he would have said so in greeting.

He adds his own nod before asking: ]

How are you, Fushiguro-kun? [ A foolish, open-ended question, perhaps, but it is one that needs to be asked. ]

Fine.

[ The response is curt, which is not out of the ordinary when it comes to Fushiguro, however it's far more curt than he has been with Nanami since they've arrived here. The look on his face shows that he isn't fine. There is a tiredness on his face, showing that he hasn't been resting well. The pillow and blanket in his bedside seat show that he's taken to sleeping in the room. The empty bowl of food at his side shows that he's even taken to eating here.

There's a slight hesitation before he lets go of Itadori's hand, sitting himself upright to look at Nanami. ]

How about you, how are you, Nanami-san? [ He says this more respectfully, realizing how curt his previous response was. ]

[ The curt answer does not both him. In fact, he believes that it is fine. In some way, he wonders if he is hoping that Fushiguro will unleash some tirade and pent up anger on him; it would not do much but might help ease the emotional burden that the teenager is under. But it also might harm him more.

And perhaps, he should be glad that the sunglasses that he wears hides the exhaustion in his eyes. He can stand straight and look well despite his own worries about Itadori. ]

I am also fine. [ If they are going to lie to each other, they will lie sincerely to one another. Nanami lets out a small sigh. ] I have discussed this matter with a few gems. [ Rather than beat around the bush about it; he relays what he's heard. ] They said this is something that could occur to those on low manna and should not have any physical ramifications.

However, there is no telling how long it will last, either.

[ Conceal, don't feel. Fushiguro values Nanami, especially now that he's gotten the chance to know him. At the moment, he doesn't feel the need to let out his feelings. He's tired, having stayed by Itadori's side since he realized that him sleeping was more than just sleeping. He's not sure what might come out if he lets emotions out, and he couldn't do that to Nanami.

Fushiguro takes a look up at Nanami and for the moment doesn't recognize his tiredness.

He hums in response to that, growing silent at his explanation of what's going on with Itadori. ]

So he could be stuck like this for a while longer?

Yes, he could be.

[ There is no need to sugarcoat the answer. His eyes flicker briefly to Fushiguro as he wonders what the young man is thinking. ]

I'll make something for you to eat. [ Nanami decides to settle on instead. ] I shall ask your forgiveness in going through your cupboards and fridge to acquire the ingredients necessary for your meal.

[ Even if it is for a few minutes, even if it is for a short while, he thinks being outside of the room and letting his mind focus on something else would be good for Fushiguro. Itadori-kun, you would want him that much for him, too, right? His eyes settle on the sleeping young man, feeling his jaw bunch a little, before his expression returns to something more neutral. ]

Ah... it's fine.

[ There's a pause, before he speaks up right as Nanami leaves the room. ] They might be a little bare. Itadori did... most of the cooking.

[ Read: most of the cooking. Itadori did teach him how to make meatballs, and has been working on other things, but then well... it's obvious to see what happened. ]

But, thank you, Nanami-san. I appreciate it.

Ah, I see.

[ He pauses in the doorway before turning to look back at the two. His shoulders remain still; he pretends them from dropping as he takes in the sight yet again. ]

Then, I'll trouble you by using your kitchen as soon as I return with groceries. [ He holds up his hand. ] You have your hands full so don't worry too much about it, Fushiguro-kun.

[ Which is a means to dismiss the first thanks given to him, and any following gratitude. In truth, he had hoped to protect both of the teenagers from any hardship. But he knew that was impossible; still, he did not think something like this would happen. In a way, he thinks it's unforgivable that they have to be continuously tested, so doing little things for them is the least that he can do. ]

Are... you sure?

You don't need to do that for us, Nanami-san.

[ The last thing on his mind has been getting food, wanting and needing to spend the time here with Itadori just in case he wakes up. But Nanami just got here and now he's leaving again to buy food for them. ]

I am.

[ He pauses at that comment -- that he does not have to do that for them. His gaze shifts from looking to Itadori then back to Fushiguro. ]

No, it is something that I need to do. [ As an adult, as someone who is worried about the two of them, it is all that he can do at the moment. ] I won't be gone long.

[ And he turns around to leave. ]

Ah... alright.

[ he responds awkwardly, not sure what else to say here. nanami has been more than just helpful to them during their stay here. he's not sure what he could do to repay him ]

[ at the very least, he isn't gone that long. he has wondered when the last time fushiguro had an actual meal, and did not like the idea of leaving the teenager on his own. of course, there was only so much "smothering" that he would allow himself to do, too.

so he brings enough for a simple meal -- miso salmon. relatively quick to make and can be filling without being too much on an uneasy stomach. ]

I've returned. [ that is how he announces himself before he begins cooking. ]

[ if nanami looks in the wastebasket, there are several cup noodles in there!! he's eating!! perhaps not the healthiest but at the very least, nanami can rest assured he is having the normal diet of a normal teenage boy... who is also currently obsessing over the fact his best friend is currently comatose but we don't have to talk about that.

but fushiguro takes the moment to walk out of itadori's room and wanders into the kitchen to watch nanami. ]

Welcome back. [ he pauses for a moment ] Do you need any help?

[ nanami does offer a few sighs at the cup noodles that are there. he remembers when he would eat something similar when he was on crunch time at his job -- his nose wiggles in distaste as he continues with what he's doing. ]

Thank you. [ another pause follows. ] No. That is all right. [ however, he doesn't like the idea of fushiguro feeling useless in his own home. so instead, he makes a gesture for him to sit. ]

I am doing this due to my own selfish wishes and desires. I am grateful that you are willing to let me carry those out, Fushiguro-kun. [ a beat. ] This may come off as an insult.

[ he doesn't ask him not to take it as one, because he normally would not say anything at all. ] I am wanting to ask how you are doing, what you are thinking, and how you have been. These questions are ... intrusive on my part, but you have been left alone to your thoughts long enough.

[ he sees that motion and takes a seat at the table, still watching nanami as he cooks. he tries not to think about how not too long ago, he was sitting in the same seat, reading and watching as itadori busied himself in the kitchen as he made a meal for them. ]

No, it doesn't.

[ fushiguro has gotten to know nanami since they've been here. he knows how he is and itadori still continues to talk highly of him. ]

I... don't know where to start. [ his hands were at his side when he sat down, but then they move to the tabletop. his elbows rest on the table as he leans forward, his forehead pressing into his closed fists. ] Itadori being like this... [ he catches himself for a second before he continues ]

Do you know about my sister?

[ Nanami dips his head at the comment that it is not an insult for having him worry so much about him. ]

A common issue. [ He knows there are many that aren't sure where to start with what they are suffering and feeling. Too much have started to build up that it's difficult to decide or even determine where the "start" is. But he pauses in his cooking at the question of if he knows about Fushiguro's sister.

Yes, he knows about the situation. If Gojou hadn't spilled the information to him, it would have come his way via having Nanami be someone to guard her body from high-level curses. ]

I am aware of what is going on with your sister. Only the clinical details of it, however, and not much else. [ Because one should never take everything that Gojou says at face-value. ]

[ keeping his hands pressed into his forehead, he speaks slowly and collected. there's a small note of detachment in his voice, afraid that if he spoke with anymore emotion that something might break. ]

Shortly before I started at Jujutsu Tech, Tsumiki was cursed and fell into a coma. She's been that way for several months. It's.... Seeing Itadori like this...

[ he pauses again, gathering his thoughts ]

It reminded me of her. And then I remembered when we were sent after the Cursed Womb.

He died right in front of me.

[ he can't help but grimace at what fushiguro says. nanami feels like these teenagers have suffered more than what anyone should have to; they should be protected more by those around them, but he also understands that there is only so much that any one can do.

even gojou is cannot stop their suffering, after all.

but he does not shy away from what he has asked; he cannot ask to hear a bit of his worries and back down because of his own emotions. ]

I see. [ it is what he said at first. he reaches his hand out to lightly rest one hand over the hands that are pressed against fushiguro's forehead. ] He will not die. He will awaken.

[ nanami speaks with absolute confidence even though he has no reference to go off of, yet he decides to offer a small lie. because these teenagers that are hurting deserve some small sliver of hope. ]

I promise you that he will be fine.

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during itadori's long nap

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