Who ⬤ Midoriya Izuku & Fushiguro Megumi What ⬤ Megumi tries to teach Izuku how to tie his tie properly so they can look full drip for the Tanabata opening ceremonies. When ⬤ Early August. Where ⬤ Megumi’s apartment. Content Warnings ⬤ tba
[Izuku isn’t sure if he’s cursed or if he’s just plain bad at tying a tie but he’s never been able to do more than make them a puffy little knot. He can never get them to tie smoothly and look like they’re supposed to. For all the coordination that Izuku has in a fight it seems fighting a tie is his own weakness.
At least Megumi offers to save him from the embarrassment after the Sutoku Alliance post about them arriving in dress code. Izuku is quick to meet at Megumi’s apartment door with a gentle knock. Tie in hand! Luckily he actually has one after shopping with Fumikage one time before.]
[ Megumi answers the door, stepping aside to allow Izuku into his modest apartment. Yuuji and Cain aren't home at the moment, so it's only Megumi reading by his lonesome, with his two wolves sleeping by the couch. Sometimes he brings them out so they can experience nice things. ]
Feel free to come in. You had one already? [ He was going to grab one of Yuuji's, that's part of his Enma uniform (and he never uses). ]
[Since he and Katsuki have stopped by for dinner a few times by now... Izuku steps in with a quick bow of his head before going to take his shoes off.]
Thanks for inviting me over, Fushiguro-kun! And yeah... Tokoyami-kun and I were trying to work on some reconnaissance at the casino so I got one for that. But even when we were trying to pass as yakuza... my tie wasn't tied properly.
[ Into the living room they go ... Megumi leads him to the couch where he can sit. He's still listening to the conversation, but he pops into the room and grabs a tie from Yuuji's side of the closet.
The cursed JL poster and body pillow is visible when he opens the door.
It's ah... Tokoyami-kun said that I should try to mimic the face of one. [He puts his fingers to his chin.] "A yakuza demon prince has no need to earn his place, for he already owns it. He would know that he belongs, and it would be shame on others for questioning his rightful place in Hell's dominion. He does not have to fit in, because it is his birthright to exist here." So... a demon that looks like that? Serious and in charge?
[ Some people would be impressed by the boy's ability to memorize that quote. Megumi already knew his friend is very smart. He's really wondering where that quote had even come from, though. ]
You ... managed to pull this off? [ He is in disbelief, sorry. Izuku is too cute. ]
It's fine. Uh, I just can't really imagine it ... [ Though he waves it off, Megumi looks slightly unsatisfied, like he's still curious about how that scene would look. It just looks so outside of the boy's capability.
Anyway, he should probably focus on what they're doing right now. Megumi slings Yuuji's tie around his neck as well, standing in front of Izuku so they can look at each other. He holds both sides of the tie in his hands, encouraging Izuku to copy him. ]
The first thing you do is pull the wider end lower than the narrower end, then cross it over like this.
[ He hadn't expected Izuku to ask for any kind of clarification, so he also hadn't expected to have to continue the conversation. Now that they're still on this topic, the more he talks the more awkward he starts to feel. Megumi pauses, trying to find the words he wants to say and keeping that awkward feeling at bay. There's a sigh. ]
A very ... nice person? So I can't see you really pulling off a look like that ...
[ He's feeling so awkward getting those words out that he forgets, momentarily, that he's supposed to be giving a demonstration. Megumi's fingers work quicker, looping that tie inside itself and tying it rather quickly. ]
[For a second Izuku doesn't realize he's brought the conversation back to the awkward zone. He just sort of flusters on the spot when Megumi calls him nice. A small pink appears on his cheeks as he thinks that Megumi is pretty cute for thinking so.
... Maybe someday Megumi will witness all of Izuku's mean feral faces. He's absolutely capable of them...]
Thanks, Fushiguro-kun... That was cute of you to say.
[Erk- did he just say cute?? Nevermind! He's trying desperately to follow with Megumi's quick fingers now! Screwing up the knot and stammering.]
W-Wait- I- I don't think I caught what you just did! Can you do it again?!
[ 'Cute' ... That only makes it more awkward between them, Megumi pausing for a second as he processes that. He doesn't really know what to say in response to it, so he tries to move on instead.
It seems like he was definitely moving too quickly, because the other boy isn't keeping up at all. The knot he has is a pretty sad sight. Even if Megumi's too gentle with him to tell him that to his face. ]
I'll -- Actually, it might be easier if I show you on yours ...
[ Taking a step forward, Megumi reaches for Izuku's tie, giving the end a tug as he gently releases the messy knot. ]
Let's try again. [ Since that knot was just so bad u_u ]
[Yeah, don't pay attention to that word it sort of just slipped out and Izuku wasn't really thinking about it too much.
Anyway, Izuku is thankful for the hands on example because somehow every time he ties his tie it comes out puffier than he expects. He frowns slightly and nods. Watching Megumi's fingers as he looks down...]
Okay... I really don't know how I get it so mixed up.
The knots can be confusing. [ Megumi happens to think Izuku is good at a ton of things, so he is allowed to struggle with this one thing. ]
Like I was explaining before, you pull it like this, then you cross it over. Then, you make the loop --
[ It all seemed to be going well ... until Megumi's fingers suddenly stop, his whole body freezing up for no discernible reason. The expression on his face is unreadable, but he looks a bit ... surprised? And just a bit embarrassed. ]
[Izuku would like to think he's a good study. He isn't sure if he would call himself a fast learner even if other people might say so. But he does try to pick up things as quickly and as efficiently as he can. He's watching Megumi's fingers intently as they tie at the fabric around his neck until he seems to freeze up.]
Eh? [He glances up through his green bangs at Megumi in question.] Fushiguro-kun? ... I think I'm getting it, you don't have to stop?
I'm not used to doing it for someone else. [ So the right/left alignment is different, and it's confusing his brain a little. With how capable he tries to come off, it's embarrassing that such a simple thing would give him trouble. ]
[ Megumi lets out a sigh and releases the boy's tie, moving behind him instead. Focused on the activity at hand, he reaches his hands over Izuku's shoulders and gets in closer, picking up the ends of the tie from behind. He tilts his head over the shorter boy's shoulders to peer at what he's doing, and when he speaks, that monotone voice comes off low and quiet against Izuku's ear. He doesn't take notice of what he's doing yet. ]
It's easier this way. [ Like he's tying it for himself, almost. The muscle memory can kick in. ]
[Well, that's an innocent enough thing to do. At first Izuku's brain supplies that it's simply logical to show how the tie is shown from Izuku's perspective which means Megumi should be behind him and showing him from there.]
Oh- Ah...! I- That makes sense.
[But then after a moment of Izuku honest to goodness trying to concentrate later... He does feel this involuntary blush appear on his cheeks. Izuku never had many friends growing up so he never really got that close to anyone aside from people like Katsuki punching him. Someone showing him kindness like this makes him feel embarrassed and unable to know what he should do but awkwardly smile.]
I'll finish the tie, and you can show me what you remember later.
[ With that said, Megumi continues to work on the tie around the other boy's neck, long fingers looping the fabric as his arms stay resting on Izuku's shoulders. He doesn't really notice how close he's come, which is probably due to his concentration on the task, and the level of comfort they've developed over the months from being friends.
Though, he can sense an odd tension. A nervousness in the other boy's voice. ]
[Izuku nods stiffly as to not jostle the work being done. It gets easier as the moments tick pass. Megumi has always been an easy person for Izuku to get along with. It's always been so natural for them to be friends from day one. So, it's easier once he lets himself settle down.]
N-no. There's nothing wrong. I'm just... glad for the help.
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At least Megumi offers to save him from the embarrassment after the Sutoku Alliance post about them arriving in dress code. Izuku is quick to meet at Megumi’s apartment door with a gentle knock. Tie in hand! Luckily he actually has one after shopping with Fumikage one time before.]
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Feel free to come in. You had one already? [ He was going to grab one of Yuuji's, that's part of his Enma uniform (and he never uses). ]
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Thanks for inviting me over, Fushiguro-kun! And yeah... Tokoyami-kun and I were trying to work on some reconnaissance at the casino so I got one for that. But even when we were trying to pass as yakuza... my tie wasn't tied properly.
[He sweatdrops and he stands up.]
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The cursed JL poster and body pillow is visible when he opens the door.
Finally, he comes out ... ]
Oh. Did that blow your cover?
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Ah- nearly...! But somehow I managed it. I had to practice how to make a yakuza demon prince's face.
[Don't ask, it was Fumikage's idea.
He comes to join Megumi in the room. With a little side-eye at the pillow but at least it was received well???]
I figured this is the best time for me to learn how to do it. So you're really saving me.
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[ Which how he got dogpiled in those network posts recently, he has come to learn that SENPAIS ARE ANNOYING.
Also, as he gets the tie out, he has to ask: ]
What is a ... 'Yakuza Demon Prince' face? [ He's so curious now show him! ]
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Izuku sweatdrops a little bit.]
It's ah... Tokoyami-kun said that I should try to mimic the face of one. [He puts his fingers to his chin.] "A yakuza demon prince has no need to earn his place, for he already owns it. He would know that he belongs, and it would be shame on others for questioning his rightful place in Hell's dominion. He does not have to fit in, because it is his birthright to exist here." So... a demon that looks like that? Serious and in charge?
[He knows it's nerdy...]
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You ... managed to pull this off? [ He is in disbelief, sorry. Izuku is too cute. ]
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I think so? Only for a while, I'm not that great at keeping something like that up.
[He puts his tie around his neck and fiddles with it.]
Please don't ask me to do it for you, I don't know if I can do it again...
[He laughs.]
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Anyway, he should probably focus on what they're doing right now. Megumi slings Yuuji's tie around his neck as well, standing in front of Izuku so they can look at each other. He holds both sides of the tie in his hands, encouraging Izuku to copy him. ]
The first thing you do is pull the wider end lower than the narrower end, then cross it over like this.
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You- you can't imagine it at all?
[He laughs a little but nods. He copies Megumi as best he can, pulling the wider end lower and crossing them. At least this part is easy...]
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[ He hadn't expected Izuku to ask for any kind of clarification, so he also hadn't expected to have to continue the conversation. Now that they're still on this topic, the more he talks the more awkward he starts to feel. Megumi pauses, trying to find the words he wants to say and keeping that awkward feeling at bay. There's a sigh. ]
A very ... nice person? So I can't see you really pulling off a look like that ...
[ He's feeling so awkward getting those words out that he forgets, momentarily, that he's supposed to be giving a demonstration. Megumi's fingers work quicker, looping that tie inside itself and tying it rather quickly. ]
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... Maybe someday Megumi will witness all of Izuku's mean feral faces. He's absolutely capable of them...]
Thanks, Fushiguro-kun... That was cute of you to say.
[Erk- did he just say cute?? Nevermind! He's trying desperately to follow with Megumi's quick fingers now! Screwing up the knot and stammering.]
W-Wait- I- I don't think I caught what you just did! Can you do it again?!
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It seems like he was definitely moving too quickly, because the other boy isn't keeping up at all. The knot he has is a pretty sad sight. Even if Megumi's too gentle with him to tell him that to his face. ]
I'll -- Actually, it might be easier if I show you on yours ...
[ Taking a step forward, Megumi reaches for Izuku's tie, giving the end a tug as he gently releases the messy knot. ]
Let's try again. [ Since that knot was just so bad u_u ]
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Anyway, Izuku is thankful for the hands on example because somehow every time he ties his tie it comes out puffier than he expects. He frowns slightly and nods. Watching Megumi's fingers as he looks down...]
Okay... I really don't know how I get it so mixed up.
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Like I was explaining before, you pull it like this, then you cross it over. Then, you make the loop --
[ It all seemed to be going well ... until Megumi's fingers suddenly stop, his whole body freezing up for no discernible reason. The expression on his face is unreadable, but he looks a bit ... surprised? And just a bit embarrassed. ]
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Eh? [He glances up through his green bangs at Megumi in question.] Fushiguro-kun? ... I think I'm getting it, you don't have to stop?
[Did he do something wrong?]
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[ He looks embarrassed to admit the next thing. ]
I'm not used to doing it for someone else. [ So the right/left alignment is different, and it's confusing his brain a little. With how capable he tries to come off, it's embarrassing that such a simple thing would give him trouble. ]
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It's easier this way. [ Like he's tying it for himself, almost. The muscle memory can kick in. ]
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Oh- Ah...! I- That makes sense.
[But then after a moment of Izuku honest to goodness trying to concentrate later... He does feel this involuntary blush appear on his cheeks. Izuku never had many friends growing up so he never really got that close to anyone aside from people like Katsuki punching him. Someone showing him kindness like this makes him feel embarrassed and unable to know what he should do but awkwardly smile.]
T-Thanks... I can see it better from here too.
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[ With that said, Megumi continues to work on the tie around the other boy's neck, long fingers looping the fabric as his arms stay resting on Izuku's shoulders. He doesn't really notice how close he's come, which is probably due to his concentration on the task, and the level of comfort they've developed over the months from being friends.
Though, he can sense an odd tension. A nervousness in the other boy's voice. ]
Is something wrong?
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[Izuku nods stiffly as to not jostle the work being done. It gets easier as the moments tick pass. Megumi has always been an easy person for Izuku to get along with. It's always been so natural for them to be friends from day one. So, it's easier once he lets himself settle down.]
N-no. There's nothing wrong. I'm just... glad for the help.
[He's just an awkward boy. He needs more hugs.]