I don't know if you're still taking orders...
But it doesn't hurt to try, hahaha
We know that Megumi doesn't like public displays of affection and has that cold and somewhat (or totally) emo
But what if he were with a reader who was insecure about this behavior, feeling ashamed because he was cold or distant in public because "he's ashamed of her"?
So, like a typical crybaby, she feels rejected by him even though they're dating and gets upset with him.
the subway was a mess. not cursed mess, just... people mess. it was packed, and the air conditioning was doing a pitiful job of fighting the late summer heat and the sheer volume of human bodies. you were already feeling a little sticky, and your mood was dipping fast.
you and megumi were pressed close together, not in a cute, romantic way, but in a 'i can feel the edge of your wallet digging into my thigh' way. your hand naturally reached for his, seeking the familiar comfort of his grip.
but before your fingers could properly interlace, he shifted. it was a small, almost imperceptible movement, but it was enough. he adjusted his shoulder strap, stepped half an inch away, and slipped his hand into the front pocket of his jacket, effectively cutting off your attempt at contact.
it was like a little punch to the gut. you pulled your hand back quickly, stuffing it into your own pocket before anyone could notice.
this was megumi. you knew this. he didn't like it when you got too close in public. he was never mean about it—never flat-out pushed you away—but there was always that slight stiffening, that subtle move to create space. no public displays of affection. not even hand-holding.
usually, you just teased him about being too cool for you, rolling your eyes and leaning into him anyway just to watch him squirm a little. you were the bubbly one; he was the reserved one. it worked.
but today, with the heat and the crowds, and maybe a little lingering insecurity from a stupid comment your friend made the other day about him being “too cold,” it just hurt.
is he ashamed of me? the thought hissed in your ear, ugly and immediate.
you knew it wasn't true. you knew he loved you. but the way he always seemed to keep you at arm's length in front of others made the feeling crawl up your throat. it felt like rejection, plain and simple, even though you were his girlfriend.
the rest of the ride was silent. you didn't try to talk. you didn't try to lean against his arm. you just stared blankly at the map above the door, feeling your face warm with a pathetic, childish resentment.
when you finally got off the train, the slight relief of the cooler platform didn't help your mood. you walked ahead of him, your footsteps short and sharp.
"hey," megumi called out, his voice low, a question in the single syllable. you kept walking.
you heard his sigh behind you, deep and weary, like the one he let out when gojo was being particularly annoying. then his strides lengthened, and he caught up to you, falling into step beside you.
"what is it?" he asked, not a lot of emotion in his tone, but the slight tilt of his brow was there, the silent question that always made you melt a little. not this time.
"nothing," you clipped out, avoiding his gaze.
"don't say 'nothing' when you're walking like a robot with a migraine," he countered, dry as a bone. he reached out a hand, intending to grab your elbow, but you pulled away before he could touch you. you didn't even mean to—it was just instinct.
megumi stopped dead. the air between you suddenly felt thick and heavy.
you spun around, your eyes probably a little too shiny. "i just—i don't know, 'gumi. why can't you just hold my hand?" the question was out before you could stop it, pathetic and small. "we're dating. are you embarrassed?"
he stared at you for a long second, his eyes wide and unreadable. he looked genuinely confused, maybe even a little wounded. this was an accusation he hadn't expected.
"are you serious?" he finally said, his voice quiet. "you think i'm embarrassed by you?"
"i don't know what else to think," you mumbled, looking down at the scuffed toe of your shoe. "you always look like you want to run away when i try to touch you in public. it feels like you're ashamed of me."
you waited for him to give you his usual excuse—it's just too crowded, it's unnecessary, i need to be aware of my surroundings. but he didn't.
he let out another sigh, but this one was different. it was a sound of profound frustration.
he reached out, slowly, and took both of your hands in his. he didn't just grab them; he laced his fingers through yours, firm and completely interlocked. his hands were warm, as always.
"i'm not embarrassed," he said, staring right into your eyes. his voice was low, for your ears only. "i don't like public displays of affection. i never have. it makes me feel exposed, you know that. it's not because of you."
he paused, looking down at your joined hands, his expression softening just a fraction.
"i love that you're all sunshine and rainbows," he admitted, the words clearly costing him effort. "i like that you don't care what other people think. i just... i don't know how to be that person. i don't know how to fit in it."
he squeezed your hands once, hard. "i was putting my hands in my pockets because i was feeling cramped and overwhelmed, and i didn't want to snap at you or squeeze your hand too hard when i was trying not to elbow someone. i was trying to keep my head clear."
he lifted his gaze back to yours, and for the first time, you saw that soft, secret thing in his eyes that was only ever there when he looked at you.
"i love you," he repeated, stressing the last word, a clear counterpoint to your insecurity. "i'm proud to be with you. i don't need to hang a neon sign on it for you to know that."
he took a step closer, reducing the distance he'd subconsciously created on the train. his presence was solid, unwavering.
"don't be an idiot," he murmured, a familiar endearment. "i'd love to hold your hand."
he gave your hands another firm squeeze, then finally released one to tuck a stray strand of hair behind your ear.
"but if you're going to pout like this," he added, a ghost of a smirk playing on his lips, "i might just do this everywhere just to see you mad."
you couldn't help the small, wet laugh that escaped you. "you wouldn't dare."
"try me," he challenged, the usual gruffness back in his voice, but the warmth in his eyes completely undercut it.
megumi turned, his free hand still firmly gripping yours, and started walking again. this time, you walked side-by-side, your steps finally falling into sync.