Chapter Text
From the moment Yuji saw him, he knew the man was not from around here.
Sendai itself is a large city, but the suburbs where Yuji lived rarely saw newcomers. Yuji was accustomed to seeing the same faces, or at least the same types of people. This man didn't fit the stereotype. With his tall, broad build, dark uniform, and striking white hair, he certainly painted an interesting picture.
Yuji first saw him while passing by a shopping street nearby his middle school. The man was only a few meters ahead, casually strolling and swinging a small shopping bag in his right hand.
Even from behind, Yuji could tell this was someone new. Someone interesting.
The man walked into a boutique and Yuji thought that was the end of it. As intriguing as the stranger seemed, Yuji had no reason to follow him around town. He had his own business to attend to. He was on his way to a pachinko parlour. He reserved a little bit of money, only enough for two rounds at most, to play. He’s trying not to blow money unnecessarily but he has a good feeling about today.
His feeling was wrong. Less than half an hour later, he walked out with no money and a bruised ego. Oh well, there’s always next time.
“Tough luck?” a smooth voice called out to him, startling Yuji as he left the store.
Leaning against the wall by the entryway was the man from earlier. His legs were crossed at the ankles, and his arms were folded across his chest, with a second bag now dangling from his fingers alongside his first.
What Yuji noticed first, however, were the white bandages across the man’s eyes.
Yuji had never met or seen someone who was blind before, but from what he had seen in the media, they never wore bandages over their eyes. Perhaps the 'black sunglasses' trope was a fictional generalization. Still, Yuji had no clue how this man had been able to walk with such precision earlier. He had no aid, swinging around a gift bag and swiftly maneuvering around the few obstacles and people walking alongside.
And, of course, Yuji stupidly nodded at the blind man.
Granted, Yuji didn’t know for sure if the man was blind. Though he highly doubted the man could see anything through those tightly wrapped bandages, even if he wasn’t visually impaired.
The man just chuckled before Yuji even had the chance to correct himself. “Aren't you a bit too young to be playing such a game anyways?” he continued, a slight smirk playing on his lips.
Yuji shrugged. “I know the owners, they don’t have a problem with it.”
“Then you must be a local here, hm?” The man smiled and uncrossed his long limbs, taking the short stride necessary to stand directly in front of Yuji. “Mind showing me around? I’m looking to buy something sweet, but I have yet to find anything besides convenience stores.”
“Uh, sure!” It’s not like Yuji was doing anything anyways. “There’s this one sweet shop nearby, like ten minutes away. I think they’re selling sakura-flavoured treats now since they’re blooming.”
Yuji started walking in the direction of the shop, yet another mistake since he did not tell the blind man he was leaving in advance. Luckily though, he must have heard him move since the man started following him.
“Let’s go! You think they’ll have sakura mochi? I want to eat something cute and pink, just like your hair!” The giddy tilt to his tone was unexpected for a man of his stature, but Yuji found it unexpectedly fitting. Yuji hummed in agreement; they probably did have sakura mochi. It's a standard dessert… wait, his hair?
“You can see that?”
“What do you mean?” The man smiled, head tilting to the side in confusion, though Yuji had the feeling he knew exactly what he meant.
“... I thought you were blind.”
“Ha! Silly boy, and how have I been able to find and talk to you like I have if I was blind, huh?” He chuckled. “You’re so cute,…?”
“Oh, um, Itadori Yuji,” he got out, flustered and feeling stupid.
“Nice to meet you, Yuji-kun~” The man grinned. “I’m Gojo Satoru.”
“Nice to meet you too, Gojo-san.”
♡
The next time he sees Gojo-san is only a week later. Their first meeting went well. They walked over, Gojo treated him to some desserts after having practically bought out their whole selection, they joked around, and parted ways. Yuji figured that would be all, that he would never see the interesting man again.
So he is quite surprised to see him lingering around the same street as last time, even more surprised when Gojo-san spots him and starts waving him over.
“Yuji-kun!” Gojo-san is grinning wide and rocking on his heels the moment Yuji jogs over. “Are you hungry, have you eaten yet? I want noodles!”
“Sure!” Yuji still has time before he should get back to his grandfather. It’s a self imposed time frame since his grandpa is basically tossing him out of the house, insisting he shouldn’t be wasting his youth sitting at home.
“Yay! My treat!” Gojo smiles and starts walking. With the assumption that Gojo already has a place in mind, Yuji trails beside him and takes the opportunity to observe him. Gojo-san is pleasant on the eyes. From the strong yet gentle facial features to his broad build, there’s a lot to look at. Their one previous meeting was not enough to take him in, though Yuji doubts he’d be able to absorb it all no matter how many times he’d see him
The restaurant Gojo picked out was only a short walk away and only 15 minutes later Yuji finds himself seated and waiting on their food. Yuji had never actually been here before, it’s a small but well kept place with comfortable seating and dim lighting.
“So why are you in Sendai?” Yuji asks, never having found out why he was here the first time around and still surprised to have seen him again. “Did you just move here? I feel like I would’ve seen you before otherwise.”
“No, no. I’m just here for work.”
“Work?”
“Yeah, I live in Tokyo but my job requires me to travel a lot.” That makes sense, Gojo-san seems like someone from Tokyo based on both appearance and personality.
“Travelling all the time must get annoying, but at least you get to sightsee! I never really leave town.” Yuji could make the time for it if he wanted to, but between school and his grandpa he found himself well occupied. Though, he would like to go to Tokyo again sometime. ”What work do you do?”
“Well I’m sent all around Japan whenever my bosses need my skills to clean up whatever annoying problems they have, but I’m also a teacher.” Gojo-san answers back smiling.
“Really? That’s cool!” Yuji would not have guessed Gojo to be a teacher. He’s very eccentric compared to all the teachers he’s ever had but maybe that’s not uncommon for teachers in Tokyo. Still, Yuji's first guess would’ve been a model or public figure, maybe an entrepreneur. A teacher just seems too… simple considering Gojo’s character. “What subject do you teach?”
“All of them, I’m very smart you know~” Gojo’s voice is sly and flirty, completely unlike that of a teacher’s. Yuji has half the mind to roll his eyes just for his cockness but he honestly doesn’t doubt the man. Yuji would be more doubtful if Gojo tried to act modest and claimed to be anything less than extraordinary.
“I’m sure you are, Gojo-san!”
“That’s right!” Gojo is beaming at the compliment before hitting his lip out in a pout. “Ah, you’re such a sweet boy Yuji, I wish my students were this polite!”
“Your students aren’t polite?”
“No! They bully me Yuji, bully me! Can you believe it!” Gojo-san whines, loud and sad though if Yuji could see his eyes he’s sure they would be full of humour.
“That’s horrible!” Yuji laughs at his antics, Gojo really is funny with all his whining and pouting as he talks about his mean students.
“It is, it is!” Gojo is nodding his head enthusiastically before his attention is diverted. “Yuji, look, our food is ready!”
Yuji turns around and sure enough, two steaming bowls of noodles are coming their way. They loudly slurp up ther meals and Yuji indulges Gojo when he later demands that he needs dessert. It’s a nice day, Yuji is happy to have run into him again.
♡
“Yuji-kun!” Gojo's voice rang out, clear and teasing. “Did you miss me?”
It had been three weeks since their last encounter. During those weeks, Yuji had his eyes searching and head turning every time he left the house in hopes of spotting the man again. He almost lost hope in seeing him again and what a shame that would be. Yuji had never met someone quite like Gojo-san and he is still so curious about him.
So Yuji’s face lit up as he turned towards the now familiar voice. “Gojo-san! You’re back!”
“I am!” Gojo replied, his usual smirk firmly in place. He sauntered over with that effortless grace that leaves Yuji wondering how the hell he can see anything behind those bandages. “I was worried you’d forgotten about me.”
Yuji shook his head, a grin spreading across his face. “Of course not! I’ve been hoping to run into you again.”
“Yuji-kun is so sweet, I’m glad I caught you again,” Gojo said, his tone shifting to something a bit less playful. “You know, it would be easier for us to meet up if I had your phone contact.”
Yuji looked away in embarrassment. “Oh, uh, I don’t have a phone.”
Gojo paused, his expression unreadable behind the bandages, but Yuji could sense the surprise. “No phone? Really?”
“Yeah, it’s just... I never really needed one,” Yuji admitted, scratching the back of his head. “I mean, I guess it’d be useful, but I’ve gotten by fine without it.”
Gojo let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head in disbelief. “You’re something else, Yuji-kun. No phone in this day and age? That’s almost unheard of.”
Yuji laughed, feeling a bit self-conscious. Yuji would like a phone, who wouldn’t, but despite everyone owning one, it really isn’t a necessity for Yuji. Until now there was no one Yuji truly needed to contact that he couldn’t just see at school and it’s not like gramps cares enough to check up on him throughout the day.
A cell phone would just be an unnecessary expense that he wouldn’t want to burden his grandpa with. The old man is visibly weaker and his coughing fits are increasing. He doesn’t like to think about it but best Yuji starts putting money aside for any future expenses to come.
“Alright,” Yuji is snapped out of his thoughts by Gojo-san hand slapping his back. Yuji turns his head to meet Gojo’s smiling face. “Now, how about we go grab something sweet? I’m in the mood for cake.”
Yuji laughed. “Gojo-san, do you eat anything other than sugar?”
“I need to Yuji, sugar keeps my brain running at top capacity,” Gojo tells him in all seriousness.
“Too much can’t be good for you. How about we get gyutan, it’s a Sendai speciality!”
“You know what else is a Sendai speciality, zunda and cream kikufuku,” Gojo completely dismisses Yuji’s suggestion, wraps his arm over Yuji’s shoulders and starts to steer him away. “Come, come. I think I saw a stand on my way here.”
Yuji giggles and lets himself be led. Despite Gojo’s height, Yuji is comfortably pressed against his side. He cherishes the warmth, both radiating from where they’re connected and growing in Yuji’s chest.
♡
The very next day he finds Gojo leaning outside Yuji’s school gate. Despite the crowd of students, the man is easy to spot with his glowing white hair and tall stature. Not to mention all the stares and ill hidden points thrown his way.
“Gojo-san!” Yuji jogs over to greet him. Yuji is surprised to see him again so soon, not that he is complaining.
“Yuji!” Gojo’s voice was bright, and his grin even brighter as he greeted Yuji. Without warning, Gojo bent at the hips, leaning in close to Yuji’s face. “I have a surprise for you~”
“Really?” Yuji swallowed nervously, trying to keep himself from stepping back. Gojo was dangerously close, and the intensity of his gaze—or at least what Yuji imagined it to be—made his heart race.
“Mhm,” Gojo hummed, straightening himself just enough to swing a small bag that Yuji hadn’t noticed before right in front of his eyes. Before Yuji could even start to consider what’s inside, Gojo grabs Yuji’s wrist with his free hand and starts pulling him away from where they stand. “Come, let's sit down somewhere and I can show you!”
Yuji lets himself be pulled away, Gojo maintaining a firm yet gentle grip the whole trip over to a nearby park bench. Once they were seated and comfortable, Gojo eagerly pushed the bag into Yuji’s hands.
Curious, Yuji glanced at Gojo before carefully opening the bag. His heart skipped a beat when he saw what was inside—a sleek, brand-new phone, still in its packaging. The glossy box gleamed under the sunlight, the image of the phone on the front revealing just how high-end it was.
Yuji’s eyes widened. “Wait, what? I can’t accept this!”
“Of course you can,” Gojo responded, his tone as nonchalant as ever. “It’s no big deal. Just an old phone of mine I’ve been holding onto.”
“Gojo-san, it’s still in its packaging,” Yuji said, his voice filled with disbelief as he held up the box, examining it closely.
Gojo waved his hand dismissively. “I kept the box. I’m a bit of a neat freak that way,” he added a small head tilt Yuji can imagine was supposed to signify a wink.
Yuji stared at the box, his mind racing. The packaging was pristine, with no signs of wear or age. It was clearly brand new. “This... this doesn’t look old at all,” he muttered, more to himself than to Gojo.
“Details, details,” Gojo teased, leaning back on the bench and stretching his arms along the backrest. “The important thing is that now you can finally text me whenever you want.”
Yuji felt a mixture of gratitude and embarrassment. “But Gojo-san, this is too much. I really can’t—”
“Yuji-kun,” Gojo interrupted, his voice soft but firm. “I want you to have it. Think of it as a gift from a friend. No strings attached.”
Yuji looked at Gojo, searching for any sign of insincerity, but all he found was warmth and a genuine smile. He sighed, feeling a small smile tug at his own lips. “Thank you, Gojo-san. I’ll take good care of it.”
“That’s the spirit!” Gojo cheered, clapping a hand on Yuji’s shoulder. “And now, we can meet up more often. No more waiting three weeks for the universe to bring us together.”
Yuji chuckled, feeling the weight of the phone in his hands. “Yeah, I guess so. But you didn’t have to do this, you know.”
“I wanted to,” Gojo replied simply. “Now, let’s set it up! I wanna exchange numbers already. ”
Yuji laughed, shaking his head and opening the box.
♡
[ 18:02 ] Hi Gojo-san!! It’s Yuji :)
[ 18:02 ] helllllllo yuji-kun (˶˃ ᵕ ˂˶)
wanna call??
[ 18:04 ] Are you back in Tokyo already?
I thought you’d be on train now
[ 18:04 ] no i’m home!!
train is really fast!
[ 18:05 ] Ok then!
[ 18:05 ] { incoming call from: Gojo-san <3 }
♡
[ 07:14 ] {attachment sent}
Today’s bento (;
[ 17:14 ] wow yuji!!! looks so yummy
did you make that yourself?
[ 17:17 ] I did!
Love to cook, I like making lunch for school whenever I have time
[ 17:17 ] so impressive! my yuji is so talented
jealous, i wanna try your cooking… .·°՞(¯□¯)՞°·.
[ 17:20 ] I can make you one!
When are you coming to Sendai?
[ 17:20 ] really?!?
be there is friday!
[ 17:21 ] Great we can have a picnic! (˶ˆᗜˆ˵)
Meet at park near school?
[ 17:21 ] yessss (≧◡≦) ♡
so excited
[ 17:21 ] Me too!
♡
Yuji is conflicted. One part of him is very happy– the weather is lovely, the blanket they’re sitting on is very comfortable on top of the soft grass, and Gojo-san is enjoying the food Yuji prepared. Another part of him is regretting the picnic suggestion entirely because Gojo is enjoying the food a little too much .
He never minds when people moan and groan into their food in exaggeration, it’s funny and if it’s because of Yuji’s cooking then he takes it as a high compliment. Naturally, he’d laugh and giggle if Gojo did the same. And he did when Gojo-san first bit into a piece of yam tempura and groaned at how crispy and sweet it is; how sweet Yuji is for making it for him.
But then he kept it up for every bite he took, compliments and noises spilling from his lips at every new flavour he tried. Which, admittedly, is a lot. Yuji may have gone overboard but he couldn’t help it.
He first started with tonkatsu on rice and when he had leftover rice, making onigiri was an easy solution. Tamagoyaki was another bento classic and Yuji was sure Gojo would appreciate the sweetness of the omelette. Thinking of sweets gave him the bright idea to make yam tempura. He overdid the batter so he made shrimp tempura and eggplant tempura and shiitake mushroom tempura.
Of course, all that fried food needed balance. Yuji quickly set about cutting up every vegetable he could find at home. Crisp bell peppers, crunchy carrots, cucumbers, and finely shredded cabbage found their way into the bento.
Then came the sauces and garnishes—tangy tonkatsu sauce, a light soy-based dipping sauce for the tempura, a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds, and a few sprigs of fresh parsley for colour. He even added pickled ginger on the side, thinking it would provide a nice contrast to the richness of the other dishes.
Needless to say, he made a lot of food.
Maybe all the free meals from the man had him subconsciously wanting to repay the favour and that’s why he pulled out all stops on what was supposed to be a simple picnic bento. But deep down, Yuji knew the truth was far simpler: he just wanted to impress him, and it certainly worked.
“Yuji, fuck, what did you season this with?” Gojo groaned in delight, savouring a bite of tonkatsu. The sound sent a wave of heat straight to Yuji’s face.
“And the sauce, mmm, did you make this yourself too?” Gojo continued, his voice a mix of appreciation and wonder.
Yuji nodded, quickly averting his gaze as he felt his cheeks flush even more. “Yeah, I did.”
Gojo’s eyes sparkled with genuine admiration. “This is incredible. You really went all out, huh?”
Yuji chuckled nervously, trying to downplay his efforts. “I guess I got a little carried away…”
“Carried away?” Gojo laughed softly, shaking his head in disbelief. “You’ve completely spoiled me. Everything’s perfect.”
The praise made Yuji’s heart swell with pride, though he still felt a bit uncharacteristically shy under Gojo’s gaze. As they continued eating, Gojo’s enthusiastic compliments and satisfied sounds made every bit of effort feel worth it.
An hour later, Yuji is almost surprised to find that the two of them managed to finish everything without leaving any leftovers. Almost, since another part of him rationalizes that Gojo must need a lot of calories to maintain his build and Yuji himself is known to eat anything placed in front of him.
As they sat back, letting their food settle and enjoying the comfortable silence between them, Yuji’s thoughts began to drift. The conversation had been light and easy, filled with Gojo’s teasing remarks and Yuji’s joking back, but something else lingered in the back of his mind.
From the moment he first saw Gojo, Yuji wondered about the man’s eyes. Why did he keep them covered and how could he see anything at all under those seemingly thick white bandages?
His curiosity had only grown with each meeting and it’s not like Yuji has been holding himself back from asking, he just somehow never found the time to ask. Now, with the warmth of the meal and the calmness of the moment, he figures now is as good a time as ever. He shifted slightly, turning to face Gojo, who was still lounging comfortably, seemingly lost in thought.
“Gojo-san,” Yuji began, “can I ask you something?”
“Of course, Yuji-kun,” Gojo replied, cocking his head to the side. His usual playful smirk then morphing into a pout as his voice took on a whiny tone. “And you can drop the -san, aren’t we friends by now? Even over text you spell out the whole title!”
Yuji frowns. It's one thing for Gojo to ignore social norms, calling Yuji by his first name from the moment they’ve introduced themselves, but age and status differences tell Yuji that he cannot do the same.
“Don’t be nervous!” Gojo is insistent, and if he’s giving him permission then what’s the harm?
“Alright, Gojo-,” Yuji began with a smile, pausing just long enough to make Gojo lean in expectantly, “-sensei.”
There was a brief silence as Gojo processed the playful twist, his expression shifting from anticipation to mock frustration. Then, with an exaggerated sigh, he kicked his feet like a child in a tantrum.
“Yuuuuji, I hear that enough already!” Gojo grumbled, though his tone was far from serious. Yuji couldn’t help but laugh beside him. “But I suppose it’s an improvement. Now tell sensei your question~”
“Well,” Yuji starts once his giggles die down. “I’ve been wondering, what’s up with the bandages?”
“Oh, that’s all?” Gojo replied with a casual shrug. “It's just because my eyes are very sensitive.”
“Sensitive?” Yuji echoed, tilting his head in curiosity.
“Mhm,” Gojo hummed. “To light, among other things. The easiest fix is just to keep them covered up. Back when I was younger, I used to wear sunglasses, still do sometimes, but Iately I’ve been needing something stronger.”
“But how do you see anything under those bandages? They look so thick.”
Gojo’s grin widened. “Well, Yuji-kun, I have excellent vision—divine, even. That’s partly why my eyes are so sensitive to everything. But don’t worry, I can see everything perfectly.”
That made sense. It was a far more simple explanation than anything Yuji was considering; scars, insecure about wide set eyes, close set eyes, lasik gone wrong, multiple eyes, missing eye,…
Still, that left Yuji with one more question.
“Can I see them?” Yuji asks, slightly leaning his body forward towards the other. “Can I see your eyes?”
Gojo smirks and Yuji can tell he’s been anticipating the question. “You wanna do the honours?”
Yuji swallows, that sounds intimate. Though at the same time, he finds his head nodding and his body moving closer before he even thinks to process it any further. Yuji moves onto his knees and shuffles over directly beside where Gojo sits with his legs splayed out in front of him.
He stops for a moment, gauging Gojo’s expression before taking the leap to reach his hands forward. Gojo is smiling, expression open and welcome as he nudges his head slightly forward and down for better access. Yuji’s fingers tremble as he raises them upwards. There is no reason for him to be nervous. Maybe the feeling twisting at his insides is simply excitement.
Yuji pauses for a moment to observe his next step. Gojo’s head positioned downwards gives Yuji perfect access to the back of his head. Yuji looks at where the white bandages lay against his white undercut. He spots where the end of the bandage is tucked into itself. His fingers finally connect with the fabric, tugging it free. The white material isn’t as thick as he expected, though Yuji can tell from the strong woven feel that it is durable. He can see the material is loosening already, Yuji swallows and starts to properly unravel it. It only takes one pass around Gojo’s head for the rest of the bandages to fall loose and spill over Gojo’s shoulders.
His heart pounded as Gojo slowly lifted his head. His hair fell over his forehead without the bandages holding it up, the loose strands blocking the eyes for another excruciating second.
Then, Yuji’s breath caught in his throat as he took in the sight of blue eyes.
Gojo’s eyes were a striking, almost ethereal shade of blue, like the clearest summer sky. They shimmered with a brilliance that seemed to capture the light around them, glowing with an intensity that was both mesmerizing and overwhelming.
“Wow,” Yuji whispered, unable to tear his gaze away. He could feel his body leaning closer, as if he weren’t already inappropriately close.
Yuji always assumed that Gojo was young. His skin is plump and clear, definitely soft. Full, alluring lips always glossed. Yuji would say Gojo was in his early-twenties off looks alone but without the coverings, Gojo looked to be in his teens. White eyelashes delicately complimented his large blue eyes. All his features beautifully balanced, Yuji truly cannot think of everyone else more captivating than the man before him.
For a moment, words failed him. Then, almost without thinking, he blurted out, “Gojo-san, you're so beautiful.”
Those lovely lashes were flickering, Gojo blinking in succession. Then he burst into a large smile. “Aww, Yuji-kun, don’t make me blush~”
“Well it’s true,” Yuji couldn’t even find it in himself to be embarrassed, not when Gojo looks so stunning in the colourful hues of the setting sun. “Oh, do your eyes hurt? You can put the bandages back on-”
“Yuji, I’m not so weak that I cannot handle a little sunshine,” Gojo whined, and Yuji would have laughed if he wasn’t too busy staring at the way Gojo’s eyes sparkled when he pouted. Suddenly, those eyes got closer—too close. All of Gojo got a lot closer, and before Yuji knew it, he was tipping back, falling onto his ass as Gojo completely crowded his space.
“Besides, now I can look at you better,” Gojo added, his arms framing Yuji’s sides, trapping him in place as he leaned in impossibly close.
“I also like your eyes. And your hair. And your cute little nose,” Gojo finished with a playful boop to Yuji’s nose.
“Gojooooo,” Yuji groaned, half-embarrassed and half-delighted.
“Yujiiiiii~” Gojo sing-songed back, his grin widening.
They both laugh, collapsing down onto the blanket. They lay there until it’s dark and Yuji has stolen enough glances at those very blue eyes to last a lifetime
♡
“You’ve been coming here a lot more often recently,” Yuji remarked one Saturday as they sat on a park bench, enjoying the warmth of the sun. Gojo had texted him earlier, asking to meet up since he was once again in the area.
Ever since Gojo had gifted Yuji the phone, they’d been seeing each other frequently—this was the third time that week alone. Not to mention the daily texts. They had just finished some ice cream Gojo had picked up from a convenience store
“What, getting tired of me?” Gojo teased with a playful pout.
Yuji sent him a dry look, causing Gojo to chuckle. “Well, I just go where they send me, and it seems like they’ve been having a lot of problems they want me to handle over here lately.”
“What kind of problems? What do you even do when you come here?” Yuji asked, curious. Gojo had mentioned his work before, but never in detail, and Yuji couldn’t quite figure out why a teacher would need to travel this often.
“Hm,” Gojo mused, placing a hand on his chin as if deep in thought. “Well, I guess you could call it waste management.”
It suddenly clicked in Yuji’s mind—the dark uniform, the high collar, the odd bandages covering his face, his unique personality that didn’t quite fit the image of ‘just’ a teacher.
“Gojo-san,” Yuji began, glancing around to make sure no one was nearby before leaning in and whispering, “Are you… yakuza?”
There was a moment of silence as they stared at each other. Yuji’s nerves started to build as the seconds ticked by with Gojo sitting completely still, his lips pressed into a thin line.
“Yes.”
Yuji’s jaw slackened. His heart pounded as he struggled to find something to say. How was he supposed to respond to that? Gojo continued to watch him with an expression more serious than Yuji had ever seen.
Then, suddenly, Gojo burst out laughing—loud, unfiltered laughter that startled Yuji out of his shock. Realization dawned quickly, and embarrassment flooded in when Yuji understood that he’d just been played.
“You think I'm a yakuza?” Gojo managed to gasp between wheezes. “God, Yuji, you’re too cute!”
“You asshole! I believed you!” Yuji felt his face burn red, feeling entirely too silly. He shoved Gojo, who didn’t budge an inch, so Yuji followed up with a few punches to his arm, which only made Gojo laugh even harder.
It took Gojo a good few minutes to finally settle down, though a wide grin remained on his face while Yuji sat there thoroughly pink with embarrassment. Gojo reached up and ruffled Yuji’s hair.
“You’re so funny. I can’t remember the last time I laughed that hard.”
“Gojo-saaaan, stop teasing me,” Yuji whined, though he couldn’t help but smile. Despite the embarrassment, it was worth it to see Gojo so genuinely happy and still feel the large hand resting on his head.
“I just can’t help it, Yuji-kun is too cute!”
“Stop that!” Yuji protested, though there was no real heat behind his words. He didn’t seriously mind it, but he didn’t want to turn beet red again and Gojo’s teasing wasn’t helping.
“What, this?” Gojo asked innocently and a second later, Yuji felt a gentle tug on his hair, just enough to tilt his head back slightly. Yuji sent him a look of mock annoyance.
“Alright, alright,” Gojo chuckled, finally moving his hand away.
“No!” Yuji blurted out before he could stop himself.
“No?”
“I didn’t mean—” Yuji looked away, embarrassed and feeling awfully young. “You can keep doing that.”
“Oh?” Gojo replied simply, but Yuji could practically hear the smile in his voice.
“It’s nice,” Yuji confessed softly.
Gojo didn’t need to be told twice. He returned his hand to Yuji’s head, fingers gently scratching at his scalp. They sat there like that, in a comfortable silence, as the day slowly turned to dusk. When it grew dark, Gojo insisted on walking Yuji home, his hand never straying far from Yuji’s shoulder.
♡
[ 22:09 ] {attachment sent}
[ 22:16 ] So many lights! Pretty
[ 22:16 ] view from my penthouse (˵ •̀ ᴗ - ˵ ) ✧
looks even better in person
[ 22:17 ] Whoa, a penthouse in Tokyo?? Would love to see it
[ 22:17 ] i’m a very wealthy man yuji (˵ ¬ᴗ¬˵)
you’re welcome to come visit
i’ll show you around the city
[ 22:22 ] Thanks Gojo but I don’t want to be a bother
I know ur super busy, already lucky u come to sendai so often
[ 22:22 ] You’re never a bother, Yuji-kun.
I would love to have you here.
♡
For as long as Yuji has known him, Gojo is a very bright and cheery individual. He’s smiling and teasing, always looking for ways to make Yuji laugh.
But sometimes there are these moments where he looks far gone. It happened unpredictably and at the oddest times. Whether triggered by something he saw or said in conversation, there appeared to be no discernible pattern.
When it happens, Gojo suddenly gets very quiet. Yuji can picture that his eyes wander off when this happens, that they’re looking off to the distance with a glossy haze blinding them. It’s like his mind and spirit are somewhere else. Sometimes, Yuji can see Gojo’s whole body tense up. Stiff and straightened, with his jaw clenched and hand forming a tight fist. Then there's other times where his body gets too loose, as though all the strength in his body is gone alongside his thoughts.
He always snaps out of it seconds later, smiling and acting as though nothing happened. Maybe it’s not acting, maybe there are times Gojo himself doesn’t realise he disappeared for a moment. Though there are other times Yuji does not need to see his eyes to tell that his smile is not reaching them
Gojo-san is a happy man, but Yuji can tell there’s more to him. There’s a sadness clinging to him, a heaviness that lurks beneath the surface.
While Yuji isn’t known for his decorum, he chooses not to pry when these moments happen. He lets them pass, quietly observing, because maybe what Gojo needs most is someone who won’t question it—someone who will simply let him be.
♡
Yuji would be foolish to think his grandpa didn’t notice the sudden change in his routine. Just a few months prior, Yuji would attend his classes, the mandatory extra curricular, and would not linger before heading home. It was rare that he had plans beyond jogs around town or grocery store trips.
So it was quite striking when he started to come home later and later every few days. Not to mention the new phone. That had really taken a while for him to come around too. Gramps had walked into Yuji’s room unannounced and spotted Yuji typing away on the device. Yuji’s still offended that the old man’s first thought was that he stole it, joking or not. Granted, he can’t blame him too much since Yuji’s claim that a friend gave him his old one was hard to believe when looking at the expensive model.
“Yuji,” His grandfather addresses him randomly one day when Yuji is home early after school. Gojo was busy today, work forcing him to visit Nagoya for a few days. Gojo-san is not happy about it to say the least, sending Yuji the hourly message complaining about his bosses, useless coworkers, and how unfair they are to be working him like a dog.
“Do you have a girlfriend?”
“What?” Yuji whips his head up from his phone. Where did the old man get that idea? “No? Why would you say that?”
“You’re not in trouble kid, I don’t care if you do,” His grandpa shrugs back. “It’s normal for kids your age; good you're finally getting out there.”
“I don’t have a girlfriend,” His grandpa sends him a flat look. “I’m not lying!”
He and his grandfather spend a minute staring each other down before the old man decides to believe Yuji, sighing with a gruff ‘fine.’
“I’m not getting any younger, it wouldn’t hurt for you to actually find someone,” He says, eyes turned to face the wall. “Don’t end up like me, kid.”
“Don’t be dramatic,” Yuji tells him flatly. His grandpa doesn’t talk about these things often but it’s not the first time he’s brought it up. “And I've made a new friend, that’s why I’ve been out of the house more.”
Gramps only huffs, unsurprisingly disinterested in learning more, and the conversation ends there.
[ 16:33 ] Gojo you won’t believe it
Gramps thought I had a girlfriend
[ 16:33 ] naughty yuji why would he think that (⇀‸↼‶)
have you been hiding things from me
[ 16:34 ] Gojo not you too!!! I swear I don’t!!
[ 16:35 ] you better not be lying to me or i will get angry (≖､≖╬)
[ 16:35 ] Please I promise!! (╥_╥)
He must’ve thought that I was going on dates all times we meet up together
[ 16:35 ] oh you should have started with that!!!
i can be your gf yuji-kun~
[ 16:37 ] ok then Gojo-chan <3
[ 16:37 ] ☆*:.｡.o(≧▽≦)o.｡.:*☆ !!!!!!!!!!!
♡
“What’s the matter with you? You’ve been pretty down all day, everything okay?” Gojo asks him after a few dull minutes of near silence.
The two had met up for a light dinner and Yuji was admittedly less excited about a free meal than usual. He bites his tongue and absentmindedly tweeks at the skin around his nails. Is there a point in speaking on it? He doubts Gojo would be interested in listening.
“Hey,” A hand reaches over the table and grabs hold of his, stopping his motions and thoughts. Yuji stops his fidgeting and appreciates the warmth building at the touch. “It’s okay. You can tell me.”
“It’s nothing really,” Yuji starts, about to brush it off. Though, really what’s the harm? He swallows down the last of his doubts. “It’s just my grandpa- I’m worried about him. He has lung cancer, diagnosed last year. He’s not doing well. I think he’ll have to be hospitalised soon.”
Gojo squeezes his hand and prompts him to continue.
“He’s just so stubborn. Refuses any treatment. I can tell he needs help and I want to be there for him but he rather send me out the house,” Gojo tits his head to the side, curious. “He hates help. Asking or receiving. He wants me to be out with friends, enjoying my youth, not cramped at home helping an old man.”
“He’s right, no one should take youth away from young people.” Gojo says in agreement. “But I see where you’re coming from Yuji, cherish the time you have.”
“I know, I just- I just want to spend as much time as I can with him.” He can feel his eyes getting wet, he continues quietly. “I don’t want to be alone.”
Gojo nods, his thumb rubbing the back of Yuji’s hand. “And your parents?”
Yuji shakes his head. “It’s just the two of us.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Oh don’t be, they left when I was really young.” That doesn’t bother Yuji. Even when he was younger and he understood less, he had his grandpa and that was enough. Though, he knows that’ll change once gramps has to move to the hospital. No more breakfast together and bickering at the dinner table.
“You know, you don’t have to be alone,” Gojo says, breaking Yuji out of his thoughts. “I’m here if you want me.”
“Oh I don’t want to ask anything of you, I can manage,” Yuji wouldn’t want to be a bother. He’s already surprised Gojo takes so much time out of his day to amuse him.
“Seriously Yuji, it’d be no trouble. If you ever want anything, or come a time you need support, I’m here,” Gojo is serious, despite his covered eyes Yuji can feel his eye contact. “It’d be easy for me.”
“Thank you, Gojo-san,” Yuji answers back, still feeling choked up. “I’ll remember that.”
Gojo smiles and Yuji takes a moment to recollect, running a hand through his hair and taking a sip of water. Gojo is kind, Yuji is really grateful to have met him. In just the few months he has known the man, Yuji’s daily life has drastically improved. He never realised the pleasures that came with having someone to chat with daily over text and call, weekly meals enjoyed together, joking and talking to someone about stupid things. It’s always just been him and his grandfather, plus the few acquaintances at school, but this feels different. Special.
“You know, I’d like you to meet him,” Yuji mentions a little after. It’s true, Gojo’s become a present part of his life and considering Gojo’s offer just now, it’d be fitting if they meet.
“Oh yeah? Has he been wanting to?”
“Oh, well about that-” Yuji fumbles; his grandfather doesn’t even know Gojo exists .
That may not be completely true, technically, Yuji did mention meeting a new friend but he’s sure gramps had pictured someone completely different.
“Yuji, I’m hurt!” Gojo exclaims, full dramatics with a hand gripping at his heart in pain. “Have you never mentioned me?”
“It’s not my fault! He wouldn’t get it!” Cause how can Yuji explain to his grandfather that he’s been meeting up with a mysterious, older man without him freaking out?
“I see,” Gojo-san answers back slowly. His arm returned back to the table, only to lean forward, chin resting on his hand and voice turning sultry. “Am I your dirty little secret, Yuji-kun~?”
“Gojo-san!” Yuji sqweeks, turning red at the words and tone. His voice, so deep and smooth and intense, too intense for a joke. “Don’t say it like that!”
Gojo laughs, “Sorry! I just can’t help it, when you get all flustered your cheeks match that sakura hair of yours.”
He covers his face in his hands, the embarrassing comparison only furthering his blushing face. He ignores Gojo long enough for his temperature to go back down to normal. Though even after they finish eating and Gojo starts to walk him home, Yuji can’t quite shake off his fluster. The image of Gojo’s flirty smirk burned into his mind. Seriously, Gojo should be the mature one out of them both!
Though that brings up a good question.
“Gojo-san, how old are you?” Yuji asks. The pair are walking down an empty street, mainly shrubbery around them though Yuji can’t make out much in the dark lighting. He can see Gojo beside him though, walking with his hands stuffed in the pockets of his jacket.
“Twenty seven,” Gojo answers back casually.
That's surprising, he would have guessed Gojo was at least a few years younger. Granted, 27 is young but with the glow of Gojo’s skin he would have easily assumed he was 20, had he not known he was a teacher.
“And what happened to Gojo-chan? Here I thought we were making progress in our relationship but Yuji-kun keeps shooting me down.”
“That was just a joke!” He couldn’t have seriously thought Yuji was going to start calling him that? “I should be calling you ojisan.”
“No!” Gojo gasps and suddenly Yuji is stopped on his path. Gojo’s hands are shaking his shoulders. “Yuji, how could you! Never call me that, twenty seven is young you know!”
“Ojisan, don’t whine. It’s improper,” Yuji giggles, the shaking stops but the hands don’t leave him. Now stable, he can see the prominent frown on Gojo’s face which makes Yuji’s grin wider.
“Yuuuuuuji! Come on, I’m not an old man,” Gojo whines before pulling in close, playful tone replaced with a voice sweet like honey. “Call me Satoru.”
Satoru . What a nice name.
And said from those plush pink lips, so close Yuji can see the gloss reflecting against what could only be the moonlight. He’s so close he can feel his breath but Yuji is almost tempted to lean in rather than away. The air around Gojo is enticing.
But it’s entirely inappropriate. All of it is. Gojo’s lack of boundaries is going to kill him.
“Okay, that’s seriously improper,” Yuji answers back, refuting but not stepping back. “I’ll stick with Gojo-san.”
“Satoru.”
“Gojo-san.”
Gojo sighs, finally removing his hands and shoving them back in his jacket’s pockets. “I’ll get Yuji-kun to call me by my given name, just you wait.”
“Sure, ojisan.”
“Yuji!”
♡
“I’m home!” Yuji calls out as he takes off his shoes and lines them up with the others by the doorway. He’s home relatively early, only having spent time on club activities before going home.
Yuji walks down the hall and into the kitchen. He opens the fridge door and scans down what ingredients they have left. He’s pretty sure they have a few curry cubes left in the cupboard, not as good as making it fresh but it’s sufficient for a quick dinner. Though, while they have vegetables he would need to go back to the store if they want meat.
“Grandpa, did you eat yet?” Yuji calls out loud enough for him to hear from even the very back of the house. Silence answers back to him.
Yuji pokes his head out from the fridge. “Grandpa?”
Yuji’s not expecting him to yell back, he’s stopped doing that a few months ago, but the old man always answers back with some sort of grumble to let him know he’s heard him. He doesn’t ignore him. Maybe he’s asleep?
He closes the fridge door and walks out of the kitchen. His footsteps are the only noticeable sound and somehow that really bothers him.
He walks faster towards his grandfather’s room.
The moment Yuji rounds he spots a figure on the floor, slumped against a door frame. His stomach drops. “Grandpa!”
He quickly rushes to him, dropping down to his knees. His eyes are moving a mile a minute, hands hovering. There’s no blood, no limbs in twisted positions. He’s breathing, though shallow.
He doesn’t see anything outright concerning, Yuji plants his hands on his shoulders, squeezing and slightly shaking. He keeps calling his name, contemplating lightly slapping the man’s check when his grandpa groans.
“Fuckin’ loud,” He’s grumbling before his eyes even open. He starts to shift and Yuji helps him sit up. “I’m fine”
“Anything hurt? Are you okay?” Yuji lowers his voice and lets the man gather himself.
“I’m fine,” He repeats after a moment. “I just fell.”
“You should’ve called me,” He should’ve been there. Falls at his age are serious.
Gramps just scoffs and brushes him off. It doesn’t help with Yuji’s worries at all. Yuji hadn’t heard anything when he came in, gramps didn’t even call out for him. How long was he lying on the ground for?
He needs to get him off this cold floor and into his bed. He’ll make him some tea, check him over for bruises and bumps once he settles in. He adjusts his grandpa’s legs and his own feet, checks that he's grounded and sturdy before reaching to grab gramps by the underarms.
“Let’s get you up,” He mumbles, giving him a moment to prepare before giving him a count and lifting up.
They move about an inch before gramps all but collapses again.
“Wait, wait-” His grandpa croaks and he’s pushing Yuuji away again. “Let me catch my breath.”
Yuji slowly pulls away, folding a leg down from his crouched position to sit on the floor.
They stay like that for a while, in silence only interrupted by the rasps and dry coughs that rattle Yuji as much as they do his grandfather. Some understanding falls between the two, maybe after the twenty-minute mark, and Yuji knows he’ll be calling the hospital tonight. Maybe he’ll talk to that nice nurse again, the one that called him a sweetheart and had explained their options a month ago.
It’ll be a long process, a mess of paperwork Yuji will have to read ten times over to understand, but Yuji doesn’t want to think about that now. For now he’s happy enough on the hard floor.
At some point he gets up and makes that tea, bringing the two cups back to the floor. If gramps finds it strange, he doesn't mention it, so neither does Yuji, and they both sip tea and lean against the wall.
♡
[ 2:00 ] Could I visit you in Tokyo
If you’re still offering
[ 2:01 ] of course yuji!!!!!
when you wanna come (✯◡✯)
tomorrow?
I can come get you!!!
[ 2:07 ] I still have some things to do here so next week?
And you don’t have to come get me! Just wait at train station
[ 2:08 ] okok next friday?? you can spend the weekend with me!
and what if yuji gets lost?! as the mature adult I must come chaperone you
[ 2:08 ] Gojo I know how to take the train :/
Don’t want you to spend hours coming here for no reason!
[ 2:08 ] seeing you sooner is reason enough
[ 2:20 ] so friday, yes no??? ･ﾟ･(｡>ω<｡)･ﾟ･
did yuji-kun fall asleep on me?
[ 2:20 ] No no I’m still here! Friday is good!!
And you sure it’s ok for me to spend the night?
[ 2:21 ] yayyyyy!!!!! (ᗒ⩊ᗕ)
Of course yuji, you can stay as long as you want!!
You’re always welcome
[ 2:21 ] Thanks Gojo, means a lot to me
Yay I can’t wait!!!
Haven’t been to Tokyo is so long
[ 2:22 ] yessss I’m so excited!!!! (⁄ ⁄>⁄ ▽ ⁄<⁄ ⁄)
we will have so much fun!
now, sleep. yuji-kun has school in the morning~
[ 2:24 ] So do you Gojo-sensei!
Goodnight!! <3
[ 2:24 ] sweet dreams yuji ♡