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It is a regular afternoon, and Yuuji is in Gojo-sensei's office. Gojo has often mentioned his office is open for homework help or to schedule extra training or whatever else, as long as he's available and not on a business trip or international mission.
And while "whatever else" implied sorcery-related matters, Yuuji doesn't know who else to ask about the current dilemma that distracts his every waking thought and even some of his dreams.
Fushiguro Megumi. His best friend.
And maybe one day his boyfriend, if Yuuji just takes that step forward.
Yuuji needs to act with bravery, and to tell Fushiguro everything he's been wanting to tell him, about how his smiles come easier, how everything hurts less, how the world is more beautiful when Fushiguro's by his side. And how Yuuji doesn't want them to grow distant or grow apart, ever. All he wants is for them to grow closer than they already are.
It's not refined or eloquent, his messy chaotic too-big-for-his-chest feelings for Fushiguro. So before he takes that step, if he even decides to take that step...
He's in Gojo's office. And just like that, he tells his teacher everything.
There's silence for a moment.
"So," Yuuji says. "That's how I feel! And I wanted to ask you! For advice. Or your approval. Or.. something."
"So it's like that?" Gojo raises an eyebrow, high enough that his whole blindfold moves with it.
"Well, I'll be blunt with you," Gojo says. "I don't think you should date Megumi. I think you can do a lot better, Yuuji-kun!"
As if this is a normal statement to make, he makes a kawaii hand gesture, propping his chin in his hands. His blindfold slides off, and his eyes, sparkly and turquoise and so unreal that it's unfathomable they exist outside of a manga panel, fix Yuuji with that look. Solemn and serious.
Yuuji waits for Gojo to say, haha, gotcha! Just kidding!
When no such comment is forthcoming, he says, annoyed now, "That's a shitty joke to make, Sensei."
"What made you think I was joking?" Gojo asks. Serious in a way that isn't typical for him, which makes it hit harder. "Someone like you... the life and soul of every party, someone like literal sunshine, someone who befriends everyone they meet... Why would you want to date Megumi?"
Yuuji frowns. He'd thought that if Gojo discouraged him, it'd be out of protective instinct towards Fushiguro. Fushiguro, who even though he'd never say it to Gojo's face, held the other man in high regard, with fondness and respect, once even going so far as to tell Yuuji that Gojo was the closest thing to a father he'd had. It'd been whispered in the pitch black of night, during a sleepover, both of them huddled close together, the kind of honesty that never came easy in daylight.
And Yuuji's seen it too, the kind of tenderness Gojo usually reserves for Fushiguro. The souvenirs after international trips, the hand on a lower back, the way he checks in on him more than the others, asking questions about are you staying hydrated and when's the last time you ate which initially Yuuji thought were his way of teasing, before he figured they were genuine check-ins on Fushiguro's health.
Now, he doesn't know what to think.
"What the hell, Sensei?" Yuuji feels the potential for a black flash simmer under his palms, closes his eyes, takes a deep breath, wills it away. "How could you possibly say that about Fushiguro?"
"I'm not saying anything you don't already know," Gojo says, somehow still calm. There's even something nearing a smile on his mouth, a subtle twitch upwards of the corner of his lip. "Megumi is grumpy at the best of times. He's stubborn, and he doesn't express affection much, if at all. Someone like you is wasted on someone like him, with such a cold and unfeeling demeanor - "
Gojo doesn't get any further. Yuuji throws himself out of the chair, throws himself at Gojo.
"How could you SAY that?" he yells.
Infinity's up, keeping him away, but he begins to bang his fists against it, like a petulant toddler banging against a closed door.
"Fushiguro doesn't NEED to be an extrovert or outgoing or friendly for me to like him!! He doesn't need to be more like me to be considered worthy of me or whatever the fuck you just said!! If anyone deserves better, it's him! He's ten times the man I'll ever be! He cares about people so fiercely, how could you possibly call him cold or unfeeling? He's always thinking about the people around him!! He's subtle and he shows it through actions and not through words or physical affection or anything flashy! He shows it in the small things!!" Yuuji glares. "Fushiguro is one of the best people I know! He's my favourite person, and I don't care how powerful you are or how much he respects you, if you ever say anything like that about him again, I'll..."
Beat you til you cry, Yuuji wants to say, but that's an empty threat, based on how his fists are smacking against Infinity and nothing is happening.
"Hey," Gojo says, taking none of this to heart. He seems oddly happy? "Yuuji-kun, quit that. Congratulations!!! You passed." He presses a button on his desk, and confetti begins to rain down from the ceiling.
Yuuji stares, mouth open. Mouth open too wide actually - he almost chokes on confetti. Bleaurgh.
He's shocked enough to stop punching, and Gojo takes that as an opportunity to pat his shoulder.
"In case it wasn't clear, I don't believe any of what I said earlier," Gojo says. "I'm a great actor, aren't I? Where's my name in lights, my Oscar award, huh?"
"Whatever, you shouldn't have said it anyway," Yuuji says, quietly. "What if Fushiguro overheard or something?"
"Nah, he knows I do this," Gojo says. He smiles and winks.
"And he's okay with that?" Yuuji asks. Somehow, he's shocked again. At this point, nothing should surprise him.
"Well, it was a compromise for us both," Gojo says. "When Megumi got old enough to date, I told him I wanted to chaperone the first date, to ensure he doesn't date someone who wants him for the wrong reasons. You know, like his Ten Shadows, or the fact that his bank accounts are linked to mine, so his cards never decline, or, uh, other reasons... There are a lot of smooth talkers out there who make it seem like they're in love, but really, their motives are selfish. And Megs is a smart kid, but I can't help but worry, you know? So this was the compromise I worked out with him. I get to test if they're genuine, however I want. And I tell him the outcome, and if he wants to go out with them, I won't chaperone. I won't even spy! Well... maybe just a little. But nothing overkill!"
"Uh...." Yuuji frowns. "That's weird, but... okay. I mean, if it works for you both."
"I don't use the same approach on everyone, but I do some form of this," Gojo says. "I know you respect me and look up to me, as I am your teacher. You have said as much. Do you care enough about Megumi to put yourself in a position where you'd openly go against me? Of course it isn't the same test for everybody. I usually put out feelers for things like clan politics or sexual inclinations, there's no limit to thought experiments or ragebaiting! But never you mind all that. I give you my blessing. Hah, get it? Literally. Megumi, my blessing. Your blessing now, maybe. If he says yes."
"I.." Yuuji blinks. "So he doesn't date anyone you don't greenlight?"
"Hah, I have no veto power, if that's what you're asking," Gojo grins, showing far too many teeth. "But Megumi doesn't date anyone, period. If anyone expresses interest in him I screen them and let him know anyway, whether I approve or not. If he wants to date someone I consider a red flag, I'm not going to control him either. That said... like I said, Megumi doesn't really date. I love Megs, and I say this with fondness, he can be dense. If you're trying to ask him on a date you might want to emphasize that you have romantic intentions. You'd be shocked how many people he's let down gently by not realising they were flirting with him. That boy is capable of marrying someone platonically. So be clear what you want from him."
"I love him," Yuuji says, determined. "I never used to believe in soulmates until I met him. I want to share my life with him. Whenever anything happens he's the first person I want to tell. He's my best friend but he's also my favourite person. I'm in love with him. I'd like to be his boyfriend, or even a queerplatonic partner, whatever he wants from me. I love him in every possible way a person can love another. He's everything to me. "
"Okay, let me re-emphasize." Gojo ruffles the hair on Yuuji's head. "Be clear what you want from him when talking to him. I gave you my verbal blessing already, Yuuji-kun. Now if you want my literal blessing, you need to ask him."
Yuuji frowns, fidgeting with his fingers. "Do you think... I should? There's so much that could go wrong."
Inside him, Sukuna stirs. Curious. Interested. Excited.
It makes Yuuji nauseous.
"There's a lot that could go right too," Gojo says.
"What if Sukuna hurts him?" Yuuji murmurs, very quiet.
"You get stronger to prevent that." Gojo says. "Megumi gets stronger, too. And that's what I'm here for, as your wonderful sensei!"
"I didn't think Jujutsu sorcerers get happy endings," Yuuji says, softly. "Is it worth it? If my execution is carried out and I leave Fushiguro behind?"
"We often don't," Gojo says. "You know, the average sorcerer's life is very short. Love is fleeting, and the ache it can leave behind... nothing hurts quite like it." He closes his eyes, leans backwards. "But the happiness it grants... nothing compares."
He opens his eyes. "You're already in love with Megumi. Why not ensure he gets something good out of it?"
Yuuji blinks, nods. "Yeah," he says, voice coming out rough. "Yes. Okay. Yeah. I'll. I'll talk to him. I want him to know. Even if he doesn't want me. I want him to know what I feel."
Gojo nods approvingly, but something about his body language seems almost sad.
"Oh, and Yuuji-kun?"
Yuuji, who'd gotten up from his chair and walked towards the door, turns back to face Gojo, nods at him, "Yeah?"
Gojo doesn't smile, but the sparkle in his uncovered eyes makes up for it. "Take care of my boy for me, okay?"
"Of course," Yuuji says. He means it with every atom in his body. "I'll do everything I can. Always."
He just hopes he means it hard enough for it to outweigh Sukuna's unknown evil plan, his foreboding bad intentions.
If all he has to offer Fushiguro is love, he's going to make damn sure it's worth it.