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“Dominion”

My thesis continues!

Cursed Love: Ch 1 (Gojo x gn!reader)

“This is just a personal theory, but love is the most twisted curse of them all”-Gojo Satoru

Chapter 1- Before (The Beginning)

Chapter 1 Summary: You, a non-sorcerer meets Gojo Satoru through your ex-co-worker, Nanami Kento. After a failed setup to get you two together, you end up befriending the world's strongest sorcerer.

Read ch 2: Before (During pt. 1) here!

Series masterlist here!

JJK masterlist here!

Chapter Content/Warnings: Mutual pinning, manga spoilers, jealous Gojo, slight angst, fluff

Note: Hello! This is the second Gojo series that I’ll be writing and I am very, very excited to share it with you! Be warned that I intend to make each chapter fairly long and this is an angsty fic. More content warnings will appear on the series masterlist! And if you happen to miss the warnings, there will be heavy manga spoilers! Anyways, thank you for stopping by and I hope you all enjoy :)

Words: 13.7k

Japanese definitions*:

-Senpai: an upperclassman, typically mentors their juniors.

-Kohai: a lowerclassman or a junior.

0.

Gojo Satoru doesn’t hesitate at anything.

He didn’t hesitate when he said he loved you for the first time and he didn’t hesitate when he said that he no longer does.

Dare I say, it was a magical 2 ½ years of you and him together.

If Gojo is good at anything, it’s timing. Sure, he shows up late at some meetings or special events, but it’s usually intended. But if the bright-haired man were to put anything on a timeline- let’s say a relationship- he would know where to begin and when to end. Given the hectic nature of his life, this odd method of his is the only thing he can fully control.

But the thing is, they’re usually short timelines. One-night stands or short hookups, if you will. Nothing too committal, since being attached goes against his philosophy of moving forward. Plus, deep inside that bewildering and sometimes maniacal heart of his, Gojo doesn’t want to start something just to end it for the person’s sake. After all, his job is to protect humanity, not morally wound individual ones. Preaching about not wanting to give fake promises or betraying others is as selfless as Gojo can be since he knows that love is one of a human’s greatest feats.

Though, it is arguable that Gojo doesn’t 100% do this for his partner’s sake. From experience, the man himself has experienced the pain of betrayal from a certain traitor, not only to the Jujutsu world but to his heart. From his one and only.

For a long time, Gojo looked at love in a logistic way in order to keep himself intact. When he’s entering a relationship of intimacy, he immediately gives himself a clock, counting down to how long he’s staying with them and a mental barrier, to not let them get too close. It was a promising strategy, and it worked well for every person that Gojo encountered. Repetitive, but the man was able to not let romance cloud his mind. So when you strolled into his life, you somehow managed to ruin his little system.

The question is, how? How could a mere human being give the Gojo Satoru such an effect?

To this day, Gojo doesn’t know either. He didn’t believe in fate, but the fact that you were able to pull on his heartstrings like yarn did make him question it.

Ever since that night on February 25, 2015, you started to see him more frequently. You both had met through Nanami, an old coworker of yours at the office. Two weeks prior, you went through a horrendous breakup, so when you reached out to Nanami, you were expecting a quiet and therapeutic meeting. You speak as he listens.

That was the plan until a certain and unique-looking man happened to tag along with him that night. It was at a hole-in-a-wall restaurant in Tokyo. You walked in expecting to see your former colleague but were greeted by an eccentric man, who looked like he sucked all the energy out of Nanami.

Many, many drinks later, you drunkenly poured out your heart’s content alongside Nanami’s intentful listening and his companion’s (?) remarks. And in the following morning, you find yourself in your bed, chugging an entire bottle of water right on your nightstand. Not knowing how or when you got there, you don’t remember much except the fuzziness and flashes of Gojo Satoru sitting in front of you. You couldn’t recall what he said, but he was loud, chaotic, and appealing to be with. When you checked your phone, you had received a text from Nanami, stating what happened and how he called a taxi to bring you home.

You thanked him and apologized if you were overbearing. After pressing send, you didn’t think much about anything except the bottle of Pepto Bismol lounging inside the fridge.

1.

When Gojo met you for the second time, he didn’t hesitate in asking for your number.

The following Sunday morning, you go to the bakery closest to your house. Still moping about your ex, your hand reaches out at the door handle only just to be pushed open from the other side. The edge almost hits your body, causing you to stumble back.

“Hey, excuse me!” You sarcastically call out, but your narrowed brows angle up as you stare at the person from the other side.

“Ahh, L/n!” A playful voice projects in front of you. Your head tilts up to fully look at the owner of that voice, only to find the man introduced to you a few days ago by Nanami. The only thing is… what the hell is he wearing?

Even though it’s chilly outside, Gojo Satoru wears an odd purple uniform in which the thick material really makes you want to sweat. Secondly, why the hell does he have bandages wrapped around his eyes?

“Gojo, right?” You blink a couple of times. “Hi.”

“Hi indeed.”

He waits for you to talk, but instead, you stand there, dumbfounded. Is he cosplaying? What kind of anime character is he portraying that looks like a purple mop? Would it be too rude to ask? You can’t help but feel the eyes of others staring. Obviously, they weren’t towards you, but you can feel the goosebumps rising on your arms as if they were.

When you don't return the conversation, Gojo frowns before realizing why.

“Ahh, wait.” With his free hand, the man pulls off the white strings of bandages, revealing a pair of pretty ocean blues. His white hair flops down, blending well with his perfectly proportionate face. “There. Now you’re free to compliment and glorify my entire being.”

‘Wow, this guy is really full of it.’ You force a smile, but you can’t deny his features. This man is the definition of breathtaking. And the sun must be on his side since the bright light emphasizes his already electrifying irises. Until now, you didn’t even know that shade of blue can exist within one’s eye.

“I didn’t know that you live nearby,” you drift past Satoru’s trap about commenting on his features.

“Ehh, I live around 30 minutes away.” He steps away from the front door as more people exit the building. You follow suit until you both find yourselves standing underneath the bakery’s yellow canopy, isolated from the main crowd. “I just came back, because Nanami said that this is the best bakery in the Shinjuku ward.”

He lifts his right hand, showing off a box of goodies. You nod in agreement about how this bakery is the best one in this region of Tokyo. If there’s one thing that can get Nanami Kento excited during work, it’s how you’ll bring him a sandwich or any kind of bread from this place for lunch.

“Also, it’s a peace offering for Nanami. But don’t tell him that I did this from the bottom of my good heart,” he winks, his lashes fluttering majestically.

“What did you do to him?”

“Exist, probably.”

“Ahh…”

You don’t exactly know how to properly respond to that. Kento is a reserved man who typically gets along with a small number of people who can match his energy. You remembered how many times he had to (politely) decline your noisy boss’s invitations, just because he couldn’t bear his squelching voice and overbearing enthusiasm for more than 5 minutes. This Gojo guy seems to be just as bubbly.

After both parties have nothing to say, you reckon that it’s time to go.

“Well, it was nice bumping into you, Gojo. Give my regards to Kento.” You bow slightly, signaling that you’re going to leave.

“W-Wait!” The white-haired man stops you. In all honesty, this is the first time where a person pardons themselves before he can. He understands that you’ve just got out of a relationship, so you’re not openly ready to be on the market and it’s not like he’s romantically interested in you at all. But you did spark an interest in him since that night in the restaurant. So real and new. You may not remember much because of your drinking endeavors, but he certainly did.

And he definitely finds you amusing.

“Hmm?”

“Let’s exchange numbers!” He offers, almost too excitedly. But once he says it out loud, he realizes how childish it sounded. Clearing his throat, he continues. “...If you want to.”

“Oh, um…” Suddenly flustered by his direct approach, words can’t form properly in your mouth. “Thank you, but I-I just got off a re-”

“Ehh? Who says that I was trying to hit on you?” Satoru questions and you feel your face burn even more, embarrassed that you would assume something like that. “Any friend of Nanamin should be a friend of mine.”

‘Nanamin?’ You silently judge Gojo’s nickname to him. It sounds cute, so it definitely doesn’t fit Kento’s character at all.

“Haha, right…” You scratch the back of your head, trying to play it off.

‘Why not? He seems to be pretty friendly.’

“Sure.”

“Wonderful!” The twinkle-eyed man flashes a wide smile at your acceptance. “Ahh, hold this.”

Shoving his box of pastries at you, he whips out his phone and swipes to his contact list. You give him your phone number and before you can get a chance to take your cellular device out, a text notification chimes through his phone.

“Oh,” Gojo’s expression changes. “I actually have to go now. Duty calls.”

He quickly spins the other way and waves, leaving you behind.

‘Duty calls for what?’

“Oi!” Your right hand is still in your back pocket, gripping on your own phone. “What about your number?”

“I’ll text you later! Bye!”

As his steps lighten, you squint, not knowing how you feel about Gojo. From the get-go, he seems like the person who comes and does whatever he pleases. Also, your interaction with him is so fast, like he couldn’t just sit still. No wonder why Nanami couldn’t stand the guy. However, it is too early to judge him and if the cards are played right, you’ll get to see more of this Gojo character.

Your left-hand grips tightly on the box of pastries.

Your left-hand grips tightly on the box of pastries.

“Holy shit,” you mumble, looking down at the white box with the bakery’s name stamped on top. Your eyes dart back in Gojo's direction, but his tall figure is nowhere to be seen.

Still, you walk quickly, searching for a mop of white hair in a sea of people strolling down the sidewalk. At least he’ll stand out? But your hopes of finding him falter once you’ve reached a good distance from where you’re standing and the bakery.

Sighing in defeat, you think of the next step and take out your phone, pressing on Nanami’s phone number. It only took a few rings for him to pick up.

“Hello?” A husky, masculine voice enters from the other end of the line.

“Kento!” You greet, your fingers tap on the box. “So uh, I don’t know where to start. Are you in town?”

“Is something wrong?” He asks.

“No, no! Nothing’s wrong. It’s just I- uh…” You stutter, not wanting to tick off your former colleague by mentioning Gojo. “Remember the bakery that you and I would get lunch from sometimes? Well, I just happened to have a box of pastries from there for you.”

“You got pastries for me?” The blond sounds quite surprised that you would do that for him.

“Not from me.” You correct. “I’m not supposed to tell you this, but I ran into Gojo and he told me that these were for you and forgo-”

“Keep it.” Nanami interrupts.

“But I-”

“You can have them.” He interrupts again and you can’t tell if he sighed in the background upon hearing that.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.” He answers, almost too quickly.

You slightly feel bad for both of the men. In your perspective, Gojo wanted to get Nanami something as an apology, but Nanami immediately turned down his gift. Consequently, the blond sounded like he was looking forward to the baked goods, but upon discovering who the gifter is, he rejected it as if pastries aren't his most favorite thing in the world. Man, Gojo must’ve really done something fucked up.

“Oh, okay… Thanks.” Your voice pitches up in slight confusion, but deep down, you’re psyched for getting free food.

“Of course. And I also apologize on Gojo’s behalf.”

“Huh? Apologize for what?” Confusion sparks up again.

“Just in case he puts something that doesn’t belong there. Bye now.”

Before speaking back, the line cuts off and the call ends.

‘Put something that doesn’t belong there? What the fuck?’

Walking back to the bakery, you manage to find a vacant table outside. With your nail sliding through the tape that secures the box, you hesitate before opening it.

Nanami has to be messing with you, right? It’s not like Gojo would hide a deadly insect or poison a baked good and call it a prank. Well, that’s unanswerable since you barely even know this Gojo guy. The guy who has your number. If he does happen to be a lunatic, you’re plotting to sue Nanami for leaving the box in your hands.

Barely lifting the top up with your pointer finger, you finish the task by flicking it open, just in case something living is inside, bound to pounce at any second. But much to your relief, there’s no bug. With both eyes curiously peering inside the paper box, you let out an audible “Huh?” from your discovery.

It looks like Cupid vomited inside the box because it contains: 1 small, heart-shaped chocolate cake, 6 assortments of pink, red and white macarons, 8 chocolate-covered strawberries, and 4 pink and purple letter cookies that are aligned as ‘XOXO’. A note is attached on the bottom of the lid saying, “enjoy, lovebirds <3”

Nanami wouldn’t like this anyways. It’s too sweet, taste-wise, and theme-wise. And coming from a recent breakup, you feel more disgusted than pleased at this cute, Valentine-themed box.

But back to the important matter, why would Gojo give Nanami a romantic gift set? Is this his so-called ‘prank’? Giving Nanami too much sugar? Restating: Even though you barely know Gojo, it feels like the items are catered more for his taste rather than his counterpart. Not knowing why, but you feel like he’s more of a sweet tooth kinda guy.

This is something you would 100% question and text the white-haired man about. But the thing is, you have to wait for him to reach you first since only he has your number. Staring at the goods, you pick up a purple ‘X’ cookie and sniff it before taking a bite. The sugar melts in your tongue with every chew and you savor how soft, yet crumbly it is.

Man, love sucks but it sure as hell tastes good.

2.

Gojo didn’t even hesitate in asking you out.

It took 5 days before Gojo reached out to you. The desserts were long gone and out of your mind by then, so it took a while for your mind to click when you received a text from an unsaved number.

???: Heeeellooooooooo

You: Who’s this?

???: What do you mean “who’s this?” It’s me!

You: I think you got the wrong number…

???: L/n Y/n, right? Come on, take a gander.

You put your phone down, surprised that the mystery texter does in fact know who you are. You’ve received a few new numbers from your co-workers this week for a team project, but you swore that you assigned them all as contacts.

You: Takea? Idk, I’ve gotten a lot of new numbers this week.

???: No, but look at you! Just got put back into the dating market and you’re ready to be sold!

Wow. Whoever this person is, he seriously talks with a whole foot in his mouth. Pissed, you type a rather threatening message.

You: Alright, idk who you are, but I’m going to block this number if you don’t give me your identity. And if you even try to contact me somewhere else, I swear I’ll track you down.

Minutes pass and you decide to block the person either way. But as if by chance, the number texts you back with information.

???: JKJK! It’s me, Gojo Satoru!

You: Gojo…

???: Yes, hi. :D

You see where Nanami is coming from now.

You: I’m blocking you rn.

Gojo: WAT

Pressing the ‘info’ button, you scroll down to ‘block this contact’. However, before your thumb can press the button, your phone rings and vibrates with Gojo’s number filling up the screen. Looking at the two options, you can press the red ‘decline’ button and continue the plan, but you press the green button instead without much thought. Groaning in regret, you place the cellphone over your ear.

“Ahh, Y/n! Long time no chat,” A familiar playful voice jests over the telephone line. “How was the dessert set?”

Not gonna lie, you enjoyed it a lot, especially since the treats are fairly expensive.

“Hated it.”

“Eh? But they all looked yummy. I hand-picked them myself hoping that they’d all be good.”

“Fine, it’s not that bad,” You add some more truth to your answer, also feeling a little bit guilty for lying to spite him.

“Okay, I can accept that.”

“Do you need anything, Gojo?”

“I just wanted to check up on my new friend.”

‘Friends? Since when are we friends?’

“Friends…?”

“Remember Y/n. Every friend of my dear Nanamin is a friend of mine.” He flutters Nanami’s nickname again and you take note of how high-pitched his voice gets whenever he says it.

“Please don’t call me by my first name.”

“Aww, why not?”

“We’re not close enough to call each other on a first-name basis, Gojo.” You emphasize his last name.

“Hmm...” Gojo pauses for a moment. “I can fix that. Go out with me on a date.”

You almost choke on your own saliva. That was too abrupt.

“I’m sorry, what?!”

Gojo cackles from his side, his laughter shoots down your ear.

“You’re assuming things again. I meant that we should hang out and get to know each other better.”

“Accuses me of assuming, but it’s his fault for wording it like that,” you mumble to yourself.

“What was that?”

“Nothing.” Your face burns and your heart thumps in embarrassment after noticing that you projected your thoughts out loud. Impulsively changing the topic, you ask,

“Where at?”

You swear you can visualize Gojo grinning ear to ear. You fell for his trap and involuntarily agreed to this so-called ‘date.’

“Hmm, I don’t know yet…” He pauses for a moment and you wait for him to talk again. “But sometime around the weekend sounds good. What do you think, Y/n?”

“You’re the one asking me out on a date.” You shrug, not knowing where to go either.

“As friends.” Gojo sticks a finger up in the air and reminds.

AHA!

“Who said that I was looking at this romantically?” You tease back, proudly scoffing at your vengeance.

“... I’ll text you the details later.”

Before you can answer, he ends the call.

Sighing, you lean back against the arm of your couch, staring at the ceiling. What the hell just happened? Minutes ago, you were moping about your ex with no further plan to look forward to this week. And now, Gojo Satoru pops up and changes all of that. Your mind traces back to the memories of him in front of the bakery. His silver hair, sapphire eyes, and his other model-worthy features. You still have yet to question those weird bandages that covered those eyes prior to taking them off and you laugh at his unique appearance. He certainly does look like an important anime character.

Even though it’s a friendly date, you still feel a little uncertain about Gojo. Why is he so eager to befriend you? He’s also adamant about keeping things platonic, so it’s not like he’s trying to get inside your pants. Does he even have friends of his own? Nonetheless, at least you have something to look forward to on the weekend.

-----------

The following Saturday evening, you and Gojo met up in another small restaurant. When you both walked in, he mentioned his reservation to the hostess. To your surprise, you wondered why the employee held out 3 fingers even though it’s just a two-person party. Gojo corrected her and she apologized before leading you both to a private booth.

“So, a reservation for three people?” You ask him after another waitress took your orders.

“Really? That’s the first thing you say to me?” The ivory-haired man removes his black sunglasses and sets them down on the table. “You don’t want to talk about anything else…?”

“What?” You scrunch your nose, confused by his question. “What else should we talk about?”

“Like…” He props his elbow on top of the wooden table and rests his chin over his fist. “Maybe with how good I look tonight?”

Your face drops at his self-indulgent comment, eyes glaring at his innocent expression. He sooo doesn’t know how to talk to people.

“Oh come on!” He whines, batting his wispy eyelashes. “I know you think that I look good.”

And he 100% does. Gojo looks way different with more “casual” clothing in comparison to what you saw him in a few days ago. Dark blue denim jacket with the sleeves rolled, layered on top of a white button-up, and accompanied with black jeans. His snowlike hair is also naturally down as if that’s his go-to style. And his eyes… don’t even try to come up with a different adjective to describe how ‘blue’ and breathtaking they are. No words can do it justice.

You have to admit, it’s difficult to pry your eyes away from him when he’s not facing you. If it wasn't for his arrogant behavior, you would take him home. The man is total eye candy.

“Eh,” You shrug, taking a sip of the complimentary water. But you won’t give him that satisfaction. Besides, his personality cancels out his attractiveness.

“Eh?!” Gojo repeats in a somewhat mocking way. He’s never encountered a person where they don’t immediately compliment any of his physical features. A typical night with a date would start off with a ‘You look great!’, ‘Your eyes are so gorgeous!’, ‘You have beautiful strands of hair’, etc. Even though he promised you that this is a platonic hang out and not a romantic date, he mentally gives you props for breaking the streak.

“Not even handsome?”

“Well…”

“Dashing..?” He squints one eye and lowers his voice.

“I mean…” You shrug again, defying Gojo’s charming gaze. If anything, he reminds you of a child who needs constant reassurance to fuel his self-esteem. You’ve been through this route with your ex. That’s one thing you don’t miss about him.

“Why-”

“Alright, here’s your food!” The waitress interrupts and grabs your attention. Placed in front of you are sesame soba noodles and varieties of sushi in front of Gojo. Bowing her head, she tells you both to enjoy the food and you thank her as she leaves.

As you’re about to dig in, Gojo stays quiet and you wonder if you pissed him off for plucking his ego. It’s not that you’re sorry, but you fear how painful the rest of the date will be.

But the thing is, that white-haired friend of yours isn’t angry at all. In fact, he’s far from it. Instead, he’s intrigued by your resistance towards him. Sure, maybe it has to do with the fact that you’re not emotionally ready for romance, but it’s refreshing to find a person outside of the Jujutsu world who’s not head over heels for him. Finally, someone who can treat him as Satoru without looking up to him as a god or for his sex appeal.

Secretly, Gojo wants to try out a normal life away from the Jujutsu world, but he can’t seem to find the one to show him the ropes. Maybe you can be the one to help guide him. And he has to thank Nanami for not participating later.

“Hey,” He snaps the wooden chopsticks apart and displays a mischievous grin. “Wanna know why I reserved a table for 3 people?”

3.

Gojo didn’t hesitate in telling you the reason why he found an immediate interest in you.

“...You tried to set me and Kento, what now?” You drop the noodles back down on your plate.

Dumbfounded, you reminisce about the Valentine-themed pastries days ago and the note that has “enjoy, lovebirds <3” written.

… Makes sense.

“Yup! I tried to play Cupid,” Gojo sighs, taking a sip of his non-alcoholic margarita. “Obviously it failed because here we are.”

He leans back against his seat, thinking about his in-person conversation with Nanami a few days after your encounter at the bakery.

--------

“So…” Satoru sneaks up behind Nanami, who’s reading a newspaper in Jujutsu Tech’s private lounge. “How did it go!”

The blond, who is now immune from Satoru’s scare tactics, flips the page, uninterested in the conversation. He could ignore him or walk away, but he’s well aware that the man he calls a nuisance won’t quit until he engages. Might as well get it over with.

“How did what go?”

“You know, your Sunday date with L/n!” Satoru teasingly whispers in his colleague’s ear. “You’re welcome, by the way.”

This time, Nanami sets down his newspaper, confused at the statement. “I don’t know what you mean. I didn’t see Y/n on Sunday.”

“EH?!” The silver-haired man shouts, causing the other to tense up. “Did they not call you about anything?”

“Gojo, I’ll punch you if you get any closer.” Peeved, Nanami scoots away to the other side of the couch but still answers. “They did call me about a box of pastries from my favorite bakery. Said it was a gift for me.”

Taking his movement as a wrong signal, Satoru hops from the other side onto the couch. He inches closer to Nanami, intrigued by his story.

“And?”

“I told them to keep it.” The younger male inches away from his senpai*.

“Why?”

“Because they said that it was from you,” he bluntly states while facing an overly dramatic Gojo.

No matter how many times the blond expresses disinterest in his schemes or him in general, Satoru will always be both a little hurt, yet very fueled by their dynamic. The responsible one and the goofball. Though Nanami is more stern and stoic in comparison to Suguru, he’s the closest person Satoru has that can offer a slightly similar friendship… Minus the whole ‘friend’ part.

“Nanamin, that was supposed to be your chanceeee,” The 25-year-old groans, scooting to his kohai’s* side. “I was trying to (Nanami gets up and sits on the chair across from the couch) set you up with L/n!”

“Why?” Nanami, who is now interested in the conversation, raises an eyebrow.

“Because…” Satoru rests his arms on top of the couch’s back. “They’re newly single and you’re always single. And... you guys were co-workers that refer to each other on a first-name basis.”

Unsatisfied, Nanami squints his eyes through his sunglasses, wondering if that’s enough to spark anything romantic.

“Also, I’m trying to do you a favor.” Through his wrapped bandages, Gojo makes out Nanami’s unenthused expression. “For the years that we’ve known each other, you never told me about having a romantic partner-”

‘I don’t tell you anything,’ Nanami thinks to himself.

“-and as your senpai and official wingman,” Satoru proudly points to himself with his thumb. “It is my mission to make you happy and what is the greatest joy that a human could have? Love, of course!”

Through his stoic expression, Nanami internally softens a little. Through this shenanigan, there’s a kind reason behind it. Though, the concept of love and being a sorcerer is never a good match.

“I appreciate it, Gojo.” He thanks, crossing his arms. “But I am not interested in any romance. I just returned to the Jujutsu world and as long as I’m still working as a sorcerer, my commitment is to do my job and do it well.”

But more than anything, Nanami wishes to retire and settle down where money is no longer a large obstacle. But his two career options of being a salaryman vs a sorcerer all weigh down on the income. Both are equally shit, however, he chooses the latter, so he can save up more, retire earlier, and be free from the chains of Japan’s work culture and the dangerous life of a Jujutsu sorcerer.

Also, it is an unspoken rule between both sorcerers that romance isn’t ideal. Gojo has more leeway with the concept since he’s just exploring it. But Kento approaches it in a more traditional sense. Being the only sorcerer from a family of non-sorcerers, he witnesses the trivials of his loved ones fearing for his life.

His parents cried in tears of joy when he announced his retirement as a sorcerer and wept in sorrow when he returned as one. They don’t truly understand life in the Jujutsu world and it doesn’t make sense for Nanami to commit to a non-sorcerer such as you, who won’t understand it much better. He isn’t selfish enough to risk it all, knowing that one day, he may never return home. Nor would he want to start a family and have his kids wonder why Papa is no longer having dinner with them. He isn’t like Gojo Satoru, who has the ability to manipulate space and be protected by an invisible shield 24/7.

Maybe in 10 years’ time, he’ll save enough money to finally explore the pleasures of life. Retiring in his 30s is not bad at all. Feasting on baked goods, reading books on a beach house in Malaysia is a promising plan. But for now, Nanami has to kiss that dream goodbye and face the manchild in front of him, who looks deflated from his answer.

“Ahh, suit yourself.” Gojo pouts. “But what do I do with L/n? They’re probably thinking poorly of you right now. ‘Oh no, Nanamin did not accept the poor, great Gojo’s gift. My heart!’”

He pitches his voice higher and presses his palm against his chest. Nanami returns back to the reality of who’s in front of him.

“I don’t know and I don’t care if they think poorly of me.” He suggests, opening his newspaper again. But he knows that negative thoughts will never cross your mind. After holding a single conversation with Gojo, he bets his entire life savings that you understand why Nanami would reject Gojo’s gift and give it to you instead. “I assume that you have their contact information so do what you want.”

Remembering that he has your contact information sparks an idea inside Gojo’s head.

“Nanamin, are you free this Saturday?”

“No,” the younger sorcerer immediately declines any invitation.

“Yes, you are.”

-------

“And now we’re here.” Gojo exhales sharply after finishing his explanation. Obviously, he left out all the sorcerer details, but then greatly emphasized Nanami’s rejection as an exchange. “A tragic, Nanami-less date.”

“Okay, but I’m confused.” You scrunch your brows together. You’re not at all offended by Nanami’s absence. After hearing Gojo’s story and what you accumulated from the blond, him not being here has to do with Gojo’s presence rather than yours. Instead, you’re focusing on the beginning of how you both met at the bakery.

“At what part?”

“I was barely inside the bakery and I bumped into you as you left. How did you come up with the plan to set me and Nanami up if you already bought the gift set without knowing that I was there?” *

Satoru tenses at your realization. No way can he tell you that his six eyes sensed your aura from a mile away. The plan of you and Nanami’s setup all happened on a whim. He just wanted to try out the bakery, but once he noticed your presence coming closer, his impulsivity took over. And instead of ordering a box of daifuku mochi, he proceeds to get a discounted Valentine’s gift set.

“Uhh, magic?” He flashes a toothy grin, but it’s obvious that you aren’t buying it. It’s not like he’s lying though. “I was gonna have Nanamin deliver the box to you, but like destiny, you happened to bump into me! So after a few changes of plans, ta-da!”

‘He seems to be really proud of a plan that failed.’ But you did appreciate his efforts. Though it was for Nanami’s sake, it was nice of Gojo to go out of his way and attempt to bring two single people together.

Maybe this Gojo character isn’t that bad.

“Hey.” You catch his attention. “Do you drink at all?”

-------

Gojo doesn’t drink, but he sure as hell acts like he does. After a couple more refills of bottomless mimosas, he has to throw in the white flag for you. Unlike the first time where you blacked out and drunkenly poured your heart and soul in front of him and Nanami, Satoru wants you to remember this night. You repeated the same thing about your ex and other topics and the white-haired man doesn’t want you to get too drunk to forget and repeat the subject the next time you both hang out.

From your conversation: Satoru can confirm that you and your ex have been together for 2 years, but it was already falling off 6 months prior to the breakup. The final straw was when you walked in on him banging some woman and discovered that their whole affair lasted for an entire year.

So you were betrayed- something that Gojo collectively understands. Though, your person of betrayal did not exterminate an entire village and is deemed a criminal in the Jujutsu world. But you were let down, nonetheless and he understands the pain it brings. Because in truth, it still hurts.

You both were getting rowdy and louder, Satoru egging you on.

“Fuck this guy!” “Yeah, fuck him!”

“I don’t need anybody!” “Nobody!”

“I can’t believe I dated a piece of trash…” “Nah, I’d say he’s an entire dumpster.”

It was chaotic and fun for both you and Satoru. He was laughing to his heart’s content while you slur your words, throwing fits of giggles. However, the moment has ceased once your waiter apologetically returns with the bill as a sign to get out. Unfortunately without Nanami here, there’s no one to limit your volume inside the building.

After a defeated fight with Gojo on who gets to pay the bill, he lets you stumble in front of him until you both finally make it outside.

The Shinjuku night is wild with buildings lighting up every corner and roaring with bustling crowds. The alcoholic intoxication pumping through your veins amplifies the lively atmosphere and you feel alive for the first time in a long while. The night is still young.

Not wanting to go home, you tug on Gojo’s cuff, slightly pulling him towards you. At least, you tried to. For a split second, you swore that you didn’t feel the denim fabric between your fingers, only a strange force. Blinking, you grasp his cuff again, this time being able to rub your pointer and thumb between the rough texture. Ahh… Must be the alcohol messing with your senses, huh?

“What is it?” The tall man asks, placing his hands in his front pockets. He tests you by flashing a flirty smile. “You wanna kiss me?”

“Hah? Gross.” You let go, earning a childish chuckle from his end. “I want to keep walking around.”

“Ahh, I kinda want to go home. I’m tired.” He teases. But in reality, he’s far from ready to surrender for the night. You are an interesting human being.

“Oh okay, grandpa,” you wave, playing along. “I probably won’t remember anything tomorrow, but thanks for tonight!”

Taking a sluggish step forward, the secret sorcerer reaches his hand out and places it over your right shoulder.

“H-Hey! I was kidding,” he pulls up by your side. “It’s too early to go to bed anyway.”

“Maybe not for Kento,” you mumble. Gojo snorts and reaches out for a high five.

You return the gesture, only to pull your hand back quickly. A tingle runs up your palm like you’ve slammed it against a wall. No, you swear you’ve touched his hand. You felt your palm meet his… You think.

“Anyways, where do you want to go next?” He asks.

“I don’t know, I’m kinda rolling on a whim right now,” you shrug as you two walk down the sidewalk. Conversations swarm your ears as you both pass different groups. Your thoughts are too foggy to actually pick up what they’re saying. “You’re the one who asked me out, Satoru. You choose.”

“Satoru?” He repeats his own name while staring at you through his black shades. “So we are on a first-name basis now, huh?”

“Don’t count on it being permanent, I’m drunk right now,” you watch your steps, avoiding any people going in the opposite direction.

“So just for tonight, I can call you Y/n?” He gleams.

‘I mean, you already are.’

“Whatever.”

But in all honesty, you don’t care if the formalities are brought down. With Kento, you refer to him by his first name, because it’s based on years of a built-up friendship. Though you no longer work together, you still see him in your life as a friend.

In Satoru’s case, you don’t know how long he’ll stay in your life, but you can feel some form of companionship slowly blooming. It’s probably the alcohol causing the hallucinations, but you see him somewhere in your life. You don’t know what role he’ll play, but it’s a relationship that you look forward to seeing.

****

4.

Gojo didn’t hesitate in contacting you again. Which is something that he doesn’t usually do.

Since you and Satoru are just friends, his whole timeline method isn’t really needed, right? He puts you in the same category as Nanami, the chosen group that will be forever cursed blessed by his existence. Though, it is odd of him to place you as a special person in his life. Though he is their protector, Satoru had always preached that weak sorcerers and mere human beings will not be considered important to him. They are just too distant.

So how did someone like you get to simply walk into his life, like it’s the easiest thing to do?

It’s been an ongoing, platonic affair for 4 months. You and Satoru would hang out every weekend, exploring different places in Tokyo. Some of them are decent, like trying out new food places or visiting crowd attractions. And many are adventurous like karaoke with a group of drunk strangers or experiencing unique activities that only the city offers. (One night, you and Satoru went go-karting in the streets.)

No matter how mellow or blood-pumping the activity is, it becomes a ritual to look forward to Satoru every week. The built-up excitement over the weekday just to see your white-haired friend on Saturday or Sunday becomes a repeated cycle. For a while, you both would ask Nanami to tag along, but the invites slowly died out the more he declined them. Consequently, Satoru would show his junior pictures of you and him to show off what he’s missing.

But the more you hang out, the fewer pictures Satoru takes. Not because he doesn’t want to remember them, but it’s because he doesn’t feel like it’s necessary. At first, he would take constant photos for the sake of Nanami, but then he notices how much better it is if he puts his phone down. He takes in his surroundings and appreciates them even more, living in the “normal” world when he’s not on duty fighting curses. Most of all, he realizes how much he engages with you.

Instead of being distracted by taking pictures of a random leaf or building, Satoru notices how perceptive you are when it comes to whatever activity you’re doing. Instead of recording you singing at the karaoke bar, he analyzes your favorite genre based on the type of songs you would always pick. He could be taking pictures of a historical landmark, but then he wouldn’t put too much thought into how much you know about the site.

Little by little, Satoru picks up little facts about you, even though you don’t explicitly tell him yourself. The things you like and dislike expands to your little habits, like how you’d flare your nose whenever you get a low score during karaoke or how you purposely avoid cracks on the floor whenever you look down when walking.

And in return, you do the same to him. Though he never openly tells you his favorite foods or hobbies, they’re already registered in your brain. Slowly, you discover his talents. He’s a jack of all trades, except that he’s wickedly talented in almost everything he does. When there’s a food stand, you can already predict Satoru’s order before he can choose. He’s a fairly affectionate man, always offering his hand or arm to hold onto when walking. And from what you already know, he’s a man that stands out, therefore, there are people constantly trying to grab his attention.

At first, it was amusing to see Satoru get hit on. There are even times where you both bet how many numbers he will go home with and choose the cheesiest pickup line that was used on him. It was all fun and games until your stomach slowly starts to twist whenever his attention gets pried away.

By month 4 of your friendship, all the inside jokes of Gojo’s sexual journeys and romantic endeavors are no longer funny. He can be really immature and boast about the topic, throwing a dirty joke here and there. Initially, you bear how uncomfortable you were. Being the man that he is, Satoru would try and match you with somebody whenever he finds a person to take home. After all, he doesn’t want you to be left alone.

But like how your dear friend Nanami declines every invitation, you decline every person Satoru tries to set you up with. You reason that you’re not emotionally ready to move on from your ex, which is true…

Is it?

He hasn’t even crossed your mind for a long while. The thought of him only slips in, because you would use him as an excuse. That piece of shit has hurt you. Therefore, he should be why you don’t want to be intimate with someone else. Except… Whenever you think of a reason, your white-haired and starry-eyed companion is the first man to pop inside your head.

Seeing Satoru flirt and be flirted with is gut-wrenching. When his ocean blue orbs scan the person he’s taking home for the night instead of at you rings jealousy in your heart. You’ve known him longer than his one-night stands- know more about him. Yet they have easier access to his home, a sanctioned place that you have yet to visit.

He’s been in yours many, many times. Either because he’s hauling your drunk ass home or it’s movie night. Regardless, you welcomed him into your home, an area that you don’t let a lot of people in because it’s your only true place of privacy. It’s irritable how easy he can waltz into your life, whether it be barging in at your residence in the middle of the night or a video call right before you sleep.

It’s also really irritating how you just let him. How you, a person who should have their door closed after being cheated on, manages to leave a crack open. A crack that’s wide enough for Satoru to see and take the special seat in your heart.

Before you know it, you start crushing on him, hard. Any good and bad memories of your ex have been overtaken by Satoru. His entire existence is completely washed from your mind.

The man probably doesn’t even know it. It’s not like he’s purposely trying to start anything romantic with you. While your doors are wide open for him to walk in and out of your life, Satoru’s door is still locked.

You don’t know him like how he knows you.

Your family? He knows their names. Your co-workers and boss? Sometimes he’ll point them out whenever you both see them in public. You’ve given Satoru so much information about yourself, but the man you poured everything out to like a diary still remains a mystery. All you know are bits and pieces.

He’s a high school teacher, but what subject does he teach? He often brings you souvenirs, some of them being international, but where and how did he obtain them? What’s his family background? He says he’s fully Japanese but why is his hair white and his eyes so crystallized? Does he have siblings? Other friends? Hell, where does he even live?! What’s his favorite color??!

You still don’t know why he wrapped bandages around his eyes that day.

It’s infuriating how the man that allows you to touch him also seems untouchable at the same time. He’s distant, but yet he’s at the tip of your fingers. He’s close enough to be in your life, but yet too far for you to fully grasp onto him.

So when you and Satoru are at a nightclub, many men and women automatically flock towards him, thickening the barrier between you two. By now, you’re already used to the procedure. You back away, internally moping on how your friend is showering others with the attention that you desired. Then, he’d call your name and introduce you to a guy that he thinks interests you. You’ll go up and introduce yourself and have an awkward 10-15 minute conversation. Often, the guy leaves, disappointed from your lack of interest, and Satoru would already have someone by his hip and say, “I’ll find you one, next time!” But you don’t wish for next time. You wish for him.

“Oi, Y/n!” A distant voice calls you. Turning around, you see the familiar, white-haired man-child standing out in a sea of people. He waves, pointing down at a man next to him. You can’t really make out any of his features because of how polluted with smoke, strobe lights, and people the nightclub is, but you groan at Satoru’s game of cupid.

‘Ugh… How annoying.’

After taking a shot of whatever liquid courage is in there, you leave the shot glass on the bar’s countertop and swim your way through a sea of drunk strangers. You should’ve offered him to go to a restaurant this weekend instead.

“There they are!” Satoru practically shouts in order to combat the loud music as you walk towards him and two other guests.

The lucky gal for the night already has her waist snaked by Satoru’s hand. Her dainty fingers trace against the temples of his sunglasses and his hair. She flashes you a friendly smile and in return, you do the same even though you feel envious deep down. She’s gorgeous.

On Satoru’s right side is the man he’s been meaning to introduce. Now that you’re close, you get a better look at him. His dark brown hair that matches his eyes is styled up. He doesn’t look any taller than Satoru, maybe around Nanami’s height?

You have to admit, the mystery man is a total looker.

“Hello,” You politely wave, facing him.

“Hey stranger.” he reaches out a hand. “I’m Tanaka Daisuke. But Daisuke is fine.”

“L/n Y/n. Just Y/n works too,” you return the gesture, noting how firm his grip is.

The girl next to Satoru introduces herself as Roku and as kind as she seems, she’s fairly occupied with the man you’re crushing on.

You can’t help but stare at the pair, eyes glued to their affectionate activities. Roku rests her forehead against Satoru, bursting in a fit of giggles while he just lets her graze her hands all over him. He probably said some corny joke or pick-up line that you’d cringe at every time he tells it, but you secretly love them.

It’s probably your aura or sorrowful glare, but Daisuke seems to pick up your energy. Glancing back and forth between you and the pair, he nudges your side and tilts his head towards the bar.

“Wanna get a drink with me?” He asks.

You nod and Daisuke places his hands inside his front pockets as he escorts you back to the bar you had just visited.

Your head started the 15-minute timer.

------------

You’re actually holding a good conversation with Daisuke. He leans against a bar table with his elbow, conversing about your shared interests.

Turns out, he was also cheated on. He just got out of a relationship and his buddies brought him to this nightclub to cheer up, but they left him stranded with other dates. Daisuke has no interest in finding a rebound but was unfortunately scouted by Satoru on his way out.

He confessed that he picked up your unease around Satoru and Roku, piecing together that you have unrequited feelings for the man. You shrug and say that you’ve always had bad luck with love.

“Same.” Daisuke raises the same hand you shook within the air, offering a high five. You clap back with your own palm and carry on your conversation, sparking different topics.

The 15-minute mental timer had set off a long time ago, but you’re not ready to leave. You enjoy conversing with Daisuke, learning so much about each other. He still lives with his mom and younger sister and has two best friends, Saburu and Yuki. He works at a family-owned restaurant with his uncle and cousin. His favorite color is blue.

You learned so much about him in a short amount of time. Speaking of which, you’ve lost track of the hour. You were fully immersed in your exchange, you completely forgot about Satoru. Hell, he’s probably gone home anyways with his visitor.

“Yup, can’t believe I met that jackass 4 months ago and here I am… Letting him tug at my heartstrings more than my ex,” You sip your cocktail while your new friend shakes his head.

“If I can be honest, he’s uh… He’s quite the character.”

“He forced you to hang out with him, huh?”

“Yeah…” He sighs.

“Sorry,” you apologize on Satoru’s behalf, yet again. But deep down, maybe you aren’t that sorry. Sure, Satoru may have done his charming magic to pull a nice man like Daisuke over, but at least you got to meet him. That’s something to thank Satoru for.

“However. If it weren’t for him, we wouldn’t be here sulking over our loved ones together.” He raises a point that you just had in your head. You laugh at the coincidence and raise your glass.

“Cheers to unrequited love.”

“Cheers to getting cheated on.” He clinks his glass against yours.

---------

It’s probably the amount of alcohol you’ve drank, but the music around you starts to intensify. The bass shakes to your core and it’s starting to get very humid. The more Daisuke talks, the more blurred out they sound. Coherent exchanges turn into simple nodding and smiling from your end. To be frank, you’re beginning to feel uncomfortable with your surroundings. Everything feels sticky and the claustrophobic space doesn’t make things better. You’re not used to staying out at a nightclub this late.

You suddenly being stiff and on edge catches Daisuke’s attention. It’s barely midnight on a Saturday, so the club is very packed. He doesn’t want to admit it for your sake of enjoyment, but he feels more cramped than ever. But once he notices how mutually uncomfortable you look, he internally sighs in relief.

“Hey, wanna go somewhere else?” He asks, but the large mass of people and deafening music drowns out his inquiry.

“What?” You squint, getting closer to him.

“Head out! Do you want to head out!” He repeats in your ear, pointing to the exit.

Understanding what he meant, you desperately nod your head. You feel like you’re in a cramped jail cell, your body aching to get out.

With the gentleman leading the way, you both dive into a sea of dancing people. But the currents are unsteady, the waves pushing you and Daisuke apart. Left and right, bigger strangers brush against you, squishing your body in the process. Your hand instinctively reaches out for Daisuke and luckily your wrist meets his grasp. Your eyes meet his soft brown pair and he reassuringly smiles.

He guides you through the crowd, but because of how packed it is, his grip on you tightens as you continue to get shoved back. You forgot how firm his clutch is.

Making it to the exit, you both sigh in relief when you’re greeted by building lights and the twinkling sky. The sidewalk isn’t as crowded, but it is just as lively.

“I thought we were never going to make it,” Daisuke lets go of your wrist and presses the heels of his palms against his eyes. “I’m never staying at a nightclub past 11 on a Saturday ever again.”

“I’m never going back to a nightclub, period.” Your wrist that he was just holding pulsates and you try to rub it with your other hand to make the pain go away.

The brunet notices your action and his eyes widen in surprise.

“H-Hey, I didn’t break anything, did I?” He nervously reaches out to your wrist, inspecting it. “Oh my God, I’m so sorry.”

“No, no, no, no.” You decline constantly. “It’s just from the force of the crowd pushing us apart. If it weren’t for your strong grip, I’d probably get trampled over right now.”

Daisuke chuckles, unconsciously rubbing the inner part of your wrist with his thumb. “Well, there are perks to using a hand gripper.”

“You do that?”

“Only when I’m stressed.”

“Based on how strong you are, I’m guessing all the time?”

“Mmm, close. And thanks?” He finally let go and you cross your arms at the cold.

It’s been fun. For once, you had a good time at a nightclub. Your heart still pangs at the thought of Satoru probably fucking… uh, what’s her name? But at least you gained a heartbroken ally tonight.

“Thanks for tonight,” You say and he nods as a polite gesture.

“Maybe I should get stranded by my buddies again,” He jokes and you stop a snort from coming.

“Don’t do it too often,” You joke back. “I’ve been left behind on multiple occasions and this is the one time where I was grateful.”

Daisuke opens his mouth for a witty remark but is interrupted by a jeering and playful voice.

“Who said that you were stranded?!” That familiar voice echoes behind you. Then, you feel a weight on your shoulder only to see Satoru’s left forearm dangling down your left side.

“E-Eh?! Wha- What are you still doing here, Satoru?!” Your face pales at his sight. “I thought you went home.”

“Huh?” He looks down at you with a confused expression. Your eyes meet his twinkling blue ones. God, they’re even more dazzling than the stars above him. “Why would I go home before you?”

You return the confusion. He states it so obviously that it throws you off guard.

“Isn’t that what you always… Huh? Where’s your friend?” You look back at the nightclub’s entrance, expecting a woman to chase after him.

“Right here, of course!” You feel a large palm touching the top of your head. You’re the friend? You open your mouth to reply back, but Satoru is already initiating his pardon.

“Anyways, Dante! Thank you for looking after Y/n!”

“It’s Daisuke,” you both correct. However, Daisuke’s tone is more friendly while yours is more offended as if that was your name.

“I see!” Satoru blinks. “Anyways, it’s getting late. I still need to take Y/n home, goodnight and goodbye!”

“Oi Satoru!” The white-haired man yanks on your wrist and pulls you in the other direction. “Let go of me, what the fuck?!”

You turn around and see Daisuke dumbfounded with a hand slightly waving.

“B-Bye?” He stutters out, confused at the married couple dynamic between you and Satoru.

‘I thought they weren’t dating?’ He thinks to himself. As the figure of you both slowly disappears, he disappointingly walks away in the other direction.

Great. Now he’s alone again.

5. Gojo didn’t hesitate when he pulled you away from him.

Your yanks aren’t strong enough to be pulled out of Satoru’s reach. You’re fuming, embarrassed even. That was so rude of him! You didn’t even say a proper goodbye to Daisuke except an “I’ll see you around” in an apologetic tone.

You don’t know where he’s taking you and to be quite frank, the man leading you doesn’t know either. He’s just marching forth, getting you away from that Daisuke guy. His mind is clouded, his impulse behavior is enacted. Where the hell are you and Daisuke going? What are you both planning to do? It wasn’t until when your wrist started to sting from the pain, you pleaded for him to let go.

“Satoru, you’re hurting my wrist, stop!”

The pain in your voice finally wakes something inside of him. Possessed by his jealousy, he doesn’t even think how hard he’s holding onto you. He just wants you to get away from Daisuke, the man he introduced you to. Regretfully, he stops altogether and lets go of your arm.

“I’m- I’m sorry.” He stutters and looks down at you in guilt. Even from the moon being the only source of light, he can feel your eyes pierce him with mixed emotions of hurt and boiling anger.

“What the hell was that, Satoru?” You ask, rubbing your wrist with your opposite hand. What caused him to change his gears all of a sudden? Why is he being possessive?

His guilted look surprises you since you’ve never seen him express an emotion so soft and submissive. The strands of his frosty hair cover his skylike eyes, but you can tell that he’s avoiding your gaze.

“I don’t like seeing you with him,” he mumbles, stuffing his hands into his pockets.

“What?”

Satoru finally flickers his eyes at you, biting his tongue from spilling a feeling that he’s supposed to keep to himself. He reflects back on the events that happened less than 2 hours ago, how his plan didn’t end in his favor.

------

His master plan was to finally find you a man. For the past month, he searches far and wide to find your future partner, since Nanami is a dead deal. Sure, that’s why Satoru was interested in you at the start. But then his reasoning changes from Nanami’s sake to feeling pity for you. Someone so open, honest and fun. (Perhaps he has another, hidden reason too, but we’ll get there.)

From your hangouts in the past, he learns how enriched you are with the concept of love. You loved your ex-partner until he shattered your delicate heart. He’s fascinated how even with betrayal, you don’t shy away from love. After all, it’s a natural human feeling. But the problem is, you bounced your feelings to him.

The reason why Satoru feels pity is not because of you being tied into an affair, but rather- you started to care for the worst person to ever fall for.

He’s not blind. Hell, he even has six eyes. Satoru is well aware of your developing feelings from the start. From the way you slowly stopped talking about your ex to your envious glares at the men and women, he settled with for the night. Ugh, how terrible. Your negative emotions create a negative jump of cursed energy that he can see.

The sorcerer could just cut you off, but he never has the heart to do so. Perhaps it’s because you don’t truly know who he is, so you genuinely liking him makes it impossible to pull away. Because Gojo Satoru never crossed your mind as the world’s strongest sorcerer, but Gojo Satoru as the world’s most annoying, sweets-loving, sorest loser.

In the non-Jujutsu world, Satoru gets to be his true self and not some perfect facade. He gets to be true to you and you still accept him, regardless of his crazy antics. But it’s dangerous for a non-sorcerer to get together with him.

So that’s when Satoru Gojo started to venture out to find your Mr. Right. However, with every attempt he has made, you crushed it in your own hands. Declining suitors left and right, Satoru is tired of throwing men at you.

And then tonight, he laid eyes on Tanaka Daisuke.

‘Eh, he looks cute enough.’ He thought, wondering if the stranger is your type.

Satoru witnessed his buddies ditching him with their partners and once Daisuke is sitting alone, dreadfully sipping his cocktail, Mr. Cupid makes his move.

“Hello!” Gojo cheerfully greeted, uninvitingly sitting next to the lonesome man. “I’m Gojo Satoru. Now, what are you doing by yourself?”

Appalled by Satoru’s sudden appearance, he slightly jumped out of his seat. He’s never been approached before at a nightclub- let alone, ever.

“Uh- hi. Tanaka Daisuke. My friends, well… This is embarrassing.” He mumbles the last sentence. “They found some dates and sorta left me here…”

“So you’re not single then?” Satoru dodges the stranger’s embarrassment.

“I am… Recently dumped, actually.” Daisuke’s dark brown eyes scan the drink right below him.

“I see.” Satoru removes his sunglasses and sets his elbow on the table, his chin resting on his fist. He grins mischievously at the answer. “Perfect.”

To make the operation go accordingly, Satoru scans the crowd for a special muse. And for tonight, her name is Roku. He allows the woman to prance onto him to show his disinterest in you, so you’re forced to talk to your new date.

After your introduction, Gojo hopes that things will work this time… He thinks. After noticing your dissatisfaction at Roku, who is doing a perfect job at keeping her hands on him, Daisuke escorts you to the bar. For the next 15 minutes, Satoru distracts himself with Roku, giving you glances every so often.

After 15 minutes, Satoru expects to see you part ways with Daisuke- an unintentional pattern with time you have created. Truly, he feels pity for knowing that the man he has set you up with will be ditched again- assuming that things consecutively fail again. However, much to Satoru’s surprise, you’re both still there, chatting away after the 15-minute mark.

Good. His plan is working this time.

5 minutes later, he checks again.

‘It’s working.’

10 minutes after that, you guys are toasting for the 6th time.

‘Why is it working?’

Satoru stares intensely at you and Daisuke, wondering what words you’re both exchanging. Is it friendly? Is it flirtatious? Why? Why are you still talking to him? By now, you should be done and reject the guy. But this time, the matchmaker has found your match.

‘Why aren’t you leaving him?’

Huh? Now, why is Satoru frowning when he sees you converse with another man and actually enjoying it?

Considering he’s never gotten you this far, this is new territory for the sorcerer. After a failed attempt of pulling his attention away, Roku squints at the direction Satoru’s focusing on. Her sight hones in on you and Daisuke being fairly close. Your date uses his hands to create grand gestures to tell his stories while you laugh and react to them in an astonishing expression. Satoru’s jaw clenches at the sight.

“I see.” Roku pulls her hands off of Satoru’s hair, thus having the man finally put his eyes on her.

She sighs and crosses her arms before continuing. “I can’t say I’m disappointed Gojo, I was really looking forward for later. However,” she glances between you and him while backing away. “You should probably hurry up and go get them before their date whisks them away from you.”

With one final move, the woman leans down and kisses Gojo on the cheek for good luck and thanks him for making the night a bit more fun. Before he can respond of any sort, she turns and disappears into the cloud of smoke and clubbers.

Blinking, Satoru returns to face you but is taken back by Daisuke’s actions. His hand is cupped around your ear, whispering something and you nod in agreement. Now, what can that be all about?

The curiosity in Satoru’s mind leaks out and he stands up but refrains himself from walking over. He sits back down.

‘No. They’re just talking. It’s too loud to hear each other over the music.’ he rejects any assumption. However, the feeling of his heart yanking underneath his chest continues to swell, the environment around him becomes too confined. The music blurs and the sways of the crowd haze out of focus. All the spotlights in his mind gear towards you and Daisuke.

And suddenly, that face of your little date starts to piss him off. His sly grin whenever you would talk, how attentive his eyes are on you. The way you just let him engage and come close like you’ve known each other for much longer than Satoru has. Both of you chuckling like old friends opens a deep temper within the ivory-haired man.

He planned for this to happen- for you. He should be joyous, grateful that you’re on the first steps of moving on from him. This is a selfless act so you wouldn’t get hurt if you were stuck in Satoru’s route. Thoughts of him doing the right thing intrudes his mind, but they all leave him with dissatisfaction rather than being convinced.

‘We’re from two different worlds, this is good… this is good.’

But Satoru doesn’t feel good saying that.

It leaves a bitter aftertaste, knowing that he’s swallowed a lie. Lie after lie, after lie after lie.

He tells himself a lie that he’s glad you’ve found a potential partner, a lie that he sees you smiling at another man, a lie of feeling relieved that your eyes are no longer on him.

But he’s doing this for you. He’s done his part as a matchmaker, but how come it doesn’t feel right?

How come he envisions himself in Daisuke’s place, the one to make you laugh and get to be close to you? The sight of him being able to click with you without being constantly annoying or being a prick has sparked new insecurity. A talent that he doesn’t carry.

A sea of clubbers passing through him diverts his attention away from you. 2 ladies in the group flirtatiously wave as they pass by and Satoru half-heartedly waves back. The music amplifies, the atmosphere intensifies. But when Satoru darts his eyes back to the bar table where you and Daisuke are standing, he’s surprised to see that very spot suddenly empty.

Tracing your little cursed energy through his six eyes, he’s able to sense two glowing outlines, moving the direction opposite from the crowd. Bingo. But to his dismay, he can see Daisuke’s hand wrapped around your wrist, leading you through the ground. What the hell is he doing? Are you two going home together?

The suppressed feelings Satoru tries so desperately to get rid of fully emerge. Like how I mentioned earlier, there’s a hidden reason behind his little shenanigan.

Externally, his reason may be for your sake, but what if you aren’t the only one falling for the other in this relationship?

Satoru can’t directly pinpoint when his feelings for you started developing. But slowly, he started noticing more things about you- he would even pick up some of your habits. How your eyes would squint when you can’t hear anything, how your tongue would stick out when you’re concentrating. And every weekend, he would look forward to seeing you. His excitement for the weekend slowly churns from ‘temporarily live in the non-Jujutsu world’ to you being the highlight.

As popular as he is, Satoru doesn’t have a lot of friends. He has Shoko as his closest, Nanami as someone he wants to be close with, and Yaga, his mentor. Geto Suguru is a companion that he will always keep close in his heart, even though he became a curse user.

Many times, he wonders what Suguru would think about his old best friend’s interest in you. He’d laugh, maybe. Wonder why and how a lowlife monkey like you can capture the strongest sorcerer’s heart. Even Gojo doesn’t know exactly why, since he also never found an interest in non-sorcerers. Maybe it was because you’re both lonely? Maybe because you accept Satoru’s hidden human and true side? Regardless of the reason, he has fallen head over heels for a regular human, and you don’t even know it.

During the past month, he’s contemplated risking it all. It’s already dangerous to be associated with the sorcerer, whether it be a simple acquaintance or co-worker. Due to his position, he’s always being hunted down by curses and would use anyone in his life to their advantage. Satoru already knew he made a selfish choice when he befriended you. He just doesn’t have the nerve to shake you off his life.

But it’s fine since he’s the strongest, right? Even from afar, he’ll protect you from any dangers. As long as you both don’t cross over the line from friendship to lovers, there's still a barrier to prevent you from fully entering the Jujutsu world.

Now isn’t this a tragic story? Romeo and the lover he desperately wants to be with- but instead of unapproving parents blocking them, it’s living in two different worlds that prevents him from doing so. A natural force that’s stronger than his limitless that keeps you and Satoru separate. And it doesn’t make it any better knowing that you’re falling for him just as much. Putting logic over his own personal feelings, he makes an ultimatum. He decides to push you away in Gojo Satoru style.

It pains him to shoo you to other suitable men. He wonders if morality combats personal feelings. It’s moral to keep a sorcerer and a non-sorcerer separate, but is it worth it if two parties are hurt at the same time? He’s sick and tired of seeing your slow increase in cursed energy, knowing that he’s the reason why. But it’s for the best, right?

Satoru thinks of Nanami and how he restrains himself from indulging in a relationship with a non-sorcerer. A selfless act of not wanting his partner to be left behind all of a sudden, a risk that’s not worth taking. Though, the reason for not getting in a relationship is the same, their origins as to why branch out.

Unlike Gojo, Nanami isn’t constantly hunted down by curses or curse users. He fears that one day his partner will lose him due to his job. In the former’s case, he might lose you.

A risk Satoru doesn’t know if it’s worth it. He has the capability to protect you from harm’s reach, but would it be fair? Are you a person that can handle the truth about his real life? Are you worth the risk? He tests this out by eyeing you exiting the building with Daisuke. If he lets you leave, then you’re not enough to be Satoru’s partner.

‘Just leave them.’

You and Daisuke snake through the crowd swiftly.

‘Think logically here.’

You’re 20 feet away from the door.

‘Y/n can learn to be much happier without you.’

10 feet away from the exit.

‘I can find someone else.’

5 feet.

‘I don’t need you.’

Satoru slowly rises on his feet, all of his willpower pushes him back. He’s so close to letting you go. So close to letting you walk away.

So, so close...

Daisuke pushes the door open, both of you leaving the booming nightclub.

‘I need you.’

Satoru bolts out of the building as fast as he can, bumping into multiple people- probably spilling drinks along the way too.

He needs you.

Pushing through the door, he is greeted by the city lights. His eyes immediately flicker to you and Daisuke, continuing your conversation in a more spacious and comfortable setting.

“I’ve been left behind on multiple occasions and this is the one time where I was grateful.” Your playful voice stabs Satoru in the chest, knowing his intentions have hurt you multiple times.

He’s made a decision. And as stubborn as he is, he won’t let anything ruin his plan to keep you in his life. He’ll keep you protected and safe. After all, he’s the world’s strongest sorcerer. Nobody can get in his way if he won’t let them.

“Who said that you were stranded?!” He jests out loud, walking towards a startled you and wide-eyed Daisuke.

‘Or is it Dante?’ he ponders.

6.

Back to the present time, you and Gojo are in a more isolated part of the city. It’s darker and if it weren’t for your fuming rage towards the man who dragged you here, you’d freak out on how sketchy it looks.

“I don’t like seeing you with him,” Satoru repeats louder.

But it’s not that you didn’t hear him. In fact, you heard him loud and clear the first time. It’s just… You’re confused.

He set you up with Daisuke, but now he doesn’t want you to be near him?

You stare up at him, your perplexed eyes conveying a sight of innocence. Satoru scans them with his pair, marbling at how they shine underneath the night sky. So innocent, so pure.

Innocent, pure, delicate, fragile, easy to break. That’s what non-sorcerers are. That’s what you are. Beings that Satoru has seen for all 25 years of his life, but only recently, has he engaged with them. Regular humans are a part of a cycle that he has sworn to protect with his power, a group that you are in.

Come to think of it, protecting you, a non-sorcerer isn’t much different than his assigned task since birth. You just get extra care.

“I don’t like seeing you with anyone else,” the white-haired man admits, his confession ringing through your ears.

“Huh,” you exhale a dry laugh, barely taking in what he said. This is bullshit. It has to be! “If you’re pranking me, stop. This isn’t funny.”

“What?”

“You know, don’t you?” You back away from him, pinching your nose. “You know how I feel about you and this- this is some gigantic prank that you’re pulling. And afterward, you’re going to- you’re going to, I don’t know, laugh at me or call me stupid for falling for it.”

“Why would this be a prank?” Your crush scowls at your assumptions. His stomach flips from your verification of liking him back. But clearly, he still needs a little nudge.

“Because Satoru,” you sigh, frustration from Satoru latching onto other men and women every week, and his rude encounter with Daisuke pours out all at once. “If you don’t like seeing me with anyone else, then why would you push me to go to a nightclub almost every week and hook me up with some guy? Daisuke and I aren’t even mutually interested, by the way!”

“You aren’t?” His white brows arch up, the story of you and Daisuke he has witnessed is all an illusion in his head.

“No! He was just dumped and I’m just not interested.” You huff, worrying at how you left him behind.

Satoru purses his lips, studying the kindness in your heart. Worrying for a stranger is a field that the sorcerer doesn’t dive into a lot. Usually, it takes a lot of time in order for that caringness to build. But yet again, you managed to get Gojo conflicted about his feelings within a 4-month time frame. Good job.

“Oh.” Satoru’s too dumbfounded and embarrassed to even say anything else. But he pushes through to give you an answer. “Look, the reason why I did what I always did is because…”

He stops, unable to give you a definitive answer. Because what? He can’t tell the truth. Not yet, at least. Along the road, when you realize that Gojo Satoru is more than just Satoru, but rather the Gojo Satoru of the Jujutsu world, it’ll all click. And his actions- as chaotic as they may be, all make sense.

Your doe eyes wait for an answer and Satoru loses all train of thought. Instead, he reaches for your wrist again, gently thumbing over the part he had grabbed.

“I can’t explain it right now without it getting complicated,” he lowers his voice, that playful tone you’re familiar with is nowhere to be heard. “But what I can say for now is that you mean so much to me. I come from a difficult background and it’s risky to bring anyone I consider special inside. So I thought pushing you away for your protection was the best option.”

That’s the closest he can get right now to confess the truth. Still, it took a little bit of weight off his shoulders, even though he covered 80% of the reason.

Frozen by his touch and his confession, you lock eyes with him, the moonlight cascades beautifully on him. Yet again, you find yourself lost in those dazzling blue stars he calls eyes. He no longer radiates a childish expression, which makes him look more like his age. Satoru glances at each part of your face, trying to get you to read him- to understand him. You want to and you almost fall for it. But there’s something that still doesn’t feel right.

“So you’re telling me that... leaving me behind at the club every Saturday night to go home with a stranger is what you call protecting? That’s really tacky.” You pull your wrist away, but Satoru won’t let you get away from his grip. It’s gentler than when he first dragged you here, but it’s tight enough to resist any restraint.

“Y/n…” Satoru reads the hurt in your face. And he’s hurt that his actions led you to think that he would do such a thing. “I haven’t slept with anyone since we met”

“Huh?”

He softly grins and shakes his head, looking at your confused expression.

“Bu-but every time we go to the bar, you have at least one person leech onto you.” You defend yourself. “How do I know that you’re not lying?”

Satoru gulps at your question. He’s not lying- he literally didn’t have sex for the past 4 months. The thought of you is enough to satisfy the desire. Truthfully, he would go home right after you leave, ensuring your safety.

But in your defense, you brought up how multiple strangers were intimate with Gojo at the nightclub. You’d see their hands hold onto his hair, whatever buttoned-up shirt he’s wearing that day and the ladies would often leave lipstick stains on his neck and face. Gojo painted the wrong image of himself and it backfired.

Satoru then brings your wrist up and hovers your palm over the left side of his chest. Taking his other hand, he places it on top of yours and presses against it. Through the cotton of his pale blue button-up, you feel a rapid pulse.

His heartbeat.

Flustered, yours starts to beat just as fast. Your expression fails to hide your sudden agitation. You’ve never touched Satoru this close before, only his arm to hold onto. You feel him inhale and exhale deeply, desperately trying to calm down.

“I don’t know why I even bothered to do that,” Satoru mumbles more to himself. Even in the darkness, you can see the heat rising in his face. “As long as you’re touching me here, I don’t think I can calm down.”

Even though he says that through nervousness, it repelled and made your heart rate rise even more.

Is this real? Is Gojo confessing to you or is this all a dream?

“Y/n.” Your name sounds so delicate when it rolls off the tip of his tongue. The back of his hand slowly strokes the side of your cheek- the knuckle of his pointer finger traces from the jawline down to your chin. With the same finger, he pushes your chin up and his soft thumb gently brushes the side of your bottom lip.

You’re in pure ecstasy.

You dart back and forth between his eyes that are focused on your lips and his own lips that have been recently licked. You feel his heart race faster.

“You’ve turned my life around during these past 4 months, opened my eyes to a world that I haven’t fully seen. I want to keep exploring the world with you by my side and I’ll do everything to protect you.” He vows and you’re still confused by his phrase of protection. But, that’s pushed to the back of your mind.

“Satoru,” you inch closely, the way you say his name sounds just as sweet. You can feel the truth behind his words, how earnest he actually is. Taking that as a signal, he closes the gap, his lips pressed against yours.

Gojo doesn’t hesitate when he kisses you for the first time.

Even though the sky is blank, you imagine an explosion of fireworks, since that’s how you feel on the inside. After pulling back to breathe, you both continue to gaze, lost in each other’s trance. With his hand on the back of your head, he pulls you in for another long kiss.

And he does it again.

And again.

“Y/n.”

And again.

Gojo doesn’t hesitate when he asks you out for real.

“Be mine.”

And again.

“I’m letting you kiss me, isn’t that enough to complete your answer?” You giggle and Satoru smiles as he pulls you back in again.

And again.

And again.

₍ᐢ. .ᐢ₎̤̮⩇⩇:⩇⩇

just after emma boops his nose and just before she's bitten

i apologize in advance if i end up taking this lighthearted piece in the angstier direction i just thought of. i might, i might not.

🎶 DON’T SAY YOU LOVE ME, YOUUU DON’T EVEN KNOW ME 🎶 IF YOU REALLY WANT ME THEN GIVE ME SOME TIIIIIME

AJ Styles just can't stop being #phenomenal 💙. One of the best wrestlers in the world! Comment if you agree ⬇️ #wwe #wweraw #ajstyles #ajstyleswwe https://www.instagram.com/p/CUE1ZEwro2k/?utm_medium=tumblr

I must know.. Am I the only one who ships Cayde and Shaxx? It's an unusual combo but I can see it would still somehow work.

Warning! Fearful tiny violence- very minor blood in black and white.

Lost and confused in the dark, wounded and bleeding, our lad is taken by sleep, and finds himself in the most curious, and exhilarating location when he awakens.

From sea of soft and unkempt blankets, he peers wearily into the dimly lit room, his eyes still fogged and dreary. Everything is so bizarre, drifting back to sleep before a rhythmic quaking returns him partially to this new world.

Terrified and confused, he retreats, rubbing his eyes to wake him from this nightmare, and blind with fear. The Giant watches, heartbroken as the little man tries to make an escape, but he knows there's nowhere to go.

He runs until he trips, clawing at the soft bed sheets desperately, he turned, and scurried backwards until he felt a soft wall of fabrics press against his back- a pillow of gigantic scale- how could this be happening??

Seeing the hand approach, he thought of the last resort to save himself, so he drew his sword.

The blade struck the pursuing hand, and sliced it open across the palm.

Blood drips from the wound, and the giant retrieves their hand. looking upon it, he understands what he must look like to the little person. A monster.

Looking back to see them trembling in fear, the giant begins to cry.

This one took about 4 days, in between work. No references. Please do not repost any of my art anywhere else. Thanks for all the support! It feels awesome sharing with you guys and helping other people in the community.

would you draw kyman??

I would

collectively unconsciously composed  part I of let it pour out of your soul by Rianne @rianneeyre 9-1-1 | Buddie Fanfiction Covers by @ronordmann

Downstairs in the firehouse, Eddie sees Buck through the glass wall. He’s sitting on one of the benches, head in his hands. He looks so forlorn. Eddie just wants to pull him into his arms and hold him close, through all the shit that’s going on with his parents. But Buck won’t welcome that.

Still, maybe there’s something Eddie can do, however small. He does a quick 360 scan. Buck? Not looking at him. Rest of the house? Still upstairs. Equipment bay and main doors? Nobody there. He keeps his eyes on Buck as he focuses his intention. A cup of coffee appears in his hands—warm, splash of milk, just the amount of sugar Buck likes. A hint of cinnamon he didn’t consciously put in there. Okay, he’ll allow his magic that one.

--

Or: in which the author re-watched Buck Begins and Jinx and thought: what if this was gayer and had actual magic?

The rabbit himself

Behold the boy

first time animating in Procreate Dreams

My 2023 Inktober, done all as Magnus Archives illustrations!