Chapter Text
It’s been a few days since Gojo told me how he felt, and somehow everything has been gentle since then. A few months ago, I never thought I’d be dating. Not because of inexperience, or my lack of social skills, but because I didn’t believe anyone could ever truly understand me. Not the silence. Not the years spent locked away. Not the way I listen to the world instead of living in it. But he does.
Sometimes it feels like he sees straight through me, past the things I try to hide, straight to the parts I’ve never had words for. It’s unsettling but comforting too. Like being known without being judged.
He doesn’t push. Doesn’t rush. He just… stays. Teases me when I get too serious, grounds me when my thoughts spiral. Makes space for me without making me feel small. Nothing has ever felt this steady.
We’re in the classroom before, classes start. I don’t realize how close we are until his arms slide around me slow, careful, like he’s asking without words. I hesitate only a second before leaning in, my forehead resting lightly against his chest. He smells faintly of clean linen and something warm maybe coffee.
“You’re thinking out loud again.” He murmurs.
“I can’t help it, you make it hard.” I say.
He chuckles, low and fond tightening his hold just a little. One of his hands rest at my back grounding. The other laces our fingers together, thumb brushing over my knuckles in a way that send my heart fluttering embarrassingly fast. I look up. He’s already looking at me.
Not teasing, not smug, just soft. For a moment the world feels very small. Very safe. Then—
“WAIT.” I hear and the door slams open.
“WHAT IS THIS.” I freeze.
Gojo doesn’t. Nobara stands in the doorway, eyes wide, jaw dropped. Yuji leans beside her, blinking rapidly like he’s trying to process a magic trick. Megumi, unfortunately understands immediately.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Megumi says.
I pull back instinctive, face burning, but Gojo keeps one arm loosely around me like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
“Oh,” Yuji says slowly. “OHHH.”
“SINCE WHEN.” Nobara’s scream could shatter glass. Gojo grins utterly unapologetic.
“Wow, no hello? No Gojo you look great today.” Gojo says.
“YOUR HOLDING HANDS.” Nobara says.
“I knew something was off.” Megumi says rubbing his temples.
“I umm— we.” I say. Gojo squeezes my head.
“We’re dating, relax.” Gojo finally says. Silence. Then. Nobara lunges forward.
“TELL MY EVERYTHING.” she screams.
She pulls me to the side away from Gojo. She crosses her arms, heels clicking sharply against the floor as she circles it.
“I just wanna say,” she begins, voice sweet in the most threatening way, “She could definitely do better.”
“Nobara—” I Say.
“Oh, no I’m not done.” She brings her attention to Gojo. “You’re loud. Annoying. Chronically seriousness,” She continues, counting on her fingers. “You disappear for days, start fights, and wear a blindfold twenty four seven. And you’re emotionally questionable at best.” she finishes. “So explain to me why she—” she gestures dramatically at me. “- is with you.
“Because I’m handsome, the strongest, and everyone likes me.” Gojo replies, she turns to me looking unimpressed by his answer.
“Now tell me.” She says.
“Nobara, he’s a good guy, and I happen to really like him, a lot.” I say, my face burning, as he looks over to me.
“Ughhh fine. I guess in some twisted weird way, he’s okay.” Nobara says exhaling.
The classroom empties slowly, laughter fading down the hall until it’s just the two of us again. Dust motes drift in the late afternoon light, warm and quiet. For once, there’s no looming threat, no weight pressing in from the outside world.
Gojo stenches, hands behind his head.
“You survived the interrogation,” he says lightly. “Proud of you.”
I huff a small laugh. “Barely.”
He turns to me then, leaning against a desk, expression softer than he lets anyone else see.
“You okay?” He asks. I nod.
“Yeah. I think….I am.” I reply.
That doesn’t seem to satisfy him. He steps closer slow enough that I could move away if I wanted to. I don’t.
“Hey,” he says quietly, tilting his head. “You don’t have to rush anything.”
“I know” I reply.
My fingers brush his sleeve first, testing. He still completely, giving me the space to decide. When I look up, his eyes are on me patient and warm. So I lean in.
The kiss is soft, brief and careful more a promise than anything else. His hand comes up to my cheek, steady and gentle, likes he’s anchoring the moment in place. When we pull back, my heart is racing, but I’m smiling. He smiles too.
“Yeahh….,” he murmurs. “Worth the wait.”
I rest my forehead against his, warmth settling deep in my chest. For the first time, my future doesn’t feel like something decided for me It feels like something I get to choose. And I choose him.