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Yuuji walked down the unfamiliar street, scuffing the sole of his shoe against the floor as he went. It was dusk, the sky just beginning to dim, and a slight chill hung in the air. He was walking down a small avenue near the school he recently moved to, trees arching over him from both sides.
The teen wasn’t looking where he was going and consequently didn’t notice the tall figure that appeared in front of him, purposefully blocking his path.
Yuuji startled, looking up and catching sight og startlingly white hair and very dark glasses. In a slightly delayed reaction, the white-haired guy rubbed at the area on his chest yuuji had bumped into and pouted, “ouch” he whined, “that hurt. You should look where you’re walking!”
Yuuji gave him an odd look, at both his demeanour and the fact he was sure that there was no one down the path he’d been walking on. But ultimately, he shrugged it off. He knew he’d been out of it since they moved, mind preoccupied with the worsening state of his grandpa despite having moved here solely for the reason of better care.
“Sorry for bumping into you” yuuji bowed, “I’ve got a lot on my mind” he finished awkwardly, rubbing his pink locks.
The man grinned in response, pain completely forgotten, and waved his apology off. “no matter!” he dismissed.
Yuuji stood there awkwardly as the man made no attempt to leave, only stared at him with what yuuji was now beginning to see was a disconcerting grin.
“Okay..well I'm just gonna-” yuuji began to turn around,
“Wait! That’s it? You’re not gonna offer me anything? You just bumped into me you know!” The man protested indignantly, hand wrapped around the smaller’s wrist. Yuuji gave him an incredulous look, “yeah, I barely brushed your chest!” he retorted, staring at the white-haired male like he was crazy.
The man paused to consider these words before (much to yuuji’s horror) dropping to his knees and wrapping his arms around yuuji’s legs, “okay I confess” the man wailed “you didn’t walk into me I created the whole thing” yuuji didn’t really pay attention to the man's words, instead prioritising his safety and sanity by trying to escape the weird man’s inhumanly strong grip (seriously what the fuck? Did this guy live off steroids?). The man's grip only tightened and yuuji was about to give up and accept his death would be at the hands of a crazed man.
“But you have to help me!”
Yuuji looked down at these words, sensing there was finally some sense of sincerity in his words. The pinkette raised an eyebrow and finally ceased his struggles.
He sighed, internally cursing himself for what he was about to ask “help with what?”
The man jumped up at this, clearly believing yuuji had now promised his help (he hadn’t).
“Date me”
Yuuji was not prepared for that but the words immediately had him turning around and walking away, not willing to indulge this man’s weird perversity.
“Okay, not the best thing I could’ve said, granted, but let me explain!” the man scrambled to placate “you go to my school; I’ve seen you around. My name is gojo satoru. I’m in the year above you (in fact I’m surprised you didn’t recognise me I’m kind of well known if I do say so myself)” he trailed off before seeing yuuji was still walking away and jumping back to desperately explaining. “my boyfriend, geto suguru, he recently broke up with me and I need you to fake date me so he realises he made a mistake!”
To be fair to gojo, his explanation did catch his attention. The name rang some bells, having overheard murmurs about a ‘gojo senpai’ and also a ‘geto senpai’ and how cute they were together. However, yuuji didn’t want any part of the man’s plan.
“No.” Yuuji answered. “apart from the fact I simply don’t want to get caught up in something messy like that, people don’t break up with people for no reason!” and with that, yuuji walked away.
The next day yuuji was walking through the school halls, waiting for his first-class alone as his only friend (fushiguro) had stayed home sick. Suddenly, an arm shot out of one of the classroom doors and pulled him into the room before slamming the door shut.
“What the-” yuuji turned around, ready to punch the asshole who had dragged him in there only to be met with familiar bright white hair. The urge to punch the perpetrator only increased.
“Gojo senpai..seriously what the fuck” yuuji deadpanned.
The man in question smiled, clapping his hands together. “Not my finest moment ill admit! In fact, you’ve only seen me in my less good moments but that’s an honour on your part!” Yuuji only continued to give the elder a blank stare.
“Right..” he laughed nervously. “Please yuuji..please help me”
The pink-haired teen sighed “I already told you senpai...I really don’t want to get caught up in all-”
“I know, I know,” gojo cut in, “but I’ll give you anything you want. Anything!”
Yuuji shook his head “I don’t want favours gojo senpai”
“Money” gojo replied, “I can give you as much as you want!”
“I don’t want your money”
“What about your grandpa?”
Yuuji froze, honey eyes darkening as a frown took over his face. His voice lost some of its usual warmth.
“How do you know about him?” he questioned. When no response was given yuuji stepped closer to the elder, anger seeping into his posture. “How do you know that?”
Gojo held up a hand, trying to placate the younger “I know that he’s sick and I know that I can help . My family are rich; my parents are important. I can get him the best care there is. I promise, yuuji. As soon as you agree it’s done.”
Yuuji took in a deep breath, calming himself. Despite his annoyance yuuji knew his answer was already made, his grandpa was everything to him. The only family he’d ever had.
“Why me?” yuuji asked instead, “out of everyone in this school? You know it yourself, you’re gojo satoru, people would fall over themselves to date you. Even if it is fake. Yet here you are, offering all of that.”
Gojo gave a light snort at that, “easy. I may be gojo satoru but you’re itadori yuuji. You’ve been here two weeks and already half the school loves you. And you don’t even know it. You’re the only person here who could even begin to match up to my suguru.”
That startled the teen, he truly had no idea. In fact he felt pretty lonely at this school, only really having one friend. Yuuji sighed in resignation, “I'm still annoyed at you” he began, eyes fierce, “and to use my grandpa to get me to agree” he choked out a laugh, shaking his head in disbelief, “but okay. I will be your fake boyfriend.”
Gojo released an excited whoop before smothering yuuji in a bone-crushing hug, going as far as to lift the boy off the ground a little. It left yuuji smiling, though he’d hate to admit it. It had been a while since he had been hugged.
“Thank you so so much yuuji.” Gojo squeezed tighter, mouth close to yuuji’s ear. “I know it was poor taste but suguru, he means so much to me. I love him. I don’t let the ones I love go.”
And yuuji, caught between this (Weird? Crazed? Obsessed?) No.. in love man, couldn’t help the sad smile that painted his lips, equal parts amazed and forlorn. He couldn't help but think it sounded nice. To be loved so much.
Lunch came around and yuuji had honestly forgotten everything about his ordeal with gojo, occupied with having an argument with his classmate nobara about which how to train your dragon was the best. The pinkette walked to the canteen, ready to sit alone until nobara dragged him over to sit with her and her friends, still passionately explaining that the romance in the third movie ruined the whole franchise (yuuji vehemently disagreed, he was a sucker for romance and wasn’t afraid to admit the third movie made him cry buckets).
Nobara immediately sat next to a girl with green hair and glasses; yuuji assumed that was ‘maki’, her girlfriend. Yuuji ended up sat next to a friendly-looking if slightly emo presenting guy who welcomed him and introduced himself as yuuta. The rest of the table housed a guy nicknamed panda and a selectively mute guy named inumaki.
They were all nice and yuuji soon found himself engaging in conversation with them, easily flowing into their dynamic. Meanwhile, he nibbled on the bento he’d made this morning which had earned an array of compliments and jealous exclamations when he’d first gotten it out. He promised them he’d bring each of them their own bento one day.
Suddenly, a palm was slammed directly onto the table space next to yuuji. Before yuuji could look to see who it was, a voice sounded and gave it away.
“Yuuji kun~” gojo sang, still looming over the pink-haired teen.
Yuuji blinked at the man, not having expected them to be starting their charade today. They hadn’t even discussed anything! Though going in without a plan seemed exactly like what gojo would do.
“Hello, gojo senpai” yuuji smiled back, ignoring the gaping faces that now painted his table mates.
Before gojo could say anything further nobara was squawking in shock “ you know gojo senpai?! How can you be further up the social ladder than me” she huffed indignantly, crossing her arms with a scowl.
“what does that even mean?!” yuuji exclaimed.
Before nobara could explain (and consequently insult yuuji), gojo made his presence known again by reaching over and plopping one of the sausages in yuuji’s bento into his mouth with a hum, “this is good yuuji!”
Yuuji ignored the gasp from nobara and moved to draw his bento in close to his body to protect it from gojo’s insistent attempts at swiping more food. Finally, yuuji gave in. “I’ll make you your own one day if you stop!”
Gojo’s actions immediately ceased. “I’ll hold you to that!” the elder threatened, starting to move away and finally letting yuuji breathe (it was unfair, that gojo could smell so good).
Before the white-haired male left he leaned in close, lips brushing the shell of yuuji’s ear, and whispered “meet me after school. By the big tree,” and with that, he was off.
Yuuji could only groan. He had a feeling he’d gotten himself into something more than he could handle.
Hours later and yuuji stood under the tree waiting for gojo. The man was ten minutes late. Yuuji huffed to himself but before any more time could pass a tall figure rounded the building in the distance.
As the man walked towards him, sun just starting to dip in its winter sleep, yuuji could see why he was so popular at school. The man was attractive. Incredibly so. His build was tall and lean muscled, only accentuated by his all-black clothes. His hair was a stunning white and fell over his head in a way that made it look like someone had artfully tousled it and used magic to keep it that way. Yuuji’s fingers itched with a sudden urge to run his fingers through it. Though his eyes were covered the glasses added to his character, playing on a sexy mysterious vibe. His nose was sharp and handsome, his lips glossy and pink. But one of his biggest attributes was his demeanour; confidence oozed off of him and pulled you in unwarranted.
Yuuji shook himself out of his stupor as gojo got closer.
“We’re going on a date tomorrow!” gojo cheered as he arrived. Yuuji thought he really needed to work on his tact.
It was tomorrow i.e Saturday i.e the day yuuji was going on a date with the gojo satoru.
Gojo hadn’t told him what the date was, only that geto was going to be there.
“Hey there yuuji kun~” gojo greeted as they met.
Yuuji smiled back, “hello there.”
Gojo immediately began walking and yuuji scrambled to catch up. “so..” yuuji hummed, trying to act casual and not as if he were actually pretty eager to know what they were going to be doing “where are we going?”
Gojo glanced at the younger from the corner of his eyes and gave an amused smile. “Is someone excited?” he teased, making yuuji huff in denial.
“we’re going to an aquarium.” Gojo answered.
Yuuji’s head shot up, a gasp leaving his lips. “Really?!” he exclaimed, all previous denial gone.
Gojo gave a firm nod in reply and laughed as his confirmation was met with an incoherent sound of excitement.
“I’ve never been to one before” yuuji explained “but I know they have all these cool fishes and stuff. Oh my god, do they have those funny flat-looking things?” he gasped.
Gojo chuckled, “you mean stingrays?”
He was rewarded with another amazed gasp before yuuji continued to ramble about all the animals he’d heard of that lived in aquariums, pausing to describe ones he didn’t know to gojo and being more amazed each time gojo told him their names. The teen's eyes were sparkling, a broad smile bunching his cheeks. Gojo could see how he had half the school wrapped around his finger already.
When they arrived, the line was luckily not too long and they found themselves inside, walking under the tunnel surrounded by water on all sides.
Gojo was walking behind yuuji amusedly as the pinkette pressed his face against the glass, marvelling at all the animals inside. A large stingray passed over their heads and yuuji let out an audible ‘wow’.
“Did you see that, gojo senpai?” he shouted, running up to the elder as the animal swam away “did you see how big that stingray was?”
Gojo laughed fondly and reached out to ruffle soft pink locks, noting the way yuuji leant into the touch with glee. “you’re so cute, yuuji~”
Yuuji blushed at the compliment, grumbling about how he ‘wasn’t cute, stop making it seem like I'm a kid’.
Before anything else happened, gojo abruptly yanked yuuji towards himself and caught the younger's hand between his own. Yuuji made a noise of confusion, opening his mouth to question the elder who began tugging him forwards. His question was quickly answered when gojo let out a (fake) gasp of surprise, “suguru, mahito, what a surprise seeing you here!”
It dawned on yuuji that they had run into gojo’s ex, he had gotten distracted by the aquarium and forgotten the sole mission for this ‘date’. Opposite them now stood two people, one had silver-blue hair tied in lose bunches. When their eyes met, a cunning smirk slid onto their features and sent shivers down yuuji’s spine. He was quick to move his eyes onto the next man. Geto suguru.
He had long black hair half tied up in a bun and soft black eyes. He held an air of elegance about him that yuuji could never even dream of achieving. Yuuji shifted lightly on his feet. This whole situation was more than uncomfortable.
“Hello satoru” geto replied quietly, not quite meeting gojo’s eyes. He then turned to yuuji and offered him a polite nod and smile. Yuuji moved to introduce himself but was cut off by ‘mahito’.
“So it’s you” the man smirked, eyes glinting with intrigue. Yuuji’s eyebrows scrunched in confusion at the statement before his attention was taken by geto who had placed a hand on mahito’s shoulder.
“Stop it, mahito.” The long-haired man murmured, shaking his head.
Yuuji saw a hint of pain in the man's expression that only deepened when he glanced at gojo. It made yuuji pause to consider. Despite being a loner most of his life, yuuji considered himself good at reading people and he suspected that geto still loved gojo. Looked like him and gojo wouldn’t have to fake date for long. The thought made him a little sad but yuuji brushed it off knowing it was because he was lonely and desperate for any kind of relationship, even if it was fake.
“Sorry,” geto continued, ignoring the following snort that mahito released. “We didn’t know you two were here, we didn’t mean to interrupt.” He apologised, voice dropping in volume. “I didn’t know you were dating someone. I hope we didn’t ruin your date.”
Yuuji watched as geto seemed to curl into himself at those words and felt sympathy. It was clear he still liked gojo, he could only wonder why he broke up with him. But it was no matter, yuuji was in this weird situation for the exact reason of reuniting them.
“It’s okay” yuuji assured softly with a smile, “you didn’t interrupt anyth-”
“You did” gojo cut in, voice sharp. Yuuji turned to the man with a startled look.
“I’m sorry” geto apologised again quietly “we’ll go now” he continued, pulling an amused looking mahito with him.
Yuuji stared at gojo for a second, trying to decipher his actions, before calling after geto. “I don’t know what’s gotten into him” he gave gojo a weird look. “It was nice meeting you, actually” he continued, giving the elder a small smile. Geto stared back at him for a few seconds, the emotion in his eyes unknown to yuuji, then returned a smile of his own and left.
Yuuji watched as gojo followed geto’s figure before hitting the man when they’d gone out of sight.
“Ow” gojo yelped in pain, rubbing his shoulder and pouting. “What was that for?!”
“It was for whatever the fuck that was! Why were you so rude? I thought you wanted him back”
Gojo sighed resignedly, dragging a palm down the side of his face. “I had to. It’s the only way. I need geto to be jealous and realise he never should’ve broken up with me.”
Yuuji wasn’t an expert in relationships, he’d never had one, but that sounded a little sketchy to him. “Are you sure gojo senpai?” he questioned.
Gojo clicked his tongue “trust your senpai, yuuji” he drawled, ignoring the look yuuji responded with.
Whatever. Yuuji could see they both still loved each other. He was sure they’d end up together in the end.
Yuuji sat in bed that night, the houses’ silence something he’d long gotten used to. He’d just gotten a call saying his grandpa was being moved to a new ward with better care. It must’ve been gojo. It gave yuuji some hope, that soon the house wouldn’t have to be so silent anymore. He needed to visit his grandpa tomorrow.
He’d been home for a while, gojo having taken him home as soon as geto had left. It stung a little, though he knew it was pathetic. He knew the only reason they even went on that ‘date’ was to make geto jealous but he didn’t think spending the time with gojo was bad, in fact, he had a lot of fun. Apparently, gojo didn’t feel the same way.
Once again yuuji found himself questioning his sanity for partaking in this deal. Firsts had always meant a lot to him, the idea of romance meant a lot to him. All his life he’d only ever had his grandpa, so the idea that out there was someone who would love him like that was held close to his heart. And here he was, his first ‘date’ taken.
The next day yuuji visited his grandpa in the new ward. He could immediately tell his surroundings were more expensive and the staff a lot nicer, more attentive. He had his usual argument with the old man and placed the usual flowers next to the window. They’d just finished their conversation about yuuji’s schoolwork and silence had lapsed the room.
“Yuuji. Why am I here?” wasuke had turned away, back facing the pink-haired teen.
Yuuji stayed silent for a little before feigning ignorance. “what do you mean?”
Wasuke didn’t regard the question with an answer, continuing to wait in the silence.
Eventually, yuuji gave in with a sigh. “You’re here because they realised there was space for you. It’s as simple as that.”
They both knew it was a lie, but wasuke equally knew that yuuji wouldn’t spill the truth.
They sat in silence until yuuji had to leave at dinner.
Yuuji ran to school Monday morning, already a little late. He arrived at class and quickly apologised to the teacher before slumping in his seat next to megumi.
“Hey man, good to see you again!” yuuji whispered brightly. “You feeling better?”
Megumi nodded. “I am, thanks. But imagine my shock when I came to back to school to the gossip that a certain pink-haired friend of mine is dating a certain white-haired idiot.” The black-haired male grumbled, scowl in place.
Yuuji chuckled nervously, eyes darting around and avoiding the others piercing gaze, “surprise?” he squeaked, thanking the lords when the teacher demanded their attention and prevented Megumi from chewing him out.
“Everyone” their teacher announced, “unfortunately a handful of our teachers have gone on strike for an undefined amount of time. To deal with this staff shortage some classes are having to be merged, both within years and between years. Remember to treat your senpais with proper respect.”
Murmurs broke out between students at the news, a lot of excited whispers at the chance to interact with senpais. The bell rang soon after and Megumi was quick to growl “we’re talking about this later” before stalking off to his next class.
Yuuji walked into his next class of the day humming a tune only to stop abruptly at the person sitting on the front row, back straight and posture immaculate. Geto. The pinkette began to panic, giving the long-haired male now staring at him a nervous smile before hurrying to the back of the classroom. He sunk into the seat with a groan, trying to make his figure as small as possible.
He stayed there, eyes fixed pointedly on the desk as he waited for the teacher to arrive. A chair scraped loudly next to him signalling someone had sat there. Yuuji turned to see who it was and was met once again with white hair. At this point, yuuji was about to develop ptsd to the colour white.
“Hi baby~” yuuji choked at the pet name, red staining his cheeks and ears.
Gojo smirked at the reaction and yuuji felt the urge to punch him again.
“Why are you sitting here?!” yuuji whisper yelled, leaning close so no one else would overhear.
Gojo raised a perfectly shaped white eyebrow in response, “Can I not sit here?” he replied.
Yuuji sputtered at the response, grumbling. “why didn’t you sit next to geto? Isn’t this the perfect opportunity to win him back?”
Gojo stared at yuuji like he was an idiot; how gojo managed to do that all the while never showing his eyes yuuji would never know. “Did you forget the whole reason were doing this? To make geto jealous. We’re dating now. Remember ? ”
The pinkette sighed, slumping against his arm. “I’m beginning to think you don’t know what you’re doing.” He mumbled, to which gojo replied by sticking out his tongue. Yuuji refused to admit it made him fond.
From the front of the room, black eyes were trained on their close figures.
After school yuuji was hunted down by Megumi and interrogated relentlessly.
“Okay! Okay! It’s not real! I’m helping gojo get back with geto by making him jealous.” Yuuji finally gave in, the truth spilling from his lips.
His dark-haired friend sighed, so heavy you’d think he was ready to give existing. The male pinched the bridge of his nose, muttering “I’m surrounded by idiots”.
“hey!” Yuuji made an affronted noise, “I know it's dumb, but it’s whatever. It’ll be over soon anyway.”
Megumi raised his head to stare into yuuji’s eyes, searching them for something yuuji didn’t know.
“I just don’t want you to get hurt, yuuji” he said, voice sincere.
It drew a grin from yuuji who reached out to hand to pat the others shoulder. “Thank you, for caring about me. But I’ll be fine! Gojo senpai is actually pretty fun to be around,” Yuuji assured.
“That’s what I’m worried about” Megumi whispered, lost to the wind.
A week passed and not much transgressed. Now Megumi and yuuji sat with nobara and her gang at lunch, gojo occasionally appearing. Yuuji went through classes making jokes with gojo and being teased, or bugging Megumi or arguing with nobara. One of his classes now had yuuta and yuuji quickly found they shared a lot of similar interests they geeked out on together.
On Saturday yuuji was woken up by loud incessant knocking. He had no idea who it could be and scrambled to pull on a shirt and run downstairs. He flung the door open, startling the white-haired male leant against the wall.
“Yuuji kun~” gojo hummed happily, inviting himself inside.
Yuuji watched him incredulously. “What are you doing here?” he questioned. “I was sleeping” he whined, rubbing his sleep crusted eyes with the bottom of his shirt.
“I can see that” the taller replied cheerily and with no sympathy. “But we have a mission! Geto is going to the mall today and we’re going to bump into him!”
Yuuji groaned in response but moved to go and get dressed, throwing on a hoodie and some jeans and quickly freshening up.
Gojo drove them to the mall, singing along to taylor swift songs purposefully bad and drawing giggles from yuuji the whole drive. When they arrived, gojo was quick to get out and run around to open the door for yuuji.
“Mi lady” gojo joked, bowing down teasingly and holding out his hand. Yuuji rolled his eyes fondly but played along, taking gojo’s hand and letting it pull him out of the car.
It was only then that yuuji realised how big the mall was.
“How are we going to find him in there?” he asked in horror. “do you have a plan?” he turned to gojo, hopeful.
“Nope” he replied.
“Great. I can already feel my feet hurting” he groaned.
They ended up wandering through all the shops on the first floor, messing around in clothing shops by trying to outdo each other for the most incohesive outfit. Yuuji somehow ended up with two new jumpers and a new pair of shoes thanks to gojo who had vehemently rejected any attempt to return them.
They swung by a mcdonalds for lunch when both their stomachs growled and devoured enough food for ten people.
“Ugh, I’m stuffed” yuuji groaned, nursing the impressive food baby he sported. From across the table, gojo was chomping into his fifth apple pie whilst simultaneously spooning a mcflurry into his mouth.
“How are you still going?” yuuji asked in equal parts awe and horror.
“It’s a talent” gojo shrugged.
“The arcade floor next, right?” yuuji asked, brightening up at the prospect.
“Get ready to be thrashed at Dance Dance Revolution!” he cheered.
That caught gojo’s attention, his food pursuit halted, “I’d like to see you try” he smirked.
They were currently at three wins for gojo and two for yuuji and had somehow managed to attract a small crowd with their battle.
“You’re pretty good, kid” gojo commented, “but not good enough to beat me”
Yuuji laughed, a little breathless from their dance-off. “You’re insufferable” he replied, but there was a bright sparkle in his eye and the wide grin that wouldn’t leave his lips.
They stepped down from the platforms to a small smattering of applause and cheers from the surrounding people, a few girls even reaching out to give them their numbers.
“Sorry ladies. We’re taken.” Gojo responded unapologetically, snaking an arm around yuuji’s waist and pulling him tightly against his side.
Yuuji squeaked at the sudden action, blushing profusely as the girls screamed in delight.
“You guys are so cute together!” one of them called.
They walked through the arcade, searching for more games to play.
“I can’t believe you’re good at dance dance revolution.” Yuuji exclaimed, gesticulating wildly. “You’re like perfect, is there anything you can’t do?” He groaned.
Gojo laughed, “Nope. I am the perfect being.” He stated proudly.
“Okay, well at least there’s one thing you can’t do. Humility.” Yuuji snorted, ignoring the large pout he received in response.
Yuuji’s eyes caught on a row of claw machines lined up against one of the walls and an idea formed in his mind. “what about those!” he pointed enthusiastically in their direction, “bet you can’t win one of those prizes.” Yuuji was sure of it. No one ever won at those things.
Gojo looked to where yuuji was pointing and he failed to suppress the smug smirk that slid onto his face. “Oh yeah? What do I get if I win?”
“Anything you want.” Yuuji responded confidently.
Gojo’s smirk shifted into that of an evil grin. “You’re going to regret that.”
The tall man strode over to the line of machines confidently and gestured to them all. “Which one do you want? I’ll get you any prize you like.”
Yuuji’s initial worry over what he’d signed himself up for with this bet disappeared at the prospect of getting one of the prizes. His eyes scanned all the machines and caught on one filled with plushies. The pinkette skipped over to it and observed all the different teddies inside. His eyes honed in on a fluffy white cat with sunglasses.
“I want that one” yuuji pointed at the cat, vibrating with excitement.
Gojo took a look at the cat and laughed, “as you wish.”
Yuuji watched as gojo manoeuvred the claw, body tense with anticipation.
Gojo looked to the side and laughed at the view of yuuji, lip bitten between teeth and honey eyes so intense, all for a cat plushie. For the sake of the boy, gojo was quick to pick up the cat and drop it in the hatch.
“Wow!” yuuji sparkled, “that was amazing! You have to teach me one day”
The elder tutted, reaching down to fish the cat out and present it to yuuji who immediately snuggled the plush into a hug and nuzzled its head.
Gojo could feel his heart pump a little louder.
“No can do, yuuji. How else will I impress you?”
It drew another blush to yuuji’s cheeks, something he seemed to do a lot around gojo.
Before yuuji could respond with anything, his eyes caught on a certain male over gojo’s shoulder, gaze trained on them. Yuuji could see the hurt on his face from here and yuuji knew he should say something to gojo but he didn’t, instead turning back to gojo with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Thank you. How about we go back, we’ve been in here long enough.”
As they walked away the guilt started to eat at the teen. He knew the sole reason gojo had ever even looked at him was to make geto jealous but telling gojo that geto was there would ruin the whole day for yuuji, just like at the aquarium. Nothing would be sincere anymore, and everything would be about geto. He liked being with gojo, liked what being his fake boyfriend entailed. Selfishly, he didn’t want it to end.
In the car, music played softly in the background and yuuji petted the cat plushy in his lap as they drove. Now that he thought about it, the cat truly resembled gojo.
“I’m sorry we didn’t see geto” yuuji spoke up after the guilt finally bubbled up within.
Gojo seemed to startle at that but quickly regained his composure. “It’s alright. Not your fault anyway.” The assurance only made yuuji feel worse because it was his fault.
Silence reigned for a little bit longer before yuuji spoke up again. “Why did he break up with you? From what I’ve seen, you’re a pretty good boyfriend.” Yuuji whispered, not daring to look in gojo’s direction.
Gojo inhaled sharply, “I don’t know, yuuji. I would give him gifts, take him out, compliment him and make him laugh. We planned a future together.” He trailed off.
Yuuji could hear the pain in his voice and his mind flashed back to the same pain painted on geto’s face. He knew he was falling for gojo, fast and hard like the idiot he was. But looking at these two people, so in love with each other yet hurting each other, yuuji knew they were meant to be together.
“You said it yourself, gojo senpai. You planned a future together. It will happen. I know it”
Gojo didn’t reply and yuuji turned to stare out the window, watching drops of rain start to fall as the sky turned grey.
On Monday morning yuuji woke up to a handful of texts from gojo.
Yuuji
Yuuuuujiiii
You said I could have anything I want if I won you that plushie right?
I want you to wear a blue jumper I got you, I bought it when you weren’t paying attention.
You better be wearing it yuuji!!!
A deals a deal ;)
Yuuji rifled through the bags he’d bought on Saturday and saw the light blue fabric tucked into one of them. He pulled it out and held it up to look at it. A look of mortification marred his face along with bright red as he read the contents of the shirt: the text ‘I belong to him’ and an arrow pointing to the right. Yuuji muffled his groan into the fabric.
Walking into school was an experience and as soon as nobara approached him she was cackling loudly as if people weren’t already looking in their direction. Megumi was next to her and looking at the jumper with equal parts horror and distaste. Yuuji could relate.
“Shut up nobara!” he whined, “this is so embarrassing.”
“Wrong!” she replied, “this is one of the best things to ever happen.” She laughed.
They began walking to their respective classes, none of them wanting to stand on his right side and opting to stand on his left, much to yuuji’s horror.
As they walked yuuji could hear the murmurs of people as they stared at his shirt, gossip of him and gojo more rampant than ever.
Upon reaching class yuuji was quick to run to his seat and slouch in a way that hid the text as much as possible. Unfortunately for him geto was always early to class and saw him; yuuji tried to ignore the shock and hurt in his eyes.
For once, gojo was actually on time to class and he came striding in with a jumper the same colour as yuuji’s and the text ‘he is mine’ and an arrow drawn left printed on. It was worse than yuuji could’ve imagined.
There were teasing comments thrown their way about the outfit choice that had yuuji burning and gojo grinning.
Gojo settled into his chair to the right and turned to yuuji brightly, “you actually wore it!” he exclaimed.
“Of course I did” yuuji answered, refusing to acknowledge that deep inside the whole thing was making him giddy. “I don’t go back on my word” gojo hummed in response.
Yuuji glanced to the front where geto’s figure was hunched over and drawn in. “Besides, it does a good job at making geto jealous, right?” yuuji forced a laugh.
Gojo paused at that, seemingly lost in thought. “right” he finally muttered back.
The rest of the day went by with more teasing comments and staring, gojo sat with him (on the right side) and the others for the whole of lunch and they all had a good time. It ached yuuji to think he would have to let go of it all soon.
The week passed by quickly with gojo spending more and more time with yuuji and his friends and yuuji getting more and more addicted to the warmth that now surrounded his life. Every day spent with gojo and his friends was filled with so many genuine smiles and laughs.
At the weekend, yuuji visited his grandpa again.
The old man was happy to hear as yuuji rambled about his friends, happy to hear that yuuji was no longer alone. It gave him the sense of peace he was missing from his life.
Yuuji finished up his description of all his friends and let a mellow mood take over his previous excitement.
“But jii chan, you see. There’s one thing. I’m falling for someone I can never have”
The next week saw gojo and yuuji ice skating, and the week after that at the cinema. Every ‘date’ destination inadvertently decided by geto but every date drifting further from its original purpose.
At school gojo sat with them every lunch and stuck by yuuji’s side for at least half of the day. It sparked a hope inside yuuji, that gojo might like him back someday.
Today was a Wednesday, and yuuji was walking through school with a coffee bought by gojo in hand. The halls were empty as yuuji was a little late for class. In front of him, a familiar figure rounded the corner and came into sight.
Black eyes caught on honey. Yuuji felt pinned underneath his stare, the guilt he’d managed to push down coming back full force for the fact he had something that was never his to begin with.
“Itadori” geto spoke softly “actually..could I speak to you for a minute?”
Yuuji swallowed nervously but nodded, following the elder as he walked outside to the back of the building.
They stood there side by side, the morning crisp and bright. Yuuji waited with bated breath for what words would come out of the elder's mouth, the ball of anxiety growing in his gut. That this might be the day he lost gojo.
“I know this is horrible of me” geto started, voice small and grated “but I made a huge mistake. All because my parents wanted to control my life.”
Yuuji’s breath caught in his throat. So that was why. Geto never did stop loving gojo. He had been right, and it had never hurt so much.
“I love gojo. So much. And I don’t want to go behind your back about it because you deserve better than that, but I’m going to tell him. I’m going to try and get him back or I’ll hate myself for the rest of my life.” geto let out a shaky breath, “you’re a good person yuuji, I’m sorry. But I love him.”
Yuuji’s lungs began to burn with his effort to not let out a sound. There it was again. That unconditional love, that love that would go to the ends of the earth just to be together. That same love yuuji noticed when he first met gojo. Because gojo loved geto. And geto loved gojo.
His heart was slowly constricting, aching so painfully it burned his eyes and resonated in his soul. He wasn’t ready to let go of gojo, no matter how selfish it was. He wanted to fight for him, wanted that same conviction stemmed from unconditional love for himself .
But then he remembered, all the whispers and comments over the weeks he and gojo had paraded around school in their own bubble. All the words he’d chosen to ignore were now pointed at him like knives. ‘Can you believe that gojo senpai is dating itadori? What a downgrade.’ ‘There’s no way gojo would ever date someone like itadori’
All the insecurities gojo’s teasing smile had managed to suppress came back full force, reminders of the fact he’s not good enough, he was never good enough. That he was destined to be alone; that no one would ever love him like that. Let alone someone like gojo . He was simply filling a space he was too small for, playing a game he never had a chance at.
“Give me one more day” yuuji choked out, head bowed. “Please”
The next day yuuji entered school with an extra bento in his bag and a resigned smile on his face.
“Here, gojo senpai. I made you bento” yuuji grinned, pushing the bento towards the left to wear gojo sat at the table.
In the background nobara was complaining but yuuji ignored her, instead focusing on the delighted gasp that left gojo’s lips. There was a small dusting of pink on the elder's cheeks that had yuuji’s heart singing; it only grew louder as the man dug into the box with fervour, looking as if he were in heaven.
“You remembered. ” gojo praised, giving the younger a soft smile. "You're so good to me." It simultaneously broke and mended yuuji’s heart. How cruel the world was, to give him this taste of what would never be his.
“I’m glad you feel that way, gojo senpai” yuuji whispered back, swallowing down the cry in his throat.
Yuuji walked to school slowly the day after, dragging his heels against the tarmac. He was late for sure, but not by too much. He didn’t particularly care though when what was waiting at school was inevitable heartbreak.
As he approached the school grounds yuuji’s eyes caught on two figures stood under the big tree. Upon getting closer, yuuji could make out long black locks and tufts of white behind them. His heart stuttered, all the air leaving his lungs as geto leaned forwards, catching gojo’s lips in a heartfelt kiss. It broke him even more to see gojo return the declaration of love, lips moving in tandem as the wind blew gently.
Yuuji slapped a hand over his mouth just before any sobs could spill out, forcing them silent as tears streamed down his face and burning salt filled his lungs. Slowly, the teen took in deep shaky breaths, trying to soothe the ache inside. Looking up, he made eye contact just as gojo looked in his direction and despite the glasses, yuuji knew that he’d been seen. He was quick to paint on a smile and hoped its wobbliness wasn’t visible from there. He raised a hand and gave the elder a quick thumbs up before turning and walking as fast as possible into the building. He didn’t let any more tears fall.
Yuuji skipped the class he had with gojo, instead choosing to hide in the bathroom. Ten minutes in and he was joined by Megumi who proceeded to show him his favourite dog videos on youtube. It reignited some of the warmth yuuji was afraid he’d lost.
Somehow, the whole day yuuji managed to avoid gojo and he went through school numb and unaware of what was happening around him.
Now, it was the end of the day and yuuji was walking out of the gate late as to avoid a certain white-haired male.
“Yuuji! Wait, please” a voice called from behind.
Yuuji faltered but didn’t stop, keeping his head down and ignoring the burning in his throat.
“Yuuji, please” gojo begged, voice cracking.
It made yuuji halt, the raw emotion in the man’s voice. He turned and faced the man who sighed in relief. Gojo stepped closer and yuuji froze in place, helpless as the man reached out to caress his cheek and wipe away a stray tear.
“Don’t do this, gojo.” Yuuji whispered, voice breaking. “Don’t lose him for a second time for a guy like me.”
“No no no” gojo chanted, shaking his head adamantly but yuuji ploughed on.
“You don’t love me, you love him. You’d do anything for him, remember? It’s okay , gojo. It’s on me, for getting wrapped up in stupid delusions.” Yuuji sniffled, pulling away from gojo’s grip but it tightened, keeping yuuji in place.
Gojo reached up one hand to remove his glasses and yuuji gasped at the sight of cerulean eyes boring into him, clear and alight with emotion, burning him from the inside out. “I need you to know that I mean this yuuji. After the aquarium, every time I was with you I was only thinking about you. Eventually, even when I wasn’t you filled my mind.”
He took in a deep breath, the air hitting yuuji’s own lips. “I can’t say I’m completely over him right now, but I know that in my future I see you now. I see your pink hair and your bright laugh, your sparkling eyes and pink lips.”
Yuuji drew in a shaky breath, drowning in the affection swimming in gojo’s eyes. His heartbeat was thrumming loudly in his ears, heart taught with hope.
“Promise?” Yuuji uttered breathlessly.
“Promise” Gojo repeated, lips brushing against his in a sweet kiss.