Chapter Text
“Do you consider yourself to be some sort of heartbreaker, Nanami?” Satoru Gojo asks cheerfully out of the blue when walking back from a mission with Kento Nanami to Jujutsu Tech.
Nanami sighs, the silence between them coming to an end. "What are you on about this time?”
“You know, do you like toying with the feelings of people you have an interest in sleeping with?" Gojo asks, knowing the answer to be 100% no.
“Why does this feel like you’re projecting?” Nanami answers plainly, while also pinching the bridge of his nose with his index finger and thumb.
“Nanami!" Gojo smiles to try to hide the fact that Nanami hit a certain nerve. "We are not talking about me, we are talking about you here.”
“If you have some morbid and twisted interest in my love life, I suggest you watch paint dry instead." Nanami crosses his arms and continues walking the path.
“So, nothing?” Gojo says after a brief pause.
Nanami sighs once more. “Absolutely nothing.”
Gojo smirks and says your name, to which Nanami stops dead in his tracks, annoyed that Gojo had the gaul to try to talk about you of all things.
“You know what I mean don’t you?” Gojo also stops walking and turns back to look at Nanami, amused by his reaction. “I see the way you look at her, it almost makes me envious.”
Nanami didn't appreciate the teasing tone of his so-called superior. He looks away from the path ahead to focus on the sky above instead. “I’ve been aware you spy on me and her. Although, come to think of it, I find it hard to believe that to be a complete accident. It’s rather unsettling knowing you’re hovering.”
“How is it unsettling? I'm just watching,” Gojo says cheerfully, digging his hands in his pockets.
"Maybe unsettling wasn't the right word," Nanami contemplates.
Gojo continues. “It’s funny seeing you interact in such a way that makes me root for you. It’s like watching a movie: cheering for the underdog to get the love interest! But, ultimately, you know they are both doomed. I mean, things could end badly. Do you want to be a heartbreaker Nanami?”
Nanami sighs again, letting Gojo’s words sink in for a few eternal moments.
Yes, Nanami wants love. Marriage even feels like a possibility, but never if he stays a Jujutsu Sorcerer.
“Gojo, your concern is noted, but nothing will ever make me feel more doomed than talking to you," Nanami replies.
“Hey! I didn’t mean to get all gloomy for you to answer me that way,” Gojo pouts. Gojo continues walking and Nanami follows.
“No, of course not,” Nanami breathes. “You’re telling me something I already know. For what reason? I have a few hunches, but I’ll leave that to your imagination.”
“You're such a tease, Nanami,” Gojo playfully sings. “Why continue torturing yourself when you won’t even make a move? Even though you really, really want to?”
Nanami looks straight at the back of Gojo's head. “Do I really need to answer that Gojo?”
“Nah, I guess not,” Gojo flippantly waves his hand. “I have a few hunches as to why you might be holding out, but I’ll just keep those thoughts to myself.”
Gojo wonders why you keep your own feelings to yourself. He could only imagine it's probably the same reason Nanami is holding back.
“Good. You better," Nanami says.
Nanami clears his head, forgetting Gojo was even there, and he lets his mind wander to the image of your smiling face. He lets the sound of footsteps muddle with the rest of the sounds of nature around him. They were getting close to headquarters.
Hopefully you were there. He wanted to ask you to go to lunch with him.
Gojo, on the other hand, weighs the pros and cons of you and Nanami dating.
Cons, according to Gojo: there were none. Except maybe for the fact that if one of you does die, or if you both die, Gojo would carry some anger in him. So he was going to do everything he could in his infinite power to stay out of it so as to not be attached to what could be a wholesome union. However, Gojo has already failed in that endeavor just by being too observant. Sure, he wasn't meddling, but he was more invested in the dilema than he thought he was originally.
Pros: there were none. Except maybe you and Nanami would be able to find some happiness in your curse filled world. Sharing the burden of being Jujutsu Sorcerors, well, who wouldn't want that? Gojo liked that possibility for you two immensly.
But as much as Gojo likes to be on the side of optimism, and being able to change the course of the future, the possibilities for that kind love still seem bleak.
Gojo decides to say something to Nanami, after thinking it over. "You're just scared of also getting heartbroken I imagine."
Nanami didn't sigh. "I thought you would keep your thoughts to yourself."
Gojo smiles. "I changed my mind."
"Unbelievable."
"Believe this, Nanami! Fear is something one often refuses to acknowledge for the sake of having peace, but fear shouldn't be holding you back from the things you want to do, right? That seems like common knowledge. Fear can be disposed of."
Nanami doesn't think about Gojo's words too much this time, but he does remain thinking of you.
"Why not be with the one person that brings you happiness?" Gojo asks.
"I'll explain this once. I have no interest in having someone be worried sick about me."
"Oh, I see!"
"And if that wasn't clear enough before, I'm sure she wouldn't want someone to lose their mind worrying about her either."
"Ah, c'mon Nanami. Don't act as if that isn't what you both already do! She's a strong and capable sorcerer. You are too! I'm sure there's a way to make it work."
"Why are you prying?"
"To be honest, the anticipation is killing me. I want to know what happens."
"But, whatever happens has nothing to do with you."
Gojo pouts. "But I need to see this through."
"Gojo," Nanami wasn't one to get baffled easily, well not if it was Gojo coming to rack his brain. The more Nanami thought about it, the more he felt a little bad for Gojo. "Are you trying… to live through me?"
Gojo's laugh startles Nanami. "What have you been drinking Nanami?"
"I'm half kidding," Nanami answers. "But also not."
Gojo's laughs turn to giggles.
"Do you have an interest in her?" Nanami asks, his voice steady. Why was he blurting this out?
Gojo smiles at Nanami. "No, Nanami. I promise."
That reassures Nanami. He does trust Gojo, no matter how annoying he is.
Gojo falls back behind to meet Nanami's pace and walks side by side with him. He places a firm hand on Nanami's shoulder. "I can tell she only has sights for you."
Nanami already knew this, but that confirmation from a third party was even more so reassuring, even if that person was Gojo.
"Live how you want, Nanami." Gojo stuffs his hands in his pockets again and starts whistling.
Nanami folds his arms across his chest. "Is that a warning?"
"No, just advice," Gojo whispers.
Nanami doesn't respond, but his silence speaks volumes.
Nanami smiles after a while. "That's awful advice."
Gojo laughs. "Of course it is."
Nanami doesn't respond, but does look at Gojo, who is facing straight ahead, almost as he is in deep thought.
"Eh, I dunno. Women are scary. I'm surprised she hasn't tried wringing your neck for not asking her out on a date." Gojo laughs to himself at the mental image.
Nanami rolls his eyes. "Are you saying that from experience?"
"Well, that's a story for a different time," Gojo explains. "The short answer is not quite."
Nanami shakes his head, picturing some woman doing her best to strangle Gojo.
Gojo and Nanami finally make it to headquarters and you greet them with presence at the gates.
"Welcome back!" this was meant for both the tall men, but Gojo smiles knowing you're looking straight at Nanami.
Nanami feels at peace knowing you're safe, he also notices the relief in your eyes when you see him.
Gojo looks between you and Nanami while you two talk blissfully amongst yourselves. He definitely needs to do something about the situation because, obviously, without some intervention, you and Nanami were going to be stuck in this deadlock forever.