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Itadori and Gojo stay curled up together, Itadori's head buried into the crook of Gojo's neck while the man hugged him tightly.
What...do we do now? Itadori asks, testing out their new bond. It was strange to find something more than just a wall of static. Instead he finds Gojo's mess of a mind and loves it.
We...can't tell anyone about us.
Itadori freezes at the words, hands curling into the front of Gojo's shirt.
What?
And the emotions start swirling again because is Gojo trying to push him away again? Was it all just a lie?
No no no, it's not what you think. Gojo pulls him tighter even as Itadori struggled. As my soulmate, you'll be targeted even more. People will use you to get to me, and I would comply. I can't lose you again, Yuuji.
Itadori deflates a little, the logic dulling his anger slightly. He was still weak. This is a fact.
It won't matter much for now, since only two other people know you still live. We can still be together, just not much in public, just in case a Cursed Spirit sees. Gojo's hand lifts from Itadori's back and soon the boy's head is tilted upwards to look at the man.
Diamond blue eyes meet honey brown ones and Itadori stares for a moment, transfixed.
Your eyes are pretty. Itadori sends before he can think and Gojo smirks.
I think yours are pretty, too. Gojo says softly and Itadori smiles a little.
It's not better, not really, not when so much of Itadori's life was shaped around the wall of static that was Gojo. But the man didn't know, so Itadori was going to try.
He ducks his head, tucking it back under Gojo's chin.
We should go back to training...but we can stay the night like this, if you want.
Can we?
If you want.
Itadori hesitates, turning the words over.
No. I need to train. But...can we do this tomorrow, maybe?
Gojo's hand snakes into pink curls.
Of course. Anything.
With that Gojo wraps his arms around Itadori's waist and lifts him up, earning a yelp from the boy. The next moment they're in the training room again, Itadori being shifted onto one arm while Gojo picked up the grumpy bear and handed it to him.
Keep watching movies, okay? I need to go for now.
Gojo sets him on the couch, putting on a movie and hesitates, staring at Itadori.
"Is something wrong?" The boy asks aloud. Gojo tugs on his blindfold before leaning forward and pressing a quick kiss to Itadori's forehead.
"Goodbye." Gojo mutters, fondly, then disappeared. Itadori freezes, face slowly reddening until the bear suddenly punched him.
"Stupid bear!" Itadori shouts, smacking the toy but injecting Cursed Energy into it again.
Try not to think about me too much. Gojo's voice brushes his mind before disappearing again. They were both used enough to the static or silence that they could retreat into their own corners, it seemed.
Itadori lets it be for now, baby steps, after all.
Oi, brat. Itadori jumps as Sukuna speaks, gruff. "What is it now?" He complains, irritated.
So that man is your soulmate, huh. Interesting. Itadori pauses at the words, nervousness creeping up his throat.
"Shut up. Where were you, anyway?" Itadori hisses, clutching the bear toy. Sukana remained silent for a moment.
I couldn't speak. When you reformed the bond, I was pushed aside. Soulmates are only two souls connected even if there's an extra one in the body. We're different, anyway, you talk aloud to speak to me.
Itadori considers the information, tucking it away. Was his soulmate bond stronger than the current Sukana, at least? This could be useful.
I couldn't hear anything, either. Glad for that, means I don't have to deal with your sappy nonsense. Don't get too happy during your talks and we'll be fine.
Sukuna continues and Itadori rolls his eyes, turning back to the movie. He needs to do his training and become strong enough for his friends. In hopes of one day being strong enough to walk around with Gojo like it was nothing.