Chapter Text
If Suguru had to describe what it felt like to meet Gojo Satoru in one word, it would be exhausting.
It’s the first day at Jujutsu Tech, and honestly, he was already shitting bricks. Despite having a powerful cursed technique, he comes from a family of non-shamans, he lacked the experience and refinery that children born from sorcerer families had. He knew that he was at a disadvantage, but his desire to save those who are unable to defend themselves made him push through and attend Jujutsu Tech, in order to hone his technique and be able to help as many unfortunate souls as he could.
So walking through the doors of Jujutsu Tech, he was optimistic, determined.
He knew that there were two other students that were going to be in his year. Shoko Ieri; he hasn’t heard much about her except for the fact that she can use the reverse cursed technique which is even more impressive at their age.
And the other is Gojo Satoru.
Suguru wasn’t planning on standing out in the school, and with Gojo Satoru in the same year as him, it’s almost guaranteed that he will be as significant as a fly on the wall. He doesn’t mind, but he can’t help but feel apprehension at the thought of meeting him. He’s heard the rumors, the first member of the Gojo clan in 400 years who has inherited the six eyes, as well as limitless. He’s heard how he’s loud and arrogant, head filled with praises of him being the strongest. He only respects those he deems on par with him, meaning he respects no one. Suguru doesn’t think he’s prepared for a headache like that.
He walks into the classroom, fully intent on avoiding Gojo Satoru at all costs.
“Yo.”
Gojo Satoru beckons him over, where he sits on a desk where a girl, presumably Shoko Ieiri, leans on a desk next to him smoking a cigarette.
Well, there goes that plan.
He walks towards the lion’s den, fully ready for the worst experience of his life.
Gojo has a lollipop in his mouth. He doesn't even take it out to speak, letting it swirl around his mouth as he speaks to Suguru.
“You must be Suguru. This is Shoko. We were taking bets on what our missions are gonna be.”
“I can’t help but notice you didn’t introduce yourself.” Cocky shit.
Gojo smiles as if he said something funny, and maybe Suguru did.
“Was I supposed to?”
With Gojo’s tone, it could be seen as a genuine question, if not for the amused glint in his eyes and smirk. Suguru chose to ignore his question.
“What aspects of our mission are you trying to predict?”
Shoko pipes up. “What grade curses we’ll be assigned if we would partner up with anyone, stuff like that.”
Suguru glances at her in appreciation for helping him steer the conversation. She meets his eyes and offers him a cigarette from a box that seems to appear out of nowhere, which he politely declines.
“So what have your predictions been so far?”
“Well, Shoko over here is lame, saying she’ll be satisfied with a grade 3 curse.”
“Honestly, I’m just going to drop out and go to med school if they give me anything above grade 2.”
“Ha. As if med school is any easier.”
“It is if you’re not a dumbass. Or you cheat.”
“Well, if they give me anything below grade 1, I’m simply walking out.”
Suguru fought the urge to roll his eyes. It’s hard to call Satoru out on his arrogance when it’s justified. It’s a waste of talent and time to assign Gojo to a lower level curse, even if he’s just enrolled into the school. But, that doesn’t mean he can’t get annoyed by that fact.
“What about you?”
Gojo’s voice brings him out of his thoughts.
“Hm?”
“What kind of curse do you think you’re gonna get?”
Suguru breathes. He thinks it might be a test by Gojo, to see if he’s worthy of his time. Well if so, he doesn’t want to play.
“Does it matter? I’ll kill whatever they give me and save everyone who I can.”
Suguru genuinely doesn’t care about making his mark on the jujutsu world or making a lot of money. He just wants to protect those who can’t protect themselves.
“Oh yeah?”
Gojo hops off of the table and leans into Suguru’s personal space. The lollipop stick is millimeters away from Suguru’s chin. Gojo takes the candy out of his mouth this time, looking at Suguru while he speaks. Suguru can see a hint of blue behind that dark shades, and it’s paralyzing.
“And what about a partner, hm?”
Before he can respond, someone opens the door. It’s a tall, unassuming man. He doesn’t even look at the children when they walk in, just places a piece of paper on the front desk and walks out. The students glance at each other for a moment before excitedly scrambling towards the mission assignment list.
Shoko grabs it before either of them, given that Gojo had to take a second to push Suguru to the side before going for the paper. She looks at them triumphantly before reading off the list.
“Shoko Ieiri: Must exorcise a third grade located in Itabishi. Contact the injured sorcerer, recovering in NHO Saitama National Hospital for more details. God, why couldn’t they let me just heal this guy and be done with it.”
“Ahem.”
“Oh, right.”
Shoko looks at the paper, and Suguru doesn’t like the way she glances between the two of them, amusement in her eyes.
“Gojo Satoru and Geto Suguru: tasked with defeating a first grade located around the Utsunomiya Castle.”
Together. He and Gojo would be working together. He looked towards the man the gauge his reaction, only to be met with a scowl as he made a ‘tsk’ and walked out the classroom.
Ah. This is going to be a long mission.
* * *
The trip to Utsunomiya was pretty uneventful, with Gojo seemingly over his hissy-fit. They managed to make casual conversation, albeit there were moments like these where Gojo would say something arrogant and Suguru had to hold his tongue.
“You know, they probably gave me a second grade because my family pulled some strings. I mean, me and you are already registered as special grade sorcerers so what’s the point in putting us together, for a first grade of all things."
“Well, even though we have impressive techniques, we’ve yet to be on the field-”
“Are you doubting me?”
Even with the dark sunglasses, Suguru can feel the piercing gaze on him.
“No. Even if you’re strong, it’s good to have someone to rely on.”
Gojo scoffs. “And what would I need you for?”
Suguru knows Gojo’s anger isn’t really directed at him, but the comment cuts all the same. He meets Gojo’s gaze.
“Whatever you need me for, Gojo.”
Gojo opens his mouth at that but then shuts it. They don’t speak for the rest of the journey.
* * *
They arrive at the motel late in the evening, and they agree to rest before visiting the castle at night when it’s less likely that tourists would be there. Suguru enters the room and drops his bags.
“What. The. Fuck.”
Gojo peers over his shoulder.
“What?”
He walks into the room scanning his surroundings, looking at the walls and under the bed.
“What is it? I mean the room is pretty nice and spacious. You didn’t see a rat, did you? Because-”
Suguru points at the center of the room. Gojo follows his gaze.
“There’s only one bed.”
Gojo tries and fails to hide his grin as he flops onto the bed.
“Yeah I booked for us and this was the only room left.”
Suguru knew he was lying. He saw the wide arrange of keys that the receptionist had behind them. But he saw from Gojo’s shit-eating grin that he wanted Suguru to call him out on it. So instead he just replied:
“Fine. I’ll take the couch.”
“W-wait what?”
Gojo scrambles into an upright position while looking at Suguru with genuine shock. Suguru fights the urge to roll his eyes.
“Listen, I’m sure you wanted to fight me on this, but I’m way too tired. Plus, you booked the room so you keep the bed.”
“But that’s not-”
Gojo suddenly changed his expression, laying on the bed chest down, his back arched suggestively.
“What’s wrong Suguru? Afraid that I’ll defile you while you sleep? Or are you scared that you’ll succumb to temptation?”
Suguru just snorts and buries his face in the couch, hoping his blush isn’t visible.
* * *
It’s around 1 am when they arrive at the castle. Cursed energy seems to ooze out of every part of the castle. It’s seemingly deserted, however, and Suguru beckons Gojo to follow him.
“C’mon. It’s probably inside since there are a lot of places to hide.”
“Nope.”
Suguru turns to Gojo already feeling a headache coming on when he sees Gojo taking selfies outside the castle.
“Are you serious right now?”
“Very. I mean, when am I going to have the opportunity again? And the moonlight really brings out my eyes, don’t ou think?”
Suguru snaps and grabs Gojo by his shoulders.
“Can’t you take this seriously? I know that a curse of this level is no big deal for you, but we need to catch this thing as soon as possible, so people don’t get hurt.”
“I’m not following you inside.”
“And why not?”
Gojo grins, and points to the side of the hill the castle sits upon.
“Because the curse is over there.”
Suguru is contemplating whether or not to punch him when suddenly Gojo stops smiling. He breaks through Suguru’s hold easily and runs towards where he was pointing. Suguru had no choice but to run after him.
“Are you finally taking this seriously now?”
“There are humans near the curse. Two teenagers.”
Suguru cursed under his breath as he ran faster.
“Don’t worry Suguru. We’ve got this.”
Suguru nodded and huffed, not even processing that Gojo has used his first name. They look at each other, a plan already forming.
“On three?”
“Of course.”
“One.”
“Two.”
“THREE.”
They both sprint in opposite directions, Gojo towards the curse, and Suguru towards the two civilians. They were cowering, too scared to run away from the curse as it headed towards them. They couldn’t be older than 16. Suguru ran in front of them, protecting them from the curse.
“Don’t worry. We’ve got this.”
Gojo looked like he was having fun. He was so fast Suguru could hardly keep track of him, moving this way and that, insulting the curse before he strikes it.
“Hey ugly. Pay attention.”
Gojo’s punch knocked the curse off of his feet, right into the direction of Suguru and the teenagers. Suguru sighed. I suppose he actually has to put some work in after all. He summons a swarm of curses that attack redirecting the target back towards Gojo. Gojo moves to finish it off but Suguru calls out to him.
“I’ve got it.”
Gojo immediately puts his arms down and Suguru ignores the warm feeling he gets from knowing Gojo trusts his abilities. He unsheaths his cursed weapon; a gladius and runs at the curse. He leaps and thrusts the blade through the curse's eye, then brings it down effectively cutting the curse in half. The curse falls to the floor, and Suguru reaches towards it and watches its essence form into a large black orb.
“Woah, is that the curse?”
Suguru hums in agreement as Gojo bounces around him, full of excitement.
“You’re gonna swallow that whole? What do they taste like? It kind of looks like coffee jelly-”
Suguru huffs out a laugh.
“I assure you, it tastes nothing like coffee jelly. Now shut up and go check on the civilians.”
Gojo pouts, then salutes Suguruas he walks towards the two boys, cuddling each other and crying.
“Yes sir!”
Suguru closes his eyes, then opens his mouth and swallows. He suppresses a gag desperately trying to force the curse down his throat. Yeah, this is nothing like coffee jelly.
Gojo claps him on the shoulder, and when he looks at him, his vision is spotty.
“The two were on a date, could you believe it. I would say they are on the verge of a breakup but it seems like near-death experiences bring couples together. Since they’re uninjured can we go- hey, are you feeling okay? Yo don’t look good.”
Suguru opens his mouth to respond to Gojo that he’s fine, but he passes out.
* * *
When Suguru wakes up, he’s on a bed. He squints at the light attacking his eyes and sees the sun just rising through the blinds. He turns over just to be met with Gojo’s sleeping body.
It takes all his strength not to yelp in surprise. He holds his breath as to not disturb him, and just looks at Gojo. He thought he was hot before, even with that cocky smile, but like this, relaxed and defenseless and slightly curled in on himself, he was beautiful.
He saw how the light seemed to reflect off his hair, and almost wanted Gojo to open his eyes, to see if they shined more than the morning sunrise. Unconsciously, he lifts his hand to brush through his hair and he freezes. What if his six eyes sensed him, what if he opens his eyes, only to be disgusted at the affection and longing in which Suguru looks at him. Suddenly Gojo stirs, and Suguru hops out of the bed silently, and lays down on the couch, facing away from Gojo.
His heart hammers in his chest. Does he know? Did he feel his hands, a fraction away from caressing his locks? Did he like it? Or did he think he was some pathetic pining loser?
Suguru is so consumed in his thoughts that he doesn’t register Gojo on the bed, who reaches towards where he had laid, then pulls back into himself, feeling so much colder than before.