Archive of Our Own ^beta

The last thing Nanami expected to reach when he became an adult as a jujutsu sorcerer was retiring. He knew from experience being a sorcerer was like being a soldier sent out to war. You were almost certain to die while fighting for what you believed was right.

And here he was, lounging on his couch in his dimly lit house, surrounded by the crashing waves of the ocean, as his eyes slowly drifted across the words of a book he bought long ago during his line of work. He had long forgotten when or where he had gotten it, but he was sure it was the description on that back and its title that made him buy it.

The 3:7 sorcerer felt almost guilty retiring to the countryside, where little curses were to cause trouble, just as the students he accompanied and partly mentored were beginning their first moments as graduated sorcerers in the jujutsu society.  He Almost felt guilty.

They were durable kids, he thought. They fought and survived the worst of the worst and came out stronger than before. He was -  is -  proud of them. He watched them grow from young kids who looked up at him and Gojo with doe eyes of respect and admiration. Now, they look down at them with stern eyes radiating confidence. He could never be more proud.

"Nanamin!" A familiar voice cleaved its way through his mind for attention. Bountiful, iridescent sparkling blue eyes were the first aspect of Gojo Nanami's saw. Pristine snow-white hair dangled across his face as he practically bounced towards the retired sorcerer with a bag in hand. A growing smile that rivalled the sun's brilliance came into view the closer he got.

"Can I join?" 

Nanami was surprised by Gojo's sudden question: He expected Satoru Gojo to retire eventually, settling down into a place of obscurity away from danger, only making appearances when he must, especially after all that had happened. But Nanami never expected him to follow the 7:3 sorcerer somewhere far from what was considered familiar and homely.

 Gojo beamed brightly, holding the bag like a shining trophy, proud and swooned by the accomplishment, undoubtedly acquired from one of the local bakeries, which Gojo had scurried and hunted down like a detection dog on a trail. As he paraded his purchased goods to his love, Gojo's smile radiated brightly, like a child who earned a new toy.

“Tanaka said she tried some new recipes this week and offered some for free for us to try!” Gojo proclaimed with his usual excited smile. Tanaka was the young lady running the bakery near them, a family-owned shop. When they first met, she welcomed them with a smile as sweet as sugar and as welcoming as a hug. Nanami saw a resemblance of Miwa in her: cheerful, helpful, kind and looking to help anyone in need.

Over time, the two had developed a close relationship with Tanaka due to Gojo’s frequent visits to suit his sweet tooth and constant urge to ensure her safety.

“There are little cursed spirits here, Satoru. She will be okay,” Nanami reassured his boyfriend with a gentle squeeze of his hand, both heading home after a quick visit to Tanaka. Gojo never confessed it, but he was worried for the young women: Spending years as a teacher at Jujutsu Tech, watching over his students with a parental gaze and worrying over their safety had left its mark deep within.

Nanami shifted himself to the corner when he felt the couch shift to accommodate the weight of a new occupant.

“It feels strange not going on missions as much now, wouldn’t you agree, Kento?”

“Can’t say I can.”

Gojo had always been the sorcerer sent to deal with more tedious and difficult missions compared to the others, his fame as the strongest being the sole reason. Since retiring, the higher-ups had to seek out other sorcerers to take on jobs that usually were sent to Gojo unless it was an absolute emergency.

Nanami could count how many curses the two had encountered on his hand. Most being so weak, a notice to either Fushiguro or Maki to send out one of their students to deal with them would suffice.

“It’s not worth the trouble to bother them,” Nanami said each time he took one out. Gojo looked on in disappointment, seeing the wasted potential for his former students to use to teach the next generation.

 Gojo stretched himself across the couch, resting his head on Kento’s shoulder as he did so. One hand gliding to Nanami’s and taking it into his own. His iridescent blue eyes looked up at Nanami, full of love and joy.

“I suppose we could drop by Jujustsu tech and lend a hand if needed.”

“And have the higher-ups get on my ass again for suddenly retiring without any proper heads up!? No thanks!” Gojo exclaimed, almost accidentally throwing himself off the couch as he did so. “But… I could see how the kids were doing. Itadori has been saying everything has gotten a little stressful with missions piled onto them and students to teach.”

“A little visit won't be so bad, yes?” Nanami questioned.

“I suppose so,” Gojo mumbled, “Hey, Kento, I’ve been thinking about a holiday to Thailand. What do you think?”

It was a sudden question. Nanami raised an eyebrow at Gojo and cautiously asked, “It would be nice, but why?”

“We have the time and money! And I would like us to do something together. I missed you when you went to Malaysia.” Nanami brushed a thumb across Gojo’s hand. The memory of Malaysia came to mind. He thought of it on a whim and ran with it. He handed in his holiday notice just days before his designated flight, leaving everyone confused at the suddenness of it all.

Nanami pondered on it momentarily and quickly concluded after seeing Gojo’s pleading blue eyes.

“Alright, but after a brief visit to Jujutsu tech to see the kids,” Nanami negotiated, and Gojo nodded happily in agreement. With Gojo next to him, Nanami pondered what his life would be like if Gojo sent him on his way rather than join him if they never found love in one another's company. He would never know. And will never change what he has for anything else. Because while it is temporary, it's all perfect. He just hoped that it remained that way for a little while. After all, he knew from experience it wouldn’t last.

“I’m afraid to lose you,” Nanami confessed, unsure how to proceed with Gojo’s confession, “After Haibara and Geto…”

“I'm scared also”, Gojo confessed, taking Nanami's hand. “But, you make me feel less afraid, and I know we can work through this together. If that is what you want.”

Nanami was hesitant, but he chose to embrace him - love him.

With Gojo now in his arms, Nanami came to another conclusion, “No matter how long it lasts, choosing you was always worth it.”