Work Text:
In Tokyo, what are you up to?
Utahime sent the text and pulled her jacket around her tighter. The crisp air sent a chill down her spine. Her legs were only covered in a pair of sheer black tights that did nothing to protect her from the wind. The neon sign of the restaurant she was standing in front of cast a glow across her face. Tons of people hurried past her and yet, Utahime was more alone than ever.
Tears pricked her eyes, threatening to spill over. It had been years since she had received her scar and she had long come to peace with it. What she still couldn’t get used to was other people's reactions to it. The man she came to this restaurant with knew she had a scar, he had seen it in her pictures on the dating app. Maybe it was larger than he thought it was but he was clearly very put off by it to the point where he made several comments before excusing himself and never returning.
She was debating going to Shoko’s apartment without waiting for her response but Shoko’s schedule was all over the place. Utahime didn’t want to go all that way just to have to turn back. As if her thoughts summoned a text back, her phone buzzed in her hand.
Shoko Ieri: I’m home, what’s up?
Utahime Iori: I’m coming over
Shoko Ieri: Ok but Gojo is here
Utahime huffed when she read the text. Shoko was as close to Gojo as she was with Utahime. A fact that Utahime had to silently suffer with. She was hoping Shoko was alone so that she could vent about her date. Utahime bit her lip while staring at the screen, thinking about what she was going to do.
Fuck it.
Utahime Iori: That’s fine, be there soon
Her date had irritated her so much that she couldn’t stand the thought of being by herself anymore. She trusted Shoko to keep Gojo at bay if need be. Utahime raised her hand and waved down a taxi. The smell of fresh leather stung her nose as she slid into the backseat.
Utahime leaned against the cool window and watched the bustling nightlife go by. The ride to Shoko’s was thankfully short. When the taxi pulled up to the apartment building, Utahime paid and thanked the driver. Her heels clicked against the pavement as she got out.
Shoko’s apartment didn’t have an elevator, a fact that Utahime was cursing as she climbed the stairs in her shoes that weren’t suited for much walking. When she reached the door, Utahime checked her makeup in her phone camera to make sure none of her mascara smeared. Shoko answered seconds after she knocked.
Utahime must have looked as miserable as she felt because Shoko’s smile slipped when she took in Utahime’s appearance. Her throat felt tight as she held back more tears that threatened to surface, remembering that Gojo was nearby. She couldn’t stand the idea of him seeing her cry.
Shoko reached out and captured Utahime in a tight hug. Utahime’s arms wrapped around her and she rested her head against the other woman’s shoulder. They stood in the doorway for a few beats before Shoko pulled back and brushed Utahime’s bangs out of her eyes.
“Bad night?” she asked, already knowing the answer.
Utahime simply nodded, not trusting her voice to not betray her hurt. Shoko helped Utahime slip off her jacket and hung it on the coat rack next to what she assumed was Gojo’s long jacket. Utahime kicked her shoes off and they thumped against the floor. Her feet ached from standing in her heels for so long.
In the living room, on the sectional couch, Satoru Gojo was sprawled out lazily. He wore his sunglasses and a baggy t-shirt and sweats. Utahime noticed Shoko was also dressed comfortably with her own pair of sweatpants. In her date night attire, Utahime felt even more out of place.
Gojo let his sunglasses slip down the bridge of his nose and he peered at her over the top of the frames with his piercing blue eyes. He grinned when he saw her and Utahime braced herself for the onslaught of stupid comments.
“You look nice,” he remarked.
“Glad someone thinks so,” she grumbled and walked over to the couch. She sat as far away from Gojo as the couch allowed.
“You like when I compliment you?” Gojo’s tone was teasing and Utahime tensed.
“Gojo, don’t start. She’s had a bad night,” Shoko scolded him.
Gojo held his hands up in surrender and refrained from making more comments. Utahime caught his eyes trailing along the length of her tight clad legs before pushing the sunglasses back up. She crossed her ankles and pulled the skirt of her dress down to cover herself more.
Utahime eyed the coffee table, which was covered in take out containers and several cans. The beer cans from Shoko and the soda ones from Gojo. Shoko grabbed a few more cans from the fridge before settling down on the couch in between Utahime and Gojo. She handed Utahime a can of beer which Utahime accepted immediately. The aluminum was cold against her skin. She cracked the can open with a hiss as the carbonation escaped and took a sip. The liquid washed through her with warmth.
“Do you want to talk about it?” Shoko asked. She shot a warning look at Gojo before continuing. “Gojo won’t say anything mean.”
“Oh it’s the same old shit.” Utahime took another gulp of her beer. “Another idiot thought my scar was off putting and ditched me.”
Utahime tried to maintain an air of uncaring but her voice sounded unsteady to her own ears. Gojo scoffed and Utahime’s head snapped to look at him. She couldn’t tell if he was displeased with the news or if he was making fun of her. He looked serious but didn’t make any comments.
“I’m sorry,” Shoko said. “You’re gorgeous and they’re missing out.”
Utahime nodded, not having anything else to say about it. There wasn’t anything else to say. An asshole was too shallow to look past her scar. Utahime knew she was pretty and that she shouldn’t let one jerk have so much control over her emotions. It was hard when dating was so unsuccessful for her.
Shoko didn’t push her to say more. Instead the three of them resumed watching the movie that was already playing when Utahime arrived. Shoko and Gojo finished up their food. Utahime declined sharing it with them when Shoko offered. Instead, she chose to down two cans of beer, deciding the calories from those counted as dinner.
The two beers with no dinner made Utahime’s head swim a little. Shoko announced she was going to bed and offered Utahime some clothes to borrow. Utahime was thankful that her friend assumed she was sleeping over so she didn’t have to ask.
“You can either share my bed or sleep on the couch with Gojo,” Shoko said. Utahime raised an eyebrow.
“You’re staying over?” she asked pointedly at Gojo, making no attempt to hide her displeasure. Her tone made Gojo smirk.
“Of course, I love a sleepover.” Gojo snatched up some blankets and a pillow and made himself comfortable.
Utahime debated with herself for a moment. On one hand, Shoko was a notoriously bad snorer. To the point where it was impossible for Utahime to fall asleep. On the other hand, sharing a sleeping space with Gojo sounded like a punishment.
The couch was large though. An L shaped sectional that was long enough two people could easily sleep on without getting in each other’s space. That much was evident with Gojo already laying down, there was plenty of room for her.
“The couch is fine,” Utahime said, ignoring the ever growing smirk on Gojo’s face.
Shoko grabbed more blankets and a pillow for her. Utahime settled down on the opposite end of the couch, her feet pointed towards where Gojo’s head lay.
The lights were turned off and Shoko left the two of them alone, closing her bedroom door. Utahime shifted, trying to get comfortable. Her face against the soft pillow, her eyes began to drift shut.
“Utahime,” Gojo whispered. A flash of annoyance rose up in her.
“What?” Utahime whispered back, though it was louder than a whisper should be.
“I can’t sleep.”
“I can, goodnight.” Utahime shut her eyes tightly again.
“Do guys really hate your scar?”
Utahime pressed her face into the pillow more. She didn’t want to talk about it. Especially not with Gojo, of all people. Something compelled her to answer him anyway.
“Yeah,” she answered after a few beats, her voice muffled by the pillow.
“They’re stupid. I think it’s pretty,” he muttered.
Utahime felt a small rush of affection towards him. She couldn’t stand him most of the time, or so she told herself, but occasionally he would say or do something that caused her stomach to flip. Sitting up slightly, she snuck a glance at him. Gojo was laying on his back looking up at the ceiling, his hands folded across his stomach. The blanket was half draped on him and half drooping onto the floor.
Gojo immediately knew she was looking at him and turned his head to meet her eyes. It took effort on her part not to look away, even in the dark his gaze was piercing. At some point, he had removed his sunglasses and she wasn’t used to him without something covering his eyes.
“What’s the punchline?” she asked softly.
“There’s no joke,” he chuckled. “I think you’re really pretty.”
“You don’t need to try and make me feel better.” They were both sitting straight up, sleeping long forgotten.
“I’m being honest.” Gojo crawled along the length of the couch, invading her side.
Utahime’s heart pounded but she remained motionless as he got closer to her. Maybe there was something about sitting in the dark with someone she’s known for years that made her feel vulnerable. Someone she had complicated feelings for. Gojo’s hands were on either side of her outstretched legs, making a dent in the cushion.
“Stay on your side,” Utahime managed to say.
“So push me away,” Gojo responded with a cheeky grin.
Utahime did no such thing. She sunk back against the pillows as he crawled over her. He was so close she could see all the details of his bright blue irises. Gojo’s hand came up and brushed her hair from her eyes, his fingers trailing along her face. Utahime’s breath hitched but she kept her eyes trained on his, afraid to look at his lips.
Gojo smiled slightly when he heard her breathing stutter. Gently, he placed a soft kiss on her face, close but not quite touching her lips. He placed a second kiss on the other side of her face in the same way. Her stomach coiled in anticipation, finding herself wishing he would just kiss her. Utahime wanted him to be the first one to lean in not wanting to admit that sometimes she thought about scenarios just like this.
He pulled away suddenly and sat straight up at her feet, still smiling at her. Utahime slowly released a shaky breath, her face felt warm. Normally, she would be thankful for the darkness to hide her blush but she knew Gojo could see everything with those eyes of his.
It was an unfortunate realization for her that she liked having him so close to her. She always kept Gojo at arm’s length. He was too loud, too showy, too dangerous. He was also handsome, fun, and caring. Gojo, despite all his brashness and his habit of pushing all her buttons, was one of the only constants she’s had.
Utahime pushed herself off of the pillows and with her hands on his shoulders, she pressed her lips against his. She could feel him smile more for a moment against her lips before opening his mouth more. His tongue ran across her bottom lips and he gave her small nips with his teeth. Utahime pushed him down so Gojo was on his back and she was laying on top of him.
She ran her fingers through his hair, ran them down his chest, and gripped his arms. Utahime was overcome with a sudden need to touch all of him. Gojo’s hands were just as enthusiastic, sliding them down her spine until they came to rest on her ass. He gave it a rough squeeze that made Utahime gasp into his mouth.
Underneath her, Utahime could feel the firmness of his erection pushing into her hip. The fact that he desired her so much excited her. She pushed her legs apart so she was straddling him. The weight of her on top of him made him groan.
Just as she was about to grind down on top of him, suddenly Shoko’s bedroom door opened and their friend wandered out and entered the bathroom across the hall. Utahime could hear her flick the light on. Both Gojo and Utahime froze, breathing heavy. She lifted her face away from him a few inches but didn’t dare to move.
Her heartbeat, her breathing, his warmth. Utahime was aware of all of it and it was overwhelming. Gojo’s fingers snuck underneath her shirt and traced gently circles on to her skin. The contact made her shiver.
The toilet flushed and the water from the sink began to run. Shortly after, Shoko exited the bathroom and returned to her room, shutting the door behind her. If Shoko had noticed their compromising position, she wasn’t going to say anything. Utahime breathed a sigh of relief.
“We can’t do this,” Utahime whispered against his lips.
“Hmm,” Gojo hummed. He was still tracing circles on her skin and his eyelids were half close, looking at her with lust. Gojo pressed a kiss on her jaw. He wasn’t listening.
“We can’t do this with Shoko here,” Utahime repeated.
Utahime lifted herself off of him and he made a noise of disappointment. She instantly missed his warmth but she settled back on her side of the couch. It all felt too impulsive of her and maybe a little disrespectful to do such things on her friend’s couch that she graciously offered up.
Gojo sat up, his hair tousled and even in the dark, she could tell his lips were swollen. She could see the disappointment all over his face but he nodded in agreement and moved to his own side.
“Another day then,” he said with a wink before pulling his own blanket over himself.
Utahime was buzzing all over with excitement but she forced her eyes closed. Her thoughts were racing and sleep seemed impossible. She cracked open an eye to see that Gojo was breathing evenly, his arm across his eyes, seemingly asleep. The energy between them had settled but Utahime knew it would be awhile before she also fell asleep.
Another day. Would she still want him another day? Utahime knew that she would, deep down she had always wanted him.