Work Text:
Nanami is on a date.
It's the first date of his relatively short life and he might be sweating. It really shouldn't be all that nerve-wracking and he'd been fine up until the moment he sat down. Suddenly every coming of age movie he'd ever watched came to mind.
This is a milestone moment, isn't it?
Maybe he should have called and told his parents, they would have been elated. Instead, his only company had been Yu, who'd forced him into a too formal dress shirt even though the date is at a cafe. Nanami ignores the urge to scratch his arm and sits up to pay better attention.
Sakura is pretty, her dark eyes sparkling as she tells a funny story about her tutor in-between sips of her juice. She has a delicate way about her but a posture which conveys manners, her elbows never touching the table.
In all honesty, when she'd asked him out he was going to decline. She was vaguely familiar in the sense that she's a regular at the same arcade all the jujutsu students go to but beyond that they'd never had a conversation and Yu desperately wanted to leave since he was apparently dying of hunger. But her friend's had been watching and Nanami couldn't embarrass her...
Which is how he's ended up spending the last hour trying to remember how to be interesting. He's not sure he's succeeded but Sakura is still joyful enough so he can't have been that bad.
"It sounds like you need a new tutor." Nanami blinks, astounded at the incompetence of her tutor but it must sound like he's joking because Sakura rattles out a laugh—perhaps the least polite thing about her considering how it grumbles in her throat. He flushes, not used to such a reaction.
"It makes learning less boring at least." Sakura smiles, her snaggletooth on display, before she looks between their—now empty—cups. "I've really enjoyed this."
"I've enjoyed it too," Nanami says, already regretful over the fact that he can't seem to see her in a romantic light. "I was actually surprised when you asked me. Not to be self-deprecating but it was unexpected." It's an easy admission. While Nanami doesn't think he's ugly, nobody has been interested enough to want to pursue him. And being a sorcerer in training has never afforded him the time to lament this.
Sakura turns serious, scrutinising Nanami with pursed lips like she's disappointed in his own uncertainty. "I liked your hair."
"My hair?" Nanami's hand pats at his head on reflex. It's not exactly what he'd been expecting.
Another first.
"It suits you." Sakura smiles again, glancing at her watch for the second time in the last five minutes.
"Do you have somewhere to be?"
Sakura winces at being caught out. "My mother asked that I be home for dinner."
Nanami checks his own watch, fully aware that it would take her a considerable length of time to get home. If she leaves now, she'd make it. "Don't let me stop you." He waves a flippant hand back and forth. "You should go."
Sakura rifles in her bag for something and pulls out a pen. She pulls their receipt from Nanami's side of the little round table, scribbling something down which he can't see until she pushes it back toward him. "My number since I forgot before. Call me." She's slightly pink, her unwavering confidence weakening for the first time. "I'll get going now."
Nanami can't help but gawp a bit as she stands. He's not sure how dates usually end but this is a tad more abrupt than he'd anticipated. "Get home safe," he says, feeling lame for not having come up with something better. Her skirt flutters as she leaves, making her appear even more fae-like.
There's warmth in his chest from time well spent but it doesn't stop him from considering how best to let her down gently.
***
Nanami hasn't phoned Sakura yet but he did have a semi-nightmare where he never ended up telling her about his lack of reciprocation. The nightmare ended just as she was walking up the aisle where he was waiting to marry her. He's still feeling tired, rubbing at his eyes while Yu gets toast crumbs across his front.
"Are you listening?" Yu asks, the words like bullets in his indignation. "You're not listening."
"I'm listening." Nanami leans forward to better reassure Yu, though he hadn't been listening at all. They're both up earlier than usual today which doesn't help much. But Yu smiles in a way he doesn't like.
"You're thinking about your date still aren't you? Did you hit it off that well?"
Nanami rolls his eyes and startles when a familiar voice comes from behind. "What's this about a date?" Geto says, sliding his tray onto the table while looking between the both of them, his curiosity blatant. It's enough to get Nanami's heart to drop because if Geto is here then the others will be too soon.
"Nothing," he says in a hushed whisper. "Yu is losing his mind."
Yu huffs. "I am not." He puffs out his chest, cute if not for the betrayal. "Nanami went on a date yesterday."
"Oh really?" Geto smiles, somehow managing to seem sinister even in his plaid pyjamas. "And why are you keeping it a secret?"
"I'm not."
"You are," Geto and Yu both say in unison. Nanami is one moment from throwing a tantrum when a firm hand clasps on to his shoulder. He has to suppress the urge to shudder.
It's over for me, he thinks, despondently.
"What are we talking about?" Gojo asks, letting go to sit on the other side of the table alongside Shoko and Yu. For what it's worth, Yu keeps his mouth shut this time. Unfortunately, Geto does not.
"Nanami's love life."
Gojo snorts, his nostrils flaring as if it's the most absurd idea. "Why are you talking about something that doesn't exist?" He nudges Yu, probably expecting backup which doesn't come.
"He went on a date yesterday," Geto replies, picking at his oatmeal with amused satisfaction. Gojo stares, the light in his eyes rivalling the sun in the sky. Shoko whispers something to Yu and he nods.
"What?" Nanami says, perhaps more defensive than he needs to be but why is it such a shock that someone would want him? He scowls for good measure. "There's no ban against dating. We're sorcerers, not monks."
"With who?" Shoko snatches an apple slice from his tray as she asks, amusement laced through the two syllables.
"A girl from the arcade."
"What? Like staff? Aren't they too old for you?" Gojo is scandalised, clutching his pearls like he's actually Yaga in disguise but Yu cuts in with a correction.
"No, a girl who plays there a lot."
"Which girl?" Shoko asks, a single perfect brow raised in surprise.
Nanami shrugs. "It's not like you'd know her name." While he's going for nonchalance, he can't stop jigging his leg beneath the table, not fond of all the laser focused attention.
"What time did you get home?" Gojo's voice is thick with sudden suspicion which is both ridiculous and insulting. He wiggles his eyebrows but his eyes are a heavy shade of blue. Nanami is about to dismiss the accusation but Geto speaks first.
"It was well past midnight when he came back."
Shoko nods emphatically, her features weighed down by disappointment and Yu does a good job at furthering the farce. "Yaga was considering sending out a search party."
Nanami's jaw drops at the obvious lies.
"I need to tell them to stop with the overnight missions if this is what's happening while I'm gone." Gojo scratches absently at his head. "You're too young, Nanami. Don't make me call your parents." He transitions into a finger wag that would be better suited on a matron.
"It's not true."
Gojo stops in his lecture and squints. He must find whatever he's looking for because he claps his hands together hard, his elbows cushioned by infinity as they hit the table. "It's important to protect your chastity. Don't give away your virtue all willy-nilly." Nanami grimaces, glancing around the cafeteria in case any managers are within hearing difference. "You can't get it back once it's gone!" Gojo continues, his voice only increasing in both volume and pitch. Nanami groans, regretting ever telling Yu, and he stands quickly enough that all the trays clatter.
"I'm going." He doesn't wait for a response, marching away as fast as he can while an accompaniment of chortles see him off.
***
After being stuck inside for classes all day, it's always relaxing to catch some sunlight. Nanami came straight from Math to sit in the courtyard, leaning back against the picnic table to stare up at the endless blue. He should have known the peace wouldn't last.
"So, what does this girl look like? I'll remember if you describe a little."
Nanami glares at Gojo, his technique trying and failing to find a weakness. "Does it matter?"
"Oh, my dear Nanami, it matters a lot." Gojo spreads his arms out, knocking his hand against Shoko's forehead. She's lounging against the tabletop and mutters some choice words under her breath which Gojo ignores. "We can finally find out what your type is."
"My type," Nanami repeats, incredulous. The late afternoon sun is cradling him in warmth but just the thought of divulging his so-called type is enough to turn him cold.
"Yeah. Everyone has one."
"Then what's yours?" Nanami jerks his head in Gojo's direction.
Gojo falters, the self-assured smirk wiped off his face for some reason. "Mine?" He looks around, surveying the trees like they'll give him an answer. "Waka Inoue."
"That doesn't count," Shoko says, scoffing before kicking Gojo firmly on the shin. "You have to describe your ideal type."
Gojo pouts, rubbing at his leg in typical melodramatic fashion. "Nanami is the one who went on the date. Why am I being interrogated?"
Geto rubs at his chin thoughtfully, pinning his gaze back on Nanami. "He makes a good point."
Nanami finds himself wishing for Yu to come save him but he's at the dentist and probably wouldn't have helped anyway. He sighs. "She's pretty. Long dark hair, brown eyes, and she's kind of short." He chews the inside of his cheek. "Is that good enough?"
Gojo doesn't reply, his eye twitching. Nanami looks from him to the others who are also staring. "What?"
"Just surprised," Shoko says, glancing at Gojo whose eye is still twitching. "Thought you'd be into more...extravagant appearances."
Nanami laughs, short and high. "I don't value extravagance."
"Right," Geto says, his usual placid expression now drawn tight in incredulity. Gojo glances at his wrist, where there is no watch.
"Oh, look at the time. I have to meet someone for something." He stands, kicking dirt up from the ground. "See ya guys."
Nanami waves a goodbye, confused but also semi-glad to be rid of him.
***
Nanami had been planning on watching some mindless television to take his thoughts off his worries. This plan was quickly thwarted when Yu joined him on the couch in the lounge, and—like clockwork—the second years piled in just a few minutes after that. A movie was promptly put on and now it's been twenty minutes of confusing action scenes played to the sound of Shoko's commentary.
It's time for him to call it a day.
He wants to slip out from between Shoko and Geto without rocking the boat but all four heads snap up to look at him, looking strangely like cosy meerkats, bundled up in a patchwork quilt. It's an endearing sight but doesn't soften his resolve at all.
"I have homework," he says, the words sounding as stilted as a bad lie even though it's the honest to God truth.
It must suffice though because three of the heads tilt back down to watch the movie. After a stretch longer, Gojo resumes watching too. They're dolls in the darkness, made shiny under the occasional splashes of colour from the TV. Nanami allows himself a moment to commit the image to memory before turning and walking three hallways down into the dormitory.
It's always a relief when he steps through his door and into his room. This time is no different.
The relief doesn't last long though. It's been less than ten minutes when there's a rapt knock on his door, the solid wood providing no leeway. Nanami is only on question three and quickly scribbles down his working before he can forget.
"Who is it?" He calls, putting the pen down for what should only be a moment. Whoever's at the door just knocks again. The lack of a reply is an answer in and of itself. "Go away Gojo." Nanami pulls the collar of his pyjama top closer around him, like this would be enough of a shield to get Gojo to go away.
"How'd you guess?" Gojo says from Beyond the Door, in obvious awe at Nanami's guessing prowess.
"Just said the most annoying person who came to mind." Nanami twists to look at the door, annoyed at talking through a wall. "Come in if you're going to loiter." The door clicks open and Gojo sidles in, his hair standing up at odd angles.
"What are you doing?"
Nanami pulls a face, swiping a hand across his desktop. "Work."
Gojo shuffles his feet, producing static between his socks and the carpet. It's a rare occasion where he actually seems awkward. "Fun."
Nanami studies him, the strange twist to his lips, the way his hands are dangling by his sides. "Are you here to interrogate me some more?" Gojo smiles, sheepish and young and effortlessly beautiful.
"Is it that obvious?"
"Yes." Nanami swivels in his chair to face Gojo in his entirety. "You might as well ask then."
There's a moment where he thinks Gojo may not say anything at all. Not with how he stares, his eyes large blue pools of water and his mouth a straight line. But then he speaks.
"What made you ask her out?"
"Huh?"
"It's a simple question," Gojo's signature condescension returns before receding. "Why exactly did you ask her out?"
Nanami thinks before something dawns on him. "Are you hoping for advice?" He smiles, trying to be encouraging. It all makes more sense now. "Is there someone you want to ask out?" He is surprised that Gojo wouldn't be able to do this by himself. Girls are always throwing themselves at him and even some guys tend to let their eyes linger. But even the Strongest must second-guess himself sometimes.
At the question, Gojo's shoulders rise, his mouth parting slightly. He's flabbergasted. "I'm just curious."
"She asked me out. Not the other way around."
The genuine shock pouring off of Gojo is insane. You'd think Nanami was the most unappealing person to walk the face of the earth. "Did she say why?" He finally decides to sit down, slumping on to Nanami's bed with a boneless energy.
"She likes my hair." Nanami can't help from turning warm at this and he's sure it must show on his skin, turning it pink.
"I like your hair too, she's not special."
Nanami frowns. "She's a lovely person. Beside, you always make fun of my hair."
"Sorry, forgot she's your girlfriend now," Gojo says in the exact cadence a sulking child might. He's even pouting. Nanami doesn't correct him but it's another reminder that he needs to call Sakura before bed, to let her know he wants to only be friends. "So you'd go out with anyone who asked?"
"As long as they're not a terrible person." Nanami shrugs, not having given it much thought before. He's sure he must have some sort of criteria but if it exists then it's deep in his subconscious.
The room narrows just to Gojo when he sits up, voice fluttering with air when he asks, "Am I a terrible person?"
It's a bad question with only one answer. Gojo is many things but he's never been terrible. Childish, maybe. Not terrible.
Nanami pretends to think. For once he feels like he has the upper hand, even if this conversation lacks all substance, just another one of Gojo's spontaneous whims. "Yes."
"Right." Gojo's jaw clenches in a single pulse before his faces melts into a careless grin. "Not like I'd ever ask anyway." He rolls his shoulders back, rising to his full height and tipping his glasses from where they rest on his head back to his eyes, the blues hidden behind the dark lenses.
Nanami ignores the swell of irritation at being rejected when he's not even propositioned Gojo. "I guess small mercies do exist."
"Do you want any help?" Gojo gestures toward the worksheets, finally satisfied with knowing all there is to know about Nanami's date. It's a relief. Nanami wasn't sure he'd be able to deal with it for much longer.
Nanami should probably say no to the offer though. Gojo's help always starts out focused before it devolves into an hour of distraction. But he looks earnest, all his edges softened by the quickly setting sun and Nanami's obviously bad at saying no to people like Gojo—always relenting because he can't help himself. He points at the stool just tucked under the desk. "Come here then. If you're serious."
"I can be serious." Gojo stands to join him, looking down with barely restrained benevolence. "You have no idea how serious I can get actually."
Somehow, Nanami doesn't doubt him.