Work Text:
PLAYER 1 WINS
The bright red text flashed brightly on the tv as the fighter posed victoriously.
Strange. The lack of competitive yet toxic spirit in You raised concerns from Gojo.
"Something the matter?" Gojo put down his controller beside him. "You're not normally this quiet."
"Satoru," You glanced at him. "Do you hate me?"
No, and if he did, he would rather be dead than live the rest of his life hating her.
"Perhaps, to tease you." Gojo smirked. "But, for your sanity sake, I will say no."
"Then why are you setting me up with shitty dates from the start?!" You ran her fingers through her hair, frustrated. "The latest is by far the worst I've gone through! How did you get the idea that I'll enjoy dating a man who's not only a pest, but also has views that are so outdated? He straight up told me that a woman should walk three steps behind him while we're just walking in the park!"
Honestly? It's a genuine mistake on Gojo's part. Desperation times called for desperate measures. However, the failure of You's past dates were part of his intricate plan. His best friends, Suguru and Shoko, called his plan dumb and manipulative, but haters gonna hate. Cringed as it sounded.
The plan that he was so proud of? That he had to play the inverse role of Cupid?
Simple. To make You fall for him.
At first, he mistaken those budding feelings of his similar to familial, given they were close since kindergarten. Yet, he knew it slowly bloomed when You's absence grew his heart fonder as they attended different universities, and found himself looking forward to her said visits. He missed everything about her down to the sound of his name from her voice.
Growing up robbed the only constant in his life – You.
Throughout the years, his friend became a thorough hopeless romantic thanks to the fairy tales she read. She wasn't particularly this aggressive to find love until now. If he were to warrant a guess, perhaps due to peer pressure. Despite the horrendous dates he sent her through, she still held onto the hope of finding her one true love. As the supportive friend and future husband to be, he volunteered to be her matchmaker.
Once she's somewhat defeated by the woes of finding love, he would swoop in and have her fall for him instantly. That's what happened to his parents. Both gave up on dating before they met each other. It worked since they still maintained the blissful matrimony.
"Sorry about that one," Gojo scratched his head. "I just overheard him saying that he needs to go out more."
"I kicked his shin before leaving. So, we're good." You said nonchalantly. "At this rate, I'm going to just ask Suguru. He's a gentleman, don't you think?"
"What makes you think he'll go out with you?" Alarmed, Gojo asked too quickly for his taste.
"Shoko told me once while I was drinking with her." She answered. "Apparently, Suguru is interested in dating me, but he doesn't want to risk his friendship with you or something like that."
That damn alcoholic. He thought Shoko's tolerance to alcohol was higher than Nanami's. How much did You drink to out drink Shoko to the point of loosening her lips?
"No" Gojo crossed his arms. "And, he's busy with his thesis right now."
"How quick of you to shot me down, unless..." You snapped her fingers. "Do you like him? I'm not surprised given the ongoing bromance since high school between-"
"I love you, not him." Gojo blurted, interrupting his friend.
You's grip on Gojo's spare controller loosened until it dropped on her lap. Her eyes widened in surprise and mouth gaped open. Confused, Gojo stared at the sudden reaction of his friend. Realization struck him hard like a bullet train upon hearing her next words.
"You love me?" She slowly repeated his words.
WHAT
THE
FUCK
There goes his plans. It went up to flames because of his dumb mistake. At this point, any fucks he had were thrown all out of the window. Gojo confessed everything about his plan to her while Guilt gnawing on his conscience. Because of the said emotion, Fear and Shame joined together and formed intrusive thoughts in his head.
What if she didn't want to be friends with him anymore? What if she started hating him?
"I...don't know what to make of this..." You released a deep breath. "I...don't even know where to start. What happens to us now then?"
He didn't know. Was that the answer he truly wanted to say to You? Doubt and distress didn’t suit a woman like her. So, he would dispel it with a question of his own, and it's up to her in the end. Whether they remained friends or not, he respected her decision.
Gojo took her hand with great care. It was a relief to him that she didn't pull away or flinch from his touch. Gently, his thumb caressed the back of her hand to soothe his nerves. A gesture she always did whenever he needed it.
"I know it's selfish of me to ask this, and I'll accept whatever your answer is but," Gojo frowned, his blue eyes full of sincerity and certainty. "Will you please give this stupid cupid of yours a chance? To give you the love you deserved?