Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Ieiri-sensei, please help me!” Yuuji yells from the door while carefully holding, well, a giant egg .

It's not as heavy as it's just big. Far bigger than any egg he has seen in his life before. The surface on it is smooth and milky, and the contents don't make any sound, but Yuuji didn't even try to shake it. The moment he touched it, he just knew that he needed to make sure nothing would happen to it. He ignored the incredulous look on his assistant’s face when he was getting back in the car from his mission after successfully defeating a curse. A curse that gave him an egg right before he exorcized it.

This is a creation of strong, harbored feelings towards you, sorcerer. Take care of it, and a miracle shall occur.

That's what it said as its final, parting words, then vanished. So now Yuuji is in Ieiri-sensei's office, hoping to find out what kind of curse it was and what to do with the egg. Just please, nothing edible.

The woman looks up from her papers and frowns at the sight in disbelief. Yuuji shifts his hold on the egg as if trying to soothe it. He has no idea why he is doing it, but the stare it receives just doesn't bode well to him.

“Itadori. What is this.” She doesn't even ask, she demands the answer in a tired, resigned tone.

He laughs sheepishly and hangs his head low, aware that he is completely at fault here.

“I was actually hoping that you will help me discover, Ieiri-sensei?” He offers the reply hesitantly and dares to glance up at her.

The woman sighs deeply while pinching the bridge of her nose with her eyes closed. Yuuji winces. Of course he is just a headache to her.

“Um…” He opens his mouth to apologize, but then she snaps her eyes open while lowering her hand on the desk with another loud sigh.

“I know you will write a very detailed report about it, Itadori.” Ieiri-sensei starts with a threatening smile, and Yuuji grimaces at the implications. “But for now, just tell me what happened.” Her tone doesn't leave room to argue.

So he obediently relates the weird encounter while caressing the egg’s surface in the meantime. She stares while listening to him, her eyebrows furrowing more with his every statement. When he is done with the explanation, Ieiri-sensei doesn't sigh this time. She groans .

“Kid, just what the hell did you get yourself into?” The woman sounds more than done.

She sounds on the verge of packing up her things and leaving the office altogether. Instead, her hands come expectantly to the egg, and Yuuji is suddenly overwhelmed with a bad premonition. No. No, no, no. He has to be the only one touching the egg. He can't let anyone approach it too close. He holds the egg to his chest carefully, brushing the surface again.

“Itadori.” Ieiri-sensei hurries him and makes a grabby gesture.

“Um.” He utters unsurely. “Please don't get mad, Sensei, but something in my head is screaming at me to protect the egg no matter what. Which means that I can't let go of it. Literally. I think I will start screaming very loudly if someone takes it away from me. I might even attack them.” Yuuji admits, petrified.

She blinks at him, comprehending, then raises one of her eyebrows. “Like an instinct?”

“Oh! Yes!” Yuuji agrees and nods with a relieved smile. “Thank you for understanding.” He adds. “I don't know where it is coming from and why, but I really can't help it.” He chuckles awkwardly, then looks away.

Ieiri-sensei makes a long hum in thought. “That's odd.” She concludes.

“I am well aware.” He deadpans.

The woman hums again. “To be honest, I am not very knowledgeable about eggs, Itadori.” She states then, so he looks back at her, surprised. “But don't worry. We will figure it out. Just let me check the internet for some advice.” Ieiri-sensei gives him a small, reassuring smile.

Yuuji smiles back and nods with gratitude. At least he is not alone with it.

After a few minutes of searching, there is a first proposition.

“We need to candle the egg if we want to see what is inside.” The woman informs him while scrolling through some websites.

“Candle it?” Yuuji echoes, and then the image of putting his egg right above a burning candle enters his mind, so he gasps audibly. “Candle it?!” He shouts, horrified. “No!” He hugs the egg protectively. “No candles involved, Ieiri-sensei. I forbid it!” Yuuji exclaims with distrustful pout. 

She just gazes at him with a troubled expression. “Isn't that reaction a bit exaggerated?” Her eyebrows raise.

“No! No one will do any harm to my egg!” He declares with all his confidence, then blinks, taken aback. “ My egg ?” He mumbles in confusion.

Eh? Since when did he start thinking of the egg as his? Yuuji frowns.

“We can use a strong light instead. I guess it will be safer.” Ieiri-sensei murmurs absentmindedly. “The surgical lamp I use for the autopsy should be more than enough. We just need to unscrew the handle and make a holder for the egg as a support to not let the light escape. But can I turn the lamp upside down? Let's see.” She stands up and gets to work immediately.

“Um. Can I help?” He asks, aching to do something.

The woman sends him a flat look. “And leave your egg alone?”

Yuuji gasps incredulously. “Right.”

He can only observe how Ieiri-sensei prepares everything calmly, managing to get the entire setup ready in a few minutes.

“I can't come up with anything better at the time, Itadori.” She sounds apologetic. “The lamp won't turn upside down entirely, so you will still need to hold the egg.” The woman explains, and he nods. “Also, don't look straight at the light. It's very bright, so don't go blind on me, okay?” She waits for him to nod.

Why is Yuuji getting nervous suddenly? He is a bit excited, for sure. But there is this feeling of an incoming trouble.

Ieiri-sensei lowers the blinds and lights up her desk lamp so they can see what is going on around them.

“Okay. Now put it as close to the lamp as you can, Itadori.” She instructs.

She added a border around the lamp to fit the egg’s circuit, so Yuuji puts it there, and then the woman lights up the lamp. He squints his eyes at the sudden lightness, then frowns and stares.

The egg is illuminating in a warm, yellow light from the inside, but there is something in the middle, more orange and looking like a… deformed worm? He is probably biased because of his love for the Human Earthworm series. Definitely.

“Oh gods.” Ieiri-sensei whispers, sounding horrified.

Yuuji instantly snaps his attention to her in alert, his heart beating loudly.

“What? What is it, Sensei?” He wants to know.

She glances between him and the egg a few times, then makes a face as if trying to decide what to say.

“I can't tell with one hundred percent certainty, but the shape is familiar to me, Itadori. I might be wrong, though, but your behavior matches too…” The woman pauses with a sigh, then turns off the bright lamp. “Please sit down and hold the egg so it won't slip from your hands accidentally.” Is her next order.

Yuuji gulps, his hands already shaking a bit in fear. Just what the heck did she recognize there?

“Is that another curse?” He guesses with a frown.

Ieiri-sensei just silently raises the blinds and points at her own chair without any other word. Yuuji purses his lips and sits there obediently while hugging his egg, radiating with anxiety.

“So? What's inside my egg, Ieiri-sensei?” He asks, his voice trembling slightly.

She opens her mouth, closes it uselessly, then tries again only to groan in frustration afterwards.

“I'm terrible at this.” The woman decides with a grimace. “Ah. Whatever. There is no way to say it delicately.” She scoffs and takes a deep breath while locking her eyes with him. “I think it's a baby, Itadori.” Are her next words, and Yuuji swears that the planet stops rotating for a second.

Or it's just him forgetting to breathe for a moment, so everything freezes with him.

A baby ?

“A baby?” He says it out loud, but in the smallest voice he can manage. “A regular human baby? Not a curse? Just a baby, baby?” Yuuji needs to make sure.

The woman only nods solemnly, so he looks down at the egg with wide eyes.

A miracle shall occur.

Oh gods. What a bigger miracle than a new life brought to this world, right? So it was a riddle. Haha!

What the hell?

Then something else clicks in his mind.

“The egg is mine, so the baby…?” He mumbles and glances at Ieiri-sensei for an answer.

She winces. “I believe so.”

“Oh gods.” Yuuji utters weakly.

Did he just accidentally become a dad?

What. The. Hell.

But the worst part…

“Ieiri-sensei.” He begins, completely sober. “What am I supposed to do now? I don't know anything about parenting. I can't even take care of myself properly. And above it all, I am sentenced to death. How can I… How can I give my child a stable future?” Yuuji asks in a whisper, frowning in concern.

She seems bewildered at his words. “I was so expecting you to freak out in a completely different direction. But you are already thinking about your baby's sake?” The woman shakes her head in disbelief.

“What do you mean, Ieiri-sensei?” He speaks slowly, flabbergasted. “Isn't it obvious? What can I think about instead? This is my baby!” He emphasizes.

“I was ready for you to throw the egg and break it, you know.” She shrugs.

Yuuji gapes, his mouth hanging open. “As in abortion?!” He makes sure, and when the woman nods in affirmation, he suddenly has an urge to cover the entire egg, so the baby wouldn't be able to even hear the word . “Sensei, I would never kill my child!” He hisses, indignant.

“I know it now, Itadori. But there are different people in this world, every person has their own beliefs, and whatever you decide, it's okay. You are still just a kid too.” She says softly.

He processes it for a moment.

“I want to raise my baby.” Yuuji decides seriously. “Made by a curse or not, I don't care. My child didn't do anything wrong. I want them to live and have a happy life.” He smiles at his egg with fondness.

The woman whistles, so he looks up at her. “You are a good kid, Itadori.” Ieiri-sensei decides with a grin.

Yuuji blinks and grins back. “I'm doing my best!” He says cheerfully, then frowns again. “But really. How can I assure a happy future to my baby if one of their parents is going to die some day?” He wonders aloud, then something catches his attention. “Parents?” He repeats with wide eyes. “ This is a creation of strong, harbored feelings towards you, sorcerer. ” Yuuji recites slowly and gasps. “Ieiri-sensei, there is another parent, right?!” He gets excited immediately.

For some reason, she winces. “I want you to think about this situation once again, Itadori. In a typical bird family, who has the egg?” The woman asks and raises her eyebrows expectantly.

“Um, a mother?” He replies, and she raises her eyebrows even higher. “Huh?” Yuuji squints his eyes and glances at the egg resting in his secure hold, then blinks and starts laughing. “So, I'm not a dad. I'm a mom.” He comes to a conclusion and nods a few times. “Awesome.” He snorts.

“At least you got the right instincts, as I observed, Itadori.” Ieiri-sensei offers to comfort him, so he smiles weakly.

A curse's words resonate in his mind again.

This is a creation of strong, harbored feelings towards you, sorcerer.

And Yuuji might be dumb. He might be dumb, but he isn't as dumb to not see the obvious. If he is the mother, then a father exists somewhere out there. And since the result of this mysterious father’s feelings is a baby, Yuuji realizes yet another thing.

“Someone wanted to fuck me so badly that now we are having a baby.” He says out loud dryly, and the way Ieiri-sensei chokes on her spit is enough of a confirmation.

Chapter Text

He is not panicking, not yet, but when the situation finally settles in his mind, Yuuji is a bit terrified.

A baby. He is going to have a baby .

Seriously, Yuuji has no idea how to deal with one. And now he is suddenly a future, huh, mother? Babies need a lot of things. Where will he get the items from? How will he pay for it all? What about his training and…

“Itadori.” Ieiri-sensei calls him firmly, so he looks up from the egg, his thoughts coming to a stop, and her features soften. “Don't make this face, kid. We will help you. You are not alone.” The woman gives him a small smile and pets his head lightly.

Yuuji feels like tearing up. “Ieiri-sensei.” He utters in a wobbly voice. “Thank you.” He whispers gratefully and hugs the egg. “Both of us.”

The acceptance of his baby’s existence was far easier than all the consequences that the egg's appearance caused. It's only natural for Yuuji to love this small, innocent life inside. The urge to protect it is purely instinctual. The baby has to feel safe but also wanted. Even if he would be the only parent in the picture at the end.

She shrugs. “Just don't expect me to babysit. I can support you with the medical part and checking the baby’s growth progress, but I'm not good nanny material, Itadori.” Ieiri-sensei admits with a grimace, then sighs. “I will let Yaga-san know, so wait until he decides what to do with your school and missions.” She adds with a tired smile.

“I'm sorry for causing trouble.” Yuuji apologizes, his face scrunching in guilt.

“Well. If I am correct, we should push the blame more on the culprit, don't you think so, Itadori?” The woman raises one of her eyebrows pointedly, so Yuuji snorts but nods in agreement. “Any clue who would be responsible for partly making you pregnant?” She asks bluntly.

He scoffs. “I'm not pregnant, Sensei.” He mutters, pouting.

“Yes, you are. And you will be treated as such, Itadori, with parental leave and everything. The egg aside, you got those maternal instincts too.” Ieiri-sensei points out matter-of-factly, then smirks. “Or do you feel like leaving the egg here so I can monitor—”

“No! My baby stays with me.” Yuuji interrupts her instantly and shifts the hold on the egg to caress its surface. “At least I need to have it around me to not freak out.” He mumbles reluctantly and huffs a small laugh. “I'm really starting to act like a mother hen.” He shakes his head in disbelief.

And isn't it hilarious? All of this because of a random curse.

“That's good, isn't it? This way it's simpler to adjust.” Ieiri-sensei comments while making an amused face. “And if you are concerned about the money, I'm pretty sure Gojou wouldn't mind helping if you play your cards right.” She smirks.

“Oh gods, I need to tell the others.” He realizes it out loud, petrified, and groans, resting his forehead on the egg delicately. “My child, why are you making me go through all of this?” He asks accusingly with a resigned smile, and the woman snickers.

After promising to visit her tomorrow for another session of candling the egg, Ieiri-sensei also demands that he needs to write the damn report, and then Yuuji is free to go. Now with the knowledge of what's inside, he takes every single step carefully, horrified to drop the egg. Even the image of its cracking makes him breathless. Should he buy a baby carrier?

“Maybe a baby wrap would be more comfortable.” He murmurs in thought and sighs. “Ah. I'm not sighing at you, baby. Mommy is just worried about how to handle what is coming.” Yuuji says to the egg softly and blinks. “Am I really talking to an egg right now while admitting to being a mother? That's weird as hell.” He snorts.

Any clue who would be responsible for partly making you pregnant?

Yuuji pouts again while recalling the question, then sighs deeply, at a loss. “Oh. This one was also not at you, my baby.” He assures the egg just in case. “But hey, do you know who your daddy is, hm? Care to share?” He asks and looks down at the egg. Obviously, he gets only silence in response. “Thought so.” Yuuji huffs.

If he is the mommy, then he should try finding the daddy. But how? He can't exactly summon every single person he knows to reveal his egg, like in some kind of game show.

“Wait, I like the idea? Imagine asking everyone tricky questions until someone spills the beans and says that they have feelings for me. And the award?” Yuuji makes a deliberate pause for a better effect. “Parental rights!” He exclaims excitedly. The egg doesn't reciprocate his enthusiasm, so he frowns. “I see. You are right, baby. It's stupid.” He agrees with a chuckle.

Still, what surprises him the most in this entire case is that the culprit is a man . And don't get him wrong. Yuuji isn't prejudiced towards any gender or sexual orientation. It's more about the part where he seems attractive to some man and this, this confuses him a lot. Also, there are far more males around him than females, which makes the searching harder.

Yuuji finally reaches his own room and quietly opens the door to not alarm Fushiguro about his return. Inside, he strolls to his bed and puts the egg in a makeshift nest of his bedding, humming in contentment. Then he lies down nearby and touches the surface reassuringly.

“Mommy is still here.” He whispers softly and then looks at the ceiling in thought. “A man, huh?” Yuuji mumbles.

A man who has feelings towards him… He makes a mental list. The closest people would be Fushiguro and Gojou-sensei, then Nanamin and Inumaki-senpai. He never met Okkotsu-senpai, so that's an instant no. Panda-senpai also doesn't count.

“Anyone else?” He ponders and gasps. “Ijichi-san?” He says and shakes his head. “No, definitely no. We didn't even spend too much time together. Same with Inumaki-senpai, actually.” Yuuji murmurs under his nose and glances at the egg peacefully resting on his bed with a pout. “I know that you know.” He squints his eyes in fake sulkiness and chuckles. “Hey, Nanamin seems like a dad type!” He hums in thought. “But he feels more like my dad than yours, baby.” Yuuji giggles and then sighs. “Gojou-sensei…” He stops. The man’s money would be very helpful in raising a child, that's for sure. “Should I write him down as the father to get high child support?” Yuuji considers and snorts at the idea.

He can't imagine his teacher looking at him and thinking, “Yeah, that's the one, I want him,” though. Because what the hell? Gojou-sensei is handsome . He is the type able to pull anyone, so why go for someone like Yuuji, who is average and dumb, especially when the man is also his executor? Ridiculous. He knows that Sensei likes him, loves him even. And they do get along well. But could his teacher see him romantically? Sexually? He has no idea.

“If it's Gojou-sensei, then at least my child will be pretty.” He comments with a chuckle and smiles while visualizing the baby with their characteristics, then hums, continuing with his previous line of thoughts. “Which leaves Fushiguro.” Yuuji furrows his eyebrows and looks at the ceiling again.

It's not right either? They are friends. They are bros. There is a mutual understanding, trust, and respect between them. They like each other too. But that's it. That's it, right? Why would Fushiguro have any harboring feelings towards him? Unless…

Yuuji groans. “Now I'm just suspecting anyone because I don't have a hint.” He closes his eyes while brushing the egg with his right hand.

Maybe he is forgetting about someone? Maybe there is someone else in the picture, someone from the outside? For example…

“Why did I think of that ugly patchwork curse?” Yuuji asks no one in particular with a disgusted face and shivers. “No way in hell.” But then something occurs to him, so Yuuji snaps his eyes open with a loud gasp. “Oh no. There is one more person. Shit. But Suku—?”

“No.”

“—NA?!” Yuuji yells and startles hard, taken by surprise.

He is very thankful to his past self for wrapping half of the egg in his bed cover, because otherwise he would definitely drop it right now. His heart is racing, and Yuuji lets himself groan loudly to release the tension that built in his body, then glares at the grimacing mouth on his left hand.

“I figured as much.” He replies with a similar expression.

“The only feelings I am harboring towards you, brat, are resentment and hatred.” Sukuna grumbles coldly, then grins. “Yet the thought of cooking this egg thrills me immensely.” He cackles ugly.

Immediately, Yuuji's mental walls on his cursed energy break, and he starts radiating killing intent, enraged to no end. 

“You want to eat my baby ?” He asks threateningly in a hushed tone, boring his eyes into the mouth on his hand with a deep scowl. “ My . Baby.” Yuuji repeats through his teeth, almost growling. “Try to touch my egg even once—”

There is a knock on his door, followed by an alarmed “Itadori?” and Yuuji snaps to reality with a loud gasp. Sukuna cackles mockingly before he disappears, making him even more irked. Yuuji has to take a deep breath to gain back control of his cursed energy, only then ready to answer the door.

“What's up, Fushiguro?” He asks casually with one hand on the handle, hiding the egg from the view.

Yuuji doesn't know why he is hiding the egg, but he feels like he should .

His friend has a frown on his face while looking him up and down with narrowed eyes. “What the hell was that, Itadori? I thought Sukuna had control for a second.” Fushiguro seems tense. “Should I call Gojou? Is something—”

“No, no. I'm fine, just got really pissed for a moment.” Yuuji cuts him off with a sheepish laugh.

The boy stares. “So it was your cursed energy?” He makes sure, sounding doubtful.

“Yeah!” Yuuji chirps cheerfully and sends him a wide smile. “But as you can see, it's a-okay now!” He adds a thumb up with his free hand for a good measure.

Fushiguro crosses his arms and makes a suspicious expression. “You are acting weird, Itadori.” He states.

Yuuji forces himself to laugh, which sounds flat even in his ears, so he winces. But the moment he opened the door to his room, his instincts started screaming at him to not let anyone approach the egg, and here he is, sweating under his friend’s piercing stare.

“What are you talking about, Fushiguro? I'm not acting? I'm just my usual self, don't be silly!” Yuuji pats the boy on his forearm with a fake smile.

Fushiguro just looks him in the eyes for a moment, completely silent. Yuuji's smile becomes more strained on the edges with every passing second, so he sweats harder.

“Itadori. What are you hiding?” His friend asks slowly, so Yuuji grips the door handle.

“I'm not hiding anything.” He responds instantly and bites his lower lip in an anxious manner.

Fushiguro frowns again. “You are either going to let me in, or I'm calling Gojou.” He decides dryly.

“I can't let you in, Fushiguro!” Yuuji's inner mother opposes it heatedly and he winces. “Just…” He groans. “Please don't bother Gojou-sensei when he is on the mission. I swear that everything is fine! Sukuna was provoking me, so I got mad. That's it.” He explains hurriedly, desperate, and glances over his shoulder at his egg to find it exactly as he left it—safe and intact.

But he feels uneasy even a few steps away from it. Yuuji knows it's weird. Yet he doesn't have a choice but to accept all those new urges. And right now Yuuji really needs to touch his baby, his egg. His body is getting restless, his feet shifting impatiently, his finger drumming on the handle at a quick pace.

“What are you hiding there?” Fushiguro doesn't give up and takes a step closer to peek inside Yuuji's room.

He blocks him instantly with a troubled face. “Please stop, Fushiguro. I don't want to hurt you.” Yuuji warns weakly and grits his teeth, his mind turning into some kind of goo, the egg screaming for him to get back.

He takes a small glance at his bed again, and everything seems okay, so why is he feeling this way? This is torture. This is torture, and he has no idea how to overcome it. Because that's his egg, and he needs to be nearby, or else the baby won't feel him, and if they don't feel his presence, they are scared and alone, so he has to go, he has to…

“Itadori—”

“AAAH!” Yuuji screams and grabs his head, praying for his mind to shut up but only stunning his friend into silence instead. “I can't take this anymore, this is hell!” He shouts and huffs a frustrated breath. “Fushiguro, don't move.” Yuuji orders, emphasizing with his finger pointed warningly. “Cross my room’s entrance, and I will seriously attack you. Just let me…” He doesn't even end, already jogging to his baby.

Yuuji takes the egg into his arms with a relieved sigh, his shoulders dropping, the weight of it grounding him. “I'm sorry, baby.” He murmurs into the surface and starts caressing it gently in repetition, more to calm himself than anything.

His mind becomes clear again, and only then he realizes how it must have all looked from Fushiguro's perspective. Whoa, he's officially insane! Yuuji grimaces sympathetically. But his baby is a priority, and nothing will change it now.

“What the hell, Itadori? Is that an egg?” Fushiguro asks in disbelief from the hallway, respecting the order to not go inside.

Yuuji flinches and turns with a crooked smile, then laughs awkwardly. “Yeah, about that.” He starts and shifts his hold on the egg for a more protective one, approaching the boy slowly to stop a few steps before him. “You see, Fushiguro. I—Um.” He pauses, clears his throat, and goes for it. “I'm going to be a parent.” Yuuji admits solemnly, then waits.

His friend seems to be frozen for a moment, his entire body unmoving, his face impassive. Then one of his eyebrows twitch, and as if on cue, his expression morphs into a deep, incredulous frown.

“What.”

Chapter Text

So maybe giving his male friend a vague explanation of what exactly happened doesn't seem fair, but to Yuuji's defense, he was feeling very uncomfortable with Fushiguro invading his space. It's not like the boy actually walked into his room, but those new instincts still didn't like anyone being too close to the, well, nest? Yeah. Weird. Still, he feels bad to just casually tell his friend that it was a curse doing, and in the egg there is an actual, growing baby. Then he promises to explain everything in the morning and closes the door right in front of a still comprehending Fushiguro. Yuuji leans towards the said door, the egg in his arms, and he genuinely wants to scream from the top of his lungs.

Because WHAT THE HELL.

For the rest of the evening, Yuuji can't focus on literally anything. He needs to take breaks during a shower to check on his baby, and if he thought this was exhausting, then the rest of the night proves him entirely wrong. In the morning, he isn't sure how long he slept in total, but it was the worst sleep he had in life. Whenever he closed his eyes and drifted away, there was this nagging urge to touch the egg to make sure that the baby knows he is around, so Yuuji woke up every time with a loud gasp only to find the egg right next to him, cocooned in his blankets and clothes to keep it warm and safe.

That's how he shows up at Ieiri-sensei's office: wearing random clothes he found on his room’s floor, his egg wrapped into a long scarf that he searched his closet for twenty minutes to make a poor attempt at a baby wrap while being on the verge of crying.

“Ieiri-sensei. I need a baby carrier.” He greets her in a tired voice from the door.

The woman looks up from her laptop to stare at him for a long moment. Then.

“Please don't kill anyone today, Itadori.” She deadpans.

Normally, he would react animatedly or joke, but right now he is too exhausted to do that.

“Why?” Yuuji just utters flatly.

“Because the last time I saw someone with similar eye bags…” Ieiri-sensei frowns and shakes her head. “Nevermind. Why are you here so early?” She changes the subject.

“Because the egg is heavier, Sensei. Is it normal?” He asks, concerned, and brushes the surface almost absentmindedly.

He was dumbfounded when he picked it up this morning. The weight of the egg has definitely increased since yesterday.

The woman squints her eyes in thought. “Well, we don't know anything about the curse itself. The baby might grow faster inside the egg than normally.” She murmurs.

“Thank gods.” Yuuji decides with a relieved sigh. “If I had to live this way for nine months, I would die at some point.” He groans and closes his itchy eyes for a second. “I couldn't get a wink of proper sleep because my instincts were waking me up the entire night.” He shares the issue.

“That's troublesome.” Ieiri-sensei comments.

“To put it lightly.” He mutters and opens his eyes to find the woman furrowing her eyebrows at him. “Is something wrong, Ieiri-sensei?”

“No, no. It's just a hunch, but maybe with the other part present, it wouldn't be so taxing on you, Itadori.” She says carefully.

Yuuji blinks, trying to understand.

“You mean that my instincts could calm down a bit with daddy around?” He makes sure, and the woman nods with a quiet snort.

“Like I said, just a hunch.” She shrugs.

Then they repeat the process of lighting the egg to see the inside, and Yuuji immediately gets more awake at the sight.

“It looks completely different now!” He realizes with wide eyes.

“That's unbelievable.” Ieiri-sensei whispers, also making an incredulous expression. “Yesterday the baby looked like a 4-5 week fetus, but now it's like 12 or even more?” She mumbles in wonder and hums. “At this rate, your baby can hatch in days, Itadori.” She informs him with a slight smile and a careful pat on his forearm.

“So quick?!” Yuuji shouts, petrified. “But I don't have anything prepared! My heart is not ready either?” He whines and waits till the woman turns off the lamp to hug his egg with a worried face. “What am I supposed to do?” He stresses.

“Hey, kid. I told you we would help you, remember?” She reminds him in a soft tone and nudges his side lightly. “I have spoken with Yaga already, and he will postpone your education for one year so you can raise the baby in peace.” Ieiri-sensei gives him a reassuring smile.

Yuuji processes it for a moment, then nods, smiling back with gratitude. But there is one thing that is still bothering him…

“What about collecting Sukuna's fingers and my death sentence?” He asks slowly.

The woman shrugs again. “This is something you need to discuss with Gojou, but knowing his endearment towards you, it will turn out just fine, Itadori.” She smirks.

Endearment?

Yuuji frowns. Even after leaving Ieiri-sensei’s office, the frown doesn't disappear from his face. So he shouldn't be surprised that when he walks into the kitchen where his friends are already eating cereal for breakfast, the first thing he hears from Kugisaki is:

“You look like shit, Itadori.”

He smiles while nodding a few times in agreement. “Nice to see you too, Kugisaki.” Yuuji replies and tenses a bit, shifting the hold on his egg protectively.

The scarf is helpful, sure, but he still needs to touch it, so the baby won't be lonely. Or that's what he tells himself.

“Fushiguro, you weren't joking! He really has an egg!” The girl grins and instantly tries to approach him.

This time Yuuji doesn't stop himself from screaming. He takes one step back with a screech so loud and primitive that both of his friends freeze in shock. Yuuji is also surprised. His instincts are crazy. But he can't blame those for reacting to Kugisaki. She's crazy too.

“Itadori, what the hell?” Fushiguro is the first one to recover.

He laughs sheepishly and gives them a crooked smile. “I'm sorry, guys, but rule number one is don't get too close to my egg, or… Well, you just saw yourself.” Yuuji ends awkwardly.

“So I can't even touch it?” Kugisaki asks with crossed arms and a stern expression.

“No.”

“Even for a bit?”

“No.”

“...”

“...”

“For one sec—”

“No.”

They have an intense staring contest till a furrow appears between the girl’s eyebrows.

“You seriously look terrible, Itadori.” She sounds concerned.

“Yeah. Try to take care of your growing baby in an egg when you have a monstrous mother's instincts that doesn't let you sleep, and then we can talk about my eye bags.” He deadpans on one breath.

A beat.

“Baby?!” Kugisaki shouts in disbelief and turns to look at the black-haired boy. “You didn't say anything about the baby, Fushiguro, you traitor!” She points her finger at him accusingly.

“Because I thought I misheard it yesterday.” He says slowly. “Itadori, explain.”

Yuuji sighs in resignation and carefully takes out his egg from the scarf to show them. “Fushiguro, Kugisaki.” He starts solemnly and takes a deep breath. “This is not a joke. My baby is growing inside. Real, living baby.”

They look at him like he is insane.

“How.” The girl demands the answer.

“Magic?” Yuuji offers with a wide smile and gets flat stares in response, so he pouts. “Okay, okay. I guess I got cursed, and this is the result.” He mutters.

Kugisaki brings her hand to her face to make a thoughtful expression. “That's convenient. No pregnancy. No labour.” She nods several times with a hum. “So? What happened to the curse?” The girl smiles hopefully.

“I exorcized it.”

She purses her lips and facepalms. “It could help so many people, though?” Kugisaki groans.

“It's a curse, so I'm sure there is something wrong with this egg.” Fushiguro decides.

Yuuji gasps in offense. “My baby is perfectly fine!” He defends instantly. “It's just… There is a small catch.” He mumbles reluctantly.

“About what?” The girl squints her eyes in suspicion.

He winces. “Harbored feelings.” Yuuji murmurs after a moment.

She blinks. “What?”

He knew it was coming, but this part is still something he doesn't really understand himself.

“The egg. It's a creation of someone's strong harboring feelings towards me.” He reveals gravely.

He observes how his friends ponder about it. Then Kugisaki’s eyes light up, and she puts her fist on the palm of her other hand in the "I figured it out" gesture.

“You are a bottom, Itadori.” She declares.

Figured it out, his ass. No, wait. Bad word of choice. Yuuji sends her an unimpressed look. The girl just grins tauntingly at him in response. He glances at Fushiguro to find him completely confused. Kugisaki follows and snorts.

“Itadori has the egg. So he is the mother.” The girl explains curtly, but the black-haired boy still seems lost, so she clicks her tongue. “Oh gods, Fushiguro! The father is definitely a man! Normally, Itadori would be on the receiving end! A bottom!” Kugisaki emphasizes.

Fushiguro frowns, then the realization dawns on him with an uncomfortable expression. “Oh.”

“Yeah, oh.” She rolls her eyes.

Well, this reaction is enough to exclude Fushiguro from Yuuji's mental list of possible daddies. He is actually relieved. That would be so awkward.

“But it's in theory. Because I'm not a bottom.” He says to dispel any doubts.

“That's not what I expected to hear today first thing in the morning.” They hear from the kitchen’s door.

“Maki-san!” Kugisaki chirps happily.

“Maki-senpai.” Yuuji greets with a nod.

“Maki.” Fushiguro joins.

The older girl almost passes Yuuji, trying to get further into the kitchen, but then she spots the egg and stops, making a double take.

“Is it edible?” She asks, probably not meaning anything bad.

But the way it reminds Yuuji of Sukuna's disgusting insinuations makes him hiss like a bristling cat.

“No one is eating my baby!” He exclaims while tugging the egg into his scarf protectively.

She raises her eyebrows. “Did you just call an egg your baby?” She makes sure slowly.

“That's a real baby, Maki-san!” Kugisaki states with a wide smile.

Maki-senpai looks at Yuuji, then at the egg, and repeats it several times.

“Congratulations?” She offers unsurely with a frown after a few moments.

“Thank you, Maki-senpai!” Yuuji beams at her happily.

Finally, an almost normal reaction!

“I’m surprised how well you are taking the news, Maki.” Fushiguro comments from the table.

She snorts. “It’s not like we are living in a world where curses exist and anything is possible.” Maki-senpai points out sarcastically.

Now that she mentioned it…

“As expected of Maki-san!” Kugisaki nods with approval.

“We will have a baby here, huh?” She sighs. “Why do I have a feeling that this is going to be a school project?” The girl with glasses winces.

“Oh. I don't expect any help from any of you. Honestly, I want to raise my baby alone, so it's fine, Maki-senpai.” He assures the older girl hurriedly. “If I don't find the other parent, that is.” Yuuji adds quietly.

“So there is another parent in the picture.” Maki-senpai smirks. “Who made you pregnant, Itadori?”

Why.

“Please don't voice it this way.” Yuuji pleads weakly and ignores Kugisaki’s snickers. “I don't know. That's the issue, Maki-senpai. I have no idea who is responsible for the creation of my baby in the first place.” He admits with a worried sigh. “But I would like them to have both parents.” He ends with a small smile while caressing the egg’s surface.

She nods in understanding, then hums. “Any ideas, though?”

“I'm suspecting everyone around—”

At this time, Inumaki-senpai comes to the kitchen, and Yuuji senses a chance.

“Inumaki-senpai!” He calls, and when the white-haired boy looks at him, his eyes widening at the sight of the egg, Yuuji fires the question. “Do you secretly have any romantic feelings or sexual desire towards me?”

Inumaki-senpai gapes at him, and, to everyone's bewilderment, he unzips his uniform.

“No.” He states. “Sorry.” Inumaki-senpai adds and zips back the uniform. “Mustard leaf?”

“Oh, yeah. I'm okay.” Yuuji mumbles.

He needs a moment to comprehend, more taken aback at hearing his Senpai using normal words. Not only him, actually. The others also look at the white-haired boy in shock, who just nonchalantly opens the fridge, unbothered. Inumaki-senpai is also crossed from his mental list. Which leaves older men now. Oh shit. Seriously? Nanamin? Or Gojou-sensei? What the hell?!

Kugisaki starts laughing. “Gods, that was hilarious!” She utters between the cackles.

“I am desperate here!” Yuuji whines with a pout. “Ieiri-sensei thinks that the presence of the other part can help with calming down my instincts.” He explains with a groan. “They are ridiculous sometimes.”

“Heee, you have instincts? That makes you better mother material than me already.” Maki-senpai decides and joins Fushiguro at the table.

“Did you suspect me too, Itadori?” The black-haired boy asks suddenly.

Yuuji glances at Fushiguro and laughs awkwardly. “Yeah.” He mumbles.

His friend stares at him for a moment. Then. “I'm sorry it's not me, but if you ever need help with the baby, I will do my best to assist you.” He promises.

“Fushiguro!!” Yuuji whines in a shaky voice. “Thank you so much! It means a lot!”

“Oi! Don't forget about me! I call dibs for being the best auntie!” Kugisaki huffs with a confident expression, then smirks.

“Kugisaki!” Yuuji almost tears up.

“Yeah. Pregnant or not, we are here for you, Yuuji.” Maki-senpai joins.

“Salmon.” Inumaki-senpai gives a thumbs up.

“Everyone!” Yuuji cries.

He is so glad to have those amazing friends!

Then.

“Hooo~? What is this all about?” They hear a familiar, deep voice from the kitchen's entrance.

Yuuji turns with a gasp.

“Gojou-sensei!”

Chapter Text

Satoru got a notification from Shouko that he needs to get to her office before classes, when he will be over with the mission, to have a serious talk about Yuuji. And what is this? A big, red flag! She didn't reply when he asked about the topic, though, which annoyed him. At least she could tell him if something was wrong. Then he got to Jujutsu High after hurrying up Ijichi, a bit worried if Yuuji was targeted or hurt again, but since Shouko didn't call him, Satoru decided that whatever this is about, it's not that severe.

Yet nothing could prepare him for what he accidentally hears while passing the common kitchen, heading towards his friend’s office.

“If you ever need help with the baby, I will do my best to assist you.” Megumi's weird statement makes him pause near the entrance, shocked.

What baby ? Whose baby? They don't have babies here!

Then.

“Fushiguro!!” That's definitely Yuuji's voice, clearly affected by emotions. “Thank you so much! It means a lot!”

What the hell ? Why is Yuuji the one to reply? What is going on?!

“Oi! Don't forget about me! I call dibs for being the best auntie!” Nobara declares, and Satoru’s eyebrows furrow in confusion.

“Kugisaki!” Yuuji whines in response.

Again. What the heck . Did… did Yuuji make someone pregnant…?

…

No.

How ? No, wait, not that part. When ?! This kind boy is not the type to have sex with a random girl and impregnate her casually! Yuuji isn't that kind of person! And he is not in a relationship either! Satoru would know! This lovely boy is unaware of his feelings and advances after all, completely oblivious when it comes to love and sexual aspects of it. So. What. Is. Going. On?!

“Yeah. Pregnant or not, we are here for you, Yuuji.” Maki adds, and Satoru officially blue-screens, tuning out the rest of the conversation.

Why… why does it sound like it's Yuuji who is pregnant here?! What the hell?! That's not possible, is it? Is Satoru tripping? Maybe it's just a dream. Yeah, he was overworking himself recently, so it might be just exhaustion. Yeah. That's—that's the reason. Sure. He is simply delusional.

Honestly, if it could be possible, Yuuji would be bearing Satoru's own child already. The amount of times he fantasized about it… Not about making the boy pregnant. Okay, okay, maybe once. Or twice? But! It was more about the act itself, about bringing Yuuji to tears by fucking him deeply, imagining the moans it would produce out of the boy, and…

Then Satoru remembers Shouko's request, and he gasps, coming back to reality.

Serious talk. Yuuji.

Baby.

He takes a step towards the kitchen immediately, suddenly pissed. Because if someone even tried to take Yuuji away from him by framing this wonderful boy into a parenthood, Satoru wouldn't hold himself back from interfering. Yuuji belongs to him!

“Hooo~? What is this all about?” He asks warningly from the entrance, catching everyone's attention.

“Gojou-sensei!” Yuuji chirps happily.

Always so delighted to see him, so precious~! And that's why Satoru's heart is weak for this boy. He almost smiles, but then his eyes spot something very odd .

“What…” Satoru mumbles in disbelief, raises half of his blindfold to have a better look, and frowns.

Because he notices the bruises under Yuuji's eyes, indicating that the boy didn't get enough sleep the previous night. Which is unusual and concerning. But that's not what he focuses his eyes on. It's the egg wrapped into some kind of scarf. Yuuji is holding it carefully, almost protectively. And this is not a normal egg at all! Its energy is slightly pointing to a curse, yet it also seems familiar, and when Satoru glances at the boy carrying the egg for a second, it becomes clear.

The egg’s content consists of Yuuji's cursed energy .

Satoru squints his eyes, because there is something else there. As if… As if Yuuji's energy is mingled with…

He blinks.

With Satoru's own …?

“Yuuji. What is this.” He demands the answer urgently, staring at the egg, unblinking.

“Oh.” The boy makes a fond expression, then brushes the egg’s surface almost affectionately. “Well, this is my baby.” Yuuji admits bashfully, so Satoru snaps his eyes at the boy. “Um, there is a baby growing inside of this egg.” He corrects and smiles shyly. “ My baby. ”

Satoru freezes . He looks at the boy in alarm. “Yuuji. What do you mean there is a baby growing inside ?” He whispers, his hands getting cold suddenly.

He doesn't have any doubts that the egg belongs to Yuuji. But the cursed energy tells him that it also belongs to Satoru . And if the baby is growing inside? Then it implies… it implies that…

What. The. Fuck.

Satoru gulps.

Yuuji winces slightly. “I know it's hard to believe, Sensei, but it's a curse doing. Apparently, someone's strong harboring feelings gave birth to it.” The boy explains and chuckles sheepishly. “I just have no idea who is responsible for this.” He mumbles truthfully.

Oh, Satoru has an idea ! It's because of him !

Shit. He shouldn't have used Yuuji as his fap material. Or fantasize about holding him and kissing him until the boy couldn't breathe. Or have those twisted, bundled feelings towards him in the first place.

First and foremost, Satoru is Yuuji's teacher. He really shouldn't lust after him or think of the boy as a romantic interest. But he can't help but love Yuuji genuinely. Satoru doesn't remember when someone was treating him so dearly in the past last time as Yuuji does—always smiling at him widely, calling him “Sensei” in that fond, happy voice, looking at him with clear admiration, finding his personality amusing, or accepting his affection gladly. Yuuji is just amazing as he is, warming Satoru's heart easily when the boy acts all carefree around him, taking his opinion into account as something sacred.

Satoru admits. His attraction towards Yuuji went a bit out of hand. And that's why he pushed all those feelings and urges as far away as he could, so they wouldn't trouble the boy. But sometimes Satoru couldn't handle it anymore and crumbled, doing something that a regular teacher wouldn't do.

Ah, he is such a terrible adult. He actually made Yuuji pregnant. Unintentionally, yet this is Satoru's fault, no one else's.

He almost chokes on his spit when he realizes this, but instead he pushes the blindfold back on his eyes and smiles.

“So? Everyone was just giving you their support, Yuuji~?” He intones, trying to sound as normal as he can. “How great! Sensei will help you too!” Satoru assures him, feeling a pang of remorse in his heart.

“Really?!” Yuuji sounds relieved.

“Sure~!” Satoru forces a chuckle.

“Good for you, Itadori. Your baby will have the highest-quality items with Gojou’s money.” Megumi deadpans.

Of course! That's Satoru's baby too! He almost blurts it out, so he takes this moment as a cue to evacuate himself from the kitchen, telling the others to get ready before classes. He walks towards Shouko's office on autopilot, everything around him a blur of nothing. His brain is oddly silent for a change, though, and it kinda terrifies him. Satoru opens the door with a loud bang and takes a seat on the free chair before her desk unceremoniously, sagging on it with a groan.

Shouko snorts. “Let me guess. You saw the egg.” She fires, pausing typing on her laptop, and Satoru groans again, shifting his position to hide his face in his hands. “Wait, was it bad? Did your Six Eyes see something?” His friend sounds worried.

He barks a laugh thoughtlessly, still processing. “Yeah. I fucked up, Shouko.” Satoru laughs mockingly.

Since she doesn't reply, he peeks with his one eye, holding up his blindfold. The woman is staring at him with her lips pursed tightly.

“It's you, right?” Shouko asks bluntly. “Harboring feelings and the egg.” She squints her eyes. “The baby is yours, Gojou.”

Satoru doesn't deny it, but he also doesn't confirm it, so she sighs.

“You don't have to tell me , Gojou, but at least you should be honest with Itadori . If his wellbeing is important to you, that is.” His friend sends him a stern look.

He straightens on the chair immediately. “Is something wrong with Yuuji?” Satoru asks uneasily, getting rid of a blindfold altogether.

He learns the entire story from Shouko, finding out about the instincts that affect Yuuji's mind and habits. It's crazy.

“So that's why Yuuji looks like he could compete with Suguru's eye bags from years ago.” He murmurs and his friend snorts.

“My thoughts exactly.” She smirks. “And? Are you ready to take responsibility?” Shouko raises one of her eyebrows pointedly. “Itadori really needs your support, especially now, Gojou.” She sounds almost nagging.

“It’s not my intention to leave Yuuji alone with our baby!” He opposes, pouting, and the woman makes a satisfied expression after hearing his declaration. “I just… I need a moment to think it through.” Satoru mumbles and groans again. “Shouko, Yuuji is going to think of me as a pervert! I won't be able to stand it!” He whines.

“As he should.” She snorts, so Satoru sends her a betrayed glance. “Be manly enough to admit your feelings, coward. Also, have enough decency to not make Itadori go around and ask every single person if they are his baby’s daddy.” Shouko smirks.

“Yuuji does that?!” Satoru rises from his chair, alarmed.

His friend snickers. “He is very desperate, you know?” She smirks wider.

What if someone will lie to this unaware boy and claim the baby instead of him?! Satoru needs to stop this before it's too late!

“Also, I'm afraid how those damned higher-ups are going to react at Sukuna's vessel having a sudden baby.” Shouko points with a wince, and the situation finally settles in Satoru's mind.

Shit. He didn't even think about that part. Oh, this is going to be a headache for sure. Yet it's about Yuuji's and their baby's safety, so now he needs to protect both. But he is The Strongest. He can do that.

“Okay. I will take care of it.” Satoru nods and glances at the hour. “But firstly, I'm going to teach my students about some boring stuff like biology.” He grins, and Shouko snorts.

When Satoru gets back and passes the kitchen again, he finds Nobara crouching in front of a slumped figure of Yuuji, who seems to fall asleep on a chair while hugging the egg. The girl is unsure if she should wake her friend or leave him. He pauses at the scene and smiles tenderly for a second.

“Nobara-chan~” Satoru intones in a whisper. “Yuuji is excused from classes today because of his state, so you can go already.” He informs her in a hushed tone, only now making this decision.

“That’s good, because he looks horrible.” She huffs with approval and passes him with a scowl. “Better take care of Itadori and the baby, Gojou. With all respect, but one wrong decision, and I'm pulling out my hammer.” The girl mumbles threateningly before she leaves.

Satoru would whistle, but he just laughs quietly and shakes his head, not wanting to wake up the tired boy. Is he transparent for all women at this school? Maybe only Yuuji isn't aware of Satoru's endearment towards him. Or maybe it's something about a woman's intuition.

Now he has a chance to approach Yuuji and also look at the egg closely.

Yeah. No doubt, it's their cursed energy mixed together.

They are having a baby.

How is he feeling about it?

Satoru is a bit satisfied that whatever will happen from now on, he has something that forever connects him to Yuuji. The perspective of a future talk about it isn't that pleasant, though. Satoru doesn't know what kind of reaction to expect out of the boy. Will Yuuji be disgusted? Surprised? Happy maybe?

He sighs and brushes through the pink hair delicately, the boy still asleep. Satoru shouldn't get his hopes up that Yuuji will reciprocate his feelings. The boy will definitely give his best for their baby, but Satoru can't overwhelm him or rush him. If he plays it out carefully, then after some time… Well, who knows? He grins.

Being a dad… Satoru winces. That's not something he is anticipating that much. Especially with a baby. He doesn't have any experience with those creatures. Don't they only cry, eat, and shit themselves? Ugh. Helping Yuuji, though? That's obvious. The thought of letting someone else take his place is more than annoying. It's infuriating.

Whoa, he is really committing to this relationship, doesn't he?! Even if it's nonexistent at this point. It's not like Satoru to take things seriously. Is it because of Yuuji? Definitely because of Yuuji. He is so gone for this boy that it's actually worrisome.

Yuuji makes a small sound then, gasping for air, and Satoru is snapped from his thoughts instantly.

“Let's move you to a better place, Yuuji.” He whispers and effortlessly picks up the boy in a princess carry, minding the egg being held securely.

Satoru lets himself appreciate the sensation of having Yuuji in his arms for a moment, and then he takes him and their baby to his favorite napping spot, tugging them carefully into his most comfortable chair, hoping that the fact it belongs to him will make the boy more at ease. When he is covering them with a blanket, arranging it around the egg, Yuuji stirs up for a second, his eyes opening groggily.

“It’s okay, Yuuji. No school for you today. You can go back to sleep.” Satoru says softly.

The boy produces a small hum and furrows his brows. “Gojou-sensei. You are touching my egg.” He mumbles, then frowns deeper. “And I'm not freaking out.” Yuuji ends slowly and looks at him as if earnestly trying to formulate a thought through his sleepiness.

Shit. Satoru didn't know he shouldn't touch the egg! If Yuuji is fine with it, though, that's probably the instincts recognizing him as a partner and father of the baby.

Is that it? Was he caught?

Then Yuuji smiles giddily, closing his eyes. “I feel safe around Sensei. I like it.” He murmurs and drifts away, shifting slightly to hug the egg even closer.

Satoru stares at the boy, his heart skipping a beat. He waits for a few moments, then leans down to kiss Yuuji on the forehead with affection.

He needs a more coherent boy to have a proper talk with him. There is no way Satoru will miss an opportunity to become closer to Yuuji or not get involved in his own baby’s growth. Even if the said baby is unplanned and technically impossible. It is what it is. He can't change it now, can't he?

“Yes, Yuuji. I am going to keep you both safe at all costs.” Satoru whispers and smiles, then caresses the boy's cheek lightly. “I promise.”

Chapter Text

Yuuji seriously needed that nap. What wakes him up is his friends’ prominent presence, his instincts screaming to protect his baby, yet he feels a little better than in the morning, more refreshed now.

“Oh. He snapped his eyes open as if wanting to kill us.” Kugisaki snorts at his reaction.

He simply stretches his body in reply, only then realizing that he was napping in Gojou-sensei's chair . Huh. Is that the reason why he was feeling so blissful and warm? Because of The Strongest’s reassuring shadow? Wait. How did he end up here in the first place? Yuuji swears that he dozed off in the kitchen!

“Why am I here? What about classes?” He asks his peers with a frown, also noticing the blanket carefully arranged around him and the egg.

Huh? Huuuh? Someone tugged him to sleep, and he didn't wake up at all? Even if his egg was in danger? Yuuji frowns deeper. He has a feeling that he’s missing something here. As if he forgot about a very important detail.

“I think Gojou-sensei moved you in your sleep.” The girl shrugs, her expression unreadable. “He said you are banned from attending the classes in your state.”

Eh?! And Yuuji let him carry not only himself but also his baby?! Why?! Maybe… maybe because of the limitless technique? Gojou-sensei is amazing!

“He was also the one to send us here so we could check on you.” Fushiguro adds helpfully and raises one of his eyebrows. “Is something wrong?”

“Um.” Yuuji falters. How is he supposed to explain to them that his instincts are so weird that he can't understand them himself? “I think it's fine?” He offers unsurely. “What time is it?”

“It’s lunch break, Itadori. We brought you sandwiches since you should eat something.” Kugisaki holds up the bag with said food and smirks. “You need to be healthy as a future mama and everything.” She teases.

He groans and sits up with the egg on his lap, gratefully taking the sandwich. Yuuji unwraps it and takes a bite.

“You look a bit better.” Fushiguro comments lightly and also fishes out a sandwich, then sits on a free chair, minding the distance.

The girl follows prior.

“I thought that not being pregnant is nice enough, but I guess even this method has its flaws.” Kugisaki decides and gives him an intense stare. “Still didn't find the daddy?” She asks, smirking again.

Yuuji almost chokes on the sandwich. That sounds bad .

“No.” He replies.

Only Nanamin and Gojou-sensei remained on his mental list. That's terrifying.

“And you really have no idea who made you pregnant?” The girl prods with squinted eyes.

“Stop saying it this way!” Yuuji whines and pouts, brushing the egg surface with his free hand. “If he made me pregnant, at least I would know.” He points out sulkily.

She snickers. “Fair enough.”

“Can I ask a question, Itadori?” Fushiguro asks suddenly while looking at him in thought, so Yuuji nods in agreement while munching on his sandwich. “Why are you so determined about finding another parent? Are those your instincts speaking too?”

Yuuji blinks and smiles sadly, glancing down at his egg. “I know what it means to grow up without parents. But I had Jii-chan. And if I die, then who is going to take care of them and support them? I don't want my child to be alone. I can't let that happen.” He ends in a whisper.

There is a silence in response, so he looks up at his friends, who have surprised expressions on their faces.

“Damn. This is an unexpectedly good reason. Also, very serious.” Kugisaki mumbles and takes the last bite of the sandwich. “But I think you are worrying too much, Itadori. We won't let your baby be alone. Same with you.” She says it matter-of-factly.

Yuuji's lower lip trembles. “I love you so much, guys!” He whines and makes grabby hands. “I would hug you, but I can't let go of the egg around others.” He adds pitifully, mourning the lost occasion.

“No need for that.” Fushiguro assures him instantly, and Yuuji chuckles, knowing that the boy doesn't prefer physical contact.

“Okay! We are going back to class, and you chill.” The girl orders. “It got too emotional here.”

Then they are gone. After the nap and some food, Yuuji feels more energetic. And since Gojou-sensei is busy now, he decides to call Nanamin to ask him directly. When he dials the number, everything gets mixed up in his mind, though, so the first thing he blurts out when the man picks up is:

“I'm looking for a daddy.”

Which, again, sounds bad ! Yuuji opens his mouth to clear the possible misunderstanding, with a very pointed silence on the other end, but then Nanamin starts talking.

“Itadori-kun, I think you are an amazing kid, and I am aware that you are currently without any father figure in your life due to your personal circumstances and the fact that your main teacher is the most irresponsible idiot on this earth, but to give this spot to a person who only showed you a slight kindness a few times is a bit—”

“Wait! Wait, wait, wait, Nanamin!” Yuuji interrupts him, relieved that the man took it that way and not the other one. “I’m sorry, I didn't specify. That's fully on me.” He chuckles sheepishly and takes a deep breath. “I'm looking for my baby’s daddy.” He admits.

There is yet another silence in response, which makes him a bit anxious.

“Itadori-kun. Since when do you have a baby?” Nanamin asks slowly after a moment.

“Um. Since yesterday? I mean, the baby is on their way, now just growing to be born?” He tries to explain carefully.

Silence again. Then.

“Itadori-kun. What the hell happened?” Nanamin sounds petrified.

So Yuuji explains from the beginning, with the man asking some questions, mostly about his well-being.

“And how do you feel about it all, Itadori-kun?”

He pauses for a second.

“I'm scared.” He whispers. “I'm scared that I won't be good enough for my child.”

“Well, you are also a child yourself, so it's obvious. But honestly, adults are scared about parenting too. Do you need anything? I can help you.” The man proposes.

Yuuji feels like tearing up for the amount of support he receives today.

“Thank you, Nanamin! Everyone wants to help, so I'm quite fortunate in this situation.” He chuckles warmly. “Sorry for asking this, but this is not your baby, right?” Yuuji winces while firing the question.

“I do have sympathy for you, Itadori-kun, but it's as platonic and open as it can be.” Nanamin admits, sounding amused.

Yuuji sighs. He was expecting this outcome, but now it means he needs to talk with Gojou-sensei. Asking his amazing, relatable, and very handsome teacher if he has any harboring feelings towards him seems like a joke.

“Maybe he's someone I don't even know.” He wonders aloud.

Nanamin coughs. “You might overthink it, Itadori-kun. The person who is at fault here is probably forced to act like a responsible adult for the first time in his life.” He says it in a resigned tone.

“Eh? Nanamin, do you have a clue?” Yuuji asks with wide eyes, gripping his phone tightly.

“I have a hunch. And I don't like it.” The man sighs. “But don't worry, if I am correct and he won't say a thing, then I will beat him up for you.” Nanamin sounds oddly thrilled at the thought.

“Oh. Okay? Thank you?” Yuuji mumbles, at a loss. 

They exchange a few last words, and then the call ends. For not having anything better to do, Yuuji gets back to his own room, lays down on his bed with the egg carefully wrapped in his covers, and tries to fall asleep again.

It's not working.

He didn't realize how the previous place made him calm until he left it. Now his instincts are acting up again, not letting him rest for even a second. Somehow, it's even worse than at night. Just when he is about to start screaming from frustration, there is a knock on his door.

“Oh no.” Yuuji mumbles and groans.

He isn't sure if he won't harm the person on the other side, already being sleep-deprived, frustrated, and extremely agitated to protect his baby. But when he very reluctantly stands up from his bed with the egg and then carefully opens the door, something odd happens. He instantly relaxes, his mind getting more coherent. Because there stands Gojou-sensei, missing his blindfold and grinning, his posture confident and lazy at the same time. His smile dims a bit after seeing him, though, so Yuuji wonders what he must look like right now. Probably the same as he feels. Terrible.

“Oh, poor mommy.” Sensei coos and does something he definitely shouldn't do.

He reaches with his hand to touch Yuuji's face, cupping his cheek and brushing one of the eye bags. Not only does he cross the room’s entrance, which shouldn't be allowed, he also just casually initiates physical contact with him.

And his instincts don't react at all! He is holding the egg, but nothing happens?!

What the heck?!

Yuuji stares at his teacher in shock, and the man’s eyebrows raise funny.

“What’s with that face, Yuuji?” He asks playfully and smiles at him, showing his white teeth. “Are you so amazed after seeing me without a blindfold?” Gojou-sensei stops touching Yuuji's face to make a pose straight out of modeling magazines.

“Um, Sensei?” Yuuji starts hesitantly. “Why are my instincts not reacting to you? It kinda creeps me out.” He admits in a murmur.

His teacher drops the attitude, his face changing to a serious expression.

“Because it's me.” Gojou-sensei says solemnly.

Yuuji blinks, perplexed.

Because it's Sensei? Because it's Gojou Satoru? Because he is The Strongest?

He gasps.

“Gojou-sensei is amazing, after all!” Yuuji decides enthusiastically and nods in awe.

It's the man’s time to blink.

“I think you just got it wrong, Yuuji. But whatever, I'm here to talk about it anyway. Can I get inside?” Sensei asks with a smile, and Yuuji invites him, only then noticing that the man is holding a stack of papers in his other hand that he places on Yuuji's desk, then sits on the chair there.

“Please don't tell me that this is my homework due to my absence today.” Yuuji mumbles, horrified at the amount.

His teacher chuckles. “Oh, this is my work to do. Mostly reports I should have submitted a few weeks ago!” He explains brightly.

The fact Sensei can just lightly ignore doing this part of sorcerer work and get away with it is kinda incredible. But…

“Why are you bringing your work to my room, Sensei?” Yuuji asks suspiciously, his eyes narrowing.

“I'm staying here until the baby will hatch~!” Gojou-sensei informs him cheerfully, making jazz hands for a better effect.

Yuuji frowns and carefully sits on his bed, hugging the egg closely, trying to think of a reason.

“Ah! I know!” He exclaims with a gasp after a few seconds. “You are in a rebelling phase, skipping your missions, Sensei! Isn't that bad?” Yuuji asks, concerned.

“Wrong again, Yuuji. First of all, I have every right to take parental leave now. And second of all, you feel more at ease when I'm around, don't you?” Gojou-sensei winks at him.

Wait. Wait! Hold on for a second! What the hell his teacher just said?!

“That’s true that I feel calmer with Sensei around, but a parental leave ?” Yuuji emphasizes with wide eyes in disbelief. “Isn't it too exaggerated?” He makes a bewildered face.

“Parental leave, no less. We are going to raise our baby together, Yuuji.” Sensei states with a smile.

He gapes, taken aback.

What is Gojou-sensei saying right now?

“Our?” Yuuji repeats and lightly taps the egg pointedly. “ Our? ”

“Mhm~!” The man confirms with a grin.

What is going on? Is Yuuji being tricked? Gojou-sensei is the person harboring feelings towards him?

What?!

“Sensei, if this is a joke—”

“It's not!” He opposes it instantly in a whine. The man goes back to his serious face for a second. “I came here with a resolution to take responsibility, Yuuji. Shouko said you were looking for me, so here I am~” He grins again.

Yuuji furrows his brows in confusion. Because it's hard to believe that Gojou-sensei wants to…

“Sensei, do you want to fuck me?” Yuuji asks bluntly, skeptical.

“Oh, gladly~!” His teacher chirps and tilts his head. “But we don't have to get there ever if you don't want to, Yuuji. Don't feel obligated or push yourself to do anything for me because of our baby.” Sensei smiles knowingly.

Okay. Okay.

Not okay!

Yuuji can't grasp his head about it. At. All!

He takes a deep breath. “If I have to be honest, I was thinking about writing your name as the father of my child to get high child support if things get sideways, Sensei.” Yuuji admits straightforwardly, which produces a snort out of the man. “But! If this is some kind of attempt at helping me by lying, then—”

“Yuuji.” Gojou-sensei cuts him off immediately, his eyebrows furrowing in disappointment. “You don't believe me?” He makes sure, his tone tight.

Yuuji bites his lips and shakes his head in a “no”. “I'm sorry, Gojou-sensei, but why would you pick me out of everyone? Especially since I am, well, me and you are you .” He mumbles, averting his teacher's piercing stare.

A moment of silence.

“I really don't like what you are saying right now, Yuuji. What does it even mean? I was prepared for various reactions, but not you outwardly rejecting the thought that I might fall for you itself.” His teacher sounds hurt.

“Because!” He shouts on impulse and closes his eyes. “Because it's weird, Sensei! How do you expect me to believe that you have any harboring feelings towards me?! Sensei could have literally anyone!” Yuuji yells and snaps his eyes open, then gasps, startled.

He didn't even realize when his teacher moved from his chair to crouch in front of him, those blue-out-of-this-world eyes observing his face with intensity, keeping him in place.

“And yet I want you , Yuuji. No one else.” Gojou-sensei whispers and closes the distance to kiss him, his hands reaching to hold his face, minding the egg.

Yuuji's eyes widen, meeting the blue ones till they close. The kiss, though… Even his virgin’s ass can easily tell how it's loaded with unspoken emotions. It goes from hunger, lust, and possessiveness—Sensei kissing him hard and very, very passionately, one of his hands wandering down to Yuuji's neck and even lower, until the kiss changes to something more soft, delicate, and careful as if not wanting to scare him—to the affection, care, and love. If that's not enough, when Sensei pulls away, he opens his eyes to look at Yuuji with such endearment that he forgets how to breathe, only able to gaze at the man, his eyes wide open, completely astonished.

“Do you believe me now, Yuuji?” Gojou-sensei murmurs and cups his cheek again in a tender manner.

“Yeah.” He utters in an instant breathlessly, still dumbfounded.

It's Gojou-sensei . He can't deny it now, not after the kiss. Shit, that was Yuuji's first, and he was too shocked to even react! He was so focused on the feelings that he didn't enjoy the sensation itself! And Sensei's hands wandering on his body… Better not think about it yet!

Gojou-sensei is the father .

Yuuji is actually… relieved? If it's Sensei, then everything has to be alright. Having The Strongest on his side sure feels reassuring. Now he doesn't have to worry about money or support. Gojou-sensei is willing to give all of this to him and even more.

Yeah, he can finally relax.

The way his teacher lights up at his reply makes him chuckle involuntarily. “That's great!” Sensei chirps. “If we have this fact confirmed already, let's sleep together!” He grins.

Nevermind about the relaxing part!

He probably makes some kind of face because the man giggles.

“Yuuji~ What are you thinking about, hm~? Sensei told you before! I won't force you to do anything you are not willing to, remember?” Gojou-sensei wiggles his eyebrows pointedly, then smiles at him in that new, unlocked soft manner. “What I meant is me tugging you to sleep, so you can rest.” He explains with a chuckle.

Oh.

“Oh.” Yuuji mumbles and nods in understanding. “Please take care of me, Sensei.” He bows slightly, the perspective of uninterrupted sleep too tempting to miss it.

“So polite!” His teacher comments, amused. “Do you want me to hold the egg?” He proposes, his hands waiting expectantly.

He blinks, unsure. “I don't know?” Yuuji admits hesitantly and tries to listen to his instincts inside him, but those are so content right now that he sighs.

Well, now the reason is obvious. Ieiri-sensei was right, then. With the daddy's presence, it really is more bearable.

“I still want to hug my baby, so they would know I'm here.” He settles on finally.

“Our baby.” Sensei corrects with a grin.

“Our baby.” Yuuji agrees, smiling back.

They arrange everything, with him holding the egg comfortably and Sensei covering Yuuji and the baby in blankets. Then the man leans in as if wanting to kiss him again, so Yuuji tenses, unprepared.

“Oh. I kissed your forehead earlier when you were asleep, so I guess I moved without thinking. Sorry, Yuuji.” Gojou-sensei chuckles with a cute tilt of his head.

He stares at his teacher. Maybe that's why Yuuji could sleep so peacefully?

“Can Sensei do it again?” He asks quietly.

“Eh? Really?! Yuuji gave me permission! Yay~!” The man cheers happily.

Gojou-sensei bends to place a very eager kiss on his forehead, then withdraws a little to look at Yuuji closely with affection.

“I'm here, Yuuji. I will protect you and our baby. You can sleep without worry.” He whispers, then kisses his forehead once again, now more slowly and delicately.

That's… that's actually really nice.

“I'm glad it's you, Sensei.” Yuuji confesses in a whisper.

The man pauses and stares at him intently. “Do you know how it sounds, Yuuji? As if you are willing to give me a chance. A hope.” He points in a strained voice.

Yuuji just smiles and turns to the side, finding a more comfortable position to sleep, not saying anything.

“That's mean, Yuuji~” Sensei whines sulkily, but his hand brushes through his hair, and this touch alone makes him drowsy.

He closes his eyes and hums. “I'm thankful for the baby too, Sensei.” Yuuji mumbles lastly and drifts away, lulled into sleep by the man’s gentle touch.

Chapter Text

Satoru observes Yuuji, who is sleeping soundly, with a fond smile, his hand brushing through the boy's hair in a delicate and reassuring manner.

It all worked out better than he thought? Maybe the part when Yuuji didn't believe him wasn't the greatest, but hey! At least he kissed him, claiming those lips like he always dreamed! Yay! Satoru put all his feelings into it, knowing that it could be one and only kiss between them ever. Yuuji's reaction, though? Priceless! The boy was so utterly astonished!

And just earlier, those sweet words that made Satoru pause, hope blooming in his heart. To say Yuuji is glad it's him. To thank him for the baby. It means there is a possibility—a small, tiny chance that Yuuji might reciprocate Satoru's feelings in the future!

He chuckles quietly and stops petting the boy, now reaching with his hands towards the egg. Satoru touches the surface lightly with his fingertips, glancing at Yuuji to see if it bothers him somehow. Yet he doesn't see any difference on his face, nor in the cursed energy surrounding him, so he caresses the egg slowly. If Yuuji's instincts can tell he is the father, can the baby feel it too?

His phone suddenly vibrates a few times, left on the boy's desk with papers he brought with him. Probably Ijichi spamming him with questions like:

“What do you mean you are taking parental leave, Gojou-san? What about your work as a sorcerer? The responsibility as the head of all clans? Being The Strongest?”

Yeah, no. Satoru has more important matters now! His love life, for example. Now that everything has come to light, he can finally try to win Yuuji's heart shamelessly and outwardly. He has priorities . Their baby is also taken into account here. How can Satoru let his future lover look after their child alone? This can't be! It's very important to be around the baby, especially right after they are born, so they can feel the presence of their parents and take comfort from it. Satoru knows that much, at least. Since he’s participating in the raising part, he’s going to do it right .

With a final kiss on Yuuji's forehead—since he got permission, time to treasure it—Satoru leaves the bed to sit at the desk and fill out overdue reports, pointedly ignoring the vibrations from his phone. He manages to finish exactly three of those, when there is a sudden noise of the bed squeaking, then feet shuffling. Satoru turns to witness half-asleep Yuuji approaching him with the egg, his face scrunched in displeasure. He stops right before him to tug at his sleeve.

“Sensei left the nest.” The boy mumbles with his eyebrows furrowed in disapproval, then pouts accusingly.

Eh? Eeeh?! The nest ? Yuuji's bed is a nest now? That's kinda cute! It's definitely because of the instincts, but the thought alone is funny and oddly adorable. Satoru is part of a bird family now!

“Sorry, but I have work, Yuuji.” He reminds him, a bit amused.

The boy frowns deeper and sways on his feet, then unceremoniously sits on his lap, snuggling closer to rest his head on Satoru's shoulder with a content sigh, then closes his eyes, all while hugging the egg carefully, now placed on the boy's own lap in a secure hold.

What the hell.

Okay, okay. Calm down. That's just tired Yuuji . Satoru saw it already. The boy can be extremely sweet and dangerous at the same time while sleep-deprived, not coherent enough to comprehend anything that's happening around him, but Satoru can deal with it . He just has to adjust them a bit to find a more comfortable position, then wrap his left arm around Yuuji's back for support and let him sleep like this. He can do this. It will be fine.

After redoing one report all over again, getting distracted by the way Yuuji’s soft breath tickles his neck, making him shiver involuntarily, Satoru decides that no, he can't deal with it, no, he can’t do this, and no, it's not fine at all! He groans quietly, torn between finishing the reports and cuddling with Yuuji.

Wait a second. What is he even hesitating about?

Satoru picks up Yuuji in a princess carry yet again, the boy not even stirring in the process. He takes them back to bed, carefully arranging the boy and the egg there. He can't help but smile when Yuuji frowns again and reaches blindly with his hand to find him. That's so cute! Satoru joins them, hugging the boy from behind since Yuuji still has the egg in his own hold.

Oh gods, he loves it! Having the boy in his arms, feeling Yuuji's warm body pressed tightly against him, their legs tangled. The bed is small, so they are slightly cramped here, with the egg taking a lot of space. Satoru takes a deep breath, inhaling the boy's scent, fighting with a sudden urge to kiss his neck. Instead, he just hugs him closer, appreciating the moment.

Is that what it is? Is Satoru allowed to be this close to Yuuji thanks to their baby?

That's… that's the best thing that happened to him, then! The boy was right. They both should be thankful for the egg. He feels like his face is going to fall off because of how widely he's smiling right now, his cheek hurting already. Satoru could stay like this forever—with Yuuji in his hold, the baby nearby. Then the boy produces a sigh, sounding pleased, and turns, leaving the egg to cuddle him instead. Yuuji nuzzles his face into his neck's junction, and Satoru pauses, going as far as to hold his breath for a long moment. His heart feels like it's about to burst, beating wildly in his chest, and it's not a result of him purposely cutting himself from the oxygen. He snuggles towards Yuuji instantly, seeking his warmth, and just when he's about to kiss him, the temptation too hard to not act on it…

“Itadori?” Megumi’s voice from the hallway interrupts him, and Satoru jerks, caught red-handed, sending a glare full of betrayal towards the door.

Nooo!! Megumi, how could you? Satoru will cry! The black-haired boy just had to show up at the best part, when the moment was getting even better!

Megumi knocks. “Hey, Itadori, have you seen Gojou? Ijichi called me and was crying in distress, sobbing out something about parental leave?” He relates unsurely, and Satoru snickers in a low voice.

Ua, he made the man cry. Hilarious.

“Itadori?” Megumi sounds worried at the lack of response, and then the door handle is pushed down.

Oh, shit.

The moment the door is open, Yuuji immediately sits up on the bed, completely sober, hiding the egg from the view, his eyes crazed and the entire body ready to attack. Satoru gapes, amazed. Holy shit, that’s insane . He’s so glad he doesn’t have to be at the receiving end of those instincts, those just accepting him naturally.

Then two things happen at the same time. Yuuji realizes that Satoru is right next to him, and he visibly relaxes, huffing a relieved exhale, his arms drooping. And Megumi opens the door, his eyes widening at the sight. He opens his mouth, frowns in confusion, closes it with an even more perplexed expression, and takes one step back, just to make sure he didn’t mix up the rooms. Satoru starts laughing openly at the reaction, finding it extremely amusing.

“What the hell?” Megumi mumbles and tries to get inside, but then Yuuji tenses up again, holding out his hand in a stop gesture.

“Fushiguro, please don’t cross the room entrance. Even if Sensei is here, I can’t assure you I won’t do anything.” The pink-haired boy utters through his teeth, so Satoru stops laughing, sitting up and reaching with his hand to stroke Yuuji’s back comfortingly in hopes it would make him less stressed. It works. Yuuji sends him a grateful glance, smiling slightly. “Sorry, Fushiguro.” He says it in a less strained tone.

Megumi squints his eyes at them, and Satoru sees the exact moment when the realization hits him. The boy he knew almost his entire life—Megumi’s life, to be exact—looks at him with such disgust that Satoru snorts. That’s a new level of his attitude towards him.

“I don’t even have words to describe my feelings right now.” Megumi deadpans and then snaps his attention at Yuuji with clear concern. “Itadori, are you okay? Is he forcing you to do this?” He asks, pointing at the bed and the way they are resting there so closely.

Yuuji obediently looks around and frowns, not finding anything weird in it. Satoru smiles softly.

“If you are asking about Sensei being here, then it’s me who needs it since my instincts are much easier to bear with Gojou-sensei sticking close.” He admits and frowns. “I don’t remember how we ended up in bed together, but it still made me feel safe and warm, so I’m grateful.” Yuuji glances at Satoru, smiling shyly.

“Yuuji~!” He whines and needs to stop himself from pulling the boy into a hug, knowing that Yuuji is still backing up the egg protectively. “Sensei loves you so much~” Satoru intones teasingly with a grin instead.

Yuuji rolls his eyes fondly while Megumi groans from the door.

“I think it’s clear looking at the egg.” He mutters, but Satoru hears it, so he grins wider.

“Hmm~? Oh! The baby is mine, but I don’t see anything wrong about it~” He provokes cheerfully.

“Yeah? Then I want to witness The Strongest taking parental leave, and the higher-ups letting you do it without issue.” Megumi smirks in a taunting way.

Who taught this kid how to talk back? Ah, it was him. Well…

“Don’t you worry, Megumi~ I will make sure that both Yuuji and our baby will be under the best care! My care.” Satoru smiles, baring his teeth in threat.

The black-haired boy raises his eyebrows. “How odd to see you being serious about parenting for once, Gojou.” He comments dryly.

Ouch, that stings.

“It’s different, Megumi. And you know it.” Satoru sighs obnoxiously.

“Sure.” He shrugs.

“Um.” Yuuji butts in hesitantly. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but I really need to go to the toilet.” He admits with a wince.

What a change of subject!

“Oh. You can leave our baby with me, Yuuji, if it’s fine with you.” Satoru proposes instantly with a knowing smile.

He really wants to hold the egg finally!

“We can try?” The boy agrees with an unsure expression, his eyebrows already narrowing in concern.

Satoru smirks, glancing at Megumi, then quickly leans to kiss Yuuji on the forehead. Because he can! The pink-haired boy blinks, his features smoothing.

“Don’t make this worried face, Yuuji. You will get wrinkles. Remember who I am! Our baby will always be safest with me~” Satoru grins and winks.

Ah, his eyes are hurting a bit after not covering them, but that’s okay. He needed to be transparent while talking with Yuuji, so he can stand a bit of pain.

“Oh. Right.” Yuuji smiles widely and gives him a thumbs up. “I’m counting on you then, Sensei. If I feel like going crazy without the egg, I will go back for it, though.” He warns and leaves, passing Megumi with an apologetic smile.

“Are you really serious about it?” The black-haired boy asks the moment Yuuji is gone, crossing his arms, talking about the situation in general.

Satoru scoffs, indignant. “Of course I am!” He huffs in annoyance. “Just because I tend to take things easily doesn’t mean I can’t commit to something for real.” He mumbles with a pout and reaches for the egg to place it on his lap, then hugs it lightly. The sensation is nicer than he expected? Fun! “You should know already, Megumi. I’m here, as you can see. That’s enough proof.” Satoru chuckles.

Megumi smacks his lips. “But if you hurt Itadori…”

“Can people stop assuming I will do such a thing? From all of you, I want Yuuji to be happy the most!” Satoru argues and brushes the egg’s surface.

It’s so smooth! Touching it is oddly satisfying. Now he can understand why Yuuji does it all the time! He hugs the egg more comfortably and caresses it with a big smile.

“Tell them all, baby. We will make mommy happy, right?” Satoru coos.

“Oh gods.” Megumi groans flatly.

“Sensei, you too?!” Yuuji appears with a gasp.

Satoru opens his mouth to confirm that yes, he is going to make Yuuji the happiest, they can even get married right away, when…

“I also speak to the baby in the egg, because I want them to recognize my voice!” The pink-haired boy chirps.

Oh. That part. Too bad. But!

“That's a great idea! Let’s talk a lot to our baby!” Satoru matches the enthusiasm instantly.

“You are both stupid.” Megumi decides with a tired sigh.

Yuuji frowns at his friend, then glances at Satoru and straightens proudly. “Our baby might be dumb after me, but at least they will be pretty after Gojou-sensei.” He states with a solemn nod.

Satoru laughs even when the door is already closed, Megumi gone.

“You are laughing too much, Sensei.” Yuuji mutters sulkily.

Then something occurs to him, so he falls silent with a small gasp.

“Yuuji. Do you find me pretty?!” Satoru asks heatedly with his best grin, fluttering his eyelashes.

That’s a very important question, after all! The answer might mean a lot to Satoru. He's aware of his looks, but using those to seduce Yuuji? It never crossed his mind before since the boy doesn’t seem like the type falling for appearance. Yet the plans can be always readjusted a bit~

The boy bites his lower lip and then sits next to him with a tilt of his head.

“I guess it really is fine if Sensei is holding the egg.” Yuuji murmurs in thought.

Ah! Another topic change! Or more like an attempt at averting the answer? Hoho? That's suspicious! He decides to prod when Yuuji will be in a more vulnerable state. As in: half-asleep.

“It kinda calms me down if I touch it, actually. Is it the same for Yuuji?” Satoru asks curiously, brushing the egg again.

The boy nods eagerly. “Yeah! Maybe Sensei also got some instinct accidentally?” He wonders in awe.

Did he? Satoru hums, pondering. Might be true as well. Then.

“If you are okay with me holding our baby, you can sleep some more while I finish my work and keep an eye on the egg in the meantime.” Satoru proposes with a soft smile and cups Yuuji’s cheek with another hum, examining his complexion. “We don’t want you to be exhausted even before the baby hatches.” He jokes playfully.

Yuuji’s eyes flicker between his own, the boy making an unfamiliar expression. Huh? What’s that? Yuuji looks at him very intently, almost expectantly. Satoru scrunches his eyes a bit, trying to figure it out.

“Sensei? Aren’t you going to kiss me?” Yuuji asks then.

He blinks, bewildered for exactly one second, and then his brain reboots, a sudden stirring appearing in his stomach.

“Eh?!” Satoru exclaims and gulps.

So it was Yuuji’s “Sensei, kiss me” face? What the hell?! His heart wasn’t prepared for it at all?!

“Because you held my face and said to go to sleep, so I thought you were going to kiss my forehead again.” The boy explains and furrows his brows. “Was I wrong?”

“No!” Satoru denies immediately, never willing to lose a chance when it appears. He was hoping for a different kiss, but this will do too. “Come here, Yuuji~” He leans to place a chaste kiss on the boy’s forehead again.

He's afraid it might be addicting. If he could, he would kiss every inch of Yuuji’s skin. When he withdraws, some of his thoughts must show on his face, because the boy looks at him thoughtfully and then very quickly pecks him on his cheek. Satoru’s jaw drops.

“Yuuji.” He utters it with wide eyes, his heart racing.

The boy just giggles and shoves him lightly to lay down on the bed and curls up on the side.

“Yuuji, you are doing this on purpose!” Satoru whines with a pout, needing to call his remaining self-control, because it's really, really hard to leave the bed now.

“Goodnight.” Yuuji says simply and closes his eyes with an amused smile.

“Nooo~!”

Chapter Text

Yuuji can’t really understand it either, but since Gojou-sensei appeared and is now constantly at his side, his instincts became quieter. He still has to protect the egg and know it’s nearby to feel assured, but at least he can also leave it under Sensei’s care and not freak out instantly. It’s amazing!

When he wakes up from yet another nap to find his teacher working on reports while absentmindedly caressing the egg in the meantime, he can’t help a fond smile. Somehow, accepting Gojou-sensei as his baby’s father was easier after Yuuji actually believed that the man does in fact harbor clear endearment towards him. Maybe because Sensei gives off this aura of being reliable, but he feels genuinely reassured. And he's not gonna lie, the way his teacher looks at him, as if only now letting himself show his real feelings, gets Yuuji bad. Those soft expressions and kisses… That’s an unexpectedly cute side of the man.

Sensei brings them a late dinner, taking it to Yuuji's room, and they eat together, the egg back in his careful hold. He is eating on the bed, the man occupying his chair at the desk again.

“It got even heavier.” Yuuji observes, able to feel the difference by only having the egg on his lap. “I wonder what we will see when Ieiri-sensei candles it tomorrow.” He hums in thought.

“The baby is growing fast, huh?” Gojou-sensei also hums. “Shouldn't we start buying stuff? What does the baby need anyway?” He wonders.

“Oh. I tried to find out online yesterday, and I was shocked at the amount of items.” He admits with a chuckle.

“Seriously?” His teacher mumbles with his eyebrows raised and then rubs his eyes. “Ah, can you make a list with everything then, Yuuji? I’m going to give it to Ijichi tomorrow.”

“Sensei!” Yuuji gasps incredulously. “Please don’t treat Ijichi-san like an errand boy!” He scolds with a frown. “Are your eyes hurting?” He adds worryingly, the man still rubbing them with a slight wince.

“Yeah, a bit. Guess I should get back to my room for the blindfold since I finished with the reports already…” He stops touching his eyes to squint them while looking at Yuuji. “Or I will just take you both there instead.” Gojou-sensei decides suddenly.

“Eh?” He asks dumbly.

“Because you want to sleep the entire night, right, Yuuji?” Sensei points out with a grin, so he nods in agreement. “Then we need to sleep together! You were pretty dissatisfied when I left the nest earlier, going as far as to seduce me back there~” He teases, amused.

And what ? Yuuji did that?!

“I don’t recall doing anything!” He opposes it in a high-pitched tone. “What exactly have I done?” Yuuji asks gravily, petrified.

The man giggles. “You were so cute, Yuuji! Sitting on my lap and making yourself comfortable to sleep there until I move back to your bed and stay with you~!” He reveals, and Yuuji gulps. “So let’s take my bed this time! It’s bigger than the regular student’s one. Actually, let’s move you both there permanently!” His teacher proposes cheerfully.

Yuuji blinks and chews his food for a moment.

“Why?”

“Do you think you can fit a crib here?” Sensei looks around skeptically. “Because I don’t think so. And I want to keep an eye on both of you as often as I can.” He adds with this soft smile.

And how is Yuuji supposed to refuse that? The expression aside, all arguments Gojou-sensei makes are always very hard to argue with.

“Sure.” He permits lightly and laughs when the man cheers happily.

So for the rest of the evening, they move Yuuji’s belongings to Sensei’s place, which is far bigger than his previous room, more of a small apartment with a tiny kitchenette and his own bathroom. Even the standard of the place seems better, the furniture more expensive and functional.

“Well, obviously. I live here, Yuuji.” Gojou-sensei states with a snort.

Right. The man doesn’t have too many personal things, though.

“I said I live here, but I’m mostly out on business trips or meetings with higher-ups.” He sighs, then smiles at him reassuringly. “But don’t worry, Yuuji. I’m planning to decrease those so I can spend more time with my family.”

Record scratch.

“Family?” Yuuji murmurs, astounded.

Are they family now?

They have a baby. And they just started living together. Sensei loves him. Yuuji loves him too, just not at the exact same level yet.

“Oh gods, we are family.” He realizes in a whisper, so his teacher laughs.

“It makes me really happy you think so too, Yuuji.” Gojou-sensei says, and even with the blindfold, Yuuji can decipher this familiar soft look underneath.

And what's with that, Yuuji suddenly becoming family with someone as amazing as Gojou Satoru. How to deal with it?! Yeah, he leaves it for his future self.

He never was more grateful for a chance to just shower in peace without his instincts screaming at him to watch his baby, the egg safe in Sensei’s hands. Yuuji also quickly discovers that the man’s bed is far more comfortable than his earlier one.

“Whoa. Sensei, how can you get up every day from here?” He asks completely seriously, splattered there like a starfish.

“I was very determined to see someone’s face in the class beaming at me happily while chirping good morning?” The man replies pointedly with a smirk. “Also, I didn’t have that someone to warm my bedsheets for me before.”

Yuuji chokes on his spit and needs to sit up, coughing for his breath.

“That caught me off guard.” He admits in a wheeze after calming down.

He accepts the offered bottle of water from Gojou-sensei, who just took it from the small fridge, seeming amused at his reaction.

“But that’s true! Not that I haven’t imagined the last part, though…”

“Sensei!”

His teacher just laughs and leaves to take a shower too. Yuuji shakes his head fondly. Gojou-sensei’s wooing is so like him. Is it working? A bit, maybe? It's hard for Yuuji to grasp his feelings about it all, still just overwhelmed with the entire situation. He's a bit thrilled at the prospect of sleeping together, though. It feels like a sleepover! He didn’t have those in ages!

But when the man comes back and also lays down, taking him into his arms, Yuuji freezes. Because what comes next? Is Gojou-sensei going to kiss him? What is he supposed to do? How to react?!

“Is something wrong?” Sensei has the audacity to ask.

“Really? Is something wrong? ” He mimics disbelievingly. “Do we have to sleep this way?” Yuuji asks, glancing back at his teacher.

“Well… You are the one who will cuddle me the moment you fall asleep, Yuuji.” Gojou-sensei sounds amused while stating this.

“What?!” He yells, then catches himself, not wanting to disturb anyone at the late hours. “What?” Yuuji hisses this time.

“I swear it’s because of those instincts, but that’s exactly what happened earlier. So I thought it’s better to stay like this from the beginning.” The man explains and loses the hold around his waist. “Unless you really feel uncomfortable with it, then it’s fine, we can stop. But I’m still sure it will end up this way in the morning.” He snickers.

And what can Yuuji do? He relaxes and lets himself be hugged. It’s not that bad either way. But it does make him wonder what exactly is his life now.

He falls asleep almost instantly this night, not turning around restlessly or waking up all the time to check on his baby. Yuuji feels safe in Sensei’s bed and arms. So it actually works like that . That's messed up. As if his body is already acknowledging the man as his partner. Which is… weird.

He wakes up by a gentle touch of Gojou-sensei’s fingers running through his hair, so Yuuji opens his eyes groggily to find the man watching him affectionately.

“Oh.” Sensei says softly. “I'm sorry if I woke you up, Yuuji.” He murmurs, not stopping the petting even for a second.

Only then does Yuuji realize that he really ended up snuggling to his teacher closely, laying halfly on the man, his head resting on Gojou-sensei’s chest. Wait. What the hell? Was he sleeping horizontally? Ah. The egg is placed between him and Sensei, with Yuuji curled up around it, touching both the baby and the man at the same time. His instincts sure are greedy.

“I'm sorry, Sensei.” He groans, ashamed. “I wasn't aware that I decided to use you as my pillow.” Yuuji admits with an apologetic expression.

His teacher chuckles, just looking at him in delight.

“I don't mind, Yuuji. It makes me really happy, you know?” He whispers, and his features soften even more. “Seeing you all vulnerable, relying on me.” Gojou-sensei ends in a hushed tone.

Something… something in Yuuji's stomach flutters at those words, so he gapes at the man in shock. That's… what? Is he actually falling for his teacher? Well, anyone would. The pretty face aside, since Gojou-sensei has stayed with him, Yuuji feels incredibly relieved . He wasn't even aware how much he needed it—to feel assured, loved, and taken care of.

“Yuuji?” The hand in his hair stops, so he is brought back to present. Sensei is squinting his eyes at him in concern. “If you don't like me brushing through your hair, just say a word.” He smiles and withdraws his hand.

“No!” Yuuji hurries to oppose, going as far as to raise his head from the man’s chest to look at him properly. “It was really nice, Sensei! I liked it!”

Gojou-sensei’s eyes widen, his teacher just gazing at him in bewilderment. Then, a pleased smile blooms on his face, and it’s Yuuji’s time to be dumbfounded. So they just stare at themselves in silence, an odd, warm atmosphere enveloping them. It's nice . Then, as if someone kicked him, Yuuji jerks up, his instincts flaring to life.

The egg.

He sits up in an instant, alarmed. Something isn't quite wrong, but he can tell that his baby… His baby! Oh gods!

“Sensei, I think that the baby is moving in the egg!” He exclaims, excited. “Do you think it will hatch soon, then?” Yuuji smiles at the man enthusiastically.

“Really? You can feel them moving inside?” Gojou-sensei makes sure in disbelief, also sitting next to him to see the egg better.

“I know, right? That’s so weird!” Yuuji concludes and laughs, caressing the surface delicately. “Hey, baby. Were you lonely, so you had to interrupt your parents when they were having a moment?” He asks softly.

“So we did have a moment back then!” Sensei whines and pouts. “Don’t betray daddy like this, baby! Be on my side and support the efforts!” He says to the egg sulkily.

Yuuji giggles at the antics.

“I don’t think it’s necessary.” He admits with a slight smile.

The man snaps his attention at him immediately. “What do you mean, Yuuji?” He asks breathlessly, but Yuuji only smiles wider in response. “Nooo~! Not that again! Stop giving me mixed signals, Yuuji-kun! Have mercy for this old man’s heart~!” Gojou-sensei whines pitifully.

Yuuji snorts. “Sensei, you are not old.” He rolls his eyes. “And I’m not giving you mixed signals.” He adds with one eyebrow raised.

His teacher looks at him in suspicion.

“Really? But when I’m doing this…” He leans towards him, so Yuuji freezes, preparing for a sudden kiss attack. “You are getting all tense up, Yuuji!” Sensei accuses him with a slight pout. “When I hugged you yesterday, it was all the same!” He mutters in complaint.

Yuuji takes a deep breath and relaxes his muscles, getting used to their close proximity. The man doesn’t get it, does he?

“That’s because I’m expecting something, Sensei.” He murmurs, not breaking eye contact.

There is a spark in those amazing blue eyes in front of him, as if the sun is reflecting on the water’s surface.

“What are you expecting, Yuuji?” The man whispers and leans even closer, his eyes flickering to his lips for a second.

Well, exactly that . But he doesn’t have to say it out loud because Sensei is already kissing him softly. It’s just a slight, careful press of his teacher’s lips on his own, but this time Yuuji is ready, so he reciprocates. The way Gojou-sensei instantly parts away in shock makes him genuinely chuckle in amusement.

“Why are you kissing back, Yuuji?” Sensei asks, his voice oddly strained. “Are you even aware of what you’re doing to me right now?”

“I hope?” He offers with a smile and laughs again at the man’s lost expression, which doesn't suit his face at all. “I’m sorry, Sensei, but aren’t you supposed to be more glad about it?” Yuuji points out soberly.

“Well, excuse me for having doubts, Yuuji-kun!” His teacher responds in an exaggerated manner. “I thought that you hated our last kiss!”

“Oh. I didn’t kiss you back at that time because I was a bit too preoccupied with everything happening. And it was my first, actually.” Yuuji explains sheepishly.

Sensei stares at him. “So it’s okay for me to kiss you?” He asks slowly.

Yuuji stares back. “Didn’t I say so already?”

“What?”

“What?”

Why is Gojou-sensei getting all confused now? Yuuji really likes the way Sensei kisses him, so what’s wrong with that?

He sighs. “Gojou-sensei. You can also be a bit dumb at times, huh?” Yuuji shakes his head with compassion.

The man makes an offensive expression and opens his mouth to disagree. Yuuji takes advantage of that, and now he’s the one to initiate a kiss, pecking Sensei’s lips lightly. He doesn't anticipate his teacher’s hand suddenly in Yuuji’s hair, bringing him even closer, the man not only kissing back but also sliding a tongue inside his mouth. He pauses for a second, flabbergasted, but since he’s not repulsed by the act, enjoying it even, Yuuji mimics the man, trying his best to kiss him in the same way.

Then, he's being pushed back to the bed, the kiss deepening. Yuuji closes his eyes and throws his arms around Gojou-sensei’s neck, kissing back eagerly. It's nice. It's pleasant. He likes it more with every passing second. The man kisses him passionately yet carefully, ready to stop the moment Yuuji says so. But he doesn't intend to. And isn’t that an answer itself about their developing relationship? Yuuji is willing to make it all work, not just for their baby’s sake or because he feels obligated to reciprocate Sensei’s affection. Those are Yuuji’s own feelings getting involved. They grow and grow, and…

Crack.

They stop kissing in an instant, both equally startled by the sound, looking at the egg with wide eyes.

Crack.

They both sit up, alert. Yuuji imagined this part as the baby kicking their way out of the egg by feet, crying from shock. It doesn't happen. The first sound was an actual crack spreading out from the top to the bottom, and the next one was the eggshell breaking into small pieces till they all disappeared, showing the content to their eyes.

The baby.

Their baby is sleeping peacefully on the side, slightly curled up, completely unbothered. Yuuji was researching online how the newborns look after labor, and the photos were terrifying. Here? The baby doesn't even seem real , more of a doll than an actual human being. They have pink hair, and the moment Yuuji realizes it, he groans.

“They were supposed to be pretty!” He whines, disappointed.

“Our baby is the prettiest.” On the contrary, Sensei states, mesmerized.

Yuuji turns to the man to argue, but Gojou-sensei's look full of admiration makes him close his mouth.

“Sensei is just biased.” He mutters.

“Of course I am! He looks like a copy of you, Yuuji, so he's perfect~ But his hair underneath the pink is white like mine.” His teacher points, and now that he said it…

Yuuji leans closer, noticing not only the hair but also the gender.

“Oh gods, that’s a boy!” He whisper-shouts, grasping Gojou-sensei’s arm to shake it, elated. “Our baby is a boy!” Yuuji cheers, then gasps. “Isn’t he cold?” He worries and reaches with his hands to…

He pauses there, at a loss. He has no idea how to pick up a baby. But then something amazing happens. His body moves on its own, and a moment later Yuuji has his sleeping son in his arms as if he were professionally holding babies his entire life. The moment he touches him, he’s flooded with sudden affection, with the urge to protect, to support, to shower his son with love and care. That would be instincts acting up again, right?! But those ones are actually helpful!

Yuuji glances at Gojou-sensei, ready to share it with the man, then freezes. Because Sensei is gazing at them with such fondness, his eyes teary, that Yuuji gulps, the words getting trapped in his throat, the muscles squeezing there.

“This is the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen.” Gojou-sensei whispers, clearly moved.

That's when does Yuuji become fully aware of what just happened.

The baby just hatched. Their son is in the world of living with them, alive .

He looks down at his baby’s sleeping face, not wrinkled by even one furrow, so full of trust and contentment. Okay, he gets why Sensei was on the verge of tears now.

In the next moment, Yuuji is carefully brought into a secure hug from the back, Gojou-sensei kissing him on the cheek and enveloping his arms around Yuuji’s ones to support him holding the baby, then he rests his chin on Yuuji’s shoulder to see their son better. And they just stay like this for a few minutes, observing together the baby’s tiny chest rising and falling with every single breath.

It's magical.

“We need to choose the name.” The man whispers, breaking the silence.

Yuuji hums in thought, not even attempting to look away from his baby, already in love with every single detail of his son. “Should we combine the syllables from our names? Since our son is a very unusual creation.”

He was born from Gojou-sensei’s feelings and grew on Yuuji’s own feelings, then has been brought to this world by the crack of them aligning. This part Yuuji leaves for only him to know for now, though.

“I like this idea!” The man reacts enthusiastically.

They stay in silence for some time, both thinking of possibilities.

“Yuuto.” They say in unison, and Yuuji turns to glance at the widely grinning Sensei.

“I’m glad we are in agreement here.” He comments with a quiet chuckle, not wanting to wake up their son.

Gojou-sensei hums in affirmation. “Let’s choose the kanji for our syllables, then.” He proposes. “I want my son to have the person kanji in his name. So the world would know that The Strongest’s child is still just a human.” The man explains, and Yuuji frowns.

“Sensei, that’s…”

“Shush! Pick your kanji, Yuuji.” Sensei just says lightly and fishes out his phone to show him the options.

“Kind.” He blurts out instantly, pointing at the screen with the right kanji. “I want our son to be a kind person.” Yuuji smiles at their baby.

“You know it can also mean superior or rich?” Gojou-sensei nudges him.

“Kind.” Yuuji emphasizes. “Kind and gentle.” He adds with a huff. “That's our Yuuto*.”

They watch him sleeping some more till the baby shivers. Right. He should wrap him in a blanket at least.

A sudden panic floods Yuuji's veins.

“Sensei—” He starts, but is cut off.

“Satoru.” The man corrects. “I'm not your teacher now, Yuuji. I won't be for the next year or more, I believe. So Satoru.” He presses.

“Satoru-san!” Yuuji agrees hurriedly, too focused on his worry to argue. “What do we do?” He whines. “We don't have anything bought for Yuuto! Clothes, supplies, all the necessities… At least a milk formula and diapers! Oh gods, Satoru-san, we are completely unprepared for—”

Yuuji's head is gently turned to the side, and then he's being delicately kissed on the lips. It oddly calms him down. Satoru-san withdraws and taps his finger on Yuuji's cheek.

“It's okay, Yuuji. I've got this. You made the list yesterday, right? I will go shopping. Take Yuuto to Shouko. I think he's in great health, but let's make sure, just in case.” The man orders softly and kisses his forehead. “I love you.” He murmurs and stands up, taking the blindfold and the list, then disappears.

He misses the way Yuuji sits on their bed, utterly stunned, his face burning. Because what the hell? Satoru-san never told him that he loved him before! Not so directly or seriously, at least! And Yuuji is not the type to blush and be embarrassed, but in his household, confessing love wasn't a thing, so now he just…

Yuuto stirs in his arms and opens his eyes at him. The breath is punched from Yuuji's lungs at the sight.

Their son has blue eyes .

And just like that, everything becomes a little bit too much for Yuuji, and the tears start streaming down his cheek from happiness.

Chapter Text

“Ieiri-sensei!” Once again, Yuuji yells from the door, this time carrying his just-hatched baby.

For not having anything better at hands, he wrapped his son in the scarf he used before as an egg holder. Yuuto is just observing him curiously the entire time with those beautiful eyes, which don't leave his face. Yuuji can’t stop smiling at him! Sometimes the baby makes sounds like squeaking, grunting, or gurgling. He didn’t cry so far, and Yuuji already fears if he will be able to calm him down.

The woman turns from her desk to look at him, and after noticing Yuuto in his arms, she raises her eyebrows.

“Well, that was fast.” Ieiri-sensei comments flatly and then approaches them with a slight smile. “Let’s see the baby.” She decides, pointing at the bed.

Yuuji lays his son there carefully, the woman leaning towards him.

“Damn. Those eyes.” She whistles.

“I know. When I saw them for the first time, I burst out crying.” He admits with a chuckle.

The woman snorts, then smiles at the way his son kicks his feet with a determined noise, the scarf loosening around his body in the process.

“His name is Yuuto.” Yuuji explains, and she hums in an affirmation, then puts on gloves to examine his son. The baby snaps his eyes at her hands, then frowns in anguish, letting out a whine. “And he doesn’t like those gloves.” He declares, but since he spoke, Yuuto looks back at him and whines again, then cries while reaching with his tiny, plump hands towards him. “And now he wants his mommy.” Yuuji whispers, flabbergasted, then glances at the woman with wide eyes. “Ieiri-sensei, I know exactly what he needs. Those instincts are incredible!” He decides with enthusiasm and brushes his son’s stomach in a reassuring gesture. Yuuto quiets down and kicks his feet again, pleased.

Okay, so not only Yuuji can do all those things on autopilot, he can basically understand what the baby wants at the time?! That’s freaking insane !

“That’s good because I want to measure and weigh him and also check his responses. It might not be the nicest experience for Yuu-kun.” She warns.

Yuu-kun ! That’s so sweet !

Well, the woman was right. After the examination, his baby’s pink eyelashes are wet from tears, Yuuto still heaving from the sobs in his arms, now peaceful and safe with his mommy. Yuuji kisses his hair and gently sways him, his son looking at him with a miserable expression.

“It’s okay, mommy is here.” He placates him softly, and Yuuto produces a small whimper, fisting his small hand into Yuuji’s hoodie, snuggling closer. “It’s okay, Yuuto.” Yuuji smiles at his baby fondly and kisses him again, then catches Ieiri-sensei watching them with a wide grin.

“And you were so worried about parenting, Itadori. I would say you are a natural.” She snickers.

“That’s all thanks to my instincts.” He huffs and smiles endearingly when Yuuto makes a high-pitched squeal.

“Give yourself a bit more credit, kid.” The woman opposes with a light nudge to his side. “Yuu-kun is healthy. His body might be small, but he seems very well developed, especially his brain. The way he follows you with his eyes and replies to you indicates his high intelligence. He's going to be smart.” She decides with a smirk.

“After daddy, huh?” Yuuji nods in understanding. “Hey, Yuuto. Are you going to be as smart as your daddy?” He asks his son, and the baby squeaks in reply, so they both laugh.

“He’s adorable.” Ieiri-sensei states and pats Yuuji on his arm. “I kinda expected the baby to appear early, so I got this.” She goes to a cabinet and takes out something from there, then shows all the items to him. “It’s a set that usually hospitals give to the newborns, so an onesie, socks, a couple of diapers, and baby wipes.”

Yuuji gapes at those, then looks at the woman with gratitude.

“Oh gods, Ieiri-sensei, thank you so much! We were completely unprepared, and Satoru-san had to go shopping for the necessities, but this is exactly what Yuuto needs the most right now.” He smiles and gets to work.

“ Satoru-san , hm?” Ieiri-sensei repeats with a knowing smirk, and Yuuji pointedly ignores it to lay Yuuto down on the bed again. “Good to know this idiot decided to act like an adult for once.” She snorts.

That makes him pause for a second, because it sounds suspiciously like what Nanamin said. Wait. So they both knew it was Gojou-sensei and didn't tell him all along?! Betrayal of the year!

“The onesie was washed beforehand, so don’t worry about possible allergies.” The woman adds reassuringly and tilts her head. “Do you even know how to—” She cuts herself off when Yuuji effortlessly puts on the diaper, then the onesie. “Nevermind.”

Yuuto is cooperating during the procedure, which makes him relieved. If his son started fussing, he wouldn't know what to do. Then Yuuji takes the baby back into his arms, all thanks to his instincts.

“I hope your daddy comes back quickly, because someone is getting hungry, right?” He smiles at Yuuto. His baby grunts and turns to suck on his hoodie’s material, so Yuuji chuckles. “Figured.”

He chats with Ieiri-sensei for a bit more, both deciding to check his son’s progress regularly. Then he’s off, with Yuuto still sucking on his hoodie, the baby getting more and more agitated without food.

“Shit.” Yuuji frowns worriedly.

He almost forgets that his room isn’t next to Fushiguro’s now, coming towards Satoru-san’s apartment instead. He didn’t take his phone with him, so Yuuji wants to get back there and call the man to make him buy the milk formula since it’s the priority.

When he passes the common kitchen’s entrance, he hears his friends and senpais from the inside.

“Itadori!” Kugisaki spots him when he tries very hurriedly yet carefully—he’s still holding a baby, after all—slips away unnoticed, so he stops with a sigh. Not the best timing. “Where are you going so fast? What happened to your egg?” She asks and approaches him.

Yuuji looks down at Yuuto, who stirred curiously at the new voice, searching for the source, and sighs again, resigning himself for the coming chaos.

“Did the egg crack?” Maki-senpai asks, concerned.

He turns, revealing the baby, and they all gasp. “My son hatched.” Yuuji admits with a proud smile and gets further into the kitchen to let them see better.

The way they all instantly surround him from all sides relaxes him somehow, the feeling of safeness and acceptance enveloping him and the baby. Yuuto looks around with wide eyes, his hands gripping Yuuji’s hoodie, overwhelmed with the sudden attention.

“Oh gods!” Kugisaki coos and reaches with her hand towards the baby, then glances at Yuuji for a second as if waiting for permission, so he nods slightly. She gently brushes Yuuto’s hair, his son closing his eyes at the touch, then boring them open with furrowed brows into the smiling girl. Yuuji also smiles widely at the reaction. “Hey, baby! I’m your auntie!” She intones excitedly, and his son looks at Yuuji in confusion.

“It’s okay, Yuuto.” He giggles and brings him higher so his son can see better. “Everyone just wants to say hi to you, baby.” Yuuji explains softly and kisses his son’s forehead, with Yuuto making a happy sound at that.

“What the heck? Why is he so cute?” Maki-senpai whispers, dumbfounded, then punches Yuuji lightly on his forearm. “Also, why are you so good in the role?” She sounds annoyed, at which he just chuckles in amusement.

“Congratulations, Yuuji.” Panda-senpai offers, so he thanks him with a smile.

When Inumaki-senpai tries to touch Yuuto, he grabs his finger, and everyone groans at the amount of adorableness it causes. Yuuji can only laugh, delighted.

“Yuuto, was it?” Fushiguro makes sure, so Yuuji nods in affirmation. “His eyes are…” His friend trails off, unsure, and winces.

“I know what you mean, Megumi, but they are also pretty.” Maki-senpai comments with a smirk. “So you found the daddy, I believe.” She raises her eyebrows pointedly.

“Yeah, he did. They were awfully comfy with each other yesterday.” Fushiguro informs everyone flatly.

“Finally! I was about to take my hammer and hurry up this indecisive man.” Kugisaki scowls.

Yuuto kicks his feet again and whines, so Yuuji focuses more on comforting his son than her words till they settle in his brain.

“Kugisaki, you knew it was Gojou-sensei too?!” He asks accusingly, then gapes at the solemn nod in response.

Senpais all seem shocked at the revelation, though.

“Wait. Blindfolded Idiot is the one harboring feelings towards you, Itadori?” Maki-senpai makes sure with a dubious face.

Yuuji blinks. “Aren’t Yuuto’s eyes enough evidence? His hair is white underneath too.” He points out, so they all lean closer to his baby immediately, voicing the agreement at his statement.

“Well, I was suspecting him from the beginning with the way he looks at you and everything.” Kugisaki declares with a shrug.

And what ? Yuuji had no idea about those looks and, well, everything , whatever it means?

“I was surprised.” Fushiguro admits in a tired tone. “Especially after witnessing Gojou acting like a responsible person.” He squints his eyes. “Which brings up the question. Where is he?”

Yuuji would like to know too.

“Buying stuff. We didn't expect Yuuto to hatch today. Our baby wouldn't even have the bare minimum if not for Ieiri-sensei.” He sighs and sways him, with his son making more frustrating sounds at still not getting any food, then sucks on Yuuji’s hoodie again.

“Can I hold him?” Kugisaki asks suddenly.

He looks down at the baby and smiles, not seeing the problem. “Sure.” Yuuji permits. “Just don’t drop him.” He warns.

The girl scoffs, then takes Yuuto from his hold to her arms. His son produces a questionable sound, looking around, perplexed, until his eyes rest at Kugisaki’s face.

“Hey, Yuuto.” She whispers with a fond smile.

How easily his son is melting people's hearts! Yuuji observes the scene with affection.

Yuuto frowns, then places his hand on the girl’s chest and proceeds to suck on her uniform, leaving a wet spot from his saliva.

“Definitely your son, Itadori.” Kugisaki deadpans.

Yuuji sends her the flattest stare he can manage. “He’s just hungry.” He explains dryly. After hearing his voice, Yuuto reaches with his hands, searching for him, then sobs. “And now he wants to go back to his mommy.” Yuuji smiles and takes his son from Kugisaki. Yuuto doesn't stop whining, upset. “I know, baby.” He assures him and kisses his cheeks, but even this doesn't help. Yuuto starts crying more, so he sways him with a worried frown.

“Oya? Why is Yuu-chan so upset?” A familiar voice comes from the kitchen’s entrance.

“Satoru-san.” Yuuji breathes with relief, ignoring others' reactions.

To his utter surprise, Yuuto also reacts at the voice, pausing in crying to look around in search.

“No way. Did he recognize me?” The man wonders and walks up to them to place a kiss on Yuuji’s cheek. He leans towards Yuuto with a smile, then gasps. “Oh gods, he has my eyes! I’m going to cry~!” Satoru-san whines, their son just observing him intently.

Then Yuuto squeals and reaches with his hands to the man, so Yuuji hangs his mouth open. If it wasn't clear enough, the instincts tell him the same. Their son wants his daddy now. He tries not to feel hurt at the realization. But Yuuji had Yuuto in his arms this entire time. Of course their son needs Satoru-san too.

“Um…” He starts slowly, but the man just grins at him.

“I get it, Yuuji.” Satoru-san chuckles and puts down the bought supplies on the table to take Yuuto from him without issue. “Hey, Yuu-chan.” He says softly and also places a kiss on their baby’s face, with Yuuto making another enthusiastic sound. “Are you happy to see your daddy?”

Yuuji stares, a sudden warmth appearing in his chest at the sight. That’s his family now. He has a loving, reliable partner and the most adorable and beautiful son. Shit, he feels like crying again.

A sound of throat clearing brings him from this moving moment to reality, and he startles a little.

“Since we are clearly interrupting something, we are leaving.” Maki-senpai informs them with a knowing smirk from the kitchen’s door, the rest already gone, and then she also leaves.

They look at themselves, equally puzzled.

“Are we annoying now?” Yuuji worries with a sheepish laugh.

Satoru-san snorts. “They just have enough decency to let us cherish being together, Yuu-chan.” He replies with a wide smile.

Wait .

“Now I’m Yuu-chan too?” He asks incredulously.

“Of course! Because this way I have a small Yuu-chan.” The man kisses their son’s forehead. “And a big Yuu-chan!” He ends with a grin and kisses Yuuji too, but on the lips.

He laughs and shakes his head with fondness. Yuuto makes a whine then, and he gasps, reminded of the issue at hand.

“Satoru-san, Yuuto is hungry. Did you buy the milk formula?” Yuuji asks hopefully.

“I sure did! I also went through the explanation of how to prepare it correctly after the woman at the shop got concerned that I needed such a thing for a newborn baby. So I looked her dead in the eyes and said that my wife can’t lactate. Her face was priceless!” Satoru-san snickers, passing Yuuto to him. “Let me show you what I learned, Yuuji~”

The baby instantly starts sucking his hoodie, and Yuuji huffs a quiet laugh at it all. He observes the man preparing the formula, going through the entire process while explaining it to him. Their son also just watches the entire thing, as if sensing what’s happening, waiting patiently. Then the bottle is ready, and they watch how Yuuto sucks on it with a satisfied expression, Satoru-san wrapped around Yuuji, hugging him from behind.

“I bought so many things already! But there are still a few left, so I gave the list to Ijichi. Did you know that it’s better to wash all the clothes earlier? And there is such a thing as a diaper cream, Yuuji! We should use it so Yuuto’s skin won’t get irritated after wearing diapers!” Satoru-san relates excitedly in a hushed voice, not wanting to interrupt their baby while he’s eating.

“You sound like a dad.” Yuuji comments with a snort, amused.

“I am a dad now!” The man whines in offense and huffs. “I’m the best at everything I’m doing, so better be prepared, Yuuji. I’m going to be the best father ever.” Satoru-san declares solemnly, making him chuckle in endearment.

“Well, you are good at kissing.” Yuuji agrees with a playful nod, and the man’s attention is on him in an instant.

“Oh, I haven't shown you my best skills yet, Yuu-chan~” He teases with a grin and kisses his neck without warning.

A shiver runs through Yuuji’s spine at the contact, and he glares, trying to get rid of the lingering sensation that makes him a bit dizzy. “Not when I’m holding Yuuto.” He forbids, but still smiles.

“Noted. Baby means no kisses. No baby means kisses.” Satoru-san concludes in a serious voice, and Yuuji chuckles, enjoying the moment.

Yeah, his family is a bit peculiar, but he loves it exactly this way.

Chapter Text

For the next three days, Satoru skips all the meetings he is obligated to attend as either The Strongest or the head of clans. He stays with Yuuji and their son instead, helping. Mama instincts let his lover know what the baby needs at the time, but it also tires the boy since Yuuji instantly gives Yuuto everything he wants. So Satoru prioritizes his family and its well-being.

The baby himself is very time-consuming and expensive, to his surprise. He thought that Yuuto would only eat, sleep, and poop, but no. The way their son demands attention and, most of all, affection and closeness, especially from his mommy, is something Satoru didn't anticipate. To think that such a small creature can be so adamant at their needs being met… He feels kinda lacking in this field. Satoru never really took time to put himself first, even if some people wouldn't agree with this statement. Yet that's the truth, which only now he learns from his own son, witnessing firsthand how important the matter is. Because Yuuto is happy. Just having them by his side, safe in their arms. Satoru is jealous. First of all, Yuuji focuses more on the baby than on him, but he is more jealous of how simple and natural it’s for their son to communicate what he wants.

So, on day four, Satoru takes a candid photo of Yuuto, the baby wearing a cute shark onesie, gazing into the lens with his big, blue eyes. He prints out several copies in color and then prepares himself mentally for the fight.

“Are you going somewhere?” Yuuji asks him groggily from their bed, where he was taking a nap, probably awoken by him packing some things.

And isn't it amazing? What used to be Satoru’s bed is now their bed. They sleep together, and if he takes the boy into his arms to cuddle, Yuuji lets him gladly, snuggling even closer. He’s slightly sleep-deprived because of taking care of Yuuto, even if Satoru gives his best to support. His lover naps every time their baby is asleep, taking an opportunity to rest.

“Yeah, but it shouldn't take too long, so I will be back before dinner to cook. I just need to report something due to my responsibilities as The Strongest.” He explains lightly.

Yes, he cooks for his family. Yes, he does it eagerly, happy to see his lover eating everything he makes with gusto. It’s actually funny since Satoru never cared about food that much before, not having enough time to prepare anything for himself, yet when it comes to his family, he is the first one to take charge.

Yuuji blinks sleepily and hums, then sits up and pats a free spot on the mattress next to him. Satoru frowns in confusion but listens, taking a seat there. He freezes when the boy kisses his cheek and then looks at him with warmth, his expression hazed.

“Take care, Satoru-san. We will be waiting with Yuuto for your return.” Yuuji slurs, lays down, and closes his eyes.

Whaaa—sleepy Yuuji attacks again?! And how is Satoru supposed to leave him now when he wants to kiss this boy till he won't even feel an ounce of sleepiness anymore?!

He groans in frustration. “I will take my revenge when I get back!” He warns and leans to kiss Yuuji’s cheek, with the boy's face scrunching in his sleep. Satoru chuckles fondly at that.

He puts on his blindfold, and then he’s off, meeting with Ijichi, the man waiting for him in front of the car.

“Gojou-san!” Ijichi greets him with clear relief. “I thought you wouldn't get back to work at all! They would kill me for that, you know?” The man whines.

Satoru just gives him Yuuto’s printed photo with a proud grin. “That’s my son.” He boasts.

A beat. Then.

“What?! Gojou-san has a baby?!” Ijichi shouts in disbelief, and Satoru snickers at the reaction. “So all those things you told me to buy recently were for your son?! You were serious about parental leave too?!” He makes sure.

“You think I would spend so much time and money on a random child? He’s mine. Look at those eyes, Ijichi! Don’t they look familiar?” He points out matter-of-factly.

“W—well, if I have to speak about familiarity, then those… hair…” The man pauses suspiciously. “Gojou-san, why does your son have Itadori’s hair?” He asks slowly.

Satoru claps his hands in delight. “I’m so glad that you asked! I guess I can tell the truth since it’s you, Ijichi~” He grins wider. “You see, the baby in the photo is no one else than Itadori Yuuto, the son of Itadori Yuuji and Gojou Satoru!” He reveals cheerfully.

They agreed for Yuuto to take Yuuji’s surname to not make him too involved with the clans and sorcery in the first place.

A petrified silence is enough of a reply.

“Do—do I want to know how or why?” The man utters weakly after a moment of comprehending.

Satoru laughs. “Nope~!” He chirps. “The only thing you need to know is that I have a real family now, and I’m going to treasure it!” He declares. “Which means that you are taking me to higher-ups headquarters, so I could officially tell them to go fuck themselves~” Satoru chuckles enthusiastically.

“Um, Gojou-san, is this really—” Ijichi starts hesitantly.

“Yes!”

So the man obediently drives them there, with Satoru interrupting a regular meeting old geezers hold at this hour.

“Heeellooo, did you miss me~?” He intones, showing his teeth in a big smile, ignoring the commotion at his appearance. “I just came to report that I won’t be your dog anymore! Kinda sorry about that!” Satoru gasps audibly. “Oh, wait. I’m not sorry at all~?” He chuckles. “The thing is, I have more important matters to attend to now, so I can't go on missions that much~ If the world is going to crumble or something, you know where to find me, though.” He waves his hand, starting to leave. Then he stops abruptly and laughs, turning to face them. “Ah, I can’t believe it. I almost forgot to show you my son!” Satoru grins dangerously and throws all the photos in the air. “Look at him closely! He’s cute, isn’t he~?” His smile drops, and Satoru pulls down the blindfold to look at them threateningly. “If anything happens to him or to his mother, which I’m sure you already know about, I am going to kill you.” Satoru smiles again. “All of you. In one go.” He ends with a giggle and then leaves, ignoring their incredulous shouts.

Damn, he’s proud of himself! He should have done that a long time ago! Maybe killing them on the spot would be even better decision. Well, whatever.

Satoru gets back home—his apartment became home right after Yuuji and Yuuto took more than half of its space—in a great spirit, feeling free and light, as if he just got rid of something extremely heavy. In the car, he writes a quick letter:

Hi, I’m Squishy Gojou, and I will fulfill the duty as the head of clans for the time being since the real one is busy looking after his family. Please take care of me—I don't have limitless technique :c

Then he packs it with the handmade Gojo-plushie—the first one since the second one turned out nicer, so he gave it to Yuuto—and a photo of their small family he took some days ago in their bed, with their son sleeping on them both, Yuuji laughing happily and Satoru smiling affectionately at the two. Yep, this will do!

He orders Ijichi to deliver the package to one of the Gojou family’s properties where the clan meetings are usually taking place, and then he goes straight to his apartment, aching to see both Yuuji and Yuuto.

Satoru finds both awake, with the boy feeding their son while singing softly. He freezes, utterly shocked. When Yuuji notices him, he stops and smiles.

“Look, Yuuto. Daddy's home.” He turns so their son can see, but the baby just proceeds to suck on the bottle, and his lover chuckles, then approaches Satoru.

“Yuuji, you can sing.” He murmurs, stunned.

He never heard Yuuji sing before, but he's good?! What the hell? That’s a very unexpected skill, which Satoru definitely does not possess. That’s incredible! He should make Yuuji sing more often! Not—not in that way. Okay, maybe a bit?

The boy raises his eyebrows and laughs dismissively; the sound is still nice in Satoru's ears. Then Yuuji tiptoes and looks at him with sudden determination as well as expectation. He frowns, so his lover huffs a small laugh and kicks him lightly on the shin, Yuuji's hands busy with holding both Yuuto and the bottle.

“Lean down a little, tall man.” The boy murmurs with an amused smile.

Satoru does as he’s being said with a slight frown, not knowing what to expect, and then Yuuji pecks him on the lips with a satisfied hum.

“Welcome back.” His lover whispers and smiles again with warmth.

Okay. Okay, Satoru needs to rethink the not going on missions rule, because if leaving and going back means this, then he’s suddenly very keen on working some more.

“What’s with that face?” Yuuji chuckles and makes some funny noises at Yuuto, their son still eating milk formula peacefully yet kicking his feet happily at the attention.

“You just never stop to amaze me, Yuuji.” Satoru mumbles, not for the first time mesmerized by the boy.

And that's how he learns about the difference between “Kiss me” and “I want to kiss you” faces his lover starts making more often with every passing day. It's almost as if Yuuji is getting used to the fact that their relationship is full of this kind of affection now. And it worries Satoru a bit. Kisses are nice, sure, but he’s still afraid that the boy is just pushing himself to do this for their son’s sake. His reactions are usually so void of emotions that Satoru has no idea if Yuuji even enjoys those kisses as much as him. He doesn't ask, though, fearing the answer. It’s really good between them, and he doesn't want to mess it up.

Their lives focus on their baby and the normalcy Satoru never had before—lazily lying in bed, doing chores, eating together, and tending to Yuuto, with people visiting them and helping. Yuuji’s friends and senapais are present a lot, with the boy happy to have them around. Nanamin comes to see their son a few days later, cooing at the baby softly to everyone's shock. Then he takes Yuuji on the side for some kind of serious talk, from which the boy comes back with an odd expression. Satoru, on the other hand, gets a talk full of scolding that he doesn't pay much attention to. He got one from Yaga already. They also go to Shouko regularly for health check-ups, but their son is strong and thankfully seems to be in great condition. Ijichi sometimes pays them a visit, always bringing something for Yuuto. Even Kyoto school residents stay for an entire day once to see the baby themselves, with Satoru being teased by Utahime constantly till he shuts her up by pointing out that at least he does have a child. Aoi cries all day for his Brother’s happiness while the girls squeal with delight at their son’s adorableness. And when Yuuta gets back from abroad, he congratulates them with a tired smile.

From time to time, Satoru goes on missions if no one else is able to handle the curse. Almost three months after Yuuto hatched, he goes on a two-day trip, leaving his family anxiously, but everyone promises to take care of Yuuji and the baby instead of him.

When he gets back, he finds his lover dozing off in the kitchen, probably wanting to wash the dishes if the full sink is anything to go by, their baby asleep in the crib. Satoru snatches Yuuji, and, also tired after all the travel, he lays them down in their bed, with the boy on top of him. His lover sighs with contentment and nuzzles closer.

“Satoru-san.” Yuuji mumbles, so he holds him closer and kisses the boy’s forehead.

“I’m here.” Satoru whispers and lets his consciousness drift away.

He wakes up some time later, feeling Yuuji stirring up in his arms. Satoru pretends to be still asleep, curious at the reaction. The boy gasps, realizing who is holding him, and hugs Satoru silently. Now he regrets not having open eyes, wishing to see his lover’s expression. Yuuji shifts slightly as if gazing at Satoru, then delicately touches his cheek.

“Pretty.” The boy says in a hushed tone, and Satoru's eyes instantly snap open.

“Do you think I’m pretty, Yuu—” He wants to ask with excitement but falters, noticing the boy’s flat stare directed at him.

“As I thought. You were awake, Satoru-san.” Yuuji states, unimpressed.

He doesn’t like this reaction at all!

“Because I was waiting for Yuuji to kiss me in my sleep!” Satoru pouts.

His lover stares at him some more and then shakes his head with a slight smile. “Then we can't help it, can we?” Yuuji mumbles and kisses him on the cheek.

Now it’s Satoru's turn to stare. That’s not exactly what he had in mind. Two days without his family, two entire days of not kissing Yuuji, and the only thing he gets is a small peck on his cheek?

“Yuuji, do you even take my feelings seriously?” He can't help but ask solemnly.

The boy frowns at the question, his eyebrows furrowing. “I do.” He responds, sounding sure. “Is something wrong, Satoru-san?” Yuuji frowns deeper.

He doesn't understand, does he? Satoru knows he might cross some unspoken boundary between them by doing it, but he pushes the boy from him to change their positions, now on top of his lover, caging him, with his hands digging into the pillow on both sides of Yuuji's head while looking at him intensely.

“How far can I go, Yuuji? Are you okay with everything I throw at you? Do you like it?” Satoru floods him with questions, closing the distance between them more with every word, his voice raspy.

Yuuji holds his stare, his face impassive, eyes unblinking. And this. It doesn't answer anything at all, so Satoru just sighs, almost to the boy’s lips, then tries to withdraw, giving up. He doesn't expect his lover’s hand to suddenly rest on his head and pull him back towards him.

Yuuji kisses him, closing his eyes. The kiss is a bit clumsy but eager and slightly heated. Satoru doesn't kiss back from the shock, his eyes wide and full of disbelief.

“I don't like half-assing men.” The boy murmurs when he opens his eyes after he pushes Satoru lightly away.

What just occurred?! He’s so confused here?!

“Wait, wait, wait, Yuuji. Are you telling me that you actually started seeing me that way? Not because of Yuuto?” Satoru needs to know.

His lover snorts. “Why else would I kiss you, Satoru-san? Obviously it's because I’m properly falling for you.” He smiles as if it’s really something obvious.

WHAT?!

“Yuuji is falling for me?!” Satoru whisper-shouts, not wanting to wake up their son. “But you always seem so indifferent when I kiss you? I thought that you didn't enjoy it!”

Yuuji gazes at him for a moment, then shifts slightly beneath him and puts his arms around his neck, making his famous “Kiss me” face.

“Please come at me, Satoru-san.”

If not for the familiar expression, he would definitely have misunderstood those words.

Still a bit puzzled, Satoru also changes his position, laying on his lover more to cup his face with his right hand. And then he’s kissing Yuuji, the boy reciprocating immediately. It feels different today, more deep and desperate from both sides. Satoru adds a tongue, and his lover makes a sound, but not a surprised one, more like a pleasant one, so he stops, pulling away in wonder. Yuuji instantly reaches for Satoru’s hand to place it on his own neck instead. Satoru gulps, very questionable ideas appearing in his mind at the sight of his hand gripping the boy’s neck this way. Then he feels it, and his eyes widen.

“Can you tell, Satoru-san?” His lover starts with a smile. “My heart is beating like crazy whenever you kiss me. Of course it affects me too.” Yuuji admits with honesty. “Sometimes to the point where I don’t know what kind of face I’m supposed to make.” He mumbles with a pout, then smiles again. “So, rest assured. I’m not doing anything against my will, Satoru-san. I like kissing you a lot. And I am really falling for you.” The boy ends and groans. “Saying it all aloud is so embarrassing!” He grimaces, but with a still present smile.

Seriously?

Satoru hugs him tightly, ignoring his lover’s squeak full of betrayal, not letting go even if Yuuji is trying to wriggle away. “I’m so relieved.” He whispers, and the boy calms down at the words, his hand patting Satoru’s back comfortingly. “I love you, Yuuji.”

The hand freezes in an instant, an entire body tensing. Satoru frowns and wants to withdraw from the hug, but this time Yuuji is the one not budging, his arms tightly wrapped around Satoru's upper half. Now, that's suspicious. Since he’s stronger, he manages to break the hold effortlessly and then pauses at the sight.

Yuuji is blushing.

He’s blushing from the neck to his cheeks, his skin tinted in a beautiful pink shade, his expression flustered.

What the fuck.

Satoru observes hungrily, seeing this kind of expression for the first time on the boy. It looks so fucking good. Can he touch his face? He wants to touch him. He wants to kiss him.

“No, don’t look.” Yuuji whines and hides his beautiful face from view, covering it with his arms.

No!

He reacts in an instant, something snapping inside him at all the previous words combined with this sudden development.

Satoru grabs the boy’s wrist and pins him down to the bed, catching Yuuji’s hot lips in a passionate kiss. And fuck, because his lover moans into his mouth, kissing back. They go back and forth, Yuuji completely compliant underneath him, the sound of their smacking lips almost obscene due to the force with which they are kissing, desperate to feel the other. And that’s what Satoru wanted to see, to experience, to do from the fucking beginning!

Just when it becomes a bit too dangerous, both clearly getting excited, Yuuto starts crying, startling them. They part and stare at each other for a few seconds, panting.

“I will get him.” Satoru is the first one to recover, his voice husky.

Yuuji nods in agreement, the blush still prominent on his face, his eyes a bit cloudy.

That’s really, really bad. Satoru won't be able to forget any of it. But. He has a chance to not only repeat it but apparently to take it even further. Better not think of it now while he’s about to take his son into his arms.

Yuuto stops crying the moment he sees him, so Satoru picks him up carefully and goes back to their bed, placing their son between them, going with their usual routine when the baby wakes up from the afternoon nap.

Yuuji had enough time to calm down, so the blush disappeared. A shame. Now that Satoru ponders about it…

“Yuuji.” He calls softly and waits till the boy looks at him questioningly. “I love you.”

His lover makes a choked sound and brings his hands to hide his cheeks instantly. “Satoru-san, stop.” He groans weakly.

Satoru can’t help it. He starts laughing, so Yuuto observes him curiously, then gurgles.

“Yuu-chan, look at your mommy! He’s so embarrassed because of a love confession.” He snickers.

That's amazing information to learn about his lover. Very helpful. Satoru can't wait to use it in the future!

“Because I’m not used to it, Satoru-san! Please don't tease me!” Yuuji whines pitifully.

Satoru smiles, a sudden affection towards his family overwhelming him. “It’s okay, Yuuji. I will wait as long as it’s necessary to hear the same words from you.” He assures him, and when his lover opens his mouth, Satoru puts a finger on the boy’s lips, silencing him. “When you will be fully ready to say it, Yuuji.”

Yuuto squeals, as if approving, so they look between each other and their son, then laugh.

And Satoru is sure now—this day is going to come closer than further.

At the clan's meetings, Gojou Satoru’s spot is occupied by his grinning plushie likeness, surrounded by a large number of pictures of the man’s son and his lover, the amount increasing every single time they all meet.

“Look at the baby, he's growing so fast!”

“I can't believe we are witnessing a cute side of The Strongest.”

“That’s Sukuna’s vessel influence.”

“Wait. Who is always bringing those photos?”

“Gojou himself, obviously.”

“...”

“...”

“...”

“So he does have time to sneak in here! Show your face at meetings, you idiot!”

“...”

“...”

“You just want to meet the baby, don’t you?”

“Shut up!”