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Nanami won't say it.
Hell, he can’t even let his thoughts linger on it but..
Nanami is sure he felt his heart skip a beat when Gojo spoke to him this morning.
A typical lousy morning. His back was sore from a mission yesterday, he missed his train here and his coffee is too bitter even for his liking. Now Gojo was up in his face looking too excited for 7am on a monday. Nanami clearly wasn’t in the mood about to step around the obnoxious six eye sorcerer, but he had his arms spread wide blocking Nanami’s path.
Then Gojo out of all people asked Nanami for advice
“Wait! I need your motherly advice!”
Nanami turned the other direction. Which was a useless move as Gojo appeared in front of him again.
“I’m serious! You have a six sense with just getting people. Especially the students and I’m having a hard time focusing at the moment with piling missions. So let me in on your secrets.
Nanami was a bit surprised. Gojo never asked for help with anything before, let alone advice. He finds it hard to believe he actually really cares for Nanami’s opinion.
“You’ve done fine as of now. So what’s really is the issue.”
Gojo sighed. “The students are still a bit mad at me about how I revealed Yuuji was alive. Which wouldn’t be a huge issue they’d get over if he's alive right? But Megumi keeps giving this look and Nobora is a bit pissy too. I mean Yuuji’s back so what’s the issue?”
Oh yes, the whole jumping out of a box scenario. Nanami wasn’t impressed with it either. But since when does Gojo regret stuff like that? He’s done similar immature antics since highschool. However he’ll give Gojo some credit, he has matured since then with raising Megumi and Tsukinumi while also being a teacher.
“Do you really want my advice?”
Gojo nodded and smiled while doing a cross motion on the left side of his chest .
Well here goes nothing.
Taking a sip from his coffee Nanami began, “You are already great at making them comfortable with the easy going attitude that you bring them. Surprisingly you make a good teacher.”
Perking up Gojo said, “Naturally.”
“-however, you utterly lack listening skills when it comes to anyone. Tell me when Yuuji died, did you ask any of them who they felt?”
“Well no.. Mostly because Yuuji never really died.”
Nanami raised an eyebrow. “Not from their perspective he didn’t. Also, Yuuji must feel some trauma from the ordeal as well. Problems will continue to fester unless discussed directly and sympathetically. That requires listening. You understand how impressionable they are at this age. Watching your friend die can shake you to your core even if they end up living. This may be a shit job but we should do our best to make it less shit for the kids.”
Gojo tilted his head considering Nanami’s words. “I guess I never thought of it that way before.” He could feel Gojo’s six eyes dance under his blindfold as he stared at Nanami. It was for such a long time the blonde almost asked if that was all when Gojo finally said, “Even with my six eyes, you make me see things in a new light, Nanami.”
Those were the words made his heart flutter. He was in such a shock he had to quickly looked away from Gojo’s line of sight. Trying his best to ignore the rush of adrenaline he replied. “Self-awareness is harder than it seems.”
Suddenly Gojo’s long arm made itself at home on Nanami’s shoulder. “So it’s decided. Gojo sensei will be the best listener in all of Japan!”
Another slight spike in heart rate that Nanami quickly shook off. “I’ll believe it when I see it. Now, If that’s all I’ll be going.” Nanami walked out of Gojo’s half embrace and made his way down the hall Gojo not far behind.
“Wait! Walk me to class like a good kohai.”
Not stopping Nanami said, “You understand we haven’t been in school for almost a decade?”
Gojo caught up and walked in pace with him with a smile. “Doesn’t matter, you’ll always be my little kohai, Nanamin.”
Blowing air out of his nose at the nickname he begrudgingly replied, “Hurry up.”
Gojo let out a boyish ‘yippie’
—
It was a fluke.
Nanami just hasn’t been on a date in a while or touched intimately in god knows how long.
Gojo is the last person he’d ever have romantic feelings for. What has Gojo ever been to Nanami but obnoxious and self-centered?
Nanami needs to get a grip.
However, it happened again when he was walking past the training fields.
Nanami didn’t know who he decided to humor but he stopped and listened to Gojo speak.
“Alright students, time to do an intensly fun training exercise!”
“You mean you're wasting our training time with something fun?” Said Maki.
Gojo tsked, “hmm short fun game or intense all day training..? Sounds like someone wants the latter.. ”
All the kids simultaneously pleaded for a fun game except for Maki who had a sour look on her face.
“It’s decided! You can all use your techniques with one another but be nice. No killing each other cause you angry, Maki.”
Maki growled.
“And whoever loses has to clean up equipment for a week!”
Yuuji raised his hand like a dutiful student.
“Question Yuuji!?”
“What are the rules sensei?”
Gojo grinned and eased a hand to tap the teen's shoulder. “The rules are easy, Yuuji.. You're it!”
Fushiguro rolled his eyes at that. “Seriously a game of tag? Can’t we just end sparing already-“ he was suddenly cut off by Yuuji slamming a fist in the brunette’s shoulder.
“Ouch! I’m going to kill you for that, Itadori!”
Then the game was on as the first and second years began to scatter and implement their techniques in a game of tag.
Gojo spotted him and strutted over. “Nanami look! I took your advice, I’m listening to my students.”
Taking his eyes off the chaos he replied, “Playing tag is a form of listening?”
Gojo chuckled and waved his hand playfully. “Oh don’t be like that. The students have been a bit stressed lately with the mission after mission. I asked around and the majority of them wanted a break. So fun day.”
A giant pile of rabbits could be seen forming on the field.
“Fushiguro no fair! You said you were after Itadori.” Kugisaki yelled at him getting tapped on the shoulder while covered in fuzzy white bunnies.
“Yaga-san did something similar when we were teens.” Nanami said catching himself reminiscing.
Gojo snorted “Yeah but I had to wear roller blades to make it fair for everyone. Boy was that humiliating.”
The memory of Gojo slipping and falling like an uncoordinated baby dear during a game of tag was humorous to think about. Nanami has never seen him so clumsy.
Holding back a chuckle he replied, “It was deserved.”
“You pushed me into a tree!” Gojo said looking offended.
Nanami bit his cheek to stop his lips from twitching. “We were playing tag were we not?”
Gojo was about to reply when Kugisaki’s nail flung through the field and collided with infinity. The chaos of the students suddenly came to a stop. Yuuji dangling from the tree that Toge was hiding behind. At the same time, Maki and Panda were also swimming in rabbits. Gojo slowly turned around. A devious smile formed on his lips.
“Guess that means I’m it!”
The first and second years didn’t waste a moment in bursting on their feet and running towards the forest.
“Looks like no roller blades are stopping me this time. See you around Nanami.” Hands in pockets, Gojo leisurely walked in the direction of his students. Nanami’s eyes lingered on Gojo’s form. Before he shook himself and made his track to Yagas office.
Gojo’s carefree and lively attitude is what the students need to feel at ease in the jujutsu world. At least he took Nanami’s advice and is listening to the kids a bit more as well. Gojo was always good with children. It was a very endearing side of him.
Before Nanami knew it he was smiling.
His walking came to a stop.
Dammit.
—
Nanami ignored it. It’s been two weeks since he’s seen Gojo and Nanami has been fine no feelings.
None.
Nanami only asked about Gojo’s 2 week long mission because he was curious thats all.
Out of sight out of mind.
Well until this afternoon during lunch.
Nanami was sitting down about to enjoy a croissant ham and cheese sandwich when Gojo burst through the staff room.
“Nanami! Perfect timing I have my lunch too!”
Gojo plopped down across from him taking out some grilled salmon and rice. Along with a large pack of strawberry mochi. Nanami guesses he doesn’t mind company.
“Hello Gojo-san. Your back early.”
Akari-san mentioned that he was supposed to be gone for at least 2 more days.
Taking a bite of the mochi Gojo replied “So formal. Call me Satoru, Nanamin.”
Would Gojo really like the sound of his names on his lips? Nanami chided himself from the thought and nibbled on his croissant. “Since you refuse to call me by my name regularly, no.”
“I’ll wear you down eventually.” Popping another mochi in his mouth he continued, “I was supposed to but Mei Mei was closer to the second mission I needed to finish so I had her take it. But I did stop and get you this!”
Gojo slid a small slick box across the table with a red bow on top. A gift?
Nanami looked at it curiously before looking back up at Gojo. “You got me something?” He feels a bit caught off guard. He’s used to Gojo bringing back sweets to share that Nanami usually declines, but this looks expensive if the elite looking box was any clue.
Gojo caught his bemusement and said “Don’t say you don’t want it! I saw it and immediately thought of you. Please please open it!” He then gave him a pleading look. How he shows it behind a blindfold Nanami will never know.
Nanami sighed. If this is some prank during his only break Gojo will have hell to pay. He pulled the bow and easily opened the gift up.
What he saw was unexpected.
It was a beautiful neck tie neatly folded. His eyes first caught the specks of gold that seemed to illuminate from the dusty blue silk background. It’s the type of tie Nanami would window shop for and never buy since he couldn’t will himself to buy outrageously priced clothing.
“I infused it with cursed energy too so you should have no problem using it during missions! Oh and it’s reversible too.” Gojo said excitedly.
Still in a bit of shock, Nanami delicately took the tie out and turned it around. The back was just as appealing to the front this time however the color schemes switched to mainly silk gold coloring with stars of blue. He’s honestly at a loss of words; he's never been given a gift so nice and lavish before..
Nanami really doesn’t know what this means. He doesn’t outright say it but yes him and Gojo are friends. But they never give each other gifts. Maybe on birthdays but this..?
“Gojo-san, I don't know what to say. I can’t accept this out of nowhere-“
“-it’s not out of nowhere. I like getting things for you. Don’t I get you stuff all the time?”
Nanami raised a brow. “Those are usually from a bakery. Not a hundred dollar silk tie.”
“Well it’s more like a thousand dollar—but anyway let’s try it on!”
Before Nanami could reply to that, Gojo was behind him and reaching over to untie his current tie. He felt a bit out of breath from the action. As if his heart came to a stand still from the sudden close proximity of the other man. Weird since he was used to Gojo’s overbearing lack of boundaries however this whole situation has left him a bit stunned..
“I-I can do it myself Gojo!”
The older man’s lips tickled his ear as he spoke. “And get your croissant grease all over this silk tie? I don’t think so.”
And strawberry mochi fingers are much better?
For some reason Nanami just let Gojo continue. Usually he blows off steam and is a bit less annoying throughout the day if he gets what he wants from him at least once. He also did get Nanami a very nice tie..
“Didn’t know you were civilized enough to know how to tie a tie.” He was a bit impressed that Gojo could tie a tie from this angle.
“Ha! Remember Nanamin I am a clan head. I knew manners while in the womb. I’m a true gentleman!”
“Do true gentlemen eat so much daifuku they barf all over themselves?”
Gojo chuckled as he finished looping the tie. “Uh you remember that?” Hint of embarrassment in his voice
“Remember it? It was my first day back from being a salaryman at the party you forced everyone to come to.” Nanami didn’t know whether to feel touched or annoyed at the grand gesture when he returned. More so the latter of course. As much as Nanami loathes work he also loathes work parties. But he should have expected it from Gojo of course.
“I couldn’t help myself! My favorite kohai was back and I got endless daifuku to cater. It was a dream come true!”
Did he really care about Nanami being back that much?
Gojo spun Nanami around, pulled out his smartphone and opened up the camera app. “Now check out the tie! I put it on the gold side so it’d pop against your blue shirt!”
Nanami blinked at himself on the phone screen. The tie indeed compliments the blue shirt but also his skin complexion as well. Dammit, it was an amazing gift.
“Gojo I..” what does he say? Repeat that he can’t accept it? Ask what it means? Nanami is a bit at a loss so he finishes lamley with, “..I love it.” He said sincerely a small smile forming on his lips as he looked at the other sorcerer.
Gojo grinned showing his dimples. “I knew it! I am the best gift giver! Now the gift you can give me is your time.” Gojo then sat back down and popped another mochi in his mouth.
He attentively listened to Gojo discuss how his missions went. Storytelling in his dramatic manner. If Nanami caught himself smiling he wasn’t too bothered by it.
—
Nanami just finished up a mission and had to check in with Shoko for a medical overview to be cleared to leave for the day. An annoying task but necessary to ensure sorcerers didn’t accidentally have any curse residue or injury left over.
“So did you hear that Maki and Yuta are official?” Shoko said humorously.
Looking down at his watch and back up Nanami replied, “Does it look like I keep up with teenage romances?”
Shoko laughed as she continued to finish the paperwork. “Nah. I just find it interesting. Sorcerers don’t usually have the time nor energy to deal with a love life. Very unlike them to be honest. Also that one sorcerer couple in the Kamo clan tied the knot a couple weeks ago.”
She’s not wrong for being a bit curious about the change. The only sorcerers that do get married usually are clan heads to ensure their next generation. Most others however are unheard of getting married or even being a casual couple. There are flings every now and again that go around since people are only human but other than that most of the time it’s not serious. Sorcerers' lives are too short and far too busy for something serious.
A part of Nanami wishes it to be different but that’s life.
“Their teens, it's expected they’d date around.”
Shoko gave Nanami a shrewd look, “oh come on I know you're a secret romantic. You have to picture being with someone someday right? I’m the busiest sorcerer there is and even I know there’s more to life than just this.”
Suddenly, a familiar obnoxious laugh and blinding blue eyes invaded his thoughts. He swollen the heart that was crawling up his throat.
“..Life is too short to commit to all that.” Nanami replied hoping Shoko could just hurry and clear him.
Shoko signed a few more things on her clipboard and said, “or life is too short not to commit to all that.” She shuffled some more papers around into a file cabinet near her desk.
“All cleared to go.”
Nanami said his goodbyes, got up and made his way home. With an unwanted conversation refusing to leave his thoughts.
—-
Monthly bar outings with his coworkers was nothing new for Nanami. He usually doesn’t ever plan to show but Gojo and Shoko were particularly on his ass about it so he begrudgingly decided come.
Surprisingly, everyone made an effort to make it. Gojo made a point to sit next to Nanami saying that it’s because he doesn’t try to spike his virgin drinks when he’s not looking. Which means Shoko is at the end of the table with Utahime. A duo with horrible influence on one another. All they do is just egg the other on to drink.
To Nanami’s right was Higuruma, a new sorcerer that Yuuji and Nanami ran into on a mission a couple of months ago. At the time, he was in a more than normal cynical state, something that Nanami could relate to in vulnerable moments. There was some tension and clashes, but ultimately, Yuuji was a great light to convince him to turn a new leaf.
Kusakabe also tagged along. Since Higuruma joined he has been the one to take the sorcerer under his wing. But honestly, the ex-attorney is probably a better influence on Kusakabe than the alternative.
“Okay now try this one.” Gojo shoved yet another fruit drink near Nanami’s mouth.
“I can tell by looking at it that it's a pina colada, Gojo. Why are you making me try your drinks?” He replied, turning his head away from the straw.
“Cause I want you to try something fun and less boring like whiskey.” Gojo’s lips soured at the mention of the scotch.
“I’ll stick with my own drinks, thanks.”
“Oh come on, it's on me! I’ll get you one with alcohol in it.”
Gojo’s dark glasses didn’t hide the childish begging that gleamed from his six eyes. Why this seemed important to Gojo Nanami will never know but a free drink is a free drink.
“Nothing too sugary,” Nanami replied dryly, finishing his whiskey.
With a grin and a pep in his step, Gojo left to get him the drink.
Nanami then turned and saw Higuruma meet his eyes. The brunette had an eyebrow raised, and lips slightly quirked. “So what's going on between you two?”
Puzzled Nanami replied, “What do you mean?”
“Are you two dating or something? It's like the guy hangs off your every word.”
Kusakabe chimed in, “Yeah I've noticed you make eyes at him all night and you’re way more lenient with him than any normal person would be.”
Nanami scoffed and looked away from the two. “You both are ridiculous. I don’t have anything going on with Gojo, and more importantly, I do not discuss my love life with coworkers.”
“See, So strict with us! Only calls us coworkers!” Kusakabe cackled, face flushed from drinking.
Higuruma chuckled as well, “You know I was a defense attorney for over a decade. Seeing if my client is truthful is part of the job..”
Nanami's eyes stayed focused on the melting ice in his cup. “I’m not your client and I am not lying. Gojo barely has time to sleep, let alone date.”
“Didn’t you go bowling with the guy a couple of weeks ago?”
Who told Kusakabe about that? Nanami's eyes shot over to Shoko who was laughing at what looked to be nothing with Utahime. Thank goodness they weren't paying attention. It's already two against one.
Higuruma began counting his fingers, “Lack of eye contact and deflecting. Should I continue?”
Nanami has already come to terms with his feelings regarding the six-eye sorcerer. Which is nothing but nostalgia and yearning for the stability of a familiar friendship. Nothing more.
“We were friends in high school, that may be why we seem close.”
Kusakabe gestured to the bar. “Oh yeah, how do you feel about that then?”
Nanami looked over and saw a blonde woman talking to Gojo. From looking at her she was attractive and definitely interested. She leaned in and twirling the straw in her drink. Gojo’s back was facing him so Nanami couldn't get a grasp on his reaction. But it's not like he was leaving either. Nanami continued to stare, feeling an uncomfortable twist in his gut.
Thinking he was looking for too long, Nanami turned away and bit his cheek. So what, It's not like he has ever put any thought into who Gojo sees. That's his business if he wants to sleep with the first person that flirts with him.
“Good for him.” Words felt like sandpaper against his tongue. Nanami wishes he had another glass of scotch.
The other two sorcerers shared a look and giggled. He could feel his left eye twitch, and these two men were apparently older than Nanami.
“You poor lovesick fool.” Kusakabe reached over and snatched a shot that looked to be tequila from the waitress passing by and slid it over to Nanami. “You're too sober to see that.”
Nanami frowned at the insult. This was getting too invasive for his tastes. He was about to just take the shot and make his leave when Higuruma began speaking again.
“We know you're not gonna admit it-”
“-There's nothing to admit.”
“-So we’ll drink for it. If I win, you let us help you out with this unbearable ‘will-they-won't-they’ and if you win, Kusakabe and I will take your missions for 2 weeks.”
“Seriously?! I don't care that much about it!” However, Kusakabe quickly shut up by the unimpressed look Higuruma gave him.
Nanami narrowed his eyes at that. This whole conversation has gone out of control. The last thing he wants is his coworkers meddling with his life. Let alone with something as hopeless as Nanami’s love life. On the other hand, a 2 week paid vacation sounds too good to be true... But he needed to know something first.
“What’s the catch to all this?” Nanami asked.
Higuruma answered it quickly like it was simple. “No catch. I just believe good people deserve good things.” The ex-attorney said sincerely.
Right.
“What a Good Samaritan you are.” he clapped back sarcastically.
“Oh come on, you're a good guy Nanami,” Kusakabe said. “You deserve to let loose once in a while.”
Nanami doesn't know how anything good will come out of this shit show. Even if he does lose, Higuruma and Kusakabe won't be able to play matchmakers since there is nothing between Gojo and him. This is pointless and Nanami doesn’t feel like nursing a hangover in the morning. Why is he even considering this?
A burst of bubbly laughter could be heard from the bar. He side-eyed and saw the woman was even closer to Gojo than before.
He would rather not be sober here anyway.
“Fine.”
At that moment Utahime slammed down a large tray of shots in front of the three men.
“We heard Nanami is doing a drinking game so we had to make it happen.”
Shoko nodded and clumsily sat down. “This is serious. Nanami hasn't played a drinking game since high school. It's an event no one should miss.”
Higuruma smirked, loving the idea of a challenge. “Hope your tolerance hasn’t gone down since then Nanami.”
Nanami picked up two shot glasses and slammed them both down unfazed. “Should I alert Yaga-san about my 2-week vacation or should you?”
The ex-attorney’s smug look stayed as he knocked back three shots in return.
This was going to be a long night.
–
This is the 12th shot- no 13th..?
Thank God Kusakabe is keeping count cause Nanami seemed to forget it after the 14th..?
His vision was tilted as if the room was slowly flipping to its side. Nanami steadied himself on the arm of the chair trying not to lean forward.
Nanami doesn’t remember ever being this drunk. Maybe when Haibara and him accidentally drank Shokos seltzer stash not knowing it was alcoholic.
Whatever the case the whiskey tastes like nothing so that’s a sign he can keep going.
Nanami has since loosened his tie to let some air hit his warming body. Slightly annoyed that he accidentally popped a button on his collar. The dress shirt now revealed his neck a bit more. It honestly was a relief, this bar only seemed to get hotter.
“Not looking so good 7:3, you calling a quits?” His speech was slightly warbled but otherwise even.
Nanami put the glass to his lips and let the fiery liquid slide down his throat.
Utahime and Shoko whooped and hollered.
“Well, shit. That’s 16.” Kusakabe said, sounding impressed.
Those words made Shoko stop seeming to sober up at that. “Uh Nanami, I think we should put a cap on this.”
His head felt heavy; like cement oozing as he turned to Shoko. “You're hmm off duty. And I- uh feel fine.” words coming out mushed together.
“Nanami, you're talking to Utahime.”
That can’t be correct. Nanami knows who he’s talking to.
Then Higuruma answered Nanami’s shot.
“17 shots? Okay you freak, how can you possibly do that?” Kusakabe gave the other man a pointed look.
That was Nanami’s cue to drink again. However, he swore he moved his hand to pick the glass up but it seemed to spill it instead. The blonde blinked he couldn’t have done that. He then turned to Utahime.
“Why’d‘ou spill my drink, Hime’?”
The shamen looked back at him amused. “It’s Shoko Nanami, and I think you’ve had enough.”
Enough? No, he can't lose!
“No. If I loosh they’re gonna tell Gojo..” it sounded more pitiful than he intended.
“Tell Gojo what?” The man discussed suddenly appeared with two drinks in hand. He could see the glow of Gojo's eyes peak from his tilted glasses. They were just like opals. Gorgeous light-reflecting opals. Nanami wanted to take off those dark glasses and gaze at them fully.
Nanami felt himself reach out and before he knew it he was losing gravity. A shatter of glass breaking could be heard but all Nanami could focus on was how weightless he felt. Was Gojo cradling him in his arms? Nanami buried his nose in the silk fabric. Feeling the arms tighten around his slim waist as his legs wobbled under him to lean closer. He hummed as he inhaled the sweet spice of cinnamon and pine. This had to be his obnoxious senpai.
–
Man, this woman wouldn't stop yapping.
When Gojo went up to get Nanami and him drinks his mood was at an all-time high. It's not every day that the blonde humors him with trying new sweet cocktails. But it was just Gojos luck that some girl he met while exercising a curse from, who knows how long ago recognized him and began flirting with him shamelessly for the past ten minutes. Gojo was going to politely say goodbye once his drinks were done but the bartender was taking their sweet time while remaking the cocktails he messed up.
After another excruciating ten minutes, Gojo finally got his drinks, said a quick bye to the girl he already forgot the name to, and made his way back to the table.
“No! If I loosh’ they’re gonna tell Gojo..” Was that slurred speech coming from Nanami?
“Tell Gojo what?” He announced the question to the table but mostly eyeing Nanami. His prim and proper kohai had his tie loosened allowing a tremendous view of the mountain of muscle down his chest. His cheeks were rosy, making the golden hue of his eyes pop as he stared up at Gojo in a daze.
By the number of shots on the table, it looked like a drinking contest that Nanami joined in on! He never plays drinking games and Gojo missed it all waiting for these dumb drinks!
He was about to vocalize all of his when Nanami stood up and reached for him like an uncoordinated toddler and completely lost his footing. To prevent Nanami from falling on his face Gojo dropped the drinks in his hands in favor of catching his very drunk kohai.
“Ha! Never thought I'd see Nanami Kento drunk as a skunk.” Kusakabe yelled out slapping Higuruma’s back with a laugh.
Nanami actually drunk? This hasn’t happened since tech days when Suguru and him switched out Shoko’s seltzers as a prank on their kouhais. What possessed Nanami to do this willingly?
He felt the tickle of Nanami’s nose on his neck and heard the dark timbre of the blonde's voice rumble in his ear, “you smell good senpai..”
That caused a shiver to run down Gojo’s spine. The stars have aligned and the cosmos are working in his favor that Nanami is finally flirting back! So seductively too.
But Nanami is definitely drunk.
Gojo looked at his friends. Chuckling nervously to hide his reaction. “How many has he had?”
“Not counting his previous 2 drinks, 16 shots.” Shoko answered.
“16?!” Gojo knows Nanami can handle his liquor but even he has his limits. He looked over at the new lawyer guy who seemed surprisingly unfazed despite throwing back apparently 17 shots.. Gojo narrowed his eyes on the smug guy's face. Was this cheater using RCT for a drinking game?!
Gojo was about to say something when Nanami tugged on his dark dress shirt. “I like you in thish shirt. Yo’should dress like this more often, Satoru.”
He purred his name so nicely.
Oh Gojo very much likes that.
Snickering sweetly he replied, “I’ll make sure to wear it more for you more, Nanamin.”
Gojo doesn’t know what made Nanami radiate a soft smile as he gazed back at the six eye shamans face. Gojo felt his heartbeat pick up at the nearness of their faces. His breath smelled like whiskey but somehow mixed nicely with the hint of vanilla cologne Nanami was wearing. His cheeks were flushed and his lips moistened as he ran his tongue over them.
“Mmm, call me Kento..”
He’d faint if he didn’t have Nanami in his arms.
Deciding he’ll deal with whatever happened later. It’s probably best to get Nanami home before he embarrassed himself anymore. Not that Gojo cares he loves it that Nanami decided to have a little fun but he knows his kohai is gonna be mortified by his behavior in the morning.
Also he’d love to be the one to take care of cute uncharacteristically sweet drunk Nanamin.
Looking back at the table, the other sorcerers were giving Gojo knowing looks. Except Utahime who looked grossed out despite being two ways gone as Nanami.
What is with everyone tonight?
“I’m taking him home.” Gojo finally said.
Higuruma smiled victoriously, “please do!”
Before Gojo could question that Shoko said, “do not teleport unless you want Nanami spewing all over you.”
Gojo tightened his hold on Nanami’s firm waist. God his muscles were hard as a rock. Was he even flexing?! He relished in the fact that Nanami seemed to lean even closer to him.
Nanami hummed as Gojo brushed stray hair from his face. “I’m not a dummy, Shoko.”
She waved a hand at him. “Whatever. Get home safe, I trust you’ll take care of Nanami?”
Nanami’s large hand then clumsily dragged up Gojo's face until he grabbed his dark glasses and pulled them away from his eyes.
“I wanna see your eyesh’ Satoru..”
Kusakabe snickered, “oh he’ll take real good care of him I’m sure.”
Alright, that's their cue to leave.
Gojo somehow maneuvered Nanami from snuggling into his chest to placing his hand accoss his back for a shoulder assist so they could actually walk.
They managed to make it out of the bar not without a glare from the bartender for the mess.
Gojo sent a quick text for an Uber to Nanami’s apartment. After a block they came to a stop near where Gojo requested the ride.
He felt Nanami’s head lol on his shoulder. “I can’t see though yo’r glasses”
Gojo chuckled as he saw Nanami wearing his shades. Probably had no other place to put them when he snatched them up. “That's because they’re darkened for my six eyes, Nanamin.”
Nanami hummed glasses drooping down his nose. That mixed with his loosed tie and ruffled open shirt. The flush on his face traveled down to his large bare chest. The disheveled look was a sight to behold.
His eyes lazily looked at Gojo’s. “Hmm I prefer you with nothing on.”
He meant the eye covers, Gojo repeats, he meant the eye covers. Sheesh who knew that Nanami was such a sweet blabbermouth when drunk? Maybe this is why he never gets intoxicated?
“I feel dizzy..” Nanami all but pouted.
“That’s because you practically consumed a whole bottle of whiskey. I honestly feel hurt Nanami-“
“-Kento.”
Gojo giggled he hopes that sticks when sober. “Well Kento, I’m hurt you did a drinking game without me.”
Somehow that made Nanami slouch into him even more. “Higur’am promised 2 weeks off if I win or they're gonna tell you..”
“Huh? Tell me what?” Gojo was now very curious. What could the new guy and Kusakabe know about him?
Nanami bit his lip and looked at the ground. “I-I can’t say it..”
“Oh come on, now I’m gonna die from suspense. I’m good at keeping secrets! Please tell me, Kento!” He felt bad for taking advantage of Nanami’s drunkenness to spill gossip. But it was about Gojo so he had the right to know.
Nanami looked at him with hazy eyes. “I- I um love the tie you got me..”
Huh?
“..I would wear it forever if I could.. and and I love how.. considerate you’ve become and you're good with kids too.. You're so much kinder than you think you are and.. It’s like uh.. you’re like a tumor in my brain and you’ve spread all over until all I can think of is you. It’s just very.. difficult to picture myself with anyone else but you. ”
Nanami finished his drunken confession muffled in Gojo’s shirt as if he couldn’t bear seeing his reaction.
And well unexpected is an understatement. He thought it’d be some kind of gossip that Nanami felt too above to discuss, not this.
It would have made Gojo laugh if it wasn’t for the fact that this was more vulnerable than he’s witnessed Nanami ever being. The drunken rambling of what Nanami really thought of him fanned a quiet warmth in his soul. No one’s ever called him kind before.
Gojo’s been harboring feelings for the 7:3 sorcerer since their tech days. However with how the sorcery world works the time has never been right. He’s held on to hope, feeling blessed to even be close friends to Nanami now. Gojo finally found the guts to attempt to hint at his feelings for Nanami through his extravagant gift. Who knew the tie would work?
Wait a second, did Nanami use a freaking tumor as a metaphor for liking him?
However his lack of immediate reply seemed to distress his drunken kohai.
Nanami attempted to push himself away “I’m pathetic, I know. I’m really pissed about it too. But life is too short and I my heart keeps stopping when I see you it’s overwhelming-”
Gojo effortlessly caught the blonde by the arm, steadying him with a firm yet gentle grip. His fingers lingered for a moment before he reached up, placing a hand on Nanami's cheek. With a slight tilt of his head, he guided Nanami to meet his gaze, his intense blue eyes practically glowing as they locked onto Nanami's.
“Tell me this all again in the morning, Kento, and I promise it’ll go better than you think.”
Nanami blinked at that. Still not anymore sober than he was when he left the bar. He finally seemed to register what Gojo said and, dare he say, a giddy smile formed on Nanami’s lips. It was unbidden and entirely out of character, the moment and drunken stupor continued to strip away the usual restraint Nanami always prided himself on.
“You're taking me home?”
Gojo laughed, taking Nanami’s hand. “Yeah I am.”
—