Work Text:
The thing is, Gojo doesn't drop by the office often. It's certainly not routine, if only because then Nanami could devise ways to preemptively avoid him. So, Gojo's visits are sporadic, spurred on by only his own whims – and sometimes Shoko's. Today is one such day and Gojo's charmed the receptionist enough that she just waves him up, tutting fondly in a way that Nanami would scoff at if he were to see.
The elevator is taking especially long today, like the building itself has realised just how much Gojo is looking forward to seeing him.
He better be grateful that I'm personally escorting him, Gojo thinks, smiling to himself when the elevator finally dings on the eighth floor. There's a slight pep in his step as he slinks out, with both hands lodged in his pockets to assume some feigned nonchalance. The act ceases almost as quick as it begins though, Gojo hesitating as his gaze sweeps through the empty open plan office and lands on the central conference room. It's a veritable fishbowl, walled in by glass, and currently occupied by two people.
The first thing Gojo notices is that Nanami's listening intently, his glasses being discarded on the table an obvious sign of this. The second thing he notices is that the man sat across from him is one he doesn't recognise. He's smiling in a way which Gojo doesn't like, particularly when he leans forward to brush Nanami's shoulder.
Lint, Gojo manages to lip-read, despite the Six Eyes seeing no such thing.
It's enough for him to drop the whole covert act.
"Nanami!" Gojo calls, bounding across to the fishbowl and slipping into the seat beside Nanami. At the sudden presence of a third party, Nanami jumps.
His awareness has deteriorated, Gojo acknowledges, his mood souring a little at the thought. He should be more careful.
For what it's worth, Nanami quickly regains his composure, huffing as he does so. "Gojo-san, what are you doing here?"
"I'm here to pick you up of course."
"We didn't have plans," Nanami says, the indent between his brows deepening. Gojo doesn't dwell on how sweet the consternation renders him – thinks he might do something crazy if he does. Instead he settles back in his seat and grins.
"Well, we do now; Shoko is waiting so we can eat dinner."
It takes concerted effort for Gojo to not look across the table but when the other man exhales, he finally allows himself to glance at him. The stranger is sat all polite and patient, his smile more genial now than it was a few minutes ago. "Who do we have here?" Gojo asks, pushing his sunglasses back to flash every shade of his eyes.
"This is Higuruma-san. He's been working with the legal team and just wanted to discuss an issue raised by an entitled client." While usually it's amusing to hear Nanami talk about work—always so professional about things despite being freshly 23 and brimming with curse energy—now all Gojo can do is narrow his eyes in outright suspicion. The work day is over, there's no reason to discuss anything, especially not something as boring as legal issues.
"I see. Well, I'm Gojo Satoru – Nanami's beloved friend and senpai."
Nanami coughs, but doesn't correct him which Gojo takes as a self-satisfied win.
"Nice to meet you," Higuruma says. Then he extends a hand in greeting. It reminds Gojo of all the times he's been forced into business meetings on behalf of his family, his mind melting from boredom behind stiff civility. He has enough decorum to meet Higuruma halfway, shaking his hand despite his reluctance. It's a firmer grip than he'd expect from such an old coot. "It's good to maintain friendships with school friends – I've not managed to do such a thing."
Probably because you attended school in the mesozoic era.
"Are you also in the finance industry?"
Gojo shakes his head. "I'm a teacher at our old high school, actually."
"Oh." Higuruma tilts his head as if reassessing his initial perception. Gojo glances over at Nanami but the younger man appears totally at ease with the situation, perhaps too used to Gojo's antics by now. Gojo looks back at Higuruma with a grin that's more sharp than anything else.
"What? Looking down on me since I'm not in corporate?"
"No, quite the opposite. It's rare these days to meet people getting into teaching. You've got to be tough to deal with that environment."
Gojo fights a scowl, not willing to be buttered up so this man can get into Nanami's pants.
"Gojo-san is half a child himself still so I reckon the kids relate to him."
It's more teasing than an insult and at this Gojo inevitably softens, pouting while he addresses his kouhai. "That's rude to say, Nanami-kun. I passed all my courses with flying colours, y'know!"
Nanami shrugs, his broad shoulders sloped a little more than usual under his suit.
"I see you have places to be Nanami-san so I'll just get the document and you can both be on your way," Higuruma interjects, already standing as he speaks.
At least he knows how to read a room.
The moment he's gone Gojo receives a swift elbow to his side which makes him wince. "What's that for?" he asks, rubbing at his ribs just to ham it up a bit.
Nanami folds his arms in clear reproach. "You should have waited downstairs at the very least."
"But the work day has ended. He's keeping you here over time. You hate that. I'm saving you." Gojo waves his hands about in defense of his point though he fears it's coming across as whining. On any other day he wouldn't second guess himself but after being introduced to Higuruma he doesn't want to seem like a child. "Capitalism is shit, remember?"
Nanami sighs, like he's be trying to keep his exhaustion hidden but the reminder has caused some of it too leak out – a human pressure pot molded by the demands of his employers. "Sometimes it's necessary, Gojo-san."
"He was wasting your time just to talk to you!"
"No, he's been advising me."
It's not the first time they've gotten into a back-and-forth like this, their personalities polar enough that they take opposing stances, but it's certainly the first time that Gojo's been baffled by Nanami's apparent naivete. The geezer was pulling out all the stops in any playbook. He turns to face Nanami properly. "That old man wants you as his questionably young trophy husband."
Nanami splutters through a laugh, his face shining even in this shitty office lighting. "First of all, Higuruma-san isn't old. And secondly, he's a respectable individual – why would he want to do that?"
Gojo has a list of reasons he could give, jotted down bullet points he keeps hidden in case Suguru goes prying, but it would be too honest for a place like this so he just smiles and settles for the least damning of them all. "Because you're pretty."
Nanami goes silent and stares at him for a moment that stretches onwards. "Just shut up unless you want Shoko-san to be kept waiting."
It's not actually the most fond response but there's also no mistaking the way Nanami's ears have turned pink in a rapid fashion. Gojo's about to say something but then the door to the fishbowl is opening and Higuruma has returned.
"I apologise for the wait." He's holding a briefcase and a sheaf of papers. "It would be great if you could get this back to me some time this week and you're free to review it at home."
"Thank you, Higuruma-san," Nanami says with an undercurrent of relief in his voice. Gojo swears their hands brush for longer than needed during the hand-off. "I'll have it done by tomorrow."
Higuruma waves that away. "No rush, really. Enjoy your dinner. I'll see you at the next meeting."
It's too warm a farewell for Gojo's liking. "Yup, you can see each other then but we're kinda in a rush now so." He ignores the side-eye that Nanami gives him as he ushers him through the door. "See ya, Higuruma-san."
"Goodbye," Higuruma replies, his tone decidedly more dry now. Nanami leads the way out, probably motivated by hunger and the dying light of day coming through the windows, but Gojo takes a peek back toward the fishbowl where Higuruma is watching them. It seems like his line of vision is definitely lingering on Nanami.
Gojo dons his sunglasses again.
I'll have to keep an eye on that guy.