Yuji sat by the edge of the reservoir, his feet dangling lazily above the rippling water. The morning sun was soft, glinting off the surface like shards of glass. His body still ached faintly — a quiet reminder of the night before — and he could feel the heat rise in his cheeks just thinking about it.
A wet nose suddenly brushed his calf.
"Ah—hey!" Yuji yelped, glancing down to see Camela, happily licking at his leg. "Stop that! It tickles!"
Gojo's laugh echoed from behind him. "Looks like someone's popular today," he teased, carrying a small wooden tray filled with freshly sliced apples. He set it down beside Yuji, then moved to sit behind him, close enough that Yuji could feel the warmth of his breath on the back of his neck.
"Senpai, what are you—" Yuji started, but the words cut off into a quiet sigh as Gojo's hands came to rest on his shoulders.
"Relax," Gojo murmured, thumbs pressing gently into the tense muscle. "Does it hurt here?"
Yuji's eyes fluttered shut. "...A little."
Gojo hummed, continuing to knead the stiffness away with careful, unhurried motions. The silence that followed was calm, the sound of water, the lazy calls of distant animals, and Yuji's quiet breathing.
"Better?" Gojo asked softly.
Yuji nodded, still facing forward, lips curving into a tiny smile. "You're actually pretty good at this, senpai."
Gojo chuckled quietly, leaning closer until his breath tickled Yuji's ear. "Of course I am."
Before Yuji could answer, Gojo slipped an arm around his waist, guiding him gently onto his lap. Yuji blinked, startled, as Gojo steadied him with one hand and offered a slice of apple with the other.
"Open," Gojo said.
Yuji did — reluctantly at first — and took the bite. The sweetness burst across his tongue, his eyes closing in contentment. He didn't even notice when Gojo's nose brushed against the side of his neck.
Gojo lingered there, inhaling softly.
"…What do I smell like?" Yuji asked, half curious, half embarrassed. He couldn't smell his own pheromones — but Gojo could.
Gojo tilted his head thoughtfully. "Hm. Like sakura… and honey, maybe?" His lips curved. "Sweet and warm — definitely my new favorite scent."
He nuzzled against Yuji's skin again..
Yuji, still seated on his lap, tensed when he felt the faint pressure beneath him — realization dawning, cheeks burning red.
"P-Pervert senpai…" he mumbled, pouting as he turned his head away.
Gojo only laughed, arms tightening around him. "I can't help it, dear."
"Eyyy— pervert and don't call me that!" Yuji protested, flustered, swatting at Gojo's chest.
"Why not? We're officially partners now, aren't we?" Gojo said with a grin, his tone somewhere between teasing and genuine.
Yuji made a tiny sound — part squeak, part groan — and hit gojo's thigh in embarrassment, face buried in his hands.
Gojo just smiled, watching the tips of Yuji's ears turn bright pink.
Then, before Yuji could react, Gojo leaned closer and brushed his lips against the shell of Yuji's ear — light, playful, followed by a soft nibble that made Yuji jolt in surprise.
"Senpai—!" Yuji gasped, voice cracking slightly.
Gojo's breath lingered near his ear as he whispered, warm and low, "I love you, dear."
That single word — love — made Yuji's entire face go crimson. He stiffened at first, but his heart fluttered in a way that betrayed just how much he actually liked it. He swallowed hard, still hiding behind his hands, and managed to mumble back, barely above a whisper, "...Me too."
Gojo's expression softened instantly. "Hmm? Say it again," he teased gently, though his tone carried a quiet fondness this time.
Yuji turned his head away, refusing to meet his eyes. "No way," he muttered, pouting.
Gojo laughed again — that light, familiar sound that always made Yuji's chest feel warm — and reached out to ruffle his hair. "My yuji so cute"
They stayed like that for a while on the reservoir — the air cool, the water shimmering faintly. Eventually, they lay down side by side.. Yuji nestled comfortably against Gojo's side.
Yuji rested his head on Gojo's arm, his body fitting naturally against him, while Gojo's hand slipped around Yuji's waist, holding him close.
+++
"Itadori!"
"Itadori!!"
"Wake up, Itadori!"
Yuji's eyes flew open with a sharp inhale. His chest rose and fell quickly as he blinked into the dim light. It took him a moment to realize where he was — and who was holding him.
He was lying in Gojo's arms. The man's arm was draped loosely around his waist, his breath slow and even against the back of Yuji's neck. The faint scent of the night air mixed with Gojo's warmth, grounding him back to the present.
Yuji exhaled softly, rubbing his eyes. That voice... he thought, It's been a long time since I've heard Fushiguro's voice.
His chest tightened at the memory. He missed them — Fushiguro, Nobara, everyone. For a brief moment, the ache of nostalgia washed over him, gentle but heavy.
But… what did he actually say? Yuji frowned faintly, trying to recall the dream. The words had already slipped away, leaving only the echo of his name.
He turned his head slightly — and found himself staring at Gojo.
The older man was still half-asleep, lashes casting faint shadows against his skin, his hair messy in a way that made him look unfairly perfect. His features were soft in rest, all sharpness and mischief melted away.
Yuji couldn't help but stare. He's really unreal…
Gojo shifted slightly, a faint smile tugging at his lips even before he opened his eyes. His voice came out low and amused, still thick with sleep.
"Dear," he murmured, without even looking, "admire my face enough?"
Yuji jumped, cheeks flaring pink instantly. "H-huh?! Senpai were awake?!"
Gojo cracked one eye open, the corner of his mouth curving into that familiar grin. "Mmm, half awake. But I could feel your stare burning into me. Hard not to notice, you know."
"I—I wasn't staring that hard!" Yuji protested, burying his face in the pillow.
Gojo chuckled softly, shifting closer until his chin rested lightly on Yuji's shoulder. "Sure you weren't." His breath brushed against Yuji's ear. "It's okay, dear. I'd stare too if I were you."
Yuji groaned, still blushing, but couldn't stop the small laugh that slipped out between his protests.
Gojo's grin gentled into something tender, almost boyish. "My dear's so cute when you're flustered."
"Senpaiii, stop it already," Yuji mumbled, voice muffled against the pillow as his ears burned red.
Gojo only chuckled. "Ai ai, dear~" He wrapped his arms tighter around Yuji, pulling him close until their chests were pressed together.
For a moment, the only sound was the quiet rhythm of Yuji's heartbeat — fast, uneven, right against Gojo's chest.
Gojo's teasing tone softened. "What's wrong, Yuuji-kun? Hmm?" His voice was low, calm — the kind of tone that left no space to hide.
Yuji hesitated, fingers curling lightly against Gojo's shirt. "…I miss them," he admitted quietly. "Fushiguro… and Kugisaki."
Gojo's smile faded, replaced by something quieter, more thoughtful. His hand rubbed slow circles against Yuji's back, patient and grounding.
"Yeah… I miss them too."