Skrrttt. The sound of a blade scratching stone.
Yuji dragged the knife across the rock outside their house, marking another crude line. "Oh—today's my birthday. I'm twenty-one now, uwaaargh…" He stretched with a groan, rolling out of his sitting posture.
Neither he nor his senpai ever bothered to celebrate their birthdays here. They didn't even know each other's dates, never asked, never shared.
Yuji wandered the oasis in his worn deserter's clothes, trailed faithfully by Camela the camel and a goat that had decided, sometime last year, to make Yuji its new shepherd.
Eventually, he collapsed on the open wooden deck Gojo had built beside the reservoir. Sometimes they ate here, sometimes they napped, sometimes they just existed together, passing time in ways that felt timeless.
"Urghhh…" Yuji groaned, clutching his stomach that had been giving him trouble lately. He rolled onto his back, eyes half-shut.
"Man… a massage chair would be nice."
As if in sympathy, Camela lowered its head, pressing gently against Yuji's belly.
A familiar lazy voice drifted in. "Hmmm… Senpai doesn't have that kind of ability to build one."
Yuji cracked one eye open. Gojo had appeared out of nowhere, lying down beside him as if he'd been there all along.
"What's wrong? Fever?" Gojo turned toward him, palm brushing Yuji's forehead with casual care.
"No… just stomachache," Yuji mumbled weakly.
Gojo gave a small, drawn-out coo. "Aww, poor Yuji." His hand ruffled through Yuji's hair, as if petting a sulky cat.
Yuji shifted, turning his head toward him and snorted. "Pfft, senpai, you look like a dad with five kids. There's a razor in the bathroom, y'know. Use it."
Gojo rubbed his jaw, where the beginnings of a beard shadowed his face. "Tch. Even if I look like a dad, my face still catches women's eyes." He smirked proudly.
Yuji made a flat "meh" face, but deep down, he couldn't deny the truth. The man was annoyingly handsome.
Gojo patted his head again, softer this time. "Still hurting? I'll go make you porridge."
Yuji blinked slowly, lips curving in the faintest smile. "Heh. Thanks, senpai."
Gojo stood, brushing the dust off his clothes, heading toward the kitchen. Yuji watched his tall silhouette retreat, his chest warming despite the ache in his stomach.
+++
"Ouch..hnghh…" Yuji whimpered, clutching at his stomach as tears slipped down his cheeks. The pain was sharp and relentless, waking even Gojo from his rare deep sleep.
Gojo rubbed a salve he had concocted himself onto Yuji's stomach, his palm working slow, firm circles. "Shhh… still hurts? Did you fart yet? It's probably just gas," he murmured, trying to lighten the tension, though worry pulled at his voice.
Yuji shook his head, his face burning red, body trembling as another groan tore from his throat.
Gojo sat him up, guiding him to lean forward while his hand massaged Yuji's back. He poured Reverse Curse Energy steadily into him, but to his surprise, it had no effect. The stubborn ache remained.
"Tch… what the hell…?" Gojo muttered, frustrated.
Yuji sobbed harder, his whole body flushed, his breaths ragged.
Helpless, Gojo pulled him into his lap, settling Yuji against his chest. Sliding his hand beneath Yuji's shirt, he massaged gently along his tense abdomen and ribs, his other arm supporting Yuji's back. "Easy now… breathe, Yuji. Breathe with me, yeah?"
Minutes ticked by in silence, broken only by Yuji's stifled hiccups. Gojo rocked him slowly, his chin brushing the top of Yuji's damp hair. Gradually, Yuji's cries softened, his body relaxing just a little against him.
"There you go… that's it," Gojo murmured. "Tough kid, huh?"
Outside, the desert night whispered through the oasis, palm leaves rattling softly. Camela stirred nearby, letting out a restless groan as if she sensed Yuji's pain too.
Gojo glanced toward the balcony, then back down at Yuji. His thumb brushed over Yuji's damp cheek. "You scared me, you know… don't do that again."
Yuji sniffled, muttering weakly, "…like I wanted this to happen…"
Gojo gave a small laugh despite himself. He held Yuji tighter, pressing steady circles into his stomach. "Alright. Let's try something else. Wait here."
Reluctantly, he set Yuji down on the futon, tucking a blanket around him. Gojo disappeared into the kitchen, returning minutes later with a steaming cup.
"Here. Date water," he said simply, blowing on it before offering it carefully. "Old-fashioned, but it works better than my fancy tricks sometimes."
Yuji blinked, eyes swollen from crying, but managed a weak grin. "Senpai… you actually know home remedies?"
"Of course," Gojo said with a smirk. "I've lived long enough to pick up more than just sorcery."
He helped Yuji sip, one hand steadying the cup. The warmth spread slowly through Yuji's chest, his body easing bit by bit.
Gojo exhaled, relief washing over him as Yuji's breathing steadied. "See? Told you. Sometimes I'm a genius in the normal way too."
Yuji gave a faint laugh, then leaned heavily against Gojo's shoulder, mumbling, "…thanks, grandpa."
Gojo froze. Then grinned, mischievous. "Careful, Yuji. I might start charging you allowance."