"There's something weird about Senpai lately… hmm."
Yuji muttered under his breath while he milked one of the goats in their pen, his eyes sneaking glances toward the lakeside where Gojo sat fishing.
It was hard not to notice. Senpai, who used to cling to him every chance he got, now seemed to avoid him more and more.
At night, they still talked in bed, even shared silly bedtime stories, but after Yuji fell asleep, Gojo would always sneak away, carrying his pillow to the balcony chair to sleep alone.
Yuji pressed his lips together, his expression falling. Is Senpai… not comfortable with me anymore?
A pang of sadness tugged at his chest.
He sighed, lost in thought, and his hand accidentally squeezed the goat's teat too hard.
"Mbehhh!" the goat bleated angrily, kicking back.
Its hoof smacked the side of Yuji's head.
"Ouch!" Yuji yelped, clutching his temple with a pout. "That hurts!"
"Huh!! Yuji! Are you okay?!"
Gojo instantly abandoned his fishing rod and rushed over, crouching down to cup Yuji's head gently. His worried tone was so quick, so genuine, that Yuji couldn't help but grin sheepishly through the pain.
Ah… Senpai still cares about me after all.
"Eh? Why are you grinning like that?" Gojo narrowed his eyes suspiciously, though his mouth twitched into a matching smile. He gave Yuji's cheek a teasing pinch.
"Nah, I'm okay," Yuji reassured him, still smiling.
"Good, good. Can't have my goat-milker breaking down, huh?" Gojo chuckled, flicking Yuji's forehead lightly before standing back up.
Yuji stuck out his tongue at him, but the warmth in his chest lingered.
"Aip," Gojo narrowed his bright blue eyes in mock warning, but Yuji only laughed it off.
Clutching his little bucket of fresh milk, Yuji bounced up and wrapped his arms around Gojo like he always did. He was clingy by nature, always needing that contact, that warmth.
But this time, Gojo went rigid, his body stiff as though caught off guard. Yuji felt it immediately. His smile faltered, and slowly, reluctantly, he let go of the hug.
A shadow of sadness crossed his face. Senpai really isn't comfortable with me anymore…
Gojo noticed the change in Yuji's expression instantly. He immediately tugged Yuji back in and pulled him into a firm hug of his own.
"Aww, why sad-sad?" Gojo teased softly, his voice warm despite the joking tone.
Yuji puffed his cheeks and looked away, sulking. "Nothing."
Gojo chuckled, brushing his fingers through Yuji's hair, ruffling the pink strands. "You're such a bad liar, Yujikun. But fine, don't tell me. I'll just keep guessing until I figure it out."
Yuji mumbled into his chest, still pouting. "…annoying senpai."
But even as he said it, he leaned against Gojo's warmth, not pulling away this time.
+++
"It's a pheromone,"
Gojo finally decided, slouched on the lazy chair with one arm draped over his face.
That had to be it. Something in Yuji's body had changed, like an animal in heat, releasing invisible signals that tugged at his instincts. With Yuji's frame growing subtly more feminine, it was the only explanation that made sense.
He sighed again, a long, tired exhale that seemed to carry all his restraint with it. Good thing it's me. Not some other man. If it were anyone else, Yuji would be in danger.
But Gojo could control himself. He would control himself. Even if his body whispered otherwise, his mind was steel. He'd never cross that line.
"Disgusting," he muttered, shaking his head sharply, disgust not at Yuji but at the thought itself. He would never let it happen. Not in a thousand years. Not to his Yuji.
He pushed himself up from the lazy chair and padded over to the bed. Yuji was fast asleep, curled slightly on his side. Gently, Gojo pulled the blanket up to cover him fully, then lay down beside him.
The scent hit him immediately, sweet, intoxicating, almost unbearably alluring. His body reacted without permission, but Gojo closed his eyes and forced himself to focus on the other side of it. Beneath the heat, there was something else: a strange, soothing calm, like the faint smell of spring after rain.
He inhaled slowly, and for the first time in weeks, the temptation dulled. His heartbeat evened out. His body relaxed. And against all odds, he fell asleep beside Yuji without moving away.
And a faint smile tugged at Yuji's lips, as though he could feel the warmth beside him.
🌼🌼
Days passed quietly after that. Whatever invisible wall had grown between them dissolved. Gojo no longer slipped away at night. Yuji no longer felt the ache of being avoided. They moved as they used to, laughing, teasing, sharing the little rituals of survival in their strange oasis home.
And yet, beneath it all, there was always that quiet hope lingering in their hearts. That one day, the place would let them go. That Yuji could see his grandfather again. That Gojo could meet his best friend once more.
Until then, they lived side by side. Waiting.