Yuji clutched the basket of food tighter, his heart hammering against his ribs as he peeked from behind the date palm. Out on the shore, Gojo was bent over the handmade boat, adjusting the ropes and smoothing the wood with a concentration Yuji had rarely seen outside of battle.
The awkwardness between them still clung thick in the air, stubborn and heavy, no matter how many days passed.
Yuji pressed a hand to his chest, cheeks warm. Why am I being like this…
He tried to steady his breath, but the thoughts swirled anyway. Somewhere along the endless years in this oasis, he'd caught feelings for Gojo–or at least something that felt like it. He told himself it was just admiration, gratitude for his savior, the only companion he had left. But then, why did his body react this way? Why did guilt burn in him when his thoughts slipped somewhere darker?
Am I… actually into him? Or is it just because my body's changed? he wondered bitterly. Senpai's handsome, sure, but maybe I only notice it because I look like this now…
Lost in his spiraling thoughts, Yuji didn't notice the footsteps approaching until a shadow loomed.
"Yuji," Gojo called softly. No answer.
"Yu~ji." Still nothing.
Gojo sighed, crouching down. For half a second, he hesitated, his gaze lingering too long on Yuji's face before his lips twitched into mischief. Without warning, he pinched Yuji's cheek.
"Ouchh! Senpai!" Yuji yelped, stumbling out from his hiding spot, face blazing red. He rubbed his cheek, glaring up at Gojo's smug grin.
"Heh. Daydreaming again? What's got you spacing out like that?" Gojo teased, leaning down until those piercing blue eyes were far too close for comfort.
"N-nothing! Mind your own business!" Yuji huffed, clutching the food basket like a flimsy shield.
Gojo chuckled, though the sound came a little too quick, a little too forced. His smile softened as he watched Yuji's flustered expression. "Now, now," he murmured, before scooping Yuji up effortlessly. His arms tightened around the boy just a fraction longer than necessary before he shifted his hold.
"W-wait! Senpai!" Yuji stammered, instinctively clinging, not where he usually did, around Gojo's neck– but lower, clutching at his waist instead.
Gojo froze for half a beat, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. Yuji never held him like that. Normally, when Gojo carried him through air, across water, wherever– Yuji's arms would be looped snugly around his neck, no hesitation. But this time, his grip was off. Nervous. Different.
Gojo tilted his head, gaze darting away like he didn't want Yuji to notice his own reaction. Then, with practiced ease, he slipped Yuji's hands free and guided them higher. His grin returned, smooth as ever. "Here. Much better. Easier to carry you this way."
Yuji's face burned even hotter, his heart hammering in his chest. He was convinced Gojo could feel it through the closeness. Great, now he thinks I'm some kind of pervert for holding him like this…
"No! I'm not a pervert, I swear!" Yuji suddenly blurted, panicked by his own thoughts.
Gojo blinked– startled by the outburst, and then burst out laughing, a laugh that echoed against the oasis air. It sounded freer this time, like it shook loose the tension in his chest. "Senpai never said you were one." He gave Yuji a playful squeeze. "But you're cute when you get all defensive like that."
"D-don't say stuff like that!" Yuji groaned, hiding his face against Gojo's shoulder.
Still grinning, Gojo raised his free hand lazily, though the tips of his fingers trembled before he steadied them with cursed energy. With a flick, the handmade boat lifted off the sand, bobbing weightlessly in the air. It hovered obediently beside them, as though waiting for its master's command.
"Alright, all aboard," Gojo announced, his voice light again. He strolled toward it with Yuji still in his arms like it was the most natural thing in the world. He hopped onto the floating vessel, balancing with absurd ease.
The boat, cradled by Gojo's technique, began to drift smoothly forward, except not on water, but above the desert, gliding as though the world itself had become their sea. The oasis shrank behind them, the endless dunes giving way to the promise of open ocean.
+++
The boat touched the water with barely a ripple, Gojo lowering it gently as though cradling glass. He set Yuji down, but Yuji didn't let go– if anything, his arms locked tighter around Gojo's neck.
"Are you sure it won't sink?" Yuji whispered, wide-eyed. His gaze flicked from the vast rolling waves back to Gojo's face, searching for reassurance.
Gojo swallowed hard, forcing a grin even as his pulse spiked at the closeness, the warmth, the faint scent of Yuji's skin that clung to him. Fuck me… get a grip, Satoru. Out loud, he flashed his trademark confidence.
"Believe me. I'm Gojo Satoru."
"I do believe you, but—" Yuji's arms squeezed tighter, his forehead brushing Gojo's shoulder.
"This is the middle of the ocean… it's scary," Yuji admitted, voice small. The endless stretch of dark water shimmered beneath them, waves heaving gently, beautiful yet overwhelming.
Gojo felt his face heat, though whether from Yuji's closeness or his words, he couldn't tell. "Alright, alright," he said, his voice softer this time. "Senpai will take us somewhere calmer, closer to shore."
Yuji nodded quickly, still clinging on, his earlier shyness drowned by sheer fear. Never thought I'd be scared of the sea… If Sukuna knew, he'd roast me alive.
With a flick of his wrist, Gojo guided the boat toward a quieter stretch near the shoreline, where the waves were gentler and the horizon less overwhelming. Only when the boat rocked in steady, shallow rhythms did Yuji finally ease his grip.
The morning sun rose higher, painting the ocean in silver-gold. Yuji leaned against the boat's edge, eyes wide with wonder. "It's… incredible."
"Told you it'd hold," Gojo said with a smirk.
"Yeah," Yuji breathed, smiling bright, his nerves finally melting away.
From the basket, Yuji pulled out their modest breakfast, sandwiches thrown together without ceremony. "Here. Not fancy, but it's food."
Gojo accepted one, lounging lazily as he kept the boat gliding smooth with his ability. "Mmm, can't complain. Handmade by yujikun? That's five stars."
Yuji rolled his eyes, cheeks tinged pink. "It's just bread and whatever I could grab, don't exaggerate."
But Gojo didn't answer right away. He was staring—really staring–at Yuji's smile. The way the sunlight hit his face, the genuine joy after so much fear and struggle. For a moment, Gojo forgot to breathe.
Yuji tilted his head. "Senpai? What?"
Gojo blinked, realizing he'd been caught staring. He laughed it off, taking another bite of his sandwich to cover the slip in his composure. "Nothing. Just thinking you make even the worst sandwich taste good."
And– before Yuji could reply, a shadow swooped overhead—whoosh!
In the blink of an eye, Gojo's sandwich was gone, snatched clean out of his hand by a bold seagull. He froze, staring at his now-empty fingers like they had betrayed him.
Yuji blinked… and then burst out laughing, his whole body shaking with unrestrained mirth. "Pff—HAHAHA! Senpai! You—You didn't even see it coming!"
Gojo's jaw dropped. The strongest sorcerer alive… undone by a seagull. "Wait–did that little feathered thief just—" He pointed helplessly at the bird now circling overhead, crumbs still trailing from its beak.
Yuji doubled over, clutching his stomach, tears forming in the corners of his eyes from laughing so hard. His bright, unguarded laughter filled the air, echoing over the calm sea.
For a beat, Gojo just stared, then his lips twitched, and finally he gave in, laughing too. Loud, carefree, real.
It felt like the tension of the past nights cracked open, replaced by the warmth of the morning sun and Yuji's joy.
"Alright, alright," Gojo said between chuckles, running a hand through his hair. "I'll let the bird go this time. But only because you laughed so hard."
"Senpai, it stole your lunch!" Yuji managed, still wiping at his eyes, face flushed from laughing.
"Correction," Gojo said, grinning wide. "It stole our lunch. So now you gotta share yours."
Yuji groaned, hugging the basket protectively to his chest. "No way! Not after you called my sandwiches bad!"
Gojo leaned closer, his grin turning mischievous. "I said worst sandwich tastes good. Big difference. Hand it over, Yuji-kun."
Yuji shook his head furiously. "Still no."
And– in a blink, Gojo dipped his head and shamelessly stole a bite straight out of the sandwich Yuji was holding.
"Hey—! Noo, stop!" Yuji yelped, half-laughing, trying to push him away.
Gojo chewed slowly, making a show of savoring it, then winked. "Mmm. Tastes like victory."
Yuji burst out laughing, doubling over. "You're the worst, Senpai!"
"Wrong," Gojo said proudly, flicking Yuji's forehead before leaning back smugly. "I'm the strongest. Big difference."
Yuji rubbed his forehead with a pout, though the corners of his lips betrayed a smile. "Unbelievable. You fight curses, and still the biggest menace is your appetite."
Gojo stretched lazily, tilting his head toward Yuji with a teasing smirk. "Well, if you keep making faces that cute when you pout, I might just keep stealing from you."
Yuji froze, eyes wide, cheeks instantly flushed. "D-don't say stuff like that!"
Gojo laughed, rich and unrestrained, the sound carried off by the ocean breeze. "Relax, Yuji-kun. Just teasing."
But as Yuji buried his face into the basket to hide his blush, Gojo's gaze softened, lingering just a moment too long before he turned to watch the horizon, his grin masking something heavier underneath.