Archive of Our Own

The car keys dug into Nanami’s thigh as he sat on the sand beside Gojo and Shoko. With the cool waves lapping at their feet, they split apart cans of beer and passed them along the line. Haibara sat on the end, placing his can into a burrow in the sand and turned to Geto, scraping back the loose strands brushing his forehead.

For weeks on end, the students had no time off. Constant fighting then training then studies then back to fighting again. There was no rest. When Yaga announced to them they could have the weekend free, the five of them rejoiced.

They left Friday afternoon, hopping on a train to the countryside and picking up a rental car for the weekend. Being the only one to drive, the duty fell to Nanami.

“None for you,” sneered Gojo, plucking the beer can from Nanami and tossing it over to Shoko. His smile was full of teeth and gums, eyes crinkling with delight as Nanami rolled his eyes.

“I’m not stupid.”

Shoko rolled her sock off. It found its way into Gojo’s face. It bounced off Infinity and landed in his lap. Disgusted, he threw it off him and into the water. “Ew, you freak, that’s gross!” He scuttled back from his spot and struggled through the sand to her. Feet lacking support, he wobbled side to side. She barked laughter, pointing accusing fingers at Gojo as he punted sand at her.

Haibara curled back, laughing into the night sky. One sock of his lay tucked into his shoe, the other still half up his leg. Geto huffed beside him, a hand in his pocket as he pulled out his lighter.

“When do we want to start?” he asked, lighting a cigarette as he flicked his eyes to the barbeque tray in the sand.

They spent the day cycling around the town in t-shirts and shorts, followed by the impromptu fishing lesson curtesy of Geto, too busy reminiscing about his childhood to do any real training. Haibara snapped the fishing rod in half and Shoko fell head first into the water, much to Gojo’s amusement. Only Nanami could catch a fish large enough to be celebrated with slaps on the back, as well as a surprise octopus that found its way back into the waters.

After cleaning up at their shitty hotel, Gojo suggested a feast on the beach. Nanami drove them to the car park. The day had been hot, scorching the ground as they walked. The strip of sand in front of their car did not do, claimed Gojo, as there would be too many eyes on them as they ate.

He walked them down the shoreline, far from the car. After the fortieth minute and millionth mile, the group had complained enough for Gojo to settle on that spot.

“Right now, please,” Shoko groaned, clutching her stomach, “I’m starving.” She walked round Geto, snatching the cigarette from his lips. She took a drag. “Let’s get cooking.”

Four pairs of eyes landed on the fool in the sand. Gojo pulled himself up and dusted himself down before catching their eyes. “What?”

“Where’d you put the food?” Haibara asked over Geto’s shoulder.

Gojo tutted, hands on his hips. He strutted to the water’s edge. “You have no faith in me! It’s insulting! I think as the Strongest, you should be treating me with a little more respect-”

“Gojo-san.” The monotone drawl of Nanami’s tired voice resulted in the answer.

“It’s in my bag.”

Shuffling of bags and clothes, four pairs of eyes fell upon him again.

“Where’s your bag?” Geto raised a brow, elbows planted on his knees.

Secluded in their small pocket of the beach, the stars shone bright. Twinkling as if alive to the five on the sand. In the moonlight, the drop in Gojo’s smile was obvious.

“Dickhead!” Shoko grabbed a fistful of sand. She hurled it through the air right for Gojo’s face.

“Hey! It’s not my fault!”

Haibara piped up from behind the safety of Geto’s body. “It kinda is, Gojo-san.” He waited for a reaction before continuing. “You were the one in charge of buying the food and bringing it down.”

“Fine! I’ll go get it.”

“You hiked us halfway round the country,” Geto chuckled. Of course, it would be hilarious to him. Gojo mimicked his words back to him. Unbothered, Geto said, “it’ll be morning by the time your back with the food.”

“Fuck off. You’re telling me you want to be eating a hot dog in front of a thousand people in their cars?”

“The carpark was empty,” Nanami said.

“All that tarmac and fumes aren’t good for the skin, Kento-chan. And didn’t you want to be alone with me?” He waddled behind him and draped himself over Nanami’s back. “A perfect beach date, me and you, under the moonlight and-”

Nanami twisted him off. “Do you forget we have friends here?” Gojo landed on his back with a huff. He blinked up at Nanami, blue eyes sparkling as Nanami looked down at him. “And we’re not dating.”

A groan in protest.

“What do we do now?” asked Shoko, her stolen cigarette sucked down to the butt.

Geto dropped his hand on Gojo’s forehead and messed with his hair. “I vote Gojo works for his retribution and brings our food here.”

The angel he is, Haibara pulled a sympathetic face, “but that’s so far!”

Nodding, Shoko agreed, “yeah it’ll take us forever to get our food.”

“Thanks for thinking about me, friends,” spat Gojo, scrunching his face under Geto’s hand and sitting up.

Nanami sighed as he stood. “There’s a road not far from here. I’ll get the car and bring it round.”

“Nanami!”

Nanami cringed at Gojo’s howls, moving out of the way of Gojo’s hug.

“You don’t gotta do that, Nanami. Let Gojo sort it out.” Shoko said, stubbing the cigarette in the sand.

Slipping his shoes on, Nanami shook his head. “We all know that would never work.” Ready, he gave his goodbyes.

“You sure it’s safe by yourself, Kento?”

Nanami turned to Haibara, “I’ll be fine.”

The four watched his back as he walked across the beach.

“It doesn’t feel fair,” Geto said, wrapping his arm around Haibara. “Poor Nanami has to-”

Gojo leapt from the sand. His shoes half laced up before he sprinted along the water after Nanami.

Shoko sat back down beside them. “Typical. Guess we’re going hungry tonight.”

“Nanami!” The seawater splashed up his legs. It wet the edge of his shorts. “Nanami, wait up!”

The voice caught him off guard. Nanami spun round, frozen as he watched Gojo race the waves to catch him.

He had not made it fifty meters before his lace caught under his shoe. Gojo went flying. The beach rushed to his face. Nanami caught him before he hit the ground.

“What are you doing here?” Nanami helped him up. Even with those emo bangs, looks can be deceiving as Gojo found out, grasping at Nanami’s biceps and feeling solid rock. He thanked the night for the covering of his blush.

Between breaths, Gojo spluttered out, “too dark- I wanted- to keep you safe-”

The answer surprised him. Nanami blinked a few times before he could respond. “I am capable of keeping myself safe, Gojo-san.”

Gojo stared at him, his lashes fluttering as he jumped from eye to eye. “But! You don’t know who’s out there! A lone guy like you is the prime target for scary people to attack you. Haven’t you heard of the Boogie man?”

“I’m an adult. I do not believe in the ‘Boogie Man’.”

“What if a curse came out and-”

Nanami stared at him. “I can protect myself, Gojo-san.” Gojo lifted his hands from Nanami and stuffed them into his pockets. “But…” his mind ran tracks in his head before the words came to his mouth. “Thank you for worrying.”

“So… can I stay?”

Nanami paused for a moment before sighing. “I wouldn’t… mind… the company.”

Gojo threw himself around Nanami’s shoulders. “I knew you loved me!” he laughed, swinging his weight on the other man. Nanami held himself firm on the ground as the long limbs of Gojo wrapped themselves around him.

“Get off me before I change my mind.” An empty threat that did nothing to deter Gojo.

“Carry me.”

“No.”

“Pleeeease,” he whined into Nanami’s ear.

“I’ll send you back to the others.”

“But I need to protect you.”

“No you don’t.” Nanami grabbed an arm around his neck and tried his hardest to pry Gojo off. Wasted vain, Gojo remained glued to him. “Gojo-san.”

The sternness in his voice was the final straw. Reluctantly, Gojo slid off his back and onto his two feet. “If I get tired, I’m blaming you.”

“And I’ll blame you right back. It was your idea to come out here.”

“You’re so mean to me.”

“I’m only speaking the truth.” He shrugged and began walking again.

Gojo stood in the sand with his arms folded over his chest. He watched Nanami disappear into the night. His shoes left imprints in the sand. Gojo followed only to step on his lace again.

“Nanami, wait!”

He did not turn.

Gojo dropped to the sand, eyes flickering up to Nanami’s back and down to his stupid shoe lace that would not go through the knot, and he pulled, but pulled it too fast and now it ruined the whole lace and then-

“One would expect the Greatest to know how to tie his shoes by now.”

He did not even cast a shadow. Nanami appeared from nowhere by his feet, staring as Gojo blinked up at him.

“You’re back.” He uttered it with such disbelief, he did not even recognise his voice.

Nanami clucked his tongue before kneeling in front of him. “Give it here,” he said, half of his face hidden behind his blond bangs. He reached for Gojo’s shoe and lifted it on to his thigh. Swift and precise, he looped the lace around and made a perfect knot within seconds. Gojo gawked. Nanami’s hand was so warm on his ankle, he held it with such a grip it sent blood rushing to his face. His heartbeat so fast he felt it in his stomach.

For a second, they remained in place. Their eyes met. Gojo could only see what the moonlight wanted and what he saw did not disappoint. He knew Nanami was a pretty guy, even with that emo trim, but looking at him properly, the curve of his nose, the definition in his cheekbones, the split in his lip. Gojo felt himself blush again. Nanami wasn’t just pretty, he was handsome. An attractive guy.

Nanami broke the silence first with a stilted cough. He stood and offered a hand. “Come on, the other’s will complain if we keep them waiting any longer.”

Gojo laced his fingers through Nanami’s and let himself be hauled up.

It was awkward for the time after. Neither knew what they could say in that moment. A wise crack at a joke could ease the tension, but Gojo could not conjure anything up. He could tease Nanami, but everything he thought of caught in his throat and failed to come out.

So, they walked in silence. The crunch under their feet. The breeze ruffling through his hair. The waves daring to touch their shoes. Gojo could hear Nanami breathing beside him. An odd comfort.

Nanami was shorter than him. His blond hair tucked behind his ear and his hands stuffed in his pockets. Gojo washed his gaze over him. Hypnotised. Playing with fire, seeing how long he could go staring at the other before he would notice. Gojo knew the game. He knew how to push Nanami’s buttons, knew how to annoy him and get him reacting. There was something so satisfying when he managed to get Nanami’s attention onto him.

Maybe it was the narcissism, or maybe the thrill of seeing how far he could go.

Before when he stared at Nanami during class, it was superficial. A gag for the sake of being a gag. But something changed between the time knowing him. He wanted Nanami to notice him. He wanted the sole focus of Nanami on him.

Geto called it a crush. Gojo called him stupid.

Every so often, the sand would fall uneven, it would pull Gojo’s step down the slope and their hands would brush together.

It was obvious what was going on. Nanami chose not to notice. Gojo’s heart beat a second faster whenever it would happen.

He could not take it anymore. Gojo bumped their shoulders together, jolting Nanami out of his trance.

“Nice shorts.”

Confused, he looked down to his plain shorts, then up to Gojo. Hesitant, he gave his thanks.

Gojo was not giving up this early. “Where’d you get them?”

Nanami’s brows furrowed as he looked at Gojo. “I forget. Some store, probably.”

Gojo’s fingers plucked the helm of the shorts, he gave them a shake. “They’re good.”

“Thanks.”

“Maybe I should get a pair. I dunno, though, what if they don’t suit me.”

“I have a feeling that will not be a problem.”

“Really?” Gojo sparkled, “I think the colour-”

Nanami stopped him. “Do you plan to talk about my shorts for the rest of the trip?”

Gojo gawked. He regained his control quick. “But I wanna talk with you.”

“About… my shorts?”

He could hear it in his head, the distant Geto laughing his ass off at Gojo’s poor attempts to talk to his underclassman. Shorts? Why the fuck is he talking to Nanami about shorts. Was he stupid? Gojo wanted to pull at his hair. Geto had told him how to talk to Nanami. They found an old book in the library on how to talk to people. Hobbies, friends, popular films. Not shorts.

“Sorry…” he trailed off, embarrassed beyond belief. He saw Nanami’s mind running, he opened his mouth to speak but Gojo cut him off. “You know how to cook right?”

“Cook?”

“Yeah, on the barbeque. No chance I’ll be allowed near it, Shoko would have a heart attack.”

“I suppose I can do the cooking,” he said. “My dad taught me when I was younger.”

“Really?”

“We camped together in the summer. We went into the countryside for weekends, and he’d show me the basics.”

“Did he teach you how to fish?”

“That was my grandparents. My grandfather had a boat, and he took my grandmother and me out on the sea.”

“The Danish ones?”

Nanami nodded. “It’s easy when you know how to do it. You need patience for it. Something you showed a lack of today.”

Gojo’s mouth dropped. “Hey! I think I have better things to be doing with my time than waiting around for a fish to bite my bait.” He gave Nanami a shove. “And I’m not fifty years old like you are. I can’t just sit there doing nothing.”

“Evident by you hanging around my neck for the duration.”

“It’s called support, Nanami-chan. I was encouraging you.”

“I’m sure.”

There was a hint of a smile on Nanami’s lips. Gojo’s stomach tightened. He did that. He was the reason.

He pushed Nanami again. His foot tripped on the hollow in the sand and he fell back. His hands threw out. It caught Gojo’s wrist and together they went down.

Gojo screamed when the water hit his arms. Chest to chest, he remained mostly dry. Nanami laughed. His chest heaved against Gojo’s.

“I’m soaked!” Gojo’s limp fist hit Nanami’s pec. “You’re evil!”

Dropping his head back, the water pushed and pulled Nanami’s blond hair around his face. He stared at Gojo through hazed eyes. “This was your fault.” His hand held Gojo’s tight. Beside him, he cupped water and doused Gojo’s hair. “See, now you’re soaked.”

His entire being stopped functioning. Gojo lay on top of Nanami. Face to face. Nanami’s eyes stared at his. The warmth of their bodies did little to stop Gojo’s heart from throttling against his ribcage. Life did not feel real. Breath sucked from his lungs, he shoved his hands in Nanami’s face and shot up.

His cheeks burned. His t-shirt was too tight. His legs lost all feeling. For a second, he easily could have kissed Nanami.

A concept that was not entirely crazy by any means, Shoko and Geto even picked up on his stupid little crush, but Gojo never wanted to believe it. He wanted to annoy Nanami because it was fun. Nothing else. He only wanted the attention for fun. Nanami should not be so pretty to the point where he was breaking Gojo’s perception of life.

Always, there was a niggling thought in the back of his mind that knew what Nanami did to him. His ego never allowed him to fall victim to such feelings.

He wanted to run and hide and punch Nanami for what he was doing to him. But, Gojo could never allow that to happen. He liked Nanami too much to let that happen.

Rather, he wanted to hug him, hold his close, kiss him, share the same breath, intwine their limbs so far that he could not tell whose foot that belonged to. He wanted to lie under the stars and listen to Nanami talk of his childhood in Denmark. He wanted to hear about that annoying co-worker who would always do something to piss Nanami off.

It was not so much a sudden realisation of his feelings. It was the reluctant acceptance to realise what had been there for so long. He could not fool himself any longer.

Nanami sat up in the water, he slicked his wet hair back from his face, glaring at Gojo. Gojo gave in. He waddled over, offering him a hand and hauled him up.

“We don’t even have towels,” Nanami said, swiping the seawater from his arm. He was completely soaked, head to toe drenched. “If we don’t get our deposit back on the rental, you’re compensating me.” He stabbed his finger in Gojo’s chest, leaving an imprint of the water on his shirt.

He shrugged it off. “We’ll be fine, stop worrying.” Throwing his hands behind his head, Gojo stared at the sky. “By the time we reach the car, we’ll be dry anyways.” Cocky as always. He walked forwards. When he heard no footsteps beside him, he swivelled around to catch Nanami pulling the sopping shirt over his head. “W-what are you doing?” he spluttered out, face flushing.

“I’m not walking back in a wet shirt,” he said it like it was obvious.

In theory, Gojo knew Nanami was fit in terms of health, but looking at his chest, Gojo discovered the second definition of the word. Not overly muscular, but not scrawny like himself. Nanami trained his body and it showed. The light defines of abs in the moonlight, the built-up biceps that flexed when Nanami wrung the water from his shirt. The veins down his forearms.

“What?” he spat, eyeing Gojo from the side.

There sat a sore looking bruise above his hip. There for at least a few days. Gojo pointed at it. “How’d you get that?”

Confused at first, Nanami looked down and found the bruise. His hand hovered above it. “A curse got me. I wasn’t paying attention.”

Gojo swooped up into his personal space. “Why? Thinking too much ‘bout me?” He sneered.

 “Haibara got hurt. I was trying to help him.” Nanami shoved him away. “Not everyone has Infinity like you.” When his skin made contact, Nanami had the audacity to look shocked.

Gojo smirked. “What?”

“You’ve lowered Infinity…” He spoke slow. His hand remained glued to Gojo’s chest. “Aren’t you worried about a curse or-”

The shoe was on the other foot now. Gojo pressed against the hand, looping his own behind his back, smug. “It’s not just lowered.” He let pressure fall on Nanami’s hand before easing a bit. “It’s off.”

Nanami stared at him. “Why?”

“I know you won’t let anything hurt us.” Gojo breathed light. His heart pounded, trying to reach out to Nanami’s touch. He was playing this dangerous game again.

“You had it on with the others...” He was trying to justify it. He could not grasp it.

Gojo lifted a lone hand and rested it upon Nanami’s. He traced the fingers with his own. “Yeah. I did.”

Burnt from the truth, Nanami snapped his hand back and crossed his arms. He stepped away. Quickly, he spoke, “we’re almost at the car.”

On his cheeks lay a light blush. Gojo revelled in it. He watched Nanami stumble into a walk, eyes flickering to him and back to the sand.

Maybe he wasn’t the only one.

“Nanami,” he called. Nanami stopped and threw his head over his shoulder.

“What.”

“Carry me.”

The carpark was empty bar from their own car. The lights were shut off and drowned the tarmac in darkness. Not a soul in sight. Draped over his shoulders, Gojo tightened his legs around Nanami’s waist. His face pressed close to his. The wet shirt draped over Nanami’s arm.

“I wonder where the car is,” Nanami’s drone came with heavy sarcasm. “Seeing as there’s a thousand people here.”

Gojo stabbed Nanami’s cheek. “Hey, didn’t you want us to have some privacy?”

Nanami scoffed. “I’ll drop you.”

“You won’t though.”

Nanami scooped the keys from his shorts, they clanged against the key fob. He walked them up the bank, fixing Gojo higher on his back so he wouldn’t fall. His shoes echoed round the carpark, bouncing off the distant trees.

The lights flickered as he unlocked it.

“Ooh, Nanami,” Gojo swooned in his ear, “it’s just us here. What will you do with me?” His fingers tapped Nanami’s neck.

“I will drive us to our friends so we can finally eat.”

Gojo hummed. “Aren’t you… hungry for something else?”

Nanami dropped him.

“Just get in the car.”

Groaning, Gojo obliged. He picked himself up and opened the door, falling into the passenger seat. Outside, Nanami slipped into the damp shirt and sat beside him.

“Are you sure we have the food?” Gojo asked, throwing his head to the backseat.

“I swear if we walked here for nothing-”

Gojo slapped his arm, “I’m kidding!” He jabbed his thumb to the boot. “It’s in my bag.”

Nanami switched the car on. He put it in gear and threw his arm round the back of Gojo’s headrest. Gojo’s stomach fluttered. He did not know driving could be so attractive.

Nanami reversed them back and out onto the road. Not another car in sight.

Checking the mirror, Nanami upped the gear. He looked to Gojo.

“Sit back.”

Still recovering from the simple act of driving, Gojo looked to him. “What-”

Nanami forced the pedal down. The car burst with speed. He upped the gear once, twice, up into fifth. Gojo stared at the smooth workings of the gearstick. His eyes traced the outline of Nanami in the night. So confident, he had total control.

“I didn’t know you had this in you, Kento-chan,” he sung.

“Sometimes you want to feel normal. Feel the risk of dying like a normal person rather than knowing it will be from some curse.” He glanced to Gojo, a flick of his wrist to the window. “Roll it down.” Gojo obeyed. Nanami followed with his own.

Wind swept up in the car. It drowned all sound and whipped their hair in all sorts of ways.

Gojo lifted from his seat and stuck his head out of the window. The force proved too much. He fell back in the car and gawked at Nanami. “This is amazing. Take me out more often.”

“Behave more often then.”

The countryside became a blur as they sped down the road. Gojo whooped and hollered from the passenger seat.

Nanami dropped the speed. They rounded a corner, the beach visible from the high road. Gojo rested his elbow on the side of the window and looked at him.

Nanami took no note of him as he slowed, pulling into a slip road and parked on the side.

Moving up the interior, he lifted the handbrake, put the car into neutral and switched the engine off.

“Grab the bag,” he said, moving for the key.

Gojo grabbed his wrist. “Wait,” he spilled out. Quick, he composed himself. “We don’t have to go right away. Can’t we chill here or something?”

Nanami gave him a look. “But they’re waiting for us.”

“They can wait longer, right?”

Nanami’s hand stopped and left the key in place. “Not too long.” He relented and sat back. “What do you want?”

Gojo leant forward to the radio. He messed through the stations until he found something that resembled music. “You’ll love this song.” He turned up the volume and faced Nanami in his seat. “Just listen.”

“It’s makeout music.”

Gojo’s core shook from those words. “It’s what?” He gasped. “This is not makeout music, this is a classic.”

“It sounds like it came straight out of one of those films we watched in Shoko’s room.”

It struck Gojo how right he was. Parked at the beach, the two of them alone, soft music spilling from the speakers. Like electricity in his stomach, Gojo sizzled under Nanami’s gaze.

He wanted to kiss him.

“Usually those couples die afterwards,” Gojo lifted his foot to rest on his seat. “Horror and all.”

Nanami huffed a laugh. “You’re not worried?”

“No reason to be.” He wanted to look away, but everything compelled him to stay. “You’re here.”

He shifted in his seat. Nanami watched his every move.

Gojo leant in first. Nanami was so close. He was almost crossed-eyed from staring at him.

In a whisper, Gojo breathed out his name.

Within a heartbeat, they were kissing.

Nanami’s lips were warm. So soft as they moved with each other. Gojo pressed into him. He wanted closer and closer but the very desire was impossible.

A breath escaped though Nanami’s nose. It tickled the light hair on Gojo’s face.

Locked lips, Gojo tilted his head. Anything to get closer. His hands found their way around Nanami’s neck. The sudden touch had Nanami stealing the breath out of his mouth.

Gojo’s fingers found the light hair on his nape. A thumb rubbed along his jaw.

Nanami’s tongue ran over his bottom lip, poking and prodding, begging to enter his mouth.

Reluctant, Gojo pulled back, gasping for his breath. Nanami lifted his eyes to look at him through his lashes.

A silence fell between them as Gojo breathed hard.

“I read that right, didn’t I?” Nanami murmured.

His mouth moved before his brain. “Definitely.” His hand remained on Nanami’s neck. Light, his thumb rubbed circles on any skin he could find. “You’re so hot.”

Nanami flushed. “Don’t say that.”

“I didn’t know you had it in you.”

“I’m not some robot.”

“You’re better than some robot,” he smiled, leaning in close and pressing a light kiss on his lips. “I like you.”

“I gathered as much at this point.”

Gojo swiped Nanami’s fringe from his face and tucked his behind his ear. “You did?”

“You’re not very good at hiding it.” He sighed under Gojo’s touch. “But I thought it was just you being a dick.”

“That’s mean, Nanami-chan,” he pouted. Nanami squeezed his cheeks. “I’ve always liked you.”

Gojo sat up on his seat. As careful as Gojo Satoru could be (and that was not a lot), he lifted himself over the gear box and wedged himself between the steering wheel and Nanami’s chest, settling himself on Nanami’s lap.

His hands wrapped themselves around Nanami’s neck. Instinctively, Nanami looped his around Gojo’s waist, holding him tight.

Towering over him, Gojo drooped his head down, staring into Nanami’s eyes. Knees tight to thighs, he shifted closer.

“Come here,” Nanami muttered, hand snaking up Gojo’s back, his large hand wrapping around his neck and tugged him down to meet his lips.

The kiss was deeper than before. Wet lips on another. Gojo could feel the old crack in Nanami’s lip from the fight with a curse a week ago. He licked over it before he bit down. It got Nanami making a noise which was definitely an encouraging sign.

Nanami’s hands rubbed up and down his hips. His fingers pressed into the skin hard enough to leave marks. Gojo could not wait to see what it would look like tomorrow.

“Nanami,” he could not stop. He loved every second their skin was on each other. He rocked in his hips, sucking on his lip. He tasted the tinge of blood. Nanami did not mind. His hands slowly creeped around Gojo’s back, slithering down to cup his ass as Gojo groaned in his mouth.

“You’re so pretty,” he gasped, “Satoru,” his lips crawled from Gojo’s across his cheek, constantly kissing every inch he could. Down his jaw, he pressed light kisses earning a shuttering breath from Gojo. “So pretty.”

Gojo was beyond himself. He could not believe his life. Chest so tight, he could explode in Nanami’s arms. Every compliment shot butterflies though his heart. There wasn’t a word he could use to describe it. Overwhelmingly happy, he loved Nanami so much. He wanted closer.

Nanami’s nose pressed into his neck, his tongue lapped a sensitive spot that send Gojo gasping.

“Nanami-”

“I’ve got you,” he mumbled on the skin.

Gojo’s face singed with heat. That was hot. He felt the hands on his butt. Gojo grasped Nanami’s blond locks, tugging as the lips bit his neck. He shuddered with the sensation. His fingernails scraped Nanami’s scalp, dragging through. Below him, Nanami sucked in a breath.

The teeth stung in a way that Gojo did not hate. Rather, he wanted him to do it again. He clung to Nanami’s head like a lifeline, holding him tight. Nanami worked his way on his neck, over and over, pulling pants and moans from Gojo.

Nanami squeezed his ass, he slipped one hand higher, under Gojo’s loose shirt. His fingers danced over his ribs. The skin burnt with the touch. His stomach spasmed, the feeling running through his nerves, from his toes to his fingertips. It tickled.

“Nanamiii,” Gojo whined, writhing in his lap. “Kiss me.”

“Be patient,” the vibrations of his voice rippled across Gojo’s skin. “You need to learn how to wait.”

“But I want to kiss you.” Nanami sucked on his neck harder. Gojo crumbled on top of himself. “Kentooo.”

Dropping his arms, he wrapped himself around Nanami’s chest. A cheeky thought came to him. His hand trickled down Nanami’s side, slow, it fell over his hip, and he pressed.

Nanami stuttered.

Bullseye.

He thumbed the bruise, watching Nanami fall apart.

“Kiss me.”

Nanami parted from the skin. “You’re a demon,” he grumbled. He pulled away far enough for Gojo to spot the harsh blush on his cheeks.

Oh? That was a surprise. He pushed the bruise again. Nanami squeezed his eyes shut. A wild smile sprung up on Gojo’s lips. “You like that.”

“I don’t,” he lied.

Gojo went in for a third time only for Nanami to grab his hand and lace their fingers through. He lifted it to his mouth and kissed the knuckles. “There. I kissed you.”

Gojo’s brain went haywire. He grabbed Nanami’s face and pulled him in again, kissing him like he was dying.

Nanami followed. He wrapped his arms around Gojo’s torso, holding him tight and rocking forwards. Gojo leaned with him. So warm. So close.

His lower back hit the steering wheel. Further and further back, Nanami kissed him hard, deeper, a solid grip on him and he was draped over the wheel.

The horn blared.

Both leapt apart from each other.

Gojo could not catch his breath. He stared at Nanami’s pale face and burst out laughing.

“Nice one, Nanami,” he managed through laughter.

“That was your fault.”

Gojo stabbed his finger in his chest. “Your fault this time. Control yourself,” a toothy grin as he gripped the almost dry shirt in his hand. Gojo’s eyes became soft. “I liked it, though.”

“I’m surprised to say I feel the same.”

“’Surprised’,” Gojo pinched Nanami’s nose, “you’re a fat liar.” He placed his hands on his neck and gave him a slow kiss.

Nanami’s hand traced the outline of his spine before he pulled off. “As much as I would love to sit here and kiss you, we’ve left the others for far too long.”

“They can wait a bit longer,” he tried countering, leaning in for another kiss. Nanami stopped him with a finger.

“They can’t.”

He groaned, sagging against Nanami’s frame. “Nanamiii.”

“I’m sure if you asked Haibara, he would be happy to swap rooms with you tonight.”

“That means he’ll be with Suguru.”

“Exactly. And you’ll be with me.”

Gojo stared. He could not see the correlation. Nanami raised a brow. Finally, it hit. “Ohh,” he said. “Riiiight.” A playful smile adorned his lips.

The keys jingled behind Gojo as Nanami switched the car off. He found the handle and pushed the door open for Gojo to exit.

“Make sure you lift the food this time.”

They walked down the slope to the beach. The three sat beside a small fire made from sticks and old rubbish lying about.

Gojo sprinted ahead, kicking through the sand as he reached his friends.

“Is it morning already?” Geto looked to the sky for emphasis.

“Fuck you. We weren’t gone long,” Gojo said, lying beside Geto on the sand. His friend gave him a once over.

Shoko tossed an empty can at the back of Gojo’s head.

“Ouch!” his hands sprung to the injury. “You bitch!”

“You seriously left Nanami to carry your mistake?” She spat.

Gojo sent her a piercing glare. “He chose to carry it for me. You know, because he’s a gentleman? Wouldn’t expect you to know what that is, anyways.”

Nanami set the bag down beside the fire. Haibara welcomed him. A friendly face within the feisty group.

“Get that barbeque started, Suguru, I’m dying here.”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever, your majesty.” Geto elbowed Gojo. “Give it over.”

“Why do I have to do it?” he grumbled, leaning over for the bag, nonetheless.

Haibara watched Gojo with curious eyes. “Did you pack octopus?”

Gojo pulled a face. “Octopus?”

The discussion caught the attention of the upperclassmen. Geto and Shoko gave him their full attention.

Haibara tapped the side of his neck, then pointed to Gojo. “There.”

His heart stopped beating. Gojo’s hand slapped his neck. His breath caught in his throat. Quickly, he glanced to Nanami whose face was a dark shade of red.

Geto took the bag from Gojo’s hands and opened it up. He peered inside. Humming, he rummaged around, “no, I don’t see any octopus in here.” He threw Gojo a smirk. “Hey, Nanami,” he swivelled round to look at the man, “didn’t you catch an octopus earlier.”

If it had not been for Shoko, Gojo would have drowned Geto in the water behind, much to Nanami’s disapproval and Haibara’s panic.