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Satoru’s Christmas shopping list revolved entirely around his students. Perhaps he was a strict and scatterbrained teacher, but he was far from stingy. If Itadori needed new sneakers, he provided them. If Nobara asked to go shopping, he wouldn’t say no. If Megumi subtly hinted—his own way of asking—that his coat had worn out, Satoru replaced it.
Did Panda need a new scarf? Done. Maki wanted to get her hands on a new cursed tool? Time to get the necessary permits. Inumaki wanted a new kitchen gadget? He’d get it. And Yuta? Well, Yuta didn’t seem inclined to ask for anything, being the newest addition. So Satoru decided to send him a box of sweets, he wasn’t about to let anyone go without a gift from their magnificent, dashing, and oh-so-cool teacher Gojo!
It was Satoru’s way of caring for them, especially since he was rarely present in their lives beyond sporadic lessons. The world of jujutsu was harsh, cruel, and unrelenting, and during the holidays, absences were felt more deeply. Even someone like Gojo, who lived firmly in the present—focused on his work, tormenting Ijichi, and annoying his colleagues—found himself yearning for what was missing.
He pulled the ring out of his pocket: gleaming, flawless, with a price tag better left unspoken. Perhaps he had rushed the purchase. Impulsive, certainly.
Today was one of those freezing days when your breath hung visibly in the air, a day meant for staying home with family or friends.
As he walked down his favorite street, where a café served the best crepes in town, he sensed it: that cursed energy, that unmistakable sandalwood scent, before he even saw him.
And yet, his heart clenched just the same. The distance he usually maintained from the world and human experiences dissolved, leaving him a man once more. Human. Vulnerable.
He should avoid him, honor the unspoken agreement to keep their distance. But today, that need to break through the silence and get closer was too strong.
Inside the café, Suguru sat with two girls, a boy, two adults, and a woman. They were animatedly chatting, though one of them, the darker-skinned man, had already noticed Satoru. He seemed particularly strong, perhaps the most significant threat at the table aside from Suguru. Then there was the blond man in a coat—shirtless beneath it, apparently.
Suguru excused himself and stepped outside, stopping next to Satoru.
“Not spending today with your students?”
“I feel like you asked me the same thing on my birthday.”
That was their way of greeting each other.
“Maybe it’s because you’re getting predictable, Satoru~.” Suguru’s smile was something Satoru could never tire of.
“Then I’ll have to step up my game. If I become predictable, that means I’m boring, and I will never let anyone slander me with that!”
Suguru chuckled softly, and for a few seconds, silence settled between them. He kept his hands tucked into his sleeves to ward off the cold, his crescent-moon eyes giving him that foxlike charm.
“Should I be worried about your arrival, or is this meeting a coincidence?”
Ah, the polite question. Satoru laughed.
“Nah. Come on, I’ve got all year to carry out certain threats. You think I’d choose December 24 for something like that? Not my style. And after all these years, do you really think I’d get serious without reason?”
Suguru shrugged.
“You never know. You can be a little… impulsive at times.”
“Only with food—don’t start—”
“Oh, really?”
The way their talk shifted from playful to serious felt more like flirting than their usual banter. They were standing so close that if Satoru leaned just a little, their shoulders would touch.
The conversation faltered as both realized that this closeness only deepened their shared melancholy. Memories of their youth surfaced unbidden, vivid and bittersweet.
“Hey, Suguru. Remember your first Christmas at the school? We were still figuring out how to be friends, but you suggested we watch some holiday movies you rented. You didn’t even know if I’d like them—you just picked them because you knew I enjoyed watching movies.”
Suguru’s expression softened, his purple eyes gleaming with unmistakable affection and nostalgia.
“I do. Shoko made fun of me for spending all my savings on that movie night. The video rental place was far, too—I walked because I wasn’t sure riding curses was safe yet, and I couldn’t afford a taxi.”
“And I was a total jerk. I’d already seen most of those movies and told you so in the most tactless way possible.”
“Yeah, you did.”
“But we still watched them! And I liked them.”
“You spoiled the ending of every single one less than ten minutes in. Not a single one survived.”
Their laughter mingled, and their shoulders brushed lightly. Would they still share moments like this in the future? Satoru would give anything for another night like that—when life was simpler, and he didn’t understand why his heart ached watching Suguru’s disappointed face.
Every moment of that night had shaped their future.
The café door opened, and a disgruntled teenager stepped out.
“Are you two going to stay outside all evening, or are you coming in?”
Satoru was quick to reply, beating Suguru to the punch.
“Only if I’m invited.”
Suguru knew Satoru didn’t usually wait for invitations. He could’ve barged in and gotten away with it. But the fact that he asked softened Suguru’s stance.
“Of course. Come join us.”
A chair had already been added to the table, right next to Suguru’s. Clearly, they’d planned to invite him from the start.
Suguru knew why, of course. His family was well aware of how he felt about Satoru Gojo—and how, in his own way, Gojo had protected them all these years. Not actively, perhaps, but by not hunting them down.
Satoru sat down, grabbing the dessert menu.
“I’m ordering something.”
🤍🖤
He ordered half the menu but generously offered to share.
The conversation started light: school memories, whether they’d always gotten along. Everyone carefully avoided the elephant in the room. The atmosphere was festive, as though nothing in the world was amiss.
It was pleasant. Nanako and Mimiko were the most talkative, while the adults maintained a more moderate demeanor—though their glances betrayed them. Everyone knew the two of them needed to have a private conversation. Manami was the first to rise, elegant and poised, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
“Geto-sama, if it’s alright with you, I’ll take the girls for some last-minute shopping. Do you need anything?”
“So soon?”
Miguel and Larue were next to get up, taking Negi with them. Negi wasn’t entirely sure what urgent business needed attending, but he was happy to lend a hand.
“We’ve got things to do as well,” Larue said.
“Which things?” Negi asked, confused.
“Yes, that thing. We’ll see you later, Geto-sama.”
“Great—see you all soon!”
Satoru said, and he was still halfway through his second plate of crepes, his cheeks dusted with sugar and cream as he chewed another oversized bite. Suguru grabbed a napkin, wiping Satoru’s face as he reminded him,
“Don’t talk with your mouth full.”
Satoru rolled his eyes.
In response, he earned a flick to the forehead. Satoru retaliated by smearing a cream-covered finger toward Suguru’s cheek. But Suguru, quick as always, caught the offending finger with his lips before it could make contact. He smirked triumphantly.
Satoru instantly turned red.
The entire table grimaced with visible disgust. Was this how it was going to be if they patched things up? Better not to stick around for the show.
One by one, they left the two alone. Suguru’s sly expression remained firmly in place, while Satoru’s heart thundered in his chest. He decided to focus on his dessert, finishing the ludicrous amount of sweets in front of him.
“Do you think they liked me?” Satoru asked casually. He didn’t seem overly concerned, but deep down, he wanted to fit into this new circle of Suguru’s life. Even though his place as Suguru’s special person wasn’t in question, he didn’t want to feel like an outsider—a selfish but understandable feeling that came with love.
Suguru raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
“They let you eat with us, didn’t they? The suggestion came from them. Even if you weren’t their favorite person, they showed you consideration.”
“I disagree. They invited me because they wanted to make you happy,” Satoru retorted, pointing his spoon accusingly at Suguru.
“And what’s wrong with that, Satoru? At the end of the day, human relationships are about making each other happy, even if it sometimes means doing things that aren’t the most convenient. Small sacrifices.”
“Or big ones, Mr. ‘Let’s eradicate the non-sorcerers.’”
Suguru tilted his head slightly.
“And what’s wrong with my long-term project? They’re the reason we die. The reason you don’t get a single day off. It’s a miracle you’re even sitting here with me, given your circumstances.”
Satoru didn’t respond immediately. His fingers tapped idly on the table, the other hand propping up his chin as he studied Suguru intently. Suguru, for his part, looked him over with an interest that hadn’t changed over the years—little things that were always constant.
“I still remember the Suguru who begged me not to destroy a mountain. The same Suguru who spent days investigating the cause of a curse and pinpointing where the threat would emerge, even though wiping out the entire mountain would’ve been easier. We had permission to do it, but you fought for those people’s homes. You always looked for the gentlest path to move forward. Can’t we do the same this time?”
“The thing is… sometimes leveling the mountain is doing your job, and that’s okay, isn’t it, Satoru? You’re so powerful you don’t see how hard it is for everyone else. It was like that back then, and now I doubt you can even begin to understand it.”
Satoru caught the shift in Suguru’s tone and acted quickly. He grabbed Suguru’s hand before he could stand, leaning forward with a seriousness rarely seen, his gaze intense beneath the faint tint of his glasses.
“Then make me understand. Haven’t we always done things that way?”
“I’m not going to drag you into my fight. You don’t need to dirty your hands with someone else’s dream, especially when it’s not one you share. That would be cruel, don’t you think?”
Satoru’s gaze never faltered. For a moment, Suguru had to look away, unable to hold it. The difference between teenage Satoru and the man sitting before him now was stark, and it sent warmth creeping up Suguru’s cheeks. Satoru smirked faintly, recognizing he was winning this battle of wills—slowly but surely.
“Suguru. Listen to me.”
He gently cupped Suguru’s chin, tilting it back so their eyes could meet again. Once Suguru relented, Satoru continued,
“I’m asking you to let me understand you, and I’m offering to help you in a way that satisfies us both. Let’s find a third way—a way that doesn’t involve such a radical solution. Because an empty world might seem safe, but it will also be unbearably lonely. Not all sorcerers are good people, either. This place would eventually fall under the tyranny of the strongest clan, and we don’t want that either, do we? You’re a kind person, Suguru. The greatest danger comes from those who think they have more rights than anyone else.”
He brushed his thumb gently over Suguru’s cheek.
“Let me be your partner.”
For the first time, Suguru looked speechless. Still, always reserved in public, he refused to let instinct win by leaning in for a kiss. Instead, he stood up, brushing down his sleeves with a long sigh.
“First, pay the bill. I’d rather discuss this somewhere more private.”
Satoru saw his victory on the horizon and stood immediately.
“Right away!”
He loved it when Suguru ordered him around, especially in that grumpy husband tone. It made him want to be good—or to do things far less innocent.
Satoru paid for everyone’s meals with his card. The waitress, smiling a little too flirtatiously at the white-haired sorcerer, handed him the receipt. Suguru said nothing, but he stepped beside Satoru, taking his hand with a darkly sweet smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.
“Mr. Gojo, is this your partner?” the waitress asked curiously, blissfully unaware of the danger she was in.
Satoru didn’t let go of Suguru’s hand. Instead, he raised it to his lips.
“Fiancé, actually.”
“Oh, my! Then today is definitely your day. Since you’re a regular, please take this small box of chocolates for you and your fiancé!”
Satoru, ever the sweet tooth, accepted the gift without hesitation.
“Let’s see how good they are.”
“You’re supposed to say ‘thank you,’ Satoru.”
Satoru’s tone turned slightly smug.
“Thank you.”
The waitress hid a laugh behind her hand. It wasn’t every day that she saw such a striking and oddly charming couple. They exuded the sweetness of two people deeply in love, leaving her with no choice but to sigh wistfully.
They left the establishment, and Satoru didn’t let go of Suguru’s hand. The darker-haired man didn’t seem to mind. They walked down the street, surrounded by the festive clamor of cheerful people, children laughing, and young couples gazing dreamily at Christmas displays.
“So now I’m your fiancé? You’ve got quite the imagination.”
“Do you think I was lying?”
Suguru gave him a look that suggested he’d lost his mind, which only made Satoru laugh—a blend of mischief and just a hint of malice.
His heart felt so full it could burst. It was the kind of euphoria he’d only ever known in the heat of a thrilling fight. Suguru, however, expressed his emotions differently. His face hadn’t lost its blush, and his eyes shone with a light they hadn’t held in years. Was this dream really so unattainable? Satoru refused to believe in impossibilities, even though Suguru had spent years pursuing a path Satoru hadn’t been able to steer him away from.
“Hey, Suguru. Want to come to my place for dinner?”
The question caught Suguru off guard; the way he flinched slightly was adorable. Was this really the most feared curse user? Satoru wanted to kiss him right then and there.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea…”
“Don’t chicken out now. What, are you afraid I’ll eat you up?”
Suguru cleared his throat, clearly mulling it over.
“That’s not exactly what I’m worried about.”
“Then what is it?”
Suguru stopped walking, his thoughtful expression earning him a kiss on the cheek from a sly, devastatingly handsome Satoru. The man turned on his youthful charm to seduce and win his way.
“You make it sound so easy.”
“Because it is.”
Suguru finally cupped Satoru’s cheeks in his hands, standing on his toes slightly to meet his lips. The victory wasn’t complete, but Satoru could be patient with small wins.
“Come home with me, Suguru. There’s no one else I’d rather have with me tonight. Please… Come on, it’ll be fun. I’ll cook dinner, and we can watch something you like.”
Suguru kissed him again, soft and slow.
“If I come over, it’s because I’m feeling indulgent. But save the movies for guests who are less interested in the main course.”
His tone shifted, and it was a good thing they’d stepped away from the crowd, or they’d really be putting on a show.
“How indulgent are we talking?”
“Let’s just say… buy protection and lubricant.”
Oh, Suguru Geto was going to be the death of him.
And Satoru had never been happier about it.
🤍🖤
The night had been incredible.
They didn’t even make it to dinner before succumbing to their desires. They left no corner of the house untouched, two lovers devouring each other with a hunger that had been simmering for far too long. Satoru had finally claimed every inch of his beloved Suguru.
Now, the scene was softer, sweeter. Satoru reluctantly slipped out of bed, retrieving a small ring box from his jacket. He pulled the ring out, his mind racing. How did normal people do this sort of thing? In movies, it always seemed so cheesy. Still, he wasn’t about to let that stop him.
Why not do it his way?
He gently slid the ring onto the ring finger of Suguru’s left hand. It fit perfectly. Satisfied with the outcome, he felt his heart swell. Suguru was his, with or without a ring—but the idea of Suguru calling him “husband” was priceless.
Suguru stirred.
“What are you doing? Get back in bed.”
“At your command~”
Satoru slipped back under the covers, and Suguru rested his cheek against Satoru’s chest, letting out the most relaxed sigh. Discovering that Suguru wasn’t just clingy and bossy but genuinely enjoyed being this close made Satoru feel like he couldn’t live without him. He kissed Suguru’s forehead and hair, inhaling that unmistakable scent of sandalwood mixed with herbs, incense, and Suguru’s own clean, unique aroma.
“Satoru…”
“Hmm?”
“Why did you put a ring on my finger?”
He didn’t sound angry—more… shy? Satoru kissed his forehead again.
“Because I felt like it.”
“And what does it mean?”
“Whatever you want it to mean, love. But if you’re asking me, I wasn’t joking when I said you’re my fiancé.”
Suguru chuckled softly.
Satoru was ridiculous, utterly absurd. But he’d been the love of Suguru’s life since they were sixteen. Where did that leave him now? Too comfortable in Satoru’s arms to look up, he stayed nestled against him as they spoke.
“This is the least romantic proposal in history.”
“Oh, excuse me? I took you out for Christmas Eve, treated you at the cafeteria, invited you for dinner, made love to you in every way imaginable, and that’s not romantic?”
Suguru laughed harder, his face pressed against Satoru’s chest, causing the kind of tickles that felt delightful.
“You just took your chance.”
“Exactly!”
Suguru grew quiet, thoughtful.
“We haven’t even had time to enjoy being a couple. All these years… They’ve been stolen from us. But I like to imagine that in a better world, we’d have been that couple everyone envied. Together since school, the strongest, the most successful. Saving the day.”
Satoru hummed in agreement before adding, “I guess we’d have fought a lot too, but we’d figure it out, growing as we went. We’re problem solvers, you and me. We make a great team, so I think we’d balance it out in a relationship too.”
Lying together, holding one another, it was easier to communicate. There was no distance, no cold detachment. Here, Satoru could feel every subtle shift in Suguru’s body—the tremors, the sighs, the hesitations that spoke louder than words.
Suguru seemed deeply moved.
“Will you live with the consequences of your whim, Satoru?”
“It’s not a whim. I’ve never been more serious about anything. I’ll do whatever it takes to prove that to you. But the real question is… Will you marry me?”
“Idiot, are you really asking after already putting a ring on my finger?”
“Well, it’s not like you couldn’t take it off if you weren’t convinced!”
The conversation was playful, filled with laughter. They tickled each other until Suguru found himself pinned beneath Satoru, their gazes locking.
“I love you,” Satoru said.
“I know, ‘Toru.”
“And you? Do you love me?”
“I never stopped loving you. Not for a second.”
“Good.”
“Now kiss me.”
Satoru closed the gap between them, cupping Suguru’s face as their lips met. His thumb brushed away a tear that had escaped. Was Suguru crying? It made sense. He’d always been more emotional than Satoru, though Satoru himself was on the verge of tears.
There was so much to fix, so much to discuss. The road ahead wouldn’t be easy. But one thing was clear: life without the other wasn’t worth it. They’d tried a decade of distance, and it hadn’t worked. Pretending to be enemies, missing each other—it was pointless. Why should they care about the opinions of old fools who couldn’t challenge two special-grade sorcerers anyway?
Their kisses lingered, their touches spoke volumes. Eventually, they fell asleep in each other’s arms, at peace for the first time in years.
Tomorrow will be a new day.
The End.