Chapter Text
Working as a Jutsu Sorcerer was a life that only a mad man would choose. It was a job that never ended, for every curse killed there would be another two popping into existence. It was a high stress job that took its toll when you had to constantly risk your life with every mission taken but it was also a worthy job to keep others safe and one that so few people were qualified to take. Regular people had no knowledge of curses and the constant danger that surrounded them. They walked around oblivious of the threats that were always close at hand.
Nanami Kento had tried to leave this life behind but could never shake off the guilt of not helping, knowing others would die in his place. It was this unfortunate sense of commitment that made this job so shit. You were expected to offer up your life no matter what.
Nanami tried to kid himself thinking if he could just make enough money that he could happily live out his life in peace somewhere far from this tumultuous existence. He was only fooling himself though. Gojo seemed to always know he would be returning, those dangerous eyes of his never seemed to miss a trick. He wondered bitterly if the man had simply looked into the future and seen it so.
Sighing Nanami grabbed his can of iced coffee from the vending machine and made his way into the meeting he was to attend.
Four pairs of eyes looked up as he entered, principle Gakuganji, principle Yaga, Shoko and Ijichi were already in the room sitting around a small table with coffee of their own.
He nodded politely and took a seat next to Shoko. She gave him a small smile before going back to staring into her cup.
The conversation started back up with Gakuganji continuing on some rant about how dangerous having Sukuna's vessel not only on campus but walking around freely was.
Nanami frowned thinking of the sweet boy Gojo had delightedly introduced him too. He had so much spirit despite having already got into a few dangerous situations and he cared deeply about everyone. Putting them above his own welfare everytime.
He remembered when he had interrupted his fight with that patch faced bastard of a curse and Itadori's first thoughts on filling him in on the situation had been to mention the other boys death and the students in peril. Despite standing there full of holes as he so casually put it. And here was this man talking only of him as a vessel. His frown got deeper.
He regretted being dragged into this sordid mess and could almost hate Gojo for asking him to be the babysitter for the impressionable young man. It was hard not to care for the boy when he tried his best to help where he could and seemed to only want to please others. Yuji was as soft as they come with a heart of gold, it was very hard to find any ill feelings for him.
He remembered how serious Gojo was when he broached the subject with him. He looked at Gojo's tense hands clasped tightly around his crossed knee staring a hole into his head even through that blindfold he wore. He had never seen the man so worried before, he listened patiently as Gojo laid out the events leading up to Itadoris death and miraculous return. He felt anger that the higher ups would go to such lengths to handle what they saw as a problem in such a terrible way, even endangering other students as petty collateral. It was kind of hard not to side with Gojo on this although he still had to remain professional unlike a certain man child.
Speaking of which where was that man? He voiced his question cutting across Gakuganjis ramblings.
Principle Yaga cut a look across at Gakuganji before answering. "As far as I can make out Gojo is in high demand with a bunch of curses causing trouble lately, last I heard he was in America." Yaga did not look happy about this.
Gakuganji on the other hand looked positively delighted.
Nanami grimaced as it clicked together, it was starting to look like Gojo was being deliberately kept busy and out of the way. No wonder he wanted Nanami over seeing when he couldn't be here.
There was a loud bang as the door was literally kicked open and the man in question swaggered in with a pile of boxes balanced precariously and a steaming cup in the other. It was as if mentioning the man had summoned him like a curse straight to the room.
"Ah just in time I see" he declared setting his pile of boxes on the table and throwing himself into a chair next to Nanami. "So what are we discussing? hopefully no dastardly plans to kill off any students" he smiled showing his full teeth, head tipping mockingly towards Gakuganji. He casually opened the top box taking out a pink cake and biting into it with a hum.
The silence that followed was deafening. Nanami mentally face palmed, trust Gojo to have no filter and no fucks.
He swept a glance from Gojo's goofy smile that had a little too much teeth to be friendly, to Shoko who had a hand covering a smile, the creaking chair brought his eyes to Yaga who looked like a man in pain, eyes scrunched and hands fisted. Poor Ijichi was hunched in on himself as if he would somehow be blamed for Gojo being a menace. Lastly he he watched Gakuganji bristle, the man's eyebrows were shaking as his face contorted, lips trying to form words that he couldn't think of through his rage.
Anyway Gojo continued on without a worry "I brought back snacks from my travels, they are so gooood" he groaned on another bite as he dragged the word out. "I bought a selection of flavours for yous to try, except for you" he pointed one long finger right in Gakuganjis face, "because naughty people don't get treats he sing-songed wagging his finger along.
"You insolent brat, you dare take speak to me like that", Gakuganji was slowly changing colour.
"Oi, oi careful gramps, Gojo flapped his hands in pretend worry, your blood pressure must be skyrocketing. Anymore and you might just keel over" Gojo didn't sound too concerned with this being the case.
"I'm not wasting my time dealing with you", as quickly as his old bones would allow he got to his feet. Ijichi was there in a second awkwardly hovering to assist him out.
"Ah Ijichi, don't bother" snarked Gojo. "You definitely aren't getting paid enough to be his career too".
Nanami sighed heavily, Gojo looked at him with his head tilted in query.
"I think you've had your fun Gojo", Nanami was all smooth tones.
The door banged for the second time, Gojo smiled. "Ah Nanami, why are you ruining my fun", he stuck his tongue out cheekily before leaning back in his chair with his mouth wide and plopped the remainder of his cake in, the chair rocked back on two legs as he munched happily making contented noises.
Principal Yaga stood slowly glaring down at Gojo, "I'm going to do damage control no thanks to you and then I expect you in my office after".
Gojo pointed at himself and a muffled "me" was heard as he chewed.
Yaga sighed and stomped out once again letting the door shut harder than needed.
Shoko slid to her feet and fumbled out her cigarettes from her coat pocket, she tapped one out and left it dangling from her lips. "It's nice to see you getting along with your elders Gojo", she smiled and ruffled his hair on the way past snagging a cake with her free hand, "try not to torment Nanami".
Gojo sat up straight looking affronted.
"I would never ever, me and Nanami go way back. Bestest friends, right Nanami?" His head fell back looking over his shoulder with the stupidest smile. His spiky white locks hung suspended, the blindfold a barrier to the man's eyes.
Nanami sometimes wondered if he could figure out what the idiot was thinking if only he could see those eyes. There had only been very few occasions where he had seen that startlingly blue peeking over the round frames he sometimes wore. He at times wondered what it would be like to see him properly, they do say the eyes are the window to the soul. Maybe that's why he keeps them covered so much.
"Colleagues" Nanami replied as Shoko gave a passing wave. "Ehhhhhhhhh", screeched Gojo, "Nanami that is so mean. You can't talk to your senior like that, after all we've been through".
Nanami drank some of his coffee staring hard at Gojo, the literal man child was gesturing rapidly, talking about memories, bonded by a cause and other nonsense.
"I even share my beloved student with you, joint custody and this is the thanks I get".
Nanami rolled his eyes, "you begged my help if I recall, I don't think that constitutes shared custody." The pout on the others face made him look even more boyish as he harrumphed moodily and sat back with his drink. Hot chocolate from the looks of it.
Now that the man had quietened down Nanami allowed his sharp eyes to run over him. His clothes were rumpled like he had being wearing them a few days. Gojo was normally the most well put together man, not a crease to be seen so this an odd occurrence. His cheek bones were looking a little sharper, that was telling considering the man was literally just all lean lines. He reckoned if he could see his eyes he would probably look tired, his whole body was fully slumped in the chair, he'd be sliding onto the floor if he wasn't careful.
"How many missions did they have you doing?" he queried quietly, eyes not missing anything.
"Hmmm I don't know really, kind of lost track. Maybe around fifty, I've spent the last month running around. I had to go to India and America, just barely got back in time to crash your meeting." He grinned again but it looked more strained.
Nanami hummed softly still analysing everything, Gojo seemed to shrink under his stare. "What?" he asked, "You think I'm not capable of these missions, I am the strongest you know."
"Yes" Nanami conceded "but being the strongest doesn't mean you should have to be doing everything by yourself, your still human and belief it or not that means you need food and rest."
Gojo gave one small nod then looked away his leg bounced nervously as he stared at the floor.
"Go home and get some sleep Gojo", Nanami stood up pulling his shirt straight and with a last look at Gojo he left.
Gojo leaned back against the headrest and sighed, rest sounded like a good idea. Even with his reverse curse technique running he still felt some strain. The pressure behind his eyes sat uncomfortably. The missions he had been doing required his eyes to be uncovered for a longer period of time than he was used to. He swore the higher ups were just trying to wear him down.
Sighing he stood and rolled his shoulders out, he had to go check on his students. He could rest after that.