Chapter Text
Nanami has been on countless missions in the last few years. He can't remember ever feeling this way after any of them. He's been pushed around and wounded, bleeding onto tarmac. But he's never been left with limbs that feel quite this light before. Technically, it's not a bad thing. Actually, the whole jelly boned sensation is relaxing. It's why Nanami heads for the staffroom instead of the infirmary, intent on completing his paperwork before the inevitable soreness sets in.
He should have known it wouldn't be that simple.
"Nanami-kun," Gojo says, from his spot on the couch. He's accompanied by the first years, with Kugisaki and Itadori on either side while Fushiguro sits quietly on the armchair, surveying the situation. It makes for a warm picture, almost enough for Nanami to smile as a chorus of hellos greet him. Before he can reply, Kugisaki sits up, waving a hand.
"Nanami-san, can you please tell Gojo sensei that a good teacher would encourage extracurriculars? We're planning to take a break-dancing class but he won't give us his card."
As laughable as that is, Nanami doesn't dare to chuckle, knowing Kugisaki would take great offense. Instead, he tilts his head in consideration. "I think Gojo-san has proven his metier as a teacher. He's already good enough without needing to buy you off."
Something about that doesn't seem right. The others must agree because nobody replies immediately, Itadori scratching his head as he squints. It's not a lie but it's also not what he'd meant to say. Gojo's lips twitch into a flickering smile, his voice bright when he speaks. "While I'm flattered by the support, that doesn't sound like you."
"Are you okay, Nanamin?" Itadori asks, slower than usual.
The thing is, while Nanami is now becoming hyperaware of the wrongness of his current state, he doesn't want to concern the kids. It's better to just reassure them and leave. Yet, when he opens his mouth to do so, all that he can manage is a solid, "I don't think I am." And that startles him more than anything else, his jaw clenching tight to prevent any more confessions.
"Right." Gojo claps his hands together, the sound like thunder. "It's time for you guys to go study or something."
"But Nanamin–"
"I'm here for your beloved Nanamin. It wouldn't be good if you crowd him. I'll keep him company until Shoko is back." When none of the children move, Gojo leans forward, plucking something from behind Kugisaki's ear. "Oh! And look what we have here. My card! You have my permission to go nuts." The elementary magic trick makes Itadori grin, though it fades fast when he glances back at Nanami. This is of no matter, what with Fushiguro finally getting up to corral the other two.
"We're not helping by being here." Fushiguro pulls them both up, his hair drooping with the oncoming arrival of summer. "Get well soon, Nanami-san," he says, bowing his head slightly before managing to push them out through the door, Kugisaki and Itadori's muffled goodbyes filtering in after their surprise at being herded has worn off.
Nanami's attention is only pulled back by a pointed cough. "Thank you," he says, faced with the sudden realisation that maybe he should have gone with the kids – if this affliction is indeed what he suspects it to be.
Gojo brushes off the thanks, his thumbs moving at light speed while he finishes tapping at his phone. "Ieiri is across campus dealing with something but she'll come here to examine you." He pushes his blindfold back to look at him, scanning from top to bottom in a way that makes Nanami's skin prickle, especially since the blue of Gojo's eyes seem to be swirling darker today, his concentration always doing that. "Your cursed energy seems to be disrupted around your heart. Are you in any pain or discomfort?"
"No, I feel relaxed actually." Nanami tries to stop it there but a compulsion has him continuing after a brief pause. "Could you put your blindfold back on?" he asks, even as his heart seems to drop into his stomach.
Gojo had been in the process of unlocking his phone, presumably to update Ieiri, but he places it down at the request. "Why?"
And then, despite Nanami clawing into his thighs in an effort to ground himself, he answers without his own bidding. "It's distracting."
"In what way?" Gojo stares, which only seems to compound the issue since his eyes have gotten even wider, gemstones in the dullness of the staffroom.
"Too pretty."
The ensuing silence leaves a neat little space for the rising horror within Nanami.
Pretty? Nanami doesn't say pretty. Not aloud at least. The idea which had started to form in his head of what's going on has pretty much been confirmed. Alarm bells go off. He needs to get away from Gojo.
"...What exactly happened on your mission?" Gojo asks, with a surprisingly level voice considering just how bizarre this situation is. Nanami attempts to channel the same calm, breathing in even beats to offset any panic that could induce his fight or flight.
"It was relatively simple. Just two second grades. But I did breathe in some residue," he admits, embarrassed about the juvenile oversight which he'd ignored in favour of finishing the required paperwork earlier. A trip to Shoko's office always ends up being long due to how thorough she is.
Gojo nods, seeming to be deep in thought, rubbing at his chin while he looks up at Nanami. "What's your favourite colour?"
It's an easy question but even so, Nanami responds more out of compulsion than anything else. The urge coming from deep within. "Blue."
"How do you feel about sweets?"
"They're good in moderation." Gojo tuts at this, taking faux offense for the sake of it.
"What do you think of me?"
"Also good in moderation." While the words are pulled from Nanami's mouth without intent, they still carry a wryness which very much belongs to him. Whatever this curse has done, it's sophisticated.
Gojo snorts, an inelegant puff of air. "Be still my beating heart. That might be the sweetest thing you've said about me. If you're going to be hit by some sort of truth curse, couldn't you at least give a compliment?"
"I wouldn't know where to start."
"I'm that bad, huh?" The smirk pulling at Gojo's cheeks is beatific and his eyes glitter with clear mirth. It's unfair that he can seem so pristine. Nanami has to fight the desire to shuffle his feet, lightheaded with a thought that he knows he cannot contain.
"The opposite actually," he chokes out, his voice strained from the extra surge of cursed energy which forced the words through his usual ironclad restraint. He shuts his mouth, watching a slight pink flush make its way across Gojo's throat. "I should go."
"I can't let you be unsupervised while under the effect of a curse," Gojo replies, his nose scrunching up at the suggestion.
Nanami fiddles with his suit jacket, taking a step back in preparation for his speedy exit. "I'll be fine."
"Ieiri will be here soon." Gojo pulls at his wrist, preventing him from moving any further. He frowns. "I thought you said you feel okay."
For the sake of putting up a fight, Nanami gives a single tug, strangely not totally opposed to the softness held tight around his arm. "I do."
Gojo only narrows his gaze, obviously not content with that. "Nanami, you're burning up. Sit down. I won't ask you any questions if it'll get you to stay."
When it comes to matters of the heart, Nanami has always been weak. A single moment of hesitation is enough of a chink in his armour for Gojo to pull him down beside him. He lands with a muted thud, a bit annoyed at being manhandled though the logical part of his mind can acknowledge why it might be deemed necessary. Still, he scowls which Gojo smiles at, as sunny as ever.
They fall into a heavy silence. Gojo's hand remains solid on his wrist. Nanami shoots several side-glances while waiting for the older man to crack, but while he appears perfectly genial, reading some article on his phone, he doesn't make any further attempt at conversation.
"Being this quiet doesn't suit you."
"Right?" Gojo pouts, the juvenile expression always unfortunately charming. "But I'm on my best behaviour."
"I'm surprised you have this much restraint. I would have thought curiosity would be killing you." Nanami keeps his gaze steady, not wanting to appear desperate for Gojo to keep taking an interest, though there's a part of him itching for it.
"It is," Gojo admits, tilting his head so that the gloss of his lips catches the light. Nanami's heartbeat stutters. "Still, I can manage."
Maybe it's boredom or maybe it's insanity that has Nanami saying, "You can ask questions. I don't mind."
Where he might expect Gojo to be giddy or gleeful, instead he's deliberate, contemplative. "Probably best not to. When the curse wears off, I don't need you threatening to leave sorcery again. Who knows how much of your faculties it's currently affected?"
The click from the door announces Shoko's presence. She's vaguely harried, obviously having hurried to be here. Nanami tries for a smile, something to reassure her that this really isn't as urgent as Gojo made it sound.
"You don't look right," she says, tying her hair back as she approaches the couch. "You should have come to me the moment you were on campus."
"I didn't feel sick," Nanami replies, half distracted by Gojo standing up.
Shoko spares him the pain of asking. "Where are you off to?"
Gojo shrugs, pulling his blindfold back into place while he observes them both. "I'm late for a mission. Shouldn't be too long though."
A pulse of emotion ebbs out from within Nanami's core. No question has been asked. There's no excuse to be made for the urge to tell him I love you, yet Nanami feels it anyway.
"Gojo-san," he says, quietly.
"Yeah?"
Nanami shuts his eyes, pretends it's from the feel of Shoko's cold hands palpating against his skin. "Good luck."
Gojo smiles, slightly off kilter. "You too. I expect updates, Ieiri. If he's not fixed by tonight I have a list of questions. We can play truth or dare."
He's gone before Nanami can protest.