✧ 𝐊𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐎 .

( Nanami underestimated how much Gojo, wonderfully and selfishly, loved Geto. And he underestimated himself, for how much he cared for Geto as well. )

ㅤ“It is frustrating, because even now I cannot bring myself to blame you.”

( He would understand it, how being alive felt like a curse rather than a blessing. When others have died due to the flaws of the world they live in. )

ㅤ“... It is frustrating to see you.” He admits finally, but his tone isn’t angry. “For everything you have caused, the suffering resulted in it…”

( The quiet conversations around them serve as background noises as he chooses a table farthest away from it all. )

( As they sit he doesn’t speak, though it’s clear he wants to try. Folding his arms over his chest he breathes through his nose. )

( The goal of trying to handle his thoughts slips away in favor of focusing on the destination. A bakery... Unsurprisingly he knows several bakeries in the vicinity, but he chooses this one for how calm and quiet it usually is. They could have something akin to privacy in public. )

( More than okay with that he silently leads him along the sidewalk. It gives him a chance to get a handle on his thoughts. Perhaps he should show more of his happiness at the fact that he was alive, yet there was this frustration that gnawed at him. )

; That's everyday, I fear.

; Don't worry Jen, I won't use the hashtag but I agree.

; LOCK IN!!

( In fact, Nanami turns his attention back to his book and waves his hand nonchalantly. )

ㅤ“Have fun, Itadori-kun.”

ㅤ“I can see that.”

( A hand slowly lowers the flyer away from his face. He knows what he’s implying, they’ve been through this song and dance before. However, because Itadori does not verbally ask him to come along, he does not give an answer in regards to going. )

( He doesn’t exactly return the same casualness; small talk wasn’t of interest to him at the moment. Nanami does however seem willing to talk, if only driven by his curiosity and that bit of respect that remained. )

ㅤ“Shall we talk elsewhere?”

ㅤ“Mhm... I’m supposing Gojo had something to do with this, right?”

( Quite frankly, Nanami presumed him dead. Only someone like Gojo would take the risk to not make that a reality given Geto’s beliefs and previous actions. )

( Their fragile youth that was broken too quickly... )

( He schools himself into the composure that he is used to, an exhale passing his lips. Distrust would be one word to describe the mix of emotion weighing. How carefree Geto seemed, to greet him like this in public... So then: )

( And it took him far too long to understand just how fragile they both were at the time. That understanding is partly why his bitterness is so quiet and hidden. )

( To see him now, standing and smiling and alive, pulls him back to the past just the same. )

( A bitter part of him wants to say ‘not long enough’. The Night Parade was the last he had truly heard of him, and to recall that day was… Distasteful, to say the least. The last time he believes they truly conversed was shortly after Haibara’s death. )

; Proud of you, Jen. 💀

( Raising their joined hands he presses a kiss to her knuckles, closing his eyes and murmuring against her skin. )

You would not want me to get a big ego, would you?

( He grabs her hand, quick yet gentle, her words buzzing around in his skull. It brightens his mood unnecessarily more than anticipated. )

Careful. Your bias is showing…

ㅤ“... I have the time, so that would be fine. Thank you.” He nods in agreement before adding, “It is safer there now? Without her?”

( Perceptive, he thinks. Or perhaps she’s been around him—all of them long enough to recognize the pattern. )

( To the point that she would not only offer coffee regardless of his answer, but use her name to bait him. Impressive, he thinks, amused. )

ㅤ“Just tired.”

( He says nearly immediately in reassurance, as if it were rehearsed. As she expected. At times it was something he could not help, especially when it came to not wanting to burden children. However he was not so absorbed to know she could see right through it. )

ㅤ“Geto-san…”

( His emotions are in check that he doesn’t show it on his face, but the quiet, slightly breathless way he says his name more than showcases his surprise. )

. . .

( His eyebrow twitches. Just by way of greeting, Nanami is reminded of something else: for all the respect he held and still has for him, there was a reason why Geto and Gojo were best friends. Perhaps he should find it comforting that Geto did smile at him after all this time. )

( Long black hair and sharp eyes. Distinctively ones he remembers from those days. For those memories to rise now to see someone even remotely similar to * him... He rubs his temple with a sigh. No, surely he is just tired. )

; You were not lying, why does everything turn out with them being cute

ㅤ“Much better than how you must be feeling at the moment.”

( There is a pause before he presses another kiss into her hair. Showing concern for him even when she’s feeling like this. )

ㅤ“Need anything?”

( His lips quirk up slightly. Always a loaded question. But today was strangely and thankfully uneventful. He assesses how he's feeling right now. Not especially tired, save from paper work about curses and finished missions, he wasn’t called in for anything out of the ordinary. )