Chapter Text
He said yes. That was the mistake he made about a year ago. He was offered something he thought could bloom, but he overlooked the fact that he was just watering plastic. Something that was a mere facade.
After what happened with Shibuya, albeit going through immense issues on top of the pure unadulterated trauma, he and the others managed to save Gojo, which in turn had neutralized the chaos. That was the main reason he had his execution pardoned, because he had a huge part in saving Japan, to exaggerate.
So he was allowed to graduate. He was pardoned from execution, with a vow made to only allow him to only use cursed energy at the genuine sign of threat in the form of curses and curse users—this includes in the instances where Sukuna miraculously escaped suppression. This had also meant even when he had left the school, he was still under constant surveillance, especially from Gojo as his assigned pair of eyes. Gojo knew him best and was the best option to control a threat like Yuuji or Sukuna after all, so it was a no brainer. Not that he will keep an eye on Yuuji 24/7, because that’s impossible, but he still took up that task anyway. The vow on its own should act as a first line of defense.
So at 18, Yuuji had spent his school years acting as the cog he promised himself to be, believing that was his role even after years. Even when Japan was being rebuilt, life was being restored slowly, he just took it as his responsibility and punishment for destroying so much just for existing.
So much had changed too. Yuuji had subsequently been made to involve himself in the more Jujutsu politics—not actually being involved , but he was more up-to-date to what was happening because he needed to know what went on to know where he needed to make up for himself.
Megumi had taken the spot of the Zen’in clan, even if there weren’t much of the clan left after Maki’s rampage, but there were a tonne of valuables; both information and physical keepsakes like weapons. He had heard that the Kamo clan was reduced to half, in which the clan head had also been killed, with a number of them out of their mind. Noritoshi Kamo had gladly taken over the leading spot, working with Gojo and Megumi to upkeep what was left of the society after its devastating fall following the Shibuya incident. Admittedly, it wasn’t just the physical damage. There was also the image and credibility of them as the big three. Then there’s also the reveal of Jujutsu society and its workings to the public as damage control during the incident of 31st October 2018.
Safe to say that everyone was swamped for a while. And all of the progress was a constant reminder to Yuuji of what he had destroyed and made everyone clean up after him.
The big three clans were also questioned in their credibility. Not from the government (not too much, at least), because they were long disclosed of their existence as a collaborative effort. But from everyone else. The Gojo clan was technically removed then re-added into the big three, with Satoru Gojo himself being banished, then pardoned again to save the day. Zen’in was boiled down to the identity of ravages due to what had happened—a void clan, so that was also its own effort to build back up. The Kamo clan was also questioned for the questionable orders and decisions they put out that only made it worse prior to Noritoshi taking over, which took a while to prove that Kenjaku had done all of that.
Gojo had a more personal credibility and image to upkeep on top of that too. He was, after all, the known face on top of the pyramid. Even if there were a group of people who sat higher than him, they were practically faceless. And Gojo was technically the strongest, hence seen as the one with most power.
His family did suggest that he solidify his position again by getting someone on his side. A partner, even concubines, a harem, maybe, comprised of powerful people to help him in secret. Though his family pestered him more to fix his image as a womanizer, especially after his mistake in Shibuya which near risked the whole clan from causing too many divisions. His involvement with Geto had caused him to get locked up after all. ‘Settling down’ with one or few persons officially would at least keep an image that he wasn’t secretly involved with people in secret. Or at least will convince a select few people of power as such. Choosing the right person would help his image too, because it will show that he’s not reckless in choices.
Settling down, marriage, being stuck with one person in a marital bond…That’s not exactly something Gojo liked. Could be because he’s a free-roamer, could be because he was traumatized from being too attached to someone only to lose them. Maybe we’ll find out, maybe not.
But it’s a common practice for clan leaders to have a bunch of lovers/concubines. The difference that would be to being a mayfly, was that concubines would be officially recognized or taken in by the clan in one way or another because they might have the potential of carrying heirs. Gojo wasn’t interested in making anyone a Gojo member. That’s the problem.
So he was really killing two birds with one stone when he asked Yuuji for marriage after he left the school. Why? The kid’s too in love with Gojo. It did seem to stem from idolization, which turned to a full-on infatuation.
It was a stroke of luck when Gojo candidly complained about the marriage thing in front of Yuuji, when they were taking a break together, when he saw the glimpse of disappointment on Yuuji’s scarred face at the prospect of Gojo being married off to someone else.
So Gojo casted a bait, testing his hypothesis of what Yuuji felt for him, and Yuuji bit. Hard.
He jokingly suggested that he might as well marry Yuuji, and Yuuji, who wears his heart on his sleeves and his honesty on his face, reacted in the way Gojo had hoped he would. He showed more interest in the idea, and Gojo fed into it by discussing more of the details like how people will agree to it since Gojo could both please the clan and the both of them could please the higher ups by the marriage being a permanent monitoring or damage control.
Cause wouldn’t it be so convenient to keep the dangerous vessel at an eyesight when he’s living with the executioner himself?
Is that too harsh?
Let’s live together so I can kill you easier if you try to act out. Oh yeah, sounds simple! Cool, let’s sign the marriage cert.
That basically covered the bases of how and why a contract marriage happened.
Yes. Contract marriage. Gojo made it very clear that this was a marriage of convenience, and not a marriage of love. He said it as a warning, knowing full well he chose Yuuji specifically because Yuuji is too in love with him to say no and let the opportunity melt through his fingers. Who wouldn’t want to hook into the wall when given the foundation, right? Humans will grasp onto anything at the brink of desperation, and for Yuuji, it’s possibly his only choice to stay with Gojo and be associated with his friends in any way since he was technically forced to ‘retire’.
So Yuuji was fine with that. He can still keep Gojo at an arm’s length even if Gojo couldn’t reciprocate his feelings. They were already so close without the premise of marriage after all. So in Yuuji’s mind, they might as well be close friends living together while pretending to be married.
Yuuji was also great at housework too, so playing house wasn’t a far-fetched effort to exert. If it made Gojo happier, and made his clan get off his back even if Yuuji was an easy way out—he was happy to be of use to someone. To Gojo, no less.
Considering the circumstances, there were no ceremonies done when Yuuji and Gojo had come to an agreement for this… declaration of matrimony. Not just because there weren't feelings (supposedly) involved, it was also for privacy and safety. So it’s just them signing documents with clan witnesses for record purposes.
Honestly, if his grandfather was still alive, he would protest. Yuuji wouldn’t blame him either if he had known that despite it not being a marriage out of love, Gojo would continuously bring over women (and men, on occasions) to have an affair with. Never once did Gojo opted to touch Yuuji in lust if not in romance, but he had preferred all these strangers which he was sure was only smitten by his pretty face.
He didn’t know that was the kind of life Gojo’s family had fussed about, and that the marriage was supposed to hide. He had graciously glossed over that in their discussion. Of course he would.
Yuuji knew he couldn't really complain. A few months in, it felt too early to complain but also too late to back out. But he also recognized that a marriage of convenience wasn’t meant for happiness in the first place. At least not for a togetherness matter, but just for personal gain and pleasure. He did at least hope things would stay the same, and they were just equally as close, but it’s like he was shoved aside instead.
He wasn’t playing house anymore. He was playing maid.
Even when it’s just a mask, he still held the title of a husband, so he would feel hurt. He is hurt. He should be allowed to, right? No matter if it’s because of his personal feelings or not.
The only thing is that he felt like he shouldn’t vent about it to Gojo himself, so he opted to vent to his two best friends—Megumi and Nobara, who had occasionally kept up with Yuuji consistently after recovery and graduation. One reason was also because Yuuji and Gojo’s marriage allowed them to consistently keep in contact, otherwise Yuuji might disappear by himself if he was not killed off screen.
They knew about Gojo’s dirty little secret. At least Megumi did, for growing up under Gojo’s care. He knew Gojo was still a great person who’s trying his best but that one habit was something that was a little too close to his dad’s scandalous habits. Nobara had an intuition of it, saying that Gojo was definitely someone who wouldn’t feed the fish he had caught.
With a bit (read: a lot) of prodding, they did manage to convince Yuuji to be more loose. To go out more and hang out with them at least, if he wouldn’t bother sneaking into clubs and bars. He could at least be allowed to have a good time away from Gojo—festivals, outdoor events, cafes, just somewhere social that definitely would distract Yuuji with good company. He’s after all a social butterfly who’s fueled by positive interactions.
But when he felt like an everyday effort to meet new faces was becoming a chore and felt forced, he thought that a small little job that’s quiet with an occasional interaction but takes a decent amount of time would be appropriate. Not that he needed the money, per se, but it’s a welcomed distraction, wouldn’t it?
So after a few sessions of curious involvement with a small flower shop he came across in one of his outings, he had decided to take up a humble job as a florist there that goes from the day to late evenings or night. It started with just an apprentice-level work like taking care of the wellbeing of flowers aside from keeping the flower shop in order, to making bouquet arrangements when the main florist had too much on their hands. Oftentimes, he would offer to make flower deliveries too.
It gave him some semblance of joy again. And some sense of purpose outside of destruction, as he was convinced to only be useful for a morbid career path. Now he makes pretty flower bouquets. Who wouldn’t appreciate the change?
He thought that Gojo wouldn’t notice his absence at all. They rarely ever talk anymore anyway, if Gojo wasn’t home at all in the first place—work trips or hotel trips, he didn’t bother guessing anymore. They barely see each other anymore but on one lazy weekend that he’s home, Gojo came back alone (surprisingly enough) and inquired about it.
Yuuji just gave him a side eye when he walked into their shared home, while Gojo looked at him inquisitively.
“You’re rarely home nowadays,” he told Yuuji, throwing his jacket aside.
“Didn’t think you’d notice at all,” Yuuji replied dismissively. Funny to think he used to be starry-eyed at Gojo but now every time he saw the man, a sigh wanted to escape his body.
“Well, usually I’d come home to some food or something.”
…Of course that’s why he cared.
Just hearing Gojo’s reply treating him like a maid made him glare, but it’s not like he could just get mad. He’d get told off for taking a grain of salt to be a mountain.
“I got a job at the florist, so I’d spend more time there than at home. It’s not like you don’t know how to take care of yourself,” he reasoned his absence. It’s not like it’s scandalous or anything so it didn’t need to be hidden. It’s literally just flowers and customer service.
“Didn’t I tell you that I’ll still fund you, give allowance and everything? That’s still in the marriage contract,” Gojo sat on the sofa Yuuji was on, though an awkward distance away. Yuuji didn’t bother turning to look at him either. Some might say it’s out of familiarity or comfort but anyone could tell he just refused to look.
“It’s not about money.” It never was. Without Gojo’s rich ass, he could still survive well independently. It wouldn’t be the first time he had to fend for himself, “I’d rather spend time away than witness my husband’s affair. Surprised you didn’t bring someone back today.”
Gojo didn’t like how Yuuji had said it, not because it’s an accusation but because Yuuji seemed unnecessarily upset about it. Gojo was making it obvious from the way his brows furrowed but Yuuji wouldn’t see that on his face when he wouldn’t even look at him.
“This isn’t a marriage of love,” Gojo pointed out, not understanding why it’s an issue. His tone didn’t hide how slightly annoyed he felt, either. He had told Yuuji this since day 1, though maybe the hookups and bringing people home should’ve been a footnote.
They’re adults though, why fuss about that?
“It isn’t for you ,” Yuuji corrected, pointedly but a little too calm.
“And it is for you?”
“You know the answer to that. That’s why you used me in the first place,” Yuuji said as he finally turned towards Gojo, upset eyes against frustrated ones.
Used may be a strong word. Gojo hated being called out for his actions because all he cared about was himself. Being on the blame was not something he thought he should be. Being wrong was not in his dictionary.
Just the look of his eyes alone was telling that he refused to believe anything was wrong, and if anything, it’s like he was calling Yuuji crazy. Yuuji knew he wouldn’t get the last word if he continued this argument. He lived with Gojo long enough to know when to just drop it, cause someone needs to act like the adult under this roof.
Yuuji just sighed when he broke eye contact, failing to hide the frustration but that’s become more common as the days go by.
“Nevermind. Maybe I’m just exhausted,” Yuuji pushed himself up from the couch, sparing a glance towards Gojo as he did so, “There’s food in the fridge. Surely you know how to heat up food yourself, at least.”
“And where are you going?”
“Taking a nap. Why? Is that also a problem?” Maybe it came off snarkier than he intended but something about being with his own partner drained him lately.
“...No.”
It was almost like there was more to be said for how they prolonged the silence with bated breath, but nothing was said when Yuuji turned towards the hallway connecting the bedrooms together and like clockwork, his feet directed him towards an extra bedroom Yuuji had long made his own.
They didn’t sleep together for so long. And even the days that they did, it didn’t feel like it either. Wild how so much could change in so little time. Gojo would’ve thought that they would still be able to act friendly with each other, given that the marriage was essentially a ruse on paper to flaunt, and not an actuality to their relationship. But Yuuji was acting like he sinned, like they were actually husbands in the first place.
Or was he just insensitive? (Spoiler alert: yes he is.)
Somehow Gojo was curious about his florist job. It was inevitable when it’s not your typical job when you’re someone whose career was akin to warfare. Being a sorcerer for even a year to two bound to make a few habits stick, and Yuuji was someone who has a strong vigilante soul as well as a known delinquent in his area.
Even if Yuuji was a gentle person, he’s allowed to doubt. Deep inside, he suspected that it wasn’t even a florist job, and just a ruse for something else. He wanted to find fault to make it even just because Yuuji was obviously upset about his habit so Gojo just wanted to see if he’s just as much of a hypocrite as he allegedly was.
But upon reaching the florist shop—a humble, pastel-themed shop filled with various assortments of colourful fresh flowers, he could see Yuuji through the large transparent windows chatting with a customer as he arranged a huge bouquet with a primarily while assortments of roses, daisies and white wax flowers, ornamented with pops of red and pink in the centre.
He didn’t know what’s so fun with such a job to even have that genuine of a smile as customer service, but he didn’t think he ever saw Yuuji that happy and pleased in such a long time. Maybe a few times before they got married when he was still a student, and at the start of their marriage. Gojo didn’t pay enough attention to realize how addictive that joy looked like and how much that joy completely disappeared from Yuuji under his own care.
The same curiosity had got him to step into the shop, startling Yuuji when he went to greet him thinking he was another anonymous customer. He didn’t even finish his scripted greeting, just looked shocked at the sight of someone so familiar.
“Oh Yuuji, you know him?” the other florist at the cash register asked once she saw how taken aback he looked. If she knew less, she would’ve said that he was taken aback by such a pretty face, but there was an ounce of distaste that she can see in his transparent expression.
“...My husband,” Yuuji sounded hesitant to even admit that, “Sorry. Give me a second.”
Yuuji excused himself and pulled Gojo out of the shop, right in front of the glass windows—still within sight of his coworker but enough that eavesdropping wouldn’t be possible.
“What are you doing here? How did you even find where I worked?” Yuuji asked in a hushed tone that only made his frustration to sound like it’s times ten that it really was.
“Process of elimination,” Gojo said, as a matter of fact. There’s not a lot of florists in the area either and by the fourth florist he checked, he found Yuuji, “Why are you so shocked? Do people hit on you here, that’s why you don’t want me finding out?”
God. If he could express the disgust and disrespect he felt to be perceived so low like that—
“I’m not like you, mind you. I never took my ring off either so people don’t even try, despite me seeing that some may be interested to do so.” It was a backhanded answer, and Gojo could feel the small irk of how innocent Yuuji was.
“Do you really think so little of me?”
If this was a while ago, Yuuji would think the world of Gojo. But there would come a time where he would just give up. He had too many reasons to despise him, and not even one reason was given anymore to think of him like the saving grace he presented himself as.
“You make it hard not to.”
Gojo had heard a lot of mockery and badmouthing over his name and personality before, but somehow it’s worse coming from Yuuji even when he wasn’t even being brutal in his honesty. But for it to come from Yuuji with such disdain—
“If you want to buy flowers for one of your many girlfriends, ask my friend for help. I have a couple of deliveries to make, and I don’t want to be making flowers for you. What a shame if the flowers just wilted in a day with all that hatred, wouldn’t it?”
“I—I don’t buy them stuff like that.”
“Sure,” Yuuji brushed him off, but refused to leave without rubbing salt deep in the nonexistent wound, “You get them expensive gifts only, right?”
“Yuuji—”
“Save it.”
Not as much of a goodbye or any more words being exchanged, Yuuji just took the finished bouquet and left on a bicycle leaving Gojo alone in front of the store, feeling lost about what he was feeling. He thought he wouldn’t give two shits about Yuuji being upset, maybe it’s just like every other day, but why was his heart so sore?
Instead of leaving, he opted to re-enter the shop to chat with the other florist, but was really asking her more about Yuuji because there’s obviously so much that he hid from his own husband.
He had asked if she knew why Yuuji chose to work there, joking that someone as buff and strong like Yuuji probably fit working as a gym trainer or in a construction site. The joke eased her a bit but she was clearly confused as to why his own husband didn’t know something like that.
“To be honest, he didn’t say much except that he felt lonely at home and wanted to get his mind off of things. I just assumed that you were busy with work, that’s why. He doesn’t have pets either, right?” She responded with that smile that almost seemed forced from being awkward in the spot, “He never complained about much, or vented so I assumed everyone was just too busy. Someone as gentle as him probably appreciates good company but if no one is there, then why wouldn’t he go out, right?”
She replied with good intent, but the things she said seemed to take jabs at him all the same, just in a more subtle way than Yuuji’s words did.
“Do you know what Yuuji’s favourite flowers are?” he found himself asking, “I think he’s upset with me, so I want to get him something.”
He always liked thoughtful gifts more than expensive ones, right? If Gojo recalled correctly, Yuuji gets more excited over a handful of chocolate souvenirs than he did over a new model of phones and game consoles. Flowers should be okay right? If he hated flowers, he wouldn’t be working here so happily.
“I can concoct something for you, then. Do you work with a budget?”
“No budget. Just whatever looks good and what you think Yuuji would like.”
“I’ll get right on it, then.”
At the end of it, he came back home with a moderately-sized bouquet of pastels, quite colourful but still cohesive and humble for the muted tones, almost elegant, in a way. It’s so very Yuuji, and he can’t explain why. It embarrassed him that the florist lady who knew Yuuji for way less than he did, seemed to understand him a lot more, enough to envision him in an arrangement of florals.
He couldn’t be that romantic, at all. Isn’t that a shame? She said that he’s the kind of person who seemed to be soft-hearted and gentle, and loved good company but he never considered that. Why would he? People tend to just go with his flow, not otherwise. No one ever made him bend or go on his knees because he was raised with pride embedded within him.
But somehow for some reason, even when he arrived home and arranged the flowers in a nordic style vase in the living room, the smile he saw on Yuuji’s face stuck in his mind. He kept zoning out into the soft petals he was touching and arranging, thinking of Yuuji’s genuine joy in the shop, and the way his smile immediately dropped in disdain when they made eye contact—it didn’t feel right.
Back then, Yuuji’s bad days seemed to turn around when he saw Gojo. He beamed in joy whenever they met up. Now…
Why did it feel so bad, when he never seemed to care before?