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You are doing very well.
Are you with Kuzunoha-kun?
[ He's impressed and relieved, really, that Itadori hasn't just flown off the handle and sought out the curse. At the same time, Nanami knows how quickly self-restraint can go brittle, so he's on his way to find the young man, to hold him back (or sit on him) if necessary. ]
Are you with Kuzunoha-kun?
[ He's impressed and relieved, really, that Itadori hasn't just flown off the handle and sought out the curse. At the same time, Nanami knows how quickly self-restraint can go brittle, so he's on his way to find the young man, to hold him back (or sit on him) if necessary. ]
Shouldn't you have a rest too?
[ Part of him is glad he doesn't have to go near the med bay. Ever since his little mishap last October, his aversion to medical attention has grown even bigger.
With a little help from Synthia, Nanami is able to track Itadori down, steps slowing down the moment he catches sight of the (uninjured) boy. ]
Hey.
[ Part of him is glad he doesn't have to go near the med bay. Ever since his little mishap last October, his aversion to medical attention has grown even bigger.
With a little help from Synthia, Nanami is able to track Itadori down, steps slowing down the moment he catches sight of the (uninjured) boy. ]
Hey.
[ Nanami lets out a soft sigh at the young man's smile, despite the misery written across his face. Always pushing himself so hard, even when there's no reason for it. ]
You look exhausted.
You look exhausted.
I’m okay, really!
[ Which isn’t a lie. Not really. Yuji is doing fine, he’s surviving, and he’s been through worse, he just thought… He was happy here, and now all of that is at risk. He thought it was all over, but… ]
I… I felt it. The Black Flash. Through the ring and because of the cursed energy. It was a lot.
[ Which isn’t a lie. Not really. Yuji is doing fine, he’s surviving, and he’s been through worse, he just thought… He was happy here, and now all of that is at risk. He thought it was all over, but… ]
I… I felt it. The Black Flash. Through the ring and because of the cursed energy. It was a lot.
That must have been terrifying.
[ Using Black Flash on a boy... What is the matter with that curse? ]
But he's strong, your boyfriend. He'll pull through.
[ He reaches out for Itadori, hand on his shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. ]
[ Using Black Flash on a boy... What is the matter with that curse? ]
But he's strong, your boyfriend. He'll pull through.
[ He reaches out for Itadori, hand on his shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. ]
[ Well. That was stupid but also a very human reaction. People outside their circle wouldn't know what they'd be up against. Stories don't do it justice, not really, and non-sorcerers wouldn't understand what Sukuna stands for, what it is. ]
You were terrified and worried. And not wrong. You can apologise and I'm sure he'll understand.
You were terrified and worried. And not wrong. You can apologise and I'm sure he'll understand.
I have zero stock in this.
[ But. If the kids are going to be this jittery and reckless and with the curse acting like the mindless, careless beast from the tales of old... Up to this point, Nanami has trusted LILITH to prevent stupid shit like this.
While Itadori is acting sensible, Nanami can't really claim to trust the others from their circle to do the same. ]
And with your detailed sketches about the differences between you two, I shan't be at risk of mistaking one for the other.
[ But. If the kids are going to be this jittery and reckless and with the curse acting like the mindless, careless beast from the tales of old... Up to this point, Nanami has trusted LILITH to prevent stupid shit like this.
While Itadori is acting sensible, Nanami can't really claim to trust the others from their circle to do the same. ]
And with your detailed sketches about the differences between you two, I shan't be at risk of mistaking one for the other.
You’d know it was me either way!
[ He’s well aware that it’s selfish of him. He’s asking Nanami to stay out of something that was his role, once upon a time. Protecting children was what Nanami did, but… Yuji isn’t the kid that Nanami was taking care of anymore.
He’s older, and he beat Sukuna, and he thinks… If something happened to Nanami again…
He wouldn’t be able to cope. ]
You know me, after all.
[ He’s well aware that it’s selfish of him. He’s asking Nanami to stay out of something that was his role, once upon a time. Protecting children was what Nanami did, but… Yuji isn’t the kid that Nanami was taking care of anymore.
He’s older, and he beat Sukuna, and he thinks… If something happened to Nanami again…
He wouldn’t be able to cope. ]
You know me, after all.
True. You're the only one who'd yell my name across town, standing on a water tower, and then turn it into a weird chant.
[ Or leave a tear imprint of his face on Nanami's shirt, or employ jump-sneak-hugs as a method of greeting. Or, and this is a big OR, save Nanami's life in more than one way. ]
Your brother won't do anything stupid, will he?
[ Or leave a tear imprint of his face on Nanami's shirt, or employ jump-sneak-hugs as a method of greeting. Or, and this is a big OR, save Nanami's life in more than one way. ]
Your brother won't do anything stupid, will he?
So, your brother won't do anything reckless, you've stayed on the sensible path all on your own.
[ The pink-haired crybaby really is growin up, isn't he? In some ways he's still a child (will probably forever stay a child in Nanami's eyes), but in all the ways that matter, Itadori truly has grown up. ]
All that's left to do is make your young man not feel too bad about what happened, but I suppose you'll know best how to accomplish that.
[ A pause. ]
I'm glad you contacted me.
[ The pink-haired crybaby really is growin up, isn't he? In some ways he's still a child (will probably forever stay a child in Nanami's eyes), but in all the ways that matter, Itadori truly has grown up. ]
All that's left to do is make your young man not feel too bad about what happened, but I suppose you'll know best how to accomplish that.
[ A pause. ]
I'm glad you contacted me.
I'll do my best, but I think I made him feel bad enough. He might need a bit of time.
[ The rest of Nanami's statement makes him look up, his cheeks going a little red before he leans close, nudging him gently. ]
Nanamin... I really trust you, you know? I think you're the easiest person to talk to about this kind of thing, because you'll tell me it as it is.
[ The rest of Nanami's statement makes him look up, his cheeks going a little red before he leans close, nudging him gently. ]
Nanamin... I really trust you, you know? I think you're the easiest person to talk to about this kind of thing, because you'll tell me it as it is.
Oh. That is a very limited pool...
[ Mild surprise flutters across his face at Itadori's unexpected admission. Apparently Gojo and Geto's presence and easy availability to offer support in all shapes and sizes has prompted the ex-salaryman to settle back into his aimless and purposeless mindset.
A gentle pat on the head as if to assure the boy that Nanami will be there for him - at least in this place - for as long as he's needed. ]
I'm very honoured.
[ Mild surprise flutters across his face at Itadori's unexpected admission. Apparently Gojo and Geto's presence and easy availability to offer support in all shapes and sizes has prompted the ex-salaryman to settle back into his aimless and purposeless mindset.
A gentle pat on the head as if to assure the boy that Nanami will be there for him - at least in this place - for as long as he's needed. ]
I'm very honoured.
Do you think so?
[ It's not as if Yuji lacks for friends, or if he doesn't have people to talk to, but in terms of that level of trust, and who could really understand where he's coming from... It's the people of his own world that are at the top of that list.
Nanamin being the top because he won't beat around the bush, and because he'll think about what's best, too. Yuji needs that. ]
It's always been that way.
[ It's not as if Yuji lacks for friends, or if he doesn't have people to talk to, but in terms of that level of trust, and who could really understand where he's coming from... It's the people of his own world that are at the top of that list.
Nanamin being the top because he won't beat around the bush, and because he'll think about what's best, too. Yuji needs that. ]
It's always been that way.
Always...
[ A sudden bout of vertigo hits him at the confession, causing his grip to tighten for a fraction of a heartbeat. He's spent more time with Itadori here than he has at home. This level of trust feels undeserved, especially in the presence of his betters.
The truth is he doesn't know what to make of this other than ensuring that he will always be just a text, a call, a shout away no matter what. Perhaps he'll have to wear the skin of a responsible adult a little longer and let go of his little amusements he's been collecting.
Some things are more important after all. ]
Are you feeling more settled now?
[ A sudden bout of vertigo hits him at the confession, causing his grip to tighten for a fraction of a heartbeat. He's spent more time with Itadori here than he has at home. This level of trust feels undeserved, especially in the presence of his betters.
The truth is he doesn't know what to make of this other than ensuring that he will always be just a text, a call, a shout away no matter what. Perhaps he'll have to wear the skin of a responsible adult a little longer and let go of his little amusements he's been collecting.
Some things are more important after all. ]
Are you feeling more settled now?
Yeah, I think so.
[ Completely unaware of how Nanami is feeling, the discordance in his mind, Yuji leans into him and lets his eyes close and some of the strange grief and tension fade away. He wants to make sure Nanami is safe and protected, he wants to make sure he's okay, but he also wants to make sure he realises how important he is.
Yuji thinks to himself, quietly, let me rely on him for just a little bit longer, please.
He's not ready to let go yet. ]
Thanks for listening to me.
[ Completely unaware of how Nanami is feeling, the discordance in his mind, Yuji leans into him and lets his eyes close and some of the strange grief and tension fade away. He wants to make sure Nanami is safe and protected, he wants to make sure he's okay, but he also wants to make sure he realises how important he is.
Yuji thinks to himself, quietly, let me rely on him for just a little bit longer, please.
He's not ready to let go yet. ]
Thanks for listening to me.
[ There is not enough time in the past life or this one to get the ex-salaryman to set aside his perception of self for even a moment and to consider other people's views of him. Geto has on several occasions dropped it here and there that Nanami matters beyond his usefulness as a weapon. Itadori's letter that came with the presents couldn't have been more heartfelt and yet here he is, thinking the boy would be better off putting his trust in Gojo or Geto. People who could help him and protect him if push came to shove.
Carefully, gently, he wraps an arm around the boy and holds him close. ]
No need to thank me. You did the heavy lifting yourself.
Carefully, gently, he wraps an arm around the boy and holds him close. ]
No need to thank me. You did the heavy lifting yourself.
[ This is comfortable, and easy, and how can Yuji explain the complicated emotions he feels for Nanami to anyone else?
They might have only known each other briefly back in their own world, but in Yuji's eyes Nanami had been everything that he wanted to be, despite the strange food they'd got off on. Someone so confident in himself, but able to respect his limits, keeping to his own mindset, knowing who he is... And he had inspired Yuji so much.
He wouldn't have ever questioned risking his life for Nanami, but he can't forget how it felt to be told that he was finally regarded as a real sorcerer.
Closing his eyes, he smiles. ]
I couldn't have done it without you.
They might have only known each other briefly back in their own world, but in Yuji's eyes Nanami had been everything that he wanted to be, despite the strange food they'd got off on. Someone so confident in himself, but able to respect his limits, keeping to his own mindset, knowing who he is... And he had inspired Yuji so much.
He wouldn't have ever questioned risking his life for Nanami, but he can't forget how it felt to be told that he was finally regarded as a real sorcerer.
Closing his eyes, he smiles. ]
I couldn't have done it without you.
[ The day Itadori turned sorcerer in Nanami's eyes had been reassuring and terrible at the same time. Once again Gojo-san had managed to find someone special, someone exceptional to add to his little army of monsters who'd turn the world upside down for a better future. Once again it remained uncertain what the price would be and who'd have to pay it. ]
You should give yourself more credit.
[ Itadori Yuji still remains the best of them in Nanami's opinion. Even Geto wrapped up in his resentment and bitterness borne from unfathomable grief couldn't resist the little sunshine, could he? ]
You have a way of inspiring people to get closer to their better selves. That's a rare feat, you know?
You should give yourself more credit.
[ Itadori Yuji still remains the best of them in Nanami's opinion. Even Geto wrapped up in his resentment and bitterness borne from unfathomable grief couldn't resist the little sunshine, could he? ]
You have a way of inspiring people to get closer to their better selves. That's a rare feat, you know?
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