Chapter Text
Suddenly, the massive curse lurches forward, its swollen body convulsing. You gag the instant you realize what it’s doing—vomiting.
From its gaping maw, dozens of smaller snake curses spill out, writhing and screeching as they hit the ground. The stench makes bile rise in your throat and you cover your mouth quickly, almost retching.
Mei Mei, however, only smirks, tilting her head with infuriating calm.
“What the hell is so pleasing in that?!” you snap, horrified.
The giant snake growls, a sick, guttural sound that vibrates through the cavern. The smaller curses hiss in unison—and then, in the blink of an eye, they surge forward at blinding speed.
You, Gojo, and Mei Mei all tense—but it’s too fast. Too many. For a heartbeat, you’re caught off guard.
And that’s when you see it.
One of them—different from the rest—slithers right into your line of sight. Its body coils like a whip, but its head… its head is human. A grotesque mockery, with blank white eyes and a mouth that stretches too wide.
Time slows as it launches itself straight at you.
WHAT THE FUCK?????
Your stomach lurches. Your body locks. Your mind hisses curses at yourself, but you can’t move fast enough. Its jaw opens wide—
—and suddenly, a shadow swallows you and you blink, Gojo is there.
His tall frame cuts off your view, his broad back shielding you completely.
The world falls silent.
Even the curses freeze, their writhing motions pausing under the sheer weight of the aura pouring from him. You stagger back a half-step as your knees nearly buckle. It’s suffocating—no, it’s crushing—like the atmosphere itself is bowing under his presence.
Your chest tightens, your heart hammering wildly. Heat rushes to your face, and you realize with horror you’re blushing—because this is the second time. The second time he’s saved you without hesitation.
Squash.
The sound makes you flinch.
Gojo’s arm shifts lazily, almost casually. And then you hear it—the sickening crunch of bone and flesh collapsing.
When your eyes snap back up, the human-headed curse is nothing but pulp in his hand. Its body spasms once before exploding in a spray of purple blood. The splatter hits the cavern floor… and streaks across Gojo’s cheek.
Slowly, he turns his head, giving you a cold side glance from over his shoulder.
“I told you,” he says, his voice low, edged with irritation. “Don’t repeat the mistake you made last time. Don’t freeze.”
His blue eyes pin you in place, and you swear your body tingles under the weight of his gaze. His tone softens, but only slightly.
“…React. Jump out of the way.”
Your breath stutters. Your pulse races. And even though your heart skips at the quiet anger in his voice, you can’t look away.
You open your mouth, breath still shaky.
“I—”
But the word cuts short the moment you notice it.
Gojo… flinches.
It’s quick—almost imperceptible—but you don’t miss it. His hand clenches before he tosses the mangled remains of the curse aside with careless force. The splatter hits the floor with a wet slap.
Then, without explanation, he turns his head away from you, stepping forward until once again, his back faces you.
Your lips part soundlessly, but no words come out. Confusion swirls in your chest, leaving you speechless.
That’s when a sound breaks the heavy silence.
A chuckle. Low. Amused. Completely out of place.
You whip your head to the side to see Mei Mei grinning like the situation is a comedy show.
“Aww, so cute~,” she teases, dragging the words.
Your face burns. You frown instantly, irritation sparking, but at the same time a shiver runs down your spine. Oddly enough, you’re grateful for it—it jolts you back to your senses.
Get a grip Y/N. Seriously.
You scold yourself harshly, screaming at your brain.
How can you react like this when someone is literally saving you all the time? Not once but twice now! Bad brain. Bad heart!
You force yourself to step back, grounding yourself. Your voice comes out softer than intended, mumbled in his direction.
“I-I get it… I’ll do better next time.”
From wherever he stands now—tall, impossibly composed—Gojo gives only a simple nod. No lecture. No teasing. Just a nod.
But that isn’t what unsettles you.
It’s that flinch.
That tiny crack in his usual confidence.
Why? Why did he react like that? wait, before that, Why was he this angry?
You fell in your deep thoughts.
On the other hand, Mei Mei smiles.
But this time, she isn’t smiling at you. No—her gaze is locked on Gojo. And her grin shifts, sly and sharp, the kind that promises she knows something no one else does—Gojo’s ears.
Red.
Bright red.
And his eyes, wide for just a second, like he himself can’t believe what he just did. Like it wasn’t strategy—just… impulse. And he let his composure break and show his anger for the first time.
Mei Mei’s lips move in the faintest whisper, meant only for herself.
“This is too interesting.”
You sighed and looked up and then blink, bewildered. Completely lost at why was she smiling smugly?
And then—Mei Mei turns her gaze back to you.
Her smile changes. Not mocking. Not playful. But knowing. Too knowing.
You freeze in place. Because her expression says it all: I know everything.
But everything about what?
Your chest tightens with fresh confusion, but before you can even ask—
The cavern trembles.
The giant curse growls again, a guttural, furious roar, its grotesque body coiling as if reminding you all that it was still there, still alive—still ignored.
Popo lets out a squeak from your side which almost made you jump as he bounced once, then twice and then on your shoulder and then bounces from your shoulder to the top of your head, his jelly-like body wobbling as though he’s the one exhausted—despite spending the entire fight spectating your near-death struggle like it was prime entertainment.
You glare upward, muttering curses under your breath.
You little menace! I swear I will shove you into that curse's mouth!
He squeaks happily in response, like he’s proud of himself, before plopping down flat against your hair. The weight is barely there, but you sigh anyway, the sound sharp and weary.
No time to argue with him.
The ground shivers. Thin, slick shadows slither across the floor—small curse-snakes, their bodies writhing, faster now, hungrier.
Your dagger flashes as you draw it in one smooth motion.
Beside you, Mei Mei raises her axe with elegance that shouldn’t belong to a weapon that massive.
The both of you strike. Steel arcs cut through the air, slicing the curses apart in wet, snapping bursts. You don’t even have to step forward—their bodies practically throw themselves into your blades.
Above you, Popo squeaks again, this time with a victorious little “Po!” like he’s the one dealing the finishing blow.
You grit your teeth.
And then you catch him in the corner of your vision.
Gojo.
He hasn’t moved an inch. Just stands there, hands tucked lazily in his pockets, while the curses slink too close to him and disintegrate on contact with infinity, their hissing death cries dissolving into nothing.
Not a single finger lifted.
And yet—
The cold, damp air catches in his hair, the white strands fluttering ever so slightly in the humid breeze. Somewhere in the chaos, his blindfold is back in place.
When did he even—?
Doesn’t matter. Because the way his tall frame stands, untouchable, unbothered, impossibly composed… it steals your breath more effectively than the curses ever could. You were intentionally forcing yourself to pay attention to fight the curses from the moment you entered this cave but now it's meaningless after how he saved you.
You scowl inwardly.
Bad brain. Bad.
Heat rushes to your cheeks before you can stop it. You want to slap yourself in the face, but instead, you swing your dagger harder, carving through another curse just to vent the frustration that has nothing to do with fighting.
The cave stinks of damp stone and blood, the air heavy and wet against your skin. You’ve had enough of standing still.
You and Mei Mei lock eyes—no words exchanged.
Then you both move.
Your boots splash against the slick ground as you charge forward, dagger slicing through the smaller snakes that lunge your way. Mei Mei swings her axe with a fluid, merciless rhythm, each strike felling curses like weeds cut at the stem.
On your head, Popo squeaks with delight, bouncing up and down like he’s strapped into some carnival ride. His little body wobbles with each of your leaps.
The giant curse growls—a sound that vibrates through your chest—but it’s too slow.
Mei Mei leaps, impossibly graceful for someone wielding a weapon that heavy. You follow right after her, muscles coiled, dagger gleaming.
Time seems to slow.
The curse’s wide eyes barely register your movements before—
Take this!
SHHHHK!
Her axe slices clean into the left side of its neck.
Your dagger carves deep into the right.
A guttural roar gurgles from its throat—then cuts short.
Its head separates, flying with a wet, snapping sound before crashing onto the stone floor below.
The body trembles. Then collapses.
You land lightly on your feet, breath steady, and allow yourself a sharp smirk. Snakes die easily if you take the head.
Mei Mei glances at you, faint surprise flickering in her eyes—not at the kill, but at the perfect, wordless synchronicity between you. She almost looks impressed.
You grin. She smirks.
Your fists meet with a solid bump.
And of course—
“Huuuuh?!” Gojo’s voice echoes from behind, dragging the moment back to reality. “You left me out?? How rude!”
He sounds like a kid denied a toy, his usual dramatics flooding back as though he hadn’t just stood still the entire fight.
Mei Mei chuckles under her breath, amused.
You huff, rolling your eyes, already annoyed at his antics. But the corners of your lips twitch despite yourself.
٩(˵˃̶ω˂̶˵)◞*٩(˵˃̶ω˂̶˵)◞*٩(˵˃̶ω˂̶˵)◞*٩(˵˃̶ω˂̶˵)◞*٩(˵˃̶ω˂̶˵)◞*
You collapse face-first onto the bed, the soft sheets swallowing you whole. The bathrobe still clings loosely to your damp skin, the faint scent of soap lingering. For a brief moment, the comfort of it all almost erases the stench of curses and blood. Almost.
Behind you, Popo zips around like a tiny ball of chaos, squeaking, bouncing, colliding with chairs and walls like he has endless reserves of energy. You groan into the pillow, muffling a tired laugh. How does he never get tired?
Your eyelids feel heavy. It’s already past 2 a.m. The day replays in fragments—dark caves, hissing curses, Mei Mei’s axe cleaving through scales. And then, inevitably, your mind strays where it shouldn’t.
To him.
To Gojo.
That stupidly broad back standing in front of you. Shielding you. That overwhelming aura that felt like it could crush the world itself, yet it had pressed close around you like a wall of protection.
Heat rushes to your face. You slap your cheeks. “Stop!” you hiss at yourself, rolling over onto your back, glaring at the ceiling as if it’s to blame.
But your thoughts keep circling back.
Why was he that angry? His cursed energy had burned hotter, sharper than ever before, like he could’ve erased that entire cave in a heartbeat. Was it… was it because of you? Did you make him mad? For being weak? For getting in the way?
And that moment when he flinched—looked away. The memory nags at you like a splinter you can’t pull out.
You exhale hard, shoulders sinking into the mattress. Who knows what goes on in that infuriating head of his?
Your gaze drifts to Popo, who crashes headfirst into the leg of a chair, squeaks, then continues happily as if nothing happened. A faint smile tugs at your lips, but your chest tightens.
Because no matter how much you try to deny it, the truth has already carved itself into your heart.
You like Gojo.
You can’t lie to yourself anymore.
And yet—just as quickly, that truth feels like a knife twisting. Because the moment you find a way back to your own world, all of this— him—will vanish. He’ll be nothing more than a memory you’ll never touch again.
Your throat aches. But then you sit up, fists clenching in the sheets.
“No,” you whisper to the empty room, to Popo, to yourself.
“It doesn’t matter if I’m only here temporarily. I’ll make sure Gojo lives happily. I’ll make sure he smiles genuinely. He’s the one who deserves it more than anyone.”
The words taste like iron, like steel. A vow.
Even if your heart breaks when you leave.
You grab an invisible pen in your mind and add another bullet point to your ever-growing mental list.
-
Find the psycho who’s trying to kill you.
-
Figure out who dragged you into this world in the first place.
-
Destroy your clan.
-
And now, most importantly—make sure Gojo smiles happily.
You nod firmly to yourself, oddly proud of the list even if it sounds like complete chaos. A solid plan, you think, as if you’re not one bad day away from losing your sanity.
With that, you flop back onto the bed and tug the covers up. “Popo, stop playing and let’s go to sleep.”
Popo squeaks in reply but immediately ignores you, bouncing onto your pillow like an overexcited marshmallow. You groan, swat at him half-heartedly, then finally reach over to turn off the light. Darkness swallows the room, leaving only the faint sound of Popo settling in beside you.
A satisfied sigh slips from your lips. The best part? The reservation here was for two days, but since you’d finished the curse in just one… that meant tomorrow nothing but sleep. And food. And more sleep.
Your stomach rumbles, and your drowsy mind drifts further. Maybe tomorrow I’ll buy some pastries for Gojo, you think, smiling into your pillow at the image of his childish smile while eating something sweet.
And with that happy thought, you let yourself drift into sleep, lips still curved in a small smile.
Or so you thought.
Because instead of sleeping peacefully, you find yourself sitting on the couch early morning in your room—your room—and yet here’s Mei Mei lounging far too close beside you, sipping tea like she owns the place.
And in the kitchen? Gojo. Hovering over your toaster. Your toaster.
You cry internally. You curse every bird in the sky. Out loud, through gritted teeth, you manage only:
“Why? Why always my room?!”
Mei Mei smirks, leaning just a little too comfortably against the armrest. “Aww~ Then where? Would you rather it be his room?”
You blushed. You clench your fist but you’re too tired to argue. It’s not worth it. Not when the faint, horrifying smell of burning bread hits your nose. Your eye twitches.
Sure, Gojo, you think, forcing a smile that is 90% pain. You’re cute when you try to do things you’re not meant to do. But please—for the love of all things holy—don’t set my room on fire!
Because in the end, if something like that did happen, you’re the one paying for this place. And this room is definitely not cheap. The thought of your wallet being brutally murdered again almost makes you want to cry.
“Hey, Y/N.” Mei Mei’s smooth, amused voice pulls you back before you spiral into financial despair.
You glance at her, suspicious. “...What now?”
She takes a sip of her tea, eyes glinting. “Wanna join me at the party tonight?”
Your brain short-circuits. Your heart jumps straight into your throat.
“WHAT?!”