Future. | Satoru Gojo

chapter 16

a mini chapter before a time skip. i just wanted to add something a little wholesome before the end of vol. 1. i also wanted to say thank you again, if you are reading or have read. i am so grateful for the support and love that has been shown to me through this fic.

The sky is as blue as ever, the trees barely beginning to recover from the harsh winter that just passed. Gojo and I sit on a blanket, and watch as the kids blow bubbles in the park. We decided on some family bonding time here, wanting to connect with nature, and the world away from curses. The day was too beautiful to stay cooped inside, so we packed up some lunch and planned a picnic. When I say we, I mean me, of course Gojo and the kids obliged.

"The weather is perfect." I say, laying down and spreading out on the blanket. "I'm happy we can all take a break." Gojo says, blowing some bubbles of his own. I pop them as they blow over to my side, admiring the iridescent glimmer they shimmer with. I stare up at the clouds, studying the shapes they make. "That one looks like a dog." I say, pointing at a puppy shaped cloud.

"Huh, speaking of dogs..." Gojo says, before yelling for Megumi. "Megumiiiii" Gojo yells, causing me to sit up from the comfortable position I made for myself. Megumi and Tsumiki run over to us, and Tsumiki dives into the crackers we set up on a charcuterie board we put together.

"Why don't you let the dogs out to play." Gojo says to Megumi, who finds a shadowy spot by the tree. He draws his hands together, forming a shadow and chanting something to himself. In less than a minute, we are greeted by two playful pups, excited to be let out by their master. "Wow. You're getting really good at the Meg." I say, impressed by the boy's swiftness. "Sometimes he summons them when you go to sleep." Tsumiki tattles, making me laugh. "Not surprising." I respond, making her giggle.

Gojo and Megumi are playing with the dogs, running around and making the pups chase them. "I brought this for a reason." Gojo says, pulling a tennis ball from the bag I packed. "When did you put that in there?" I ask, giggling at the plans Gojo had made in advance. Gojo throws the ball onto the field, and the dogs race each other to it. "Did you ever put any thoughts into names?" I ask the boy, who is racing the black dog.

"White and black." Megumi says, petting the dogs belly. "Aren't you so creative." I say, laughing at the boy's simplicity. Gojo launches the ball, grabbing the attention of the dogs who continue their racing. "You having a good time, Miki?" I ask the girl, who is blowing bubbles in the direction of the dogs. "Yes!" She says, jumping into my arms. We sit there and watch the boys play with the puppies for a bit, and then Tsumiki insists that she has to teach them how to do tricks.

"Mom made sandwiches, why don't we eat real quick and then we can keep playing." Gojo says, realizing that we have been out here for hours and have yet to eat a real meal. "Yes, please!" I say, rounding the kids and Gojo up. I pull from the basket four sandwiches, I made them each the way they like. "Tsumiki, this one for you." I say, handing her a sandwich bag. "Megumi." I say, handing him his. "Satoru... and me!" I say, handing Gojo his sandwich and then digging into mine.

"Hey, while we are all together, why don't we have a moment of gratitude," I say. After these past few weeks, and a minor depressive episode, I think having a session to be thankful would be good for us. "I'll start. I'm thankful for my son, Megumi. I'm thankful for my daughter, Tsumiki. I'm thankful for my best friend, Aunt Shoko. I'm thankful for my students, my job, our house..." I begin, pondering on the life I have made for myself. "And I'm thankful for the most amazing, sweet, kind, handsome, future husband, Satoru." I say, leaning in for a kiss.

"Me, next!" Tsumiki says, raising her hand. "I'm thankful for Megumi, and for my friends at school, and my teacher... and you and dad... and Megumi's puppies... and Aunt Shoko and Nanami, even Ijichi... also for Mr. Yaga... and sometimes Rukia. Also,"

"You're, thankful for everybody, dear. That's a good way to be." I cut her off, I know that if we allow her to continue she will name anybody she has ever come into contact with. "What about you, Megumi." I ask the boy, who was enjoying the sound of his sister's voice. "I'm thankful for everybody who is thankful for me." He says, causing Gojo and I to glance over at the boy's mysterious answer. "Well, that's a good way to put it." I respond, giggling at his oddness.

"Now you, Dad." Megumi tells Gojo, Tsumiki nods to back him up. "Best for last," He begins, putting his arms behind him and leaning on them. "I'm thankful for my job, and my student." He starts, causing me to roll my eyes. "I'm thankful that I'm strong, and I'm able to protect my family. Speaking of my family, being grateful is an understatement for my kids." He says sitting up and patting Megumi and Tsumiki's head. I look at him, infatuated by the way he is with words. "And I guess I'm super thankful for my beautiful fiance, who never fails to amaze me." He finishes, looking me in my eyes. I give him a quick peck, knowing that a passionate kiss would just embarrass the kids.

"Well, I think that went well." I say, wiping the corner of my lips with a napkin. "Gather your trash, please." I say standing up, and picking up our belongings. "Dismiss the dogs." Gojo tells Megumi, and the dogs dissolve into the air.

The sun is beginning to set, and spending the day in the sun has exhausted me. I make my way over to the public trash can, and dump everything into it. The sun is beginning to hide the clouds, barely visible. Streaks of orange and pinkndecorate the sky. In awe of the Earth's beauty, I turn to get the attention of my family. I see Megumi chasing Tsumiki around the park, as Gojo laughs. What a beautiful sight.