Escape to Reality (Gojo Satoru x Reader)

Chapter 17

I startle awake.

Ugh, I'm in the infirmary again.

But, I'm alive!

Phew, that was close. I exhale in relief, managing to overcome it... My body feels a bit numb, but I still try to sit up in bed.

"You're awake," I hear, lowering my gaze to meet Satoru's beautiful blue eyes.

His cheek rests on his left forearm, his right hand is on mine, and I feel him gently squeezing my hand.

I blink several times, feeling a slight dizziness. Satoru sits up on the edge of the bed next to me, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear before caressing my cheek.

"Satoru," I say, leaning my cheek into his hand.

"How are you feeling?" he asks, his voice soft but strangely quiet. There's no playful smile on his lips, and his expression looks serious. "Do you want some water?"

I nod and he serves me a half-full glass from the small pitcher on the bedside table. I drink and ask for more, feeling very thirsty.

"Y/n... I'm sorry," he apologizes. I just blink and furrow my brow in confusion.

"Satoru, what are you talking about? I'm fine," I return the empty glass to him.

As I respond, more to reassure him than because I'm completely okay, I wonder how long I've been unconscious. It was probably a couple of days, which would explain why I'm so thirsty.

In response, Satoru takes my hands in his and gives me a half-sad smile.

"Now that you're awake, I can tell you're feeling a bit better," he nods, "you were unconscious for eight days," he announces grimly, his lips tight with pain, "you had lost a lot of blood, and the curse venom injected into you was very strong."

Oh...

So, I was really close to dying.

"That's why I'm sorry," he continues, "I wasn't there to protect you... like I promised."

He finishes and lifts my hands to his lips to leave a couple of kisses on my knuckles. I can't help but feel nervous and blush.

"Satoru," I say, moved by his words and gesture, "it's nothing, it wasn't your fault..."

"To tell you the truth..." I hesitates a bit, lowering my gaze, "I wasn't at a hundred percent during the battle either."

Satoru nods.

"Mmmm," he confirms, lowering our intertwined hands, "the guys told me that your performance had been decreasing for weeks, and you didn't want to tell anyone why."

I sigh. Damn... they noticed.

"Why didn't you tell me anything, Y/n?" he asks, forcing me to look at him, his index and thumb gently holding my chin. His blue eyes are so beautiful and intense.

"It's just..." I hesitate, "I don't know how to explain it... I..." I take a deep breath and blink, feeling uneasy under his penetrating gaze.

"Remember when I had trouble sleeping because of nightmares?" the albino nods seriously.

"Well, every night I have nightmares, Satoru," I finally say, his hand stops holding my chin and he tilts his head with curiosity. "I haven't had proper rest since that night at one in the morning when you accompanied me."

His eyebrows raise slightly in surprise.

"For that long?" he frowns, "Why didn't you tell me anything?"