Bound In Love's Curse [Gojo Satoru x Female Readers]

100 ~ Hundred

[T]he throbbing in your left arm pulsed relentlessly as you pressed an ice pack against the bruised area.

The pain was sharp and unyielding, both physically and emotionally, but what exhausted you the most was the mental and emotional toll of the day. Crying was out of the question—you didn't even have the strength for that.

Tossing the now half-melted ice pack into the bin beside your bed, you let your body collapse backward, your head sinking into the soft mattress.

A dull headache loomed, threatening to drag you into a pit of discomfort. Yuki's words echoed in your mind: she had urged you to confront him, to talk about your feelings.

But how could you even begin to do that when you couldn't shake the thought of him and Utahime?

Luck, however, was never on your side.

The door to your bedroom creaked open, and the familiar scent of sweet tea filled the room. You didn't need to look up to know who it was—Gojo Satoru. His presence was unmistakable.

"Y/N, come on," his voice called out, even and controlled, giving nothing away. "I know you're awake."

Your heart thudded in your chest, anxiety creeping in. How was he looking at you right now? Was he here to confront you about Utahime, or worse, accuse you of something?

"What do you want?" you mumbled, forcing yourself to sit up. You rolled your neck, trying to relieve the stiffness that had settled in your shoulders.

"Alright," he began, his tone almost nonchalant as if searching for the right words. "What was that all about earlier?"

You didn't hesitate, your defensiveness kicking in immediately. "In case you're wondering, I didn't push her."

His eyebrow arched, white against the white of his blindfold. A hint of something—was it mockery? —laced his voice as he replied, "I didn't say anything yet. What's with the justification? Feeling guilty?"

The insinuation, whether real or imagined, cut deeper than you expected. Talking to him like this hurt more than you thought it would.

"What do you want me to say?" Your voice dripped with sarcasm, laced with a hint of vexation. "Sorry for pushing your sweetheart, or whatever?"

"Huh?" Gojo pushed himself off the doorframe, a frown marring his usually carefree expression. For a moment, he seemed genuinely puzzled. "What are you—"

But you were already on edge, the words spilling out before you could stop them. "Let me ask you something, Satoru Gojo—"

"Babe," he cut in smoothly, his tone almost playful despite the tension in the room. "I thought I asked you to call me Satoru."

The casual reminder felt like a slap, a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing inside you. How could he be so calm, so detached, when you felt like you were on the verge of breaking?

"Will you just shut it for once?" you hissed, your voice sharp and cutting. The irritation in your tone was palpable, and it was clear that something was seriously off.

Gojo could tell you were furious, but he couldn't quite grasp why.

"Let me ask you something," you sneered, your words dripping with sarcasm and mockery. "Where were you all day yesterday?"

Suddenly, it clicked. He realized why you were so angry. But damn, there was something about the fire in your eyes that made it hard for him to focus on anything else. Somehow, all he could think about was how enticing-hot you looked, even in your fury.

"Uh, with Utahime—" The words slipped out before he could catch them, but he quickly bit his tongue before revealing too much.

There was no way he was going to admit that he'd swung by your place without telling you, let alone that he'd snagged one of your childhood photos for himself.

"With Utahime?" you repeated, your voice laced with venomous sarcasm.

The way you glared at him, arms crossed over your chest and legs crossed, made his throat tighten. Even with his blindfold on, he could feel the weight of your stare, and for once, he found himself a little... unnerved.

"And what exactly were you doing with her?"

"I needed her help with a list of—wait, hold on. Babe, are you jealous?" He started to explain, but then the second realization hit him like a ton of bricks. Was that what this was really about?

You sighed, your scowl deepening as you looked at him with a mix of frustration and disbelief. "Let me rephrase everything so even someone like you can understand," you said, your tone biting. "What's your relationship with Utahime, Gojo?"

The sorcerer's expression softened as he caught the bluntness in your tone. You weren't in the mood for his usual light-hearted games, and he realized this was something he needed to take seriously.

He sighed, his usual playful demeanor fading as he faced you. "There's nothing between me and Utahime," he said, his voice steady. "She's just a colleague—a friend. I needed her help with something, and that's it."

For a moment, your icy exterior wavered as you searched his face for any sign of deceit. But all you saw was sincerity, which only made the ache in your chest more confusing.

"I just... I would've wanted you to be there when I needed you," you admitted, your voice softer but still laced with hurt. "But it feels like you keep me at a distance."

Gojo's expression shifted, something almost unreadable flickering in his eyes. "Y/N, I'm the strongest. I've got my own set of responsibilities. There are things I can't always share; things you might not fully grasp because... you're not in my shoes. If you could set your insecurities aside for a moment, maybe you'd notice that I haven't slept much lately. I've been overwhelmed."

His words hit you like a cold wind, and you couldn't help but feel stung by the implication.