Did Xiao Bai not understand? Or was his expression incorrect?
He thought back to what had happened before. He thought of that time he had said, "You just don't trust me," and of the way Xiao Bai's eyes would occasionally dodge his gaze. He thought of how Xiao Bai had relied on him during his amnesia, yet had begun to avoid him again after his memories returned.
He didn't believe him.
Xiao Bai still did not believe him.
Gojo Satoru leaned against the sofa, looking up at the ceiling.
He suddenly felt a bit irritable.
Having lived for over twenty years, he had never been this irritated.
Fighting Cursed Spirits wasn't annoying, dealing with those Old Oranges wasn't annoying; nothing could stump him. But when facing Xiao Bai, he always had a feeling of not knowing what to do.
He likes him.
It wasn't because of Child, nor because of responsibility; it was simply because he loved him.
I love the way he rushes forward to strike even when he's afraid of Cursed Spirits, I love the way his eyes dart when he's scheming, I love the way he regrets his actions after throwing a tantrum, I love the way he looks when he smiles.
But how could he make Xiao Bai believe these things?
Gojo Satoru sat on the sofa, thinking for a long time.
---
In the Tu Bai Bedroom, Tu Bai leaned his back against the door and slowly slid down to sit on the floor.
He gripped his clothes, gripping them so tightly that his knuckles turned white.
His eyes grew hot. Something was about to well up.
He blinked hard, forcing them back.
He couldn't cry. There was no reason to cry.
He had known it was like this for a long time.
That man was only fulfilling his responsibility. Only because of the Child. Only because he felt he should take care of him, his junior.
Because he is the Strongest, he always subconsciously protects those around him.
Because of his sense of responsibility, he chose to take charge.
It's not that I really like him.
Tu Bai buried his face in his knees.
Moonlight leaked through the gaps in the curtain, casting a small, beautiful patch of silver white upon the floor.
He just sat there, motionless.
A long, long time passed.
The Living Room was silent.
It was also silent in the Bedroom.
That night, separated by a door, neither of them slept.
Chapter 51
Since that night, Tu Bai has changed.
It wasn't that he had become cold; on the contrary, he had become more clingy.
In the morning, Gojo Satoru woke up; he was already awake. Lying in bed, his eyes half-open and half-closed, he reached out to grab the hem of his clothes.
Give me a kiss before you go.
The Voice was soft, carrying the raspiness of someone who had just woken up.
Gojo Satoru was stunned for a moment, then lowered his head to kiss his forehead.
Tu Bai was unsatisfied. He frowned, grabbing Gojo Satoru's collar and pulling him down.
It's not that.
Gojo Satoru looked at him.
Tu Bai said nothing, just watching him like that. His Red Eyes held a hint of the moisture from just having woken up, his eyelashes trembled slightly.
Gojo Satoru lowered his head and kissed him on the lips.
Tu Bai was finally satisfied. He released his grip and smiled with his eyes crinkled.
Be careful on the road.
Gojo Satoru stood up straight, looking at the person curled up under the Pillow on the Bed, with only a face visible.
"Yeah," he said.
As he went out the door, he turned back for a look. Tu Bai was still lying there, his eyes already closed, with a slight curve at the corners of his mouth.
Gojo Satoru closed the door and stood in the Corridor, stunned for a few seconds.
He couldn't say what was incorrect.
But he just had a feeling that something was incorrect.
---
Returning at noon, the moment the door was pushed open, Tu Bai rushed over.
Senpai!
He wrapped his arms around Gojo Satoru's neck, hanging his entire body weight on him.
I'm hungry.
Gojo Satoru supported his waist, fearing he would slip down.
What do you want to eat?
Anything is fine." Tu Bai buried his face in the crook of his neck and nuzzled against him. "Whatever you buy is fine.
Gojo Satoru set him down, changed his shoes, entered the house.
Tu Bai followed closely behind him.
Gojo Satoru went to the Kitchen to put things away, he followed him into the Kitchen. Gojo Satoru went to the Living Room to sit down, he sat down right next to him, pressing closely against him.
Gojo Satoru looked at him.
Tu Bai also looked at him, his eyes bright and a smile on his face.
What's wrong?
"Nothing," Gojo Satoru said.
He reached out and rubbed Tu Bai's hair.
Tu Bai leaned over and curled up in his arms.
Gojo Satoru looked down at him. Those Red Eyes were half-lidded, the corners of his mouth were curved upward, making him look very well-behaved.
But he always felt that, deep within those Red Eyes, something was being hidden.
---
It was even more so in the Evening.
Watching TV required leaning against him, eating required being close to him, sleeping required holding him. As Gojo Satoru stood up from the sofa to pour some water, Tu Bai's gaze followed him, tracking him from start to finish.
Gojo Satoru walked back and sat down beside him.
Tu Bai leaned in again.
Gojo Satoru held him, watching the TV. He didn't pay any attention to what was playing on the Screen.
"Xiao Bai." He spoke.
“Hmm?”
“You lately..”
Tu Bai raised his head and looked at him.
What's wrong?
Gojo Satoru looked at those Red Eyes. They were bright and curved, just like usual.
But he always felt that the smile didn't reach his eyes.
"It's fine," he said.
Tu Bai smiled and leaned in to give him a kiss.
Expectant Father's emotions are unstable, so he wants to spend more time with you.
He kissed him again.
“You don't like it?”
Gojo Satoru looked at him.
"I like it," he said.
Tu Bai smiled even more happily and shrank further into his arms.
Gojo Satoru held him in his arms, saying nothing more.
But the stone in his heart grew heavier and heavier.
---
Tu Bai was also annoyed.
Annoyed by Gojo Satoru.
That man was good to him, just as good as always. He kissed him in the morning, stayed with him in the afternoon, held him at night. He gave him whatever he wanted and listened to whatever he said.
But the more it was like this, the more annoyed Tu Bai became.