Tu Bai didn't dare to make eye contact, staring at the Elevator Button: "I shouldn't have run out. I also shouldn't have ignored the phone."
A few seconds of silence.
Then Gojo Satoru's hand landed on his head and rubbed it.
"We'll talk about going back later," he said.
The Elevator arrived.
---
After entering the door, Tu Bai stood at the Entrance, suddenly feeling a bit hesitant to walk further inside.
The Living Room was still the same Living Room, the Sofa was still the same Sofa. He had run out from here last night. Now that he was back, he had a strange Feeling.
Gojo Satoru changed his shoes and turned back to look at him.
What are you standing there for? Come in.
Tu Bai obediently changed his shoes—he had brought those convenience store slippers inside, now they were placed at the doorway, side by side with Gojo Satoru's shoes.
He walked into the Living Room and stood beside the Sofa, not knowing where to put his hands or feet.
Gojo Satoru ignored him and first took a stroll around the Bedroom. When he came out, he was holding his Black Suit Jacket and Mobile Phone in his hands—the ones he had left behind when he ran out last night.
The Mobile Phone was already charging, the Screen was lit up.
Gojo Satoru placed the thing on the coffee table and then sat down on the sofa.
He looked up at Tu Bai.
Come over and sit.
Tu Bai walked over and sat down beside him. As soon as his buttocks touched the Sofa, he stood up again, wanting to go get his Mobile Phone.
Forget about that for now," Gojo Satoru said, "Sit down.
Tu Bai sat down again.
Gojo Satoru looked at him, wearing a level of seriousness that Tu Bai rarely saw. The corners of his mouth, which usually always wore a smile, were now pressed thin, his eyes behind the Sunglasses stared at him, making him feel uneasy.
"Xiao Bai." Gojo Satoru spoke.
"Mm.." Tu Bai's Voice was as quiet as a mosquito.
We need to set some ground rules.
Tu Bai's heart skipped a beat.
It's over; it's time to settle the score.
He shrank his neck, burying his head even lower: ".. What?"
First," Gojo Satoru said, his voice steady, "no matter what happens in the future, you are not allowed to run away from home.
Tu Bai was stunned.
Let's talk everything through in person," Gojo Satoru continued. "If you run away, the problem won't be solved, I'll end up worrying. Do you understand?
Tu Bai blinked and nodded.
“Second,” Gojo Satoru held up two fingers. “If you are truly angry, you can hit me or scold me, but you are not allowed to hide so that I cannot find you.”
Tu Bai nodded again.
"Third.." Gojo Satoru paused.
Tu Bai looked up at him.
Gojo Satoru thought for a moment and said, "I haven't decided on Wednesday yet. I'll tell you once I've decided."
Tu Bai: ".."
What kind of Three Rules are these? Even the third rule is still pending.
He had just started to breathe a sigh of relief when he felt his body lighten—Gojo Satoru scooped him up, flipped him over, pressed him down onto his lap.
"Wait, wait—" Before Tu Bai could finish his sentence, he received a smack on his buttocks.
Slap.
It was very light, but the sound was quite loud.
Tu Bai froze completely.
Gojo Satoru tapped him again.
Slap.
"Remembered?" Gojo Satoru asked.
Tu Bai's face flushed bright red in a moment.
He lay prone across Gojo Satoru's lap, the tips of his ears turning red, the flush spreading from the base of his ears to his neck, from his neck to his back—though his back was not visible, he felt as if his entire body was emitting white steam.
"I.. I've remembered it.." he said muffledly, his voice as quiet as a mosquito.
Gojo Satoru slapped him again.
*Clap.*
Really remembered?
"I really remembered!" Tu Bai's Voice rose slightly, filled with both shame and annoyance.
Only then did Gojo Satoru turn him over and pull him into his arms.
Tu Bai's face was still flushed, his eyes staring at him, but he couldn't keep staring after two seconds—because Gojo Satoru was smiling.
It wasn't that kind of obnoxious laugh, but a very gentle one; his Blue Eyes curved and the corners of his mouth lifted, looking at him as if he were some precious Baby.
"Good boy." Gojo Satoru leaned down and kissed the top of his head.
The little bit of grievance and unease in Tu Bai's heart was brushed away by that kiss.
He curled up in Gojo Satoru's arms, after a moment, he murmured softly, ".. You just hit me."
Mm.
I'll remember.
Mm.
No more hitting from now on.
Gojo Satoru laughed, rubbing his chin against his hair: "That's not hitting, it's making sure you learn your lesson."
It is hitting.
Alright, alright, alright, it's a fight," Gojo Satoru coaxed him, "Then next time we don't fight, we just kiss?
Tu Bai lifted his head, glaring at him with Red Eyes, but after staring for two seconds, he lowered his head again, burying his face back.
His ears were still red.
Gojo Satoru held him and sat on the Sofa for a while. It had already brightened outside the window, sunlight leaked through the gaps in the Curtain, casting a thin streak of light across the Floor.
"Are you hungry?" Gojo Satoru asked.
Tu Bai shook his head.
Are you sleepy?
Tu Bai thought about it and nodded.
Shall we take a shower first?" Gojo Satoru said. "We can sleep after that.
Tu Bai nodded again.
Gojo Satoru stood up and carried him toward the Bathroom.
"I can walk by myself.." Tu Bai said softly.
"It's fine, I'll hold you." Gojo Satoru did not let go.
---
The Bathroom was filled with steaming heat.
Tu Bai sat in the bathtub, the water covering his shoulders and leaving only his head exposed. Gojo Satoru sat by the edge of the tub, using a towel to wipe his back.
Is the water temperature okay?
Mm.
Do you want to wash your hair?
.. Yes.
Gojo Satoru squeezed shampoo onto his head and began to rub. The foam flowed down the tips of his hair, dripping into the water.
Tu Bai squinted his eyes, feeling very comfortable being massaged.
"Senpai," he suddenly spoke.
Hmm?
“Are you.. really not angry today?”
Gojo Satoru's hand paused for a moment, then continued to rub.
"I'm angry," he said.
Tu Bai's body stiffened.
But I'm not mad at you for running," Gojo Satoru said. "I'm mad at myself.
Tu Bai turned to look at him.
Gojo Satoru's expression was very calm as he continued to rub his hair: "I'm mad that I didn't make myself clear, causing you to have a Misunderstanding. I'm mad that even though I clearly knew what you were thinking, I kept it to myself. I'm mad that I let you run out all by yourself, wearing only socks, in the middle of the night."
He paused.
If something happens to you, what will I do?
Tu Bai was stunned.
He looked at Gojo Satoru, at the sincerity within those Blue Eyes that seemed almost unbelievable, his heart suddenly skipped a beat.